When I was a young girt, my best friend and neighbor told me her family sometimes had "skip" for dinner. Her father was in the military and stationed in Alaska, and finances were difficult, so once in a while her mom would announce "we're having skip for dinner" - which meant they were skipping dinner entirely.
Like this bunny, I skip, hop, and jump when I feel like it.
Oh, and I eat when I'm hungry and I skip meals if I'm not. Photo by Theresa
Since I started following this program, my eating habits have completely changed. But skip for dinner? Not for me. I used to eat breakfast first thing in the morning or I would feel faint. Never, never, never could I / would I have eaten only one meal on any given day. I also never imagined I would skip dinner because it was "too hot to cook dinner."

Some time after I started this program, things changed. I no longer woke up hungry and I found I didn't need breakfast most mornings. I have days when I only eat once. Usually this happens on weekends, when I find myself deep into writing or a project and the next thing I know it's 3pm and all I've had is coffee. I may or may not have a second meal later in the day. During the heat wave we had the last couple of weeks, there were a couple of nights I went to bed hungry, because it was too hot to cook dinner. These are new behaviors for me - and I like this.

Eat when you're hungry is what we're taught - don't snack and don't eat if you're not hungry. It all seems logical enough, and quite natural at that. Before I was on this program, my natural instincts about food were way out of sync. It's nice to be in touch with my body as nature intended.

I eat to live. I no longer live to eat. Now that this is my truth, it's time to turn my focus towards enjoying my life in new ways and having new experiences. I have two new activities coming up in September: I'm taking up biking and I just signed up for a 10 week ukulele class.

Now it's your turn:

  • What's different in the way you interact with food?
  • Is it time for you to try something new in your life?
July 31, 2013
About a dozen friends of Julie gathered for a potluck and on Friday night. Our gracious hosts grilled up Fillet Mignon for the main course. Here's the story, plus: the menu, my spaghetti with meat sauce recipe, and a group photo. Spaghetti? Yes - I made spaghetti "noodles" from zucchini.
A photo posted by Theresa Chamberland (@alohatac) on
This was the first time I had used my spirooli (see photo of this gadget below), which a key friend gave me a few months after the Greenfield potluck. I have to pause here for a moment to say: how nice this is - I get to meet and become friends with others following Julie's program, who not only have given me incredible support and shared their stories with me, but also gave me clothes and this great gadget!

I encourage you to reach out to others who are following Julie's program. Strike up a conversation before or after seeing Julie. If you read a post that inspires you, on this blog or on the closed Facebook group, reach out to that person and see if you can get together for coffee, a meal, a walk, or connect on skype, or talk on the phone. The support is incredible. And you may surprise yourself - you too may be of great support to someone else. Either way, it's very rewarding.

Back to my story...

I brought the spirooli and zucchini with me so others could give this a try. We couldn't figure out how to remove the slicer that was in place (where the noodles come out) when I opened the box, so the noodles were thicker than I preferred. Later, I asked the two men who were at the gathering to take a look and we finally figured it out. It was one of those secret handshake things, push on the back piece while pulling up on the top. Next time I will be able to make the thinner noodles.
I used my spirooli to turn yellow squash into noodles. Photo by Theresa
The recipe is pretty simple - make your favorite meat sauce and serve over zucchini "noodles."

We sliced the skin off  the 8 medium sized zucchini. In looking at the photo (above) I realized we didn't have to remove the skin. Actually, the noodles look more interesting with the skin. We then put the zucchini through the spirooli to make the noodles and then put them in a bowl and into the microwave.

Since it was my first time making these, noodles I set the microwave to 2 minutes. After 6 minutes, each time we took them out of the microwave, we took turns tasting a noodle to see if they were done enough. You want them cooked, but not soggy. They softened to our liking after 10 minutes.

(07/16/14 update: I made these noodles on top of the stove in a small amount of water in a veggie steamer and they cook in less than 2 minutes. I highly recommend stove-top cooking them.)
Martha Stewart Veggie Steamer. Photo source: macys.com
We then invited the others to taste the spaghetti with meat sauce. A couple people were hesitant to try the noodles, because they don't like veggies or they don't like zucchini, but everyone had some noodles with lots of meat sauce, to keep the meat-to-veggie ratio in line.

Some loved these noodles, others really liked the sauce, but the noodles, not so much. Other recipe ideas were suggested, such as adding them to a stir-fry. If you google spirooli recipes, you will find a lot of recipes and videos.

At the end of the night, Linda said "I love these noodles. I have to get one of these things." I loaned her the spirooli. This way she can make the noodles for for her family a few times before committing to buying one. Plus, this gives us another reason to get together. Linda, we look forward to seeing you post the spirooli recipes you create for your family. A photo would be great too!

