00:00 – Speaker – Josephine 

Hi everyone, welcome to the Love to Live Healthy show. I’m Josephine Fitzpatrick. This week’s topic is stop being afraid, and I know in today’s world that sounds so much easier than it feels. I mean, look at last week. In one week we had an earthquake, we are in retrograde and we experienced an eclipse. It’s a lot for people. We have been through a lot with world destruction, political issues. It can go on and on. But the truth is it’s life and it’s not always supposed to be easy and we’re not always going to have all the answers. But what we do know is we are here and we are so lucky and blessed to be here, and that is one thing we can and should never forget. 

00:42

When it comes to weight loss, it’s very easy to be afraid. I see my clients all the time. I see what they’re afraid of. They are afraid of failing, they are afraid of self-sabotaging, they are afraid of being hungry, they are afraid of temptation, they are afraid of working so hard and being disappointed. And that’s okay. It’s okay to be afraid, but what’s not okay is to not try because you’re afraid, because everything I just said failing, self-sabotage, being hungry, temptation you’re in control of most of them. 

01:16

I know it’s not easy and we will never have all the answers. We’re not supposed to have all the answers. You know no one does. You don’t reach a certain age, a certain social status, a certain position in your career and suddenly have it all and have all the answers. It doesn’t work like that. There is no secret potion, there’s no lucky token and there’s no prayer that will change the course of your life in the snap of your fingers. You will never know all the answers and sometimes, because we don’t know all the answers, that’s what makes it so uncomfortable. But when we talk about weight loss, what we can find comfort in is that you have a plan, you know what you have to do, you know if you prepare and follow through your menu you don’t eat in between your meals and you work really hard and you are consistent you will absolutely see results. And you know this because so many of you have already done it and those of you who haven’t done it know clients that have done it and you see the results. 

02:14

But again, it’s not easy because you also know the results won’t come unless you try. So, whether you’re afraid or not, you have to try, you have to start, you have to work hard, you have to push yourself. You have to be okay with being outside of your comfort zone. Because think about it that’s why it’s so scary, that’s why you’re afraid, because you’re outside of your comfort zone. 

02:37

You feel like you need to have all the answers because you’re outside of your comfort zone, but the truth is, like I said before, there’s no one who has all the answers. There’s no perfect time. There’s no perfect situation. What is most important, you have to just start. You have to follow and be consistent. You don’t need to know all the answers. You just have to put the work in. That’s what gives you the results. 

03:01

And what you need to know is that every day you follow, you will learn more and more. You will see more and more results. Every day that you are consistent, you will feel better and better. You’ll feel better outside of your comfort zone. You will no longer be afraid. Think about it, for those of you who were always on the innovation program, when I introduced the five-hour and the detox program, you were completely out of your comfort zone. 

03:26

Yet you trusted in yourself, you listened, you follow, you learned, you worked hard and the results have been absolutely amazing. I mean, I have clients who have never been so thin in their entire life and all ages 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, even eighties. I have a client yesterday it was her birthday, 85th birthday she texted me and she has been at her goal with me for some time. That’s incredible. I just love that. But again, it doesn’t mean that it’s not scary, it doesn’t mean that you’re not going to be afraid. You won’t be afraid if you keep trying. If you keep trying, you will see how you get less and less afraid and will believe more and more in yourself and the results.

04:07

This is a game. You know life is a game and I mean that in the very best way. You put the time in, you work hard, you learn, you learn the rules, you see how it goes, you see the results, and this is in all aspects of your life. You have to try and work hard, you have to get over the fear if you want to reach any goal. And when you do that and you try really hard and you put the work in, I truly believe that, even if they are not the exact, 100% results you wanted, you will still get results, results that make you so much happier than doing nothing at all. Is it challenging? Yes, of course. Everything in life can be challenging, especially if you think of it that way. 

04:47

You know for those of you who know me, you know I’m a big believer in mindset. I believe that what you believe in, what you put your work into, what you put your energy into, that’s what’s going to happen. Dreams and goals are not always supposed to be easy. And everyone’s dreams are different. While it might be weight loss for you, that is your dream, to be a certain size or number, for someone else it’s another dream entirely. But all dreams and goals are challenging, no matter what they are. And the only way to succeed at them is to work hard at it every day. To have a positive mindset, believe in yourself, put your energy into it and work hard at those dreams and goals every day. And if you do that, I can promise you will see results every day and every week you will get closer and closer to what you want. And remember when I say you’ll see results every day it might not be on the scale, but you’ll see results in how you feel, how your clothes fit you, and eventually it will be on the scale, but you have to look at all your results. 

05:50

Let’s remember it’s in the challenges we face every day, every week, every month. That’s where we learn the most and it’s also what makes it so exciting. You know, as you succeed with each challenge, you’re trusting yourself to overcome the next challenge, the next future obstacle, because every time you do it you’re getting stronger and stronger. You gain great advantage when you overcome your challenges because you’re also learning discipline and control. You know, and we have to remember that learning discipline and control is going to help us in every area of our life. 

06:36

I want to quickly tell you about one of my clients that I have that I won’t go too deep into because she’s planning on doing a podcast with me when she reaches her goal, and it will be soon. So I really don’t want to get into the story, but just to give you an idea about her. She came to me about 10 years ago, probably more, and she lost all her weight, got to numbers she never thought possible and she stayed there for a really long time. But then, of course, things happen in life as they often do, one thing or another and you know, like I said, I’m going to leave the details to her. But right before she came back, you know she started gaining weight and in the beginning she was kind of ignoring the extra weight and she would ask me and then eventually she couldn’t ignore it anymore. So when she started back, you know it was really difficult. You know my point is through the story. It wasn’t easy for her. You know she lost a pound, she lost two pounds, but just going back so strict, after not having to be so strict for so long because she was basically maintaining for years, so going backs trick again, she struggled. You know she questioned it, she questioned me, she questioned the food. I kept telling her to trust me, trust the program, trust the food. Everyone eats it, everyone loses. And now she’s just doing amazing. You know she got through the hard part and that’s my point. 

07:46

You have to get through the hard part. It’s not the first week, the first week is not the hard part, it’s the second through like the fifth week. It’s really tough because you have weight to lose. And the second through the fifth week week is you’re really not seeing what you want to see for all the work you feel like you’re putting in, but then all of a sudden, all those pounds add up, all those ones and twos, they add up and by the sixth week you are feeling amazing. Then, all of a sudden, you start to see the better number, you start to see the difference in your clothes. You start to see how you feel. Your body image is better, your confidence is better and you know you can do it. You’re working hard, you’re putting the time in, you’re seeing the results and you feel confident. You’re no longer afraid. So you really have to give yourself that second to fifth week. Get through that. That’s the hard part. It’s gets so much easier after that.

08:45

It’s funny, as I was just telling you that story, I’m thinking to myself. I can guarantee there’s so many of my clients that are listening to this and they think I’m talking about them, because I didn’t realize. But, as I was talking about the story, there are so many clients in the last couple of months that went through this and now they’re in such a great place. Not all of them are at their goal, but very close and very happy and in a place where there’s no turning back because they got through the hard part. They’re so happy about where they are. They’re so happy being back on program. They’re so happy feeling good again. Their clothes are fitting. You know, they all had to restart for one reason or another and they got through the challenge of starting. They got through the second and fifth week and when you can do that, it’s going to make such a big difference. It’s going to take the scariness out of everything. 

09:25

So again, my point is if you can get over being afraid, being afraid of failing, afraid of the hunger, afraid of the temptations, you will do it. You know deep down you can do this. You can do anything you want to if you put your heart and soul into it, if you put your energy and beliefs into it. Yes, it takes a positive mindset, hard work, consistency, but you will get to where you want to be. You have to learn to talk yourself into it. Talk yourself into it and stop talking yourself out of it. 

