Good afternoon everyone!

Well, had my Stabilization WI and hit the 150's!!!!!!!!!!!! 159.8 to be exact Very happy about this...I have another 2 weeks on Stabilization, then onto Maintenance! So far, sooo good I love adding all of the new items to my diet, and many times have to remind myself while I am eating something that I am not cheating, that I am allowed this or that now!! Some of the re-introduced items feel like a cheat treat!! LOL

I agree with the discussion on hubby's compliements and others....I too have a real hard time getting the attention from others (very shy about it), and when my husband compliments, it makes me feel good, but I can't say I totally agree with him. I am clearly changing on the outside, but my self-confidence/perception on the inside remains a bit weak.... You would think that I could look in the mirror and just be like "wow..." but no, I look and while I see differences I am happy about, I definitely zero in on areas that need attention.

This journey is not all about the physical weight we lose...there is most definitely an emotional/psychological aspect to all of this as well....and so the journey continues

We are what we tell ourselves we are, so going forward, now that I don't have to be so hard on myself to lose weight every week, maybe I will focus on a daily compliment to myself. I will let you all know how that works!! haha

Happy Febuary! In 15 short days I will start pre-conditioning! I can't wait! I'm so excited Just thinking about having a new healthy body by the spring/summer lord willing makes me smile whooo hoooo!!!!!

Happy February! Congrats to all for making it another month!

Me too! I'm going to get there this month!

I haven't been into the center since before my weeklong trip last week, but on my scales I am down at least 2 pounds. With traveling! Airplanes, restaurants, etc. I am thrilled. It's just the motivation I needed to start February strong. I have quite a few social evenings this month, and while I am never perfect at them, I am doing well enough for me. I don't even want the junk anymore. I do have to bring dessert to a small dinner party this weekend. Does anyone have any ideas??? I was thinking something with fruit so I could have just a tiny bit of the something and a bigger bit of the fruit. I don't know. I'm sure not going to make something and then not have any of it... If it was a big buffet I could but this is just a small dinner at someone's house. I'm just not one of those people who can announce that they are on a diet. I need an idea...

camaswa-"Dessert" ideas on plan...hmmm...some kind of cake (angel food?) or something (ice cream) that you could have strawberries to put over top...then you could eat just mainly the strawberries. You can do this...just think this weekend...I am saying no to pizza, you are saying no to dessert, and were' both stabilizing come March!

Tami-Have you read "Made to Crave?"

Did pretty good today, even with going out to lunch last minute with mother in law...veggie omlette But suddenly I'm really nauseated...supposed to be going to a friend's house to raid her 10's & 12's to get me by til I'm ready to commit to a size May have to put it off though unless the tummmy starts feeling better.

I'm in 12s now too and am wondering if the last 8-10 pounds will get me comfortably in a 10. I do have a couple 10s i kept from another lifetime that I'm almost in. Isn't it funny how expensive clothes run bigger sometimes? As for dessert, some kind of loaf cake with berries is a good thought. Once I tried to make creme brûlée with Splenda and when a broiled the top it instantly blackened and smelled like burning hair. Won't be doing that...

camaswa-Same boat where 12's are fitting (although a few of my friend's didn't...she had soooooo many pants, she's addicted) and in the store a few 10's fit, but def none of hers. But all of the Ann Taylor Loft shirts seemed to run big...reminding me not to get hung up on the size. People can't see (and frankly don't care) if I'm in a 10 or 12 as long as I'm wearing a piece that is complementing me and my shape and style. Looking forward to rebuilding my wardrobe, but with borrowing a ton for a few months I can do it slowly and do some learning on what colors/styles/etc look good on me. And I know I don't want to kill myself to get down to a weight where I can say I'm in a certain size only to not be able to maintain there. I remember one of the thigns that got me to sign up was my consultant telling about her weight loss and how she only ever wanted to fit into a 12 (she's an 8 or 10 now) and I was in tears since that's what I wanted. Now I'm in 12's and realizing that even at a 16, there are clothes that can make you look good (and ones that make you look not so good).

Good Morning, All! First night with my new sleep schedule and I did it. Wasn't too hard since I was so tired. LOL In bed, lights out by 11:00...that's all she wrote. I fell asleep before hubby, so that's saying something. I'm a night owl, he's not.

I've been doing good with my running. After one week, I'm up to 1.5 miles without walking. My legs were doing fine, it's the breathing I need to work on. I probably could have gone longer if pushed to. I'm just happy to be exercising again.

And to really motivate me, they are starting a wellness program at my work. This morning I went in for my stats. The one that made me smile was I was measured at 5' 5". Off to change my profile info.

Hi, Everyone!
FIL survived the surgery (8 hours) YAY!! and is in recovery - doing really well :-) and my MIL is very comfortable in an assisted living community close by so all good :-) now all i have to focus on is my sales job and losing more weight on this plan (and not regaining!)

i know everyone goes through all kinds of things daily - it's called Life! and we will all have ups and downs. even though i have been out of my comfort zone, i've found i can make good choices wherever i am. they had healthy choices at the hospital cafe...fish, veggies, salad... i have my protein bars if i'm hungry and even shook up a few HNSs a day going through all this. Outback 6 oz sirloin w/ steamed broccoli and salad is one of my fave meals! i even take the 2 oz home w/ me or even if i eat it, i don't gain. the carbs are what makes me gain, not an extra bit of protein.
had a subway club the other day and now i am trained to only eat 40 cal. of the bread! :-) - Plus i know if i remain healthy, then i can really hope to stay away from the hospitals, right? :-) i tell you what is really motivating.... my FIL who is overweight, it actually made it a little bit more difficult to perform the surgery (from the doctor's mouth) so that really hit home w/ me. talk about motivation!!!

anyway, back to work to catch up and the good news is, i didn't gain... even w/ family in town and my silly bro in law that wants to have cocktails out every night!!!
have a great week everyone,

haha, sounds like one of my experiments! i make the SFFF jello w/ non fat Greek yogurt and mix in blender and then chill. you can also add strawberries or other fruits. i'll cheat and add lite cool whip (20 cal) it's so good! my DH laughs at me because i have a pantry full of different flavors! the lime jello w/ strawberries though looks like something died in the frig...my DH has thrown it away before...it's kinda purple moldy looking

I have got it! You said "dessert" and it made me think of the MRC lemon cheesecake right away! Do just a graham cracker crust, and if you want to, you could put fruit on top and FF whip cream?? I don't know...some ingredients may be off program, but the "meat" of the dish is totally OP!! People seem to like it and have no idea it is healthy or made mostly of cottage cheese!!

I found that this is a book...thought it was a forum somewhere! I will need to look into it! Thanks

what's the recipe? yum!!!!

It is in the MRC cookbook..if you don't have it, I will post it...just let me know!