The Meat Sauce

I cooked 2 pounds of organic ground beef with long slices of onion (half of a small vidalia onion), and after the meat was cooked I added a jar and a half of tomato sauce (I used Capa di Roma's Roasted Garlic, which I bought at Big Y). I made the meat sauce the night before, so all I had to do was heat it up at the gathering. I usually use both jars of sauce for my meat sauce, but since I was serving the meat sauce over veggies, I cut back on the amount of tomato sauce - always watching for the meat-veggie ratio.

The Noodles

Adjust the number of zucchini (green and/or yellow) to suit your needs, try to make an amount that will eaten that day. I used 8 total.

Remove the skin from the zucchini (or you may leave it on.) Push the zucchini through a spirooli to make the noodles. Place the noodles in a dish and microwave until the zucchini the texture you like for your noodles. I cooked all 8 zucchini for 10 minutes.  If you're cooking less zucchini, cut back on the cooking time.

Serve the noodles and sauce separate, unless you are sure you've made the exact amount needed. The noodles become too soggy if left in the sauce. (I read this, I don't know this for sure.)

The Menu

So, you're wondering, what else did we eat? Plenty...
  • Fillet Mignon
  • Corn on the cob
  • Bacon wrapped shrimp
  • Shrimp cocktail
  • Pepperoni
  • Salad
  • Barbecue kielbasa
  • Rolled soppressata
  • Veggie sticks and cheese
  • Deviled eggs

The Group Photo
Gathering of friends of Julie 07/26/13
Clothing Exchange

In addition to meeting some for the first time, we had a clothing exchange. This was a lot of fun. In fact, I'm wearing a new blouse from this giveaway in the photo above. The grand finali was when our hostess opened her coat closet and offered a beautiful crimson red wool coat, which was a perfect fit for the recipient!

More Spirooli Recipes
Other Resources

July 30, 2013
I've been singing a song every summer for the past three years. I'm still working on the lyrics, but it definitely has a country-western twang, and it goes something like this . . .
Ukulele photo by Theresa
Tell me
Why am I wearing last summers clothes? 
Maybe I didn't wear them as often as I could have
And maybe I'm not as thin as I could have

Little things I should have said and done
I just never took the time 
Girl, I'm sorry I was blind
But they were always on my mind
These clothes are always on my mind

(end of song)

I can see in my clothes that I've lost weight in the past few months. My clothes are looser, but I can't fit into a handful of size 16 carpis someone recently gave me and it frustrates me. A friend pointed out that perhaps those pants may not be a good fit for me and that once I can zip them up - they may be too big everywhere else. This made sense, so I went looking for visual evidence to see my loss in other ways.

First, I went looking for photos of me in the same outfit last summer and this summer, hence the photos below. Although these are not full body photos, the difference in my face and chin is quite visible. When I wear the dress in these photos, I feel the difference in how it fits from last summer. It was never tight, but it certainly has a whole lot more room than it did last year.
Left: July 2012 Right: July 2013
Next up: go on a shopping spree to update my wardrobe. I have a closet full of tops, but I don't have enough pants or dresses. My goal was 1) see if I could fit into size 16 pants or dresses and 2) regardless of size - buy a pair of black pants or capris.

 Hold on...a girl has to eat first before hitting the stores, so I  first stopped to have a late lunch (3pm) at Outback, where I enjoyed a wonderful meal. This is one of those times when one has to leave food on the plate. As large as the steak was, I needed to be mindful of eating bite-for-bite meat and veggies. 
Outback Steakhouse
At Dress Barn I tried on a size 12 black and white empire dress. What a riot. I skipped right over the 16'a and even the 14's. I'm so determined to be a 12. It had a side zipper, so I slid the dress on, but it wouldn't zip up over my hips. The top and thighs were a perfect fit, but there was no way the zipper would go up over my hips. Okay, so I'm not a 12 yet. I took a photo and moved on to other outfits.
This size 12 dress fit, but I couldn't zip it over my hips!
I tried on a skirt and blouse that I had considered buying a few months ago - a blue and white top with a knee length white skirt, both size XL. The outfit looked great in April and I was hoping a sale would make it worthwhile to buy now. Both pieces were only in an XL and neither were on sale. But guess what? It didn't matter - they were both too big! Yeah! Evidence found. Nothing else in Dress Barn fit me right, so I moved on to Macy's.

At Macy's, I headed to the larger woman's clothing area thinking this time of year I may find bargains here in the smallest of their large sizes. I tried on a beautiful black skirt with a top I wore into the store. The skirt fit nicely, but it had an elastic waist and the skirt flared out in a way that visually added pounds. It felt nice, but who wants to look heavier. Snap another photo and move on.
Back skirt with top I wore into the store. Not sure what size this was.
Moving on the Avenue for pants...no luck. Of course I tried on a few 14's, but they didn't work at all. The size 16 pants I tired on fit and looked nice, but were uncomfortable when I walked. They made a "swoosh" sound and the legs bagged up. No thanks.
Size 16 capris from Macy's
The clothing in specialty stores for large women don't work for me anymore. This is something to cheer about, because it's official now: no more large women's stores for me. There's no looking back.

