hi everyone! New to this forum and it looks like a great place to hang out!

Just came across this website from a fitness website link, surfin around looking for some motivation to make me stick to my program tomorrow..as i have been doing the binge cycle since Christmas. last year 2002, I lost 140lbs and was feeling fab when christmas rolled around, I still had 84lbs to my goal, now its 100

What can i do to get that"Old feeling" back, and regain my mojo to lose the remaining 100? I just got engaged too and am getting married in August of this year, so I had better find it soon as I need to fit into a wedding dress!!

Anyway, any helpful suggestions would be welcomed!

Shaz

Hi Shaz! It is good to meet you. I am copying and pasting what I said to another newbie regarding weight loss. It looks like you have the first one covered, wanting to be gorgeous for your wedding day and your dress fit properly. This is pretty long, but it covers just about everything I have found for success.

Here is where I have come. 370 lbs Jan 6 and first day of my program (cal/fat counting) as of yesterday Jan 14 I have lost 57 lbs. Now, that is NOT what everyone else would do. It is just I found the best program for me AND I have cut my calories so much from what I was eating and have a routine of exercise. It will slow down and that is ok. As you can see from my avatar pic, I was pretty porky on Christmas Eve when this was taken. I am sending you another pic that was taken Valentine's Day by dh, showing a big difference. It can be done. I know better than anyone. I have spent hundreds on short term effects and no effects. I wanted a reason and found several to motivate me and that is a big key finding a BIG motivator and maybe your wedding is yours.

1: You need a reason to lose weight. Not just I feel icky or whatever. For me, it was being unable to walk around a Lowes store without my knees etc hurting and my hubby suggesting one of their scooters. That hit me right in the face that I was to the point of being in a wheelchair or using a cane to walk. Sort of like what they say about alcoholics, you have to hit bottom. I believe you have to hit bottom, whatever your bottom might be.

2: You have to have your brain in the right gear. Desire DOES NOT CUT IT. You have to have an all out commitment that you have never had before. If you don't, you will fail or keep yoyoing, I guarantee it.

3: Do your research. Find out what is bad for YOUR body and what is good. This will take some experimenting on your part. For example, some people gain weight with carbs, others with protein. Keep trying different things until you find what works for you. Low carb, high protein, WW, cal/fat counting etc. There are tons of sights to help you. Type in weight loss or something related to it on yahoo and you will be given a ton of stuff to look at to help you decide. Be sure to pick something that you can live with. If you don't you will gain it back after you lose it. This must be something that is s LIFESTYLE change FOREVER!!!!

4: You need support. Here is a great place to get it. Go to the support section and peek in to different threads until you find a group of like people and start posting with them. If you find they are not right just try another thread. Jana (above) has a great group and there are lots of others.

5:NEVER EVER GIVE UP ON YOURSELF! Self-esteem is important.

6: You must exercise, but make it a routine and do it everyday. Don't flop around or you will not have success.

7: Keep a journal of thoughts, feelings and every morsel that goes in your mouth. Nothing keeps you straight like seeing what you are eating.

8. Set goals big and little and give yourself non food rewards. My main goal was to be 100 lbs down by the end of Sept. (my 50th birthday). My dh is taking me to Vegas for my birthday and I want to be able to walk around and not be winded. My goal weight goal is a trip to Disneyworld with my grandson and his parents and to fit into the rides etc. My little goals are not scale related but visually related. I hate the scales I think they set you up to fail because you depend on those #'s too much. I only weigh every 2 weeks to once a month. I just bought a snazzy new pair of sunglasses for a goal treat, went and got a totally new hairdo and colored it to a different color and feel 15 years younger.

It is not a sin to feel you cannot put everything in to it. It is better in this case, I believe to not even start than to start something again and give up. Wait until all the the above things fall into place and they will when you are at bottom! I am not a doomsayer, but I know from experience that if you are not truly motivated to change your life forever you won't.

Good luck to you and if you ever need a private ear I am here. Send me a personal message or e-mail me at [email protected].

Donna

Hi Donna

Congratulations on your weight loss and commitment! Great job!

One thing you posted that caught my eye was the giving yourself rewards part. I do that too... for each month that I stick with it, I give myself a "treat" -- NOT food of course... never think of food as a "treat." !!! It doesn't have to be something big. When I did this before I was on a very low budget and sometimes it was just something from the dollar store. Now that things are better financially for me, it can be something a little nicer. Just something YOU want -- New piece of artwork or candle (usually my own choice) -- new CD -- special bath oil -- whatever. On this forum I even give myself a new little icon for every five pounds I lose. Just got a new one yesterday in fact!

It doesn't matter what it is or how much you spend... just to know that it is YOUR reward for being good.

Sue

Welcome to the forum. Jackslady gave some good advice! I hit rock bottom last year when I got sick. By the time I got well, I couldn't wear ANYTHING in my closet except sweatpants!! -Even THEY were tight on my legs. When I had to go out in public I was so embarrassed!! That's when I made a commentment to lose what I'd gained. Now, I can fit back into most of my clothes. It's still embarrassing to go to the mall and stuff. Isn't that the pits??

Well, good luck and feel free to message me if you need a little pick-me-up!! OH, I treat myself to things too. It keeps me motivated to buy a new shirt or something..even if it's from the local Wal-Mart.

Hi everyone,
Congrats to all of you on your weight losses. Sticking to it for the long hall isn't easy. I too am one that gains back over silly things. 15 pounds over the past 2 months just because of something my mom said. I really like the idea of giving yourself a little something for minny successes. I always say I'm going to do this, but then I get stupid and make my reward a trip to Culver's or some place similar for a fattening treat! Well, if that isn't self defeating I don't know what is. Is there anyone else here who lets the little things that someone close to you says get you all off track. Don't get me wrong I'm not one of those people that blames my parents for all the things that go wrong in my life, but i did have a terrible relationship with my mother when I was growing up. Since having my first child 9 1/2 yrs ago I have made a huge effort to be close with her, because she is a GREAT grandma, but she herself is a very needy person who blames everything that goes wrong in her life on someone else Anyway, once again something was my fault ( according to her ) and I got the cold shoulder for 3 weeks. I feel terrible, because I don't want to get back with her. I have a great life without her. Wonderful husband, 4 great children, good social life ( what there is with 4 children ages 9 - 3 ) Why can't we let go of our parents even when they're so toxic? Don't think I'm a looney, but if there's someone here who can relate let's chat. Sorry it's so long, but it's one of those days. Once again great job Donna and Sue, and anyone out there who's litening that needs encouragement and even if you don't!!! You go!!