All my life, my weight has kept me from doing stuff.

I have a friend who has followed me on my journey and is one of my cheerleaders. She is one who keeps encouraging me, and tries to help me see the new me.

She has been trying to get me to go kayaking.

NO WAY!!! I won't fit in the kayak, I will sink it, I am afraid I can't get in and out of the thing, and so on.

Joann persisted and on Tuesday I gave in and went.

The whole way to the lake I had a stomach ache, and all those negative thoughts kept running through my mind.

I met Joann at the lake and she knew right away what I was thinking.

I didn't want to disappoint her so I was brave while voicing my concerns.

I stared that ole kayak down and decided that those old thoughts were not going to get the best of me.

Cautiously, I got in. I am sure if anyone besides Joann had been there, they would have laughed at my un-gracefulness, but I got in!

I realized I did fit, PLUS I had room to spare!!! Imagine that!

I took it slow, getting used to the feeling. Once I was comfortable off we went around Crystal Lake. Slow and steady, talking and enjoying the wonderful day!

I can not believe I did it!!! When I think back to all the things my weight kept me from doing as my children were growing up, I could just cry. My weight held me back from so much...

Julie, I am forever grateful to you for giving me my life!!

I may not go skydiving, or bungee jumping or even ride a rollercoaster. I am not that brave, but the wonderful thing to me is, that if I wanted to, I could. I would fit! I wouldn't sink anything! I wouldn't get stuck in anything!! I wouldn't break anything!!!

That is BIG!!!! REally BIG for me!!!!

I did it!!! I did it!!!!
July 16, 2014
We make a lot of decisions about food on this program. How many times have you stopped for a moment to ask yourself: Should I eat this? Or: Can I eat this? Or contemplated over: Just this once? The choices we make in those moments accumulate and ultimately make a large contribution to our success. There are other decisions that factor into this equation, such as how we see and think about ourselves and our bodies.
My choices took me from here to here.
My success on this journey is a directly correlation of the decisions I've made at key moments.

There were many moments when I paused to consider my decision.

Moments when I was involved in an activity and I paused and said to myself "I can't do this," and then I pushed past my fear and just did it.

Moments when I jumped into an activity without a moments hesitation.

Moments when I jumped into an activity without hesitation only to discover "oh, I really can't do this!"

The further along I am this path, the less time I spend thinking about my food choices. Eating this way is embedded in my life. None of these decisions are hard. Sometimes a food calls out to me and I may pause for a moment, but the moment passes and my journey continues.

Sometimes choosing to do a physically challenging activity is hard for me. I had a three-week-moment of debating about going with a group on a difficult hike. After changing my mind several times, I chose not to go. It's good to know your limitations. Mine include a 10 hour hike with no bathrooms. (It's a funny story and I promise to post it sometime.)

My weight loss journey is about more than losing weight. It's also about challenging myself to push beyond my old boundaries, beyond my old ways of thinking, and to stop thinking of myself as an obese woman: I am not an obese woman anymore.

It's about choosing to stay on program when those moments of temptation arise. The accumulation of my choices, what to eat and what activities to participate in, are what helped transform me from a size 30/32 to where I am today.

A moments decision can make or break you on this journey. Choose wisely. Stay the course.
Red Dress Run/Walk in Hartford 07/12/14
Before publishing this post, I toggled over to my email and saw this message from Linda:
In 20 minutes I am about to do something I have never done in my life!! I wouldn't have fit, number 1, I would have sunk it, number 2. I am going kayaking. I am scared, as the mean girl is still telling me that stuff. BUT, I am going to do it. 
Now that's what I'm talking about! You go Linda! Go push your limits and go have an incredible time!
July 15, 2014
Meet Donna. Donna reminded me what it was like when I was too a newbie. As I read her story, I filled with excitement for her, for me, and for you. She tells your story and mine. The wait list. The wondering if this will really work. The undeniable changes in our bodies. The startling new ways we start to see and think about food. The uncharted road ahead.
Uncharted road. Photo by Theresa
Donna posted this comment on Plateau Strategy and I instantly knew her story had to be brought to the surface so none of you would miss it.
I am a relative newbie ... having begun my journey to a new me on June 10th. I have completed my three sessions and I am so totally blown away by how my life has changed in four short weeks.

 First of all, I will acknowledge that I do realize that everyone's experience is different. I can only comment on mine. I am astounded by how this whole thing works. I am an adult, life-long dieter. Gain weight ... go on a diet, lose weight ... gain it back with a little more, repeat. Tried every diet out there and was just about ready to admit I was going to be overweight FOREVER.

 A very overweight friend told me about Julie's program, and I was intrigued. Could this work for me? All it took me was overnight to decide, why not give it a try. So I checked out Julie's website, was shocked and horrified to learn I would be on a waiting list for up to six months. OMG, I am so ready NOW! Please!

 But, I used that time to read this blog, and pray that this would work for me too! As I said I have tried every diet program and, as with most diets (as Julie explains), you should find success, but when you plateau and then begin to gain again all hope is lost. So you try another, and then another and so on.

 So here is my experience after four weeks, and I will continue to post as I go through the next weeks and months and maybe even years!
In answer to two of the four questions that Julie asks, I would like to lose 70 pounds and be a size 8.

 Well, after my first session, until this very moment as I write this, I have had no cravings for anything that I should not eat. I have had no trouble controlling what I eat and the quantity that I eat. And I keep repeating the mantra "eat when you're hungry, not when you're not" to myself. Can't get it out of my head. Pretty cool, eh?

 That being said, I wish I could say that I have dropped a size or two. But, in pants anyway that is not the case. I have lost significant inches in my midriff area though, and consequently feel as though I am making progress. Have dropped a size in tops ... YEAH! I do feel trimmer, does that makes sense? Very encouraged.

 We had a huge family 4th of July party that I did worry about. What would I eat, how could I not have alcohol? Well, I survived! I had a burger, steak tips and corn on the cob and was as happy as a clam. Stayed away from desserts, not even tempted to try them. Not tempted to try anything I know I should not be putting in my mouth.

