Hey there!

Had another photo shoot today! You'll see me on the stands in FIRST magazine!!! I'll keep you posted. I think it is either for May or June...one of the two for sure!

It was a lot of fun...but since it's for the spring the stylist brought all "springy" clothes like cropped pants and tank tops! Welll.....it's 20 degrees here!!!!!!!!!!! Ok...maybe not that cold, but it was cold! It was a lot of fun though.

I have to be honest with everyone. Today...I wanted to EAT! I didn't though!! I hung strong!! But it was sooooooooo hard! I have a lot of stress in my life, personally and professionally, and I used food to cope! UUmmmmmm....anyone else have the problem????? :) I kept thinking to myself..."just today. I HAVEEE to eat today! I'm SOOO hungry. I don't think I will make it!" But guess what!...I made it!!! I HAVE to pat myself on the back....and you guys should too. Regardless of how your "eating" day was, you did it. There is no "bad day" and "good day." It's a journey. You will hear me saying that over and over and over!!! Today I made the proper CHOICES!!! I don't know what tomorrow will be. I really don't. Everyday is a new emotion, a new set of problems etc. I just take one day at a time and hope that I can continue to make the right choices. IT'S SOOOO HARD! I HATE that it's so hard! I hate it! I hate it! I hate it!! Whew...I feel better...believe it or not I actually do feel better!

I'm going to take a long hot shower, shave my legs (one good thing about not having a boyfriend...does it REALLYYY matter if I have hairy legs??? OK..too much information..I got it! LOLOL!...and go to sleep early! It feels GREAT to take care of myself. I feel such a sense of accomplishment. Does anyone else feel this way today???

Keep me posted!!! Warmly, Susan :)

Recipe Madness!!

Ok...so I got chewed (punn intended!) out from my sister because I didn't put quantities for my recipe! Geez Louise!!!! I've been cooking all my life! A pinch here a pinch there...you know what I mean girls!!!

Ok...so here it is again! Add or subtract where you see fit...ok Caroline! (that's my sister! We love each other!!! :)

Crispy Pearl Onions

1 Bag of frozen Pearl Onions
1 TBS Garlic power or to taste
1 TBS Paprika or to taste
1 TBS Black pepper or to taste
1 - 2 TBS Olive Oil (if you have a mister that is good, if not just spread around mixture)
1 cup Cream of Wheat (uncooked)

Spray non stick spray on cookie sheet. Mix all ingredients together. Mist with olive oil. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until very crispy!

Mix with pasta and maybe a little low sodium tomatoe sauce...YUMMY! My favorite!

'till next time! Susan :)

Monday Madness!!!

Hi Everyone!

What a crazzzyyyy day today! There is another photo shoot set up for tomorrow and so much going on that I can't wait to share it all with you!!!!!

Anyway...back to basics! Breathhhhhh!!!! Yes! Breath! Everyone needs to just take a five minute breather in a closet, in a bathroom, in your car, in the woods...wherever! Just take 5 minutes for yourself becuase you need it and you want it and you deserve it!

Ok...I just took my 5 minute breather at my desk.

How is everyone doing on the program!??? I've gotten such amazing responses from people losing 5 pounds in three day, 7 pounds in one day!!!, 3 pounds in 2 days. It's just incredible. Just know that just the beginning. As you continue to lose you will level off and lose moderately. That's great!!! Keep it up. Add some exercise when you can.

Check out this recipe when you can. It's amazing!!!!! It's actually one of my favorites!!!! Let me know how you like it! Add it with a little pasta and your good to go!


Crispy Pearl Onions

Pearl Onions
Garlic power
Paprika
Black pepper
Olive Oil Mist
Cream of Wheat (uncooked)

Spray non stick spray on cookie sheet. Mix all ingredients together. Mist with olive oil. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until very crispy!


Keep me posted!!!! Warmly, Susan :)

Lazy Hazy Fridays!!

Hi Everyone!

I can't tell you again how inspiring all of you are! I have gotten over 100 emails sent to me and I've been up past 1:00am almost every morning emailing every single person back! Your stories are my stories. I could relate to almost ever persons story because I've been every weight from 160-468! I know what you are all going through and it's something I STILL struggle with every day!! Really! It sucks! I don't want it to be hard anymore, but it is. I have to be honest. I'm human! The difference is that I am motivated by something much more powerful than oreos (although..come on..they are pretty good!), pizza (my neminsis!) and fast food (don't EVEN get me started!!!) . I'm motivated by exercise, motivated by health and motivated by wanting the kind of life that I see so many people having that I never had when I was obese.

