Wow, Thank you all so much for your comments. I agree with most of what has been said, but I wrote the thread at 7am this morning before work, and did not really say what I wanted to say. I know I can do this, and it is not a question of asking people who have already achieved it, although I am inspired by you all What I'm really looking for is how you keep going, when you have lost x pounds, and are feeling better, but not good. When the food monster calls and you know it shouldn't be able to affect you, but it does. When you work with people who comment on your choice of clothes, hair, jewelry but when no-one notices what you are achieving. I know this is all about me, and about what I hope for, but sometimes I think the road is so hard. I have two kids, a ful time job and lots to do all the time. Sometimes getting in the exercise, and not falling into the chips is hard (I have NOT done this so far) but no I could. I live in Belgium where nothing is processed, so I have always cooked alot, just eaten too much of what I cooked. I'm not looking for answers, just a sign that despite its length, that the road can be travelled and that the future is positive.
I have beenoverwieght ALL my life - I have lived with the "What a pretty face " comment, ALL my life. I want to be slim, healthy and active - but I also want to know I can do this. Some days it feels such a LONG road, and I want to see results quicker.
Like I say I'm not looking for answers, just moral support.
Thank you for every comment, and all your welcome advice. I know I can do it, I just have dips in motivation, and alot of self doubt, which comes from a certain amount of self-loathing caused by the weight.
Bless you chickies !! x

I wonder though if you're fully committed to doing this. Because when you are fully committed to doing this - NO MATTER WHAT - it is no longer relevant whether you feel like it or not.

Motivation does peak and wane, which is why I NEVER rely on it. I rely on the decision and the commitment I made to good health.

You also speak of this being a hard road. This is hindsight on my part, but the hard of eating well doesn't compare to the hard of being morbidly obese/obese/overweight. Again, once you get into it, you will discover that eating well is no hardship or burden - but a joy and a blessing. The real hardship it turns out is to REMAIN fat.

Each and every one of us has the ABILITY to lose the weight. We are ALL capable of it. This includes you. You don't have to be fat if you don't want to be. You have the power to lose the weight and keep it off. It is in your hands. KNOW that you can do this. Take comfort in it. Gain strength from it.

I can only speak for myself, and I certainly haven't been as successful as some of the amazing folks here. But I can tell you that what's different this time is sheer WANT.

I'm going to be 43 this month, and I've been varying degrees of fat and not-fat my whole life, ranging from a low 135 lbs in my early 20s to a high of 308 lbs in the not so distant past. Basically, I'm just sick of the yo yo'ing and the gaining and the feeling like crap about it and the looking back and realizing what I could have accomplished, or what my life would be like if I never doubled my weight. Doing all that just pisses me off and hurts my head, and I decided enough is enough with that.

I realize I'm not going to be perfect, I'm not going to lose 8 lbs per week a la Biggest Loser, I'm not going to have a rockin body in the next 6 months. I think coming to terms with that was one of the most liberating and positive things I've done because it lets me focus on the forward motion and successes, no matter how seemingly insignificant they may be.

For me, thinking about that giant 100+ weight loss is just way too much. Nope, can't do it, it feels like climbing Mt. Everest and I don't even own hiking boots. But I do own a pair of sweet Asics purple running shoes, and I can walk up that little hill by my house. (Wow, I should not try to use analogies before my second cup of coffee. Apologies for that sucky metaphor.)

What I can do is lose 1 pound, and then I can lose another and so on and so on. I got on the scale this morning and I finally broke out of the 270s. I haven't been in the 260s or below in more years than I can remember. The celebration I had on that scale an hour ago -- man, you would have thought I'd just won an an olympic gold medal or a Grammy or something.

I know that every day won't bring a shampoo bottle acceptance speech moment, and some of them are frankly going to be pretty crappy. Let's face it...I'm still a 5'4", 269 lb 42 year old woman. I have a long, long way to go and I could look at those stats, say F this, and curl into the fetal position with a hunk of cheese and a bottle of Pepsi. But WANTING this, visualizing being the rockstar on the outside that I am on the inside, thinking about all the healthy changes I'm making...that's how I keep it up.

If the people you work with aren't giving you positive reinforcement, come here where it's overflowing. Best support system on the internets, right here.

You can totally do this. Good luck and keep us posted.

Starbrite - I can really relate to where you are at. It seems to be taking FOREVER for the pounds to come off. And it's not for lack of trying. I am exercising 6 to 7 hours a week (combination of cardio and strength training), and I am eating on plan. Is my eating 100% perfect? No...probably about 98% perfect. I know a lot of the people here who have been successful at getting to goal weight did not cheat...not once ever. I am committed...I just have a hard time ALWAYS saying "no" to my favorite foods. I really like RockinRobin's signature "Don't wail on the scale if you cheat when you eat." I just think I should be able to have a small dish of ice cream once every couple weeks or so, when I'm burning off 3,600 calories a week doing Zumba.