I meandered into Macy's regular women's section, which is hard to identify because they have so many sections  for women. After trying on a size 14 skirt (ha, I'm so determined) and a few other items with no luck until I found a pair of size 16 white pants. They were really expensive and marked down quite nicely too. They fit beautifully.
My new "black" pants in size 16.
I deemed these my new "black" pants, because that's what I really wanted, but the truth is, I wanted a pair of size 16 pants in ANY color. These are longer than my other capris, they feel wonderful, and the front pockets are nice and flat. My capris all have pockets that take up too much room, the pocket fabric is too thick, whereas the pockets on these pants don't show under my blouse.

I had a successful shopping spree, despite the fact that I only bought one item. I realize I need to just get out of my own way. Here's where I stand today, I'm going to:

  • live with the clothing I have for the rest of the season 
  • stop fixating on what I don't have and enjoy what I have
  • remember that all these clothes WILL be too big for me next summer
  • remember that I have dropped weight and the rest of my body (hips in particular) will follow in their own time
  • keep following program and the weight will come off
What's happening in your wardrobe? Have any of you had these kinds of wardrobe malfunctions? How are you moving past what size you want to be and focusing on the more important things in life than what size you are?

July 26, 2013
This recipe showed up on my FB timeline today and I had to share it. I made a couple minor adjustments to make it fit our unique diet. Before you balk at the 3 grams of carbs, bear in mind that if you use condiments or citrus juice at all you're eating sugar, hence you're getting about that per meal on average anyway. :-)
Photo and recipe source: Ricki-Lee Anderson
Philly Cheese steak Stuffed Peppers
  • 12 oz. thinly sliced deli roast beef
  • 4 Slices Provolone cheese
  • 2 Large Green, Red or Yellow Bell Peppers
  • 1 Medium Sweet Onion
  • 6 oz. Baby Bella Mushrooms
  • 2 Tbsp Butter
  • 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 Tbsp Garlic - minced
  • Salt and Pepper - to taste
Directions
  1. Slice peppers in half lengthwise, remove ribs and seeds.
  2. Slice onions and mushrooms.
  3. Saute over medium heat with butter, olive oil, minced garlic and a little salt and pepper.
  4. Saute until onions and mushroom are nice and caramelized about 25-30 minutes.
  5. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  6. Slice roast beef into thin strips and add to the onion and mushroom mixture.
  7. Allow to cook 5-10 minutes.
  8. Fill each pepper with meat mixture until they are nearly overflowing.
  9. Top each pepper with another slice of provolone cheese.
  10. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese on top is golden brown.
  11. Serve and Enjoy!!
Makes 4 servings - 3-4 net carbs per serving
July 24, 2013
Back in 2008 I had a moment of "I've had it" and decided it was time to lose weight.

And I did.

Before all was said and done I'd lost about sixty pounds.

It took more than a year.

I went to Planet Fitness EVERY DAY.

I walked on the treadmill. I put in hours on the elliptical. I did the weight circuit.

I was there religiously. I went to OTHER Planet Fitness gyms when I was on vacation and visiting my mother.

I was committed and it was working.

Here's the problem: my diet was still crap. And this led to two other problems:

First, it was taking forever to lose the weight. Second, It was hard to see a measurable difference in my appearance even though my clothes were all fitting better and I was obviously losing.

I just didn't think I looked very good.

So after a while I started going every other day. Then it was twice a week, then I wound up paying for another six months and never went... but I didn't want to "quit" so I kept paying.

Does this story sound familiar?

I just realized that my frame is now smaller than it was then. I can actually get into clothes I fit into then.

(By "clothes" I mean a pair of jeans I used to be able to pull up over my belly because they got too big and are now too big once again)

Logically speaking, there's no way I've lost over 100 pounds in a couple months.

See, back in 2008 and 2009 I was losing weight but it was mostly water weight.

I wasn't losing fat because I kept eating carbs and unbalanced meals and fast food... I slowed it down a little but I was still eating it.

My estimation (based on a few factors, some of which I've already shared, some of which are more personal) is that I'm probably hovering around the 300 mark right now, maybe a little less.

And yet I'm smaller than I was five years ago at about 255.

This is why we all need to stay off the scale.

Because if I convince myself that I'm 255 and I'm 295... game over, baby. I'll be headed for the nearest pizza and washing it down with the first available beer.

So it doesn't matter. I look now like I did then. It's all good.

I remember Julie talking about two people who had about the same physique but one was 20-30 pounds heavier.

She also talked about two people who were the same weight. One looked to be the right weight for his height, the other looked chubby. Same height, same weight, totally different bodies.