I'm not preaching...TRUST ME! Because it's hard every second at times. You just need to change your motivation. Let me hear from you guys as to what is motivating you to change. Why go on a new lifestyle change? What are you sick and tired of?

I want to help. I can't tell you the response I have been getting. They are truly amazing!

Go for a walk before dinner everyone!!!! Doesn't matter how long or how short, just take a second (or a 1/2 hour!!) for yourself!

Keep me posted!!! Susan :)

Hi Everyone!!

Wow...such an incredible response to the article! I hope that I was able to answer people's questions and concerns!!

Things are going great. Don't be fooled though....I still struggle every day with food. Some days are better than others. The days that are more challenging are the days that make me stronger.

I keep moving...walking, cleaning my house, doing paperwork and bascially just doing things that I know are good for me. When I feel like I'm moving forward and being productive I feel better about myself. When I feel better about myself I don't want to hurt my body. I try to have as little pity parties for myself as possible.

Below is a few of my items I put on my grateful list this morning! Try putting your own together...you'll be surprised at what you are grateful for!

Grateful List: March 14th

1. My legs and feet work. May sound funny but when I was 468.1 pounds I couldn't walk!
2. I can breath easy.
3. It's a bright sunny beautiful day and I hear birds in the background
4. My dad called me today.
5. I spoke with my sister today and her and her family are doing great!
6. I got responses from some amazing people today and responded to them on time!
7. I said my prayers this morning even though I was running late.
8. My car still runs!!! LOLO!!!

That's just a few of them that I wrote down this morning. I try to do it all during the day to keep life in perspective.

Hope everyone is have a great day!!!! Until next time.....Susan :)

Bekkie

Hi Bekkie!

Thanks for you email!!!

I would suggest going to the bookstore and getting Dr. and Kitty Rosati's new book, Rice Diet Solution. That will give you the diet in a nut shell!!

You'll be at your goal weight before you know it!!

Keep me posted!!!!! Warmly, Susan

Nannette March 10th 4:22am

Hi Nannette!

First, what are you doing up at 4:22am!!!! LOLO

Thank you so much for your sweet email and CONGRATS on your weight loss! Every diet works if you stick to it. It's keeping it off and creating a completely different lifestyle that will encourage your continued maintenance and weight loss!

You're on the right track. I'm sure you look and feel amazing!!!!! Keep me posted and let me know how you are doing. Can I help you in any way? Let me know!!!

All the best, Susan

Anonymous March 10th 10:49pm

Hi A!

You know I often asked myself why is it that I didn't want to start losing weight when I was 250 pounds? 275 pounds? 325 pounds? 350 pounds? 375 pounds? 400 pounds? 450 pounds? Why did it take to 468.1 pounds for me to say...HEY! SUSAN! WAKE UP!

What is our personal wake up call?

For me it was a trip to the doctor. For you, it is something else. But when it hits...boy WATCH OUT! That's the motivation! You can't buy motivation, it can be bartered, you can catch it. Something happens and it just happens.

The hardest thing that I had to give up was leaving my family and friends. After that, I missed quantity of food most. When you want to lose weight it's pretty simple. Calories in versus calories out. You have to be in a deficit of calories in order to lose weight. Period. I got into a very big habit of eating very large quanitites of food all the time.

However, after a few weeks/months I felt so much better that the quantities became less and less important and feeling better became more and more important.

I hope that answers your question. Let me know if I can help in any way. Warmly, Susan

Anonymous March 10th 7:26pm

Hi A!

Well...you need to tell me. Are you ready? Are you really ready in your soul to make a lifestyle change? Any and every diet works. However, it has to be a change of lifestyle. The only rel secret I have is to love yourself enough to put yourself first before anyone or anything. This will give you the strength and courage to love the people that are closest to you.

Keep in touch. Let me know how you are doing. Let me know if I can help you in any way!

Susan :)

Joely Sue Burkhart

Hi Joely!

Thanks for your email!! Here is a quick and easy pasta recipe that I LOVE!!!

Pasta with Balsamic Sweet Peppers

Red Peppers
Balsamic Vinegar
Olive Oil
Your favorite pasta

Take any amount of red pepper that you think you would like for how ever much pasta you would like. If you are cooking one pound of pasta I would get about 6 or 7 red peppers. Cut the red peppers in long strips. Place on a cooking sheet. Add about 1 tablespoon of olive oil and about 1/2-3/4 cups of balsamic vinegar. Put in the oven at 350 for about 2 hours. Once the peppers are really you can put them under the broiler for 1 - 2 minutes if you like them a little crunchy/brownish. You can add a little no salt tomatoe sauce, or not. Mix with your favorite pasta! YUMMMMYYYY!!!!!!!

