Alberta, hope you are feeling better!! I am sure you will lose the .8 no problem!!

Sounds like some of you are having a tough time....sorry to hear that, I know all about that feeling more then I would care to. You just have to re-group yourself, ask yourself why you want it so bad, and if your ready...weightloss is something you have to want bad enough for it to succeed for you. I found this out myself, and I know that is why I have had the success I have had thus far, I know I am a bit behind on my loss as to where I should be, but I amnot going to let that get to me, I still have approx 4 months left to go and approx 40lbs left to lose.

You all can do this....so pick yourselves up and brush yourselves off...tomorrow is a new day. And don't avoid going for WI's because that will only set you back further!!

BL

Congrats Renee, Sunflower and Betterlife!! Skimmy and Momo - really sending good vibes for this week! Can't lose every day - you'll have big losses this week!

Interesting what you say Betterlife - 'weightloss is something you want bad enough'. Kind of like the saying 'skinny tastes better than chocolate' but you gotta really believe that. I kind of feel right now is a bit of a dangerous time. You get all the compliments so there is a temptation to think, ok I'm done - but of course deep down you know you got further work.

Something to think about....December with all the xmas parties is about 6 weeks (or 12 lbs) away - that will be fun!!! Just gotta hunker down until then. Good luck - here's to a great week for all of us.

:cheer2:

Laura you can do this, and you are so close to doing it....don't give up or in!!

Christmas, gosh not even trying to think about that right now...lol...but I know it is coming....I don't do alot of Christmas parties, so I think I will be okay, kind of like Thanksgiving for me and I did well.

Regarding the "weighloss is something you have to want bad enough" for me, that is what it came to, heck I have tried everything under the sun for the last 20+ years since I was about 14-15yrs old. To be 17 and doing Nutri System...how is that for the self esteem, NOT GOOD!! It was so hard to go away to friends/family on weekends and try to eat close to what you would be eating of the pre-packaged meals...so needless to say that didn't work, I didn't want anyone to know what I was doing, too embarassed!! Weightwatchers...can't keep track of how many times I have joined. And many many more, I have only had success with 2 plans, the first one being low carb, did that 2 years ago after I had a breast reduction and lost 35lbs in about 2.5months, looked great felt like Shi*....so I quit, eventually over about a year gined back all but about 5-6lb of it. And Herbal One, which is the journey I am on now, that will lead me home to my goal weight and where I shall stay. I cannot go back to where I was before. It was literally killing me, physically and mentally!! My body ached so much and mentally, it was draining me, it was all I would think about 24/7 but had no will power to succeed. I work in nursing and we have this one resident who is severly overweight, I have worked around her since we opened almost 6 years ago, and it kills me to watch her at work because she has gained so much and has a hard time getting around, and everytime I look at her, I can see myself in her and I don't want to become her...it breaks my heart to feel that way, but it is true. So here I am....30.75lbs lighter and on my way to a healthier me!!!!

I guess everyone has their own reasons for wanting it..for me it is for me, and no one else. My husband loves me the way I am, but he is also loving the smaller me I am becoming...my kids are also so proud of me, especially when they seen my comparison photos...and that for me means so much.

maybe all of you that are struggling should go in and request a comparison pic be done, because I tell you it really opens your eyes when you see the transformation in yourself.

Okay rambled enough again....LOL Have a great day!!

BL

Congrats everyone...way to keep up the hard work!
I have a question for everyone. They changed my diet on Friday (down to 2 protein, 2 fruit, 3 veg, 2 starch, 2 fat, 1 dairy, 1 f.e) and they warned me that I might actually put on weigh in the beginning b/c my body is shocked. Did this happen to any of you? What were your experiences when you reduced your food? Larger/faster weight loss, or continued the same?

two.....thanks...:)

I think I stayed about the same when I had the food taken away. I know I didn't gain. The plans are different though in the way of food portions, not sure if you know this or not but I am actually on Herbal One which is very similar to Herbal Magic, but the one thing I have noticed is that the portions are different. I weigh 178 and right now my foods are 3 protein, 3 veggies, 3 fruits, 2 starches, 1 dairy, 2 fat, 1 freebie and we get 2 free choices, which is our condiments etc. I don't normally eat my free choices OR my free exchange. I am losing fine with what I eat, my mom who weighs 148 is also eating the same portions as I am. When I first started I was eating 3 P, 4 V, 3 F, 3 S, 2 D, 3 Fat, plus the freebies...it just about killed me to eat all that food, I am happy with the portions now.

