Is this a good bio?

This Thursday I get to do a radioshow interview. Really, this is just a testimony of the grace and favor of God...really.

In preparation, I need to write a bio to be introduced....what do you think of it?

Jennifer Morin completed her Bachelor’s Degree of Liberal Studies at CSUB and is now pursuing her Master’s Degree in Christian Counseling and Leadership at Summit Bible College. She has worked in the real estate industry here locally, was on staff at a local church (before having children), and now she operates her Beachbody coaching business from home.  

She considers herself as more of a health & fitness enthusiast who loves helping people by holding them accountable and coaching them through their journey to reach their weight loss goals. It is her passion to help people live longer and more healthful lives so that they can fulfill the job God has for them here on earth.

Her days start with quiet time with the Lord, a powerful workout, and then the management of her & her husband, David’s home & household needs. One of her biggest priorities is making time for her kids to have play dates, fit in a movie, or throw pennies in the fountain at the Marketplace.  God, David, and her boys are at the top of her list of priorities, as well as serving at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group at her church.

With the resources that Beachbody provides and the education she receives from Summit, her plans are to establish a local ministry of counseling and coaching to help people be set free from the bondages of addiction to food and other things, and offer support/accountability groups. She is a firm believer in the power of prayer and believes that Jesus Christ can heal us and make us whole again.

Expectations

I am me.
You are you.

And I never expect you to be like me.

My goals are set for the future I want, and I'm sure our futures are differnet.

However, if you want to be successful, you better learn to work hard and smart!

If you want lose weight, you better learn to like green and lean foods.

If you want to be toned, defined, and strong...you better learn to like to exercise & sweat.

If you want to stay married forever, you better read your Bible & learn to pray (hard).

If you want good kids who love God, you better be a good adult and love God yourself (and pray some more).

And if you want to go to heaven, you better get to know, believe in, and love Jesus Christ.

These are the things I want in life...but I do not expect you to be like me.

But if you want anything in life - I do expect you to do your part.

Be responsible. Be an active participant in your life. Be you!

Gotta Make Time!

Your first week or so of trying to lose weight, you find the foods that you so easily give into. You realize when you should've stopped eating because you experienced major bloating at the end of the meal. You eat that 2nd serving of ice cream, and then ask yourself, "Why did I eat that?"

What about the time you waste doing things you could otherwise be focusing on things that help you reach your goals...like working out.

Just this week, I had a friend share with me how bored she was and then the thought occurred to her: I could've worked out. For many, you haven't put out the time to work out, and so now those of you on a new mission - you are finding that you have to find the time & make the time for your exercise.

For some it's first thing in the morning...others it's the last thing. For some moms, it's when the last kid is dropped off to school, or the baby is napping. Whatever you have been doing during this opportune time....turn it into YOUR TIME TO WORK OUT!

You've gotta make time & you're worth it!'

- Chalene Johnson

So when is your time to work out? Look at your schedule and find the 30 min. to 1 hr. that you can devote to your health & fitness goals. Set an appointment with yourself & DON'T cancel it for any reason (unless of course you're sick).

You can do it! Schedule your workouts & stick to it!!!!

Find YOUR OWN Zone!

Have you ever gone to the gym, jumped on the treadmill, and you're pushing yourself, your in 'your zone', right? And then...let's say someone gets on the treadmill next to you...and they're walking...or they start off sprinting and take their intensity down a few notches.

What happens to you? Do you feel less ambitious on your treadmill?

Do you stay where you were, intensify the incline, increase the speed,

or do you start to slow down?

What about in the workplace? Let's say you're the most recently hired person, you show up to work on time, you're working when no one else is looking, you're sweeping/cleaning when all your other work is done - you take initiative and work hard all the time!

A few weeks go by & you notice that other employees are coming in a few minutes late, taking longer breaks than permitted, texting/talkin' on their phones when they're not suppose to.

What happens to your ambitious & superior work ethics?

Do you continue to shine in the work place & with your boss?

Or do you take your initiative down a notch?

Do you begin to run late from time to time?

Do you take/make phone calls when no is looking?

When I used to go to the gym, if someone got next to me (in good shape) strolled on the treadmill, I would go to the top corner onto a stairclimber to push myself ALONE! Now if someone who had obvious weight to lose got next to me, w/ their treadmill up high on the incline & they were sweating bullets, I was like "THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!"  And stayed side by side & let their energy & determination motivate me.

I love being around intense people.

It encourages my instensity!

