Day 28

Okay, so I am going to have to stop labeling my posts by days now that I have officially decided to keep this blog going beyond the original 30 days. I figure April 30th will be my last "numbered" post. Now I will have to come up with something a little more creative!

Now, some exciting news first: I just found out that a blog I wrote on Shine (from Yahoo!) has been selected as an "Editor's pick". It is a piece I wrote that pertains to this blog, so I am super-excited about it! Sometimes it is the little things that makes one's day. I mean, I am just giddy with excitement right now, even though it is a small thing. Maybe I will write another blog for Shine...

Today was not a hugely eventful day. I did manage to do a little exercise, just not at the gym. I did some walking which I figured was better than nothing. I also went grocery shopping and I was pleasantly surprised to find that, not only were my food choices quite sensible, but it was a whole lot easier to shop than it has

been in recent weeks. It occurred to me that the reason for this is because I am already learning my food labels and already know what I should buy. This may seem like a small thing, but believe me--I see it as a huge step to making permanent, long-lasting changes.

Oh, and I still cannot find my Special K fruit crisps anywhere. I went to two different stores tonight in my vain search to find them. I guess I really don't need the processed food, but I sure miss them!

And on a side note, I kept having to pull my damned pants up the whole time I was shopping. A sign of weight loss? I sure hope so! But I am sticking to my promise not to weigh in again until I meet with my trainer again, which will be next Tuesday.

Not to stray too off topic, but I have to make a comment about the book I am reading, "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. I have never had a book cause so many emotions for me before! I am only on chapter 9 (and they are very short chapters, in case you haven't read it already), but I have never experienced a book quite like this before. I can relate to the author on so many levels (for example, it turns out we were both going through our respective divorces at the very same time). At the same time, I have never had the kind of "luck" she seems to have (a hint--chapter 8 reveals something about her luck). I started a journal of sorts, jotting down my thoughts and feelings as I read this. I can't explain it, but I felt compelled to do so. This book just has me mesmerized right now!

Tomorrow is back to work--again. I really feel like I needed more time off this week than what I had. At least I feel more prepared, food-wise. I am trying to be more conscientious this week about my fruit and vegetable intake. I am finally getting the hang of planning my 5-6 meals each day and staying within my 1500-1600 calorie range, I just need more fruit and vegetables than what I have been eating. The great part about the smaller meals is that I can't seem to eat as much as I used to. No more stuffing myself silly! I like it!

Thank you to everyone who has answered my poll and to those who have taken the time to post a comment. I truly value your feedback and comments! And Cassandra--what can I say? You have been my biggest cheerleader so far and have kept pushing me and feeding me advice and for that a big THANK YOU!

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't -- you are right."

Day 26

Well, I didn't make it to the gym today. I was so exhausted from work, that I just couldn't muster up the strength or energy. I guess that happens when you work long shifts like I do. I am off tomorrow so I will work out then for sure...

Today I am feeling fat. Probably because I am bloated and should be getting my period any day now. That would explain the fatigue, too. Although I notice I am not breaking out (acne) as much as I usually do. Must be the water!

Today was a very low-motivation day. Which is to say I did not have much interest in being vigilant about my food intake. Which is yet another way of saying I did not watch what I ate. I know that part of my problem is that I am just plain tired and cranky, but I also know that I need to find a way of dealing with both elements that doesn't include saying, "Who cares?" for the day. I really need to get focused on the fact that I do care because what I eat (or don't) ends up affecting me in ways that I really do care about--like gaining or losing weight! I guess I am still practicing the things I need to tell myself or things I need to do for days like this.

I just had a conversation the other day with a friend of mine who is on the Nutri-system diet plan and she was having some major motivation issues. She says the food tastes terrible and she is having a hard time sticking to it. She said it wasn't too hard at first because she was excited and motivated to get started. It also helped that she lost almost 10 lbs the first week. But then after the excitement wore off and she had been eating the same "gross" food day after day, it was becoming too hard. And, she hasn't lost anymore weight. Probably because she has been "cheating" too much. It reminded me that any "diet" has to be something sustainable for the long run. It also reminded me of the beginning of this blog and my 30 day challenge...

I know this is another short post, but I am just so tired. I have to get some sleep. Hopefully, with some sleep I can awaken with a fresh perspective and a brighter outlook.

Or at the very least, some decent sleep!

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't -- you are right."