09:56

And, especially in the beginning, instead of looking for excuses to go off program, you have to make all the excuses why you should stay on program, why you want this, why it’s important to you. You know, again, when we’re talking about mindset, if you keep yourself afraid, you will stay afraid. If you make excuses for yourself why you can’t do this, then you won’t do this. Your negative mindset will keep you stuck. You don’t want that, because when you keep yourself afraid or tell yourself excuses why you can’t do something, it’s causing yourself to limit yourself. I really believe that tell yourself excuses why you can’t do something, it’s causing yourself to limit yourself. I really believe that. That’s why you’re staying stuck immediately. It’s going to give you reasons to go off and do the wrong thing. This fear and these excuses keep you going down the same old path, preventing you from reaching your goals. 

10:46

And if you really want to lose weight, feel great and have control over your life and your happiness, then you have to stop being afraid and stop making excuses why you can’t do it. When you start to struggle, I want you to remember me telling you this, Life is hard. It’s supposed to be hard, but it’s also the challenge that makes it fun and exciting. Don’t be afraid of it and don’t make excuses for it. Instead, live it. Live your goals, live your dreams. That’s what’s going to make you happy. Get through being afraid. When you’re through being afraid, it’s going to be life-changing. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about going after what you want and making sure you’re working hard to do it, put your energy in it. So, if you’re one of the clients that are doing all the right things which I know so many of you have been, and I’m so beyond proud of every one of you Keep going, keep working hard. Every day, you are closer and closer to your dreams and goals. Every day you feel better and better, and I love that. 

11:50

Now, if you are someone who has not started or has not been doing the right things and want to start, this is your motivation today. You have to start by following your menu, not eating in between meals and snacks, having the discipline to work through your challenges and fears. It takes planning, preparing and following through with your day. It takes not making any excuses on why you should go off program. It takes consistent hard work and, most of all, it takes you loving yourself enough to walk away from the temptations. You have to be willing to put your immediate wants aside for your future results, and when you can do that, you will see the very best results. It’s time to stop being afraid and start being excited. Start today 

Okay, that’s all I have for you today. I hope this helped. Thank you so much for tuning in. I really appreciate all the feedback. It truly makes my day. I’m wishing everyone a happy, healthy week full of love and blessings. Hugs from me to all of you. 

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Speaker Josephine

Hi everyone, welcome to the Love to Live Healthy show. I’m Josephine Fitzpatrick. Today’s topic is being incredible can sometimes be uncomfortable. We know this right. If you want results, you have to be willing to do what it takes, and this is what it takes. It takes getting up every day and working towards your goal and agreeing that some days will be very, very uncomfortable. And that’s okay, because it’s those tough, uncomfortable days that you get through that make the biggest difference in your outcome. When those uncomfortable times or days appear, you need to work harder to get past them. Don’t waste time thinking of an easier way, because there is no easier way than doing the right thing. The time you actually spend trying to find an easier way or a shortcut could be the time that you already invested into the work that would be getting you to where you want to be. 

Now. Listen, I even tell my kids this all the time. For most of us, life is so simple if we don’t complicate it. If you want to do well in life, you must get up every day and work hard toward what you want, what makes you happy, toward your goals. Don’t waste time looking for shortcuts or easy. Just get up, work hard, make good choices and you will reach your goals. We all have to work, and it should be at multiple things in life – at our jobs, families, school, at our love life, at our health and our body. Everybody has to work hard to get to where they want to be, to make good things happen in their life. But the point is, no matter what it is in life that you are working for, if it makes you happy, you get up every day and you put the time and effort into it, I promise you you will reach your goals. You will make it happen. Yes, it may happen slower for some, but slower, or fast, it will happen if you keep doing the right things. 

Now, when we talk about everyday life, this applies to everything. Right, consecutive days, hard work, making good decisions will lead to incredible results, no matter what you’re putting your time and effort into, and when you continue to do the right thing, the journey is always going to be just as exciting and rewarding as the outcome. Every day you are closer to what you want. Every day you feel better and better mentally, physically. Every day you are closer to what you want. Every day you feel better and better mentally, physically. Every day you have more and more control, and this should apply to everything in your life the more it makes you happy, the more likely your success will be. 

I will tell you one thing, if you haven’t already started working towards your goals and toward where you want to be, I suggest you start now. Spring is here and it is not waiting for you to get ready for it. If you want to be amazing and feel amazing this summer, there’s one simple solution Follow your program. Do the right thing for your body, do it for your mind. Stay on your program. As you know, there are all types of people in the world. There are those who do and those who talk about doing. You have to decide who you want to be. It’s up to you if you want the very best results. It’s up to you if you want to be thin or you just want to talk about how you wish you were thin, how you wish you were eating better, how you wish you were healthier. If you want to be a talker, be a talker. If you want to be a doer, start working towards it now. 

We know one of the very worst feelings is having a party, an event, an occasion and not being ready for it, and looking back and saying I should have, I could have, why didn’t I? You know, some things come up out of the blue and we just think, oh, I wish I would have known, I would have had more time, I would have made sure I was ready for it. But spring is here and summer’s around the corner. And we go through spring and summer every year, so it’s not like you didn’t know it was coming. So you’re either going to be ready or you’re not going to be ready. Right now you have the time to get yourself in motion and make the changes you need to make, to see the differences you want to see. And while many of you still might not reach your goal by summer, if you start now, you will know you’ll be closer to it than you are today. If you start now, you are going to be so much in a better place by the time summer comes than you are today. 

So here are some things I want you to do to remember when you are trying to be the best you can be. 

-You will see the best results when you have six consecutive on-program days every week

-One Cheat Meal and dessert a week

-Exercise is amazing, but only if your food is amazing as well. You can’t eat more because you’re exercising, not when you’re trying to lose weight. 

-Stop making excuses. You are only hurting yourself. 

The bottom line is if you want to be amazing, look amazing and feel amazing, then you have to put the work in. You have to follow your program, you have to be a little hungry and you have to want this more than anything. Temptation will always be in sight, but you have to be stronger than what’s in front of you. You have to look at yourself and visualize. What do you want in two weeks from today? Where do you want to be? Where do you want to be in four weeks from today? Two months from today? Every weight loss day is one day closer to the person you want to be. 

You can only fight the addictions, the habits and the poor choices if you recognize. You have them, so own them and move on from them. If you have been amazing, then continue to be amazing, and if you’ve not done the right things to make yourself happy, then start today and make yourself happy. Make it happen. You are the only person who has control over your happiness, just like you are the only person who has control over being unhappy. We have the same control to be happy as unhappy. It’s always in our choices. You are the only person who can get in your own way today. So make it happen. Don’t be a talker, be a doer. You can do this if you really want it. 

Okay, that’s all I have for now. I want to tell you in two weeks from now, we will have another fabulous story from one of our successful weight loss clients. I can’t wait for you to hear her journey. So please make sure you subscribe to the podcast, because if you subscribe, then you will immediately get notified every time we have a new show, so you don’t have to keep checking. Subscribe. Give it a thumbs up. It helps the program, it helps you. It’s a great way to find all our shows and be notified immediately. I want to thank you all for joining me and listening to the Love to Live Healthy show. I’m wishing you all a happy, healthy week full of love. Hugs from me to all of you. 

~Love to Live Healthy With Josephine Fitzpatrick

Josephine (Host)

Hi everyone, welcome to the Love to Live Healthy show. I’m Josephine Fitzpatrick. Today we have a very special guest, one of our success stories, Shari Rauch. Let’s see, I’m going to bring her in. Hi Shari, can you hear me?

Shari (Guest)

Yes, I can hear you. Hi.

Josephine (Host)

Hi. Welcome. One of the absolute things I love is that about your story is it’s the second time you did this. You had success the first time, lost all your weight and it was years ago how long ago was that? 

Shari (Guest)

2015. 

