Hi all

Haven't felt like posting as things have been going poorly this past weeks, and the ups and downs were getting embarrassing to post...but I do think external support helps, so here I am again. I can still feasibly reach my goal weight by Summer if I get on track now, sooooooooooooo....I've gotta try and pick myself up. I'm going to make it an early night, soon, and plan to hit the gym after work tomorrow. Working out makes sticking to my meal plan easier.

I have three weeks until a holiday, when I'm going to see my family. I would like to at least be close to where I was at Christmas so it's not obvious that I've been stuffing my face for two months. I hope that will motivate me over the first painful hump ...which will put be in a better place mentally as well as the rest.

I went to body pump this morning. Still feeling a little shaky. It was quite the workout. Food was on plan yesterday and I seem to be getting that part back. Funny, when you keep on track with food, you get to see a loss. Finally. The scale was better today. Still not quite back in the 220's. Maybe by the end of the week.

Bookmark: I get what you are saying, about not wanting to post when things aren't going great, but I want to encourage you to post anyway. Maybe we can help? Maybe just offer a good word to help you or sometimes we can just relate to what you are going through! We're all there!

Amanda: Nice photos! You can really see a difference! Way to go!

Thanks, Slashnl. I appreciate it. Today was good. I stepped on the scale tonight and was disappointed but not surprised to see it over 220...but I'm bloaty from my period, and still probably from all the salt and sugar of the past few days...and I was wet...lol. Anyway, I'm not letting it hurt too much (mostly because I'm not fully believing it :P). Getting to the gym today felt great. I didn't want to go. I was tired. It was so unappealing, and it's not like it was pure joy while I was there, but it was good, and the afterwards feeling is so lovely. I know beyond doubt that it's improved my mood and ability to cope with my disappointment. I have also eaten well today, and have a healthy-tasty meal in the oven, so my body is feeling less gross than it has in a while and I feel really relieved. I was feeling out of control.

Well done on getting back on track with the food, yourself.

Feeling like weight loss may get harder but I'm trying to at least maintain this month.

Made it to the gym last night for running. I didn't really want to go, but this guy at work asked if I was going to go and I told him I would. We try to keep each other accountable! And it worked. I knew he'd ask how it was, so I made sure that I went and ran. It actually went really well, so I'm glad I went. It made spin class a little challenging today since I was a little stiff/sore this morning. Oh well!

I did well with food yesterday. I'm feeling pretty good about that. I will take the little victories while I can! So far today, I'm on track. I weighed this morning and I'm finally back into the 220's. Now I need to just keep going down so that I can get back to where I was before the madness started.

Bookmark: Isn't it funny how much better we feel when we're on track? But sometimes it seems so difficult to do what we should do. I don't really know what the answer is, I guess we just keep pushing on! I'm so glad you posted yesterday!!

noshoes: Sometimes maintaining is just what we need to do!

Exercise also does heap to regulate hormones and make the whole body, brain included, feel better. I wish that was easier to believe when I feel crappy or lazy. Today was good again. I had don't think I ate enough early in the day to fuel my workout. It ended up being shorter than usual because I felt so tired, but it was still good. I still went. Reestablishing that habit, one day at a time. I had McDonald's for dinner (nuggets and small fries) and I'm cool with that. It was good and I still stayed well within my calorie range. I may have a healthy snack before bed.

I WAS feeling quite cravey this afternoon as I had a mad day that meant I didn't have time for lunch and was STARVING from noon until 3 when I could cram down a bit of my lunch in-between things...so I told myself I could have take out for dinner if I went to the gym and didn't buy any chips or candy. At least I got some protein in, and I think the satisfaction went a lot farther than a grumpy salad and chicken breast or whatever I would have made.

I'll get to personals eventually. As soon as I get my sleep schedule cooperating.
This is quite challenging again. I'm so tired when I get home from work--not from work, but because I've been up since 2am.
I crash at 7pm. I'll get there!
My eating is off. Exercise is off. Sleep is off. I'm just OFF
On top of this, I am having some right eye pain. I'm taking a steroid drop. We'll see how this goes.

Hi everyone, ur post has been motivating I decided to join.
Another attempt at weight loss, want to keep it off for good.

Went to Body Pump this morning. I'm reducing my weights on squats and lunges so that I can work on my form. I need to be getting a better range of motion, getting lower! So, take some of the weight off so I can get my creaky legs to bend. Running tonight after work. I'm actually looking forward to it today. It helped to see that my weight didn't pop back up. I had no reason to think that it would, but you know how it is. You get a decent loss, and you think it isn't real.

Had a pretty good day on plan with food. I ended up having a cookie last night, that I really didn't have room for with my calories, but it wasn't too awful. Cookies are the devil for me.

Babystep: Welcome!!!! Glad you are joining us!

K9Owner: Ugh! So much stuff in your life right now! You sound like you're getting exhausted. I hope you can get your sleep in order. That's so crucial!

Bookmark: Congrats on your progress! I am a firm believer that we can't just "diet" to lose weight. I think that we have to be able to eat all kinds of food, but learn how to keep it under our calorie goal. So, I think you had a very successful day!!

Diane: Thanks for the encouragement You'll get the weight back up on squats. I inquired with a dear friend of mine who suggested I reduce the BARBIE weight I was squatting so that I would experience less DOMS & actually be able to lift more than once a week. I will take his advice. It's gonna take a little bit to get to squatting 85lbs again. YOU CAN DO IT!!

Babystep: You will find a great deal of support from this online forum!!

Noshoes: Maintaining is nothing shy of hard work! Best of luck to you this month while you attempt to maintain. It IS possible!! YOU CAN DO IT!!

Bookmark: for you! I hope you have a GREAT time on holiday!

Amanda: I can honestly say "I know how you must be feeling right now at work." I remember when I first started……NIGHTMARE! But, it does get more habitual, never easier. I will not even try to tell you such a lie. Best of luck with your new kitty.

Good job with the workouts. You're so inspiring. And well done only having one cookie. Thanks for your lovely words, as always. I completely agree that the ideal diet incorporates a wide range of stuff, including whatever you want - just in moderation and within a healthy nutrient range (or not far out, every once in a while). Sometimes it's tough for me to manage the moderation bit and I need to take a break from certain foods until I can approach them from a more neutral place...but that's a mental thing I'm still working through.

I think yesterday was very successful, too. Sometimes the best days are the days which include a bit of "junk" ... for satisfaction purposes, fit in around a bunch of healthy foods.

K9Owner: Thanks again. Squatting 85 pounds sounds tough. I only do 70 and that's on the machine, not actually carrying the weight and squatting...but I have major trouble with proper squats - wimpy, stiff ankles and a weak back

Welcome aboard, Babystep! I hope you find some useful support here.

I had another good day. I'm really pleased with my workout and I stuck near the low end of my calorie range again (today's treat was half a bounty bar. so good) and found some really good frozen turkey burgers. MMmm.

I am DETERMINED to carry my fledgling success through the weekend and not be set back again. Going to the movies tomorrow will be tricky. I'll plan for popcorn and a diet drink and no candy. Then I'll plan a single treat in for Saturday and Sunday - I think it will help - and get to the gym both days. *nods* I'm trying to concoct a reward for Monday if I get there...

Went running last night after work. It really was a great run. Finally! It just seemed to feel good and not be completely struggling all the time. Today I went to spin class. It was a tough one, but felt good. Workouts seem to be really on track for me. Thanks to everyone for the positive comments. I do like workouts! Wish I liked eating on plan just as much!! Ha!

I did stay on plan yesterday for food/calories. I am concerned about the weekend. It is usually a struggle. I don't want to lose my progress.

Bookmark: Sounds like you have a really good plan for the weekend! You are doing well!

K9Owner: I think that backing up on the weights is a good thing. Sometimes you actually do more good with lower weights. At least for a while!

I wish I liked workouts. I'm so bored of the gym sometimes. Today was one of those days. It was such a drag to get through my workout, plus it's blizzarding and miserable here. But I did. If the weather keeps up, I think I'll stay in tomorrow...maybe do some yoga or something instead.

I'm just stopping in to try and keep myself on track. I've had a good day so far, but I've eaten more calories than I generally like to have hit at this point in the day. It's only early afternoon, and I sort of want to spend the afternoon on the couch snacking and watching things. I suppose I'll just have to distract myself and battle through, focusing on some motivations and short term goals.

****. Best laid plans. I did not get through today....spent most of the afternoon/evening grazing, but it could have been worse. I've ended up WELL over my calorie limit, but not nearly as badly as previous weekend days, so I'm trying to just move on. Tomorrow will be clean, foodwise. It will it will it will.

Thanks k9owner! Thinking positive.

I am not exercising as often as I like. I feel so drained. I'm eating okay but probably a little too much processed foods so I want to nip that in the bud. I'm still maintaining so I'm very happy about that. Would love to lose that last kg before I look at the next loss goal ( I could lose another 5).