Hi! Thanks to all who have posted! Writing these things out almost helps me reflect on this accomplishment and what lies ahead. (and again, sorry for all the typos. Itupe these during my commute on my iPad and kind of rushing so I am very sorry!)

Just a few thoughts that helped me through or lessons I learned in the journey... It helps me to re read these in a while:

Your nourishing yourself not depriving yourself.
When whining to myself: how old are you? Two years old?
When thinking about going off plan: how will you feel afterwards?
Just do, dont try!
You will NOT starve.
Hunger is not an emergency.
Think thin
Remember that exercise makes you feel better.
Make a plan and stick to it.
I am nit a trash can.
I've never regretted NOT eating something.
embrace the suck (because sometimes it WILL suck!)
No IFs and BUTs
You don't have to eat everything on your plate.
Over fullness is abnormal
Normal fullness is normal
Could you walk briskly after eating this meal?
Hummer is normal and you can tolerate it and it is not an emergency.
I DONT have to eat it just because it is unlimited, free, cheap or paid for.
Just walk away from temptation
Find a distraction
Drink water first
This is for life
Time will pass anyway
There will akways be more (insert off plan food here) in the world to eat at a later time
Where do I want to be x weeks, months, years from today.
Stay focused
Food will not make you feel better or safer or valued
Solve the problem , don't soothe yourself with food
I don't have time to lose. Inhale weight to lose
I would rather be thin than eat x
Food is fuel. I deserve the best fuel
Food can't control me
Just say no
Are you hungry, or bored, or tired, or upset, or stressed?
This is my gift to me, my reward.
My life my weight my choice
You just don't have to have x
Just say "no thank you" and repeat as needed (to food pushers)
Success is a result of a series of small steps. Take a small step today.
When tempted to binge/purge just throw the food away or pour detergent on it (I know extreme bug it helped me and it wad going in the trash Nyway sorry if TMI)
no excuses, excuses will not make me thin
Cravings will go away
I will have to monitor my eating, somehow, forever, that is a fact.
Any loss is a good loss
No pain no loss (instead of no pain no gain )
Eating healthy and exercising is my default
Dissapointment is a normal part of life and life is not fair (when thinking about why does Jane doe get to eat whatever she wants and I don't )
I can control weight loss
I am entitled to lose weight
I am entitled to say no to food
Do the grown up thing (when whining)
Just keep doing what you are doing, don't be impatient
You are successful
You have accomplished other things in life, you can accomplish weight loss. (think about whatever else you have accomplished, educTion, overcoming illness, whatever it is)


Ok so these are just a few I have picked up frm all over the place, blogs, books, this and other forums, just me internalizing stuff I hope they help some of you!

Oh I also have a "theme song". In my case it is a Christian song in Spanish so the translation will not do it justice, but it goes along the lines of "I will never be who I was before" and talks about closing the door to the past and reaching out to new goals. So find a theme song that kind get stuck in your head

And finally, my list of benefits (some of which may sound lame or vain):
My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit so I honor God by taking care of my body (not really a benefit but top on my list). If you have different beliefs, perhaps there is something similar to this but that aligns with your values, that you can hang on to I am sure.

I look better for DH
I am a better example for ds and dd
I will be healthy and keep diabetes away
I will have more energyto deal with my full plate of obligations
I will enjoy outdoor activitiesn with the family
I will wear cute clothes that fit better
I will look better in the pool and will not be uncomfortable and hit in the summer (since I will not be as covered up)
I am not the fat one in the family
I am more confident at work, in meetings, if I go in a job interview, presenting at an event.
Food will not control me
I will feel accomplished (who doesn't love that feeling?
My back, feet and knees will not hurt!
I will not snore!
I will sleep better (I think I had started to develop sleep apnea so was waking up middle of the night several times)

Ok, this is it, I think I have shAred most of my story for now! Thanks all for listening!!!!!

And keep on keeping on!

Btw, when I say if I did it anyone can, I say it from a humble place, meaning, I really really felt defeated and that I couldn't do it. I know each of us will have ournown set of struggles along the way so I am in no way saying if I did it everyone should, I just would love to give a ray of hope to those of who may be second guessing yourselves

Have an amazing day!

