Slip,

Was reading the boards, congrats on your meeting goal today!!!! I got a little choked up for you and admit I shed a few tears of joy and happiness for you. You've done an amazing job on your journey.

Thanks Kawaii!

3.5 days of school left! My cousin is coming in to talk about South Africa tomorrow, Monday is field day, regular classes Tuesday, and behavior reward party on the Wed. Half day.

Thursday getting my hair cut and Friday morning, off to Maine! I am chomping at the bit for vacation.

Hoping everyone has a wonderful OP day. It has been very quiet here, hope that means that you are out having fun.

Would love to hear how you are all doing.

This is a very inspirational thread to read -- what great success stories! I laugh at the quote above - we should have IP t-shirts made with the little monkeys covering the eyes, ears and mouth. See no evil (food), Hear no evil (talk) and do no evil (eatting!)

Congrats on your success! You keep wondering what happened to the maintainers, so you know now the importance of successful people staying around from time to time to let the rest of us know how you're doing -- hopefully we'll get to hear about your trials and tribulations for the next part of your journey (which will eventually be ours too)

Enjoy your upcoming (well deserved!) holiday I have 10 days left and am counting the sleeps!

I don't post as often as I once was, but I still am doing OP phase 2. Still losing those pounds, but not as fast as before. I'm ok with it. As for what I've been up to that's been keeping me from posting, I got on a plane and figured out I LOVE IT!!! No seat belt extender, no troubles, comfortable and beautiful/breathtaking watching things be so small while in the air resolve themselves to recognizable places. The flight wasn't just about going on vacation. This was liberation from everything that held me back before. Since flying out to MI, I've explored so many things about myself. In the words of Slipfree, I used to dim myself, but there's no need to do that anymore.. I'm going to let my light shine. Thank you Slipfree for helping me see that lesson first person up close and personal.
Tuesday I went rollerblading, and then we went for a walk.. On the streets of Detroit, at night... (Not downtown, just the burbs) but it was a liberating experience too. I kept myself locked down so much with my self perceptions and weight. No more.. Life is mine to live, and I'm going to live it. Will be going on roller coasters, and when I make goal, my friend Frankie and I are going to skydive.. Yep, me... Little anxious girl.. I say ta ta to anxiety!!

Slip: I too am counting down the days. Sounds like my kids will have an early summer, the teachers are going to strike next week unless a deal can be made over the weekend.

IP43: I like the shirt idea! Lol. Kind of hard to believe that we would be inspiring others, never thought that would happen.

Schenectady: It is hard to keep op when the scal doesn't move but keep Doug what you are doing, the scale will move. Sometimes are bodies just need a little rest, it gets to decide when it loses weight not us. Hang in there.

End of the school year is always a busy one so that is why I am not here as much as I would like. Still going strong, wanting these last pounds to be gone. Lol

2.5 days left!

IP43, I am not going anywhere. I will take Maile as my guide, she is someone who has maintained for over 2.5 years and is still posting. It is all about focus, keeping the eye on the prize or in our case the scale,lol. I love the tee shirt idea! You got my exact visual intention when I posted that comment Not looking at other people's food has really helped me stay OP. Thank you for the vacation wishes. Believe me, teaching 7th graders this year without the stress relief of ice cream, coca cola, chips and dip and wine has been a big life adjustment! I really do feel like I have earned a wonderful time.

Schenectady, I so feel your pain! If you go back to our January thread, you will see that I struggled with the scale in the 180s. The scale would not budge and my ankles were retaining fluid like crazy. I just had to tuck my chin down and push forward. Kept telling myself that the program works, be grateful for your success so far and keep going. It was hard, but I really did not have another choice. I was not going to sabotage myself because my inner brat was not happy with the scale speed. At least the number wasn't going up! I know how strong you are, I have watched you fall, get up and recover tenfold. Just settle in and keep working the program. You will, because you have awesome inspirations- those gorgeous dresses and the weddings.

