Dear Dieters

Sorry I’ve been out of touch lately, I had another fish to fry for the moment.

While away shooting The Note I made a stupid decision and started smoking again. I could make lots of excuses for myself, but what it really comes down to is I made a bad choice. I smoked for 4 months feeling guilty the whole time, then I decided to change it. My doctor put me on Chantix which worked amazingly.

The bad news is I put back 6 pounds over the last 8 weeks. The good news is I’ve been a non-smoker over the last 8 weeks, and actually only gaining back 6 pounds during that struggle isn’t too bad. I credit a lot of that to the Medifast Program teaching me how to make the right food choices even when I stray.

So now it’s time to fry that old familiar fish. I need all of the support I can get. I will have to go back to work again soon so I need to buckle down, reign in my impulses and be at peace with food again. I know I’ll get there, but support and staying connected to all of you Medifasters is what I really need to now.

This entry was posted by Genie Francis on Friday, March 14th, 2008. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

20 Responses to Dear Dieters

1 | Audrey said:

Genie- Bravo to you for trying to quit smoking again! I’ve tried quitting several times, and nothing has worked for me. Chantix did nothing for me, either, but many of my friends have quit successfully while on it.

I’m proud of you, girl. You’re an inspiration to all of us GH fans. We miss you on the show.

Audrey from NH

2 | Jhill said:

My dear Friend of the heart! *smiles*

I wish I was there so that I could give you a gentle hug! Even in your moments of human-ness, Genie, you continue to inspire! Please don’t be so hard on yourself!!!

As one who has had this weight struggle for my entire life and is not where I want or need to be at this moment, I now recognize that the struggles we individually face in our lives are daily reminders that this journey is never easy. The road has been designed to have those little indented places that occasionally make us stumble and fall. There is NO shame in that!

You have the strength and courage to realize now when you are straying from your life-plan and the goal you’ve set for living your personal best. What a gift that insight is, Genie!

As I read your message to us this evening, the only thing that came to my mind was “grace”. I will never forget the scene on GH at Mary Mae Ward’s funeral, and the line: “every moment of our lives has the potential for grace realized….” I think that’s it in a nutshell. I know that YOU know what the meaning of that sentiment is…

Your openess, honesty and genuiness, once again, re-affirms why you have held such a special place in my heart for more than 30 years!

Support? You always have it, my Friend! Respect? It has never been stronger for you than at this moment! Appreciated? You’ll never know just how much, Genie!

Easy does it, and one day at a time! I constantly remind myself of those two pieces of sage advise. It’s the only way to proceed. So, brush yourself off and know that even in this mis-step, you have succeeded!

Let the fish fry! And as it’s doing so, remember that God/your higher power - however you think of that presence, never gives you a challenge that he doesn’t also give you the fortitude to overcome it. With every step [and mis-step] you take, Genie, you prove that!

As always, I send my love along with those butterflies….
Jhill

3 | Sue D. said:

Hello again Genie,

First of all, take some time to forgive yourself. You are human, afterall! I am glad that you are no longer smoking. My father was a smoker and I watched him die from lung cancer. It is a horror that I don’t wish upon anyone. If the trade off for quitting is gaining 6 pounds, then embrace that as a gift. I wish you could learn to love yourself the way that we love you. I don’t mean because you are a celebrity. We love you because you show us that you are human. You share with us your hopes, your dreams, your struggles. We see ourselves in you. There’s a fascinating book you might want to read called “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life” which helps to explain the physiological reasons why we act upon our impulses the way that we do. Don’t berate yourself for the way you react to life. All of our brains are hardwired differently. The good news is, we all have the ability to be in control.

Be good to yourself, stay focused, stay busy and the weight will take care of itself!

Much love,
Sue D.

4 | carolyn said:

you can do it…..you have really done so well, what is six pounds?
I have total faith you will lose that and maybe more. whatever is healthy and best for you. YOU look fabulous.

