Dagmar - it is huge. Dh & I are total tv gluttons. Really, it is me more than him lately - we stepped up slowly from my old 37" to a 60" a couple of years ago and I've decided I like the look and don't want to go back down. We have a big open living room, so it fits. :)

Just got this pic from another friend who found it on Pinterest...

http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net...Hvl29y7d_c.jpg

Love it.

PERFECT! I have been dong that recently (though it's more of a sulking thing rather than reward). I can't put it up on the fridge (DH gets mightily offended if my "affirmations" go on there) but I will make one up for myself and put it on the table in the evenings when I sit in the living room.

Dagmar :ink:

Just dropped Dewey off at the vet.
Hopefully after today we can't call him Humpty and the cat Dumpty (use your imagination-- Dewey has been very amorous lately)!

I've had interesting comments from co-workers the past few days as they haven't seen me in a few months. I always find comments interesting and maybe I put too much stock into them but I think that people comment based on their own securities or insecurities. If that makes sense.... Quite a few nice comments about my hair-- shorter and highlighted-- so that is nice.

But also many, many comments about my weight. They have been so varied. From, "Oh My! You've lost more weight!", to "You look perfect! Toned! Guns a blazing! Wow!", to "You're too thin-- don't lose more weight!". Most have been positive but a few have been cheeky or negative. I *might* be a couple of pounds lighter than when we went on break, but if anything, just a couple so there shouldn't be a big difference. More toned maybe? I've been working out almost every day but I was doing that before. I just find it interesting....

Hi all,

I've been saying for a while how I've been stressed, haven't been dealing well with stress and wanted to try some yoga. My co-worker heard about a class "for donations" at the community center last night and asked if I'd go with her. Sometimes, someone is just trying to give you a push! It was really enjoyable, relaxing, and I definitely stretched out and just breathed deeply for a while. I hope to do it again! We've also been having slightly cooler weather the last few days. It probably won't last but is very nice while it's here.

Aww, Michele, Dewey will be just fine! 3 years of maintenance at close to the same weight seems an oddly long time to be getting these comments now. Have you been wearing more short-sleeved or sleeveless shirts lately that would allow you coworkers to see more of your toned arms, etc? Typically summer clothes do show a little more skin. Maybe you are just more toned. Your arms looked great in that picture you posted a few weeks ago!

Saef, I'm laughing at your Wednesday summation of the State of the Maintainers. I know what you feel like about no down time anymore! Do you have a neighbor who might appreciate a produce donation before you leave? I hate to waste any food, too!

Jessica, all those accidents are scary, but I'm sure you and DH are safe drivers! If you are safe, keep your car in good repair so that its safety features are working, and practice defensive driving practices, it's really not worth the time to stress about the things you can't control. I know it's easier said that done. Hopefully once you put some time between you & these accidents they will fade in your mind.

Shannon, I might print that out and put it on the fridge! Or the pantry might be better... I hope your finger has a speedy recovery.

I hope to do some legs at the gym and take Emma for a walk on the beach tonight. School must be back in session, the beach is all the sudden fairly tourist-free in the evenings. Have a good Thursday all.

I'm glad that you enjoyed the yoga, Megan! I need to get back to mine.

So I replied to the "Are you in GA..." request at the top of this page and the producer wants to film a segment with me for their weight loss show. I'm freaked out.

How cool! Maybe you need some of Megan's yoga to calm you down.:carrot:

Congrats, Shannon, from weight loss to movie star. Can't wait to hear how it works out.

Yeah, I would be, too. But think of it this way. It's going to be sort of like being on 3FC. You're doing it to help some woman out there (or man, but it's probably a woman) who knows she's got to lose weight or die early, and she's wavering, not quite fully committed yet. She thinks only people on TV series with famous personal trainers yelling at them can do it. And then she sees you, a person who also lives in Georgia, a person whom she can relate to. You've done what she wants to do but thinks she can't do. Please think of her, and how what you're doing could help her. That will make it less about you -- which is what makes most people nervous, thinking they've got to be perfect on camera -- and more about someone else. You are doing this to help that woman & others like her. Just like coming on this board, seeking help & giving it.

