The Chocolate Race - Port Dalhousie

Enz and I on the shuttle bus before the race.  That's Bev in the back...and Tanya's pearly whites!
And I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Bev kicked ass!
She broke her tail bone 5 weeks ago and completed her 1st 5k a good 2:20 ahead of me!

Well, I made it through my very first race...and I LOVED it!  It is completely addicting and I can't wait to do it again.  My next race is already this Saturday, the Hazel 5k in Mississauga.  I don't know what I loved more.  The overall energy of the race, or just the fact that I completed it without dying.  There was a pretty long incline and a very steep hill that had a sharp turn.  So there was a good chance of cardiac arrest during the run.  But I did not falter, I finished!

Me, Bev, Pauline, Willy Wonka, Enz and Tanya before the race.

I was waiting all last night for my official chip time, since I was given a chip for my shoe.  They didn't record chip times.  My gun time was 45:28, but we were in back and didn't cross the start line until about 1:40 after the gun time.  Enz worked out our race time to be about 43:49.  Which I'm very happy with. It's better than any of the practice runs we did.  And really not bad for someone who could barely run a minute 8 weeks ago.  If I can learn to run and compete in a 5k eight weeks after my first running clinic, anyone can! Don't forget, I'm the person who swore I hated all forms of exercise only two months ago.

Just before gun time.

We had such a fun day on Sunday.  There was tons of chocolate!  Chocolate croissants and milk for recovery...and water/Gatorade and chocolate covered marshmallows and strawberries at the aid station.  And with your medal, you were given three coupons you could redeem in the village for truffles, a brownie and a chocolate martini.  Needless to say, no chocolate of any kind touched my lips.  My running girls were more than happy to eat my share.

I think the absolute most exhilarating moment was crossing the finish line.  People are lined up along the route, cheering you on, and they announce your name when you cross.  Just before Enz and I crossed, this 10 year old girl, just flew by us.  Unfortunately for us, the official photographer shot her and missed us.  I'm not too sad about that.  I do not make pleasant facial expression when I run.

The swag.  Medal and t-shirt after the race.
I came in 77/103 for my age group and 334/441 overall.  I wasn't last!!!!!!!!!

Enz and I ran again tonight, in the rain.  We almost ran 4k and did pretty good time.  Not bad for an after race run.  Running in the rain chills me right to my bones.  I can't seem to get warm afterwards.  Enz is such a supportive and inspirational friend.  If it wasn't for her, and my good luck of meeting her through the blogging world, I would never have begun running.  Running has really become a part of my life and I'm so blessed that I found something that I love to do.  I'm not the best, or fastest runner, but I don't care.  I will get stronger and lighter which will make me faster.  I have accomplished so much in the past 7 1/2 months, that nothing is going to stop me now.

My good friend and inspiration!

I'm back in the Poon groove

Sunday's race day!  I'm super excited and just a tinge nervous.  I ran 5k again last night, so I know I can complete the race.  We even ran up and down a pretty steep hill, twice.  So I definitely have confidence that I will finish.  I'm just picturing myself placing last.  I'm not the fastest runner, and I just hope that walkers don't pass me.  But seriously, have you seen some of those speed walkers?  They're freakishly fast!  Tomorrow's our last run before the race and we're moving up to 8:1 intervals.  New intervals always make me nervous, but I know I'll do fine.  I just like to build myself up into a lather before trying something new.  It works out to be very anti-climactic in the end, so I don't know why I bother!

I just finished binging big time.  I wonder if you can call eating an entire head of iceberg lettuce a binge.  Since I'm allowed to eat it until I'm full, I guess I didn't do anything too wrong.  It's gotta be better than eating a bag of chips...which I'm not gonna lie, I really wanted to do instead.  But I chose the lettuce (mainly for the crunch), and I'll be better for it in the long run.  It was just one of those nights when I wanted to keep eating even after I finished my dinner.  Iceberg lettuce gone, crisis averted.

I had a moment of nostalgia today.  I was driving out to Peterborough to see a client and I had a few minutes to spare, so I stopped into Dr. Poon's new Pickering clinic.  It was really so I could buy some Chocolite bars, 'cos I was hankering for a sweet.  I saw Dr. Stephen in the parking lot heading out for lunch and I truly missed the man.  True we have not always seen eye to eye, but absolutely everything he's ever said to me has stayed with me.  I know that he was supporting me the best way he knew how.  And it's not until you're without something in your life that you really begin to miss it.

