Anonymous asked on How to Post to this Blog

I have been to 2 sessions. My third is next week. I am really struggling. I am staying on program to the best of my knowledge. I feel guilty using ketchup and BBQ sauce has condiments. They are sweet and I feel guilty for enjoying their sweetness. Also, I am sad, angry. I want to be like others and enjoy a piece of cake or chocolate. I went out with a bunch of friends and we ended up at a bakery. Everyone enjoyed a treat except me. Am I never ever going to enjoy a slice of apple crisp, birthday cake?

Anonymous asked on Mirror, Mirror

Just a quick question - does anyone know if Julie is on vacation or something? I've tried calling last 2 weeks to schedule a refresher, but only get recording and all the voice mail boxes are full. I've tried several times. Thanks for any info --(tried all times of day and night).

Anonymous asked on How to Post to this Blog

Can I use Lipton soup onion mix(not dry) but mixed in a crock pot with beef and tomato sauce?

October 18, 2012

I've been doing some internal exploring the past few weeks, to try to understand how it is that I never really saw how big I was when I was at my largest and how it is that when I see a new photo of myself I'm shocked that I'm still this big.

How is it that until seeing a photo of myself last week, I was happy with how much weight I've lost and how I looked, but then I saw the photo (below with my grandniece), and boom, I get all disappointed in myself. 

I'm exploring these concepts in a gentle way, without judgement, and with lots of kindness towards myself. I'm not beating myself up, but pausing to understand why the denial in the first place. Why didn't I see myself as obese as I was at my top weight? Why is it that 8 sizes (smaller) later, I only see an obese woman in the photo? I think this denial comes as a protection from pain. It was too painful to see myself as large as I was. It's painful to see how big I still am. It's painful to look at myself and see how much more weight I have to lose.

Just the same, I must look. I must see myself today, so that I can continue my journey, so I can reach my goal size. I've been visualizing being a size 8, so of course when I see my photo in size 20 pants I freak out because in my mind I'm a size 8. Well, I'm not a size 8, but I'm not a size 20 either, those pants are way too big. I'm a size 18 and I'm doing all the right things to obtain my goal size.

BTW, I just checked the size of those jeans and they're size 26! No! No! No! No wonder I felt so fat when I saw this photo! Julie encouraged us to get rid of clothes that are too big so we don't "grow" into them. Last night I started selling clothes on eBay again, not a moment too soon. I am NOT going to grow into any of those clothes again, so out they go!

One thing I've done right in this weight loss journey is to learn the most I can along the way. This denial of my size issue is an important one. I want stay out of denial and judgement. I have come too far to crush myself because I'm still not a size 8.

I choose to feel the pain of my reality today (size 18) and my past (size 30/32). I choose to continue to look in the mirror and at my photos and see myself as I am and to embrace where I'm at in this journey. I choose to continue to feel proud of my success along the way. I choose to reach my goal size, which at my refresh with Julie last week I changed to size 6.

There's more to all these thoughts, but this is the gist of it. Plus, I'm out of time this morning and I've been wanting to share these thoughts since last week. Can any of you relate?

Here's a summary of my first week of training for the Hot Chocolate Run. This week I kick it up with more time on the treadmill.

Monday - 10/08/12 walked Whiting Reservoir

My grandniece and I walked at different paces, as I wanted to get a workout and she wanted to "take it all in". Sometimes we have to follow advice from those younger than we are; we're not always right!

- Elapsed time: 60:00
- Distance: 2.0 miles

Tuesday - 10/09/12 recumbent bike at work

I was multi-tasking while on the bike, organizing notes on my iPhone, and the next thing I knew it - 38 minutes has passed. My intention was to bike for 20 minutes.

Great workout!

- Elapsed time: 38:00

10/10/12 treadmill at work

This was my first time on the treadmill in a while. I want to start training for the Hot Chocolate Run in Dec., so I used the c25k app to kick-start my training. I've been running and walking outside, so I started with week 5 of the app. When the app says walk, my pace on the treadmill is 3.0 and when it says run, I kick it up to 4.0. No hills yet, but I will add them in a few weeks. The race begins on a very steep hill and there are more hills to follow; I want to be ready for them. It was fabulous to being running at this pace again!

- Elapsed time: 36:07
- Distance: 2.14 miles
- Average speed: 3.56 MPH
- Average pace: 16:51 mile

10/11/12 walked outside at work

I couldn't resist being outside on such a gorgeous day, especially with all the fall leaves. I walked with Aime and we kept a fast walking pace. As we walked, we had incredible talks about the program and after the first mile, I wished we had recorded our conversation, as we both had great "ah ha" moments that would be great to add to the blog.

- Elapsed time: about 30 min.
- Distance: 2.0 miles

October 15, 2012

Anonymous is asking for advice to her situation (I Panicked!!):

You are right - it was NOT your free will, and I had learned do not obsess over it and things will be ok.

I personally have had a different issue all together, and it plagues me a bit. I finished my sessions with Julie around the end of August. I have the most horrible cravings around PMS time (does anyone else?) I have been able to make it through ... until this past weekend. I ate some Keebler grasshopper cookies. I am attempting to put it behind me and move on. Doing just as awesome as before - meat, veggie etc.

I think I am needing a place to admit that I did it and also ask if anyone thinks I should call and make an appt. again with Julie ... I don't want to go back to what I used to do. I have lost almost 2 sizes in just these two months and I have been doing so good ...

MaryJane is also asking for advice (Roots of Obesity Documentary):

I'm also so grateful to have found Julie. I've been on her plan for 8 months and have never strayed (which is quite a miracle after years of trying ever diet known to man and never having lasting success). I do have quite a problem which I'm now facing. Since losing so much weight (and being in my sixties) my skin is really sagging.

Now, I've seen this discussed previously, but I'm not in a position for any surgery and just can't wear any of those compression garments. But the main problem is that I really am developing a bad sef image due do this excess skin and massive wrinkles.

At least when I was fatter, I had prefectly taught skin ( of course it was packed full of fat which I know is not healthy). I only mention this because recently I'm beginning to think that perhaps I should not continue with this program as I do not want to end up just a skeleton with skin hanging everywhere.

 Don't get me wrong, I still have a ways to go (most people would consider me overweight I'm sure), however, I don't know if this skin problem should be a deal breaker. There is only so much exercise one can do when your skin becomes this far gone (must be why all the candidates on extreme weight loss opt to have the surgery). Since that is not an option for me, I just wanted a little reinforcement that even tho my skin is far less than optimal now, that having lost all that weight is still the healthier alternative.

Does anyone else ever have such feelings; and, how to you push those thoughts out of your mind. I know we can't turn back the hands of time, but I am so envious of anyone that discovers this at a earlier age when their skin is able to "snap" back. HELP!!! 

October 13, 2012

I subscribe to a newsletter about natural health and an article in today's newsletter caught my attention "BBC documentary by investigative reporter Jacques Peretti, the foundational reasons behind the obesity epidemic are revealed." This documentary provides supporting data for much of what Julie teaches us about food.
You can view the full article The Modern Food System and the Roots of Obesity, but you have to subscribe first; it's free. The article pretty much follows all of what the videos show.

October 11, 2012

I just registered for the Hot Chocolate Run, which is on December 2 in Northampton, MA, and I want to challenge those of you following this blog to join my "Friends of the Keys" team and run this 5K!

