:wave:

Hello all!

Well France was nice. I managed 3 days eating healthily and controlled and like a little :angel:

I had 2 "dirt" days, one planned, one not so planned and I ended up eating out of tiredness and boredom and frustration. Ick! I was feeling ever so slim, and my shorts were falling off - however this morning it's a different story :rolleyes: Never mind, I'm sure it'll go down! I'm not weighing in till Monday, so I should be able to do some damage limitation over the weekend!

I am making a proper exercise schedule for week commencing Monday to include half-marathon training, weights and kickboxing and some personal-training sessions that I said I'd do with my friend! :lol: :faint:

Good for you Frus....you always amaze me with your determination and the amount of exercise you manage to accomplish.

I am in a slump myself. My eating is spotty at best. I've been keeping up at breakfast and lunch and trying to keep dinner within limits but I know I've been eating more than I should. Add to that the fact that it is TOM and I haven't been to the gym for 2 weeks and I just feel like a big old piece of crap!!! The scale doesn't show it, but I feel flabby and lazy.

I am going to do quite a bit of walking around New York this weekend which will help me feel better, but I really need to get to the gym. My back has been bothering me for 2 weeks so I've been staying away. I think it may be time to go to the chiropractor and see what I did to it before it gets worse and I sink even further into my big fat slump!

:hug: for your poorly back daisi - I know Pilates really REALLY helps my back AND you get all zenned out too!

Sorry you're feeling flabby, do some dumbbell curls with some water bottles or something if you can't face a full gym day!

Isn't it wierd that we're missing the GYM! :yikes: If someone had told me when I was in high school that I'd actually hate missing the gym now as much as I hated GOING to the gym then... :no: Well I could say that about a lot of things...

Hello all you companions. Now that I am getting closer to goal, it is so frustrating on some days when I don't see what I've grown to be accustomed to - the scale moving by the pound instead of by the quarter. And this week it has been the same quarter, up and down! It's also been TOM so I've been using this as a bandaid for my hurt feelings.

Why do we beat ourselves up instead of looking in the mirror to see how far we've come or putting on those pants that have been tucked way back in the closet from 10-15 yrs ago, and we can finally put them on, wear them, and look good in them - getting compliments of how well we've done? That has been my week: I tried on a size 12P pair of slacks that I wore about 10 years ago after I had lost my "baby" fat and was back at 125 in weight. AND I can wear them beautifully now, but I am beating myself up because of stupid scales!! ugh! <scream>

I know that I look better and feel better due to better food portions / quality and the daily exercise that I've been diligently conforming to habit for the past several weeks. I have a lot to be thankful for and proud of regarding my lifestyle compared to just 6-7 mos ago!

Thanks for letting me vent, just needed to hear it (again) from my lips! Best to all of you over the weekend. Enjoy!

Hello from Alabama my friends!
I'm eating some good and some bad. I did have a nice wee run this morning and ff cottage cheese and berries for breakfast. Yum!
We are having a lovely time!
Be good!

Welcome to the South, Susan!

You girls are all doing soooo much better than me these days! I am really, really struggling. No, let me repharse that. To really struggle, I'd have to be trying. And frankly, I haven't been trying.

I woke up this morning and had to admit that I am off the wagon and have been for a while, despite having each week spotted with days of clean eating, exercise, drive, and determination. I am well on my way to regaining every pound I've worked so hard to lose if I don't change my attitude (complacent) and pull myself together (and out of denial). I feel bad. I don't mean guilty, I mean physically bad - sluggish, bad mood, just blech. It is no surprise as I'm not feeding my body appropriately or moving it as often as I should. I've flat out fallen into bad habits again and "good" days are becoming more and more of a struggle. But here's the thing....

I DO NOT WANT TO GAIN MORE WEIGHT AND I WANT TO FEEL GOOD AGAIN!

I know the first thing I have to do is let go of the past. Having lost 80 pounds before does not make gaining 15 okay. Having gained 15 pounds doesn't mean the end of the world - it is just 15 pounds. I'm alternating between thinking, "Ah, it is just another pound you lost 80 (pat on the back and another fork full of something)." and "You've gained 15 pounds, you've ruined everything now (kick in the butt and another fork full of something)."

