New Beginnings! (posted by Jessie)

Angie....that is awesome that you took a good look in the mirror and "faced" yourself. It is afterall a fight within ourselves to lose weight and stay healthy, and much of it being linked to emotions, and self love etc. I admire your ability to not deny your health and to take charge. I have said it before, but I think we can all agree that the pounds can really sneak on, and so to have the ability to open our eyes and not let food take over longer is really important. Anyhow, I know you will one day look into the mirror and be SO proud of how far you have come. Wont that be a great moment? :)

Birgie, most certainly you sound VERY optimistic and definitely will benefit from utilizing previous knowledge to lose the weight! I am so happy that you are finding this a positive adventure and not so much a depriving one. I am feeding off your positive energy! :)

I think when we start to lose weight and make drastic changes, we can feel as if we are deprived and not "living" our lives how we want. For instance, I love red wine, and that is not something I want to give up on. I drink rarely, but this is my treat from time to time. I also wont cut out chocolate, though like I mentioned, just haven't been craving it (I think again cause my period is done - haha, and because when summer is here, I don't need those "winter" comforts any longer). However, I have no problems omitting other evils (sorry - what I consider evils) such as pop, sugary juices (read the labels, they are shocking! Even OJ!), meat, chips etc. But the next person, my point being, would maybe choose to keep some of those items in their diet but omit other areas. Just important to lessen the overall intake of junk into our bodies. And grazing is a really good way to feel satiated and therefore you will eat less.

There is no miracle to losing weight, and if there is one, it is the miracle of discipling ourselves and LOVING ourselves. No drug can help, only support and our own ability to push through some hard times. I think the next few months are going to really challenge people, myself included as I want to maintain what I lose, but that is what we must go through! WE CAN AND WILL DO THIS!

Envision this: next summer having a healthy picnic and all of us slimmer, feeling more positive about ourselves, and feeling proud that our family has gone through a huge transformation. I see all the little kids/babies in our family having fun, chasing us skinnies around (just Aiden, but thats fun!), all of us throwing the frisbee and laughing. What do you all envision? I guess we have all concluded weight loss is in order, but what are you looking forward to the most? Just how important is this weight loss to you?

When I was overweight I had read Dr. Phils book, and the only thing that I took out of it that was paramount for me (being well overweight) was "next year, to the date, you will be either heavier than you are today, or you will be smaller...today make the choice to go down what path you want". Also, one of my patients who was on my floor for 7 months was in AA for some time, and she had this saying up on her wall at the hospital that said, "Today I am not going to drink, but tomorrow I will!". So for us, "Today I will not eat sludge and crud and junk food, but tomorrow I will!". Notice tomorrow never comes. haha So there are two things to think about. I understand we are all losing weight for different reasons, we all have different outcomes physically and mentally and we all have our own way of doing it. Hopefully whatever way we each choose to lose weight and nurture our hearts will be successful and enlightening.

Love you all and best of luck on OUR START DATE!!! We start counting lbs lost today!!! Make sure you have weighed in!

Love and kisses, Jess