Hey everyone...

I have a dilemma... I have been thinking all day about weight loss and what plan I want to do. The plan that I was doing before worked well and was easy to follow however I got bored once I plateaued and left. I quickly moved to weight watchers and only managed to follow that for a week. I think I have too much freedom on WW. I can't control myself. I have eaten more than my days worth of calories since I arrived home from work tonight. Not to mention what I ate AT work.....

So, do you think I should go back to my first program and somewhat work with the nutrionist to jazz it up a bit or do I work with WW or do I try something totally different??

Brenda -- I can't tell you what you should do, except to say that it should be something you can do long term. And that may be neither of the plans you mentioned. If you aren't sure which plan is right, maybe it's time to take a step back and think about what YOU need. It sounds like you like some kind of structure but also like variety. Maybe you should take a look around the forum (and other places) and see what might work. Maybe you could even get ideas from the general Weight Loss Support forum!

And you may end up picking and choosing elements of different plans -- don't be afraid of that! According to the National Weight Loss Registry, a majority of maintainers use a plan of their own making!

Evening all

Wow do I have a new found respect for Nancy and Heather and everyone else who workouts with the elliptical. I did 2 minutes. I was very discouraged but it was after 30 minutes of weight work - I went on to do 18 minutes on the treadmill. I really liked the weight work so I think this will be a nice combination.

How is everyone? Looks like things are going well for nearly everyone. Brenda - I second (or third) what has been said - see if you can find what works best for you and go with it. I'm not sure what plan I follow - we all know what we need to do - it's a matter of what we need most. I must weigh every day or I can get in trouble. You've got it in ya - just pull it back out. Great to see you.

Timer just went off - dinner's ready. More later.

Hugs,
Carol

Carol -- It may help you to know that when I started on the elliptical I couldn't do 2 minutes. I had been using a treadmill for 20-30 min at a decent clip and the elliptical just KILLED me. I really had to work up to being able to use the elliptical! Don't give up! Just add a little at a time.

And cardio and weights is a GREAT combo!!

Edited to add: I now like the elliptical more than the treadmill, and its nicer on my knees!

Hi everyone,

I've had a couple of decent days with eating, but could be doing better with exercise. I'm happy to be back in the swing overall, though. There is so little bingeworthy food in my home that temptation is minimal. Paring the fridge and cabinets down to the basics has been very helpful in moving me back to the right track. In time I can go back to having more food in the kitchen. As for now, I'm choosing from the healthy foods on hand to pack with me for my meals. When I come home, there is nothing in the cabinet calling my name.

GTL: It's hard to say what the best plan for you is. It's so individual. I know for myself, no diet has ever worked long term. I need fewer rules, not more. That is why I picked the most flexible plan that I expect to follow for the rest of my life-calorie counting at the highest limit possible mixed with some elements of intuitive eating. But you said you do best with more structure, so I can't say that would work for you.

Peggy: I'm sorry about your dog. It's so hard to lose our beloved friends. Hugs. I'm very proud of you for not eating through your feelings.

Donna: Glad to read you are back at it again. I HATE all the peeing! At the same time I am happy when it happens because that's when I lose the weight.

Zelma: the haircolor suits you. It is very flattering to your face and works with your skin tone.

Judo: you're off to a great start. Setting realistic goals is important.

Valerie: walking during lunch is great. It beats sitting around stuffing the face, and reduces stress.

Nicole: Welcome, and congratulations on your engagement! I don't know anything about the program you're in, but I wish you the best with it. We're here to support you.

Leslie: Big congrats on the library job.

Nancy and Debbie: I hear you about the skin and body issues. I'm only 60 lbs. in and it's already a frightful sight. Of course none of us wants to go back to the weights we were, but at the same time every time we look in the mirror we can see the permanent damage we've done. That is what I have a hard time with. Well, that and being scared and upset about the idea of getting romantic with someone.

Jeanne: I'm with Zelma on having a good breakfast and staying away from the sugary foods. If I eat simple carbs in the morning, it makes me want more, more, more.

Lindsey: Nice to see you back. You must have received a lot of comments about the weight loss.

Annie: I'm sure you will have a nice loss before you know it. As I go for weeks at a time without loss, I know how frustrating it can be to wait for the scale to smile.

Brandnew: You seem a lot better now than you were a while ago. It's nice to see your life on an upswing. I can't wait to hear good news about your weight and health.