Day 21

Well, I didn't wake up hating my trainer this morning, but I was sore...just not nearly as sore as I expected to be! What soreness I did experience was all over my entire body. Maybe that was why I didn't feel so bad--it was an all-over experience so my body couldn't focus on just one "pain".

I will say that I had places that were sore that I did not know had muscles! Today was a "resting" day, so tomorrow I get to do yesterday's routine all over again. At this rate, I hope to see some great results very quickly!

Went grocery shopping today and felt really good about my food choices. I found these small ice cream cups by Skinny Cow. Chocolate Fudge Brownie (yum): 150 calories, 2 grams of fat and 4 grams of fiber. I decided they would be perfect for those days I need something sweet for dessert. I also bought some shrimp, something I love to eat but never think to buy (unless I go out for dinner). My husband is not a big vegetable eater. He will eat green beans and salads loaded with salad dressing, eggs and sunflower seeds. While that may be the best choice for him (sans the copious amounts of dressing) since he is looking to gain muscle, it won't work so well for me, who is looking to lose weight (fat). I bought some salad shrimp because I can put that on my salad and not need very much dressing at all. I also bought the ingredients to make our own low-fat salad dressing.

I think Special K ran out of fruit crisps. I mean worldwide. I still cannot find them as they are still sold out...

My daughter made some tasty low-fat, high-fiber apple bran muffins for breakfast. Lunch was a Morning Star chicken patty on a high-fiber, multi-grain "sandwich thin" and spinach salad. I made Teriyaki chicken and rice for dinner with green beans. Delicious!

I can sure tell the difference in my energy level and clarity of mind when I drink plenty of water. I like water, too. I just can't figure out why I have such a hard time getting more water throughout my day. I haven't had a Diet Coke in a few days, but I am still not getting as much water as I would like to be drinking.

There was no weigh-in today since I was weighed yesterday. I know that my scale says something different from the gym scale, but I just couldn't bring myself to jump on my home scale after the disappointment I had yesterday. I know my trainer will weigh me again in two weeks, so I am hoping that the wait will be worth it.

So there is only supposed to be about a week left of this blog, but I think it has been decided to extend it and keep it going. Which means I should probably change the name. I am still amazed at how much has changed just in the three weeks since I started this blog. I started with the premise of sticking to a particular "diet" for thirty days and tracking my progress. And of course, now....well, now I feel like I am on the start of a whole new journey. One that certainly won't be finished in the next week!

I still can't find the recipe my friend gave to me for that delicious quiche. I am really disappointed, too since it was so good. I will keep looking, though. If I can't find it, maybe I will post another recipe...

Anyway, I will report back tomorrow with a report of how my gym experience goes!

Until then...

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't -- you are right."

Days 16 & 17

Well, as I feared, I was not able to post anything for yesterday since I had to work a double shift.

Not much to report for yesterday. There are some major issues going on where I work and, as a result, I did not have much of an appetite. I wound up eating only one meal that day--my dinner of chicken and mashed potatoes that my husband brought me. It was interesting to note that I had no appetite because of the stress I was dealing with, yet there have been other times that I would eat and eat and it was still emotional eating. So I thought about it more today and realized that I need to pay closer attention to my emotional eating habits.

As I thought more about my emotional eating habits, I started to see a few patterns emerge: I eat and eat when I feel somehow "deserving". In other words, I eat sometimes because it feels like deprivation or punishment otherwise. I find this to be true during stressful times where I might be already angry or upset about a situation or circumstance I have little or no control over. In my mind, it almost feels like even more punishment if I restrict what I eat or what I am eating during those times. Conversely, if I am experiencing a lot of stress where I am feeling anxious or scared (as opposed to angry) I find that I am unable to eat.

My first extreme experience with a total loss of appetite was when I went through a divorce several years ago. I became so dangerously thin during that time that my doctor threatened to have me hospitalized if I lost any more weight. After my divorce was final and things stabilized, so did my weight. I was a size 2, then a 4 for a long time. I find myself wishing I could go back to that size 4 person and tell her to stay right where she is (weight wise)! I certainly do not wish to go through something traumatizing just to lose weight, but I do wish I could tap into that ability while I am trying to lose weight now.

