what keeps me going???? good question. i'd say, fitting back into my clothes that i was outgrowing, losing almost 20 pounds, almost being at the weight i lied about on my drivers liscense ( i was too ashamed to put 196 on it so i lied and said 170. now i'm only 7 pounds away from that. ). having people tell me that they can tell i am losing weight. having so much more energy to do things. i feel like just running some days because i have so much energy. enjoying my moods. i am happy much more than i am depressed.

working towards getting into a 2 peice bathing suit, looking forward to seeing my soap stars and feeling like i look as good as them, looking forward to seeing one of my oldest friends and her not believing her eyes that i have dropped so much weight.

i think there are soooo many things i could go on with. but for now i'll stop.

I don't hurt anymore!! I used to get such a backache after just 10 min of shopping....Now I can shop and I don't drop :-) I have so much more energy to get the things done in life that I need to, with energy left over to do the things I want to! I don't hesitate when I see a hill or a flight of stairs. I can go forward without worrying about pain or maybe not making it! The sky is the limit now.
I totally agree with those that have documented a change in mood. I may have sad situations that happen to everyone in life, but sadness isn't my life anymore. I look for those folks who look for the joy in life so we can play!

Thanks for the wonderful reminder of gratitude for today!

Knowing that I have probably extended my life for a LONG time. Gives me many more years with hubby.

Being healthier, fitter and lighter than I have ever been in my adult life.

The great comments I get.

Being able to wear a size of clothing that I have NEVER worn before - I went from kids' sizes to an adult 16 (U.S. 12/14)

Knowing that I control the food I eat instead of the other way around.

Not being stared at or having rude comments made about me.

There's a lot more, but that'll do for the moment.

I'm glad we don't have to have our weight on our licences over here, or I would have been one very unhappy lady for a LOT of years.

Great thread.

Take care all,

Zelma

Feeling in control of all aspects of my life, and knowing that if I want something I just need to work towards it to get it.

People who've only just met me thinking that I'm sporty and fit.

Actually believing that I am sporty and fit.

Mentioning my race times to men and getting the response "that's quicker than I've ever managed".

New clothes, in different styles and colours and from different shops, and having so much choice.

Realising that this isn't a bad way to live the rest of my life, and that the small sacrifices I do make are smaller than the sacrifice of living my life in a body that doesn't work or fit into the world.

Realising that I care about what I put in my body, and that it's not just a question of cutting out foods because they make me gain weight, I cut foods out because they aren't good for me, irrespective of weight issues.

I could go on and on. I may look like I'm "there" but I still need to keep on doing this to make sure that I maintain this loss and carry on appreciating why I don't want to go back to the old me.

I have tried many times to go on a diet and for various reasons stopped. Now, I do see that the way I see it all is much different. Concern is one reason, concern for living long and well that's one thing that keeps me straight and narrow. Another is that while before I've known my size has affected the rest of my life, inside and out, I guess I didn't want to change or thought I couldn't, now I know I can, and I got full control. Call it all a sleepy person has finally awakened, now let's get to work sort of thing.

There's more little reasons too but it's also more than a want or/and need in a way...if u can understand that. I would say something deep in me that comes all the way out to the surface is causing something stronger than a feeling of, I crave to be better in this area of my life (and I know it's for the right reasons, not only so I can fit in a smaller size jean, but that is an extra to add to the fuel when I need it). I hate to sound to intense here but this driver is stronger than any other driver that has caused me to do a lot of other smart and not so smart things in my life. I am riding it and it is going very well.

1. my blood pressure is now controlled with very little medicine
2. I no longer have high blood sugar
3. I wear size 6 to 7 instead of 20
3. I feel better
4. I feel sexier, and sex isn't a chore anymore
5. I will have a longer and healthier life with my children

Additional reasons, I can now sit at a booth at restaurants instead of asking for a "table Please". I can walk without getting short of breath. I weigh less than husband and that was a biggie. I weigh less than most pro-football players now and that was a biggie too. I'm not such a recluse anymore, I like to get out now. I don't lay around in sweats all day, I like getting dressed. I don't cry when I look in the mirror anymore. I eat to live now, not live to eat.