To prepare for this run, I'm starting my c25k today (couch to 5k running app). BTW, 5k is just a tad over 3 miles. Last year I did this race in just under 45 minutes and I want to beat that this year. I would love to have a bunch of you join me! Post your questions if you're unsure and want some support! These kind of races are especially fun when done in a team - both the training for the race and the race itself. Let's do it!

If you want like to join me, simply register for the Hot Chocolate Run and when you register, select my "Friends of the Keys" team.

If you aren't up for the run, I hope you'll consider making a donation of any amount to help me reach my $200 fundraising goal! You may make a donation to Safe Passages on my behalf to help fund their programming--including an emergency shelter program, individual counseling and support groups, legal services, a 24-hour hotline and more. All contributions are tax-deductible, and you’ll receive an emailed receipt immediately after you donate.

October 09, 2012

I had a bizarre situation happen to me this weekend that threw me for a major loop!! We were at someone's house for supper (which we do alot) and I was able to eat the corn and meatballs.

I was quite pleased with myself with my food choices and was feeling full and satisfied and really enjoying the visiting.

When what to my ears do I hear??? THE PERSON THAT MADE THE CORN PUT SUGAR IN IT!!! I panicked!! I actually flipped out, I felt like I was going to throw up! I was quite upset!! Visions of all the sizes coming back onto my body overnight were going through my head! I wanted to cry!!

As soon as I got home, I emailed Jennifer who helped me to put it into perspective: It wasn't my free will!

I didn't even taste the sugar, I thought the person who made it had just gotten a really good batch of corn.

IT WASN'T MY FREE WILL

Then as I calmed down, I realized, alot of condiments have sugar in them.

So as I calm down more, and continue on (being extrememly careful these next few days of what I am doing and eating) I am treating the corn as a condiment. I did drain the liquid off from the spoon because I didn't want all the butter that was on it, (little did I know). My hunger hasn't escalated, so I think I am fine.

I was quite scared and upset. Of course, I can't even tell you the bizarre dreams I have had since about gaining it all back!!!

But I feel like now things are continuing on the right way... PHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

October 09, 2012

Cheese is a condiment and should be used only to compliment or enhance a dish.  Wikipedia defines a condiment as "an edible substance, such as sauce, added to food to impart a particular flavor, enhance its flavor, or in some cultures, to complement the dish." Repeat after me, Cheese is a condiment.

Think about other condiments you use, such as Ketchup. You have Ketchup with something - it is not the main course. You wouldn't eat an entire bottle of Ketchup and if you did then Ketchup is a trigger food for you, which means you should avoid Ketchup completely. Cheese is a condiment.

If you're eating cheese by itself, you're off program. If your cheese portion exceeds your meat portion, you're off program. Think about cheese like you would Ketchup or mustard - they enhance the dish. If cheese is a trigger food for you, you may want to avoid it entirely for a few months, longer if it keeps getting in your way.

Remember, cheese needs an army* to process through your body. Your body only has so many army men available to work off the cheese. When they run out, your body stores the cheese. When your body stores food, instead of processing it through, you don't lose weight.

I have to really get behind this reality myself: cheese is a condiment. I can either treat it as such, or hold onto my weight. If I can't treat it as a condiment, then I have to give it up until I can. It's like a parent punishing me to my room. Until I behave properly, no cheese for me.

When someone asks how much cheese can they have, the answer is a tiny bit; cheese is a condiment.

*Don't hold me to this (army), I can never remember if this analogy is the army or what military branch owns this task.

October 05, 2012

This comment was posted from Eva, on a an August. post Newcomer:

I finished my last group session with Julie about a month ago. During the course, and for the past month, it has been mind boggling....not even primarily because of the weight loss, which there has been (of course I don't know exactly how much), but mainly because for the first time since I was about 10 years old (52 years ago), the obsessing and painful struggling for so much of the day stopped.

The "rules" are so simple that there just isn't much room to obsess. A few days ago things became more difficult. I found myself eating a bit too much cheese (pretty much the only transgression during these months), and obsessing and craving a lot more again. When the cravings hit I eat protein, drink water, etc, but it makes me tense, and so I signed up for a refresher session at the end of the month.

Is this usual? To get hit with strong cravings? I have also thought that maybe the cravings mean that I am coming out of a plateau into a losing time, and this is simply my body freaking out and thinking it is starving and that maybe it is actually a good sign.

Anyway, I would welcome any words of wisdom and experience from others.

Thanks!
Eva

October 03, 2012

What's Your Story? What are you telling yourself that will have a positive impact on your future? Is your story taking where you want to go? Tell you story and tell it often, to help you remember where you're going and to embrace your truth.

Unlike other weight loss programs, key hypnosis has never felt like a roll of the dice, a spin of the wheel of fortune, or a crap shoot. I never find myself thinking I hope it works this time. Instead, I made intentional changes in my life to support my weight loss goals. The stories I tell myself along the way are an essential part of my journey. One story I focus on:

I am going to reach my goal size and maintain that for the rest of my life. 

That is my story and I'm sticking to it. No, really - I am going to reach my goal size and maintain that for the rest of my life. Yes, yes, I repeated myself - and that's my point! I repeat this story because in doing so it has become a part of my life plan.

In a recent blog post by Michael Hyatt, We Are What We Remember, Michael says this in a more poetic way:

We live up to the narratives we tell ourselves. We make decisions and act in certain ways because it fits into our story. If we change that story, we can change our lives.

There are times when I look back to review what worked and what didn't work. I cannot change my past, but I can learn from my past and make new choices today. Once in a while, I look for new ways to support my weight loss goals, try new recipes or new physical activities, or stop to look ahead to where I'm going and ask myself if there's anything I'm doing that doesn't support my goal that I need to stop doing and then figure out how to get out of my own way so I can reach my goal.

The latter usually has to do with realizing I'm beating up on myself in non-productive ways, such as feeling bad for not making a better choice or not losing more weight. The solution there is not to focus on that story, but to instead focus on the story that will take me where I want to go: I am going to reach my goal size and maintain that for the rest of my life.

No matter where I am in my journey, disappointed I'm at a plateau or happy I've dropped another size, I have never lost the optimism I embraced at my first session with Julie: I am going to reach my goal size and maintain that for the rest of my life.

What's your story? Will it take you where you want to go? Please tell!

October 02, 2012

As many of you know from the FaceBook page, I "ran" the Warrier Dash yesterday. 45 years old, never ran "anything" in my life, and I choose this to be my first one? What, am I crazy? You bet. For sure. BUT GUESS WHAT? I did it!

Saturday morning, my alarm goes off, and I get up. Kind of putter around the house. What does one wear to the Warrier Dash? What's it like outside? Cool? Warm? Seems a little warm, so, I choose shorts and the neon green shirt that my office chose to wear (so we could keep an eye on each other. We were all Warrier Dash "virgins" and knew to keep close as best as we could. There were HUNDREDS of people there!) Off I go with hubby to meet up with the others, and 1 1/2 hours later, we are in Thompson, CT at the Thompson Motor Speedway, numbers attached, port-a-potty's used, and a little stretching completed.

Me (Jennifer) on the far right with my dental office co-workers and some family members, before the dash.

Next thing we know, BOOM goes the signal for us to start running. 3.2 miles, with 13 obstacles to contend with. Now, I have never run outside, nor have I done rope walls, run in mud, or jumped over fire. One minute into this, I think, what the hell have I done? But, everyone else was running, I guess I might as well keep on going.......