You know what? It doesn't matter how much I've lost in the past. It doesn't matter how much I've gained in the past months. What matters is that I weighed 150 (EGADS!) this morning and I want to weigh 120. Period. That is it. That is all that matters. Right? Right.

I have 30 pounds to lose. That is nothing to be intimidated by. I'll take it one pound at a time - and I'll lose every single one of them. (Can you tell I'm fighting mad? LOL).

Good, healthy, fighting mad attitude goes a long way to kicking our tushes out of complacency. Good for you! Now work with it.

You're right. You now have a 30 pound goal removal to work with. You've done 80, so you know it is attainable. Do you journal? This would be a great time to revisit and hear your own words of wisdom and encouragement. If you don't, now would be a great time to start. Maintaining will be just like losing weight in the first place so you might as well start making habits to substain the rest of your life. Remember the chant: one step at a time. At least it should become second nature sooner now.

Look upon this new goal as a new challenge, a fresh start. What did you learn from last time that needs to be carried over and what would you like to try new?

I have this wrote in my current journal for those days that I struggle and put too much thought into instead of determination and muscle: Each morning is a new gift, make the most of it. Each meal is a new choice, decide wisely. Each day is a new road towards your new lifestyle, put one foot in front of the other and make it count!

Now go, Lucky, and just do it!

Thanks!

I do journal. And I've also been reading the posts I made in response to people going through a similar stage. I give pretty good advice - I just have to follow it!

I'll tell you what I've learned. Complacency transitions seamlessly into cockiness. Relaxing my standards a bit and maintaining a while wasn't bad. It was the realization that I wasn't going to gain 15 pounds overnight (and losing the fear that I would) that allowed me to get the cocky, "I won't gain any weight" attitude. Then, before I knew it, there they were. That is okay, live and learn.

Thanks for the encouragement, I really did need it. I've been working all day on my attitude (which is at least 90% of success for me). I am trying very hard to get back into "weight loss mode." I've been content with this weight range for so long that it is difficult to get back into an active weight loss mindset. I've just about gotten my brain wrapped around the fact that it isn't over yet. My goodness, just coming out of denial and admitting that actually have been out of control was HUGE eyeopener. I've thrown myself into several half hearted attempts in the past couple of months but I haven't really dedicated myself like I am trying to do now. To be honest, I feel a lot like I did the day I woke up weighing 214 pounds and thought to myself, "enough is enough." I'm starting to feel those clicks in my brain that snap together when you know you've made up your mind to do something. I'm actually really excited about seeing the scale move down again, something I haven't REALLY cared about for a while now.

I've known since December 26, 2004 that there was no turning back in terms of diet, exercise, and health. I feel good that I haven't had a complete relapse. Certainly, things have gotten more out of hand than I ever intended but I've never let my goal get completely out of sight. I haven't completely turned off the switch like I have in the past. So, while I could have been trying much harder these last few months, I am still proud that I didn't stop trying all together. Now, though, getting to 120 (or the body I want, whichever comes first) is a priority again - and it is at the top of the list.

Good for you. I'm glad those clicks and snaps are happening for ya. That's the furnace in your belly turning on.

And you said something that I will have to put down in today's journal entry: Complacency leads to Cockiness. I think you hit it on the head. For the moment, I have the fear of not being able to keep off the lost weight and without that fear I could really do some serious damage. MUST write that down as a big red light warning. Thanks,

Lucky :coach: YOU CAN DO IT - positive thinking is a MUST! Dig out those affirmations in that thread that Ilene started, start writing them down every day, truly live and breathe those goals.

Now I'm off to write down my goals and go kickbox! Have a lovely weekend everyone.

:hug:

2frus, you are so right about having a positive attitude. Slowly but surely, I'm pulling myself together. With emphasis on "slowly but surely." I think that is so key for me. I've been rereading my posts from this thread and I can see that my hit and miss routine has been because I consider a healthy lifestyle to be, for the most part, my new normal. So, everytime I woke up with a gung ho attitude I expected it to stick without any mental work on my part. The truth is that I've let old habits creep back in to the point that I must address them head on once again. That's okay though.

