Maintenance and The After Pictures

Maintenance is AWESOME!!!

This is the first full week I've spent transitioning to maintenance where I've actually added in foods. It's been great. Granted, I didn't go this morning for weigh-in, but I'll do that in the morning. Things were kind of crazy this morning and tomorrow will work out better. This week's appointment is just weight and a shot, so anytime was fine.

This week during the transition, I have added whole wheat pita bread pockets, only one per day though. I've also added some fat free/sugar free pudding (it's good!) and have sort of begun to eat "normally" for my 'new normal'. For example, today at lunch I had a Black & Blue Steak Salad, easy on the blue cheese, no fried onions, dressing on the side. It was great!!

This weekend, I was busy, all over everywhere. Debi spent the weekend, I had the photo session, went to my mom's, went to see the band play in both Zephyrhills and a pit stop in Davenport on the way home from mom's with Debi. All in all we did good, great food choices, no issues what-so-ever.

The gym has been a great thing as well. I usually do a class once or twice a week (for the whole week I've joined so far) and work on cardio and toning in between. I absolutely love the cardio-kickboxing class. It's a great work-out and I can take out my frustrations on the punching bag as well! It's a win-win!

I never thought I'd become addicted to working out and shopping and eating healthy, but it's fun and easy. The motivation now I believe is coming from the testimonial program that's getting ready to go live. I for sure can't gain the weight back if my face is going to be plastered on billboards all over Tampa, or on websites and the like!! If that's not a motivator, um...nothing is?!

Ok, it's late, I wanted to post the official after pictures from my photo session with Steven Bivens. If anyone is looking for a photographer in the Tampa Bay area, he was great to work with! Steven, thanks so much!! You are awesome!

The before pictures were in the last blog post or two back...I'll not be reposting them, but...here's the after shots (well, a few, there were hundreds!)

The Story...

What a surprise I have for those of you that have been following this blog since the beginning...

I have been asked and decided to participate in Dr. Garcia's program for testimonials. There will be some print media, radio advertising, possible billboards and whatever else they'd like to do with "my story". While this is all a little surreal to me, I'm thrilled for the opportunity to help others reach their goals through my story. If I help one person, it makes the journey all worthwhile.

So, here's a copy of "The Story" for all of you to read what bits and pieces may be used in the future. Tomorrow I have a 'photo session' with a friend who is a photographer to take some good "after" pictures. I sure wish there was something I could do to have better "before" pictures, but I'm certainly not willing to go back and re-create them! LOL

And....here's the story....

My Journey

When asked to write my “story” for Dr. Garcia’s office, I struggled on where to start. I mean, my weight gain started years and years ago. The last time I remember being thin was the beginning of my senior year of high school.

I remember portion control being a BIG issue. I remember trying every diet under the sun. I’ve tried them all, any fad, lose 10 pounds quick diet. There’s even a diet that you eat beets and ice cream, along with other things for three days. For the record, I hate beets! I’ve tried the cabbage soup thing. I’ve tried Weight Watchers. I tried Slim-fast. I tried at one time even using laxatives, and the only thing I ended up with on that was Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Great!

I’ve been in weight loss support groups. Funny, the support group would meet weekly. We’d starve all day to weigh in, then go to weigh in, meeting and then…yes, go out to eat at a pizza place. I kid you not!

About 25 years ago, my father lost 35 pounds. He’s kept every bit of it off, still today. He eats healthy, he exercises a little bit but he also never forbids himself from having something that he wants. He doesn’t eat a lot of junk food, but once every six weeks or so he allows himself a treat of a greasy cheeseburger. His way is; he thinks, he decides and then he eats. He has a big breakfast once a week, the rest of the week he eats very healthy. I was sure that he thought if I would just begin doing what he was doing and making the same decisions that he is making I would lose weight. I have…I have done the same thing only to return to my “normal” habits, and never having lost “all that much”.

In January 2005 I was due to have some surgery and I was devastated when it was put off because I had to lose 12 pounds in order to have it. I was crushed. It was elective surgery and I was unable to do it until my BMI (Body Mass Index) was in the “right spot”. I think that’s the only time I was ever successful at the weight loss attempt and I kept it off, all the way through the surgery. As soon as that was done, I gained it all back, and then some.

So, why in 2008 after struggling with weight and diet programs since 1986 would I want to start something now? What is different? Why should I expect a different result here and what, on earth, is my family going to say when they find out that I’ve now decided to start yet another diet program. This one including medication, shots, etc. would probably not go over very well.