Before I even knew what I was doing, I went into the clinic and made an appointment for the next time I will be driving out to Peterborough.  I'm sooooooooooo excited to be back.  Not only is the clinic beautiful, but I always liked the regular visits with Dr. Stephen because it made everything official.  And I really want the certificate when I reach my goal. I've seen a picture of someone else's and it's a nice looking piece of paper!

I haven't been to the clinic since it was at the old location.  February 3rd was my last appointment with Dr. Stephen.  That was 19 pounds ago.  I have followed the diet on my own and been successful, but I miss the whole Dr. Poon vibe I get by going to the clinic.  Also, although I love Dr. Pitt, he knows very little about Dr. Poon's diet and I'm constantly explaining it to him.  I suggested he purchase the book!  I think it's better for me to be monitored by doctors who are knowledgeable about this diet.  I'm glad that I swung by and got an appointment for May 10th.  Unfortunately Dr. Stephen will be on vacation, but I'll get to see him in a month and I'm looking forward to it!

While I was in the clinic store purchasing my Chocolite bars, a lovely young woman said my name.  I look up and she says, "You're from Facebook.  I read your blog".  She went on to tell me that she enjoyed my blog and thought I had a lot of guts to do it.  She also wished me well in my race on Sunday.  It was a huge shock to be recognized.  I was so humbled by her kind words, that in all my nervousness, I forgot to ask her what her name is.  If you read this post, please message me so I can also acknowledge who you are and thank you for completely making my day.  The support I get from everyone in my life, whether it be via the web world, or my real life, is not lost on me.  I appreciate each and every kind word, message, comment and only hope that I am supporting others in much the same way.  Thanks once again to all for reading!

I am a runner!

Me, Enz and Tanya after our 5k in the rain.

That's right.  I officially consider myself a runner.  Not only did I run my first 5k tonight, I ran it in the rain in 2 degree weather.  I was soaking wet and miserable during the run, but I felt great afterwards!  If you told me 6 weeks ago, when I started running, that I would have run 5k in only six weeks, I would have doubled over in laughter.  This was mine as well as Tanya's first 5k.  Enz is an old pro and one of my greatest inspirations for running!  All my running gals ROCK!!!!!

Here are the stats of our run.  Not very fast, but I don't care.  I ran 5k!  We did 6:1 intervals.

My thanks to Enz for providing the stats.  She calls herself a statistics geek, I call her organized.  We have two more runs before our 5k race on Sunday.  I'm very nervous but very excited too.  I know I can do this now.  I may not be fast, but that will improve over time.  Endurance and distance...that's my focus right now.

So I now know why the gas in Peterborough is 10 cents cheaper per litre...it's shit gas!  There is nothing wrong with my car except that when I filled up with gas at the Shell station at 900 Lansdowne Street West in Peterborough, my car wouldn't go.  My excellent mechanics hooked it up to the diagnostics machine and everything worked perfectly.  They spent the entire day with my car driving it and letting it run.  It did stall, but they added a stabilizer to my gas tank and it's been fine since.  I drove it around all day today with zero mishaps.  Their final verdict...bad gas.

I have the BEST mechanics in the world.  If you live in the greater Toronto area and need dependable, honest and reliable mechanics you need to go to Phillips Automotive.  If I had brought my car anywhere else, I know I would have paid hundreds of dollars in repairs I did not need.  I live an hours drive away from these guys, but would not take my car anywhere else.  They truly care about their customers and give everyone the same dedicated service.  I love these guys and know that they give me 100% every time I have to bring my car there.  I don't even let anyone else give me an oil change!  Trust me, they are worth the drive even if you don't live in Scarborough.  Tell them Leigh sent you:)

Oh what a night!

Oh what a night indeed.  I trudged home at 9pm tonight.  That's right, that's when I walked through my door.  My job requires that I drive...a lot...to see clients.  They live within a 200 kilometer radius of my house.  So I was in Peterborough, which is roughly 200K from home, and I just dropped my client off and went to fill up my gas tank (why gas is 10cents cheaper per liter in Peterborough, I'll never figure out).  As I'm pulling out of the service station, my car jerks, the dashboard lights up, and I stall.  I start the car and I'm able to move just enough to pull into a parking lot.

