I have, like much of Vermont it seems, a cold right now, and was concerned about what I could use for the cough, since usually I use this wonderful herbal cough syrup, but it does have fructose in it.  I tried the Fisherman's Friend, and the menthol, which I hate, was enough to make me sick.  So I asked the pharmacist if there were any cough remedies which were not sweet.  It turns out that Mucinex is now putting Guafenisine (the active ingredient in most expectorants) in capsules....no sweeteners added, because they don't have to mask anything.  Will it work as well?  Time will tell, but I wanted to get this out there to others who may be hacking away.
Eva

October 27, 2012

Ok, by now you all know I am weird. I blogged about crossing my legs for the first time, about my food dreams, panicking when I found out the corn I ate had sugar in it, being a food-aholic and about all kinds of off the wall topics.

Well, why change my format now?
This one is a good one!!

Now that I have lost weight, I don't know what size I am anymore. (wait it gets better)
BUT the worst thing is:

When I go into a store to try on clothes ( are you ready for this one?) I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO!!!

Let me explain:

When I was a size 24 I knew to walk into the Women's dept. Plus sizes, I could easily find it.

Now, I have no idea where I am supposed to shop!

I went to Kohls the other day, I was so confused I walked out. I am not plus, or am I, am I womens', or misses, what in the world is Juniors. AND WHY DON'T THEY HAVE THE DEPARTMENTS MARKED WITH WHAT THEY ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am serious. There are women's size 16's and there are just size 16's. Whats up with that? Then I have discovered there are all kinds of size Large. Some larges fit me great, others I can't get over my head! Some 16's are huge and others are to tight. All from different departments.

Then throw in petites!!! Last I knew that was for short people, has that changed?

Am I the only one that can't figure out the size specifications?

Whats the code? Whats the secret? What do other women know that I don't? What am I missing?

I did find 2 jackets at Kohls (love those 30% off coupons). I think I was in the misses section, maybe it was woman's, probably maternity for all I know. They were a large. But the larges on the other side of the store I couldn't get my arms in.

So thus is my dilemma!

And there is no way I am asking anyone where I should go! (they might tell me where to go! LOL)

Going to try Sears sometime, hope it isn't as confusing as Kohls was!

October 26, 2012

My body is going through changes again, I can feel it and I know I'm going to drop more weight soon. I still have a handful of hand-me-down jeans I still can't wear and I'm a bit bored with the clothes I can wear. I'm still not ready to spend money on clothes, because I know they won't last long.

Photo credit.

I've been asking my friends for advice on where to go shopping 1) as I drop weight, and 2) when I reach my goal size and go on a shopping spree. Interesting feedback. A few suggested I shop off-season, but that isn't going to work - I need clothes in season and now! Others suggested thrift stores, Marshall's, and TJ Max.  

Tonight I went to the Salvation Army Thrift store in Hadley. It was a completely different experience from my last visit there. I'm not even sure when that was, but it was no fun and I'm sure I left empty-handed. 

This time, I tried on a lot of blouses and coats, I wasn't in the mood for trying on pants, everything was either way too big or way too small. I found a gorgeous Anne Klein short snow white coat, but it was too big!  A beautiful jewel-tone purple jacket from Talbots - too small. 

I put on a full length dark chocolate coat with a beautiful fake fur collar, by some designer I can't recall now, which felt a tad snug, but I was seriously considering it. I loved how I felt in the coat, but when I asked a woman what she thought she said "large women should wear clothing that compliments your body - not coats that make you look bigger." Another woman chimed and asked me what colors I like and suggested I go for a coat the right color; "color is important" she said.  Both women were very kind, and remember - I asked!

Are you kidding me - chocolate is one of my great colors! That's okay, when in this much doubt, I always leave it behind. Which is exactly what I did tonight.

An hour and a half later, I left the thrift store with one Lands End grey button-down sweater, size large. Total budget $4.99. Today was the great bargain day at this thrift store, special colored tags mean an item is 50% off. I never saw a single red tag item the whole time. Others around me had shopping carts full of stuff. 

I hope this gets to be more fun. Tonight was more frustrating than fun. I know you have to keep cruising thrift stores to find the bargains, and hey, there were great labels in the mix, just none in my size; whatever size that is! They say it's hit or miss, so next week I'll give it another try.

Any words of wisdom from those of you who are further along in your journey? Any funny stories? Love to hear from you!

October 24, 2012

One year ago today I was:

Size 24

VERY unhappy with myself

VERY depressed about my weight

Felt like I was just going to drop dead of a heart attack because of my weight

Couldn’t get out of my own way I was so tired all the time

Ate constantly

DESPERATE to loose weight

Driving my poor husband crazy because I was so unhappy with myself

Knew weight loss surgery was the next step and only step left........-

until a dear friend of mine told me about a girl she worked with and how that girl  was loosing weight (Jennifer) and what she was doing. I was open to trying ANYTHING, I really didn't want surgery.  Desperate for help I called Julie’s office and made an appointment.

1 year ago today I walked into her office and haven’t looked back since!

I was scared and cried the whole way to that first appointment. I hadn’t met Jennifer yet, only knew from what her co-worker and my dear friend had told me about her journey. Was so scared I was wasting money AGAIN to loose weight.

In 1 years time I am a new person. I am not at goal yet, am loosing VERY slow, but I am so happy!

My constant hunger is GONE!

My food obssession is GONE!

My self confidence is UP!

My attitude is GREAT!

I have more energy than I have had in years!

And the best part is I know in my mind that I WILL REACH MY GOAL!

I have never in my life been on a program that was so easy to do. I love not having to think about anything, it is so cut and dry.

My absolute highest weight EVER!

 

 Just a few weeks before going to Julie for the first time!

1 year later

 

 

 

 

 

                                            

I have my life back!

My new eating lifestyle works and is working for me!

Julie has saved my life and given my life back to me!

Julie, I don't know how often you are able read this blog, but when you do, I want to say: THANK YOU!!!!!!

You were an answer to many prayers!!!!

Happy re-Birthday to me!!!!!

October 24, 2012

Just trying to see if my computer challenged mind can introduce a new topic correctly.  Thanks for all of your patience.
Eva

October 23, 2012

Some days I just don't have anything to blog about. I think this is a healthy sign, as I'm not focusing all my energies on "dieting." It's one of the things I love about this program - my life continues to move forward and I get to lose weight along the way. It doesn't get much better than this.

On the treadmill; photo by Theresa.

I'm experiencing another period of time where for few weeks I've been feeling like I'm not losing weight, wondering why these pants still fit - they should be too big on me by now, but I continue to let go of those thoughts. I know I'm doing everything I can to be successful in this journey, so I let those thoughts go, continue to eat meat, meat, meat, and let my negative thoughts go once again. I feel changes in my body, even if my jeans don't show the change yet. I know one of these days, those jeans are going to no longer hold up, they'll be too big, and I look forward to that day. Time doesn't matter here; I know if I keep following this course, I will arrive!

Last Week's workout was shy one day of running, my goal is to run 3-4 times a week, but this happens from time to time. I'll pick up another day this week and I'll also begin to push myself to go the distance; the race is a tad over 3 miles. What's important is that I keep looking ahead to the finish line, which is the hot chocolate run in Dec. Having a goal like this keeps me running. I feel great when I run and for hours after the run!
 
Mon., Oct. 15 - 5 pm on the treadmill
I couldn't make it during lunch to the gym, but I went at the end of the day and I felt really proud of myself for getting there! My reward was a beautiful fall scene when I stepped outside the gym. I followed my c25k app for a 32 min. walkout:

• warm up/walk: 5 min (3.0 pace)
• jog 8 min. (4.0 pace)
• walk 2 min. (3.0 pace)
• jog 10 min. (4.0 pace)
• walk 2 min. (3.0 pace)
• run 5 min (4.0 pace)
• average speed 3.45 MPH
• average pace15:51 /mile
• distance 1.79 miles

Tue., Oct. 16 - noon walk
Today's plan was to walk with a co-worker. It was a gorgeous day out there. We walked fast for a solid half hour, not including my time to meet up with her and then walk back to my office.

Wed., Oct. 17 - noon on the treadmill
Today's workout was with my running pal Aime on the treadmill.

Sun., Oct. 21 - time unknown walk
I took Friday off from work, as I had a friend was visiting for the weekend. We walked on a beautiful trail that was a mile long. No running, just enjoying another beautiful fall day.

October 23, 2012

I've heard so much about this recipe, I had to add this to the blog. I haven't tried it yet, but those who have swear by it. Be mindful of the amount of cheese you use and since you can't load it with heavy items, plan to eat meat with this pizza. This recipe is from Stuff I Make My Husband (I edited the text).

Cauliflower Pizza; photo by Amylinn

Use a bag of Birds Eye Steam fresh cauliflower or use fresh cauliflower and add your own seasonings, but this is easy and it steams in its own bag.


1. Microwave cauliflower according to package directions, then place onto a cheesecloth (or use a clean dishcloth that has been lined with lots and lots of paper towels).

2. Lay more paper towels on top, fold the dish towel over itself, and press hard to squeeze as much moisture as you can out of the florets.





3. Feed the cauliflower through the shredding disk of your food processor.

4. Repeat the squeezing step with fresh paper towels.

5. Get lots of moisture out until you have something resembling dough.




6. Combine shreds with 4 oz grated mozzarella (do not use fat-free) and 1/4 cup egg whites; not using yolk seems to give a crispier crust.

7. Line a baking sheet or broiler pan with parchment paper -- you MUST use parchment paper, do NOT use foil or it will stick!!

8.Mound the cauliflower mixture in the center.



9. Using damp hands (shake off the excess water), work radially around the cauliflower, pressing from the center outward to create a thin crust.

10. Be careful that holes don't form, but don't worry if it seems loose, as when the cheese melts it will help everything hold together.





11. Gently blot excess moisture off the top with a paper towel.

12. Spread it as thin as you possibly can.

13. It should resemble the thinnest of the thin-crust pizzas.

14. If it is too thick it will be very soggy and you'll be stuck eating it with a fork.




15. Bake at 450 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

16. The crust should be browned and perhaps slightly burnt in some spots around the edges.

17. Do NOT under bake.






18. Spread pizza sauce and whatever toppings you like; don't use anything too wet or too heavy.

19. Toppings should all be chopped fine or sliced thin: sliced olives and sauteed garlic spinach (squeezed dry) or whatever veggies you have around.

20. Dust with Parmesan.




21. Pop it back in the oven for 5 minutes or so.

Voila! There you have it, cauliflower pizza!











Crispy, slice able, and you eat eat it with your hands -- no fork required.









Source: Stuff I Make My Husband

October 21, 2012

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