I hope you do well with the change, your body will re-adjust itself anyway. So if you do happen to be up you atleast know why!!

Weighed a home this morning and I weighed the same as I did Saturday morning so I was happy with that, we don't go for WI until Saturday, and my digital scales are similar to the scales at the center.

Hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful sunny day!!

I weighed in to day and I am down 1 lb since Saturday.

I just need to remind myselft to stay on plan!!! Then I will be fine. I should have been down 18lbs by now according to Herbal Magic, 2lbs a week. I am only down 3lbs, I have been down 8lbs but I just keep going back up.

I want ot be down 38lbs by December 31st so that I can go to Hawaii weighing under 200lbs.

twovalley....when my food was changed I didn't gain any weight. I think I had a pretty big drop actually.

I lost 2 lbs this week. I am now officially in the 160's!! Definately excited about that!

Keep up the great work everyone...and keep remembering why you are doing this!

When mine changed I didn't gain weight but my losses did slow down. In fact, they do seem to still be slow. Sigh.

Down .8 since last week. Better than a gain (which I was half prepared for) but not what I wanted to see.

I would REALLY like to say goodbye to the 190's!!

Keep up the good work everyone.

I am both nervous and excited for my wi's this week. I know I am suppose to have my measurements done on Wednesday but because of the new hours I can't go so I'm hoping they'll do it on Thursday.

I agree with all of you that you need to be in the right mindset to do this and we all have our reasons for starting this journey so just remember why we all started and what we need to do to end our journey ;)

Uuughh.... For the past couple weeks or so I've had no appetite whatsoever. I feel like I'm choking down my food. I'm not sure if I'm getting sick of the foods I've been eating or what. I hate it. Anyone else have this happen?

Hi Everyone
Thanks Betterlife for sharing your reasons - that really motivated me. I too remember thinking about weight 24/7 and feeling physically/emotionally awful. Gotta admit I forgot about that so it's remotivated me. You know, I still do think about weight loss 24/7, but it's sooooo much more fun now - ha ha!! :lol:

Alberta - congrats on 160's. You planning just a brief visit there as you did the 170's? :D I too was getting sick of food a bit. I got the HM cookbook and I'm having lots of fun with recipes. Maybe too much fun as my weight loss was better 'choking' down food (often left food on my plate, which I haven't done lately). I also notice with cold weather, I don't like fruits and veggies so much - give me bread and wine - oh well.

Keep on plan everyone - it'll be a great week!

How does everyone pick their goal weight? Do you think people often change it when it gets close (either up or down)? I picked the weight I got married at 9 years ago. I felt good then, but I recall that I still wanted to lose weight (although I've wanted to lose weight since I was 6 years old, realistically I may never be happy). I'm less than 10 lbs to my goal and feeling like maybe I should aim lower. But....I'm scared that if I do, then I won't be able to maintain it in the long run. I think to stay on maintenance you have to be within 2lbs of yoru goal weight don't you? Anyone know?

So today is my first day on IP. I was inspired by my boyfriends mom who has lost a lot of weight. I found this forum and it was the icing on the cake :) I had a cappucino for breakfast, not bad...was suprisingly not very hungry until right before lunch. Had the mushroom soup and a salad w/ veggies...but I am hungry now :/ trying to delay my snack..I am 22 5'8 and 191...i got out of the marines in march and they werent allowing me to do any excersize the last few months so i blew up like a whale! you all are so insperational and i know i can turn here if i feel a moment of weakness coming on!

