It was January 2, 2004 when I returned from New York and vowed that I would not live a life of desperation, aches, and pains because I was so overweight.  I started the journey and have been on it ever since. 

Not only has it been an interesting journey but one that changed my life.  I lost more than 100 pounds and have been working to keep it off. 

Keeping it off is just as much work as it was to get it off.  Every day I work to change my habits to support a leaner lifestyle.    A few weeks ago I wrote about a new tool that I was using to track my food, exercise and sleep.  It is called the Jawbone UP (http://www.nauvootimes.com/cgi-bin/nauvoo_column.pl?number=101635&author=dian-thomas.)  Now when I take a bite of something I know that I am going to have to record it in my new tool.  

I have been eating healthy foods for a long time, so that is not as much of a challenge as the quantity and not taking samples that are offered to me at stores when I shop. 

I just got back from buying some bread this morning, and while I was there they offered me a sample of some fresh-baked scones or cookies.  Neither was a good choice.  I chose the cinnamon scones because they looked like they had fewer calories.  WRONG.

I could tell when I took a bite that the scones were loaded with sugar.  I decided that I would wrap them up and feed them to the ducks.  Then I thought about that again and said to myself, I am sure this is not the food that the ducks at the park should eat. I stopped at the nearest garbage can and tossed them. 

My normal habit would have been to eat the scones and say, “Oh well!”  When you add all the “Oh wells” up, it adds up quickly, and soon the pounds begin to come back on.

For the past two weeks I have been recording everything that I eat.  I have to be so careful not to eat food that is not on my plan.  My new tool is just like a bank.  If I record everything that I eat, it will give me a running total of what I still have to spend in calories at the end of the day.  I can assure you it adds up faster on the calculator than it does in my head when I am eating recklessly.

The other night I went to a party.  I wanted to be able to have some calories to spend at the party so I had an orange and half of a low fat cottage cheese serving for dinner. When I got to the party I looked for the healthy foods.  I had to be very careful not to overeat even though I had planned to eat a little while there. 

I know that more than half of the people in America struggle with weight.  That is not a surprise when you stop and think of the food that does not cost a lot but is loaded with calories and tastes great. 

Slowly I think that I am seeing the big picture.  Eat what is healthy; calculate the calories in a computer tool and set goals that support your healthy lifestyle.  Just like your bank account, you need to be accountable for your actions because it is so easy to over spend your calories.

Dian’s book Tipping the Scales in Your Favor shares her weight loss journey. For years Dian tried and tried to lose weight, but it was not until Jackie Keller said to her in California, “I can help you lose weight” that she caught the vision and lost over 100 pounds. Most important, she has been able to keep it off. Get Dian’s book today and begin the journey to healthy living. Go to www.DianThomas.com to learn more.

Dian Thomas’s library: You will never run out of ideas when you have this wonderful set of books. Check out Dian Thomas’s Creative Books Library Special: She now has a special offer to save 60% on 5 books and 2 DVDs. Get Dian’s creative library for only $49.99. Save $70 and have more than 25 years of her creative and amazing ideas. This package will be great for gifts, for fun, and for kids and grandchildren. Take advantage of this limited offer at www.DianThomas.com.

Want to travel with Dian?  Join one of her trips to China this fall where you will enjoy a cultural feast and fun adventure.  Email Dian at Contact@DianThomas.com or call 801-277-4332 for more information.