neurodoc: my husband doesn't like spinach BUT i typically buy one bag of baby spinach a week and just cook it for myself along side of my typical dinners. I do this because I LOVE IT and it is so easy to just put it in a pan and let it cook down real quick. I used to load the pan with butter, but since I am counting calories I just let it cook down with a little bit of water. It is honestly easy to eat half of a bag of spinach on your own, it is only a couple of cups and is SO good! You should make yourself some if you really enjoy it, just make another veggie for the hubby and kids. (which you can have as well if you would like!)

morning feathers!
thesame7bs and EmmaD, I LOVE crock pots. I wish I had the money (or space) for one right now! :lol:
thesame7lbs, GOOD LUCK for your run! I wish I had the determination to do a half marathon. In my home city, there's a very popular (has been said it's the biggest road half-marathon in the world before, but I don't know whether that's true/how out of date it is) half marathon every year and I've NEVER done it. Maybe one day. I hope you LOVE it, I'm thinking of you! :D
I'm pretty sure I will have gained on Tuesday when I measure in. I've been good about my exercise, but I've drank too much alcohol. We'll see :) I'm just happy that I can feel that my ABS are sore --- because that means, SOMEWHERE, I HAVE some abs, even if I've never seen them! :lol:

Good morning everyone! just wanted to give some of my good news....

125.6 today :D I'm very excited!

I think I will treat myself to a pumpkin spice latte :carrot:

also, I see these ads for SoyJoy bars ALL OVER this site. are they good? .. lol

Just a quick check in - I dont like to spend much time on the computer on Saturdays :)

Good luck tomorrow AMY!!!!!! Ill be thinking of you!! I KNOW you can do it!

LILMISSPOPE Congratulations on your loss!!!! Over 10 pds!! That is remarkable. Do you mind telling me how long it has taken you to lose those 10 pds and a brief descrption of what you have been doing? I am always curious to hear what works for people..

Yesterday morning I was down to 136! Another .2. Slowly but surely. Im not complaining; I havent been eating that great (although been close to my calories goals around 1500 just not all healthy foods) and I have been slacking on my exercise :/ So Im glad I am still losing. Official weigh in was today but I missed it so I am going to do it Monday. I hope to see 135 something!

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

I've been so off for the past 2 weeks. I don't think I've gained anything, but I sure as **** haven't lost anything!! I plan on counting, but then I just start munching during the day, which I need to stop. It's just a slum I'm going through (plus TOM comes this week so that's REALLY not helpful). I need to set up a schedule for myself and stick to it!

I need to put into my mind "dress for wedding". I'm going to a wedding in november and it fits me perfectly! Plus I'm proud because it's a junior's 7 and I've never fit into that size ever in my life. I can't zip it all the way up on my own, there's just an inch at the top that I need help with, so I know that I need to really behave so I don't gain and so I look great in the dress! I've come so far, I just need to stick with it.

I found this blueberry cobbler bread yesterday and I made french toast with it today. It was delicious!! But because today is a new day, I counted everything about it, and it ends up being short of 500 calories...so that's definitely a treat breakfast.

I also was bad and bought double stuffed oreos yesterday. Some friends were over so they weren't immediately hidden and some damage was definitely put in by all...but now they're in the back of my highest cabinet. If I want one, I have to make an effort to get it. So I'll probably forget about them which would be pretty nice!

Our neighbors are throwing us a pizza party today because we're letting them use our internet until their is turned on..so this is their thanks to us. UGH PIZZA. I'm going to eat an apple before I go over there so I'll only eat one slice....that's going to be hard.

Well I'm going to let my stomach settle for another 30 minutes and then I'm going to go to the gym for a good long workout.

amy: good luck on your run!!!!

lilmisspope: pumpkin spice lattes with skim milk are still incredible! they taste lighter, but they just taste healthier and you still get your fix.

neurodoc: congrats on the discovery!! I'm at my lowest and my thighs still touch on the top, but I've come to accept that they will always touch just a bit.