 Speaking of burgers ... I will share a burger suggestion that I tried recently that was so darn good, I could eat them every day. I sauteed baby spinach and mushrooms with garlic and a little olive oil. I made two very thin hamburger patties, put the spinach/mushroom mixture in the center; patted the edges to seal it and grill. OMG, so good. Really try it, yummy.

 Well, that is it for now. I am so very grateful for this blog. It is so nice to see how everyone else is doing and get recipes and incentive.

 -- Donna
Congratulations Donna - your life is about to change in ways you can't even imagine. The fact that you're only four weeks in and you can see and feel changes is worth celebrating.

As you drop weight, you may find it doesn't come off the way you expected. Weight comes off in it's own way and in funny places - like your feet. Who knew your shoe size could get smaller? And the hips, oh the hips! They seem to be the last to go, but stay the course and they will.

One morning you put your ring on your finger and it slides right off.

Another morning you look in the mirror and the face looking back at you will be transformed. Perhaps you remember that face, perhaps it's new to you.

You won't always be able to see the changes, but know they are happening. Take photos on a regular basis to help you see changes you won't see in a mirror.

Sometimes the weight loss slows down and you plateau for a while. This is part of the journey for many of us, as our body pauses to heal. The plateau will pass and your weight will drop once again.

I look forward to hearing more from you on your journey. Thanks for the recipe too!
July 11, 2014
I made this delicious perfectly grilled corn on the cob recipe for dinner tonight. My only regret is that I didn't photograph it before we ate it! You can eat as much corn as you want as long as you eat an equal amount of meat. Keep your meat/veggie balance intact, as too many vegetables will slow down or stop your weight loss.
Recipe by Bobby Flay
Total prep and cooking time: 25-30 minutes

Directions
  1. Heat the grill to medium.
  2. Pull the outer husks down the ear to the base. 
  3. Strip away the silk from each ear of corn by hand. 
  4. Fold husks back into place, and place the ears of corn in a large bowl of cold water with 1 tablespoon of salt for 10 minutes.
  5. Remove corn from water and shake off excess. 
  6. Place the corn on the grill, close the cover and grill for 15 to 20 minutes, turning every 5 minutes, or until kernels are tender when pierced with a paring knife. 
  7. Remove the husks and eat on the cob or remove the kernels. 
  8. Optional: spread butter over the corn while hot. 

Source: Food Network
July 06, 2014
Having a body that is capable of optimal performance is priceless. I'm learning that being the right size for my body can do far more for me than just looking good. I may not be at my goal size yet, but my body is definitely working for me these days.
Transitions are a natural state of being. Look how beautiful this one is!
Photo by Theresa
I'm in transition. Things have changed in my life and I'm not ready to write about the details yet, as it's all so new. The details don't matter. What matters is how I'm handling the transition. I'm handling this as best as I can. As I navigate through new territory, I stay connected to my incredible support system and to my spiritual side. 

I'm proud to say that during this transition there has not been one time that I told myself I deserve to treat myself to X, Y, or Z foods. I deserve to be healthy. Treats do not solve anything. They never have and they never will. I know what my life would be like today if I turned to sugar and it would not be pretty. I would shut down in a comma-like state-of-mind. No thank you.

My key program is deeply rooted. When my transition began, I automatically continued my exercise goals and I automatically continued to choose healthy foods. Sometimes autopilot is a good thing. 

My energy and focus wane throughout the day, but my overall state of being is good. I often feel as if I’m having an out of body experience. Perhaps I am. While I have moments when focusing is a challenge, I also have moments of clarity and feeling well grounded. 

One of moment of clarity is realizing how much my weight loss plays into all this. I can’t imagine how I would deal with this transition if I had not taken off so much weight. Today, at size 14/16, I’m in a good place physically, mentally and spiritually. At size 30/32, this transition would have been far more difficult.

This is another non-scale victory.

Stay the course and allow your body to work for you instead of against you.
July 03, 2014
It's funny how a memory just pops up in your mind. Not funny in a laughing out loud kind of way, but in a strange way. One moment you're peeling a hard-boiled egg and the next moment you're mind is a million miles away, remembering something that happened years ago--as if it was happening in the present moment.
That's what happened to me this morning while making deviled eggs. I picked up the first hard-boiled egg, tapped it lightly on the counter top, and then gave it a roll. Right then a memory of peeling hard-boiled eggs with my Uncle Bill popped into my head.

As I peeled the shell from the egg in my own kitchen, I was transported to my twelve or thirteen year old self in the kitchen standing next to Uncle Bill.

"Give it a light tap on the counter" Uncle Bill instructed me, "and then roll it. That's right! Now peel it. See how easily the shell comes off?"

I've peeled a million hard-boiled eggs since I was a teenager. I'm not sure why this memory surfaced this morning, but it was as if Uncle Bill was standing right next to me, instruction me how to peel an egg.

Standing in my own kitchen, I grabbed my iPhone to take photos of today's egg-peeling event. I didn't realize until that moment that I had peeled four eggs and the last egg was in my hand partially peeled.

I had the idea that I could capture my memory and make it into a short video. I was silent as I set up my iPhone camera and recorded a closeup of the fork in my hands breaking up the cooked egg yokes, adding a spoon of mayo and then mustard. I cracked black pepper over the dish and then sprinkled salt on top.

As the camera continued to roll, I stuffed the eggs. That's when I imagined my mother's critical voice.

"They're messy looking--some have more filling than others. And what about the paprika? Where's the paprika?" Mom's deviled eggs always looked perfect. Mine? No paprika. No perfection.

I picked up my iPhone, zoomed in on my finished product and snapped a few stills before popping a deviled eggs into my mouth. 
Messy looking and void of paprika, these deviled eggs were delicious.
Mom and Uncle Bill are brother and sister and, like their father and two of my brothers, they had diabetes. My grandfather and my Uncle Bill were thin men their whole lives. Neither of them ever had weight issues, unlike my mom and my diabetic brothers. Diabetes was just one of several health issues my mother, her father, her brother, and her oldest son (my brother) had going on when they passed away.

Four years ago my nurse practitioner told me, with an authoritative certainty, despite the negative results from my annual diabetes test, "you are going to become a diabetic."

"No!" I told her with my own authoritative certainty.

