Success?
 

Well I'm not sure how successful a story this is. I started Atkins in 2000, and in 8 months I had lost 50 pounds. I managed to maintain that loss over the next three years about, losing a few more pounds, adding some and then taking them off again.

At my lowest I weighed 62 pounds less than when I started.

But then I fell off the plan and didn't even try to get back on for a long time. Why? I was being a perfectionist. Beating myself up for every failure rather than celebrating every success.

Well last month I decided to STOP doing that. To stop comparing myself to anyone else, to remember that this journey is one I started for ME alone, and that I really don't have to answer to anyone, but myself in this matter and that I myself don't want to be fat anymore. I may not always be perfect, but I don't have to listen to anyone's discouraging criticism (not even my own). What I DO have to do is to remind myself that I'm doing this for ME and ME alone. So I need to be happy in the process.

Well as of today I am 30 pounds down from where I started in 2000. No it isn't the 62 I was at at one time, but it is NOT the 13.5 I had kept off (only) when I weighed in December, either!

So to me 30 pounds off (and only 20 of the original 50 regained) is a success of sorts! Plus I have a whole new attitude. I'm not setting big goals any more. I'm setting little baby step goals of 4 pounds then 3 then 3 more. At the end of each cycle of 4/3/3 I will be 10 pounds smaller and the wonderful thing? This baby steps to my goal is WORKING! Because think about it, ANYONE can lose 3 or 4 pounds can't they?

We can do this guys! We CAN do this.

Yes you are a success. You have been successful in the past and you will continue to be successful. You fell off the wagon for a bit, but the important thing is that you are back on track! :)

WTG Sherry.
I know what you mean...one of the hardest things for me to learn is not get discouraged if I was a couple pounds short of a goal, rather than celebrating the weight I did lose!