I've been spending little time before bed visualizing myself at goal, going through old pictures, re-reading journal entries from when I was at my best and comparing how I felt then to how I feel now. It is working. I can feel my attitude shifting back to where it needs to be. I can feel myself wanting to lose weight again and I'm finally ready to do what it takes. I think my half hearted attempts in recent weeks have really been driven by my panic of having gained weight rather than a true desire to reach my goal. Which is another reason my motivation was fleeting. As soon as a couple of pounds would drop off that panic/fear would disappear and I'd fall back into "this can wait" mode.

I'm also trying out new recipes and shaking up my usual menus. I'm realizing that has also been a problem. I wasn't tired of the healthy menus I'd introduced over the past year and a half but I was so accustom to them that I didn't have to put any thought into them either. I need stop flying on auto pilot for a while for the sake of forcing myself to focus on what I'm putting in my mouth. If I change up my menus I'll have to actually stop and think whether or not a handful of almonds or a nibble of chocolate will put me over my calorie limit. As it is, I can pretty much keep a running total in my head and that makes it too easy to justify unecessary munching (Oh, I'll make up for it at dinner). Usually, just the act of having to pull up fitday and check things out is enough to make me think about my actions long enough to make a good choice.

And, now, I'm off to the gym! Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend!

I had a nice restful day yesterday, we were supposed to go to Cardiff but the coach broke down. By the time a new one would've come to pick us up we would've only been in Cardiff for 2 and a half hours, so we didn't figure it was worth it, so we went back home and lazed around all afternoon.

I've only put on quarter of a pound since France :dancer: I'm sure that will be gone tomorrow morning, since I've been up at 6am for a fat-burning pre-breakfast run, I've got my gym kit sorted for weights at lunch and I will be teaching kickboxing tonight, so this will be a fun day! :D

I had a fairly relaxed eating day yesterday, too many sandwiches and a cookie and a small chocolate mousse and half a scone! But it was ok, it was around 2000 kcal, so up to "maintenance" level for a zig-zag day, and I did go out this morning to burn it off! :lol:

I'm feeling a little more positive, like I know I will be under 12 stone (168) any day now, I just have to keep plugging away, and I think I will look better the next time I'm at 162, since I KNOW I have more muscles now! :D

:hug:

Where's all the featherweights???

I'm up on the scales this morning :tantrum: but I know it's just fluky since I'm exercising more and got a good handle on my eating.

I've been to the gym at lunch for back weights - I did some drop-sets on the lat pulldown machine :faint: Very tiring! I'm off to kickboxing tonight too. Lets see if this jogging plus weights plus kickboxing speeds up those :devil: scales!

:boxing:

I'm here...and doing well. I'm with you on the scale. After going down 1.5#'s I'm up .5# today despite eating well and being at the gym every day. I've found lately that my weight seems to zig-zag like that for no apparent reason. Two steps forward, one step back. I'm just happy it isn't the other way around.

I don't know where I've found this new dedication but it's definitely there. Now, how do I keep it around for a while? ;)

Keep reviewing those goals, keep imagining your new body. Meditate on how you will feel. Get yourself a good mantra and stick with it.

Good things snowball, eat healthily and exercise, eat healthy and exercise some more and it will keep you feeling great! Also be sure to get plenty of sleep... That's usually what trips me up! Speaking of sleep... Must get some Pepsi! :lol:

You can do it, if you don't feel all positive, just fake it ;)

I'm only posting so that SusanB has something to read when she gets home from "Sweet Home Alabama" :D

Well the first two days in my training week from :devil: were quite tiring! I had to sleep this morning rather than run, but I will run at lunch and catch up on my weights on Friday. I've decided I'm going to try to use the treadmill and see if that helps my dodgy knee. Either that or I am going to have to see Mr Doc and get something for my shoes!