Actually, telling my family went better than I thought. They were supportive, my friends were supportive and so the journey began. I started the program on 12/22/08. Three days before Christmas. Everyone tried to convince me to wait it out through the holidays, but I think I finally realized that it wasn’t about the holidays. It wasn’t about the food on my plate, it wasn’t about FOOD at all, yet for years, I’d been making everything about food. I wanted life to be about living life and not living to eat. I began to feel strongly that it shouldn’t matter what’s on my plate. If I’m at dinner with my family, my friends, my boyfriend, whom ever…it should be about the fellowship of being together, spending time with the people I love and NOT about what’s on everyone’s plate. Once I realized that, I was good to go.

I committed to Dr. Garcia’s program, started it before I told anyone and never, ever once, looked back. I strictly followed the program. I drank the water. I followed the meal plan. I did the exercise. I REACHED my goal. I had a little; personal ‘goal’ during the entire journey and it was to have “No Gain To Goal” meaning I would post a loss each and every week until I hit my goal. I initially set my goal where it would have been a 62.2 pound loss. However, very early into the program I decided that I wanted to add another 15 pounds to my goal. To date, as I am in the third week of transition I have reached my goal of 135 and was actually under that when I weighed in this week.

This is flat-out absolutely the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. I know, and I’ve told others, until you’re ready to make the lifestyle change it will never, ever be successful. I was ready, I committed to the change in my lifestyle. I didn’t do this as a diet program; I did this as a lifestyle change. I did this to lose weight, look and feel fabulous and continue on living a completely different lifestyle than what my body has become used to for the past 23 years. I live my life today, completely different than I have any day in the last 23 years. First off, I live life for ME today, but what that means, is I do the things I need to do to take care of myself. Realizing, finally, that if I don’t take care of me, I’m no good to others! Today, I make sure I have time to eat properly. I plan my day and my meals, I work out or plan not to, but I am making conscious decisions.

So, here I am, 184 days after the start of the program, down 77.8 pounds and thrilled with my new life. I’ve not taken medication for my IBS or migraines, or barely even Advil since the start of the program. I feel fabulous, I’m healthier than I’ve been in years, and this has done absolutely amazing things for my self-esteem. Again, it has been the best thing I’ve ever done.
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Again, over and over again, I thank all of you who have been my support system throughout the six-months during this program. Without my fabulous friends and family I could never have done as well as I've done with this. I love you all, so very much!!!

Transition To Maintenance

Gosh, it's been two weeks since I've posted a blog...my apologies. Things with work have been a little hectic, and each of the last two weeks have included some travel and late nights working, and late dinners, drinks, you name it. It's finally died down. One more weekend of travel for work, but not until the middle of July. Hopefully the weekend after that one (the 17-19th) I'll be having a girls camping weekend. We're just starting to see if we can make the plans come together to be able to have a girls weekend away-should be much fun!

I had to go back and re-read where we'd left off on this journey. I see that the last post was a mid-week update showing that my scale indicated I'd reached my goal.

Well, as of this week, we're still there. Right at goal in the office and the transition to maintenance has been going fairly well. Last week I received the Welcome to Zone Wellness packet which discusses how to eat in the Zone and discusses how insulin is a key player in controlling metabolism. It discusses the Zone Lifestyle Pyramid, showing that water, the Zone nutrition plan, moderate exercise and stress reduction all work together to help maintain healthy habits.

There are 7 Basic Zone Rules that go with the program, everything from eating within an hour of waking...which will be difficult for me. I'm not much of a breakfast eater, I'll struggle with eating as soon as I get up. Rule 2 is eating 5 times per day, 3 meals & 2 snacks. I think I can do that! Rule 3 is not letting more than 5 hours go by without eating something, again, I think I can do that! The others include eating mostly vegetables & fruits, treating 'carbs' basically, as 'condiments' and keeping the plate portioned to 1/3 low-fat protein, 2/3 vegetables/fruits as well as consuming 8 glasses of water each day. This is a decrease from the gallon that was the start with the program.

Funny, as I flip through the packet, there's a section that discusses "Benefits Of Living In The Zone" and I see those, listed out, but there have been so many things that have been beneficial to me since starting this program, and even since the transition to maintenance. I have a whole new outlook on life, I'm doing everything that I do for me and not for anyone else. I've even started dating. I know, some of you reading this are shocked by that, but that's what happens when you look okay and feel as fabulous as I feel. It's definitely been the best thing I've ever, ever done.

