Okay so I stayed up way too late last night, caught up in the 3FC site with all the stories and pictures, feeling more and more jazzed with every click! OMG these people are doing this! They are the visualization for me of my own future! It was so uplifting and encouraging that I just couldn’t get enough.
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I also came across some really wonderful and practical strategies which is exactly what I’d hoped to find here. Last night when I posted my answers to the profile in the 100-lb-Club thingie, one of the questions was “What is your plan?” At that point in time, I only knew that my plan was “change.” Oh, with a capital c: Change. Okay maybe all caps and bold: CHANGE!
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Now it’s time to start fleshing out just exactly what that word entails.
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A few weeks back I picked up a copy of Dr. Phil’s weight-loss book and read the first few chapters. One thing that I really picked up from him was this: I have, for years, lived a life that has supported weight gain. My daily habits and patterns have been really well-designed for successful weight gain, evidenced by the fact that I have, for years, slowly but successfully gained weight.
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Simple. Obvious. Oh, and very, very true.
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If I want to set up my life, my habits, and my daily routine in support of weight LOSS, then I have to change more than just my eating. I have to change everything that previously supported weight gain.
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I don’t, however, have to change everything TODAY. I think that’s one of the aspects of “dieting” that always put me in a defensive position before. It seemed hopeless to make such a drastic overnight change in myself but even knowing that, I’d run headfirst into what I perceived as evil-miserable-starvation-I’ll-never-enjoy-life-again mode. No wonder I was miserable!
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No, if I’m going to do a whole-life-daily-pattern makeover, I’m going to allow myself some time to slide into it. I’m going to start in one area and then move on from there. First area is shopping. This seems logical because if I’m going to eat healthier I need to shop healthier. My challenges in this area are two biggies: 1.) I hate to cook; and 2.) I’m a picky eater. Yikes, so where does that leave me?
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I don’t believe in coincidence, I think things happen for a reason. Last night I just happened to stumble upon the story of Zelma. Zelma went from 353 lbs to 161 lbs. I so totally identified with her story and then I read how she did it. OMG she ate stuff I liked! And she hated to cook too! Woohoooo!
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So today I wrote down foods from her story and then found a site that posted a list of low-fat foods to have on hand for healthy cooking and eating. I deleted all the stuff that I wouldn’t possibly ever eat (yucky stuff, well, yucky to me, anyway) and came up with a shopping list.
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This shopping list looks way different than what my usual shopping list would look like. Yay! Different is good! 
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Here’s the list so far:
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Water-packed tuna
Canned vegetables: carrots, corn
Canned fruits: peaches, pineapple, pears - in light syrup
tomato sauces (with no added salt)
pinto beans, kidney beans, navy beans, black-eyed peas; rice
Whole wheat spaghetti, penne
pickles
Low-fat, low-sodium canned soups and soup mixes
Herbs, spices and seasonings, low-sodium Worcestershire sauce
Vinegars, mustards, low-fat or fat-free salad dressings and mayonnaise
Whole grain breads, rolls and bagels; whole wheat flour; oatmeal
Dried cranberries, raisins
Almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, peanuts, pecans; sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, peanut butter
Honey, molasses, maple syrup
Pretzels, low-fat microwave popcorn, whole grain crackers; sugar-free/fat-free pudding and jello, applesauce
Low-fat milk, low-fat cheese/processed cheese
Fresh veggies: carrots, celery, broccoli
Fresh fruits: apples, bananas, peaches, oranges, grapefruits, grapes, pineapple
lettuce, cabbage, spinach
Chicken breast (boneless/skinless)
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The thing I’ve noticed about my list so far is this: very few entree foods. I don’t like fish or any kind of seafood except for canned tuna. I don’t like pork much, unless it’s steeped in sweet barbeque sauce. I really don’t care for turkey unless it’s smoked.
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But it’s a start.  Today is just the beginning!

Hit counter web design gallery.

I posted this profile in the 100-lb club area, but it seemed like a good start for here, too.

First name: Eileen - and I’m happy to be here.
Geographical location: Florida ~ Tampa Bay Area
Age: 46 (Yikes! How did that happen?!)
Marital Status: Very happily married to my best buddy, Michael.
Children/Ages: Eric, 19 / Paige, 17 / Kevin, 15
Occupation: Director of a Nonprofit
Pets: Two cats; a hyperactive 9-month old female named April and a 20-lb crabby male named Friday. Yes, we apparently have a fixation on the calendar when it comes to naming our pets.
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Writing, Bicycle-Riding. Oh, and I LOVE COLOR, can ya tell? Oh, and if I didn’t mention it before, I’m happy to be here!
Height: Sixty-one inches, otherwise known as five-foot-one.
Eye/Hair Color: Blue / Brownish-Auburn
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 3, 2008
Starting Weight: 285
Present Weight: 285
Goal Weight: 150
Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Late night snacking! I know I just need to reset my body-clock not to expect carbs at that time of day but it’s so totally my weakness! BUT… weakness, schmeakness!! I’m stronger than a silly crave - I proved that when I quit smoking! (wooooohooo!)
Following any specific plan: To change my whole life - again. (After smoking for 30 years - my entire adult life - everything changed when I quit. That’s exactly what I need to do now.) My plan is to change my eating times, my eating portions, my eating choices, my eating locations, my cooking, my shopping, my outlook, my attitude, my mindset. Reinventing all of it! How much fun is that?!?
What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Definitely my positive state of thinking. I CAN DO THIS. It’s not going to be horrible. It’s not going to be overwhelming. I’m not going to be miserable because I’m missing out on something wonderful. Instead I’m going to be happy - joyous even - because I have control. I am no longer going to be a slave to my eating habits. Once and for all, I am going to be free!
Anything else you would like to share with us: Did I mention that I’m really happy to be here?
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