Thursday, December 31, 2015

Procrastination is NOT the key to weight loss.

After the day I had, I have to make a plan to lose weight.  Now I don't know where to begin.  I weigh too much.  That is all I know.  I realize that I know that a failure to plan is a plan to fail.  I have felt like a failure and that needs to change.  It also does not hurt to answer those questions that I have been asking.  The questions that I have are many, but now my mind is clearer.  I don't have all of the answers, yet.  At least things, however,  are no longer as confusing as they once were. 

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

The sad truth

The sad truth is, I wish I had made a plan.  Maybe I should have then I finally realize that tomorrow, I have an appointment with someone who will probably criticize my poor eating habits.  I know that I need to exercise.  The ultimate truth is that I am clueless.  I finally admit that.  I have no clue and I have no plan of my own. 

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

CRUSH YOUR RESOLUTION: THE 4 WEEK FAT-BURNING MEAL PLAN

CRUSH YOUR RESOLUTION: THE 4 WEEK FAT-BURNING MEAL PLAN
Did your waistline grow during the holidays? Redeem yourself in the New Year with this calorie-burning nutrition routine.
BY TANYA ZUCKERBROT

Winter is the season where will power and regimens are shot to hell. You’re more accepting of the pounds filling out your sweater (not in the good way), and more than happy to accept the eating and sleeping habits of a hibernating bear. But this is really going to set you back come spring. That's why

With an effective combo of high-fiber and protein, this 4-week plan will help you lose fat, boost your metabolism, and set you up to build muscle—all without the annoying hunger or weird cravings that tend to accompany a calorie cutback.

If you want to indulge in the holidays, that’s okay. You can get back on track and strip away those extra pounds with this easy-to-follow meal plan. And if you’re trying not to fall off the bandwagon, heed to the meal plan to stave off unwanted weight.

GROCERY SHOPPING LIST

To get started on this New Year's eating plan, make sure your spice cabinet is stocked and go to the grocery store to get the following items:

Plain Greek Yogurt
Fresh/Frozen Berries
Other Fresh Fruit (bananas, grapefruit, apple etc)
High-Fiber High-Protein Breakfast Cereal
High-Fiber/High-Protein Frozen Waffles
Natural Peanut Butter
Eggs
Low-Fat/Fat-Free Milk
High-Fiber/High-Protein Whole Grain Bread
High-Fiber/High-Protein Whole Grain Tortillas
Large Chicken Breast
Lean Skirt Steak
Lean Deli Meat (turkey, roast beef)
Ground Lean Turkey Breast
Canned Tuna/Salmon
Fresh/Frozen Fish (salmon, tilapia etc.)
Canned Beans (black, lentil, pinto etc)
Fresh/Frozen Vegetables
Butternut Squash
Baked/Sweet Potato
Avocado
Low-Fat Cheese (sliced and shredded)

Full article source here

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Diet plan for 12/28/15

Breakfast
Toast
Ham
Coffee

Lunch
Macaroni and Cheese
Cake

Dinner
Macaroni and Cheese
Turkey
Fruitcake

Snack 1
Cheesecake

Snack 2
Green beans

Snack 3
Apple

Snack 4
Orange

I realize that this is not a healthy plan.  Yes, I this is the same plan for the food that I had this Christmas.  My heart is into losing weight, but smaller changes I guess can be made.  Now if I know what to do when it comes to exercise, I will be set!

Friday, December 25, 2015

A Plan?

Yep.  It is time I make a plan for tomorrow.  The food, however, will be the same as today.

Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Planning for the holidays

I have no plans to exercise, though I need to.  However, I plan to just have a little fun and that is it. How do I eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner on a holiday?  It is strange to do since mostly what I eat is a large lunch and a light dinner (I guess it is light.)  The truth is, I never planned for a holiday.  Even on Thanksgiving and New Years have I never made plans.  Maybe that is something to really think about.  I should do this more often.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Re-post from 12/22/15

It is not going to be easy.  It won't even be a breeze.  Losing weight will be hard.  Should I create a diet or exercise plan now?  I need to lose weight, but I have no desire to do so at the moment.  I am neither happy nor sad about that.  I am just being honest.  I sometimes feel like it is too late even at my age.  I have used and made excuses to not lose weight.  Have I made excuses instead of reasons to actually lose weight?  I keep asking questions only to wonder if I have more questions to ask and answer, so this time, I won't be asking any more questions.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

It will be hard.

