Even though I know I am down 5 sizes, I have discovered, not only do my eyes not see it in a mirror, I still am thinking like a FAT person.

Let me explain:

When I was at my heaviest:

we would go to a restaraunt, I would panic if the waitress was sitting us in a booth. I won't fit!

we went to people's houses for suppers, I would quickly scan the room and see what chair I could sit in without breaking it.

I am still afraid to go up our attic stairs as the stated heaviest safe weight on them is 250 pounds.

I am nervous about going on an airplane as I have needed seat belt extenders, and then if I am stuck in a middle seat I will overhang on the 2 outer seats!

Now I really know deep inside, all those things won't happen anymore, but it is very hard to convince my mind of it. I still try to hide in a store if I see someone I know, I don't want them to see all the weight I have gained.

It is crazy. I wonder when my mind will catch up with reality. I know I have lost weight, I see my size tags, and people tell me all the time. But my mind won't accept it.

To many years of failure, of gaining it all back, my mind won't let me see what is really happening. It is a constant battle to get rid of those 'first reactions' of the past. But I am working on it, and I am bound and determined, someday, I will see it and my mind will let me accept it!

Crazy stuff isn't it!! I had no idea how powerful our minds are until I went to see Julie!! Absolutely amazing to me!!

I have learned so much from Julie, food wise, mind wise, just absolutely mind boggling!!! But again, I am SOOO THANKFUL for her!!!

Where would I be today if I hadn't gone to see her? I can tell you, I would be a bed ridden person closing in at over 300+ pounds, on my way to dying young, to unhappy with myself to go anywhere or do anything.

So for me to fight with my mind because I can't see or accept the positive changes, well, I will take that anyday compared to where I could have ended up!!!
February 04, 2013
Turkey and Pickle Rolls
  1. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on a slice ham.
  2. Place a small pickle slice near the center of one edge and roll the ham around the pickle.
  3. Slice rolls into bite sizes.
  4. Add toothpicks to keep them together.
 
February 04, 2013
A group of us gathered yesterday, at the New 2 You Family Boutique in Sunderland, Massachusetts, and shared an incredible array of dishes. It was inspiring to be in a room full of people who have been successful on this weight loss journey.
Group photo by our hostess Julie.
Julie and Rick were our fabulous hosts. Julie took photos of us and our dishes. I'll post the recipes and then add links to them on the recipe page. This may take some time, but I too want to have access to those recipes.
Collage of some of the photos taken by Julie.
 Here are just a few of the dishes...
Top left: deviled eggs
Top right: turkey & pickle roll ups
Bottom left: spaghetti squash (does not include real pasta)
Bottom right: squash soup with Kale
February 03, 2013
This is how good this French Meat Pie Variation was - it went fast~

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs hamburger
  • 1 pound breakfast sausage (sage)
  • 1 tsp poultry seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp allspice
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp fresh nutmeg (1/2 tsp if dried)
  • 1 chopped onion
  • pepper to taste
  • butternut squash
  • butter

Directions

  1. Make mashed butternut squash by roasting the squash until soft.  
  2. Put in food processor with butter.  
  3. Set aside.
  4. Brown the sausage and hamburger.  
  5. Add onion and spices; simmer 10 minutes.  
  6. Put meats in a casserole dish, top with squash and bake 30 minutes at 350.
This dish was served at the 2/2/13 pot luck.
February 03, 2013
It has been a while since I have written on here, time has a way of flying by before I noticed. Time to slow down and 'smell the roses', so time just doesn't keep flying by.

Thank you to the people who were looking for me! Those words meant a lot more to me than you will ever know, I appreciate that tremendously.

One thing I am very pleased with is after almost 16 months on program, I have not strayed once. Did you hear that - NOT ONCE! Now if anyone knows me at all, you would realize that this is a major miracle!

I don't mess with the program at all! Like I once wrote in one of my blog posts: "If It Ain't Broke Don't Fix It" (June 28, 2012).

