Exercise 1: Deleting the "fat" program:

1.  My goal weight is 105 and my goal dress/pants is 4.

I was a size four, 20 years ago when I began my career and 28 years ago, when I married my dear husband (DH).  I am 5'2" -- and likely shrinking a bit at age 51 (my mother at age 77 is an inch shorter than before) -- so this is not too thin.

Also, I am predisposed to hypoglycemia and my father was diabetic during the last year of his life, so I know that this is my time to take control and get to my ideal weight.

My beloved grandmother remained a size 4 through all the years I knew her.  But she was physically active, gardening and walking daily.  I'm not.  Thirty six years after her passing, she remains a role-model for me, in more ways than desired body type.

2.  On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 is "No Way" and 10 is "Yes, without a doubt!" my chances of success at reaching and maintaining my goal. This is how I feel today.  It can and will change as I go through this program. 

8.5

3.  If I were to wake up tomorrow morning at my goal weight, my life would change in the following ways:

- I'd feel healthier.
- I'd be more energetic.
- I'd feel lighter.
- I'd feel great.
- I'd wear my clothes better.
- I'd expand my wardrobe.
- I could wear a swim suit without self-consciousness.
- I'd back in the body intended for me.

4.  1 being "Trim and Healthy" and 10 being "Extremely Overweight and Out of Shape," I rate myself as a 5, i.e., moderately overweight and out of shape.

5.  If I were a missing person, and someone had to give an accurate physical description of me, they would say about my body size:  careening wildly in the direction of zaftig.

“Zaftig, in Yiddish, means juicy. It also means voluptuous, plump, and round in a deliciously sensuous sort of way,” writes Hanne Blank. “Used to refer to people’s bodies, it suggests opulence and abundance, a sort of unconventional beauty built on heft and curves and softness. Zaftig is also, often, a euphemism for saying that someone is fat.”

(I am not Jewish, by the way.  But zaftig has such a delicious ring to it - and it has far more pizazz than "chubby."

Although it may be entirely possible for some to be happy with their bodies in every way, shape or form,  I know my clear preference for my body is "slim, trim, and fit."  I feel my best and at my best when I am all three.

6.  My top three excuses for being overweight are:

Actually, I have no excuses. These are the reasons:

1.  I am far too sedentary for my own good.  I live too much in my mind; not enough in my body.

2.  I exercise, but much too sporadically.

3.  I eat out of habit and often out of boredom.

It is not genetic.  It is not a slow metabolism. 

7.  The people, situations, behaviors and beliefs that challenge my attempts to lose weight are:

I can be my own worse enemy and food saboteur.

I am often given luscious, high calorie food as gifts and although I give most of them away, albeit somewhat guiltily, some of it makes it to my mouth.

I hate to waste anything.

I love delicious, well-prepared food and love to indulge my taste buds from time to time, apparently too often.

I like crunchy, salty  food, especially BBQ potato chips. 

I eat without paying attention.  I am a multi-tasker to the extreme.  And this is not good when it comes to eating.

I attend far too many professional and social events that involve or revolve around food.

8.  When I think about the process of losing weight, becoming healthier and looking my best, I feel:  

hopeful, albeit somewhat wistfully.

Exercise 2: Installing the "thin" program:

1.  In the past, the diets, strategies, programs or behaviors that have been successful for me, even temporarily, include:

Walking and biking regularly.

Nutri-Systems.  (but the food became too boring and unappetizing for me to maintain any desire to continue)

Reducing carbs.

2.  The major foods that I need to eat less or eliminate entirely are:

BBQ potato chips.

Desserts.

Rice.

French fries.

Catsup.

Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Ice cream.

Blue Cheese / Roquefort Dressing.

3.  The reasons I want to lose weight are:

To be the best that I can be.  God doesn't make junk.  I was given a marvelous creation -- the human body, and the upkeep and maintenance of this vehicle that propels me through this life is my responsibility.

To honor God's  temple (I use it a lot to pray in)  and the housing of my soul -- my body.

To be more energetic and be able to continue to be a help and not a hindrance in life.

4.  The people, situations, behaviors and beliefs that support my success of reaching and maintaining my goal weight are:

People:  My DH, Cia, Malou, Em, Don, Sandy, Joan, Mom, family and true friends.

Situations:  Being up in the mountains where I love being outdoors -- in relative anonymity, clean air and open spaces.  Avoiding fast-foods.  Dining out less.

Behaviors:  Taking the time to eat slowly and consciously.  Making the time and effort to exercise my body.

Beliefs:  I am here to live a glorious and healthy life, making positive differences in the lives of others, and being a conduit of God's Love.

5.  Describe something you've accomplished that you are proud of.  (From childhood to  yesterday) 

A positive outlook, an unwavering faith, and a grateful heart.

Building and maintaining a loving, supportive marriage and partnership with my husband;  a loving family with my dog-kids and hânai daughters and their mother (our friend);  valued friendships and acquaintances.

Helping and loving others on a daily basis.

Living a relatively healthy life without surgeries or major illnesses.

Surpassing all of my career goals.  The rest has been gravy.  Or dessert.   (I know, bad analogies)

Being financially independent of others during our graduate school years (my husband and I) by being goal-oriented, resourceful, indefatigable, humble and supportive of one another.  We were in the best of shape back then.

Have kept a basic optimism and appreciation for life, living, and people, in spite of experiences that may have sorely tested this orientation.

6.  List your favorite heroes:

DH, my father, my grandmother, Aunty Chick and Uncle Ted, Cia, Sue, Samara and Alana, Laki.

Favorite spiritual mentors: 
*  Mohandas Gandhi
*  Albert Einstein
*  Albert Schweitzer
*  Mary Kawena Pukui
*  The Peace Pilgrim

Favorite living inspirations: 
*  Oprah Winfrey
*  Colin Powell
*  Dean Kamen, founder of DEKA
*  Jimmy Carter
*  Firemen, police officers, rescue workers and passengers who thwarted the terrorists, NYC, September, 11, 2001

Authors and other creative people of the world.

7.  Think of the best gift anyone has ever given you, or could give you.  Describe the gift and why it's such a great gift to receive.

My life.  A life filled with wonderful people; meaningful friendships and relationships; rich and varied life experiences and extensive travels, unexpected highs and a few lows that strengthened, and the Joy of Living.

It's been a blessing. 

A manifestation of God's love for my soul.

8.  Describe an article/s of clothing that you are looking forward to wearing.

My blue jeans from college (in the early 1970s). 

Before I fell asleep, I listened to both tracks on first disc.  The Mommies introduced the program on the first; Mary Holmes explained it on the second.  This promises to be a most exciting odyssey for the rest of my life.

I can't wait to start the CDs!