At the end of this month I'll celebrate two years following of Julie's program. To kick off my celebration, I changed the way my blog looks and I changed the name and address (URL) of this blog to Friend of Julie. If you can read this post, you're at the new web address!

This was a joyful day at the farmer's market in Sarasota, FL last month.

My new year resolution for 2013 is to bring more joy into my life and to share that joy with others. May your life be full of live-changing and joyful events. Happy new year everyone!

January 06, 2013

Over the past couple of weeks I have been ravenous.  Although Julie never spoke about limiting amounts, I have simply been eating too much.  Haven't eaten anything we're not supposed to -although I have overdone it with cheese.  Over the past 2 days I've been working on cutting down, calming down.  I'm not sure what kicked this off.  Perhaps the holidays, and being around so many food events.  Although I felt pretty calm about ignoring the call of forbidden foods, it still may have stirred things up.

The other thing I'm hitting is a sense of total boredom with what I've been eating.  I try hard, as Julie advises, to shake things up, eat a variety of foods, but I used to enjoy a lot of creative cooking and a lot of them are simply out of the questions.  It is really the first time since I began this about 5 months ago that I have felt some of that old driven quality of eating, and I hate it.  I sometimes keep eating when I am painfully fully.  Today was somewhat better and I didn't overdo it with cheese. 

I'm very clear on why I'm on this program and am not really complaining or feeling deprived.  Just noticing this sort of endless searching for feeling satisfied, and since I'm NOT going to do it through screwing up my blood sugar, it seems to be being redirected into eating too much.

One really hopeful difference though, from the past, is that when I overeat I don't feel that deep sense of shame and self-loathing and hopelessness that I used to....like I was eternally caught in some whirlwind that I would never be able to step out of.  I simply don't like how I feel physically when I eat too much.  And I'm 90 percent sure that it is temporary, and will just take a bit more commitment and acceptance, once again, of the "sacrifices" necessary to have what I really and truly want, which is health and sanity.

Has anyone else dealt issues of eating the right foods but too much?  Any thoughts?
Thank you,
Eva

I have spent quite a bit of time sitting in refresher classes with Julie, and this has come up more than once. And every time I hear the answer, I relax and calm down. I'll start there! Because reading the rest of this will put your mind at ease! Every time I have heard a person state to Julie that sometimes they just eat and eat, she says to do so-and when you finally eat the food that your body is looking for, you will then be satisfied. Easy as that. As long as you are on program and you aren't deviating, then you are fine. I think this time of year we want to hibernate, and it is easy to get bored, and just eat. Happens to us all-I myself have been enjoying beef jerkey at night (Perky Jerky is my favorite). Just try to mix it up as your body is searching for something. Make sure you take supplements and vitamins and drink a lot of water as well. 

As far as getting in a rut-Are you on the FB page too? Have you seen all of the easy wonderful recipes on there, under the files at the top of the page? It has been wonderful to have them-I myself and going to cook the roast with pepperoncinis that someone posted. I am also making a no-bean chili. Go on www.fatsecret.com and look up no carb recipes, and find some that are easy, with just a few ingredients that interest you.

As far as the cheese. Stop buying it! lol. Everyone worries about the cheese. Julie says you don't poop it out like other protein, and it stays with you, so, if you have to buy it, buy small amounts. And remember it doesn't "leave" you. When I buy it, it is for a specific recipe. Or, if I am at the deli, I ask for 4 slices of whatever-Ameican, Swiss, whatever, so that when it is gone, it is gone. I no longer keep it in the house. (The beef jerky, yes! That I have a ton of in the house!)

Good luck as you continue your journey! If you are not on the FB page and want to be, you need to be friended first as it is a private group. I will friend you and add you no problem. Just let me know!

Peace, Jennifer

Thank you Jennifer. The good news is that I seem to be calming down and today I was really satisfied by what I ate. I let myself have a hot dog at Home Depot, which I had been wanting for weeks, and it was wonderful! Then for dinner all I wanted was salad with hard boiled eggs-also wonderful. And I feel full. Haven't been able to say that in a while.

