Overcoming Doubts

Advice from Direct Selling Education Foundation (yes, I do love their stuff) was about overcoming your doubts in business but why not apply the same principles to weight loss.  Being so close to goal (7.2 pounds), I have doubts.  Many would say doubts are fears and fear is a lack of faith.  GUILTY!  So, here are some ways for me to face my fears and get rid of any doubts.  

1. Establish an advisory group.  My Thursday morning Weight Watcher's meeting is THAT group lead by the wonderful Nicole.  They have been AMAZING during my ups an downs.  In my business, I have a Director, Hope Shortt  and a team (Beacon of Hope) who is beyond words when it comes to giving advice or support.  Both of these groups help me on a daily basis to gain a fresh perspective and boost my self-confidence.  Mind you the fresh perspective is easy, it is the boost in self-confidence that is a little tougher.
2. Get a mentor.  A mentor provides more personalized guidance.  Both of mine were mentioned when I talked about the advisory groups.  See, they are also there to help on a one-to-one basis when things get tough.
3. Step away and clear your head. Being a recovering addict, getting "into my head" and getting overwhelmed is what I do best!  So, I need to move away - move away from the tempting cookies or candy, get my butt up and take a short walk.  As far as my business, when I get stuck and  am focusing on what I need for a given month, I step back and change my perspective.  I look at the blessings that I have been given through my business and then focus on my customers and what they need.  
4. Do more research.  For me, doing more research involved talking to a Wellness Coach, Jodi Greene Strumeier who helped tweak some of my eating habits.  As for my business, I began networking with successful business owners like those who are part of Entrepreneurial Think Tank for Moms.  I have learned about blogging, and tweeting (which I actually like to see updates better than Facebook).  The professional development that they offer is presented through a general business perspective instead of just for direct sales.  Don't get me wrong, my direct sales company has amazing weekly training and my Director has launched "Super Star University" which are semesters filled with information that will help me (and all levels of her team) to grow our business.  Talking to others in business helps me to remember that my direct sales business is just like every other business with similar challenges.
5. Calculate your risks and create a plan.   I love the first line of this section "Much of our doubt normally comes from our fear of failure". Seems like a no brainer, right? I have goals - personal and team goals when it comes to the number of parties, the number of new recruits and the number of sales.  Sounds like a plan, right?  I haven't planned for everything though - what happens when there are set backs (a bad month) or how do I keep from straying off the track - trying other things?  This is when the need for a comprehensive plan comes into play.  As far as my weight loss - the plan is simple track, move more and you will reach your goal, that is the Weight Watcher's concept.

It is human nature to have doubts, some of us focus on the doubts more which leads to "negative nellie".  I am working each day to overcome my doubts...I will reach goal by July 24th when I walk across the stage to get my hug from Cindy Monroe, CEO, as a new Director.  The plan is already starting to formulate on where I want to be next year at conference for my business.  As for my weight loss journey, once goal is hit - the tough work begins and that is to maintain my weight goal.  What are your doubts?  Write them down, confront them and move on!

Devotions, prayers and keeping a journal are all part of how I am going to overcome doubts.  Let's hear how you are going to overcome yours.  Have a ThirtyOne-derful day.

A Bittersweet Day

WOW!  That kind of sums up yesterday for me - overwhelming happy, a little nervous & grateful.  

No, the overwhelmingly happy wasn't that I reached my Weight Watcher's goal but that I lost 2 pounds in a week when I wasn't sure I was going to loose anything.  At weigh in, after my look of total surprise at a 2 pound loss, I OFFICIALLY set my goal weight of 146 (the top of the scale for my little 5' 4" height).  I am just about 8 pounds away!  Talk about shocked.  Okay, so that was the goal all along but in the back of my mind, I don't think I ever really thought I would reach it.  Call me a "negative nellie" but I could never see myself there.  This is actually possible - I could celebrate TWO of my goals - walking across stage at National Conference as Director (goal completed, just need to walk) AND my goal weight.  Now to make sure that I don't self-sabotage the track to goal weight.  

