Losing weight

Just a word to all my fellow overweight friends out there:

If you are having problems losing weight, you are obviously not alone. I tried on my own for the longest time.

I will confess. I am a 37 year old married woman. I am 5 feet tall.

15 weeks ago, I was 183.5 pounds. I am now 158.5 pounds. That's a weight loss of 25 pounds in 15 weeks!

My goal is to be somewhere between 110 and 120 pounds, and stay there.

How'd I finally start losing weight?

I watched 2 of our friends go on the HMR program which was being sponsored by the Center for Wellness at our local clinic. I watched them lose a tremendous amount of weight and feel MUCH better, and look much better.

So, I went on it. My husband went on it to support me. Two of our friends went on it about the same time. And another friend joined the bandwagon a few weeks later.

See, it's like this:
I tried to take a Calculus class on my own once... I just needed to complete 2 units in order to make my 2 semesters of 2nd year calculus (taken at a junior college) to fully transfer over to my quarter-system 4 year university. It was self-paced, and when you were done you had to take a test. There were tutors, but no homework that needed to be turned in... I think. It's all rather fuzzy. Let's just say that unlike my normal Calculus classes, where I had a professor and daily classes and homework that was due, I did really crappy in this self-paced Calculus class.

Point being, it's alot easier to learn, say, Calculus with a professor, classes, fellow students also taking the class and studying with you, and grades, rather then learning it on your own w/o anyone razzing you when you don't do your homework!

So, you need help. Weight loss is a learned skill, and can be a "long class". You need to do it with others, and be challenged by hearing how far others have come. There needs to be some friendly competition, and a coach (professor) helping you along.

And, in order to assist you, you need the right "material" to make eating healthy, smaller proportions easier, i.e., meal replacements. And the right documentation to help you keep track of what you are eating, how much you are exercising, and what your weight loss per week is.

I don't know if Jenny Craig or Nutri Systems, etc., are similar to HMR, but they probably are.

The HMR program has the following requirements, for the program I'm in. [I'm not in the most aggressive weight loss version... that one required weekly blood tests, and I'm not down with needles!]

1. Every day, eat at least 2 of their entrees.
2. Every day, eat/drink at least 3 of their shakes. You may blend them with fruit if you like.
3. Every day, eat at least 5 fruits and/or vegetables.
4. Every day, drink at least 64 ounces of water.
5. Every week, exercise at least 2000 calories.

And you have weekly 1 hour conference calls. Other versions of this program require going in for a 1 hour meeting with your fellow "classmates".

Anyway, go check it out. You may be able to have insurance pay for it.

I purchase entrees/shakes every 3 weeks for myself. it usually costs me... about $250 to $270. Of course, I still have to purchase my own fruits and vegetables. But I figure it works out as far as normal cost of groceries is concerned.

I believe they also charge $40.00 per month to be on the program.

I normally would scoff at stuff like this. But it bloody works! I feel so much better! It is so nice to be fitting into smaller clothing!!

I've still got a long way to go, and it has been tempting to cheat (and I have cheated several times), but in spite of that, I am losing weight and feeling healthier.

Here's a web site with information on HMR:
HMR Program

Good luck and Godspeed! :)