That being said, you're not going to believe this...well, some of you will, because you already know...but the office has asked me for my testimonial. They'd like to use my "story" as part of their advertising campaign. I was floored when the Director of Operations emailed me and asked me what I thought. We met recently and discussed what I might be willing to share with them. The options we discussed were print media, radio and television spots and potentially a billboard. So, for those of you living in Tampa, don't be surprised if you're driving along some day and you see my (UGH!) before and after pictures posted somewhere! It's truly an honor to be able to share my story with people and hopefully encourage them to do what they need to do in their own lives to become healthy. I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my story with anyone who wants to know about it. I know some people don't ask, because it's "weight and women and all...." but I'm so proud of the changes that I've made for me. Not physically proud, because I still don't think it's all that, but the healthy side of things is incredible.

I've also joined a gym. Today was my first session with the personal trainer. It'll probably be my only session with the trainer, he's pretty dang expensive. However, being at the gym, getting strength conditioning and still having a cardio workout option is going to be fantastic. I still have a lot of toning to do, for sure!

Since the Transition to Maintenance phase has started, I've ended all of the appetite suppressants and this last week was able to start adding foods back in. To be perfectly honest, though...I didn't add anything this week. I was traveling for work, didn't have time to go grocery shopping, I could name a thousand excuses...but I just have stuck to the program the way the food was laid out initially. I'm able now to add more protein, favorable carbs (still no carrots-I'll never eat another carrot I guess)fruits & vegetables, and the big addition was adding fats. Things that I haven't had, such as almonds, peanuts, avocados, cashews, oats, macadamia nuts and oils in moderation.

This week I will focus on adding some of the options back in. I need desperately to go grocery shopping, so I'll bring the list (and the book that was recommended, called Top 100 Zone Foods with me to the grocery store so I know what I need to be buying now.

Overall, it's been a fantastic two weeks. Again, my apologies for the delay on the blog, it's just been crazy. I have been promising people a blog update now for a week, and here it finally is. I was able to have a great lunch this week with a new friend, Renea, who stumbled across my blog on google as she was researching the program. Renea lives in Orlando, found my blog, we've been emailing and got to meet on Thursday for lunch when I was in Orlando. It was great to meet you Renea. Thanks for listening to my story and my new dilemmas. I can't wait to hear about your progress.

A little on the personal side...As you all know, I don't typically blog about the "other things" that go on in my life, but ultimately it all will affect the maintenance program and as I discussed with Dr. Garcia's office this week, I'm writing this and keeping it real. It's just me, it's what's going on and it's the concerns that I have. That being said, here's a little twist on this journey for you.

Stress wise--there are some things that have been going on that worry me a little as I transition to maintenance. They're a little personal, but 'most' of the people who read this blog are friends. There are definitely some, I know that read it, that are not friends. I've had a falling out of sorts with some people in my life in the last few months, and I know my blog is being read by some of them. Why someone wants to read something that is hurtful to them, I'm not sure, but it's the Internet, I suppose you can read what you want.

I've definitely noticed that some people are a little put off by the success I've had on the program, but those who have stood by me, day after day for the past 6 months, I value and treasure with all my heart and you certainly know who you are.

That "falling out" with a group of people has led me to some of the most positive places I've been in a very long time. For quite a while, I was living in what I now call the "drama zone" and living in the "drama free zone" today, is fabulous. As I indicated, I've started dating, which, at 40 years old, brings on issues in its own right. This is the little struggle I'm having that could affect maintenance.

I wasn't dating before, I really kind of took a two-year hiatus from serious relationships and was just having a good time being me. There was certainly not a line of men waiting to buy me drinks or take me out when I was heavier. Now, however, that happens. It's a little surreal. I'm not sure I'm liking it, but the fact of the matter is, it happens. It happens darn-near every time I go out, and quite honestly, I go out a lot, so I'm struggling with the 'attention' that now comes my way.

Now that the 'dating scene' has reopened it also means I have to think about things I haven't had to think about in YEARS. Things that a single woman without children at age 40, and wanting to stay that way, needs to consider. Enough said on that, as my friend Laura would say-read between the lines :)

I have some choices to make about the direction to take things, knowing full well that there are plenty of options out there and that many of them have side-effects of weight gain. It's admission time...I'm absolutely terrified of weight-gain. No big surprise there, I'm sure, but I mean...seriously...terrified. I think my biggest fear used to be those dang lizards on my back porch, now it's gaining an ounce or two. So in looking at this new-found dilemma, it dawned on me that the point in time where I started gaining weight was when I was a teenager. It was probably about the time I went on birth control and since now, 25 years later, it's something I have to consider....the fear of weight gain freaks me right out.