I know i just started but the lady teaching me told me i should go just a tad under my goal (which obviously needs to be in the healthy range) because it is normal to gain a few pounds (about 6) a year...and that has to do with the way your metabolism reacts to the change in temp/weather so it gives you a little more wiggle room.

Well I was down 1 lb :carrot: So considering my weekend I'm okay with that. So I am down to 158.2 :D

I was thinking about getting the cookbooks but I'm just afraid I won't like any of the recipes. I know I've asked for some recipes and although most of them have been pretty good, I find they take up all my food for one meal. I am wondering if maybe once they up my portions I would be better to try their dinner recipes at least.

For my goal weight they based it on a combination of what I should be base on my age, height, body build and what I wanted to get to. I actually had said I wanted 120 but HM thinks I should see how I feel when I get to 125.

I'm wondering about WM4000's.
I started them today along with a low GI diet, and I'm hoping they'll jump start a good loss for me since I've been plateauing a bit over the last few weeks...
Has anyone had good results with them?

You are all such an inspiration!! Well I made it to the 20lb club...I went for my WI on Monday...and down 21lbs and 21.5 inches total. 6 weeks of hard work, but they said I'm doing very well. What a good feeling! I can't wait to see what the next month brings :)
Congrats to all with losses, and to those struggling....things will get easier..they always do :)

:bravo: That's awesome Renee.

I know I should be happy with my 1 lb, but I am really discouraged. I just have to keep remembering I didn't put the weight on over night and I can't expect it to come off over night either :dizzy:

loss of 1.6, its been difficult switching to the bars and shakes program. Im powering through and hopefully by Christmas I will hit my goal. It was suppose to be beginning of November but the week of my wedding kinda messed up everything.
Way to go everyone on their losses and keep trucking those that are struggling!! you can do it!:)

Good afternoon all....Just wanted to pop on and say Hello.

I was sent home from work this morning upset tummy etc, came home slept for 3hrs, just had something to eat and now I feel crummy again...:(

I am not sure if any of you guys have had this happen to you YET, but at times like this when I don't feel so hot I have 1 co-worker that blames it on the program I am on, and it just about drives me nuts!! That is the first thing she says 'OH IT'S PROBABLY THE DIET'....she says it as well about the other co-worker that is doing HM. It is very annoying. Glad she wasn't there today when they sent me home!!

Amb, sorry but I am no help to you..hopefully someone can help you!!

Renee...WAY TO GO...you are just rockin through your losses!!!

Sunflower...you are losing and that is the main thing. I am sorry it is not as fast as you would like, maybe you need to change some things around, such as times that you eat your starches...do you eat them all before dinner, I used to eat mine at breakfast and the other for dinner when they cut me back to 2...now I do breakfast and lunch to get it out of the way. I find that helped me. Gives me alot longer to work it off before bed. Keep on keepin on..you can do this!!

Skimmy...way to go on the 1.6 loss. I am not at all familiar with the bars and shakes program, but I wish you all the best with it!!

Alberta I hope you find a way to get your appetite back....it is hard though when you eat all the same things all the time...I don't make alot of different things myself so I can totally relate to what your going through. My hard one these days is lettuce, I am finding I am feeling bloated after I eat it, it is either that or the cucumber, I have a feeling it is the lettuce though.

I know there was a newbie that joined us, Please forgive me but I cannot remember your name and I can't see your post right now...but WELCOME to the group!!

And to anyone else I missed...hope all is well with you!!

xo
BL

Laura...you are so very welome...glad I could be of some help!!