We are going on a 'honeymoon' in March. We like to do that once a year if we can and have done this for 4 or 5 years now. We go with other couples to places that are relaxing and tropical. It has been almost 2 years since we were able to do this. We couldn't go last year due to one of the couples' son was getting married during when we like to go, and we had a grandchild due.

So, 2 years ago, while planning the trip I was panicking! I had to go shopping because NOTHING fit! Everything was too small. It was horrid, humiliating and depressing!!! I couldn't find any skirts I could fit into, and horrors of all horrors, had to sew 2 of the same skirts together to make one that fit!! My dear friend was the only one who knew about that as she gave me one of the skirts. (I am sure my dear husband knew because of course the colors weren't exactly the same and it was quite obvious to me, but he never said a word)

My friend was having trouble finding stuff to wear too, but no where near as bad as I was!!!! It was 7 months after that last trip that I had my first appointment with Julie.

So now we are leaving in a few weeks. And guess what? I have to go shopping before we go! YUP, nothing fits me again, it is all TOO BIG!!!! I can't even imagine this! This is a dream come true for me! My husband has no problem with me buying clothes now! ( I am so thankful for Savers, great prices for on the weigh down!) I need a new bathing suit. Gulp! Still don't like wearing bathing suits, but guess what, I don't dread it this time. I think I am going to look for some exercise shorts that come down mid thigh and will hold me in, but not strangle me, and get a longer bathing suit top. This is so funny! I am actually looking forward to bathing suit shopping!

I have a couple summer skirts I can take in and use for the trip and I will have to get some tops, and a new bra! My new ones from a few months ago are to big already!

Got to get suntan lotion, and won't need as much because there isn't as much to cover!!!

And remember I told you about that skirt I had to make out of 2 skirts to go on my last trip? Well I burned it!

I may be loosing very slowly, maybe slower than others, I don't know. But at this point it doesn't matter, you see, I got to burn that stinking double skirt so who cares?
February 01, 2013
This is a great video about sugar. It's about an hour and a half long, but well worth your time.


In this video: Robert H. Lustig, MD, UCSF Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology, explores the damage caused by sugary foods. He argues that fructose (too much) and fiber (not enough) appear to be cornerstones of the obesity epidemic through their effects on insulin.
    Dr. Lustig's book (released Dec 2012): Fat Chance: Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and Disease.
    Disclaimer: there is no affiliation between Julie and Dr. Lustig and the material covered in this video may not or may not align with Julie's program.
    January 30, 2013
    Two years ago today I started this program. Instead of writing a long post about all the things that are different in my life, I'm sharing these photos from 2011 when I wore a size 30/32 and a few from recent months. I wish I'd had my photo taken today, but such is life!
    May 2011
    October 2011 - this was my favorite blouse (30/32)
    November 2011
    September 2012
    December 2012
    January 2013 - this photo is blurry, but I'll take it!


    By the way, did you know you can click on a photo to see it larger? You also have the option to view the other photos on the page by clicking on the next image (when viewing the larger image, look at the bottom of the page for the next image).
    January 29, 2013
    Yesterday I was looking for a new meat recipe and I found just what I needed at Trader Joe's: Cabernet Beef Pot Roast. The roast is cooking in a crock pot as I type.

    Cabernet Beef Pot Roast - this was yummy!

    Cabernet Beef Pot Roast

    Ingredients
    • 1 Cabernet Beef Pot Roast from Trader Joe's
    • 1/2 cup of water
    • 6 carrots cut into thick slices
    • 1 large onion
    • small box of fresh mushrooms 
    Note: All vegetable are optional; add your favorites or just cook the pot roast alone with the water. The packages suggests browning the roast all sides of the pot roast in olive oil in a skillet, but I usually skip this step. I've done it both ways and I don't taste a difference either way.
    Trader Joe's Cabernet Beef Pot Roast
    Directions
    Add 1/2 cup of water to the bottom of a crock pot.

    Add the pot roast to the crock pot.

    Cut onion and carrots into slices.

    Top the roast with the sliced carrots and onions

    Cover the pot.

    Cook on low for 10-12 hours or high for 5-6 hours.
    Butternut Squash Fries with Cabernet Beef Pot Roast
    Related
    January 27, 2013