It is not going to be easy.  It won't even be a breeze.  Losing weight will be hard.  Should I create a diet or exercise plan now?  I need to lose weight, but I have no desire to do so at the moment.  I am neither happy nor sad about that.  I am just being honest.  I sometimes feel like it is too late even at my age.  I have used and made excuses to not lose weight.  Have I made excuses instead of reasons to actually lose weight?  I keep asking questions only to wonder if I have more questions to ask and answer, so this time, I won't be asking any more questions.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Re-post from 12/19/15

I found myself frustrated the last two times I joined Weight Watchers.  Now I wonder if I should join again.  There never seems to be a right time for me to lose weight.  I guess now is as good a time as any.  Despite my lack of heart, I know that I need to lose weight.  The truth is, I am in my 40s and I have a lot of weight to lose.  I am not as young as I used to be, but it doesn't help that I feel it is too little, too late to be young and fit.  I am at an age where due to being in their 20s and 30s, I am considered middle aged; it will take extra hard work for me to lose weight.  What to do and where to begin.  If only I knew.

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Frustration is kicking in, if not already, kicked in.

I found myself frustrated the last two times I joined Weight Watchers.  Now I wonder if I should join again.  There never seems to be a right time for me to lose weight.  I guess now is as good a time as any.  Despite my lack of heart, I know that I need to lose weight.  The truth is, I am in my 40s and I have a lot of weight to lose.  I am not as young as I used to be, but it doesn't help that I feel it is too little, too late to be young and fit.  I am at an age where due to being in their 20s and 30s, I am considered middle aged; it will take extra hard work for me to lose weight.  What to do and where to begin.  If only I knew.

Friday, December 18, 2015

Questions that needed to be asked and things that I need to reflect on

How do I learn to eat healthy this holiday season?  How do I start a weight loss plan starting from or after this holiday season?  Those are the questions which I have to ask myself.  Last year, I tried doing such and all I was left with was wasted money and a multitude of days when I was frustrated.  I also realize that I have to make smaller changes than I normally would.  Now that is even harder for me to do.  The problem is, I know what small changes to make.  The problem is to make sure I know how to start off slow.  I will no longer say I have failed.  That has not helped.  I will not even say that I am a failure.  I realize that reflecting on the past year could be of great help to me now and hopefully, the rest of my days.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

I hate feeling this way.

Despite my lack of desire, I want to accomplish being healthy.  My last sentence was a little weird. I have lost weight, but my heart is not in it.  I am taking a risk for I have failed for a long time.  I risk hurting no one but myself.  I feel foolish even writing this.  All I am in need of is a little help and a little accountability.  I have been going at it for so long, I have afraid of planning to fail instead of a failure to plan.  I obviously made plans only for them to fall apart.  I only have myself to blame.  I hate feeling this way, but that is how I feel.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Developing a diet and exercise plan

I admit that it will some times to develop a diet and exercise plan.  I would like to make this a diet and exercise plan.  The real issue is really time and planning.  I have time on my hands, so that isn't the problem.  It is how I use my time that is the problem.  Creating this and that and writing and comparing my plan to the newly written food journal can be difficult.  How do I overcome the poor eating habits and having to constantly change my mind?  I wonder if accountability have something to do with it.  Just a thought.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Taking a break from posting articles

I have been posting articles lately.  They have been a guide for instance.  I have struggled with not just formulating, but also following those guides.  I have questions about myself and my desire to lose weight. Right now, I have no desire to lose weight.  That is not a good thing to say.  However, I am being honest.  I had no idea how to create a diet and exercise plan that I can follow.  It will be easy to follow.  I admit that I have struggled with how to formulating a plan, which has further increased my struggle in weight loss.  Maybe I need to stop struggling and failing and start making small changes so that I can make big successes.

Monday, December 14, 2015

Don't Just Diet – Exercise to Lose Weight, Too

Don't Just Diet – Exercise to Lose Weight, Too
Diet alone isn’t enough, experts say.
By Angela Haupt Jan. 7, 2014, at 12:01 a.m.