Josephine (Host)

And then, of course, with everything, life, age, pandemics, name it, you gained weight and you came back. I guess it was like in the summer, right this past June,

Shari-(Guest)

June, yes

Josephine-(Host)

Okay yes, and what I love and I think is so inspiring and this is what I told you, I wanted to share so much with our audience is you were a one pound a week weight loss and sometimes you weren’t even a pound. 

Let’s talk about first, how much did you lose so far? 

Shari-(Guest)

25 pounds

Josephine-(Host)

Wow. That’s amazing. It’s a lot of weight. It’s insane, especially doing it like that. But if you think about it, did we ever have a two pound week? I think once or twice, right?

Shari (Guest)

Yes In the beginning there were a couple of times I would lose two and a half maybe, but that was the most I ever got in one week. 

Josephine (Host)

That’s what I thought. And, honestly though, look at like you now. Like, if you look back and if you would have given up because it wasn’t a lot of loss each week, you would have just regained the weight and ended up starting all over again.  

This is what I tell people all the time if you stop and then you just regain what you lost, it’s the hampster wheel you never get anywhere and just keep starting over. 

What I loved about you, you had that mindset. No matter what and I tell you this all the time when, there were weeks you came and worked hard and lost nothing and you were disappointed. Of course you’re trying so hard, but I never looked at you and said she’s going to give up, You were just so mentally in this. 

Shari (Guest)

And it took me quite a while to get myself mentally to that point. I mean, obviously, the weight starting with pandemic years was creeping on, creeping on, then pre-menopausal and hormones and so many things, just all compounding one after the other, making it, you know, all this weight gain coming on and I hit rock bottom and I said finally, like all right, like this is it, I can’t take it anymore and I’m going to do this. But before that I wasn’t mentally ready and I knew like I probably would have given up. The only time I ever weighed that much is when I had two babies in my belly. I was pregnant with the twins. 

Josephine (Host)

Wow, that’s so funny, but that’s so inspiring. If you look back, do you feel like it took as long as it did? I mean June? What are we in January, so Basically, it’s not even what. Seven months. 

Shari (Guest)

I feel like it’s been like slow and steady, but I feel so much better now getting to this point it was worth it, you know, every bit, of every little bit each week it was so worth it. 

Josephine (Host)

I just did a podcast with someone else and I was talking about you in the beginning. You didn’t really have that much exercise either. You started that more towards, like the middle to the end, right? 

Shari (Guest)

Yeah, and I’m trying. And you know, to be honest, I am not a big exercise person, I don’t love it, I kind of hate it. But I force myself and I mean I’m better in the warmer weather, in the summer I love to walk and that’s my big thing, but not in the winter, now I’m getting on the peloton and I’m like forcing myself to get up, you know, early in the morning and do it, even though I don’t like it, but I do feel better after I do it. So I’m really trying to push myself for more exercise. 

I wish I had that exercise bug. I just don’t. And the first time I did the plan, you know, it was really with almost no exercise and the weight came off a lot easier. And now I feel like I really need to try to incorporate more exercise along with the eating to make it work at this stage of my life, you know, hormonally and everything else, where I am, and I’m not working in the city anymore, so I’m a lot more sedentary where I used to commute every day. So I’m just in generally not moving as much as I used to.

Josephine (Host)

Right and that is important. I see you buying all new clothes, when I bump into you at RAGS and you look so happy and amazing. 

I do want to talk about the five hour and detox, because I think what’s really great to tell people is how much you basically bounced back a lot between the detox and the five hour. 

Shari (Guest)

Yeah, I’ve been doing both. I think I like the five hour better. I did a mix of the detox and five hour this week, a couple of days and I kind of felt like I was a little bit hungrier than usual, where I think I’m not feeling as hungry when I do the five hour. I have that little like hunger pang like in the morning and I get past it and then once I eat my muffin for lunch like I’m full and I’m good till dinner, but having the detox drink and then the muffin for lunch. I don’t know, I think I was feeling a little hungrier this week or maybe it was in my head. 

Josephine (Host)

You were supposed to feel a little hungry. I was trying to confuse your body a little bit just because we are down to those last 5 pounds, you know. So that’s when I like what I called it the doubling down, Like sometimes just confusing your body a little bit. So if a little bit hungrier, that’s probably a good thing. Another thing to mention is you started with just the regular innovation and sometimes we still throw it in, especially on the weekend,

Shari (Guest)

 I know, in the beginning we did more of the regular innovation and then we switched over to the five hour, which I really like doing the five hour. I feel like it just works very well for me. I’m not finding it that hard to stick to. 

Josephine (Host)

Yeah, and I felt like, even when you didn’t lose you always said you felt lighter. 

Shari (Guest)

Yeah, sometimes the scale just didn’t move, but I felt lighter for sure. 

Josephine (Host)

What’s great about that is too, is sometimes it just takes that scale a little extra time, another day. We just don’t see it, but you felt it and a lot of time mentally you need that, you know. 

Shari (Guest)

I mean, it definitely stinks when the scale doesn’t move, but it helps when you feel lighter.

(Both laughing)

Josephine (Host)

I know it stinks for both of us, trust me. Well, it’s great. You’re doing amazing, you look amazing. I can’t even believe It’s 25 pounds. 

So this is a great question. Okay, last question. It’s 25 pounds, and because I saw you go through this, and it was a lot meaning a pound a week, and you just kept at it, and some weeks, no pounds, and you still kept at it. You were so mentally strong. I was so proud of you through the whole thing. If you look back now, though, if somebody said to you when you first started, it’s gonna take seven months, but you’re gonna lose 25 pounds, what would you have thought? 

Shari (Guest)

I, it’s a good question. I mean, I think, just mentally, I was at the point where, like, I have to get this weight off and no matter what it takes. So if it’s seven months, then it’s seven months and that’s what it’s gonna be. But as long as I was seeing progress most weeks which most weeks I did it was worth it. 

Josephine (Host)

I really feel that to look back on like seven months, it sounds long, but it really wasn’t long. The days and weeks go so fast. And look at you now. You’re like a different person and in the middle of it, at any time had you given up, which I knew you wouldn’t it’s not even a question, but for other people, when they feel like it’s slow and they give up they never get to where they want to be. I think it’s important to realize when you don’t give up and put the time in look at where you got too. You are amazing and you look amazing. 

Shari (Guest)

Yes, 100%. I feel like a new person. I was at the point I was miserable. I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror, I didn’t want to put clothes on. I was just happy being in sweatpants, because then I didn’t have to feel how tight all my pants were and buying bigger sizes. It was, it was awful. And I just finally like hit the bottom and I said, okay, like I have to do something. I had started coming back and buying the food, but like I knew what I needed to do. I needed to start sitting with you being accountable every week and like really taking it seriously. 

Josephine (Host)

The last question what if somebody’s looking right now and they’re apprehensive about doing it or they’re scared about doing this? What is your best advice to them? 

Shari (Guest)

My best advice would be just do it. You just have to tell yourself mentally I’m ready to do this, I’m gonna do it and whatever it takes, and you just stick to it. You got to stick to your plan, you got to hold yourself accountable and you’ll see the results. 

You can’t be picking at this or picking at that, and, believe me, I do that sometimes. It’s not easy when I have two teenage boys and they’re eating all this fattening stuff around me and I definitely pick at this, pick at that, and that’s why I like the summer better when they weren’t around, and there was not a bad thing in my house, so it was a lot easier to stay on track but definitely hard with temptations around. But I always try to plan the best I can.

You know, if I have to go to a restaurant, I’m looking at the menu. I’m asking what can I eat? Like this is going to be hard, but you do everything to just try to stick to the plan and see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Josephine (Host)

Yes, see the results, and yes, see the cheat day at the end of the week. 

Shari (Guest)

By the time that meal comes, it’s like if I eat one thing on cheat day I’m so full. 

