Like many of you, I've had milestones on my weight loss journey this past year. I love Linda's story about crossing her legs in church. Quite a spiritual moment I'd say.

Juneau, AK. Photo by Theresa

My leg crossing moment was exciting for me too, but not as funny of a story. I was at the movies, sitting in the dark by myself. It was a moment that came and went and I didn't speak of it until now. Such a simple act, crossing and uncrossing my legs. It shouldn't take a gymnast to do this, but I feel like a gymnast because I can do this.

There were many more milestones like this. Taking my socks off without having to sit in a chair. Being able to untie my shoes without loosing my breathe or my balance. Fitting into the chair comfortably at the movies; no longer do I have to squeeze my body into the chair. Not needing an extension for my seat on the plane. Small things that mostly occurred without a big hoopla, but were indeed big moments for me. There were also milestones that I did lots of talking about too, such as hiking on my vacation in Alaska in June, taking up running in October, and running a 5k in December - just two months after I started running and twenty years after the last time I'd run at all.

A few days ago, I hit another big moment: I fit into size 20 Capri's that my friend Aime gave me in December, which were too tight for me then, but now fit me perfect. These Capri's zip up the front and are fitted at the waist: no more elastic waistlines for me! (This time a year ago, I had dropped from size 30/32 to 26/28.)

I discovered shorts and more Capri's in my "next size down closet" after putting those larger Capri's on two days in a row. Both days I looked in the mirror and laughed at how big they were on me. They were comfy like a pair of pajamas; the elastic was loose around the waist and the legs were baggy. They are now in my eBay closet.

This weekend I went through my 3 closets and the two remaining bins of smaller clothes. All the clothing bins are empty. One of my closets has only a handful of tee-shirts and a few hand-me-downs from Aime that almost fit. I pulled clothes that are too big for me now out of my middle closet; the middle closet now holds only clothes that fit me. My third closet, which I call my eBay closet, is really packed; I have more clothes in there than the other two closets combined.

I am excited to be a smaller size and I'm looking forward to the second half of this journey. I'm halfway to my goal size and with exercise a part of my life, the year ahead is looking good. While I'm talking about exercise, a brief story...

I've been working indoors on the treadmill for months now and now that the nice weather is here I had a big debate with myself about running outside instead of on the treadmill. I don't know what the big fuss was all about, but I got out of my own way and ran 2 miles outside with Aime. It was gorgeous outside and while I realize I run harder on the treadmill, it isn't just about running hard, it's about living life - it's so much more enjoyable to run outdoors! I think part of me wasn't ready to encounter my co-workers while running, which is of course ridiculous. I'm glad that I pushed through whatever that was and hit the trail by the lake.

I saw the posts asking about how often do people go for a refresh and thought I'd weigh in here. My approach to this program has been proactive. I scheduled refresh sessions so I could go in just before I left on vacations. I scheduled refresh sessions for about 3-4 months after each session, but I called to go in earlier if I felt I needed help sooner. I scheduled a refresh session ahead of the holidays to help me stay the course for the time leading up to and during the holidays (I went in Oct.) and I scheduled a session for late January. My time between session ranged from 8 to 12 weeks, based on what I needed to do to stay on program. I went to a total of 4 refresh sessions last year. I'm scheduled to see Julie later this week. My plan is to work the program and do this on my own, but I will continue to go in for sessions to see me through to my goal and once more to learn how to maintain my weight. I suspect I'll go 4 times this year as well.

March 25, 2012

Life is about keeping a balance and when we are thrown off-balance we can choose to adjust ourselves or get blown around like a palm tree in a hurricane. I've learned that adjusting is a better choice. I look for the rainbow in the storm and then paradise is found.

North Shore of Oahu. Photo by Theresa

Keeping balance in my life includes getting a good night's sleep, so I can start fresh again in the morning. For the past couple of weeks, my life has been full of work and home projects. At the end of the day, I was exhausted. As I walked up the stairs to my bedroom each night, I looked in my office at my computer and pondered "sleep or blog?" Sleep won out. I can only do so much in a day and sleep is key for me to maintain my balance.