It's not about numbers. It's about looking good and being well.

What number equals "well?"

Precisely.
July 22, 2013
I always wonder what my fellow "losers" eat. New ideas and variety are important and always welcome.

My favorites are:
  • Pan-fried pork Loin - Chop coated in cumin or paprika. Cook in preheated pan with little olive oil for 4mins per side..a nice crust forms.
  • Soft omelet - 2 eggs + 1 tbsp water. When beginning to set add fresh thyme leaves and one slice of thin Swiss cheese torn into bits.
  • 2 hard boiled eggs served warm with some meat.
  • Jennie-o frozen turkey burger cooked well enough to be dry like bread.
  • Shrimp sauteed with butter and cumin.
  • Smoked salmon rolled up over dill frond and capers and dab sour cream.
  • Shirred egg - Coat ramekin with butter and chopped fresh herbs...can also add chopped sauteed mushrooms...crack in one egg...pour 1 tbsp evaporated whole milk on top bake til done.
  • Bacon - only once in awhile.
  • Cube steaks with Worcestershire.
  • Veggie omelet.
  • Spinach crustless quiche - 3 eggs + 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese + garlic powder or 2-3 garlic cloves + 1 cup grated cheddar only loosely packed and put mixture in pie plate and bake at 350 about 40 minutes.
  • Dinner leftovers always good. 
 What do you eat for breakfast??
July 20, 2013
It has been fun to notice nontraditional signs of weight loss. Keep your eye out for yours...some examples...seeing the veins and bones on tops of your feet..narrower fingers...bony shoulders when showering...vertical grooves on outside of thighs...hip bones visible and palpable...smaller armpits when shaving...walking with smoother and longer strides... What are your unexpected weight loss signs?
July 19, 2013
If you are on the fence about Julie or if you're on the waiting list hoping you're not about to waste $600, I have a story that will put all your fears or apprehensions to rest once and for all.

My wife is currently on Julie's wait list.

We couldn't go at the same time owing to work responsibilities and childcare issues, etc.

That and I wanted to see if this was going to work before I shelled out $1200 instead of $600. Let's just be honest about it.

I remember the day my wife came home from the doctor in 2002 sobbing because they'd found sugar in her urine.

34 years old and she had Diabetes. It was inevitable. All her female relatives have had it.

But getting it at 34 is just ridiculous.

I have always been a bit concerned with how she manages it and there have been a couple blood sugar scares along the way.

It's 11 years later now and things are starting to catch up to both of us now that we're in our 40s.

Once I started on the Program, I simply stopped putting things on the table I couldn't eat. I still make mac 'n cheese for my son. He's Autistic and only eats certain foods.

He gets a pass.

I've been serving nothing but meat and vegetables at dinner for the past two months now (I do 90% of the cooking at home). My wife continues to hit the drive-thru and continues drinking diet soda.

She says she's slowed down but I see the empty bags in her car.

I know how she defines "slowing down."

Here's an idea of just how well this program works.

She's eating like I eat for one meal a day.

She has actually been slowing down more than I expected on the fast food. I'll give her props for that. It's still a thing, but it's a smaller thing.

Following the diet one meal a day, she went to our doctor today and I got this text from her afterward:

"In just over 3 months, my blood sugar A1C has gone from a 10 to 7.5. Goal is below 7. Dr Johnson is THRILLED...Turns out she went to key a few months ago and looks it."

She's been following my lead at dinner and that's what has happened. I can only imagine what's going to happen when she's All In.

And... bonus! Our doctor is also a friend of Julie now so she can keep our weight a secret and help us succeed AND we know that our doctor not only gets it but endorses it. That's a huge deal to me.
July 18, 2013
I thought some folks would like to see an even more dramatic "Before and During" pic. This one is from earlier this year. The one from 2011 had me at about...340. The "Before" was this past April at the beginning of a paranormal investigation out in Wachusett (yep, I hunt ghosts...it's how I roll). I was about 365-375 pounds. Truth be told, I never took my final weight before going to Julie but it was at least 365 (and I know it was higher). You can REALLY see the difference in the "during" picture which was taken this past Saturday. Enjoy!
 
July 17, 2013
Today's hero story comes from Meaghan. Her story is controversial, but such controversy does not negate Meaghan's success and her truth. She owns her program, which is what each of have to do for ourselves. I share her story to provide support to those of you who are on this journey in a different way than the rest of us, so you too may celebrate your successes.
Here's a photo story...top solo photo is me summer 2011, right before Julie. Photo of my husband and I is June 2010, one year after having my daughter. Bottom photo is one year ago at dh's (dear husband's) cousins wedding. And the last photo is me and my kids, November 4, 2012, after I ran my first (last!), half marathon.

