As I look at my journal, I see many reasons for stress eating. My number one reason this month was my kids. I am not shy about sharing my struggles as a parent. I have been in support groups for special needs moms for years. All my friends have heard my struggle with helping my children. Parental stuggles are similar during their transition into adulthood. By the time our kids transition out of school, we have taken them by the hand through many crisis. Everyone of us tries t

I am enjoying life again. I had plans to go to Nashville with my "craziest girlfriends", so I set my next goal for that weekend. I decided I would suprise my friends with this slimmer version of myself. I had so much more energy, I was enjoying life again! I could go to work,and still have enough energy to go see my husband play in his band! When I was 200 pounds, I could just struggle through the tasks of each day. Then I would come home to plop on the couch. Now I was excit

My next goal was to be down to 160 by the annual Focus Fundraiser dinner. This event is elegant and an opportunity to dress up. I wrote in my journal, "praying for 160 by Feb 27". The goal was only possible if I stayed on program for the next 14 days. That meant no wine, no beer, no Happy Hours. These were all my weaknesses, but I had to keep my goal in mind. I had to keep my "Why" in front of me. Why was I doing this? Dr. A, in his book, talks about primary and secondary g

When you start a calorie reduction program, it is best not to start exercising. That was music to my ears! I could hardly get off the couch, let alone, exert myself intentionally. By March I was tipping the scale at 159, meaning I was not carrying 41 pounds! That gave me enough evergy to start walking. The weather was cool like I like it (61 and sunny), and I could wear a light jacket. My job has been to care for special needs children in a recreation setting, but I had been