A Little Something Personal....

Hello out there!

Again, time has gotten away from me, and I do not have a card to share today, 

so I thought I'd share something a bit personal.

Some of you already know that mid-August 2012, I decided that I simply had to get healthier.

If you know me, you also know that I have tried nearly every affordable plan out there.

Fail, fail, fail....

I knew there just had to be something out there that would work for me.

A lady that I had worked with many years ago, had been on a program called, "Take Shape for Life", and was looking incredible.  I chatted with her a bit, but it took me over a year to decide to go for it.

TSFL utilitzes the Medifast Meals, and I just wasn't sure that I could be THAT disciplined.

The plan calls for eating 5 of their pre-packaged items, some of which are 'grab 'n go' type meals, such as bars, pretzel bites, etc., and others must be mixed with water and heated. The 6th meal each day is a lean and green meal that I prepare myself.  I am allowed 5, 6, or 7 oz. of lean meat, depending on whether I'm eating steak or fish, and how lean it is.

At first, I was afraid of failure, so I didn't really publicize what I was doing.  But...by week 2, I was losing weight, and decided to make myself a bit more 'accountable' by posting my weekly weight loss on Facebook.  The support from my friends, family, and health coaches, David & Sarah Buerck, has been phenomenal.

So today, I decided to find a photo that was taken last February at our daughter's wedding, and one that was taken in February of THIS year, as we prepare to celebrate a milestone anniversary...hopefully next February's photo will be even better!

This is NOT an ad for Medifast, although, this 'diet' has been as easy as falling off a log for me, and I have lost a little or a lot, consistently every week, since beginning.  

It IS, however, a plea for any of you out there that NEED to get healthier, to begin.  

Whether it's Weight Watchers, Atkins, Nutrisystem, or Medifast, do something to get started! 

 I cannot believe how wonderful I feel!  I go to the Post Office in town, daily, to pick up our mail.  I seriously had to hold on to the railing, and climb one step at a time when I began. Today, at 55.5 pounds less, I bound up and back down the steps like a high school kid.  And I am only halfway to goal!!!  

Can you imagine?  

Other things, like laying my size 22 Old Lady jeans on the bed, and my brand new Old Navy size 14 jeans on top of them, and seeing the difference, keep me motivated.  

My DH telling me how beautiful I look (yes, we do have an appt. to get his eyes checked...), and our kids and friends telling me how proud they are, keep me motivated.  

But mostly, it's feeling good, sleeping well, having no pain, no crutches to get around, etc., is what is motivating me most.

Thanks for letting me tell my story and for staying all the way to the end!
Stef Hughes, these pics are for you...finally!!!

Have a great day - Let's Get Healthy!!!

Patti J.

Taken February 2012 - L-R, Our son, my DH, our DD, our DSIL, and me

Taken February 2013 - 55 pounds less of me.