Why I'm doing the SWBM

(First published in 2005) I will tell you that when my health concerns got so bad (diabetes, cholesterol, triglycerides, knees, energy, etc.) and when my dr. approached me with the subject of gastric bypass, I just finally realized it was time for ME to do something positive for a change. I was just moving from one day to the next with no goals and no plans to make goals, and I think it was the suggestion that I was so obese, the dr. thought I might need the surgery. When I looked into the mirror, even at 365 lbs. (my highest KNOWN weight) I didn't see an overweight out-of-shape person. What I saw was the ME I thought I was. The weird thing now is that I can't look in the mirror without now seeing that overweight obese person. The mind plays tricks on us constantly. Anyway, after I researched the surgery for about 3 months, I couldn't sleep the week before I was to give the dr. an answer about the surgery, so I flipped on the TV. Of course, MT's infomercial was on, and the rest is history. Within 8 weeks of starting the program, all my lab work had gone into the excellent range, but the dr. was cautious and waited almost a year to remove the diabetic meds from me, and then after 14 months on program, he told me I was no longer considered a diabetic, and removed the cholesterol meds, too. I will also tell you that I have been a failure at weight loss for 44 years. My first "diet" was at age 16 and up through age 60, I still had never been "successful" in changing my eating habits. I was just dieting to get to a weight goal, and then when I would get there, I'd go back to my old habits. Thankfully, this time, my tastes have changed so very much, that I don't LIKE those old foods cooked the OLD way (with salt, sugar and oils). The most important thing I did was say a prayer, the night before I started. I confessed that I had never been able to lose weight on my own and that I needed help. I absolutely turned it over to God that night and put Him in charge. My friends marvel at my will power and determination through this adventure, but I can honestly say I don't have either of those...all I have is God power, and I am fully convinced that Michael Thurmond was placed in my path for a reason. I didn't mean to get so long-winded, but that's my story, and as they say, "I'm sticking to it!!"

The only advice I can give you is to do some soul-searching yourself. Is eating processed foods worth the damage they are doing to your body? You already see what it can do to others and probably to yourself. Now is the time to do something about it, before it gets as out-of-hand as mine was!!
In order to be successful, you must make this a priority. You should be able to lose your excess in 6-9 months or even sooner. (The person to whom this was originally written needed to lose 50 or 60 lbs.) In that process, you must CHOOSE to be prepared for all events. I do NOT eat anything out or even at a friend's except salad. I always take my grilled chicken and either strawberry slices or baked potato chunks, along with my balsamic vinaigrette. Knowing it would take me about 2 years to do this, I opted to allow myself to have one meal (small portions only) off program each six weeks after the 12th week. Also, I plan to have 5 other meals off program (notice I did not say days or seasons, but MEALS): my birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Other than that, I am NEVER off program. Also, I cook all my meals for the week on one day. I make all my own condiments (that's what I'm doing tonight) and always have enough for grab and go to last a whole week (and sometimes two weeks). Again, the key to success is to have the fridge full of grab and go or grab and nuke foods, so that when you come in dead tired, you don't say, "Well, just this one time I'll eat a sandwich, or run by McDonald's, etc." You must drink all your water, because it flushes out the fats, sugars, and salts from your body. I think that's why this program REALLY works so well. Your goals must be written or they are just dreams, and dreams won't get you anywhere. Don't think you have to lose a certain amount of weight by a certain date or you'll set yourself up for failure. Set goals like: 1. I'll be perfectly on program (POP) each day, and 2. I will exercise each day, increasing the amount of time until I reach a minimum of 30-45 min. daily. If you will do those 2 things, the side effect is that you will lose weight and be healthier!!!