I recently received an email from Reade, a woman who’s getting such significant benefits from The Positive Portions Food & Fitness Journal that I invited her to share her story with us:
My 60th birthday hit me hard, especially afterwards, viewing the photographs taken at my birthday party. Who was that plumpish woman grinning back at the camera?
Oh, I recognize her. That’s me!
Using The Positive Portions Journal is helping Reade reach her goals.
When I met my husband 15 years ago, I weighed 120 pounds soaking wet. That “me” in the picture weighed a lot more than 120; she weighed 174, to be exact, without her shoes. That’s a 3.6-pound weight gain a year, barely noticeable as it was happening.
I decided then and there that I must take control of my eating. I despaired at the prospect of dieting – again. I had tried the cabbage soup diet and Weight Watchers and SparkPeople and other eating plans that were more or less successful, but obviously not successful enough because I didn’t stick with them.
Browsing through a gifts and collectibles shop several weeks later, my eye was caught by The Positive Portions Food & Fitness Journal with its bright orange border and attractive picture on the cover. The format was familiar: write down everything you eat every day, including calories, carbs, fat, etc. There were six months of tracking pages and an inspirational message for each day. I was hooked. I bought the book.
Today is Day 26 of my weight-loss journey. I look forward to reading the helpful, inspirational message every day. One of those messages answered my question about how to manage my eating when my partner eats things that aren’t good for me: “The trick is to remind ourselves that the unhealthy food in our home isn’t ours.” Repeating to myself, “That’s not my food,” is a great help.
Keeping track of what I eat in the Positive Portions journal makes me accountable for every bite I eat. When I am tempted to have a big slice of fresh apple pie or a scrumptious-looking brownie, I am stopped in my tracks by knowing that I have to write it down. Before, when I used to skip lunch, I’d be so hungry by the time I got home from work that I’d grab the first edible thing in sight. Often I’d eat one more piece and one more piece until I was full. And then I’d eat dinner later.
Now, as soon as possible after a meal or snack, I write down what I’ve eaten and look up the calories either on the internet or using the Calorie Counter app on my cell phone. By adding up calories for each portion of the day (morning, afternoon, evening), I can see at a glance what I have left of the 1,500 I allow myself each day.
One of my goals is to reach 140 pounds and to maintain that weight for life. Eating healthier foods in appropriate amounts is another important goal. A daily treat of four ounces of red wine – 200 calories – and one Dove dark chocolate piece – 42 calories – keeps me from feeling totally deprived of all the “good” stuff.
Shannon Hammer says she continues to write down what she eats every day, even after reaching her weight goal. “Writing it down” is a great tool. In fact, I regard my journal as my new BFF. It got me going and has already helped me lose seven pounds. I consider that a positive success.
- Reade A.
Thank you, Reade! If you’ve had success with The Positive Portions Food & Fitness Journal, tell us about it! Email your story to [email protected].
