10/13/07
Today I went to start my program at VWI. I really liked Dr. Yan. I thought he was very informative and I felt comfortable talking to him. I know if I can make it through the first two weeks it will be much easier after that. I just have to keep telling myself it is only 10 weeks!
PS - I was horrified by the print out of my weight/body fat mass etc. Wow!

10/14/07
I started the program today. I get hungry about 2 hours after having a shake but by then it is time to eat (drink) again. Some of the flavors are pretty good - berry crème and chocolate mint. The vanilla alone is not great but I tried it this afternoon with some instant coffee in it and that was good. I do miss food already but it is my mouth and not my stomach that wants it. I don’t feel very good today but I don’t know if that is the diet or if I am getting the flu.

10/17/07
Things are going well with the program. I went in on this afternoon and I had lost 6 lbs in 4 days! I was so excited and motivated to continue the program.

10/20/07
I ate a dinner tonight (steak, prawns, green beans) and it tasted so good. I have learned to enjoy food a lot more when I only eat a few meals a week instead of a few meals a day. I only had 3 shakes today so I think my day was still pretty good.

10/24/07
I had a horrible migraine last night so I decided to eat an egg sandwich for breakfast and some coffee. The sandwich was 350 calories so I will try to only have 4 shakes today and no bars. I went in for my weigh in and lost another 2 lbs.

10/31/07
I lost another pound this week. I discussed going away on vacation with the Dr. and nutritionist. They actually gave me tons of great tips on eating out. The biggest one is to prepare yourself for what’s ahead. If you know there is going to be unhealthy food try to be full before you go etc. I will try everything they tell me to do.

11/04/07
Just got home from New Orleans. Ate horribly. Now I have to undo what I did for the last 4 days.

11/07/07
Went to my weigh in. I didn’t gain any lbs this week and I am thrilled! My goal was to stay even this week with the traveling so I am really happy with that.

11/14/07
Only lost ½ lb this week and I am really discouraged about it. I was so good with my food this week and I really wanted to loose 2-3 lbs. I am working out and eating well so this is really upsetting to me.

11/18/07
I have been really good this week but I just ate a big meal from PF Changs. I am overfull which is not good. I have been good the other days this week so I will have to get right back on track tomorrow. I have a long road ahead of me and only loosing ½ lb a week won’t cut it.

11/19/07
I am half way through the 10 weeks and I lost 2 more lbs this week. Although I miss pizza and other junk food if I loose weight it is worth not eating that stuff. I feel really good. I am getting up early, working out and I have a lot of energy.

11/21/07
I am steadily loosing 1-2 lbs per week. I seem to be steady on that. I am eating a few meals a week when I have to for work but the majority of my food is provided by the program. It actually tastes very good and is quite filling. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I will try to be good. They gave me several recipes so I might try a few out.

11/27/07
I ate quite a bit of regular food during Thanksgiving week and weekend. I don’t think I have lost any weight this week. I am upset at myself. I have to stay very focused because it is easy to slip. Having to go weigh in every week and talk to the Dr. and nutritionist definitely makes you more aware.

11/30/07
I didn’t loose any weight this week so the Dr. has asked me to write down everything I eat throughout the day and bring it to him next week. I have told myself not to cheat because I really do want him to see what I am eating each day. We’ll see…

12/05/07
Having to write down everything you eat really forces you to make different choices I think. I was very careful with what I ate and I wrote down everything. I lost 2 lbs this week.

12/12/07
I lost another pound this week. I have had to really resist all the Christmas candy and cookies. Everyone said this is the hardest time of year to loose weight and they are right. There are so many temptations. With all the holiday parties I really feel like I am missing out on the food and drinks. I haven’t really had any alcohol since I started which is easy for me to give up but the holiday parties make it tougher.

12/17/07
I am in San Francisco this week helping my sister with her new babies. She is still eating for 3 so my choices haven’t been great. I really have been working on my portion control if I eat regular food out. Otherwise I am sticking to the bars and shakes from Valens and I lost a pound and a half.

12/22/07
I went for my last weigh in. I lost another few pounds. I am thrilled with the program. Although only loosing 1-2 lbs per week doesn’t seem like much day to day but when you have lost almost 20 lbs after 10 weeks you feel great. I am fitting back into all my pre-pregnancy clothes again. I still want to loose another 20-25 lbs to reach my goal weight. The Dr. thinks I can do that in 3 months. I think the time will go by very quickly so I am excited to stay on the program.

I have never lost 20 lbs in my life. I am 33 years old and I have consistently been putting on weight since my teens. I have tried every fad diet under the sun and although I might have lost 4-8 lbs at a time, it always came right back. This VWI program is a lifestyle change and it is the healthy way to loose weight. They also teach you how to eat regular foods (cooked at home or at restaurants) and how to maintain your goal weight once you are there. The Valens food is very good and easy to take on the go. I will probably continue to use their shakes and bars as snacks long after I reach my goal weight. I really believe in this program and you can tell that the Doctors, Nutritionists and the entire staff do to!