[Breezy414]

The recipies have saved me!! The thought of another bowl of steamed broccoli and cauliflower makes me crazy..I over did it. Now I have discovered all these new ideas thanks to the awesome people on this site. I can be crabby and grumpy and hungry...I get on here and ALWAYS find something that sounds good - and I have fun trying them out. I am new to this and just started my 4th week...and each day gets a teency bit easier - it really does. Even when life gets crazy - hang on to this routine. It might seem like the last thing you want to worry about, but truth is - keeping the routine just might be your little bright spot of stability.

[Breezy414]

Originally Posted by patns

First step is to power through the first week. That is the hardest part.

It is a good idea to have little rewards for yourself as you get to minigoal. Some people get the popular charm bracelets and get a charm for a set amount, say for every 10 pounds down.
This is a good idea because it is something you can always see if you wear it everyday and reminds you how far you have come in your journey.

I liked the charm bracelet idea, but I am on a bit of a budget...so...I went to WalMart and bought these plastic/rubbery, plain, solid colors bracelets (kind of look like thin ponytail holders). They can be worn all the time, including the shower. They are kind of annoying...but there is a reason for it. I bought one for every 10lbs I want to lose. When I hit the mark, I take one off. No one knows what they are for unless I tell them. The day I remove the last bracelet...I tell ya...

[JODIO]

I had a friend tell me "Be a person of integrity, if you said you were going to do it, then do it. Otherwise, maybe you're not a woman of your word."
THAT was hard to hear, but so true.

On another note, sometimes a kind of a wager can help. Give your friend $50, and promise that you will go one week without cheating. If you cheat, she can keep it.