I don't have anything to add to what these ladies have already told you. I'm actually reading with great interest as I am in the same boat as you. I've done this before and regained. I know how much more intimidating it is the 2nd(or 3rd) time thru. The fear of failure is real you recognize it, its darn scary. Especially because it is such a public failure out for the world to see. All I can say is just keep trudging ahead, your not alone! BIG you can do it (me too)!

Gloo - Thanks for what you said. Your words pulled me out of the frustration and depression. I too, need to remember that it's progress not constant perfection. I'm a 47 year (young), 5'2", 214 lb woman, who is not going to lose 8 lbs per week, but I can lose a pound (or half a pound) at a time. Thanks for helping me feel better about my average of more than 0.5 lb per week weight loss for the last 12 months. I can SO do this, just as you can, just as Starbrite can, just as EVERYONE can.

Thanks to all you wonderful ladies! 3FC is the best support system ever!

Thanks Gloo - you so sound like a woman I'd relate to !! The scale can be such a bonus, or a total pain. I have refused to step on after my 5.1 whoosh on Saturday.....
Rockinrobin - YES - I am totally committed - just scared - you are fortunate to have conquered your demons, and I hope for you that you continue to do so. But I have been to your weight....and back..... twice. This is an emotional and mental journey for me. One which I hope to never do again after this time. Hence the reason when I felt my resolve waver (I HAVE NOT STEPPED OFF PLAN FOR 7 WEEKS) I asked for support - not doubt from others. You are so right that we are all capable of it, but we ALL have days where we feel like we might not be (even when we get there, when you have been 300lbs you know you can put it all on again)
I am not really wavering, not really doubting my ability to do this, just questioning the road, and looking for a nice pair of sneakers, and a full water bottle to help me get there.
Thanks to all you positive people - YOU ROCK !!
x

hey Starbrite! we're the same age! I LOVE how you KNOW this is an "emotional and mental journey". For me it was that more than physical for sure. The weight was a by-product, the problem was in my BRAIN lol. One thing I know for absolute certain, is that NO ONE IS RIGHT BUT YOU!! You can read everything we all say, take what you need for your own success, but ultimately you know what will work for you. Acknowledging that it's such an emotional/mental process is more than half the battle in my opinion.

When i started so many people blathered on to me about commitment and 'just stick to it' blah blah blah, I've commited to a diet every Monday of my adult life i think LOL No, for me, I needed a simpler approach. Changed a few things and some weight came off. hmmm... Interesting. I explored why i ate like a starving wolverine and came to terms with it and suddenly I didn't need so... much? Things started changing. Was I afraid? Of course! Afraid of failing, more afraid still of succeeding, then more will be expected of me right?! ack! Again, a mental & emotional journey. Food is just food. What we think of it, feel about it, desire from it, is in US not it!

I really hope you can have some success and peace in this journey -- please join us every day to talk! talking is a good thing!

Thank you Tracey - you truly are a sane woman !! I like what you say, and yea changing a few things has made a difference - I have lsot a good few pounds and need 88 more of those good few pounds u til I reach a weight where I can assess where I should be. Choosing your goal is so subjective, and impossible IMHO at my stage. You have done phenomenally well. Congratulations !

Just to say I'm still hanging in there !! Life has been easier, despite lots of stress at work, and the pounds continue to fall. I am very proud of my achievements so far, and delight when people have begun to notice. Lots of people have said I look really good, or well, and some have even dared to mention the weight loss itself!! I have always worked in a place where everyone has been so very positive about my looks, and to feel I deserve the nice comments has really helped.
I am aware that the losses will slow down (have a three week holiday to Florida approaching, and I am a bit concerned about it....) but I intend to stay sane, try to continue to make the right choices, and revel in the 2 sizes smaller that I have become.
I hope when I reach my initial goal weight (190), that I will be able to evaluate properly my new goal. Until then I'm going to keep drinking, moving, eating well and believing- Thanks for your support, advice and inspiration.
Sam
x

I am turning 41 soon, so I hear ya. Somehow I feel like, omg, if not now, WHEN?? When I am a senior citizen??? lol...

For me I will say the key is to not be afraid to try different things. Change things up. Keep going. Maybe calorie counting will work for a few months and then maybe you will need to go low carb, or maybe do some other plan or focus more on exercise or cutting out fast food. Just keep on doing things to move towards your goal. And make sure a day off plan doesn;t turn into two days, three days, a week...

For me this whole thing has been HARD. There has been nothing easy about it. It takes a lot of time and focus. But it's worth it. And the success feeds your motivation while your commitment carries you through!

This is a life-changing quote for me. My father died at 42 of heart disease -- I will be 42 this summer. It has been messing with my mind. This is fantastic and motivating. Thanks.

Another life-altering quote. I might have to start a quote board for inspiration!

Go girls - you can do it !! This is not an easy road for anyone, despite what you might hear. We all have to work so hard to achieve what we are all capable of. Have pride in your achievements so far - you deserve it! I am proud of the 34 lbs I have lost this time - nothing and no-one can take that away - just a few more to go !! Keep eating right, exercising, and above all else believing.