300+ And Ready To Try Again...#1015
 

Misti -- Regarding not being the fattest one, it gets better! I am rarely the fattest one anymore! I'm still kind of surprised by that. Frankly, I still haven't figured myself out at this size, and am learning new things all the time.

For instance, tonight I discovered something previously unbeknownst to me: Manufacturers carry specific lines of SPORTSWEAR designed for WOMEN! Shirts, and shorts and nifty sweatpants that snug whole lot closer than men's stuff. :)

Apparently, they fit me now! I bought several items on clearance, because I don't want to invest in things I won't like... but shorts that "wick away" moisture...kind of cool! :carrot:

I think I'm going to try NOT to borrow hubby's sweatpants any more!

Edited to add: Ladies, I looked at myself in the mirror tonight and I cried. And for the first time ever, I cried NOT because I hated what I saw, but because I looked liked I belonged in those clothes. I might even go so far as to say I looked good in them. Wow.

Hi guys... sorta new here. Been doing this for 4 months now and I'm just about 40 down so far which is right on track for me. I alternate cardio and strength 6days a week and basically track calories on MFD (myfooddiary) and I'm looking forward to this being the last time I do this (although I know it's a lifelong change!)

I hope Its okay I post here even though I'm a bit of a lightweigh for the 300+ I started out at 301 and am down to 263 now...

Hey everyone~

Ammi~I wasn't able to reply yesterday. But you asked a thread or two back why I moved to Barrow, Alaska. My husband works for the national weather service. It was a good career move. And now we are looking at possibly moving to Tulsa, OK. I am originally from Louisiana. So I will be a little closer to home...at least not 4500 miles from home! lol :)

Melissa~I saw your pics. You are looking great! I can't wait to fit into my size 24 jeans. Congrats on that NSV you are doing great! :)

Idealmuse~:welcome: Congrats on the 40 pounds lost! WTG!

Well this is a slow weekend for me. Husband is working this wekeend on day shift. I am really having a hard time getting back into the swing of things with weight loss. My eating has still been ok. But it has been really hard getting back into regular excercise. But I think I am realizing its more of a mental struggle than physical. Its almost like part of me is fighting losing this weight. Its like something is telling me oh don't worry about it or keep delaying it. I am not crazy! But the best way to describe its like I am almost sabotaging my own self! I guess in a way it scares me. The putting it off mindset is what has allowed me to hit 300 plus pounds and stay that way for 3 years! I know you all have proably felt like this at some time or another. But how to get over the mental roller coaster of losing weight? Some days I am doing well and then some days I could care less if I lose weight. Ok I am officially rambling! I guess I just needed to vent. lol

Well I hope you all are having a good weekend!

Michelle

Michelle, I have those days OFTEN, particularly around TOM, if you don't want to exercise promise yourself you'll do just 5 minutes & if you hate it you'll stop. I find that once I'm actually off my bottom & moving I always carry on & as long as you stay On Plan foodwise a day or two off formal exercise won't kill you.xxxxx
Heather, I am SO pleased for you, I'm still stuck in men's jogpants most of the time & as I exercise at home I don't care if I look scruffy. As you're now going to a POSH gym, ;) lol, you may as well look the part in nice LADIES sportswear! As for the crying, it was a GOOD CRY, :hug: and I'm happy for you that you are feeling slim now as well as looking it!xxxxx
I had my two bad days Saturday & Friday but now I'm OP and will exercise tomorrow as well as doing all that walking to & from nursery. My cold has almost gone and I feel better, apart from a sore head & throat. So now I'm raring to go!
Ammi, I bet tomorrow is the day you weigh LESS THAN ME!!!!!!!:carrot: I'm sad :( (for me):devil: BUT GLAD FOR YOU!!!!:carrot: xxxxx
Well I forgot what else I was going to say but I hope everyone has a great day.
Misti, yes I know what you mean about not being the fattest person anymore. I also feel so sad when I see young or old people who are so big they struggle to walk, I want to tell them there is help and support out there but they'd think I was crazy, a religious fanatic or slap me! It is so sad to see young people who are damaging their bodies and not enjoying their youth to the full. I know you are not being unkind about the size of others, but do you want to tell them how big you were & that they could get healthy like you?xxxx
xxxsharon

Idealmuse, you are welcome here, Zelma & some others STARTED at 300lbs but are now NORMAL SIZED, lol, so feel free to join in. What plan are you following?xxxx
Vilandra, your pics are lovely, I really like the cami in the first pic of you and I agree you look great in the second one (not that you don't look good in all of them!!!). Just think how good you'll look a few more pounds down!xxxxx
gotta go now & do housework, AGAIN, sob....lol
xxxxsharon

Sharon~Thanks for the encouragement! I guess I was just having one of those few days!

