Any advice for me. I'm back on the green and still can't stay motivated. And I've gotten into a very bad habit of all or nothing thinking "I blew it in the morning - so I might as well start tomorrow" seems to be becoming a theme

Thanks so much for all the help you all give - just reading about how others are succeeding makes me feel better.


Sara

I think if I were in your situation, I would write out your "rationalizations" for not going full on.... for example:
I'll start tomorrow
I'm just emotionally not 'there'
I'm so busy

Then really look at those things and assess them.... why start tomorrow? what about starting tomorrow is going to make it easier, better, more successful?

What is it that you want from the program? How much weight are you wanting to lose now? What is the number? Next, what are your reasons.... Maybe your reasons changed from when you first started program so write them down... what are your new "priorities" for getting to your goal? Finally, how are you going to get there? What's your plan? Staying on program? Getting how much water per day? Completing your food diary? How much exercise?

Re-assess it all.... and remember that when we aren't in that desperation mode, it's may seem harder (physically we don't ache, people are complementing us, etc) but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be successful. Create the desperation in yourself.

Finally... start right this second. Do not wait.

You can do this.:hug:

Hi Everyone, I just finished reading this whole thread and I have to say that all of you are such an inspiration! I am starting stabilization tonight. I have to say that I am ready but also a little scared. For some reason I have been having a few cheats here and there lately but I think that it is because I am ready to start maintaining. I really hope that I can do this as it was hard work to lose the weight (and I have to be honest, I did not have a lot to lose about 25 lbs, 30 would be nice) so you all really inspire me and I can't believe how wonderful you all have done. This is definitely a hard program at times but it is so worth it. Please keep all of the great advice coming because I truly believe that one of the main reasons this program worked so well for me was because of this site! :)

Mia
 

Sorry ladies to have been MIA the past couple of months. But now that I am back I need your support. The beginning of August my mother passed away. She had been ill for the last 10 years and was her caregiver. After barely getting over that on August 21st my husband detached his retina. I had to care for him especially the first week when he had to lay on his side 23 hours a day. During and since this time I didn't do much exercise and did too much eating. Long story short I have gained back some of my weight. So as of October 1 I will be back on the menus.

I know that this plan works and feel inspired to lose some of this "gain-back". Tomorrow I will go shopping for food and start weighing myself on Mondays and Thursdays. I will update my bottom ticker to the current weight and goal. I will start posting again and try to keep myself honest.

Thanks for listening and being my sounding board.

I am so very sorry about the death of your Mother. my prayers go out to you and your family. When you lose a love one, stress just seems to control your body. I do hope your husband is doing better. My aunt had that happen and she had to look down all the time, it was so very hard for her to do that, so I understand the difficulty he must be having.

You hang in there and take care of yourself first. MRC can wait for you to get back on your feet and feel like yourself again. Don't be hard on yourself for the pounds you gained back. Take care, you have many friends here that are here for you. :hug:

Thanks for the kind thoughts. My husband is doing much better and as far as he is concerned everything is back to normal. I am starting to sleep better too (that has a lot to do with grief).

I am finished with my contract with MRC and stayed within the 6 pound range during the year following the weight loss. My clothes still fit (although getting a little snug) but I did feel better weighing 10 pound less. I know what to do and need to get back to eating right and hopefully the pounds will come off.

Bonnie, I am sorry for the loss of your mother. I am glad you are sleeping better, that will help with losing again. Thank you for coming back and posting. Are you going back on Yellow, Blue then Green Menu? I am in 3rd week of Stabilization and am wondering what I would do if I were in your position. I'm glad you are not letting this weight creep get too far out of control..
jeanette

Thanks so much for the suggestions and encouragement - it really helps and the idea to create the desperation in myself is just what I really need. Thanks for the boost.

Sara

OK, Maintainers, I posted an October Challenge for myself - GET TO GOAL! I've been hanging around (and slightly above) 139.5 since 14 September. Time to get moving. I posted 3 pictures in my profile - one from Summer 2004 and one from signing the 10 lb Board 23 June - I don't look much different. Sorry no one took a profile at the wedding this past weekend but I think the difference of 20 more lbs off shows. I couldn't cut my two sisters out of the picture - they are my little sisters in age as well as in stature - I have always felt big, gross, clumsy, dumpy etc. around them but not this weekend - even though they have been going to Curves in Charleston SC and doing well, I felt wonderful. I guess we are all adults now (better be - at 62 (me) 59 (brunette) 57 (redhead)).
jeanette

Reuselady,

Thank you for sharing...since the "3fatchicks" do not work in this photo, I now bless you with "3 HOTCHICKS"! :carrot::carrot::carrot:

Bonnie,
I am so sorry for your loss and have you in my prayers... glad you're back with us and getting back on track, we're here for you.

Last night I completed my 6th week of stabilization and am now on the Maintenance menu. I did cheat a bit during stabilization, but I have been increasing my exercise, so it did not have a negative impact. Shocked to find out that since my last body comp on 9-2 I have gained 1 lb of muscle and lost 3 more lbs of fat!! Wow.
My goal is to continue the food journal and to keep losing a few more lbs. I am about 3 lbs from my original goal weight, but now that I am getting close I'd like to go further. This board has been a great help with ideas and inspiration. I WILL NOT get back into my old habits. I feel too great to go back to how I used to be.

160/132/130

OK, I need help, I am suppose to be starting stabilization but haven't really because I keep breaking program. HELP! How do I stop this and really get focused on stabilization! Should I go back to my green (or maybe blue can't remember) menu for a couple of weeks and then stabilize or what?

Congratulations! LizG46 :carrot: I think you are so wise continuing to keep the food journal. I'm in week 4 of Stabilization and having a hard time keeping the new things straight where and when - I keep forgetting things, sometimes the new things but sometimes the old things get forgotten when I add the new item into my menu. But I am feeling very good about where I'm at and have NO intention of ever gaining again. Great to find out you are still gaining muscle and losing fat. My mom suggested I not get rid of all my larger clothes but I disagree - If my new clothes start getting tight, I do not want big old clothes - I want that hint to watch what I'm eating. Enjoy Maintenance! jeanette

Hi all! Mostly new faces, but I see a few names I recognize. I finished Stab and began Maint in Nov 2008. My maintence plan was odd looking, with added calories, and servings, since even at my goal weight, I was off their highest maint menu. ( I am 6'4'' and 225 at my goal weight)

I kept the weight off, only putting on about 10 lbs of muscle in 6 months to get and keep my frame and metabolism back to were it was before losing my 65lbs in 2008.

However, this summer, I just did whatever the **** I wanted to do, eating WAY to much junk, and have gained 30lbs back now! :(

In away, I guess I am ok with it, since I did live it up for 5 months, enjoyed the eating, etc... And I am still in good shape, just sitting at 250lb instead of 230lb. Much better than 285lb, where I was 18 months ago.

However, I have now realized that I REALLY enjoyed being in GREAT shape, being thin in the waist, having no extra padding at all, MUCH more than I enjoy eating too damn much, and eating desserts every night.

Bad/sad thing is... if I follow the maint/stab menu's, and get my normal amount of excercise, I can eat whatever I want (Cheat days) on the weekends, and maintain my weight/not gain. That is the part that makes me continually kick myself... IF I had just stuck with that, I would still be 225lbs. :(

Guess, in this long and rambling post, I am trying to say I need the structure and discipline of sticking with a plan. I NEED to be back (on the plan, and on the board).

I AM going to lose 20-25lbs before thanksgiving, and then I AM going to stick to a maintence plan (with cheat days as long as I maintain) for the rest of my life! :)

Schoon