I have "been here" over the last few weeks, but boy oh boy, it has been a challenge. I still weigh the same as I did the last time I reported here at 3FC. That can be both discouraging and encouraging. I will take the "encouraging" part in that I didn't gain. I work full time plus home school my 2 boys and it has been SOOOOO hectic, as we began a new schooling program this year, and my nerves have been stretched to their limit (and probably beyond), so I'm glad to see that I haven't gained even though a few little tid bits here and there haven't been good choices.

BUT - this is to declare HERE AND NOW - it is absolutely RE-FOCUS TIME for me TODAY. September 11, 2007 - I'm back on track COMPLETELY. I will lose the 65 lbs I committed to for the year 2007. As I said when I began, that is all I demand of myself for the year because I didn't want to put my goal so high that I crashed and burned due to overexaggerated goals (which has been my problem many times in the past when trying to lose). However, I'm going to try and hope for more than 65 - because I'm already really close to that. I'm just saying that I'm glad that at least I will reach my minimum goal.

The funny thing about it - I have had MORE compliments the past week than ever before! It is almost like people have noticed the weight loss all of a sudden - and it is when I'm a little off balance more than when I was 100% on track! OR - maybe they just knew I needed them to mention it more so I would get BACK on track? LOL!! No matter what the case is, I'm glad for the re-focus point that I came to this weekend. It feels so good!!

I'm SO glad the rest of you have kept posting here! I do come here and read all the time even if I don't have the time to post. It has really helped me to remember that I'm STILL trying to get this weight off and to continue on trying even when life is so crazy it is insane.

Hugs to you all. I trust you are all doing better in your journey than I am and that you are having great success with your weight loss efforts.

EXPECT TO SEE MORE OF ME AGAIN NOW.....

I'm officially RE-FOCUSED!!!!

Have a blessed day!

Hi Ritzy!!! Throw yourself a break young lady. You hope WE are all doing better then YOU on our journeys? Helllooooo, you are doing just FANTASTIC. You've lost 57 pounds. That is nothing, absolutely nothing to sneeze at. You've worked hard to lose those pounds. You just don't give yourself enough credit. And I'm not sure why. So you've taken a losing break for the past few weeks and you actually maintained during that time. Not too shabby, not too shabby at all.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear that you've re-focused and re-commited. I think that it's necessary to do that from time to time. I know just what a relief that feels like. To really feel that you are ready to give it your all once again. I look forward to hearing from you more often. I wish you lots of luck and can't wait to hear about your continued success.

Awww...thanks Robin! What a sweet note! What I meant about hoping everyone was doing better is that everyone was continuing to lose rather than "sit still" like I have been lately. After all, the reason we are all here is to go DOWN each week rather than just stay in the same spot. LOL!! So - I am just hoping everyone else is doing that rather than wandering off track like I have been. But, that is now HISTORY. I'm really pumped up and excited about getting back to where I know I need to be.

However - LOOK AT YOU!!! You are incredible! Is your husband worried you will vanish from sight at this point? You are doing amazing!

Thanks again for your encouraging note! You have been a HUGE part of my motivation to date, and I am so thankful for it.

Hi,
I am glad you decided to post again, and rejoin us. Wow homeschooling and a full time job, you have a full plate. I also think it is great that you haven't gained, that is great.
cheryl

Thanks, Cheryl! You are doing AWESOME yourself!! Great job...and keep it up! It is encouraging to see others' progress.

I'm so glad to see you posting again! Congrats on maintaining! I think that's a bigger challenge than losing!!!

Give yourself a big pat on the back for staying with the plan and not gaining it back.Sometimes we have to give ourselves a little break ! You have worked hard.
Refocusing is a great idea-The start of school can be so chaotic and some of it is beyond our control. Staying with our diet and exercise is within our control. You have done a great job and think of what a wonderful example you are setting for those boys !

I am so glad to see you posting with us again. You were missed!

Welcome back, Ritzy!!

Welcome Back!
I too have just returned back as of yesterday and let me just tell you that reading your post has really got me geared up to get going.
Congraduations on keeping the weight off and OMG, could you get any busier.
I thought my life was busy.
Best of Luck to you!

It's funny how "Back to School" seems to bring out that "Back on Track" mentality. I have also been at a stand still or a slow crawl for months and have re-committed. Good luck to you, I know you'll do great. Try to find some time for you in the middle of your hetic schedule.

Welcome back, Ritzy!!

Hey, glad you're back posting. You were practicing for maintenance, and it looks to me like you succeeded so I say to you!

WOW!! You all are awesome! I got teary just reading these encouraging posts!!

Thanks so much for being an AWESOME support community! I really don't think there is any better anywhere else.

Here's a hug to us all as we continue on our journeys to better health and thinner bodies.

By the way, my day went SO MUCH BETTER yesterday - my first RE-FOCUSED day. I stayed on plan and felt great doing it too!

Keep on posting those encouraging replies!!! They are SO helpful!

HI there Ritzy!!! I am checking in more often now too!! We have 15 weeks till '07 is over, and WE are gonna be awesome lookin' come Jan. 1 '08! I've been hanging out in the 180's here for a month now, and reading your post is just what I needed to kick it into gear again too. LETS DO IT!