Yep, I’m in love. I’m giddy and have that ‘take my breath away’ feeling. I forgot that love is such an amazing feeling. Who is my new love you ask? Well, my love is cute, confident, adaptable, and full of life � not to mention has a cute butt. I can’t believe that describes ME! I love ME! When I started Medifast that was my no. 1 reason for starting this journey.

LOOK AT ME! At the top of the page. Is that really me? I told you I look hot!

I look at my before pictures and I am amazed at what I looked like. I thought I looked good!?! Now I look in the mirror and I am so taken aback by me. I didn’t think it was possible to like me more then I did a month ago but Medifast just keeps working!

Last year my best friend got married. I look at the pictures and focus on what I looked like instead of the beautiful and happy memories. Now my friends get annoyed ‘cause I’m constantly looking for a camera…

I have been on Medifast for 9 weeks now! I have lost 26 pounds and went from a size 16 to a 10! I never measured myself in inches lost, so I might take my old pants and measure the lining of them. It would be cool to say how many inches I lost because it feels like I lost yards!

I went to Ocean City, MD this weekend. The weather was beautiful! I donned a bathing suit and headed to the beach. There were high school seniors everywhere. I can remember being like them, running around in skimpy suits without a care in the world (about what was I giggling.) Now I appreciate the body I have and the body I am working towards.

With some sun touched color on my legs I tried on shorts at a surf shop. One thing I’ve always notice is that the clothes in a surf shop seem to be for the skinny people of the world. I saw some cute embroidered long shorts that looked as though they would fit so I went for it. They fit! They were way too low-rising for my taste but they still fit around my shrunken tail end…

I’m a pretty modest person. I don’t run around fishing for compliments or looking for praise for losing 26 pounds. So as people say “wow, you look great” or “hey, Skinny Mini.” I just say “oh, thank you” and then they ask how. I tell them about Medifast and how it’s ‘like, only the most greatest stuff EVER.’

I have to carry sticky-notes around with me to write down the website for people. I feel like I’m talking about myself all the time, though. Sure I like talking about me but I feel a little bit guilty. A friend of mine yelled at me and said that I need to get over it and sing my own praises. Ok. Fine. I’m HOT! I feel GREAT! And I’m HOT!

Over the past few years I was self-conscious and probably a bit depressed just ‘cause I didn’t think I looked good. Now, with just a little bit of effort I am lovin’ life!

I’m off to the beach and I’m even looking forward to putting on a bathing suit! I hope everyone has a great extended weekend!

This weekend I was invited to a gathering at a friend’s house. Knowing that there would be a lot of wonderful tasty fatty treats there, I needed a game plan. I decided that I would take a chilled chicken dish. I cut up 2 cucumbers, 2 tomatoes, 4 cups of grilled chicken (I like things simple so I bought the precooked) and added Medifast Italian dressing. It was very tasty, yet good for you.

Before leaving for the party I drank a shake so that I was not hungry when I got there. Ok, yes, I tried 1 of Tiffany’s little pretzels, a square of Brook’s famous bruchetta, and a cracker with a dab of Harlea’s crab dip. But it was just a try, not like the entire table of food I would’ve eaten a few months ago. I’ve learned how to control my eating. Finally…

Last week I was sick and managed to stay on the diet � sorta. Unfortunately, my appetite didn’t wane. Being home all day made it difficult not to get bored and eat. I managed to eat only Medifast Meals. I did get to practice my seasoning skills for the chili and creamy tomato soup (adding chili powder and cumin make a big difference). When you’re sick, it’s hard not to justify cheating. My mentality was “I’ve been sick so I deserve a toasted sub,” but with willpower I was able to get a grilled chicken salad with no cheese. IT IS possible! I have willpower! Who knew?

While at home I found the most wonderful snack � Medifast just came out with Soy Crisps. They are amazing! They have white cheddar, ranch and apple cinnamon. Yum! The ranch reminds me of cool ranch chips and the apple cinnamon is like sweet cereal goodness in a silver bag just for me. I was eating some at work and a few co-workers asked what I was eating � I told them and offered a sample. Now they come to me and ask if I have any of my snacks hidden in my desk! What’s that phrase? “Get your own bag!” It’s fitting (like my new clothes.)…

I want to scream off my back porch with a bullhorn. I LOST 20 POUNDS!!!!! I was reading my journal the other day. On January 1, 2006 once again I had a resolution to lose 20 pounds this year by eating healthy and exercise. DONE!

