I am back from my last planned cheat until goal. Wow crazy ride these 8 months have been. I lost 52 pounds in the first four and then only 20 in the last 3 3/4 months (But have been to Las Vegas, a cruise, Finger Lakes wine tour, Atlantic City...wow). Now all of my trips are done until July and I better be at maintenance.

I plan to have about 7-8 perfect weeks now! I am 4 pounds from my original goal, but I want to lose another 12-16 after that.

Keep up the great work.

I have learned so much about life and myself through every part of this process. Food is not scary and cheats are not cheats...just life!

No more ALL or NOthing mentality for me.....plan it, enjoy it, then focus on lifelong eating changes.

I DO!~!!! quite frequently actually. My husband and children have gotten used to me spitting out food. It's like I need to convince myself that it doesn't taste as good as I think it will and then I am able to quit obsessing about it.

Welcome back Darbs!! Hope you had fun! I really like how you put that phrase "food is not scary and cheats are not cheats...just life!" so true!

We will all be here for you as you bang out those last few pounds!

Thanks darbs! Any thoughts would be helpful!

check out my new progress photo link....I changed the pics (before and after)

Progress Photo
 

Wow Darbs...You look great!! You have this figured out! Glad you had fun last weekend.

Lynn

YOU LOOK AHHHHHHHMAZING!!!!! Like a whole new person. I like your sassy haircut...and your dress it matches the way I see you from the words you write. You should be so proud of yourself...I bet people don't even recognize you 72 pounds is a lot of weight to loose. I have and continue to be inspired by you-- thanks for sharing and thanks for guiding us not so newbies through this journey...your words are wise and experience helpful...I am grateful to you:hug:

Beautiful darbs! I love the whole new look. You must feel amazing!

Love it - truly inspiring!!!

WOW Darbs you look GREAT!!

My husband makes Beer and he always wants me to taste test it. At first I said no way but then I decieded I could swish it around in my mounth taste it and spit it out....It's tough though cause I want more :) Tonight I actually tested one for him...It was yummy but I spit it out :)

How are you by the way???? Are you there yet????

Update
 

Thanks to the fabulous advice I received here, I started Phase 2 today.

I had an unexpected drop this morning, after I 'slipped' and added in some extra oil on my salad last night, and added a bar back in - I think it's true that the body hangs on to fat if it's not getting enough calories. I'm now only 5 pounds to my goal, and I feel good about starting to transition off.

I've also got a planned cheat this weekend, who knows, that may kick my metabolism up to get me through the last five.

(Calories in - Calories out) is only the very beginning of the equation. It's much, MUCH more complicated than that. Thanks for reminding me to eat. :-)

Welcome back!!! hope you had tons of fun....AND WOW.... look at your pictures you look FABULOUS!!!! :congrat:

Missed my weigh in today...I weighed on my scale and I'm 145.5 (1.5 more pounds to be at 40 lbs lost since Jan 14th) super happy with that. I'm not really sure what phase I'm in mostly phase I or modified phase I. I can't really seem to get the phase II correct, I know it's not hard It's just easier the way I'm doing it I guess even though I know it's not 100% but I'm still loosing weight.

I need to just put my mind to it and do it so I can move to 3 then 4.....Funny when I started I thought phase I would be the hardest....IMO It's the easiest.

Have a good evening all!!!!

Thanks and had a great time.


Thanks, weird but I have learned a ton about myself on this journey. I used to just be 100% perfect or "heck with it...I messed up...I'm done!" But my mindset has changed so much. I learn a ton from this website and all the wonderful women here.



Thanks...but you....wow...wow...wow...I sent your info to my daughter to keep her going as she has 150 pounds to lose.



Thanks



Thanks Kim...you have been right there since near the beginning...and have done awesome yourself.


I love microbrew beers...but oh the carbs...I stay right away....but so yummy. Thanks for the compliment

Well ladies let's see if I can finish phase one and move to phase two in the next 6 weeks. Thanks for all your support and friendship