:devil: Scales are being funny. Body fat is being funny too, but trousers are slightly looser. :rolleyes: That's the real thing yeah? The pantsometer... ;) I'm not too bothered what any measurements say, I feel good, I feel like I'm making progress and I know I'm trying hard (about 90% at the moment). I'm ready to give 100% for Thursday's kickboxing, Friday's running and weights, then I will have a lovley early night (we're talking 7pm here people!!!!) on Friday, ready for an early morning (well pre-breakfast anyway) run and private kickboxing lesson on Saturday!

Eating was very clean yesterday, only 1 piece of chocolate, 1 pita bread and 1 cookie - yeah ok that doesn't sound too clean... But everything else was oats and cottage cheese :rofl: Somedays chocolate and bread gets in the way, I'm just bemused at the scales and why this healthy eating isn't showing up! :tantrum: I'm zig-zagging too... Like a goodun! :tantrum: Well we'll see...

JuliaTN and 2Frus, Same here with the scale. The last couple of weeks have been quarter pound increments up and down, basically keeping between 132 and 133. What's with that? I have about 17 pounds left and I know that I need to fix my mindset that this next step to lose these last pounds is endurance and positive thinking, added to good eating and exercise that I've been doing. I guess my body is preparing me for maintenance - at least if I think that way, it's all good.

I'm glad to read that you ladies are taking those weight fluctuations with a grain of salt! I haven't been on the scale and don't intend to get on it anytime soon (but I always manage to sneak a peek whenever I plan not to!). I am eating well, I am exercising, and I'm more concerned about the pantsometer. These days the number on the scale has more influence over my behavior than I care to admit. So, I'm just going to ignore it until I am absolutely positive it will tell me what I want to hear. LOL.

I was talking to DH about this extra weight I've allowed myself to gain (but am working really hard now to shed!). He is always very careful of his words when the subject comes up (smart boy). Anyway, I hadn't even realized how easily I've been dismissing these 10-15 pounds. I was going on and on about how it wasn't a big deal, I could lose it, I hadn't gone up a size (even though my 8's are snug where they were falling off) technically, blah, blah, blah. And then he said, "I don't want to discourage you but 10-15 pounds is a lot of weight, especially on a person's body." Wow. He went on to say that he couldn't really see/feel the extra weight but also admitted he just doesn't pay close attention to it (sort of like watching your kids grow every day - you don't see it until it is almost over). It shocked me because, like I said, he usually lets me do all the talking when it comes to my weight loss plan unless I as for a specific opinion or if he is offering ecouragement or compliments. I am so glad he spoke up though. He was right. I was justifying having fallen back into old habits and gaining weight. As long as I could claim my clothes still fit or that it was "only" 10 pounds (when it was really 15) then I could deny the urgency of the situation. It was a real kick in the butt - and I NEEDED that!

Good for you and your hubby. Sounds like you trained him well (ie "careful of his words" :smug:) Hopefully I can learn from your experience when I get to goal, to really make that mark in the sand of 3-5 pound "do not go over" limit. It is hard and disheartening, I'm sure, but you caught it and you are not making any more excuses! Good for you.

Lucky, your husband is a wise man!

I, myself, had set a "do not go over" limit of 120 a few years ago. I let that slide because everyone told me I was too thin and it was a good excuse. I let the 125 mark slide because I got lazy...130 went by the wayside a year later...135 was very disheartening. 141 was my big wake up call when I realized that I was getting dangerously close to my heaviest/starting weight. Where had all the hard work and positivity gone? Right down the old crapper!

I am now on my way back down the scale but maybe I can give someone a little kick in the pants before they repeat my mistakes. Keep fighting girl...those pounds add up a lot quicker than any of us realize!

:wave: Ah Lucky, it's true. Unfortunately! :rolleyes: Isn't it annoying when men are right for a change??? :lol:

Well I had a lovely dinner on the train last night, salmon and lots of veggies, dessert, and a cheese course. :T That's my free meal of the week, but it worked out more like 5 meals! :lol:

Of course the scales are up this morning, but not as far as I'd thought, so perhaps the net trend is downwards :crossed:

Got double kickboxing tonight, I'm feeling remarkably refreshed considering all the exercise I've been doing this week :D I'm glad to see that I can actually do it all!

