AJ- I LOVE YOUR HAIR DARKER, you look smokin hot, I say go for it! I totally think you could pull off some bright red highlights too (just my opinion), but thats kinda hard when your looking for a business office type job too, but I would go back dark, I love it.

Dance - I cant wait for you to get to Orlando too, lol...looking forward to us meeting up. It looks like Tuesday night dinner would work out well, let me know if that still works with your schedule and Ill block it out on my calendar.

Stacie- sounds like your having a lot of fun, good for you. And yeah, you can totally indulge on food you cant normally get, just within reason, which you are doing. PS- your scary cats on FB are too funny, in general your posts amuse the heck out of me, lol.

Neesy- sounds like a plan girl. Your not going to gain, if you even consider getting off track...keep looking at your before and after pics. I keep going to the mini goal pic album and looking at yours, they really are inspiring.

Maddiesmom- your doing a heck of a lot better than I am with Halloween candy...Ive been putting my hand in the candy bowl almost everyday. It still falls within my calories but I can see the bloat in my tummy, it looks so gross. You have worked helyeaz (I know thats not a word, lol) hard to get where your going, dont sabotage yourself now! Hows the training sessions going these days by the way?

Lets see, whats going on with me today? Hmmmm....I didnt make it to the gym but I am planning on going tonight after soccer. I did get my run in though. I stayed up till midnight watching the Yankee game and overslept this morning, sigh...at least I have a back up plan, no excuses. Food, Im doing ok. Got plans for sushi but its in my calories allowance so Im ok with that too. Not too much else to report on, Ill catch ya girls later.

Vicky- I am in AZ and the closest Kaiser Permanente is in San Diego. So I would have to pay out of pocket to get the blood work done. That is what they want to do but I am s.o.l. I do take vitamins. LOTS but maybe too many. Not sure.

Dance- Thanks. I ate a banana and a bunch of tums before bed. I do take multi vitamins and mineral supplements but apparently it is not the right amount. lol. Sorry about the weather. I know that it can wear on you. I hope shopping is awesome tonight!

Lindy- Thank you so much for the wonderful compliment. Its so funny because I love it dark too but my dad HATES it. haha. He would rather me tattoo my face. lol. My husband like the dark because its "spicy". I think I will wait until xmas to do it but I am going to do it.

I am really struggling. I am just as sore and now I have a terrible headache. I don't do pain meds well. I am thinking that i will take a day off from all of my vitamins and supplements and just eat right. Also I think I will go to the gym and try to do a really slow walk just to keep moving. I think the more sedative I am the more sore I get. I will prob be on all day so if you feel like talking.... I am here. =)

aj - :hug: so sorry it's such a tough time - that really sounds awful. Do you have a fever at all? Your symptoms (body aches, headache) almost sound flu-ish. Make sure you're getting plenty of fluids! Your hair plans sound great - and everyone is up for a change after the holidays in particular.

lindy - count me in for Tuesday the 10th! I took a bit of an exercise break this week what with the snow and my knee hurting but I'm planning to hit it hard again next week - sounds like you took a mini-break this morning but otherwise have been hitting it hard. Are you happy with how you look in the mirror these days? You should be! As far as candy, I come in a different entrance at work now to avoid the candy bowl - can you change your traffic patterns to avoid it too? Enjoy your sushi outing - that sounds great. Is there a date with the guy you mentioned this weekend?

Doing okay foodwise so far - just oatmeal and subway. Have snacks with me for this afternoon as dinner will be late. Hope you all have fun plans for the evening!

I thought that this morning too but I get headaches from percocet. I do even worse with vicodin. Yuck. I am dine now other than my legs. I have them elevated and I am lounged out on the couch. I drink 90 oz of water a day so I don't think I am dehydrated. =)

Where are you and your mom going to eat?

aj - yeah, definitely not dehydration then! Do you have a heating pad? That might be comfy for your legs. I'm having dinner at my sister's after shopping so that will be healthy according to what she told me this morning. I'm having raspberries for a snack right now - my absolute fave, and definitely a treat this time of year.

ok, girls - time for a random general question - what part of your body are you liking better now that you're slimmer? I'm super happy about my calves being skinnier and way more toned, mainly from running, and am sad that capri/bermuda season is over here since nobody sees them now. Confess - what bits are you liking/starting to like?

And what still bugs you? For me, I still feel like my face looks way fuller than I would like in photos especially.

Curious to hear about yours....

Hiiii girls. ::Holding head down in shame::

I'm a bad poster, friend, weight loser, etc.

It's not a good excuse, but my life has been crazy like usual. This house is just more work than I ever thought it could be. All we do is work on the house, move furniture from one room to another, and clean up messes from working. I have logged on an read posts a few times, but when I am as far off the wagon as I have been, I cannot post on a WEIGHT LOSS website. I mean, weight loss has been on my mind, but I just haven't been able to get the motivation to do something about it.