Josephine (Host)

Yes, exactly, which is the whole point. Like, mentally you want it but you can’t even physically do it, because your stomach shrunk and you get so full so fast, which is good. 

You are amazing. I am so appreciative of you being on. I know this is not really your thing, but you did it and you’re inspiring so many people. You look gorgeous Every time. I see you every Saturday, which I’ll see you tomorrow morning I am amazed by the progress and everything you’ve done and all the work you put in to get to where you are, so I’m really proud of you. 

 Shari (Guest)

Thank you so much. You’re the best, I couldn’t do it without you my therapy sessions every Saturday morning and getting me through when I just don’t feel good or got to get over something or stressed out so you’ve helped me get there. Without you I couldn’t do it.  

Josephine (Host)

Thank you so much I really appreciate that. I really do. I love you. You’re so great. Thank you, 

Shari Rauch 25lbs lighter, You’re an inspiration to so many people you don’t even know. One pound a week and you kept at it and seven months later you’re 25 pounds lighter. You look amazing. So proud of you. Thank you so much for being on our podcast and thank you all for listening today to our Love to Live Healthy podcast. I’m wishing everyone a happy, healthy week. Hugs and love from me to all of you. 

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Josephine (Host)

Hi everyone, welcome to the Love to Live Healthy show. I’m Josephine Fitzpatrick. Today we have two very special guests, Tracey and Jennifer from Westchester. So excited I’ve not even met them visually in person, only through online, and I’m really excited to meet them visually myself. So let’s see if we can see who’s waiting to come in first. I think Tracy’s waiting. Let’s see. 

Tracey (Guest)

Hi, hi, how are you? Oh, there I am.

Josephine (Host)

Good, how are you? This is so great.

Tracey (Guest)

Sorry, I was actually getting my hair colored and it just ran later than I expected. 

Josephine (Host)

Well it looks beautiful. 

Tracey (Guest)

Thanks. Thank you, well, it’s nice to meet you.

Josephine (Host)

Me too!. I love it so great. It’s so funny because for so long I deal with people I feel like I know them and then when I see them I’m like, oh this is amazing

Tracey (Guest)

Well, we definitely feel like we know you because I’ve listened to your podcast and I follow you on Instagram, and love to Live healthy. . But it’s more of a surprise for you because you don’t hear our voices. 

Josephine (Host)

Yes, exactly, exactly. It’s so funny, even when you were doing the program, like when you send your weight, I’m like I always know everyone’s feet. Lol But I never see their face. 

Tracey (Guest)

(Laughing) That’s funny, 

Josephine (Host)

Okay So we are waiting for Jen, so I’m gonna bring her in. 

Jennifer (Guest)

Hello, yes hi, how are? 

Josephine (Host)

Hi. How are you. I love this so much. So, you’re both from New Jersey, right? 

Tracey (Guest)

No, Westchester. 

Josephine (Host)

Westchester. Okay, why did I say New Jersey, I think Jeff told me that. 

Jennifer (Guest)

Then he’s sending all our food to the wrong place. 

Josephine (Host)

Hahaha. No that was totally my mistake. (all laughing) I blame Jeff for everything. 

Tracey (Guest)

(laughing), So funny. that’s a good thing to blame the man for everything (all laughing).

Josephine (Host)

Okay, tell me everything you want to say. It’s just free talk. 

Jennifer before you came in I was telling Tracy I feel like I know you guys forever, 

Jennifer (Guest)

Because we nag you (laughing) 

Josephine (Host)

No not at all. I love hearing from you both. It’s why I feel like I know you both so well. I always feel like I know clients forever then they will say to me, NO, it’s only been in like a 6 months or a year. And I can never believe that. I am like that can’t be I feel like we know each other forever. 

Tracey (Guest)

Josephine how long have you been doing this

Josephine (Host)

I have been doing this for over 15 years

Tracey (Guest)

What about the food and store

Josephine (Host)

Over 12 years. Yea, it’s been a long time. 

Tracey (Guest)

Yes it has been a long time. Wow.

Tracey (Guest)

Sorry, Jen, you were going to say something. 

Jennifer (Guest)

I was saying Tracy’s the reason why, how we got to you and because she’s more social media savvy than I am. And I said to her I can’t lose weight post covid. I did a post COVID diet and I got my weight down but only because I was exercising a ton but then it came right back. But you know, like north of 50, it doesn’t come off the same. So, tracy’s like literally like my sister from another mother, I was like I just can’t get a hold of my weight. I don’t generally have a weight issue but you know, with you know menopause and all that. 

Josephine (Host)

Right. I get it

Jennifer (Guest)

And I just felt like, should I just get accustomed to being a bigger person? And that didn’t feel right to me. So, you know, I kind of reached out to Tracy and Tracy said well, I’ve been following, Josephine Fitzpatrick and I think this is something we should try, And so that’s when we connected with you. Instagram really was really instrumental. 

Josephine (Host)

Love to hear that. Makes me so happy. That’s awesome. 

Tracey (Guest)

And I would say that you know, for me I was. I think I told you in the beginning that I used to teach a class called SLT, which was also on Long Island right, but I taught it in Westchester for eight years and then last year I had a really bad back issue and I couldn’t work out and I was really nervous. I mean, I had gained a little bit of weight over covid and like Jen I felt like oh, maybe you know this is my new norm now that I’m not teaching anymore, my activity level went down and so I just, you know I’m not going to be in the shape that I was in with my back. I couldn’t do anything with my back and I was scared because, to be honest, I always worked out. I know you can’t out train your diet but I always kind of was able to be okay.

Josephine (Host)

You maintained your diet because you at the time you weren’t overweight or anything and you didn’t have any issues. So you worked out and maintained your weight even if it wasn’t the weight you were 100% happy with. Then when you hurt your back I remember us talking about how you wanted to lose your coivd weight but also you were scared you couldn’t do it without working out because of your back. 

Tracey (Guest)

I was scared and really your diet, was the way for me. It’s very simple and easy to follow, first off and second it really retrained my feeling towards food really for the first time. And both Jen and I have tried things together we work out together. We’re the best of friends and have very similar mentalities. When we gain weight, we don’t let ourselves get past a point, but for us both, after covid we felt like we were heavier than we wanted to be. A little bit goes a long way, you know, and you and your diet just really connected with us. 

I think for both of us, but for me especially, that it’s really about your diet and learning you know to have to eat in the calorie deficit. Weight loss, for everyone I mean, it is a roller coaster. I think it continues to be a roller coaster for us, right? 

Josephine (Host)

Yes absolutely it’s a roller coater for everyone that is all part of real life.

Jennifer (Guest)

For me, I mean, I almost wouldn’t call your plan a diet per se. I think we’ve all been on like diets (air quotes).  I think it’s a way to have a better relationship with food, Because, you know I tried everything. I even did intermittent fasting before you and then, as soon as the fast was over, I ate everything in sight and I always couldn’t understand why I was not losing weight. (Laughing).  

And so, you know, with your fast, it helps me to structure my food intake and, you know, even with the regular innovation I felt like the food and choices never got out of control for me. 

In the past like I would just pick, pick, pick, pick, pick, and it was just like a blob of eating day and this structures with the innovation or the fast is like, okay, this is my snack, this is my morning meal, you know, this is my breakfast, or this is my lunch and this is my dinner, and I get another snack and It’s just a better relationship with food regarding portions and structure and I know what I am always doing. 

Josephine (Host)

I love that. That’s great. And I do agree because I do think the control that you get from innovation, the 5 hour fast or the detox is what helps you the most because its not so many choices you know what you are doing and that’s it. Because sometimes it’s not just the amount of food, but it’s also all the choices, because when you know like, okay, this is it, this is what I am having – it does give you that sense of control. 

