A Thousand Mile Journey Begins with One Step

I am finally ready, I think. I say I think because I feel like I've tried this before 100 times. I am trying to lose weight. And since my kids were born it's gotten a little harder than before. I think it also doesn't help that I've lost significant weight three times, and then gained it back.

So what will make this time different? You know, I'm not really sure that anything will make it different. But I'm trying to shed a few different kinds of layers and not just the layers that are physical. They say for true weight loss to stick you have to get rid of the mental and physical conditions that are keeping you unhealthy. So what are my mental conditions? Well, there are many. But the mental conditions require me to apply recovery strategies, which I am doing on a consistent basis. What are they? Well, first, I belong to a 12-Step Program, and I believe one day at a time that it is allowing me to speak my truth, and to become more truthful with others. Not every day will be perfect, but this allows me a basis with which to get back on the right track when I get derailed. Now, when I am lonely and feeling abandoned, I am trying one moment at a time to turn to a friend rather than to a food. I am trying to recover. I am trying every day to take better care of myself, to raise my own vibration and to heal myself. And the rest I am turning over to a power greater than myself.

And what are the physical things that are keeping me back? I have a slower metabolism than I used to. It won't respond to calorie counting and exercise the same way that it used to. I have felt a little betrayed by my body. But I believe that even I can change. And I can perhaps change this ratio by using a different approach.

Hence, the launch o fthe 4 Hour Benni. I'm listening to The 4 Hour Body on CD right now, and tomorrow I begin my slow carb diet. So, what is a slow carb diet? As far as I can tell, the steps are easy to list, and maybe a little harder to follow, especially at first, but here it goes:

1. Avoid white carbohydrates - sugarm flour, rice, pasta - even the brown and whole grain variety. No potatoes, starches or sugar of any kind on your "slow carb days (6 a week).
2. Eat the same few meals over and over again.
3. Don't drink calories (except the occassional glass of red wine)
4. Don't eat fruit on your slow carb days
5. Take one day off a week - it's good for you

So, I am hoping that stemming insulin production and using this tool will help me to shift things into the right direction. I'm also hoping that publically posting my trials will help me and others to make the journey to completion.

So, what's my motivation? I have quite a few things that are pushing me in the right direction. First, my children. I want to give them a good example of health! I want to do better for myself so they can do better for themselves.

Second, your "before" picture never lies. Here's mine. It doesn't lie. This is not what I wish to look like. I don't want to be pre-diabetic (I'm not, but it runs in my family), and I don't want to be too heavy to effectively run and jump with my kids. I don't want bad knees. I want a solution for my physical problem.

Third, I'm climbing this mountain on June 25th! I tried last year and didn't make it to the top. I went quite far but not all the way. I'm climbing for this organiztion, and if you wish to donate to my climb or learn more about the organization, you can follow this link to my climb page: http://climbforkids.org/donate/to/jennifer-benni-sack-ruth-mountain-2011 . I am hoping to lose at least one pound a week, amd am encouraging my friends and family to donate a target unit per pound ($1, $5, $10, or more per pound) to this organization to go towards my climb this year. So I don't want to let anyone down, especially the kids! There are 15 weeks and 6 days so my goal is to shoot for at least 16 poinds lost before my climb. Wish me luck!

So, that's it. It all starts tomorrow. Yes, there will be workouts involved for sure. I am going to take it slow and steady to allow my body to assimilate the changes. I want this to last. I am ready. I think.