Dr. Phil, my new BFF!

     I wish I had been blogging when I went through my weight loss journey, but I still want to share my story in hopes of helping someone else. I was so fed up with my weight and how I looked that I decided it was time to get serious about it. On January 1, 2009 I started following Dr. Phil's nutrition plan. I bought his book, his nutrition guide and his cookbook...all for under $20 on eBay. I drank tons of water (80-110 oz/day), and I began walking 5 days a week. The walking turned into running and on May 9th, 2009 I ran my first 5K race. I was instantly addicted and ran a 5K, 8K, or 10K at least once a month after that! The plan isn't hard to follow, the water filled me up so I wasn't hungry, and the best thing of all is that it isn't a diet. Sure, you lose weight, but you are taught to eat correctly. Most people who follow fad diets gain all their weight back as soon as they stop. You have to make a lifestyle change! If the diet is something you do temporarily, then the weight will only come off temporarily. Also, many diets leave out a certain food group. It's not healthy to eat only protein, or only vegetables! You need all of your food groups! Anyway, you don't even need to buy anything to lose weight and get healthy. I didn't read his entire book. I used the cookbook only a few times but everything I tried, with the exception of just one, was great! The nutrition guide helped me the most. The plan is listed and the nutritional values and portion sizes are all included. There are even sample menus. My normal day went like this:

Breakfast: 1 protein, 1 dairy, 1 fruit, 1 grain

Snack: 1 fruit

Lunch: 1 protein, 2 veg

Snack: 1 dairy

Dinner: 1 protein, 2 veg    

Water, water, water and nothing to eat after dinner.

Exercise 5+ times/week

It took me 5 and 1/2 months to reach my goal weight! I went from a size 14 at 162 lbs to a size 4-6 at 120 lbs. I lost 42 lbs and several inches. I had never felt better! I especially love when I tell someone I have 5 kids and their jaw hits the floor! SO...if I can do it, you can too!

     I ate at the same time every day and it was easy to stick to because I was working full time, 12-9pm, M-F. I ate breakfast in the morning, my first snack on the way to work and then ate lunch and dinner on my two 15 minute breaks  (2 and 7pm) and ran on my lunch hour (4-5pm). 

     I kept all of the weight off for over a year. When our company closed its doors in April 2010, I went from being a full-time worker, to being a stay-at-home mom again. That really disrupted my routine and unfortunately since then I have gained some of that weight back....about 18 lbs actually. :( I got in the habit of eating whenever the kids ate and not drinking all of my water, etc. I started school again in June, 10 years after graduating from college the first time, and last semester I got sick. Multiple colds, terrible allergies, conjunctivitis in both eyes, and then mono! BUT... I am back in the game! Dr. Phil and I are reconnecting and now that most of my sickness (3 months worth!) is gone I am getting that weight right back off! I have the cutest size 4 dress that Harley bought me and I want to wear it again as soon as Spring is here. I also want to wear my little black dress that I bought for myself and really feel confident in it again! I'm still wearing my size 6s, but they are not so comfy. So, this is it! If you're trying to lose a lot or even just a little join me and let's take our bodies back! :)   

Before and after photos...  

                                           Above: BEFORE sz 14, 162 lbs 

                                           Below: AFTER! sz 4-6, 120 lbs

          "Nothing Tastes as Good as Thin Feels!"