Rob and I headed to the cardiologist for his emergency appointment.  He allowed me to come into the room so that I could hear things for myself from the doctor (a praise in itself).  They found fluid on his lungs as a result of some sort of "cardiac failure" but they can't determine the extent until they finish some more tests.  THEN, a decision will be made about surgery.  Can I tell you how angry I was at the GP for his "surgery NOW attitude"?  I really liked that the cardiologist spent time with us talking about all of the options and laying out a plan that will happen quickly but is manageable.  A script of lasix has already reduced some of the fluid which allowed hubby to sleep through the night - the first time in over a week.  Last night, he was even able to finish a sentence without loosing his breath - another victory.  Yes, we still have tests (EKO on Tuesday, stress on Wednesday) and he is wearing a heart halter for 24 hours ending today but there is not a feeling of panic.  Prayers are still needed because I believe that they will work!

To top it off, even though I had a "senior moment" - I prefer to call is that instead of a "fear/doubt" moment - I was able to enroll in an amazing training program to grow my business called "Super Star University" offered by my Director, Hope Shortt.  This is my time to grow, change my mindset and hopefully be an inspiration to others, especially those on my team.

I am grateful for the path that God is leading me on.  I know that I stray many days looking for quick & easy ways to make my business a success or thinking it will take care of itself but when I lean on God to guide me - all things are possible.  Thank you everyone for your kind words, thoughts and prayers.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day.

Fear

I love this  passage:

Each day is an adventure for you to discover.

Face each day without fear or expectation. 

Experience to the fullest whatever comes your way. 

It is as God meant it to be.

Lately, there has been a lot of talk about "facing your fear" especially in business.  I almost hate to admit that my biggest "fear" is probably the fear of success.  I am sure that sounds kind of strange to those who know me but it is the TRUTH!  

When I worked in the non-profit world, personally I measured success differently than others measured my success.  For me, success was - having a client get clean from drugs, a family moving into their own first home, kids attending school without being discipline problem or someone getting a job after being chronically unemployed.  These weren't my personal successes but others gave me credit for it.  I may have helped by encouraging, mentoring and sometimes even providing tough love but that was nothing compared to their hard work.  

Personal success for me now is reaching goal weight.  I am sure everyone is tired of hearing me talk about this but it helps to keep me in check.  It seems that I "self-sabotage" things when I get close (within 10 pounds).  

Business success is helping other women to achieve their goals personally and professionally. The joy of watching them promote up the Career Path when they didn't think it was possible is success for me.  

Success is achieving my vision - financial freedom so my hubby can retire, traveling to see the country without time frame constraints, as well as achieving and maintaining my goal weight.  I am learning to "not fear" things but to experience them for the things that happen are blessings from God. He opens the doors for me and I have to make the decision to go through them.  

Some days are harder than others but for TODAY - I am facing the FEAR!  What are your fears?  Write them down.  Know what they are so that when they creep up on you - you are ready to overcome them.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Weight Loss - Recovery or Journey

Sitting in my Thursday morning Weight Watcher's meeting when a friend, Annamarie, made a statement that got me to thinking...."I thought my weight loss was like recovery but it is a forever journey".  WOW!

Having been through recovery TWICE - once for bulimia and then again for drugs, this statement really was an "AHA" moment for me.  If I am honest with myself, I would have to say that I probably thought the same thing.  It has been a long tough journey to loose 105 pounds - with only about 15 more to go to my goal weight but I thought the end was near.  I will celebrate the loss of 120 pounds despite the time it took me but unlike like bulimia and drugs - you can't STAY away from food forever.    

Bulimia was a little bit easier for me to kick but the drugs were a process.. 7 days in detox, 30 days in a residential program and then 2 years of a Narcotics Anonymous meeting EVERY DAY!  Protecting my weight loss will need the same vigilance that I had in my early recovery.  Instead of celebrating the weekly weight loss, I will need to celebrate the "protection" of that weight loss for 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, 6 months, 1 year.  My weight loss journey has been a process too.  Just as I quietly celebrate my years of being clean (23 in October), I will celebrate every year that I am able to maintain goal weight.  I will use the tools that I used on my JOURNEY to goal in my weight loss RECOVERY - tracking, healthy guidelines, exercise (UGH!) and weekly meetings.  Unlike the rooms of NA, I don't know if I will ever be able to walk away from my Weight Watcher family for it is with their help, encouragement and support that I have been successful on this journey.

Are you on a weight loss recovery program so that when you reach your goal you will go back to old habits?  Or, is your weight loss recovery only a part of your journey to be healthy and at goal weight?  Maybe it is semantics but it can effect your whole outlook on the road ahead.  As for me, I am in recovery from my food addiction and unhealthy eating which continues to take me on a journey that includes meeting new people, trying new recipes and helping others to know that they are not alone in their journey to a healthy way of life.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day.

