Somehow this weekend has been discouraging and hard not to focus on how FAT I am!! I've also taken a bit of a break (not from the eating but from hard exercise)... crashed in bed with a book this afternoon!

The good news is I had a friend take some new photos this morning... and even though I cringed when I saw them, STILL when I put one up beside the old "before" picture I could see a huge difference! So obviously it is working... just have a long way to go still!! Just have to hang in there!!!

Good to know I can come here for support and encouragement.... and most of all understanding!!! Don't know what I would do without all of YOU to boost me along!!!

Misti...I've seen you on a few different boards here on 3fc and I just want to say I'm really impressed with you...you're such a kind, positive person. Keep up your focus and hard work...if what goes around comes around, then good things are coming to you!

Thanks Dairy Fairy.... I do try to stay positive... LOL if I don't I am "sunk" But like everyone else, I guess, sometimes the old negative thoughts start creeping in. I think the good long sleep and crashing with the book today will help! It's also been a LONG time since I've had a real vacation since I had two deaths in the family last year which involved my taking my vacation time for trips back and forth to Missouri to spend time with my Mom when she was dying. No regrets there, that's for sure!!! But the "no vacation" thing will be remedied very soon... next month I am going on my very first ever cruise! Yay! Still have some clothes I'd like to get into for it too LOL so better keep this butt moving!!

Your encouragement helps... thanks so much!

Misti - I hear yah! It's so hard not to think about how far you have to go, I often fall into that trap as well... here's something though. Look how far you've COME. You probably feel better, look better, you are down 25 pounds!!! Thats a GREAT milestone already! Keep on being positive, thats the only way to be my friend!! Also, this weather is perking up, the sun will help you get and stay motivated.

-Aimee

Thanks for the encouraging words, Aimee... yah just have to fight it. But LOL actually I am the opposite in that I love the rain and the sun gives me the blahs and brings out my allergies. But hey got to get used to it as here comes summer <G>

Misty-sorry you had a BLAH day! Knowing you, it has passed and you're out walking right now. Anyways, hang in there. We all have moments when it feels like our goal is so far away. You have been doing incredibly well so I know that if you keep it up you WILL reach your goal. It unfortunately will take time, but you will get there.

I'm glad you're able to see progress in your new pics compared to your beginning ones. Every little bit helps and seeing some change always inspires me to keep at it so more changes will happen. Good luck and have a terrific day!

Thanks, Brandy! Well it is 5 AM so I am not out walking yet but I AM out of bed to get ready for work, though grudgingly so LOL. But for sure I will not give up LOL. You are right... seeing the pix made me think yeeks I sure don't want to go back THERE!!! Hopefully I will start seeing some weight go too... just 1 pound flew away in a little over a week last week!

Wishing everyone a great week!

I guess loving the rain so much Seattle is just the place for you! Anyways, I know exactly how you feel, often I just wonder why *I* have to struggle with my weight and the other people in my family can practically wish away any weight they gain. *I* have to work at it. Its so hard for me to look how far Ive come, and just focus on how far I STILL have to go. But the tickers really help. That really helps me. You have 25lbs down. Thats an amazing amount of weight, and you are doing wonderful! Great job staying positive

Misti, I hope today is better for you than yesterday was. Sometimes it is just good to crash with a book. You are going to LOVE that cruise! We took one about four years ago to the Bahamas and it was great. It's kind of like a break from the world and they will wait on you hand and foot

Just watch that midnight buffet LOL!!!

I agree misti...you have come a long way. and i know you are not quitting, so that is a good thing. occassionally we just have to veg out. i did that this weekend. i layed around my room most of the day sunday just pampering myself and reading magazines. i colored my hair, i painted my nails and toenails, i slathered my body with moisturizing creams and i tried on a new lipstick....of course, i was preparing for my date, but still...it was nice to just have a day to relax and not push so hard. (which by the way, i posted about my date in the I'm wearing my 14s thread) check it out!!!

Misti, stay positive. We all need you to be positive so that we would all be positive too!! Enjoy your bed crashing!!!

eh, Misti has our back when we are feeling blue. Shes entitled from time to time. Only rule is, you can only spend ONE day, feeling sorry for yourself, and 6 days with a wonderful mentality. I did Billys ULTIMATE Bootcamp today and that junk was HARD, anyways.. he said something that im going to tell myself when I get down. " Your mentality is what got you where you are today, and it will be your mentality which gets you where you are tomorrow"

Misti - you've done so well so far, and you're always so incredible positive - really, I don't know how you do it sometimes!!! Just think that sometime down the road there will be new pictures, and you'll look even better (I do like the new avatar, by the way). And crashing for a day now and then is important - we're all so focused on making our bodies healthier that I think it's easy to forget our minds sometimes! So relax, kick back, look forward to your cruise, and think of how many changes you've made in your life that are lasting. I find that when I'm feeling a bit down on myself and not happy with my overall progress, I like to look at all the little things I've changed which will help me stay healthy for the rest of my life - I walk to school or the store now, instead of waiting for the bus, even when it's drizzling outside. I think of fruit as a dessert. I can't get through my day without at least 8 glasses of water, and I always ake my multis.... little things on their own, but they all add up to a healthier me. Don't make all the work you've done out to be something small - even if you're not feeling very proud of yourself, we're sure proud of you!

Thanks, everybody! You are all wonderful!! I appreciate the encouragement. LOL I was laughing at myself last night; was lying in bed listening to the radio late and for an hour or more wanted an APPLE. LOL finally I thought... It's an APPLE... go get it! So I did! But I had to think about what a "switch" that was for me to be wanting an apple that badly!!

I did great today... was trying to get 10,000 step by end of my lunch hour at 1:30 and got 12,000 (for a total of 15,000 today). I keep lengthening my route and going faster!!

Also even when I vegged out yesterday it never even really occurred to me to PIG out too LOL!

And yah can't wait for that cruise... I am going to try VERY hard not to blow it!!! Don't don't don't want to do that... I've worked too hard to get here!

Ready... you mean I only get ONE day to wimp out? LOL that is tough but... okay. <G>

It's frustrating too that I still haven't lost another pound! BUT today when I was doing all that walking I kept thinking this HAS to be doing something... there is no way it can NOT be!!

Thanks again for all your encouragement! It means a lot to me!! Big hugs to everyone!

craving an apple is a wonderful NSV!

and Misty.. you didn't answer the most important question.. What book were you crashing with??