I would love to say I've been so quiet on this blog because I've been away on vacation in Hawaii or visiting my friends in California, but that is not the case. In fact, I cancelled my vacation to Southern California, which was schedule for the end of this month, because there was so much was going on at one time.

During this storm, I continued to exercise and I never used food to help with the stress. It is only in reflecting back that I realized this - and this is big! It took a storm for me to see just how much I've changed. Now if that isn't paradise...

I have been following your posts and comments. Love the new recipes. Love the support you've given each other (and me).

One thread that has stayed in my mind is about someone who looked saw their weight on their chart at the doctors office. It's a challenge for us each time we go to the doctor. First you had to turn your head away to avoid seeing the number on the scale, then you had a sit and wait for the doctor with the number right there on your chart.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

Time slows down.

Your heart beats slower.

Your head goes in a million directions. Should I? No. Yes. No....

It isn't any easy thing to sit there all that time and not look. Okay, you looked. Now you know your weight. Yes, you agreed not to weigh yourself or look at the number at the doctors office, but how many other things did you do for yourself that day, this month, or in the past year were positive? Focusing on this one tiny error will toss you into a whirlwind and could toss you off-balance in other areas. Find your balance. Forgive yourself. Accept the lesson:  when you break a promise -- it is not worth the storm that follows.

We learn from our mistakes and the opportunity we have is to keep moving forward to find our balance again, to find our paradise. It's a much better of a place to be.

March 20, 2012

This cauliflower pizza crust recipe comes from our key-friend Jennifer. Be sure to top your pizza off with lots of protein.  I have not yet made this recipe, because I hear it can be tricky. Those who have been successful say it's wonderful and they make it on a regular basis.

Cauliflower pizza crust. Photo source: 12tomatoes

Cauliflower crust pizza with chicken.
Photo by Sharyn.

Ingredients

• 4 cups raw cauliflower rice (about one medium head)
• 1 egg, beaten
• ⅓ cup soft goat cheese (chevre) or ricotta cheese (Parmesan or mozzarella work too)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• pinch of salt
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400F.
2. To make the cauliflower rice, pulse batches of raw cauliflower florets in a food processor, until a rice-like texture is achieved.
3. Fill a large pot with about an inch of water, and bring it to a boil. Add the "rice" and cover; let it cook for about 4-5 minutes. Drain into a fine-mesh strainer.
4. THIS IS THE SECRET:
   Once you've strained the rice, let it cool and then transfer it to a clean, thin dishtowel. Wrap up the steamed rice in the dishtowel, twist it up, then SQUEEZE all the excess moisture out! It's amazing how much extra liquid will be released, which will leave you with a nice and dry pizza crust.
5. In a large bowl, mix up your strained rice, beaten egg, goat cheese, and spices. (Don't be afraid to use your hands! You want it very well mixed.) It won't be like any pizza dough you've ever worked with, but don't worry-- it'll hold together!
6. Press the dough out onto a baking sheet lined with greased parchment paper. (It's important that it's lined with parchment paper, or it will stick.) Keep the dough about ⅓" thick, and make the edges a little higher for a "crust" effect, if you like.
7. Bake for 35-40 minutes at 400F. The crust should be firm, and golden brown when finished.
8. Now's the time to add all your favorites-- sauce, a tiny bit of cheese, and any other toppings you like. See photo below of a cauliflower crust pizza topped with chicken.
9. Return the pizza to the 400F oven, and bake an additional 5-10 minutes, just until the cheese is hot and bubbly.
10. Slice and serve immediately!

Notes

Time-Saving Tip: I recommend making a double-batch of cauliflower pizza crusts--make one for now, and save one for later. After baking the crusts, wrap up the extra pizza crust in foil, and FREEZE it for a quick "frozen pizza" to enjoy another night! All you need to do is add toppings and bake at 400F, until the cheese is hot and bubbly.