Are you there? Do you find YOUR OWN zone? Or, do you let those around you dictate your dedication? Do you set your own goals? Or do those around you define your destiny?

This week, I want you to identify your goals. Whether they are weight loss, financial, spiritual, marital, parental, or personal - figure out what it is you want to achieve by the end of the year.

Then I want you to identify the things & people who discourage you from reaching those goals. And while I'm not saying dump your friends, pay attention to how much time you spend with people to encourage you, challenge you, and inspire you...and then pay attention to who is draining your ambition, distracting you from YOUR ZONE! And then be protective of your time & energy.

Your coworkers will not pay your mortgage if you lose your job because of your lack of productivity. Your friends and family will not pay your doctor bills if you're treated for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes from eating what they do.

These are the very people who sometimes come & take the wind from beneath our wings. And while we have to share life with them, we need to stay committed to our plan/our goals.  You're in charge of your life, take back the reigns from those around you. Carpe Diem - Seize the day!

In fact, it will be your unwavering

commitment to your goals -

that inspire others to

set their's and achieve them too!

Over my bathroom door, I have a clingy wall decal that reads:

 "Be the change

you wish to see in this world."

- Ghandi

And then the answers came....

How appropriate for a Sunday to reminisce on the many answered prayers for Dave's weight loss to begin...

As I mentioned the other day, I prayed for him DAILY. I began praying for him to have a desire, self-discipline...As I prayed over time, my prayers changed. At one point I prayed that God would give Dave self-control over his eating. I prayed a variety of things. His friends who spoke words of love to him about doing something about his weight, was an answer to my request, "Lord, please send someone to talk to him, since he won't listen to me".

If read my post on Sept. 1, I shared that we started our home version of Weight Watchers...mearusing out food and counting points.



Dave, July '07 w/ Baby Daniel...weighing around 425 lbs.

 After 6 months of Weight Watchers point counting...he hit a plateau. He had gone from 425 to about 360/365...and nothing. And the way Weight Watchers is...you deduct points when you've lost a certain amount of weight...and Dave was maxed out on his points from the start and needed to reach something like 315 to start 'eating less points'...and so here was my solution:

"Babe...you just need to go

to the gym &

burn some calories."



Now for the record, my conversations with Dave re: his weight and needing to lose it, was NEVER degrading or mean. I never, ever one time called him names. No manipulative, abusive putdowns! My words were always motivated by love, concern, and care...and yes, fear that I would be a  young widow w/ a young child. I kept them seasoned with love, but very straightforward & to the point. (And in sometimes were TOO frequent...I'll confess. Always reminded to TALK LESS - PRAY MORE!)

His response, after my 'helpful advice':

IF YOU TELL ME TO GO TO THE GYM

ONE MORE TIME...I'M NEVER GOING AGAIN!

Let's consider somethings that I was not seeing:

1. He wasn't familiar with all the gym equipment to begin with.
2. He was still big, so I'm sure that made him feel uncomfortable to go to the gym.
3. He was also just plain stubborn.
4. He still hadn't taken ownership of the idea of going to the gym. (Lose weight = Yes, Exercise = No)

So - back to the prayer closet I went. I prayed and prayed. I asked God to change his heart toward the gym. I asked God to send someone to be his workout partner. I asked God to move in a mighty way...and then, one day, as Dave was starting to not quite stick to the eating plan 100%...I got crazy, holy-roller style...I asked God to divinely intervene...in the name of Jesus & get my husband to the gym!!!! And some other things I'm sure were added as I plead with God to save his life, save our life together, save my son's dad. This was an emotional thing for me as Dave's wife.

(Overweight spouses, hear my heart here for a minute: When your spouse comes to you and talks to you about losing weight, consider what they are feeling inside too! They love you, they need you...but you are eating yourself to death. You're reluctancy/stubbornness to go to the gym or work out...it's all threatening the future they have planned to spend with you. Your kids are going to miss out on playing sports with you. You may not even see your grandkids. Take your eyes off the food, off the desserts...the primetime tv shows, and set them on God who can help you, and set your mind on your goal to LOSE WEIGHT TO SAVE YOUR LIFE!!!!)

Two weeks after my desperate fleece to the Lord to do something quick - Dave came home, we sat down to our 'healthy dinner'...and he says, "Guess what?" - "My brother got me 3 months of personal training...with Tom Strongin."