I am going to confess my secret that I have been wanting to post for a while but could never get up the nerve. Those who were here when I was really posting in the beginning know that I have literally NEVER been able to lose more than 10-15 lbs in my life. I have tried maybe hundreds of times and then lose 10 lbs and gain more back. The only thing I that made this time different was ephedrine. That is why I have lost 60 lbs. I ordered ephedrine online from Canada and it creates a weight loss machine. When I take my pills, it changes my mind. I want to exercise, I don't want to eat, my toes tap because I have so much energy, while I am working I can actually stay focused and get my work done quicker. I am a druggy. I can't do it without the pills. I don't have the will power. The food just takes over my mind and I can't help myself. I feel like a fraud...because all of you have done it naturally and have found a way to overcome the challenge.

So, the past month or two, I haven't been taking the pills and all I have done is ate. I got on the scale for the first time yhesterday morning and weighed 298.8. There is no way I am going over 300 again. So, yesterday and today I went back on the pills and I am back to my weight loss mentality.

So, that's my confession. Judge all that you'd like. I had to do what I had to do.

On the other hand...I am SOOOOOOOO proud of all the weight that has been lost in my absence. You guys are doing incredible. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. OF. YOU.

I really hope to post more, but I'm not going to make any promises since that hasn't proven to be worth much. I am going to continue taking the pills, and that should keep me on track. I feel like the last two months have been a humbling experience and I am going to try to be more reasonable about my goals. Slow and steady. It just needs to come off, it doesn't matter when (within reason).

Tiff- I never got to really get to know you well. *sad* And I hope that you will keep talking to us even if you are stalled. This is support. You need support in all of life. Some of us struggle with guys/jobs/moving/hunsbands/stress/work but we all struggle with weight. I fell off for over a a month and I personally understand the ephedrine. I don't condone using drugs esp drugs linked to strokes but NO one should judge you. You know your body and it was legal for a long time. Just know its easier to gain after. I over use ali. I quit taking it 3 days ago. I was on meridia, a prescription weight loss drug but it was 200 a month. Different things work with different people. I just hope you don't hurt your self in the process of trying to better your self. <3

Okay Tiffs honesty inspired me. I talk a big game but really I just keep changing my plan to try to work more and more into my diet. I quit taking ali because its not part of my plan and I lost 16lbs those first few weeks while really doing it so I need to go back to what I know works for me. That means no cereal! No candy! No cheating at all. Really its is very strict but I have to try. I don't want to stop losing and be okay with where I am now. I want to lose.

My legs are doing okay. Not great but not terrible. I will show you the document that slim 4 life uses and I am on plan 2 which is 2P 4V 2F 2Starch 1fat 80oz water and 8 oz milk. I believe. I believe.

Neesy-5 12 hour shifts. How do you do it. Make sure to eat. I try to keep my calories between 12 and 1600.

AJ-hope the soreness goes away for you soon. Do you think its all the supplements, and do you think taking the day off from them will help?

Dance-when do you go to Orlando, that warm weather will be nice after all the snow you have seen already. To answer your question, I am loving, of all parts, my ankles, no more cankles for me. They are so small. My legs are looking better and better all the time. My waist is still bugging me, I know I have lost some there, but just wish it was a little quicker.

Maddiesmom-halloween candy is evil. I have been good and stayed away so far this year. Your plan sounds good for staying out of it. Dances idea of sugarfree gum is good, that always helps me. Try to stay away from those milk duds.

Lindy-how far do you go on your runs? I need to get back out there, havent walked or ran since Sunday.

Tiff-well for me, I am not here to judge anyone. I am here for the support and to give support. I really hope you make it to your goal weight and continue to post here, we really enjoy your posts. Just curious if you have any side effects from it. I have taken weight loss pills(not ephedrine) in the past that have made me really shaky and sick.

My puppy is turning 2 on the 4th so I am making him some homemade treats out of baby food and wheat germ. I am making cupcakes for us, I am going to have ONE!!!

Havent worked out yet today but need to get off my butt and do it. Still at 204 today, doesnt look like I am gonna make it to 202, but I am ok with that. Gonna be fun to see all the percentages on Sunday.

Oooo! Rayne- I wanted to start a dog cake company last year and I found recipes for carob (I love) or carrot cake that all can eat! Its pretty healthy and its pure so pups can eat it. I love making dog treats!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY PUPPY!

AJ-I would love to have a doggy bakery, we should move close to each other and open one. Bandit is going to be spoiled, I went today and bought him some toys for his bday. There is plenty for him to share with Lizzy too

Rayne- You are so cute! I do the exact same thing. My dogs brother lives with my best friend so we have a HUGE birthday party in January for them and one in May and one in August. We have 4 dogs total. It is so fun. Way more fun than any of our birthdays!! Our dogs still have presents from their first birthday. I have a 3yo and a almost 4 =( yo. I love Bostons though!!

Morning, girls!

Tifftiff - so good to see you here! We've been thinking about you lots. I'm pretty sure this is the least judgemental group around - I haven't tried diet pills myself but pills, surgery, cleanses - whatever helps someone get to a place where they feel good about themselves (without too high of a health risk) seems right to me. If there was a magic pill that worked for me to lose the next 20-30lbs, I would be in line right now! If you decide you want to re-commit to weight loss (pills or no pills) we are totally here for you and will look forward to celebrating your success!!

aj & burgundy - you guys and your puppy bakery ideas are too funny!

