Meet Maureen Healy!

May 13, 2008
A cyber-compliment
I recently logged onto my MySpace page and discovered a message from a guy I'd had a lunch date with over a year ago. I had an instant flashback to a not-so-happy time in my life: I was in my worst shape ever. Since the two of us got along well and had a lot in common, I often wondered if my excess weight had prevented him from asking for a second date. He dropped a quick note to say that he saw the recent photos I'd posted and thinks I look great. He had no idea I was doing this year-long project, so I know his compliment was completely genuine. It felt wonderful-and came at a perfect time, as I need some confidence in the dating department. I have my eye on someone new, and I think he's been flirting with me. I'm too shy right now to ask him out, but I'll keep you all posted if I make any progress.

May 8, 2008
Reflecting the truth
Although it's still not my favorite thing to do, I occasionally stand naked in front of my full-length mirror to take stock of my body. I admire the progress I've made, and I check in on the trouble spots I'm still working on (arms, belly, and thighs). Yesterday, when I did my nude viewing, I realized for the first time that the back-fat rolls I'd accumulated at 175 pounds are now completely gone! I let out a big "Woohoo!" and stood there for an extra minute to mark the occasion. Not only am I losing weight, I'm getting better at noticing the positive changes in my body-no small feat.

May 6, 2008
Making strides
At one of my first meetings with my dietitian, Lila Ojeda, she suggested I get a pedometer to track the number of steps I take each day. To help with my weight loss, she recommended I aim for 12,000 to 15,000 (2,000 is roughly the equivalent of walking a mile). The pedometer offered an easy way to gauge how much activity I was getting (12,000 when I put in a little extra effort)-until I lost it, that is. I went without one for a few months, but when I started my waitressing job, where I'm on my feet for several hours a day, I got curious: Just how many strides was I taking? I bought a new pedometer and was delighted to find that on days I work a regular 5- to 6-hour shift, I rack up at least 15,000 steps. On days I work a double, I'm getting 22,000 to 23,000! I can't wait to see how this extra movement contributes to my overall weight loss.

May 1, 2008
Becoming a morning person
I've never been a morning person. Given the chance, I'll lie, wide-awake, in bed until I absolutely have to get up. But on days that I waitress at night, morning is the only time I can guarantee a workout. So I'm issuing a challenge to myself: Don't hit the snooze button. Even though my body feels tired most mornings (no matter how many hours of sleep I get), I've found that the longer I linger under the sheets, the more sluggish I feel throughout the day-and the less time I have for my workout. On the days I do get up at the first beep of my alarm, I'm able to shake the grogginess and start being productive within 5 to 10 minutes. Goals don't get accomplished by lying in bed, so if I "snooze," I lose.

April 29, 2008
Hearing my inner voice
It occurred to me today, as I shut off the radio because the chatter annoyed me, that I've come to enjoy silence. In the past, I've always had the stereo or TV blaring; I hated a quiet room. Now, I relish one. Silence allows me to think more clearly, to look inward and analyze my behaviors and instincts. I like contemplating what I'm doing and where I'm going with my life. Back in January, I learned that paying attention to my mind would help me improve my body. As it turns out, the opposite is also true. A breakthrough? I think so.

April 24, 2008
My new cup of tea
As summer approaches, I decided I need a replacement for the low-fat hot cocoa I've been drinking since February. I still don't trust myself to eat just one fun-size piece of candy if I have a big bag in the house. So with that option out, I found the next best thing: Trader Joe's 100 Calorie 70% Dark Belgian Chocolate Bars. I've found that I enjoy taking small nibbles of one while drinking a cup of tea. Since I sip the tea slowly, and I want the snack to last until I finish my cup, it takes 10 to 15 minutes to eat one bar. Even though I'm not having a lot of chocolate, savoring it like this makes me feel like I am. Now I'm trying to apply this leisurely pace to all my meals.

April 22, 2008
Setting a date
When I mentioned to my life coach, Rosemary, that I was only a few pounds away from 150—my next weight-loss milestone—she suggested I estimate how long it will take me to get there, then circle that date on my calendar. After figuring I should hit it in three weeks, I took her idea one step further. Rather than simply circling the date, I used colored highlighters to decorate that square with stars, squiggly lines, and exclamation points. Now, when I look at my calendar each day, those bright colors and cheerful doodles remind me just how close that next benchmark is—and bring a smile to my face.

