Stats.

I went from size 18 to size 12 in almost 6 weeks. I lost 32 lbs in my first 8 weeks.

I'm considered an "Apple Shape" which means that I am subject to Diabetes, Strokes, Heart Attacks and Heart Disease. I carry my fat in my upper body (vs. my hips, thighs and buttocks aka Pear Shape, which DOESN'T carry the same health risks). The positive to an otherwise grim situation is that when you lose weight as an Apple, it is noticeable pretty fast.

The formula for determining an Apple Shape Body vs. A Pear Shape Body:

Calculating Your Waist-to-Hip Ratio
Use a measuring tape to measure your waist (at the smallest circumference of your natural waist, usually just above the belly button) and the circumference of your hips (at the widest part of your buttocks). To determine your ratio, simply divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. Compare your result to the appropriate chart below, which is different for males and females.

I eat a fiber filled diet.

Check out part of the article on the importance / benefits of Fiber:

Aids in Weight Loss - Fiber-rich foods may help your body stay trim. They take longer to chew, which may slow down your eating time so you eat less food. Fiber helps you feel full and slows the emptying of your stomach. In other words, fiber helps you to fill up before you reach the point of overeating. Fiber itself cannot be fattening because it isn’t digested and has ZERO calories!

Reduces Risk of Heart Disease - Studies have shown that people who consume a high fiber diet are less likely to develop heart disease. Certain types of fiber may help lower LDL cholesterol (the bad stuff). Fiber also helps bile acids pass through as waste. Therefore the body absorbs less dietary cholesterol.

Lowers High Blood Pressure - Fiber-rich foods are also a good source of potassium and magnesium. These two minerals are needed to help regulate blood pressure.

Manages Diabetes - Water-soluble fiber also helps to regulate blood sugar by delaying the emptying time of the stomach. This slows the sugar absorption after meals and reduces the amount of insulin needed.

Prevents Cancer - Eating a high fiber diet throughout one’s life may help prevent certain cancers, such as colon and rectal cancers. Fiber absorbs excess bile acids that are associated with cancer. It also speeds up the time it takes for waste to pass through the digestive system, which decreases the amount of time that harmful substances remain in contact with the intestinal wall. Fiber also forms a bulkier stool, which helps to dilute the concentration of harmful substances.

Reduces Constipation, Hemorrhoids, and Diverticulosis - Fiber absorbs water, softening and bulking the stool. This helps it pass through the digestive system more quickly and easily. As a result, fiber prevents constipation. There is less straining with bowel movements so hemorrhoids are less likely to form. Fiber is also a standard therapy for the treatment of diverticular disease. This painful disease occurs when the tiny sacs in the intestinal wall become weak and infected. A high fiber diet helps to keep these sacs from becoming inflamed.

Some of the techniques I discovered in my PERSONAL weightloss journey include:

- Eat 3 well-rounded meals spaced 3-5 hours apart

- Eat breakfast...No matter what. This prevents your body from entering starvation mode.

Also, never drop below 1200 calories a day. No matter what.

- Learn portion control. Serve yourself what's recommended on the label, and maximize your calories' nutrition by targeting all the food groups while gaining a variety!

- Sustain from snacking after a reasonable hour. Mine was 9pm. This allows your body to rest. Digestion is hard work. Give your body a much needed break. It's hard at first, but, gets easier with time.

- Eat fiber. Fiber itself has ZERO calories, but, helps to cleanse your intestines and move "things" along (aka "elimination"). I totally recommend Fiber One Raisin Bran Clusters! YUMMY!

- Drink plenty of water. Sometimes it's not hunger you feel. It's thirst. Either way, water is essential for weightloss and metabolism.

- Plug into a website that supports your own weight loss goals. I suggest, without a doubt, Sparkpeople.com! They constantly educate  on heathier eating, and they have a rewards point system! 

- It takes about 6 weeks to develop good habits...or break bad ones. Don't look beyond it. Don't stop short of it, either. You can retrain your body.

- Learn the difference between good fats and bad fats. NOT ALL FATS ARE CREATED EQUAL. For instance, avocado has been given a pretty bad wrap! Your joints need lubrication, not to mention that good fats can actually LOWER your cholesterol!

---Good Fats:

              Monounsaturated

              Polyunsaturated

---Bad Fats

              Trans Fats

              Saturated Fats

It takes 3,500 calories to gain a pound, or lose it!

3,500 calories = 1 lb

Creating a deficit of just 500 calories PER DAY, over the course of 1 week (7 days), will be a loss of 3,500 calories = 1 lb weight loss!

1 lb a week, over the course of 1 year is 52 lbs!

(What would YOUR new weight be in one year with a 52 lb weight loss?!?!?!)

Let's talk sodium. Sodium helps the body to retain water. Water can equal weight. Limiting your sodium can help you see the numbers you desire on the scale.

I highly recommend setting 8 week goals. Start by taking a before picture. Exactly 8 weeks later, in the same clothes (mine was a swimsuit), take an "after" picture. Every 8 weeks, with each date already predetermined, take ANOTHER photo for comparison. Pictures don't lie.

Reward yourself for your hard work. Get your nails done. Get a new hair style. Get a new outfit. It's a huge accomplishment and you deserve it!

Keep one pair of your largest size pants. It's so encouraging to try them on as you shrink! It can lift your spirits quickly when you feel you aren't getting results you desire.

I know this can all be a bit overwhelming...but...it's worth it to educate yourself as well as plugging yourself in to a network of others who are shooting for the same goal...weightloss.

I have lost 44 lbs in 21 weeks.

6 inches have melted from my waist.

Do I feel deprived? NO.

Am I feeling starved? NO.

Did I give up social drinks? NO. I still drink red wine. Red wine has been shown to help improve cardiovascular health, most likely because it is rich in antioxidants called flavonoids.You should limit yourself to a 4-ounce glass of wine daily.

YOU CAN LOSE WEIGHT, TOO.

Feel better about yourself. Live longer. Enjoy.

In the words of Bob Harper from The Biggest Loser:

"Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels."

Be watching my auctions, as I will soon begin selling off all my clothes that no longer fit!

Well, all except for ONE pair of my size 18 pants. I like trying them on, now and again ;o)

When this guide reaches 100 positive votes, I may post my before and after photos right here, on this review/guide.

You may want to vote and then bookmark this page.