A year ago, I weighed 40 pounds more than I do today.

However, when I started I thought that less than a pound a week was ridiculously slow progress. But this time, when things didn't go my way, I just continued. In the past, I just gave up because the progress wasn't fast enough and then gained whatever I had lost.

Less than a pound a week.

A year ago, if you said, "You'll lose 40 pounds this year." I would have said, "That's not fast enough."

But today, I am 40 pounds lighter. I am thinner. I am healthier.

And it wasn't because I started a diet. I just continued. When I failed, when I tripped up, when I had a birthday or a holiday, I just continued. I didn't permit myself to quit and restart. I just continued.

So my progress isn't fast. It isn't brilliant. It's not a before and after picture like you see after 6 weeks on tv. But it's progress and I'm proud of it. Less than a pound a week is just fine by me.

Standing ovation!

Jessica,

Congratulations. I too have also been slow. Last year, I lost about 60 lbs which is little over a lb a week and I'm proud that I am a lot lighter than I was at the beginning of last year. Hopefully next year, I will be 40-60 lbs lighter this time of year but who knows. As long as the general trend is downward, I'm not really worried about the speed.

You rock, Goddess Jessica!

You get it....what all the books.....all the dieticians.....what all the doctors.....what all the folks with long term success say..... You kept on going.

I am so, so proud of you and happy for you...it's great!

That is awesome!

I think 40 lbs. in a year SHOULD be looked at as rapid weight loss... I mean, think about it - If you gain 40 lbs. in a year - that would be considered rapid weight gain, right? So why is it any different in the other direction?

Sometimes, too, I think losing the weight is the easy part, The hard part is sticking with it when you are discouraged or have a set back.

Godess Jessica - you are awesome!

CONGRADULATIONS JESSICA

Fabulous attitude ... Fabulous results!

What a wonderful way to think about it. And it really makes sense, because we do that with all the other parts of our lives. If I gave up doing something everytime I failed or messed it up, I would no longer be driving, working, dating, walking... (Yes, walking. I sort of walk into things a lot.) We don't give up, we just continue. Of course eating well and taking care of ourselves should be the same way.

Lisa

I'm echoing what everyone else has said. Way to go, great attitude.. you're really onto something with the continuing! We can all learn from your example Jessica congrats on the loss

I think you're pretty much brilliant and awesome

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

40 lbs lighter. 8 sacks of flour or 8 sacks of potatoes. That most certainly IS progress. Your approach is very refreshing and VERY wise and obviously WORKS!

I wish you continued success and may the next year be just as progressive.

EXCELLENT point! Wow--- very very well said. That definitely puts a new spin on things for me!

You rock! Slow and steady wins the race.

Great attitude

That's Awesome! You know the story about the tortoise and the hare. It's the stick-to-it-ness that's going to keep you successful through maintenance forever. Congratulations.

Hi Jessica! So glad to see you! Congrats on your mind set - and on the weight loss! But I really do have to say the mind set is a HUGE thing, you really are awesome!

-Aimee