Hi Everyone,

I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Tammy, I'm a 39 year old mom of two that lives in the southeast. I have been overweight pretty much all of my life, but the last ten years, it has really gotten out of control. I avoided the scales for years, but in mid August, when I got sick and had to go to the doctor, there was no way to avoid them. I weighed in at a surprising (to me anyway, probably not to anyone else) 346 pounds. When I left the Doctor's office, I knew that something had to change. Since then, I started somersizing and have lost 62 pounds. Of course, I'm very happy with the weight loss and am going to continue, but for the last week, I've noticed that I'm not quite as motivated as I had been. That lack of motivation also corresponds to a stall that my weight loss has gone through.

I hope to meet lots of new friends who are going down the same path that I am. I hope we can be a support team for each other as we struggle to get rid of the extra weight that is holding us back.

I look forward to meeting everyone.

Tammy

Hi Tammy, My name's Janis, and I'm new (as of today) too. I'm in the North East, and having some similar issues as you. While I haven't been as successful as you (yet, this time), I did lose 75 lbs 7 years ago, and kept it off for 5 years, but for the past 2 years, I've been chained to a desk and stopped working out. Bad combo.

I've been back at it since Christmas, and lost 11.5 lbs, but I'm losing motivation too, and stalling. I'm still eating healthy food, still exercising 3+ times a week, but I'm losing motivation, because the scale says I've gained back 3 lbs! Almost all signs (except the scale) indicate it's muscle gain, although I've been worried my diet has been too exclusive too, so I'm juggling that a bit too. But even knowing it's muscle, it's a huge dent to the ego and process when you feel like you just want the approval of your scale. That's partially why I joined the forum here. I've been reading off and on for the past few weeks, and finally decided I needed a place to complain, get support and give support to others, just to keep me going through this slump.

I figure if I keep it up, it'll pay off eventually. I also think I read somewhere that February is the hardest time to lose weight, because of the sunlight or something. Your body automatically goes into "winter hibernation/conservation" mode, and your mood wavers, as well. It seems to me February was my toughest month when I lost the 75, too. So, I'm just going to keep kicking my own *** to go to the gym whether I feel like it or not, stick with the diet, and keep doing what I've been doing (although I'm going to mix up the exercises I do a bit in case that's the problem, too).

Good luck, and congratulations! You've got a huge accomplishment already, and you don't want to give up on it! Just keep plugging through. Take it a week or day at a time, and just get through it.

--Janis

Hi u2 and welcome. Great job on the losses so far.
As most here will tell you, once the motivation wears off it's time to just keep doing those new habits you have been doing and your losses will continue. If your plateau continues for another couple of weeks you might want to change/add exercise to your program, shake up your eating. I'm sure the others will off you some great advice.

First of all, to both of you! Dawnyal is right, we all experience the initial honeymoon stage, but, unfortunately that wears off. I can attest to that, as I am starting over again on a new plan this year. This forum is a great sounding board, and as you read some of the threads you will notice that everyone experiences the same things. Congrats both of you on the weight loss so far!

Welcome, welcome welcome.

Thanks for the welcome everyone!

Janis- I can relate to what you're saying about wanting approval from the scale. Even when I know I've been exercising and building those muscles up, I'm still disappointed when the scale doesn't drop. I have to keep telling myself that I didn't put it on overnight, and it won't come off overnight. Right now, I also "counting backwards". Ex. Now I'm at the weight I was 8 years ago and I did it in only 6 months. That helps keep me motivated a little. Wow - to know you were able to lose 75 pounds is great news. I'm sure you'll be able to do it this time too. I'll just keep telling myself, let's get through February - It makes sense that during these colder months, our bodies want to hang on to fat.

Dawnyal - You're right that I need to focus on the new habits. I'm not changing my way of eating temporarily. I have learned new habits and I plan to keep those for life. I'm exercising four - five days a week and I'm eating much healthier. Those are "good" habits to continue.

Thanks Carol - I know I will enjoy the forum. It helps to have buddies who have been there and can offer and receive support. I look forward to joining in.

Hi Joyce.

Looking forward to meeting everyone!

Tammy,

Welcome! I can't begin to say how much this 100lb club has helped me. I still have a little over 100 to lose and I am amazed at how much their support means to me. I tend to think I can go it alone. But just looking at the threads here really keeps me going and everyone is very helpful with all of my questions - even the silly ones!

Hi Tammy, welcome to the group. Congratulations on you're accomplishment so far. Well done. Jump right in anywhere, everyone here is very friendly and helpful.

~Dee

to both of you!

Thanks everyone!