Good morning!!

I just wanted to let you know that SWBM (Six Week Body Makeover) is alive and well at my home!! Last Friday, I began a re-start (Jan. 8). I did not have all my foods cooked (I cook everything for the week ahead, so I don't have to think but once a week! LOL), and was not really on plan till Sunday. However, the timing of my meals was OFF, so I guess I really was not on plan that day either. This is a process, and just because you are not totally ready with all aspects of the program, is no reason not to start making changes. The good news is that since I weighed last Friday morning, I have lost 6 lbs. (....and yes, I admit it...I am a daily weigher! It keeps me on track.) Part of that success is having added the 100 oz. of water back into my daily regimen, and limiting my Diet DP's to no more than 12 oz. daily. I will begin to wean myself off those, too, but if you do it cold turkey, you'll have terrible headaches!

My friend Beth is helping me with preparation and ESPECIALLY with dish washing and clean-up. I still do not have enough stamina to stand long enough to do it all on my own, and it is great to have a friend share the load....and hopefully reap the benefits! It should keep us both more honest. We pre-write our daily menus, so all we have to do is go to the fridge, pull out what we need (Beth takes hers with her to take the work the next day.) and stay on plan. The goal is to be POP (Perfectly On Plan). Even if you don't make it every day to POP, you should be striving to reach it. Any effort towards a goal is progress, and not to be taken lightly.

I hope you have a great day toward better health, and that you know that all things are possible through the Lord, our God! If you will just eat right, you will be able to lose, even without exercise. When I first did this program in 2003, I lost 80 lbs. in 6 months, without any exercise at all, because I was not physically able to do any. You can do it, too. Remember I am following Michael Thurmond's Six Week Body Makeover, which is copyrighted, and therefore, I cannot share the plan's details with you. The good part is that you drink water and eat real food, lots of it, and except for a few supplements to ensure you have enough nutrients to lose, that's it. Keep it simple and nutritious, and it will work for you, too. Learn how to prepare foods without salt, sugar or fats. You won't believe how good they are with the use of herbs and spices. Happy losing, Liz (emaxson2@tx.rr.com)