I reached my first big goal.
 

Hi Ladies!
I just posted this in the mini-goals thread, but I had to post here because here is where I lurk the most ... and it's your comments and stories that motivate me the most.

I've finally entered Onederland (as I've heard it called on here before)
I am sooo happy to see the number 199.2 on my scale for the last two days. I have actually lost 25 pounds since May! My journey is a bit slower than many people ...but so was the turtle :D

I haven't given up everything (food wise) I just eat less of it ... I don't exercise as much as I should but, I've still lost the wieght. Then main thing I have changed is I am NOT being impatient and I am NOT beating myself up for not losing fast enough or being more disciplined.

To be honest I plateaued at 206 for almost 5 weeks. In the past I would have been so depressed and given up ... but I held strong and kept reminding myself that it was just a plateau and all was STILL OK ... I was still down 17 pounds and I would NOT regain that by feeling sorry for myself. Sure, enough ...eventually the numbers started to move again. I now embrace the PLATEAU's and take it to mean my body is just settling in to its new lower number.

This is a great way to end the year. I will offically start the new year wieghing under 200 for the first time in 5 years. ( since the birth of my second son)

I am looking forward to 2010 and losing an additional 45lbs or so pounds! I KNOW I will do it. Thanks to everyone here for their support and stories ... while I tend to lurk more than post ... you've all helped and motivated me tremendously. :hug:

I'm looking forward to 2010 my heart tells me it's going to be a really good year. Face pictures are below

face pictures
 

Attachment 34106 Attachment 34107

The face picture in red is me at my highest weight ever 226!

The face picture in pink is me 24 pounds down ... I can see slight difference. :D

Wow, Alley!! Congratulations on making it to Onederland -- I am so thrilled for you!! And, the difference of 24lbs is way more than slight... I can really see the difference! Around your eyes, your cheeks, your chin, your neck??!! All much slimmer... How wonderful!

Honestly, I think one of the big gifts of getting older is learning patience and moderation... While your (and my!) weight loss may be slower than others, it doesn't matter; what matters is that it is working for you and you can continue for the long run.

Happy New Year!! What a great way to start!!

WTG Alley!!!

I definitely can see a difference, especially in the chin area.

Keep coming around we all need the support.

congrats Alley!! That's a great milestone to get to!

congratulations! I have been on a plateau for months : ) my "totem" for years has been the turtle, "slow and steady winds the race". I know at some point I'll have "whoosh" of 2-3lbs and then I'll see-saw there for a while. Thanks for giving me the inspiration to buckle down again!

Awesome
 

That is awesome Alley,,,you are an inspiration!! Not getting discouraged is awesome!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks
 

I really am glad that I ran up on this site this is great support and incouragement.
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Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations for sticking to it through that plateau...you look younger in the new pic! Funny how weight ages us...I'm going through the same thing, put a pic up, and people were like you look younger..i don't see it, but they do..LOL

Glad to have you here - and hope to see you on our weekly chat threads more often too!