April 17, 2008
Staying focused
When I need motivation (which is often), I have two go–to sources. I get a lot of inspiration from reading your blog comments–so thank you for your compliments and suggestions! Another wellspring is, surprisingly, TV. Shows like The Biggest Loser and Celebrity Fit Club help me stay excited about my own journey–not to mention, I never crave a snack when I'm on my couch tuned into those programs. But now that I recently read The Secret, I have a third trick. While imagining I'm already at my goal, I repeat these two mantras every day: "I'm so happy and grateful that I'm 135 pounds, fit, flexible, and strong," and "I'm so happy and grateful that eating small, healthful meals, and exercising daily is a joyful, essential part of my life." Repeating these mantras and visualizing what it will look like when I hit my target is helping me solidify the habits I need to actually get there.

April 15, 2008
Playing mind games–with myself
Though I've come a long way this year in building a solid exercise routine, there are still days when I feel physically or mentally tired and cut my workout short. Whenever that happens, I feel guilty. I asked my life coach, Rosemary O'Neill, if there's something I can do to change my attitude. Her best piece of advice: Under–promise and over–deliver. If you only promise yourself to do what you know you'll realistically do, more often than not, you'll end up doing more. Now, if I don't feel like going on the elliptical, for example, I tell myself I only have to do it for five minutes. So far each time I've done that, I end up staying on the machine for a half hour or longer. Not only do I get a good workout, I end up feeling great about surpassing my goal too!

April 10, 2008
Stocking up for success
As I looked in my fridge this morning, it occurred to me how different its current contents are versus my pre–Weight Loss Diary days. Before, it was usually stuffed with the makings for mac and cheese, takeout leftovers, and sugary beverages, with a carton or two of ice cream tucked away in the freezer. On the rare occasion I did buy fresh produce, it often went bad before I ate it. Now the staples I keep on hand are very different: salad greens, low–fat cottage cheese, fruit and veggies (that I actually eat!), ground flaxseed and wheat germ, yogurt, and a few days' worth of chicken breasts, lean ground beef, or turkey patties. I don't keep chips and buttery crackers around anymore, so when I want a snack, healthy food is my only choice. And you know what? Most of the time, I don't even miss the old stuff. I've learned that I'll eat whatever's there, which, in the end, makes it quite simple. I don't have to change my willpower — just my grocery list.

April 8, 2008
Serving up changes
Last week, I picked up a part–time waitressing job at an upscale restaurant to make some extra money, but I got something I didn't bargain for: new weight loss challenges. At the start of each night, the chef whips up a free "family" meal for the staff that's usually a fattening pasta dish. To make things harder, after our shift, we're allowed to order whatever we want off the menu. Unlimited access to such delicious food can be dangerous territory for me, so I came up with a plan: I eat a hearty and healthy meal before I go to work and stash a fiber bar in my apron so I have something to snack on during breaks. Post–shift, if I'm still hungry, I choose the yummy spinach and pear salad. But even with the potential pitfalls of free food, I've been focusing on the bright side: Carrying those heavy trays gives my arms an extra workout!

April 3, 2008
My fair trade agreement
When I started this journey at 175 pounds, I wore a size 14 petite in pants and size L (sometimes XL) in tops. I was so troubled by those sizes that I made a habit of cutting the labels out of clothes as soon as I brought them home from the store. But now that I'm down nearly 20 pounds, I decided to clean out my closet and take a few of the pieces that no longer fit to a local resale shop. The reward for all that effort: I could use the money I made to get new jeans. I spent three hours trying on literally every piece of clothing I owned–and had a blast discovering that much of my wardrobe was now too big for me. I filled up a few garbage bags and hauled them in to the store. In total, I made about $30, which I traded in for a pair of cool used jeans there–in a size 10!

April 1, 2008
Thin–spiration
Lately a few of my friends have taken to greeting me with "Hi, Skinny!" Of course, I know that I'm not actually skinny (nor is that my goal), but the moniker is an excellent mood–booster, especially on those days where I feel like I can't see my progress in the mirror. It lets me know that all of my workouts and healthy eating really are paying off, not just on the scale, but finally in my body shape too. It's a good feeling to know that other people are starting to see a difference in the way I look!