So, tomorrow I'll discuss this briefly at Dr. Garcia's office, and I have an appointment to discuss all of my options tomorrow with my regular doctor as well. I know three things for certain, without any question in my mind...as I sit here today, I know I don't want a baby. I know I don't want weight gain and I know that I have to do something. It's somewhat ironic to me that I'm writing this on Father's Day. Those that know me, know that there was nothing I ever wanted more than to be a mom and it just wasn't meant to be. Now, before this turns all sappy, I'm going to stop. The bottom line is that I now have a reason to have to control things that shouldn't happen today. I'm working on that, but I'm terrified of the maintenance of my weight and the options that might be available to me. Enough said.

In closing...have a great week and I promise another update soon....we'll get back on the Monday night track this week!

“Another flaw in the human character is that everybody wants to build and nobody wants to do maintenance.”

A Mid-Week Update

Surprise! It's a post on, well, technically it's Friday. Rare to see a post on this blog when it's not immediately following a weigh-in, I know. Today, however, we hit a milestone that should be shared with all of you that follow along. If you're my 'facebook friend' then you already saw this post today.

This morning, hours ago, when I did my typical morning weigh in, I weighed in at 1.2 pounds UNDER goal! I was pretty surprised I'd gotten there this week. I was surprised to see it today. It's been a pretty crummy couple of days for me, but this certainly turned my week around.

I was pleasantly surprised I had reached the goal, but admittedly so, really happy to see it below my 135 goal, and liking that number more and more as I think about it. When I weighed in at 133.8 this morning, I wracked my brain trying to remember the last time I weighed that. I tried to remember the last time (if ever, mom?) I wore a size 4 and I wondered how I could get my health insurance to pay for the little bit of 'enhancement surgery' I'd really, really like to have! :-)
I couldn't come up with an answer to any of those questions, just so you know!

Anyway, just a short post to declare the milestone of GOAL MET! I guess it's time to post the "before" and "after" pictures that I talked about during the "Completion of Week 3" post from January 12.

While it doesn't thrill me to post this....it's important to see the progression from the 103.4 pounds. This first picture was taken in April 2006. The second picture was taken in May 2008 and the final picture was taken May 2009. I managed to lose about 25 pounds from the 2nd picture, prior to starting the program in December. Ok, here goes....





So, there you have it. Twenty-three weeks to start a plan to change my life, the way I think, the way I decide and the way I choose to start and end each day making choices and decisions to be a healthier person, for me.

I plan to continue the blog during maintenance as I'd indicated last week. As well, I'm receiving a lot of email from people who have stumbled across my blog that I have been an 'inspiration' to. I'd never thought of myself being an inspiration to anyone, but there are people I've never met making decision to start this program or to keep an appointment they questioned going to, just because they happened upon my blog. If I'm helping people out there, then this little blog has done more than I could have ever asked.

As always, in closing....

"Success doesn't come to you…you go to it."Marva Collins

"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will." Vincent T. Lombardi

"Desire is the key to motivation, but it's the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek." Mario Andretti - race car driver

Ok, I could go on and on....but it's late and I need to go to bed! Thank you to all of you who have had a part in the encouragement of me going through this program. It means so much.

Completion of Week 23!

It's official...the beginning of the rest of my life. Today, I officially began the transition process to the maintenance phase of this program. "Maintenance" is how I will spend the rest of every day of my life.

In knowing that I would be blogging tonight about transition, I searched for some "diet maintenance" links and here's what I found. I'm sure it's no surprise to anyone reading along.

Statistically speaking, about 90% of people who diet and lose weight, regardless of which method, gain every pound back. Ninety percent. That's huge in my opinion. I am of the belief, that the following is possibly why that number is so large. Another article I found entitled..."Life After A Diet" states that after months of hard work and abstinence, you've reached your target weight and return to your regular eating habits. At first, I stopped reading right there. My immediate thought was that was the problem. You simply can't return to your regular eating habits! I did finally read on to make sure that somewhere, the author brought that up, and yes, she did. I truly believe though, that's the problem with people gaining back the weight they lost. The definition of insanity, per Albert Einstein is doing the same thing, over and over again, and expecting different results.

Diet programs are just that...programs. They start, they stop and you go on. If you have not made the decisions throughout the program to change your lifestyle, then yes, I see where 90% can potentially gain their weight back. Those that go into the program of their choosing, with the determination to make a lifestyle change and not just a temporary solution should be successful in their endeavor to, indeed, change their life.