I still think about it as well 24/7 pretty much but for me especially the last week or so I have noticed that I have been making it more of a challenge within myself to beat the scales....my scales are pretty much the same as the ones at the center...so my motivation right now is to see lower numbers everyday...I am the SCALE FREAK here...and right now it is not a bad thing that I am addicted to them because they are my motivation right now...I know you would think that they always would be...it is really weird...LOL

I know for me it is getting more exciting because I cannot help but think how close I am to the 160's....I have not been there since I was a teenager, and how exciting is that..WOO HOO!!!! This weekend was a huge deal for me as well, when I seen a picture from the wedding I couldn't really believe that was me, I looked so good, you could see it in my face....I just feel like a whole new person. My husband questioned me last evening about this guy I was talking with at my cousins, I told him his name and asked him why and he says...HE WAS LOOKING AT YOU, LIKE HE LIKED YOU....LMAO...I said he is 25 years old and he said I don't care how old he is you look good and I seen how he was looking at you...LOL....I said for gosh sakes I am married and he is 10 years younger then me, he dates my cousin...he then let it go because he knew he was getting no where......but it sure is nice to know I can turn the heads of the 25yr olds...LOL The guy actually did tell me that I don't look 35, I look much younger, but I didn't tell the hubby that...LOL

DAMN I AM FINE....LMAO

I'll keep the starch idea in mind. I have not even been on the program for 3 weeks yet so I really shouldn't worry about how much is coming off. The important thing is it is coming off and I know the smaller amounts at a time the easier it is to stay off so I'm good :D

Way to go turning heads Better Life - that is fantastic! :) And congrats to everyone on their losses! I'm down again today - woo hoo. Want to leave the 150's so I'm pretty motivated. Loving life!

:carrot: That's awesome Laura. I too am hoping the leaving the 150's but you are closer then I am ;)

So I'm just curious as to how long everyone has been doing this. I know I am fairly new to all of it. It will actually be 3 weeks tomorrow for me :D

Thanks Sunflower - you're right with me! I started Aug 4 - it's gone by much quicker than I thought it would

Hey girls,

I started HM in May, and man I am amazed by the results! I'm so jealous of you girls in the 150's. Man I want to be there!! I haven't been in the 50's for YEARS...I was probably still in highschool!! When I started HM I had 91 lbs to lose, now 5 months later I have 38 lbs left. I can't believe it! 38 feels like such a small number in comparision to 91!

I went for my weigh in lastnight and was up 1 lb. I'm not too worried. Usually when I go it's first thing in the morning and I wear either yoga pants or my work uniform which is made of really lightweight fabric. Well lastnight I went just before a "girls night out" so I was wearing jeans and a nice shirt, had my hair done, the whole nine yards. Every single girl at my center told me how amazing I look. It felt so so so great!!! My favorite girl did my visit and she made me cry!! She told me that she was so proud of me and wanted to nominate me for client of the month. Totally made my night!

Anyways I haven't really been following the program 100%. Not really cheating, but not getting in all my food and water. Today I've decided that enough was enough. I want to be in the 150's so bad!!! I'm starting fresh today! I'm loving the new me!

Betterlife....still patiently waiting for pictures from your wedding you went too!! :D

Good job all you losers!!!

That's awsome Albertachickie! You are doing a great job. You will be in the 150's in no time. I had lost about 15 lbs on my own before I joined HM. I just find I can get down 10-15 lbs and then I get stuck. I have seen and heard of so many people that have done really well with HM and they were offering such a great deal when I signed that I couldn't pass up the opportunity and I had emotionally hit where I was ready to commit.

Okay guys here is a before and during pic....the first one was my BSE with Keith not the best but it is the most recent one I have to my start date...with the exception of my start pic...haven't had time to figure out the scanner yet.

So it was taken 2 weeks before I started the program, the 2nd is from the wedding Saturday night....I apologize for the gum in my mouth and the fact that I was a little intoxicated....LOL...we both were...;) It was the best one that showed the difference, the other ones were too close to my face.

If you click on the image it will make the pic a bit bigger...hope I don't scare you all too much....LOL

Looking good! :yes:

So I was down 0.2 lbs and had my first measurements and happy to say that I am down 16 inches :cp: To which I was told going down 1 dress size is anywhere from 10-20 inches so I'm very happy :D

Thanks Sun!!

Way to go on the lbs and the inches!!! Feels great doesn't it!!

I weigh on Saturday, hoping for a good loss this week...I have a good feeling it will be, but I don't want to get my hopes up either!!