If I can do it...yes...anyone can! It's all a mind set. Honestly. Trust me. I'll be honest...I'm not on plan a lot. I'm maintaining in the way that works for me. I work out now, on a good week, 5 to 6 times a week. I don't want people to think I'm perfect, because I'm not. Hardly! Lol! I thought everything was all over when I did x y or z. I stick around here, to tell you it's not. That you CAN and WILL still be successful. I've wanted to drop this (Facebook) group many, many times due to the stress or guilt it causes me. Lol! Oh the guilt! Even now, two years later.

But it works. And I still use A LOT of what I have learned. I would pay the price again just to learn everything she taught us, even without weight loss. So, today is a new day. Get up and OWN IT.

BECAUSE YOU CAN!!!

Oh, and that last photo at the half marathon? I am obese in that photo, and well, the one with my husband at the wedding too (according to the BMI). I was around 170 lbs.

You can do it. I did it. I continue to do it. And you can too.

You just have to believe....

09/24/13 Update

This "before" photo (below) really hit home and struck a chord with me. I would never take a side view photo. This photo is actually of two of my kids in a sandbox and somehow I got in the camera frame...ha! But now, what a great comparison. And my sister said it would make a great weight loss ad. I got a good chuckle out of that -- you know, the ones you see on TV and say, "that is SO not the same person!" But it is. I swear. And I will now post it on my fridge and pillow...and mirrors...and cabinets...lol!


Read more Hero stories... or share your story - send me an email by clicking on my name (Theresa) on the bottom of the list of contributors in the left column of any page.
July 15, 2013
Today's Hero story is from Joseph, whose life has changed after seven weeks of following Julie's program. Joseph was excited to tell his story and to become a blog contributor.
Left: Before (2011) | Right: A few weeks ago
365 pounds. I couldn't believe it.

I was at the doctor because I was in the middle of the worst bout of Asthma I had experienced in about five years. The inhaler wasn't going to cut it. I needed some Prednisone and I needed it NOW.

As always, they put me on the scale.

I HATE that part.

This time, though, I was about to hate it a whole lot more than normal.

I have always been overweight, but I spent years justifying my poor eating habits by telling myself that I may not be losing but I'm also not gaining.

Then I turned 40 and it was like someone flipped a switch inside me.

My grandmother had died only a couple months earlier and, like with every other problem in my life, I turned to food the way some people turn to alcohol or drugs.

I had a moderately successful weight loss about a year before but when I gained back every pound I told myself that it wouldn't get any worse.

I continued to grieve and I continued to eat. Within six months I had gained another 50 pounds.

I could not believe what had happened to me or that I had allowed it to happen.

Something had to change and it had to change now.

The problem is I had no direction and had no clue what that "something" was going to be.

Then someone on Facebook told me about a hypnotist in West Springfield who helps people lose weight.

It would be nearly another year before I acted on that information.

During that year, my body started shutting down.

I developed arthritis in my left ankle and could barely walk. I still wear a brace.

I couldn't perform simple housework without extreme pain in my ankle and back. I could not stand to cook a meal.

I couldn't get off my couch without a struggle.

To stand up from any sitting position I needed something to hang onto.

If I was on my knees I was staying there unless someone helped me up.

I couldn't drive for more than 10 minutes without pain.

I couldn't walk more than a quarter mile.

I was always tired and routinely fell asleep at the wheel.

In February 2013 I finally decided I'd had enough.

I was dying. It was obvious. If I still had six months I would have been VERY surprised.

I finally made the call to Julie and got on the waiting list.

In the meantime I tried to get motivated. I tried to cut down on carbs and eat better, but when the call came in that there was a spot for me, I was eating lunch in the parking lot at Subway.

I wanted to live but I just couldn't stand being in this body anymore.

I was depressed and angry and I just wanted to find someplace to hole up until it was time to start my hypnotherapy.

When the day came I approached it with mixed feelings.

Could this really work? Did I have the strength of will to accept the suggestions and act on them?

I was NOT prepared to be put on a restrictive diet.

I was naive enough to think that Julie would just hypnotize me into not wanting carbs and that would be that.

After my first session I came home and collapsed.

I could NEVER see myself following this diet.

The emotions that manifested that night were identical to going through a breakup, and I was.

I was ending a years-long abusive relationship that was literally killing me and it HURT.

Lots of people in abusive relationships miss their abusers when they break things off with them. They want them back knowing full well what would happen.

Then something amazing happened.

I made it through the first night.

I didn't eat any bread or pasta or anything else that would normally be on the menu.

Then I woke up the second day and I made my breakfast. Again, I kept the diet, and I kept it all day.

Then I woke up on day three. I was alert. I didn't hurt. I didn't feel sick. I didn't have any reflux.

That night I noticed that I was able to get off the couch with minimal difficulty.

I kept the diet the whole first week. I let nothing sweet touch my tongue. I ate no nuts. I didn't get on the scale.

