Thanks, Louise and Angie! I agree. Bar passage trumps all! (But I would love a whoosh next week!)

Proaxis21,there is no 'right' way to do this. Some people do better changing everything at once. Others prefer to change one thing at a time. I would recommend reading through goal thread to seen how other people have been successful. Personally, I did multiple changes at once. And am now tweaking. It's allow about figuring out what works for you.

Proaxis - It sounds like making too many changes all at once might be a bit overwhelming for you, so maybe you should take your advice and cut out one thing at a time. Like Laurie said, some do go cold turkey all at once with everything but some don't. The key is finding out what works best for YOU.

Me personally, I started by calorie counting. I decided how many calories I would eat in a day, and I built my meal plans around that. I also decided that for me, I could not go cold turkey with desserts...so.....I had a VERY small dessert EVERY DAY at dinner time and doing that has not interfered with my weight loss or health in any way. I am still losing successfully. Also, I decided I would start an exercise program (I chose Insanity) and my plan was to just do MY best and continue to progess at my own pace.

Are you a vegetarian? If not, maybe add more lean protein because protein tends to keep you full longer. I'm the same way with fruits/veggies...they never fill me up.

Whatever changes you decide to make, make sure they are realistic for you so that you can continue them long term.

I started by really analyzing the reasons I have been overweight for the last 15 years (I'm 47, btw) and focused on correcting those things rather than than going head-first into some complicated plan. In the end, I knew I needed to focus on portion control, adding some structure to my eating, cooking at home more, and moving more. Over the summer I started working on these sort of one at a time, then on Labor Day, I pulled out my old Weight Watchers materials and started doing that, with some tweaks. Normally, I'm the type that pics the latest diet (usually a strict one) and does some kind of bootcamp fitness-wise that exhausts me and fill me with dread, but this time I'm being kinder to myself and making it more of a long-term lifestyle change. Well, at least that the plan, I only started the WW earlier this month! :) Overal though I don't recommend the 'all at once' approach if it's going to lead to all or nothing, binging, etc. That's what used to happen to me when I tried to do too much at once.

angieand2girls - where you from in Michigan? I'm here too - metro Detroit area.

Ok, I have read this post a few times and keep thinking. I didn't make it a whole year before but I plan to now. I will make a whole year commitment. My commitment started on 9/10/12. My commitment is I will do my absolute and level best to eat and act in ways that are HEALTHY for me. I won't be perfect. I will stall. I will have slip ups but I WILL get right back on track and forgive myself so I can continue on my healthy lifestyle. That is my commitment to myself! (Oh and I will blog about it all too hehe)

Hey Coffee! I guess I would be considered metro Detroit too! I live in Novi. How about you? :)

Other side of town - Rochester Hills!

Nice! I used to attend Oakland University which I think is over there. Nice to meet a fellow Michigander here on 3FC! :)

I'm right by OU. My son attends there. :)

Awesome! College seems like it was such a long time ago. I feel old lol. I was at OU for the 1997-1998 school year. :)

So how is everyone's commitments coming along? I'm doing well and moving along nicely. I've been enjoying the classes at the gym this week and I'll be starting round 2 of Insanity on October 1st. Can't wait! I miss it! (never thought I'd ever say that lol). My food has been good too. I'm going grocery shopping tomorrow for the upcoming week.

Hope everyone is doing well!

I am struggling with eating lately. And exercise. So much going on right now. But that's the rest I made the commitment, right? I do well until about 8:30 or so, then I eat just a little more than I should.

So - going to restrict my food completely beginning at 7:30. I will allow myself water and decaf green tea. For a week.

Not coming this far to let my progress slowly dissipate into the ether of creeping bad habits.