Most of the course is out of view of spectators, so, you will have to use your imagination when I tell you that I ran on the Speedway, up and down a couple of hills, then through tires, over cars, through tires swinging, crawled under barbed wire (yes, it was REAL barbed wire) and rolled under mesh through hay, and then up and over a rope wall. No problem! Easy! OH NO---What is that ahead?!?! A 15 foot (maybe 12) vertical wall with rope to climb up, and slats to climb down. I am DEATHLY afraid of heights. Can't even cross a train tressle over a street if I can see the ground below me. DO I? DON'T I? Hell, I told myself I would TRY every obstacle. I see people fail, succeed, then it's my turn. Do I have the upper body strength? Can I climb up this? Someone I know is at the top of the wall-His name is John-And he is telling me to do it, he will help me. Hand over hand I keep climbing up the wall. By the top of the wall, I am having a good ol fashioned panic attack. DONT LOOK DOWN! John, my guardian angel, is telling me to calm down, take a deep breath, all I have to do is slowly make my way over and then down the back of the wall. Which I do, shaking like a leaf the whole danged way. I DID IT!

I would have stopped then and there, called it a day, but the 3 other ladies I ended up running with (only one of them went up the wall too, I might add!) kept plodding on, so, on I went too. Up a steep hill, over a water obstacle, another vertical rope wall (my angel was waiting there for me-What a gentleman to wait for me!), then mud. Mud, mud mud. Waist deep muddy water. A rope bridge to cross. Is that the finish line? NOT QUITE~~~~

Me coming out of the woods and the mud, mud, mud.

Up and over 3 more walls, each getting progressively higher, then, more barbed wire! This time with 200 feet of mucky muddy water to crawl through, then the fire, then the finish line!!!!!

Me and my office manager emerging from the mud/barbed wire obstacle

1 hour and 22 minutes later, the four of us crossed the finish line, gathered our medals, got some water, sort of rinsed off, and, it was over!!!! I did it! We did it! Out of the 13 obstacles, I did 11. And I survived!!!!!!!!! Battered and bruised, exhausted, adrenaline pumped...And how hilarious to see what they offered to us "Warriers" at the end-A beer and a turkey leg!!!!! (I didn't get either, but the turkey legs did look good-I just wasn't hungry, so, I knew not to get one!)

Warriers after the Dash!!!

The pile of muddy shoes that we donated at the end of the race.

Was I one of the last ones in the heat to cross the finish line? You bet. Did I learn anything new about myself? You bet. Was it a team building experience? You bet. Would I do it again? You bet. Am I hurting today? You bet. Do I have Julie to thank for this? You bet.

Anyone else wanna join me next year? __________ (You fill in the blank)

September 23, 2012

My journey on this program has been full of poetry and prose. It's a beautiful thing. Poetry and prose take time to develop, as does this journey, and along the way unexpected twists and turns may happen. The writing process often turns out different from the first thoughts one had at the start, metaphors and ah ha moments are all part of the process. The same is true for this weight loss journey.

Photo source: English Club.

There are parts of this journey that I didn't plan; that occurred unexpectedly. I hoped sugar cravings would no longer be a part of my daily life, but I could not have known how powerful it would be to not crave sweets; I could not have known how much energy I would have once I was free from sugar (and carbs).

I've written about other things that have happened along the way, things I hadn't given much thought to or that I spent a lot of time focusing on, such as fitting into seats at the movie theater, no longer needing a seat belt extension on the airplane. You've shared some of these experiences (and more) on this blog and the Facebook support group.

Many of these things are no longer an issue; changes have occurred where I no longer even think about things that used to consume me, and tire me without my being aware how much energy such thoughts drained from me. Last week I had an awareness of something I no longer give my energy that is very private, but I know I'm not the only one who spent energy this way. What I didn't know, is that without an conscious awareness I moved beyond the issue. Here's my story...

My nurse practitioner, has been asking me for the past few years to get an updated mammogram and to see an Ob/Gyn and I finally went last month. All is well, as I expected, but it wasn't until I left my dermatologist's office that I had an ah ha moment about all this. 

I've been seeing my dermatologist for over 15 years and I've done some fancy foot work to come up with excuses to get out of a full exam. It's the whole get naked thing that had me doing everything I could to avoid these kinds of exams. 

Sitting in my car outside the doctors office, I realized a major transformation has transpired. I always found excuses to avoid a full body exam, any excuse I could think of to avoid exposing my obese body.  I didn't do that this time. This time, I suited up in the hospital robe as instructed, had the full-body exam, and then proceeded to get on with the rest of my day. Sitting in that parking lot, I realized it was the same at my mammogram and Ob/Gyn appointment. This is a real change! This is liberating!

What about the rest of you? Care to share any naked truths? What kind of changes have you discovered along your weight loss journey that you weren't expecting or hadn't given much thought to until you realized the change?

September 23, 2012

Anonymous posted this on the FAQ page: 

I am almost one week into this journey. I am amazed at how I can walk into Costco and could care LESS what samples are being offered. I walk down near the bakery section of the grocery and I am NOT enticed by the aromas. I feel good!

September 23, 2012

I'm seeing another change in my size this week! Megan gave me some jeans a few months ago and I couldn't zip them up. I remember how bummed out I was that they were so tight. I thought I was a size 18, but not according to those jeans. Now, not only can I zip them up, but they are roomy.

I've been getting compliments all week on my new wardrobe (thank you Megan and Amie). A few people said they noticed another drop in my weight, which is always nice to hear. Yesterday someone complimented me on how professional I looked in my beige outfit on Monday and that I should wear that outfit more often. I have no idea what I wore on Monday!

Every morning this week I opened my "smaller" size closet doors, reached in to see what to wear, and tossed more items into the "too big" closet.  Somehow I managed to find a new outfit to wear every day this week.

I read a question from the Facebook support group a few days ago about whether to keep clothes that are too big or to keep them. Based on previous experiences, she was hesitant to get rid of them, in case she gains the weight back. I have a closet that I've spent the past year filling with clothes as they get too big for me. I'm confident, in a way I never have been before, that I'm never going to need those clothes again. This year they will either get sold on eBay or I'll donate them.

There is no looking back, only forward, and I'm excited to see what's ahead.

September 21, 2012

I said I was going to step up my exercise schedule and the next thing I knew, I was in a kickboxing class.

I wish I looked this good kickboxing.

There are now classes that I can take at the gym during my lunch hour at work and kickboxing came up first so I went. What a blast. It wasn't pretty, but I enjoyed it. I won't be able to go every week, but I'm going to do this every chance I get. We didn't use equipment like you see in the photo above, no head gear, nothing to kick, and we don't fight others. It's definitely a workout and I adjusted parts that I couldn't do.

I also started running again and this feels great. I'm still having stiffness in my ankles and working on stretching more. I do two stretches, every morning and will add one more tomorrow. So far I haven't had any improvement, but I'm hopeful the new addition in the morning will help work out the pain. It doesn't hurt when I'm running or on the elliptical.

I'm loving that Big Y now carrier Siggis yogurt. I even found coconut flavored; yummy. For those of you not fond of the yogurt, it may be something you like after the sugar is completely out of your system. I didn't have yogurt for a long time, so I suspect that's why I like it so much now. I know I wouldn't have liked it before, but I love it now. In fact, I have to be careful I don't eat more than the twice a week quota. Now that I can get it so close to home, I can buy two containers and I'll be good for the week.