March 27, 2008
Strong of will–and body
For the most part, I've been doing well with the mental aspect of losing weight. I've been keeping a positive mindset, appreciating the results I've earned and, as my life coach Rosemary O'Neill says, "paying attention to my intention" to get fit. But, there are days where I simply don't feel like paying attention to my intention. All I want to do is melt into my couch and stay there all day, or indulge in a very unhealthy meal, followed by a very long nap. I still fight those battles, and, to be honest, sometimes I lose. The difference now is that I don't let a slip–up derail my plan for weeks or months. I've worked too hard to let success slip through my fingers so easily. So when I'm tempted to slack off, that thought keeps me going.

March 25, 2008
Treadmill triumphs
Back in January, I blogged about raising the incline on the treadmill for 30-second intervals while walking as fast as I could. Since then, I've been gradually increasing the incline past 8.0 for a full minute as many times as I can during a 30-minute session. And for a bigger calorie burn, I added in something I never thought I would: running. Before, jogging at a speed of 5.0 was a big deal for me. But now, I'm proud to say that as of this weekend, I've surpassed all of my former milestones! I walked with the incline at 13.5 and ran at a speed of 7.0 for one-minute intervals throughout the workout. It was tough, but doable. I can't believe how far I've come-and I can't wait to see how far I can go.

March 20, 2008
(New) food for thought
While I was powering through my morning cardio routine at the gym one day last week, the TV was tuned to Everyday Italian on the Food Network. Giada De Laurentiis was making a delicious-looking pizza that was topped with (believe it or not) acorn squash. I love squash, but in the past I've stuck to the butternut variety because it was familiar to me. I watched as Giada trimmed the ends off the vegetable, cut it in half, removed the seeds, and sliced it into smaller, moon-shaped pieces. She then added a light splash of olive oil and a dash of salt and pepper, and roasted it in the oven for about 30 minutes. Now that I can do, I thought. So yesterday, I skipped the pizza part of the recipe, and simply prepared the squash. It was delicious and couldn't have been easier. Now I have one more food to add into my healthy diet.

March 18, 2008
Best face forward
When it comes to makeup, I'm a minimalist. But now that I'm closer to my weight loss goal, I've asked Caprice Hammon, a Portland-based stylist I know, for makeup tips that go beyond my simple mascara, blush, and lip gloss routine. To combat under-eye circles and make me look more awake, Caprice suggested sweeping a light-colored eye shadow over my lids and dabbing a little white liner on the inside corners. For an allover glow, she introduced me to Bed Head's mineral-based Glamma Powder Foundation with light-reflective particles. And to pump up my lip gloss look, she recommended I use lipstick as a stain by applying a light coat with a lip brush, blotting it off, and reapplying another light coat. I tried these new tricks this past weekend before going out with friends. They said I looked great, but they couldn't put their fingers on what had changed. I love how just a few subtle differences can give my looks - and self-confidence - a big boost!

March 13, 2008
Boredom-busting plan
After spending the last few months at the gym logging 45-minute sessions on the treadmill, elliptical, recumbent bike, and the rowing machine, I'm getting a little tired of the routine. To shake things up (and increase my workout times for better results), I've started breaking my cardio into two sessions a day, and I'm adding an additional 15 minutes to my total workout time. I now go to the gym first thing in the morning for a half an hour, then come home and do one of my 10-minute ab-blasting videos. In the evening, I do 30 more minutes of cardio at the gym, or outside if it's warm. (And, of course, I'm keeping up my three-days-a-week strength-training regimen.) I'm anxious to see how my new strategy will translate into results, which is enough to keep me coming back for more.

March 11, 2008
Squeezing in ab work
My abs are one of those areas that I always struggle with. I hate how these muscles tend to hold onto the flab, even when I'm working hard to diminish it. At our weekly sessions my trainer Emmeline makes sure I do lots of crunches, bicycles, and planks, but I tend to skip these grueling exercises when I'm on my own - I find it too hard to motivate myself. So recently, I decided to follow the ab workouts from two DVDs I have: Power 90 and Crunchless Abs. I like them because they're quick (10 minutes!) and effective, and I can do them at home. Best of all, I feel as if I have an instructor pushing me. I don't expect to have abs of steel by the end of the year - but I do hope to be closer!