Struggled the last 2 days and completely gave in to everything over vacation :\ Oh well back on it again today. Gotta lose this 6 lbs of excess water weight (which I hope it is because I did NOT eat 20k extra calories, but with PCOS you never know.....) Still tired from the valarian root I took last night. Getting right back on the horse tomorrow which I have almost never done before so I am know I will make it to goal this time (Assuming the BF quits bringing me home sweets >.<)

Glad I made the food restriction after 8 commitment. I had planned a celebratory dinner after getting admitted to the bar on Friday, but life intervened. I ate something small for dinner, then took care of the commitment. In the process of this commitment, I ended up going to a Chinese buffet at 8:30. (Long story.) A landmine for me. Made especially dangerous by the fact that I felt a little entitled to overeat since it was such a big day, and my celebration had gotten blown off. But it was easy. It was too late for me to eat. So I didn't. Entitlement, plus a little bit of deprivation attitude (after skipping my celebration), plus my favorite type of buffet, plus a buffet, plus the time of day when my self-control is practically non-existent. Easily could have had disastrous results. And I didn't have anything but water. And got a (small) scale reward in return.

SMSDREAMER - good luck getting the excess water weight gone. So frustrating!

WTG laurie! I don't know I could have done that :\

Down .7 from mon which after the up and down with sodium and knowing i was on plan all but wed and thurs, etc kind of annoys me. I don't think I have EVER had just .7 loss for a week. For a day, yes but not for a week :\ Anywho On plan today. Was super tired when I woke up so I added some emergen-c to my smoothie bad Idea Bleh, the oragne taste totally overpowered my amazingly good tasting choco berry smoothie >.< so not doing that again tomorrow :\.
Kind of excite yet nervous. I have my PCP and dieticians appt's tomorrow AND my driving test YIKES. I'm PRAYING I pass. I am SOOOO ready for my license.

anywho I need to go get ready, my cousin is taking me driving today since its his car I am using tomorrow for the rest. Have a great OP day ya'll!

Thanks for the encouragement, SMSDREAMER!

I officially took an unplanned maintenance break. Been either 228 or 229 for 3 weeks. A little frustrated. Mostly relieved that I am not that bothered that much by it. I am recommitting myself to loss, but thrilled I am somehow not fighting the 'You can never do this' demons. Those are way more dangerous to me than struggles and stalls.

Viva la commitment!

I am recommitting, once again but hopefully this time with a more stubborn attitude and for the better. :-) I have so far in about 22 months lost 45 lbs. Which feels not bad actually, especially on days when I rearrange my wardrobe for autumn and realise that some of last year's clothes no longer fit me - because they look misshapenly big on me! That was a great feeling. And the same for skirts fitting again that I last wore in my early Uni years, so about 8 years ago! But I also realise that during this much time I could have done better and that I need to keep going until I reach my goal of a healthy bodyweight, active lifestyle and in-shape self. So I am here again and game for a 1 year commitment, starting today.

TiffNeedsChange, I can so relate to your ambition! My 29th birthday is just a few weeks away now and I had the idea that I want to give myself a "fit me" for my 30th birthday next year and start that new decade with a new and more positive outlook on life and not let my weight get in the way of being physically and socially more active and outgoing.

We can do this! :)

Thanks, Enjoynlife! Love your screen name, BTW. Life doesn't have to be miserable just because we're not at the weight we prefer. In the interest of full disclosure, my posts are using the fake it till you make it principal. I try to find the outlook that will help me the most, and then try to believe it. :-)

Lizz - congrats on the recommit!

I've been MIA for a week or so because we've had company. I stayed on plan except for yesterday when we went to the local cider mill for cider and donuts. OK, I ate two small ones.

Lizz, congrats for making a goal for your 30th! I'm sort of doing the same thing, but for my 50th. I'll be 48 later this year, but I figure at my age, it's going to take some time to get my health and fitness back. So I'm on the 2 1/2 year plan. :D

So how is everyone doing with their commitments?

I had a muscle go out in my back on Wednesday and I've been resting since then. It kills me not to exercise. I've become accustomed to loving it so much now. I miss my Shaun T! LOL! Anyways, I'm going to ease back into it on Monday. I was supposed to weigh on the 10th but I'm pushing it back to the 17th so I can be well into my exercise again.

Hope everyone is doing well!!

Wow! Great job on the 5 pounds! I agree, water or not, it is no longer on your body! :)

What strength training program are you starting? I'm actually going to be starting one in about 2 weeks (Chalean Extreme). I've been doing mostly cardio since I started (with a bit of arm exercises with 8 lb dumbbells) but now I feel it's time to REALLY get into some intense muscle training.

Yes I'm so close to 100 days! Today is day 98! The mirror and my clothes have been telling me that I'm having great results. We'll see what that number says in 10 days! :)

Oh, Angie - the suspense is killing me! I, too, hope you have great results! (But really, since you're getting such great feedback from your clothes and the mirror, it doesn't matter all that much...)

Enjoynlife - I LOVE those whooshes. And so often, they come after a period of time when water has replaced fat on your body for a little bit. I read an article about it that was admittedly theory without a strong research base, but it made sense to me. And it's a theory that helps make the mental struggle easier for me when I hit weeks of slow/no loss, so I've embraced it. =)

I'm down a little bit. I was having a great week until Friday night, when I made a conscious choice to eat pizza for the first time since June. It was good, but I woke up the next morning dying for water and feeling a bit miserable. Like a hangover, I suppose (as a non-drinker, I'm only guessing). Back on plan. And don't think I'll crave pizza again for a very, very long time.

I still remember the first time I lost a significant amount of weight. I only had 30 that I reasonably needed to lose, and I had lost it all, but I was on a very strict form of eating. I remember breaking down and having something not on plan. After that, I was done. I never got back my "mojo," and eventually gained it all back.

The pizza episode reminded me of two things. 1 - Missteps do not mean failure, and indulging is sometimes better than days of obsessing and accompanying struggles. 2 - There are some foods (pizza, cookies, etc.) that open up huge cravings for EVERYTHING for me. Maybe remembering the second will be helpful in deciding that i don't really want to indulge after all.

Enjoynlife - I think you are amazing. I am Sssooo happy to have you around! Thanks for always making me feel great. Three things:

1- I feel amazing! I meant I am only down a bit on the scale, when I wanted to have a bigger loss, and I had been on schedule for it because I generally get post-TOM whooshes. But when I went back and read it, it sounded exactly like you had interpreted it. :-) Loved the encouragement nonetheless, so am happy I wasn't as clear as I should have been.

2 - psyllium. When I go high protein / significant calorie restriction, I tend to only have bowel movements every 3 or 4 days. I don't think there's anything wrong with it, but I prefer to use psyllium, which is natural, just because it seems healthier to 'clean out' more frequently. And it really does make things 'smooth' and regular for me. I would just recommend building up slowly, as it initially causes gas issues.

3 - I know nothing about probiotics. :-(. Wish I did. I take a few supplements, mostly to help avoid muscle cramps and because I am susceptible to anemia, plus a multi because I calorie restrict and don't want to have to focus on micros the way I do on macros. But I encourage you to start a thread about it and engage the collective wisdom here (and wake up the board a bit!)

I don't know how I missed your earlier post! I tend to be very hit-and-miss, but this is a thread I tend to monitor.

I use the WM brand psyllium. I take six with 20 ounces of water once a day. Make sure if you take a multi (which I do), you don't take it at the same time.

I have never heard the advice to not take it daily. I don't take it as medicine, but as a supplement. (It's really only different in my head, I think.) But when I worked as a nurses aide, they gave it to elderly patients daily to prevent constipation. I don't know...

I hit 50 on Wednesday, then proceeded to work all night that night and far too late on Thursday night, so 5:15 am to 2:00 am (app. 45 hours by my math) before a short sleep night. Bad sleep affects my weight, so we'll see if I hold onto the loss for WI. :-) I have never changed my ticker mid-week before, but I am not sorry I did!

