Valerie – I wanted to thank you for your amazing post. I have been thinking about it all day.

I have been thinking a lot about why I have been getting “panicky” about not seeing movement on the scale. I realize that it is fear. There is a part of me that is still deeply afraid that there is something inherently wrong with me. I know there are lots of other ladies here who have lost lots of weight, but what if I am not one of them. What if there is some irreparable flaw in either my physical, emotional or physiological makeup that will make it impossible for me to lose the weight. I realize that I just need to relax – take a deep breath and let my shoulders drop – and have some trust.

Trust has been such a big issue for me in dealing with my weight. For so many years I didn’t trust myself to not eat anything I could get my hands on. I just couldn’t say no. I felt like I always had to fight this hungry monster that is my body. I also haven’t trusted my body to tell me what it needs and to be capable to do physical things (the second one for good reason). There is a part of me that still doesn’t trust that if I just do the right thing that eventually (no matter how long it takes) I will reach my goal.

Who am I to think I am so special that the calories in/calories out doesn’t apply to me? There may be adjustments for certain conditions (like ladies with PCOS or diabetes) but the basic fact is that I have no evidence to believe that my body somehow functions in an alien way. I need to connect with that trust that my body knows how to process things and it will work as it is meant to work. I just need to keep on going in the best way I know how, while trying to listen to the clues it gives me. I need to stop fighting my body, but rather embrace it. We are on this journey together, it and me, and it is not the enemy. It is not some rogue agent that needs to be cornered and caged. It is a wonderful and precious thing that needs to be helped and nurtured into greater health and well being.


It is going to be a tough couple of days for me food wise. Tomorrow I have a lunch for work, and then on Saturday I have not one but two events. First we are going to go to my BF’s company picnic and then we head over to a get together with my family (parents, aunt, uncle, cousin, etc.). I will have to do my best, but I know it will be very difficult to stay in my calorie limit. However, there is no way I would want to stay home and not go just so I don’t eat a little too much. I am trying to lose weight because I want to have a fuller and more meaningful life. There will be food involved all along the way and I never want to become paralyzed with fear of going off plan and missing out on life.

Hey all, I am still alive and Kicken,, Have not gained any weight, nor have I lost. I will be trying to come back more often again, I have pictures of the new Puppies. They are out now and are awesome, I have a interview in the morning, for a government job, my Correctional Officer experience will help with this, Not sure how it will go. I will give it my best though, Ammi and Dogpal, I will try to contact you some how..Perhaps emailing at this time will be best, I have not forgot you all.. Nancy, Kayley, Zelma, Wyllenn, Voodoo, Valerie, Brenda, and Mel.
I need to get to know the rest of the New faces I see here, but in time. Take Care everyone, Ammi, Hope Beth does fine,............................

NotTheCheat:
What you said there in your post, I have felt the exact same thing for YEARS. I went to weight watchers with my mom and her friend years ago ( when i was a teen haha) and every week, she'd lose 2, 3, 4 pounds, her friend too. Me, I'd lose 1/2 pound, or gain. RARELY I would lose a whole pound. Being young, after a couple of weeks of that, I think I started to sneak little bits of food in here and there, but still lied to myself that I 'stuck to it' just because it was 'just a little of this'. I am not sure why at first I did not lose but I guess that's in the past and over with anyway!

So, I hear ya. I'm afraid too. Afraid of not losing, when even I give it an honest try. But, I do know that NOT trying will make it a guarantee I will not lose. So, I'm sticking it out. Besides, I _did_ successfully lose 60 pounds only a couple of years ago, even though it took a long time. So, the proof is there, that it happened, and is possible.

OMG.. Misti!! I saw your post there in the old thread and kept thinking.. picture, what picture? where is she! Then I came here today and realized the person who I thought was a new person was YOU!!! You look SPANKIN fantastic!!!! You look so young, and I just can't believe what your true age is. WOW.

~ Angie

Ahh... I was fine all day. Then at dinner time (supper) I just waited a little too long I guess and I got this extreme craving for a baked potato from wendy's and then I thought about the sour cream. I was thinking .. hmm I could put just a spoon on.. and no I don't have the no fat stuff at home because it is not usually something i eat. Well, I decided to go to another store and just think about it before doing it, and then I decided to just not go there and went and got a pita with chicken and mustard, veggies instead. Whew!

Some days I have NO trouble following, very low temptation. Other days, I just get sudden feelings like I have no control. I only know I fight them off as they come. There was nothing emotional I can connect to it except I am feeling a wee bit apprehensive about my husband returning home on Monday (been away since june 16) and I have thought about the added pressure of having him possibly question things that I choose to eat.

Anyway I got thru it!! I feel really glad I didn't do anything I'd regret later, and yes, I would have (regretted, I mean). I feel like I am an addict and I need to take it one day at a time.

~ Angie

Just want to say how much I appreciate all the kind comments about my hair... I am really needing the encouragement since I have just STOPPED losing weight lately!

LOL actually I was shocked too when I saw that picture. I took it in the mirror because my Florida Bud wanted to see my picture -- I keep thinking "No, I don't look like that" because I can SEE that my face is so much thinner than before!

The back of my hair is SO curly... and LOL I never had curls before until I had the thyroid tumor, and my hair grew out curly. It was worth it to get the curls LOL. I just told the stylist I wanted something "still long enough to look feminine" and "sassy." This is what I got.

Anyway, wishing all of you blessings and appreciate your encouragement.

Yes Misti your face looks so thin!! awesome. Note in my pic see I have the kitty covering up my double chin heheeheh

Misti, I was thinking that your new hairdo makes you look even YOUNGER, and I already thought that you didn't look anywhere NEAR your age, so now I am REALLY envious.

When I took my own picture I had the back of the camera facing the mirror and the camera facing me, so that I could see my 'shot' on the screen facing the mirror. Does that make any sense at all??? It worked for me anyway, but it took a few tries to actually get me 'centered'.

I wish I had curls, but my hair is totally straight.

Take care,

Zelma

Decided to make a new album of just facial shots... so just wanted to invite any of you who would like to go over and take a look... wow I think I have made some progress!

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/show...65#post1358265

Hey what a great idea! LOL I always end up taking 50 shots to get one which actually shows me... I get the sink, ceiling and everything else! I will try it that way!!! Thanks for the tip

And hey you have NOTHING to be envious about... you are gorgeous!!!! And LOL I have really decided the thyroid tumor WAS worth it to get curls tee hee. Such VANITY LOL

And LOL okay for those who are wondering... I just turned 59 in May.

Interesting question, Melissa. I am not a smoker but it would be nice for there to be some type of support here for those who are and who wish to quit.