What you eat is only one part of the weight-loss equation. Diet alone might help you drop pounds, but you'll have trouble keeping them off if you don't exercise. And that's not to mention the added benefits you'll miss out on, from improved mood, to better sleep, to disease prevention. "The exercise has to be there," says Jim White, a registered dietitian and personal trainer certified by the American College of Sports Medicine.

Most experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, most or all days of the week. Typically, 30 minutes a day offers disease-prevention benefits, while 60 minutes helps with weight maintenance. Working out for 90 minutes a day helps on both fronts – and melts additional pounds. Regular exercise also cuts the risk of heart disease and diabetes, improves blood pressure and cholesterol levels, promotes better sleep, and builds healthy bones, muscles and joints.

Consider these highlights of exercise research published in 2013:

• A team of Harvard University researchers analyzed data from six large studies that focused on the leisure activities and body mass index of more than 650,000 people older than 40 who were followed for 10 years. They found that those who clocked 75 minutes of brisk walking each week – which translates to about 11 minutes a day – lived 1.8 years longer than those who didn't exercise at all. And those who got 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a week, or 22 minutes a day, gained 3.4 years. The findings were released in November 2013.

• Among stroke patients, exercise was a more effective treatment than drugs, according to a study published in BMJ in October 2013. And for those who had suffered a heart attack, exercise after the incident was as effective as drugs in preventing early deaths.

U.S. News and World Report full article here

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Action Plan for Getting Exercise

Action Plan for Getting Exercise

Exercise is good for everybody. It improves both physical and mental health. Getting enough exercise is especially important if you have diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes. Exercise helps your body use insulin more efficiently, making blood sugar levels easier to control. Physical activity can also help lower your risk for other health problems, such as heart disease and high blood pressure.

Making an Action Plan
Making an action plan each week can help you plan specific steps for getting more exercise and prepare for things that might get in your way.

Your action plan should be something you want to do, not something you think you should do. Make your plan realistic and action-specific. Make your plan something you can continue to do or build on over time.

Make your plan something you know you can achieve — be realistic about your current fitness level. Think of exercises you can do now. You can always add on after you achieve your first goal.

Here are some examples of specific and achievable exercise goals:

I will walk for 30 minutes before work on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
I will work out at the gym for one hour, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday.
I will add two more laps to my swims this week on Sunday and Wednesday.
Identifying Barriers
Once you've figured out your goal, think about what things can get in the way of reaching it. Then figure out ahead of time what things you can do to make it easier for you to reach your goal. Here are some examples:

Link


Saturday, December 12, 2015

Crush Your Resolution: 4 Week Fat Burning Meal Plan

CRUSH YOUR RESOLUTION: 4 WEEK FAT BURNING MEAL PLAN
Did the holiday season add a little pudge to your waistline? Redeem yourself in the New Year with this fat scorching meal plan.

Winter is the season where will power and regimens are shot to hell. You’re more accepting of the pounds filling out your sweater (not in the good way), and more than happy to accept the eating and sleeping habits of a hibernating bear. But this is really going to set you back come spring. Trust us, you’ll be cursing all those cannolis and drum sticks you threw back at Christmas, so take a look at our game plan.

8 Ways to Stay Motivated During the Holidays >>>

With an effective combo of high-fiber and protein, this 4-week plan will help you lose fat, boost your metabolism, and set you up to build muscle—all without the annoying hunger or weird cravings that tend to accompany a calorie cutback.

Your No-Time Holiday Workout Plan >>>

If you want to indulge in the holidays, that’s okay. You can get back on track and strip away those extra pounds with this easy-to-follow meal plan. And if you’re trying not to fall off the bandwagon, heed to the meal plan to stave off unwanted weight.

Ask Men's Fitness: How Can I Enjoy Thanksgiving Without Wrecking My Diet? >>>

Grocery Shopping List >>

To get started on this New Year's eating plan, make sure your spice cabinet is stocked and go to the grocery store to get the following items:

Plain Greek Yogurt
Fresh/Frozen Berries
Other Fresh Fruit (bananas, grapefruit, apple etc)
High-Fiber High-Protein Breakfast Cereal
High-Fiber/High-Protein Frozen Waffles
Natural Peanut Butter
Eggs
Low-Fat/Fat-Free Milk
High-Fiber/High-Protein Whole Grain Bread
High-Fiber/High-Protein Whole Grain Tortillas
Large Chicken Breast
Lean Skirt Steak
Lean Deli Meat (turkey, roast beef)
Ground Lean Turkey Breast
Canned Tuna/Salmon
Fresh/Frozen Fish (salmon, tilapia etc.)
Canned Beans (black, lentil, pinto etc)
Fresh/Frozen Vegetables
Butternut Squash
Baked/Sweet Potato
Avocado
Low-Fat Cheese (sliced and shredded)

Full plans are here.