March 6, 2008
My favorite light lunch
In my never-ending quest for an easy-to-prep healthy lunch, I stumbled upon a delicious combination of foods that's satisfying but never leaves me with that too-full feeling. I combine a half cup low-fat cottage cheese with a medley of fruit (my favorite: blueberries, strawberries, and a half a banana, sliced). Then I sprinkle on a tablespoon each of ground flaxseed and toasted wheat germ. I pair the cottage cheese combo with a slice of lightly buttered whole-grain bread. It's a perfect midday meal - particularly when I'm craving something sweet.

March 4, 2008
Springing forward
The sun came out and Portland temperatures hit the 50s this week, so I decided to take advantage by going for a bike ride yesterday instead of doing my usual indoor cardio session. The fresh air and blue skies were a welcome change from the confines of the gym, and I ended up getting an even more intense workout than I would have inside. The gently rolling hills in my neighborhood proved deceptively challenging - especially since my legs were still sore from my last session with my trainer Emmeline. My thighs burned throughout most of the ride, but I managed to do 40 minutes (10 minutes longer than my 30-minute goal), concentrating the whole time on this mantra: great legs for summer!

February 28, 2008
Feeding my craving
Since I've been trying to stay healthy and lose weight, I'm eating more fruits and veggies and less red meat than I ever have before. I rely on salads, with the occasional turkey burger or grilled chicken breast thrown in. But every once in a while, I have a hankering for some beef. Recently, after thinking about steak all day, I went to Outback Steakhouse, and ordered its 7-ounce Victoria's Filet (less than 500 calories) with salad and grilled onions as my two side dishes. I ate about three-quarters of the steak and enjoyed every bite. My craving was completely satisfied, and the next day, I returned to my regular diet. Just goes to show you that it's important to indulge occasionally!

February 26, 2008
Back in the dating game
Since my last relationship ended about five months ago, I've been hesitant about jumping back into the dating world. One of my biggest fears has been that the guys I meet will think I'm too fat. But since I've lost some weight, it's getting easier to approach men. And, as they say, when it rains, it pours - in the last two weeks, I've met two great guys! I've been on a couple of dates with each of them, and they've both given me compliments on how I look. Since I've been so hard on my body in the past, it's especially flattering to receive praise from people I don't know. Now that I'm feeling more attractive, I think I'm giving off the positive energy to match. My dating pool is only going to get bigger - and my confidence stronger from here on out!

February 21, 2008
Fool-proof health boost
One of the most valuable things I've learned from my nutritionist, Lila Ojeda, is how to make meals and snacks healthier without sacrificing taste. Thanks to her, I've incorporated ground flaxseed and toasted wheat germ into my day. Flaxseed contains omega 3-fatty acids-which is great for me, since I don't eat the fattier types of fish that contain them-as well as phytochemicals and fiber. Wheat germ is a great source of vitamin E, which helps the immune system and promotes heart health. So sprinkling a tablespoon of one of these super-foods over cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, or salad not only adds an interesting texture, but some nutrients I need to stay healthy for life.

February 19, 2008
My secret weapon-you!
Thank you to everyone who's posted comments on my blog so far; I do read them and they inspire me, so keep 'em coming! It's touching to see that my story is similar to some of yours. And-believe me-there have been several days where I've felt like skipping my workout and re-read your notes for a shot of motivation. Works like a charm. They help me in other areas too. Robin's suggestions to make chicken lettuce wraps and snack on celery spread with Laughing Cow Lite Cheese have helped me expand my usual menu. And Diatta and Tori's song recommendations are livening up my playlist. Remember to keep me posted on your progress, goals, struggles, and successes, too-I want to hear about it all!

February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day to me!
Since my last relationship ended a few months ago, I've gone on a couple of dates, but haven't met anyone I've really liked. I admit that this does bum me out a bit-but I refuse to spend Valentine's Day moping! Instead, I'm taking a personal day at work and treating myself to a few "dates" that I truly want to go on: a morning yoga class, a heavenly hour-and-a-half massage, lunch out with a good book (Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love) as my dining companion, and a chick flick to end the day. I won't be showered with romantic gifts this year, but that's okay. I'm learning that self-love-doing things that are fun and healthy for me-is the best kind of love of all.