You may have noticed, I rolled back the web design. There were a lot of technical issues with the new design. I still want to freshen up the look, but it will be a while. Meanwhile, I'm sorry that it was so difficult to navigate the site.

September 19, 2012

I started this blog on Sept. 25, 2011 and, like the rest of my life, the time has come to change things up a bit. I'm going to change the page layout/design, but before I do, I want to ask all of you a few questions about the direction you'd like to see this blog go in the year ahead. I'm also share a few blog statistics. Meanwhile, I'm working on a piece that I've been chewing on all week and hope to post tonight.

09/18/12 Friends of the Key Hypnosis Blog Pageviews (hits)

Questions for You
I would love your comments on these questions or additional feedback that will help make this blog work for everyone.

1. How often do you want to see new posts?
2. What topics do you want to hear more about?
3. What would motivate you to post more comments to this blog?
4. Would you become a blog contributor, which allows you to create posts (all other members may only comment on posts)?

 Statistics

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September 18, 2012

Anonymous asked: 

What about shirataki noodles? Can we have those? They are made from the konjac root.....

September 15, 2012

I found this video online today. It claims to be Julie Anne Kibe, but I can't confirm that is the Julie we see. Do any of you know? Perhaps someone at the office can tell us.



This video is definitely Julie (Dec. 2011)

September 12, 2012

Here is another laugh at me if you want to post, but I bet this has happened to some of you.

I am LOVING going to bed at night! Oh yes, I so look forward to it! Want to know why?!!! (hey, get your minds out of the gutter!!! LOL)

I'll tell you why: because I dream about food.

Ok, Ok, here is the scoop:

I have been having some VERY vivid realistic dreams where I am eating something totally forbidden. I can actually taste it and feel the high I used to get from it when I used to eat it. This is fun!

Then the BEST part: When I wake up, it takes me a few minutes to become oriented and gather my thoughts, I get that first panic that OH NO!! I cheated!! Then comes the most wonderful HIGH when I realize I DIDN'T CHEAT!! I AM STILL ON PROGRAM!!! Oh wow does that ever feel good!!!

Right now I am having the best of both worlds and totally enjoying my 'cheating dreams'!!!!!!!!

September 11, 2012

In regards to my plateau, it's time for me to mend some fences and dig up some truths. I've been asking myself a lot of questions. Am I doing something wrong? Are their foods I'm eating that are not on program or out of proportion? Do I need to kick up the exercise some more?

Sand Hill Cove, RI. Photo by Theresa.

As I think about all of these questions, I've been relating to what Linda talks about: why does it feel like nothing seems to be happening (plateau). I don't obsess on the answer to these question, but I must consider them from time to time and when I dig deep enough, I usually find the answer is yes.

For starters, I'm eating too much cheese. This is a show stopper. Julie gets pretty graphic about how cheese gets stored in our bodies. I've been in denial, as cheese has been an issue for some time now and I need to face it head on. How? I'm not going to buy cheese for the rest of this month. Last night, I started saying "I want to not want cheese".

I've been going to the gym only once or twice a week, I used to go 4-5 days. I've had pain in my ankles and it was a valid excuse for a while, but I have left it untreated far too long. I'm giving myself a month to be on board with stretching exercises to resolve it, or I go back to the doctor for more help. I remember Julie telling a woman if she doesn't exercise, it will take a really long time to lose weight. Hmmm....

On the flip side, Friday night I had a really big dinner, lots of protein with veggies and then Saturday I wasn't hungry all day. This kind of behavior usually signals a weight loss is on the horizon, as does my frustration point ("I'm at a plateau" boo hoo....). Another sign is how much I wanted to get on the scale last weekend at my brother's house. It's one of those full size scales like doctors used to have; all alone in the bathroom and no one else would know. I pushed the thought away and did not step on the scale.

Julie tells us to push away thoughts when we crave sugar or have urges to get on the scale, because when we have these cravings, we're on the cusp of another weight loss. My appetite has been big for the past few days. When I'm hungry like, this I like to have lots of protein in the house. I went to Trader Joe's this weekend and bought organic beef and chicken, and a couple freezer meats (Korean ribs, shrimp stir-fry), so I'm ready. Bring it on.

Some of you have written about your frustration with plateaus. How do you deal with your plateaus?

Thanks Jennifer and Mellisa for your words of support from my recent post The Truth About Sizes. Yes, I have come a long way. This been a long journey (19 months) and sometimes it feels like it's all happening in slow motion for me.

September 10, 2012

This week I've been looking back at my past and thinking about the changes in my life since I started this program. My biggest change: I don't obsess about food. What I ate in the past left me hungry for more because my choices lacked the nutrition my body needed.

Present: I choose to eat in a way that is sustainable for the rest of my life.
Past: I ate for the moment and was in denial of the future consequences.

It's a great relief for me that I no longer spend energy obsessing with food. I want to remember how different my life is now that the food obsession is at bay, so I made a list of my present attitude about food compared to my past:  

Present: The way I eat is my way of life.  

Past: I was either on a diet or off; way, way, way off. 
  
Present: I don't obsess about food.  
Past: I obsessed about food. 

Present: Food no longer knows my name.  
Past: It called out to me. It even knew my middle name.

Present: I appreciate the beauty of a beautifully made dessert without it haunting me for hours or days.  
Past: It haunted me for hours or days because I was either too full, sick to the stomach, or I fell asleep on the couch from so much sugar. 

Present: I feel good after I eat.
Before: I had indigestion on a regular basis. Need a Tums? I always had one. 

Present: I can go to a conference and eat healthy choices when I'm hungry. 
Past: I ate at least one of everything served, especially the snacks. Afternoons were difficult because I would be so sugared out I had a hard time staying awake.

Present: At restaurants I ask for what I want. Yes, I know it's the same price without bread or home fries. Yes, I know extra meat costs more.
Past: I didn't care if it was a "healthy" choice or I felt deprived because there were so many things I wanted to eat but were not on my "diet". I ate those foods all my life and look where that got me.

Present: I blog about my weight loss journey in an open platform that the whole wide world can see and include before and after photos and before and after lists of food habits.
Past: I would never.

What about you? What changes do you see in the way you see food today from how it used to be for you?

September 09, 2012

This recipe comes from Chris, who posted it on the facebook Key Hypnosis Support Group, in response to a question about what to eat when you're sick.

bone broth (photo credit: It's All About the Broth!)

Bone Broth

• Put some bones in a crock pot and fill to within an inch or so of the top. 
• Add 1-2 tbsp raw vinegar (to draw out the minerals) and simmer on low for 24-48 hrs.
• Any sort of bones will do: beef shank (marrow) bones, chicken, fish, or anything else.
• You don't have to thaw them if they're frozen. 
• You can add in an onion, a carrot and three stalks of celery, maybe a bay leaf, or whatever you like. 
• When the broth is done, remove the big solids with a slotted spoon (use a chopstick to push any marrow still in its bone back into the broth). 
•  Use any sort of colander or stainless steel strainer to strain the broth into a large mixing bowl, from which you can then ladle it into wide-mouth quart-size glass canning jars (get the ones without toxins in their lids). 
• Let the broth cool to room temperature before refrigerating or freezing. 
• If you've used beef bones, the beef fat, or tallow, will rise to the top and form a neat disc that you can scoop out almost intact. 
• Save this valuable tallow in a glass jar or bowl and use it for cooking; as a traditional cooking fat, it can stand high heat (unlike the more vulnerable vegetable oils) and lends a lovely mild beef flavor to whatever you're making. 
• As for your broth, you can drink it straight up or use it as a basis for a good, tasty, nutrient-dense soup.

Good to sip on those hungry days also!
  
Comment from Theresa about this recipe:
One of my friends, who has maintained her weight her whole life, has bone broth on a regular basis. After she cooks a chicken, she takes all the meat off and follows the above recipe and uses the chicken carcass.

Additional benefits of this broth: (source: It's All About the Broth!)

• Enhanced sleep
• Reduced injury pain
• Stronger teeth and bones
• Reduced food cravings
• Greatly reduced “shakes” that are attributed to hypoglycemia
• Improved hair, nails and skin

Comment from Jennifer:

When you are sick, you do what you do for when you are sick!!!! When I was in Las Vegas, I got sick (tummy sick, if you know what I mean) and had saltines and Pepsi that night, and toast the next morning. That is what I needed to calm my stomach; there was NO way I could put any meat in my belly!!!!!!!. I didn't do it for anything other than to make myself feel better-I did not eat them because of the taste or "wanting them". She said I did the right thing :-)

September 09, 2012

I've been quiet on the blog because I'm feeling at a loss of words to describe what's going on for me. I'm in another plateau. My last drop in size was late June. I don't track my weight loss or my plateaus, but I recently became aware of a pattern in my thinking after my last plateau: I quickly forget I dropped an entire size.

Following my friend Aime's advice, I read the blog from the first entry backwards, to remember my weight loss journey and where I've been. I was looking for inspiration to shake me out of my "boo hoo I am at a plateau again" mood.

I only read the first and second entry before I realized focusing on size can be just as frustrating as focusing on the scale. Neither is an accurate measure of weight loss. Scales can vary, depending on whose scale you're on, and sizes are all over the place, depending on the brand.

In my 9/25/11 entry, I wrote:

• When I started this journey, I wore size 30/32 tops and pants and I couldn't fit into anything in the women's section of JC Penney or Macy's. 
• Last weekend I bought a Macy's 1X blouse and it fits perfect. 
• Yesterday I wore a size 20W front-zip pants (hand-me-downs)

Those statements were all true, but here's the truth about my size clothes today:

• In June I bought my first dress and it was a size 20.
• In August I bought two dresses at Lane Bryant (yes, I said I would never go back, but if the shoe fits....). One dress was a size 14/16 and the other was a size 22/24. Both fit beautifully.
• The clothing in the women's department in Macy's are mostly too big (yes, I went back there too), but there are a few items that fit.

The moral of my story, and my lesson learned: not all sizes are created equal. This is not like any other diet, including how the weight comes off. This journey has been steady: Drop weight. Hold. Appetite increases. Weight drops. Hold. Repeat. Sometimes I forget that this is the process, that my body is healing when I am a plateau, and that if I just keep doing what I'm doing, I will get to my ideal size. It is working. I sometimes get impatient.

When I look at the photos of me below side by side and a year apart, I have definitely lost a ton of weight. I know this, but in the day to day of things of life, it's easy for me to forget where I was, even just a few weeks ago when I was one size larger.

Sept. 2012 (14/16)

Sept. 2011 (4X)

What about you? Can you relate to any of this?

September 07, 2012

There was a recent photo posted on a Facebook group called I <3 to Run (I heart to run) that's worth taking a look, as almost 35,000 other people have viewed it. Jackie is obese and yet she runs triathlons. She used to weigh 415 lbs, and while she is still obese, the day after her photo was taken as she ran the triathlon, she did a  5k open water swim.

Jackie is running a triatholon in this photo

Check out Jackie's photo, story, and read some of the positive comment and see if you are inspired to exercise. What are your thoughts after seeing her photo and then reading the comments and her response.

August 30, 2012

This comment was posted by Anonymous in response to the Sweets posting. I am publishing this to bring it to the top page so they can get some support and suggestions from us:

I had been on this program for 4+ months and about 5lbs to my goal and I'm not as strong as you I have had ice cream twice in two days! (I'm very ashamed) the second time it made me very sick for hours.

Any suggestions on how I should move forward from my Bad decision?

August 22, 2012

I subscribe to a number of positive and motivating newsletters and one article I read this week asked "what was your light bulb moment that made you decide to lose weight?" I decided this is a good time to pause and answer this question.

Light bulb with plant; source: McFarland, Pyle & Stone

Two years before I started this journey with the Key Hypnosis, I attended one of those presentations on weight loss surgery with a couple friends. Mainly I went to support my friend who is diabetic. I wasn't thinking about the surgery for myself (or so I told myself), but I had been curious about the process and this gave me the opportunity to support my friend and take a closer look at this option. After the presentation, I was clear I would never take that route.

A year later, I was thinking it might be my only option, but before I took any steps in that direction my friend ran into an old high school friend and her sister. She said they looked incredible and had lost a ton of weight through Julie. My friend signed up right away and told me about it. While I was on the wait list, I went to another hypnotherapist, but by the second appointment, it was clear to me that process wasn't going to work for me. Right about the same time, the call came from Julie's office and I scheduled appointment for the end of January (2011).

We were all excited about the program. My friend started with Julie a month before me and Aime was on the wait list for a couple months after me. This program, as you can read from my postings, has been an incredible journey and a good fit for me. I won't write for my friends on how Julie's program worked or didn't work for them; each of us had a completely different experience with Julie's program. I'm grateful for my friend that she found this program and that she told me about it.

In looking back, I don't see where I had a light bulb moment before I started the program. However, I've had many light bulb moments along the way, as I understand the way food interacts with my body and as I've learned the concepts of this program from Julie.

What about you? Did you have a light bulb moment that put you on this program?

Resources

Articles I enjoyed this week:

• How Katie lost 115 Pounds and Kept It Off
• Vitamin D Can Help or Hinder Your Weight Management
• My Friend Wasn't Happy for Me

Some of the newsletters I subscribe to (all free, but you need to sign-up):

• Michael Hyatt - focuses on leadership
• Dr. Mercola - focuses on health
• Spark People - successful weight loss stories

August 21, 2012

This comment was on an earlier post; I'm posting it as a new post so more of you can see it and respond:

Hi! I am having my first session with Julie on Monday and I am so looking forward to this new beginning!

So as I sit here at work I have been reading through these threads to get a feel for what to expect going forward and realized that I need to clean out my "snack" drawer here at work before I leave today. Gone are the snacks that I kept at hand just in case my breakfast and lunch aren't enough. No more Fiber One bars,Quaker Oats oatmeal packets or 100 calorie popcorn bags. But what about my V8 cans? Is V8 juice allowed? Is any alcohol allowed (no, not at work although some days. . . )

And, am I really reading all these posts and the comments on her site correctly? Women going from a 20-22 to a 10 in 6 months is common? I have 100 to lose and although in a tight 22 now, my most comfortable size was 12-14 (I am 5'9" so that size is probably right for me.

I'll definitely be back, and most like ask to be a contributor. I tend to like to share =D

Wish me luck!!

