This whole 17 Day Diet experience has been truly amazing.  I hope all of you that have just started and are new here read this.  The diet itself is wonderful, the support in the online community is unbelievable and I have learned so much.  I've learned how to eat properly in a manner that suits my metabolism from Dr. Moreno and his wonderful book.  I have learned that I cannot do this alone from all of you, that support of friends is essential.  I have learned how to shop sensibly, how to read labels and how to feed my family in a healthy and satisfying manner.  I learned from all of this that the mistakes that I had made in the past, a reliance on "easy" pre-packaged, sodium laden and processed foods, were a big part of why past diets failed - as soon as I hit my goal, I went back to the old standby dishes like packaged pasta & sauces.  Now I know I can make fresh, whole wheat pasta with a healthy, made from scratch sauce that will satisfy even my most finicky child.  All of these lessons have given me the confidence to create a new way of life for me and my family, we are all looking healthier with bright eyes, clear skin and smaller waistlines.  

I do have to say I am kind of sad to see the TV challenge coming to an end tomorrow.  Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to see how Becky and all the others have done (go Becky!!!) but I feel that it is ending too soon - I'm sure they have all done really well but I know that many of them started at the same place as me, so they are probably not done yet.  I want to see all of them reach their ultimate goals.  I hope both the Doctors and Dr. Phil shows continue to follow them - and all of us here - and maybe do an update in September - by which time I think many of us will have reached our goals.    

I am a little over half way to my goal now.  I think if things continue as they are I should get there by the end of May or early June but I am no longer stressing over it.  I have complete confidence that I will get there.  So while the TV challenge may be ending I know that this community will keep going strong.  We are all in this together, giving and getting support.  I've already made a committment in a past blog to stay on after I hit my goal.  This community will be a big part of my maintenance program and I do hope it will be for all of you as well.

Enjoy the show tomorrow!