Tuesday, March 22, 2011

I Love Me More Than I Love You

Dear Carli,

180.6 -  I heard you were surrounded by hot cocoa and chocolate cake and donuts and cookies and soda and many other carbs during your weekend away in the snow, so although you didn't lose weight I am so proud of you, because didn't gain weight either.  You stared sugar in the face and said "I love me more than I love you."  You go, girl!

Sincerely, Penelope

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Beware of the Hot Cocoa!

Dear Carli,

180.6 - I understand that you are going to Tahoe tomorrow to enjoy the snow.  Please beware of the hot cocoa.  I know how it calls out to you.  Remember you gave up sugar...and you have gone a whole week without cheating.  I want to see you come back and say good bye to the 180s.  You can do this! 

Sincerely, Penelope

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Just For Laughs

Dear Carli,

181.0 - Just in case you need a laugh...

"I have gained and lost the same ten pounds so many times over and over again my cellulite must have déjà vu."
~ Jane Wagner

Sincerely, Penelope

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Up, Down, Up, Down...

Dear Diary,

181.6 - I think this up again, down again is sending Carli over the edge.  After our quality time this morning she starting singing this song.

Sincerely, Penelope


Monday, March 14, 2011

Focusing on the Rear View

Dear Diary,

182.2 - I think Carli needs to have her head screwed on straight...cuz right now she seems to have her head screwed on backwards.   This became very obvious after she stepped on me this morning.  The numbers went up and she was hoping that they would go down, or at least stay the same.  When she saw the .4 increase she immediately started calculating everything she had eaten yesterday, which is fine since she should have an awareness about what she is consuming, but then...she started to think about the fact that she ate breakfast prior to our meeting today...and usually we get together before breakfast...and she wondered how much the food that she ate this morning weighs...and maybe she should subtract that amount...and will she ever begin to see some real progress...and she has never been able to commit for long before...and...and...and...  Then it hit me, she fixates on what she has done, instead of focusing on what she will do.  Learning from your past is one thing, but focusing on the rear view will just keep a person headed in reverse.

Sincerely, Penelope

Sunday, March 13, 2011

What Is Eating You?

Dear Carli,
181.8 - I could see you were disappointed after we got together this morning. Sweet girl, you know the right foods to eat, but you repeatedly ignore the importance of portion control. So I thought you might like this quote to focus on in the coming week. I hope it inspires you to look at this journey in a new way.

"If hunger is not the problem, then eating is not the solution." ~ Author Unknown

Sincerely, Penelope

Saturday, March 12, 2011

A Body Like a Dog

Dear Carli,

181.4 - How can I get through to you?  Yesterday you didn't eat anything till almost four o'clock.  Then, when you did eat, you consumed a large Jamba Juice and 14 pieces of sushi over a three hour period.  Since you are a dog trainer let me explain this to you in a way you might understand.  Carli, your body is like a dog.  When a dog is tossed a bone every once in awhile and is left guessing when he will next get to have a bone he becomes very possessive.  He will hold on to that bone as if his life depends on it and he is willing to go to battle to keep custody of that bone even if he doesn’t want to eat it now.  But when a dog is thrown a bone on a regular basis...when it is easy to predict that another bone is sure to be there when he needs it, then the dog is less overprotective about his bones. He can relax, release it and even walk away from it.  Your body is going to cling to all of the “bones” you eat until you start predictably feeding it.  Get it? 

Sincerely, Penelope

Friday, March 11, 2011

Some Things Do Have Quick Fixes

Dear Carli,

181.6 - See!  You can do this!  I understand...it is daunting and you do have a long way to go.  Each day you are going to have to make choices to support your decision to lose weight and sometimes those decision will be difficult.  Deciding not to go out with your friends to the pizza place last night was a good start...and hopefully there will be a time when you are strong enough to go into that situation and opt to make good food choices without too much pain.  Now get going out the door!  You have an appointment with your hair dresser.  Be happy that there are quick fixes for some things...like gray hairs!

Sincerely,
Penelope

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Dance Your Tushy Off

Dear Carli,

183.6 - So the number bumped up slightly...your body is probably still detoxing from all the sugar wafers on Fat Tuesday.  And BTW you know that granola bar and Strawberry Lemonade you finished off last night were not exactly sugar free, but at least that is the last of the temptations...and you are NOT going to buy anymore over Lent.  Now get your butt out the door!  You are late for salsa class!  Go dance your tushy off!

Sincerely, Penelope

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The Carbs Are Not Her Friends

Dear Diary,

183.4 - Carli decided against having cake for dinner last night...she had Sugar Wafers instead.  I have warned Carli repeatedly The Carbs are not her friends,   She seems to think I am just saying that because I am jealous...since she doesn't hang out with me as much when she is hanging out with The Carbs.  We had a heart to heart today; and it appears she is beginning to understand that I have to be truthful with her.  I have no desire to hurt her feelings, yet I don't have a choice in the matter...I need to be honest.  And isn't that a quality you want in a good friend.  I am hopeful today marks a turn for the better in our relationship.  It is Ash Wednesday and she has promised to give up sugar and dairy for Lent.  And she has committed to journaling and reading "Made to Crave" by Lysa Terkeurst daily.  Let say some prayers that she can remain motivated.

Sincerely, Penelope

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Fat Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday...

Dear Diary,

It is Fat Tuesday--the day before Lent.  In medieval times, Christians used up all of their eggs, butter and milk because they were forbidden during Lent.  Carli is thinking of having french toast for lunch and cake for dinner to honor the day.  She is going to regrets this.

Sincerely, Penelope