Friday, December 11, 2015

10 Years Thinner: Our 6-Week Diet and Exercise Plan

10 Years Thinner: Our 6-Week Diet and Exercise Plan
Want to reverse age-related weight gain? There’s no magic pill. But there is a magic plan. Follow this six-week diet-and-exercise program, created by Christine Lydon, MD, and you’ll wipe out 15 pounds—and look a decade younger.

from Health Magazine

Want to reverse age-related weight gain? Theres no magic pill. But there is a magic plan. Follow this six-week diet-and-exercise program, created by Christine Lydon, MD, and youll wipe out 15 pounds—and look a decade younger.

You want to lose a few pounds. And youd love to look younger. To help you on both counts, Health teamed up with fitness-and-weight-loss expert Christine Lydon, MD, to put together this groundbreaking plan based on her new book Ten Years Thinner: 6 Weeks to a Leaner, Younger-Looking You. The program not only blasts off fat but also specifically targets the zones where women tend to accumulate fat as they age (belly, butt, thighs, and upper arms). Plus, it fights inflammation, a common culprit behind dull skin, wrinkles, low energy, and flab.

Home >> Diet & Fitness >> Lose Weight >> 10 Years Thinner: Our 6-Week Diet and Exercise Plan

10 Years Thinner: Our 6-Week Diet and Exercise Plan
Want to reverse age-related weight gain? There’s no magic pill. But there is a magic plan. Follow this six-week diet-and-exercise program, created by Christine Lydon, MD, and you’ll wipe out 15 pounds—and look a decade younger.
ten-years=thinner
From Health magazine

Want to reverse age-related weight gain? Theres no magic pill. But there is a magic plan. Follow this six-week diet-and-exercise program, created by Christine Lydon, MD, and youll wipe out 15 pounds—and look a decade younger.

You want to lose a few pounds. And youd love to look younger. To help you on both counts, Health teamed up with fitness-and-weight-loss expert Christine Lydon, MD, to put together this groundbreaking plan based on her new book Ten Years Thinner: 6 Weeks to a Leaner, Younger-Looking You. The program not only blasts off fat but also specifically targets the zones where women tend to accumulate fat as they age (belly, butt, thighs, and upper arms). Plus, it fights inflammation, a common culprit behind dull skin, wrinkles, low energy, and flab.


To give you great results in six weeks, Lydon devised 20- to 25-minute combined cardio-and-strength routines with bursts of high-intensity activity that rev up metabolism (which naturally slows over the years).


“Those bursts are the way to maximize calorie afterburn—the number of calories your body continues to burn after you stop exercising,” Lydon says. “Plus, youre building more muscle to boost your metabolism for more around-the-clock fat-burning.” The result: A slimmer, younger-looking you...fast. Sound good? Read on.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Sample diet and exercise plans

Sample food journal

Source:
http://shannonmiller.com/wp-content/themes/sml/products/samples/sml_foodjournal_12-13.jpg

Sample Exercise Plan

Sample Workout for Beginners



Monday: Cardio 20-30 minutes. You can choose from one of the following Sample Cardio Workouts:
Beginner Stationary Bike
Beginner Walking Workout
Beginner Elliptical Workout

Tuesday: Total Body Strength and core training. You can choose from one of the following Sample Strength Workouts:
Beginner Total Body Strength
Beginner Total Body Strength - Level 2
Beginner Total Body Strength - Level 3

Wednesday: Rest or gentle yoga/stretching

Thursday: Cardio-20-30 minutes.  You can choose from one of the following Sample Cardio Workouts:
Beginner Stationary Bike
Beginner Walking Workout
Beginner Elliptical Workout

Friday:  Total Body Strength and core training. You can choose from one of the following Sample Strength Workouts:
Beginner Total Body Strength
Beginner Total Body Strength - Level 2
Beginner Total Body Strength - Level 3

Saturday: Cardio-20-30 minutes.  You can choose from one of the following Sample Cardio Workouts:
Beginner Stationary Bike
Beginner Walking Workout
Beginner Elliptical Workout


Guidelines for Intermediate Exercisers

If you've been exercising for at least 3 months consistently, you typically fall into this category
If your goal is to lose weight, you want to shoot for 20-60 minutes of cardio about 5 or more times a week.
Your strength training schedule will depend on what type of workouts you're doing (e.g., total body training or a split routine).
You can do cardio and weight training on the same day, depending on your time constraints. It doesn't matter which one you do first, so vary your routine and try different combinations to find the one that is right for you.

