If you are on the fence about Julie or if you're on the waiting list hoping you're not about to waste $600, I have a story that will put all your fears or apprehensions to rest once and for all.

My wife is currently on Julie's wait list.

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

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

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

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

But getting it at 34 is just ridiculous.

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

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

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

He gets a pass.

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

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

I know how she defines "slowing down."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BECAUSE YOU CAN!!!

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

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

You just have to believe....

09/24/13 Update

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


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

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

As always, they put me on the scale.

I HATE that part.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Something had to change and it had to change now.

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

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

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

During that year, my body started shutting down.

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

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

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

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

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

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

I couldn't walk more than a quarter mile.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When the day came I approached it with mixed feelings.

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

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

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

After my first session I came home and collapsed.

I could NEVER see myself following this diet.

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

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

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

Then something amazing happened.

I made it through the first night.

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

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

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

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

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

I was doing this. It was working.

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

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

And I did it again.

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

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

I kept the diet.

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

But I kept it 100 percent.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I can stand up from almost any sitting position unaided.

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

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

It'll happen…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HOW GREAT IS THAT!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

Anonymous Heroes

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

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

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

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

Read more Hero stories... or share your story - send me an email by clicking on my name (Theresa) on the bottom of the list of contributors in the left column of any page.
July 05, 2013