Andoreth, you are a real inspiration, I love your attitude about health and exercise! I didn't have a lot of before pictures either (I never used the "wanted in 6 states excuse, but it's a good one!), I hope you took measurements so you will have a measure of your progress :) I didn't take measurements until about a month after I started and it's been a little frustrating that I really don't know how many inches I lost!

Thanks Glory87. No, no measurements. Even though I do weigh myself, and it's nice to see the number going down, I'm trying as much as possible to make this about actions and not results. I try to focus on what I am doing, what I'm eating, what I can add to reduce my sitting time even more, and let the body do whatever it is going to do.

I'm a very competitive person by nature, and if I let this become about "the numbers" I too easily begin to compete with myself- and then heaven help me and those around me when I get in a plateau or stall. By making the competition over those things I have direct control over I have greatly reduced that frustration, and my homelife is much happier.

I also think this is a good way to keep from feeling "finished" when I reach my goal weight and risk re-gaining the weight. I don't have a specific goal weight, and my goals are ones that are on-going, so I won't ever be finished. :)

Originally Posted by andoreth:
"enter maintenance now and let what happens happen", but I never expected changes to happen this quickly.

I love this philosophy - I think it's what I've been doing.

My success hasn't been quite as dramatic as yours - I'm older, and that knee popping has progressed to "They have to be replaced," so my exercise isn't as intense, but, hey, 30 lbs is still nice. And from a tight 28 to a loose 24 is even better.

Yesterday DH and I went to Rec Center. I worked on the seated stepper for 40 mins, then swam laps for .5 an hour. When I fell asleep on the couch, it was cause I was tired!

I really enjoy your posts. Thanks for being here. You're an inspiration.

Sue

Take some pictures! You'll want them for yourself (even if you don't share). I am very proud of you!

Originally Posted by Glory87:
I didn't take measurements until about a month after I started and it's been a little frustrating that I really don't know how many inches I lost!

I did the same thing!!!

Originally Posted by andoreth:
I also think this is a good way to keep from feeling "finished" when I reach my goal weight and risk re-gaining the weight. I don't have a specific goal weight, and my goals are ones that are on-going, so I won't ever be finished. :)

I really like that philosophy. I never verbalized it like that, but you're absolutely right, behavior is SO important! And attitude. And commitment.

The ABCs of weight loss: attitude, behavior, commitment...?? Can't tell if I like it better than the 5 C's in my sig...