Welcome to everyone who has decided to join us!! I'm sorry I'm not doing the individual replies that I usually do.... I have a bit of a headache tonight and I'm not really thinking straight.

I do want to respond to the question of staying committed... or at least share my experience (as I think everyone's story might be a bit different). I have had earth shaking moments of "no more" where I have dug my heals into the ground and professed to the world that I will live like this no more; I have failed each time I've done this. You couldn't have convinced me at those moments that I wouldn't succeed. I always started out like a model dieter, and would do good for a while before I would revert back to my old ways.

So, what's different this time??? Where is my commitment coming from??? I think it's because I'm taking things one day at a time now. I also do not have the all or nothing mentality.... if I did, I would have already thrown in the towel again. To me, posting these commitments helps me set goals. Some times I meet all of my commitments, sometimes I don't.... but either way, I am much better off for having made the commitments to begin with. I finally have it through my head that I have more than 100lbs to lose. It is going to take me quite some time to make it happen.... there are no quick fixes. Sometimes a victory for me is just passing up McDonalds when I want nothing more than to pull in, sometimes it's stopping at two cookies instead of eating an entire box. Not everyone would consider this dieting, but it is changing the behaviors that got me to where I am.... eventually each behavior modification will add up and result in a new me. I'm sure as I start to see more results I'll kick up the level of commitments that I make.

So, to answer the question in short.... I stay committed with baby steps. Today I will drink 8 glasses of water. That's not exactly running a marathon, but it will help get me to where I want to be. Today I will not eat chocolate. That doesn't mean that I will only eat 1200 calories, but it does mean that my calorie intake will be less than if I give in to the chocolate temptation. Today I will be more active with my son. That's not the hour on the treadmill that some people are doing.... but it is more than I would typically burn. Do you see where I'm going with this???? There is nothing magical that is happening, but all of these little things will add up and become habits, and make way for a new level of commitment. Don't compare your commitments with other peoples... we're not all at the same point in our journey. We can't change who we are over night, but we can do little things each day to get where we want to be.

I'm sorry for rambling on... but I so love this question. It really gets you thinking. Just writing this helps me strengthen my commitments..... and for that, I'll give myself a victory dance :dance:

:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

I'm victory dancing with you over that post, Nalynn! I'm so proud of you! Keep doing what you're doing. You're making positive changes that matter.

I'll do a dance too in honor of that post Nalynn. So well worded and just, just, just I don't know - so right on the money.

:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

Good Morning Everyone!! I have already had my coffee and I'm in a GREAT mood today :coffee:

I did pretty good on my commitments yesterday. I did struggle with keeping things low carb though... BUT I decided enough of that and went to the store last night and bought every fruit and vegetable under the sun. Today, I will not have that problem:carrot:

I have some great commitments today so I thought I'd kick the day off right!

:) Today I will cut up fruits and veggies so I will have healthy, non-carb snacks ready at all times
:) Today I will finally take the juicer that I bought a year ago out of the box and start using it
:) Today I will dig up my old "Sweatin to the Oldies" tapes so my son and I can dance together while I'm getting in my exercise (that will end the excuse of not exercising)
:) I will drink lots of water!!!
:) I will take my vitamins
:) I will eat a small handful of almonds about 30 minutes before lunch and dinner to help curb my appetite (I read that in You: On a Diet)

Good luck Ladies!!!!! Here's to a great Tuesday for us all :cheer:

Thank you C.C. and RockinRobin for the dances!!! I think they're part of what has put me in such a good mood :D These little daily changes are really helping me!!

Thanks again... you guys are the best :hug:

WOOOHOOOO:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

Nalynn I am TOTALLY feeling that great mood today!
Yesterday was a success for me! I even made it to the gym after work instead of going straight home! This morning I got up and decided to check in with the scale a day early and had some good news...I'm down 3 pounds....which also means that I've not only met but gone past my first mini goal which was a total weight loss of 15lbs by my 26th birthday....well I'm at 16lbs lost and my birthday isn't even until Monday! My second goal was a total of 20lbs lost by New Years and I just know that I'm gonna blow that one right out of the water too! I'm psyched.

As far as all the chat on commitment...these really help me cause I'm not much of a com miter....not really...well at least not with healthy lifestyle changes or men for that matter....and I'm more neurotic when it comes to work and school...no big bang went off for me, but one day I woke up and just said to myself I think I'll be healthier today....and I've been sticking with it and who would thunk it...its working. Taking things on a day to day basis and setting mini goals and posting here are really helping me.

Anyway for today...
1. mentally prepare for my company's holiday party tomorrow evening/night. Its a fairly big to do....I will have one treat, no more than 2 glasses of wine, drink plenty of water and be in a taxi by 8:00PM! I failed at my last test of a night out, I don't want to fail this one

2. Today... I will keep up the good work, finish my last paper at work without getting fired so that I can go to the gym tonight!

Cheers
L

Congratulations NESunshine!!! :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

I love that you have already exceeded your minigoal!! All of your hardwork is paying off!!! Meeting your next goal by New Years will be a piece of cake:carrot: And you'll do great at your holiday party tomorrow... I think one treat and two glasses of wine is a great goal! It's enough to let you have fun and be a part of things without feeling like you're denying yourself, but it also sets limits. You'll do great!!

More victory dances for you because I'm so proud and happy for you! :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

: Good morming everyone, I am glad to see everyone in such a good mood!!!

Sunshine, I'm just so happy for you. Keep up the good work and the good attitude. The attitude is what it's all about.

Nalynn, glad you were able to pick up some fruits and veggies, I find planning the key for me.

Today's commitments:

:smug: Stay under 1300 calories
:smug: Drink lots and lots and lots of H2O
:smug: Exercise, exercise and exercise
:smug: Remeber that you want to be thin, more then you want the food.

I'm headed to the mall (maul). I have some things coming up, holiday parties and what not and I literally don't have a thing to wear. So for goodwill towards mankind I will be trying very hard to rectify that today. And pick up some gifts. Have a great day everyone. Attitude, let's get some attitude.

Hey i just realized that I left out one of my most important commitments, which is "No nibbling", but I just realized I haven't BEEN nibbling lately. Kinda cool.
If you say it long enough....................

:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

Wow, everyone is in such a great mood, it put a smile on my face:D

Congrats NESunshine on your mini goal, that's great. I know that has to feel so good, and it will feel even better when you hit your new year goal :carrot:

I liked all of your comments on staying commited. You all talked about an alarm going off in your head. Mine wasn't really an alarm it was more like a light bulb haha. That light bulb went off as I was looking through this site and everyones success stories. I was just sitting here thinking "these women are amazing" and i figured that if all of these other people can do it why can't I? I had just been dieting in all of the wrong ways. I think once you realize that it's not just a diet, it's a lifestyle change, that is when you stay commited and lose the weight. People who want to lose a few pounds to fit into a dress for an upcoming party-that's a diet. People who want to lose a large amount of weight and become healthy and fit-that's a lifestyle change.

Anyway, I did ok on my commitments yesterday, I didn't get in any exercise. When I got finished with my exams, I just wasn't feeling too hot. And to top things off when I got home my boyfriends mother cooked us fried chicken-mmmm nothing like good southern comfort food. I only had one leg though and still managed to stay within my calories :carrot: Now that is will power. My commitments for the day are:
:) Exercise!
:) water, water, water
:) Stay within my calories
:) Don't pig out on that peanut butter fudge my mom made!
:) Study for my last 2 tests of the semester!!!

Robin, look at your chickie holding that bigger number! How cool! and cheers to Nalynn and NESunshine for the gung ho spirit today!

I kept to everything but the exercise yesterday. Same old problem. I won't bore you. Today is a maintenance day: dentist and getting my hair cut and colored. Ah, premature graying... And the scale moved upwards despite the clean eating. Ugh. I am going to need to borrow some of that good ATTITUDE today gals!

:halfempty Eat smart.
:halfempty Drink water.
:halfempty Cheer up.

Anyone ever tell you guys you're waaaay too chipper in the morning?

Ha ha ha...chipper....yes chipper by the time that I get to work to post...not so chipper when I'm getting up at 5:00AM :dizzy: Or on my commute for that matter :devil:
I drink a ton of coffee though!

Oh and for the record....I could totally go without being at work today....its unnecessarily crazy here today! I'm sticking to plan but its all I can help to not run away and hide at the Mexican joint down the street with a burrito and a ton of margaritas! I'm really hoping I can get this paper finished so I can go try to take my day stress out at the gym!

C.C. - I'm sure if you check in a couple of days your weight will go back down. Everyone's weight fluctuates day to day.... so don't let it get you down. Try not to weigh yourself more than once a week (even though I know it's soooooooooo tempting). And smile :D because you've been doing great!!!!!!!!

Caseygail - Way to go for staying in your calorie range even with the temptation of southern home cooking. Now that's willpower!!! :bravo:

PNG - How did you do with the biggest loser workout??? I have it too, and I've only done it a couple of times. The lunges kill me :( Congratulations on making it through the first day successfully! :carrot:

RockinRobin - No nibbling?!?! I need to learn your secret!! Congratulations.... that is a huge hurdle to overcome! Way to go :cp: :dance:

Thanks for the "hang in there's" my friends! Today ended up being a good day. I shook off the scale bummer, got a clean bill of health from the dentist (and a "Wow, you have beautiful teeth and hygiene!" from the hygenist :D ), have no more gray roots and a great haircut, ate cleanly, drank water, and managed to stay on the elliptical for 16 minutes (more than double my previous measly record!).

I feel really good physically (sans foot). My pants feel loose, my watch is spinning on my wrist (and I'm going to leave it. It's a great reminder that it used to feel tight), and I'm sleeping easier. Oooh, so many little victories! Queue the Nalynn Dance: :dance:
For tomorrow:
:) Eat right
:) Fit in water
:) Take vitamins
:) Don't sweat the scale
:) Try the elliptical again

Have a great one everybody! You're all doing so well, and I love seeing that - you're my inspirations. :hug: