Dream place...

13. Water you waiting for?

If you’re not drinking enough water, your body will let you know. Thirst is an amazing sensation – quench it. If you’re not hydrated, your body won’t be working at peak levels. Most of your body happens to be water, by the way. If you’re worried about “water weight,” remember that you’re likely to retain more water when you’re not giving your body enough of it in the first place. Besides, that’s what those workout sessions are supposed to help with every other morning. I’m not going to dictate how many glasses you should drink, though – as that’s going to vary from person to person.

12. Train wrecks will happen

One of these nights, you’re going to go out with friends and eat your weight in steak (likely blowing any kind of progress you had made for that day). Instead of repeating the overindulgence, just put yourself back on track the next day. You’re allowed to “mess up” every now and again, so long as you don’t make a habit out of consuming an excessive amount of food. Right the dining injustice immediately. You’ll be okay. You’ll be fine. Just don’t do it again. And again. And again. And again.

11. Fiber good

When you start to lose fat, you’re probably going to get constipated. Yeah, it happens more frequently than we care to admit (or share). You should have a good amount of fiber every day, anyway. Fiber is very important to your health (and your weight loss goals). Try the Metamucil snack wafers for a quick fiber infusion. Then, magnesium citrate for those… “stuck” moments, in which you’ll find yourself from time to time. Stick a bottle or two of that in your fridge for safe keeping, and don’t plan on going anywhere for 24 hours after taking a dose (trust me, trust me, trust me).

10. Patterns are good

Once you’ve found your workout groove, do your best to stick with it. Exercise no less than three times a week for 40 – 60 minutes each time, but don’t feel the “need” to do it more than five times over a seven day period. Your body will likely appreciate a burn-off in the morning more, but if you need to relieve stress in the evening – don’t be afraid to adjust your workout schedule accordingly. Schedule making and keeping are important for other areas of your life as well.

9. Watch your weight

Some people say that you shouldn’t weigh yourself more than once a week. I’ve been much happier charting my progress every day. No matter what, you need to weigh in at the same time, every time. For me, that’s 10am every morning (or somewhere thereabout). If you decide to weigh yourself every single day, understand that your weight will fluctuate by one or two pounds – and that you should only keep a serious eye on the lengthier trends.

8. Scale up

If your measurement tool sucks, upgrade it. If it’s analog, dump it. I’ve talked to many geeks about their choice in scales, and most of them (myself included) recommend something in the Tanita family. They’re high-quality, rugged, accurate devices.

7. Identify your ideal weight

If you’re 5’5″ with a certain build, there’s an ideal weight that matches your body type. Find it – and make that your goal. And if you don’t know what that might be, try searching the Web for a calculator (though results and calculations will vary by a small margin). Now you have a weight goal to shoot for.

6. Don’t compare yourself to others

Every body is different. It stands to reason that everybody will lose weight differently. Even if you do the exact same things that I do, you won’t lose weight at the same rate. The key is in finding your triggers. Keep your goal in sight, and do whatever you have to do to meet that goal. When you start looking at someone else’s habits, you’re only going to become discouraged and quit without even realizing that it’s physically impossible to be anybody but yourself.

5. Set realistic goals

You can lose 50 pounds in a week if you work out 12 hours a day and eat nothing but celery – but not if you’re human. Slow and steady wins the race. Don’t bite off more than you can chew – literally. Make small goals on your way to the bigger goal(s). In the end, you’ll have achieved more (and more frequently, might I add).

4. Identify your exercise

No exercise was created equal. You might like running, so run. You might like jogging, so jog. You might like stationary bikes, so bike stationarily. Find the one that works best for you – that isn’t too much of a chore for you to do regularly throughout the week. Don’t pick a routine that you don’t like – or you won’t want to do it, and you certainly won’t stick with it for long. I also wouldn’t recommend buying into that whole “no pain, no gain” mantra. I’ve lost weight without hurting myself, and you probably can, too.

3. Take before and after photos

I know it sucks to see yourself as a chunky monkey (sorry, that’s what I called myself – if only to get myself motivated to meet my weight loss goal). However, there’s no easier way to illustrate your progress. The “after” photos are far more fun to capture and share, admittedly. Find yourself on Flickr! It’s good to see yourself how others see you. Do you like how you look? In many ways, Flickr helped me lose weight.

2. Change your lifestyle

If you’re calling this a “diet,” then you’re going to gain all the weight back (and more) within a few months of losing it. Diets do not work. Diets are temporary. When you change your dietary lifestyle, however, you’re changing your habits – and you’re putting yourself on track for long-term / continued success and weight maintenance. Don’t ever tell anybody you’re on a diet – ever. I’m speaking from experience,

Weight loss tips

1. Dietary control and exercise. It’s true what they say – all you need to do is watch what you eat, and expend more energy than you consume. It’s really that simple.

Motivatinal dress

I ordered this dress in jeweled blue off Victoria Secret this morning. I totally love it and think it will look great both if I am tanned or if I am not. My friend's wedding is in the end of May and I want to look great for it. Plus that is also the dead line for me to be at my goal weight this year. I know I can do it if I just keep strong and stick to my plan.

Artist side...

I would and should devote more time to my artist side. I haven't done much scrapbooking or photography in the last couple months or so. I did start painting again but by the end of November I had stopped and then December was a bit hectic so I didn't start again then either. I think in January I will try to do some painting at least once a week just to keep my hand in it.

Summer life

This is how I plan to look this summer. Casual and sexy in an understated way. I want clothes you can do things in while looking fabulous but in a way that doesn't look like your trying to hard.

New wardrobe

I love this outfit. I scream sexy and comfortable at the same time. I can wait to be at my goal weight and redo my wardrobe. I think the majority of my clothes will be coming from Victoria Secret. I love how their clothes fit and they are meant to last and really do.

Beautiful heels

I love these shoes. They are so sexy. They also happen to be 5 inches high but since I am only 5'5 that's not really a problem. They are also slightly expensive. When I reach my goal weight in May I am going to treat myself to a pair of these.

Summer getaway

I have planned this spring or summer to go on holiday with my best friend T. I think we will probably end up going to Mexico because it's sunny and beautiful but still affordable. I'd love to go somewhere like this but maybe we can go to the Mayan side, since T and I have both already been to the Cancun part of Mexico.

Weight loss goal

I would love to look like this. At my goal weight, toned and happy with my weight and life. My goal is to be 125 by the middle to end of May. I believe if I really stick with it and follow the plan properly I can acheive it.