So, today's weigh in was the first one since May 18, because of the holiday last week. I didn't do as well as I thought I'd do. I anticipated two weeks ago, already being at goal. I did have a loss, however. I lost .6 pounds, my smallest loss yet, but still a loss. That brought the total to 74.4 pounds and 19.5% body fat lost.

Today, Dr. Armstrong and I met to begin the transition phase. What I learned today is that for the next two weeks, essentially, nothing changes other than a decrease in the medication and a slight increase in the amount of food I consume. The same food list still applies at this point. I have already started the medication transition. Not purposely, but the forgetting to take it, not taking it because I didn't feel like I needed an appetite suppressant if I wasn't hungry, kind of thing. I don't anticipate the next two weeks being much different than anything else from the past 23 weeks. He felt as though there was no reason I would not reach my 77.2 pound goal before fully moving into maintenance.

His statements to me were super encouraging. He reviewed with me that in 23 weeks, I'd pretty much lost 75 pounds and 20% body fat. The 20% body fat doesn't really do anything for me. I can't equate that to something. Actually, I struggle equating 75pounds to something as well! He said it was "amazing" (love that word, since he used it!) that the average was about 3 pounds a week and 1% body fat per week. He said I couldn't expect any better than that. It was great to hear from the doctor, himself.

He also told me that the transition phase is something to make participants realize that it hasn't been about the medication. That if I approach the transition and maintenance portion of this with the same attitude as I did the weight loss, there should not be a problem at all with maintenance. He said, I need to remember four key things. 1. Think about what you're going to do. 2. Make a decision. 3. Continue to drink the water. 4. Continue to exercise. By chance one of these things gets 'out of whack' the rest don't always work as well together. It made perfect sense. It's the same thing I did to lose the weight. It's all about making decisions. We all make decisions every day, from whether or not to get out of bed and go to work, to what we'll eat, what we'll wear, where we might spend our time. Thousands of decisions every day. The only thing I need to do is continue to make conscious decisions (think and decide) about the food that I eat.

I'm excited about the transition. I was nervous, but I know that I had the right mind-set when I started, and I know I'm ready to keep the mind-set moving forward. I didn't go into this looking at it as temporary. I was ready to make a lifestyle change. I'm still willing and anticipating continuing making that lifestyle change. There, honestly, is still nothing I miss that I'm not getting in my food plan. On occasion, it would be nice to not have to pick carrot slivers off of salad or to maybe have something a little bit different. I know those things will come, and I'm willing to wait it out, do what needs to be done and continue on.

More on the transition to maintenance next week. It's an 8-week process to completely be in maintenance. That includes the Zone consult, learning how to shop in the Zone, dine out in the Zone, eat fast-food in the Zone, a review of beverages and coffee house survival. As always, I'll keep you posted.

In closing...

There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.

Completion of Week 22!

Since this past Monday was Memorial Day there is no official weigh in this week. However it's technically the end of Week 22 and I couldn't let the week go by without posting!

It's been a crazy week, somewhat stressful, busy at work and just a lot going. It would have been an easy week to throw the whole plan out the window, grab some skittles and have at it. Instead I know that I've made a lifestyle change, and when I was stressing out over whatever it might have been, I chose healthy options. I drank a glass of water, I had some hot tea or I snacked on grapes or another piece of fruit. I went for a walk, I wrote my inner-most feelings somewhere other than this blog. I just did something other than turn to food.

I can remember being on "programs" in the past and knowing I'd be skipping a week for a weigh in, either because of vacation or because of a holiday or something. That's sometimes the time when it's easy to say, I can be a 'little' bad, because, there is an extra week in there to fix what went wrong! I was amazed that I didn't do that this week. I stuck it out, knowing that I'd be going two weeks for a weigh in, and made it through, so far!

I did an unofficial weigh in yesterday, as I do every day, at least once :) just to see where I was to goal. I show that I had a 1.8 pound loss, for a new total of 75.6pounds. That leaves a whopping 1.6 pounds to go to hit my goal. There are people who are going to think I've lost my mind, but the past few days, I've considered going 10more pounds. I'm not going to, but the thought has crossed my mind that it's an option. Because this is where I discuss this journey, I've put it in here just so everyone understands that I did have the thought of continuing to go another 10 pounds. It's part of the process. Deciding and knowing for ME that I am ready to begin the transition is a decision, no matter how many opinions are given, that is only mine to make.