And that is really why I think you said it perfect Jen, the relationship with your food is so much more because you’re actually enjoying what you’re eating instead of thinking like what am I gonna have next? Sometimes all we think about is what is next instead of enjoying what we have in front of us. So when you know this is it. Well this is it.  

Tracey (Guest)

I love that and OMG your muffins. 

Jennifer (Guest)

I mean your muffins. 

Tracey (Guest)

I mean, those muffins are so super filling. I just actually, even before this call, today I’m doing the cleanse (detox) and I had my juice earlier. And it’s interesting, Jen and I we talk all the time. Part of this journey is that we have each other, which has been very helpful, And so we talked about this. But she, you know, drinks her juice quickly. But I actually, you know, like I started my juice today at 11 30 and I didn’t finish it until 145. I drink it slowly and I drink water in between, but then right before getting on this call, I hadn’t eaten. You know, 3:45 pm. I was hungry, and I ran and I had my muffin and now I’m so full. There’s something about those muffins that are so filling they are so amazing.  I don’t know that I’ll ever live without them. 

Josephine (Host)

That makes me so happy that you enjoy. I know you listen when I say – if you’re eating less, you better love what you’re eating. You know really love it and look forward to it and it has to fill you. You know it has to fill you to a certain extent. And that makes me so happy when clients tell me how filling they are. 

Tracey (Guest)

You know I have a sweet tooth which I’ve never, ever, really get over, no matter how many times I’ve tried, I’m always gonna have a sweet tooth. It’s just ingrained in me. And you, I don’t know how you make your products, but you know you make them great and they really work.  

And I would say the other thing that I think is really impactful, at least for me, is that you know you’re kind of in my brain. I don’t always follow it, but you’re in my brain, in when you one of your podcasts a long time ago talked about, if you cheat and even when we were working together, you would text us and say those little cheat bites are going to make a difference and you’re not going to get to where you want to be. And it’s a hundred percent true, because when I follow your program, the program to a T, it is, it works 100% . And when I have a little bite of this and a little bite of that, I think it’s nothing. The scale doesn’t move. It’s amazing. 

Josephine (Host)

I love that is so great. You don’t understand, like right now, everyone that’s going to be listening to this it makes such a big difference when they hear it come from you more than me, because they always hear it come from me but when they actually hear that you say it and have experienced it. That makes all the difference. 

Tracey (Guest)

It’s amazing. We don’t realize how just the little bites makes a difference, but it really does impact you and if you just stick and be more mindful about eating these things, it works and it is filling and satisfying. j I have tried other diets and you know, once I try it I can’t go back to it. And this is the only program me and Jen can go back too. Like when we fall off we can’t come back but we are excited to come back to Innovation. 

Jennifer (Guest)

Yes. It was nice to go into the holidays, you know, feeling like you always say I can enjoy, and then, knowing that, okay, I’m going to enjoy and then go back, and it’s funny my husband said to me you really earned those extra pounds this holiday season. Because I really enjoyed myself. But I knew that when I returned I was going to go right back to my innovation and, you know, work on it and get myself right back and get the number right back down. it didn’t feel hard and I didn’t feel deprived. I was never out of control or like I was on this merry-go-round of up and down.

This really is so easy to do. And, like Tracy said that you know the muffins are amazing. I’m on the cleanse but I didn’t get to my muffin until like 245 today, just by virtue of my schedule, right, but I mindfully ate my muffin. I’m, you know, satiated. I’m drinking my water and then, you know, have my juice, probably in an hour, and my dinner, and you know that’ll be it. 

Josephine (Host)

Right, I love that. That’s great. I love that you said mindfully ate my muffin. 

Jennifer (Guest)

I savored it. it was delicious. (Laughing)

Josephine (Host)

That is so important. I love that. 

Tracey (Guest)

Josephine I think you talked about once that you eat the crumbs off your muffin.

Josephine (Host)

I do I actually just had mine before the call

Tracey (Guest)

I actually cut my muffin into five thin slices and I eat a slice at a time and sometimes I don’t eat it all at the same time. I’ll eat like maybe two or three slices and then wait a bit. So it’s really been helpful listening again to listen your podcast and hearing how you enjoy the muffins, and like how you eat these innovation foods. I’ve learned so much from you really. 

And one of the other things that I was going to just say is that during the holiday time, both Jen and I, you know, we go out a lot. We go out to dinners a lot, and you know I like my cocktails. 

Josephine (Host)

Yeah, that’s great you have to live that’s a big part of it. 

Tracey (Guest)

And you know, but we were very nervous that you know we were starting to gain a weight that was going to be really hard to come back from, and so we collectively said let’s start doing what we did with Josephine and let’s text each other in the morning and at night the way we did with you. Right, Try to keep ourselves just on track. And it helped. 

Josephine (Host)

I absolutely love that. It’s great. It’s really great because you’re motivating each other, which honestly there is nothing better than that and nothing makes me happier. 

Tracey (Guest)

So I think that for me, especially when it comes to trying to lose weight, which I think is probably one of the hardest things to do, I think actually having someone else to be able to talk to and not be alone in it is really, really helpful. Because, you know, jen and I both have the same situation. We still have kids at home that we have to make dinner for. We have husbands that we’re making dinner for and my husband is never gonna say I wanna do this with you. So, and neither are my kids, although I do have to put a sticky when I would take a muffin out of the freezer and leave it on my counter. 

Jennifer (Guest)

(Laughing) I also have to put a sticky that says do not touch, so my children don’t touch it either. Or when I’m eating them, they’ll say, ooh, can I have some of that? And I say no. Do not touch my food. I only get this much to eat (laughing) 

Josephine (Host)

Yes you only have this much you can’t share (all laughing)

Tracey (Guest)

But having each other and having a friend is helpful and helpful really in the hard times, because there are hard times. It’s not easy. You’ve said that. 

Josephine (Host)

There’s always going to be hard times. You know there are days when it’s easy and days when it’s tough. You have to take advantage of the easy days and try your best on the hard ones.

Jennifer (Guest)

Yes we are doing really well with them.

Josephine (Host)

Yeah, when you can control the days it’s amazing. So Jen what are you doiing now the cleanse (detox)

Jennifer (Guest)

Me. Yeah, I just started the cleanse (detox). I was a not sure about the cleanse because I’m not like the juicing type. And I can’t drink a green juice. But Tracy said no, they’re really good. And so I took the plunge and I had the banana strawberry, yeah, and I like gulped it down. It was so delicious and I’m going to do the apple fire after today.

Josephine (Host)

Okay, good, let me know what your favorite one is. 

Jennifer (Guest)

I will. I’m trying them all. But Tracy’s like the juice person. That wasn’t me. But I started it yesterday and I found it to be very easy and also the juice also very satiating. Did not really feel hungry. I’ve been enjoying that too, and it’s nice to switch it up, because I was doing the five hour for a while and getting a little bored with it, and then maybe this weekend I’ll do the regular innovation. 

Josephine (Host)

Right, right, good, I love it. I love how you mix them all up. Tracey, you’re doing the juice too this week, right? 

Tracey (Guest)

Yeah, well, I actually I think from one of your recent podcasts, when you talked about doing Doubling Down the five hour fast for three days and then the cleanse for two days, and so that’s what I did last week and that’s what I’m doing this week again. It’s really working great. So I did the five hour fast the first three days of the week and this is the second day of the cleanse and I guess for the weekend I will do the regular innovation. 

Josephine (Host)

Perfect. I love that. What would you say is the best advice you can give someone. That’s listening. 

Jennifer (Guest)

You know what I think, and you’ve said this many times and this occurred to me. You know I work but I, like you know, I also exercise in the morning and then I play tennis sometimes and I remember doing the five hour fast and wondering can I get through all the exercise ? You know, like you know, it was one of those days I was light on work and heavier on physical activity and, you know, during the match I’m wondering can I survive on this? And I basically whizzed through everything and didn’t feel like you say this often, I did not feel like I was in deprivation at all and I think it makes you realize you don’t need as much food as you think you do, and you say that a lot. So I would just say you know, try, you know, start with regular innovation and to mix it up, the five hour fast is a great way to show yourself that control. 