Abundanceismine August 17, 2012

August 17, 2012

I've always been curious about people who consistently stay the same way and always say no to desserts. I wondered if they didn't like dessert or if they were health nuts who didn't eat sugar. Today, I think the later is closer to the truth: they were health nuts. Today, I am a member of the health nuts club; I don't eat sugar.

This is what sugar looks like in my life today: sugar snap peas; yummy.

At my high school reunion last weekend, I noticed that my response to being asked if I would like some desert has changed. The answer is always the same, "no thank you." What's new is how I feel when I say no to such offers. I don't feel deprived. I don't stare at the sugary deserts and wish I could. I don't think about the dessert for days to follow. I just say no. Inside, I feel the same way I feel when offered okra; I have no interest.

I'm not sure when this switch happened, but I had my first awareness that desserts just didn't appeal to me at my reunion when the desserts came to us on large silver trays and again at the end of the evening when asked if I wanted to take some desserts home. Both times I felt repulsed at the offer.

Sugar no longer knows my name. I don't crave it. I don't miss it. When I see something sweet I don't feel sorry for myself that I "can't have it." I may pause for a moment and look at it's beautiful presentation, but the pause is not for one moment a contemplation about eating it or not eating it. I credit this change to Julie's suggestion: nothing sweet to the lips.

Last night I had dinner at Thai Place with my friend Cordia and for a moment I looked at her diet soda and paused. This was curious to me, as I never really liked the taste of soda and I was not much of a soda drinker. It was an odd moment, but I realized was it wasn't the sugary drink that called to me, it was the was the bubbles and the lemon and lime. I get this when I drink seltzer with lemon and lime, so the moment came and went, but I appreciate I was able to pause and understand what was going on in my mind in the moment. Again, I was appreciating the presentation.

It's natural to crave sugar in the summer, as nature produces sweet fruits and veggies. I  admit I have had a sweet tooth from time to time this summer; sweet corn to the rescue. Siggis yogurt helps too; even if we can only have it twice a week. I'm not sure Siggis yogurt fits into the sweet category, as it's more tart than sweet, but it does the trick. Making Popsicles with it works too, but I have to watch my fat intake on those days. I don't have it every week and in fact sometimes weeks and months go by when I don't have the yogurt.

Last night I was talking to a friend about this program and she asked about having sugar with coffee. "I gave up coffee for three months" I told her, "and then I had a cup of coffee with foamy milk and I was able to drink coffee without sugar".

What about the rest of you? Do you sometimes have a sweet craving? What do you do when it happens? Have any of you found you no longer desire sweets?

Here's a fun quote by Jay Leno:

Now there are more overweight people in America than average-weight people. So overweight people are now average. Which means you've met your New Year's resolution. -- Jay Leno

August 14, 2012

I made gravy today! Yup, that's right, gravy!!


Weeeeeell, maybe it isn't officially gravy because there were no lumps in it!!


Anyway, I was cooking chicken thighs in a small bit of canned broth - Swanson reduced sodium beef broth. As they were cooking I got a craving for gravy on them. Hmmmm, what to do...


When my chicken was done, I cooked it without the skin, an old habit of mine, I just pull the skin off and throw it away, I took the thighs out and left whatever was in the pan in there. I added the rest of the can of broth which was maybe 1 1/2 cups, and added 1/2 cup whole milk. Started that on a gentle but steady boil. Added a few shakes of McCormick grill mates Montreal chicken seasoning and a few shakes of a generic chicken seasoning. Cooked it down to less than 1/2 of what I started with. Was smelling good and the tastes I was taking were GREAT!


When it got to less than half I put some in my plate, not as thick as I wanted but good. So to the rest of the pan I added 2 heaping tablespoons of sour cream and whipped them in. A bit more thicker. I ate my serving. Went to check what was left in the pan as noticed as it cooled it became thicker. It is nice and thick now, a good gravy consistency.


Next time I make it, I won't add the sour cream, I will just let it sit a few minutes and go from there.


My gravy craving is gone and I stayed on program!!!

August 09, 2012

It's Thursday morning and I'm getting ready for work, but before I head out the door - I'm looking for motivation to get back into exercise. It's times like this that I listen to my inner Nike voice just do it! In Greek mythology: Nike was a goddess who personified victory. I like her story, so I'll pull motivation from her as well as the sneakers named after the Greek goddess Nike.

Goddess Nike at Ephesus, Turkey.
Nike is the goddess of strength, speed, and victory.
Source: Wikipedia

Since completing my six-week mini-triathlon (and my vacation) I stopped exercising. I walked once this week, but my body wants more exercise. Although I have to say, when Aime and I walked the parameter of the campus at lunch earlier this week, I marveled that it only took 25 minutes and neither of us were having trouble breathing going up the steep hill. In the past, this walk was a much slower pace and it would take us almost an hour. I hadn't brought my gym equipment, so I walked outside even though this meant wearing sandals instead of sneakers. It was quite hot outside, but I knew this walk was just what I needed. I feel so much more energized when I exercise and I wanted an energy boost.

So this morning, before I hop into the shower and start the fast pace of my day, I have my gym bag packed and waiting at the top of the stairs where I will trip over it if I don't pick it up. No excuses today. Plus, it's going to be 90 degrees out there today, so I need to be in the gym instead of walking outside. I know that I will reap the benefits once I get started and for the rest of the day. This isn't just about this one moment of asking myself "do I exercise today or put it off one more day?" It's about how I want to feel for the rest of my life. I love feeling good and exercise helps set the tone for how I'm feeling.

It's the same when I make food choices - it's not about the moment - it's about a lifetime of choices. Healthy choices make me feel good every time. Just like exercise, I don't regret making the healthy food choice (staying on program vs. having something "just this one time") and that choice spins off more energy for me. Staying on program is the same as staying on my exercise routine, both give me energy and I'm much happier with myself for making the positive/healthy choice later that day and in the morning.

What about you? What do you do to keep yourself motivated? What do you do to get back on track when you've strayed from your exercise routine? What do you need to do get get started again - or for the first time?

August 09, 2012

I have a quick simple question: What is the longest plateau any of you have ever hit?

August 08, 2012

There are many rewards to this weight loss program, some more obvious than others. One hidden reward for me: going to a 40th high school reunion and not focusing on how much weight I want to lose before the reunion.

Friday night reunion with some of the girls I went to school with for 12 years.
This is not my favorite photo, but it's the only I have right now.

This weekend I went to my 40th high school class reunion and I had a blast. I worried all summer about what I would wear, but in the end I was happy with the outfits I wore (there were three events over the weekend). What I didn't worry about was losing weight for the reunion. No crash diets leading up to this weekend, as I've been on this program for 19 months and none of the weight I've lost was for this weekend; it's for the rest of my life. I'm so happy that I didn't have to obsess over what I weigh or what size I am.

For the big reunion event I wore a beautiful blue sleeveless dress that was just above the knees, low cut, with lots of bling around the neckline. Earlier this week I had an opportunity to wear the dress one evening while I was at a conference in Boston (where I won an iPad 3 BTW). I was so nervous about wearing such a revealing dress that I took a photo of myself in the dress in my hotel room and sent it to a few of my friends and asked "do I dare go out in this dress?" My friends wrote back wonderful compliments and friends at the reunion complimented me as well. It's a whole new style of dress for me, but I have to say I felt great!

