Snowy Owl; photo by Theresa Chamberland
 Sachuest National Wildlife Refuge, Rhode Island

I've been off for a long time, but it's over now. I'm not talking about being off-program, I'm talking about being off from work. During my months as a job seeker, I stayed the course and I did not go off-program. I did not turn to my old ways of eating during this major change in my life. In fact, I lost weight during my transition. Victory!

Last week my search for a job ended and today is day three of my new job. It feels foreign to have structure in my day once again. Not that I didn't have any structure. I planned daily walks and they were longer than ever before. I walked daily with my friend in Long Beach, CA. Mary and I talked on our cell phones as she walked in sunny southern California and while she walked in a heatwave with temperatures often in the 90's, I walked through the mild summer, ever changing fall, and cold mornings of Massachusetts in my zipped and hooded Parker, and leather gloves, until it was so cold outside that my phone shut down. Yes, it was that cold!

When the long dreaded freezing temperatures of December and January arrived and my Mass. walking buddy went away for the holidays, my walking came to a halt. I started mall walking and talking with Long Beach Mary, but then she went to Rhode Island for the holidays and my daily walking routine became sporadic.

All my long walks, especially in those cold temperatures, really paid off on New Year's Eve. I joined Mary and another friend on a bird watching walk at Sachuest National Wildlife Refuge in RI. As you can see from the photo above, it was freezing cold, but seeing my first Snowy Owl was well worth it!

Before losing this weight, this three mile walk in freezing temperatures was not something I could have done. There were many such walks that I missed out on because of my obesity. Making walking a part of my life also made this opportunity possible. I didn't spend any of my thoughts on how much my feet hurt or wondering "how much further?" I was free to focus my time on being in the present moment and fully enjoying my time with my friends and meeting my first Snowy Owl.

While it may not be mandatory to exercise to lose weight, exercise was just what I needed during my transition from one job to another. All that walking, plus losing weight, helped keep my energy, my optimism, and my spirits high. What's not to love about that?

Exercise takes time to make a habit, but we must find the time in our busy lives to make exercise a habit. We also must forgive ourselves when we have lapses, and keep moving forward. Having a plan for when we're going to exercise is the only way it's going to happen. I no longer have a gym I can go to at lunch time, but I can stop at the mall on my way home from work until the weather gets better.

Do you have a plan for exercise in your life? If you're new on the weight loss journey, start with a 10 minutes a day of some form of exercise and build up from there.

January 21, 2015

Yesterday I went to the Earlee Mug, a key-friendly restaurant in Granby, MA, and they have an incredible burger served on a cauliflower bun. I used a knife and fork to eat this burger, but it was worth it! If you're looking for an inexpensive and key-friendly place to eat, this small diner-like restaurant may be just the spot for you.
A couple months ago a few key-friends and I went to the Earlee Mug for breakfast. I had heard they  makes BLT's on cauliflower buns and we wanted to give them a try. They sold out of them just before we arrived. We were disappointed, but not at all surprised. I scanned the specials listed on the chalkboard and when I saw meatball omelet, I knew there had to be some one working there following the key program. Sure enough, Jennifer recognized a couple of us.

They often have daily specials that include key friendly items. I haven't had their pulled-pork omelet, but am willing to give a try any time. All four of us ordered meatball omelets with a side of ham. Oh yeah, they have incredible ham that they slice right off the bone. We were all happy, happy, happy with our breakfast and we vowed to come back again to try a sandwich with the cauliflower bun.
Yesterday I decided I didn't want to wait any long, so I went by myself for lunch. The cauliflower buns were just out of the oven!
I ordered a cheeseburger and onions on the cauliflower bun and watched Jennifer cooking my lunch on the grill.
Jennifer plated up my sandwich and it tasted as delicious as it looked.
The cauliflower bun reminded me of a Johnny cake, which doesn't tell you much if you've never had one, but trust me - it was delicious! The texture of the bun was firmer than cornbread but not as fluffy as a slice of bread, it was just the right consistency.

Usually I add ketchup and mustard to my burgers, but there was no need on this burger. The meat was juicy and flavorful and the peppers cooked just right.

And of course the best part is this was a key-friendly lunch!
Jennifer has perfected the cauliflower bun. I encourage you to go try one for yourself some time soon!

Check out the Earlee Mug on Facebook.

Here's a recipe for cauliflower buns. I haven't made them yet, but if I get around to it I will post photos with the recipe. One thing I understand about making these is that it's key to this recipe is to really squeeze out the excess moisture. Jennifer said she leaves them on a towel for a while to really let them dry out.

January 10, 2015

If you love cabbage, you are going to freak out about how good this dish is. If you are on the fence about cabbage, this might be the recipe that converts you to a cabbage lover.
This is a simple side dish worthy of a dinner party and couldn’t be easier to make. Four ingredients, a couple of minutes to prepare and toss in the oven for an hour.