Hope everyone's having a happy halloween and is staying far far away from that halloween candy. My personal huge weakness is those mellowcreme pumpkins (like candy corn, but softer and way yummier) and I haven't had a single one this year which is HUUUGE change for me. I'm going to visit some foreign friends today that I haven't seen in a while and will stop on the way (to avoid temptation) to pick them up some halloween candy as I'm not sure they're clear on the whole trick or treating thing - I'm only going to pick stuff that I don't love to make it easier.

Looking forward to weigh-in tomorrow!!

I'm not sure why I said that piece about judging...I know that you guys are completely unjudgemental. I was just beating on myself and assumed (in the moment) that others would beat on me too.

For the time being, I am back on the diet train. I am not counting my calories strictly, just eating when hungry. With the pills in me, that isn't nearly as often as it has been and when I am hungry I want to eat healthy foods. We went back to the gym last night for the first time in two months. I did 30 minutes on the elliptical and then 2 miles on the treadmill. Don actually had to make me go to the gym. I was dreading it sooooo bad. But once we were there and sweating and working hard, I was soo glad I went. This afternoon we went on a 6.5 mile bike ride, too. So, I am back in the swing of things. I just feel so completely defeated. Like it's not if I will fail again, but when. This whole 11 months of the diet, I have been off and on over, and over, and over again. Why can't I stay serious for more than like a month at a time? I just keep telling Don that we need to get in a strict routine that allows time for cooking meals, exercising, keeping the house clean, and doing all the many things that this house is requiring.

We literally tore out our kitchen two weeks ago when we had the floor reinstalled. So now, we have our fridge, oven, dishwasher, and two cabinets with counters set on the floor. This is not the most conducive environment for cooking and it's gonna be like that for a while to save up enough money to redo the kitchen. We also only have 1 bathroom right now. We tore out everything but the tub in the guest bath to redo the tile in there too. Our house is a construction zone, and it's driving me crazy.

The other thing that is causing alot of stress in my life is work (like usual). I am in line for a huge promotion and I feel like its only a matter of time before I get it. But in the meantime, my boss has broken up with his girlfriend of 10 years and is pretty messed up and not focusing on work AT ALL, so I am having to do the work that I usually do and then a good portion of his. He is also dating all these new women, and leaving work early half the time, and just generally frustrating me. This promotion would make me his equal and then I wouldn't have to deal with his crap anymore. But he is kinda (ok REALLY) holding me back from the promotion. He doesn't want to have to do the work that I am doing, and I keep him so organized that he has basically told the big bosses that he won't do his job without me (that's what he told me anyways). So if he says that, I don't know if they are going to actually promote me. SORRY! Here I go immediately into my problems my first day back! That's a bit self absorbed of me.

Burgandy, in response to your question. I almost can't explain what the pills do to me, but I will try. They only make me shaky the first day I take them after I haven't taken them in a while. That is the only side effect. The good effects are that they take away my appetite, give me tons of energy, make me want to exercise, and change my entire mindset about food in general. I do know the negative possible side effects of ephedrine. But I keep weighing those possible negatives with the definite negative of staying 300 lbs for the rest of my life. At this point in time, the definite outweighs the possibility. When I don't take them I feel like I am trying to self-sabatoge, becuase I know what I should be doing, but I refuse to do it. It's like I WANT to eat all that bad food and just be lazy, and I know that won't happen if I take them. So I don't take them so I can do those bad things. I feel like a mental case...lol. I am totally self-analyzing here.

I will be weighing in tomorrow and buying that amazon.com card since I committed to that. If all goes well, I will be at exactly the weight I started at or maybe a lb. more.

Now that I am back, I realize how much I missed you guys,

<3<3<3 Tiff! Thanks for staying. I get it! And just so you feel better... I am only down a few since the start. I fell apart too and I I don't last but maybe 2 weeks at a time. We will start a new challenge on the 1st for new years. Maybe we can do it =)

Ugh... I don't even want to talk about food today. BAD! but I am looking forward for the candy holiday to be over and move on to a holiday that I can cook healthy! I am going to a halloween festival tonight. I need to get out. Because of my legs, I have not really left in a few days. BOOOOO!

Just stopping in for a second. Got off work and going right to sleep. Thank god for that extra hour tonight! YAY!

Tiff-I'm sooooo glad you're back. I missed you! I know exactly what it is like to be on and off with the diet thing. I've been that way for years.. which a lot of us probably have. Don't be too strict on yourself. Find a routine that you could actually stick to more than a month.. that is actually liveable. That is what works for me. I eat ice cream everynight! haha. Ok.. a weight watchers cup (140 calories)... but it makes me feel normal. Don't deprive yourself or overdo it at the gym. It's definitely not a quick fix. We didn't put this on overnight. I had to deal with being impatient. It's rough. If I can stick with something this long... you can too girl!

OMG.. november 1 st is already here! WOW. this challenge has gone by quickly. I'll weight in tomorrow for the official end weight. I really hope i break this plateau soon.. I need to workout. I haven't really worked out in over a month.

Will check in after work tomorrow. Can't wait to see how everyone did! You girls keep me going.