Story: Another DDR purchaser in the works! Soon I will be the only one here without one.

Hi toofat, jar, Xena, Heather, and everyone else I missed this time!

Hi guys,

Not a lot of time to post. I haven't seen a lose yet this year (yes, I am a daily weigher), but I have DDRed three days in a row. Woohoo!!

Torister....so sorry about your dog. I am sure that was devastating.

Keep on going guys....we will do it this year!!

Angie

Hello everyone - I haven't posted for a bit, because I had an unbelievable workload dropped in my lap last month. I got invited to this huge art show with very little prep time, but it was an opportunity I couldn't say no to. (It went fabulously BTW) So I had to sorta place the full steam ahead weight loss on hold. Then after that I was out of town for the holidays.

But I'm ready to continue on. Nice to see everyone had a good holiday.

When I had the steam to read & answer people, I couldn't log on to 3FC last night for some reason. Now I'm exhausted, haven't slept for the past 3 hours, and in the morning I have to fix a series of journal entries I botched yesterday before I can get on with year end and new year stuff. I'm buried.

At least I was perfectly OP again yesterday, and even exercised - in spite of the fact that Bill's home and I HATE HATE HATE to exercise with him here. I hate it!

I was hungry when I got up, and have taken a calculated risk by using bread to hold my peanut butter up. 100 cals, 21 carbs - but 5 fiber and 4 protein. Hopefully I will not live to regret it. Back to bed now. One hour left to sleep. I think a quick stop in here has relaxed my mind enough, and I'm even trying warm milk. G'night.

Peggy - My condolenses on the loss of your beloved dog. I have animals myself and completely understand how they work their way into our hearts and become true family members. It sounds like she had a great life and you made the compassionate choice for her.

Jeanne - I love the story about your sad little pound puppy. It's nice to know that once in awhile there are good stories like that. And what a sweet child you must be raising that they wanted to love the not-so-cute looking dog.

Gosh, I am such a baby. Sad/happy animal stuff makes me bawl.

Morning all,

Just checking in to keep myself accountable. It really does help me. When I disappear, there often is a reason and not always a healthy one! lol! Anyway, I have my day's food all planned out and I am good to go. Onward and downward! I want to look back on 2008 and say I am *much* healthier as I start 2009 than I was when I started 2008!

Thanks everyone regarding my dog. He had been battling an aggressive cancer (terminal as it was everywhere...so we opted not to pursue chemo treatment) and he had a wonderful couple of months post diagnosis. They truly do let you know when it is "time". Well, I just really appreciated your notes on that. That was so very kind of you all! Thanks again.

Hope you all have a great OP day today. I will be checking in throughout the day.

Peggy, this really hit home with me. I've been lurking but not posting for about a week now. I was kind of blah and didn't really feel up to communicating. I think the feeling was a result of my being out of control over the holidays. I don't know if it's physical or phsycological, but I suspect combination of both, resulting in my body and mind not really reacting well to being off program during the holiday. Anyway, after almost a week now of being OP and back at my pre holiday weight, I'm feeling better and just wanted to check in to say Hi to everyone and also make myself accountable again. My 2008 goal is to join that 100 pounds lost club, so I need to stick around and stop "disappearing"...lol.

I also added a pic as my avatar. I don't have many photos of myself as I have eschewed any attempts at being photographed for many years. But at Christmas I actually requested a photo be taken, just so I would have a "before" photo and also so I could put a face up for all my new friends here at 3FC to see.

Wishing everyone a great OP day!!

Johnnie

Donna: Great job being op yesterday. Sorry about the water line too.

Nancy: Thanks for sharing that scale deal at costco. Super deal.

Nicole: Welcome and congrats on the engagement. Try not to focus on the amount you have to loose, just take it maybe 5 or 10 pounds at a time and concur that first. Glad you are here.

Jeanne: Hi

Val: Me too Hope your day is fantastic. Great job being op.

Carol: You are a doll. Thank you so much for my congrats card. It really perked me up. Hugs.

Debbie: Thanks. Have a great day out and about.

Story: Good luck with the meds adjusting. Hoping they get it perfect this time.

Brenda: I concur with everyone on do what's best for you.

Johnnie: I love that you put your photo up, love the avatar. It is so important to have a before so we can watch ourselves change. Hugs.

Well, I'm at work and wanted to say hi to everyone before I start my day.

Blessings all,
Annie