Wondering if anyone can give me some insight to something that is becoming a problem. Ever since I've gotten close to my goal, it seems I've been self-sabotaging myself. I even told my COD that I didn't want to reach my goal because maintaining can't be nearly as fun as losing! I have reached my goal and then proceeded to gain back a few pounds just so I could lose it again. So I've been on this rollercoaster of gaining and losing for about 2 months now. I'll be POP for a couple weeks and then just go crazy. Has anyone else run into anything like this? Help!!

Good evening losers and friends!

Thanks for all of the well wishes!

Barbara- thank you for your encouragement. I KNOW that I do better with studying when I'm exercised and eating right. It's going to be a huge challenge, but I'm trying to develop a routine that I can stick to!

And I loved your comment about the wedding. It is so true--it's just a day! I keep getting caught up in all of the pretty things, but have to bring myself back to earth! I do think I am in the wrong line of work....the wedding business is a gold mine!

Amy-when do you plan on moving to be with DF (!!!!)....congrats on being done (or almost) with finals! And your summer job! Sounds like things are really coming together. That is awesome.

Dionne-WOW!! Congrats on being the local celebrity. I can't believe you even questioned why they would pick you. You totally deserve it. Congrats on another lb lost! Wow!

Nicole-thanks hun! GL with the family stuff. You are so strong.

Katie-hope everything is going ok in your neck of the woods! It's so hard to be the only family member who does the right thing consistently--I hope they come around.

Loserjulie- even though I am quite far from my goal, I know exactly what you mean about self-sabotage. Something inside me tells me that I don't deserve to be skinny, so I overeat. Sounds like you are worried about the next step. You've gotten so comfortable losing, you are fearing the unknown. I'm sure the maintainers will chime in with their words of wisdom! CONGRATS on your loss!

So I just spent 4 straight hours in my kitchen preparing meals for the summer. I will be locked up studying for the bar starting next week so I'm trying to avoid the urge to eat conviniently while I'm hitting the books. Most of what I made is OP, some for me and some for DF. I made a bunch of chicken burritos with whole wheat tortillas FF refried beans and rice. They are portioned pretty small. I'm going to count them as a P, SS. Not exactly POP but they will be easy to grab out of the freezer and defrost at school. I also made meatloaf combining turkey and ground sirloin--with all of the usual fixings. This is DFs favorite. I made Deb's diet coke sloppy joes and a low-carb lasagna (with zuchhini), enchiladas (not OP) and a regular lasagna (not OP). My kitchen is trashed and so am I! I have a few more things I wanted to get made today, but I'm taking a breather!

Hope you all have a fabulous night!

Julie, You suffer from being human I guess. I find myself eating poorly and then getting back on track again and again. It is rather disconcerting when you've spent years and years trying to lose weight and finally you do it... It is kind of a what now. So much of my emotional energy had been wrapped up in putting myself down for being fat, not being fat was a bit strange. I had to work hard to stop the voices in my head from saying you must lose weight. Now I try to always tell myself that I must try to eat healthy. Really it is such a better way to treat myself.

just wanted to post quick and say amylou--you look amazing!

Amy....great grad pic! Not only do you look fantastic (that color is great on you!) but you look satisfied! Must feel awesome to have accomplished all that you have.

Julie...maybe looking forward is the trick! Look back, but only to learn that you have traveled so very far. I mean...losing, what, 93 pounds! That my dear, is incredible! Is it the goal weight that's the problem or what you'll do with it? I mean, do you have a plan for when you reach it? Think about this...you've had a plan for the weightloss, always known what to do next, how to do it. Your time and energy was planned. Now that your goal is within reach, maybe you're feeling lost. Set a different type of goal for yourself, learn something new, take a class or something. My point is, maybe you just need a new plan. :-)

At any rate, you must feel very proud of yourself! I hope I do as well.. :-)
Tami

Barbara........I always look forward to your posts and advice I am afraid DH booked his tickets, and he leaves sunday afternoon. I did mention hiring someone to help MIL.....but I think DH needs to see that his Grandma is ok with his own eyes. She played a big part in raising him.....she is actually quite a mother figure to him. He needs this, and I will be ok. DD will be ok. You are absolutely right........it is just bad timing.

Thanks to all of you for your kind words and support. I managed to stay POP through this all. It is funny.......the busier life is for me, the better I stay OP. I guess I work best under pressure. I always have

Ok.......goodnight all
XOXO

Loserjulie,
I normally don't post on this thread only because it's hard for me to keep up with everyone, but your question got me thinking....
This is the third time in three years that I've done LAWL. Good news is that it has worked every time. Each time I do it, I start in the 160s and end up in the 140s before throwing it all out the window and gaining 20-25 lbs. I remember last year when I went on vacation I was 143 on the day we left and I still felt uncomfortable with the fact that I would be wearing a bathing suit. I think that I'm afraid that when I get to 'goal', I still won't like what I see. That scares me and I am trying to come to terms with the fact that I'm not 18 years old anymore, and I probably won't ever look like that again. I guess what I'm thinking is, if I never get to goal, I won't have to face that disappointment.

