Hugs to you Britt and I am right where you are. This maintaining is not something I have ever done and it's freaking me out. I am eating out of control and making a lot of really bad food choices. I can feel all my old bad habits slowly coming back and it scares me to death. I did not come this far to gain my weight back. So my goals for this week are to track my food, attend support groups and exercise. Here we go ... Starting weight 298.5 Last week = 161.2 This week = 162.4 Loss this week = gained *1.2* Total loss = 136.1 Current BMI = 29.7 I am having a hard time with body image also, I want to look good in my clothes but it's really hard with all this loose skin. I have lost all this weight and still look awful. Everyone have a fabulous week Deb

I'm here Britt. My life can become so complicated, it's hard to explain. As you know, I run a large nursing home and sometimes I feel like that puts a big bulleyes on my forehead. The short version of my latest saga is that I cancelled a contract with a company that was providing therapy services (physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.) They in turn filed an emergency injunction with the court system to prevent me from discontinuing their services. It was a mad rush to prepare my defense. They lost, but now they are filing a law suit against me and two of our sister facilities. They were making $90-$100k per month just from us (and about the same from the other two centers combined) They aren't willing to give it up easily! They are playing hardball and want to see my demise. They blame me for their therapist resigning and going with the new provider so they could continue to work in our building. I can't help it that they like working in our building and are more loyal to us than to them. In the meantine I changed psychology & psychiatric service providers too and the psychologist came in and started a rumor that our building had been sold and I was leaving. So I had to meet with all my staff on all three shifts to dispell those rumors before they jumped ship! It's all very hard to explain in detail. Just know that my life is stressful on a good day and these haven't been good days! Thanks for your concern. I apreciate you checking on me! Wanda

Thanks guys, I am sure that others have done the plan and it work perfectly for them. My body is just very sensative I guess. And I really did enjoy and endulge in the good recipes on the plan. Maybe if I had stuck to simple proteins, white chicken, bakes fish, and beef then it probably would have been fine. I was having too much fun making the recipes. I mean really, fish with cheese toping, or chicken roll ups stuffed with string cheese....why would I think this could work for me? Hind sight is 20/20. Trudy, Your surgeons plan seems much more sensible. I am sure it would bring down the weight. Although, I am hesitant about the 2 weeks part. Knowing my body as I do, 2 weeks under 1000 calories would put my body in starvation mode and I would probably not lose anything. I usually try to do liquid shakes for no longer than 2 days at a time. 2 days drops a little weight then the body doesn't have time to go into starvation mode. I'll tell you this, my ancesters must have been through some serious famine or really been from an area that food was scarce. My body was built to withstand severe starvation! I know all of the years of crash dieting has left me this way, but it sounds better to blame it on someone else. I am not sure what I am going to do next. I am just planning on eating my 1200 calories and leaving the rest in God's hands. Of course I am exercising like mad. I have done 5 hrs in the gym this week including a water aroebics class and I plan on 2 hrs today. I think 7 hrs of gym time is pretty good right? Hope you all have a great weekend. Hugs, Valorie

OH VAL (((HUG))) That does suck - especially since you followed the plan and gained and have cravings!!!!! I am still fighting to get my scale down UGH! this is a never-ending battle hugs, Britt

Valorie I did great 1 and 2 - I was so pumped up I planed to do liquids for a third day - Well.... that didn't happen Nor did I complete the 5DPT (again) I am so frustrated! I have to give this another try! how did you make out? Hugs, Britt