Jiggle Thighs - A new way to look at them...

I read an email/ blog posting on Women Living Well about learning to accept things "in the Opposite World" which really made to stop to think that I need to look at my "jiggle thighs" in a different way..

For as long as I can remember, I have had "bumps" on the top of my thighs.  Yes, they have gotten smaller with the loss of 105 pounds but they are still there!  I walk, maybe not as much as I could but you would figure loosing 105 pounds would have helped to get rid of them, right?  I wear clothes that conceal them but I still know they are there.  Of course you can really notice them because my waist continues to shrink and nothing is in proportion.  So maybe this isn't your problem area, maybe it is the "jiggle arms" or the muffin top or the roll our bra creates - no matter what we all seem to judge ourselves when we look in the mirror..

How about this thought....My jiggle thighs are evidence of God’s goodness in my life! Sounds crazy, right? Mind you I never notice this or any other problem area on other people, just on myself.  Most people don't mention it - okay maybe an occasional child who is curious but why wouldn't they be - I'm curious as to know why God has blessed me with these wonderful thighs.  

In the article I read, Jen Wilken was noted on several occasions.  One of the key statements she wrote was "The expectation of physical perfection hits modern females early and often. In middle school, girls cut themselves to deal with the pressures of conforming to the ideal. In middle age, women do, too—but allow the surgeon to hold the knife."  WOW! She then goes on to say "We carve the record of our self-loathing into the very flesh of our bodies—a self-marring, a literal carving of an idol. Increasingly, physical perfection is the legacy of womanhood in our culture, handed down with meticulous care from mother to daughter, with more faithful instruction in word and deed than we can trouble to devote to cultivating kindness, peacemaking, and acceptance that characterize unfading, inner beauty."

I say all this to say - let's not torture ourselves with lies about the need to have a perfect body or to be an ideal weight.  I am not saying - don't be healthy, what I am saying is strive for a goal that is reachable for you.  I am learning to accept me for me - jiggle thighs and all - knowing that I am beautifully made by God.  I am not less than because it has taken me a "LONG" time to reach my goal weight.  I am not less than because my body is not a perfect size 10.  

Today, I am living in the hope, security and the arms of Higher Power who loves me unconditionally.  Give yourself a break today and know that as long as you are trying your best - that is all that God is asking of you.

For tips on healthy weight loss check out - Weight Watchers.

Have ThirtyOne-derful day.

Energizing Your Business & Your Weight Loss Program At the Same time

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone had a great weekend.  I had the chance to read an article on the DSW website entitled "Seven Ways to Energize Your Business" and it got me to thinking - I know a scary thought for a Monday morning, right?

Here are the ways that they suggested that I have tweaked to help me in my weight loss program as well:

• Establish priorities. As in business, we try to tackle everything at one time. List your priorities and focus on just one or two items at a time. The same thing in your weight loss journey - one step at a time. Eating more fruits & veggies. Exercise. Cutting out carbs.  Prioritizing a list takes the stress off and allows you to focus on one thing at a time with the comfort of knowing where you will go from here.
• Be as efficient as possible.  In my business, this is a little bit easier to do when I avoid Facebook, Piniterest and anything else that distracts me from my goals for the day.  I even put a picture of a "security camera" in front of me.  This is my gentle reminder that I have to practice what I preach when it comes to office hours.  In my weight loss journey, the same can be said - excuses or reasons why we don't have time to take a 10 minute walk, eat the right foods, go to a meeting or as Weight Watchers would say "get active".  Don't be a computer zombie or a couch potato, move even if it is up and down the stairs or around the block. Get up during commercials and move. 
• Combine your work with different areas of your life.  For me as a Thirty One Director, it is an easy to combine areas of my life.  I use and carry our bags every where I go.  When I travel to National Conference or for a training, hubby goes along so that when the work is done, we get to spend some time together.  The best is when I get to combine work with a trip to North Carolina to see my daughter, Belinda.  As far as my weight loss journey - it is not just a "diet"!  Yes, my goal is to reach my ideal weight but more than that I am learning how to care for myself by eating right and moving more.  Seems basic enough, right?
• Actively manage your time and stop wasting it.  Time management may be easy for some but for me it is a struggle so calendar blocking has become my friend.  My monthly calendar is color coded so that I can manage time with family, work, my Thirty One business and time for me (sometimes this gets cancelled).  Manage your time when it comes to activity or exercise.  Add it to your calendar so that it becomes a part of your every day life and you aren't wasting the small amounts of time doing nothing when you could be active.  I know, I need to practice this one myself!
• Commit to learning new things.  My professional development is important to me because it is an investment in my business that helps not only me personally but my team.  You can learn new things in a variety of ways like reading a blog, a video, a conference call, a networking meeting or a formal conference/ training.  The same is true about my weight loss journey.  I continue to learn new tips and ideas not only from the Weight Watcher meetings, the friends that I have met there but also by talking to others in the health field or other DS wellness companies about their products
• Don't sweat the small stuff.  There are going to be bumps in the road but you can learn from them and then let them go.  Sometimes this is easier to do in business then when we are losing weight.  If you lost weight but are suffering from a small set-back like some weight gain or a plateau - look back on what worked and what didn't.  Protect your loss.  Just because you gained a little doesn't negate all the positive work that you have done.
• Laugh more. I have learned to laugh at myself.  I LOVE what I do - who wouldn't love to party every time they go to work, right?  The same has been true in my weight loss journey .  I have found that finding humor in everyday life makes me a happier person.

