In one of the support calls of Julia Havey's vice busting challenge session, a co-challenger shared that she was told by a Biggest Loser contestant (that successfully had reached her goal weight): “To finish what you start!”    Those words really struck home with me. Almost five years ago, I started on a journey to get healthier and happier in my life. In fifteen months I lost over 130 pounds and committed myself to truly enjoying my life. For the next four years my weight shifted between 188 and 195, but I considered myself fortunate to have been able to successfully keep the weight off.  Yet, I know I am not where I want to be. I still want to lose 35-40 pounds of body fat. I am very physically active, yet felt I’d reached a plateau with my weight loss.

Julia Havey, my mentor and friend, graciously asked me to tell my story to First magazine.  I was hesitant because of the “number” on the scale.  One hundred eighty-eight pounds did not sound like a success story to me. What bothered me tremendously was that I seemed to be avoiding a wonderful opportunity because of this number on the scale. I had adopted a philosophy to live life to the fullest regardless of the scale long ago and this hesitancy to participate seemed to contraindicate my core values. Julia encouraged me with the fact that there are many overweight women who may be able to relate to my story and actual have some hope that they do not have to weigh 120 pounds to be a success story. I agreed to be part of the June 2008 First article. In early May, I received my advance copy, and was amazed at how happy, confident and yes, beautiful I looked.

Yet, as I looked at my picture and the “188 pounds” notation, I knew in my heart that my journey to getting healthier was renewed.  Within a week I was talking to Julia and she felt that the Medifast program maybe just the “tool” I needed to jump start my new commitment. I did some reading on the program and really liked what I was learning about the Take Shape for Life philosophy. It was easy to order and arrived within 3 business days. Medifast has proven to me to be an incredible tool for weight loss.

* First, I noticed the benefit of each meal being individually packaged and this has given me immediate control over overeating. Portion control has always been an area where I must focus. Easy to get started eating, difficult to stop, but NOT with Medifast.  This provides the learning opportunity to evaluate my relationship with food.

*The great taste of Medifast with all the protein that women so often fail to get. Low glycemic index of all foods and quality protein. The nutrition has been researched and approved by John Hopkins.  I enjoy the chocolate shakes, apple cinnamon oatmeal, chicken noodle soup, pudding, hot cocoa, fruit drinks, scrambled eggs, and protein bars.  My nails are growing long, my hair is very shiny and healthy looking, and my energy level is great (no sugar highs with plummeting sugar lows). Cravings for different foods like sweets, Mexican food, or pizza has virtually disappeared. The program is simple.

* I eat every three hours. Gone are the days of being on a weight loss program and feeling like I am starving. I get to pick any five Medifast meals each day and one additional meal will be a lean and green meal that I plan for and make.  I have created a comfortable routine. The shakes and bars are easy to carry with me whereever I go. I can even eat in a restaurant for my lean and green. I pick broiled or baked fish or chicken and add a healthy salad or veggies. The program does not get boring because I can create wonderful meals being creative with the lean and green meal.   After just two weeks, I feel as if my body has detoxed from all the processed and high carbs and fat foods.  By week three I was down a whole pant size. Now that is great results.

* Great results! I lost 17 pounds in 6 weeks and have kept the weight off with the maintenance strategies.

* The health coaching feature adds personalized support.  The built in accountability and help from someone who has known my struggle is so amazing. There is help in my moments of weakness and there is someone cheering me on when I am doing great. Now that I am a health coach for Take Shape for Life, this has become a passion of mine - to mentor others and help them make their health and fitness goal come true.

“Challenge is the space between what is and what can be.” J.Hilley.

 I just felt really ready for this program and look forward with excitement to “what can be!”  If you desire to change your reality, please visit my Take Shape For Life webpage at www.denisebryan.tsfl.com and order the great Medifast products.  It would be my privilege to be your health coach.  Your journey can begin today.