Yes - I nearly fell out of my chair...I nearly choked on my food...I wanted to jump up and scream "HALLELUJAH!"...I wanted to cry....tears wanted to well up....but I kept my composure...appearing unphased, as though it was common discussion at the dinner table. I didn't want to react in any way, in fear it would be the wrong way & spoil it...but asked, "So are you going to go?"...in the nicest, curious, sweetest tone. My insides were buzzing with joy...as he said, "Yea, my brother wants me to go, the trainer says he can help me".



Here's Dave at 306 lbs. Jan. 2009
Weight loss total: 120 lbs. in 9 mos.



And so that was the beginning of his journey with Tom the trainer. His 5-day/week, 5 a.m. - 6 a.m. 800-1000 calorie burning workouts began...and the pounds began to shed.

In his first 3 months, Dave lost 60 lbs.

What's crazy is that finally after 120 lbs. were gone, people finally started telling Dave, "You've lost a few lbs., huh?" And I thought "WOW - the bigger you are the more you have to lose for people to notice"...but at home, it was a glorious season...and the weight was just falling off.

No secret potions...just lean, clean eating & serious hardcore workout routines 5 days a week, w/a food log, measuring out everything...and Monday weigh-ins...w/ some surprise Friday weigh-ins to keep folks on their toes. It was serious work that was paying off!!!

And then the 3 months of paid training was up...and Tom was amazing to offer Dave a special deal...and I went to prayer AGAIN - asking God to provide...while it was a great deal...we needed the cash.

And then Dave's dad speaks up, "Mijo...you've done so good and we're so proud of you...we'll cover the next 6 mos." I was blown away - again God provided beyond my expectations.



Here's Dave at 187 lbs. March '10



God provided in amazing, miraculous ways for it all. Tom told Dave that he would see him to his goal...and Dave reached 180 lbs. in April of 2010.

All the while Dave was motivated. Continued to stick to his meal plan (despite the boredom w/it). He was a man on a mission.

I did my best to try and change up the way I made chicken (the lowest calorie, most filling meat I could cook healthfully). I baked it, shredded, cubed it...made fajitas, every kind of salad w/ chicken. (I still search for fun recipes to change up our healthy eating.)

And I will admit...I eased up in the prayer department, once he had this kind of success. A total loss of 245 lbs. Who does that???? I thought it was in the bag. Done deal...we're done. Let's move on, right????

And then...something happened the summer of 2010...naysayers. People who thought Dave was 'too skinny'. Can you believe that no one but me, initially, ever spoke up about his weight problem when he was over 400 lbs.? However, when he looked amazing, getting ripped, lean, and super healthy....people picked that time to tell him that he was looking "gauntly", "petite", "frail". I think they had it backwards.

I couldn't believe that people would say that. Look at the pic above...did he look 'gauntly'???? Errr. He was finally healthy. Living a healthy lifestyle. Not everyone around him was used to his not-so round face, his cheeks were gone...no gut. Me, I was in hog heaven, I was like, LOOK AT THE DIAMOND THAT WAS IN THE ROUGH!...Mmmm, mighty fine, mighty fine.

Well...this negative feedback about his new found health & amazing transformation got in his head...and Dave thought...well, I don't want to look frail & petite...I can afford a cheat meal. I am intrigued by people and their reactions here...I was also fascinated by Dave's response to eat some of his favorite foods. And while 1 cheat meal is actually 'okay' w/ some fitness experts...the cheat meal, soon became a 'cheat day'. I could foresee where this was going...and so it was back to the prayer closet for me.

What's next? Personal Workout Update

Read his story @
http://www.thislittlepiggywenttothegym.com/

My husband and I are in this wilderness. We have seemed to always struggle with our weight. He, obviously more than I, but nonetheless, we both have always been on this mission to lose the weight. We often have said over the last few years of marriage, "I gotta lose some/this weight". (And we really did.)

Recently we started working out at home together, with the Insanity dvd workout program. We both have eaten good. In fact, often times I tell Dave, our splurging is better than some people's diets. Needless to say, and honestly, we did not follow the Nutrition Plan to a T. However, our bodies have still transformed, our strength has definitely increased, and our endurance has seriously improved.

Don't get me wrong, we watch what we eat. We eat the right foods, and don't over indulge. And we're pretty satisfied with ourselves.

But something has happened mentally in us. Our minds & attitudes are not obsessed with the numbers on the scale.

Be honest, there are some of us who want to weigh in daily to see if what we ate yesterday has affected us...and then we plan our eating for the day, based on the number, right? Just admit it. But Dave and I are in this place of that thinking shifting. We have reached destination: satisfaction!!!!