Jennifer continues: 

And you say this all the time, and I catch myself with this is one thing is I catch myself wanting to go for food and I say do I need this or do I want this? So when I realized that 99.9% of the time I just want it because there’s nothing else going on, it’s an easier way to stick to the program and walk away from it, because if you really think about stop and mindfully say, do I need this or want this, and you answer that question honestly, you can really stick to the program quite well

Josephine (Host)

I absolutely love that. Wow that is really great. What about you Tracey what would be your advice.?

Tracey (Guest)

I would say two things. The first I would say is to trust the program, to trust the process, because I think that’s the hardest part for people is to really trust, like, a new program that it’s gonna work, to really buy into it. And then the second thing I would say is to not be too hard on yourself, and I think that was the one things that was so important with working with you, is that you were there for accountability, but you were supportive and you were constantly telling me not to beat myself up if I had a bad day, but to try harder next time. And this is what I should be doing. 

Tracey Continues (Guest)

And I think that I tend to be the type of person that if I fall off, and I do think this is common you know, I would go dark and I would avoid the scale or I would go away, as opposed to regrouping and saying, okay, big deal, so I had a bad weekend. I need to move on. So fften it’s a weekend right, not just the cheat day and it’s okay. And now I’ve gotten to a point where I know, if I’ve had a big weekend, and I’m not going to get on the scale on Monday, because that’s only going to make me feel badly and I’m going to get up on Monday and go back to innovation and I’ll weigh myself on Tuesday. But I think that those two things are the most important thing, because I think a lot of people fall into that of having a bad couple of days and then feeling like I got to throw my hands up and I’m done. 

Josephine (Host)

That’s great. Both great advice. I love it. Thank you .

Jennifer (Guest)

Oh my God. Well, it’s all from you. 

Josephine (Host)

Oh, thank you so much makes me so happy to hear that. It’s so, so wonderful.

So now are you guys going away together at the end of the month. 

Tracey (Guest)

I wish Jen was coming. She has to go visit her son at college. 

Jennifer (Guest)

Yeah, it’s Traceys big birthday but it’s also my son’s mom’s weekend at college with his fraternity, and there are only so many of those in life, so I felt like that’s right. 

Josephine (Host)

Yes absolutely you have to go with him. I’m sure you’ll have many celebrations with Tracey in the future. 

Jennifer (Guest)

That’s right. God willing, we’ll be around for many, many more years

Josephine (Host)

Yes, absolutely. Well, that’s so exciting. So you’re ready to go Trace. 

Tracey (Guest)

Well with the weather here in New York. Yes!. That’s the other thing I would say. It’s very hard. Where we live, you know, being it’s cold in the winter. I tend to be a person that when it gets cold and I think a lot of people feel this, you know you feel like you need to eat more becuase it’s cold out, right. So it’s been very hard to stay really on program, you know fully, but I’ve gotten to a number that I’m really happy with. 

Now. I have two weeks and I’m just really like trying to stay really good for the next two weeks and not cheat, and I’ve actually did one thing that was a choice to just not drink this month, and I think that is very helpful, because that’s the other piece of this is that I think when I do have a drink even though I love that the program allows me to have a drink I often will have two, and then that leads to not having as much discipline. 

Jennifer (Guest)

We have to make it out to to you to Innovation on Long Island, we have to make it out to see you. 

Josephine (Host)

OMG I would love that. You both haven’t been in the old store or the new store right?

Jennifer (Guest)

No We haven’t. We’ve got to get out there. 

Tracey (Guest)

Oh my God, I want you to open a satellite store in Westchester, so your stuff would be here and would sell great. Your next business?

I do have a one question for you. so, like Jen, and I never really know, like, what maintenance is, and I feel like you haven’t really talked so much about maintenance. So like I know it’s like you can be a little more, but I’ve never felt that I’m at a maintenance point even though we have both made it to our numbers because we aren’t sure what maintenance is,

Josephine (Host)

Right, okay, so that’s a great, great question and it’s definitely something I should incorporate more, even when I’m doing like my little talks on instagram, I think you are right it would be helpful because a lot of people have been with me for a long time and are in maintenance, you know, but everyone does it so differently and you have to see what works for you.

I would say this is probably the majority Monday through Friday clients are 100% and Saturday and Sunday they’re not full out cheats, but they kind of like are mindfully cheats through the weekend and they go through the weekend and have what they want and enjoy. You know, that’s definitely probably the most popular as far as maintaining. If you do that, remember you may not be the same number on Monday, but you should be the same number by the following Friday. So every Friday your number should be the same if you’re going off on the weekends and then go back on 100% program Monday through Friday. 

Jennifer (Guest)

Oh okay that makes sense so every Friday it should be the same

Tracey (Guest)

Also can maintaining be for someone like me and Jenn the innovation 3 meals and 1 or 2 snacks. 

Josephine (Host)

Yes, absolutely that would be a great maintenance. Im going to do a podcast on all the ways to maintain but those are two great starts

Tracey (Guest)

Got it Okay. 

Josephine (Host)

Have you guys been, you’ve been on vacation doing the program. Or when you went on vacations while you were on program, did you go off completely? 

Jennifer (Guest)

I think I haven’t, I think I haven’t gone on vacations on program.  You know, on it, I usually, like you know, buckle like Tracy’s, like buckling down preparing for vacation. Then I go and I, you know, just, I try and be mindful and make choices but not, you know, like I’ll have a few cocktails, right, and then, knowing that you know I’ll, I’ll reel it in, you know, when I get back. So I don’t weigh myself when I get back, I wait, you know, I wait a few days and then get a baseline and see where I am and then adjust from there, 

Josephine (Host)

That’s perfect, okay. Good. What about you, Tracy, when you go away? Do you ever stay on it? 

Tracey (Guest)

I think that what I do is try to wait to eat my first meal, if I can on vacation and I’m not where you know, my family is having breakfast every morning I will be mindful to make my first meal at lunchtime, you know. So not quite the five hour but a version of it. 

Josephine (Host)

Right. A version of it. That’s good.

Tracey (Guest)

So that I know that I’ll have less control of what my choices are, but I’ll have less meals. So in my mind, that’s still eating in somewhat of a deficit, definitely, without a doubt. I learned so much from your program and Instagram stories, 

And now with the meals and snacks the info you sent me with whats a meal 1,2 or 3 and a snack. I felt like I was always asking Jeff, you know what is this? Is this a meal, is this a snack? Before, and now it’s very well and clear. So thank you for sending that

Josephine (Host)

Oh good, I’m glad. Of course makes me happy that it helps.

Tracey (Guest)

Yes, I have everything printed out, all in different places around my kitchen. And I’m like oh, I’m not doing five hour. Where’s the cleanse (detox) ? 

Jennifer (Guest)

or where’s my regular innovation? (All laughing)

Tracey (Guest)

I need to make a notebook with it now it’s just all in one place. I love it all because of you. Because I love that you really talk about being able to switch it up and going back and forth. That’s what I think, honestly, is the greatest thing. It isn’t just one plan. It’s really like three different options and you can go to either one of those options and have success or keep switching them up as much as you want.

Josephine (Host)

Right, right, which I’m glad. I’m glad that you feel that way, because it’s easy to get bored. And you can’t be bored with weight loss. That’s why, even with the innovation food, I’m constantly changing the food, because you know, when you’re trying to do the right thing, you need the change, you need to feel like you have other new options and it’s something different, you need something new to look forward to, or just something different to look forward to. I realized it’s really important for my clients and customers. I guess if you really think about it that it’s actually the whole name behind innovation. That’s what Innovation means. It means new and change. 