Ingredients

• 1 (approx 2lb) head of organic green cabbage, cut into 1 inch thick slices
• 1.5 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 large garlic cloves, smashed
• Kosher salt (optional)
• Black pepper to taste
• Olive oil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400F
2. Pull outer leaf off cabbage and then cut cabbage from top to bottom (bottom being root) into slices one inch thick.
3. Rub both sides of cabbage with smashed garlic.
4. Use a pastry brush (or fingers) to evenly spread olive oil over both sides of the cabbage slices.
5. Sprinkle each side of cabbage with a bit of kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
6. Roast cabbage on the middle rack for 30 minutes. 
7. Carefully flip the cabbage "steaks" and roast for an additional 30 minutes until edges are brown and crispy.
8. Serve hot and enjoy!

Photo and original recipe source: AmberLee

January 05, 2015

Are you looking for a way for this to be "the year" you gained control over you weight issues? Look around: help is everywhere. Inspirational words, photos, and videos are at your fingertips. Literally. All you have to do is search online. Pinterest, YouTube, and other social media, are full of all kinds of inspiration. Why not use these free tools to help inspire you to reach your goal size? Let's start today!

Be inspired by the awe of nature photography you find online, but also get out and take some photos. Let your inner child out and have fun with your camera. As you take photos, reflect how easily you move about in the world without that extra weight you used to carry. If you are just beginning your weight loss journey, visualize how incredible you too will feel when you lose weight.

If it's too cold to go outside, go online and look for photos of the places you always wanted to travel to and use those photos to inspire you to stay the course on your weight loss journey. Collect images and videos of your dream vacation and visualize yourself walking there and feeling incredible. 

The are are tons of free online tools that allow you to collect and store inspirational images and videos. One of my goals for 2015 is to expand my Pinterest boards. The beauty of Pinterest is that I use it to inspire me and to inspire others as well. Care to join me? If you don't know what Pinterest is, perhaps it's time to find out.

When you hear an inspirational quote, share it with others. Post it to your Pinterest account. If Pinterest doesn't excite you, post inspirational images and quotes on your refrigerator. Surround yourself with inspiration in whatever way works for you.

You can even find inspiration from TV news, as I did this past weekend. The quote below is from a girl on a team that lost 84 straight games - that's four years of playing before they had a victory! See the 3-minute video With 4-year losing streak on the line, hoops team goes for broke.

"If you keep putting in the time and effort, it will pay off."

This inspirational quote is so applicable to weight loss: stay the course and it will pay off for you too!

After watching that video, how can I ever complain about being on a plateau? I know if I keep putting in the time and effort, I will reach my goal! And so will you.

This morning I was looking for inspiration to help me get and stay motivated to exercise. Now that winter has really kicked in, the number of steps I've been walking have dramatically decreased. I have a treadmill, but I haven't stepped on it yet and it's too messy to walk outside. So, what's a girl to do? Go online and find help!

I did a Google search and I found a ton of motivational exercise videos and articles, as well as apps, many which are free. I downloaded the app "Exercise Gym and Weight Loss Motivation Hypnosis" By Erick Brown (free from iTunes).

Today I'm starting a 30-day squat challenge and before I do my first squat or get on my treadmill, I'm going to listen to Erick's app. I have not been able to reach my previous attempts at a 30-day squat challenge, so this time I found a squat challenge that looks more reasonable for where I am in my journey:

Once I found a chart that looked reasonable, I searched for a good video on how to properly do a squat...

Exercise is key to helping us not only take weight off, but to keep it off. How motivated are you to reach your goal size? Do you need help finding inspiration? Look online.

Do you need motivation to start exercising or to keep going? Ask a friend to exercises with you. Is the weather too horrible to get outside? No problem - go online and use Skype to exercise together from your own homes (you can even stay in your jammies).

Use the free online tools that are out there to help you get motivated and stay motivated, to reach your goals this year! You can do this! You are doing this!

January 5, 2015 update:

I highly recommend the Exercise Gym and Weight Loss Motivation Hypnosis app! I listened to it last night and again this morning. It is inspiring and motivating. And best of all - it's free!

I actually listened while I was on the treadmill last night, so it wasn't the meditation that inspired me to get on the treadmill, but it did keep me going. Well, that is until I realized it was midnight and I needed to get to bed.

My little mean girl didn't say a word when I got off the treadmill at 12:03 am with less than my 10,000 steps for the day. Sure, it took me all day to listen to my own advice and turn on this meditation, but it was great and I'm proud that I stepped up and started exercising once again!

I am so inspired that I listened this morning before getting out of bed. As soon as I finish this update, I'm going to do my squats and then get on the treadmill again.

We do our very best today and then we do it again tomorrow. Are you ready to start moving today? Small goals is where you begin. Set a goal for today and just do it!