Photo and original recipe source: 12tomatoes

Another key-friend shared 23 Insanely Clever Ways To Eat Cauliflower Instead of Carb, which is pretty amazing, but watch for non-key items in some of these dishes, as I haven't read them all. I just scrolled down the page and looked at the gorgeous food photos. I see that many of them have way too much cheese, so be careful with the cheese too!

March 15, 2012

Don't laugh at my non scale victory. For me, this is big! LOL! But don't laugh!!

I was sitting in church today and, (don't tell anyone) my mind was wandering (shhhhh) and I was noticing the ladies sitting around me. Young and old and they had their legs crossed.

I started an argument with myself in my mind (alright, I am sure I am not the only one who argues with themselves in their mind!!)

Can I? Should I try? What if I can't? Will I get discouraged? Will I look dumb if someone sees me try and I can't do it? What if I get stuck? (don't laugh)

I finally gave in and tried...

Guess what!!!

I CROSSED MY LEGS TODAY IN CHURCH!! and even better, I COULD UNCROSS THEM WITHOUT BEING A GYMNAST!!! so I will admit, for a few minutes in church I was crossing and uncrossing my legs and switching sides too! LOL. (ended up having to get a tape of the service to listen to at home, as my mind was occupied with other things) LOL.

March 11, 2012

Well, I am human. Surprise! And now I have to let my guilt go. I went to my doctor for a routine follow-up today, and had to get weighed. The girls in the office know that I am not supposed to know my weight, so there is no surprise when I turn my head. And they don't tell.
I am sitting with my APRN discussing this and that......my chart is open, and I think to myself-----9 months of not knowing what I weigh.....I am gonna look.....and......I look. Anyone else wanna cry with me?

On my drive home, I talk to myself about how it will be ok, continue on, persevere, you will be ok. Ho hum. Only time will tell. I just hope that my stupidity does not unravel the 9 wonderful months I have spent with Julie, and I must trust her and me. Well, I trust her, or else I wouldn't have gotten hypnotized! I have to trust that I am human, and one slip will not deter me.

Onward!!!!!!!

To work this afternoon, and to Zumba tonite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

March 08, 2012

I spent some time today reading a lot of comments and I replied to a handful along the way. I'm pleased to see others are answering questions. I don't have all the answers, but as a group we can help one another. I started this blog in the hopes that it would be a virtual gathering place friends of the key hypnosis program and it's exciting to see this happening.

I love hearing the success stories. Please keep them coming! Congratulations VP on your successful journey. Your story is inspiring and I appreciate  that you shared it with us. I hear what you say about perfection. I am not perfect on this program either, but perfection is relative - isn't it? If we are not perfect in following this program, but we are still losing weight - wouldn't it make more sense to focus on keeping our balance than striving for perfection? I'm suggesting that whenever possible, to focus on the positive side of life. Being perfect has a whole different connotation for me; it feels like I'm failing. I am not failing. I learn what works, what doesn't work, and then I move on. That's how imperfection works. Being imperfect allows us to learn.

To paraphrase Julie:

We didn't gain the weight by going straight up on the scale and we won't lose it by going straight down.

There will be plateaus.

There may be slight weight gains.

This is all part of the process.

If we accept this as part of the process and don't stress or focus on this, We will reach our goal size.

Recently Anonymous asked:

I wonder if you need to go back every time you feel you have gone off program or do you think you can just get back on???

I went to see Julie a number of times last year, to reinforce what I learned and to reinforce my commitment to stay on the program. I didn't go back because I was off program, but because I was getting ready to go on vacation or I wanted to reinforce the program. Just two weeks after my last session, I debated about going in again, but I was determined to work through my issues. As you know, from my recent posts, I did just that and got back on track.

In the long run, we have to be able to get "back on program" on our own. Julie has said it is not her intent for us to be dependent on her for the rest of our lives. Another motivation to work things through ourselves ties into a recent thread of comments: the increase in price of the program. That said, I always sign up for a refresh after I've been to a group session. I can change it to a later date when they call me, but I like having the option to go back. I thought I would go back once more when I get to my goal size, to learn more about maintaining my weight, but I went back about every three months last year.

Another thread I appreciated reading was about organic meat. I'm working on eating organic meat and chicken more often. I enjoy it so much more than the processed meats. Thanks for the recent comment about this, I appreciate the reminder to make this choice! I know it's expensive, but it's pay now or pay later! This brings me back to the topic of perfection, choosing organic is a lifestyle and it will take me time to make that choice too.

March 05, 2012

Post comments below to share answers to questions you asked the Key Hypnosis office. I'll get started by adding questions and comments that were posted earlier.

Now that I've written this (all of what you see below), I am not sure this will be a good solution, but let's see if this works for us or not. If more of you are willing to become contributors, you can create a headline for your post that sums up your question and then it's easier for others to comment on your questions, and easier for us to find later by your title. There is also a search feature on this blog that can be helpful.

Note to readers: these comments, and all posts to this blog, reflect our understanding of the program and are not official statements from the Key Hypnosis Program.

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Sore Throat

Linda: What in the world can I take for a sore throat?
VF:  I remember Julie mentioning Fisherman's Friend lozenges (the original flavor)

Kristen: My last session with Julie I had an awful cold and the assistants told me that Fisherman's Friend is the only cough drop Julie recommends.

Taco Seasoning Mix, Flour, and Gravy

Jen: I am very intrigued by this (Taco Dip) recipe, but I am a little confused about the taco seasoning mix-Doesn't it have flour in it as a thickener? I have stayed away from it b/c of my "flour concern"-Does anyone remember Julie saying it was ok? (I don't)

Linda: I called Julie's office and asked about the taco seasoning mix. She said we can have it. I also asked about canned or jarred gravy and that we can not have. I am so glad I called. I don't make the taco dip to often but after you asked about the flour I got worried. So yes, we can have taco seasoning mix. For me, this isn't something I eat to often, just when I really need something different.

Reading Labels

April: Is it cheating to ask my husband to read the labels and check for me? I don't want to buy something with any chemicals in it, but how do you know. I've been eating "plain" for quite sometime because I avoid anything with a label. Would sure appreciate if anyone has a solution to how they deal with this issue.

These posts weren't necessarily in direct response to the above question, but they are related to labels...

Theresa: When we avoid reading labels, our conscious mind isn't taking note of the sugar in things like ketchup, which we are allowed. If a product is called "honey-glazed xyz" then we should stay away from it.

Linda: I figure she only really has a few, that is what makes this so easy to follow: Don't eat anything diet, don't weigh yourself, eat when you are hungry, don't read labels, and don't eat anything sweet!

 

Julie: I have figured out (sort of) that Julie doesn't want us reading labels because she wants us eating meat and veggies! If you "perimeter shop", you bypass most everything that would have a label-She allows condiments b/c it would be too boring otherwise. I spend very little time having anything that has a label on it-And I thoroughly enjoy the foods she has said we can have-for instance, meatballs and meatloaf, and beef jerky. They may be high in sodium, so you should use very sparingly. And use organic meat, they don't add sodium to "plump them up". Perimeter shopping = very little sodium, because these things are "less processed". BTW, I too had high blood pressure when I started, was on Diovan for a long time, and 5 months after I started this program, I was off of it. Just sayin!!!!!! 

 

Constipation

Anonymous: Is anyone else out there constipated on this program? I hope this is not TMI...

Karen: She told some people in our class that for 3 days before they go to bed to drink either 1/2 Cup or 3/4 Cup prune juice. That was to fix the constipation. You could call the office to ask the exact measurement but i remember her specifically telling us this.