I was doing this. It was working.

By the end of week one I was working in my garden and it occurred to me that I had stood up from a kneel with no aid.

I thought I'd imagined it… so I tried it again, consciously this time.

And I did it again.

I kept the diet the entire second week and had my second session in between.

My wife and I went out for dinner for our 20th anniversary.

I kept the diet.

By the time I had my last session with Julie I had not once deviated from the diet even under circumstances where at any other time in my life I would have caved.

But I kept it 100 percent.

But now the cord was being cut. How would I deal with that?

There would be no more "recharging the battery." Now it was up to me.

During week five my wife and I went away for a long weekend at a resort in the Poconos. I kept the diet in the midst of buffet dinners with pasta and bread and sweets of every description. I even made the kitchen fix me some steamed vegetables with my breakfast.

Later in the week our son joined us and we spent a few more days in Pennsylvania. I kept the diet in the middle of an amusement park where I spent the day smelling caramel corn and funnel cakes and watched people downing soda by the quart and inhaling soft serve, cheeseburgers, candy apples and everything in between.

I'm now in week #7 and today I tried on the shirt I wore to my grandmother's funeral. It was too big. I tried on another shirt I bought last year after I gained all the weight and… well, I'll let you have a look at the picture.
July 7, 2013 (week 7)
Now, I know that we're not supposed to get on the scale but there's no rule against estimating.

The shirt I wore to my grandmother's funeral at 315 pounds was too big on me. Logically that means I've lost anywhere between 50 and 70 pounds in SEVEN WEEKS.

I can now mow my entire lawn, front and back yards, without taking a single break and with NO back pain.

I can stand up from almost any sitting position unaided.

I can cook and do housework without losing my breath and without back pain.

The best part? This is just the beginning. I have a lot of weight to lose and I see it as an adventure now. I can't wait until the "after" picture below is the new "before" picture.

It'll happen…

Read more Hero stories... or share your story - send me an email by clicking on my name (Theresa) on the bottom of the list of contributors in the left column of any page.
July 15, 2013
As some of you know I am a grandmother of now 4 little ones. Our 4th was born June 12th. Such excitement to welcome a new little life again!

Except this time was different. I was going to be able to witness the birth of this little boy, my daughter wanted me in there with her and her husband and others. I was VERY excited but nervous, how would I be, watching my daughter in pain...

I got to the hospital when she was nearing transition. She was probably an hour away from having this little one. I sat in a corner away from the excitement, quietly observing and praying.

All of a sudden things took a turn for the worst and instead of witnessing a birth, I was waiting while my daughter and grandson were fighting for their lives.

To make a long story short, they are fine, a long long recovery is still ahead of us, but they are alive and with us today, by the Grace of God. Placenta Abruption is VERY serious.

Anyway, the reason for my story is that during all this stress, all this anxiousness, all this extra work for me, all this loss of sleep, I realized that I have not gone off program at all or even considered it!

I am a mood eater, an emotional eater, I binged when I was happy, sad, angry, frustrated, sick, stressed and so on. Especially stressed, I could eat the house when I was stressed.

As I sit back and contemplate the last 3 months of my life, it has been extremely stressful and the stress won't be leaving any time soon. And yet, without thinking about it, I have stuck to Julie's program. I don't need to start over again, I am still on my journey.

AGAIN, WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT IT, I HAVE STUCK TO JULIE'S PROGRAM!!

Automatic!! Part of my life now without having to give it a second thought!

HOW GREAT IS THAT!!!

For me, this is one of the GREATEST AHA moments I could ask for!!

By the way, my little grandson was 9 lbs, 1 ounce and 20 1/2" long and is named Dawsyn!! A beautiful Italian looking baby!!!
July 09, 2013
Jennifer shared this wonderful recipe with us. I haven't made it yet, but it has all my favorite ingredients. Serve this as a side dish with you meat. Remember veggies should be eaten bite for bite with protein.
To prepare Grilled Blue Cheese & Bacon Stuffed Onions:
  • 4 large-sized sweet onions (Vidalia, Maui sweets, sweet yellows)
  • 1 stick of butter, room temperature
  • 2/3 cup blue cheese, crumbled
  • 4 strips bacon, crumbled
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • salt and pepper to taste
Trim the ends off of the onions, and peel. Using a melon baller or small spoon, scoop out the inside of the onion to create a cavity. Be careful not to dig all the way through the bottom.

In a small bowl mix together butter, cheese, bacon, and thyme. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Blue cheese is a bit salty, so go easy.

Using a spatula or small spoon, stuff the mixture into the onions, completely filling the center.

Place each onion on a square of aluminum foil. Draw foil up to create a sealed pouch. Keep the foil from touching the sides of the onion, and make sure the top is sealed to hold in steam.

