Great Job Macdeez! 7.5inches lost is great!!

Thanks for the quitting smoking support Melra. I was the only smoker at the party and felt like a freak - just another reason of many to quit. I am considering trying to quit before I get to goal but don;t want to "crash and burn" on both lifestyle changes!

I didn't get to the store before the cookout - it was a surprise BDay party and we had to get there at a certain time for the "surprise" - I was running late as usual! So I didn't stay OP - poop! But I refuse to beat myself up about it - we had a good time and it just means I will work a bit harder this week!

have a great Sunday everyone!!

Neo, the potty breaks do get better once your body is used to the amount of water intake...it did for me at least. Or maybe I just got used to going to the bathroom and don't recognize it anymore? No, I think I definitely is better. I can go out on shopping trips and not even go until I get home, like all day...when I first started all the water that would have been impossible. And you're going to do just fine at the fairs. Keep positive thoughts in your mind. Don't go in there thinking it's hard and you'll fail, go in with conviction that you are OP and that's that. Make sure to have something healthy with you so when that urge hits you can pull it out. You'll be fine. If anything, imagine us all surrounding you with our fingers waving no-no!

Cadwell, they didn't offer me just the file, they were all in kits. He did offer a "mini kit" for $20 and said I could have the lotion for free, but I just thought I needed to wait and use it as a reward. If I just give myself these things I really want, rewards aren't going to be much of a big deal. So, I will wait and then after 30 more lbs. I will get the whole kit.

StillTrying, forget the party and get back OP. Today is a new day so just up the water intake and maybe get in some extra exercise today.

Does anyone watch the weight loss reality shows on TV? I have been watching Celebrity Fit Club and I hear The Biggest Loser will start up again in September. I like Celeb., but wasn't into BL at all last year. I thought it was unrealistic, the way they just exercised all day and everyday. I wonder if they are still skinny today, since being dumped back in the real world and into their regular lives.

Theresa

Sunday is weigh-in day for me and look what I did...159! I'm finally out of the 160's!

Can someone explain taking measurements and how you caculate inches lost? Where exactly do you measure and how often do you measure?

Well I am stoked. I have almost all the weight gain lost! I am glad to hear that my body should regulate shortly cause I am scared to go anywhere right now-especially when I have all 3 kids in tow. From being a fall off I can tell you to dust yourself off, don't beat yourself up and get back on that wagon again. Like my Mom says-"There is no success without failure" Kind of helped put things into perspective for me. The only reality lose weight I kept up with was when Dr. Phil had his Challenge on his show. I just wish my son would stop focusing on food all the time. It is all he practically thinks about and no sooner do we finish a meal and he wants to know what is for the next one or what his snack is going to be. I realize it is part of his disability-he is anal about everything-but jeez. I guess I never noticed it before when I was overeating and didn't think anything about letting people eat willy nilly around here. Amazing how a life change can open your eyes to so many different things.
Melissa

Congrats SuziMc, you are getting closer to your goal.
Today will be hard to stay OP. It's my mom's birthday and we will go out to eat and the restaurant, which is across the street from her house, will make a special dessert. I am going to save some of my calories so I can have a tiny bit. I don't want everyone to know I'm dieting cause I've failed so many times before. I am determined not to blow the day. It will be a big test for me.
Laura

Suzy-you measure your bust, waist, hips, thighs, and upper arms and I guess once a month isn't too much. Congrats on the weight loss! For example you measure today and your upper arm is 17" and then a month from now you do it again and it is 16" that means you have lost 1". I should do it myself cause from what I remember my measurements make me a tube with legs. there isn't much flexuation at all in my torso. Many times there is more inches lost faster than the pounds. Personally, I don't care what I weigh as long as I am about a size 7 or so. I think I was that size in about 5th grade. Always been on the heavy side of things and that is why I can't wait to see what I really look like underneath all this.
Melissa

I don't want everyone to know I'm dieting cause I've failed so many times before.

I am the same way! The only people who know I am doing this is my Mother and the girls other grandma. They are the only two people I trust not to judge when I slip and to be completely supportive. Plan ahead-you can do it!
Melissa

Congrats on the loss SuzyMc! Get up and do a real dance around the house, you deserve it! I take my measurements and will be retaking them the first of every month. Decide which body parts you want to measure, then I was told somewhere along the way to measure at the thickest or biggest point. Sometimes that makes sense when I measure, sometimes not lol The meausurements are most valuable when you hit a plateau and the scale isn't moving, because the measurements usually continue to shrink...especially if you're gaining muscle because that can add to the scale while the measurements are smaller. I just feel it's wise to not depend on the scale alone, because it's not the only predictor of health.

Neo, hopefully your son's focus will change as he gets used to the changes you are making. Can you put a bowl or dish of fresh veggies in the fridge and tell him if he wants something, he can have that? That way he can kind of control his own snacks, and it's something healthy for him. It sounds to me like he needs something to do, something to keep him busy so he can't think about food all the time. I don't know anything about what he does right now, but maybe he could find a hobby or play sports, something to fill his time. Maybe you need to assign some projects, chores, etc.