5 | Ali57 said:

Congrats on giving up the “habit” again. It takes a lot to do it and only gaining 6 pounds was not bad. I quit over 4 years ago and gained 50. Until last August there wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t think about running to the store and buying a pack just to have that “one.” The idea of having one now is just out of the question…I’ve learned that I can’t stand the smell any longer. It’s amazing when you are shopping or just standing in line somewhere, you can pick out the smokers but the smell.

You’ll do great! You have a plan! And by the way, you look amazing!

6 | Annie C. said:

Genie

It was so good to hear from you again.

I’m sorry to hear about your weight gain, but you really did well IMO to only gain 6 lbs. when you quit smoking. Congrats to you for quitting, and keep it up.

It was actually very good for me to hear about your weight gain. I’ve gained 7 lbs since Christmas, and I needed a little kick in the you know where to get me jump started again. It meant a lot to hear that somebody who has been as successful at this program as you have been could fall a little bit. Thanks to you, I’m ready to tackle this again NOW so I don’t gain any more. Thanks again for being so open and honest with us. You’re a tremendous inspiration.

I was excited to hear that you might be going back to work. I’m really looking forward to seeing you in whatever your next project is. We miss seeing you. Good luck!!!

7 | loseitlynn said:

Hi Genie!

Your human - making a bad choice happens. What is so great is how quickly you recognized and changed it. You look fantastic and Medifast is a healthy decision (as you well know!) You learned to cope with stress differently on Medifast (namely not using food to solve it) and as I am sure you know smoking is not a way to solve it either. In your commercial, you look like you were about to go for a run - that’s a good stress reducer. Maybe go for a good massage after a long day of shooting - a treat rather than a punishment (which smoking and overeating really are) Keep up the good work - once again you are inspirational. We all make mistakes, you show how we can recover before much damage is done. Thank you!

Hope to see you on General Hospital again some day - the Luke Spencer storyline needs some rejuvenating, which only you could do!

Lynn

8 | Carmen said:

Hang in there, Genie. Cigarettes are a hard thing to conquer, but (and I know you know this) the fact that you are making yourself healthier so you can be around a long time for your children is huge incentive.

The six pounds you added will come off. You’re right, in the scheme of things that’s really not that bad.
I just signed up for the system myself. I credit you and Kristi Swanson, because I kept seeing your smiling faces everywhere on the Internet. I thought it must be a sign that THIS is the system that can help me finally lose that baby weight I gained five years ago. I’ve tried almost everything else.

Hang in there. We’re with you.

9 | Bailey said:

Genie,
We all slip up and make mistakes, but it’s important we don’t get upset with ourselves for them.
You haven’t been smoking for 8 weeks, good for you! I’ve heard once you get past the first 3 weeks of breaking a habit, it’s easier to get rid of the habit.

We all know you’re human and make mistakes like us all, and the fact you admit this makes you even more of an inspiration!!

Good luck!

Southern love,
Bailey

10 | Lisa Salazar said:

Genie,
Congratulations on Quitting smoking! (I Know how hard it is I see my Husband struggle with trying to quit. He says he Quits but he starts Chewing tobacco. I have tried smoking but never could. I would get bad asthma.
Sorry that it caused you to gain. 6 pounds can be overcome, You have shown how easy it was to lose in the past months. (I know it must have been hard work - You made it look easy)

You are truly my inspiration and the reason I joined Medifast.
Sincerely,
-:¦:- Lisa -:¦:-

11 | Mairi Kennett said:

Hi Genie, I am wondering if you will get this. Be easy on yourself. I used to be a smoker and it was the hardest thing I ever gaveup. I am just starting Medifast. I was always very thin until I quit smoking, and had 2 children. I am determined to get 30lbs off. I should be receiving my products any day. Also I watched General hospital for about 20 yrs. I am a big fan of yours. I live in Portland Maine. I was told you also live in Maine. Anyway wish me luck!!! Best wishes Mairi

12 | michelle said:

Hello Genie,
I watched you on the GH episodes this past year and then I saw your weight loss on the medifast website. Seeing how super you look gave me the incentive and motivation to get back on track with my weight. I am starting my third week on medifast and so far so good. Thanks for the inspiration, and good luck to you!
michelle

13 | Medsue said:

Genie,

Thanks so much for being so honest with us. It really helps knowing that we’re not the only ones who have gained back a few pounds on our way to our weight loss goal.

Bravo for having the strength to give up smoking. Hang in there and know that both your Medifast family and fans of your incredible acting career are always here to support you.

You’ve been a tremendous inspiration to us and we’re anxiously awaiting to hear what your next acting project will be.

Take Care!

14 | Danny said:

Hi Genie,
Please don’t beat yourself up over it.We are all human and we all make bad decisions it’s great that you are dealing with it
I told myself for two years I couldn’t be thin and not smoke.I really just set myself up for failure either on becoming thin or becoming a non-smoker.
I did gain when I quit but I was able through exercise and a few cranky months able to get the issue with eating under control
I think it will be rough but its just another challenge in keeping the pounds down and keeping yourself together through this bump.Your going to be fine!I have moments when I get annoyed with myself for falling into the same trappings over and over again but its easy to say “oh its fine” then it becomes a huge big deal.It’s always step up and deal with it but I understand it can be so exhausting to go through the same steps, down the same road that you already have seen really is unpleasant.It does become “oh this yet again”.It’s like buying a pair of ugly shoe’s and thinking why did I buy that..
You know you will be fine once you get past this
its another challenge in how much do you really want it.That miracle is still yours,just remember its for you.Your worth it!
Best to you,
Danny

15 | ~*SpencerAngel*~ said:

hey genie

call me crazy but you popped up in some wierd dream i had last night. it was really odd. maybe i sensed you were struggling or something..who knows. but anyway i just wanted to say try not to beat yourself up so much. you’re only human hon, famous or not. and we all stumble now and then. the important thing is you are trying to fix your mistakes. and you will, because i have faith in you and i always will. you are a gift…don’t forget that.

~*SpencerAngel*~

16 | Cheryl said:

I am thinking of starting the program but I am never in a place during the day to heat up meals, is this going to be a problem?

17 | laura said:

Genie, you have been an inspiration to me for years. We all have our fallbacks. You will overcome. You always have. We all only wish you the best and know that you are working hard at whatever you do. Best wishes to you. Love you, your the best, Sincerely, Laura (Lukesotherlaura)

18 | laura said:

Hi, Genie,
Just checking in to see how your progress is. I hope all is going well with you. Have been watching some old Youtube videos of you and Tony and have been thinking about you. Glad we all get to stay in contact with you. Godspeed, Love, Laura.

19 | Carolyn A-P said:

Good luck staying away from those yukky cigarettes, Genie! And kiss Jonathan for me. I’ll look into Medfast.

20 | Marcy said:

Genie, please be careful using Chantix. Today’s news (4/23/08) reports that “Chantix, a highly touted quit-smoking pill from Pfizer Inc…has been linked to dozens of reports of suicides and hundreds of suicidal behaviors…”.

Congratulations on you weight loss, and best wishes from a longtime fan who scheduled her college classes around the GH episode airing Luke and Laura’s wedding :o),

~Marcy

Medifast Success Stories Select a Medifast success story from the list below to read about others who have lost weight with Medifast.
Brent Mouzakis Brian Jones Cindy Brewer Cindy Crites Corrie Hannah Erin Wachtel Jacqueline Jasper Jay Leger Jennifer Nawracaj Jennifer Peterson Jodi McCain Carrie and Charlotte 2007 Medifast Star Winners Heather Russell Leslie Whittaker	John Zervas Julie Candelaria Julie Thomason Kelly Ellis Lana Newsom Laura Smith Maureen & Jeff Mary Ellen Nemec Mary Jane Medlock Mei Huah Michael Willie Elaine and Kristen 2006 Medifast Star Winners Julie Pasto Genie Francis	Michelle Wheeler Nadine Carr Nnedi Uzowihe Pamela Noorda Peggy Rezac Shannon Roberts-Musch Shannon Wollam Sharon Doorman Sherryl Carter Sheryl Cipolla Thuxoan Tsang Carolyn and Roshonda Chris McCarthy Kristy Swanson

*Medifast makes no claim that this result is representative of all patients on the Medifast program. For many dieters, weight loss is only temporary.

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