I've got some annoying assessment on Friday afternoon, which means I can't go to the gym like I normally would... I'm just thinking what to do - I think I might do my New York City Ballet video and some weights, or maybe just the video, I do love that thing and haven't done it in a while!! Perhaps a little ballet is what the doctor ordered! I might even sew the ribbons on my ballet shoes specially! :rofl:

The annoying assessment is cancelled! Gym here I come! :woo: However I skipped my run this morning because of an injured foot. It still hurts a bit, but this morning I couldn't even walk! I will get a nice treadmill run in this afternoon.

I'm munching on strawberries :T They are extremely tasty and tangy :D

:tantrum: about the scales. OMG!!!!!! They are really REALLY starting to annoy/worry me! I can't see what I'm doing wrong!!! I'm averaging 1900kcals for the week, that's what I was doing when I was a low weight. I'm getting in extra cardio and going all out on my kickboxing, again, that's what I was doing when I was a low weight :tantrum: But the scales are stuck at 173.5 :cry: IT'S NOT FAIR! :tantrum: It's not like I ate a cake or anything! It's not like I had a whole pepperoni pizza or a whole batch of cookie dough. It just seems so FUTILE at the moment. My BF is 25%, I can see some muscles, but it's all flabby over the top. I want to cry. I can't imagine doing any more exercise, I can try a little harder on the food front, things are about 90% clean... A gal's gotta have 1 piece of chocolate a day, right?

:tantrum:

2frus, you are doing everything RIGHT. You KNOW you are. Now, just RELAX and let your body do it's thing. And it WILL do it's thing!

I know three different couples who wanted very much to have a baby but the women just never got pregnant. They all went to every specialist in the area and there was no medical reason to explain why they were having difficulty. All three couples eventually adopted and, within a year of adopting, all three couples ended up pregnant. Once they relaxed and quit stressing over every little detail things just happened naturally. I swear I think the same thing happens when we try and force our bodies to lose weight on our terms.

I certainly am not discounting your frustration. I KNOW how frustrating it is. But, your body is strong and healthy and there is NOTHING futile about THAT! You can be as sleek as you want but you have to keep doing the right things right and let nature take its course. Hang in there!

Hello girls,

Can I drag my sorry fat butt back here?? I am in some serious need of accountability. I'm not exactly sure what's going on but I have lost total motivation in the food department. I'm back on my old seafood diet lol I 'see' food, I eat it. I just can't seem to get it together in my head. I'm also back to my old habit of thinking about food ALL the time. Just goes to prove that I am always going to have food issues.

Tomorrow is July 1st. My goal is to lose 12 lbs by Aug 1st. I want to be back down to 150 by then. I feel better already just by coming here and posting.

Gaylyn

:welcome3: getncontrol. As I got closer to my goal weight, I too, started parading around the pantry looking for something "good" to eat thinking I deserved it. Of course, "good" here is defined as something rich, sinful, and probably very unhealthy. For the most part, my pantry is pretty clean and I know that I will need to keep this discipline up to stay safe - sorry kids!
Now, for a sit down chat, getncontrol. The month of July is only 4 weeks. You know that normal and safe weight loss should be .5-2 pounds a week. Please don't set yourself up for failure (ie 3# loss each week)!! Now that I've got close to goal (20 pounds, like you) I don't lose near as much each week that I once did. I set myself up for a 6 pound loss in 4 weeks for the month of June and I've only lost 4 pounds doing everything exactly like I've done in the past, even upping my exercise. I've played with quarter pound increments going up and down more times lately, that I've really been getting discouraged. Which also leads me to the pantry. Even more, I lost 4 pounds AND I'm discouraged - hello? So maybe you might want to revisit your goal, and then just stay on plan with good eating and some exercise. I know that 150 mark looks very appealing, and you will get there, but take it in measured and controlled losses so you won't gain it back or get discouraged if you don't get there YET. You can do this! From your signature you've come a long way. Just consider this your next step and get motivated toward maintaining. That has helped me conquer my mind games. Best of luck to you!

