Hit a new low this morning. Making it 30 pounds since the reboot. As quick as it's coming off. It just isn't quick enough. I'm seriously, "done" with being and looking fat!!! I don't like it!!!!

But... I must trudge on and on... sigh!

I think I'm ordering my treadmill desk today though!!! Squee!!!

Hey everyone. I had a rough weekend. My husband was is out....and we are still fighting this battle with no retirement pay as of now. We have to go through the Army review board and then the judge made it clear we have a case. I am exhausted emotionally and physically...I am trying to find any job possible right now. This is so hard.

So with all that being said...my weekend was off plan. Now I am dealing with stomach issues. I think the stress just effecting it. I have had ulcer problems in the past and hope that I am not dealing with that. I was back on plan as of Monday and just trying to focus on one day at a time....

But guess what I am here. This has been a struggle in the past to just crawl into my hermit hole and let no one in.....just continue down a path of unhealthiness. So I am here and just going to take that as a HUGE victory!

Just a quick check-in this morning.

Diane - You are a warrior to run through this humidity!

Melissa - Yay for fast scale drops! Sending positive patience vibes your way.

Jenni - So. Much. Stress. Hope you find a job soon to tide you over, and that the ulcers are not really happening again, and that the military decides to be decent about it so you don't have to keep litigating.

A really bad day/night last night with food, and got caught on my way out to the gym, so missed the gym too.

Today's goals:
1 - Stop eating cookies. Now.
2 - Go to the gym in the evening, cuz afternoon won't work today.
3 - Weigh in tomorrow morning.

Have a great day everyone!

Went to spin this morning, but not going to go running tonight as I usually do. My son and I are going to go to the county fair instead. It was easy to talk myself out of running... ha! Tomorrow I'll do body pump and then I'm taking off from work on Thursday and Friday. My daughter and I are going to spend a long weekend with my parents. Looking forward to that!!! I'm going to try to not go overboard, but if I go off track a little, I'm going to allow it.

BerryBlonde: Congrats on the weight loss!

Jenni: Wow, sorry you have to go through all of this! I hope things start going better for you soon! I'm proud of you for posting here!

Laurie: Cookies suck. :) I wasn't great with food last night either. Today is a new day and hopefully we can do better!!

Oh ladies I'm struggling to get into the groove, my appetite has exploded and the reeling it in isn't going well. I've decided (in my infinite wisdom) to ease myself back into it and concentrate on drinking more and not eating inbetween this week. I can't help but think its the impending wedding (aka a deadline) thats making me fall into self sabotage habits. I'm feeling so disappointed in myself :?::?:

The last time I was on this site (about four years ago), my starting highest weight ever was 3lbs below what I am now. UUUGH. I'm trying super hard to be positive and uplifting and motivate myself...but I'm waking up at 4:30 in the morning, in class/clinical all day, and then when I get home I just have absolutely no motivation to do anything, let alone work out or cook a healthy meal. It was tough looking over my old numbers. :(

You can do it - like I'm doing it. looks like we are twins in a lot of stats, actually.

I found new ways to deal with losing this time that is working for me and my busy schedule. Now I feel I have more tools to cope with this forever battle as it will be a forever battle. And, dare I say it, I'm finding it EASIER this time than last time (but I'm also only 2 months into my reboot too).

If you don't mind (since it looks like we really are twinning lol!), what kinds of things helped you this time around?

I have stayed on plan so far this week. And I have an interview on Friday. It is a group interviee with up to 20 applicants. I have never done this type of process before. Any pointers? It is a state position.

Good morning!

The cookies defeated me yesterday! And I was not feeling particularly well, so didn't even get in any good exercise. And so it goes. But, per the wisdom of Diane, today is a new day and we can do this!

Diane - Excited for your trip! And if I recall correctly, the last time your parents saw you, you had just hit the 50 pounds down mark? They are going to be in awe. Like the rest of us.

DreadPiratePanda - I LOVE Princess Bride. Cuz who would be crazy enough not to? Crazy schedules make this tough. But there are lots of strategies that can be useful. You mention not having time to prepare food. What I do for my work day is to just stock my office with low-calorie, convenient foods. I tend to eat tuna packets, chicken pouches (rarely, cuz they can be expensive), fruits, and quick veggies like sugar snap peas. Never have to think about food. If I'm being really ambitious, I'll cook all my lunches on Sunday evenings. Not sure that would work for you, but it works for me.

Kelli - Look at you! You're here. Still. Plowing through the tough times. As you know, I fully embrace the small steps when those small steps move me forward instead of back. I think drinking more and not eating between meals are fantastic goals for the week. Keep checking in and letting us know how you're doing.

Melissa - I really want to replicate your success too! Okay. Today is Day 1 for me. Again. =)

Jenni - Yippee for staying on plan! And so excited for your interview! I work for the state, too, actually. I have also changed jobs enough that I have some experience with interviewing, and have never done a group interview with multiple applicants. So - just spitballing, and hoping you'll get better advice from Google or a career counselor, but . . . You don't want to be either the loudest or the quietest in the room. You want to talk, and you want to be memorable, but not in a "She can't shut up" way. I don't suspect you'll have trouble with being too loud. =) I would bring a notepad and maybe take notes on what you want to say when you get the opportunity to speak? And, of course, the typical interview tips apply, I think. Be 5-10 minutes early. Dress one shade above typical corporate culture. Be kind to everyone you see, as the receptionist may be a key decision maker and you won't know it. And research, research, research the position and the state entity. Definitely know something about the director of the department where you're applying and learn anything you can about her philosophy and goals. GOOD LUCK! You gots this.

