So I was looking and I became a member in November 2007 right after my 4th child. It has taken me 3 and half years before I made a change in my life and been able to post in the mini goal section!! Let me tell the short story. I was on meds after the last child (4 children plus one miscarriage all in 5 years). I gained weight with each child then with the medication after the kids. I finally a year ago decided to go off the meds because they were having the opposite affect on me. Well last Dec I began feeling blah and wanted nothing to do with Christmas....In Jan. I decided I couldn't go back on meds I HAD to do something. So Feb. 11th I found a gym that had child care included and tried it for the free week. Well as a stay at home mom budgets become tight at times so I decided if I was putting the money into a gym I was going to do it RIGHT!!! SO I decided I was going every day except Sunday. I did. At first I tried to make excuses but had friends that held me accountable so I went. After 13 weeks I have lost 30 lbs. I keep in a good calorie range as well! Its been a struggle as I go. I used to be the type if I screwed up and went off plan Id say screw it and binge..But now I allow myself one day that I workout but don't track the calories....If I want to eat Oreo's then I limit it to only a few and put the extra work in. Yes this maybe the long way but its something I can LIVE with..to me its not a race!! I am changing my life one day at a time!!!! So those who struggle staying on plan and feel guilty just keep going your human and gonna crave and want stuff Just work a lil extra or have a free day!!! In 13 weeks have I had chocolate? Yes Ice Cream? Yes Oreo's? Yes McDonalds? Yes Pizza? Yes.....I have had those things in moderation! Am i right probably not. Am I deprived of anything...NO!!! Do I want to be healthier? Yes and I have upped my veggie intake and make good choices most of the time!!! SO keep going towards your goal you will make it!!!

wtg congrats!

Good for you!! I think your 100% correct in your thinking. Always depriving is never a good thing.

Gwen

Excellent!! You're looking great!!!

WOOOOOWW!!!

Awesome, girl!! I love your strategy, by having one day where you don't count cals, but still work out. I am doing the same thing, and really think that it helps me stay focused the rest of the week.

Great job, keep up the great work!! Thanks for the inspiration!!

Awesome!! You are lookin' good.

Great Job! You are doing great!!! I love your attitude. I'm guilty of that 'all or nothing' thinking sometimes. One cookie and I feel like giving up and eating them all. I know that's not helpful and you're proving you don't have to think that way: you can have a treat and not let it ruin your day or get in the way of accomplishing your goals.

Good for you! And, that's the thing. We all don't have to have the perfect calories or diets. Just do what works best for you! And let me say what you are doing is working fantastically!

Congrats, you look wonderful and happier!

You are looking great..Awesome progress!! Keep up the good work!!

Thank you everyone!!!!!

wow you can really see the difference in your tummy and you face! you look amazing! Congrats on the success ((:

this isn't meant to insult the way you looked before, but now you look like a younger sister of yourself... does that make sense lol. You look younger!

You look fantastic! I think you look so much more confident in the newer photo.

You've got it! You can't deprive yourself and I think you're absolutely right. I've found that in the past when I deprive myself of those things I binge on them. When I allow myself those things, then I don't feel guilty. I don't feel like I blew it. I had a small cupcake yesterday and it was GOOD. This morning I was down 2 more pounds! I eat well 97-98% of the week. So I'm doing pretty darned good! It hasn't affected my weight loss and for the first time since I've tried "dieting" I've been successful BECAUSE I'm not severely strict with myself. And I lose slowly like you. You are awesome! Congrats again!!