Anyway, I am still feeling pretty stressed out today because of work. It still is not resolved and I am not looking forward to dealing with it when I go back to work, so it has been weighing heavily on my mind today. I am supposed to begin my food journal today for my personal trainer (my appointment is Tuesday) and I don't have much to put on it for today. My husband (who knows all about what i s going on at work) was kind enough to cook dinner tonight. He grilled some steaks and baked potatoes. I will 'fess up--my baked potato was loaded. It tasted so good and to be perfectly honest, I just did not care today about "watching" what I eat. I am stressed and I had not eaten anything at all during the day, so I was ok with the loaded baked potato.

Still had my Starbucks--fat-free, of course. That is one change that is working well for me.

I am not looking forward to returning to work tomorrow, but I am looking forward to getting back on track. I have moments where I feel I am making slow but sure progress and I have other moments where I am taking one step forward and two steps back. I guess all I can do is keep moving forward, even when I stumble and fall.

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't -- you are right."

Days 10 & 11

Wow! So I have been so freakishly busy the last couple of days I haven't even have the chance to post here!

First things first, I said I would post my quick and easy vegetable soup recipe, so here it is:

Quick & Easy Vegetable Soup:

· 1 pkg Lipton onion soup mix (I use the beefy onion for added flavor)
· 1 32 oz can beef broth (no fat, low sodium variety)
· 2 stalks of Celery, chopped
· 4 carrots, diced
· 1 16 oz can diced tomatoes
· 1 tablespoon minced garlic
· ½ teaspoon thyme
· 1 12 oz pkg frozen green beans
· 1 cup frozen peas
· Salt & pepper to taste

In mixing bowl, mix together soup mix and beef broth —set aside. In a large stock pot or dutch oven, combine celery and carrots. Pour soup mixture over celery and carrots. Add diced tomatoes, garlic and thyme. Cook over medium heat just until boiling. Add frozen peas and green beans, returning to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until vegetables are done. Season with salt and pepper.

I sometime vary the ingredients—for example, I made this recently using zucchini instead of carrots and added some bok choy during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.

I have been eating a lot of this soup since I made a big pot of it a few days ago. Its been a huge lifesaver in terms of time for food preparation. Its quick and easy and really tasty! It hardly tastes like you are eating something that is so good for you.

Once again, there is not too much to report since much of my time in the last few days has been very work centered. I will say that I have felt a lot more energy as a result of my healthier eating habits. Getting though my hectic schedule has been easier since I have been eating more "fuel-efficient" foods. I have been eating a high-fiber oatmeal for breakfast which has been both delicious and filling. I have been trying to stay away from eating as many carbs throughout the day. I sauteed an entire bag of spinach with garlic for work and that worked out well, too. I ate that with either some grilled fish or chicken. One word of warning, though: Be sure to chew some powerful mint gum after eating so as to not offend co-workers! I've been keeping a couple of the ready-to-drink high protein shakes on stand-by, in case I get too busy to stop and heat something up or need it to be portable. I have really grown to depend on them to get me through in a pinch!

One of my co-workers brought in muffins and I was dying to have one. The blueberry ones just looked marvelous. As soon as I read the fat and calorie content, I was floored! 450 calories and 27 grams of fat, 43g carbs! Ouch! I was glad I didn't take one and seeing those numbers were a quick deterrent from contemplating it further. It occurred to me that I would have eaten one (maybe even two) in the past without even a moment's thought. It really made me realize just how careless I had become with my eating habits and grateful that I am making the effort to be more conscientious now.

I still haven't made it to the gym! I have been staying pretty active at work, but I still would like to get to the gym, so I am hoping to get there this week. I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine who told me that weight loss/maintenance is only 20% exercise--the majority comes from what you eat and caloric intake. There has even been research recently that backs this up. So it is a 20/80 (20% exercise, 80% diet) formula. That is not to discourage exercise--it is a vital part of healthy living. It just won't help you lose weight if not combined with a proper diet.

So that is what I have for now. I know I crammed two days worth into one, but as I said before I have been slammed with work so there isn't much else to tell.

Until tomorrow...

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't -- you are right."

Day 7...Plus the First Results are in!

Week 1 is officially over! Today was my long-awaited weigh-in and my "free day"! What an interesting week, too. I learned a few things and I am sure this is just the beginning of my learning process. I am so glad I decided to keep this blog while embarking on this challenge because it has helped me to see what is working and what isn't...

Ok, the big news first: I lost 4 lbs on my first week! I was so excited when I jumped on the scale this morning and saw the scale had moved that much, especially since I had not been as vigilant as I should have been with the very restrictive diet.

