I received this hysterical email from Karen who ordered Am I Hungry? as an e-book that comes with a complimentary Journal.

“I made the mistake of printing out a couple of pages of the Am I Hungry? Journal at work. My boss happened to pick it up off the printer. Here’s what happened.

My Boss: Did you print this? (She handed me the blank food journal that said, “Am I Hungry?” at the top).
Me: Yes, it’s something my weight loss coach recommended to me.
My Boss: You’re eating a donut.

So I finished eating the donut and sat there thinking about all the things that I wish I’d said. I sent an email to my friends asking them to pick their favorite reply:

• Oh no. I thought it was a carrot! Quick! Get a stomach pump!
• Here. Here’s my food journal. Would you just keep track of it for me from now on?
• Yes, that’s my new food plan. One donut in the morning and nothing else all day!
• Didn’t you eat one?
• I’m sorry. I thought the donuts were brought in for everyone. Someone should have told me I wasn’t allowed to have one.
• Yes, it’s the new Police Officer Diet.

Might as well laugh but it didn’t feel funny at the time.”

Karen’s boss’ mistaken assumptions about what it takes to reach a healthier weight highlight many of the reasons diets don’t work: 

1. If you’re on a diet, you’re not allowed to eat anything that tastes good
2. Everyone else can have a donut but you can’t
3. If you’re overweight, everyone has the right to comment on what you eat
4. If you eat one donut, you’ve blown it for the day
5. The 200 calories in an occasional glazed donut causes more weight gain than the 200 calories in a bowl of cereal with skim milk and blueberries
6. Only thin people can eat donuts in public

Ridiculous! Long term weight management doesn’t require deprivation or perfect eating. That approach only causes shame, guilt, hunger, and rebound overeating. Instead, take charge of your decisions, including enjoying a donut when you really want one. Karen, you are the boss of your body.

For more about weight management without deprivation and guilt, visit http://www.AmIHungry.com.

We’ve all decided at one time or another that we needed to start an exercise program. Initially we feel enthusiastic – we join a gym, drag out a stationary bike or buy new walking shoes. But how often do you abandon your program because it gets boring, time-consuming or just doesn’t feel right?

Sometimes the real problem is that we simply haven’t chosen the right activity for our personality so it feels awkward and uncomfortable. Frankly, if it’s not fun and rewarding, we won’t keep it up.

Identify your unique exercise personality traits with the quiz at the bottom of the following newsletter: http://amihungry.com/pdf/newsletter-02-08.pdf. This information will help you decide what types of physical activity you’re most likely to enjoy and stick with!

I just interviewed an amazing woman, Margie, who has lost 115 pound in the last year! She allowed me to record our conversation so if you’re looking for some weight loss inspiration, I promise your 20 minutes will be well spent!

Click here to listen to Margie’s story: http://www.audioacrobat.com/play/WHCStsNs

Here’s a sneak peak at the weight loss wisdom she shared:

• She finally discovered her motivation. What’s yours? Kids, tired of being tired, not living your life to the fullest?
• She found the time for exercise - and she stuck with it even when it was hard.
• She made important changes in the way she eats: more mindful choices, frequent small meals, and stopping when she was full rather than cleaning her plate.
• She doesn’t deprive herself. If she really wants something, she has it.
• She doesn’t give up when she hits the inevitable plateaus.
• She has made a lifestyle change - and she feels so good, she never wants to go back to the way things were before.

I know. There’s no rocket science here, nothing you haven’t heard before. But the bottom line is, it really works and this REAL person proves it!

Get your complimentary subscription to monthly motivational weight management articles at http://www.amihungry.com/.