Hi, I'm Amy, 33, and new to this board. I've been replying to some of the threads and been lurking around a lil but pretty much new here. I really like this board so far.

I weigh about 254 now, about 17 lbs down from 271, my highest weight. I am upset that I let myself get up to both weights but I am taking charge now to lose the weight. What I was wondering is how do you chicks keep the weight off and how do you come without food with the happiness of weight loss and the disappointment of weight gain? These are my struggles. I'd really appreciate your feedback- thanks!

Hi Amy and welcome!

Getting the weight off is a matter of changing your relationship with food. You have to think that losing the weight is more important than eating whatever you want. By not eating junk, I'm not depriving myself, I'm treating myself to a healthier and leaner body. It's a constant battle but you can do it.

Welcome Amy!

Personally, I reward my efforts with new exercise clothes. They can be a little pricey so I normally workout in an old t-shirt and sweat pants. A nice top and good fitting capris can really make you feel fabulous while out walking the trail or going to the gym. It boosts my confidence and is a great non-food reward!

As far as keeping it off - it's one pound at a time. If I can keep of the last 40, I can keep off 41, then 42, etc.

I wholeheartedly agree about changing your relationship with food. I love to cook and bake, and celebrate (and lament) all things with pasta or white sugar! Change is difficult, but worthy!

Hi Amy!

I reward myself also with non-food things. Sometimes it's a piece of jewelry, a cd, new workout clothes like Pixie or at the moment I have 6lbs too lose for my next reward which is gonna be Jillian Michaels new Master Your Metabolism cookbook( I saw some of the recieps on the Today show this past weekend and oh man! muffins and brownies!). A healthy cookbook to reward myself and help with the next 10lbs.

As for keeping it off....

For me it's also about the relationship with food. It's no longer a means to comfort myself, stuff down feelings or deal with angry moods. Workouts are how I get out the negative feelings. I comfort myself by coming here to 3FC where all these ladies understand. And I no longer bottle up my feelings. If someone doesn't like what I say or how I feel, it's THEIR problem not mine. I'm honest and straight forward. It feels good too. Ultimately food is means to fuel my body. Nothing more. Yes I fall off the wagon every so often. Even crash and burn sometimes, but the difference between the old me and the new me is HOW I deal with those setbacks. I simply pick myself up, give myself a good butt kicking workout and get back on and move forward. No pitying, self-hating or negative talk about it. Just move forward in a positive manner.

Thank you all so much for your kind replies and support. You have valuable input and I appreciate it.

Violin Jenn, I agree with you about seeing food as fuel and nothing else. That is hard for me because I am used to seeing it as something to celebrate with like for birthdays, etc and here I am planning out that I want red velvet cake for my July birthday, ridiculous!

I especially appreciate the advice about how to keep the weight off and will refer to this post.

Thanks again.

Hi Amy!! to the group!

I agree with Jenn and MP. You need to reward yourself every time you reach a goal. If we don't, then why are we doing this? Maybe the end reward will be a healthier body. Maybe it'll be a brand new wardrobe (and a visit from Trinny and Susannah!!). I reward myself every 5kg (11 pounds). My 80kg reward was some really funky handmade jewellery (lots of awesome comments on it!). My 75kg reward might be a massage, might be a day trip on DH's motorcycle- I'm not sure yet. I'll wait until I get there.

Caro's got some good advice- it's all about changing the relationship with food. Food is NOT the enemy, it's the relationship with it. Comfort eating, boredom eating, celebratory eating... it's all an excuse to fill ourselves to bursting! I don't agree with depriving yourself of the occasional treat: I have 2 ice cream cones a week- Sunday and Thursday (Criminal Minds night!). I also have a marshmallow chocolate bar once a week (usually Tuesday or Saturday). I fit it into my day by filling in my online diary as soon as I get up. It means that I have to work my calories around that, rather than fit it into what I've already eaten.

You've done a great job in losing the weight so far! Keep it up!!

I totall agree about rewarding yourself at mini goals. I have a long way to go and would have given up now if I looked at it as a whole, I, like Molly, take each 5kg and reward myself, I've had a haircut and am looking forward to hopefully dying my hair this week with my 10kg.

But yay keep up the great work! This site is amazing. I am always popping on here for advice and support. x

@ Molly... another Kiwi!! Feel free to private message me if you like. There aren't many of us on here, we gotta stick together. x

Hi, I'm new, too, and just wanted to say thanks for all the great advice in this thread!

Guten tag and to the groups ChocoKat!!

Thanks so much, Mollz! Hey, I like Harry Potter, too!