When you suggest not buying cheese I: 
a) come up with all kinds of reasons why I can't do that because of all of the cooking I do for the store-and I never know what I'm going to cook and most of it needs cheese and 
b) feel like pulling out an Uzi and defending my pile of sharp cheddar. Have images of me being dragged off a mountain of cheese holding on by my fingernails. Guess I'm sort of a cheese junkie huh? Guess I really should see whether I can do without it for a while, huh? AKKKKKK!(-:

I have a question which we have touched on in the past, but need more clarification. I know we are supposed to give up our free will to Julie and trust in what she says. My question concerns weighing yourself. I've been on the program almost 1 year and have never deviated and never gone to a refresher. What is wrong with weighing ourself? I don't mean every day. Since it's been almost a year now, I would like to weigh myself on the 1 year anniversary date and then put the scale away until the next anniversary. I know Julie said something about once you know the amount you have lost, that your body and mind will somehow make sure that you gain that amount back; however, did she program something into us that guarantees that will happen or can we just weigh ourselves that one time and than continue on with the program. My husband is also on the program (although he never went to Julie) and has lost a great deal of weight as well (as far as we can estimate). We never measured ourselves in the beginning and are still wearing pretty much the same clothes (for financial reasons) we always have - although they are now quite loose. We, therefore, would just like to have an idea of where we now are. Nothing will make us go off this amazing program as we are doing great and feeling healthier day by day - however, even though I know that on this program we will actually weigh more than we think because of all the protein we eat, we just want to know that number. I only want to know that my weight loss will somehow not be derailed because of something Julie may have programmed into us that prohibits us from the scale. I understand the intent of not doing it. I just want to know what the harm is at this point it time. It's almost a year and I've keep on it 100%. My husband did not give up his free will to Julie and he really wants to know what he weighs, so I guess it would be OK for him to weigh himself, but what about me? What is the harm in knowing that number at this stage of the game?

Of course this is just my subjective response: I don't think there is anything magical that Julie implanted that would make you balloon up because you weight yourself. 

But my question is, have you really asked yourself what is behind your wanting so badly to step on the scale? Why do you need to know that number? It seems, for me, that so much of this is about learning to know my own body from the inside out, instead of from the outside in...what others think, what the scale says. And interrupting the old habitual patterns which got us into so much trouble. I don't know about you, but I know for myself that those deep, underlying patterns, which I reinforced for 60 years or so, are still there, latent, and weighing myself and then either feeling elated (but often starting to gain weight back) or feeling disappointed (and often starting to gain weight back) were part of those habits. So, I'm committed to not feeding those old patterns. And for what? To have a number? I'm curious...what will a number give you that you don't have now? 
Eva

Thanks Eva for your comments. As I stated without new clothes or measurements, it would be a way to sort of know my progress (even tho I realize as I stated previously that we should weigh more than compared to what we used to because of the protein vs. fat thing). Since a year has almost past, and if there is really nothing that was programmed into us to explode by getting on the scale I believe that the aniversary date weigh in once a year may be in order. If anyone knows something different, please advise. As I've stated, I'm comitted to this for life. The only thing I have now to go by this extreme weight loss is a massage amount of hanging skin. I would like to know that I truly have made some positive weight loss progress.

Hi Anonymous-my "two cents" about the scale-It is as dangerous as sugar. It is Russian Roulette. It confuses "my mind". "DONT DO IT". Do it ONE too many times, and I wont be able to help you anymore"... These are the things I have heard Julie say when I have been to refreshers and people have asked her if they could get on the scale. These are refreshers, and people are in the middle of maintenance. If you want to continue on your journey with Julie, then you must continue to follow what she recommends. I don't question it. I stay off the scale. It doesn't even phase me now (I am into this 18 months). And knowing a number isn't going to make you "explode", but, who knows? Maybe the cravings will come back if you do it. I know I am not going to chance it. Hearing Julie say she may not be able to help anymore are never going to be words she says to me. My doctor knows what I weigh, she has used the word "significant" when I have seen her, and that is good enough for me. I find other ways of "measuring" my weight. Today I was at a consignment store with Chris (she is on program with me) and she found me a pair of size 6 Ann Taylor black lined pants. I gulped, took a breath, and tried them on (supposedly from what others have said about Ann Taylor, she is "true to size"). Guess what? They fit! (Actually, they were a little too big! And a little too long, but, I'm gonna get em hemmed!) I don't need a number on the scale! I have Julie in my corner! And I want her to stay there!!!!!!!!! You are an adult, you can do what you feel is best for you. But, I wouldn't do it. I would find a different way to "measure" your success. Good luck with whatever decision you decide!!!!