Heat your grill on high. Reduce heat to medium low and place the foil pouches directly over the heat. Close the lid of the grill and cook for 30 – 40 minutes. (Cooking time will vary upon size of onions).

Resist the temptation to open the grill and the pouches. Remove from grill and allow to stand for a full 5 minutes before opening the pouches.

Caution: the steam from the pouches will be hot. Using tongs or a spoon carefully transfer the onion onto a plate or bowl.

Use a spoon to drizzle any remaining butter from the bottom of the pouch over the onion.

Source: jamesandeverett.com
July 08, 2013
Today's hero story is from Linda. Linda sees changes in her weight in her clothing size and in her ring size too. Life has been challenging recently for Linda, but she is determined to continue the program. Here's her story...
Nov. 2012 (left) May 2013 (right)
Started program: Oct. 2012
Starting size: 24 pants and 2x top
Current size: 16/18

I finished hypnosis on Nov. 28 2012. I started at size 24 pants and 2x top. Rather quickly my face got smaller and then my tummy. I put on my jeans thinking they were 24, but discovered it was my size 22 jeans! They fit for awhile and then my butt must have gotten smaller as well as my tummy again...because my jeans were so loose they were grazing the tops of my shoes. Now they slide down so far on my hips that I can't wear them.
Oct. 2012
Then my thighs got narrow and my ring became so loose I had to get a tightener. I went from size 8 ring to size 7! That is the ring size I had when 14 yrs old!
Nov. 2012
People started to notice and the compliments started coming. Digging in closet for the smaller sizes is a lot of fun. I began to feel better about myself and to clean and organize my much neglected house.
May 2012
Often hard to accept this success. But I cannot deny the facts. My hubbie is always telling me I look so different and that I am getting skinny. Friends have been inspired from my success enough to check out Julie for themselves.

I started at 24 and now I can wear 20's and some XL's, which the Internet tells me is a 16/18!!! My goal is size 14, but maybe now I'll shoot for size 12. I'm 5'9" and hope to get back to 140 or even 130 pounds; I started at about 260. Of course I don't know what I weigh now.

I love to cook, so trying Julie recipes and others is fun. Just wish it did not take so long.


Read more Hero stories... or share your story - send me an email by clicking on my name (Theresa) on the bottom of the list of contributors in the left column of any page.

July 07, 2013
Today's Hero story comes from an anonymous couple who are having great success with this program. They're taking a closer look at what they're eating (too much cheese?) and how they can go back to eating clean, so they can reach their goal sizes.

Anonymous couple. Photo by Theresa; taken in Italy - not the couple in this story.
BTW, if you think you're eating too much cheese - you probably are! Remember, cheese takes a long time to process through our system, so we must eat it with a protein and it should be treated as a condiment. The latest news I've heard about cheese: don't eat it unless it's on food you're eating out.

Anonymous Heroes

I love this website! All the questions that come up are the same as everyone else, and it is so helpful to know we are not alone.

I started in November of 2012 and made my husband do this with me through the holidays. I thought he was going to kill me! But he was on two blood pressure meds, one cholesterol med, and stomach medicine. His blood pressure and cholesterol are great and his doctor may take him off all of it soon. That alone makes it all worth it.

We both did great the first three months, losing 2 pants sizes. Then nothing.... I thought it was a plateau, because we have not cheated. But now we are 5-6 month into this "plateau" and I have snapped out of denial. It's time for a refresher. We go in a few weeks.

As I take a closer look at our eating habits, I think my problem is too much cheese, and I should just focus on eating meat. I hope to get back on track. I have no desire to go back to what we used to eat, but I want to finish what we started and lose another two pant sizes.

Read more Hero stories... or share your story - send me an email by clicking on my name (Theresa) on the bottom of the list of contributors in the left column of any page.
July 05, 2013
Today, I'd like to tell you about a secret happening in your life. You may not even be aware of this yet, but I want to encourage you to pause for a moment to see what's happening. If you just started this program, you may not have experienced this yet, but you will.
You are the driver in your life - you choose what direction you want to go!
After a few months of applying what you've learned on Julie's program, without being consciously aware, your life takes on a new direction. As we lose weight, we focus a lot of time and energy on the changes is our size. All the while, things are changing in ways you may not see: your habits have changed over time in subtle ways.

Think about this: how many of those hard program concepts are now autopilot actions for you? Remember all those foods did you thought you could never give up - how long has it been since you thought about them? What's it like when you eat out now? Perhaps you order a sandwich and toss the bread (or ask for it without bread). Or you order black coffee or add whole milk instead of half and half. You tell the wait person not to leave the bread or chips. Pause for a moment and think about what else is different in your life today that you hadn't anticipated?

I no longer ask for a seat belt extension when I board a plane. I don't have to scan a room to make sure there's a chair I will fit into. I sit with my legs crossed. There are many other ways I've changed, including how I order food. I ask a lot of questions when I order out "is their any sugar or flour in that?" or "how is that made?"

