Hello, This is my first time to post. This topic is really on my mind. I have been on many diets...gained,lost,gained,lost. I recently was given a monetary gift and decided to use it to do the Ideal Protein. I am on day 5. I am very concerned about just gaining it all back. Food is definitely an addiction...it is all in the mind. If I can learn to control my mind, I would have it beat. So, that is a primary goal of mine while I do the IP diet. My goal is to lose 60 pounds!

IDGirl - Weight loss is mainly a mental game. Just the fact that you are aware of that puts you ahead, I think. Good luck with your weight loss!

Oh, we better not be; that would be really depressing! My philosophy is that we are learning, sentient beings. This is not my destiny! LOL

Recent history aside, I'm looking at this as, "done means done." I am DONE with being on this roller coaster. It is time to get off. Health is more important to me than candy. Ha, said during Halloween season. But for the first time ever, I don't feel like it is going to derail me. I am DONE!

If I say it loudly enough, often enough, and convincingly enough, I hope to make it true.

There's an old saying "if you don't learn from your mistakes, you're destined to repeat them" not sure who to give credit for it, but it certainly applies.

I agree with Guac, you're ahead of the game if you have it in mind that maintenance is a challenge and aren't looking at being "cured" once you get to goal weight.

Many years ago a guy I worked with said when you gain a couple pounds get them off right away, I didn't listen to him then, but his words stuck with me, imagine how easy it will be for us to lose a couple pounds now and then compared to losing the 10's of pounds we are working on now.

best to all

This is a great thread. I am no where near goal. But, I have lost and gained the same 20 lbs about 7 or more times. For me, I gain when I get scared to get on the scale. I think, I will diet for a couple weeks and then weigh and I NEVER do that. As soon as I take the leap and step on the scale, my weight starts to go down. So, I have committed to weighing every day the rest of my life. I am NOT going to be scared of the scale. My weight is what it is whether I step on that scale or not. I know this is going to make the difference for me this time. I realize some people think you should not weigh daily while trying to lose. But, I really do think this will work for me.

Thanks for sharing all your information!