A Simple Way To Lose Weight in 2008I

The new year is here and like many of you I'm committed to living healthier and losing weight in 2008. At 55 I've been up and down the scales countless times. This particular new year I'm on my way back down, 17 pounds so far, and want to share my successful plan with other overweight contenders.n At 40, with 25 years of dieting under my belt, I found myself uncomfortably heavy again. I knew from experience that 'eat this, don't eat that' and calorie/carb/fat gram counting regimens did not work over the long term. Once at a comfortable weight I'd fall back into old habits and eating patterns that put the pounds right back on. It was then that I decided that my best chance at a healthy second half of my life was to make a lifestyle change and develop a way to live it.n I determined that there were three things that I needed to try to do for myself everyday - drink water, exercise and eat sensibly. I also needed to address my major weight-loss deterrent, my fondness for beer. I set up a simple 4-week chart with four blocks to fill in each day. At bedtime I'd assess my day and fill in the appropriate blocks. Filling in all 4 was very gratifying, like getting an 'A' on a test. Whenever I filled in 4-5 perfect days in a row, I was exhilarated, proud and even more motivated. As long as I filled in at least 95 of the 112 blocks each 4-week period, my weekly weigh-ins validated my daily accomplishments. I lost 11 pounds the first 4 weeks and went on to lose a total of 37 pounds.n Now if you've read carefully you should be asking me why, if I found the key to healthy weight loss 15 years ago, I'm repeating the effort now. That's a tough question with a hard to admit answer. I have deep-rooted self-esteem issues that creep in and undermine all my best efforts. Poor career and relationship choices have also exacerbated my stress levels and challenged my coping skills. Being aware of these wellness detractors, I continually remind myself that I deserve to feel and look better. I've learned that even when I reach a comfortable weight I need to continue charting for maintenance and self-worth purposes.n In January 2007, at her request, I sent a rough copy of the chart with instructions to my sister. Now 58 pounds lighter, she is very pleased with her progress and motivated to lose another 20 before settling into a maintenance plan. I've since organized and updated the information, creating an easy to follow packet of charts, explanations and examples. It's available on my website www.dewsplan.com. I strongly believe that the DEWS plan can help others lose weight successfully and develop their own healthy lifestyles. I also encourage those who purchase the packet to share it, as many people perform better as a group. All I ask in return are testimonials for the website, the inevitable stories of success that the DEWS plan has to offer.