February 12, 2008
My favorite dinner salad
Since my days are hectic and I'm usually tired by the time I get home, the last thing I want to do is chop and cook vegetables. I often turn to salads as a quick way to get my greens. My favorite one is easy to make (if you buy pre-cooked ingredients, it takes a few minutes to assemble; if not, it takes about 40 minutes, but I make enough to save). It's so filling-thanks to protein from the chicken and egg-and tasty, that I thought I'd share my "secret" recipe with you. Let me know your thoughts!

• Maureen's Chicken Salad
  2 cups mixed greens or baby spinach
  1 grilled chicken breast (3 to 4 oz), cubed (you can buy this pre-cooked in the store)
  2 beets, sliced (you can cook these yourself or buy the canned version)
  ½ cup green beans, boiled and chopped into bite-size pieces
  1 hard boiled egg, sliced
  1 tablespoon goat cheese or Gorgonzola
  A sprinkle of chopped pecans (or walnuts)
  2 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette dressing (I use Annie's Naturals)

February 7, 2008
The sip that satisfies
I need chocolate on a regular basis; it's nonnegotiable. Previously, that meant picking up a few candy bars each time I went to the grocery store and scarfing down at least one a day. Luckily, I've found a healthy and delicious alternative: Trader Joe's Sipping Chocolate. The powdered blend of cocoa, sugar, chocolate liquor, and cocoa butter has just 90 calories-as opposed to my usual chocolate bar with 270. I heat half a glass of Silk Plus Fiber soy milk mixed with half a glass of water, then add 3 tablespoons of the cocoa. It gives me a chocolate fix with none of the guilt.

February 5, 2008
Dress for success
For me, one of the biggest downsides of being overweight is limited fashion options. I want to feel self-confident enough to wear certain types of clothing like trendy jeans, sleeveless tops, shorts and-perhaps most of all-dresses. I can't wait to trade in my frumpy "uniform" of loose jeans or work trousers with a long-sleeve shirt for a closet full of dresses of all types: sheaths, wraps, tunics, and halter. Envisioning myself in these styles motivates me during my workout sessions. The minute I feel like hopping off the treadmill before the end of a session, I imagine my new wardrobe. Instead of giving in to the temptation, I stay on-and usually go faster! Works like a charm.

January 31, 2008
Striving for 5
Sometimes when I think about the 35 pounds I still have to lose this year to meet my goal weight of 135, it seems like an overwhelming task. And though I'm definitely making progress, I still have so far to go that it's easy to get discouraged. But I'm learning that thinking about the weight in smaller increments makes the amount of work ahead seem much more manageable. I've started telling myself that I only have to lose 5 pounds at a time. Since I've already met this goal once, I know I can do it-and how great it feels to achieve that victory.

January 29, 2008
Healthy dinners - my way
Since I don't like to spend a lot of time cooking, I gravitate to what I can prepare quickly. Sometimes, it's a strange mix. One staple meal: ½ cup lean ground turkey sprinkled with low-sodium taco seasoning mixed with a cup of lima beans topped with a couple of avocado slices (like taco filling without the shell). A few days ago, I came up with an even crazier dinner concoction: 2 turkey hot dogs (45 calories each) with yellow mustard and ½ cup kidney beans, 1 cup steamed cauliflower with salt-free seasoning, a sprinkle of ground flaxseed, and a slice of low-fat cheese. I decided to get the opinion of my nutritionist, Lila Ojeda, on these combos. Surprisingly, she said I'm doing very well at mixing fiber, carbs, protein, and good fat. So, strange or not, at least I'm eating foods I like and getting the right mix of nutrients.

January 24, 2008
Upward and onward
Since Portland winters are cold and wet, I've been sticking to the gym for all my workouts. But, because I have the tendency to get bored, it's important for me to really push myself and change up my cardio routine. On the treadmill, I was doing a fast-paced walk between 3.5 and 4.0, varying the speed in that range the whole time. But a few weeks ago my trainer, Emmeline Shih, told me I wasn't increasing the incline as much as I could. She suggested I increase it to 8.0 for 30-second intervals while I'm walking as fast as I can. The next day, I walked for about 20 minutes, the whole time alternating both the speed and incline. It was really tough-I needed those recovery periods in between each burst-but it got easier every time I did. Almost a month later, it's still a challenging workout-in a good way. It makes me feel energized, and I think it's helping my endurance, too.

