Nothing Tastes as Good As Thin Feels

Some know, but not all that I've been trying pretty hard to lose weight. I started late June, very seriously, to get healthy! I started by visiting a dietician. That was an eye-opener! These were some of the recommendations and I have taken her advice on every one of them:

• Don't drink any liquids 1/2 hour before or after your meals. DO NOT DRINK ANYTHING WITH A MEAL. When you do this, it washes out the food from your stomach before it has a chance to tell your brain that you are full and it "flushes" it out too soon. For me, this was a hard habit to break. But, it can be done.
• Give up soda. Even if you drink diet soda, even if you don't drink much soda...it keeps an additional 10 pounds on you per year. Water is your best bet.
• Pick out two things (food-wise) that you know are your biggest downfalls and quit them...cold turkey. For me, that was potato chips and beer. I've done it! I now get my "salt" fix from healthy peanuts/almonds/walnuts, etc. I measure them out and count them towards protein.
• I log in every morsel that I eat on http://www.thedailyplate.com. It is amazing what you learn about yourself at first. This website figures out everything for you...even exercise. I swear by it!
• I need to get in 50-60 grams of protein per day and I can track my progress on the web-site listed above. I also have to watch the carbs...the limit is 50 grams per day. That is a little harder. Some days are better than others.
• Water....64 oz per day. A MUST. Again, http://www.thedailyplate.com tracks this for me.
• Wear a pedometer. It's amazing how many steps you take in a day...again, some better than others. But, the more water you drink, the more steps you take-To the Bathroom!
• Stay OFF the scale. It's the non-scale victories that matter. I've gone down 3 sizes since I've started and that is absolutely wonderful to me.
• Excercise...just walk. If you have a fat dog, you are not getting enough exercise.
• Keep one thing in mind...this decision is all about YOU. Don't worry about what anyone says, about what anyone thinks....it's lunacy to let it get to you. Your worse enemy will be an overweight friend who lacks discipline. They will sabotage your every move. This is difficult too. But, I try hardest with this...I do not have to explain myself or my choices for a healthy lifestyle to anyone.

I've been able to get rid of my blood pressure medication; I've lost 22 pounds; I've gone down 3 sizes and I can walk up a flight of stairs without feeling like I'm going to keel over. It's not easy...but it's worth it! I have a long way to go...like 60 pounds, but I'm going to do it! My sister-in-law Lori gave me some beautiful clothes that are size 10. I will get into them. Sooner than later.