Friend of Julie: Maintenance

Good Evening to all my wonderful blogger friends......I have had thoughts running through my head the past few weeks as my hypnosis journey continues........Thoughts of maintenance.

I made my final size goal about 1 month ago. I started with Julie on June 2, 2011, age 44. I was a size 20. High blood pressure, pre-diabetes, a couch potato. I am a dental hygienist, and work was tough with all of my extra weight. I was a 2x. And depressed! Totally out of control. Taco Bell, McDonalds, Chinese buffet....You name it, I loved it. My girlfriend Sue found out about Julie, and started her journey in February 2011. By March, I wanted in!!!!!!!!!!! She looked totally fabulous, and felt even better. I would sit with her at work, and watch her eat-meat and vegetables, bite for bite. I thought, if she can do it, I can do it! And so I put myself on the waiting list, and waited. I didn't hesitate when the call came, and, 3 months later, I was sitting at Julies, totally open-minded to anything and everything she had to say. Totally willing. Never looked back! Soon after, the weight started coming off. Quickly. I had another refresher class in December, and I asked Julie to go down one more size. By February, I was into the size 6 Levis I had drooled for. I had done it!!!!!!!!!! I went to another refresher, and absorbed what was in front of me now-eat potato. Cut the veggies when I do, and increase meat. Now, sometimes it's 5 frenchfries, or 4 bites of mashed, or a couple of home fries. Very little. I still have very little appetite. I work out 2-3 times a week, still drink a ton of water, and wont dare touch any sugar. (Although, I ate out last night, and ordered BBQ wings-dripping in BBQ sauce. Today, no pangs, no increased hunger!!)

I guess I am putting this in writing because I am starting to believe that my body is going to accept this weight. I will do this for months to come. And I am okay with that. I still have no cravings, no desire for chocolate, cake, waffles, taco shells......I am truly blessed. Julie is a life-saver. Truly. I have let desire go. I am learning what it means to "eat to live". Powerful words for someone who has such early memories of eating and eating and eating. I watched my Grandmother Anita slowly die an early death from food. She weighed over 300 pounds when she was found dead in her apartment-probably the result of a stroke, or her heart just stopped, or diabetic complications. I never asked my mom. That was over 25 years ago. I want to be here for my children a lot longer than she was on the earth for her children and family.

So, here I am. On my weight loss journey. Letting go of the past. Embracing the future. Again, powerful stuff. I am on the list for another refresher in June. People state Julie doesn't want us dependent on her. I thought I was, but, now I know I am dependent on myself. My choices. My food purchases. My food decisions. I have learned to simply say "no thank you" and I stick with it. 10 months!!!!! 10 months of food not talking to me. Some of you will remember that I looked at my weight when I was at the Docs office. I forgave myself. And I have moved on. The number is no longer in my head. It no longer matters. Another number is in my head. And that is the one that counts. I am choked up as I write this. Still in disbelief. My maintenance journey is one I will be on forever. I am happy to watch all of us on this journey. I am honored to be a part of such a great group of people. Let what Julie has put in your head guide you. Eat when you are hungry, not when you are not. "I don't want to want it". More meat than vegetables. Nothing sweet! No labels! No scales! When in doubt, don't. They are all worth it. Each and every one. Peace! Sweet Peace! Peace to all of you.