I always knew I would never become a diabetic, despite my mother's family history of diabetes, because decades ago I decided to claim my father's genes, as there was no diabetes or Alzheimer on his side of the family. As if one can really make such a claim.

When my memory of Uncle Bill and Mom surfaced this morning, I thought of their struggle with diabetes and how neither one of them was willing to give up sugar. 

I remember Uncle Bill checking his blood sugar level, taking his medicine, eating lunch, and then eagerly waiting to bite into a piece of pie. I'm not sure of the exact order of those events, but as I sat beside Uncle Bill at his kitchen table, I would silently stake claim to having my father's family genes.

I don't remember if my mom took medicine for her diabetes, but I vividly recall my grandfather injecting himself daily with a needle. I also remember him using a lot of Saccharin.

I was excited about making this memory into a video this morning, but it seems deviled eggs aren't the only thing in my life that lack perfection. Technology got the better of me. My new iPhone won't speak to my desktop computer, so I can't get edit my video or record my story. Well I know I can figure this out, but I don't have all day to do this, so here I am writing my memory instead.

As I finish writing this piece, I think about my life today and I can't help but ponder a few what if questions. What if I hadn't changed the way I eat? What if I hadn't loss all this weight? What if I was still a size 30/32 instead of a 14/16? Would I have become diabetic? Or do I really have my dad's gene's?

Lucky for me, and it really isn't about luck, I won't ever know if I had stayed on the path I was on before this program, the path where I communed with Ben & Jerry daily, if I would have become diabetic. Family history and statistics have a strong case against my claim.

What I do know is that eating the way I learned on this program, I will never become diabetic. Paprika is still an option, but perfection is debatable.
Mom and Uncle Bill
June 28, 2014
Friday night I took my measurements and went online to look at a size chart. OMG. Have you ever done this? When I looked at the chart it says I'm supposed to be...I'm none of the sizes listed! My measurements are not on the chart! According to the charts (and I looked at several), I am three different sizes (my bust, hips, and waist are not in the same size and the size between each is wide; no pun intended). No wonder I'm not finding clothes that fit me.
Then and now
I feel like wearing girly-girl clothes. I'm SO over wearing black and white--I want vibrant colors!  I have a handful of summer dresses and a ton of blouses, but I want some short skirts. I recently dropped another size, so I just need to find the place where my size exists. Size doesn't matter, but where oh where are clothes my size?

Last summer I discovered Dress Barn, but everything I liked was a size 8. My trip there yesterday lasted 2 hours and I left empty-handed. I can see things there fit better, but nothing in the styles I want.

To boost my morale, which was low after not having any success at Dress Barn, I went into my photos and pulled a photo from my days of being a size 30/32 to post here next to my current size. I'm telling you, a photo is worth a thousand words.

I know I've said this a million times on this blog, but it's worth repeating: take photos and take them often!

Looking at myself in the size 30/32 photo next to a photo taken last month, there is no denying my transformation. Wooohoo! As big as I may some days feel--I am not the size I used to be. I have come a long way. Sure, I wish it was faster, but it is what it is and I'm so far from a size 30/32.

I also booked a refresher, because I want to reach maintenance and I need a boost to help me get there. Yes, I'm having success dropping weight again, but I want to push through to the finish line. I called today and have an appointment for next month.

To those of you reading this: do whatever it takes to stay the course to make it to your finish line. However long it takes - you are worth it.

June 23, 2014
I have been on Julie's program for well over 2 years. Still have not strayed, fallen off the wagon, or cheated. Still going strong, and just have a peace inside of me that I WILL get to my goal.

I have noticed in the past few months I have begun an unusual habit. Certainly not a normal one in my book or in my husband's.

I have begun smelling food. Yup, you heard me right!

If my dear husband goes to eat something unusual, or that looks really yummy, I have to smell it. Poor Greg, he can't have a dessert without my sticking my nose in it first.

We were on vacation at an all inclusive the end of winter, and my dear hubby enjoyed a few desserts. Well, he enjoyed them AFTER my nose was in them!

Why do I smell food? Who knows! BUT I must say, some of the fragrances are absolutely delightful. They do not provoke a craving, I just enjoy the smell.

I was telling Theresa about this habit one day, and she likened it to smelling beautiful flowers. We love to smell a fragrant flower but it doesn't mean we are going to eat it. At least I am not going to!! Even though before Julie, I could have eaten everything in sight!!!

I work in a bakery now, have since before my trip to Italy in the fall. I love to bake and seeing no one eats it at home, it is the perfect job for me.

I guess I can pinpoint my strange new behavior as starting in Italy. My father ate the pastries and desserts. He kept telling me they were not sweet even though they sure looked sweet to me. Thus began my smelling food habit.

On an average day at the bakery, while stuff is baking I can not smell it. I figure Julie must have something to do with that. But once in a while I just have to stick my nose into something and smell it. My co-workers find it funny that it doesn't make me want to eat it, but I just enjoy the fragrance.

These are just some of the beautiful flowers in my garden.

Hopefully my food smelling habit doesn't get to out of control!! One of my friends, laughingly said to me, "I sure hope you can contain yourself in a restaurant and not start smelling everyones food! I can see you at therapy now for food smelling!"

LOL! Gotta love your friends!!!

I am going for a refresher this week and plan to ask Julie about this food smelling thing. Will keep you posted!
June 09, 2014
Two months ago, I spent a few hours with three of my key friends / blog contributors and we had a blast. We had a nice lunch together and then walked for an hour or more   something none of us could have endured before this program.
Selfie: Linda, Jennifer, Alaina, Theresa
We met at Johnny's Bar & Grille for lunch. All of us ordered the same thing: bone-in salt and pepper chicken wings, fried Brussels sprouts, seltzer with lots of lemons, and an extra large order of laughing and talking. The staff were fabulous and they were so kind to take our photo again and again until they had one with just the right light.
Alaina, Jennifer,  Theresa, Linda
After lunch, we walked across the street to Mount Holyoke College to tour the beautiful library and to see the Dale Chihuly sculpture Clear and Gold Tower. After the our self-tour of the library, we headed outside toward lower lake.

As we walked across campus, the laughter continued. We were all so relaxed and it was a beautiful day, so I pulled my camera. I had to seize the moment and do a photo shoot of everyone. It was an honor to capture the fun spirit of each of these women.