Today is our last day of week 7, with one more week of Shaun T.'s butt kicking Insanity left. So we're now looking ahead to "what to do next?" What is our goal?

We talked and have come to the conclusion that we're happy with our weight. We have finally met the goal & most common New Year's Resolution of 'lose weight'. Weird feeling I tell ya!

It seems like a lifetime of struggling, a lifetime of always eating and working out to LOSE WEIGHT NOW! But after this season of life of being determined to lose the weight...we've finally arrived to that point of a healthy weight, healthy cardiovascular health, and contentment with reaching this goal.

Now, I'm a big proponent of goals and have seen in my own life and others' that if we are not progressing toward a goal, we are probably digressing, right? So Dave and I cannot go into cruise control with this contentment. We cannot eat what we shouldn't, miss workouts, and lose the success we have had over our bodies.


I told Dave that we now need to push our muscles and body to change, grow, and transform as much as we can. We've lost most of the cushion that hides the muscles, now let's beef up the muscle to lean out more.

So how? A new workout regimen is around the corner for us. I feel like some P90X w/ a side of Turbo for cardio & some Insanity every now & then to challenge us. The strength training of P90X is what our bodies need to grow in strength & muscle. The cardio & calorie burning of Turbo will lean us out to see even more definition. And physically prepare us for P90X2 releasing in January 2012!Finally, we're no longer at the defeated place of 'if I could just lose 5 more lbs.' We were both there most of our lives. And it has taken us time to get here (Dave - 3 years, me - 19 mos.), but we finally got here. Now we get to 'have fun' & push our bodies to the limits w/ endurance & strength training. I'm so excited!!!!

When we put our bodies in an environment

to change & adapt, it will.

This plan will work when we continue to work out daily & eat healthy foods! Ain't no Thanksgiving turkey & stuffing on the horizon going to derail me! My sights are set on seeing what this body can do! Can't wait!

Sticking TO-DO LISTS help us manage our time!

How many of you struggle with TIME-MANAGEMENT? Have you ever tried using a TO-DO LIST - consistently?

I make my to-do list every night. Last night as I sat down to write it out before bed (so that I can rest with peace), I created a 'template' that I am going to type up & print out. There are a few things that are daily to-dos for me, and then there are 4 areas in which there are items to complete daily.

I thought I'd share what I am implementing. I'll use Word to create a document with 2 columns on my worksheet for 2 days (to save paper, right). I'm practical & systematic. Here's an example of how mine will look:

TO-DO LIST for: ________________(day/date)

Morning Routine:

1. Daily devotional/quiet time (5:15 a.m. @ the start of my day)
2. Workout
3. Personal Blog time
4. Emails (personal)

Work: (Include 3 action items to reach goals)

1.  Emails
2. Add customers to FB list
3. Set appt. with prospect(s)
4. Follow up with advertising co.

Errands: (List errands that must get done today)

1. Costco (completely out of food)
2. Car Wash (Hurricane Cheerios hit the back seat!)

Chores: (List chores that must get done today)

1. Declutter kitchen counter (company coming later)
2. Clean bathrooms (see above)

Activity with kids:

1. Weed out the pumpkin patch (it's looking overgrown)
2. Read some books
3. Wrestle & tickle

Evening  Routine:

1. Start dinner (by 4:30 p.m.)
2. Dinner w/ boys & hubby
3. Clean up kitchen
4. Unwind w/ family outside
5. Bathtime
6. Bedtime (8:45/9ish)

Not sure if your day can look like this. Each of my days does not always include chores AND errands, however, most times it does. Sometimes the #1 priority & the first thing we do in the a.m. is get out of house to the park. This is a template form that I'm going to print out & use w/ blanks under the work, errands, chores, and activities areas to fill in each day according to what is priority.

Arming ourselves with a to-do list, with blanks to fill in will help us be better managers of our homes, and that's the goal, right?

If we use budget sheets to direct our money, why don't we use TO-DO lists to direct our time?  Stick to the list, control your time on the internet & phone, and you will have better days of getting more done! When we use a TO-DO LIST & have better TIME-MANAGEMENT, then our day will flow with greater peace & patience.

(The above is what I typed up for the BakersfieldMom.com blog...but I couldn't wait for them to share...so since it's mine :) I thought I'd share it with my peeps TODAY. Also, I want to add that I have always used a to-do list, all throughout my life. Only after doing Chalene Johnson's www.30daypush.com did I realize that many have no idea about the power of to-do lists, making them consistently & sticking to them. They have the power to change your life!)