So now I have to call my mechanics in Scarborough (125K away), to let them know that my car keeps stalling and to also let them know I'm having it towed there and to expect my car in their lot the next morning.  I call CAA, and they send Bob's Towing over to assist me.  So Jake, not Bob, shows up and he's a spry young buck who has my car on the flat bed truck in record time.  A trick he told me he has perfected since he does a lot of repo work.  I'm driving to Scarborough with Jake and he's really into Christian Rock, and sings loudly and out of key quite a bit.  That's all good, but the endless stories of his repo work get old really quickly and I'm just guessing that a lot of them were exaggerated.  Many sounded exactly like some episodes of Repo Wars that I've seen.  He was very chatty, jumpy and animated and I guessed he was either ADHD (which I hoped), or really stoned (which I couldn't tell because he wore sunglasses).

My dad was good enough to meet me at the mechanics (since he only lives about 10 mins. away), drop me off at the subway and give me 3 bucks so I could get on said subway.  I haven't been on the subway in Toronto in a couple of years.  Apparently the service has improved, but the smell, not so much.  (On an exciting side note, I only took up my space on the double seat instead of spilling over onto my neighbours space:)  Of course, the train was delayed for 5 stops because of signal problems.  I finally make it to Union station and hop on the 7:40pm Go bus to Hamilton.  I'm sitting on the bus and wondering why I have such horrible pins and needles in my feet.  I finally realize that its fine (and sharp?) water dripping on my feet, so I move my feet...but it took me 20 minutes to realize this and I don't know where the water was coming from.  I get off the Go bus at 8:36 pm and walk home from the downtown Go station, making it into my house just before 9pm.

I'm bummed.  I don't know what's wrong with my car, and neither does Jake.  Not only is he a repo man, but he used to be a mechanic.  Seriously, he's like 23.  He told me he's getting his wisdom teeth out next week for Pete's sake!  Oh, he's also a math genius...according to his high school principal.  Anywho, I just got my income tax return back (all $2200 of it), and I'm sure that what ever is wrong with my car, will be very expensive to fix.  I'm never lucky with cars.  Oh, I forgot to mention, someone dented my passenger door in the Walmart parking lot on Monday while I was grocery shopping.  Not a huge dent, but noticeable. So goodbye tax money!

On a happier note, I had my weigh-in today with Dr. Pitt.  I'm down 10 pounds in 23 days.  What the what?  I was expecting a loss, but that took me a little a back.  I can only attribute it to the running.  I'm eating A LOT, and more Phase 2 foods than usual and even drinking wine.  I think I'm going to stick mainly to Phase 2 of the diet now and see what happens over the next month.  My next weigh-in is May 17th...4 weeks away.  I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm happy with the loss, but that's a bit quicker than I like to lose.

Yesterday we kicked ass during our practice run.  Our clinic instructor, Carol, is a great motivator and knows just when to push us that little extra.  We did 5:1 intervals and we were doing 4 of those for the past week.  Yesterday we not only did an extra interval, we did it running up the Cootes incline.  You know the one I almost expired on Easter morning.  Not only did I run for 25 minutes, I found it almost easy.  Tomorrow we start with 6:1 and on Monday, Enz, our running gal Tanya and I are going to run 5k doing 6:1 to prepare for my (and Tanya's) very first 5K race the following Sunday.  Oh, and just for the record...about an hour after I wrote my last post, I too came down with the same virus that plagued my husband and son!

A house full of sickos

What a weekend.  Friday my little dude was sent home late in the day for vomiting three times.  He comes home, goes to bed and my husband calls me while I'm two hours away to tell me that the boy is sick.  So I say, "did you put a bucket and maybe a garbage bag down beside his bed?" Simple answer of "nope".  So I suggest he does just that and he insists he's pretty sure he's done.  So Julien woke up and vomited three more times all over his bed and rug.  Men are so dense.  I spent Saturday morning at the laundry mat washing his duvet and pillows.  So now the hubby is ill and I'm with my little guy for the day because although he's almost 100%, he still has a little bout of the diarrhea here and there.

I felt so bad for him yesterday.  We went to see the Imagination Movers in Kitchener, Ontario yesterday and he was sooooooooo excited.  The concert started out with Julien singing and dancing, he was so happy to be there.  Then as time wore on, I could see he was getting real quiet and clingy.  When the show was done, he said he had to go to the bathroom right away.  Then he had a pretty explosive episode in the washroom.  My poor little dude.  I asked him why he didn't tell me earlier and he said he didn't want to miss the show.  I really did enjoy myself (I didn't want to go, but the hubby was sick) and the show was pretty interactive.  The guys came down into the audience quite a bit and Julien was so excited because he got to high five 3 of the 4 Movers.  Definitely worth a look if they come to your area and your kids are fans.

