I love all the success stories on this thread. It's proof that this protocol does work. Only we know how hard we work at this, and will have to from now on. Just watched a show on obesity and the Doctor made references to how obesity was similar to alcoholism where he stated an alcoholic is never actually cured. I agree with this reference because I know that I will always have to be careful and stay in control for the rest of my life.
When I do get a craving, i force myself to remember just how much pleasure that food gave me, 30 seconds? 1 minute? That's it. It doesn't compare to how good I feel now.
Your NSV's of smaller sizes are wonderful. I know how much of an impact that is. Congratulations to you all!

Also proof of how strong we all are :broc: I've had more and more people stop and ask me how I am losing weight and the majority, as soon as "no fruit" or "no dairy" or "no rice/bread" was mentioned (I don't try and get into the microscopic details of having 2T of milk - they can read the protocol ;) ...), backed off and said "that's not very healthy" or "no way, I have to be able to eat __________"

If you had told me at this time last year I was going to be going on vacation in M shirts & size 10 pants, I would have :lol: in your face. I had given up and resigned myself to being obese. My thyroid was all over the place, fasting blood sugars creeping up to per-diabetic levels, & unable to wear the majority of my clothes. How far I've come amazes me, and yes, I am proud of myself!

This can be a daily struggle though and when I've had a rough day / evening, I remind myself:
Losing weight is hard
Being fat is hard
Pick your hard

For example, last night DD10 wanted mashed potatoes and for reasons unbeknownst to me, I had the most sudden & horrible urge to stick the spoon I'd just stirred the potatoes with directly into my mouth :eek: I've fixed potatoes a dozen times since February and not had a problem...I could actually taste them, if that makes sense :o idk...but I remembered the mantra and resisted - flexed the willpower muscle :D

Part of it may have been the not-so-good news I heard at work yesterday. The company split about 6 weeks ago and one of them is already looking into outsourcing the function my department provides. Even if the other company doesn't immediately follow suit, we won't need the headcount we have now and positions will be eliminated.
I never heard back from the job I interviewed for last month either and at this point, feel there is very little chance of that call coming in.
Still keeping my eye out for the right opportunities.

I hear you about the mashed potatoes, I have been tempted to "lick the spoon" so many times, and usually I remember in time why I'm doing all this. But a couple of days ago, we cooked a chicken on the grill, with the vertical roaster, it makes such a crispy skin...well, you know where this is going :nono: I was cutting up the chicken, and some of that skin just popped into my mouth :eek: How'd that happen ;)

I'm sorry to hear about the work situation, but I'm a glass half full kind of person, and fingers crossed for you that it will all work out. Think positive thoughts!!

I did notice though, you've reached the 70 mark :cheer::cheer::cheer:
...and you are so close to being out of the 160's :dancer: WTG!!


I had my WI today, loss of 1.6, I'm still hanging in the 170s, happy with the loss, of course...but sure wish it would go just a wee bit faster. I've only lost 6 lb in 4 weeks, and I know a loss is a loss, but I'd sure like to see a number in the 160s. Next week for sure :^:
On a happier note though, I wore a MEDIUM top to my WI today, which my coach complimented me on, and she also said my Sz14 capris were looking a bit loose :dancer::dancer:

Thanks blue - I am actually relatively calm about the whole situation - the news wasn't a surprise.
I also kind of know I'll be one of the last ones getting a pink slip, should it come to that (institutional knowledge, education, years of experience, etc...) - most likely I would actually get a really nice retention bonus to stay & help with the outsourcing process. Doesn't mean though if the right opportunity presents itself I won't be handing in my 2 weeks...

:woohoo: that is still a great loss - hear ya on wanting to see that next # down though
It's funny b/c 16X was a huge milestone for me and I couldn't wait to see that number on the scale...I really don't know what 15X feels like so the pressure has eased up considerably.

One other piece of :( news...the appraisal came back in lower than expected so the entire refi is being reevaluated. D@*% 2008 housing crisis

livinglrg: Yep, I see eating like an addiction in some way. Just like my patients (I'm a psychologist) people use alcohol and drugs to avoid dealing with pain, I have done that too with food. When I feel stressed, my brain says, "Eat a big pot of carbs!" I had a stressful day last week and had two spoonful's of my sons' pasta and then I stopped myself...what is this about? Why would I sabotage myself like that?

I have been on Phase 4 since Saturday and doing fairly well. My Quest bars came in the mail so I am having that as my mid-afternoon snack. I'm going to continue to stick with a Phase 3 like diet during the week. It's easy and provides some additional structure to my work week.

