Of all the weight loss methods I tried, success came when I found the safe, simple program that fit my busy life. That’s why I say that all you need to be successful is “water and commitment”.

Remember to keep a packet in your car, brief case or office desk. I stash Cappuccino in my car and briefcase plus a bar in my purse. Now that’s going out into a fat world armed with the right kind of “fast food”. I put that system to the test again last week. I was out every day for meetings and coaching. Even after reaching my goal weight, I don’t want to depend on finding good quality food amid all the junk that is rampant in restaurants as well as drive ins.

So here’s a hint: choose a hot or cold drink or creamy soup and put a packet in your car and desk drawer. That’s your back up plan for times when you are running behind schedule or don’t have time to stop for lunch.

Another idea:  As a real estate agent, this successful weight loser’s schedule is client-driven. She’s in the car and not always able to be near a microwave for meal times.  So she brings a large thermos of hot water and several meal replacement packets. That way she can decide on the spot whether to mix a hot cocoa, chai latte or broccoli soup. If she wants something cold, she stops into a convenience store and get a bottle of chilled water.

It’s all about planning. Actually it’s the failure to plan daily food choices that leads to weight gain. Have you ever said to yourself:”Oh, I’m so busy that I’ll just skip lunch and have dinner later.” As soon as the blood sugar dips, you’ll be at the drive in line or inside the bakery before you know it. That’s food amnesia - frantic food frenzy followed by totally forgetting the calories consumed.

Mindful eating can only occur when you plan your meals. During weight loss, you are planning the 5 meal replacements plus lean and green meal. After the weight loss, you are still thinking ahead about what you will eat during the day. This isn’t a burden, it becomes part of planning your day. The food plan you make today will safeguard your health for tomorrow and beyond. Now that’s a plan you can live with no matter how busy you are. Never be too busy to protect your health.