The Secret to My Success

People often ask me what is my "secret" for weight loss. From time to time, I've struggled with that question because the formula I used really is no secret. I ate less and exercised more. I learned to control my portions, induldge occassionally and be more disciplined. But today when someone asked me that question, I realized that there is a little more to my "secret". It really no secret at all. I credit my success to having a personal relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Now that is not to say that I had no part in it. I did. I had to make the decision to change and ask for help daily. His part was giving me the strength to stay focused. If you have a minute, check out my "How I Lost the Weight" blog on this page. It shares 10 keys that helped me to reach my goals. They are not listed in order of importance, but if I had to, I would say that #2, feeding my soul with inspiration was the #1 key. I had to build confidence in myself and the God in me to make it through this and that is still what sustains me today. So if you're struggling with losing weight and keeping it off, I encourage to you to start or strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ. He is bigger than church on Sunday. He can help you through any area of your life, including weight loss. With him all things are possible, if you believe.

My prayer for you:
3 John 1:2
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

If you need help in starting or building a relationship with Him, let me know. I am here to help.

Happy New Year!

Hello everyone! It's a new year, are you ready for a new you? We often make resolutions in January only to fall off the wagon in a matter of weeks. I challenge you to make this year different. Don't make a resolution, make a decision and manage it. There is often a lot of attention placed on decision making, but making a decision is only a small part of the battle. The real challenge is managing that decision in the face of this thing we call life. The moment you decide to take control of your body and your health, you will be challenged. Someone will offer you a piece of candy, a donut, a tasty italian dish. How you respond to their offer will tell you how committed you are to your decision. An occasional indulgence is fine, a lifestyle of indulgence is not. Here's to making 2009 different. Here's to the new you.

My pics - Past & Present

Tamara's Tip: Free Yourself

Sometimes we struggle with guilt over not eating or exercising as much as we know we should. If you have been feeling guilty lately, this tip is for you. If you have been doing well, this tip is still for you. Today, I want to encourage you to allow for failure. I know it sounds crazy, but hear me out. All too often we strive for perfection which is a very allusive goal. No matter where you are in this weight loss journey, I encourage you to aim for "progress not perfection". This is very important because trying to be perfect all the time leads to guilt when you fail. I consider myself a positive person, but I am also a realist and reality is that failure escapes no one. We all have good days and not-so-good days. The truth is we all fail. No one on this earth is perfect, so why do we expect this of ourselves? So what you had a slice of chocolate cake? The key word is had – it’s in the past. Your past and your future are NOT connected, so don’t let the guilt of your past highjack your future. You can decide to make today better than yesterday. It’s up to you. You can also decide to take a day off or allow yourself to have a tasty treat now and then. The key is to make better choices overall. Every choice, however, won’t be perfect.

Also, please remember that everyone is different. Some people are cool with making a complete lifestyle change at once and others do it gradually over a period of time. Everyone has a different path. Your path is not my path – I have to make my own - one that will work for me. How you do it is not important. The important thing is that you commit to making progress, one day at a time. If you are struggling to change all at once, pick something to start with and then move on once you feel you have that down. And know that even when you feel you have it “down” you may have a day or even a week where you are off track - that’s OK. We are all human. Lastly, please realize that some things you may never give up and that is OK. I can tell you right now that I am not giving up fried chicken, the Croaker Spot, birthday cake, or Coldstone’s ice cream. LOL. I don’t eat them often, but I do treat myself from time to time. Life is too short.

I’ll end with this - as long as we are tipping the scales in the right direction, we are making progress. Even if that means being on point 4 days and off track 3 - it's still progress. You are still healthier than you were before and that should be celebrated.

Keep the faith and TTYS,
Coach Jackson

Tamara's Tip: Look Before You Eat

Cooking your favorite meals at home is almost always more nutritious than eating out. The challenge is our schedules. Between taking the kids to practice, doing household chores, checking homework, and running errands, we often run into a time crunch. One of the more popular ways to save time is to eat “fast food”. McDonalds, Wendy’s, KFC, and Chick-fil-a have become our drive thru dinner spots. So how can we make the best decision when eating out? Look before you eat! Many fast food (and sit-down dinner) restaurants now have their menu’s nutritional information posted online. To avoid a last minute decision, take a minute or two today to get familiar with the calorie, fat, sodium, sugar, etc. content of the items you enjoy most often. If they are fairly healthy choices, enjoy! If not, look for healthier alternatives. Every restaurant (even fast food joints) has them, we just have to look for them.

Let’s take McDonalds for example:
Dinner #1:
Quarter pounder with cheese
Medium French fries
Medium sprite

The facts: 1100 calories, 45g total fat, 15g saturated fat, 2 g trans fat, 1520mg sodium, and 143g carbs!

Dinner #2:
Premium Grilled Chicken Classic
Side salad
1 Packet Newman’s Own Low-fat vinaigrette
Dasani bottled water

The facts: 480 calories, 13g total fat, 2.5g saturated fat, 0 trans fat, 1930mg sodium, 58g carbs.

Dinner #3:
Premium Bacon Ranch Salad with Crispy Chicken
1 Packet Newman’s Own Ranch Dressing
1 Medium Diet Coke

The facts: 550 calories, 35g total fat, 8 saturated fat, 0.5 trans fat, 1530mg sodium, 30g carbs.

Which would I chose? Dinner #2, but I’d only use ½ the vinaigrette to save 365mg of sodium. But there are other choices too. You just have to look for them.

What Will It Take to Succeed?

1. Motivation: an internal/external drive or force that moves you to action.
   * This website will supply external motivation
   * To stick to it, you must also have internal motivation (goals)
   * Surround yourself with visuals and put your goals in writing


2. Inspiration: a “power” that moves the intellect or emotions.
   *Replace negative, self-defeating thoughts with positive, victorious thoughts. Success must first begin in your mind!
   *Feed your mind with inspirational quotes, books, CDs, TV programs.


3. Preparation: the act (one-time) or process (continuous) of getting ready.
   * Stock your home and office with healthier foods starting now.
   * Plan your meals ahead of time.
   * Look for healthier versions of your favorite recipes.


4. Prioritization: giving something precedence over competing alternatives.
   * Wanting it is not enough, make it a priority
   * Make time to plan meals and exercise
   * When faced with competing alternatives, choose your health.


5. Determination: the act of deciding definitely to achieve a desired end and maintain it.
   * Millions try and fail or succeed temporarily and regain
   * Be different - make a lifestyle change, don’t go on a diet!
   * Change what, when, & how you eat.
   * Commit to being active for life.


6. Perspiration: moisture excreted as a result of labor or exertion
   * Weight loss without exercise is almost always temporary
   * Thin does not necessarily equal healthy or fit.
   * Health and fitness require physical activity!


7. Education: formal training and instruction to develop a skill or trait
   *Visit this website regularly to learn more about nutrition and exercise
   * Learn to read labels
   * Check out the WebMD Health & Diet Center. The more you know the more you grow!