This is a lot to take in on a Monday morning but the lesson is simple - we tend to look at our lives as separate compartments - business, family, work, spiritual, etc. - that very seldom merge together.  When they do, it is often in a negative way - why not take the positive lessons that we have learned each part of our life and apply them to every part of our life as we take this journey through life.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Some Favorite Products

As the days get closer to Mother's Day, our 2nd Anniversary and my birthday - all of which are in May; the big question is always what do you want for _________?  So, I thought I would share some my top favorite products and their websites..

1.  My NEW favorite clothing line is Quenchwear!  I mentioned it yesterday but I LOVE it.  I ordered a few pieces but I am thinking that I will need a few more to mix and match.  For those that know me - I love comfortable and am NOT a dress up kind of person.  This line is perfect

2.  I have become a new fan of Mary Kay makeup.  Annamarie has been GREAT helping me to find a color that I like.  I have switched from Bare Minerals to the Mary Kay minerals - AWESOME.  Try it for yourself.

3.  Over the winter my hands were rough and dry.  Hubby even complained which is something that he seldom does.  So with the help of Maggie at Beauticontrol, I now have soft hands.  I know that they have more skin care products but this is my first daily routine for my hands.  

4.  Names On the Jersey Shore has a few things that I have been looking at and thinking about. Check Susan out on Etsy.  I would load pictures but I have yet to figure out how to do this when I am blogging.  Susan's writings on the beach are done right here at the Jersey Shore.  I LOVE her sea glass necklaces and earrings too.  The fact that she has two of my favorites - an angel and my name with sea glass is also a plus.  

5.  Hungry Girl recipe books.....you can never have enough.  I use a lot of these recipes and tips as I continue on this Weight Watcher journey.  Simple and good - hubby even likes some of them so that is a true testimony about the tasty recipes.

6.  Toms - my daughter has been wearing these for awhile but I have just started checking them out.  I love the wedges but I am not sure how this "old lady" would do in 3 inch wedges.  I mean I wouldn't want to topple over while walking. I do like their classic styles too - they even have a PINK pair.  They might have to be on my list to pack when I head to National Conference in HOTLANTA.

I have more products/ companies that I love along with some wonderful friends who are in business that I will share as time goes on.  Have a ThityOne-derful day.

 

Saturday Morning......

This has been an AMAZING week filled with tears of joy and tears of sadness.  A chapter in my life (and my daughter, Belinda's) closed this week with the final payment being received on the mortgage that I held on our old home but many new chapters opened......  

The first as a proud Momma!  Belinda has been accepted into the University of New England's Masters Program for Social Work on the accelerated program.  She starts online in May and will be done in 18 months with her Masters in Macro Social Work.  All this while working a full-time and an on-call job with troubled kids.  

Next, Jennifer Jones, my only long distance recruit, added two more women to our Thirty One team - Rays of Hope.  I met Jennifer on my way to National Conference last year and was so excited when she signed up.  Our team is growing deep which is great news! 

