Diet
Overweight spouse - what can you do?
Hi Barbara, I was wondering if you had time to address a "weighty" issue. I have followed your weight loss story and admired it, as I'm sure many others have. It has been particularly encouraging to me because my husband is very overweight and I have hoped for a long...July 25, 2008 - 6:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack
Not fair! Why do men lose weight faster?
Ever wonder why it only takes your hubby a few days to get back in shape? Read on: Think the most infuriating thing a guy can say to you is, "Yeah, it does make your butt look big"? Wrong. The one phrase that can turn any relationship into a...May 21, 2008 - 3:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Does sugar lead to depression?
This may sound very naive, but I have never been a big sugar fan and so I never noticed. Recently on two separate occasions I had a little candy before going to bed (I know - it does sound stupid when I write it down). Both times I've woken up...April 16, 2008 - 6:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (15) | TrackBack
The Fat Flush Diet: how hard is it and did it work?
From the comments: I'm wondering whether you found the Fat Flush diet hard to stick to, and did you have a hard time breaking free from the sugar cravings? Yes, I found it hard to stick to the first few days!!! But that's not the point. I realized that one...March 8, 2008 - 7:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack
Cranberry juice for Fat Flush diet
From a reader who's gone Fat Flush too (that's the diet which helped me lose 90 pounds): Barbara, You inspired me to investigate the Fat Flush Plan and I've been on it a few weeks. Ditched caffeine, sugar and at least till Lent is over, wine. You further inspired me...March 6, 2008 - 7:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack
My life - and diet update
This cast is driving me crazy!!!!! Still dreaming of getting out of it. . . . . Yesterday I was able to use a pair of gigantic toenail snippers to trim down another ½” on my thumb where the edge of the fiberglass was rubbing my skin raw. The fiberglass...February 28, 2008 - 1:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack
Fat a lifestyle choice?
I've been meaning to blog on dieting and new beginnings (for those new here, I have lost 90 pounds since 2/2/06 and having a wonderful time because of it), but am dashing off for a hair cut and wanted to pass on this alarming article: Obesity now a 'lifestyle' choice...January 11, 2008 - 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBack
My life - quick and random thoughts
Is anyone out there reading? Just wondering if you are as busy as I've been. A lot is going on with my kids and they come first. But I'm always thinking, "Oh, I'd like to blog about this.. . " Last night Jonny had a party with a bunch of...December 22, 2007 - 9:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBack
Even my toes are thinner!
I have to say the final stretch is somewhat harder than the beginning. I really find myself wishing I could eat what I like when I like. But I am determined to reach my goal of losing 100 pounds. When I started my diet in February 2006, at 252 I...August 15, 2007 - 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (16) | TrackBack
My Diet Journey
Dear Barbara A few days ago you mentioned the Fast Track Detox diet and how much that has worked for you. I was motivated (still am) and bought a copy. As I'm reading through it (maybe I'm dense) I don't understand how to follow this diet. Can you describe what...July 13, 2007 - 9:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack
A Spiritual Approach to Weight Loss
Last year on the road to losing 75 pounds I realized that without a spiritual makeover we can never hope to achieve and maintain weight loss. For me it was a personal journey where God led me through many realizations about the bondage I was in - and all the...May 26, 2007 - 1:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Diets work: my Before and After
Yesterday, my daughter Maddy took this picture of me outside our front door under the cherry tree - which blooms gloriously like this for a couple weeks each spring: This was taken same time last year. I'd been dieting three months and had lost 35 pounds: I never used to...May 3, 2007 - 7:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (26) | TrackBack
Foods that Heal
Martha Sears sent me this great chart I've been wanting to share with you for a while. Finally found the link: Foods that Heal Click to see the chart - I recommend printing it out and hanging it as a reference somewhere where you can study it while waiting...April 18, 2007 - 10:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Foods that curb your appetite
Saw this today and wanted to pass it on: Foods that Curb Your Appetite I agree with all of these (and the pictures were beautiful and - well - appetizing!). Still holding steady with my 75 pound loss. Last month we took the kids out to dinner at a new...March 19, 2007 - 4:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Anorexia - a mother/daughter view
Diane, who blogs at Praying for a Prodigal wanted me to pass this on to you: It is with great joy and gratitude that I email you to let you know about a very touching and important series that is currently going on in blogosphere. Kristen, from Mama's So Called...January 12, 2007 - 5:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Diet Update
I haven't blogged about dieting for a while. Mostly because there's no news. So let me share where I am right now. I started the Fat Flush Fast Track Diet last year on February 2 - Hey! I just realized that was Groundhog Day, one of our family's favorite...January 12, 2007 - 8:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack
Happy New Year!