Worth Reading....

Found this at the grocery store. Bought it WinCo Foods for $9.99. Saw it at Save Mart too. This is a 21 day journey type book that gives you scripture and words to encourage weight loss & self-discipline. It will challenge you and help you grow in this area. Speaks of rest, exercise, and self-control.

"We live in a world in which leisure is glorified

and consumption is commercialized." (pg. 105)

Now, many of you who know me, may remember that I am not a 'Book-Bible Study' person. My mantra was "All I need is the Word, just give me the Word"...and while that still rings true, I have embraced using this book by Elizabeth George. It's all about Life-Management. I'm using as my guide through the Bible for my morning devotional time. It's really using the Word to speak to my current focus and season in life.

Here's the topics of each chapter in the book:

Managing your Spiritual Life                             

Managing your Physical Life (Body)

Managing your Home Life

Managing your Financial Life

Managing your Social Life

Managing your Mental Life

Managing your Ministry Life

Managing your Time...and your Life

There is a reading book that goes along with this study guide. I didn't pay attention to that when I ordered this off Amazon.com. Nonetheless, I am getting a ton of good, heart-changing info out of the study guide. It totally directs you to a variety & multitude of verses that is leading me to make better decisions!

Who could use some guidance in all these areas?

Raise your hand. I do too!

It's all about going to resources OUTSIDE of yourself to change the INSIDE of yourself! Hope you find these and read them to grow along with me! Have a great day!

What is your secret? Don't let it hold you back!

What is your secret? What is your secret re: food? What is your secret re: money? What is your secret re: your marriage?

I by no means am perfect, but I strive to be my best in my personal life, with my kids, my husband, my fitness and finances.

I live on a budget. I don't shop impulsively w/ credit cards. Groceries, utilities, mortgage payment, and personal need items are FIRST...anything else is covered when we NEED it.

My marriage is the thing that challenges me most because I can be very implusive w/ words, overly independent, and outspoken about it! I work on this daily as I pray for husband, try to be more understanding with him, and as selfless as possible in our relationship.

When it comes to my kids, my greatest challenge is making special quality time WITH them. When I go to the park w/ them, I try to play WITH them there. In the backyard, I swing WITH them. This is something that is so high priority to me, I have gotten myself on a better schedule of getting up at dark:30 a.m. to have more time with them. Today, I have something planned for Daniel that is going to bless him sooooooo much. And I am excited to make him feel so excited & happy!

My workouts are priority as well. I now get up at 5ish to workout. This has brought so much peace to me because my kids are asleep, no interruptions...and I am fitting one in DAILY, no hit or missing. I made the adjustments w/ my sleep to make this happen (by going to bed at 9ish pm). The peace in me & my home is worth going to bed earlier to start my day ahead of the game.

My food...Well, it's no secret that I have a problem w/ eating too many Fiber 1 bars (they are my Snickers), but since my 'cleanse/detox' last week, I basically kicked the habit. It's so worth getting stuff out of my diet that holds me back.

It so worth getting anything out of our LIVES that hold us back! What is the secret in your life that holds you back? Is it an unhealthy relationship with certain people who are negative, complainy, gossipy, or all drama? Is it an unhealthy relationship w/ your credit card? Food? Drugs & Alcohol? What is it that is holding you back?

Identify it & find a way to get rid of it NO MATTER WHAT! Why let some outside circumstance or habit hold you back? For once, get stubborn against the negative things in your life & take yourself to the next level of success in all areas of your life!!!

You can do it...if you want to! Let your want be the driving force to change your life for the better! You will be so glad you finally did it! Do it today!!!!

Going for some INSANE results!!!

This week I started a new plan. I was struggling to make up my mind with my workouts...and then someone very close to agreed to do Insanity w/ me.

A lot of people have done this & have gotten amazing results! And it's a 60 day plan (w/1 week of recovery in the middle.) Since I have an accountability partner, the workouts are under 45 minutes, and I only have to concentrate on this for 67 days, I can complete this one.

Today is only day 3 and I am already seeing results. Down 2 lbs. and I am eating more than I ever have w/ any plan.

INSANITY is definitely not for beginners (ask me about some workouts to begin with), but if you are at a place to take it up a notch or 10 - get this one & transform your body! This is the plateau-buster for sure!!!!