I won a door prize at the Family Wellness and Beauty Day so yesterday I got to pick up my prize (and place an order) for Quenchwear clothing.  This is a line of clothing that is all about fit, style, versatility and sun protection.  I can't wait to show off my new interchangeable outfits.  These will definitely be making the trip to HOTLANTA in July for National Conference.

The greatest blessing came on Thursday at my Weight Watcher's meeting.  No, I didn't loose but actually gained .4 (a VERY minor setback).  I had TWO AHA moments though - 1) tracking is key to my success & my weight loss journey and 2) people actually helped by my blog.  Thank you AnnaMarie for sharing how my one blog post helped you.  Your kind words made my day and helped to reinforce what Vanessa Coppes (my blog mentor) told me.     

Time for family as hubby has off tomorrow.  Enjoy your weekend and have a ThirtyOne-derful day.

Spring has arrived

I LOVE the spring weather!  Temps are a little warmer and I can finally shed the multiple layers of clothes that I wear in the winter to keep warm.  I am ALWAYS cold, whether at home or out.   See, my hubby loves the cool weather with temps in the mid-60's during the winter in the house.  I, on the other hand, am always cold unless the temps go up to about 75 or 80 degrees.  It definitely makes for an interesting winter. In fact, yesterday was the FIRST time that I felt "normal" as far as body temps go.  LOL. 

This is a time for "rebirth".  I get to pull out my spring/ summer clothes - which surprisingly are a bit big from last year.  I guess the Weight Watcher's program is working!  YEAH!  Put on my flip flops (not good for the heel spurs but so cute) and pamper my feet with a pedicure every two weeks.  Do some spring cleaning around the house and open the windows to let the fresh air in.  

On the business side of my life, I clean off my desk using Julie Anne Jones method of organization.  Set my quarterly goals. Get ready to ROCK my customers and hostesses with the NEW Thirty One Summer catalog.  Finalize plans for attending National Conference in July.

So, as the days get longer and warmer - I will be enjoying walks at the beach or around the Brick Reservoir with my WW Walking Group, traveling to North Carolina to visit my daughter, heading to Atlanta for Thirty One's 10th Anniversary National Conference and soaking up the sun.  

Enjoy the arrival of the warmer weather - Have a ThirtyOne-derful day. 

21 days to Make It a Habit

It takes 21 days to form a habit. I heard that when I was in recovery and struggling my first few days to get clean some 22 years ago.  I hear it at Weight Watchers each week as we talk about the NEW 360 program.  I hear it when attending training for my business... you would think by now, it would sink in.

The reprint below is from Julie Anne Jones  and can be used in all aspects of your life:

I have a degree in theatre (I know, shocking, right?) and I remember hearing in a directing class one time that for every minute of a play you see as part of the final production, there were 2 hours of rehearsal (minimum). When I was directing high school plays, the cast of “The Crucible” actually bought me a t-shirt that said “Let’s go back” on the front of it because I said it so much (as in “Stop. Let’s go back and do it again.”).

Repetition is the key to success in your direct sales business as well. At my live trainings I teach lots of specific language for getting results, and I always invite them to script out what they’re going to say and then practice out loud until they feel comfortable with the new language. I can’t tell you how many times people have come up to me after a live event and said, “You know, I used to use your booking commercial and I got great results from it, but for some reason I just don’t use it any more.” I can tell you exactly why they don’t use it any more. Because they didn’t repeat using it enough to make it “the way” they did things, so eventually they stopped doing it. It didn’t become a habit because it wasn’t repeated often or long enough.

It takes 21 days to form a habit. 21 days of repetition (or in the case of your business, 21 parties). What is it you want to implement in your life or business that you haven’t been able to? Choose at least two things, create some specific actions around them, and then make a firm commitment to yourself to do them, without fail, for the next 21 days (or at your next 21 parties, or with your next 21 hosts…you get the idea).

Here are some examples of what you might choose:

• Doing an opportunity commercial at every party you do
• Coaching each host either in person or over the phone
• Making 10 phone calls a week to book parties and follow up on sponsoring leads
• Getting onto Facebook to post/comment at least once each day

Those are a few of my ideas. What are yours (and are you brave enough to declare them below and then actually implement them?)

As for me, my 21 days of repetition is blogging.  What about you?  Have a ThirtyOne-derful day.