Just read this article from last Sunday's NYTimes, and found it fascinating:
Do You Suffer From Decision Fatigue? By JOHN TIERNEY
Among other things, the article talks about the role of glucose in helping the brain to refuel after the mental work of resisting temptations:
"The discoveries about glucose help explain why dieting is a uniquely difficult test of self-control — and why even people with phenomenally strong willpower in the rest of their lives can have such a hard time losing weight. They start out the day with virtuous intentions, resisting croissants at breakfast and dessert at lunch, but each act of resistance further lowers their willpower. As their willpower weakens late in the day, they need to replenish it. But to resupply that energy, they need to give the body glucose. They’re trapped in a nutritional catch-22: 1. In order not to eat, a dieter needs willpower. 2. In order to have willpower, a dieter needs to eat."

The take-home point from that particular section of the article is something that successful maintainers already know well- you cannot allow yourself to make decisions about what you are going to eat for dinner when you're tired and hungry at the end of a long and stressful day. You should plan your meals and eat your plan, no straying from decisions made during a more lucid and coherent part of the day when your resolve was firmer. The other take-home point was actually made in the article itself- even though glucose is the brain's preferred fuel, and a glucose fix will provide a quick way to boost decision-making and will-power, eating a diet that is high in protein and more complex, nutritious foods will provide a steadier supply of glucose through the day with fewer "crashes."

Well worth a read.

Andrea Could you please post a link to the article?

Interesting. I use caffeine :coffee: throughout the day to provide the energy :hyper: I'm not getting from food and it definitely influences how I behave in the evening. Less diet pop/tea = more willpower to resist carbs (again looking for an energy "fix") in the evening.

Now if only I could have a 6-8 week sabbatical :p from work where I could get off the caffeine and not have to worry about falling down (literally) on the job.

Dagmar :beach:

Hi! New to maintaining!
 

Hi all! Can I play? :) as of this morning I have officially lost 60 pounds and am wearing size 8 jeans down from 201.6 and size 16 in February. I still would like to lose about 7 more (which puts me in the higher end of healthy bmi and my lowest ever weight as an adult 14 years ago) but regardless will defend this 60 pound loss with tooth and nail therefore I am officially calling myself a maintainer. Maintaining has been my downfall in the past as I have lost weight in the past and regained. But this time around I truly made a lifestyle / mind change as opposed to quick fixes, crash diets or dieting down for a particular event type of efforts so I am confident I will keep it off. I have lurked for a long while and each of your posts have been instrumental in a way to keep me going. I may continue to lurk more than I post but I wanted to say hi and thank you!

Saef - thanks, that does help to look at it that way. It is just an in person version of things I already do.

Andrea - I'm definitely going to look for that article. It seems to make sense from the bit that you quoted - I always make much worse choices when I'm already hungry, and tend to go for fast.

Dagmar - I drink a lot of coffee, but haven't noticed that it makes me more carb crazy. Interesting that the diet soda lessens your willpower - could some of that be the artificial sweetener? It kills me.

Charin - hey there! :wave: You are absolutely a maintainer, congrats on your success! Pop in whenever you want! :)

I made it to the park for a run last night - it needed to happen. It meant that DH and I ate dinner solo which I try not to do, but I needed the run. We had our neighbors over to listen to music last night, so I got home just before they arrived and ate while we got set up. It worked. Now on to my last day working catering. Woo hoo.

Checking in from Montana. Gee, it's Friday! We're having a great time here but I'm afraid to see what my weight will be once we get home. I did fine with snacking on the way up, but totally blew it last night when someone set out cheese and crackers and three bags of chips.

We went golfing and we've been walking the dog a lot, but I feel like I've gained. Not too happy about that since I wanted to lose for Costa Rica.

Anyway, just wanted to check in--too much going on to comment on everything.

Take care and have a great weekend!

Hi and welcome Charin!
Congrats on your loss. I truly believe hanging around 3FC (and working for WW) have been instrumental in me not regaining my weight.

Poor Dewey is doing fine. We are calling him "Uniball" as he is quite swollen down there. He moaned and groaned all night. This morning he was still swollen and uncomfortable but hungry and wanting to play. I'm hoping he'll sleep while I'm at work and recover more.