January 22, 2008
Staving off slipups
Eating right was a challenge for me last week. One particularly hectic day, I forgot my morning snack at home and when it was time for lunch, I was ravenous. I ate the spinach salad and water-packed tuna I'd brought, but then spotted some summer sausage and sharp cheddar cheese that someone had left for the employees in the office kitchen. I had a slice of each and then went back for more-twice. I probably didn't do any real damage because I stayed on track the rest of the day and put in a good cardio workout that evening after work. But it was a reminder just how easy it is for me to indulge-especially when I haven't eaten enough during the day. After that slip-up, I stocked up on Gnu Foods all-natural Flavor & Fiber Bars (130 calories, 12 grams of fiber, and 3 grams of fat) and put them everywhere-my desk, my car, and my gym bag. Now those temptations will be easier to avoid.

January 17, 2008
My feel-good list
One of the topics I've discussed with my life coach, Rosemary O'Neill, is the pressure I put on myself to succeed at losing weight. Even though I'm eating well, exercising regularly and, so far, on track to hit my goal of losing 40 pounds over the year, I sometimes feel as if I could be doing more. Intellectually, I know this isn't the case, but, emotionally, the feeling is very real. Rosemary explained that perfectionism is a big energy drain and can ultimately sabotage my efforts. To help me ease up on myself, she's recommended that I write down whatever I'm proud of myself for-every day. It's still hard for me to accept that what I'm doing is enough, but I trust Rosemary that this technique will pay off. Here are a few food-related things that made feel good about myself recently:

• A big box of chocolates came into the office last week and I ignored them. I walked by them every day until they were gone-and didn't eat any.
• When I went to the mall, I packed healthy snacks in my bag so I didn't eat orange chicken from the food court.
• I was at a party recently and ate one delicious chocolate parfait. I enjoyed every second of it. I think I'm finally grasping the concept of a once-in-awhile indulgence.

January 15, 2008
Motivating music
Without my trainer, Emmeline Shih, by my side, having a fully-loaded iPod during my workouts is a must. An upbeat song can quicken my pace, and help me do five extra minutes of cardio or squeeze out a few more reps during my strength-training circuit. Here are some of my favorites right now:

• 50 Cent, "Disco Inferno"
• Beyoncé, "Naughty Girl"
• Bell Biv Devoe, "Poison"
• Black Eyed Peas, "Let's Get it Started"
• Blondie, "Call Me"
• Christina Aguilera, "Fighter"
• INXS, "Devil Inside"
• Justin Timberlake, "Rock Your Body"
• Kanye West, "Stronger"
• Madonna, "Into the Groove"
• Rihanna & Elephant Man, "Pon De Replay"
• Salt-N-Pepa, "Push It"

Download Maureen's playlist.

But, as with my exercise routine, I need to keep things fresh. So I'd love to hear some of your no-fail workout playlists!

January 10, 2008
Fool-proof planning
I'm a procrastinator by nature. Most of the time, this trait doesn't hurt me, but I've learned that it can hamper my weight-loss efforts. Now that I've resolved to lose 40 pounds, I know that putting off meal preparation or exercise is a recipe for disaster. So I've created a routine that I can stick with. On weekends, I shop for groceries and cook one dish that will last me two to three days. On Tuesday nights I do laundry so that I always have fresh workout clothes. And every night during the week, I make my lunch for the next day, then pack my gym bag and place it by the door so I won't forget it. Like they say, repetitive behavior creates habits, and having a health-friendly schedule is one habit I'd like to keep.

January 8, 2008
An action-packed getaway
I just returned from visiting my friend Rebecca in Hawaii. So how did I do on my new eating and exercise regimen? Not perfect, but not bad either. The day I arrived, the two of us went for an hour-long power walk around Kapiolani Park, Waikiki, and her Diamond Head-area neighborhood. The next morning, we hit an open-air gym bright and early and I got in my 45-minute strength-training routine, plus a half hour of cardio. As a light breeze wafted through the large windows-I felt like I could keep going forever (a very rare feeling for me). Although I did allow myself a couple of lazy days-and three Mai Tais-over the course of the week, I ended the trip with a 3-hour hike up the Nu'uanu Trail, where I was rewarded with a vibrant view of the valley and ocean. Now that I'm home, I'm happy to say that I didn't gain a pound! It's a lot easier than I thought to take a break from life without breaking my healthy routine.

