Alright ladies, here comes August, the "dog-days" of summer. Time to re-motivate, get those last few pounds off, roll into maintenance, and/or maintain.

We can do this - together!!







C'mon y'all, who's with me?!?!

I like your motivational images!

Hi all! I Like the motivation. Back from business travel - sales kickoff - totally on plan! A bit anti-social since I avoided the whole post-dinner bar scene, but feel good about myself. I was starving yesterday (got home the night before). Ate an extra packet and feel more balanced today.

Going back to the discussion of depression. Part of me definitely felt depressed/anxious when started to approach and then maintaining (before I befriended. Ben and Jerry). I didn't do a great job of reframing success. I will this time around.

I did like fitting into all of my beautiful clothes and how I looked. Really, that feeling - well, the loss of it - was the catalyst for going back OP. I've always struggled withe the concept of looking good and vanity - they were almost synonymous to me. Now, I understand you can look good and it does not mean you are vain.

So much work to do - physical and emotional! It's a journey...right?

Hi Everybody! I very much like the August Motivational quotes JJTx thank you!

About depression and then Sue your post on the other thread about “exercise ick” lol…. I was thinking for me I am really starting to notice now that my main motivation for exercise isn’t just weight control (I have been somewhat athletic through my lifetime but that weight thing was always part of it, more sometimes, less so other times)… anyway now I notice I am also using it to feel better. I haven’t been able to be as active as usual because I’ve been planning for a youth event that I help with as a volunteer this last week… plus a pulled muscle… but I am noticing my mood is also a little denser and I feel heavier…. both physically but also emotionally.

So yes, it’s a journey for me rayze for sure. But I like that my focus is more on feeling better, not because I feel like I need to because something is wrong with me…. hard to describe but I am grateful for the change.

p.s. I liked Lisa’s idea of just keeping going on the 2014 thread rather than naming it again every month, and just flipping it over when it gets to 500…. but I’m really fine either way, I figure it out…. I just like simplicity - and it might make it easier in the future if someone wants to read through an entire thread. I did that a lot when I first found this forum.

Good Morning Everyone..

Had a nice date night with DH last night at the casino stopped for greek food one way up since the casino only has a buffet and not a very good one... Saw the Dr. yesterday and he is very pleased with DH's progress. To the point where after then next few treatments we may only have to do blood work once a month. That will be great news. Also got clarification on treatment length..they said 6 months, but it is actually 12 treatments... SO he will be finished by Christmas...

Today is a food planning and prep day. I am going to plan meals for the week too...Used to do that in the beginning and got out of the habit..I think I need to get back into it to kick those last few pounds...

Just shot this red dress photo (on the far right of my triplet) yesterday ...
(Not too bad for 58 years old) ...
What a difference evaporating 119 pounds makes.

Just a few more pounds to lose now to hit my "healthy" weight.

Avalon that is just really remarkable. Nothing to do with how you even look, but it is just so clear the work and dedication you have given yourself. Really, truly remarkable.
p.s. By the way you look quite healthy and wonderful at your current weight.

And I can say the same for you Amber. Your success at both losing and maintaining has been a great inspiration to me (as have many other of our esteemed members). So thank you (to you Amber and everyone) for being here and posting. We all get strength and inspiration from each other.

SG, I hear you about IP fatigue. Have you thought about a break for a month, then restarting? Sometimes you need something like that to break though a barrier. The trick is not to gain too much during the break.

Alexandra - what a way to kick off our week, you look FANTASTIC!!!

Sue - I'm sorry you're so frustrated! Have you talked to your coach about how your feeling? Just wondering if she's got suggestions for you.

Alexandra - BEAUTIFUL!

Hi all! Weigh-in day...down another 5.7 lbs. Hooray! Close to onederland again. I'm prepared for a slow loss this week...managing expectations is critical for me!

I definitely have been combating the "extra packet/more meat" voice in my head. Staying on the straight and narrow. Drinking tons of water.

Alexandra - your picture is gorgeous!!!!!

JJTx -- I will always take a good complement! You have been one of my heros on this board with your 140 pound loss and your ability to maintain that.

Beth/Hysteria -- Thank you so much! You know whats amazing is how much thinner my face is. When I was overweight, I never thought about fat accumulating on my face.

Rayze -- You are doing SO GREAT!! Keep it up! You must be thrilled to be pushing back down towards the 100's. I think you will beat me there. So you blaze the trail and I will follow you! Question: Is an extra packet or more protein that bad really? I did that the whole time I was on IP, however I am pretty tall. Certainly having a bit more protein I would not think would bump you out of keytosis -- and if it keeps you from cheating on worse things, seems like a good trade.

Sue - I agree with JJTX - maybe check with your coach if you haven’t yet.

When that happened for me (it did several times) they suggested changes that helped me - sometimes an extra packet, sometimes I took out the protein and switched it for an extra packet (you can only do that for a few days because it makes the calories too low) sometimes I added a few tsp of fat or an ounce or two of cheese.

All of this helped me stay on track.