This weekend was pretty decent exercise wise.  We started 5 and 1's at the running clinic on Friday.  All went pretty well.  It was the first time I felt like a real runner.  If you had told me 5 weeks ago that I would be running for 5 minutes straight and not only could keep up with everyone, but hold a conversation during, I would have laughed at you.  After the clinic I went out with my running girls and we had a nice dinner at the Bean Bar in Hamilton.

Saturday was my Yoga class and I was so stiff at the beginning of the class.  I could feel my back cracking as I lay on my mat on the floor.  I don't sweat during the class, but boy do I feel the stretches in my joints.  By the time the class was over, I felt flexible and refreshed.  I personally think that the Yoga on Saturday helps with my Sunday morning run.  I'm definitely not a morning runner.  Other than this Sunday past, the only other time I truly had a good run Sunday morning was three weeks ago when I first started yoga.  There was no Yoga last Saturday because it was the Easter weekend.

Last Sunday when I ran Cootes Drive with my clinic instructor, I felt like I wanted to die.  I did the same run yesterday and it was 100% easier.  Like night and day.  Coming backup the incline was not nearly as difficult as it was a week ago and it amazes me how quickly my body has adapted to this whole running thing.  I have three races scheduled in the next month or so.  The Chocolate Race in Port Dalhousie (April 29th), The Hazel 5K in Mississauga (May 5th), and the Run for Wells in Burlington (May 26th).  I'm nervous, but excited at the same time.  My goal is to finish the races by running/walk intervals of 8 and 1 (Chocolate), and 10 and 1 for the other 2.  I may be really daring and sign up for the Hamilton Marathon in November and register for the 10K.

I get weighed for the first time in three weeks this Thursday.  I think I've been doing pretty good food wise.  The only thing I've been eating more of is Phase 2 veggies and I have a glass of wine here and there (which is also allowed on Phase 2).  Other than that, I still mostly follow Phase 1 of the diet.  I went to my first Weight Watchers meeting in over 10 years on Friday.  I took my client to register and attend her first meeting ever.  Although I know WW works for many people, I'm not optimistic it will work for my client.  She's excited she gets to use her points on whatever types of food she wants and will still undoubtedly eat processed bad foods, but still may stay within her points.  I'm doubtful she will lose weight this way.  I did like the meeting part though where we discussed exercise and keeping active.  I may look into Overeaters Anonymous for her too.  Maybe that along with WW will be more helpful for her.

All I can say is, I better not get sick.  I have a rumbly in my tumbly today and I hope it's just the cramps from my monthly gift.  Since I never had to clean up vomit, I'm holding out hope that the virus has skipped me.  Probably wishful thinking on my part!

Stuffed...like a sausage

Compression wear is most unflattering...
I can't believe I go out in public like this!

I can't believe I'm posting this photo of myself.  Yes, I am dressed like that at work.  Yes, I sat through my bi-weekly team meeting wearing that get up.  Yes, my team commented about my choice of clothing. However, the comments were all supportive and since I have promised myself that I will run 4 times per week without fail, I needed to change before my meeting because I had to leave right at 4pm to make it back to Hamilton from Toronto for my running club.  Whew that was a long sentence!

My lovely student (I supervise Child and Youth Worker students from local Toronto colleges) took this photo of me and she was foolish to do so because it's not too late for me to change her grade from an "A" to something less agreeable.  Just joking N!!!!!!  I was actually VERY proud of her yesterday.  She told me that she got a referral from her family doctor to begin the metabolic diet that I'm on.  That first step is a HUGE one and I support her 100%.  Way to go N, I know you can do this!

My runs this week have been ok.  Last night was a bit trying.  My clinic instructor got us to run up and down a pretty steep (and deep) hill...twice! With barely any recovery time in between.  Again, right in the middle of the run, I swore I would never run again and cursed myself for starting in the first place.  But we completed the run and even added on an extra interval at the end for good measure.  And then we all patted each other on the back and talked about looking forward to the run coming on Friday when we up the intervals another minute.  Crazy, I know. And a bit unstable if you ask me.  But hey, it's working for me, and I'm still addicted.

