New Year, New Goal, New Me!

December 31

As 2013 comes to an end, I’m feeling so grateful for all the blessings I have enjoyed and I look forward to all that is in store for me in the new year.

I am entering the new year with a different mindset, one of reaching a goal that I have not been totally committed to in the past, but today I am 100% committed to succeed. 

RESET has been in my life for many years and today I find all the USANA foods delicious and fill my body with healthy goodness. I have made many excuses about why I haven’t been successful with my weight goal, but all those excuses have been exposed and they have been thrown away. Something happened to me, it’s difficult to explain, all I can say is that I became sick and tired of feeling sick and tired and made the decision to make a change.

Exercise, was a foreign word to me, but today I’m actually enjoying exercise. I can visualize what I will gain by keeping my word to myself and working through the pain of being so out of shape. 

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been so encouraging and supportive as I move forward with my weight management goal. I appreciate all your messages.

Wishing you a wonderful new year and may all your dreams come true!

Your Compliments Have Encouraged Me

December 21

Today, I posted a new profile photo on my Facebook page to show my new haircut. Just a simple action of updating a profile photo, right? Well, to my surprise, I received so many heartfelt compliments.  I was very flattered.

Facebook is strange. We share what we’re doing, what we’re eating, what we’re wearing or where we’re shopping, jokes, political messages, religious messages and sometimes, things we shouldn’t make public but we do it anyway. I am one of those people who really enjoys Facebook. But, what I never expected was the impact this photo posting did to me and what it did, was encourage me to continue doing what I’m doing. I felt the honest to goodness urge to move forward toward my weight loss goal and achieve what I have committed to do. I’m taking better care of myself and I feel proud of myself. I have already reached my short term goal and I’m working at my long term goal a day at a time. The compliments were wonderful and I accept them graciously.

"Nothing Tastes As Good As Skinny Feels!"

December 18

As my weight loss journey continues, I find myself amazed at how much time it takes to change some bad habits. I have heard many times how participants in the RESET Weight Management Program immediately lose their cravings for carbohydrates, this is a feeling I have not yet experienced. I am one of those who loves pasta and the delicious taste of crusty bread. I miss pasta meals, but I also know how dangerous these types of meals have been for me, not only by spiking my blood sugar but also adding unwanted pounds.

So, it takes making good food choices. It takes keeping my commitment. It takes visualizing myself at my goal weight and what I will gain by succeeding! I have heard this quote many times, “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”, I hear this whispered in my ears each time I begin to experience stinkin’ thinkin’.

Oh, and while we’re on the topic of stinkin’ thinkin’, let me address allowing negative comments or conversations with others and what it does to my own thoughts. I find these conversations hurtful. Not only hurt feelings, but for me it causes anger, which is one of those emotions I have a hard time dealing with. Why, because anger is one of those emotions that leads me to comfort food. Luckily for me, I get great support from my husband, Pete and my accountability coach, Angela. I find talking about how I feel and how I can learn to deal with my emotions has been very helpful to me.

As you see, I struggle with many bad habits. Some I will be able to learn to control sooner rather than later. Some bad habits will require more work to change but I feel confident that I will succeed to the point that I will be able to make wise choices. I will continue to pay attention to the whispers and feel proud of my progress. Who said, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” was wrong, lol!

My Heart Is Filled With Gratitude

December 11

I am delighted to announce, I have reached my short term goal, now on to my long term goal!

I have received approval to begin an exercise program from my foot surgeon, so this morning I attended my first AquaFit class. It was an enjoyable class, lots of fun in the pool, followed by a visit to the sauna, pure joy!

I am on a very exciting journey and I am thoroughly enjoying the ride. I’m progressing a day at a time, not being too hard on myself, but keeping my goal in mind. I’m experiencing a totally different mindset and I am 100% committed to achieve.

My experience has not been an easy one. I have to plan a menu ahead of time. I have to make sure I have what I need on hand so there isn’t an excuse to not keep to my plan. I work on keeping a positive attitude and not allow negativity to interfere with my progress. I periodically keep in touch with my accountability coach. I can depend on the fact that Angela is only a text message away and is there to offer support and a “way to go girl” comment. I truly didn’t realize how much I needed this kind of support and mostly, that it was available to me if only I asked for help. 

My heart is filled with gratitude! 

Those Nasty, Pesky Cravings!

December 7

I want to thank all of you who have offered encouragement. I truly appreciate your kind words.

A question I’m asked is, what do you do when cravings occur? I don’t give cravings power over me by visualizing myself at my goal weight. It sounds easy doesn’t it? But it isn’t! I drink more water. Eat a delicious USANA protein snack bar or a few raw almonds. If that doesn’t do the trick, I go do something that occupies my mind, such as read or reach for my iPod or I may decide to take a walk outside and see what’s going on in the neighborhood.

This is working for me. If you’re working on your own weight management program and you’re finding other ways of working through your cravings, I would be interested in hearing what you do.

I believe that together, we can achieve our desired goals.