Usually I would insert a "before" photo next to these photos, but this time, I want to let the photos speak for themselves.
Alaina

Jennifer

Linda
Theresa
When my photo was taken, we didn't realize the video button was selected and consequently we recorded a rather funny moment, but some moments are not to be shared beyond close friends. This was one of those moments.
June 06, 2014
One of the great things about this weight loss program is that I don't think about food all the time. Yes, I plan what I'm going to eat, but only when I'm going to buy groceries. This doesn't mean I don't have a strategy, it just means I don't need to obsess about food.
Is your diet strategy working?

Finnian asked:
Hi I have a question about some of the strategies or "tricks" as you refer to them...In the sessions I attended she never said anything about "tapping away hunger" or "don't wanna want it" can you explain to me what these things mean?
Tap, tap, tap, is not a phrase Julie uses. During one of my initial sessions Julie described a technique to use when we have sugar cravings. As she spoke about sugar cravings getting stronger and stronger, one of her hands moved closer to her body and then she gave us the suggestion to push away the sugar cravings. Over the years that I've been following this program, I turned that concept into the phrase tap, tap, tap, which I use as a reminder to push away cravings. 

I don't know about you, but I like having energy to do other things in my life instead of thinking about my next fix, I mean meal. In order for this to happen, having a strategy helps.

What's My Strategy?

 My strategy is similar to Nike's famous brand statement, I just do it. I follow the plan as Julie taught me and after three years of just doing in, I don't have to think what I'm doing - I just do what I've trained myself to do. Sure, there are days I wonder about what to cook, plenty days in fact, but this program is a way of life for me.

To get to this zen-like place, I did a lot of thinking along the way. I was full of questions that only I could answer. The question that kept coming up again and again was Why am I on a plateau?

I asked my key friends for their sage wisdom about plateaus and what they do when they're on one. In response, they asked two questions: 1) what are you eating? and 2) when are you eating? Let's take a closer look at what they had to say...

What are You Eating?

We tend to get in a rut and eat the same foods...change is good. Think about what you're eating and change up the foods. Breakfast for example, should not be the same every day. When we repeat the same meals, our bodies think "oh no, another diet" and it starts storing fat because it thinks we're going to starve it.
  • Army men - if you're eating anything that will bring out the army men, stop now!
  • Too much milk - try two weeks of cutting your milk and see if this makes any difference.
  • Cut back on the vodka - the caution here is if you drink to much, you may end up eating things that you will regret in the morning.
  • Big coffee drinker - scale back.
  • Are you only having breakfast foods for breakfast? Mix it up and have chicken for breakfast.
  • Are you eating the same foods - it's essential to eat a variety of foods or your body thinks it's on a diet and holds onto your weight.
  • Cheese - it's a condiment and the sooner you accept this and treat it as such, the better for you. 
  • Cook simpler.  We don't need to make complicated meals three times a day. Keep it simple. Simple doesn't have to be boring, it's just less work. Less work means more time for fun. Fun is good! Go have some fun.
When are You Eating?
  • Eat only when you are hungry.
  • Stop eating when you're full.
  • Milk - while we are not limited to how much milk we drink, we were warned NOT to drink milk by the gallon. 
  • Pepperoni - now that I’ve become a meat lover, I've given up pepperoni as a regular item on my menu. When I started this program I didn’t like meat AT ALL and I asked about pepperoni and was told it was allowed. A few months ago I decided I want to drop another size more than I want pepperoni. It's all about free-will.
  • Condiments - a wise key friend recently said: Julie gave us meat and veggies, not meat, veggies, and condiments. We are allowed condiments to enhance our foods, not have the whole bottle. Also essential: “nothing sweet to the lips” means if a condiment (or any food) tastes sweet, we shouldn’t eat it. I no longer using Marie’s salad dressing and I’m looking for new ways to enjoy tuna and chicken — am I really going to say it aloud, omg, yes — without mayo!
  • Eating the same food daily - variety in our foods is essential. I make smaller dishes instead of large batches that I ate over the next few days.
What to Do if You're on a Plateau?
  1. Accept that plateaus are a natural part of the weight loss process. 
  2. Have patience. Your body plateaus so it has time to heal.
  3. Look at your fat intake. Are you eating a lot of bacon, hot dogs, butter, mayo? Cut way back on fatty foods. 
  4. Get moving - find a form of exercise that you can do and start moving. Set goals for yourself and keep to your commitment.
  5. Be gentle with yourself. This is a learning process. Along the way, you may discover things you are eating that are not on program. Realize your mistake and move on - today. There are no tomorrows - we only have today. Seize the moment.

    Image source: Fitness Health Wellness Professional Fitness Institute
    June 05, 2014
    My brother and his wife were invited to celebrate the birthdays of a couple we've known for over thirty years. Both the husband and wife turned 80 in May and to celebrate our friends invited four couples to join them on a cruise. My brother was not able to go and I was invited in his place. All I had to do was pay for my ticket to Florida and back, and to bring along at least two formal dresses. Who am I to say no to such an incredible invitation? What's a girl to do? Start looking for formal dresses of course!
    View from my balcony on the Oasis of the Seas.
    A few weeks after I accepted this fabulous gift, something incredible happened: one of our key friends posted a notice she had 8 bags of clothes ranging from size 12-18 to give away to the first person who contacted her. I responded right away and we arranged to meet at her house.

    I spent about an hour on her front steps, listening to her inspiring weight loss story. After our visit, she brought the bags out to the steps and I loaded them into my trunk. As I walked toward my car with the last bag, I heard her call out from inside the house.

    "Hold on! I have some more."

    I looked up and saw her coming out the front door with her hands full of beautiful dresses. I'm so grateful and fortunate to have made this connection.

    Back home I sorted through the clothes and put the items that were too small into a bin, I wrote a note and placed it on top before closing the lid. The note read: beautiful clothes that will fit me soon.

    The dresses she handed to me were size 12's and 14's and too small for me last summer, but I was optimistic they would fit me by the time I went on the cruise.  I hung the dresses in the left side of my closet, next to other clothes waiting for me to fit into them.
    As summer turned to fall, I kept pulling the beautiful dresses out of my closet and holding them up to me in front of my full length mirror. I could see they did not to fit yet; my body was wider than the dresses.

