Dip, thanks for the "tough love!" Let's move on to chapter 7. God knows I'm ready for it. I hope everyone else is too.

Jo, I can't eliminate peanut butter. There are a couple of other things that I refuse to give up. I am not in need of a food plan so to speak, just a behavior plan which Dr. Phil is providing.

Summer

OK, Summer!

Marilyn - I think anyone who taps into their creativity is blessed. I don't have an ounce. My MIL quilts and has for many years. She sells her quilts at a hefty price and was recently quite miffed that imports from China at a 1/10th of what she gets are flooding the retail market. You should see her *sewing rooms.* Awesome.

Jo - I don't discuss in too much detail what I eat because I am a bodybuilder. What I eat, or should say, don't eat, would not necessarily work for someone else. Each individual needs to experiment and find what works for them. But I think the best way to start is to eliminate like Dr. Phil suggests, experiment with different foods, and see what your body can tolerate for a) losing weight, and then b) maintaining. I found that it wasn't how much I was eating, but more of what I was eating and when. And it took me months to figure out what makes a difference, not only in losing weight, but how I feel, how I bloat/retain water - things like that. WW didn't work for me beacuse it was too liberal, and I needed to learn how to eat properly with some heavy structure.

Sorry to hear you've been sick. Seems there's alot of it going around again. Get better! We missed you.

One thing I was thinking about yesterday when I was cleaning my kitchen and the no-fail environment is that not only did I eliminate food, I put away certain cooking utensils. I have one of those Pampered Chef tool spinning thingies loaded with every PC tool. I took out the pizza cutter, the pie/cake server, the pasta ladel - anythng that reminded me of foods I shouldn't have. I hid cookie sheets and pizza sheets, the baking stones, and replaced the slow-cooker on the counter with a George Foreman grill. I have cast iron skillets that were used to make sausage and gravy that have been replaced with all non-stick skillets. I bought microwave egg poachers and omelete cookers. All my cookbooks and recipes are boxed and out in the garage. The only food book on my counter is Dr. Phil's food guide.

Now I may be an extreme case, but I am vulnerable to the power of suggestion. Food commercials and ads in magazines do, to this day set me off. So out of sight, out of mind works for me. I opened the drawer on the bottom of my stove where the baking stones are stored the other day, and my first thought was Pampered Chef Taffy Apple Pizza. Last night while watching TV, I saw a commercial for a Snickers "Energy Bar" and got excited. It's an hour by hour awareness and struggle.

dip

Good morning, Ladies.

Jo, I think Dr. Phil has a lot of good ideas and suggestions. I take them as that - ideas and suggestions. He has no way of knowing what works for every individual. It sounds to me like you have a very healthy environment and as long as it works for you, do it.

Dip, I'm like you when it come to being susceptible to visual cues. I know enough about myself to know that I'm one of those people who "can't eat just one potato chip." It's the whole bag or nothing. If I buy something illegal and bring it home thinking I'll just have one (hershey kiss, cookie, chip) when I really crave one, I'm fooling no one but myself. Finally, though, I'm coming to the realization that I have to treat these things like an alcoholic treats alcohol - just stay away from them and situations that bring them in my "space." I do agree with Dr. Phil that willpower doesn't exist for me.

I've been off real Coke for one month today. Now for the next month, I'm giving up ice cream. All of it, even the sugar free, low fat stuff. I weighed this morning even though I'm trying to weigh only once a week and I lost another 1 1/2 lbs. That makes a total of 6 lbs. I'm making a commitment to myself to not have to lose this 6 lbs ever again.

Summer, I'm doing more work on changing my behavior than I've ever done before, too. I just remind myself that "if I always do what I've alway done, I'm going to get the same result." It's taken a long time for me to "get it" but this time I'm going to do whatever it takes. I expect to have to face my fear of success before I'm finished. I'll just cross that bridge when I get to it.

Dip, I only have one quilt that my grandmother made and I decided a couple of years ago that my children and grandchildren were going to have quilts to use and pass down. Not all of them may want them, but they're going to get them anyway!

Jo, it's good to "see" you again.

Love to my loser friends,
Marilyn

This chapter strikes home - I am pretty good about keeping most junk out, but told the family these things go - I have been known to climb a cupboard if I know chocolate is in there!

I am trying hard not to get rid of all things - not a "diet" but a new way of eating. So I may have a small cupcake (minus the frosting is 80 cal) but then I eat it slowly etc. If something really strikes my fancy it can't be in the house. My rail-thin 17 year old son knows if he buys sweets - they stay in his room.

One reason I bought the book is I have reached the biggest clothes in my wardrobe and they were getting tight. At least my jeans are more comfortable now. I have tons of clothes in sizes I haven't seen for 5+ years. I am in agreement of ridding myself of things too large and can't wait for the day to come.

Talking about quilts - I think that doing something you love is great - relaxes you and keeps you away from the fridge. I have started reading more and last night we bought a cheap CD/clock and a couple relaxation tapes from Target. Fell asleep listening last night.

On to chapter 4

Deenie,

Congratulations on the weight loss! Keep up the good work!

Jo