wow....so many of you I remember well. I am joining you in a few short days. I am returning to my clinic on September 6th. I was able to maintain my loss all summer (I was up and down between 5-7 pounds...off and on based on social life).

I stopped and phased off for the summer because I was below my original goal and I knew I would not give 100% in the summer.

I am ready for 100% again so I hope to drop the last 15/20 pounds.

It is so great to see all of you and to finish this with you...I am a little afraid about the restart after being on maintenance all summer.

Darbs, Good luck on your restart..It just takes getting used to, but I bet you will jump back in. Don't forget the packets are supposed to make your meals simpler and faster!! That is wonderful that you maintained all summer. I am on the last 15 pounds also.

I remember you too. OK, started last Wed, did OK through the weekend but just had my first cheat. It was my hubby's birthday and my Mom made him a Carrot cake, her speciality. Well hubby didn't even cut it yesterday so I said breakfast. At least my carbs are in the a.m. (no who am I kidding), I know, it will set me back. Gotta go work it off at the gym and be GOOD. Amazed me that at least a true 6 lbs, maybe more by the a.m. in a week. We have no more birthday's until Dec so hopefully I'll be on maintenance by then.

You don't realize how many people you probably helped being honest and starting this thread..just because we are losers with our weight doesn't mean we don't need constatnt help ourself...
You know how tuff it was to start this program and we are all excited and then we start having fun and we were taught fun leads to food...so just back step a bit and start having fun with Ideal Recipes and invite a few friends over for an ideal dinner...go back to having fun just differently..we are behind you..we still need help too...hugs

Hey Darbs....I'm back too....missed you...now its time for me to take off the rest of me that I don't want...

Reassure absolutely...not everyone gains it back..sometimes what happens is you fall in this pit of excitement that you lost your weight and your excited and your body feels great and you look amazing...and you temporairly forget to continue with some of your good habits...most people set up a goal and do not go over that goal..I have a top limit and I won't allow myself to go over that top limit..If I'm close to it that day no no no and if I'm at the bottom if I want to eat some ok...
So you will do great and always remind you its about you...
The ones that fall off a little they also will do well because them can remember how great this program felt and its harder to kick your butt again to get started but when you do..its soooo worth it...to get back in place again...

Glad to finish this out with you ladies...I started last September 13th so when I finally get to a healthy BMI it will be 13 or 14 months...but as I always say it is a journey and taking breaks and not rushing to the finish line only help solidify life-long habits and changes. My summer break taught me that I can keep it off and enjoy at the same time.


Yeah....so glad to see you back. What are you setting your new goal at? I think I am shooting for 150, but maybe 145.

I am also starting again. I go back to my coach tomorrow. I think I need the accountability as I keep starting and cheating...

My original goal was 140, but when I got to 145 I decided that was good. The last few weeks of summer have been very off plan, though, and I am afraid what the scale will show tomorrow! This am I was 153...

So I will try again and see if I can't get to the 140 I originally wanted. The kids are back at school and it seems like a good time to get back at it!

Thank you

I knew there were others like me. Thought this would be a good place to get us together and cheer each other on.

Yingyang I totally agree. I was watching an old episode of Extreme Makeover:Weight loss edition and the guy on there said when you stop making excuses you'll lose the weight.

There will always be something and I have to start making better choices. I realized that I can't make an excuse because I am out that I can get what ever and I can't give up the whole day because I make a slip up. I am also taking up sewing as another hobby. Having hobbies help to keep my mind off of boredom eating.

I will be restarting on Sept 6. I've maintained for the past 5 months, but would like to lose a few more! If it weren't for this forum, not sure what my weight would be. I make a concious effort everyday to come here and see what everyone is up to! I think making the commitment to restart is harder than the commitment to maintain! I've been on the fence for a couple of weeks now, trying to get ready to restart. Glad to have such a great group to join.

I love this. Today I was just thinking to myself how I should just hold off on IP until we get back from a mini trip to Florida next week. Then it occured to me that the following week my daughter is coming home for a two week visit and then I would have another excuse. No more excuses......there is always an excuse. Sort of like...tomorrow never comes....it's always tomorrow I will go 100 %. I could use that excuse for life if I really wanted to. Your post made me think. Thanks!

I weighed in today. My new goal is to lose those last 10 pounds! I wanted to choose a lower goal weight, but my coach discouraged it as my body fat is already pretty low. Now to stick to the plan and get there....

Hey! Good job for you staying on track! I didn't gain a ton back, maybe one size, but still, enough to make me want to get back on track. Awesome a size 8??? You've gotta be smokin hot by now!!! I have about 15 I want to lose for sure (well, 10ish now after this first week back on, yay!)... but... thinking I might go for more, since it will be such a short period of time. Doing the alternative plan as money is super tight right now, having pretty good luck with it so far though! Glad to see you back

I am trying to restart as well. I gained about 20lbs back from last summer when i had done IP and have been restarting and falling off the wagon every other week. I'm going to check this thread everyday to help keep me on track and stay motivated. As others pointed out, there are always reasons to cheat. But, nothing tastes as good as looking and feeling great. Hang in there everyone, take it a week at a time and before you know it, those cravings will be gone and you'll be losing weight again. Once those jeans fit a little looser, just hang on to that feeling and you'll make it through.