I concur with the word buoyant to describe me today!
Because I RAN--I can hardly believe it--RAN a 5k around school today, including those blessed rolling Tennessee hills in . . . .
26 minutes and 49 seconds!!!!!!!
I have always been a "I hate to run!" person, and my previously recorded 5k time was just over 30 minutes. I ran a 5K once after I started walking, and it was 26 minutes 43 seconds, but I was sure my ipod's timer was quacked because there was NO WAY I could ever run that fast--and now here in TN, where the hills are A LOT steeper than my route at home (in northern Virginia), I'm only six seconds slower!
I am buoyant also because my jeans are falling off me, my favorite "too loose, sits-low-on-my-hips" skirt was WAY too loose this morning (I had to safety pin it so it wouldn't fall off)! And because I am enjoying treats here (I had a salmon patty at lunch today and my veggies definitely had a ton of butter on them, and three strips of fried chicken last week), but that's the point--I CAN HAVE treats now because I don't fear having them means slipping back into my old food habits. I'm picky about my meats, choosey about what type of bread/starch items I eat, careful to avoid butter-laden veggies most of the time, and I just don't eat dessert most of the time. I can have treats because I have figured out what moderation means--rarely. And then you pick up right where you left off on the healthy-living train (taking a class on nutrition here is also very helpful!).
The new me is here to stay, and I'm just a little excited!

oneoftwelve: congrats on figuring things out and finding something that works for you and that you are excited about!

Sam: i actually ordered my pumpkin latte treat with skim milk and of course no whip cream. it was still very good, and honestly I am lucky that I have a hard time telling the difference.. (i can eat fat free mayo and not notice a bit, fat free dressings etc. very weird!)

Dianne: I started my weight loss "journey" on August 4th at 136lbs. So it has been about 5 weeks and I have lost a little over 10lbs....

I count calories, I eat about 1200 calories a day, some days less never more (I only eat when hungry, if I have extra calories and I am not hungry I don't make myself eat them -usually only 100 or so maybe 200) I decided that if i was going to count calories and take in so "little" that It was going to have to be really nutritious. I cut out about 97% white starches... basically I will only eat 100%whole wheat breads, pastas etc. I try and eat tons of fruit and veggies. Plus I eat a higher amount of protein vs carbs. (I don't really try for this, I just try and limit my carbs) for example: if I eat oatmeal for breakfast I will NOT have a sandwich for lunch. I have learned to eat small amounts throughout the day, this help keep my metabolism going. Also, for cheating... the first three weeks I did not cheat AT ALL. I stayed on plan every single day, trying to eat very healthy. Then I let myself have a cheat night, but that day I still counted calories, planned my meal and made sure it still fit in my calorie range. The reason why I eat only 1200 calories is because I am not very good at working out (I have only worked out 3 days in the past 5 weeks a total of about 1.5hrs)

I hope this helps Dianne!

This is not completely doable for everyone, I have been VERY disciplined because I wanted to see results as quickly as possible, and no meal was more important to me than losing weight. (this is strange because i was always the girl eating 2nds and 3rds at dinner until I thought I was going to throw up... because the meal was just THAT good.)

New here and looking de a little daily check in and inspiration. It may be a bit lofty but my goal is 15 pounds by Halloween.

I'm going to try Fast 5 starting tomorrow. I've done WW for years and I'm just tired of counting.

Nice to be here!

well that plan backfired today.
weekends suck.
tomorrow's a fresh new day.

Hello, I'm a newbie to this forum and weight loss and everything, just looking for some accountability...
After hearing (reading?) someone else here mention a Couch-to-5k running schedule for beginners, I searched online for something like that, because I've hated running all my life, but lately I have been getting really interested in it. So on Friday my BF and I got off our butts and did the first day of the schedule, which is alternating jogging and walking for 20 minutes. I'm going to follow the schedule on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, so tomorrow is day 2! And by the time the Thanksgiving 5k rolls around I want to be ready for it - it will be my first 5k EVER!! :D

Oneoftwelve, what a wonderful post! So glad to hear you have brought your lifestyle to school and you are enjoying it.

LMP, congrats on your success. Sounds like you stick to your plan like glue -- which is what I need to do for the next few weeks.

:welcome: Changed and MollyBell!

Samantha, you've got it right, pick yourself up and start a new day with a clean slate.