Here is my column from this week's Loudoun Times-Mirror: Out with the old and in with the new! Nothing like a new year to get our attention. The custom of New Year’s Resolutions dates back to 153 B.C. when the Roman god Janus was chosen to head the calendar –...December 31, 2006 - 10:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBack
Help for moms with overweight daughters
Some time ago, a reader wrote to ask for help in dealing with an overweight daughter. I just came across this website which has some great advice and recommended books: Moms! Help Your Overweight Daughter! It is a difficult situation to have someone in your family who needs to...November 28, 2006 - 7:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Diet Update
I have now lost 75 pounds. 25 to go. You know I took a break and just maintained for a couple months, but started fresh 10/30. I'm finding this part to be much harder and wondering if taking a break was such a good idea. At least I proved...November 11, 2006 - 8:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Police chief fired for asking his men to get in shape
Police Chief Fired Over 'Jelly Bellies' Memo He Exhorted 80 Fellow Officers to Get in Shape By TRAVIS REED, AP WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (Nov. 2) - Police Chief Paul Goward was tired of looking around his department and seeing blubber hanging over the belts of some of his officers. So...November 2, 2006 - 7:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Back on my diet today
In case you've been wondering about the lack of more pounds lost under the fat lady to the right, the reason is simple: for the past few months I have not been dieting. I've simply been putting into practice the wisdom gained from the previous six months of dieting....October 30, 2006 - 9:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Diet Round-up
Did anyone watch The Biggest Loser? I can hardly believe that some of those big guys have lost over 70 pounds since the show began. And though they still look pretty enormous, when they flashback to how they began, you can see a BIG difference - especially in their...October 26, 2006 - 9:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Diet Update
This is a picture of me with Tripp and my oldest daughter Samantha shortly before Tripp and I were married. I think I weighed 125. Over the next ten years as I gave birth to seven babies, I gained approximately ten pounds per baby. Seven years we adopted three babies,...October 25, 2006 - 8:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (30) | TrackBack
Diet Update
Saw this great article at Prevention this morning: What to do when the scale won't budge One recommendation she makes: Get enough shut-eye Women who slept for 5 hours or less a night were 32% more likely to gain weight than those who slumbered a full 7 hours. Also,...October 11, 2006 - 7:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Dieting: it's about so much more than losing pounds
Okay, I know there are a lot of you who don't need to diet and I hope you're skipping all these posts - unless you have a friend or relative who needs help and understanding. Then I know there are some of you who do need to diet but aren't...October 5, 2006 - 7:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack
Overweight daughters
This comment needed to be lifted to an entry so we can all get to work on this - with practical advice and prayer: Do you have any advice for a mother of an obese child? My 13 year old daughter is 100 lbs overweight (and yes I feel like...October 5, 2006 - 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Diet dish
From a reader: Dear Barbara - I read your blog frequently and I enjoy the brain food and support as a mother. I've been thinking a lot about your weight loss and the possibility that I could lose weight too. I am 120 lbs overweight and it just seems...October 4, 2006 - 3:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
The Biggest Loser
Watched the second week of The Biggest Loser last night. It's so exciting to see these people waging a war with their weight and winning. The trainers are so wonderful at motivating and loving them through the process. And I was so surprised by the outcome last night. For those...September 28, 2006 - 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
The Biggest Loser
Wednesday night I watched The Biggest Loser on NBC. I found myself crying as each of the contestants told their stories, described their struggle with weight and their yearning for a better life. Honestly. I was really crying. I didn't have a moment like that when I set out February...September 22, 2006 - 3:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack
Diet Update
I've lost 65 pounds. I'm feeling positively svelte - although I'm definitely far from it still. But I am loving how much more free and easy I feel inside my skin - able to move quickly and not feeling like a ponderous mass of flesh. I'm also very aware...August 29, 2006 - 7:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack
Diet Update
Here is the lowdown on my diet: I started February 2 and lost 55 pounds in four months on the Fat Flush Diet - being very strict: no caffeine, no diet sodas, nothing off the diet. Since June 2 I've been slacking. Still dieting and eating less - no...August 19, 2006 - 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Diet Talk
Been browsing sites of other dieters. It is SO motivating to see before and after pictures, don't you think? I don't have time right now to list a bunch, but start with Good Houskeeping Success Stories Oprah's Incredible Weight Loss Stories (click on Gallery under Amazing Transformations) Hey, that's...August 12, 2006 - 3:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Why I know this will be my last diet
I told you all earlier I'm working on a book on dieting - not a specific diet plan, but my thoughts on how to make any diet your last. It will take a long time to go through the process - get a contract, finish and see it in...August 2, 2006 - 11:59 PM | Permalink
Diet Update
I've lost 63 pounds. I am wearing size 14 capris. Is it worth not eating everything I'd like to eat? You bet it is! My only question is why did I wait so long? It's a great feeling not to be a slave to food anymore! Remember to send...July 29, 2006 - 9:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBack
Diet motivator of the day
I'm sorry, but there just is nothing sexy about fat. I think I'm going to make a collage of pictures like this and put them on my refrigerator door to remind me that no matter how hungry or bored or restless I get during the day, no detours from...July 26, 2006 - 7:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack
Diet Update
My friend Mel who has been blogging at Actual Unretouched Photo for a long time, recently started a diet blog at The Amazing Shrinking Mom. Mel and I live 3000 miles apart and have never laid eyes on each other, but I love the woman dearly. Besides similarities like...July 19, 2006 - 1:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack
MommyLife Weigh In
Margaret, from The Cappuccino Life made this comment: Also, I wanted to quickly add that Barbara, you are a real help to me with my own weight problems. I'm out of denial, at least. Thank you for being so blunt and straightforward about this issue. I have lost 1...July 18, 2006 - 2:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBack
I hate to do this . . .
Diet Update Deb asked me to blog about my feelings about my weight loss before attending ICRS this year. I can't tell you how much it costs me in terms of personal embarrassment to post this picture from last year . . . But for the sake of anyone out...July 14, 2006 - 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (14) | TrackBack
Diet update - Out with the Old
They say a picture's worth a thousand words. Check out these: This is a jacket I just sold on Ebay - but before I mailed it, I asked Ben to take my picture. Very different than it used to be - didn't need 50 takes to find one I could...June 21, 2006 - 7:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (21) | TrackBack
Diet Update
Well, I think I finally got past the Evil Plateau that I've been trying to outlast for three weeks. Yay! I was holding steady at 55 pounds lost for almost three weeks, but yesterday dropped two more pounds - and I feel like my body is revving up for...June 21, 2006 - 9:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack
Diet Update
I started to write this as a comment/response to comments on my last Update, but grew into an entry: I so appreciate all your comments and encouragement! And I want to encourage all of you who have joined me on this journey! Brian and Wendy, thank you for pointing...June 12, 2006 - 9:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack
Diet Update
I'm not really keeping a diet journal or noting my weight anywhere but here, but it's been seeming like forever since I dropped a pound. 55 pounds down and 45 to go, but I seem stuck. So the first thing I did this morning was a reality check: I...June 11, 2006 - 7:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBack
Diet update
17 weeks. Down 55 pounds. 16s are getting looser - I can imagine myself in 14s. Have a size 12 outfit waiting for me to wear to my book signing in Denver July 10. But I'm not sure if I'll be that thin by then. While I'm over halfway...June 3, 2006 - 9:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (13) | TrackBack
Diet Buddies
You know how when you're pregnant, all of a sudden it seems like there are just so many pregnant women around? I kinda feel that way now about dieting. Since I've started, it seems like the whole world is on a diet too. Well, at least those of us...May 23, 2006 - 6:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Diet Update
15 1/2 weeks. Down 53 pounds. Feeling so thin - though in reality I have at least 47 more pounds to lose. But I am halfway there! Made it through the wedding weekend without ever eating more than I should while trying to lose weight. Didn't stick to the...May 22, 2006 - 2:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Welcome Loudoun Times Mirror readers/ Diet update
