I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. I either start in November or February with a life style change, so that I don’t lose heart when my regimen doesn’t go according to plan. It's a lifestyle change, meaning I'm adding it to my life no matter how long it takes.

This stems from having failed at diet programs after being obsessed with the scale. Four years ago I began one that required food combining. Although I felt better, and lost a few pounds, I quickly slid off track when my weight plateau-ed. When restarting the program, the hyper-fake voice of the author set me on edge.

I’ve walked, because I heard it’s great for losing 20 pounds. That never happened. I felt more fit, and continue to work out, but I think the trick with walking is to stay out of the kitchen as long as possible…

I’ve biked, crunched, ellipted, Jane Fonda's with aerobic, I synchronized with Denise Austen, exercised, lifted weights and Pilate-ed with several different instructors and I’m not complaining about the strength and flexibility I’ve gained, but I didn’t lose weight. I had a very fit and toned heavy body. Not thinner not lighter.
I tried making peace with my size. Then a sale would come along and I'd be forced to go shopping for clothes. When the size I chose didn’t fit, all I could see in the mirror were all the lumps and curves. All I felt was a growing disgust with a body that seemingly refused to take the right shape and be less all the way around. I promised to starve myself thin again, and fail after a few days. I’d eat lo-cal, no fat, no sugar, no taste foods. All to no avail.
Meanwhile, my exercise buddy shed weight like a snowman in a heatwave.

The most weight I’ve lost in the last five years is about ten pounds, and that might be a stretch. It didn’t stay off and when it came back it brought a few friends.
When I heard someone lost 40 pounds with this book and kept it off, I thought, that’s what I need! A Christian Twelve Step weight loss program.

The book arrived Saturday. The first chapter is so easy, this blonde had no trouble reading through the first lesson. Even though I didn’t know what to expect, I already feel different. I’m only on the first chapter which breaks into daily lessons. I'll finish in twelve weeks. I’ll let you know at the end of each week, how much I’ve lost. Forty pounds in three months would be amazing, but I would be thrilled with 20—my pre-wedding weight. Especially, if I kept it off.

Conscious Choices

When it comes to eating, I'm not a purist. I don't always eat Kosher and I don't eat beef or pork of I can help it. I happen to love vegetables and tofu over chicken.
My eating doesn't always reflect this. After editing a first draft book regarding dietary change as per the Bible, the authors work impressed me. But the arguments failed to convince me. The author rewrote chapters and revised and re-sent the book for another edit.

I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I've eaten meat maybe four times in a month as opposed to a week. I feel much more conscious of not only the foods I eat, and beverages I drink, but the consequences.

I mean, I love the smell of a grilled steak. But unless I raise it myself how can I be sure what that critter consumed till it ended up on my grill? Just how much beef can one eat until one exhibits signs of Mad Cow?

I began drinking tea as an experiment regarding some pain I had.
Tea runs through me at about the same rate, I feel less 'awake' and yeah, the purging headaches are freaking wicked.
But the lower hip pain has dissipated, my skin looks hydrated, I feel less hungry and the headaches have abated.

Hard to dispute feeling better. hmmmm.

I'm just five days into the tea experiment, but I'll keep you posted. And I'll let you know more about the book as soon as I get a copy.

Monday Brightener

My friend Karyl works in an office. I have a feeling she works pretty hard and like many, mondays seem a little bleak and the mountainous workweek sits between you and the next fun-filled weekend. When she sent this to me, I thought about all those people who could use a little smile on a monday, maybe every monday. Sometimes, just knowing you can have dessert on a monday on a break is a day brightener. Some of you will try this recipe.
I probably won't because there are some things so deliciously decadent, I choose to forget about them and this is one of them...It sounds like Office crack and I just don't want to get started... I've already considered the ways to make spice cake, carrot cake and (see why I won't try it?)
Let me know if you try this what you thought of it and if it was really as easy as it says.
Anyone out there planning to try this with Splenda??

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

1 Coffee Mug4 tablespoons flour (that's plain flour, not self-rising)4 tablespoons sugar2 tablespoons baking cocoa1 egg3 tablespoons milk3 tablespoons oil3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional) Small splash of vanilla Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla, and mix again.Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to share!)

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

Plateau Crack

“We’re going to keep an eye on your cholesterol,” the doctor said three years ago. “At 195 It’s a little toward the high side.” I frowned. I had traded my bagels with a schmear for eggs and toast when Prevention magazine claimed people who eat protein in the morning lose more weight. No amount of walking, starving or exercise made a dent. Although I never expanded, things solidified or got mushier depending on activity level. I took up walking. Sporadically.
Median level cholesterol was the only blemish on an otherwise clean bill of health, so I skipped doctors, until year three crept to its end. Gordo reminded me that he’s paying for insurance, tests and preventive measures that need taken advantage of before fiscal year’s end—ten days away.
A flurry of phone calls produced a flurry of appointments, all landing in the sacred week. After a fasting blood test, the doctor on the other end of the phone sounds concerned.
“Your cholesterol is 245.” WHAT? “I’m sending information about how to reduce it. We’ll check it again in a year. If it hasn’t changed we’ll talk about meds.”
There’s only been one change in my diet in the last six months. Eggs. I use olive oil or nonstick spray to medium-fry two eggs, skipping cheese and sausage. I toast two slices of multigrain bread no butter or spread, pile it up and eat it like a stack of pancakes. Sometimes I drink juice, I always have coffee.

Still, no one comments about my weight, othe unbreakable plateau for three years and there are no pre-diabetic indicators (thank God). So, I resolve to double check the types of fats in my snacks (Crackers have bad fats???) and nix the eggs.

The next week of mornings, standing in front of the fridge nothing sounds appealing. What do I eat now? I despise oatmeal, dislike cereal, and gave up my daily bagels for eggs and toast. Although a bowl of berries may get me through this fall, what will an oatmeal hater eat this winter?

Meanwhile, I’ve lost four pounds.