you're so pretty!

congrats!

If I may ask...could you share your struggles with the dreaded plateau, if you had any.

I've been at my current weight for a month and it's very frustrating.

Thank you thank you! Evilwomaniamshe, I rebuke the food demons lol :). The few binges I've had are usually stress related... Argh. so I have to remember that if hunger is not the problem, food is not the solution. They are usually short and quick and I am sure they do more damage emotionally than to my actual weight which has remained stable plus/minus 2 pounds.

124chicksinger, i was the laziest person on earth but now it's like I crave exercise. I need that adrenaline rush in the morning and it does help improve my mood during the day. But you know whT they say that it takes 21 days to create a habit and that was soooooo true. I really had to force myself initially. What I do is I set out my workout clothes the night before and jump I to them as soon as I wake up. I dont even think about it anymore, it is part of my routine like showering and brushing my teeth are.

Cheryit, keep it up, you can do it! I was were you are just year ago!

Bsbgirl86 when I approached 140 which had been my lowest adult weight that I had been able to maintain for a while in college I would literally hyperventilate thinking about crossing that line into the unknown.. Weird but just didn't know what it would feel like and I was really afraid i would sabotage myself because I truly felt anxious about it.... Hadn't been that weight in 15 years... I just decided to keep doing what I had been doing so far and see where the weight would go. But I truly do understand your feelings, sorry I do t have a better advice!

Theox thanks for your kind words! My DH always tells me he likes me at ANY weight and he can't really tell the difference (other than the chest :)) bless his hear :)

I will talk about my plateaus and triggers soon, getting to work now! Have a wonderful day!

wow thats amazing!!! great job!!! you look fantastic darling!

I am so excited for you! Congratulations on this great accomplishment!! :carrot:

You were already very pretty before, but you look even better now. Congrats!

I am humbled by all the kind words! Thanks lcard, Susiederkins, jessica2231, emme, and surfergirl2.

Re plateaus, overtime I lost an average of 2 pounds a week for the first 5-6 months, (first 55 pounds or so). Note this was AVERAGE, some weeks I would lose none, some weeks I would whoosh and lose 3. I just kept on plan despite no loss weeks. Then I had like a self inflicted plateau for about a month (maintained during week long business trip and two weeks vacation. I. September I was back in charge but being closer to goal weight, thus with a smaller calorie requirement and a smaller deficit, I started losing at snail's pace. I think I stayed for a while bouncing between 135-138 another long while between 130 and 135 and now a long while between 125 and 129. If I lose anything more, which I still could per BMI, it would be gravy, but I dont think I am willing to eat less or exercise more. Well, I could exercise more intensely, but I don't really have more than half hour to devote to exercise on a regular daily basis. So it is kind of a cost vs benefit at this point. Anyway, so when things slowed down or plateaud I just figured , well, I still need to c tinue to set healthy and exercise what I have lost so I might as well stayin plan, I figured it came down to physics so at some point weight would budge, I took a closer and honest look at what I had been eating lately, Etc, hope this helps!

Re triggers:
Received a pre-hypertension diagnosis (turned out to be a false positive but scared me to death.
Broke a camping chair while sitting on it, embarrassing
Realized I had NO CLOTHES to wear come spring and summer so either I would be uncomfortable, spend money on bigger clothes, or did something about it
My dad is diabetic, watching him inject himself twice daily... I HAte needles and don't ever want to go there!
I wasn't comfortable with my husband, even though he always , ahem, demonstrated an interest in me.
Didn't feel comfortable ipat work, in meetings, etc.
Didn't want to be the fat mom at the pool again.
Was hiding from folks who hadn't seen me in a while
Was hiding from the camera.
Hated being the fat SIL
got fatigued easily
Etc etc etc

Next I will post the very useful list of weight loss benefits I came up with that I read on a daily basis :)

Thanks all hour nice comments!

Great post, Charin!

So inspiring! Thanks for sharing your story, and congratulations! :)

Oh wow, congrats!!!! You were still very pretty at your before pics, but beautiful and healthy in your after. You are truly an inspiration :)

Wow, very inspiring story!!! I'm latina myself and coming from a large family who loves to eat it is so hard to limit oneself. Reading stories like yours really gets me motivated to stick to my journey until I too can give my story! Again, you look fabulous :)

Very inspiring story!

Thank you for posting Charin!! And congratulations! You look stunning! I felt like I was reading my own background as I read your post (although I'm not Hispanic) but the triggers, and your starting weight, and height are identical to mine! I'm just starting to lose a few lbs from eating better, but it seems like it's water weight right now.

Would you mind telling us how you planned meals? Was it a little bit of everything or did you cut our certain foods? I always feel like I'm craving something sweet ALL THE TIME! and I can't get other foods to satisfy that craving, is this normal? Sorry I hope I'm not derailing a thread by asking all these questions here!

Anyway, congratulations on your accomplishment!! Your story gives me hope!!! :)

You look amazing!

Congratulations! You look fantastic. :-) I can't wait to get where you are now.