Being Prepared

So, last night I was met with a situation and I wasn't prepared.  Someone I work with retired and there was a big department party for her.  (If it sounds like there is ALWAYS junk food everywhere where I work, it's because there is!)  Anyways, in the break room, on the table, was a HUGE cake, tons of bread, chips, a huge tray of veggies and dip, a huge tray of fruit, and the fridge was packed with different salads, then on another counter were all sorts of dips and whatnot (I really didn't go back there to see the counter).  Everything was just fine with me.  I didn't really feel tempted.  THEN before supper a gal I work with brings out these apples that she made herself.  They were dipped in caramel and chocolate.  She cut it up and handed me 1/4 of it.... like "here ya go".  So... I had it in my hands.  I literally had it in my palm and stared at it for probably a full minute.  I hadn't had supper so I got up and went to the break room.  I started making supper and still didn't know what to do with the apple.  I wanted to eat it but at the same time, I didn't.  I did not want to hurt the feelings of the gal that made them.  Also, she's kinda a brash lady so I usually try my best not to have any kind of weird situations with her.  I usually just agree and move on.  She's the "I'm right and that's the way it is" type of lady.  I was worried about her reaction if I didn't eat it.  I know this sounds stupid.  So, here I am in the break room.  I had a few pieces from the veggie tray (broccoli and cauliflower).  Then I decided that I'd go weigh myself.  I thought that I'd show myself that I'm losing and that would help me be strong.  Jumped on and it hasn't moved since Wednesday (2 days ago).  Shoot.  I thought I'd wrap it up and take it home to my kids and just tell her that it was good.  Lying?  No.  So, what did I do?  I cut it up in to little slivers and ate it.  I did.  I'm telling myself to just move on.  All of the temptations I've had so far were easy because I didn't give myself the option that it was a possibility.  This time, it was right in my hands and it was a possibility and I didn't know what to do.  Later last night I talked to my friend Brittni.  She said that what she does in that situation is she says shes going to save it for later and then either throws it away or takes it home for family.  Darn.  Why didn't I think of that?!  I will be more prepared for all types of situations.  Like next Saturday, I am going to a birthday party for my father in law.  Jeremy has a big family and I know there will be a ton of food there.  Also, next Sunday is Easter.  I'm going to my mom and luckily she's not the type to make a huge deal out of the food.  Phew!  I actually just talked to her and she said that we'd probably just grill.  YES!  Then we have plans to work around the farm!  We always end up doing something like that on Easter... and it's nice.  This morning I got a great idea about Easter eggs.  I'm going to put quarters in the eggs maybe a dollar here and there for a surprise!  To tell you the truth, I've always gone overboard with the Easter candy anyways.  Usually the kids don't eat it.  Their Easter baskets still had eggs that still had candy in them!  That's wasteful.  Well, the kids are excited to go.  We are going to a friends house and they have a new baby!  ...guess what?!  I'm going to be the Godmother!!  I'm so excited!!

Edited: I was thinking... I remember thinking after I ate the piece of caramel apple that I might as well try the cake, too.  Success there because I stayed away from everything else!  Little Victory! :)

Fantastic Friday!

I'm a little tired today.  When I work evenings I don't get a lot of sleep because I am home and to bed late and then up early again to get Brayden off to school.  Usually, the girls get up at the same time or shortly after Brayden does so I don't get a chance to get back to bed.  This morning I've been kinda lounging while the girls had breakfast and watched cartoons.

I got the invite to my friend Andrea's wedding today!  I'm so excited!!  I've been looking at dresses and really like a couple. 

Aren't they pretty!  I'd like to be able to buy one now because they are on sale now but I'm going to wait until closer to the wedding so I can try them on and make sure I have one that fits nicely. 

Yesterday and today I made pancakes for breakfast.  I'm getting pretty good at it! haha 

Yesterday I was out of spray so I used a little oil.  Today I had spray.  I felt better about using the spray.  I'm going to have to make pancakes for the kids tomorrow, though.  Seeing me eat mine has made them pretty hungry for some!  I told them I'd make some on Saturday for them. 

