sassyangies - look at the day you completed your mini-goal and now! That is lbs in a month, you are doing spectacularly. Have you finished all your Valentine's Day cards? That's such a thoughtful gift, it's nice when you can make things from the heart.

I am going to make my mother a necklace with these glass beads that my aunt made. They were sitting around in a dish in my mom's house. My aunt passed away from breast cancer nearly 8 years ago now, and I know my mom will appreciate it. I just need to make the time and find some other beads to go with the glass ones. They are a bit rough, too, so I might do some sanding.

I went to sleep TOO LATE last night, but working out in the morning will hopefully give me enough energy to get through the day. I got flavored coffee this morning and it doesn't taste strong enough. When I'm tired I want hi-test coffee.

Oh, and I had a gift from the scale this morning. I'm 125 lbs down, total.

My scale has slowed down to a crawl after such a productive January. I'm hoping it's maybe just TOM, but I only started to get it in Nov, and it hasn't been regular. I also don't have the wicked pms symptoms I did last time (aside from a breakout), but someone told me that the evening primrose oil I take may have evened out my symptoms. Maybe I'm not being strict enough.... I don't know. It's a little discouraging.

I'm going to go see my nephews at lunch and spoil them for valentines. Maybe that will cheer me up.

Jane - if you are feeling discouraged right now, please please look at page three of this thread! You announced that you had reached 100 pounds down on February 7. Now it is a week later, February 14, and you've lost another 5 pounds! You are NOT doing anything wrong. You are doing SPECTACULARLY.

I know sometimes when you are in the middle of it it does not FEEL like that. I was feeling like that over the past couple of weeks, bouncing around 250. Today, though, I hit 245 and that means I have been losing a consistent 2 pounds a week at least during the period when I was thinking to myself that something was wrong.

The trick is to find ways to remember that when you need to remember.

Look waht a Valentine's present you've given yourself!

Happy Valentine's Day! :val1: I hope everyone is having a fabulous day, whether celebrating or not.

I've been trying to be more social lately and it led to me having a bit of an epiphany today. I went to a workshop last night where we learned how to make different holiday crafts and it was a lot of fun! Then today there were pictures posted on Facebook from the workshop and for the first time in a looong time, I didn't cringe when I saw myself. :o

There were two reasons: First, I actually could tell that I'd lost weight when I saw the pictures. It's hard for me to see it when looking in the mirrors but flipping between pictures at my high weight and the ones that were taken yesterday, it was obvious. Second, I looked really happy! I wasn't hiding in the corner or trying to duck out of the camera's shot. I just stood there and smiled because I was having a good time and with friends and didn't mind that moment being captured.

Mnem I know, you're very right, and I have to remind myself constantly that it is going to slow down and that I've done really well and been lucky speed wise. It isn't even about wanting to hurry - it's more the fear that I'm going to get lax and backslide.

I'm crazy. Don't mind me :)

I am recovering from yet another round of the stomach bug. I guess running a home daycare exposes me to viruses more often. I know it was one of the worst in many years and I am so sore , my rib cage hurts.
I was able to eat normal food yesterday and scales went down again today. I dont expect it to continue as I add more liquids back in.

Jane - you're not crazy, by any means! And clearly, you know exactly what you're doing. Look at how far you've come! I think, though, that one of the hardest things about this process is learning how to trust your own choices. I sometimes worry that I might get lax, but I'm really not. I'm eating in a way I like and making choices that I like and embracing what comes with that. Because these choices have to be lifelong! And you should be confident in your choices, too. Look at where they've gotten you thus far! I step on the scale every day and have down days where I'm a bit cross-eyed, and I have started asking myself - where was I a month ago? Where was I a week ago? And when I do that I realize how far I've come and it helps me get through the fluctuations without being too paranoid. I wonder sometimes if the paranoia and stress that we get with water and hormone fluctuations might actually make them worse!

It's not even that you've been lucky, the speed EVERYthing? Is your hard work.

MapleLeaf - that is a REALLY great NSV. I know EXACTLY the feeling about avoiding pictures and mirrors. I mean, it used to be that when I walked to the restroom or breakroom at work I chose a path that would let me avoid the mirror. I did that for a long time. Now, when I go to the bathroom I always stop to admire myself in the mirror.

What sort of crafts did you make? That does sound like fun. I'm so glad that you had a great time. It will just get better as you go forward!

dgramie - so, so sorry you've been sick, either another round or longer than expected. Those are really awful and I know the feeling. I hope that you continue to feel better (and that the scales stay down as you start drinking more! Don't get dehydrated!)

I bought another new dress last night. Size 20. It was on clearance for $15, so I couldn't resist. It's really lovely but as usual I have an issue with the bodice. It is a criss-cross bodice and keeps opening up a bit to show my bra.

I need to take a picture, though. The dress is really cute and I feel great today, if a bit distracted!

Hello again. I have been lurking around but not on too much lately. I have been looking for a thread or two to call home. It is easier for me to stick with a few threads that are very relevant for me. This is one. I hope you don't mind me jumping back in.

mnem The glass bead necklace sounds lovely. I am so not a crafty person, not a craft bone in my body, I admire those who are artisitic.
Congratulations on your 125 down. I have lost just over 30 pounds and it has taken my months, almost 5 to be exact. But I am kicking along. :)

Jane Wow I remember reading when you could not wait to get to that 100 pound mark and now you are past it. Good for you! You sound frustrated but look how far you have come.

I had a nice Valentine's day with DH. We decided to stay home and had tacos, brews, chocolate cupcakes, played cards and watched a movie. We just spent the day together. We even went out to play table tennis for an hour and a half. Things we enjoy doing together.
I have decided to quit WW and do it on my own or to join TOPS. I am getting scared. I love counting points and worry I will not know when to lower my points etc.
I want group support but it was just getting too expensive for me. I also just do not have enough time to add another meeting into my life which means I may not really join TOPS. LOL. What to do what to do?

I do have WW paid for one more month. I cannot go to my usual weigh in as there is no meeting on Family Day.

Well glad to be back here and will check in.

Im excited!! I am down 16lbs this year! That puts me back to the 60lb off mark. Im hoping to lose at least another 20lbs by my daughter wedding in may.I am going hold off on buying a dress for it for now. Hoping to be down a size or so.
I also noticed some real cute shoes at Catos. Cant wait to find the dress and the shoes. Well her shower in 2 weeks and not sure what im wearing to it. Guess i may have to take a me day and go shopping. I know im not going to like the way clothes fit still but hey its going in the right direction. woohoo

Im finally able to eat normal and drink my coffee. WHEW...wouldnt wish that bug on my worst enemy!

Hi ladies.. boy it's been a rough weekend. I'm so pooped out from work I'm ready for Sunday to be over. It seems I'm over my rut. I hope it's true. Lately my PMS has made me a different person. It's never done this before but the last few months I've turned into a monster..lol.. I havent even started yet, but I feel it coming. I think Im back on track. I didn't sway too far off it just didn't feel good about it for some reason.

I hope you ladies are doing great and hopefully I'll have more time to chat and read up on whats going on with you guys. Have a great Sunday!!

Hi ladies! I'm checking in here at home, not that I can't any other time, but I tend to check in on you all at work. But the stinking website hasn't been working well with the antique networking system at the office. So I've been bored and missing you all!

My sweet boyfriend put my treadmill on layaway at Sears this evening. We found an incredible deal that just couldn't wait for my tax return. It's over 50% off for a Nordic Trac brand, heavy duty, built-in fan, etc... can't wait to get it. We got into a spat today about how I'm going to make my workouts work out between my work, his work, the little kiddo, etc without me going at 9 PM. But this will be great. I've got to start getting non-lethargic and sedentary. I CAN. I just haven't.

The little one and I tried a new recipe tonight-- the banana "ice cream" everyone talks about online and on Pinterest. It's bananas, frozen and chopped into small pieces, then tossed into the blender. Makes an ice cream like consistency treat. We added a dash of cinnamon and a blob of fat free cool whip in there, and it was pretty tasty! Make sure you use extra ripe bananas, like you would for banana bread.

Jane, you're doing fantastic, my dear! Don't give up on yourself. You have come Soooo far. If I'd ever seen the scale drop more than 40 pounds for me in the times I stalled out, I would be 150 pounds at this point. Enjoy the constant lowering of your poundage, girlie!

dgramie== you're on it, too! Good going with your loss so far this year. I'm down about 6 total, so keep on keeping on!

mnemosyne-- congrats on the lovely dress and new size. You're doing so well, as well. I'm catching up with all eventually! I bet that dress will be fantastic for one of your concerts or shows.

mapleleaf-- congratulations on your epiphany. I bet it felt good to feel so nice and happy, then to have the photos reveal a thinner you as well! What a nice day for you!!! :)

You guys are awesome. I really do have a lot to be proud of. I'm just impatient

dgramie that's awesome progress

kerrileah yay! Sounds like an awesome treadmill. You'll feel awesome.

I feel gross today :( I'm just achy and nauseous. Hope it passes.

Jane, I agree with everyone else. :) You're doing amazing! I understand the frustration though. I've been staying between 350-351 for the past few days and it feels so frustrating. I try to keep reminding myself that I can only control my behaviors and trust my body will do the rest on its own and in its own time, but it's hard! I think the impatience is normal, but you're still doing really, really well!!

I have a goal to step up my exercise a bit this week, which will hopefully lead to good results. We'll see!

Yeah jane your doing awesome.. Your an inspiration to me thats for sure.. Maple that is hard to do just let your body do what it needs to do. I am impatient too, but we just have to keep going..
I am so happy the scale did move a few down for me. i was stuck there for a little bit so I'm happy. I wanted to sleep in today and allready talked to my hubby about it last night. I feel so exhausted. That didn't work because my son is so used to me waking up with him even though my husband was awake he just kept coming in and asking me questions..lol.. go figure right.
Well, he goes to my Mom's tonight to spend the night so I'm going to be working on my smashbook and spending time with my hubby.

I hope you guys had a great weekend and are off to an awesome week!!

You are all doing fabulous here; and should be so proud of yourselves. When you've lost over 75 lbs, the losses slow down a bit and you can hit some stalls or mini-plateaus, as you have already seen. If you just keep at it, the scale will eventually come down again.

I had a doctor once that recommended only weighing every 3 weeks, becuz he said that worked around things like hormonal issues, pms symptoms, water-weight fluctuations, and stalls. By that time, your were likely to see a loss for sure ... and he was right. I always lost something, even if it was only 1-2 lbs. He knew that would keep me encouraged too.

MEM -- yes, do take a picture of your dress; we'd love to see it. I hope to get some more shopping done this week and if we have time, I want to look at getting another small digital camera so I can start taking pictures again too. Maybe I'll find one this week when I go to the nearest city.