I don't know. I'm rambling. Most likely this isn't your issue, but it's funny what our minds and thoughts can do to us.

One more thing - 93 lbs?!?! Awesome.

And for Nicole - your support of your DD brings tears to my eyes every time I read an update from you. I know that many here have already expressed that, but I feel like I need to say something too. I have a relationship with my Mom similar to what you obviously have with your daughter, and I promise you that it means the world to her (even if she doesn't realize it yet). Not exactly the same situation, but my Mom backed me when I decided to move in with my boyfriend at 18. She didn't really like it, but I made it very clear that she couldn't change it. After 5 years we got married, and just celebrated our 10 year anniversary. We have wonderful careers and are doing better than I could have ever imagined. I honestly couldn't be happier and my Mom and I are closer than ever. You can look forward to decades and decades of a relationship with your daughter that no one else will ever understand. She and I are lucky young ladies.

LOLOL! I'm totally with you on that Dan! DH got me Guitar Hero III for Valentines Day! I desperately want Wii.

Amy - the ring is beautiful! Congrats again.

Nicole - I very much understand your rant, and I am so sorry - and angry. Around here, police have a TON of time off (not diminishing what they do - but it is one STRONG union - believe me, they have the ability to take time off) so unless things are really different where BIL is, that's bull! I can also understand that your DH wants to do whats right for his GM, I'm sure he's torn. I hope he's home in time for the birth. - And, how cool that you are thinking about giving DD her own "space" downstairs - you are a great mom!

Dionne - congrats on being a star!

Was out yesterday at a conference, so got TONS to do today... Be Good!

I was stalled. So my counselor put me on the next lower plan. I promptly gained 2 lbs. Has anyone else done this. My body doesn't take to change well.

CF81, Give it some time to adjust.. But don't wait too long before you express your concerns to your counselor... Just see what happens and stick to the plan..

Julie - You're suffering from a very common problem among us... As you're getting close to your goal, mentally, you've become comfortable with where you are.. Friends and family are complimenting you on the job you've done and how great you look.. People you haven't seen for a while hardly recognize you.. The positive vibes make you feel SO GOOD that subconciously, your brain has told you that you've done enough and that you can take a break.. This is where the danger lies...

This is also where the LAWL plan, despite the obvious bad management of the business and bad reputation, is so effective.. Reaching your goal isn't enough.. You MUST stablize your system first and the work your way into maintenance.. If you don't, and you return to your evil eating ways (which can be very easy to do if you're not paying attention), you'll start bouncing right back up the scale.. Once stabilization and maintainence is done, you'll be able to go back to eating many of the foods you thought would be gone forever.. But you'll be eating less of it..

Mentally, you'll be prepared to keep your portion sizes down and physically, your body will be better capable of digesting the junk food without holding onto the fat and calories... Plus, you'll find that if you DO eat like you used to, you will feel sick and crappy... It's not pleasent...

So stick to your guns and finish the game.. You've done SO amazingly well, you're an inspiration to the rest of us!

Hi, all!!

Well, DH's fourth procedure did the trick...his vein is free from clots...what a relief. He should be moved to the Rehab facility today or tomorrow, where he will stay for about a week. Thanks to everyone for the thoughts and prayers. This board is just the best place to get support and encouragement on everything...weight related and not.

Hang in there, Nicole. Woohoo....baby any day now. Hopefully, DH will get back home before the baby comes, but hey...you are queen of multi-tasking...you can handle it.

Congrats on graduation, Amy!

Katie - I hope everything works out for you and your family.

Gotta go for now, I'll check in again later.

Oh, Paula.......what great news!!! I am so happy for you and DH!!!

Everyone who is struggling with staying OP today....I feel ya!!! Hang in there. Even if you screwed up today, say by going to McDonald's with your severely pregnant daughter (who, me? well, yeah.....), you can still do this. The whole day is NOT a wash..........get right back on track. I plan to prepare a very healthy, delicious, OP meal tonight. I'll see you in **** Ronald McDonald !!!

Well, DD had her appointmet today......she is 38 1/2 weeks.....and her naughty little baby is breech!!!!! The doctor is super smart and somewhat conservative, so she wants to see DD again on Wednesday.....and if the baby is still breech at that point......then we will schedule a C-section. Did any of you have this problem? One of my kids was breech for a while, but they turned.......but it was a bit earlier than 38 1/2 weeks. I really don't want DD to have major surgery. She is only 17...........

Anway.......hang in there, everyone....and thanks for all of your kind words I appreciate all of the time you all take to support me and everyone else here on this board
XOXO

Hey guys! Thanks for all the well wishes!

Amylou- you look great! DId you lighten your hair? I am not stressing about my wedding. I am planning a smaller one, and I have tremendous help!

My finals are done! Yey! Funny thing is I am transferring to University of Virginia, so school will go on further, but it's ok. I don't want to wait 1.5+ years to marry him.

Hope all is well with everyone!

Take care!

Jersey Amy......you look so darn cute and happy in your avatar.......and the ring.....OMG.........gorgeous!!!
XOXO