I think I like the idea that I don’t know how much I have lost, because that tells me that I am not obsessing over my weight. This was something that held me back in the past. I have struggled with being overwhelmed in the past 2 weeks and I learned a while ago that being overwhelmed gets me in trouble. I eat my way from one side of the problem to the other. I learned a long time ago that I have eliminate the situation that is causing the problem. It took me a few days, but I did finally got rid of the excess stress and continued on with my life. I ate my way through those days, but not to the point where I gained weight or changed my thinking about my goals.

Now, about the green tea. I usually drink a cup in the morning and sometimes a cup in the afternoon. The brand I use has ginseng in it and is very inexpensive. Not only is this tea packed full of antioxidants, but it helps me control my appetite and gives me that energy boost that I am looking for. I usually sip on it all morning and especially when I feel like I am getting hungry.

I am working on a certification for work and I will be glad when I am done. This is a real challenge, because it changes my normal routine. Another 2 weeks and hopefully I will be done and can get back to the things in my life that mean more to me. This will help me advance my career and it is something that I need, but I also want to get back to my internet business. I would also like to exercise more. I will set those goals once I reach the certification goal.

I am still not very good at writing down what I eat, but I do believe having it open next to me does make me more aware of what I am putting in my mouth. I often will record small goals or things that I would like to work on changing. Although, I do not always use it for what it was intended, I have benefited from it.

So, for the month of August I lost the 2 stubborn pounds that I had regained and 3 more pounds. I would have liked to get 2 more pounds off, but what I have learned is that being critical of your progress is asking for trouble. For me, as long as the scale is going the right direction, it is a good month. I have found that as long as I hold myself accountable, but do not put undue pressure on myself I will lose weight.

Now for September. I have lost 2 pounds this month and am hoping to lose about 3 more. I avoided the Ohio State trough yesterday and as of right now I do not have any big plans for the game that include food.

I am thinking about having a bacon, egg and cheese McGriddle this morning. This was something I used to eat several times a week and when I made the decision to try to live healthier, I went down to eating them only on the weekends. I rationalized that because I exercise more, it was okay and I was losing weight. But I in recent weeks, I have cut that back. It has probably been 3 weeks since I have enjoyed the favorite food. They have 450 calories and actually play havoc with my sugar levels, but I do not seem to have problems with them, if I eat them right before I walk. So with that being said, it is time to go to the park and walk before it rains.

I am on the computer many hours a day, so I can keep this form on a jump drive and update it as need be. I think this journal will help me identify problem areas.

I already know one major problem area and that is my place of employment. That place has more food than a restaurant and unfortunately the areas where this food is placed is not far from where I sit. I am trying to find effective ways of avoiding it or dealing with it. With my compulsive eating habits, I can eat anytime. Hunger is not a requirement.

Saturday is the first Ohio State game and I have already received and email from the administrative assistant announcing the Friday tailgate festivities. What this basically means is that there will be junk food available all day and it will be located about 2 steps away from where I sit. This is going to be a tough one. If I could, I would take the day off. But that is only a temporary solution. There will be several more of these things before football season ends. I have about 2 days to come up with a plan of action and there is no guarantee that I will be able to follow it. I will let you know how I do.

The part of this book that I found of great value was the information concerning breaking through a plateau. Plateaus can be quite discouraging. You work so hard and nothing. I recently experienced a plateau and this is the method I used. According to the book, if you increase your exercise by 20 percent and decrease your calories by the same amount your body should be shocked out of its comfort zone. They recommend doing this for 7-9 days. It was only a few days before I saw a weight loss.

There is no reason why you should not be able to maintain a healthy lifestyle by following the Fat Smash Diet. This plan is balances and is one of the easier food plans I have come accross.

I still managed to walk for 30 minutes today, but I think I will let my second 30 minute walk go for this evening. I attribute some additional exercise and a reduction in calories for a two day period with jump starting my weight loss.

I am ready to get started with some strength training and will try to work that into my schedule after the Labor Day holiday. I believe I will meet with my personal trainer and see what she recommends as a good strength program. I would like to work with resistance bands, but I am trying to figure out where I can attach them in my house.

I really feel that if I take small steps and increase my goals slowly, I will have my recent weight gain off by Thanksgiving and then I will be in a position to plan the next part of my move towards being healthy. I am amazed at how my desire for unhealthy foods is starting to disappear. My only hope is that I can maintain the motivation that I have at the current time.

I have gained 2 pounds that I just cannot seem to get off. Now to most people this may not seem like much, but I have set my weight loss goal for the time being at 25 pounds. I have gotten as much as 9 pounds of that 25 off, but here comes this 2 pounds.

I have not binged and I still exercise a lot. I would guess it is just a matter of time and the 2 pounds will come back off and hopefully more after that. I struggle much more with the eating part of getting healthy than the exercise part. I do well in the morning and can manage my eating in the afternoon, if I concentrate on it. But this tends to be the most stressful part of my day.

I have set my weight loss goal at 5 pounds a month and I am hoping to have the 25 pounds off by Thanksgiving. So, right now in order to reach that goal I need to lose 7 pounds this month. But these are benchmarks and they are not set in stone. At this time, I have the strength to continue the new behaviors I have established.

My weight loss motivation is high. I have no hesitation when it comes to exercise, but I wish could exercise more control when it comes to what I put in my mouth. I embrace the good days and try to do things different when I have a bad day. Thankfully, my days are not nearly as bad as they once were.