Secrets of Success

I didn't want to admit it, but...

The only way for me to break that plateau was to DO MORE at a HIGHER INTENSITY! I was stuck for months and couldn't figure it out. I was walking at least 6 days a week and doing aerobics 3 times a week for a pretty good work out. Eating well within my Spark limits too, and changing up my routine--the order, the level, and so on! But I could not make progress.
Finally, I added two more days at the gym---one a pilates class and the other a pretty intense Zumba class. Now I can see the progress!

Go to bed just a bit hungry!

I decided to make it my goal to go to bed just a bit hungry every day. Not starving. Just not full! Having that as my goal for the day helps me remember not to snack all day long. It's amazing how much it helps! I'm drinking more water, avoiding all those quick calories that "don't count," and feeling much better. Turns out many of the calories I was getting were from things I was popping thoughtlessly in my mouth. Try it! It just might work for you too!

Are you drowning in paper?

Yeah, me too! At least I used to be before my brother taught me to "touch each piece of paperwork only once." This works especially well with that unwanted mail. Why stack it to sort out later? Now I take those circulars and offers straight to the recycling bin before they have a chance to pile up! It's made a big difference in our house. Maybe it will work for you too? Good luck!

Lose weight with dairy!

This is going to sound weird, but I swear it's true. I got a warning from the doctor that I need more calcium. So, I ran out and bought several kinds of yogurt, especially Oikos chocolate Greek yogurt, and started eating more of it. And, believe it or not, eating that yogurt, drinking more cocoa, and even drinking almond milk has almost completely cured my sweet tooth. I used to crave cookies, candy, brownies, muffins...anything sweet almost all the time. And now that's gone! Try it! It works!!!

Stop a cold or sore throat

My husband taught me this one! If you feel like you might be coming down with a cold or sore throat, gargle with Listerine. Sometimes you can keep yourself from getting sick. It doesn't always work, of course, but it really helps! Give it a try.
I also like Airborne, but I don't always have it around the house and mouthwash has been a lifesaver.

Eat dairy instead!

I love cookies, cakes, candy... And that has been my go-to snack, with disastrous results for my weight-loss plans. Then I was told that I'd lost 4% of my bone density and I decided to get serious about eating more dairy. Now that I'm having low-fat yogurt, almond milk, cocoa with milk, cheese, etc. several times a day, my cravings for sweets have vanished. As a result, I've finally lost some weight. I know it sounds crazy, but it has been working for me!

Gratitude

I was lucky to get Bell's palsy this year. Yes, LUCKY! It was a bad case of this strange virus, but it taught me a very good lesson about how much I was taking for granted. No more! Now I am grateful for every single day. How wonderful it is to be able to read, to work, to cook, to shop, to be able to open and close both my eyes..... It's much easier to stay positive now that I am grateful for everything in my life.

Baby steps

If you've slipped back into your old bad habits of skipping exercise, sitting on the couch all the time, driving everywhere, and sneaking those snacks (yeah, you know I'm talking to you!), then don't beat yourself up over it.
Just start again with baby steps. Start with "just 10 minutes" of walking in place first thing in the morning. If you want to do more later, great! If not, that's okay too because you've done a little. It really helps me to get started again.
Try it!

Be grateful!

Every time I start again, I'm closer than I was to my goal, and the new start gives me new energy so that helps too! It's taken me over a year to really understand the process, but now I finally get it! Don't regret your stops and starts. They're essential stages on the journey!

Save your life: Weigh your food!

When I got gestational diabetes, I became scrupulous about weighing my food. But after delivery, I got lazy about my own diet. Now I'm back to weighing, measuring, and tracking my food. My life depends on it, and weighing helps. My healthy 19-yr-old son is proof positive!