"Walk this way"- Steve Tyler

My morning walk has helped me in so many ways. Of course it helps me burn calories and it gets my metabolism kick started but it also relaxed me and allowed me to better plan my day.

I work from home and usually start my walk when most people are stuck in traffic on their way to work, come to think of it maybe that is why I feel so relaxed.

I started walking in January to help boost my results. That first month I can remember feeling as if my shins were actually going to explode. I probably was able to go less than a mile during those first months. The funny thing is that the more I walked the more I wanted to walk....if I missed a day (which has only happened twice since Jan.) I felt bad.

The key to walking is MUSIC. I have to have my Ipod shuffle or else it is not going to happen. Rocky loaded me up with my favorite music from the '80's. By the way "Say it a'int So" from The Outfield is the absolute BEST song to walk to.

I now am walking 2.5 miles each morning and 1 mile in the afternoon.

So there it is....That is the first "Secret" to me losing weight. Exercise.


I am pretty sure that if my insurance would have paid for Lap Band Surgery I would have done it. I had thouroughly researched it and had more than a few friends who had great success. To be honest I still would have paid for it had doing it my way not worked. So I thought if I can do this myself than that is like SAVING $18,000!!! (The cost of the operation) If I can save $18,000 can I divert part of that to one of my true enjoyments in Life......POKER? More Motivation is what I needed. So I am rewarding myself with a "Bucket List" Dream. Entry into the 2010 World Series of Poker in BEAUTIFUL HOT as HELL Las Vegas.

I love everything about Poker. The competition, the strategy, the comraderie, the way it is NEVER the same. I just love Poker. Since 1985 I have been to Vegas over 70 times. I have to say that I am down to just Once a year but for a while I was going Four-Five times a year. The town is electric. It seems like my dream of playing in the World Series of Poker is also many of my friends and family dream as well. As soon as I mentioned I was entering, I had about 6-8 of them who said they would like to join me. It is going to be a ton of fun and it would be amazing if one or more of us could do well. More on Poker later.

There is ONE more secret to my being able to lose 74 lbs since Jan. 4th........This is an unbelievable secret and one that many dont realize.

Secret #2- Take in Less Calories than you burn each day.

WOW. What a concept. The BILLION dollar weight loss industry can be whittled down to a bumper sticker.......MOVE AND EAT LESS!!!!

Now I love food. When it comes to food I am an equal opportunity fan....Chinese, Mexican, Italian etc. I love food. However, if you were to tell me you can never have squash again (I dont even like squash) but if you forbid me to eat squash again the ONLY thing I would think about was how much I wanted to eat squash. So all of these diets that forbid this and forbid that are not realistic for me. The all meat diet...Forget it....The grapefruit diet...No Thanks.

I needed to develop a plan that I could realistically live with the REST of my life. And let me tell you, Pizza, Fajitas, and Chicken with Brocolli are ALL in my future. I know it may not be the correct thing for me but here is how it works for me.

1. I try to not put any food in my mouth after 2:00 p.m. (The wisdom is to eat 5 or 6 small meals but it just doesnt work for me)

2. I Eat some fruit or an english muffin for breakfast

3. I try to eat lunch as close to 1:00 as possible (the later you eat lunch the less hungry you are at night-remember no eating after 2:00 p.m.). Lunch is really ANY food I want. I have found that the more weight I lose the less I need to eat to feel full.

4. I try to eat slower

5. I have elimanated Sweet Tea and Sugared drinks entirely. It took me about a month but my taste buds have changed and now I really enjoy diet coke and diet Dr. Pepper. This one change alone has saved me about 800 calories a DAY!!!

There you have it....I have just given you my Blueprint for how I have lost some weight. You think I could fit that into a book? Try a pamphlet or flyer.

More to come.