Hi everyone,

Like most of you, I am sure, I have tried everything to lose weight and it's been a lifelong struggle.

This time feels different somehow. I think I am finally ready to live life fully instead of 80%. I'm out there and living and doing a lot, but the 20% is what I need to work on. I don't want to hide anymore--especially from men.

When I read your stories, there are so many encouraging and inspiring posts, and it gives me hope that I can be successful. Most of the time I think I must not be able to be successful--that other people can control their eating, but I'm never going to be able. My demons will always get the best of me.

I haven't weighed myself, but am fairly confident I'm about 335. The reason I haven't weighed myself is that I'm afraid I am going to get obsessed with the scale like I have so many times before. At this point, I'm thinking I'll just go by how my clothes fit, and shoot for a size 18. We'll see.

So far I've been eating less for a week, and taking Alli. I've managed to eat about 1600 calories a day and have not been hungry. I would like to combine the Alli, calorie control, and a bit of intuitive eating into my practice.

Any words of advice or encouragement are welcome. I'm terrified I'll slip up again. I really want my full life back.

Best of luck with your efforts, Battleax! You can do this, one meal at a time, one day at a time. I have many slip ups with my ongoing journey, believe me, have many bumpy roads, but the main thing is that I keep going.. Giving up is not an option! The reward of this battle is so much happiness, from seeing so many success on this site.. If they can do it, so can you, I and everyone else. I wish you much success and looking forward on seeing you lighter.

WELCOME!!! I had never been successful until I started this 2 years ago. I never thought I could control my eating. But, here I am, 120 pounds lighter!

To control eating, my advice would be to view the food you don't eat as a positive, not a negative. That is don't think "I can't eat that brownie" but "I choose a healthy life over that fattening brownie!"

Second, make a long term commitment. Find ways to stay on plan and exercise, even when you don't want to!

Please check out the forum and feel free to join us on the numbered threads -- that's there most of the action is -- they move fast, though!

Welcome and Good Luck!!! I already enjoy the support that I have recieved and I have only been here a week or so...

Welcome! I wish I had thought to start like you...going by my clothing instead of my weight. I have become obsessed with the scale, weighing myself at least once or twice a day. Sometimes more. In a way, it helps keep me motivated. But sometimes it is frustrating to live by the numbers.

Sounds like your weight loss journey is off to a good start! Keep up the good work!

Welcome! Yummy food's my demon too. Here's how I've been keeping them at bay (hope it helps!).

I vowed to be really good 6 days a week. Friday is what the hubby and I call "Splurge Day". It's the one day of the week we can have bad food. And it's working! I seriously thought I'd be cheating left and right, but I haven't been.

Here's the real kicker...yesterday was Splurge Day and I had spent the whole week planning and plotting to make my super high calorie taco dip...I forgot. I totally spaced it out yesterday and ended up staying on plan!

If you know you obsess over the scale, it is a great idea to avoid it. Our weight can fluctuate so much based on so many factors that many people get really discouraged when they don't see it moving the way they want.

I also use my weight to hide from things - especially men. For me, this journey is so much more a mental one than a physical one. If the mental part is ok then the physical falls into place.

Don't be terrified you will slip up, because you probably will. The important thing is to keep on going if you slip. Forgive yourself and move on immediately. It isn't all or nothing.

I think what others have said, that if you slip up and eat more than you had planned or just know you were out of control ... know that it cannot undo everything you have already put in ... and just pick yourself up right away, that day, do not wait until tomorrow.

Also, sometimes it's good to just let yourself have the decadent food ... otherwise, you get into that desire to rebel against losing weight.

I constantly ask myself after I splurge "Was it worth it?" "Did it make me feel better?" "Did it change my life, make me happier?" 99 percent of the time, it's a no. So that reinforces the desire to eat less.

Also, know what foods trigger the desire to overeat. For me, that is pizza--white pasta--thick white breads---crackers---chips. So I limit these items as much as possible and try to eat things that I would never desire to overeat, like soy or whole wheat pasta .... soups, etc.

Welcome! This is a great place for support and encouragement.

Welcome!

Thanks for your warm welcome, and tips. It is great to find such a warm and supportive group.

Exactly! That is my response also! And instead of thinking I "can't" eat something think in terms of "I WON'T eat it" because I want to be healthy and lose weight!" Later on, it feels so GOOD that you have done the right thing instead of the guilt of having blown it!

Ain't that the truth!!

I wish that great feeling were a little more present WHILE I'm struggling to NOT eat the brownie! But if I make it past it --