Kawaii, so happy that you are letting your light shine. I am glad that you are having so much fun. Incredible, because you have a whole new world to discover.

Want2b, I always know that you will come through with a daily post, thank you. I am sorry for both your kids and the teachers, it is a no win situation. May our last days of school pass quickly!

Sorry I have been out of touch. I have been very busy and will be for most of next week and then things should die down for a bit.

First news is we found a house! We had the home inspection today and already working on the mortgage. We are just waiting for the appraisal and if all goes well we close July 7th!!! Then I get to paint the house (not me) but who ever I hire. Stuff closes quick here in DC. We have a 30 day time. So we are working fast to do stuff.

Then at WI on Thur I lost 2 lbs and I am 178!!! FINALLY I am out of the 180s. I have to say the 180s was the toughest for me. It took me about 1 month to recover from the cruise and get back. That was pretty hard.

I am also stream lining what I am eating. I am keeping it real simple and I am not doing as many recipes with the packets. So after I eat all my food that I currently have I will only eat the chips and chicken pattys for lunch with mixed salad. My standard breakfast has been every morning making the pancakes with the crisp cereal. Also on each Monday I am doing unrestricteds for my snack. I am getting really sick of P1 and I am ready to go to the next level. I think I am going to see how I feel at the 140-160 mark. We will see how I feel at 160 and then 150.

I have been reading everything just don't have a lot of time to write because of the house.

Congrats to Slip!!!

I will write more later!!! Have a great weekend everyone!

Hi Everyone! I haven't posted much this week because I've been struggling with work stress, and didn't want to be Debbie Downer. I really can't even talk about it in detail, but it's a very busy time of year and I just keep getting more pressure to do more work with fewer resources and no support.

After not really losing anything this week, I started P2 and actually don't mind it. It's definitely a lot more filling. I've been eating more fish, especially sashimi, and eggs, for variety.

That's about it for what is going on in my life. Trying to stay sane and take care of myself while phasing off.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Luccilove- so happy for you!!! Glad that you are good busy and that the 180s are behind you.

Kooky- you take care of you! Glad that your inner mama bear is being protective. Congrats on starting Phase 2!

Nice dinner out with my family. Last one without a glass of wine. Looking forward to my phase off meeting tomorrow at 10.00 am. Bought a pair of size 6 shorts today! Life is pretty darn good.

Kawaii: Missed your post last time, sorry. So happy for your flight experience and you coming out! LOL That is fantastic that you feel like that. As for the sky diving...Why would you want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane? LOL Definitely not for this chick.

Slip: The teacher strike is a no win for anyone you are right. I hope it will all get sorted out before they have to go back in Sept. Looking forward to hearing how the phase off meeting goes.

Schenectady: I think the longer you are OP the stronger you get about telling people what you can and can't eat. I have not found anyone that has said anything negative about what I can't eat, they are usually supportive.

Lucci: Congrats on the house, man your closing dates are fast. Good luck with getting everything in order and the move. Also congrats on getting to the 170's! Such a great feeling.

Kooky: Congrats on phasing off. Sucks about work, any chance things will get better soon? DH had a very stressful job for a lot of years so I can relate to what you are going thru.

It is our town's fair days this weekend, of course it is raining and supposed to rain all weekend! That sucks but we will go and enjoy some of it anyway. I am going to stay away from the fries, burgers, popcorn and cotton candy! LOL. I have come too far to give in to that crap. We leave for holidays in a month and I am hoping to be very close to my goal. Most of my family have not seen me since I started IP so that should be fun. I am already a little nervous about the attention my weight loss will create at first. I am so used to trying to blend into the background. I have never been an overly confident person and attention towards myself makes me uncomfortable. Know what I mean? Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Read this again and thought it would help us with our focus.

Being overweight is HARD
Losing weight is HARD
Maintaining weight is HARD
Choose YOUR hard

Maintenance begins!

Congratulations! You've done such an amazing job and encouraged all of us along the way!

Thanks everyone for the support! I'm glad it's the weekend and I've got some relaxation planned.