[Travelvixen]

Hi All,

First of all, Kara, remember to start taking that Folic Acid supplement if you plan on getting pregnant, it is incredibly important for your baby's development! Also start yourself on a regular yoga program, it will help you immensely.

To the rest of you. Congratulations. Losing weight and staying fit and trim isn't an aesthetic necessity, it is important for your longevity, physical and mental health not to mention libido! I have my own experience and advice below if you are interested.

I tried to diet over the years and only found myself losing weight when I wasn't trying, (stress, travel etc) however it rarely lasted and the pounds would creep right back on after a few months. Last year a friend of mine told me that I was too heavy and she could help. She is ten years older than me, looks ten years younger and is in fabulous shape.

Before you continue: I enjoy one meal per week of anything I wish, french toast, pancakes, any bad stuff I want within reasonable amounts.

It was an exercise and nutrition program that has an initial two week period and then a maintenance period afterwards. It is amazing. I lost so much weight that for the first time since I was 17 (I am over 35 now) I dropped two bra sizes not to mention my jeans. Was it easy? No. However, I was eating five times a day. At times I had to force myself to eat. The secret is of course cutting out sugar, starches (pasta, bread, rice, potatoe etc) and carefully balancing healthful carbohydrates (green vegetables) and lean protein (egg white, chicken, fish) with EVERY meal. It is the protein that kills the appetite. You don't need to be hungry to diet. It was like magic. Oh, did I mention the exercise? Lots. 45 minutes of cardio (running, cycling or similar to get the heart rate up) and then 1 hour of the exercise program in the book including push ups, sit ups, and lots more. My husband actually complained that I lost too much weight. He had the typical spare tire that lean men can tend to get so I put him on the program and he too dropped the weight built up muscle and looked amazing.

The name is the Ultimate New York Body Plan by David Kirsh. However, I am already phsically fit to a certain degree. This program is not for everyone. Look at the exercises in the book before you buy and decide if you can accomplish them or not. Having said that, I strongly recommend his meal replacement shakes (especially vanilla) which are easy to use, especially on a plane or train. Can you tell that I travel a lot? I just put the powder in a small water container (evian or like that) put the top on and shake. It is that easy. I just returned from five weeks in India and I can't tell you what a relief it was to have the David Shake with me when I was stuck in a 10 hour train ride with dubious food available or on a bus etc. The other meal replacement that I like even more and makes me feel great but is more complicated to make and requires a hand blender at minimum is "The Ultimate Meal". That stuff is fantastic. No fat, no sugars, Kosher, Organic and more. It doesn't taste as good as the David Shake, but the resulting weight loss and overall energy level is incomparable. Try it, you have nothing to lose but weight, right?