I often order off-menu when I eat out these days. I view this part of myself like the character Sally in the movie "When Harry Met Sally." I used to feel uncomfortable and aware that others in line may be listening in, but I don't anymore. It's how I live my life: on my terms.

I order a sandwich and automatically tell the clerk "I know the price is the same without the bread. Just let the cook know 'no bread' and ring it up like a regular sandwich."

When was the last time you did something that made you realize you did it automatically, without thinking about it or making an issue? Success on this program is measured in many ways.
July 05, 2013
This video accompanied an online article from Upworthy:

She Had A ‘Pretty Woman’ Moment At A Dress Shop, But Her Response Is Way Better Than Julia Roberts’

What do you do when a dress shop manager basically tells you that you don't belong there because you're too big? Well, if you're Clare, you cry a little bit, and then you do a TED talk.

Get ready to cringe and get angry at 3:00, when you hear what happened when Clare went prom dress shopping. But no worries, by 6:08 she's singing Lady Gaga and showing us all how to love ourselves... no matter what anyone has to say about us.

July 05, 2013
Here's another one of those recipes for seasoning blends I wrote about a few days ago. This seasoning blend is delicious on steaks, burger and chops. I haven't mad this yet, but when I do, I'll add a photo!

Janie’s Gourmet Pepper Rub

¾ Cup Three Color Peppercorns
¼ Cup Pink Peppercorns
1/3 Cup Coarse Salt
1/3 Cup dehydrated Garlic Flakes
  1. In small batches, grind all ingredients, coarse to fine, your preference. 
  2. Combine all ground ingredients. 
  3. Store in air-tight container. 
July 03, 2013
One of the focuses of this blog is to look at the positive changes our weight loss journey has brought into our lives and to shine a light on them. These moments in time, where we discover a change in our lives directly related to our weight loss, allows us to reflect on how far we've come in more ways than dropping sizes. 
photo by Theresa
Our stories are not all the same, but sharing and celebrating such abstract moments, moments Oprah refers to as "ah ha moments," inspires the rest of us who are on this journey. Linda's recent posts have been about these kinds of moments in time, moments where she discovered a positive change in her life that resulted from her weight loss journey

Yesterday Linda wrote "I think we all need to look at positive changes in our behaviors and current sizes and remember where we have come from" (see Positive AHA Moment - Doctors Visit).

Today's moment in time story comes from Jennifer. She shared this story this morning and I immediately asked her permission to post it here.

Jennifer's moment:

I went in to CVS this evening to pick up a few things.

 A nice woman who works there handed me a coupon for the nail polish I was buying.

 She says "I just bought this bag of crunchy candy blahblahblah, would you like a piece? I don't know why I bought this huge bag-it was talking to me I guess!"

 I say "no thank you."

 She proceeds to say "Oh come on, one piece! It won't hurt you!"...............

 I look her in the eye, and say "70 pounds" (I really don't know my weight, this is a guess!), and "yeah, it can hurt me. I don't think it would be worth me eating it-I'm not giving up those 70 pounds for a piece of candy!"

 She says "yeah, I wouldn't eat it either! Good for you!"

 Ladies (and gent) THAT was a TEST! lol!
July 03, 2013
I went to my doctors a few days back. I had some questions.

I had some lumps and bumps that I JUST didn’t know if they were normal or not and was worried about them. By the time I got to my appointment, I was convinced I had bone cancer, cancer or whatever diseases came to mind. (yes I am one of those worriers)

I got weighed in backwards, this office is wonderful! VERY respectful of me not wanting to know my weight!!

When my dr. came in she was VERY pleased with my weight and we talked about it. She was thrilled with my weight and while talking she realized she has a few patients doing Julie’s plan. She asked for Julie’s number so she could talk with her, so she could legally recommend her program to patients.

Then I proceeded to show her my lumps, bumps, tumors what have you!

As she was checking each one with a deadpan face I was convinced I was going to get the death sentence.

When she was done she turned to me and smiled a great big smile, I wondered what is up with this.

She proceeded to tell me what each thing was and how normal they all are and the reason I never saw or felt them before was because of my weight.

We had a good laugh! I was relieved I wasn’t dieing!!! LOL

So I guess my positive change is finding things on my body I didn’t know existed!!!

From a 26/28 sized woman to a size 12 woman, things are actually going to start showing that never ever were visible before or feelable before!

I actually have a collar bone, hip bones, bones in my hand, on my throat and other places!!

I am not at my goal size, and am really looking to find positive changes. I think we all need to look at positive changes in our behaviors and current sizes and remember where we have come from. WE will get where we are going, we are all just running a different pace race!

How wonderful for my body to be molding itself slowly to become more normal!
July 02, 2013