I have an appointment scheduled for next Monday to start the transition to maintenance. I'm not sure exactly what that entails. I have been working mostly the whole time with Kristen at the office, who is absolutely amazing. She's become a friend during this and we have found some commonalities in some very special places. I spoke with her tonight and she will not be the one doing my maintenance transition appointment. I did, however, learn from her that "transition to maintenance' means a lot more options, different foods, etc... The Zone Awareness paperwork that I have discusses the basic principles of any meal or snack. They will always consist of lean protein, 'favorable' carbs and a good fat.

It was great too, to learn from a personal phone call from Dr. Garcia a week or so ago, that I've lowered my risk factors and chances for developing chronic disease by over 100% for things like Arthritis, Asthma, Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease and Stroke. It's definitely been a positive health move! I just realized that was in last week's blog too...sorry!

Again, no weigh in "officially" this week, but alas, I do have updated photos. These were taken on 5/23, day 156.

Someone posted on my blog last week and I actually just saw the post. They asked about whether or not I've talked to people who have lost weight on this program and kept it off. I definitely have met people and talk to people every week on maintenance that are keeping the weight off. My comment and honest opinion back to the person who posted was that it definitely is a lifestyle change and not just a temporary solution to a life-long battle and that with the right mind-set you can keep it off. It's all about balance.

In closing, here are some pictures for you and of course, a quote, or two, I couldn't decide which I like better.

“There’s no secret to balance. You just have to feel the waves” Frank Herbert
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving” Albert Einstein

Completion of Week 21!

Today marks twenty-one weeks or 147 days on the program. I can't ever find any fun facts about the length of time on the program. I googled 21 weeks and all I get it what happens during the 21st week of pregnancy. YIKES! I Googled 147 days and I got that on April 20, it was 147 days until the Buffalo Bills season opener. Quite honestly, given the two options, I'd rather talk about pregnancy. Don't worry; I'm not going to do that to you!

The past week has been, literally, crazy. It was a long week of being on the road, visiting agents, preparing to go out of town for a convention and still a little freaked out by the 6.5 pound weight loss the prior week. I received a phone call from Dr. Garcia regarding the concern from my blog last week about the high loss. He told me not to worry, things looked good. No issues that he saw on his end. He indicated that I'd cut risk factors for heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes by 100's of percentage points by doing what I've done. He was happy with the success I've had on the program. He reads my blog and told me that I should be proud of this accomplishment as well.

This week I was (again) a little nervous about weigh in. My scale at home didn't move ALL WEEK. I had a stressful weekend and went out for a couple of drinks last night. Not the smartest thing I've done on the program, but I needed a little break. I went out to watch some of the Magic game. Regardless, I did end up with a loss this week. I really thought the NGTG might be done. I lost 1.1 pounds and that brings the total to 73.9 pounds since December 22, 2008.

It's been an amazing ride. After speaking with Dr. Garcia on Thursday afternoon and having another 1.1 pound loss, I've decided that my next appointment will be to begin the transition to maintenance. Dr. Garcia said that I'd still continue to lose a little bit during the transition to maintenance and would as well gain lean muscle mass. So the goal is still 3.4 more pounds, but as I mentioned last week, people are really suggesting to me that I stop at this point. Since I found out that I'm going to continue to lose a little bit as transition to maintenance begins, I'm ready to do that now.

It's been an incredible journey, the best thing I've ever done for myself, by far and now that I REALLY see it, I'm thrilled with the progress. This weekend I bought jeans in a size 4. I refused to believe I was really wearing a four and that the jeans (which I bought the same things in April in a size 10) were just a fluke. Tonight I shopped a little bit at Kohls, size 4 it seems to be. I bought a couple shirts and a jacket and another pair of jeans in the juniors department. I'm not sure I ever shopped in the juniors department when I was a "junior" let alone, at 40! It was definitely an eye-opener tonight. It shocks me how much the stack of clothes that don't fit, just since I moved, has grown. Needless to say, I'm finally proud of the accomplishment and I'm ready for the next phase of the program and of what life brings with it.

In closing, thank you all so much for the love and encouragement you've shown during all of this. Without the people I have in my life making it the center of what we do, I'd never have gotten through it. I'll be indebted to you all forever for putting up with me through it all. Those of you who are reading this that are friends and family, you are amazing. For all that you have said, all you have done and all of your encouraging words, thank you, thank you, thank you. There are so many of you out there that have shown great amounts of support, from my parents, my 'adopted parents', my best friend, my 'adopted daughter', and an entire host of amazing friends, spread out all over the country! You've shopped with me, called and checked on me, posted comments on the blog, watched me eat salad with carrot slivers that I pick off, watch me turn down dessert over and over again and yet, never tried to get me to "just have a little". You gave your honest opinions when it was time to buy smaller clothes, you encouraged me to get up at the crack of dawn to work out, and the list goes on and on! You guys ROCK! I love each of you so very much!

