[makinthechange]

hello!

I am 25 years old and Im a newbie to this board, but not a newbie to the successful dieting thing. I started in April. I remember the decision sticking vividly. I was at my cousins house for Easter, we were playing games and eating junk etc..I looked in the mirror when I went to the bathroom(not during lol but you know what I mean) I was washing my hands or something, and I was disgusted at how I let myself get. and I actually said out loud "not anymore" the funny thing is, Ive tried dieting before and it never works. I let myself get upset at my "cheating" and I would binge because I thought whats the use? this is different because I totally went into it with a different mindset, if I cheat then I may get upset at myself for a bit..but I just shrug and say "tomorrows another day" and then do my best to start over. Its worked really well for me, and 30lbs later...im in a rut lol I was doing GREAT until August, and then I went on vacation and sort of went off it, not completely..I still ate better, didnt go crazy..havent had anything fried since I started..etc...havent had regular milk, only fat free etc..I havent been gaining..but I havent been losing either

Finally, this week I have been back to my rigerous diet schedule..and Ive lost another 3lbs!

I cant tell you(but a lot of you probably know) how exciting it was for me to hit 199(I started at 226) and tell the DMV when I regot my drivers license, that they could change my weight...and she said congrats

some things that have worked for me
I HATE water, and i wont drink plain water..so I get those water powder things(like crystel lite) at walmart(the generic brand) and I keep a water bottle with me and drink a LOT of those a day.

I carry around these sugar free hard candies..and if I feel the need for something sweet I pop it in.

non diet me: I am a CNA, I am an aspiring writer(mostly lyrics right now) I am a Clay Aiken addict(seen him 13 times!) and Im fun!! I have 63 more lbs to go, and Im determined to get there!! FOR ME!

[FlabulessPhyllis]

Hey Makin' welcome aboard! It sounds like you're on the right track. Congrats on losing 30+lbs. Are you doing any exercise at the moment?

[makinthechange]

I was excercising a lot, then when I got past my vacation I kind of stopped, I recenytly started again, I hate to walk by myself, but im forcing myself to go anyways..and then I do sit ups, and stair climbs and squats and other stuff at night in my room before I go to bed.

[FlabulessPhyllis]

That's pretty good. I know what you mean, I don't like to walk alone either. Do you have an Ipod or something you can take with you? That always helps me. I try to get my hubby to go with me but he has a bum knee so I'm stuck doing the elliptical for now. Are you on a particular diet or just trying to eat right? I just try to eat right and exercise. I have my slip ups more than I'd like but I try not to beat myself up too much.

[makinthechange]

I just do my own thing. No sugar, low fat..I keep away from gravies and Ive been using the I cant believe its not butter spray..the stuff in the tub has almost as much fat as regular butter lol I dont eat past 6..I drink fat free milk, and most everything if there is a fat free option I buy it. I also eat only the portion that is on the container...if it says half a cup then thats what I eat. I dont fry anything..I use the cooking spray with no fat..its some kind olive oil spray...the biggest thing, which is what I think worked the most is I used to drink a 2 liter of Pepsi a day!! now I only drink diet coke! thats my treat for not having any sugar lol I havent had a regular pepsi since april, except the other day, when I was going to the machine at work, I accidently got one..and it was to sweet, I couldnt finish it. I mostly drink my water during the day..I only drink diet coke at night...Im making sure that it doesnt replace water, cause thats important.

[FlabulessPhyllis]

Wow! That's really amazing that you gave up soda like that! I am weird and water has always been my favorite drink so I never really had a problem with it but I've really seen people struggle with giving it up. It's funny how sweet it seems when you haven't had it in a long time. It sounds like you've set yourself up for a healthy life. That's really great. Diets don't really work. So no sugar at all? I have a huge sweet tooth! You'll have to let me know how you quit eating sugar. I am terrible I eat ice cream almost every night! It's such a bad habit. Does that mean granola bars and things like that are off limits too?

[makinthechange]

yes, anything with sugar in it! the only reason is because I know if I eat a cookie, Ill eat 10 cookies, so for me its easier to just say no to all of it. It wasnt that first week...the very first diet week I was shaking I wated a donut or something in the break room at work so bad..food is an addiction, and its hard to give up...but I really truley dont have problems with sugar anymore, except every once in awhile Ill slip up and eat a cookie or something, but I dont go crazy like I used to.

my problem is salty stuff..like chips! but Ive started eating pretzels instead of chips..and it fills your tummy and the stick pretzels have no fat in them.

[lointhecity]

wow!! you really killed your sugar thing. CONGRATULATIONS!! you are deff. and inspiration. I've been having a tough time the last couple of days cause I'm sick and, anyway, you've just motivated me, a whole lot.
oh, and welcome!!

[FlabulessPhyllis]

Wow that's great I really need to lay off the sugar. If you like salty snacks may I suggest roasted salted soy nuts? they taste like sunflower seeds and are high in fiber and protein.