WOW!  I am finally on a roll and actually starting to look and feel better.  Since the beginning of this little weight loss thing which started January 8th, I have lost 16 pounds.  I was 164 on Saturday when I weighed in with my trainer and I am happy with the progress.  I do want to mention that I had a little help this past week.  The stomach flu hit me with a vengeance and I lost 5 pounds just from that. But the important thing is that it stayed off.  After 13 days of having it, I am venturing to say that they are off for good.  Although I am still very proud and happy with the progress I am making, its still a daily struggle.  I still cannot fit into my clothing and I still am shocked to see the reflection in the mirror.  I have my bad days too.  The other day I cried to my trainer....actual crocodile tears about how far I have to go.  I should be at 125-130 and I will get there by this summer but it feels forever away.  She made so much sense though.  She said, "I know it feels like you have a long way to go and that's because you do.  But, you are doing great and if you give up now you will only continue to hate the way you look and feel and you will never get to where you want to be.  Don't give up".  She is so right.  If it was easy to be skinny, everyone would be and there is absolutely nothing about this that is easy.  So what I am I doing? Well here it is....and I hope you join me....

Exercise - Every single day for one hour.  Not the kind of exercise where you are not winded when you get off the machine or the kind where you did not break a sweat.  Hard core, intense cardio that leaves you feeling pukish.  That kind!

Food - THIS IS HUGE FOR ME!!  But the trick is doing BOTH diet and exercise together AND doing it CONSISTENTLY.  You cannot have a "bad" day when trying to get the weight off.  Be strict about it, and then when you are where you need to be, you can have treats in moderation.  The most important part of all of this is that its a lifestyle change.  Not a "right now" change.

Here is a sample of what my day looks like:

Breakfast:

3/4 cup cereal with berries

1/2 cup milk

1 banana

1 egg

1 cup water with lemon

Snack:

100 calorie pack of almonds

1 apple

Water with lemon

Lunch:

Turkey sandwich on 100 calorie bread with lots of veggies

Water with lemon

Snack:

Humus and carrots

Water with lemon

Dinner:

Lean meats and veggies

Water