My half-marathon went really well. I finished in 2:08:21, which is 9:41/mile. I need to learn to run a smarter race, though. I ran the first half slower than a 10-minute mile, and the second half well faster. I need to trust myself to go out faster, but I'm always afraid of running out of steam. I'm sure experience will help. I beat my last half-mara time by 11 seconds. :)

Two of my friends finished in 1:48, which is 8:17/mile. :fr:

I've been lousy about sticking to plan and I've had some calorie creep, so my goal is to stay on plan for the next 3 weeks. Plus two, really, because my 20-year HS reunion is in 5 weeks. :fr: again! I also have to get back to healthier food. I've been eating more and more junk, and that just leaves me craving more. So here's to 21 days of clean, on-plan eating!

Hope everyone has a great week!

Same7, big congrats to you on your half-marathon! I think your time is awesome! What an accomplishment! I am in awe!

For me, it's another Monday after another off-plan weekend and this must change! My weight has been heading in the wrong direction. D-day for me has come and gone and I'm at the point where some pants are not zipping. Not good, I know. I need to stop the snacking, the dining out on fatty foods. It's not working for me, and I know better than this. I really thought I had this food thing under control, but now I'm convinced that I'm going to struggle with food issues forever. But that's okay as long as I can acknowledge it and get it back under control. I can do this. I must do this!

Come on, Feathers! Let's have a great on-plan week. The cooler weather around here has made outdoor exercise so much more pleasant. Let's all get out there this week!

Oneoftwelve Congrats on your 5k! I understand what its like to not be a "runner" and to complete something like that! It truly an accomplishment. You should feel great!

Lilmisspope Thank you for sharing that with me. I am always so impressed with people who can do the 1200 calorie plan AND stay on plan. I am doing a 1500 calorie plan and I go over those calories probably 4 days out of the 7. Ugh no wonder Im losing so slow! :o

Changed and Molly Welcome!! This place is awesome! :carrot:

Samantha Im with you girl. Weekends suck. Thats when I really mess up. Yesterday, I had 3 slices of stuffed crust pizza from pizza hut. Really!? Im supposed to be on a weight loss journey and I couldnt stop at one or two?! wtf

CONGRATS Amy on your run! I hope I can one day do a half marathon! I bet you felt AWESOME after completing it!!

Went off plan AGAIN this weekend. Not as bad as my other weekends. But still, went off. The next morning after drinking I weighed in at 135.4!! Wahoo! Well, it was probably because I was dehydrated but it was fun to see :D

Im going to weigh in tomorrow and see my real weight. Goal is 134 by NJ - Sept 22

I REALLY want to try and stay on plan all of October. I am really curious to see how much I can lose if I actually stay on plan a whole 3-4 weeks. We'll see!

Happy Monday Feathers!

Good morning!

Today is my first Fast5 day. I'm having my coffee black which I have decided, is better than not at all. I'm interested to see how today feels but I have to say, I think I like the idea that food is just off limits for certain hours. It really leaves no room for sitting around thinking about what I want to eat and wondering how I can squeeze it into my calorie allowance. I can have it... just not until 5 o'clock. I'm going to be very very conscious about not overdoing that 5 hour window because I've read that doing so is responsible or most people not losing for the first few weeks.

I've been doing a lot of thinking and meditation to find the willpower that I had before (my real starting weight is right at 190 but that's been over the past 3 years) and I think somehow I've just allowed myself to sort of blur out the reasons I want to get to goal. I want to be in control. I don't want to be the person who sits in bed at 10pm eating banana laffy taffy and feeling gross and hopeless. I want to be that person who can look at food and just as easily not eat it. Just not feel the need to have sweets all the time or eat things that I know will not make me feel *healthier/better*.

That's probably a little more of a journal entry than you wanted to hear but I needed to put it out there and I'm thankful for a safe place to express it.

Amy - :congrat: on your race! That is amazing to me that you can do that. All runners amaze me :) I've never been able to do more than 5K really. I'm going to start my running program (Couch to 5K) again in October, once I get other things - diet, etc - sorted out. I love that program! It's the only thing that gets me out running.

WOW!! That's about half the time I took last time I ran 5K...

Yep, I agree, weekends are sooo hard, especially when they involve other people! I try not to drag anyone down with my choices but OMG, I never really realized how many social activities revolve around food. My friends chose to go to a Mexican restaurant yesterday, where it was almost impossible make a good choice. I found a shrimp cocktail, had a side order of pinto beans, avoided the chips and drank diet Coke when everyone else was drinking beer... constant vigilance...

Chelsey - I hate to encourage it, but it seems like your weekends are working out for you so far, even if they are "off plan." haha. But seriously, it is great that you are working all of this out while you are still in your 20s. One of my biggest problems was that as I hit my mid-30s and my metabolism shifted, I had NO good habits to fall back on - I think I was just an unhealthy skinny person for a long time.

:welcome3: Changed and MollyBell!

I can't recommend Couch to 5K enough. Are you using a podcast? I used the one for the iPod and it made all the difference in the world, as I could use my own music. Go find the thread in the Exercise forum and keep up with the others who are doing it as well, it's great motivation!

I'm not really familiar with Fast5, but I've heard someone around here mention it - are there no restrictions as long as you eat in the 5-hour window? What 5 hours did you choose? I'm curious about this plan. Most people say it's so important to eat breakfast and I rarely do (until later). Yesterday I didn't eat until 3 or 4 pm. Not planned that way, but I was fine. It's those evening hours that cause problems for me...

Not too much to report here. Had an good weekend, despite winding my way through an obstacle course of temptation. Ate very little early Saturday, in preparation for dinner at a fancy restaurant on Saturday night. I managed to find healthy choices: an arugula pear salad and seared halibut on a bed of kale and pureed leeks. I had exactly ONE glass of a beautiful wine and maybe 5 bites of the shared apple/strawberry/rhubarb cobbler. The next day was yesterday with the Mexican restaurant, but right back on plan last night.

I am just finishing two weeks of pretty strict clean eating (South Beach Phase 1, just lean proteins, veggies, dairy, and nuts really - no fruit or grains at all and of course no sugar) - not counting the one dinner on Saturday night. I am currently 2 lbs down from when I started, so yay for that, but I bumped up from my low. A whole 0.8 pounds :p

My plan is to stick with this way of eating (adding fruits and whole grains as I move to Phase 2) and start to increase my exercise. I do a decent amount time-wise now (1 hour/day average) but it's not very strenuous - brisk walking and yoga and some weights. Clearly I need to do more if I want to ever see the body I once had again!

It's a new week, feathers. Let's make the most of it!

EmmaD - I've just been using a stopwatch, but it would be great to be able to listen to music! I'll look that up.

Emma Thanks for the positive outlook on it :)

BUt unfortunately, its not really working out. I have been on this for about 2 months now and I have only lost 2 pds. Everytime my body begins to lose weight (during the week), I mess it all up on the weekends. So my body spends most of its time trying to catch up. I have been maintaining and slowwllyyyyyyyyyyy losing.

Church tonight - Hoping to come back here tomorrow morning with a new "freshness" on life :0)

Ran 3.1 miles today, stayed totally on plan yesterday, have plans to take a long walk with my husband tonight, and with a friend tomorrow. It feels good to have things under control after being out of control this past weekend.

I'm tired of letting food control me, or maybe I should say giving in to my food addictions. Because, I am addicted, there's no doubt about it. I've been addicted to food since my tween years, hence the steady weight gain since that time! I don't know if I'll ever be able to say I've conquered this thing, but hopefully I can manage it better than I have in the past. It really feels good to be doing the right things today.

Nope, no restrictions. I picked the 5-10 pm set because I tend to struggle in those hours as well.

I've totally been MIA here, and at times have not been on plan :^:, but I guess overall I've been doing OK because I'm down .2 pounds. Sigh. I really want to see 126, but I need to eat less! Duh. Last week I had way too many carbs and salt and retained water like crazy. Plus I also went to some yoga and pilates classes that made me sore. I hate when you have a high weigh in due to water retention because it totally makes you want to throw in the towel! It's such a viscious cycle.

Have you guys done pilates? I thought it was supposed to be relaxing like yoga, but the instructor went so fast. It seemed like a good workout though. Hopefully it can get some of that momma pooch down.

I'm going to be out of town for a week visiting DH's parents with Ainsley. They eat pretty healthy so it shouldn't be too bad. Plus I'll have some time to go to the gym. When I get back I'm definitely going to buckle down. I got a postcard in the mail to renew WW online for a hefty discount. I hated counting points, but I liked all the recipes and other features. I might rejoin when I get back.

Good morning everyone!

Kellost- That's awesome! I wish I could run... I lack endurance at that intensity.




