[Fran M]

Hi all,
I want to first ask my question to all of you: (lifetimers, members losing, etc.) What is the most difficult thing about being thin or thinner?
I ask this question because of my situation. I know the positives about being thin ( I am a lifetimer) such as your health, your well being, smaller clothes.... but do you ever feel some of the negative affects?
I am a lifetimer since June of this year and I am having a difficult time being thin. It is alot of mental stuff. I can't seem to have it under control. For instance, I know I have to weigh in once a month so if I mess up in a week I starve myself till weigh in. I sometimes miss the rewards of losing every week. My husband said that I am feeling sorry for myself and want people to react that way to me. I don't know but it is hard at times.
What is your reaction to this question?

Fran

[MelissaL]

You didn't mention if you went to weekly meetings or not. I have continued to attend weekly meetings since I made my goal/Lifetime in June 1999. I find this helps to keep me motivated and feel good about my weight loss. I enjoy sharing with new members the success I have had on the program. You may want to consider attending meetings weekly for a while.

I do have to admit it's much harder maintaining because when you're losing you have friends & family giving you support and pats on the back but then you hit your goal and the accolades, etc. stop or slow down. I think it's the hardest part of maintaining. Try and attend a meeting and see how you feel!

You're not feeling sorry for yourself, I think it's a natural phase that we go through after losing weight. Good luck!

[kena]

Fran, I'm with you! I understand completely. I feel that my brain hasn't caught up to my body yet. I'm still in dieting mode so to speak. I'm finding it hard to increase my daily points to the "maintenance" level with dying of guilt. Maintenance is extremely challenging but we can do this! It's a challenge everyday.

I am also in a struggle right now regarding my wardrobe - I have nothing to wear for work this fall. Last night I went over to my girlfriends house as she offered to lend/give me some clothes to get me through as I rebuild my wardrobe.

Now, keep in my mind she was always my skinny, beautiful friend. How could I fit her clothes!!!!?? Well, what a nice surprise! I came home with a few skirts and tops to tide me over and I even tried on her sassy leather pants and they not only fit, they were a bit too big! I can barely envision myself as the same size as her but I am, it's very freaky.

It goes to show that I need to remember that I look good now! I'm the size I dreamt of being. I should not try and sabatoge myself into eating more and gaining any of it back. I reached my goal and I'm going to stay here.

We can do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[patch30]

Fran - what a great question. I think you hit it right on the head when you mentioned missing the rewards of losing every week. It can be a hard adjustment.

I very much agree with Melissa about going to weekly meetings. I'm a lifetimer running on 3 1/2 years and it's hard to keep the personal motivation going month after month on one's own. I need the support not only from the weekly WW group - but have gained so much support from the gals/guys online at 3fc. For the past few months it's really been these people who have really spurred me on to lose weight I had gained back (I gained 10 lbs over official goal weight).

I love what Kena did with her "skinny" friend. What a wonderful wake up call! To realize you've become thin. Perhaps you can give some thought to what "reward" you could give yourself this next month to give you something to look forward to.

One 3fc'er had a great idea of putting aside a certain monetary amount for every banked point / activity point she earned and didn't use up for the week. Soon she had enough to buy herself a teriffic present. Would something like that work for you?

Whatever can work for you, know that it's not necessary to go "cold turkey" and thus lose all that wonderful momentum and support you've gained to reach goal.