Thanks Debi! I agree 100% about the will power muscle. I heard yesterday at my center that when you given into a craving like a sweet, your body craves that sweet taste for up to three days. It is a vicious cycle. Praying for everyone to face their demons and have the strength to win!

I'm the same way and I am working on a "new reward system" Have "rewarded myself" with raspberries this week. I love them, they are very expensive right now, but they are also great for me. But I need to work on "non-food rewards" so that I don't fall back into a bad habit. I like the flowers idea, I love cut flowers, but consider them a splerg, so I think when I hit the 20lb lost mark I will buy myself a nice bouquet.

Anyone else have some "non-food reward" ideas?

Mariah

WELCOME GOALBOUND. This board is a wonderful source of information, support and encouragement and we are glad to have you join us.

Mariah

Can you tell me how much fiber is in each of the fiber drinks and what they cost? I forgot to ask yesterday and my center is closed until Monday. I checked out Benifiber and Chrystal light even makes a "fiber" drink (it's yummy too) and I was just wondering how they compare in amount of fiber and cost.

Thanks,
Mariah

momoffour,

Can u pls post u r recipes that do not have HNS in them

R

Hi all,

I am having a hard time excercising and would greatly appreciate all tips to motivate myself to do it.

Thanks

r

Regarding rewards how about buying new smaller size shirt/pant/skirt

Thanks Mariah!

Weighed in. Up 1 lb, which was to be expected after my Thin Mints debacle. I didn't eat enough to actually gain a pound, though, so I know it's from retaining water from the extra carbs, which is heartening. I know what I need to do and I have a little more determination to follow through the rest of this weekend.

I had been rewarding myself with pedicures, massages, new clothes, etc. when I hit a milestone or feel I did something right. I don't know--I think I need some new ideas.

I do sometimes eat to reward myself, but I also eat when I'm stressed. Ideally, I should get up and walk around or something rather than eating, but when I'm at work on a deadline, I can't always just stop what I'm doing to relieve my stress. I think that's why I tend to turn to junk food. It's something that relieves my stress even while I"m working. Any other ideas?

I reward myself with craft supplies, musical theatre tickets, and plants. I'm a bit too nervous to buy clothes right now, since I'm still dropping weight, though I did end up buying two tops at thrift stores. Also, when I reached my 1/2 way mark, I bought myself a set of earrings that I've been wanting - nothing fancy, just sterling silver so they won't turn my ears green after a shower

As far as motivation for exercising, I find that the worst part for me is putting on my gym shoes. Once I finally get my tennies on and double-knotted (geez, what a lot of work! ), I'm typically too lazy to take them off. So then, I might as well work out. I take a good book with me if I bike - which helps pass the time, too. Also, what kind of workouts are you doing? I did the C25K, but can't say I enjoyed it, though I did complete it. I'm more of a dancer, so I've got loads of dance party videos that truly do make working out enjoyable.
You could also try lifting weights during the commercials of your favorite shows, or doing jumping jacks, lunges, or squats during commercials. Just a thought.

Find something you really love to do and don't worry about whether or not you'll be good at it. I've hiked, taken dance, 2 years of karate, etc. I find I'm more motivated to go to the gym because it helps me reach new goals in my fun hobbies.

I really had to work on myself psychologically with this one. My first instinct when I'm stressed is to eat. Guess what? That's a natural, evolutionary reaction (or call it instinct if the word evolution bothers you). You're body, when it feels stress, prepares for fight or flight. We have to learn to calm those stress hormones down. Whatever we have done in the past to calm them will be our first, neurological instinct. I had to really talk to myself and convince myself that there was no benefit to eating when stressed. It released TEMPORARY endorphins that made me TEMPORARILY feel better, but after that came guilt, sadness, feelings of failure---MORE STRESS!!!

So here comes the hard part. Now that you know it, you have to face the feelings. Arghhhhh!!! As a dear friend of mine says, "ya gotta feel to heal.". There is nothing wrong with being stressed or bored or angry or happy or lustful or or or... They're feelings. Deal with them. move on. Acknowledge the stress, acknowledge how it's making you feel, and convince yourself that eating will add to the negative feelings, not decrease them.

So much for my 5 bit psychology- it's helped me, I hope it helps you. It's a journey and it's work, but it's worth it!

Well, my weight has been zig-zagging back and forth between 187 and 185 for almost 2 weeks now.

It's been over 7 years, since my weight was less than 184. Well, this morning my scale completely skipped 184 and went straight to 183.8. I'm lighter than I've been in 7 years!!!!! Yay!

I also had a weight on my scale this morning I haven't seen since junior year of high school....7 years ago! Metaquick is working for me....my home scale finally got out of 169...and actually this morning I'm showing 167.4! I remember distinctly weighing 168 my junior year....so I'm less than that! Let's just hope it holds so I can make it MRC official FINALLY and sign that darn 40 pound board!

I have been in pre-conditioning since Friday and when I got on the scale this morning, it showed I had dropped 4 pounds already. (My scale told me same as theirs Friday, so I am assuming this is right) Is this water weight or am I really losing weight already????