January 05, 2015

As the new year begins, I think about resolutions I've made in past years. It's wonderful no longer promising myself "this year I will lose weight" only to disappoint myself year after year. I started the Key Hypnosis weight loss program on January 31, 2011 and I have no disappointment in looking back.

These four years have been an incredible learning experience for me. I've learned a lot about myself and not only have I changed the foods I eat (and don't eat), I've also evolved in other ways...

My energy level has increased ten-fold! I used to barely be able to walk five minutes and today I can easily walk for five hours.

I'm more comfortable in my skin and moving through life than ever before. When I walk into a room, I no longer look around to 1) see if I'm the largest person there or 2) to search for a chair that's big enough for me to fit into.

I had many plateaus along this journey, but this summer I started dropping weight again and I'm getting close to my goal size.

I often stop and look back at where I've been, to inspire me to stay on course to reach my goal. I know that once I reach my goal I will no longer need to focus on where I've been, because when I reach my goal size that is the size I want to keep in my vision. I'll be able to let go of the memories of my heavier self.

Meanwhile, I remember to do what Julie taught in the first session: visualize what I want to look like. I'm not sure exactly what size that is, so I'm looking around at women who are my height and structure.  To help visualize my goal size, I'm going to start asking women what size they are.

I'm ready for 2015 to be the year I reach my goal size and learn maintenance. Are you? Let's go for it together!

You know how to do the program, so do your best and visualize this happening to you too!
What you want to look like at your goal size? Look around at others, find a person who is your ideal size, and start visualizing yourself that size.

January 03, 2015

This yummy recipe comes from our key contributor Jennifer. In this recipe you roast slices of acorn squash, turn them over, and then add an egg to the center of each squash. Plan on about an hour from your first cut of the squash to your first bite - which by the way is incredible!
Ingredients

• 1 carnival or acorn squash
• Olive oil
• 3-4 large eggs (1 per slice of squash)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh herbs or freshly grated cheese (optional - to add before serving)

Directions

1. Prepare the squash: slice crosswise into 3/4 inch-thick rings, then scrape out the seeds and pulp. I used organic acorn squash.
   
2. Preheat the oven to 425 and line a baking sheet with tinfoil. 
3. Spray the baking sheet lightly with cooking spray or coat with a little olive oil. 
4. Place the prepared squash rings on the baking sheet, and brush the tops and insides with some olive oil.
5. Bake the rings for 20 minutes, then flip them over and return the baking sheet to the oven.
   
6. Prepare the eggs by cracking each one into its own bowl or cup. 
7. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and slide one egg into the middle of each squash ring.
8. Sprinkle eggs with salt and pepper and then carefully return the pan to the oven. 
9. A tiny bit of egg white may ooze out from the edge of the squash rings, but the pan should be hot enough to set the eggs fairly quickly and keep you from losing too much.
10. Bake for 8-12 minutes or until the whites are almost set and the yolks are almost done to your liking, as the eggs will continue to cook after you remove them from the oven
11. Use a spatula to carefully transfer the squash and egg rings onto plates.
12. Serve hot.
13. Top with salt, pepper, herbs, and cheese as desired.

Next time, I make this dish I will slice the squash thicker than I did today. This is one of my new favorite dishes!

January 03, 2015

Some of you have indicated you fell off-program over the holidays and I'm sorry to hear this. This seems to have brought out your little mean girl/boy (inner critic) and she's been acting out ever since. She keeps reminding you of your past (i.e., off-program foods that you ate) and how you've slacked off on your exercise routine. She's urging you to have just one bite and telling you that you can start again tomorrow. It's time to tell your little mean girl to hush and stop breaking the rules. It's time to jump back in the river right now!

Little Mean Girl is the voice of our inner critic.
Her negative words fill us with self-doubt.
She thrives best when throwing a temper tantrum.
Hush little mean girl, hush.

Don't wait for "tomorrow" to start again. This program is about change and change happens NOW, not tomorrow, not on January first, and not after x, y, or z - NOW. If you've gone through the sessions with Julie, you have all the tools within you to get back on program. You got this! Don't wait another moment. You can do this.

Focus your energy on following the program rules once again. When we break the rules we break the pattern and this confuses our bodies. Eating something “just this once” that isn’t on program or even if it is but we are choosing to have something in a way that breaks the rules (salad before the meal, veggies alone, yogurt alone, too much yogurt, eating the same thing over and over, etc.) creates a new pattern.

Patterns are essential. Our body likes patterns and wants to follow them. For example, when someone eats sugar, and they “get away with it” then they start to develop a new pattern and the body runs with it and it becomes a new program that the body follows. Then they can’t get back on program because they created a new program and our bodies are following that program.

Each time we choose to eat program foods, the body trusts us more and more. We want our body to trust us because when it trusts us we are rewarded with weight loss.

Hush your little mean girl and get back on program and back to losing weight.

December 27, 2014

This holiday message comes for Key friend Aimee: Remember to gift yourself by loving yourself enough to say, NOT this holiday!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

December 25, 2014