    January, February, and then March passed, and each time I stepped in front of the mirror, the results were the same: the dresses were still beautiful and still too small.

    The first of April, after having lunch with some of my key friends in South Hadley, I invited Jennifer and Linda to my house to get their opinion on a formal dress I had bought for the cruise that I was unsure of how it looked. I felt it clung to my backside too much and in the end I returned it. While they were at my house, I put on a black dress from my key friend for them to help me determine if it was too tight.

    They agreed with me, it was too tight. I showed them the other dresses and said how sad that they too were to small. Jennifer suggested I try them on, but I said no; I was positive they would not fit. After they left, I decided to try them on and I was shocked--I could get into all but two of the dresses. I would not go outside my house in any of them, as they were way too tight, but I could fit into them.

    What shocked me so much was that these dresses looked so small. I was in awe. Am I really that small? Despite the fact that they were skin tight - the fact that I could get into them was incredible.

    Tick tock. Time was running out and I still had to get my formal dresses lined up.

    A friend in New York sent me a dress that she was confident would fit me and that it would look incredible. When it arrived, I tried it on and she was right. The floor length red dress was a beautiful color on me, but it needed to be shortened and altered to fit me better. I asked around for a good tailor.

    One dress down, one more to go.

    Two summers ago I bought a few beautiful dresses and they're too big under the arms. I decided to take them to the tailor as well. I was lucky again, as prom season was closing in and the tailor would have just enough time to finish my dresses on time.

    Meanwhile, I kept trying on those size 12 and 14 dresses right up until a few days before I left. They fit much better, but they were still too tight. In the end, those beautiful dresses did not go in my suitcase. It turns out that I had exactly the right number of pretty dresses to bring with me.

    This cruise wasn't only about dresses, although I have a ton of photos of me wearing all my beautiful dresses. There were a couple physical challenges I gave myself while on the cruise that I could not have done prior to losing this weight. I'll share those stories and more in the weeks ahead.

    Meanwhile, here are some photos in my beautiful dresses. This first photo was taken outside of the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, FL, where the first of many birthday celebrations took place. I felt like a celebrity when we arrived. Getting out of a stretch limo in a short dress while others are watching, was interesting!
    Did you ever get into a stretch limo in a short dress?
    This is the beautiful red dress my friend gave me.
    This is one of the dresses I had the tailor make smaller.
    Same dress in 2012 and 2013, which I had altered before the cruise.
    I couldn't resist showing this same dress that I had altered to wear last Halloween.
    Buying a dress off a street vendor in Jamaica was not possible when I was a size 30/32. And, at the insistence of our host, I bought the hat the same day from another vendor. There was a time, when the hat would have been the only thing on the street that would fit me.
    The big birthday celebration was in Cozumel, Mexico.
    This is is the other formal dress, which I had in my closet.
    Ten of us traveled on the Oasis of the Seas to Haiti, Jamaica, and Mexico

    June 01, 2014
    One of the key concepts is to eat local veggies and to eat them when they are in season. Here in the Pioneer Valley asparagus season is underway (May through June). Now is the time for us to indulge in asparagus and to get you started, here's a delicious recipe for oven-roasted asparagus.
    Oven-Roasted Asparagus
    Ingredients
    • 1 1/2 pounds green asparagus
    • olive oil
    • sea salt (optional)
    • fresh ground black pepper
    • 2 large eggs (which you will hard-boil)
    • chopped flat-leaf parsley or chives, for garnish

    Directions

    Heat the oven to 425ºF

    Prepare the asparagus:
    1. Asparagus need to be cleaned very well, as dirt gets trapped under the tips and is unpleasant to eat. Grasp each spear at both ends and bend it, it will snap in half; the top half is edible and tender. Save the bottoms to add to a stock.
    2. Fill a bowl with cold water and submerge the asparagus spear tips and swirl them around a few times, loosening up and removing any grit. If necessary, repeat in a few changes of water to ensure that all grit is removed. 
    3. Wash and towel-dry the asparagus and then peel the tough skin off the stalks with a vegetable peeler.
    After preparing the asparagus:
    1. Drizzle a few spoonfuls of olive oil on a baking sheet and sprinkle with (optional) salt and pepper. 
    2. Toss the asparagus in the oil and roast in the oven, turning the spears a few times during roasting, for 18 to 20 minutes or until the asparagus is tender when you poke a knife into the stems. Don’t overcook them.
    3. While the asparagus are cooking, hard-boil the eggs, drain the water from the pot, add ice and cold water, and then let the eggs sit in the water until they are cool.
    4. Option: instead the eggs, use shavings of Parmesan or Pecorino cheese, crumbled feta, or crispy bits of bacon.
    5. Place the asparagus on a serving platter. 
    6. Peel the eggs and then use a cheese grater with large holes to grate the eggs over the asparagus.
    7. Sprinkle chopped parsley or chives over the asparagus and serve. 
    8. This dish may be served hot or at room temperature. 
    Photo source and original recipe

    May 31, 2014
    If you are on a plateau, I encourage you to go and try on clothes in stores. Not crazy all over the place-just a few stores that you have tried in the past-Touch base with yourself! I learned A LOT earlier this week when I went shopping.
    Talbots May 2014 (left) and Coldwater Creek February 2013 (right)
    When I look in the mirror, I don't see ONE change. But, trying on clothes? Big change! In October 2013, I didn't buy these pants-they fit awful. I wanted them to fit so badly! But, tenacity paid off-I kept to my exercise routine and clean eating (meat/veggies/hardly any condiments) and 6 months later I found a prettier pair of pants in a smaller size!

    Going to stores and trying on clothes helps you gauge a lot. Yes, using your own clothes is helpful, but sometimes can be frustrating. I am a very curvy person, so I do most of my shopping in women's stores: Chicos, Coldwater Creek (I will miss them as they are closing maybe by July-even the salesclerks don't know!) and Talbots, to name a few. I only grab a few articles-mainly pants as this is my toughest body part. I grab a couple of different sizes as well. But NEVER a larger size than what I want to fit into as I do NOT want my body to think that size is OK!
    May 2014 (left) November 2013 (right) Not a huge change, but noticeable! Yippee!
    This a pair of shorts (above photo on the right right) I have used since last October when I went to a refresher and decided I no longer wanted to be a 6-8, but a 4-6 (long story!!!!)  I have been trying them on and taking pictures. For the longest time, no change! Took more pictures today: BIG change in how they fit (above photo on the right left)!