Well I just did my weigh in and I must be doing something right because I have lost another pound! YAY! I am so happy because I had been stuck in the 330's forever! I really need to fix my ticker because my starting weight was 340. So I am off to update my ticker. Nothing like losing a pound to make you feel better! And if can just kick my butt into working out more I am sure I would lose a lot more!

michelle

That picture is of a figurine called Piggin Computers, and that was exactly how I felt half an hour ago, after spending one and a half hours typing replies to everybody! I know I can lose posts so all the way I copied, copied, copied. THEN when I went to preview my post, Internet Explorer went whappy, everything froze and I had to restart my PC. Losing everything! So you can imagine I was not amused. I went and did a work out on my Rider and thankfully NOW I have calmed down :lol: But I am really sorry, I just cannot face typing all my loooooooong post again. So to those with NSVs or SVs I say :bravo: for those teetering on falling off the wagon, please don't, you owe it to yourselves to be strong :hug: and to everybody else :wave:

I am going to go now, I have to get some lunch, plus I don't want too write to much in case this daft PC throws a wobbly again :lol: Bye for now,

Hugs,

Ammi :grouphug:

Idealmuse -- Oh my yes, you are welcome! This is absolutely the place for you! Sounds like you have a great exercise plan in place and a good attitude about this being for life! I encourage you (and EVERYONE!) to join our 300+ exercise thread. It started because I really don't like to exercise and started keeping track of the minutes I exercise each month. Another member (our lovely Valerie, NoLifeWithoutHorses) asked if she could join me, and *bingo* our exercise thread was born!

We set individual goals of minutes of exercise each month and then record our exercise on the thread -- it REALLY helps my accountability. What may be even more fun is that we track our exercise as a group too -- so far this year we have done well over 100,000 minutes of exercise. I wonder if 200K is a stretch??

Anyway, if you think you'd like some exercise accountability (even though you've got a great plan), please join us -- the thread is stickied at the top of the 300+ forum page!

Hey there everyone!
I got to sleep in this morning, BLISS! No hubby and one lazy dog :D

Thought I would pop on b4 breakfast and I have been here for over an hour *L* Going to clean out my basement today...yuck! And going to try to go to aquafit this evening. other than that, there is absolutely nothing new *L*

Zelma~ Well I don't think it was work that made me so sore. It was the 2hrs at the pool that started this mess. I told hubby that even my "fat" hurt. I am better now but I work PT at a plus-size clothing store and when it is busy, you basically run backa nd forth from the fitting rooms, to the cash register and run for different sizes etc. Congrats on getting another interview. And a paying one? How nice for you!

Misti~ I know how you feel about noticing others. I do it now too and it is hard not to esp at water aerobics when we are all "out there"

Idealmuse~ :welcome:

Heather~ Its great that you found some clothes that actually help you see your new body. I think its awesome and you should feel so proud!

Big Hi to Ammi, Lilion, Val, Melissa, Mechelle, Kenya, Amy, Nancy, Jilly, and everyone else!!!

Food is calling my name.....
Brenda :wave:

Good morning, everyone!!

Heather, that is wonderful that it is sinking in for you that you are not fat and look great in women's clothes! Yippee for you. It is hopeful for me too because I am now wearing men's "Small" pants and they are getting really baggy on me. Where to go from here? But my problem with women's is they are all so huge in the butt and thighs, and I am so skinny there. But someone did give me a couple pair of zip up pants quite a while ago (women's) and they actually FIT me, wow! It's been years since I could zip anything over my stomach!

Thinthinker, thanks for the tip about Fashion Bug. We do have one here but their stuff always runs way too short for me. However, I looked at their website and there IS a huge 40% off ad so it must be nationwide.

Idealmuse, of course you are welcome! Congratulations on your weight loss so far! And hey, I wasn't quite at 300 when I started here but joined in anyway because this was the nicest bunch of supporters I found in the forum! :)

Michelle, hang in there! I think your struggles are normal. And you DO care or you would not be working this hard at it. A lot of times I have to convince myself that exercise still counts even if I don't WANT to do it and am grumpy about it. :rofl: Keep going!!!