Jennifer (Guest)

Absolutely. Yeah, well, you’re doing that. Thank you, my other piece of advice would be use Josephine. 

Josephine (Host)

Oh, thank you, Thank you. 

Jennifer (Guest)

Consult her, ask her questions, and you’re always so kind and you know, like Tracy said, so you know, when we’re not forgiving with ourselves, you are forgiving with us, Like that means everythinggggg….

Josephine (Host)

Zoom what are you doing to me? Okay, for some reason Zoom cuts us off just while she was saying all these amazing things about me 🙁 How horrible zoom!. 

But I really, really appreciate it. I really appreciate you both. I appreciate you both for being on. Thank you so much. I probably had the time set wrong and it gave us a half hour instead of an hour, but I really do appreciate you both being on. I appreciate all kinds of words. You both look gorgeous, amazing, you’re doing so wonderful and I’m so happy that you feel so good in your body and that you are loving and living the innovation program. Nothing makes me happier all the way from Westchester. So thanks again and I will be talking to you both soon. And happy birthday, Tracey. 

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Hello everyone, welcome to the Love to Live Healthy show with author and weight loss specialist, josephine Fitzpatrick. Our focus is weight loss and losing it with healthy and clean living. Join us every week to hear answers to questions from our clients all over the world, who text and email thousands of weight loss questions daily. Listen and learn how Josephine answers questions to help you lose weight, eat healthy and feel great. 

JOSEPHINE

Well, it’s great to see you Susan, you too. So we’re on the Love to Live Healthy show, and I have a very special guest, Susan Parker, who is one of our biggest success stories. Hi, Susan, So tell us. Tell what’s your total weight loss? 

SUSAN

I think around 53 pounds, 54 pounds 

JOSEPHINE

WOW, that is amazing. So proud of you

SUSAN

Thank you. 

JOSEPHINE

You are so tiny now! So what I love about your story is so many things. But the first one I still remember is when you first started. And actually we didn’t meet in person at the time because you started online. And you told me that your husband didn’t want you to do the program. Tell us about that. 

SUSAN

Well, I was a lifetime member of Weight Watchers at 12 years old, so I have been unsuccessfully dieting forever. I’m now a senior, so it’s been lifelong. And my husband and I have been together since we were in college and he saw me. You know all my ups and downs as I tried new things and you know you try something and you’re all excited and then it works for a while and you’re all excited and then eventually, no matter what program I was on, the weight would start coming back and I would get so upset and so depressed and he didn’t want to see me go through that kinds of anxiety. We have been married a long time we have 3 kids so he has been through it all with me.

JOSEPHINE

54 LBS LATER! He is happy you did it. 

You started with the regular innovation program. Then towards the end, where you thought like you would never go past a number – I think at the time it was like 125 or something, but it was a time you would never thought you’d go past it 

SUSAN 

It was 130. I lost all he weight and we couldn’t get past 130 

JOSEPHINE

And then you started with the detox AND the five hour and that really got you to a weight you have never been at in your life, right?. 

SUSAN

Right, I’m the lowest weight in my adult life. 

JOSEPHINE

Wow, that’s amazing. You really did really good. And you always lived the program. Because when we got you to the 130 you were there for a long time and you were happy but we both thought with your height and weight and body frame you could even go lower. And we were right. 

SUSAN

Yeah, yeah, long time. I thought 130 was my goal, weight, I mean. I never really had in my mind a number that was a goal weight because I never knew what my body was capable of being. Right. So I was at 130 and I felt, you know, good, yeah. And then, um, although I wanted to be lower, I was happy. . But now, if went back to 130 I would be very upset. (Laughing) 

JOSEPHINE

It’s funny how that happens. But the truth is and I see it all the time. You don’t realize how much you had to lose until you lose it and you see your body now and how healthy you are. Like right now 54lbs later you are at a very healthy weight and like we said, you looked great at 130. So if you would have stayed there you would have been happy but you kept working hard and where you are now is where your body should be. We can see that from your health and how you look. 

And that was another what? 15 lbs from the 130? 

SUSAN

Yes,15 pounds, no I actually lost 17 lbs more from the 130. 

JOSEPHINE

That’s incredible. One thing I really love about that is you really have learned to enjoy your life like this. 

SUSAN

You know I have never been healthier. I rarely, if ever get sick, knock on wood, and my doctor is a real fan of my diet and all you do, and everything I accomplished. attended, and you know it’s just a 

JOSEPHINE

I think it had a lot to do with always planning. Which is really important, which I think you were always so good at, you know, really, even from going out to dinner to staying on your five hour, and even planning your cheat day. 

SUSAN

 yeah, I always did

I mean now that I am maintaining I have more flexibility.  My cheat day has always been like my most sacred day. My kids will even say to me, like, if we’re going out to dinner, is this your cheat day? (Laughing) 

JOSEPHINE

I think, when anyone has such a challenge of losing and sticking to a program, I really believe the cheat day is something that helps you. You know it’s that. It’s the light at the end of the week. It really helps keep you on program. 

 But you did it and you always consistently lost.

SUSAN

and I’m a very slow loser. Probably because I dieted my whole life and then with menopause. 

JOSEPHINE 

Everyone does do it at different rates. You know I have so many people who lose fast and so many who lose slow.

I have one client right now who she’s going to do a podcast in a couple of weeks with me and she literally lost a pound a week. She’s lost 25 pounds. She reached her goal, she looks amazing, but it was a pound a week and there were weeks where it was nothing, and you know those are the weeks where you got to go on. The most important thing is that you just have to just keep moving forward. 

Which brings me to my next question, what would your advice be for someone who’s trying to lose weight and gets frustrated? 

SUSAN

Well, Planning.  It’s almost nine years later. I started in 2015 and I still know every single morning what I’m going to be eating that day. Still, to this day. Um, I still look up restaurant menus before I go out. I’m not as nervous that there won’t be something I can eat, you know, because I’m on maintenance, so I have a little bit more flexibility, but I still always know what my meals are going to be and what I’m bringing with me, if anything. 

Where ever I go I always know I’m going to be eating, and so that sense of you know control makes It feel possible. If you plan you will never be without even if you have to bring something on your own.

JOSEPHINE

Planning is key. It’s one less thing you have to think about and worry about, because you know what you’re going to be doing and eating. And I do agree having the control over your day is the most important thing you can do for yourself. 

SUSAN

Absolutely it is. You know I used to, as you remember, always be afraid I was going to run out of food, so I never left the house without, like you know, an on program snack. And you know, now, now I don’t have that worry anymore, so I know that I can always find something. But you know, even when I flew down on my last trip to Florida, I left my snack at home by accident. And It’s a three hour flight, I thought I can wait until I get there. 

But I bought a bag of skinny pop, and I bought one of those think bars just to have it even though I knew I wasn’t going to eat it. And I’m laughing at myself because you pay more money for those at the airport and I knew I wasn’t going to eat it on the plane. 

JOSEPHINE 

But you just mentally needed to have it on you just in case.

SUSAN

Yes, I mentally needed it. Even though I wasn’t eating it

JOSEPHINE 

That is preparing even when you aren’t prepared. Just in case you wanted something, you wanted to stay on program so you made sure you would have something and not be tempted with anything on the plane. I think that’s the discipline that you have learned through this whole thing. 

JOSEPHINE

Well, I have to say you are a sexy looking grandma. 

SUSAN

Oh, (laughing) thank you. I owe it all to you. You know, and that’s an advice I would give to people on the program too, they need to reach out to you. That was key for me. I mean, I miss not reaching out to you all the time now. 

I found that when I texted you my food every day. Then it I was done, you know, we planned what I was eating, and once I ate it and I said what I was going to eat and I accounted for it, and it’s just, it frees up so much of your energy and so much of your brain. When that’s just one less thing that you need, it’s done, I texted it off. It felt so good. 