    The odd thing: When I just look in the mirror, I don't see the change! Only in the pictures! Wild. I am not whining. I am being truthful about not seeing a difference. Moral of this story? Go shopping. Be realistic. And go WALK! lol. I can't believe I am posting these.....but, I guess it's proving what tenacity and believing can do. Your plateau will take as long as it takes! It is up to you to work through them! Move more, be consistent. Be careful with condiments! (This includes cheese! I hardly ever eat it anymore!)

    Did I say move? I mean it! Most of you know I have a Fitbit, and I have logged over 480 MILES since March 13!!!! That commitment moved me from my plateau, I know it!!! And go try on some clothes!

    May 26, 2014
    Meet Jennifer M, who started at a size 14 and is now a size 2-4. Jennifer is asking for help with a problem many of us have experienced. Despite the fact that all her clothes have literally fallen off her body, she's having trouble seeing the changes in her mirror, and she's nervous about starting maintenance.
    Mirror, mirror, on the wall...
    Here's Jennifer's story and questions:
    I follow your blog and I love reading the posts. I first went to Julie in September of 2013 and I have had amazing success, but I think I need a little bit of advice and I really do not know where to turn. Since your blog has been such a great resource for me the last several months, I thought maybe you could give me some advice/insight as to what I am feeling.

    First, I should tell you that I was always thin, often considered underweight. I started gaining weight in college. The pounds came on rapidly and I just figured it was the "freshman 15." Each year, I gained more and more and was finally diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), after several years of searching for answers to several health mysteries.

    Through the PCOS diagnosis, I ended up receiving fertility treatments (more weight gain!) which resulted in a pregnancy. Being pregnant was the only time I was able to lose weight and I lost 30 pounds. Once my daughter was born, the weight came back on and  15 extra pounds. I never have eaten terribly, and I am extremely active, but no matter what I ate or how much time I spent at the gym, the weight wouldn't budge. After researching PCOS and talking to my family, I learned that Hashimoto's disease is closely related and it runs in my family.

    It was around the time I was diagnosed with this that I went to my first session with Julie. I was an extremely tight size 14. I listened to what she said and I followed all of her instructions. I did not have the same triggers as you and others on the blog have mentioned. I just ate my meat and veggies because I felt good not eating the other junk. I wasn't totally convinced that the hypnosis worked on me because of this, but I firmly believed that the principles of the program make sense, especially for my health.

    Now I'm between a size 2 and 4. I have not strayed from the program. I had to purchase an entirely new wardrobe because my old clothes literally fell off my body. I get complements every day.
    My problem is that I don't see any change when I look in the mirror. I'm scared that this could become a serious problem... forcing me to never go into maintenance because I'm scared to eat anything else, or worse--trigger an eating disorder.

    My goal when I saw Julie was to get into a size 6. I have surpassed that, but I'm still not pleased because I don't see a change. Also, Julie had said that maintenance should start after a year on the program. I am not there yet. (Note from Theresa: I believe this was a misunderstanding in something Julie said, as there is not set time when one should begin maintenance.)

    Do you have any thoughts or similar experiences? I am not sure what to do at this point. I am scheduled to see my doctor next month and I plan to bring my concerns to him, but I would love some insight from someone who has been through it all.
    Jennifer, congratulations on your incredible success in reaching your goal size! This is no small feat, as we all know. I'll do my best to answer your questions and concerns from my own experience and I hope others will respond with their experiences too.

    As far as seeing your body changes in the mirror goes, just about everyone I know has expressed they too had problems seeing their weight loss at one time or another. I often hear others refer to poochy belly, their arms as bat wings, or thunder thighs, the list goes on and on.

    After a week of being with 5 other women during my vacation, I noticed that this list is something all women seem to have and not just women who have lost weight. Every time I showed a photograph to one of my traveling friends, they always criticized themselves, despite the fact that they looked beautiful in the photo. If they didn't point out something about their body, then it was something about what they were wearing. I was keenly aware of this every time I showed them a photo, even the woman in her 70's who was very petite! So, it isn't just because we've lost weight, it seems to be common for women to speak negatively about their bodies.

    Seeing our new bodies and adjusting to them in our heads is not easy. This is something each of us has to work through for ourselves. This is all about self-acceptance. It's essential for each of us to make this transition to see our bodies as they really are, to see the positive, and to stop focusing on our flaws. Look at those photos of you in your tight 14's - you are not that same woman! Do this often.

    I don't want my life to be a constant battle with myself over my size when I'm at goal; I refuse to live this way. When I was a 30-32 and never saw myself that size either. I'm determined to work through this issue. I want to live life to the fullest and not be so self-obsessed with my body. I am determined to start this process now and if I'm still seeing myself the size I really am when I reach my goal, I'm go to therapy.

    This is all part of the journey, as is going on maintenance. What you're describing about being fearful of maintenance is normal. Julie tells us we must be willing to play the game (of maintenance) in order to take this weight off and keep it off. Maintenance is about bringing foods back in slowly and intentionally. Along the way, we will gain some weight and we will take it off by going back into the river. We repeat this process, adding new foods as we feel ready, going up and down within our goal size (not up in size, up to a tight goal size) until we get it and our body realizes this is our new pattern.

    You can do this, just as you've done the rest of the program. Julie taught you maintenance in your classes and you have all the knowledge within you to achieve this goal too. Trust the process. Trust yourself. This will take time. How much time varies from person to person, but trust you to will get there!

    Thanks for sharing your story.


    May 21, 2014
    Today's Key Hypnosis success story comes from Erin. Thank you Erin for sharing your story and your photos with us. You inspire all of us to continue on our weight loss journeys. 

    I have been following your blog right along with Julie's program from the end of August 2013. I love both! On Easter of 2013 my dad hosted a beautiful Easter egg hunt for all his grandchildren and a few extended relatives. It was that day that changed my life forever.