Wishing everyone well!

This is what I'm trying to focus on - lifelong, lifestyle changes. Just losing the weight isn't enough. My days of unlimited french fries and a handful of cookies when I'm ravenous are over. I will always have to be mindful of good vs. bad choices.

Yes, agreeing with all the sentiments on here. Hysteria, I know what you mean about the comments when you try to explain the no fruit, dairy, bread etc. When I think of what went in my mouth prior to April, I might've had the same response.
MiWi, the days of me cleaning my kids plates are over. I used to easily clean my youngest one's pasta up even after I wolfed down my own generous helping. I no longer crave pasta (a wonderful NSV for me...)
Blue, you're doing great, focus on the direction of the scale. Keep up the great work!
HereIstand, I'm with you. I'm also really thinking long term. I think that has been my downfall in every attempt I made before to lose weight (and keep it off). I always thought of it as temporary. "Pick your hard" (seriously, these are words to live by).

I can relate to the almost automatic tasting of off limits food. I've had to watch that.
I had a woman today who really went on and on about "am I sure I feel okay" because I have lost weight. It wouldn't have bothered me except she wouldn't let it go. For a moment I thought, how bad do I look? When I assured her that I was fine, the weight loss was intentional and I was under a Dr.'s supervision she added, "well, just don't lose anymore". I see her fairly often but don't know her, not even her name so it was weird that I would get such stern advice from a stranger.

Has that happened to anyone else?

Yes very often in fact and I find it both annoying and insulting it's like being sick or stressed could be the only explanation as to why I am thinner like what about my inner strength, willpower and determination to be healthy...drives me nuts:dizzy:

Ugh! YES! It's starting to happen too often...even my own daughter said something about my face the other day...not mean, just that it looked super-skinny lol

I do believe in my heart most of these comments are well meaning - its just people enjoy continuity and familiarity and I almost feel like its a new person showing up.

This Friday marks 29 weeks and for anyone feeling stuck (and to write it down for my own benefit ;) )...

I bounced in the high 160's for 3 weeks but kept faithfully to alt-protocol and walked just about every day. I was watching my body morph but seeing very little scale movement.
Now, in a period of 7 days, I've seen the scale drop -6.4 pounds! My running average went from -.21 pounds daily back to -.31 (a little over 2 #'s a week)
If I keep this average *fingers crossed* I could be looking at making goal as soon as the 2nd week of October :D
Nuts! :dizzy:

Then will come the reevaluation process ;)

!
 

Yes! For the most part I get positive attention for my weight loss, but every now and again I get totally berated for losing "too much." "Don't you lose anymore!" I'm happy with myself, but technically if one considers my height, I weigh about 10 lbs more than my healthy weight range. I either assume it's jealousy or people in our obese society really don't know what a healthy person looks like anymore.

I really think it's the latter. I'm still 20-30 pounds over the normal weight range for my height, and people are telling me to be careful not to lose too much more. I mean, I obviously am still FAT! You can see it in my legs and belly. But because I'm not morbidly obese, people think I look okay. Crazy.

ETA: Ah! I'm soooo close to a new "decade," the 170s! Hopefully by next Monday's official WI. :)

Interesting comments from a lot of you on "careful about getting too thin" advice. (Personally, I haven't run into this yet, guess I still look pretty fat, huh) :eek: :lol: ;)

Seriously though, I think Beth's comment about familiarity and continuity are right on the mark. Let's face it, we've all been losing and changing pretty quickly, look at all the posts recently about how fast we're all dropping sizes! Look at pictures of yourself before you started vs now, you see a different person. It's got to be a bit disconcerting for friends and family to see so much change so fast. Just reassure them that you are feeling so much healthier than before!

I know I'm still way above where I should be, and I'm pretty sure if I met someone today for the first time, they would probably think, hmm...she could sure stand to go on a diet :lol:

About the gaunt look -

When the glycogen comes back that fills back out - your face and your boobs in particularly I noticed.
My pictured looked better, even at the same weight, about a month or two into maintenance.

And yes, don't bother about comments - you'll start to get the whole gamut of that stuff .... just stay focused on your own health. After a few months it stops, people get used to how you look, and you don't see people so much who haven't seen you. And strangers just accept you as you are now.

Thanks everyone, my hubby says that those people didn't know me any other way than "larger" so the contrast is extreme to them. But I am DEFINITELY not even thin!

HeyAmber, I asked this before but are you still eating IP or alternates now that you are in maintenance?