And there is cake in the break room. But that has nothing to do with me. =)

DAY 1 (again)
1 - No cake.
2 - No cookies.
3 - Child with me at work. Take him for a walk to explore the downtown tunnel system.
4 - Restricted calories.

Have a great day, everyone!

Hey guys. So I guess I'm a sporadic checker-inner now which is BAD BAD BAD!!!! Life is busy but I can't complain. However, I had lots of whines stored up about how terrible I'm doing with plan and how much weight I'm regaining and my digestive woes and my lack of exercise woes and how I just feel like I'm "letting myself go" (I'm being kind- in my mind, I might as well be back where I was this time last year when I first got active on this board) and how it's taken me pretty much a year to lose 20lbs and how tired I am of not being at the weight I want to be and blah blah woe is me. And then I come and read you guys to catch up and I feel better and understood and like the constant struggle to not have weight creep on (like it's creeping up on me) isn't just something wrong with me. There's a saying in the bible that talks about knowing the things that are right to do and even wanting to do those things and yet NOT doing them... as Paul said, "dude, I don't understand myself!" I LIKE running, I LIKE not feeling overstuffed, I LIKE feeling like I'm eating healthy and treating my body right, I LIKE NSVs, I LIKE Scale Victories. And yet here I am, not doing the things I like that make me happy and instead doing the things that are for a moment enjoyable but then afterwards drop me in a sea of regret. Le Sigh guys!!! You guys make things better. If even one other person is still trying and pushing, then all is not lost. It must mean I can do it too. So that's why I NEED to be more regular on here. I'm definitely better with you guys.

Tomorrow starts a long weekend for the Muslim holiday of Eid (Friday and Monday are public holidays here) which is great because I'm bushed from work but not great because I have a lot of work to take home AND being work-busy AND at home is usually tough on my bad stay at home snacking habit. I'm going to do a meal schedule though. And check in on here.

Jenni: I'm hoping things work out for your family. I'm praying for you guys to find all the favour you need in the right places and for this mess to be sorted out. I've got no wisdom on a group interview but I wish you lots of luck and believe you'll rock it out! You can do it!

Melissa: Congrats on 30 lbs in 2 months! That's excellent! I feel the same way about wanting to be at goal. I've done 20lbs in 1 year #tears. You're doing excellent and major Squeeee on the treadmill desk!

DreadPiratePanda: Motivation is a tough tough master. I can imagine it's even tougher when your day starts at 4.30am!! EEEEP!!! When I started my weight loss journey, I was in my last (thesis) semester of grad school and it was a lot of stress and not much cooking went on. I made myself a weekly meal plan that was pretty easy to stick to and then had fast food and convenience go-tos that I could sub in for when I REALLY couldn't throw the frozen veggies and fish and cooked in the steam bag with some soy sauce and dried herbs in the microwave or throw the chicken into the oven and have it with some bagged salad or microwave-steamed veggies. Subway was one of my mainstays for fast food. Mostly because I lived above a Subway restaurant but also because it's pretty filling and can be reasonable in calories. I also ate at McDonalds a little bit and Popeye's but I became quite familiar with the calorie counts so I had go-to meals in those places. I stopped buying snack foods for home and since I lived alone bought things like single-serve ice cream instead of a whole tub which could be a trigger for me. I also had Lean Cuisine's and Stouffer and Campbell Chunky Microwave soups etc for emergencies. So quite alright, I didn't have the time or motivation or experience to be the healthiest eater, but I was at least doing little things that would lead to weight loss, which sometimes is a motivator in itself. What did you do last time when you were successful?

Laurie: I'm sorry you had a bad day but you're doing so well overall, I hope you rocked out your goals for yesterday and are back on track from the blip.

Kelly: I'm struggling too. If I could just have one on plan day, then I'll be on my way. Today is going okay so far so hopefully, hopefully! Don't be disappointed in yourself, these things happen. We're only human so obviously perfection isn't a prerequiste. I hope you're having the on-planniest of on plan days.

Alright guys so my goal for today are to stay on track with calories. I've been writing this since morning and this is closing time (maniacal laugh because I'm nowhere near actually closing). I wish you all a fabulously on plan day!!!

Laurie, you ninja'd me.... Sort of... But still! Way to go with your attitude on FLEEK!! I was kind of a little Debbie (Downer) but your optimism and resilience... I'm so inspired and now I feel a little "so what" about my past week on plan! I need to get my attitude on point as well! Who says today I can't rock out plan too? Thank you for posting! :) Your positive energy is contagious!

Originally Posted by DreadPiratePanda:
If you don't mind (since it looks like we really are twinning lol!), what kinds of things helped you this time around?

Last time around I did great too, but I was still eating a traditional food plan (though low carb). Problem (for me) was that I got so darn hungry in the day. Now, I have switched when I eat and that makes it easier for me. I basically fast for most of the day and then have a luxurious, full dinner - ranging in calories from 600-1000 calories (depending on the meal). Earlier in the day I have a bit of half and half in my coffee (like 1/3 of a cup), then a protein Quest bar for lunch and then my huge dinner.

I just don't feel deprived with eating a big meal every day.

AND... I'm relying less on exercise to create a caloric deficit. That will probably change as I get to lower weights.

Oops . . . This thread has passed the magic limit of 500 posts.

Would some kind soul start the new thread?

ETA: Thanks DreadPiratePanda for starting the new thread:

06 Regainers regaining control and relosing!