This is my official Phase 1/Day 1. I also changed my ticker -- I've been back and forth about this for ages. Partly I want to start with the high weight (40 pounds more than now) to show how far I've come, but then I'm horribly embarrassed about it, AND at the same time, rely on it ("Well, I've already lost 40 pounds.) This is a restart, so I'm starting now. It is, I'm sad to say, about the same as I weighed when I first came here. I also changed the goal to be one pound under "not obese," which is what will please my doctor. I may adjust that as I get closer.

(note: Read the next two posts that explain why what I wrote above is irrelevant.)

I've planned the week and laid in supplies. I did forget to buy hummus for snacks, but have a lot of string cheese.

Wow, Xan...you should have down that you've lost 40! I think that's awesome, and think of where you were 40 lbs ago.

I know with my ticker... I'm grateful to have a small amount to lose (it's closer to 10), but it is a constant battle to keep it off, the emotion of it, and let me tell you how it all shows up as saddle bags on my petite body! I have to check in here daily to remind me to eat healthy, to let me feel healthy.

Okay. I'm easy. Thank you, Twynn. I think for people your height, it must be terribly difficult to maintain, because just a few pounds show. So good for you for stepping in before it's a problem, and working out a way you can maintain.

Thanks Xan A Monday start is more due to needing a grocery shopping trip - I'm depleted of anything closely resembling Phase 1 right now

Heading out to do that now!

Then this afternoon I will cook off a bunch of chicken breast for the week. Makes for easy lunches! I bake or grill some after adding seasoning (italian seasoning, or lemon zest and thyme, or cumin and chili power or curry... sometimes I do a couple of of each lol) and cube them up in 4-6 ounce portions.

I can toss them in a salad, heat them up to eat with veggies or eat as a cold snack with an ounce of cheese or a pickle.

I also boil a dozen eggs so i have a quick handy breakfast or snack when i'm rushed. I usually toss out part of the yolk and add a bit of mustard and pop it in my mouth for "instant deviled egg" hehe

Wow, didn't meant to ramble! haha Just a few tricks to get me through a busy work week. I ALWAYS need have something ready that I'm able to eat so I won't give in to what the office might be ordering or family might be eating that's not on plan.

Hi Everybody, I'm coming back too.

Hello Xan The regular SB ladies know me and I'm always apologetic because I'm a SB'er in my mind though I fall off the wagon constantly and then beat myself up but do keep pluggin along as best I can. I do post in the SB Exercise thread to maintain just a little cred here

I'm so glad more people are coming back! Holly, I remember you -- I love your "Cupcake" name.

My first day back was very hard, and that's unusual for me. Usually the first day is a breeze, and I spend most of it kicking myself for not doing this every day, and then the second or third day I would do anything for chocolate, but yesterday I didn't have cravings, but I did have a horrible, horrible headache and was starving an hour after lunch. I got through it, and hope today will be better!

I also had bad luck with cooking. I got a phone call about 15 minutes before the chicken was roasted, and it went on for a half-hour after the bird was done. It was business, so I couldn't rescue the chicken. Sigh.

Hope everyone has a good day! Oh! I was rewarded with a 2-pound loss this morning. I'm down to 270. All water, of course.

Ok I have Phase 1 foods, I have ambition and I am ready to go!

ohh but life is hilarious! Day 1:

Wake to SNOW, realize my puppy chewed up my expensive dental retainer, and to top it off my car won't start.

Waiting for a ride to work has afforded me some time to eat a proper breakfast but i've burnt my eggs twice now. 3rd time is a charm?

I also have a broken toe, and a toothache.

but i'm still On Plan!!

life, i refuse to give into your emotional triggers.

MinnieSkinnie, what a terrible morning! I hope the rest of the day is better, and I hope your sense of humor got you through the problems. It's true, though. If we took a poll asking how many of us let life derail us, I'd bet it would be at 99%. (Derail, meaning, Burnt the dinner, let's eat pie.)

alright, Monday here I come! I've taken today and tomorrow off of work, so that should make it a little easier since there is always something bad foodwise at the office! I haven't eaten just yet - I'm going to do eggs of some sort, of course!

yesterday we had what could be considered too many shots of Jameson, and a few green beers - now that I've gotten that out of my system I really don't think I'll have trouble staying away from alcohol. that's not usually the problem anyway. But I love my wine especially after school since it's so hard to get to sleep after class at night. I can handle it, though. I need to freshen up on the phase 1 food list...I gave my book to my daughter last year hoping she'd use it but she didn't, and she still has it! Luckily it's easy to find the foods on this site. Good luck all!!!

This is my first day of phase 1 too!! Off to a decent start after being on a sugar binge all weekend. I am looking forward to detoxing! I hope to check in with you all frequently.

yay gutbegone, same start date - we can keep an eye on each other

You're so right Xan i did feel a little sorry for myself today but I did stay on track so I'm happy. I do try to keep smiling!

Hi. I am new to the forums and just finished phase 1 with a couple cheats. I think I need to go back and do a more severely restrictive phase one with little or no sweets. I am over bread and pasta, but I still crave sugar constantly. This is my first time on SB.

Hi, I'd like to join you, too! I did SB 7 years ago living overseas. I kept it off for 3 years, then gained it back when we moved back to the states. So now I want to get back to my "normal" weight again. We're living overseas again so it's easier. We don't own a car so we walk everywhere and there aren't a lot of processes foods here so most things are homemade.

Minnie Skinnie, I like your ideas for having cooked chicken and eggs in the fridge! Often I make a big pot of soup to eat all week. It helps when you come home late all tired and hungry!

Miniskinny I too have my own pity party days. This week has been exhausting throw a snow storm in the mix and well I feel spent. Last night I was enjoying my veggies and hummus watching Biggest Loser when my woe is me alter ego kept telling me chocolate makes everything better. Maybe it was Biggest Loser or the fact that I was so tired, but for once the new me won. I decided sleep was the better option. Maintaining, I try to celebrate these little milestones.success is not measured by the number on the scale