Charin

Roxybabay, hello fellow Latina! I literally did not eat my fmily's food for six months until I felt "strong" enough that I could eat it in the right portions. For maintenance my approach is I follow the same losing plan Monday through friday, but eating more at dinner (whatever DH cooks though i refrain from fried stuff during the wek) than when I was losing. This is not cumbersome for me because I am at work and just follow a routine that is kind of second nature now. Then on Friday evening and weekends I am but more relaxed.

Hhm6 in terms of food plan, I did Nutrisystem for about 4 months then kept using their exchange plan based in low glycemic index foods but with grocery store bought foods. I counted my calories make sure I would stay within 1200 and 1200. I used the Nutrisystem app ANC then the loseit app. I will try to post the exchanges / plan for your reference.

I did give up all soda and sugar/artificial sweeteners in my coffee (I never had milk or creamer anyway So I just have it black). I gave up many more things during weight loss that now I enjoy in moderation, but there are foods that are triggers to eat more so I am learning to tread with caution and some things I may notmkeep un the house. Also, now that I am paying attention to how I feel afterneating, I realize that after overindulging in carbs, white flour, sugar (like in the weekends if I have pancakes and later a cupcake, and next day a donut) I will feel like crap on Monday morning.

For the most part I they to stick to the healthy things I ate while losing but eat a bit more of them and then loosen up on weekends.

Ok sorry I am rambling, gotta work now, again, have a great day!

Thank you for being so honest and sharing your struggles and solutions.
I can't imagine what it feels like to really reach your true goal.

Congrats again. The real you is coming back to live, again!

Charin,
you have shared an amazing story here. congrats on meeting your goal and you do look amazing. here are some dancing carrots to celebrate.

Stunning, simply stunning! What an inspiration!

Docaud and kidjng Thanks!!!!! Love the dancing carrots!

I dreamt Friday night that I was overweight again, I could really feel the flab around my stomach that is no longer really there... Not sure what to make of it but what I do know is that I am still a fat chick on the inside...diffucult to explain but I feel deep empathy for folks at any leg of the journey since I can still feel everything vividly.

Also, my DH is very overweight and through him I can see many of my own struggles and what I now consider my own excuses. But I know the decision to start or continue or finish the journey is individual so there is really nothing I can do but be ready to encourage him whenever he is ready... I just worry deeply about his health. On a brighter note, and those of you with kids may understand, I worry a lot about helping my kids create good habits specially around exercise. And this weekend by happenstance my kids and I started what may become a new routine as weather gets warmer and days get longer: jogging/biking/scooting to a particular landmark and back. Round trip is 1.6 miles, takes us 20 minutes or so, it seems it will be easy to fit in weekday afternoons and weekend mornings. We did each day thus weekend and the kids loved it. Now we just need to tow DH with us .

Started level 2 of ripped in 30 this morning... Movements are a but complicated but looking forward to mastering them...

Ladies and gents, have a lovely day!

Charin, congratulations on a great achievment !

Wow, Charin, way to go!!!!
You look absolutely stunning! I can totally relate to the culture and equating food with love. I come from an Italian background and I have found it so hard to stay on track when I feel obligated to eat all of the food in front of me so I do not look rude!

I have learned to overcome that as have you, and I am very happy for you! Good job, you are an inspiration!!

You look amazing, and many congrats. Thank you for taking the time to give such detailed and useful responses!!

WOW!!!
You look incredible, and so beautiful!




Women like you give me so much inspiration to keep going!!

I wish you good luck keeping it off!

What an incredible story! Your bone structure is amazing...so gorgeous.

I love seeing ladies the same height as me...so inspiring!! CONGRATS!

Congratulations; you look wonderful!!! You're just glowing in that face shot - I can see the difference in how you feel. Thanks for sharing about what you're doing with maintenance, and how it's working for you as well as the struggles. I am sure you will keep up the healthier lifestyle, and your story will be an inspiration for many here.

You look incredible!

You look fantastic! Thanks for posting and thank you for being so real and honest and sharing your struggles. That 'being real' is what helps us all the most, shows we really are not alone and this CAN Be done!

Many blessings on your head!

You look stunning! Congratulations!!