The urge to get on the scale is like the urge to eat sugar. When you crave sugar or have the urge to get on the scale, think of it as a sign that you are just about to have a significant weight drop.

I used to think I would find out my weight once a year; surely it would be okay to know after a year? A year later I wasn't anywhere near my goal size, so I put it off longer. Now I'm coming up to two years and I'm still avoiding knowing my weight.

I have the urge to know my weight from time to time, but I know from hearing other people talk about how off program they went after getting on the scale. 

It wasn't because Julie programmed anything in our minds. Not getting on the scale was one of the promises we made to Julie when we signed up for the program. When we break that promise, we are breaking the hypnosis part of the program.

Nothing will blow up if you get on the scale, but is knowing the number worth risking gaining your weight back? Julie tells us when we get on the scale, we're telling our bodies how much weight to gain. So, I guess something will blow up and that something is our bodies.

Best of luck to you in what you decide.

Eva, I thought you took the words right out of my mouth. I am going through the exact same thing with overeating and cheese. I just can't get enough of anything lately. 5 months ago when I started also, I told myself I would have 1 piece of cheesecake at Christmas, but I also knew that I would have no problem staying on program even after I have eaten that one piece. I have not had anything else since then, yet I feel like I am always hungry or just not satisfied also. It's driving me nuts!!! I have not gone for a refresher as I know I can do it myself plus I can't afford it either, but besides that, I feel like I am in control of what I eat, just that I'm eating too much like you. I hope my body finds what it's looking for very soon so I can stop eating. Cheese.... well, when I am finished eating all that I recently purchased I will stop buying it and see if that helps. Maybe it's the cheese that's keeping me from feeling full - I don't know what it is but I hope it ends soon. Good luck to you as well and I love all the comments/suggestions and recipes!!! Lisa

Unfortunately, sugar is the WORST thing you can step out of the river for. It triggers your body to STAY at the weight you are right now. That is why you are so hungry! Work through it the best you can!!!!! Maybe in the future you can "treat yourself" to something other than food like you did with the cheesecake-A mani/pedi, new hair cut, etc etc. Try to find something else to give yourself when you reach another milestone-You are finding out that even stepping out of the river for 5 minutes has negative lasting effects....Good luck to you as you work through it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eva, you are too funny! I see you with string cheese dangling out the side of your mouth while you lift your velveeta cheese block up over your head in a rant as we all dutifully try to get the mountain of brie cheese and cheddar wheels out from underneath you....Remember this. I put the visual in my head, and it is still there: You DO NOT POOP out the cheese!!!!!!!! It just starts floating around in your body, not letting you lose weight faster!!!!! Your blood is just a river of goo!!!! Let it go! Visualize yourself getting thinner. Use it maybe once or twice a week. You will start to feel better. Promise!!!!

1. 
   
   MerpJanuary 06, 2013

   LOL Jennifer...I think the laughter is a great cure for the cheddar/brie/gouda/parmesan blues. Sometimes it really helps me to see the really primitive craving monsters living inside of me...to see them for what they are, bring them out from the dark corners, expose them to the light of day, the light of friends. Remember the wicked witch in the Wizard of Oz? I imagine my cheese monster melting, melting into a puddle "Who would have thought that a little girl like you could kill a witch like me!".....I'm melting, I'm melting.
   
   The other antidote is that with my blood sugar stable, I am amazed and grateful, over and over, when I get to the end of a day like this and see that I did the laundry, made a good dinner, did a bunch of other tasks, talked with friends, and still have plenty of energy. And I'm wearing a ratty sweatshirt that used to hog my hips and now floats around in space. I figure I've probably lost about 25-30 pounds and have another 20 to go, but feel soooooo much better! When I pass myself in a mirror I don't feel nauseous and turn away. I dont obsess about my pancreas quitting on me, know that I am doing what I can to treat myself and my body with compassion and wisdom. Wow! As I write those words they feel so, so much more important and powerful than the Cheese Monster.
   
   Thanks for all the support.
   Eva
2. 
   AnonymousJanuary 21, 2013

   It's ok to have a little cheese with a protien . Maybe a glass of milk though would help. Remember eat large animal proteins . They stay with you longer. Ex. Cow and Buffalo pig is 3rd. However Alligators may be bigger than pigs. I'm just starting my second week and I'm doing ok so far. No desire for sugar or breads.

January 04, 2013

This question was posted from Pat:

Hi everyone, I am new here and am scheduled to start Julie's program on January 15th. I'm excited and am hoping she can help me lose my weight. Can you eat popcorn on her diet. Or peanut butter for protein. 

Thanks. Pat

Congratulations Pat on your decision to change your life, which this program will help you do! You'll learn what foods you can and cannot eat during the weigh loss phase in your classes.

One of the things you'll learn early on is that you are going to change the way you eat. You won't want to return to the way you used to eat, because the way we used to eat is what made us overweight. If we go back to eating the way we used to, the weight is going to come back.

Most of us feel so good after a few weeks of being on program and feeling that good helps us stay away from foods we used to indulge or overeat. Julie empowers us with knowledge about foods and the tools to stay on program.

In answer to your questions...  popcorn is not part of the program, although you will be able to eat popcorn when you are at your goal size in small amounts. Peanut butter is not on program; we don't eat nuts. Protein options are in the form of meats.

Best of luck to you with this journey!

January 04, 2013

Happy new year to all of you!  Later this month, I'll share photos from my 2 year journey on this program. Wow, two years! Meanwhile, I'm back home from my holidays in Florida.

Christmas in Punta Gorda, FL

Dorothy said it best "there's no place like home" and I was never so happy to be home as I was on Saturday night. It took 3 hours to get to the Chicopee exit from Worcester on I-90; I ran smack into the snow storm on the way home from Providence airport. There were long periods of time when I couldn't see anything and finally, 15 miles from my exit, I found apace to pull over and remove ice from my window wipers. I was shaking so bad, I stayed there for about a half-hour before driving again. I stopped 3 more times to remove ice before reaching my exit. That was the scariest driving experience of my life. I'm going to become an expert at reading weather reports; this will never happen to me again!

View from the plane landing in Providence. This should have been my warning not to drive home!

I started to write a blog from the airports on my way home, but I didn't get it posted, so here's what I wrote about airports and holiday foods...

Who knew Wendy serves breakfast? I certainly didn't. That was until I was at the Charlotte airport last week, waiting for my connecting flight, with just enough time to grab a bite to eat before boarding.

Wendy's egg, sausage, and cheese; hold the muffin please!

I was never a Wendy's fan, so I picked up coffee at one of those pastry places. I ignored the sweet things behind the glass counter and focused on just the coffee, then quickly moved to the line at Wendy's. I planned to order a couple bacon burgers, but I discovered they don't serve anything but breakfast food until 10 am. Breakfast at Wendy's? I didn't even know they made breakfast. I ordered an egg, sausage, and cheese sandwich and asked them to  hold the muffin. With my coffee and "sandwich" in hand, I had a seat in the area where we would be boarding and then gobbled up my sandwich. It was so delicious, I went back for a second one!

Earlier that morning, when I stepped on the plane in Fort Myers shortly after 6 am, I looked at the seat belt extensions sitting on a shelf for anyone who needed them at the front of the plane. I was happy to just breeze by; no need for them anymore! Gave them up about a year ago and I've never looked back. That was one of many experiences I'm happy to longer have to deal with when traveling.

No seat belt extension for me!

During my holidays in Florida I thought about my friends of the key hypnosis blog and the key hypnosis Facebook support group a lot, because I did a lot of cooking and even baked a few items. I don't usually have to deal with foods that I know many of you do because you cook for your families. I chose to bake a couple of times and when I did, I followed advice I remember hearing from some of you -- I washed my hands often to avoid tasting things I shouldn't.  

Nothing sweet to the lips was a familiar mantra while I was in the kitchen and when I was at parties. A soft voice in my head told me I needed to taste the batter, but I remembered the mantra and temptation melted as fast hot water to sugar. The moment passed. That's all it is really, a moment in time. A split-second decision; gone in an instant once you make a decision which direction you're going. But a taste of the spoon and that moment in time could have lasted for weeks. No thank you!

One party I went to had only one food on program, summer sausage. Everything else was either a carb, sugar, or both. I indulged in a cup of coffee while everyone had dessert. When we returned home, I had chicken salad I'd made the day before. The next night we had a party at our house and basically all I had was pepperoni, nothing else was on program. After the guests left, I helped clean up and called it an early night. The next morning I had a really big breakfast.

I don't find myself in these kinds of situations very often, where there isn't much control over the food options. I did the right thing by having something to eat at home after the first party, but I wish I had made something I could eat at the party at our house. At the end of the day I was hungry and I found it easier to go to sleep early that night than to fix something to eat, as we'd had a really long day. Next time, I will plan ahead. The host frowns upon people bringing anything to the party; she's an incredible cook (and baker) and she seems a bit insulted at this idea and I don't know her enough to explain myself. As it was, she wasn't happy that I brought seltzer with me, but when she found only tonic water in her cabinet, she agreed to add my seltzer to her vodka. Last year at her party I skipped the tonic water and had her add water to the vodka and I got a bit tipsy. That's not a good place to be when there's a table full of foods you don't want to eat.

In any case, I really do appreciate those of you who have families and deal with non-program foods all the time. I'm happy I was able to pass the tests of vacation in the various places I could have failed. As I said a few months ago, I own this program - it's mine! I'm pleased to say I'm still on program and looking forward to another drop in size soon.

How about the rest of you? What did you do to take care of yourself during the holidays? I'd love to hear what great tricks you put into play to stay on program!

January 01, 2013

Catherine wrote this question about eggs on "Maintenance" . . .

I'm confused on the egg issue. Is an egg the same as meat, or do you have to have meat with an egg?  

Also, Julie said we would be introduced to oatmeal. I would assume I would have meat and then have oatmeal in the amount of a vegetable. Any help would be appreciated.

December 31, 2012

While surfing the web this morning, I found Jack Sh*t Getting Fit and his hilarious blog entry "Every Time a Bell Rings, An Angel Loses a Pound". I may work on my own version of this for next year. Meanwhile, I want to share this with all of you. Enjoy!

Every Time a Bell Rings, An Angel Loses a Pound

Once upon a time, there was a guy named Jack Sh*tley who had lost a tremendous amount of weight over the course of a couple of years. However, Jack still wasn’t very happy with the progress he was making.

Then one snowy night, he was jogging along across the Sh*tford Falls bridge when the figure of an older gentleman came plummeting down past him and into the freezing, choppy water below./p>

KER-SPLASH!

“Help!” the man screamed pitifully. “Help! Help!”

“Hey,” yelled Jack. “Are you okay?”

“No,” yelled the old man. “Aren’t you going to jump in and save me?”

“Not so much,” answered Jack, fumbling with his phone. “I’m trying to call for help, but I can’t seem to find 9-1-1 in my Contacts.”

“For Heaven’s sake,” said the old man, levitating up out of the water and onto the bridge. “You were supposed to jump in and save me so I can save you.”

“Save me?” asked Jack.

“My name is Clarence Goodbody,” said the man, bowing slightly. “I’m an angel.”

“You don’t have any wings,” noted Jack.

“Well, you don't have... um... a very good fashion sense,” snapped Clarence. “Anyway, I heard that your unhappy with the progress you’re making on your weight loss journey.”

“Yeah, I’m … hey how did you know about that?” asked Jack incredulously. “Do you have supernatural powers?”

“I read your blog, dumbass,” snorted Clarence. “You think we don’t have the internet in Heaven?”

“I guess I’ve been feeling a little disappointed in myself lately.”

“Well, I’ve come to give you a special gift,” smiled Clarence. “The gift of seeing what your world would be like if you hadn’t lost that weight.”

“I don’t need to see…”

“There, there,” smiled Clarence. “You don’t need to thank me.”

“I wasn’t thank… hey,” frowned Jack, whose body was ballooning up instantly. A button flew off his pants and his belly suddenly lapped out over his belt. A row of chins sprung up under his mouth like waves.

“I know you didn’t just do what I think you just did,” mumbled Jack.

“Look, can we go somewhere and talk about this?” asked Clarence. “My clothes are soaking wet and I’m freezing my angel ass off here.”

They made their way to a nearby restaurant and sat at the bar.

“I’m thinking of a flaming rum punch. No that’s not it…,” said Clarence to the waiter.  “Nachos! That’s it! Heavy on the guacamole and light on the jalepenos. Now off with you, my good lad...”

“Nachos?” snapped Jack. “I can’t eat nachos, you nutjob.”

“But look at yourself,” said Clarence. “Looks like you could eat an entire platter of them in one sitting.”

“Well, I used to eat a lot of stuff,” sneered Jack.

“And look at all the things you can do now,” smiled Clarence. “You can run for miles and miles.”

“And kilometers,” noted Jack.

“You can play games with your daughters and dart around in basketball games with the young dudes.”

“It’s great,” agreed Jack.

“You no longer shop in the Big and Fat and Tall shops.”

“I miss paying a premium for shoddily made duds,” nodded Jack.

“And your blog is read by lots of people,” said Clarence.

“Millions?”

“Lots of people,” repeated Clarence. “And now I need you to do something for me, Jack.”

“What’s that, angel-boy?”

“I need you to run a mile,” said Clarence somberly. “You see, every time a mile is run, an angel gets his wings.”

“Are you sure about that?” asked Jack.

“Go, son,” said Jack, pushing Jack. “Run like the wind.”

“But… the nachos!”

“Run!”

Jack lumbered his large frame off the stool and headed out. The cold night wind slapped him across the face, but he started jogging toward the road. He was out of breath before his fourth footfall.

“Clarence! Clarence! Help me, Clarence!” Jack screamed out into the night sky. “Get me back! Get me back, I don't care what happens to me! Get me back to my old body! Help me Clarence, please! Please! I wanna run again. I wanna run again. Please, God, let me run again.

Suddenly, his wife Anita was shaking Jack's shoulder.

“Hey, Jack! Jack!” said Anita. “You all right? Hey, what's the matter?”

“Now get outta here, Bert, or I'll hit you again!” moaned Jack groggily. “Get outta here!”

“What the Sam hell you yellin' for, Jack?” asked Anita. “And why did I say ‘What the Sam hell’”?

“Anita?” smiled Jack. “Do you know me?”

“Know you?” asked Anita incredulously. “Huh. You kiddin'? I’ve been yellin’ at you for 45 minutes to come help me fold the laundry - hey, you’re wearing your running shoes. Are you sure you're all right?”

“Ha, ha, ha, ha! I’m wearing my running shoes, Anita! My running shoes! Pisa’s petals... Pisa...,” exclaimed Jack, checking the pockets of his sweatpants. “They are! Anita, what do you know about that! Merry Christmas!”

And with that, Jack took off running down the street, yelling “Merry Christmas!” to all his stunned and surprised neighbors. He ran and ran and ran and ran.

And somewhere, above it all, Clarence got himself a fresh pair of wings.

December 26, 2012

I went back to Sarasota yesterday and this time I was persistent and by the end of the day I had a handful of new designer tops, pants, a light jacket, and even a purse! Woohoo-success at long last! And I didn't break the bank along the way either.

new top and jeans!

This top and jeans are a couple of my finds. The consignment store top was $7 and the designer jeans, which have an incredible embellished design along the seam (not visible in this photo) were brand new, marked down from $89 to $45. I haven't spent money on jeans for two years now and this pair more than makes up for the savings. They are tight to zip up, but very comfy. I have lots of room for these jeans to just fit better and better.

We went back to the consignment store we had been in a few days earlier and I found a bargain blouse for $8 there. A second consignment store was much more fruitful with lots of options and bargains including a Talbot long sleeve blouse for $5. I found a beautiful a-line coat reduced from $350 to $175, but I'm not spending that kind of money on a coat that will be too big next winter. It was gorgeous though.

I went into an Eileen Fisher store for the first time. Wow - the fabrics are so incredible, as are the prices. I had no intentions of buying anything, but I was excited that the were things besides scarfs that fit. Next winter perhaps, but. to this year. Besides, one scarf there cost more than all the items I
bought combined.

There's a lot of work in this journey that requires a lot of patience and also a lot of humor. I was looking at bathing suits and at one point I had on a size 16 and the cups were at my waist and wouldn't go any higher! I cracked myself up laughing rather than crying. A dew days later, I saw myself reaching for size 24 suit and I decided the shorts and t-shirt I've been using all week will work just fine for one more week.

It's easy to get caught up in the moment and become frustrated that I'm not the size I want to be "yet", but it's much more useful to pause and remember how far I've come. I am on program, exercising daily, and I feel fantastic. I need to go easy on myself and continue to choose the rights foods. The body will follow soon enough.

December 23, 2012

It is a beautiful quiet morning on the canal here in Punta Gorda, Florida. Along the horizon and far behind the houses across the canal, the sky is a soft morning pink haze that blends into light grey. Birds coo and chirp from tall palm trees near and far. A few feet from me, fish jump and splash in the canal. After a long pause, the pink finally gives way to the sun, as it burst onto the scene.

On the road with Arlene.

At 3 am Saturday morning, I jumped into a maroon PT Cruiser in Rhode Island and headed to Florida with my sister-in-law, Arlene, and her 93 year old mother, Rita. My brother Carl arrives tonight to join us. Arlene prefers to stop only for restrooms, gas, and water; real meals only happen when we stop overnight or arrive at her Florida home. So, I packed sliced salami and several packages of beef jerky to make sure I had my protein fix anytime I needed it.

After 16 hours on the road, we stopped overnight In Savannah, Georgia. Arlene and I settled Rita into the room, changed into capris and short sleeves, and then walked to Lady and Sons, where in 1996,  Paula Deen leased the old Sears & Roebuck building in Downtown Savannah  and opened her restaurant.

We had an incredible southern style dinner; we both chose the specials, as we had heard this was the best way to go rather than the buffet, filled with all things fried, crusted, and smothered in butter or gravy. No thank you! After dinner, we walked for about an hour and took in historic Savannah's night life. There was a fabulous band, in their late teens or early twenties, playing rock and roll from the 70's outdoors to a large crowd. We window shopped as we meandered back to the hotel. Everyone was fast asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillows.

Up at 6:30 am, Arlene and I walked for two and a half hours, taking in the gorgeous gardens. We packed up our stuff and Rita and then had a fabulous breakfast along the riverfront before hitting the road.

I've taken a number of vacations since starting this program two years ago and I have never gone off program. I recall Julie giving explicit instructions about how to handle vacations, but I always told myself, "that's for other people, not me. I have too much weight to lose to take that risk."

But I own this program now! At dinner and again at breakfast, I chose to step "out of the river." This is the first time I've done this and I was not at all nervous, as I knew I could do this right. I'm on vacation and I took the opportunity to have a few special foods, confident that I would get right back on program. I did not have desserts or sugars. I made sure I had a lot of protein with both meals and as we left the restaurant, I went back "into the river." The rest of the week, I loaded up on meat and stayed on program. I'm so happy that I was able to have the special meals and get right back on program.

Yesterday Arlene and I met my boss for lunch in Sarasota and then we went shopping at an incredible thrift store where rich women donate beautiful expensive designer clothing and household items. They are seasoned shoppers, who are steady in their size, and know what they like. Me - not so much. I wish I had more time in that thrift store, but I did find one bargain blouse, which had a red tag - half price. I was extremely pleased with my $11.75 find.

This is the kind of thrift stores deals some of my friends rave about. Now I understand the fun in finding such bargains. I can see that this will be more fun when I'm down a few more sizes; right there are less choices for me at my size. Rich bitch clothes run small (or perhaps more true to size).

Update:

I've heard concerns about this post, which I fully appreciate and I thank you for your feedback and concern. I haven't gone rogue. I am not advocating others should follow the choices I describe in the above post.

I didn't feel comfortable sharing the details of what I leaned from Julie about going on vacation because Julie doesn't teach the vacation piece anymore, as too many people were going "on vacation" and then not getting back on program or going in for a refresh for her to fix them.

You should know that I walked a slippery slope here. Nothing sweet touched my lips. I made a conscious decision to have carbs, no sugars, with my dinner and breakfast, and then I got right back on program. You should also know that I did not follow the rule of having a potato when first stepping out of the river. See, slippery slope for someone not on maintenance yet.

I've been on this program for almost two years now and I have only slipped once when I had too much to drink one night. I was horrified the next day and I got right back on program and never missed a step since. This week was the same; I got right back on program and am moving full-steam ahead.

I wrote this piece because after being on program for nearly two years, I feel confident about what I'm doing. I wasn't being cocky or in denial. I own this.

In fact, I went to see Julie for a refresh before I went on all my other vacations to help keep me strong while on the vacation, not because I went off and needed help getting back on program.

So please, if you're going on vacation, don't tell yourself "we'll, when Theresa was on vacation..." Do the right thing for yourself. Don't trick yourself into believing a vacation is an opportunity to go off program. Remember, this is a slippery slope.

December 21, 2012