Membership is growing daily and I want to extend congratulations and welcome to all of you who have joined team diets. You have taken the first step needed in attaining your weight loss goals. Just joining TeamDiets alone is not going to get it done though. To accomplish anything in life you need to have an organized plan to succeed and put it into action. I have been working with clients and athletes for over 25 years and know from experience that the average person will need support, accountability and guidance to put that plan into action and stay committed to it. TeamDiets is here to assist you in organizing a plan.

Unfortunately, the human physiology does not have the automated response to discipline itself in the setting the habits necessary to accomplish the goals that are so easily created. To do that takes a day in day out commitment over the duration of the season. I use the term season because you are going to need at least one season to accomplish your goal or accomplish a significant, permanent part of your goal. Preparing for a season is a process from start to finish as is loosing weight while increasing your health. It is not just going to happen. You will have progress, setbacks, need adjustments, need teammates to tell you that you are doing great, need to have a coach or teammate tell you that you can do better, and above all maintain the commitment to get better every day.

The foundation of your success lies in your ability to stay committed to putting your plan of action into affect every day. The foundation of doing this is Your FOOD LOG and DAY PLANNER. Eating a healthy, correctly portioned meal now and then and getting some exercise once in while is not going to cut it! Don’t bother. It will make you feel worse as you will know that you are failing yourself. Using a food log and day planner to organize and document your approach is the only tangible means of ascertaining your plan is accurately supporting your success.

I have designed and produced a physical Food Log with time slots to schedule your meals and physical activity. Following this for 30 days will build a foundation of habits that will give you the control to gain the achievement that you have committed to. It will be available for download or hard copy in the coming week. I urge you to take advantage of this invaluable tool. We want you to succeed but can not do it for you. We are limited to guiding you. You are the deciding factor in your own victory or defeat.

Here is an example of my health invigorating, fat burning, libido vitalizing, metabolism stimulating daily routine:

5:00 am - Wake up, open the windows to hear the birds and sit down on the carpet and meditate for 20 minutes

5:20 – 30 minutes of power yoga

6:00 – Breakfast
My secret health invigorating, fat burning, libido vitalizing, metabolism stimulating breakfast which I eat every day (I change the type of jam for variety):

3 pieces of Ezekiel 4:9 toast (Ezekiel 4:9 is an organic bread made of sprouted wheat, barley, millet, spelt, soy beans and lentils) with organic peanut butter, and reduced sugar, organic preserves along with a non-fat triple cappuccino

9:00 - Protein-Fruit Smoothie

10:00 – 75 minute Gym workout

12:00 - Lunch

3:00 - Protein-Fruit Smoothie

6:00 – Dinner from Ron Douglas’s excellent “Low Fat Recipe Secrets” cookbook: Baja-Style Fish Tacos with Salad and Chili-Lime Sauce w/ 2 bottles of Cerveza Pacifico Clara

6:45 – 15 minute walk

7:30 – Dessert

You can download and review one of my Food Logs for an average day here

Props Are Due

I know everyone is trying. Everyone on this site has my respect for taking the first step in managing their weight for life. I am also sensitive to the fact everybody’s situation, history and personality is different. Many of you are still having difficulties getting started. We are here for you when you are ready. Some of our members are doing an exceptional job using the site and tools provided. I wanted to give them the “props” they deserve. I also wanted to introduce them to those that need some help in getting started or in adjusting their approach.

Vicki (vmo3745) has lost 10 pounds and lost 6". Vicki is finding success because she is making an every day effort to eat healthy and smart. When situations call for her to go outside food choices she would prefer she does a great job of minimizing the effect that meal will have on her overall diet. She is a wonderful example of enjoying food without allowing it to degrade her health.

Robin (robind) is a true warrior. I am impressed with her spirit and intensity. She is great example of a true martial artist. She views her limitations and challenges as nothing more than obstacles that need to be dealt with. Robin is very versatile in findig food combinations that support her health and weight loss goals. She is also an ispiration in her discipline to exercise. She is 25% on her way to loosing those difficult last 20 pounds, which I have no doubt she will accomplish.

Dottie (dkopetsk) and Sharon(happy_gal) are perfect examples of how to use the site and program. They log consitantly, accurately and completely, making notes of the focus that is needed for the future from log totals. Check out their logs get an idea of how to make it work.

Larry (shane5) is a good example of making the best of a situation that is not optimal. Larry’s daily schedule makes eating fast food lunches a must. He makes intelligent choice in doing so and thus stays on track. He has a Staple breakfast that is healthy and in line with his goals and uses many of Ron Douglas’s delicious “Low Fat Recipe Secrets for dinner. Shane is making logging his food and water a habit, which is helping him continually refine his diet and as well as a result is making great progress towards his goal.

Keep up the Good Work Everyone,

Greg