Hi Ladies!
I just posted this in the mini-goals thread, but I had to post here because here is where I lurk the most ... and it's your comments and stories that motivate me the most.

I've finally entered Onederland (as I've heard it called on here before)
I am sooo happy to see the number 199.2 on my scale for the last two days. I have actually lost 25 pounds since May! My journey is a bit slower than many people ...but so was the turtle

I haven't given up everything (food wise) I just eat less of it ... I don't exercise as much as I should but, I've still lost the wieght. Then main thing I have changed is I am NOT being impatient and I am NOT beating myself up for not losing fast enough or being more disciplined.

To be honest I plateaued at 206 for almost 5 weeks. In the past I would have been so depressed and given up ... but I held strong and kept reminding myself that it was just a plateau and all was STILL OK ... I was still down 17 pounds and I would NOT regain that by feeling sorry for myself. Sure, enough ...eventually the numbers started to move again. I now embrace the PLATEAU's and take it to mean my body is just settling in to its new lower number.

This is a great way to end the year. I will offically start the new year wieghing under 200 for the first time in 5 years. ( since the birth of my second son)

I am looking forward to 2010 and losing an additional 45lbs or so pounds! I KNOW I will do it. Thanks to everyone here for their support and stories ... while I tend to lurk more than post ... you've all helped and motivated me tremendously.

I'm looking forward to 2010 my heart tells me it's going to be a really good year. Face pictures are below

Wieght highest may 2009.jpg Weight loss 2 Dec 2009 23lbs gone.jpg

The face picture in red is me at my highest weight ever 226!

The face picture in pink is me 24 pounds down ... I can see slight difference.

Wow, Alley!! Congratulations on making it to Onederland -- I am so thrilled for you!! And, the difference of 24lbs is way more than slight... I can really see the difference! Around your eyes, your cheeks, your chin, your neck??!! All much slimmer... How wonderful!

Honestly, I think one of the big gifts of getting older is learning patience and moderation... While your (and my!) weight loss may be slower than others, it doesn't matter; what matters is that it is working for you and you can continue for the long run.

Happy New Year!! What a great way to start!!

WTG Alley!!!

I definitely can see a difference, especially in the chin area.

Keep coming around we all need the support.

congrats Alley!! That's a great milestone to get to!

congratulations! I have been on a plateau for months : ) my "totem" for years has been the turtle, "slow and steady winds the race". I know at some point I'll have "whoosh" of 2-3lbs and then I'll see-saw there for a while. Thanks for giving me the inspiration to buckle down again!

That is awesome Alley,,,you are an inspiration!! Not getting discouraged is awesome!!!!!!!!!!

I really am glad that I ran up on this site this is great support and incouragement.
258.2/141/180/

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations for sticking to it through that plateau...you look younger in the new pic! Funny how weight ages us...I'm going through the same thing, put a pic up, and people were like you look younger..i don't see it, but they do..LOL

Glad to have you here - and hope to see you on our weekly chat threads more often too!