I'm just on such a self confidence high and I hope I stay here for some time. I've got some ideas on how to continue it, but I'm wondering what you all do to keep it going. I just am so estatic about the results of my journey, and though there are some things I had hoped would have turned out better (my naked stomach, my issues with binging - although both of these ae getting better by the day) they pale in the light of what I feel on a daily basis. I'm 31 years old and I'm the best shape of my life. I'm thinner, leaner and have better muscle definition than I did at 18 years old. Every morning I get dressed I feel so blessed that my closet is full of the latest styles and things I never thought I'd ever fathom wearing (um...who knew I could wear skinny jeans). To think that not thay long ago getting dressed would bring me to tears. Every stride I make and every mile I push myself makes me feel proud and accomplished, calling myself a runner is such a privilege. I could go on and on, but I think you maintainers know what I'm talking about. Does it, could it last forever?

So far so good. There are days that I feel blah...you know, PMS, cold rainy days, when my favorite cat died, and when former "fat friends" avoid me because they don't like to see me all dolled up. But overall, after almost 18 months of being "thin" I'm still high on life because I can function day to day with ease and grace.

I think it can last forever as long as we stay a normal weight forever. I'm afraid it's one of those things that go along with maintaining a normal weight. You've got to work at it every single day.

I'm maintaining 3 + years and that high - it's still here. And I don't see it going anywhere.

Sure there are blah days and days where the fact that I'm slim and trim (I'm slim and trim - me!!!) aren't on the forefront of my mind, but there is literally not a day that goes by that I am not tickled pink with the way that I am now.

I've said this before, it's like every day is a celebration, a party. Because ME,*I* am thin and fit. ME?!?!?! Yes, ME. Even the most mundane things are that much more enjoyable now, given the fact that I don't have all the added weight on me. That huge burden, literally and figuratively is gone. Gone. Walking around with an extra 165 pounds is a miserable way to live and now that it's gone, I appreciate that fact.

Everything is sooo much more pleasant and enjoyable - from doing the laundry, to scrubbing the toilets, to going to the dentist. The list is endless.

I really do think it could last forever. We shall see...

I feel the same way. Maybe it will end or maybe it won't, but for today it is here and I am so very grateful.

An attitude of gratitude is all I can think.

I feel that way NOW and I'm not even there yet! I feel like I have all the benefits you are all talking about except for the wardrobe. I'm so close to just calling this goal, but I'm still determined to see "normal weight" so I'm holding off on the clothes.

I find it euphoric to do the most mundane of daily tasks. It never gets old. I am glad I had the experience of being fat because it has made being thin that much sweeter.

I still have 19 pounds to go, but I totally feel like that already. I look in reflective surfaces every possible chance and am amazed at how awesome I look. It's hard, though, because I feel some guilt about feeling like I look good, too, and feel like I have wasted a long long time.

I still have good days and bad days days. The good days vastly outnumber the bad ones.

But in the past when the bad ones outnumbered the good ones, I had a trick or two...

1) When I was rarely feeling high on self-esteem, I would write very long, very detailed journal entries. Then on the bad days I would allow myself to feel however I wanted to feel (no forced happiness crap!), but I would also require myself to read the journal entry and remember it is the truth, even if I cant manage to feel the truth today.

2) And I would try to pivot, not do a 180..just pivot my thoughts. So say I wake up feeling fat. I can say to myself, ok so you feel fat...cool...be present with that. And in addition (not instead of), see if you can think of some healthy thoughts you truly believe. So yes I feel fat today...but I am strong. And so feeling strong, I will go do something to utilize my strong legs like a good workout. Sometimes after the workout I still feel fat, but at least I also feel rooted in my strength. Sometimes I forget about the feeling fat. Either way it helps me pivot my mind just a bit.