[suzukigurl]

I have a feeling many of you have had a "diet" past like me. I have tried just about every diet on the market, diet pills, work outs, even darn near starving myself and did any of them work in the past? The answer to that is a BIG FAT NO!
So what was different for me this time? The down and dirty answer to that is ATTITUDE. I celebrate every victory, scale or NSV, I find motivation in the smallest things and do my best to share my positive energy with other people. This time around it's a journey, not a diet, I feel like I have surrounded myself with the things I need to get healthy and fit. I have changed my entire outlook on food, exercise, and life in general. I took every ounce of disgust and hatred I had for myself and put that energy into being happy, healthy, and fit! I found overall it was more exhausting to be negative then to go to the gym and run. The joint pain I was feeling in my knees and hips (from being so heavy) have been replaced with sore muscles from a long workout. I can walk up the stares without being winded, I can lay on my back in bed without feeling that I am being crushed by my own weight, and this is with only losing 35 lbs... well DAMN what will I feel like after 55, 75, 100lbs. I can't wait to find out...
I reflect on my journey a lot this time, it really helps keep things in perspective.
So what is it that you have done different this time around, what have you found that has worked for you?

[Jeckeree]

For me this time wasn't just "i don't want to be fat anymore", it was health related also. So I think that it didn't feel like an option. But what's different this time for me is that it isn't so hard. If something looks good I look at the label and if it is loaded with saturated fat or something it literally turns my stomach. And I have been eating whole grains and only healthy stuff so keeps me full and I never struggle with feeling like I'm restricting my calories even though I'm eating much less than I used to. All the other times I went for quick fixes, like slim fast for example, but how I'm eating now its completely doable for the long term

[Lori Bell]

This time I decided that I didn't feel like following all the "diet rules". I refused to chug gallons of water every week, only to sit on the toilet every 20 minutes, I refused to walk for miles on a conveyor belt that led to nowhere. I refused to cut out entire food grouPs, or to eat on a timed schedule...

I finally reslized/decided that for my health and my sanity I needed a plan that fit my lifestyle. I could succeed without pills, powders or spending money I couldn't afford. For once in my life I didn't follow the "rules" and for the first time I succeeded.

[dcapulet]

I care about myself now. How could I accomplish so much in EVERY OTHER area of my life, except self-care? Time to change that. I want to show my kids they can accomplish great things with and for others and still care about themselves.

[Elladorine]

My anxieties are gone. I'm not sitting in agony over any indecision between what I "should" or "shouldn't" eat; instead my cravings are gone and it's easy to make good choices.

[SmallSteps]

Attitude, Determination and finally realizing that one set back does NOT have to derail all my hard work. Get right back up and get right back at it!!

[treasureBelle]

This time, I'm doing it so that when I FINALLY move out and start living properly as an independent adult (I'm 22, hoping to move out by summer 2013), I can live life the way *I* want to, properly.

Last year, I dropped out of uni and moved back home with my parents. I'd put on a LOT of weight due to overeating, had no job, had dropped out, was staying with friends while I panicked and went into denial.

I've lost weight before. I can do it again. This time though, it's different. When I move out, I'm prepared to be skint if it means being independent. At uni, a ridiculous amount of my money went on food. When I move out this time (I'm currently saving up), I want a NORMAL life. A life where spare money can go towards important things (savings, socialising, hobbies, etc), instead of a chocolate gateaux all to myself in a day, and basically as much food as I can buy with the money I have.
I know how to cook, and what sort of food to eat. Eating sensibly NOW, means that I spend less money on snacks and other useless junk, and save more to move out (hopefully sooner rather than later!). Moving out means the freedom to choose how I eat, instead of fitting in with my family's routine.

I'm starting to look at the choice I have when I go to the shops. Sure, I could buy the bag of cookies... OR, I could buy the pot of grapes or berries instead. And I know that the latter will make me feel much better than the former.

[PinkLotus]

This time I'm not only doing it for myself, but also for my 17 month old daughter. I want to be around to see her get married and have babies. I also want to be a good role model for her. And I do not want her to pick up on the unhealthy habits I've created for myself in my life.