Week 15. Down 50 pounds!! The weight is coming off more slowly now - 5 pounds in the last 3 weeks - but that's okay because it is easy to stay motivated because I'm experiencing the benefits of losing 20% of my weight. That's right - I weighed 250...May 18, 2006 - 7:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack
Diet update
*blushing* You know, I didn't put that picture up to elicit all this affirmation, but thank you all so much! It is looking - and feeling - better every day that keeps me motivated. I was at the doctor last week for a check up and couldn't help but...May 10, 2006 - 6:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack
My Extreme Makeover - Halfway There
I had to come up with a new picture for the back cover of Reaching the Left with the Right so Tripp took this yesterday: I am about halfway to where I want to be weight-wise. But feeling very confident I can finish this!...May 8, 2006 - 10:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (30) | TrackBack
Diet update
Week 12. Have lost 45 pounds. March was slow because of the trips to Mount Hermon and to New York, where I allowed myself some leeway - having some salad dressing and sauces on my meats. A reader asked the other day what I ate. The Fat Flush Diet,...May 1, 2006 - 7:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (13) | TrackBack
Fat and frugality
Tying together two recent themes here at MommyLife, Meredith at Like Merchant Ships (remember I told you about her a few days ago?), writes today Fat Isn't Frugal. And check out this article: Accomodating Obesity. It's things like this that keep me motivated to stick with it and become a...April 26, 2006 - 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Size 16!
I never told anyone - even my family - how much I weighed or what size my clothes were. As though that could stop them from seeing it with their own eyes. Yesterday I got into a pair of size 16 jeans I couldn't get into last week! Remember...April 26, 2006 - 8:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (18) | TrackBack
Are You a Compulsive Overeater?
Are You a Compulsive Overeater? [reprinted from Overeaters Anonymous] This series of questions may help you determine if you are a compulsive overeater. 1. Do you eat when you're not hungry? 2. Do you go on eating binges for no apparent reason? 3. Do you have feelings of guilt...April 17, 2006 - 8:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Taking responsibility for overweight
It's now been ten weeks since I began my diet journey. I look at it as a journey because I'm learning so much on the way. For those who are chronically overweight - who complain of being tired, that their metabolism is slow - all I can say is...April 17, 2006 - 7:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Readers' thoughts on dieting
I managed to maintain my weight loss while away last week - even though it seems like all they do is feed you at Mount Hermon :) - and they serve great food! But that's not for me right now. I just ate lots of vegetables, apples, grapefruit, and small...April 12, 2006 - 6:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
More diet discussion
I promised that I would not get one-track about dieting - some of you don't need to hear it and some of you are probably offended. Sally was offended and wrote this comment, which I am moving up here because it may resonate with some readers: Barbara, this is such...April 2, 2006 - 7:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (20) | TrackBack
The truth about being fat
Sticking to my diet in spite of the fact that the results are slower and less dramatic in this phase. I've lost more than a third of what I need to lose. Just putting it in terms of fractions rather than pounds adds more motivation. Working on the proposal...April 1, 2006 - 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack
Diet Update
Have lost 34 pounds since February 2 (using the Fat Flush Diet) - a little over six weeks. Using my son's wedding May 20 as a goal, I plan to lose at least 26 (maybe 36!) in the next nine weeks for a total of 60 (maybe 70). Then...March 19, 2006 - 9:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBack
A Diet Devotional?
I have so appreciated everyone's comments about my diet (and please don't worry that I'm going to get obsessive/judgmental/pushy/overzealous about this. It's just one thing going on in my life. Next week I'll still be on my diet, but I will be talking about something else :) But the...March 12, 2006 - 7:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (18) | TrackBack
Diet Report and Contest Update
Okay, it's been 5 weeks on my diet. I have only cheated twice - once to have a half a coke (sugar and all) at the opera intermission because I wanted to stay awake and once when the kids got Taco Bell and I had some kind of burrito...March 10, 2006 - 10:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (16) | TrackBack
