STAY MOTIVATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's so easy to fall back into bad habits; the bad eating habits that led to this never-ending obsession with weight. It would be so nice NOT to wake up every morning thinking about what I need to eat today and when will I exercise. But I'm not one of those blessed skinny people with high metabolisms and small body builds. So on and on it goes....

The key - Motivation! Self Motivation, sure, but also from your support group, inspirational shows (Biggest Loser), magazines (Shape), videos (Jillian) and just knowing that you've come too far to go back to the ole ways, ole waistline, ole feelings. So you had a couple of bad days... Turn it around. Way to get back with it Ladies, despite the minor set backs! Journaling is a terrific tool - thus our blog symbol, "the journal"...

I also read a study tonight that showed weight loss was more successful with groups that had some sort of regular support system like online chat rooms, meetings, counseling AND our blog! The groups with support lost 3 times more weight and kept it off longer than those on a diet alone. So confess your little heart out but then put it behind you and get back on the "new lifestyle" wagon. I need to read more success stories.

I agree about the snack packs being to easy to abuse. Make a Plan for the day - and only include one snack pack IF it fits in your calorie plan. I was going overboard with Cheez-its so I substituted them for yogurt cups; less calories, healthier and I don't have the desire to eat one after the other.


Now for my confession - Mr. Saboteur aka Your Dad had a strong driving, impelling, overwhelming craving for Rocky Road ice cream late last night. I made a weak attempt to talk him into Vanilla Yogurt. Next thing I knew, we were driving to the nearest store to calm his insatiable craving. He came out of the store and handed me a Nutty Buddy ice cream cone. UGH - he knows that's my favorite ice cream next to Hagendaus Coffee. I kept thinking about the REGRET tomorrow if I eat this tonight so I took two bites off the top and gave the rest to him. Phew! BUT then at home he waves a spoonful of Rocky Road ice cream in my face. Yes! I ate a bite of Rocky Road. The night could have ended in a disaster. The Nutty Buddy alone is 350 calories. How can we resist these temptations, these Saboteurs? It's just going to take incredible will power and motivation. They say after 3 months of eating healthy you can claim your new lifestyle. That will be April 11 for me... so if, I mean WHEN I reach 3 months - it's time for a mini celebration. NOT with food, but I'm thinking some new workout clothes.

After last night you can imagine how close I stuck to my plan today; eating and treadmilling. I'll weigh tomorrow just to know I'm still on track.

Weight loss is such a mental game and that's why so many people give up and 66% of American's are over-weight. Whitney and Leah - at least you guys are part of the 33% within your weight range. Your battle will be maintaining while you work on muscle definition and staying away from CL Mac & cheese, cheese bites etc. C'mon, you guys are strong!

Tip: If you have a food weakness, let's say NUTS. Don't buy them! You will be more tempted to over-indulge if they are in the house. Trust me - I couldn't stop at 8 almonds; 8 became 16, became 24.... Substitute with something that's not so easy to overeat like carrots. By the way, I read that dipping carrots in peanut butter was a good snack so I measured out 1 tablespoon of peanut butter and dipped away. It was really good; either that, or I was really hungry.

Stay motivated! Keep blogging. keep jogging... (I love this cartoon)