Hello Ladies,

Boy am I glad that I found this thread. I need some
support and after reading some of your posts this seems
to be a good place.
A little history about me. I am 37 years old married with
two beautiful children.:) I started my weight loss journey
back in January 05. My starting weight was 185:( . I worked
really really hard at watching what I ate and being active every
single day. I started off walking and gadually worked my way to
running 3-4 miles 4-5x per week. With all that I got my weight
down to 120.:carrot: . However, as of today I am 126 :( . I know
that is still a healthy weight for me. I have become lazy not only
with my eating but my exercise as well. That is what needs to
change and I am hoping with a little support and making myself
accountable through this thread I can stop this before it gets
worse.

Good luck to all,
Stacey :cool:

Helloooooo! We're home!
I love the South. Hot, hot, hot .... pool, pool, pool .... and beer, beer, beer.
happily I'm not too upset about my vacation gain. It's some of that bloaty, rings too tight stuff and some fat. But I feel capable!
We have a picnic this aft and a barbeque this evening but I will get caught up. It's lovely to see new folks and my familiar friends. Celebrate wisely!

Gaylyn, I know just how you are feeling. I've pulled myself back onto the wagon and I know that you can too! Hang in there!:hug:

Stacey, I am glad you found us. We have a great little group here and you'll find lots of support and wisdom.

Susan, welcome back. We missed you!

My thoughts are all over the board lately. It occured to me today that I may very well have to keep a "diet" mentality in order to reach my goal weight and stay there. Oh, I know all about lifestyle changes, habits, etc. But, there is something about trying to actively lose weight that makes healthy eating and exercising easier for me. I don't even know how to explain it. While I absolutely want to be healthy and put my health as a top priority I find I need to be working towards something more tangiable - like pounds. I'm not sure what kind of impact this will have on me once I reach maintainance. I'm not one to do a lot of negative self-talk but I suspect I'm going to have to program my brain to always think I'm tackling 5 pounds or so.;)

I am also rethinking my goal weight. I think 130 may be a better fit than 120.
We'll see. I have a while before I have to cross that bridge. In the meantime, things are really falling into place for me. I've lowered my calorie intake to 1300. I'm cycling calories again which means I'm planning more than a day in advance (with some built in flexibility) which seems to really help. Best of all, I feel GREAT! I am always amazed at how quickly clean eating boosts my energy and overall mood. My gym is closed until the 5th (they are moving to a new location). So, I'm walking/jogging and getting in lots or exercise at the pool. The other day I took 2 five year olds, 2 seven year olds, and a 12 year old swimming - talk about a work out. I woke up with sore muscles that I didn't even know I had! It helped me realize, though, that I really enjoy swimming as a sport (I was on a swim team for years when I was younger). And the new gym will have an olympic size, indoor pool. It will definately be part of my new routine! :D

How's everyone else doing these days?

I have had the BEST 3 days - the ones we've talked about when everything just sort of "clicks". I've been able to keep my calorie intake under 1500, haven't have any urge to snack, etc. I was thinking that there should be some sort of study about this. I'd love to see a scan of my brain during weeks like this compared to those when I'm just not feeling it. I can't help but wonder what makes one week different from the next (assuming there are no major life changes). I'm telling you, if we could figure out what causes the "click" and bottle it...we'd be one rich bunch!

Oh, and did I mention I've lost almost 4 pounds? YAY! I won't change my ticker until Friday though - since that is my "official" weigh in day. Cross your fingers for me!

Lucky ... do you remember the A-team? "I love it when a plan comes together." I had quite a crush on George Peppard!

It brings me great sorrow (and a hugely bruised ego and a health dose of embarassment) to realise today that ... I don't have it yet.
I thought that, this time, I was going to have a decent shot at maintenance. But I didn't. On vacation I ate, drank and sat on my duff just like the old me. I haven't changed a darned thing since I got home. Just like in the very beginning, I'm having trouble getting started. I think think think and plan plan plan and eat four pieces of toast with jam and butter ... at night. Manana!
I'm quite surprised by something. I know we tell folks to start slow, baby steps. Work with your food, you can add some walking a little later ... I figured I could just jump back in with both feet. After all, I know what I need to do. I did it everyday up until two weeks ago. Minor stoppage in play, right?
Wrong! If I had it yet, I wouldn't be struggling like this today.

softballmom~~Thanks for your input. You're right 12 lbs is a lot to lose in a month. I lost 10lbs a month consistantly when I was heavier but now maybe I should lower my expectations.

lucky~~So glad you found 'IT'!!! Good to hear you're down 4 lbs already. Great job!!!

susan~~Welcome back!:hug: Missed you! There was a point there where I also thought I had it figured out but I'm back up to where I was in December.:mad: You'll get back on track, I know you will.