    The Easter egg hunt required quite a bit of walking and at approximately 280 lbs and wearing a size 24 I had difficultly keeping up with my 4 much faster kids. After we got back to the house my dad was excited the share that he had heard about Julie's program and gave me the phone number. At first I felt that it was a great idea.. for someone else. I knew that I needed to loose weight but wasn't eager jump into something like hypnosis.

    After most the guests had gone home, my Dad offered me what I now know is the greatest gift of my life: he said if I was serious about trying it--he would pay for the program.

    The next morning I called Julie's office and was put on the wait list. That day I decided I would start a low carb "diet" and while I waited to see Julie I had some success on my own: I lost 25 lbs.

    My 3 sessions started at the end of August and ran into September. I was really nervous when I arrived and even for the first 2 months I was on the program. I thought I might not be able to be hypnotized or maybe I would be one of the very few just not to have success.

    I was wrong!

    I've found following this program to be just a part of who I am. I have not gone off program and I don't have any worries that I won't reach my goal without straying.
    Erin 2 years ago at her brother's high school graduation; size 22-24.
    Erin 2 weeks ago at her sister's college graduation; size 12-14 dress which she was in high school.
    I am not yet at my goal but I'm very happy to come as far as I have. I have not weighed myself, but I have so many non-scale victories. Here are a few:
    1. I rode 6 hours in a plane fitting comfortably in my own seat.
    2. I went shopping with my average size friend and I felt normal.
    3. I enjoyed keeping up with all my kids at this years Easter egg hunt.
    4. I never walk in a room and worry about being the largest person there.
    I was obese for the last 13 years. I know that with the tools Julie has given me I will never get that way again.
    May 19, 2014
    Recently a friend touched on a topic that a lot of us have had personal experience with: "My beautiful husband's Aunt struggles with her weight. She is not interested in seeing Julie, but has recently been reducing her carbs and is starting to lose."

    Yesterday my husband took her out to lunch to celebrate Mother's Day and she was so excited because she had bread and ice cream after not having either for 2 months. She said, "I'm going to eat what I want today because it's Mother's Day." It just struck me how many 'Because it's (insert any occasion, holiday, event or excuse here) I'm going to eat what I want' days I used to have. I was truly the queen of rationalization.

    Living through 2 years of events and having the strength to not eat off program "because it's..." is really amazing to me. I'll always want those foods as they are like old friends to me. I've just decided I don't want to party with them anymore. I don't want another Monday where I have to feel defeated and know I have to start dieting again because I blew it.

    I'm grateful that my life is full of events that deserve celebrations. I just don't want to ever use those happy times to hurt myself with food."

    How many of us have thought like that? Isn't it a relief to be free from these feelings?

    Another friend talked about her personal situation with Mother's Day too:

    "I was thinking this will be my first Mother's Day without kid-made French toast. Boo boo, poor me. But instead they made a beautiful omelet with ham and a side of bacon. They cared enough to cook, and to sit and eat with me. The focus, for me, has changed. Mother's Day was never about French toast.  :)"

    People that have seen Julie are learning to adapt to holidays! And their families care enough to allow the "old" tradition to be replaced with a "new" tradition. That is true support! Do you have people helping you meet your goals? If so, how?? Are you worried about the next holiday, or are you prepared??? Has your focus changed??

    May 15, 2014
    A present left for Jill while at work
    How many of us put ourselves first? I mean REALLY put our thoughts, our wishes, our needs FIRST?

    This topic kind of emerged out of a discussion I was having with  2 friends who were both presented with an uncomfortable food situation this week where they both had to say "no thank you."

    One found it hard, because her friend had gone out of her way to include her in a get-together by purchasing food she thought her invitee (aka following Julie) would eat: Flavored seltzer and veggies with dip. Yes, the veggies and dip would have worked, except there was no meat to go with.

    "I really considered just eating a darn cucumber to make her feel good--I didn't, of course, but at that moment I was wishing I had a hot line to Julie's cell to ask for advice!"

    Isn't this the old "devil on one shoulder/angel on the other" situation: Do I or don't I? How bad could it be? A few bites of a veggie, a sip of flavored seltzer. I need to be nice to my hostess! She did this for me! How rude would I be if left without eating or drinking something?

    Can you see yourself in a time just like this? In this case, she worked through it, but left feeling somewhat guilty that this person had bought food/drink for her, and she didn't have any of it.

    The picture above is from Jill, who found this nice present for her sitting on her desk at work. In Jill's words: "'Food for Thought' - Why do we reward or thank someone with super unhealthy food? It's like a bakery/candy store around here today because we are being "appreciated." I know it is all well-intended and I adore my students, but it makes me go "hmmmmm???" She ended up giving the candy away. Her student was being nice as were all of the students as they were presenting food-type gifts, so there were lots of temptations throughout the day. How do we convey to young people/students/acquaintances that we won't be joining in this type of "reward?" How do we teach them to step away from food as a reward? How do we teach them that we would love a hug, a handshake, a handwritten thank you?

    Do you have people that try to help you "fit in" to what they are doing? Have you gone to a party where the hostess went out of her way to provide you with options that keep you on track? I do-I have a wonderful friend who follows the paleo diet (caveman diet-similar to ours, but with foods that I don't eat) and it has been a godsend to go to her house for get-togethers because I know there will be food I can eat. But I still bring a dish to share that is Julie-friendly and I always bring seltzer or unsweetened iced tea. She "gets it," she understands that if I don't feel comfortable eating something, I will say "no thank you." Others DON'T get the meat/veggie thing, and often times they won't provide something I can eat. And that is OK! I enjoy my time, I get caught up, I enjoy helping set up and cleaning up--but they really do look disappointed. Like they "failed." So, do we put them first and "help ourselves" or do we hold firm to "no thank you," knowing that in a while you can go home and get yourself something to eat? It is a tough challenge. For sure!

    We have to put ourselves first! We are worth it! There are "lessons" for all involved: someone will hear "no thank you", someone will say "no thank you". There may be silence, there may be awkwardness, you may not want to accept an invite the next time (you may not GET an invite the next time!).....but we HAVE to put ourselves first! I can pretty much assure you that each time it gets easier, and it sure feels better being a little hungry and proud, than bloated, disappointed and depressed.

    At my last refresher, Julie talked about wanting us to feel truly happy. Inside happy. Resonating happy. We truly can be happy when we put ourselves first. It's OK to say "No Thank You!!!!!!"

    May 10, 2014
    How much fat is too much? Do high fat recipes slow down weight loss? Nikki asked these questions and I turned to some of our blog contributors for answers. I compiled an accumulation of the key concepts that work well for us and are relevant to Nikki's questions.
    Yummy: grilled meats. Is this too much fat?
    From Nikki:
    First of all let me say thank you so much for creating such a wonderful blog and support page! I completed my hypnosis program on Thursday [the last week of March 2014]. I noticed a lot of the recipes on your blog and on Julie's website have higher fat meats like bacon beef etc. I remember Julie saying to keep the fat low. However if I keep it low I definitely do not feel satisfied when I'm eating. What are your thoughts on this? If I have these higher fat type recipes will slow down my weight-loss?
    These concepts (below) work for us and we share them with the best of intentions. These are our opinions, our memories of key concepts, and not exact quotes from Julie, the Key Hypnosis Program, or Julie's staff.

    Fat keeps us feeling fuller, but we shouldn't be full all the time. Eat when you're hungry. Not when you're not. No snacking. Eat meals.

    We can eat all the meats, as well as poultry, fish, etc. I remember something about "the bigger the animal - the bigger the weight loss."
    Eat like people did before the invention of refrigeration and mass preservatives.

    Eat simple foods and keep the more complex recipes to just a few times a week. I use recipes to change things up. Many of my meals are basic meat and veggies. Always equal amount of meat to veggie or less veggies than meat (protein). I eat bacon several times a week, but not in large quantities - a couple strips of bacon is not the same as a half pound. I also eat bacon when I get that non satisfied feeling, like no matter how much meat I eat, I'm antsy. It usually ends that feeling right away.

    Mix it up - don't let your body get used to having the same foods. This concept is to keep us from getting bored. It also is helps our body understand we're on (yet another) diet. If our body thinks we're on a diet, it freaks out and starts storing fat, because it thinks we're going to starve it.

    Use condiments in very small quantities. Condiments make the army men come out and convert the condiments into carbs that they store in our body as fat. No thank you - we don't want to store fat - we want to lose fat. Eat more meat and the army men will use the meat to take off our weight. Yes, much better.

    Eat grass-fed meat as much as possible. Beef isn't necessarily high in fat, but the more processed meats, like bacon, rib, etc. should be eaten less often. And we all know which meats are fatty. 
    Go heavy on the quantity of protein and have it as clean as possible, baked, grilled, etc. with light condiments, not using recipes. Then add a higher fat recipe a couple of times a week. Don't worry about eating too much, as we can eat when we are hungry, and in the beginning of this program we are hungry a lot.

    Remember, Julie said we could eat 10,000 calories, but calories don't matter. So I would eat more often of lower fat foods, and enjoy fatty recipes sparingly.

    Recipes are meant to be had once or twice a week, and leftovers once or twice a week as well. I never made "fatty" recipes often and I used them when I felt the need.

    At my refresh last week, Julie told us to KEEP FAT LOW LOW LOW LOW. I suggest eating lower fat meats in more quantity, and enjoy the recipes every so often. When I started this program, I didn't watch my fats, BUT that was THEN. THIS is now! Eat more often if necessary until your stomach shrinks!

    In relation to your question about high fat recipes on this blog, well, I'm evolving too. I follow Julie's suggestions from my refresher last week, to also keep the fat low, low, low. I didn't pay attention to this concept in the past, but I do now.

    I'm also eating smaller amounts of food now. If I'm still hungry, I can have more. If not, then I have a nice meal for another day.

    The higher fat recipes on my blog and Julie's website are still good to follow, but keep in mind how much fat you're taking in and use the higher fat recipes less often.

    You are the driver of your destiny and you get to choose what to eat and when. Listen to your body. If you are not dropping in size, perhaps it is time to look at how much fat you're eating.


    Photo source: Delish
    April 30, 2014
    A group of us volunteered to be interviewed by WFSB-CT last week about our successful weight loss following Julie's Key Hypnosis weight loss program. The piece aired tonight (04/24/14).
    Most of us brought photos of us at our larger size to the filming and their news article includes a slide show holding our before photos. The event was a lot of fun. The crew was caught in traffic, which gave us time to share our photos and stories with each other. It was incredible to meet so many who have successfully followed this program to reach their goal size. We enjoyed seeing Julie smile, as she heard each of us tell our story to the film crew.

    I arranged ahead of time to take photos with Julie and my key-friends. I wish I had asked everyone if they wanted a photo with Julie, but that felt too invasive, so I only took photos of people I knew and of those who asked me to take their photo with Julie.
    Theresa - before
    Theresa - after
    Jennifer - Before
    Jennifer - after
    Alaina - before
    Alaina - after
    Megan - before  and after with Julie
    Theresa and Megan - after with before clothing
    April 24, 2014
    I finished my first 10k on Saturday! Woohoo! It felt great to cross the finish line with my friend. This was the Tortoise and Hare 10K (Salisbury, MA, April 19, 2014) and I claim the role of the tortoise, as I came in dead last (1:40:14). I decided to run a 10k because I wasn't training for my 5k's and I decided to up my game. Turns out, I didn't train for the 10k either.
    Warming up before the race
    The first part of the run was on the Salisbury Point Ghost Trail
    Using my iPhone and meeting a pothole, I nearly fell before mile 1 marker.
    My running buddy Aime.
    Mile 5 marker was down by the time we got there; never saw mile 6 marker.
    This baby eagle lifted off the wires to join our run!
    1.2 more miles to the finish line.
    The finish line is in sight!
    We made it!
    I'm feeling my thighs today every time I get up or walk up stairs, but I feel great. I walked my 10,0000 steps the day after the race and I'll continue to keep this daily goal for the month of April. In May, I should be able to resume my sunrise walks around the reservoir and up my daily walking goals.
    April 21, 2014