So like millions of other Americans, I am doing my best to watch my weight and have been off dieting for as long as I can remember. Truth be told, I have always carried a little more padding than I wish but when I quit smoking over a year and a half ago my weight spiked to an all time high and I was really unhappy about it. I am pretty good with short term self discipline, but one thing I know about myself is that I really need to see and or feel results to give me the incentive & strength to stick something out (especially if it involves self denial of some sort). 🙂

I have tried Atkins and but missed certain foods way too much to stay with that and my cholesterol rose on that one. I was not really good at showing up for meetings or those humiliating weigh ins at “Weight Watchers” and trying to remember convert all my meals to “points” was really annoying, so I didn’t stick that out for long at all. I finally decided to really focus on working out far more regularly while giving Nutri System a go (thanks to the help of a good friend) and I am pretty proud and pleased to say that in spite of not sticking to it religiously because I still like to eat out and indulge certain cravings now & then, I am down about 17 lbs since June! That puts me at just about half way between where I started and my “ideal” weight!

When I started out just walking at a moderate pace on the treadmill would leave me pretty gaspy and breathless but I am now doing at least a mile 3 times a week and even running short distances. Woohoo! At the same time, I have been building some muscle by hitting my buddy Mike’s home gym. He’s got a lot of great stuff there; a Weider home gym, a Total Gym, treadmill, Ab Lounge, Lateral thigh trainer and at least one other piece of equipment as well as the pool that I will be sorry to see closed up for the winter.
 
I have also picked up the entire set of “Eat This Not That” by David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding and have found them to be really helpful! The fabulous thing about these books is that you can still eat foods that you love! You don’t have to give up anything or feel like you are denying yourself. All you need to do is make simple swaps and smarter choices and you can lose weight! (For a sample of “Eat This Not That” wisdon, check out this article on “The Best and Wosrt Pizzas in America.”

I keep my copy of the “Supermarket Guide” and the yellow “Restaurant Guide” in my car so they are handy on the road and when I go shopping. Bottom line… if you or someone you love is trying to lose a few pounds and not feel miserable about it .. check out these books and use them! I think you’ll be glad you did!