209

(insert "Hallelujah Chorus" here)
I am so excited to be within 10 lbs of a very big personal goal: to be under 200lbs. I have been over 200lbs for about 13 years now. I am ready to say good-bye to the 200's FOREVER. Now, I have begun working out and it feels great!! I just bought a 42C bra last week, down from a 44D. On Tuesday, I decided I would have some fun and go shopping to try on clothes. When I started this journey, I was wearing a size 20 pants. On my shopping trip, I was able to button a size 14 jeans! I couldn't get them zipped, but just getting them buttoned was enough to fuel my fire and encourage me to keep striving for my goals. Can't wait til my next shopping trip!

214.4

Yeeeeee Haaaaawww! That number keeps comin' on down! I feel like I can do just about anything! It feels so good to finally have control over something that has had control over me for so many years. I am so excited to weigh in every week. I feel victorious already. Thank you, Renee and Medifast!

217.6

"You look like you're losing weight," is what I heard several times at church this past Sunday. How rewarding is that?! But, even better than that is how great I am feeling. My energy level is up, and my body actually feels like moving! I am ready to begin exercising now. Not because I have to, but because I want to. This is all new, exciting territory for me. I've been reading some great stuff about T-Tapp on Renee's website, and I am excited to give it a go. I am slowly beginning to change the word "dream" to "goal" when it comes to what I want for myself. I used to "dream" of being able to shop for clothes in regular size stores, instead of specialty stores for "plus sizes". I used to "dream" of having a body that I could be comfortable in wearing a bathing suit. I used to "dream" of being able to run a 5K. Now, those have all become "goals" for me! My first goal, when I set out on this journey, was to lose 10% of my body weight. I am now 7.6lbs away from that goal! Boy, does that feel great!

222.8

6.8 POUNDS IN ONE WEEK!!! I am so excited!! I started on the Medifast plan last Wednesday, and lost 6.8lbs the very first week! Thank you so much Renee McLaughlin, who is coaching me through to my goals. She is like having my own personal little cheerleader, cheering me on as I take this journey toward my new healthy life. I am feeling great and full of energy. The plan is so incredibly easy, and for the first time, I don't feel deprived while I am losing weight. I am successfully conquering my addictions to sugar, carbs, fast food and aspartame.

When my husband and I got married in Feb 2003, I weighed about 210. I think Paul was about 180 or so. Needless to say, he was not able to carry me over the threshold! One of my goals is that this coming February, on our eighth wedding anniversary, my husband will be able to pick me up and carry me over our threshold, with my girls watching and giggling as he does it. I can't wait!

229.6

Today is my first day on the path to optimal health. Today I am going to focus on why I want to get healthy instead of focusing on why I want to lose weight. Today I begin my journey of a lifetime. Today I will be conscious of every decision I make concerning my health. Today I will focus on what lies ahead, rather than the past. Today I will not worry about what challenges tomorrow holds, but instead focus on what I can accomplish in the next 24 hrs. Today I will start taking care of my body and putting only good stuff in it. Today I will make the choice to drink more water, lots more water. Today I will choose not to eat fast food. Today I will make choices which will get me to my ultimate goal of great health. Today is enough. I will think about tomorrow in about 24 hrs!

Baby Steps, in the Right Direction

228.5
Progress! The best part was that it was so easy. I didn't do anything drastic, just started making small changes, better choices. I am becoming more conscious of things going in my mouth. Through using the EFT techniques that Renee is teaching me, I am learning to recognize triggers and slowly curbing my emotional eating.
This evening, I went up to Walmart to pick up a few groceries. As I was standing in the check-out line, I spotted that sweet, smiling Grandma staring up at me from a pack of peanut butter cookies. It was as if she was looking directly at me saying, "Oh Honey, you know these will make you feel so comforted. I made them just for you, Deary." As the battle inside me raged, I worked my way closer to the cashier. By the time I got up to the register, I had almost convinced myself that I was going to lose this one. But, then, it happened! Something inside of me changed course. Something told me that I could do it. I COULD resist, and that it would be worth it. But, my inner child (Little Jodi) was screaming at the top of her lungs, "I DESERVE A TREAT!!" So, I told her, "You're absolutely right!" I gave her a yummy piece of tropical fruit flavored sugar-free gum! And, you know what? She was pleased as could be with her little "sweet treat". I didn't think she would be so easily tricked, but that's the funny thing about kids....they're so gullible.

The journey begins - starting line - 233lbs

July 27, 2010
My name is Jodi. I am a 38 year mother and wife. I have struggled with my self-image, and as a result, my weight since the age of 10. Yesterday, I met a new friend named Renee McLaughlin , who is going to teach me to change my body from the inside out. This journey is not going to be an easy one, but I am ready to meet the challenge. We've already began a method called "EFT" to address the root of my eating problem: emotional eating. With Renee's help, just in one session, I have already discovered that my weight problem is merely a symptom of some other deeper emotional issues. I am comforted knowing that she will be with me every step of the way on my journey. If you want to follow along with me on my journey, please come back and visit my blog as often as you can to track my progress. Get ready for a wild, exciting ride!