Julie Anne Jones is direct sales corporate consultant, coach, and trainer, and the CEO of Julie Anne Jones, Inc. She is known for her authentic and easy-to-use scripting and specializes in specific language and tools for success in direct sales.

Goal Setting

Struggling this morning on what to blog about but "goal setting" seemed to come up everywhere I turned so I figured - why not?

The Daily Thought from Direct Selling Association - Education Foundation was "Don’t let anything stop you from reaching for your goal."  We set "goal weights" at Weight Watchers based on our height.  When I used to write grants for a non-profit, goals were an integral part of every program.  Most of us set goals on a daily or weekly basis as well in our personal life by making lists of things we want to accomplish.  I know that we don't think of it that way but our "goal" is to complete the tasks, right?

I will fill you in on what my goal is through April 15th.  Your goals should contain these SMART components:
1.  Specific - So for me, I want to earn the Ready, Set, Sell Incentive from my direct sales company.

2.  Measurable - How do you plan to reach your goal?  Break it down into smaller mini-goals.  I am going to contact customers who have shown an interest in our customer special; I am going to update repeat customers on what products are retiring in case they want to place a last minute order

3.  Attainable - Is it even possible?  ABSOLUTELY!  My goal is attainable.  It will cause me to stretch out of my comfort zone but it is definitely achievable.

4.  Realistic - Even if you goal is attainable is it realistic based on the skills and techniques necessary to achieve the goal.  Yes, it is a realistic goal, and I do have the skills if I am willing to step out of my comfort zone.

5.  Timely - set a deadline.  Actually, my deadline is set by our Home Office in order to earn this amazing set of NEW Summer prints and products for FREE.

These basic steps can be applied to any goal you want to achieve.  Remember my goal of not having "jiggle thighs" but July 14th - that is still a SMART goal too.  

You can learn more about goal setting by checking out:   
Julie Anne Jones,  Wishbomb - The Goal Setting Site, and Weight Watchers .

How many of your New Year's Resolutions have you tossed aside because they weren't SMART goals?  As we get ready for Spring and Summer, set your SMART goals whether they be about weight loss, your professional life or your dream for the future.  Does it include going on a BIG vacation, earning a bonus, a better job or reaching your goal weight?  Whatever it is, don't let anything or anyone get in your way.  

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day. 

Magic Wand of Weight Loss

Have I got your attention?  Okay, so I don't have a magic wand - believe me if I did I would have used it by now.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were a magic wand that we could wave, and suddenly the pounds would melt from our flesh and we would be the perfect weight? I know of no one who would choose the rigors and demands of a diet over a magic wand.

I just wanted to share that the journey for some is long - it has been 8 years of working towards my weight loss goal and I am not there yet.  When I had my daughter, 24 years ago, I was a hefty 295 pounds.  Those that didn't know me in my "previous life" would be shocked and actually think I am kidding until I show them pictures.  Mind you there aren't many of them but the few there are, at that time, I didn't see how heavy I was.  No, I didn't have rose colored glasses but it was just who I was.  When I went into recovery (a story for another time) I was probably the only person to loose 11 pounds.  Still, I didn't see a problem.  I guess it finally hit me when I saw a picture of myself and my daughter at my niece's wedding.  WOW!  That is the picture that I carry with me as my "before" shot.

I joined Weight Watchers and things began to happen.  I was not one of those people who got it right away. Eat less was easy, move more - not so easy for I disliked exercise.  See it has been a process for me as I am now only about 11 pounds from my goal weight.  NOW, I am starting to move more - not always easy but definitely better now that I have an accountability partner (actually a few of them) who I meet at the gym (more on this in future postings).  Working together has definitely helped - the goal is 3 times a week - do I always achieve it - NO!  I keep trying...

Whether your goal is 10 pounds or 100 plus pounds, it can be done.  Slow and steady wins the race.  Don't think because you don't reach goal in "x" amount of time, it isn't worth it.  Look at me - 8 years, 104 pounds and still 11 pounds to go.  For me, it was Weight Watchers - sensible eating, a GREAT leader - Nicole Dibella-Belo and the many friends that I have now made at the meetings.  Yes, I attend the weekly meetings because for me - it works.  Then on those days when I seem at my wit's end I ask God for help, that I might remain committed to the task no matter how long it takes. When I call on the Lord, He grants me the patience I so desperately need.  

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day.

Check out Weight Watchers at http://www.weightwatchers.com/