Confessions of a struggling dieter...

Yes, it's been quite some time since I've posted anything. After "maintaining" for three months, I then had six months of some of the weight slowing creeping back on. I've had a good week followed by a couple bad weeks, then another good week followed by more bad weeks. It seemed to be much easier when I said "No, you can't eat that!" than when I tried to allow myself some exceptions. My exceptions easily led to a spiral downward on the sugar train. It seems when I have a little sugar, my body then craves more sugar and overtakes my brain and before I knew it, I'd be downing my third or fourth exception in one day. I don't know it you've ever experienced such a frustrating roller coaster. Since I see diet tips and tricks on the front of 90% of the magazines on the shelves each week, my guess is many people struggle with the same problems.

So, I'm now up 20 pounds and have determined that I need to be serious again to take off these pounds plus my additional 20+ more that I initially wanted to lose last year.

I feel like I'm Kirstie Alley reporting, or Oprah or Wynonna. Well, I guess I really am like them. It seems, we who have had to fight weight gain all our lives, will continue to have to face the battle daily for the remaining days/years that we have left. I just need to remind myself daily that it is a battle and I need to stay focused to win.

I've read it's not about the destination, but rather it's all about the journey to the destination. I believe this is true in living a healthy lifestyle, as well. The daily journey needs to be lived in such a way that I remember my eating choices are about being healthy and minimizing my chances of chronic health problems. It is a daily choice to choose the right food, the right snacks, and simply the right time to say "no" to eating anything at all.

I'm also learning that stress is a huge stimulator to eating poorly for me. There have been stressful times over the past six months that have taken a lot of my energy. I think it just became easier to just "treat" myself to a little satisfaction with chocolate when other things around me seemed to be out of my control. The problem with this thinking it that I was also losing control of my body... it really wasn't a "treat" but another time that I lost out to my inner struggles.

So, back to my renewed vigor to get back on the bandwagon. The Biggest Loser finale proved again that weight loss is possible... with a lot of hard work. A friend of mine recently started dieting using a similar tactic that I used last year - no carbs and no sugars. In 15 weeks, she reported that she had lost 28+ pounds. I know in my mind it can be done. I witnessed it first-hand in my own life last year. And, before spiraling any further down this slippery slope to fathood, I must take charge of my life, my mind and my mouth. I am cutting out the carbs and sugars as of today. I will report back on a weekly basis to let you know where I am. I need this accountability. And, through this process, hopefully I can motivate you to eat healthier and choose to live life to its fullest, too.

Good luck to me... and good luck to you!

Water... your best drink option!

Hi! I've been quite busy this week, but thought I better take a few minutes to post another weight loss tip.

Water... this is what you should be drinking each and every day... at least 8 glasses (64 ounces total). More is even better. Other drink options include coffee and tea, preferably warm tea. You should use a sugar substitute rather than sugar. The best sugar substitute available is Xylotol. Do not count your cups of coffee or tea as part of your 64 ounces of water.

Start first thing in the morning with 8 ounces of water. This will help fill your stomach. Then, throughout the day keep a cup of water with you to sip.

Although you may think it's okay to drink diet soda, it's really not good for you. It actually causes you to be more thirsty as well as causing you to crave foods, especially sugars.

So, if you're craving some pop, just take a sip of a friends and then go back to your water. If you're bored with plain old water, then try some flavored water or sparkling water. I began the switch from pop to flavored water. That's the only way I managed to make the switch. Then, after a few months, I got tired of the sweet flavor of the water and actually preferred plain, crisp, cool water.

Good luck... have a drink (of water) on me tonight!

Remember, weight loss is possible. You can do it. Stay focused and take baby steps!