How many times did I say that I would do it? I finally succeeded! I also had a quote that said “A year from now I will wish I had started today.” That is so true! I wish that I started Medifast a year ago because this feels GREAT. I have a grin from ear to ear. I wake up and feel awesome! This is only 49% of my goal. I can’t imagine how amazing I will feel when I hit my goal. I might just have a party when I hit it. It will be like a birthday because it’s a re-birth of me.

One of my employees asked if I’ve been losing weight. I know what the scale says, but now I know that my hard work is definitely showing because he’s one of those guys that doesn’t notice anything. Now I’m even looking forward to going to the beach. I know that sounds like crazy talk! But it’s true…

I’ve lost 18 pounds in a month and I have energy to workout about every other day. I am so proud of myself. But I have to check myself from time to time. I have to remember that just because I’ve been successful does not mean that “just a little cheat, taste or bite” wont matter. Justifying cheating is not going to fly with my friend, the Scale.

This past weekend was a tough one. I was grumpy and didn’t want to have a shake or soup. All I wanted was a sandwich [darn it.]–> I’ve worked hard and deserve it right? I fought the urge to stop at a fast food joint and headed home. After digging in the refrigerator I found a slice of fat free cheese and left over turkey breast. I took a few leafs of lettuce and stacked them. I put the turkey, cheese and some of the Medifast Ranch dressing on the lettuce and rolled them up into a wrap. Yum. - Craving satisfied and cheating averted.

I’ve enjoyed being creative with my lean and green meal. I thought I would share some of my favorites…

I feel like I’m shopping in my own closet because I can wear clothes that I haven’t been able to wear in years. I’ve been struggling with jeans that fit for so long. This is great!

I went shopping at one of my favorite stores this past weekend. The last time I was there I tried on size 16 pants and they did not fit at all. A woman overheard me talking about how nothing fits and tried to console me by saying “It’s ok honey. We all lose our shape after having kids.” I would have accepted that � but I have a dog.

I have been feeling so good about my new look that I thought I would test the waters and go shopping again. I was feeling very bold and decided to grab a size 10 dress. IT FIT! I sent a text message to my best friend to report to the dressing room. When she came in she cheerfully said “Oh, that looks nice.” Then I told her that it’s a 10 and squealed. We high-fived and I noticed another woman watching us. I had to tell her that 4 weeks ago I tried on 16s that were too small. Her eyes got big and she asked how. I told her about how great Medifast is and she said she is going to get online as soon as she gets home. (if your reading this, Hi.)

I hope you all have a great week!

I can’t tell you how helpful it has been to read your stories. Everyday at work I sneak away and check for new comments. Please keep ‘em coming!

As I type I am hanging my head in shame. I buckled under the pressure. All the stress from the last few weeks hit me. I didn’t eat enough Sunday and was starving when I got home from my best friend’s house. I found myself in a staring contest with a pizza box sitting on the counter and no one around. I regretfully report I had a slice. I am so sorry. I knew I could have enjoyed a bar but my willpower was shot. I’m paying the price now. Last Friday I was weighing in at 176 (a 15 pound loss) and on Tuesday I went up to 177. I gained a pound from just one gaffe…

As a single girl I often find my self going out to local watering holes with friends. In my 20s I find that I’m hard pressed to go out socially without alcohol being present. I have sworn off alcoholic beverages because I am working hard on Medifast and don’t want to ruin all that work. I understand that drinking will not help me to get to the new me.

Since I am still a social person, I headed out this weekend to my usual Saturday spot. I found myself laughing all night. People do silly things because of alcohol. I thought it would be boring but it was so much fun! I can still be social and not ruin my progress.

My job has been insane because I am short-staffed right now. Medifast has been so great for me and my crazy hours. I am able to mix up a meal and eat in between checking in my hotel guests. Gone are the days of having to run to the drive through and rush back to work…