Instead, I'm letting you know that I haven't strayed from my diet or running plan. Yes, folks, what we are experiencing here is a bit of a miracle.

  I had to write an update because I'm getting a ton of e-mails in response to my last blog. So here it is and I'm going to give you the straight facts. 

  I'm losing 2-3 pounds a week. My diet is really "clean".  Actually, it's not a diet, just a new plan to eat the "right" way.

  I have not cheated. I repeat. I have not cheated.  I bought a birthday cake the other night for our 11pm producer (D'Arcy) and even though I wanted to plant my face in that sweet white icing.... I resisted.  Last night I went home after work and thought long and hard about an ice cream sandwich. At one point, I thought I could hear the ice cream yelling out for me from the depths of the freezer. I covered my ears and again, I resisted. The willpower is growing stronger by the day.

   One strange, and slightly crazy idea that is working... I put a brand new scale on the kitchen floor. So if I get really tempted to cheat, I hop on that bad boy, look at the numbers and remember why those extra calories are not worth it.

  I'm running 4 days a week and doing weights 2 days a week. I'm already seeing changes. So, really, that's all the motivation that I need. Plus, I can't stress enough that I  feel so much better.

   The best part of this...is that the training for the Rainbow Run for the Covenant House inspired this change in me. Who knew that a good cause could create such an amazing ripple effect?  Running with a group is beyond motivating. Just knowing that others are on the same journey and reaching for the same goal helps to get me through.

  Also, thinking about wearing a bathing suit gets me through. Ladies, I KNOW you understand what I'm talking about. I find bathing suit shopping to be the only negative experience one can have at the mall.  But this year, I vow to be rock hard for bathing suit season and ready for whatever.

   I know I can do it as long as the voices in the freezer stop (:

Take care. 

Jessica Ralston