I feel like I haven't stepped on a scale in like forever.  It's actually been two weeks.  And I'm not getting weighed until next Thursday (19th).  I have been tempted to step on the old scale I have in my bathroom, but I avoid the scale in between weigh-ins, cos' then I become addicted to weighing myself and can do it a number (10) of times a day.  Did you know that your weight will change (sometimes drastically) every time you step on the scale throughout the day.  It drove me crazy and that's why I stay off of the scale in between doctor's visits.  I'm expecting a loss.  The new jeans I bought about a month ago, are falling down when I walk up the stairs at work.  I guess I need to start using the belt again.

I have been a bad blog commenter of late.  I get awesome comments and support via my blog readers and Facebook friends and I appreciate each and every one.  I am just so humbled that anyone finds me inspirational.  Never in a million years did I think I would inspire anyone to lose weight...or run...or make healthy choices.  I started this blog to keep myself accountable.  It has morphed into so much more.  The support and guidance I receive is a huge part of what keeps me going.  Everyone (family, friends, co-workers, Facebook friends, bloggers) in my life has supported me completely through this journey.  That is why I need to continue to support those who support me.  I promise that I will make a concerted effort to comment once again...starting this weekend!  Till then....

A time of renewal

I was up bright and early this fine Easter morning.  I went for my regular Sunday morning practice run with the Running Room.  It was just me and my clinic instructor this morning and she asked me if I wanted to try running the incline on Cootes Paradise.  Going down was a breeze because it was all down hill.  Coming up?  That was another story entirely.  Not only was I already tired because it was the end of the run, but it was all up hill!  What was I thinking to agree to something like this?

Let me tell you I felt like utter crap by my last interval.  My legs felt like lead and I just wanted to curl up into a fetal position and cry like a baby.  But my instructor was great.  She kept talking to me and getting me to focus on things and before I knew it, we were done.  I can't believe that I finished without embarrassing myself by sobbing uncontrollably or losing my faculties.  And the funniest part of the whole run was that once I was coherent again, I actually uttered the words, "that was great...I feel great...I can't wait to do it again"!  I have clearly developed some masochistic tendencies.

My instructor said that she doesn't love running, but loves how it makes her feel.  I totally understand what she means by that.  I can't even categorize myself as a runner, but when I'm struggling in the middle of my run, swearing that this is definitely the last one I'm doing EVER...the minute I finish, I'm pumped to do it again. And I feel like a million bucks!  Maybe I'll never run more than 5K, but right now I don't care.  The endorphins that running releases is a huge motivator to keep on going.  That and I have a great group of running girls who are super supportive and also keep me focused.

This cracks me up every time I see it.
And is 100% true in my case.  Ask anyone I run with!

So my eating this holiday weekend.  Well, overall, I didn't do too badly.  Although I followed more Phase 2 than Phase 1 of the metabolic diet that I'm on, I actually did pretty good overall.  Yesterday I had dinner with my family and prepared my mother's traditional Easter meal of ham, scalloped potatoes, sauerkraut with kielbasa, sauteed shredded carrots and roasted green beans.  I only ate the ham (which is super high in sodium), sauerkraut (also higher in sodium), and the green beans.  And I drank an ocean of water.  I also didn't eat any of the cranberry orange loaf that I made, or the apple pie I served...or any of the chocolate that is bountiful at any Easter feast.

Today I had dinner with my in-laws.  I pigged out on salad and roasted chicken.  Oh sure there was also lasagna, peas (the ones with mushrooms and garlic that I love), potatoes and tons of desserts (including more chocolate), but I stuck strictly to the chicken and salad.  I didn't find my will power lacking or temptation rearing it's ugly head.  After all, there will be Easter again next year.  Maybe by then I'll be in a place where I can enjoy a few more things during celebrations.  Overall it was an enjoyable weekend.  I got to spend time with the people I love most and even got to see some visiting family who live in another province.

What made this holiday special for me:

1. Seeing the excitement on my son's face when he realized that the Easter bunny had left him something.  
2. The people I got to spend it with.  
3. Conquering my run this morning and pushing myself to do something that made me nervous and doubtful of my abilities.
4. Being able to cook my family dinner without the exclusion of family favourites, while still maintaining my willpower and dedication to myself and my health.

Hope you all had an awesome Easter weekend!