2frus~~What's new with you?? I miss your posts. :(

Hi Stacey and welcome!

Had a great day yesterday and so far so good today. My promise to myself is to come here everyday and post my accountability. Whether good or bad. Somehow while I was off track I thought as long as I didn't tell anyone what I was eating it wouldn't count. YAH RIGHT!! I seem to do better if I'm being held responsible for my choices. So hopefully you ladies don't mind me posting my accountability in this thread. If you do, let me know and I'll start a different thread in support.

Gaylyn

Originally Posted by SusanB:
On vacation I ate, drank and sat on my duff just like the old me.

SusanB, you've come too far to stop now. Why let a little setback like a vacation screw up all that you have gained (lost) so far? Look at what you've accomplished (30 pounds lost!!!), don't let this get to you. Get back on that horse and ride!!!! :cheer:

Personally, I am leaving on my vacation in two days. I know for a fact that I'll be sitting on my duff for most of the vacation as we are driving for 3 days in our RV as we go north to a family reunion. Reunions--they always have a lot of food! But, I've lost 28.5 pounds so far, and if I come home and have gained, so be it, I'll get right back down to business and start losing again! I hope to be able to watch what I eat, but if I don't, I won't hit myself too hard!

You know you have it in you to get back with the plan. Don't quit while you are ahead!

Hey, you all! Can you believe I just now found this forum?? HOW HAPPY I AM TO SEE IT!!!

Sometimes I feel quite awkward in other areas where people need to lose a lot. And so here's my problem (probably the same as the rest of you!) ... I know what needs to be done and don't do it. :lol: I guess I feel entitled because I've come a long way and know that at any time, I could lose the rest of it. So why don't I just do it and get it over with?

I had originally set my goal at 139 but since my body really seems to like 145, I changed it to there. Since then, I've lost another 1-2 but it's actually more like gain two, lose three, gain one, lose two. No matter what my set goal is, I'd still like to peek over into the 130s, even if just temporarily.

Do you guys post your menus? Does everybody count calories or follow a particular program? I'd be interested in knowing how you plan on getting rid of the few pesky remaining pounds.

Originally Posted by SusanB:
Lucky ... do you remember the A-team? "I love it when a plan comes together." I had quite a crush on George Peppard!

I DO remember the A-team! And my dad used to duck hunt with George Peppard (well before the A-team). Funny thing is that my dad wasn't a hunter - he just liked hanging out with the guys at the hunt club. Anyway, an episode of the A-team was never watched at my house without, "I used to duck hunt with George..." My sister and I would just roll our eyes!

When Mr Peppard parted his hair on the side ... like in Breakfast at Tiffany's ... he was gorgeous! M-m-m-m-m! I'd go duck hunting too!

Hi Katpo :wave: Welcome to this neck of the woods, I hang around here too, sometimes, well, when I'm not MIA for a couple of weeks ;) ...

SusanB :hug: don't be too hard on yourself, I'm in the same boat/wagon, so let's just dust ourselves off and get back on the straight and narrow as of NOW :yes:... Just when I get all smarty pants I realise that I too don't have it just yet :tantrum: ...

lucky -- :high: good for you keep up the great work

Oh Ilene! I miss you when you're MIA.

Girls, I've found something funny about "IT"...some days you have "it" and somedays you don't! I think the secret is to end up with more "it" days than not at the end of the month and somehow it all works out OK. Yes, I know it is way oversimplified, but think about it...

Of course, this is just a theory! I can not vouch for the actual effectiveness of it!

We're going to start a new thread "Almost There -- July" this thread is getting wayyy too long!! See you all there :wave: