My motto this year has been to just DO something, and so far it’s working!  Logically, I know that things you strive for will NOT happen unless you put forth the effort to perform the action.  But, up until I started Linda’s program, I just did a lot of THINKING about losing weight.  With Linda’s guidance and support throughout this process, I have learned that being accountable to someone while trying to change your lifestyle, form good habits and lose weight is extremely helpful.  I find that I actually DO what I need to do to make this work and no longer just THINK about how it “could be.”  I make healthier choices, eat smaller portions, drink water and unsweetened tea only, tell everyone I know about the program, and read every dang label at the grocery store before anything goes into my cart! I also supplement my meals with a Juice Plus Complete (smoothies)  that helps me get my daily requirements on days that I am unable to grab fresh fruits and veggies.

I will admit, though, that I still need to incorporate more exercise into my routine.  It’s a matter of finding the time!  Though, through Linda’s program, I have also learned to “do the Linda’s 2 step” which I find myself doing at random times and not even realizing I was exercising.  I also learned from Mary Costello, Personal Trainer, of Fitness Matters, in New Roads, LA  for the  Louisiana Weight Loss NOW Challenge, that even 10 minutes of exercise is helpful… you don’t have to “keep your heart rate up for at least 30 minutes” for it to be beneficial… that was GREAT news to hear!  Ha ha.

I can honestly say that I have had some struggles these past 2 months, but for the most part this process has seemed effortless once I actually got “into” it!  I make sure to read my Home Study System manual as much as possible and certainly listen to the CD’s often.  The results to me have been phenomenal… 17 pounds in 2 months!  I feel that I am able to stick to the program because I do not at ALL feel like I am depriving myself or starving AND because of the wonderful support from Linda and the other Challenge participants.

I could tell so many stories of how many times I’ve started and stopped diets over the years, but this time I truly feel that I have made a lifestyle change!!  I have friends that still do all of those fad diets, and they’ll say to me, “Oh, I lost 15 pounds in 2 weeks!”  I used to be jealous of that, but now I know that I’m the one they should be jealous of… my weight will STAY off because I eat what I want but just make smarter choices on portions and what goes into my body now.  As soon as those friends on a fad diet eat a piece of bread or a fat gram or whatever it is that they were totally eliminating from their diet, their weight is going to re-appear just as fast (or faster) than it left!

I know that with what I am learning and accomplishing on Linda’s program, I WILL be the “slim and trim lady” I’ve always known was deep down inside of me, under all of those “layers”.  Ha ha.  I still have a long way to go, but each step so far has been a great one.

I do certainly still have “those days.”  In fact, I had one of “those days” yesterday… and then today I was planning to attend a BNI networking advanced training seminar.  Well, I knew it was going to be at a catering facility who serves a delicious buffet-style lunch.  I thought, “Well, I’m paying $15 for this meal today so I may as well go ahead and get my money’s worth… I ate more than I should have yesterday, so I’ll just do it again today and start again fresh tomorrow.”

Well, don’t you know I walked into that seminar and there was Linda!!  She was attending the same event.  It was like God sent her to remind me to be on my best behavior.  Ha ha.  So, while I did still probably put more on my plate than I should have, I did not eat all of it, even though it was one of my favorite meals:  meatloaf, mashed potatoes, broccoli and BREAD!  My little inner critic was thinking, “Oh NO, Linda is here so I can’t go forward with my evil little plan to eat like a pig today!”  But, my waistline and brain were thanking God for sending Linda to me today to remind me of how far I’ve come and how much I don’t want to go backwards.  Hey, whatever works, God… keep sending me those reminders, because it completely helped me today!!!  In fact, the same thing happened a couple of weeks ago when I also ran into Meredith Eicher, one of the lucky lady Challenge participants, at one of these same events that I saw Linda at today… I think God is watching out for me on this journey!

Sorry, Linda.  I know you asked for a paragraph-or-so long update, but when I start writing, I sometimes can’t stop myself!

To everyone’s success…

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