Looks like you experienced a great whoosh yourself! And if you've been working your plan, your October loss may represent fat loss. Based on my imperfect understanding of what you health writer wrote about 'squishy fat and whooshes,' I will explain, badly. The theory goes that as your body burns fat for energy, sometimes those cells will fill with water temporarily. Thus - squishy fat. Then, if you drink sufficient water, it will sometimes release all of that water fairly quickly. I have never noticed my fat being 'squishy,' but I do experience whooshes! Don't know if the theory is true. Don't really care. It helps me stay focused during low-loss times. And this is so mental.

Angie - cannot wait to hear about your success! Your discipline is awe-inspiring.

enjoynlife - Thanks so much! I'd be more excited if I could get out of my own head lol. TOM just started today and I'm sure the hormones are fueling my self-image issues. I'm bloated and it shows in the mirror and I'm just feeling the weight loss blues (I want to be at goal already). It's like when I wake up I run to the mirror expected to look 50 pounds thinner from the day before! LOL When I don't see it I get mad LOL! I know, I'm weird. Ehhh...this feeling will pass. BUT CONGRATS ON YOUR 11.4 POUND LOSS!! Fantisimo!!!

LaurieDawn - WOOOHOOOO!! 50 POUNDS!!! That's so awesome! Congrats on that! :) I can't wait to see 50 pounds lost (as you can see by what I wrote lol).

Angie - I really don't ever see loss or gain in the mirror. That's why I am always surprised when people I see every day notice. But I see it in odd ways. I had bought a pair of size 18 jeans a few weeks ago. I haven't worn jeans forever because I won't spend much money on transition clothes. These were on clearance for $5, so I bought them. I decided to try them on again, and I sort of have a feel for whether something will fit just based on where the waist is when I start to pull them up. I thought there was no way they would fit, but they did. I also sat between two coworkers in an auditorium. I was terrified to be the fat girl encroaching on their space. But I could sit there without touching either one. It was awesome.

These super long weight loss journeys are so mentally taxing. I hope you are seeing (and can appreciate) rewards from staying on plan, since you are not getting scale- based rewards very often. For me, these are things like not feeling powerless over food or weight, feeling my body get stronger and fitter and being more capable as a result, really enjoying exploring new foods, etc.

Just a few more days of waiting! Good luck getting through TOM hormonal madness.

LaurieDawn & enjoynlife - You ladies have truly made me feel better! Thank you sooooooo much. I knew this journey from start to finish wouldn't be perfect and that I'd hit a low point at some point in time. I'm just glad that I didn't allow it to send me back into old habits. These changes really seem to be sticking. :) Laurie, on Wednesday when I weigh, I have a pair of size 18 pants waiting for me to try on too! When I first started 100-something days ago, I could not get them up past mid-thigh, no joke. So I hung them back up and vowed not to try them on again until weigh in LOL. I'll definitely let you ladies know how that turned out. :) Thanks again for your support!

Angie - almost there. Hoping for a great weigh-in and pants fitting!

Enjoynlife - you are way too kind. Talking about this helps me keep focused. I love that this board gives me a chance to do that.

Official weigh in this morning, and I am the same as last Monday. Which means I kept off an overnight 5-pound drop, which is something to celebrate, but am not losing day to get. I guess it's not surprising. Hope I drop some by next Sunday, though. Its would be great to be in the 210s!!!

Tomorrow is the big day, Angie!!! Sending good scale vibes your way!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I'm nervous but I'm ready! Be good to me scale!! LOL! I'll be sure to update sometime tomorrow morning. :)

I posted in the "getting out of the 260's and 250's" as well, but I'll post here too!

I am down 50.25 pounds!!! I weighed in at 201.75!! I promise you that I could not believe those numbers. It was WAY more than I expected...even at my best lowest guess. I have a balance scale too so I inched it down one pound at a time starting at 252 (my last weight). When it didn't balance out at 220, nor 215, I started to tear up. I am still SOOOO overwhelmed right now, I'm so serious lol. This is HUGE! How did I do that in 3.5 months? The 18's I had picked out to try on were too big so I moved down to the 16's which fit me comfortably (no muffin tops and not tight at all). I look like a new person with new clothes on. I just can't believe it.