Source:
http://exercise.about.com/od/basics/fl/How-to-Set-Up-a-Complete-Exercise-Program-Sample-Workout-Schedule.htm

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

4 ESSENTIAL TIPS TO BUILD THE PERFECT WORKOUT PROGRAM

4 ESSENTIAL TIPS TO BUILD THE PERFECT WORKOUT PROGRAM
Build a workout routine perfect for you with these four essentials to designing your own training plan.

BY ANTHONY J. YEUNG CSCS

When it comes to designing a workout program, you already know the basics: you need to squat and deadlift; you need to do heavy rows, bench presses, and chin-ups; and you need good technique. But are you structuring your workouts correctly for maximum results? Are you including the little things that could take your program to the next level?

Just as “great minds think alike,” great workout programs look alike, too. From elite level athletes to local strength and conditioning coaches, all good training plans share similar features.

Follow these guidelines and you’ll avoid the doubt, frustration, and possible injuries that come from poor workout programs; instead, you’ll maximize your muscle growth, prevent injuries, and achieve your goals.

NO. 1: CHANGE YOUR REPS EVERY FEW WEEKS
Your repetitions are the most important part of your workout program; they control everything from your strength and size gains to how your muscles develop and look.

Here is a general guideline of what each rep range does:

1 - 3 reps: Maximal Strength
4 - 6 reps: Strength
8 - 12 reps: Size Gains (Hypertrophy)
15+ reps: Endurance

If you always do 15 or more reps, for example, you’ll develop thinner muscles with better endurance. But if you never change your reps, you’ll ignore your maximum strength and explosive power and you’ll lose out on size gains.

Instead, organize your workout program into phases lasting a few weeks each, choose the rep range you want for each phase (ex. 4 - 6), and do that for all your main exercises. Then, in the next phase, choose a different rep range.

Here’s a sample workout program with four, month-long phases:

Month One: 8 reps
Month Two: 15 reps
Month Three: 6 reps
Month Four: 12 reps

Now, you’ll build all aspects of endurance, power, strength, and size in just a few months.

Link

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

How to Make a Workout Plan

How to Make a Workout Plan

It's very easy to start working out, but to achieve your desired goals, a blueprint for success must be forged. Read sources & citations if you don't have the time, we have included a workout plan builder app for you to use. For now, prepare to make a plan like the legends in Bodybuilding.

In this article, we will show you how to write a complete workout, nutrition and even supplement plan for ongoing gym success. First up, we're going to explain the main ways of organizing your routine. For example, you can do the 2 body part a day routine, split workout plan (workout every 2 days), or exhaust every body part daily like a chain smoker attempting a one off cross country track.

Honestly don't try that last option. There are a lot of beginners who try this and end up fatigued, injured or both the following week. Either way there's hardly any gains in this.

1. Research & decide your routine type and exercises. Once you've figured out the appropriate routine type, research and choose the body parts for your chosen days. For example, on day 1 (Monday) you do a 2 muscle a day routine consisting of chest & triceps exercises.

2. Write out each exercise's specific sets, repetitions (reps) and if you're advanced, time delay. Note every increase and failures in the plan and work on improving your weaknesses.

3. To progress in weight with most exercises, start out on 3x12 reps the first week, increase to 3x13 week 2, 3x14 week 3 and 3x15 week 4.

4. Increase the weight on week 5 and drop the reps back down to 12. For body weight exercises such as pushups and dips, wear a weight vest/belt and add weight.

5. Continue this pattern for 8-12 weeks in your workout plan and you should see some considerable gains. The longer you keep this up, the bigger you will be.