At the reunion, we shared memories of our youth and our lives over the past 40 years. Many of us did not stay in touch after high school, heck some of us weren't in touch in high school, but there is a common thread that we all shared and it was nice to connect in new ways. I spent twelve years with most of those people, some I knew well, others I never talked to because I was too shy. Last night I pushed away the shy young girl and I had meaningful conversations with a handful of people, including a guy I had a mad crush on who I never talked to in school.

I posted this on our class reunion Facebook a few minutes ago:
I've had a smile on my face all day from reunion weekend. I'm heading for bed and I'm still smiling. I'm thinking I'll be smiling all week. :)

Saturday night with friends from all 12 years in school.

August 05, 2012

Sometimes Love Hurts. And last night, it hurt me. 

I have a sister who is 9 years younger than me. Opinionated. Witty. Smart. And someone who can, without knowing it, sting with her words.

I don't completely remember her word-for-word comment last night while we were on the phone talking, because I am still in shock. It was something like "you are no better now just because you are skinny." 

Really? Honestly? Are you kidding me? Someday I have to gather my courage (I hate confrontation) and ask her what she truly meant by that comment.

I am not making excuses, but my sister is going through a horrible time in her life. Just horrible. Stress beyond belief. And she is eating. Eating, eating, eating. Something I would have done too had I heard that comment before starting with Julie, or if I was going through what she is going through. I personally have not hurt my sister, and in my heart I know she is lashing out. If she feels bad, why not make me feel bad too? That is what I am thinking.

I don't see my sister often because there is a bit of distance between her house and mine, and we are busy. And I know over the last year that my weight loss was pretty dramatic. She has always been more in control of her weight, and in my eyes she has always been beautiful. But, she is overweight. Not as much as I ever was, but, heavier than she wants to be. I understand that.

Now I am thinking that she is a bit self-conscious of her weight. And hasn't been able to talk to me about it. I got a hint when she came out my way in the spring and we went shopping at Old Navy. She has always shopped there. I have never shopped there. Never thought that their clothes would fit. Lose weight, their clothes fit. I had fun. She didn't. She wouldn't try anything on in front of me. Why had that changed? When I was heavy, she would show me everything that she tried on, whether it fit or not. We used to share a changing room. And I am no better now because I am skinny? What is that all about?

She tells me that she is concerned about her daughter being heavy when she grows up, and she wants to teach her to "eat right" and be able to say no to food. That is a wonderful attitude to give a child. The only comment that I ever remember saying to my sister when she told me this was "why not offer her a hotdog or a hamburger without the bun?" Make a meal here and there without bread. Show her that that is an option too. Cut back on some of the carbs. Teach her about sugar and flour. I didn't go on and on, just mentioned it. Maybe she took this conversation the wrong way? I don't know. All I know is that I am wounded. I am hurting.

BUT! I will tell all of you that I have not ONCE thought about jumping out of the river and doing something stupid because of this. I know that food will not heal my heart. I know that it isn't healing her heart. Only time can do that. Food will not. So, contrary to what she said last night, I think I AM better now. Because I am not going to let food hurt me like her words hurt me. I will mull this conversation over and over and over, because that is what I do. Then, someday, when she is in a better place, I will talk to her about this. And tell her that her comment hurt me. I wont do that now because her stress is so great, and she needs to work on herself. I can wait.

I am offering this story to you because maybe this has already happened to you, or maybe one day it will, and it will cause you to stop in your tracks. You would think that people would be happy for you in an accomplishment such as this. I think, if I was doing Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig and had positive results, would she have said that? I don't know. Does she think that this was too "easy" for me? Shouldn't we be happy when someone has a positive accomplishment in their life? She has a Masters Degree. I have an Associates Degree. Would she say "you are no better now because you have an Associates Degree"???? I think not. Would she rather I still be heavy and have high blood pressure and still be pre-diabetic? I don't get it. Maybe someday I will.

I feel better now that I put my feelings down on "paper." Thanks for listening. I think I'm gonna go eat another piece of meat and go watch our Olympians kick some ass. Hugs to you all!

August 01, 2012

Hi, my name is Linda and I am a food-a-holic.

I LOVE food!

I MEAN -- I REALLY REALLY LOVE FOOD!!!

phew, got that off my chest. True confession time, I LOVE FOOD!!! There I said it...

I am Italian, what do you expect! I was/am a member of the clean plate club, and that included everyone else's plates too!

As a child I always thought of the starving children in other countries, so I dutifully ate my food and enough for them too! I am sure they knew I was helping them.

Food has comforted me, has kept me sane, has helped me through rough times, has made me happy, is always there for me, always tastes good, is associated with happy times - celebrations, sad times too., Food is just always there, it is like such a good friend.

Food ALWAYS called me! and I ALWAYS answer my friends calls!

Except, it isn't a good friend. Have you ever had a friend you just loved but they just weren't good for you? YUP, I got one here called food.

I remember some of the boys I would bring home and my parents just didn't like them. No matter what I said, they knew they were not good for me and just didn't like them. Or some of the girls I would hang around with, my parents would work on me to spend less time with them, the influences from these 'so called friends' was bad.

HMMM, I survived the bad boy friends, I survived the less time with the bad friends. I lived to tell about it and in return ended up with a good life.

Soooooooo, hmm, what do I do about my faithful friend food. Food controls me and yet gives me what I want, then slaps me in the face and makes me feel bad. Now if my kids were hanging around someone like that, I would step in and say, GET RID OF THEM NOW!!! (well, I would say that but who knows if they would listen) Soooo, why do I hang around with Food.

I need to take my own advice and the advice of my parents from so long ago. (OH! my parents would laugh if they knew I said that)

I need to break off the relationship and stop letting it control me.

I need to spend less time with it, the influence is bad.

I need to find healthier ones, better influencing ones, ones that won't slap me in the face.

Then I need to make a new friend called EXERSIZE. I have hated that girl all my life and still hate her, but I know I have to become friends with her. She just grates on my nerves and gets under my skin. But I have to learn to like her, some say I have to love her. OH MY GOODNESS, just keep testing my patience will ya!

I am 54 years old ( OH MY! Did I just admit that!!!) and have to change my life and my 'friends'. Not easy when the old ones are comfortable like my old sneakers. Scary, uncharted territory. But it is like going to the dentist, it is something I have to do whether I want to or not.

So, when I stomp and whine and complain and talk bad about my new food friends and that girl exersize, just bear with me and know that I am trying. I never did like being told what to do and still don't. I kick and scream the whole way and sometimes end up glad I tried. I have a feeling I may kick and scream on this adventure, but I have a feeling I will like the outcome.

So, meet my new food friends meat and vegetables, and (gulp) exersize. Still don't like her but letting her in a little at a time to get used to her and maybe overlook her lousy features and try to find the good features.

and meet my new friend - POSITIVE ATTITUDE!! She has never been in my life before and all of a sudden I realized she is a big part of my life, she just crept in!

I LOVE Julie's program, I am enjoying the new me that I am becoming. I am REALLY ENJOYING this adventure! WOW! who is this person 'talking' that is me!!!???

July 30, 2012

Theresa reminded me about this recipe, and asked if I would print it-I hope she will add the picture that she took of it when she made it as it is a beautiful looking salad!!!!!! I have found the Langostino Lobster Tails in the frozen section near the seafood department. Not all stores carry them, and I must warn you that they are expensive. But, totally worth it, I think!!!! I also added in the shrimp recipe as we are all enjoying this grilling season! Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!! 

