I got serious about this journey after going to the free session on gastric by pass. I thought I wanted to get the lap band surgery. After hearing that I’d probably only lose 50-60 pounds on with the lap band, I decided that I would do it myself. I’d lost before using Adkins many years ago but gained it back and then some so I knew that wasn’t the way it was going to work. I knew that I needed a lifestyle change.

Know your triggers! Mine are carbs. If I eat white carbs, then I want to eat everything in sight. Others are triggerd by stress or sugar. Whatever it is, stay away from it.

I eat every two hours and get my water in. I TRY and drink at least 10 glasses. The water is needed to flush the fat out of your body. No soda, no juices (too much sugar for me)

A normal day consists of: 2 boiled eggs whites, turkey bacon, coffee with creamer. snack: gala apple with peanut butter (yum), lunch salad from wendy’s if I’m on the road ( I drive alot). Was eating the half size of strawberry blueberry one they had this summer. Now I eat the apple one that they have now, half size. I carry my own strawberry vingerette dressing. Snack, protein bar or grapes. Dinner: chicken or fish and a veggie of choice or two depending on calories. My treat is yoplait yogurt. Not even the low fat kind. If I am craving I will drink a cup of coffee. If you KNOW that you are going to crave at the same time, then have your crave substitute ready, be it grapes or apple or whatever you can grab to satisfy that need.

I can’t eat fast food anymore, it makes me sick. That started after month 2. I tried a chicken nugget and it tasted like cardboard. (smile)

I usually trick my body on the weekend by having one small something that I really want so that it doesn’t think that I am dieting. By doing so, I give myself a reprieve. I might have a fourth of a cup of rice or a diet coke or even a muffin!

I once called it a struggle, but God said, what we see are struggles are really challenges. We can do all things through HIM.

Gigi