WOW!!!! I am SSSOOO happy for you! What an accomplishment. And new clothes on top of it!

I can't imagine ever adopting your strategy, but it worked out really well for you. :-)

Are you really going to wait another 100 days? You are SO close to Onederland!

Plus - not even tempted to touch those break room donuts now!

HA! It's funny because I hear that alot! LOL! Some think my strategy is darn-near impossible LOL! But I've proved to myself that when I've regained control and power over myself, I can do it. :)

Yes I'm going to wait another 100 days....well, it's 93 days at this point since today's weigh in was a week late. What I'm learning along this journey about myself, my body, and my mind is what keeps me going.....the good and the bad.

Is it too late to post a committment to this thread? I'll do it anyway. I just finnished a 100 day committement to a specific plan. Here my focus is on time. I've never gone over 8mo. on any weightloss venture. I committ to write what I eat in my food journal everyday for a year. I committ to check in here and post at least once a week (except during my twice year spiritual retreats where there are no electronics) and even then post the Sat. after I get back, no matter how the healthy eating plan-lifestyle is going. I love this. The 100 day challenge really helped me, but then earlytimes are usually the easiest for me. I also committ to post once weekly for a year in my blog- this keeps me honest with friends far away who can't see how I am doing. This is a couple of dearly loved friends that I finally became honest with about me life as an obese person.

THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH! :D

Welcome healthyginger! Wow, congrats on your 100 day accomplishment! 100 days can make a huge difference, I know first hand. :) Are you going to be starting another one?

The wooshes aren't over, you'll just get them when you least expect it! :D Great job with almost 3 weeks in the bag! :)

Welcome, Ginger! Happy to have you here!

Enjoynlife (my phone has learned your name - awesome!) - Congrats on day 18. I think the first three weeks are the hardest.

I am totally considering a variation of Angie's strategy. Started daily weighing again about a week ago, and am somewhat frustrated. Gone up the last two days because of low sleep, but I know I am on plan and working out hard. Considering monthly weigh ins.

I did not want to quit or cheat when the scale went up again this morning, though. I just put on my (getting looser) size 18 jeans, my medium (tight) sweater that emphasizes my best #ahem# assets, and thought about how great I felt after lifting weights last night. Part of me thinks it will help me be more patient and set me up for better maintenance if I go the monthly route.

Don't think I am ready, though. Thanks for sharing your success, though. I will definitely keep it in mind in case my frustration levels start to mount. :-)

I know I am building some muscle - or at least preserving it - cuz I can feel it. But I am also eating at a deficit, so I am not building a ton, more's the pity. :-) Sizing is stupid and random. But it still made me feel good that the sweater says medium! It probably is too tight for work, but I don't care! It's a complete office day, and I like the sweater! I don't measure, though, simply because I am WAY too lazy. I commend you for doing it, though.

Can I go off topic quickly? I just need some insight. I just started seeing this guy - J. I like him, and feel like I might come to really like him as we hang out more. But who can predict these things? This other guy, G, told me a few days ago that he was really into me. I told him I was unavailable, as I had just started seeing J. After one more invitation for a date, he asked if we could be friends. Of course, right? So I am still getting to know J, and still enjoying that, and still wanting to see where that goes. But I am kind of getting into flirting with G. That's okay, right? I have been married 20 years, and am newly-divorced. I have not promised anyone anything, and would not lie to either. But I like having the attention of two men. Guidance?

LaurieDawn - as long as you are honest and not deceiving anyone or yourself, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the attention of more than one man in my opinion. I'm not the conforming type (i.e. all these social rules and standards that society seems to live by) so I like to share and experience life with people and be free.....free to experience who I choose. I say live your life with no regrets. :)