Langostino Lobster Tail Salad; photo by Theresa

Langostino Lobster Tail Salad

(Originally made by Susan Azar)

You can alter this recipe to your own taste, with different veggies and/or spices

2 boxes Langostino Lobster Tails, thawed according to directions , then placed on paper towels to dry (the mayonaise will get runny if you don't)

1/4-1/2 C mayonaise (depends on your taste)

1 tbls lemon juice (optional)

1-2 tbls curry powder (I use a lot; I love the taste!!!!!)

salt and pepper to taste

frozen veggies (I use 1/4 cup frozen corn and 1/4 cup frozen peas)

Mix mayo and curry powder plus lemon juice/salt/pepper

In large bowl, add langostino lobster, mayo and veggies. Mix well.

Refrigerate to let flavors meld, allowing veggies to thaw.

Makes 2-3 servings

langostino lobster tails

Prosciutto-Wrapped Shrimp

(I found this in Rachael Ray's Magazine)

2 Tbls. Olive Oil

12 Jumbo Shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails left on

Old Bay Seasoning (optional) or salt and pepper to taste

12 thin slices Prosciutto di parma

In Gallon Size Ziploc baggie, place shrimp and olive oil and seasoning, or just salt and pepper to taste. Remove shrimp

Roll each shrimp in a slice of prosciutto

Brush with a little more EVOO

Skewer shrimp, which helps keep prosciutto attached.

Grill about 2 minutes each side, until shrimp is firm and opaque, and prosciutto starts to crisp. (You can pan fry them as well, just not skewered)

July 28, 2012

I'm posting the comment below was posted today so more folks can see it and respond.

Questions from Pam t:

I just joined but I am not sure where to start? So I will try asking my questions here. Or should I go back to my email and start from there??

Anyway I started with Julie on May 5th and I was a size 16/18. I am now a size 10!!! Yeah but I am scared to death about adding the potato. I went to a maintenance session and Julie didn't really talk to much about the process. She needed to explain some of the changes she was making in the program. I read your explanation using the river and that has helped. As far as the potato goes can we cook it any way we want? FRIED?? I understand that we first have potato then grains then flour but I guess never together, correct?

I have to admit I get very confused sometimes beacuse I thought I heard her say we would eventally be hypnosis free but then I hear her say people still have to come back for more refreshers because they have gained too much weight once they start to wean off the program. I guess I am just stuck on the question of will I ever be able to eat a few of my favorite foods once in a while without spiraling out of control.

I think I also heard that if you cheat a little and break the hypnosis that you will gain weight even if you go back to eating just meat and veggies. Is this true??? I am sorry for all the ???s but I have been pondering them for awhile and it is just to hard to ask in a session.
Plus I never hear anything mentioned about fruit???? Thanks Pam

July 28, 2012

Today was the day that my lovely daughter Kelly and I took a road trip to Whole Foods in Glastonbury, Conn. Kelly, my 25 year old vegetarian (who has wanted to get me there on numerous occasions) and I had a great time! I started my visit at the coffee counter, explaining to the lovely server (named Jennifer, I might add!) that I was a "Whole Foods Virgin" and was very happy to be there to poke around. After getting my hot coffee and adding cream to it (live large every now and I again, I say!), off we went! We were a little pressed for time, so I apologize for not taking pictures along the way. I did get a picture of some of my "loot" when I got home, and I will explain what I got as we go.

After leaving the coffee counter, we walked past a "hot breakfast buffet." They had, among other things I wasn't interested in, 2 different kinds of scrambled eggs, and sausage and bacon. If we had more time, we would have eaten. Maybe next time! Then, we came across an aisle of prepared foods-chicken and tuna salads, soups, salads, etc. etc. I also did not bring a lot of money with me, so, sadly, I couldn't pick up everything that made me drool. All of the pre-packaged foods looked fresh, and extremely yummy!

Then we came across a section that had pickled beets, pickles, relish, etc. Well, Bubbies pickles did speak to me, so I picked up the dill relish and dill pickles. (Remember, Julie wants us to eat refrigerated vs. nonrefrigerated pickles). The beets will come home next visit. They also had packaged prosciutto wrapped cheese and salami wrapped cheese. That was a splurge (yes, I know cheese is a condiment!) and I will enjoy tasting those! Around the corner we go, and there was a wonderful olive bar. Note the stuffed peppers in the bottom of the picture-those are stuffed with cream cheese and herbs, or goat cheese. Again, just a taste!

By now, Kelly kind of figured out that I am a perimeter shopper. This store makes it extremely convenient for this kind of shopping, as after the olive bar was the yogurt shelf! This was my real reason for going, because as a lot of you know I am having a hard time finding the Siggis yogurt. JACKPOT! 

Not only did they have the plain, blueberry, vanilla and pomegranite/passion fruit and orange and ginger flavors, they had PEACH AND STRAWBERRY! Yippee!! So, I got a few of those. I will try making the popsicles with those flavors, they sound so good! Unfortunately, no Coconut flavor, but, I am planning on asking at my local Stop and Shop if they will carry those. The cost at Whole Foods was 50 cents more (ouch), so I would prefer to get them at S+S.

Then on to the meat and seafood counter where it was all fresh, fresh, fresh!!!!! The staff was very attentive, which I always appreciate (especially when spending that kind of money!) I also specifically went there for buffalo wings, as they are my new favorite for dinner (I will post my recipe at the end). The wings were actually CHEAPER there than Big Y! Only $1.99 a lb, vs. $3.49!!!!! me!)I picked up about 10 lb. to get me at least a month's worth. At the seafood department I could have taken one of everything, but settled on Sea Scallops-Those I seasoned with Old Bay, and hubby cooked on the grill for lunch-already gone!Absolutely wonderful; those will go home with me again!

The spices were so hard to ignore as I am always looking for new wing flavors! Kelly and I both picked up a tub of the Tequila Lime flavor, and I cannot wait to make the wings with that.

So, our trip to Whole Foods was a success! Kelly and I decided that we will go once a month, and next time we will make sure we have a little more time so we can sit and eat. It was clean, quiet, and worth the extra money. I strongly recommend the visit!
   
For those of you who want my wing recipe (Credit given to my friend Robin for passing it on to me!) here it is:

Oven-baked Buffalo Wings

Ingredients

• 3 pounds organic chicken wings
• olive oil
• seasoning such as lemon pepper, buffalo, etc.
• salt and pepper (optional)

Directions

1. Take a "Ziploc" gallon size bag, and place chicken in it. 
2. For the lemon pepper flavor (my absolute favorite), add about 1/4 C olive oil and 3-4 tbls lemon juice. 
3. Mix that well by massaging the bag (making sure it is closed securely!). 
4. Then add about 1/4 cup lemon-pepper seasoning/ salt (no extra pepper needed) and massage again. 
5. You can marinate them overnight, or use after 15-30 minutes of marinating. 
6. Leaving liquid behind, place wings on aluminum-foil lined cookie sheet (easier cleanup) and bake at 425 for about 25 minutes (check for doneness, they will start to brown).
7. Yummy!

I also have done hot sauce and buffalo rub from Pampered Chef-Yummy! You can do any flavor you want, such as ranch, soy, teriaki, etc. Tomorrow I will use the Tequila Lime flavor. 

Reheating is just as easy- 350 for about 25 minutes, and they are just as good the next day! Enjoy!

July 28, 2012