Yes, life is good.  Today I officially hit goal!  I am doing the Happy Dance.  I have been on plan for a long time and it really paid off.  Now I can start the next phase - transition.  I have decided to stay on the 5/1 for one more week.  I will start transition on July 7, 2008.  From now on, I will watch what I eat and how much I eat.  I am well on my way to being one of the 5% that keeps the weight off for good.

Truly Take Shape for Life and Medifast has changed my life.  50 years of being overweight, no, morbidly obese, is now gone forever.  I know that I could not have done it without this program.  Not only is it easy to follow, but the food actually tastes good.  In the grand scheme of things, it is also very cost effective.  I spend less using Medifast meal replacements than I did buying food from the grocery store, fast food places and convenience stops.  Who knew that you could eat healthy nutritionally balanced food, lose the weight (130.6 pounds to be exact) and save money all at the same time? 

I tell you, I am living proof that this program works and I would love to help others follow in my footsteps. I am a Certified Health Coach with Take Shape For Life and am still as excited about this program as the day I started.  If I can help you, contact me at  jensine_brown@ Yahoo.com  and I will help you design a weight loss and maintenance plan to fit you.

I hope you all have a wonderful day!  I know I will!

 

Today is Monday.  Most people dread Monday morning because it means going back to the “weekly” grind.  I, however, LOVE Monday mornings!  I picked this day of the week for my weekly weigh in because it keeps me in line on the weekends.  I guess it is just a mental thing.  So, all that being said, I weighed in this morning and once again, the scale is down.  I now have officially 7.6 lbs. to get to goal.  I am so close.

When I was younger, I always wondered what it would be like to be thin.  I used to dream about it.  I wanted to fit in.  I did not want to stand out in a crowd.  I  did not want to be the “biggest” person in the room.  It seems that for 50 years, it was just my lot in life.  I have never been thin.  I was a fat baby.  I weighed 25 lbs. at 3 months of age.  I weighed about 130 at 8 years old.  This is a whole new world for me.  

During this journey, I have learned many things about myself.  The hardest part so far, has been the mental image.  I have avoided mirrors most of my life, but now, I can really look.  My brain has finally started to grasp the idea that I am no longer huge.  I am currently wearing a size 6/8.  When I started this program, I had my daughter take me to a department store to show me what those little sizes looked like, and I laughed.  I told her that they looked like little kid’s clothes and that there was no way I could fit into them!  I never would have believed that I could actually wear them!  I am starting to like shopping for clothing too.  I still feel a little weird in the junior’s department, although I know it is only a matter of time before the image in my mind catches up with my size.   I have alot more self confidence than ever before but I still have issues.  I am still camera shy, although it is not as bad as before. 

I know that I will NEVER be heavy again!!!  When you have the right program - Take Shape For Life,  and really have a passion about not only losing the weight but keeping it off for the rest of your life,  you too, will be Livin’ it just like I am!Â

I just got home a few days ago from a glorious road trip to California.  It was great but it is always nice to come home.  I spent almost a month there with my daughter Stephanie and my 2 year old grandson Kaleb.  His second birthday was May 21st.  There was a big barbeque and swim party.  It was alot of fun.  The best part is that my daughter is also on the program so we both stayed 100% on plan the whole time.  I actually lost weight while traveling!  How great is that?  My official weigh in is not until Monday, but I have less than 10 lbs. to go to hit my third and final goal of 135.  I am really excited about that because then I can officially say that I have lost 1/2 of my total body weight.  I guess that is the vanity coming out in me. 

I was really happy when I found Medifast and Take Shape for Life.  I was truly skeptical when I started this, but within a few days of trying a variety of “little white packets” I knew that this would work for me and I totally fell in love with it.  This program saved my life!  I started the program on April 28, 2007 at 270.6 lbs.  Here I am just over a year later at almost half that weight and feel better than I can ever remember in my entire life.  I love the fact that the program is so simple and easy that you don’t really have to think about it.  You just do it.  It shows results immediately.Â

This recipe works well with either flank or skirt steak which is the cut of beef most often used in Fajitas. I really like this cut of beef because it has a robust beefy flavor with little fat and works great on the grill. Flank/skirt steak cooks best with high heat and should develop a savory crust. Also the vegetables will take on a nice grilled smoky flavor. This recipe will make approx 3-4 servings.

For the Vegetables:

1 large onion
2 large peppers any color (green peppers are lower in carbs than red/orange/yellow)
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
Salt/Pepper/Seasoning

Heat grill to medium.

Slice the onion and peppers into strips and toss in a large bowl with olive oil and seasonings to coat evenly. If you don’t have a grille basket or something similar it is easier to just quarter the onion and peppers for grilling then slice afterward. Grill veggies on medium until soft.

For the Steak:

1-1.5 lbs of Flank or Skirt steak
Salt, pepper, and/or dry rub
Tiny amount of olive oil or canola oil

I used a seasoning mix that I won at a chamber of commerce raffle from Saltgrass steakhouse. It’s good, but any rub or seasonings you like will do. For best flavoring apply the seasoning(s) liberally to the steak at least one hour before grilling. Brush steak lightly with oil just before grilling. Place steak on the hot grill. Grill for 4-6 minutes on each side. Half way through grilling on each side, turn the steak 90° so that you get more grill marks. Remove from grill and let rest for at least five minutes. IMPORTANT: Skirt and Flank steaks have a very distinct grain structure. If sliced wrong the meat will be chewy and tough, sliced properly its perfect. Cut the steak in strips across the grain, not with the grain. Serve hot with onions and peppers on the side.

Lean and green Suggestion:

Make fajita wraps! Wash some romain or green leaf lettuce leaves real well and dry them. Roll up a few strips of beef, some onions and peppers plus a small amount of sharp cheddar cheese (if you like cheese). I suggest sharp because you get big cheese flavor without having to add but an ounce or less. May use a dab of sour creme. Remember, on the 5&1 plan you need two additional fat servings every day. Use them wisely and "tastefully"

Enjoy!