Sharon, I know what you mean about wishing you could encourage others who are so fat to do something about it! Even though I am happy about not being the fattest, it isn't in a sense of being "glad" they are so fat. I honestly wish I could go up to people and tell them about 3FC and encourage them to join in. I'm glad I am doing it but I wish THEY could also! I am not sure if I mentioned... but I was chatting with one skinny woman at the pool and she said she had lost 200 pounds (!!!) by eating right and doing water aerobics!

Hey, my 3D weight loss support group at church starts this week on Tuesday evening. It is based on First Place BUT I was told by the leader that some of them do the program and some don't. I mentioned to her that I would like to have a group but I don't want a diet program and bunches of food logging and other paperwork to do and I want to stick with my own eating plan... so I've never been able to find a group. She laughed and said not to worry about it as some of them do the plan and some don't and "you won't get kicked out of the group if you don't do it." :) They just get together, encourage each other, pray for one another, and share tips and ideas and stuff. In fact it was kind of a compliment... I didn't really know this woman until she came up and complimented me on how much weight I have lost! We were talking and she invited me to the group. And she said maybe I can be of help to others and share how I am doing it! I am excited about it! Have no idea how many people have signed up.

LOL three people posted while I was writing this. :rofl: So good morning to you too! LOL Ammi sorry you lost your long post. Don't you just HATE that? I try to do long ones in Notepad first and cut and paste. :rofl: And Brenda, that is neat working in a plus-size clothing store. Do you get a big discount? You get to find all the neat stuff first. :) But hey, keep this up and you won't be able to SHOP there! :woo:

BTW I did find out that the bra I like so much... FINALLY found a comfortable one that fits nicely... is made by Catherine's and since I am wearing the smallest band size they carry I won't be able to get any more like it in the next size down. I can't even get a second one in THIS size, as they are all out of them. So I am getting by with one nice one I like and my old ones as "backup" as sometimes I have to wash the thing LOL.

Blessings to all!!! Happy Sunday!

Michelle -- Oh yes, you are right about this being a mental struggle. The longer I go, the more I believe this to be true. I think only now, after losing over 100 pounds, am I even starting to believe I CAN do this! Isn't that insane!

I spent years resigned to the fact that I WOULD be fat -- and a big part of why is because I kept denying the problems I was creating for myself by being so fat. I also didn't think I could be successful at it; so that denial was very helpful in a way. If you don't think you can do something, deny it's a problem, and then you don't have to do anything!

I think humans are really really good at this. Ever know anyone who had symptoms of some disorder who refused to see the doctor because he or she didn't "want to know"? I think this mindset is common. You're not crazy, but in very good company.

So, 64 MILLION dollar question is the one you asked above: how do you change it?? Sharon's right in that some days we seem to have the motivation more than others... I don't know that I have a real answer for you, except to say that perhaps it's not about motivation and believing you can do it, maybe it's about commitment to a process.

Motivation and desire to do this will come and go. But the decision to DO it, to see eating well (most of the time) and exercise (most of the time) as something you do because you HAVE to. Like paying the bills. I think the problem is that when we don’t pay the rent or mortgage, the negative consequences are rather swift in coming, but not eating well and gaining weight … those consequences can be YEARS out!

So, all this to say, I’m starting to think that motivation is fleeting, and that I am committed to doing these things. As I think about it, I did commit, but never got to the point, UNTIL NOW! Where I even started to believe I, Heather, could do it. I am more surprised than anyone that I lost 100 pounds!

So, what about those days when you just don’t wanna? Sometimes you’re going to fall “off the wagon” As soon as you can, you have to pick yourself back up again (don’t give up!). And you have to try to figure out WHY you went off plan in the first place, so it doesn’t happen again. Don't see these times as failures, but as learning experiences!

Okay, I’m going to stop now, before I lose this post!

Sharon -- As I look at your ticker I am seeing that you've lost about 50 pounds! More? That is fantastic!! Ammi may catch up to you, but don't forget your own progress!

Ammi -- What a PAIN about losing that post! You did inspire me to do my personals more one at a time, just in case... and I actually do them more and more in Word these days, so when I zap a post, I can get them back (thank you undo function). Sadly, it sounds like your problem would not have been solved by using word.