Been wondering what it is that I eat? Here it is!



Here's what logging your food &
counting calories + exercise does for ya!

In the last month, I've talked about measuring out your food as per serving size, and logging it. Another component to losing weight is counting the calories. With my workout program, I was given a worksheet to help me figure out how many calories I need for my size. So often we try to do a 'one-size-fits-all' regimen, and I don't think that's realistic for us to try. So often are people deprived, which sets them up to binge eat and this starts the crazy cycle all over again.


Last week, I was asked what I eat throughout the day, so I thought I would share what my food log looks like with you today. Note: I am 134 lbs. If you are heavier, you will need a little more calories, if you are smaller than I, you will need less. However, NEVER GO BELOW 1200 CALORIES. I've seen a 'cleanse formula' recently that gave you 1000-1200 cals. per day, but it is made to do for 2-3 days ONLY, not a long-term regimen of less than 1200 calories.

Below is my message that I sent to a friend:

My days are like this:
first thing: coffee (2): 20 cals. total (was 40, but started using 1/4 cup. almond milk for crmr.)
breakfast: mini- bagel w/ 1/4 cup cott. cheese:160 cals. (or 1 cup cheerios + 1/2 cup milk: 120 cals.)
after wkout: shakeology 150-190 cals. (Depending on whether I use almond milk or water.)
lunch: salad w/ chicken & very low-cal drsg. & apple or banana: 270 cal. (or a wrap w/ the lowcarb ww tort: 230 cals.)
snack: carrot sticks dipped in cott. cheese (w/ spices), or 5 prunes, apple wrapped in ham lunchmeat = 100 cals. or a fib. 1 bar (but trying to give those up- 140 cals)
dinner: 1-2 pc. ckn breast, 1/2 cup beans or rice, ton of veggies: 450 cals. (You can make this stir-fry ckn bowl, or fajitas, or in a salad, or just plated up.)

and if there's room in the cal. budget & I need a little something else, 1/2 cup of nonfat yogurt w/ 2/3 cup of blueberries =120 cals. Or a shakeology pop = 25 cals.
Grand total is: 1330 (without the yog.) - 1450 (with yog.)

I use a lot of the same foods and eat diff. ways. I try to avoid diet sodas, but usually drink tea w/ stevia in the early afternoon for a little caff. boost. But only 2 cups of coffee in the early a.m. (which I'm trying to cut back on) and then some early p.m. tea...water the rest of the day, with dinner, all day running errands.

I love cheese, but cannot lose weight w/ it in my diet. I love bread, but have to sub the mini-bagels or mini sandwich thins in for it.

I watch the sodium for the most part. The thing we're cutting back on is the BBQ sauce, we haven't been measuring this out and I'm sure I'm over my cals by at least 100 on bbq sauce alone. We sub bbq sauce w/ spicy salsa too! We use black beans a lot, instead of pinto, great on a salad...mix 'em w/ corn - YUM!

You have to eat to lose weight. You have to get rid of that borderline starving-mode of eating. It will keep your metabolism stagnant if you don't put in more. You cannot be afraid to eat. You just have to eat good, nutrient dense foods...add a ton of veggies. When I have a wrap, I have a ton of tomatoe & greens. And one thing I don't do is count my lean green veggie calories. Those are free to me, because the more I eat, the fuller I am and the less likely I am to reach for the cheese or fiber 1 bars....my biggest hurdles.

Another tip: Drink water like there's a water shortage coming! Try hard to stay away from a bunch of diet sodas and other fake sugary drinks. Do your own research, I've heard it keeps you from losing weight. Plus, most diet sodas have sodium, which leaves you looking puffy.

You've got to look at the long run. PERMANENT weight loss is a marathon...no shortcuts, just adapting to healthier foods and getting super creative with them. It took you how many years to gain weight? So many people want to lose all the weight in a few weeks/months, when it took years of bad habits to get to where they are. You have to stick to eating healthy for a long time and it's worth it. You WILL get an acquired taste for the veggies and less fat in your diet. Just give yourself a chance to break the bad habits of eating bad.

All you have to lose from this commitment is weight and health issues...what you have to gain is a healthy body, more energy, good sense of well-being, and a slimmer body. It's a WIN-WIN when you give up the BAD! You can do it! Hang in there...it's going to be worth it. Just commit at least 6 months to see what kind of results you get. And when you are feeling better and looking better, it will be easy to commit to doing it for a year...and then you'll want to eat this way for the rest of your life!