JOSEPHINE 

Yes, you text it and you are done. And you knew that was it. You were not eating after that.  

I love that and honestly you ate majority of all innovation food for a long time. I remember reading what you wrote each night (laughing). Now you’re in Florida and we don’t see you as much in the store, we miss you.

SUSAN

But I have a whole freezer full of Innovation food in my Florida house. I bring it all on my carry on bag which goes through TSA. The whole bag it’s all just innovation food. 

JOSEPHINE

I love that. I really believe it helps clients stay on program. It really does, and that’s just another part of the control. It really helps when you know that you can eat food you love and still lose weight, which I always. I preach that because I think that’s so important. I’d rather eat less and love what I’m eating than eat more and be, you know, bored or disappointed in what I’m having. You need to look forward to your food. 

SUSAN

I do believe that’s such a big part of how I lost this and kept it off for so long.

JOSEPHINE

You lost majority of it in the first year. and then it took us a while because we really needed to figure out how to get those last 17 lbs off. I actually just said this in my last podcast it’s why I created the five hour and the detox because, you get to a point where you’re like kind of stuck, you were happy at 130, but we knew you could go more. 

You wanted more and we need to attack those resistant last 17lbs. 

SUSAN

And we did. I always did whatever you gave me. Even before the detox and the five hour, we had all those various restrictive menus. Like you were so great at always changing up the menus and there were some weeks when I would look at this menu. I’m like is she kidding? I thought she must be going to sleep at night and thinking of ways to torture her clients. (Laughing)

JOSEPHIINE

That’s so funny but so true. I always say when my ears are ringing it’s my clients. (Laughing)

SUSAN

But the truth is those kind of menus are for only a brief time that I had to stay on them. So I would look at it and you’re like you know what it’s four days. I could do this for four days and it really always helped, it always helped move the weight loss along. You were always so good at that. Changing up the menus every time I needed it to keep everything moving and keep it all interesting. It really helped. 

JOSEPHINE

It does help mentally and physically, because it also shrinks your appetite, and your stomach. 

SUSAN

You know it really did. It was all those little extra things, not even just the amount that changed but it also helped so much mentally helped me eat less.

JOSEPHINE 

Yes, I agree. I just had a client in here and she really did a number to herself over the holidays and now i of course we’re focusing on the weight loss, but for me I’m focusing on her just to get her to shrink her appetite again, because you know, how it goes.. you have to shrink your appetite first and the weight loss will follow, you know. 

SUSAN

Yeah, I do notice that with the five hour fasts and I don’t know if other clients feel this, I’m sure they have. But I could go without eating for a long time. I drink tons of water, but now I can go for a long time without food when I want too, but once I start eating I feel like I’m very hungry. 

JOSEPHINE

Right, yes, yes, and actually that happens no matter what time you start eating. If you are doing the 5 hour or not. I have clients tell me that are not even on the five hour, but they say I won’t even start eating until lunch, beccause if I eat breakfast I’m hungry all day. The hunger signals get activated and it’s hard to turn them off. 

SUSAN

Yeah, it’s like your brain is immediately looking for more once you start eatiing.

JOSEPHINE

But if you don’t feed it, you’re okay. A lot of it is the mental part of weight loss. I always say it’s 90% mental because once we do that and we we feel like we can’t stop eating, it’s because we’ve activated that in our brain and we’re like, okay, now I’m eating, you know what’s next, what’s next. So I think that’s what a big part of the five hour is to get that sense of control, or the detox, like you’re controlling yourself again, and you are controlling your appetitie. You are realizing I don’t need that much food, 

SUSAN

Exaclty, you realize I don’t need as much as I’m eating. 

JOSEPHINE

Yes, you realize you are eating just to eat and not because you are actually hugnry.

SUSAN

right, right, so you’re surprised you know, and I also now I try whenever possible the day before my cheat day to do a detox day with the fasting. It makes me feel better for cheat day. And you know I love to see my happy number. 

JOSEPHINE 

I know, I know you do and that’s good. There is nothing wrong with that

SUSAN

So you figure out ways that that help you mentally to get through, and it’s mentally, because you know, honestly, if you get on the scale and it’s up a pound, at the end of the day you still look the same

JOSEPHINE

Exactly, I say it all the time. It a pound up but nobody knows but you, 

SUSAN

Yes, nobody knows but you. 

JOSEPHINE

Well, I thank you. Thank you, thank you for doing this. It’s so inspiring to people when they see what someone’s capable of. You know and you did it. You did amazing and you feel amazing. You look amazing

SUSAN

Oh, thank you. Yeah, no, I feel fantastic and I get a lot of compliments and when I show people my before picture they’re like whoa, that was you. Yeah. 

JOSEPHINE

That’s awesome. I love that. We’re going to try to get that up on do your before and after when we post this video, which I think will be so fun. Again, thank you so much

SUSAN

Oh, you’re very welcome . It was such a so nice to see you. 

Thank you everyone for joining the Love to Live Healthy Show. We will see you all next week. 

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

OH CHRISTMAS TREE OH CHRISTMAS

I hope your branches are not made of CHOCOLATE! 

Yes December is here and it’s the most challenging time of the year. But is it really? Personally I don’t think it is. First of all it goes way to fast and second it doesn’t even compare to summer that is 2 months long and full of all social activities. December is quick and cheerful and bright but of course it’s also filled with lots of goodies, baking, parties and alcohol all squeezed into 31 days. And if you are mindful you will be fine and if you are amazing you will do great but if you are mindless you will be really upset come January 1.  

One thing we know for sure – the results are always up to you. 

Yes it’s hard but think about how many times you say that throughout the year. It’s always going to be hard. There is no easy time to lose weight but how you handle the situation in the month will determine if it’s going to be hard or easy. Do not put yourself into the mindset that it’s going to be too hard because of the holidays. If you tell yourself that then you are already telling yourself that you don’t believe you can do it. And I can tell you right now if you don’t believe you can do it – you absolutely won’t do it. 

I Believe – I Believe – I Believe

The first thing you need to do is want it and believe 100% you can do it.

Let’s be honest. I have clients who will do amazing through December and it’s not that they are not enjoying – trust me they are. But they also know the importance of keeping it to one cheat meal. When they stay on 6 days a week and enjoy the one cheat meal a week they not only enjoy their food but they enjoy how they look and feel. They know the importance that if they want to lose weight and feel great they have to stay on 6 days a week consistently. It doesn’t mean they can’t go to holiday parties mid week it just means they have a plan for when they do go to holiday parties mid week. When you have a plan and stick to it you will see the results you want.

When you have a plan for the good days and 

a plan for the most challenging days

that is when you will see the best results. 

Whatever holiday traditions you are celebrating we know that every piece of chocolate and every holiday cookie and every holiday drink looks better when it’s wrapped in holiday cheer! So it’s important to always have a plan and to really do your best to follow through on it. Its important to make the choices that are going to make you feel the best today, tomorrow, next week and next year.

You can absolutely lose weight in December if you want too,

 You can maintain in December if you want to 

You can gain in December even if you DON’T want to. 

When it comes to temptation one thing that I think really helps is to not think about what you feel in the moment, instead think about how you are going to feel later that night or the next morning. Ask yourself this question – Is it something that is going to make you happy or is it something that is just there and you are grabbing and eating it because of the moment or the holiday environment. If you are honest you will know the answer before you ask it. 

I know I am constantly reminding you that the better you feel the better you will do. I am a true believer in if you are doing the right thing and feel good you are more likely to choose the right options to keep you feeling that way. When you are around a holiday dinner or party and feel amazing — you will want to do everything you can to stay that way. 

When you feel good you look and you do good

Final Thoughts: Have your plan and follow through with it and I promise you will enjoy December, enjoy how you look and feel, be so happy with your results and enjoy keeping the control that makes you feel so good.  

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick