Dear Joyce

Dear Joyce-


You might be wondering why I am writing to you via my blog, but you will get it soon. Today at work it was great talking to you about how you are unhappy. And I want to help you, I want to you to be motivated to do something I know you can do. Because no one should have days like you do, yes we all do, but you don't have to. You can make the change in your life and you will be so happy for doing it. So this post is all for you. And you will receive the books I promised at prom tomorrow night (for those reading this... we aren't in HS going to our prom, we photograph them.)

I am in no way an expert on anything at all besides maybe cleaning the house, which even then I don't always do a superb job. But since I have lost more then 1/2 my weight goal I figured its my time to give back. It’s my time to push someone and motivate someone to change their life, if that’s what they need. I can't tell you what to eat or what work outs are going to help you get healthy and skinny, but I can try. I can tell you what has worked for me and I can be a friend to help you along the way with out negative comments. If you are ready to do this I am ready to help. I don't know much at roller derby, or raising kids, or being a military wife, but I do know that it can be an amazing accomplishment to loose the weight and keep it off, and that it can be done.

So I have one question... Do you want me to be your Jillian Michaels...with out the yelling and screaming while lying on top of you at the gym? Because I want to be there for you in any way you want...and I won’t yell.



Here are a few things that I have done to help myself help me:



1. Eat smaller portions ever 3hrs of the day. When I wake up at 6am for work I eat breakfast which is usually 2egg whites and 1 egg yolk a slice of turkey meat onto of a toast. I also take my vitamins at this time too. Then around 9am when I am about to start the madness that is our job I make sure I have a snack. You know me I love my carrots and whole grain Kashi crackers and I try to get some cheese in there too. Around 12pm even if they day is crazy and there is no lunch break, I take a bite of my sandwich in between classes. I make sure to have a whole sandwich cut in half so I can get to it easy. I make it whole wheat with low fat mayo, a slice of Munster or pepper jack cheese and lots of yummy Costco lunch meat. I try to eat some fruit with my lunch as well. Then when I am getting off work around 3pm I have my next snack while driving to the office. It’s usually a bar of some kind with fruit or veggies. Then I eat dinner between 6-7. Smaller plates = less food. It’s the best trick in the book. I forgo the salt and anything that is going to make it fatty, unless its EVOO. I love my veggies with dinner so I make a butt load of them. I usually eat more veggies then carbs (its always pasta or rice at our house, unless I get my way and I get some potatoes in there). I don't make anything diety (if that’s a word) I just make it better for you. I still eat sloppy Joes and burgers. I just eat less of it and don't add a bunch of crap. I also take more vitamins at dinner. And to end the night I have a sugar free dessert. My favorite is either Jell-O or popsicles.

2. Working out- it doesn't have to be a mass amount to start out with, you can take your daughter for a walk on bass, swimming, cleaning the house, 20 minute exercise video ( i recommend Jillian Michaels 30 day shred. Warning- it kicks your ass) or an hour at the gym twice a week when you can find the time. Ease into something you like to do and then increase your time each week. Its amazing how much I am addicted to working out now after 3 months.

3. Take sugar out of your diet, unless you really love it. Then only eat a small amount (like 3 or 4 m&ms) right after dinner. Or get an organic dark chocolate bar and only eat a square at a time (not one right after another, one a night.)

4. Always eat a protein (cheese, nut, or meat) when you are eating sugar or carbs.

5. Drink, drink, drink... and no I don't mean beer or wine. I mean water. Flavor it if it gets boring. I actually don’t drink alcohol at all right now. It’s more useless carbs.

6. Sleep. I need my sleep, unlike my husband. I try to get anywhere between 7-8hrs of sleep every night. I know you think I am crazy, but if I have to wake up at 6am for work, I am in bed at 9:30 ready to fall asleep.

I hope this helps and I can't wait to help. Its going to be a hard journey and the weight isn't going to disappear over night. Good things take time (like the wine I am not drinking or good cheese).