A change is gonna come

Maintenance is a scary thing.  I'm not there yet, but I have less than half way to go before I am.  If I'm going to be successful at this weight-loss thing and not just another statistic, I need to start planning.  From this moment on!  I'm a carbohydrate and sugar addict.  I will need to limit these things from my diet forever.  I'm not saying that carbs or sugar will never pass my lips again.  I need to be realistic and I would be lying if I vowed to never eat another carbie or sugary thing.  But I know my triggers better than anyone.  I know exactly what foods could set off binges.  Those are the foods I need to avoid forever.  I believe that I'm beginning to adopt lots of positive habits that I know I must carry on for the rest of my life.

I keep a food journal.  In my opinion, this is a good habit to develop.  I write in my food journal every evening.  I record what I ate throughout the day and post the times.  I also record the exercise I've done and the amount of water I drank.  I've been doing this since October 2011 (minus 3 weeks in February).  It's definitely a habit now and something just as important to me as brushing my teeth.  This is something I will continue to do for now and evermore.

Here is a page out of a very boring eating day.
I ate the same thing twice...but I had to eat out at  two different restaurants that day.
I don't record amounts for lean protein or leafy greens because I'm allowed to eat those things until I'm full.

I have developed an exercise plan.  Right now I'm a bit addicted to running.  While I'm in the middle of my run (which I started to do 4 times a week), I vow that I am going to quit and never run again.  Then as soon as it's over and I completed it, I'm totally pumped to do the next one.  Every week as I build endurance and distance, I become more and more confident that I'll complete this "Learn to Run" clinic intact and be able to run 5k.  I'm already planning to join the 5k clinic that starts in mid-May with  my running girls!  Between running and yoga I'm exercising 5 days a week.  That is a huge change for me.  I was the biggest couch potato ever and hated all forms of exercise.  Running is something I cannot let go of.  Now that I've found a sport I'm beginning to really like, it's best that I just stick with it.

I have had to make a lifestyle change.  This is not a diet.  I am developing eating habits and gaining knowledge that I will have to use throughout my life.  If I think for even a second that I can go back to eating the way I did prior to starting my lifestyle change, then I am wasting my time.  I might as well throw in the towel now and just eat what I want.  Losing weight is hard. Eating healthy takes planning and determination.  I need to plan my weekly meals on the weekend.  I think about what I'm going to prepare for lunches and dinners and make my list and shop.  I love that I can price match at my supermarket.  I've become a bit of a flyer junkie and save about $30 a week price matching.  This is especially useful for meat, since it's my main food source and it can be so expensive.

I read hundreds of blogs.  There are many folks out there that struggle and need lots support and confidence boosters.  Although I am happy to give a boost when required, if the behaviour continues for weeks and weeks and weight gain climbs, I tend to lose interest.  There's only so much that others can do for us.  We need to be able to help ourselves first.  I have not had a gain since I began the metabolic diet that I'm on.  That does not mean that I'm "cured" or immune to this.  What it means is that I'm currently focused and have found other things to replace food with (blogging, running and yoga).

I had a precarious time in February when I thought I might start full on cheating.  In three weeks I only lost a pound.  I was getting sloppy with my eating and I wasn't journaling.  I knew then that I needed to change things up and get back on track.  I was also thankful that my running clinic started soon.  I fear falling off the wagon just like the rest of you.  Thankfully I have not experienced this yet (this time around).  If that happens, I'm counting on you all to give me the kick in the ass I'll need to get back on track.  Nothing nice either, just the truth.

I have come to recognize that food is no longer the most important thing in my life.  Sounds pathetic, but I'm pretty sure it used to be.  I thought about food from the time I woke up, until I went to sleep again.  The only thing on my mind 24/7 now is my family.  I have a beautiful boy who is way more important to me than any enjoyment that I could get out of gorging myself on pizza or a chocolate cake.  I simply don't put myself in situations where I would normally want to eat.  Primetime was my biggest binging trigger.  I used to snack constantly while watching TV.  I have drastically limited my TV watching.  I have become addicted to reading trashy romance novels instead.  Laugh and judge all you want, but it keeps me out of the fridge.

I challenge you to think about your triggers.  Think about how you can modify certain behaviours to keep on track.  I guarantee that if you find something that can replace food in your life, it makes this journey a whole lot easier...for now.  Remember, these modified behaviours and your determination to execute them are going to make your weight-loss and maintenance programs successful.  You're worth it!