6. If you want to build as much strength and tone as possible, however, you should focus on the lower rep range, as this is what will allow you to lift the heaviest amount of weights, and thus see the greatest gains in strength as well as cutting body fat fastest.

Read full article here.

Monday, December 7, 2015

How To Build Your Weight Loss Meal Plans And Make Losing Fat Easier On Yourself

How To Build Your Weight Loss Meal Plans And Make Losing Fat Easier On Yourself
March 16, 2015 By JC Deen

Fat loss, dieting, getting shredded, leaning out, weight loss — whatever you want to call it, it’s all the same end-result. More muscle, less fat, better definition is what we all want.

One question I get all the time is “can you give me a meal plan for weight loss?” And to that, I always respond with a ‘no’ for two reasons:

It’s technically illegal for me to give someone a fully-detailed weight loss meal plan because I’m not a registered dietician.
It doesn’t actually teach you anything. (Like, why go through the trouble and frustration that can be this physique-building journey and not actually learn anything?)
Today we’re talking all about weight loss. Meal plans, just like any other time you need a plan, are pertinent to your success when it comes to losing fat, getting lean, and staying that way.

Having a plan ensures you maintain good habits, and constraints that will help you do the right things over and over that are responsible for losing body fat.

We’ve already established many times here that creating a caloric deficit, over time, is what produces fat loss. I don’t care if you choose to eat six meals per day, or do intermittent fasting.

In the end, your weight loss meal plan (or any type of diet, for that matter) should revolve around foods you like to eat, and a plan that suits your schedule — and most importantly — a plan that is in line with your psychological needs.

If you’re the type of person who loves to snack during the day, then a frequent meal plan (5+ meals per day) is probably ideal for you. If you’re someone who doesn’t like a big breakfast, but loves to eat big in the evening, a lower meal frequency might be what suits you best.

When you’re at peace mentally with the plan, it makes it much easier to actually follow through. There’s nothing more daunting than someone shoving a meal plan in your face that calls for all the foods you hate, and micro-feedings every hour, on the hour.

If you abhor canned tuna (like me), and eating like a bird, this would mean your demise.

So let’s talk about what makes a good meal plan, shall we?

Remember, all these ideas are merely suggestions. None of it is personal advice, m’kay?

Read the full article here.

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Taking a break for tomorrow

I don't have any plans today.  However, I have no idea what I need to do for tomorrow either. Sunday is the day where much of what I eat is the same.  Therefore, there would be no need to do so much of a diet plan because of that fact.  I feel like sometimes I need an overhaul.  Truth be told, that is exactly what I need.

Friday, December 4, 2015

Re-post from 12/1/15

I thought about taking a break today.  However, I have decided to write this reflection.  I have made many plans and have struggled to lose weight all the same.  I do want to encourage myself and others. I have heard that a failure to plan is a plan to failure.  What I have done is not fail but try.  My eyes have been opened and I have had this epiphany from my nutrition counselor.  Nevermind the fact that I gained 10 pounds since I last weighed myself.  I have grown tired of the struggle and I have grown tired of trying to keep up with my perfectionist obsessive mindset.  In fact, it has held me back.  What held  me back wasn't just my mindset but a lack of confidence.  I lacked confidence in myself and a lack of confidence in being an inspiration to myself much less others.  I don't wish to start over; I want to start from where I left off.  Making references and looking back at the mistakes I made.  My biggest mistake, however, was that lack of confidence that I have written about earlier.  I can do this. I am no longer tired.  I am not starting over.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Reflection for 12/1/15

I thought about taking a break today.  However, I have decided to write this reflection.  I have made many plans and have struggled to lose weight all the same.  I do want to encourage myself and others. I have heard that a failure to plan is a plan to failure.  What I have done is not fail but try.  My eyes have been opened and I have had this epiphany from my nutrition counselor.  Nevermind the fact that I gained 10 pounds since I last weighed myself.  I have grown tired of the struggle and I have grown tired of trying to keep up with my perfectionist obsessive mindset.  In fact, it has held me back.  What held  me back wasn't just my mindset but a lack of confidence.  I lacked confidence in myself and a lack of confidence in being an inspiration to myself much less others.  I don't wish to start over; I want to start from where I left off.  Making references and looking back at the mistakes I made.  My biggest mistake, however, was that lack of confidence that I have written about earlier.  I can do this. I am no longer tired.  I am not starting over.