Yesterday went VERY well! I was waiting for it all day and the weakness and fatigue I expected never showed. I had lots of energy and felt so in control. My husband was so impressed he started Fast5 today. :) Yay! I broke my fast at 5 with a nice big sliced tomato from my garden and then loaded the dishwasher. Not really ravenous like I expected. Has some pumpkin bread and went to the gym. Did 20 on the treadmill and 20 on the elliptical and then stretched and did a little bit of ab work. Picked up taco bell for dinner but did NOT overdo it because miraculously, I wasn't terribly hungry. Tried out the pumpkin bread I'd made earlier (a new healthy version) and went to bed.

I do plan to do better for myself than taco bell but I need to hit the grocery store something awful. We did a pantry challenge of sorts because we're about to move.

Hope everyone has a successful day!

Kellost, this kind of sums up how I feel about life these days. I don't know how often we conquer or fix things at all, and sometimes I think we are just banging our heads against a wall when we try. I'm starting to feel like it's all about management -- about working with what we've got, making the most of whatever a situation is, blooming where we're planted.

Changed, no need to apologize for a "journal entry." That's what we're here for! Sometimes putting things in writing, figuring out how to explain them to others, helps us process them and think things through.

AinsleyMom, good to see you! I have only done Pilates from FitTV, but it was definitely less mellow than yoga. I did my first yoga class at the gym yesterday and LOVED it! It was good to have the instructor to correct my form. My shoulders are killing me this morning -- all that downward dog I suppose. I will be going back for more tomorrow!

Yeah, I love going to yoga at the gym but it seems to much harder in a class... I guess we push harder? Peer pressure can be a good thing.

I'm still diggin this fast 5 thing. Doing well and down 3 pounds already!

Hey, Changed - you've got me looking into the Fast 5 thing. It's an interesting concept. I kinda did it by accident the last two days and it seemed OK. I just haven't had much appetite during the day recently. But I'd imagine it would be hard to do in general, like if I had to work in an office all day without eating. I have done that in the past when I was really busy but I always felt really shaky.

I did have coffee in the morning, with some almond milk, so ~ 20 calories. I don't know if that negates the whole fasting thing or just lessens it.

It's funny that he says that overcompensation is common at first. Wow! I think it would be hard to eat more than I normally do (let's say 1400 calories) in 5 hours. Not impossible, but I would have to be trying. Yesterday, I actually made myself eat more as I had literally only eaten 450 calories and felt fine. Waaaay too low. So I got up to around 1000. Still low. I'm curious to hear how it goes for you, so please update!

On to a different topic, I found a calculator today that determines what you will weigh at different body fat %s if you don't lose any lean body weight (which I think is nearly impossible, but anyway, for the sake of argument, the default assumption is 0 loss of lean body mass). When I had my body fat officially tested, it was 34.5% (um, yes:o ) and I weighed 150 lbs. If I go down to 25%, my weight should be 131. Perfect - my original goal was to be 129/130. If I wanted to be down to 20% (VERY unlikely, I was always more than 25% even when I weighed in the 120s) I would be 122 lbs.

I just found that calculator interesting, I hadn't seen that same prediction of weight based on body fat before.

Hi everyone, I hope you are all doing well and staying on track this week. I've found some crazy motivation this week, and I've been on-plan big time. Getting in lots of exercise and staying within my targeted calories! Woohoo! Let's hope this sticks for awhile.

My 13 year wedding anniversary is this weekend and my boys are staying with Grandma. I want so badly to go all out and eat off plan at a fancy restaurant, but I think I'm better off trying to stay on plan if I can. We will still go out, but just make healthy choices at dinner. It sounds so depressing when I type this, but my ever-tightening pants tell me that i've been over-indulging too much lately. I need to reign it in, and I kind of don't want to break the healthy streak I have been on. It so tough, but it seems like there is always an excuse to eat off-plan. Too many excuses=regaining the weight. Kinda stinks, but that's life, I guess.

Have a great weekend everyone! I'll let you know if I can actually pull off my plan to eat healthy on our anniversary!

Good morning Feathers and Happy Friday!

Kellost, happy anniversary! How nice for the kids to go to Camp Grandma so you get to go out, sleep late, etc ;). Here's an idea for dinner -- split an appetizer, choose a fairly sensible entree (even delicious steak/filet mignon is sensible as long as you don't go nuts on the sides), and then make a delicious dessert to eat at home. Prep it ahead of time, and make it special -- eat it in the dining room, by candlelight, on the china. It could be a tasty recipe from cooking light, or something yummy like poached pears in ginger sauce. I made roasted peaches that you serve over vanilla ice cream -- yum! Heck, even s'mores are only 140 calories!