LauraB, you could allow yourself to have a small helping of the dessert to celebrate the birthday. You don't have to explain or say anything to other people, just take a small piece and enjoy it. The key is moderation, and one little bit on a special occaison is not going to stand in your way...unless it trips a binge, so you have to think about that if whatever they serve is a trigger for you.

As for me, no one really knows I am doing this except my hubby and he doesn't think I'll stick with it long term. He's been hearing me say I'm going to lose the weight since the birth of our daughter 3.5 years ago. I'm going to show him though...he'll see! It's different this time. I'm not just going on crash diet, but have taken the time to figure out the best lifestyle changes, the emotional reasons I eat, and how to determine when I am really hungry and when I am just trying to escape emotions. I'm learning to deal with, instead of hiding from, my emotions.

THeresa

Theresa
That's what's so wonderful about having this site. We can talk to each other. We understand each other, and we don't need outsiders, especially those who have never faced the over eating weight gain problem.
This last 3 1/2 weeks is the longest I have ever stayed OP. I am not suffering, or feeling deprived and I have even managed a few social occasions. Last week I made an excuse and came an hour late to a Sunday brunch so I wouldn't have to sit at the table for 2 hours. There were lots of people there so I didn't feel that I was upsetting the party. I really think our group has a lot to do with success. I hope we can all stay together for the long haul.
Laura

I agree with Laura, this is the best support system I have ever had and it is helping me stay focused. It's just nice to have a place where I can say what's on my mind and not worry about others looking at me like I'm nuts. It's hard to find others who understand and are so supportive. I think we can stick together and reach our goal weights and beyond. I feel everyone here is my friend When I hear others losing weight and inches I am so proud, I know that I can do it as well.

Theresa

I agree! This is the greatest support group ever...you girls are the best!

Thanks for the measurement instructions...I wasn't quite sure how to go about it. I think you're right though...it's a good idea to have another gauge other than the scales.

I haven't told a lot of people that I'm dieting either. Mainly because I don't consider this a diet...it's a new lifestyle. The benefit of this new way of eating and exercise just happens to be weight loss and a healthier me!

I agree, the support here is great. I have been looking for something you know the quick fix, it ain't out there.LOL I am ready for a new life ( style,change, better, healthier, everything) I have been working on this plan for almost 2 years, ever long time, but I think, NO, I KNOW I have all the tools and support and ideas I need to get on with my journey, and be a happier, healthier me.

I will try the cut veggies for him. I took away his video games and cable due to his behavior so I think he is still feeling at a loss what to do. He just learned how to ride a bike (took 3 weeks) but he has now lost about 5 lbs. I quit buying crackers in any form because he wasn't eating dinner and then eating at least a tube of crackers in its place. I finally convinced his Dad that McDonalds once in the day was plenty (he was taking him twice) and they have been doing yard work and going down to the river that is by his house so that will help too. He was such a skinny little guy but they had put him on Resperdol to help control the outbursts he has and it caused a weight gain of 26lbs in 6 weeks! I guess I worry more than most since I have lived overweight most of my life and I don't want to see him struggle and have people treat him badly because of his weight.

I too am soooo glad I stumbled onto this web site. Even when I had my sabatogue week, I read what others were posting and when I posted, there were no reprimands or how could you. There was only stories of the same hardships and encouragement which is what we all so need. It is harder to share this type of thing with a person who doesn't have issues with their weight because they can't understand and usually you get one of those "what is your problem or you could if you wanted to" type answers. I want to thank each and every one of you for being there through thick and thin.
Melissa

Theresa - That's just what I did! Went to another fair with my Dad today and had only a bite of his cheeseburger! I was hungry - but they didn;t have anything that would be remotely considered OP and I can;t buy something, eat a little, and throw the rest out! - I'm a "clean plate club" graduate!

Congrats on the loss SuziMc!!! Great Job!!
I feel the same way about this group - I feel like I have a group of people behind me all of the time (in my head) rooting me on!!
I haven;t told many people that I am "dieting" either - my hubby knows, but doesn't say anything about it (Smart Man!) and I just try to watch everything I eat when I am around people without saying "I am on a diet"- even yesterday at the BBQ B-Day party - when I went off plan- I skipped the cake at least! SO I can;t feel too badly about having a cheeseburger - It could have been much, much worse!

Ice Princess - I feel exactly the same way about "I am ready for a new life( style,change, better, healthier, everything) " I am really trying not to look at this as a "diet" - It is lifestyle change for me also - I am realizing that I am "going without" things that are really not good for me anyway! - so I shouldn't look at it as depravation, but self-preservation! All the partially hydrogented, saturated, and chemically altered crap isn;t worth what it is doing to my body. Like LauraB, I will "treat" myself once in awhile to something, but not eat the bad stuff like I used to!

I weighed myself this AM and it showed I lost another pound...but I really thought I was so Off Plan on Friday nite (onion rings) and last nite (big cheeseburger and some cream cheese dip and wheat thins) that I am not believing it - so we will see on Wednesday!

Good Luck to all!