"I would thank you from the bottom of my heart, but for you my heart has no bottom." ~Author Unknown

Completion of Week 20!

Today was the end of Week 20 and I have to admit, I'm really not happy about today's weigh in. I had a long and stressful week with work and trying to get settled in the house.

I followed the program for the most part, but I missed lunch a few days. I was working on the road and brought fruit and stuff with me for lunch. I ate dinner nearly every night. I have a protein shake for breakfast every morning. I'm eating, I'm drinking water (although, not enough) and I'm occasionally taking the meds. I don't take them regularly anymore, I forget or whatever.

I also finally have now set the Wii back up and can start working out again. It's been over a week since I got in a work-out and over two since I got in a "decent" one. Unless you count unpacking boxes and moving furniture.

So, why was I not happy about the weigh-in? I know you think I'm getting ready to tell you the "No Gain To Goal" ended, but, actually I lost 6.5 pounds. I was not overly surprised, I'd watched the scale all week, and I knew I'd have "a decent loss". I was really surprised when she said, "Congratulations, you lost 6.5 pounds!" It sort of caught me off guard until she said I was under 140 pounds and I had 4.5 pounds to goal.

I left there thinking that was just ridiculous. That was way too much weight to have lost in a week, twenty weeks into the program. It kind of consumed the rest of my day. Replaying my week, trying to figure out if I skipped meals, how many, what I actually ate, etc...

The program total as of today is 72.7 pounds in 139 days. My tracker on my iPhone indicates that's an average of -0.5 pounds per day. If you add the initial 25 pounds that I lost during the transition from Connecticut to Jacksonville to Tampa, that puts the grand total weight loss at 97.7 pounds since February, 2007.

It seems everyone today had something to say about the weigh-in as well. Please know that I'm really not happy about it, although I'm happy about being 4.5 pounds to goal, for sure. This week people have been telling me too that it might be time to stop. "Maybe it's time to say you've reached your goal." "You're too thin." "How much more are you going to lose?" "Are you eating? Are you purging?" and let me assure you, I am eating, I'm not purging. I have absolutely no desire to purge. I feel like I'm on the witness stand for a bulimic woman on trial, but y'all need to know that there is nothing I hate more than vomiting, so that's the last way I'd ever consider losing weight!!

So, here's the bottom line. I have 4.5 pounds to go to reach goal. I have a weigh in next Monday and the following Monday is Memorial Day. It'll be the first Monday I've not been able to weigh during the whole time. I'm thinking...that where ever I end up next Monday might be the final for me before starting maintenance. I can't weigh in on Memorial Day, the office is closed. I'm on vacation that week and thinking that might be a good transition week to maintenance. I guess at this point, or up to this point, we can call the program a success. My original goal date was July 4, 2009. That was also the original loss goal of 62.2 pounds.

All in all I've been extremely happy with the program. I'm definitely a supporter and definitely recommend it to anyone who is motivated enough to do it!

In closing I hope you all have an awesome week. I'm looking forward to mine, now that I'm done stressing about the amount of weight I lost last week. Time to look forward to better things!

In honor of achievement:
"The person who gets the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore." –Dale Carnegie

Completion of Week 19-Keep Swinging!

I just realized this week is half over and I've yet to blog! It's been an absolutely crazy week with work, unpacking and settling into the new house and planning for a convention for work and I could go on and on and on. I've had to be creative for the convention, yet, haven't really felt all that creative these days.

The move-in to the new house on Friday left little to be desired. I have a feeling it's going to be a little difficult to get things that need to be done through the property manager, actually done here. We've gotten off to a rocky start. Never a good thing!

That being said however, I love the house. It's perfect. The floor plan is great, the location is great and the neighborhood is great. It should be a happy rental time and if the option came up to buy it, I'd consider it at this point. The home has so much potential for an owner! I'll post some pictures after it's "done". For the most part, it's moving along quite well though. There are about 4 more boxes to unpack and then it'll just be getting stuff on the walls and the like. That can always happen.