January 3, 2008
Traveling "lite"
My friend Rebecca invited me to visit her in Hawaii, so here I am. I'm excited about this vacation, but in the past, traveling has spelled disaster for any healthful habits I'd been practicing. Something about stepping outside of my normal routine became a license to eat, and trying out new restaurants often became the goal. This time, I'm doing things differently. I don't want to lose my momentum, so, along with my swimsuit, I packed good-for-me snacks for the plane ride and week-long stay. My goodie bag includes several Trader Joe's Fiberful Handmade Dried Fruit Bars (only 60 calories and 6 grams of fiber!), a bag each of lightly salted mixed nuts, dried cranberries, Kashi Go Lean cereal, and Kashi Truly Vanilla oatmeal (both offer big hits of fiber and relatively few calories in each serving). And Rebecca has promised me a few scenic hikes on the island of Oahu, as well as some beach walks and gym time so that I can stay on track. This gives new meaning to my old definition of vacation.

January 1, 2008
Seeing the big picture
On the list of foods I love is a category unto itself: party fare-what you often find at holiday events, such as mayonnaise-laden dips, platters of cheese, and rich desserts. This year, I had a plan for the onslaught of temptations: I decided that, at my first party, I would allow myself a bite or two of my favorite treats, but if I descended into all-you-can-eat territory, I'd skip them entirely at my future fetes. Snacking has always been a slippery slope for me, and I don't want to undo the progress I've made so far. I'm happy to report that I was able to keep on track with the help of a small tweak. My life coach Rosemary O'Neill suggested I visualize myself at my goal weight every day. To help, I found some old photos of me at my most fit (about eight years ago at 130 pounds). I placed them on my nightstand and take a good look every morning to remind myself of why I'm doing this.

December 27, 2007
Expanding my snack horizons
I used to avoid snacking because I thought it would increase my weight. But now that my nutritionist Lila Ojeda has taught me it's important, I've been experimenting with options that won't wreak havoc my plan. This is no easy feat, since I'm not a fan of plain vegetables (I prefer them drenched in ranch, smothered with cheese, or fried in a light tempura batter). Luckily, by taking some suggestions from Lila, and spending some extra time at the grocery store, I've found some healthy snacks I enjoy. Some new favorites: King Harvest Spinach Hummus, Nut Thins Crackers, low-fat yogurt with a few almonds, Trader Joe's Egg White Salad with Chives, Clif Z Bars, low-fat mozzarella string cheese, and apple slices with two tablespoons of natural peanut butter. But I'm always on the hunt for new alternatives, so any suggestions are appreciated!

December 25, 2007
Post-workout treat
I'm working out about five days a week now-more than I have in a very long time-and my body is feeling the effects. While a great yoga class can relax me, my muscles aren't shy about letting me know how hard they're working. So a couple of days ago, I decided to indulge in a treat that had nothing to do with chocolate: a deep-tissue sports massage. The therapist worked out all of my knots and nearly put me to sleep! It was a blissful 90 minutes-so blissful, in fact, that I've decided to schedule a massage every month to reward myself.

December 20, 2007
My new support group
The other day, when I was staring a piece of pepperoni and sausage pizza in its greasy face and trying not to eat it, I realized I need some help if I'm every going to stick to this long-term weight-loss plan. So I reached out to the first two women to ever do Shape's Weight Loss Diary: Courtney Rubin and Jill Sherer. Courtney (1999), now living in London and a svelte size 8, promised to talk me down from the Ben & Jerry's ledge anytime I need it, while Jill (2002), a giddy newlywed still enjoying an active lifestyle, offered to send me tasty and healthy recipes. Now I know I can turn to them whenever I need guidance; after all, they know what I'm going through.

December 18, 2007
Soundtrack for success
While driving a few days ago, I heard Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" and it occurred to me: I need a theme song to motivate me! The chorus of this song really resonated with me. "Don't stop believing...hold onto that feeling." Which is exactly what I need to do-hold onto this feeling of being grateful for taking care of myself. If I can do that, I think I'll be much more successful with my weight-loss efforts than I have in the past, when just being thin and looking good was the main goal (which, might I add, I never achieved). Another song that I love is Kanye West's "Stronger." I can't seem to get it out of my head. So now I have two theme songs to inspire me. Moving forward, whenever I don't feel like working out or I'm tempted to hit the drive-thru, I'll cue up my song and remember that it's mind over matter.