Let me know how you are doing on your weight loss!!!! Warm regards, Susan

Anonymous March 9th 10:58am

Hi A!

I'm so happy for you! I really am! You are going to do great. Plan your meals. Stay out of the restaurants for a while. Turn off the TV and go for a walk. Take time for yourself. You are going to do great!!!

Keep me posted!!! Susan

Ida Stanley March 9th 9:13am

Hi Ida!!!

I loved your email!!! Thank you and thank you for being positive! We need more positive people in this world!

You can do it. You will see that this program is not only a diet, but you will want to eat this way the rest of your life. I have NEVER felt better! NEVER! I rarely feel hunger, my skin looks amazing and I just want to scream this way of life at the top of a mountain! Like the article said, "OBESITY CURE!" It really is!!!! This program has been around since 1939. They are doing SOMETHING right! It was just waiting for me to come and do it so I can get it out there to the rest of the world!!!! LOLO!! Kidding! well...maybe! :)

Anyway...seriously though...you are MY inspiration! You have taken a courageous step! Don't worry about being perfect...no one is! Just keep both hands of the steering wheel!

Keep me posted as to how you are doing!!!!! Susan

Anonymous March 9th 10:41pm

Hi A!

Try the program...you'll surprise yourself at how good you will feel!!

Do you work at a Diet Pepsi bottling company? If not, the only reason you have diet pepsi around is that you are buying it!!! If you HAVE to drink a diet soda, switch from Diet Pepsi to Diet Rite. It has zero sodium. However, please try and cut back on the diet soda. Think of how much money you will save! Think of how much better you will feel!

Keep me posted!! Good luck!!!! Susan

Anonymous March 9th 3:40pm

Hi A!

I sooo know what you are talking about! Before I decided to start the Rice Clinic I had such little hope. I didn't know where to turn or what to do. NOTHING worked for me! NOTHING! I was scared out of my mind that I could have a stoke. Will I ever have children? Will I ever get married? It just seemed like such an uphill battle...and in some way it was. But I had the courage to say that no matter what, I was more important than anything.

You will get hungry. But remember...is it hunger for food?? There are basically four reasons why a person eats:

1.Hungry
2.Angry
3.Lonely
4.Tired

If you are hungry....eat an apple, make some pasta, go and get a pototoe. If you are angry..deal with it. (that's a whole other subject!!!!) If you are lonely - call a supportive friend, join groups, or just go get a cup of coffee at a book store! If you are tired, take a nap. But be honest with yourself about your feelings. It takes practice, but you'll see it works!

BTW....sodium makes you crave! Keep that in mind! You will find that on average you will NOT be hungry on this program! Hopefully you will look at it as a life changing move in your life!

Keep me informed. If you get hungry....EMAIL ME and talk it out!!!!! I know what it feels not to have your life and to get it back. YOU CAN DO IT!!!! YOU CAN!!! Seriously!! Susan

Anonymous March 9th 1:15pm

Hi A!

Pasta, potatoe, fruits, veggies, fish...all good stuff. It's really not as extreme as you think once you begin eating like this. Our society is used to more, more, more! Americans eat too much...period! That is why we are fat and getting fatterrrrrr!!!! As you know when you stepped on that scale at 256! I remember being 256!

I'm glad you're beginning the program! Keep me informed....let me know if I can help you with anything!!! Susan

Anonymous March 9th 10:40am

Hi A!

Ahhh...exercise! Yes!!! I love it. Always did though!

So here's the deal....exercise is a funny thing. When I first got here at 468.1 pounds. I could barely walk. So I decided not to do anything until my feet didn't hurt anymore and I could breath better. That was about for the first 3 months. By then I was just about 100 pounds lighter. I started to walk. As far as I could for as long as I could. Once I got to the low 300's I got a weight trainer and a pilates trainer. Expensive I know, but well worth the money! I figured I was saving all the money that I used to spend on food!!! I continued to walk and walk and walk. Then I started walking hills or steps...anything that pushed me harder.

I did all of this while still working 2 jobs here!!!! So trust me, it can be done if you want it bad enough!!!!

Skin sagging...another GREAT question! I get asked that all the time. What you don't see is that I do need a tummy tuck and well...my boobs...let's just say they have seen better days!! LOLOL!!! I will be having some plastic surgery to correct those problems, but if you consider someone who has lost as much weight as I have...frankly...I look really good!

