I know that I would do the same thing! What I do is order one week at a time, then I rubber band my food for the day together and number them or you could put the day of the week on them and put them in the pantry. I take out my packet for the day and I know that is all I can eat.

I need structure!! If i had extra bars laying around I know that I would eat them.

It is good that you are at least eating IP foods and not junk food though...

My hubby says my butt looks great in yoga pants no matter what size I am so i always think of them as my sexy pants!

I went to see a coach today and already I feel more accountable so it's probably a good thing for me. I bought the "chips" and I can see that I will have to watch those. They are not restricted and oh, so yummy. The bars make me want "more" so maybe if I switch to the chips it will be better. They are pretty salt and vinegarry -- I'd probably get a canker on my tongue if I ate more than one bag.

IP43 those pants sound like just what I need. Any idea about a brand name, perhaps I could order some on line? Definitely not ready to try to clothes shop yet...I need a pair that I feel not gross in for now. I am sure that would be encouraging.Thanks! I am feeling fearful of weighing in at the end of my first week maybe I will wait for another since I have been doing well and don't want to get upset if only lose a few lbs for a whole week of working so hard! It is that "mind thing" and I do not want to let it start working on me and derail my first positive steps forward. I did take a peek and the numbers are not moving like the first week I started before when I lost 7 or 8lbs! 2 days until my week is over and when I peeked only three lbs... I know I should be proud of getting through the week ...and I am, but wish I could have a bigger number which would help keep me going with more hope.

I'm not sure of a brand name but I know they have them in Penningtons and Additionelle.

Thanks for the name of those stores,IP43, I will look on their websites!

KillerKandy, you pretty well wrote my post at the start of this. Work got super stressful, my mother passed on after a month long struggle in the hospital icu. Not excuses but reality I just folded for a year. You can swap my before after photos pretty much right now, though I didn't gain it all back it's close enough. I haven't updated anything for ticker or stats.
I was not going to post under this, my former self for embarrassment, but I see long time friends still here. I tried so many times to restart. This time it's not trying but doing. I'm on day six of restart. Before after of 2012 original start on profile.

Yep Halfagain -- some of us still here again too! I wanted to change my ticker and start fresh but I'm glad I didn't. I think it's good to see people who have been here and been successful. We know we can do this. Just need to get 'er dun this time! Welcome back.

I just saw this on "pinterest" and it jumped out at me as perfect for this thread:
"Sometimes God redeems your story by surrounding you with people who need to hear your past so it doesn't become their future."

Wow. To all us 're-starters', our past frustration will be someone else's inspiration. Keep up the good work everyone, to get back on track and back in good health!

Half again & IP43

Although I never want to see my friends struggle, we all know it's a struggle no matter. As Ishbel has told us:
Being overweight is hard
Losing weight is hard
Maintenance is hard
Choose your hard.

Sounds like today we're picking this as our "hard"

I surely thought I'd be at goal long before now. My goal is normal BMI.
Our struggles are our own.
The nice thing is we don't have to be alone.

What is going to be hard tomorrow is getting up for work! I can't sleep -- too much to do so brain is in overdrive. Thanks tho' Lisa for the support. Maybe I'll go to sleep and count my calories for tomorrow instead of sheep -- that will get me to 1000.... should feel some zzzz by then!

Thanks for the support, Lisa. You are a great example for sticking to the goal, even if life throws you some surprises.

I have gained and lost on so many diets...I truly understand. It seems like people look at me and wonder ...how long will she keep it off this time? LOL I am going to lose it and I will get through all phases. It seems like getting through all of the phases is what makes this a LIFESTYLE change!

Yes Penny -- "all the phases" is key. I'm an expert Phase 1-er. And and expert "re-starter".... I want to be an expert "maintainer"

I'm kind of playing mind games with myself a little bit too. I haven't told anyone at work that I'm back to IP as I don't want to hear/see/think the "you've been there and done that"... When I start looking smoking hot I may let people know I've been trying to lose weight, but until then, I'm staying low key. Is it fear of failure? I don't think so, but I'll have to let my brain dwell on that one a bit more.... I mentioned in another thread I walked around with wine in a glass at a party -- 95% empty glass -- just so no one asked me if I wanted any, or noticed I wasn't drinking.... I just wanted to 'blend' and not make a big deal of trying to lose weight again.

I get the summer off though, so I'm hoping when I go back in 2 months, it will be in several sizes smaller .... gotta have goals!