Secrets of Success

Double up on salad preparation

I eat a salad every day for lunch. When it's time to get it ready, I prepare twice as much and put half in the refrigerator for later. That way, I know I'll get those vegetables in at dinner time and I won't have to make any more food decisions as my day begins to slow down. And if I find something better for dinner, I have a salad all ready for tomorrow!!

Never keep any Big Clothes

Make sure your clothes all fit you at the size you are right now and get rid of anything that's bigger. If you start to put on a couple of pounds, your tight clothes will remind you to get back with the program!!

The smallest step still goes forward

Little steps will take you far. The littlest step I took in the beginning was to ask myself daily, "What have I done today to make me feel proud?" I don't have to ask that any more, everything I do makes me proud!

Share what you've learned

Take every opportunity that comes to you to share all that you've learned along the way. It will keep your motivation strong as you realize all the good things you've already done and help you stay on course as you do more great things!

Fear has no place here

Don't let fear and self-doubt get in the way of a successful life! If your desire is strong enough, you will build on that desire and achieve any goal you set for yourself!

Load up the grocery basket!

I have a friend who's "only lost 13 pounds." My suggestion to her was to put 13 pounds of groceries in one of the small grocery baskets you have to carry and then tote it around for awhile. It's so wonderful to realize that you're no longer carrying that around all the time!

Celebrate the non-scale victories!

Find something every day that you can be proud of that doesn't involve the number on the scale. What's better today than it was a week ago? A month ago?? A year ago???

Putting it into words

I've learned that the best way for me to move past things that are hindering me is to write it all down and post it. For me, it's not responses from others that are the biggest help (although they are awesome!) but just the simple act of putting feelings into words. The bad stuff loses its power!

It's this simple, isn't it?

My delightful 78-year-young second mother has lost around 60 pounds in the last year or so. What was her revolutionary secret that we all need to know? "I just eat less . . . . . . . . . . . oh, and I pray. I pray a lot." It's that simple, isn't it??

Use the Spark Planner

I use the Spark Planner for anything that might become "out of sight, out of mind." Due dates for bills, due dates for library books, projects I'd like to work on several days down the road (and will probably forget!). I have increased peace of mind because I don't worry about forgetting anything!