But here it goes... It's part genes, part hydration, part supplements, part exercise, part diet and part positive attitude. Genes are well...you're born with those! You have to drink lots and lots and lots of water! Not just liquids...sorry diet coke doesn't count!!! I take fish oil and a multi vitamin. Do your own research on Omega 3 fatty acids...you'll see the benefit that is has on your skin! Exercise...VERY IMPORTANT! Weight training especially! Diet...The Rice Diet Program promotes health. Once you begin the program you will know what I mean. Your skin feels so much better! May sound crazy...but try it...then you'll know what I mean! Positive attitude...well...what more can I say about that! I'm really not a walking exclammation point, but I look at life with the glass 1/2 full. I'd rather smile than frown. Frankly, I have my health back, what could be so bad???

Hope that helps!!! Let me know if I can answer any other great questions!!! Susan

Anonymous: March 9th 7:33am

Hi A!!!

I SOOO know where you are at! You think that nothing is going to work. How did I do this to myself. How will I lose all this weight. It doesn't matter if those feelings come at 10 pounds overweight or 300 pounds overweight! It is real for you.

So listen!! Take a deep breath. You are on the right track with the program. It isn't going to be easy all the time...trust me! But you have definately made the right decision!!!!

Please keep me posted....seriously! I'll help in any way I can. Susan

Anonymous: March 9th 8:00pm

Hi A!

Thank you for such a sweet email! I think that's a common thing that people feel when they are overweight, fat or super sized.

Gosh...SEX! A subject that is not really spoken about too much as it relates to being supersized. I have written a book with my sister, who is an amazing writer, and it is actually in the hands of a major publishing house right now. The book covers this subject. It comes in so many different aspects: 1. How you feel about yourself; 2. How the other person tells you he/she feels and what they REALLY feel or what you perceive they feel; 3. How society portrays sex.

All I can say is this: If you are in a relationship that is not healthy emotionally, physically or spiritually it is very difficult on the persons emotional well being. Take the time to be as honest as possible with your mate about how you are feeling about yourself sexually. Being vulnerable is always difficult. However, I will say this. Respect is not given, it is earned. People respect people who respect themselves. In this case we are talking about our physcial well being. Once you start a change of life in your eating habits and start to move you will see youself in a whole different light...and so with others!!!! The weight will begin to fall off before you know it!

You will start enjoying sex much better! Trust me! wink wink! :)

I hope you are doing well on the program!!! I'm cyber rooting for you!!!!! Contact me with any questions!!!!! Susan

Anonymous...March 9th @2:18pm

Hi A!

First thing...get rid of the diet coke! Switch to Diet Rite soda. They have GREAT flavors (orange is my favorite) and they have zero sodium! Of course, water would be much better! Try and cut back on the diet soda and soon you will start feeling better and I'm sure you will not want it. Sodium will make you crave! Remember the potatoe chip commercial...try just eating one? Well, try and eat a few no salt potatoe chips. It's truly possible. They taste good, but it's somewhat of an effort to eat the entire bag.

The average American eats 3000-6000 mgs of sodium per day. We eat 50-200 mgs. PLEASE DO NOT EAT THAT LOW OF SODIUM INTAKE ON YOUR OWN! This is a medically supervised program! Read Dr. and Kitty Rosati's new book and follow what they say about sodium. When I go home I will be eating up to 1000mgs.

I know a thing or two about about giving up! It's about your health. Do it for you! IT'S HARD! Know that...but make it the MOST important thing in your life. Period. Just try it for one day. JUST ONE DAY! Then see how you feel. Then commit to trying it for ONE MORE DAY! Don't think about the next day, next week, or next month. Before you know it the week will be over and I'm SURE that you weight loss will be impressive!

Keep me posted as to how you are doing. I'm truly here for you!!! Susan

Hi Everyone!

Thank you for all of your incredible stories and messages of encouragement! I'm going to answer everyone individually so take a look at the posts below!!!

Keep smiling! Susan!!

Lunch Time!

Had a great lunch today...Pasta..as usual! with JR's famous Mushroom Stuffing. I have to put a list together of all of the great recipes that I loved eating here. Like, Crispy Pearl Onions, Bok Choy, Salmon with Honey Mustard Dill Sauce, Potatoes with Rosemary Gravy...all totally YUM!

I'm getting nervous about leaving. Only 4 more weeks and then I'll be back to New York. I'm going to keep up my courage! One day at a time. I will put positive people in my life..only! Gosh....just psyching yourself up takes so much energy! LOLOL!!! :)

Bye for now...playing a little hookie from work...going for a 4 mile hike in the woods!

More soon!

Woman's World!!!

So I just got an email from a friend saying that she saw my Woman's World cover at the supermarket!! Oh My Gosh!! It's Out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!