About

In December 2007, we had a family portrait made. It was important to me – while everyone grumbled all the way. The kids finally caved and did mom the huge favor by slapping on a smile and allowing me the one thing I wanted for Christmas.

When our proofs came back, I opened them in excitement that quickly turned to regret, disgust, shame – I cried. Sobbed actually. I locked those pictures up and didn’t look at them again for a very long time. In fact, while doing some cleaning a few months ago, I decided to throw them away. I didn’t know that person and I never wanted to know her again!

It wasn’t until that point, of opening the photos, that I realized just how much weight I’d gained. All my life I was one of those girls who was pencil thin. I never thought I’d ever have to worry about my weight – and never did. In fact, I didn’t own a scale simply because it was never a major concern.

Three years prior to those photos, I had quit smoking and that coupled with working from home – over the course of time, I truly didn’t realize how much weight I was gaining. I’d always wondered how fat people could NOT see how fat they’d become if they owned even one single mirror. Suddenly I knew, I felt like I was one of them.

How the hell did THAT happen?

After I spent a few hours feeling sorry for myself – I spent a few more hours being angry at what I had allowed to happen – then, I jumped into proactive, I’m going to starve myself mode and began eating ONLY Lean Cuisine. That worked for a while and in fact, in nearly one month, I’d lost 20 pounds.

Financially, Nutrisystem or Jenny Craig were not options for me. I knew there had to be a better, more affordable way.

In March I realized that was no longer working and I had to do something different. That’s when I went to see a nutritionist. In a short consultation, I learned a few tricks that would alter my life, eating habits and would take me to the next level in my journey back into my skinny jeans.

The fruits I’d been eating, while good for the most part, were working against me. I learned that when I ate fruit, if I would each a chunk of cheese or a teaspoon of peanut butter with it, it would make the foods work together instead of working against my goal.

What I learned was how to eat the right foods that work together to reduce my weight instead of working against me and packing it on.

While I’m happy to report that I’m now at 145 I’m still not happy with that weight. For 5’7″ that’s not bad – but for me, that’s not good either. The doctor says he’d like me to stay around 145. For me though, I just don’t feel comfortable there. I want to go back to my usual weight – 135.

I enjoy shopping for tiny jeans!

Most Recent Photo

10 pounds to goal weight - May 2011

I don’t really do much exercise and can only imagine if I were to combine what I’m doing with a little workout – just how far I’d be.

Earlier in the year, I was introduced to Dr. Siegal’s Cookie Diet. In a matter of TEN days, I lost 8 pounds. I could not believe how easy the weight was coming off. I am in love with the cookie diet.

Now, there again, I found myself in a pinch because dieting is not cheap. The cheapest I found the cookie diet was at my local Walgreens for $49 and that was on sale.

I know it’s not The Diet and if I had the money, I’d do Dr. S’s diet, every single day – but financially, I can’t. So I continue my quest to uncover the product or habit that’s going to usher me in to that 135 pound goal.

This is my journey…