Hi to everyone.
I've been battling my weight my adult life. It started during Nursing School/College where I was fueling myself with all the wrong foods to stay awake pulling straight A's, working full time and also going to school full time and also taking courses outside of my main school, hardly sleeping. My weight just that year ballooned 50 lbs. I took it off twice but after that forget it, I couldn't succeed.
Ok let's fast forward all of this. I'm 53 y/o. I've been a Nurse (RN) 33 years and yet still cannot until this week stick to a Program.
I assessed this problem numerous times. This time I tried something else. I mean a different attack on the problem. I tried this time to try Slim Fast to replace breakfast which has been a disaster forever because I crave bad stuff from places like McD's and BK. The oatmeal at McD's is good but then I want the other stuff and find myself going back to the counter to order it.
So what I did was this and it is working...
I am on an 1800 calorie diet. I eat a SF meal replacement bar for breakfast plus one fruit 1 or 2 hours after and drink a good 3 or 4 cups of water to help that fiber work and fill me up.
Lunch is a diet dinner like Healthy Choice and a piece of fruit so I get a balanced meal, not hungry after.
I have a meal replacement bar at 4 pm. This has been the reason why I can stay put. I am not craving sweets, chocolate or anything else.
Dinner is assessed by the amount of calories I have left and a late night snack that I always plan so I am not hungry at all.
Wanted to share my approach because I have started out 2 days ago and have already lost 4 lbs. in 2 days. My weight is terribly high.
I started out at 300.5 lbs. This morning I am weighing in at 296.5 lbs. This is a huge accomplishment for me because I am not hungry and I am very happy to see that I can lose weight tailoring it all the way I want to work this. It is my understanding that Slim Fast is a safe product and me adding sensible meals into the day should be a good way to make the weight loss happen but also where I can stick to this and stay on this.
Finally I want to confess this to everyone. I used to be a runner. Very, very active and when I stopped running, ate badly the once toned and flawless figure became obese and my once beautiful wardrobe became full of Plus sized clothes which as you know at best are box like and where you want to cover up as much as possible vs. being able to show off a waist, a pretty person and I want the old me back and I believe I can do this with a crutch. I need to fill up, eat more often and eat healthy.
I look younger than my years. Never smoked, not a drinker but food has replaced sadness, loss of key family members including a husband, parents,a dear Aunt and Uncle who lived around the corner from us and I am now after 3 years after the latest death saying stop all of this. You don't need weight loss surgery, you need a new approach and a place to be so I'll check in often and be a good friend to others who maybe I can help as I help myself.
Thank you!
Sorry for all your losses; yes, grief can make us eat more. You have a good plan to go with there. I also saw you on the REGAINERS RELOSING thread (see you there). Glad you joined us here (btw, we are the same age too). This is a great place with lots of very supportive people. Keep coming back and enjoy yourself -- that's so important ... 