But but but, how great is it that you used your gazelle to work off that frustration, rather than heading to the kitchen! I am really proud of you!!!!!

Brenda -- I know what you mean about "popping in" here and spending more than an hour... I am at risk of that, too! But I am determined to get to the gym (AGAIN!) this morning. Hubby and I are going to swim again! bliss! well, provided my problem shoulder doesn't keep acting up.

Misti -- Amazing how people have such different body shapes. It looks like I *may* be shaping up to have an hourglass figure... I'm a bit bigger on the top than bottom, but definitely still curvey everywhere. And there's no way I could fit in men's smalls.... MAYBE mediums, I haven't tried!

Your new "3D group" (love that phrase!) sounds like it has promise! Let us know how it goes!!

Exactly, exactly, exactly! And it depends on our definition of motivation. If we are looking for a feeling, our feelings are SO fickle and come and go! I agree with you completely. There are a LOT of times I am exercising with a bad attitude :( and thinking this isn't going to help! But I remind myself that my body is going to respond to the workout even if my mind is rebelling. :dance:

Heather, you are so right... we sure are all built differently. Yesterday at the pool my friend who went with me said she had also noticed that there were a lot of people there fatter than I was... but seeing me in my swim shorts she also commented on how skinny my legs are. :) They really are, so I love it when I can wear leggings or shorts, etc. and draw the attention away from all this weight on TOP. :) I see photos of a lot of you and when some even still weigh quite a bit more than I do I think how come I look fatter than they do? But that is because mine is not spread out LOL but all right there in the middle!!!

Oh and I should add... hanging in my closet and which I still wear to grunge around... are several pair of men's XL sports pants!!! Woo hooooooo they are huge.

You might just want to try them again. The last time I was in one of their stores they had a new line of pants with all different "fit" options and I did see some pants in the casual section that even came in "petite", "average" and "tall". Good to know about the online sale too. Cool Beans! Now everyone can take advantage. :)

Thanks! Actually I did try them again just last week. :) Their pants do come in various lengths but they are all way too big in the thighs and butt for me. However for those who can wear them those pants are a super deal. BUT the special priced ones are NOT included in the sale. But they are pretty inexpensive at regular prices.

Right now I mostly need some blouses but theirs don't even come below my waist. :)

Hi All,

Well this is going to be interesting, I am going to try typing my replies to you all using WORD. Yes Heather you are right that I would have lost it anyway today, BUT for all the times I lose it for other reasons, I figure it might be safer doing what a lot of you do. So here I am typing in WORD.

Idealmuse – I forgot to say :welcome: in my last little post. Of course I said it in my HUGE post, but it got lost, so I am saying it again now. You have done really well with the loss you have had so far, and I look forward to hearing about your future weigh ins.

Brenda – oh yes I forgot about your extra work out in the pool, no wonder you were so sore. All that and on your feet for all those hours at work. I reckon hubby should have given you a nice foot and calf massaged instead of making you feel guilty when you just wanted to sleep sleep sleep :D

Heather – I agree with the others that it’s wonderful that you are finally seeing that you are looking great. After suffering for years with depression I hate to cry these days, but the tears you cried were happy ones and I look forward to having some of them myself :lol:

I loved your post to Michelle about dieting and how it’s not just a case of being motivated and having positive thinking. You always talk a lot of sense, and I am SO glad you didn’t lose your post and that we all got to read it. It’s definitely something to think about.

Thanks for your words too about me using my Gazelle to work off my frustration at losing my post. Funny how technology can cause SO much upset to me :lol: I have to say I am pleased with myself that my first reaction wasn’t to turn to food, AND I ended up working out at such a pace that I did an extra half a mile in my 30 minutes!!

Misti – You don’t know how often I see a fat lady, sometimes the same size as me, sometimes much bigger, and I just want to ask them if they need a weight loss buddy. The only thing that stops me is that I might insult them. They might not even be on a diet, nor want to be on one. So I keep quiet. Though I guess in your situation when you are amongst women who are working out, they obviously do want to lose weight, so it might not be a bad thing to mention 3FC to them. Perhaps we should all get little business cards printed out with 3FC info on them that we could leave discreetly somewhere for other big people to find them :lol: It’s a thought :D

That 3D weight loss group sounds really good. It’s not often that you come across one that isn’t strict about you following their particular plan. What a compliment for you to be invited along like you were. I bet you WILL be a huge help to the others there, and they will be inspired by how well you have done and are carrying on doing.

Rats about you finally finding a comfortable bra but also finding out that you won’t be able to get it in smaller sizes!!! I guess it’s kind of nice though to know you will be too SMALL for a particular bra!!

Michelle – it’s daft isn’t it how we sabotage ourselves when we diet. I often wonder if it’s a subconscious fear of facing life without the armour of our weight. It’s like I never worry about passing a group of guys and having them make lewd remarks or wolf whistle, not like the do to the thin girls that pass. I wouldn’t want that to happen to me either, yet chances are it might once I am thin enough to warrant their approval :lol: That’s just a small for instance. I am sure you get the idea though.

You have done so well so far, and you owe it to yourself to keep strong, to keep off the weight you have already lost and to carry on losing it. As each SV and NSV happens you will have such a sense of pride in yourself and will be so happy that in time you won’t want to even think of sabotaging yourself :hug:

Sharon – Heather is right, you have to remember how fabulously well you have done on your weight loss journey. We were only talking about it the other day weren’t we, about your heaviest and how much you have lost. And another thing, even if I do get to be lighter than you at my next WI, to me that’s only numbers. You are in much smaller sizes than me, and that’s what I am aiming for, more normal, smaller sizes. Forget who weighs what, and think about how great you look in your size 18 jeans etc :D

UPDATE ON CROCK, Annie and I got to chat with her on Yahoo the other day, and I am happy to say that she is doing well. She is maintaining the weight loss she had, and she is on the verge of starting a new job. If she does, then I am sure with her finances sorted she will be able to get back to losing weight. Oh and for anybody wondering, she found homes for all the puppies, and she kept one for herself :D

Ok I am going to attempt to put this onto 3FC now, obviously if you are reading this then it worked :lol: Enjoy the rest of your weekend everybody and bye for now,

Hugs,

Ammi :grouphug:

Misti~Thanks! The funny thing is I always feel so good after I excercise. But its almost like I forget how good it feels to work out every time I think about doing it! Like you said I just have to keep going! :) Also, congrats on all of your NSVs/losses you are doing great!

Heather~What you said made so much sense! You are right on the money!
If it was all about motivation I am sure I would be thin as a rail. It really is hard at times to realize its a process. I liked your example of the paying the bills. That made so much sense to me! Thank you so much for sharing. And congrats on the 100 pounds loss! That is so great! :)

Ammi~I could on for hours how I try to sabatoge my ownself. Drives me nuts at times! Thanks so much for the encouragement!

Well like I said I think I am just having one of those days. This time around trying to lose this weight I am realizing so many things. Like all of you have said about the mental part of weight loss. I also realize how negative I am towards my ownself. Being over 300 pounds has ripped away most of my self esteem. And I started to get to the point where I just thought I would always be fat. There is for sure no logic in why I react to weight loss the way I do. Its really like two different parts of me. One part wants to lose weight more than anything. And then the other part wants for some crazy reason to stay fat. And that part for years has won if that makes sense. I also think in a way I am scared to lose this weight. It would be like stepping out my comfort zone. Which that doesn't really make sense because being 300 plus is not comfy! lol Every time I lose weight I get to around 325 and then just resort back to the old lifestyle. I hope this time I will make it past 325 and just keep going. Ok enough venting/rambling!

Thanks for the encouragement and support. You girls are great!:hug:

Have a good rest of the weekend!

Michelle

Ammi that makes me so mad when that happens!

Hi gals! I've been away from the boards all week again and have only had time to skim all the threads that I have missed. There is just so much good work going on here on this thread. By that I mean all the sharing and encouragementthat we do with each other. It is so helpful to me to hear what those of us who are at goal or close to it have to say. The new joys they are discovering give me something to strive for and look forward to. Thanks to everyone who shares so honestly. Who knows how many people you are helping when you do?!?!?! Not just us, but whomever might be lurking and just hasn't found the courage to post. I just think it's incredible. :grouphug:

As for me, I had my annual physical and bloodwork this week. All my bloodwork, bloodpressure, etc was normal. I am freakishly healthy for one so overweight. Nonetheless, I know I need to lose the weight because as my doctor said, sooner or later it will catch up with me.

One thing that made me sad was when she weighed me I was one pound heavier than I was last year at my physical. Seeing that just really brought it home to me the way that I struggle and struggle with myself to make some progress and then backslide again. Because during that year I had lost nearly 25 pounds and then gained a good portion of it back. To my doctor, she is thinking at least I didn't gain anything but she doesn't know the vicious cycles that occured with my mind and body throughout the year. It is really quite an abusive way to treat yourself when you think about it.

Anyway, I am trying to change that. I got out and walked my dog this morning. It was beautiful weather this morning and it lifted my spirits a bit.

Well, that's about it for me. Hope you all have a great week!

Just doing a quick drop in- doing well today- eating a salad right now. Went to the gym and did my 1 hour weight lifting class and then also 1 hour on elliptical. I weighed- I'm disappointed because I'm at the same spot I was at, 2pounds up, but I'm hoping that by friday (offical weigh in) I can move my ticker, or at least have it be true :)

Everyone have a good day- I've gots lots of work to do as it is my day off.

Heather – That is so cool about finding a new gym. I have started to think about looking in case I need to leave my job. I would love to find a gym like that. 24 hour would be nice, but a pool would be great. There is one down in NJ that looks really good, but it is out of the way.

Lilion – I thought you looked really hot in that dress. I also thought you had really nice legs. I guess it is all a matter of perspective. We are definitely our own worst critics. I looked at the practice swords they had and they were definitely way overpriced. I found some online for half or less that looked better made and I think I will order one soon.

Misti – Congratulations on hitting the half way mark! I am still the fattest woman at my gym (it is a pretty small place). However, on Friday this heavyish woman came in for the first time and was trying things out. She saw me on the elliptical and thought she would try it. I think she probably thought that if that fat girl can do it, I can do it too. She didn’t last a few minutes before she stopped. I may still be the fattest, but I am getting pretty fit!

Melissa – I am definitely seeing a difference in the last set of pictures you posted. 34 pounds in 4 months is great!

Sharon – I am glad you got a new prescription. I hope it works as well for you as it has for Ammi. I am glad to hear you are feeling better from your cold.

Kim – I can understand why people tell you that you are beautiful - it is because you are! I think beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, but the important thing is feeling good in your body and being able to live your life to the fullest.

Idealmuse – Welcome! I also think I have seen you around LJ? I don’t post there much but I lurk. This is my home and it is great group of people!

Ammi - I loved that pic - it was too funny! Sorry you lost your post.

Michelle – Before I was able to start losing weight I had to do a lot of introspection. One of the major things I had to ask myself was what reasons did I have for wanting to continue to be overweight? I knew that I sabotaged myself every time I started a diet – the question was why? I discovered that part of me wanted to stay fat as a protection against things I felt I couldn’t handle. I have since been working on other ways to deal with those things that bother me so that I don’t need the fat anymore. So far, so good. One of the areas for me is being very uncomfortable with attention from men. It is still an issue, but I feel much more confident that I can handle them with my wit rather than avoidance.

Xena – Glad to hear that everything went well at the doctors. Being one pound up is definitely better than having gained a lot more. Hopefully by next year you will be down rather than up.


The Renaissance Fair yesterday was a lot of fun, although it was a bit more commercial than I was expecting. I was hoping for a bit more historical information rather than a few shows and a lot of things to buy. As it turned out the only thing we bought was a small set of horns for me which was a special request from my coworker since she has a pair and wants us both to wear them on Halloween. I ate a few of my BF’s apple fritters but besides that I didn’t eat anything crazy even though there was a lot of food there. The highlight of the day was actually seeing a live vulture in a bird show. He was actually really cute – I was so surprised.

I think it helped that I weighed in yesterday morning and was down another 2 pounds. I know my official weigh in day is Thursday, but after several weeks of the scale not moving I will take it when I can get it! I know it has to be my perception, because I know I am a lot more fit then when I was at this weight before, but I feel fatter than I remember being. I am sure it is just a perception thing, but sometimes it really gets to me.

Just a quickie between gym and errands --

Ammi -- thanks for the update on crock -- I'm glad she's maintaining. And yeah, the Word post worked!

Michelle -- I think it makes perfect sense to feel "comfy" at 300+ There's something about being fat that is "invisible" in a weird kind of way. Yes, people SEE you, but do they really LOOK? I think being fat insulated me from some kinds of male attention growing up, and perhaps there was something to that. And it made it safe to avoid other kinds of insulation -- I was able to use fat as a shield and an excuse for a lot of social interaction. Confronting the fat means confronting these issues for me.

Xena -- I know it's frustrating to be the same as a year before, but getting back on the horse so to speak is the best thing!

I'm glad that hearing success stories is motivating. Like Zelma, I sometimes worry about being too me-focused...

Ammi - I forgot to mention that - thanks for the update on Crock! I keep thinking about her every time I load the picture page and see the pics of her puppies. I am so glad she is doing well!

Does anyone keep in touch with Julee? Luan maybe? I know you live nearby and you had talked about getting together.

Hey guys
Just checking in. I finished cleaning the basement... what an awful job! I don't quite know how we can let it get so darn nasty down there. I guess cause we dont spend any time down there. I think I may go curl up and play a game for a bit and call some of my friends to see about going to aquafit. I am trying to ignore the fact that I dont want to go and am trying on the excuse that I could stay home and get hubby to haul all the craft supplies that I have hidden all over the house and put them down there (I have a huge scrapbook room in my basement but am trying to utilize it better by adding all my cross-stitch stuff, my beading stuff and everything else that may be around the house). Part of me wants that done and the other says that that is an excuse and I could do that tomorrow night when there is no aquafit. Ugh, why do I do this? OK, calling my friends now. If no one wants to go, then maybe I will invite my mother. I must go tonight.

Catch ya later..
Brenda :wave:

Lillion - heres a trick for getting rid of that "double chin" action. dont have the photographer hold the camera lower than your eye level. if you have to look down. at all. its in the wrong spot. really, the best thing is to cheat up, which means have the camera at about forhead level so you have to tilt your head up slightly. its rarely noticeable (unless someone is over your head taking the pic) and it stretches out that skin. just a tip :)

Kimpossible - i totally understand, that did happen to me last halloween. i went on a new ride at a local amusement park, and the seatbelt didnt fit. i just got up and walked off and told my friends i would see them at the exit. that was about the time that i realized my weight had gotten out of control. i had never been so mortified in all my life. and even tho no one really saw, i knew what happened and why. more or less tho, i just want to look cute in my pictures :)

Thanks everyone!

VooDoo - My plan isn't ridgid it's really just tracking what I eat and trying to eat within my calorie target for the day. My target is higher on exercise days as I eat back most of my exercise calories. I had to convince myself this way okay for awhile, but it seems to be working. I had issues with Gallstones from super-low calorie before, so I try and keep the body running at optimum so I need the fuel for the weight training. Basically I aim for about 2lbs a week or 1000cal deficit. So on Exercise days I can eat 1800-2000 or so and non-exercise days 1450 or so. Other then that just the usual more fiber/veggies/wholegrains less process/sugar. I basically allow myself anything as long as it fits into my day, I've cut way back on the sugars and empty carbs (but probably still need to do so more) I've found not keeping anything in the house I have issues with really helps me to focus on better choices. Plus the exercise thing is a large part of my "plan".

It's only been 40lbs but I feel so much better then I did before at this weight, and some people tell me I look like I lost more (Probably did lose more fat but replaces some of it with muscle) Muscle is smaller and makes me feel better, so that's okay by me! In the long run it makes life easier and I will burn more calories just by nature of having more lean mass.

wyllenn - I will check in w/ the exercise thread - I'll have to think about what goal to set next month and join in then. WOW 188lbs? How awesome is that? I never liked to exercise either, but I'm beginning to really appreciate all the benefits. It helps so much with my mood especially. I don't always enjoy it but I like it better then I used to now that i found some things I can tolerate. I mostly workout at home with DVDs. I think now that I basically make myself do it daily (I allow myself one day off a week for rest) and its so ingrained in what I do it's not so bad. You guys of all people how how hard it can be to get started, but once the first few weeks go by it does get easier. Also what you said to someone else in another post: "Motivation and desire to do this will come and go. But the decision to DO it, to see eating well (most of the time) and exercise (most of the time) as something you do because you HAVE to. Like paying the bills." IS the key I think. We aren't always going to be prefect but the reason we failed before is because we stopped what we were doing. Most of us KNOW how to do this it's the "Just do it" factor that we sometimes let go of.

Not the Cheat - (I love strongbad!) Yes I'm on LJ too. Idealmuse is my weight/health journal there too. It's friends only but I basically add back anyone. Just wasn't comfortable talking about all this weight stuff in my main journal. Most people are understanding, but some people don't want to hear it.

Everyoneelse - Thanks for the warm welcome I look forward to getting to know you all!

Xena – yes it is disheartening when another year goes by and you end up weighing more than you did the previous year. That normally happens to me on every one of my birthdays. One birthday passes and I decide to lose weight before my next birthday, but the next one rolls around and I will have lost and gained back weight plus some more. At least you only gained 1 lb :hug: I am determined to be much lighter by the next one of my birthdays. No more gaining back the weight for me :crossed: and I hope the same can be said for you. Next time you have your annual check up at the docs hopefully you will see a huge loss! First of all you have to focus on your birthday goal, and when you meet that one, just focus on the next mini goal and so on and do on until you find you are at least 100 lb lighter. I know you can do it :D

Kimberly – keep off those scales. Seriously, seeing that your weight is still the same, no matter how determined you are to stick OP, still brings you down. Wait until your official WI day and give yourself more of a chance to get those lbs off :hug:

Nancy – glad you liked the picture. I collect those figurines, and actually have that Piggin Computers one. A friend bought it for me not long after I got my first PC. It used to drive me batty when it wouldn’t work as it was supposed to. It’s one of my fave Piggins.

Well done :bravo: on losing the 2 lbs. Let’s hope that by the time you officially WI you will have still lost that 2 lbs and some more as well.

I hear you on the feeling fatter now than when you were much heavier. I think it’s because we focus more on how we look now. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t look too closely at myself in the mirror before this diet. Now I do, and I don’t like what I see. I have lost 75 lbs and am still morbidly obese, it just seems like after that much of a weight loss I should be seeing a slim gorgeous woman in the mirror. Oh well, she will be there eventually, just got to keep on keeping on :D

Heather – I am glad that I got the Word thing to work, I am enjoying typing my posts on here, hey I get spell check as well :lol: And with a bit of luck I will never lose one of my mega posts again :D

Brenda – I really hope you went to aquafit. I don’t know about you but when I have days where I try to make excuses not to exercise, but then I make myself. Well I feel so great after I have done it. Great because the exercise is done and even greater for not giving in to my urge not to do it.

Luan – Sharon told me a while ago about having your photo taken so that your double chin doesn’t show. My problem is that I always forget to do it :lol: Thanks for sharing the tip here though for Lilion, and for us all really. I think we all hate our double chins. I have an awful feeling that mine isn’t going to go all together. Now if only I could afford some liposuction :lol:

I have had the same experience as you on a ride. Only it was in front of a load of people who saw and heard everything. I just managed to squeeze myself into the seat, got the bar down and all, but because the seatbelt wouldn’t go around me I had to get off. I don’t think I have ever been so red with humiliation. I had a friend with me, and love her, she got off with me too even though she fit on. I still felt awful, but appreciated that she made sure I wasn’t the only one walking off the ride. I have never been back to that place since, but it is definitely on my agenda for when I am at my goal weight. I am going to get on that ride and have to tighten the seatbelt because it’s going to be too loose!!!

Ok well I better make a move now, take care all,

Hugs,

Ammi :grouphug:

nancy- i have not talked to julee in a while. :(

can we send up some smoke signals or something to call back those that we have lost?

I'm feeling really good today- it's amazing how much better I feel about everything in my life when i am 100% OP. I guess I just have to remember this feeling when I'm tempted to stray. I don't want to have to lose the same pounds over and over- it's hard enough to lose them once!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has concerns about riding amusement rides! I got on one and barely fit a few years ago- and knew that was it for me, i refused to go through the humiliation of not fitting- but inside I still feel it, since I can't ride. In fact whenever any one talks about amusement activities, even though I would love it I say that it terrifies me, or that i suffer motion sickness, so that I don't have to ride. It sucks!! I can't wait to be thin!!!

Ammi- you are so right- I felt considerably discouraged after weighing today. I'm glad it was after my workout- if it had been before I'm afraid I would have allowed it to discourage me from doing as much as I did. I will not weigh until friday- the curiousness will probably kill me, but I know that this plan works- was before, so I don't need to check it before then. Crossing my fingers that when i weigh on friday I will be back at 379. (or 378- is losing new pounds to much to ask?).

Going to make it an early night, have a good one ladies!