A while back I joined Weight Watchers online. I lost 14 pounds in the first five weeks after joining and continued with an average of two pounds per week loss until I'd lost a total of 22 pounds...then life took over... I went on a business trip and dropped out of the program. Over the next 8 months all the pounds I'd lost came back...and brought friends with them! I've gone up and down since and have recently decided to get back OP (on program). I'm not using WW-online anymore, though I learned quite a bit from them while I was on their program and still very much recommend it to others.

Under the heading, MyDiet4Life, I've listed one software program that's taking the place of WW-online for me. I learned a lot while on WW-online such as how to keep a food journal and stay within my calorie allowance. I'm only switching from WW-online to FitDay to save money. Though WW-online is not that expensive, only around $15/month if you prepay 3 months at a time, FitDay is free if you use their software online and it's only a one-time $30 fee if you buy it and install it in your computer. I find that I like not having to get online in order to access the program.

As I discover more and more what works and does not work for me I'll be adding research findings, tools, books, and resources to either the pages on this site or to my MyDiet4Life philosophy which I hope will take me all the way to the finish line as I journey towards a healthier me.

I've nestled my journey towards health on the back door of the site whose company I manage, Children Come First. At this point in my journey I have no "before" and "after" photos to display... eventually I hope I will.

When I first launched these health and nutrition pages it was all victories I was experiencing. Then the rubber met the road and things did not continue as planned. Again I am reminded that getting fit and living a healthy lifestyle is more of a journey than a destination. It comes from making right choices on a daily basis. Though I gained back the pounds I'd lost at first I've recommitted to the process, to the journey of getting fit and healthy and will move on...one day at a time.

Please understand that I am not a doctor. The thoughts and ideas I'll post to the site are those that worked for me. You need to check with your family doctor before embarking on any weight management program. I'll use this site to list victories I've accomplished as well as those that visitors to the site share with me. I'll also list tools that enabled each of us to reach our own individual goals.

• Greatest discoveries 
  • Book: Breaking the Food Seduction - Finally! An explanation to the food cravings that have enslaved me most of my adult life!
  • Spiru-tein: a protein shake that tastes delish! The link talks about their cookies & cream, but it also comes in double chocolate crunch, peach, strawberries and many other flavors. Health food stores should have these.
  • Western Bagels: The Alternative Bagel
  • My Weight MX-200 Mini Scale
• Little victories along the way 
  • Dining out victories
  • I can have my cake and eat it! 
  • Weight Management Diary
• Milestones
• What helped me most
  • Learning about nutritional information
  • Dotti's site - scroll down to see points for restaurant food
• Favorite quotes that encourage me
• In the News: articles/info of interest
• Things I tried that did not work
  • Fast weight loss

I'm excited about the possibility of learning from each other how to take care of ourselves better with each passing day... learning to eat to live rather than live to eat... becoming fit and healthier... Come to Olgy's Weblog and share the best tools you've found to get in shape and stay in shape. Let the adventure continue!