That brings me to my first lesson on this journey so far--I am scrapping the diet I used for the first week. I realized (with a little help from some friends) that I need to build a plan that is livable. Diets don't work because people make the mistake of utilizing a diet that is not sustainable for the long haul and therefore, don't make the necessary permanent changes that keeps the weight off. As I stated in a previous post--beans have never been a major staple in my diet and they are not a food I can comfortably eat every day for the rest of my life. That means that I am not making any long-lasting changes by sticking to this program, which also means that my chances of keeping the weight off are slim (pun intended).

Does anyone remember the Optifast diet Oprah went on in 1988? She wheeled out the little red wagon on her show filled with 67 pounds of fat--the amount she had lost on that diet plan. Well, she gained it all back for a variety of reasons, the primary reason being that the diet was not a sustainable one--it was not a program she could live on the rest of her life. That is one of the lessons I have taken with me after this week as well.

My new plan is going to be a modification of the old one. I am sticking with the slow carb, low fat idea but I am making some changes. After doing some research, I found a whole list of low GI (glycemic index) carb foods that I can eat and still lose weight. This will open a lot of food choices up for me which will hopefully allow me to stay on track better. I will probably have one or two days dedicated to the old plan, but the rest of the time will be with a wider variety of other food. I look forward to sharing some of those menus!


Yes, I went to Starbucks and had my coffee--delicious! After weighing myself today I had a hard time just going wild with my food choices. Since I was already indulging with my calorie-laden coffee, I had Special K fruit crisp. Has anyone tried them? I love them! They are available in strawberry or blueberry and two crisps are only 100 calories. To me they taste like a Pop Tart, but not quite as sugary. They just don't taste like a 100 calorie snack--they are too good! Lunch was the big no-no: french fries. They tasted so good, though!! Dinner was much more sensible. Since I had not had any fast food for a week, I treated myself to the Drive-thru Diet at Taco Bell. I had two of the freso chicken soft tacos and they were fabulous! Each one is only 170 calories, but it certainly tastes like more. I had tried the steak burrito (from the frecso menu) previously and was not very impressed, but the chicken soft tacos tonight were absolutely delicious. I am glad I gave the drive-thru menu another shot. They were so good that I plan on making them my new fast-food treat!

After drinking water all week, I also had my first Diet Coke this evening and I have to say I was surprised to find it wasn't as appetizing as I thought it would be. It did not taste as good as I thought it would (like the coffee and french fries did). I find this to be good news since I know that soda (especially diet) is not good for you anyway. I think I may be making my first permanent change--water instead of soda. That is not to say I will never drink another soda again, I just think I will try to make it a once-in-awhile treat.

I've noticed that this post is probably going to take a full page, so I am going to stop here. Suffice it to say it has been a good first week with some interesting discoveries. I think the "free day" is great for indulgences and for reviewing the week, so I will be keeping the free day. I think the free day is good to keep motivation fresh because I am definitely looking forward to getting going again tomorrow. I am so happy with my 4 lb weight loss and I want to keep losing!

Let's see what this next week brings!

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't -- you are right."

Day 3...a Poll and a Recipe!

Here is day 3 already. And today was another fine example of why I need to pre-make my meals on my days off...

I needed to stop by the store before work for some last minute Easter shopping which meant I had even less time to cook. Fortunately, I have a super-quick meal that I made up on the fly one day and I use it as a stand-by for days just like this. I've listed it here for others to try...

Recipe for So-Easy Chicken and beans:

• 1 can of beans (any kind usually used in chili, etc.)
• 1 cup diced cooked chicken (I like using Tyson's heat-and-eat kind)
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 cup of salsa
• lo-fat shredded cheese
  

Rinse beans and place in microwave safe bowl. Add diced chicken. Add lime juice, mixing well. Blend seasonings into bean/chicken mixture and mix well. Add salsa, mixing again. Microwave 1-2 minutes (depending on microwave). Top with shredded cheese and heat for 1 minute. Enjoy! Makes 1-2 servings

I usually don't measure the ingredients, so these may need to be adjusted according to taste. For an even faster meal, I sometimes use a bit of Taco Seasoning mix instead of the other seasonings listed here. You can also add corn or tomatoes to change it up. Add lettuce and some low fat sour cream and you even have a low fat taco salad!

If anyone tries this recipe, please leave me a comment and tell me what you think. Let me know if you come up with any additions or modifications that might make it even better! Remember--I made this recipe based on my current plan which is pretty carb-restricted. There are all sort of additions for those who are not on such a plan.