Jennifer: Constipation has come up every refresher I have had. Julie has never seemed too concerned about it. She has always said to talk to your doctor about it. Also, in my last refresher class (was there 2/21), she recommended before bed to eat 3 prunes, you should feel better the next day. If not, then eat 6 prunes the next night. That should take care of it! I do use a stool softener, and I drink a TON of water. Watch out for too much cheese!!!!!!!!!!!!! That'll do it every time-Stay away from the cheese, and you will do better too I bet-

March 04, 2012

I have enjoyed this week’s discussion on this blog and I’ve been thinking about these threads all week. I remember Julie’s visual images of the military and one word seems the loudest in my memory: incoming! I don’t recall the context at all. I am excited to share my thoughts, which are inspired from your threaded conversations and I hope this is helpful. Writing in this way helps me understand the program better as well.

Photo credit: Daily LOL Pics

Keep in mind this is my opinion and not that of the Key Hypnosis Program; this is probably not how Julie would explain these things.

I remember leaving my first Key Hypnosis Program session overwhelmed with the amount of information that I learned. Julie told us we would not remember everything she said and she told us that remembering all those details was not important. I felt overwhelmed after session two and three as well, but I also was excited with the new direction my life was going: down in size; weight was dropping effortlessly.

Somewhere during the first three group sessions, Julie taught us how our body processes food. I don’t recall which session she teaches this or if she did it in all three sessions, but this detail is not important. To explain how our body process food, Julie uses military characters as an analogy. During refresh sessions, Julie sometimes mentions the army, the navy, or the air force, and when she does it is usually prefaced with “remember when I told you…” Sometimes I do remember and sometimes I do not. It is not important that we actually remember, because she is not speaking to our conscious minds. Remember, this program is called the key hypnosis for a reason.

When Julie talks about these characters, she is speaking to us through imagery and at the same time tapping into the ancient language she told us about. (If you don’t remember the ancient language discussion, don’t worry about that either.) Julie is talking to the part of our mind that recalls that language; the part that understands visually and without words. The part of us that is unconscious, but is receptive to her suggestions in ways our conscious mind is not open to.

We all agreed to let Julie communicate with us in this way to help us lose weight. If you don’t remember that agreement, listen up because this is important: this is the hypnosis (or mentalist) side of Julie working with us.

April posted that in her recent session, Julie mentioned that the Navy was in charge of "water" leaving the body and the Marines are responsible for the liver. Linda replied, “All I remember is "INCOMING!" and I sure don't want my army released!” I don't recall any of these things, but I have small visuals that come into my mind from time to time. I think we recall what is important to each of us, so I don't worry about what I don't remember.

Thanks Karen for noting our increase in followers, we just reached 30! Any of you who would like to become a contributor, click on my name and send me an email and I’ll add you. This will allow you to add photos and create posts rather than only being able to comment. I welcome more contributors who are willing to share, especially those of you who are just starting. It would be nice to hear from you as you begin the program. How about it Karen? No pressure; just a thought!

As far as creating a page that links to posts with information people got from calling into the office, I had this thought too. Then I thought about it some more and that sounds like a job and I already have a job. Sorry, but this would be a lot of work. What we need is for Julie to publish a book about the program and her recipes, but she too already has a job.

There are new posts coming in as I type, so my responses to Bruce, Theresa O, Karen, Anonymous, and twinglesmomma, will have to wait a while longer.

But I cannot sign off before saying something about a free day of cheating or something along these words that I read and have stuck with me all week. I don’t know if I’m replying too late or not, but in any case… we are not on a diet. We don’t cheat - we lose our balance. I do not encourage you to plan a free day of cheating (pardon me if I’m not quoting you exactly), but to plan a day of swinging the balance and then plan another day of swinging the balance back. If we swing to one side too much, we lose our balance, but we can get our balance once again. The grey zone I was in was an imbalance. I’m back in balance now. Learning to lose and then maintain our weight is about balance. It isn’t like we can’t ever have xx food again, but we learn to have xx in such a way as to maintain our balance and this keep our weight maintained. Go for it, but do so in a positive way and keep the balance.

Thanks everyone for your positive feedback on my progress. Your support and encouragement are priceless. I’m into my second week out of the grey zone and I feel fantastic!

March 01, 2012