I don't remember if I said before but I'm so excited about how the eating habits of my whole family has been changing!  It's exciting to me because I know I'm setting a good example and also a little relief that maybe I will eventually be able to make my lean and green and make the same for the rest of the family instead of making something different for them.  Remember that box of apples and oranges?  It's nearly gone!  There have been years where we have actually thrown some of the fruit away but not this year!  I'm so happy for my children to have the option to make healthy choices and actually make those healthy choices!

Last night at work I had an easy lean and green.  I used to eat this when I was on Weight Watchers.  I saw the idea on a trainers tip on The Biggest Loser. 

Green bell pepper, sliced, wrapped with turkey breast lunch meat.  I really like it!

Yesterday I had to remind myself several times that I was on a journey to weight loss and was not going to be side tracked or distracted by foods not on plan.  There was a bakery sale at work yesterday and there were so many treats all over.  I didn't even go to it!  I was pretty proud that I didn't tempt myself by going to it... and I saved money! :)  It was still a little hard though, which is kind of surprising since I haven't really felt that yet.  Thankfully, I was able to get through it.

This deserves it's own post!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!

Week 1 results are ..... down 14 POUNDS!!!  WHAT?!?!  I've stepped on the scale about 4 times to make sure it's accurate! lol  That was definately worth waiting for!  I'm going to do the same this week, too.  I'm not going to look until next Wednesday.  I know next weeks results won't be quite as crazy but it's still fun to see!

Oh!  I went to the gym today, again!  Did the elliptical for 20 min. and burned 175cal!  Tomorrow I'm going for a walk on the riverfront with my friend Brittni.  I'm excited... it should be fun! :)

Week 1!!

First off... I haven't weighed yet.  I will when I get to work and I will update.

This week has been beyond great!  I can't believe how easy it was/is to stick to plan.  I thought it was going to be sooo hard.  It was so easy for me to pass up anything that previously would have been impossible to pass up.  There were treats at work all week and I could just walk by.  I think it's because I eat every 2-3 hours and am not really hungry but I don't crave that food anymore.  It's the weirdest thing... really!  Also, I like the Medifast meals so I don't feel like I'm "dieting".  I haven't cheated or went off plan at all this week!  I'm so excited to see my results for week one!!  Yesterday I went to the gym... felt good to get back there, even if it was only for about 15 minutes.  I cheated on my plan to not weigh myself... but all I did was set the scale to last weeks weight and stepped on.  haha!  The scale did not move!! :)  I know I've lost weight.

I feel better.  I was having this weird feeling in my chest area.  It was more in my clavicle/armpit area... it was kinda a sharp pain.  I had talked to my Dr. and he said it was most likely muscle pains from my breasts.  I was kinda relieved but not fully because it was still a weird feeling and I didn't like it.  Guess what?  I haven't felt that pain at all this week!  I was also having issues with my carpal tunnel and waking up in the night or often having my hands and forearms go numb.  I haven't been noticing that as much either! YAY!

There have been so many things this week that I thought I would never be able to get through.  Like... drive an hour with McDonalds in the passenger seat next to me to bring home to Jeremy... or  reheat Pizza Hut pizza with white sauce... or even just walk by half a counter of goodies at work!  But I have!!

                     Last night I made a new lean.

I recommend them!  They were really tasty.  With them, I had steamed broccoli with Mrs. Dash. 

                           I also tried a new salad dressing.

               It was very good!  I had it was halved grape tomatoes, lettuce, and chicken.

I have been wanting to try the Medifast pancakes but have been trying to find the Walden Farms pancake syrup to go on it.  HyVee has been out of it so last night I got this one...

It was the best option.  It had the lowest carbs (8) and lowest cal (20) per serving... serving size 1/4 C.  I probably didn't even use a tablespoon.  The pancakes were ...interesting.  I completely slaughtered the first two I tried to make and they ended up like scrambled eggs.  Then I decided to just pour the rest out.  It was one big one.  When it was time to turn it I basically ended up making it into one pancake (the middle piece) and three other little pancakettes.  haha  It still tasted pretty good!

Like I said before, I went to the gym yesterday.  I started the membership last fall and haven't been there since last November... what a waste huh?!  Well, I'm going now!  Yesterday I jumped on an elliptical and went for 15 minutes.  I burned 135 calories... if I remember correctly.  I was sweating! Feels GOOD! :)

Day 5

Still doing well!  Although, I think it's funny... I had dreams last night that I was going off plan and cheating.  I woke up and had to think and realize it was all in the dream.  haha!  It probably has to do with the fact that we finally got our 4H fruit, string cheese, and beef sticks we had ordered a while ago.  I was pretty bummed when I got home and this was sitting on the table....

...and I realized it's not on plan, yet.  Oh well, the kids and Jeremy can enjoy them and the beef and cheese sticks.  They also enjoyed Pizza Hut last night when I was at work.  There were leftovers in the fridge when I got home... it's all cool.  I'm not bothered, really!

This morning has been nice.  I got to sleep in a little bit and made scrambled eggs for breakfast with salsa.  Very good!  I do have a headache.  I'm trying to get some water in to help relieve it, possibly.  I might have to break down and have a pop.  I haven't had one since Thursday morning!

I also had Jeremy take some "before" pictures of me again.  I know I have a lot of "before" pictures but I still like comparing them.

Last night I steamed broccoli in a steamer bag.  I used spray butter and Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb.  I had chicken with it.  It was so tasty!  I'll probably have it again tonight!

The other night when I was going to try the soft serve, I couldn't because I couldn't find the blade to our magic bullet.  So, last night I made the chocolate mint one at work.  It was so good and I imagine it would satisfy any ice cream craving!  Am I really eating these things AND losing weight?

Day 4

Yesterday was a fun day!  Although, my meals were a little messed up, it worked out perfectly.  I took a LONG nap yesterday afternoon.  Yesterday evening and night I actually went out!  One of my friends had a Passion Party at her house that I went to, crazy girls equals a pretty fun evening!  Then when the party was over I text one of my friends.  She was getting off work and another friend was on her way home from a family thing.  We all met at our little town bar and hung out for a few hours.  I had my water bottle and drank water.  It's funny how when you don't drink you make the people with you uncomfortable... that's after they gave me the 3rd degree about being pregnant or not! haha!  It really wasn't a big deal though because I rarely drink when I go out.  I hate hangovers, especially when I have to get up early and try to be alive enough to take care of my kids.  I finished my bottle of water and the nice bartender asked if I wanted it filled again... how nice was that?!  ...love small towns.  Oh so, my meals were so messed up because I slept through one of them, then I took my salad with me to the party and forgot a fork but decided I'd eat it there.  When I got there they had already started the presentation so I didn't really want to be munching on salad.  I brought some pretzels and had those instead.  After the party I drove home and had my salad before going out with my friends.  When I got back I had my last Medifast meal.  It worked out perfectly!  Yesterday was Friday and during Lent I don't eat meat.  I had tuna, which I love!  I love these flavored tuna packs!  There are several different flavors.

Yesterday I made the eggs.  I was so apprehensive about them.  When Jeremy and I first started dating, he had powdered eggs and they were so disgusting!  I assumed these would be the same but they weren't at all!  I actually really liked them!  I had them with some medium salsa.  MMM! 

                        I'm not the best scrambled eggs maker. haha! 

Yesterday I got two food magazines in the mail!  Look at that cheesecake!!

I had looked through the Taste of Home magazine and actually found some pretty good lean and green recipes.  There was a page on asparagus and a bunch of fish recipes.  I'm going to take the Cooking Light one with me tonight and look at it at work if I have time.  This is the first Cooking Light magazine I've received.  I think I'll like it.  Looking at the cover, I'll have to find out if avocado is on the plan.  Probably not.  Oh well, I can live without it.

I have a feeling the acid reflux I've been experiencing has to do with the flavor packs I've been putting in my water.  I'm going to try to use them less and see if it helps.  I have been using them with the majority of the water I've been drinking.

I've also been experiencing a weird feeling.  It's a warming sensation on the sole of my right foot.  It comes and goes and lasts a few seconds.  I have no idea why.  It doesn't hurt at all... it kinda feels good actually.   It's just weird.

This morning I didn't really know what to make for breakfast.  I was feeling cold and decided to make the cappuccino.  I really enjoyed it.  It was warm and sweet.

I think it's so great that I don't feel like I'm "dieting"!  I don't feel deprived and I don't feel like attacking all food that is "forbidden".  Last night I made a family favorite, cornbread casserole.  It didn't bother me that I wasn't going to eat any of it.  I also left soon after it was done cooking but I think I could have stayed and still felt good.  At the party there was a lot of junk food and I didn't feel tempted at all.  At the bar, one of my friends had chips, they smelled good but I wasn't bothered or hungry for some.  I just think it's so amazing how this is changing me.  I am so excited for the months to come!  I'm also really anxious to see what the scale is going to say on Wednesday.  I'm going to be at work today and it's going to be hard not to sneak back to MRI to weigh myself.  It's like Christmas!  I can wait! haha

Day 2

Today went great!  I'm starting to wonder if I will end this week in a loss.  I just don't feel like I'm doing something that will help me lose weight! 

I was so proud of myself today.  There was a delicious looking lemon cake at work just waiting for me to have a piece.  I did not even smell it!  Then one of the students brought bars that looked so good!  It was a chocolate, marshmallow, rice krispie concoction.  Looked pretty tasty.  I think it made it easier to turn down when my boss who is pretty healthy turned it down, too.  She made a comment how she had a piece of the lemon cake and that was enough for her.  I thought, skinny people turn down treats.  Guess what, turning down those treats did not make me feel anything but good.  I felt a twinge of wishing I could go for it but it passed quickly.  Truthfully, all I could think about was how I'm grateful for this program.  When I was on Weight Watchers I would have had a piece of both and try to guess what the points would be... most likely under estimating.  I feel satisfaction knowing that I'm training my mind and body to know what it's like to have proper nutrition. 

        Tonight for my lean and green I made buffalo chicken wraps. MMM!

              2 C. lettuce for wrap, 1/2 C. sliced tomato, 6 oz. chicken breast,
        ranch vinaigrette spray, and a couple drizzles of Frank's Red Hot sauce

I love buffalo chicken wraps... although usually I have them with tortilla wraps and blue cheese.  These were equally as good... although next time I will add a little more of the hot sauce.  I don't like it burning hot but to have a little zing to it.  This hot sauce has 0 calories, 0 fat, and 0 carbs.

I think I might make one of the soft serves tonight.  I keep having acid reflux.  Maybe the coolness will calm it down. 

DAY 1!

It has been a really good day!  This morning my alarm went off and I quickly reset it... but I didn't fall back asleep, like normal.  I laid there and thought about the day ahead of me.  I was nervous and excited.  I laid there for a few minutes and decided to get up.  I had packed my lunch for the day last night so I was all ready to go.  I decided to put a bag of frozen chicken in the crockpot.  I sprinkled on some Mrs. Dash Original Flavor.  I left for work early and on my way I had a fruit and nut crunch bar at about 7:00.  By 8:30 or so I was starting to feel hungry.  I didn't realize until this evening that part of the reason I was probably feeling hungry was because that's the time I normally have breakfast at work.  Instead of eating I remembered my water goal and filled up my jug.  I had oatmeal at 10:00 and it was good.  At 1:00 I decided to make my soup.  I wasn't exactly feeling really hungry but it had been 3 hours.  I made chicken and rice soup.  The directions say to watch to make sure it doesn't boil over.  I figured since my mug was so deep that it would never boil over... think again!  I opened up the microwave and my soup was all over the microwave in a little pool.... bummer.  Oh well, lesson learned!  I really liked the soup.  At 4:30 I made a chocolate shake to take with me to go home.  I was feeling a bit hungry by then.  When I picked up my kids I accidentally slammed my 2 yr old daughter, Kylee's thumb in the car door.  Poor thing!  I spent the next 45min to an hour comforting her.  I threw together some leftovers for the kids and started making my lean and green.  I was starting to feel pretty hungry by this time.  I decided to use the chicken I had put in the crockpot and made a salad.  I started eating it and guess who wanted to share lettuce with me?  Kylee!  She ate a bowl of lettuce with me!  (her own bowl)  I was so impressed and excited!  That proves that my eating habits reflect my kids eating habits and I will be setting them up for a bright, healthy future.

                                                 Here is my first lean and green.

                               1 3/4 C. lettuce, 1/4 C. grape tomatoes, 1/2 C. cucumbers,
                                    6 oz. chicken breast, and ranch vinaigrette spritzer. 

Remember that water goal?  I SMASHED it today!  I had 6 jugs of water at work and have had one since I've been home!!!  I couldn't go 20 minutes with out having to go to the bathroom! haha!  I have an hour drive home with really nowhere to stop along the way.  I had to urgently go to the bathroom and quickly drove off onto a gravel road, pulled over into a field driveway, looked around and went right there.  I have to admit, it's not the first time I've had to stop on a gravel road but usually it's not daylight! haha  I also stopped after work and got my new water bottle!  Guess what?!  It was on sale!  Definitely meant to be!

This water bottle is a 1 L. /32 oz. bottle.  So it's the same as my water jug at work.  Since my water goal is half my weight in fluid ounces.  My goal is 167 oz.  That's a little over 5 jugs/bottles.  I have been adding a Sugar Free Hawaiian Punch pack to my water.  It helps to give a little flavor and it's 10 calories, 0 fat, 2 carbs per pack.  It's just like the Crystal Lite packs but cheaper.  The directions are one pack for 16 oz water but I think one pack for 32 oz is good.

I weighed myself when I got to work and as I suspected, I had gained in the last couple weeks.  I also took measurements tonight.

Weight: 334 lbs.
BMI: 47
Neck: 16 1/2"
Rt. arm: 20"
Lt. arm: 19"
Rt. thigh: 32 1/2"
Lt. thigh: 32 1/2"
Rt. calf: 20 1/2"
Lt. calf: 19 1/2"
Chest: 60"
Upper waist (smallest): 49 1/2"
Lower waist (at belly button): 61 1/2"
Hips (under belly, around butt): 51 1/2"
Symphysis to sternum: 30"

I do feel the urge to eat more now that I am home.  I have always grazed while at home and I've had the urges this evening.  I still have one Medifast meal left so I have knowing that I have that to eat in my head.

So far, I am still so excited about this program.  It takes most of the guess work out of my day.  Right now, I only have to think about one meal a day.  The rest are already mapped out for me.  I do have the options of what I want to choose for my Medifast meals, which is kinda exciting. :)  Also, the foods I had today were pretty good!

It's going to be hard, but I'm going to try my best to wait to step on that scale until next Wednesday.  I want that shock (hopefully)!  I think if I slowly watched my weight go down during the week it will take away some of the excitement at the end of week one.  Also, it will make me obsessed with the scale.

Starting Tomorrow!!!

So, my packages came today!!

I couldn't wait to get home and see... but I stopped at Walmart before I came home to do a little "lean and green" shopping.  I wasn't actually planning on starting until Thursday but when I talked to my coach this evening she said, "Ok, I'll talk to you tomorrow night!"  So, I guess that settles it.  I am starting tomorrow.  Why not?  I am really excited to start so I might as well start as soon as possible, right?  I thought that I would need to read through stuff to make sure I'm prepared, but really I don't.  I read the getting started guide in the email she sent me last week and know my options.  Anything else I can learn along the way.  I don't need to know every rule before I start.  Secretly, I guess I wanted to wait so I could eat a few more of the forbidden foods.  I have some things that I got from Tastefully Simple a few weeks ago that I have yet to make.  What was I going to do?  Make the cheeseball and eat the whole thing in one night?  What a waste.  I will start tomorrow and take advantage of every possible day I have.

I have been eating a lot more this week, I think.  I saw in a vlog someone reference it as "last supper syndrome."  As a result, I think I've gained a little this week.  I am going to make my "official weigh-in" tomorrow morning when I get to work.  I expect it to be anywhere from 330-335 lbs.

I am going to vow to myself that I will completely stick to this plan.  If I slip up and eat off plan it will throw off my body and get it out of the fat burning stage and waste the next 3-5 days getting back into that stage... thus wasting time and food (that's like $30 in food) -is any little treat worth that cost or more importantly the cost of what I've set out to do?

I found my little lunch bag I bought last year at a ThirtyOne party.  It's so cute! 

It will be perfect for my meals at work.  I looked for a water bottle at Walmart tonight but didn't find what I was looking for.  I'm going to make a quick stop at Target tomorrow.  My goal, set by my coach, is to drink half my body weight in fluid ounces.  So, my goal is 165 ounces.  That's a lot of freeking water!!  I think it's a good day when I have 3 jugs of water at work... I need to, in a day's time, drink more than 5!  I actually do really well drinking water at work, usually.  I am, however, a terrible water drinker at home!  When Jeremy and I first started dating we both drank water so well.  He was always fixing mugs of ice water for us... it was awesome!  Now, it's usually pop.  Speaking of pop- I am making a pop goal for myself, too.  I am starting out by limiting myself to one can a day.

I can't believe how fast this evening has gone!  It's already almost 10:00!  ...and I realized about 5 minutes ago... with all the excitement, I missed one of my favorite shows.  Switched at Birth on ABC Family.  I love sign language and I think it's a really neat show that involves deaf characters. ...and tonight was the spring finale!  I'll have to see if I can find it online... fingers crossed!

Alrighty!  I'll be back tomorrow to let you know how Day 1 went! :)

Patiently Waiting

EEK!!  I'm excited to begin my new adventure! :)  I've been checking my email non-stop to see the shipping information updates and... nothing!  My packages departed from Texas at 2am on Friday and hasn't been updated yet... ok, I realize we had a weekend but give me an update!  I wish they were coming today, since I have the day off.  According to the email I should receive the packages tomorrow.  So, I plan on reading the information and whatnot and starting on Thursday.  So, 3-22-12 will be my start day and the first day of the rest of my life!  I've spent my weekend checking out video's and before and after pics and recipe ideas on Facebook.  There is a guy doing the program right now.  His name is Daniel Cox.  He has a bunch of videos that are really great.  Today was a video about the Peanut Butter Egg Siren -haha!  How he was walking through the grocery store and the peanut butter egg was calling his name and teasing him.  He went on to say that it's just trash talk and trash deserves to be in the garbage.  I don't know... those peanut butter eggs were a creation of the gods ... they are amazing as far as I'm concerned!  Although, it's not worth it... not to mention they are a little pricey.  I've also been checking out vlogs and whatnot on youtube.  I found one that I really liked and she was doing Medifast, also!  Then I found out A. she quit the program after a month and B. it's a couple years later and she still hasn't lost weight.  ...sound familiar?  jeez.  Well, I plan on sticking to the program.  I am very motivated and excited!!  I couldn't fault her for not losing weight because I am in a similar situation.  I am desperate but am still stuck in my old ways.  We are different in a way, I believe.  I watched one of her vlogs where she was really upset.  She was afraid of losing weight and said she would be losing her protective barrier.  That is far from the truth for me.  For me, my body is not a protective barrier at all.  I feel more like, me standing in a battle field with no protection or weapons.  I am most noticeable and the easiest target.  Not that I want to blend in more.  I'd just like it to be my personality and witt that makes me stand out instead of my body.

I was thinking about making a list of reasons that I need to stick to the program and lose weight.  That way I have something to look back at when I'm feeling discouraged or having a rough day with temptations.  I'm sure I will not think of every reason but I'll start with 10 reasons.  Then occasionally, I will add another 10 reasons.  This is in no particular order.

1. Feel better about myself
2. Have more confidence
3. Have more energy
4. Be a good role model for my kids
5. Be more comfortable in my own skin
6. Be able to be described as something other than "fat" or "the big girl"
7. Be able to buy clothes at regular stores
8. Feel good about how clothes look on me
9. Not have my bras make my sides really sore
10. Better sex :)

Same Journey, New Path

Well peeps, I'm going to give it my all again.  There is a reason this is called a challenge... because it's completely challenging!  I guess that's why I've spent the majority of 27 years overweight.  I have been up for the challenge many times in my life and have fallen short.  I've been trying the same thing... which I still believe would work if I could only figure out how to stick with it and not sabotage myself after I get a little success.  I know the key is exercise and eating right.  For some reason, after I start feeling good and succeeding, I just stop.  I don't know why but I am going to work hard to make sure I can fight through those barriers.  I am starting something completely new and foreign to me.  I have never tried anything like it before and I hope it can give me success!  I was approached by a friend, someone I worked with when I worked at the Iowa State Fair throughout High School.  She offered to coach me in a program that she tried and had a great outcome with.  Such a great outcome that, she is now a mentor in the company!  This program that I am going to try is called Take Shape for Life.  I was leery in the beginning because of how the program works.  What they do is "replace your groceries" ...which means you eat their food only.  To be honest, as soon as I found this out, I thought, "Nope, not gonna do it."  I've given it a lot of thought... several months in fact.  I was actually still with Weight Watchers when she first approached me.  (P.S. -I still really like W.W. and I think it's a great program to teach you portion control, how to eat healthier, and the benefit of exercise.  I don't know what happened.  I just slowly started not counting my points and got out of control and eventually quit.  It is something I would try again, though.  Although, I hope I don't have to! :))  Anywho... I began thinking that maybe it would be a good thing to try what Mandy was offering.  She has been posting so many success stories on Facebook... so, I know it works.  Then I heard the quote that goes something like, "Nothing will change until you change something."  I know I need to make changes in my habits.  So, I'm hoping this new program will be that stepping stone to get my on my way.  I've committed myself to one month.  If I can get through one month, I will do two months.  I vow to be completely engaged in the program during the month.  At the end of the month, if I decide it's not working for me, I guess I will have to decide what I will do at that time.  I know if I stay committed in the program, I will lose weight.  I know it's going to be hard and I'm going to have a lot of temptations but I have to remember how important this is to me.  Along with the program, I'm going to start hitting the gym again.  I'm going to make my goal 3 times per week.  My first goal date is May 12th.  That date is my friend Andrea's wedding.  (sounds familiar, huh... I guess I like wedding goal dates- HA)  I hope to be 299 lbs by her wedding day.  Since last fall, unfortunately, I've gained some weight back.  The last time I weighted myself, which was last week, I weighed 330 lbs. 

I realized I haven't even explained the program.  So, they replace your meals with their food.  You eat 5-6 "meals" a day.  I say "meals" because I think it's like a shake, a bar, or some other small portioned nutrient packed food.  ....and viola! Skinny Megan! :)  haha  The order is being put in tomorrow so I, hopefully, should be able to start next week.  I'll be back with pictures and measurements... although, I doubt they've changed much.