Beth Anne, thanks for all the help! I know that I shouldn't be intimidated by the others at the gym, but it's hard for me to get over this self image. I keep thinking of myself as this 130 pound person and I get all surprised when I see 230 pounds on the scale in the morning. I look at pictures of myself, and I think "That's not me, that's some fat woman who ate me, and boy does she have a huge rear end!" I feel like if I go to the gym, everyone will know my dirty little secret of stuffing my face.

How do they know WHY you are heavy? They have no idea. People are heavy for all SORTS of reasons, and in this day and age, people should understand that! You might be heavy because of disease, or genes, or whatever! Maybe you hurt yourself and haven't been able to exercise in forever and ever... there are hundreds of reasons.

I say judge not so you won't be judged! And if they do judge you, screw em, because at least you are now TRYING to get yourself into shape, and that deserves many many kudos! (but not the granola bar kind )

what does sw/WWsw/cw/gw mean? How do I know what my goal should be? What are the points about? I'm sure there is some page here to explain this all to me, but I am not that good with the computer and I can't figure it out. Also, I had a bad day today. It is my husbands birthday, so of course I had to make him lasagna...and fresh bread...and carrot cake...and sugar cookies. Who am I kidding? I started eating the sugar cookie dough before it was even cooked. Just one little bite, I told myself. Then just one more little bite, then just one cookie. Just one, two, six more cookies, and I'll stop. Then on to the carrot cake, just a little taste. Just one, two, six more little tastes. I can't even make it one lousy week on this diet without eating enough in one day to feed a small army. Am I allowed to start another diet? I aleady blew this one. Why do I do this? I hate this endless cycle.

Yiby - First, you didn't "blow it." You had a minor slip-up, which happens to all of us. And of course you can start over! Sometimes I "start over" five or six days in a row before I finally jump back on the horse.

Next, a brief lesson in abbreviations:

sw = starting weight
WWsw = Weight Watchers starting weight (this would be if you started on your own plan, then started on Weight Watchers after you'd alreday lost some on your own plan.
cw = current weight
gw = goal weight

Frankly, I think it's way too early for you to start thinking about a goal weight. Sure, you could have a "ballpark" to shoot for, but I really think that a final goal is going to be too overwhelming for you right now. I'm afraid you'll end up standing in the cliched forest, not being able to see it for the trees. I strongly suggest that you start by focusing on losing a small chunk of weight, like maybe 10 pounds.

As for why you binge, I don't know. That's something you'll have to explore, but we can all help you. You might start by keeping a log of how you feel when you eat. Are you really hungry, or are you just eating to eat? How are you emotionally? Tired, bored, stressed, sad, upset, lonely? I know that I tend to slightly overeat when I'm bored (leads to mindless snacking). I know that I overeat more when I am stressed. I also know that I all-out binge (and I have had some pretty incredible binges, let me tell you!) if my feelings are hurt or if I'm feeling desperately lonely or alone. I sure didn't figure this out overnight, though.

Hang in there. Don't get so frustrated so quickly. Hang in there. Know that you are WORTH IT, and that "messing up" does NOT mean that you are worthless as a person!

Jennelle -
Thanks for explaining my tagline! Nice job

Yiby -
NO GUILT AND MOVE ON! This is a new day! you can start over again!

Some tricks for me - I chew gum when I'm cooking things I can't eat and brush my teeth right before hand as well. Keeps me from eating them.

There are so many GREAT lasagne recipies out there that are really low point!! Even on this site! We love the veggie lasagne, its delish. Hubby even loves it!

You are probably going to have to do a major overhaul of EVERYONE's diet in your house. That's what I've had to do, but my husband actually enjoys the food I make now a lot more than what I used to make, and he is happy to be eating healthy. We just compromise in that he has his "bad snacks" but tries to only get things I don't like or that I can resist. He also usually doesn't eat the veggie I make to go with dinner. We really have made it work, and you know, his body fat percentage has gone down a little too. (I have a supremely fit hubby who goes to the gym every day and can eat like a cow and not gain an ounce.)

the first thing you should do is THROW AWAY temptation foods. Yep, just pitch em in the trash. Dump cleaning fluid on them if you think you will be tempted to rescue them. If there is something your husband/kids (don't know if you have kids) MUST have, then have your hubby hide it somewhere so you won't be tempted.

I will tell you right now this WILL NOT Work until you overhaul your kitchen.

If you need more help or advice, PLEASE email me.

[email protected]

Hi! Janelle and Beth Anne said that I could start over, so I am. I am going to start small, and focus on losing 8 to 10 pounds by Halloween. I am just going to start over again on Monday, because I want to do this, to lose weight this time. I DON"T WANT TO GIVE UP ON THIS! I am kind of writing this to myself, but I feel like if I tell y'all, I actually have to do it.

Hey yiby...
this whole journey is about baby steps! you're in it for the long haul, right? they start slow.
I started by quiting regular soda.. no minor starting point, btw.

all the best to you!!

Dana

Dear Yiby

How I have been tackling my diet since I had my baby 8 weeks ago is to start small, I dont think about what I should be doing but what I can do this day, this week. I choose goals I feel Im ready for and I can succeed at, at least most of the time. This way Im not continually failing because I ate more then 1200 cals etc. First few weeks I committed to 10-20 mins walking a day, eating a healthy lunch not worring about dinner so much, as I succeeded with the small challenges I would get the motivation and courage to do more like eat healthy for 3 meals aday instead of 2 ...by easing myself into this over 2 months I have only had a couple of slips and have lost 9 pounds so far. I also post here alot and come to this site alot. The challenges are fantastic at helping me... There is a 3 point challenge where u choose water food and exersize ...just what u feel u can do and u get a point for each if u reach ur goal. There is a halloween challenge to see how much u can lose by then.. and many more These challenges really have helped me get into the mindset of dieting alot. I also have made a shelf in my pantry just for hubbies stuff as he loves sweets. I dont go to it and make sure all the food on my shelf is the right food.. These are just things that have worked for me, you need to find what will work for you but i do recommend starting small and easing ur way into a healthy lifestyle..

Good luck

Kitty

yiby-
I am really proud of you!! WTG!