Anyway, I had my first glitch in my plan--because I was running late I did not have time to make any breakfast. This left me in a quandary since fast food was my only real option. Needless to say, most places don't offer a lean meat-vegetable-legume menu! I decided that a Subway sandwich was the safest option. Turkey on whole wheat with lots of veggies. The bread was the big no-no since this is a slow carb diet, but I figured it was better than a burger and fries! I also ordered a salad to eat later with my chicken and bean casserole.

Another day with LOTS of water! No hunger problems as with day 1. I did notice I was a little more tired today than the last couple of days, but according to the "diet plan" I am using as a model, that is to be expected for the first few days as the body adjusts to the lower carb diet. Supposedly, I can expect a surge in energy in a few more days!

I've received a few comments from posters wondering what my goals are for this plan. As strange as it may sound, my goal is simply to make it through the 30 days on this stringent plan. Whatever weight I lose is a bonus since I do not want to get wrapped up in the numbers. I have always had a hard time picking a goal and sticking to it, which is why I started this blog. If others are reading what I am doing and how I am doing, then I feel a higher sense of accountability. Basically, I don't want to screw up!

Another note: my first weigh in is coming up! I plan to weigh in only once per week and will post the results when I do. Day 7 will be the first weigh in and I am looking forward to it. Look for weigh ins on days 7, 14, 21 and of course, day 30.

Last but not least, I have posted my first poll. Please take a moment to answer it and, as always, feel free to leave a comment. I will be posting new polls every few days.

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't -- you are right."

Day 2

Ok, I know this is going to sound premature, but I swear I feel that I have more energy already. Only day 2, right? But then, I thought about just how poorly my eating habits have gone downhill in the last several months and I can see why I would feel a difference already...

I thought a little about what my habits have been in the last few months and, well, it was bad. Fast food was becoming almost a daily habit I realized. Lots of snacking (the not-so-healty kind) and lots of sweets. My fruit and vegetable consumption was at an all-time low. I just became very complacent in what I was eating. If I was not making my self conscious of it, I wouldn't have to make more responsible choices. I knew I was gaining weight and avoided the scale like the plague. It was just too easy to pick up fast food or grab a bag of chips when I was hungry. No wonder I ballooned to this weight!

Anyway, I managed to do my 20 minutes on the treadmill. I am starting to realize that with my work schedule I may have to forego the idea of exercising every day. I work 12-hour night shifts (sometimes longer) and I find I am running ragged trying to fit the exercise in and cook my meals (But that was what this blog was for, right? So that others may benefit from my trials and errors!). Clearly, I will need to plan and make my meals on my days off. I have also decided that I will incorporate longer workouts on my days off. I get plenty of exercise when I am at work anyway!

Still drinking just water. I decided to take one poster's advice (thanks Cassandra!) and reserve my diet soda drinking for my "anything goes" day. I have read so many reports of how bad diet soda is for weight loss anyway. No need to make things worse! Besides, I see this as sort of a cleansing time...

Meals today: breakfast was another omelette--spinach & mushrooms and a little parmesan (remembered it today!) lunch and dinner was a delicious dish I created: asparagus, tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, yellow squash and diced chicken in a pesto sauce. It was fabulous! And two servings of lentil soup for the legumes. I brought a snack of natural almonds in case I got hungry later.

In conclusion, I had another good day. Didn't feel hungry at all like I did yesterday so that helped. Dranks LOTS of water again and I am feeling good. I am starting to miss my Starbucks toffee nut mocha, but I am hanging in there!


"Whether you think you can or you think you can't -- you are right."

Day 1

So here is Day One! And what a day it turned out to be...

So I started my day by waking up late. As a result, I was not able to do much on the treadmill (10 minutes instead of 20), but I did do the weights for my arms. This was just one of those days where Murphy's Law was in full effect. I bought one of those George Foreman grills and needed the extra time to grill my chicken for my lunch. I was also going to need extra time to make breakfast (something I would usually skip, but not a good idea on this plan). So, of course everything was about playing catch up as much as I could.

Breakfast was a veggie omelette--spinach, mushroom and tomatoes (I had planned to put a little Parmesan on but forgot in my haste). Brewed my own coffee (no Starbucks!)Didn't make any beans--just couldn't bring myself to have those with breakfast. But I see why this plan calls for it as I was hungry again not too long after I ate.

A note about the grill--love it! Made making my lunch and dinner a breeze. And the chicken turned out beautifully.

Lunch and dinner were the same--grilled chicken and broccoli. My beans for the day were a couple of servings of lentil soup. Drank LOTS of water.

Day one was not too bad. I noticed that I was still a little hungry and I already knew that would happen since I had not planned my meals very well for the day. I was called to stay over at work so that over time didn't factor in to the plan, either.

Need to go back and look at the diet again because I miss my Diet Coke and can't remember if it is allowed or not. Stuck to water just to be sure.

Hopefully, Day 2 will go more smoothly. And hopefully, I will be able to write more since I won't have to work over time!

Getting Started....

Well, tomorrow is the big day!

I have posted the results of my weight and measurements to the right of my posts. I really hated the idea of going public with those numbers, but I said I would, so there they are...

The first thing I did today was get into my car and drove to Starbucks for my daily vice: a toffee nut mocha coffee. I usually buy the grande, but knowing that I would not be having one for a while I went for the venti size. I know that foregoing this daily habit is going to be the hardest part of this month. I also know that I am spending a ton of money and indulging in a lot of fat and calories by consuming these on a daily basis. I have decided that I will buy myself something nice with the money I save at the end of the month. I just haven't yet decided what that will be.

As I have explained before, this is a slow carb, low fat diet. The idea is to pretty much eat the same foods every day for six days and then have a "free day" on the seventh day. The theory is that the free day prevents the body from becoming adjusted to the diet (also known as a plateau) and creates a spike in calories that keeps the body guessing (and therefore burning calories instead of conserving them as with most reduced calorie diets). I am a little skeptical of the free day since it suggests that you eat any and as much as you want of the foods you want. I will probably have day seven be a modification of that suggestion as I do not want to undo six days of discipline and patience!

I spent some time last night trying to find some recipes for this diet because I can tell already I will quickly become bored if I don't find some variety. The basic food elements are meat (lean beef, chicken, fish) vegetables (mostly green -- no carrots, potatoes or corn) and legumes. The legumes are to add more calories to the diet since the chosen vegetables are very low in calories and there are no carbs (ie: rice, pasta, bread) to add calories or bulk. I can imagine this will grow boring very quickly without some recipes to liven things up a bit.

Going to the store shortly to purchase my supplies for the diet. I am also going to look for an indoor grill as I sense a lot of grilled chicken in my future! I am also formulating my exercise plan. To start, I plan to do 20 minutes each day of work on the treadmill and use some hand weights to increase strength and tone my arms. Not much for a start but considering that I do nothing for exercise right now, it will be an improvement.

Anywy, I am off to the store for tomorrow is the beginning and I need my supplies. I am excited and nervous since I have never been able to stick to a plan like this before, especially for a month. But that is why I started this blog--in hopes of establishing some sort of accountability and sort making me stick to it.

I hope it works!

Prologue

My challenge beginning April 1, 2010 is to implement and follow a diet program I found on-line that says you can lose up to 20 pounds in 30 days.

Now I know that most diet plans are gimmicky empty promises. Most weight loss programs promote an easy system that makes weight loss a breeze with little to no effort--save emptying your wallet. But I read this one at length and have read the multitude of comments left by others who have tried it. It sounds solid and no one is asking me for a dime to purchase any product, so I am giving it a shot.

I am not naming the specific program as I do not know how Blogger feels about such things. I certainly do not want to endorse--unintentionally or otherwise--any diet or exercise program, so I will explain what I will be doing without naming a specific diet...

The premise is a slow-carb, low fat diet. I can tell by reading what is allowed and not allowed to eat that this will not be an easy task. I will have to give up a number of foods that I enjoy in order to be successful. But I am determined that this program will receive a full 30 days from me. After that, who knows. I may stick with it or abandon it for a whole new program. I will not make any decisions about that until the end of April.

Today is March 30th, so I have two days until I begin. Tomorrow I will weigh in, take measurements and post those results here. I am dreading that idea because I know I will be horrified with what I find and it will be quite embarrassing to post the numbers for the whole world to see. My hope is that in doing so I will gain extra motivation to keep going, even when I have one of those days where I just want to throw in the towel.

Exercise will also be a part of the 30 day plan. I will log in what I do for exercise here as well.

I will do my best to post something here each and every day to track my progress. I will share what I am doing and how it is working. I will share my thoughts and feelings as things progress as well.

Let the countdown continue!!