All in all it was an odd week on the program. I didn't deviate from plan, but I forgot regularly to take my meds. I don't think I took all three doses any one time during last week (and so far this week, too!). Needless to say, when Sunday rolled around, I was a tad bit nervous for Monday morning.

I ended up with a loss of 2.0 this week for a total loss of 66.2 pounds, with 11 pounds to go to hit goal. I was a little surprised. I thought this might be the end of the "No Gain To Goal" streak. Of course, I was very happy it wasn't!

Eleven pounds to go. Almost single digits to reaching the maintenance program. I absolutely can't wait. I can't wait to have a little more cash in my pocket, as this is costing me every time I go. I can't wait to not have to be there at 9:15 on Monday morning and try to arrange my schedule around that. Although, I'm much closer to that office now. I can't wait to be "maintaining" the weight loss, rather than continuing to say, I'm "almost" at my goal.

Exercise has been a challenge the last week or so as well. Needless to say, I packed up the Wii Fit on the night before the movers arrived, but still struggled with working it into my schedule. Work has been really busy and finding time to get things done seems to have let me depart from the regular work-out routine. Time to get my butt back in gear on something. I think I'd like a little more toning workout for a bit, in addition to the cardio that I get with Wii Fit. I need to do something to start toning the skin from where there used to be more of me.

I realized the other night, getting ready to go out to dinner that I really see it now, finally now I can tell! I know, I should have been seeing a difference. Sixty-Six pounds is a lot, but now, I look in the mirror and I don't see the girl that was there at Christmas. While I still see "me", I definitely see a much, much different me. I'm liking that. It makes me want to keep motivated. There have been a few times in the last couple of stressful weeks that I've considered saying, the heck with this....I'm over it. Then I looked in the mirror the other day and thought...you must be crazy! Look at the awesome job you did at this and you're going to let a little bit of negativity and drama change it? NO WAY!

So, I keep swinging, working toward the goal, every day. Getting closer to the goal, every day and looking very much forward to the maintenance program.

Sorry this is so late, and so brief. It's late and I needed to get something out here for you guys! More next week!

In closing....and in honor of baseball season:

My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging.
Hank Aaron

Completion of Week 18!

Today is the end of the 18th week of the program. To say this last week has been stressful would be an understatement. It's probably been one of the most stressful that I've had since starting the program. I am a person who doesn't like to be at odds with people and to say I've been at odds this week with someone would, again, be an understatement. It's been a little stressful to say the least.

On top of all of that, at the last minute on Wednesday morning I needed to head up to Jacksonville to sign closing papers on the house because the title company did not give correct instructions as to what needed to be signed before I overnighted the package to them.

If there were a week I could have just said, ya know what, I'm over it....I'm ready to be done, I don't care anymore...it would have been this past week. I considered it for a few minutes. I then thought that I've known that there are people out there who have a negative outlook on this diet program. They are not going to get the satisfaction of seeing me fail on the program or on the maintenance. I opted to start this program because I knew it was something I could maintain at the end. I know what I have to do to maintain and the most important thing, I think, is that I don't feel like I'm making "sacrifices" to eat on program. I've said it before, I'm sure I'll say it again...I enjoy what I eat. I don't want to run out and have a bag of Doritos. I'm quite sure I'd be turned off by the smell as I sit here and think about it. Thinking I had support from people in my life and finding out that they truly don't think anyone in their "right mind" could manage to keep the weight off was a real eye-opener for me to prove to myself that I can do this and will do this.

This week, even through the drama, I managed to lose 1.2 pounds and .5% body fat. I'm at a total of 64.2 pounds lost and 13 pounds to go to reach the final goal.

This week I am working hard at getting things packed up to move into the beautiful new house on Friday. There are boxes everywhere, things all over, but it's a work in progress. It's all for good reasons. I'm moving closer to life, closer to work, a single-family home with some space. I know I have a lot of space now, but it's different. I miss having a yard, I miss having ONE floor and I can't wait to get in there and make it home. It won't take long...I'm pretty quick about unpacking and settling in, and it definitely helps that my mom is coming over this weekend to do some of the decorating stuff with me.

After the move and after getting settled I have a couple of weeks of work craziness. This time of year starts our convention season and we have some other initiatives going on that require me to be out of the office every day for a couple of weeks. It's going to be a stressful May. All I can do is take one day at a time and be the best me I can be each and every day at work and at home for my family and friends. Once all of that is done, I think a nice vacation to the beach for a few days might be just what the doctor ordered!

In closing, I hope you all have a fantastic week, I know I will!

“Vacation is what you take when you can't take what you've been taking any longer.”