I've gone to yoga twice this week and boy can I feel it! Especially in my shoulders and my quads. Today I'll go for a run when the sitter comes. I want to be sure to keep up my endurance.

I've been sticking to plan pretty well this week but I'm definitely having trouble with little bites and tastes while I'm making snacks for the kids or clearing their dishes. I know these bites add up -- especially when it's bites of peanut butter, baked ziti, etc. Tonight's menu: mushu pork (homemade). Can't wait to see if it's at all close to as good as takeout.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Kellost I think Amy had very good advice. If you split, youre getting half the calories and you dont even have to eat half if you dont want to! Steak, veggies and brown rice are healthy and yummy. There are options. Its just about being smart and not mindlessly choosing your foods. YOu can do it!!! Happy Anniversary!!

Well, I'm really digging it. I'm on day 5 and it's been extremely easy. Shockingly so. I feel really good all day but yes, I do get hungry once in a while. I just drink some water and it passes eventually. So far I'm down 5 pounds! It's 5 that I'd just gained in the last few weeks so I figured that part would come off fast. Off to update my ticker :)

Happy Friday everyone...

Down another LB! woo hoo. 124.5! Hopefully I don't hit a brick wall.. eek.....

Also, as I lose weight I have been thinking that I might actually be happy at 120 or so (maybe 115 is too much idk). I need some suggestions on mtng... ugh! I have no idea what calorie range to be at or anything..

Thanks :]

Just stepped in to say: I ran 40 miles in the last three days!!! That's a personal best for me. I started running in April and never thought I'd take to it like this.

I'm taking today off, but I'll be back to it tomorrow. And of course weight lifting, my true passion, will take place afterward. :)

Did something brand-new today--went kayaking up the Tennessee river with my sister and two friends. I normally struggle with doing new things (especially physical things, because I'm always the slowest/weakest/etc.), but by the trip back I felt rather confident! Plus, it's a gorgeous day here.
Although I had my first major diet failure last night (two scoops of chili and a very buttery corn muffin [plus two platefuls of salad] at a party), I am back in charge today--oatmeal and peach slices for breakfast, apple for snack, and a cup of pasta salad (rigatoni and a bunch of veggies [olives, mushrooms, broccoli, tomatoes, and cucumbers] topped with a little olive oil and lemon juice), a carrot, two small apples, and a banana for lunch (kayaking makes you super-hungry!). Today is my "off" day for exercise, but I'm hoping to get a little bit of pilates in tonight if I get enough homework done this afternoon.
Goodness, I keep writing a book when I post here!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Hi everyone. I haven't checked the board in 2 1/2 days, so it's kind of fun to read all the accrued posts from all the boards that I typically visit when I'm on. Sounds like many of you are doing well - staying on plan and getting in some good exercise.

I've been reasonably on plan (150 cal over my limit yesterday, but typically keeping it at 1300), and the scale is moving. My problem is that I seem to be less and less satisified with my body the closer I get to goal, and feel like goal is still a million years away. I have been eating for weight loss since February, and STILL have over 10 pounds to lose to arrive at what I set as my goal. And when I look in the mirror, I'm SOOO unhappy- still have a bulge on the outside of each thigh, my lower belly protrudes a good 2 inches past my upper abdomen, and since my hips have diminished, my waist barely curves inward. Coupled with all the loose flesh and jiggling, I can hardly stand to see myself naked. I fear this means that my true goal weight (the one where I would like what I see in the mirror) is probably closer to 110 than the 120 I set, which is even more demoralizing. I was 114 pounds halfway through 8th grade, so it doesn't seem sane or reasonable to choose a goal weight so low. So, am I developing body dysmorphic disorder? Are my self-perceptions becoming so skewed I can't see myself correctly? Is this my mid-life crisis (I will be 45 at the end of October)? For those of you who are maintaining, are you happy with what you see in the mirror, or have you just settled, because it's too hard to go any lower? And if you ARE at a "happy weight," is it higher than what you weighed in middle school? By how much?

Are you working out along with dieting? That makes a bigger difference than I ever give it credit for but I can look really good at 125 or really flabby at 125. I know everyone knows that it's recommended but if you're not lifting weights, give it a shot and you may find the results very dramatic.