Hoping to get the scanner figured out this weekend so I can post my beginning/during shots from the center. It is a wireless printer/scanner etc so I have no idea how to get my laptop linked to it....might just have to do it through his...would likely be easier!!

Looking good Betterlife! Thanks for posting those. I think I just may post a before and "right"now". Guess I better go digging for photos!

Thanks Alberta!!

Yes please post pics....want to see how your doing!! I think we all should to show our success thus far....and then we would also know the face behind the name!!

Looking forward to weighing in tomorrow!! Cannot wait!! I just want to bypass that 177 pounds...LOL...then onto my next mini goal of 169, I know I was hoping to be in the 160's by Halloween but I don't think I am going to hit that goal...oh well as long as the scales are going on a downwards spiral that is okay with me!!

Okay off to battle the scanner and see if I can get those pics on the computer.

Have a great day...be back later!!
BL

Well I weighed in yesterday and I was down so thats good!! I am hoping to be down again tomorrow!!

I just can't seem to get past the stress eating.......not sure what to do about it!

OK SO I got th scanner figured out, very easy actually, I could upload the pics right to my memory card...HOW SWEET IS THAT...LOL Now I have to get the pics here...too big right now.

WANNABE.....Way to go on the loss!!

I know exactly how you feel about the stress eating, I have been there many a times, back around the first part of September(I think that is when it was) I was really struggling...I think it was at that time that ALBERTA joined the group and she and I really hit it off and just by coming here, talking about it and refocusing myself, I did managed to pull out of the funk I was in.

Maybe you need to come here more and reach out to us, not everyone is here at one time but someone has got to be around to give you some words of encouragment. You can do this my dear, you are worth it, we all are!! Do you have help at home/friends etc? If you want I can give you my email and you can fire me off an email at anytime...even if it just says..TODAY SUCKS...getting that off your chest just might be enough to push you on!! I always have my cell on me, even at work, I check it on breaks and I have access to email so I could respond at some point.

My heart goes out to you, I know what it is like to be a stress eater, I got at my highest all time weight from stress eating about 4 years ago. I weighed 227lbs, which just happens to be pretty much where you started, and on a frame of 4'11...it was very hard on me.

YOU CAN DO THIS.....I know you can!! Just refocus and think back as to why you wanted this in the first place, I have to ask this but...do you think your ready? I have tried and failed at so many diets/WOL/WOE...you name it I failed it...it wasn't until I seen the pictures from the concert I went to in June, the one that has my before pic in it, that I realized what I had become AGAIN, and then I hit an all time low with myself AGAIN. And I knew I was ready....and here I am, it took me a couple of weeks to get going because I researched both Herbal One and Herbal Magic...and chose the HO way for personal reasons.

I don't think if I were ready that I would be down what I am now....look deep inside yourself and refocus.

OMG... I'm not so computer smart... how do I do it? LOL. I went to the little picture thing and it tells me to enter the URL of my attachment. My photos don't have a URL....HEEELLLLLPPPPP!

K I will help you

okay go to ADVANCED SETTINGS when you hit the reply to post...then in the on the left side it says ATTACH FILES..click that button, then you will have to browse for the pic on your computer, the thing is that the pic has to be a certain size...I have to resize mine 3 times to get the one I have posted here now.

This was my start pic at Herbal One, the pic beside it was taken last Saturday. I DON'T LIKE HOW SMALL THEY LOOK...you cannot see the difference that well.

Okay I think I got it! LOL

So the first picture was taken in December, probably a little under what my heaviest was. The second one was taken TODAY!

WOW you look fantastic!!!!

I added the side view now as well...almost a pro at this picture thing...LOL

Thanks betterlife!! I feel fantastic!!

You're looking smashing as well!! It's amazing that once you actually see before and after pictures how much of a difference you notice. Once my husband gets home I'm gonna make him do a photo shoot so I can have some better pictures as well!! Can't wait!!

Where is everybody else's photos???!!!