Howdy!
Sorry, couldn't resist! I have family in Mesquite and it's so easy to slip into a draaawl.... even though I'm a Californian born Oregon-ite!
First off, welcome aboard! Most people start of like you, a single post, then end up (like me) joining one of the various groups 'round here (3 years and almost 1000 posts later!). Find a group that speaks to you - there's a 300+ group, 21 day challenge, a bootcamp and the group o' ladies I run screaming to for help is the Labor Day Loosers. It's not necessary that you join a group - but the friendship and support you get is well worth it and much different that what you get posting by yourself.
Now, on to your question. It's going to sound crazy, but you've got to stop dieting. In my short life, I've lost 60 pounds, gained back 90, then lost 85 and gained back 110 - and now I'm 40+ pounds back into loosing that chunk - for the *last time* I swear it!
I've always done Weight Watchers, but with the thought of it being a "diet". I was SO wrong. It has to be a way of living for the rest of your life - forever - or as long as you want to stay at whatever weight you want
. Saying that, *whatever* you choose must be something that you can live with for the rest of your life. Can you live on Atkins? Can you live on WW? Can you live on any of the other plethora of plans out there? Sure, you just have to find out which one works for you. WW works for me, it may not for you - you have to find what will work for your lifestyle, 'cuz you're going to pretty much eat like that for the rest of your life if you want to be healthy... and believe me, with family in Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma, I *know* what those family gatherings are like!!!!
Food is a huge part of it and you have to find something that will work (have I said that enough? I'm repeating myself aren't I?).
Now that I've probably just totally rained on your parade (and you thought Hurricane Claudette was over??
) let me say this. I FEEL your pain. I LOVE to eat too. At first, I *hated* my decision to eat like this. Read my journal - there's a story in there about feeling very, very sad about leaving my old habits. I literally mourned being able to eat my favorite foods in the quantities I wanted. But I got to a point where I felt I *deserved* better. I deserved to treat my body better, live longer and most of all I deserved to be happier - and SO DO YOU - but quit dieting, it doesn't work. The old saying is too true.
I applaud your coming here. Asking/looking for support is a huge step and believe me, you're going to get it here! Just find a group that speaks to you, that you can connect with, that works and jump in! The support, encouragement and feeling of having someone to be accountable to is wonderful...
Sorry for the novel, there was just something about your post that made my mouse jump over and click "reply".
Terri
(Labor Day Loosers,
Punkin o' Friday)