But honestly, in that last few pounds your shape can and likely will change dramatically. When you're out of fat in one place your body will use it from others and you'll see changes fast.

It doesn't sound to me like you have BDD. I think we all have a pretty unrealistic idea of what is possible until it gets this close. At nearly 200 pounds I dreamed of looking like I used to... which thank goodness motivated me to start but years later and very close to goal I know that I will never look like I did pre-children. I'll look like a woman and a mother at a healthy weight... not like a strung out collage kid.

Today is day 6 for me on Fast5. Still on plan! Down to 129!!!!!!!! Wooohooo!

Neurodoc, I think you will see big changes over those 11 pounds you have left. I lost a total of ~16 lbs (depending on the day ;)) and I'm a a few inches taller than you, and the difference is striking. Love handles -- gone! Butt -- gone!

Alas, I am still pear-shaped. I lost a couple inches off my thighs, but they are still, IMO, too big for my body. Nothing to do about it. I don't even think lipo would help b/c so much of it is muscle.

What I'm trying to say is -- you have great changes ahead of you, and I think you will be thrilled -- but in the end, we've got to work with what we've got! :D

Hi guys! Well I did it. I actually stayed on plan for my anniversary! We went out to dinner, but I made healthy choices. We went to the movies, and ate no popcorn or snacks. I had a healthy dessert when I got home. We had a great time, even without it being a food-fest as it usually us. I'm really keeping my fingers crossed for a good weigh in this week after all my good behaviors. I'm just trying to "bank it" for another day, like my birthday in October. LOL!

Thanks for the suggestions and support!

Kellost, that's great. I think that learning how to eat out "safely" has been one of the key factors in my own weight loss, because I eat out 3-4 times a week. There's no reason to go off plan when you go out, so enjoy it!

Thanks, Same7. I'm really hoping that the "vanity pounds" will add to my vanity level :). I guess I get really tired of how interminable this process feels, and would love to circumvent the 3-4 more months it's likely to take to get where I want to be. BTW, I love yoga and Pilates, so here's hoping you get the same kind of enjoyment out of it that you've been getting from your running.

Good morning Feathers!

I hope everyone is well. I'm frustrated this morning because my weight is up. Sept 17 I was at 120.8 -- today, 124.4. Might have something to do with some horrible eating.:( My advice -- never, ever, just sit down with a box of Special K and just start chowing. I don't think I'll ever be able to eat it again... In spite of my weight being up I am eating out twice today. Friends are visiting from out of town and I'm having lunch with the wife today and then going out with a group for dinner. Luckily I've already chosen my meals and logged them. Feels good to have it decided. Now I just have to not snack! Soooo easier said than done! But I have four weeks til my 20 year reunion and I have to buckle down. :club:

Oneoftwelve, I love kayaking! I have done some ocean kayaking -- in La Jolla, CA, you can kayak into caves during certain tides, so cool! -- and then this summer I kayaked on a small lake with my nephews. I love being on the water.

Hope everyone has a good day!

Same7....ugh the dreaded weight gain! The ups and downs drive me crazy sometimes. I, too, have overindulged in cereals. Reeses puffs, and Crispix to be exact. Just eating it dry out of the box. Figuring, it's cereal, so how bad can it be? Then the weight goes up and I think, i gained weight from too much cereal! I'd much rather have gained from pizza or ice cream! LOL!

Kellost, I wasn't quite as successful as you were when I went out to eat... I didn't touch the yummy appetizer sitting right in front of me (!), I ordered the meal I had chosen in advance after researching the menu (grilled mahi mahi), didn't eat the rice because it wasn't tasty, and then proceeded to have two girly juicy drinks in addition to a pint of beer! I had budgeted for the beer but not the drinks. Oh well. At least today I am back down to a more normal weight. I think I was super bloated from my cereal binge on Sunday and very salty homemade mooshu pork on Monday (with less salt it would have been great, and only 360 calories!).

I did find a great dress for my high school reunion. It has pockets, how fun is that? Now if only I looked like this model: ;)

http://g-images.amazon.com/images/G/...24_254x500.jpg

Due to sleevelessness of dress, I am planning on doing at least 20 pushups every day between now and October 23rd. No knee pushups here! Full-on pushups.