Hi, Gang, Since not that many of us have been able to join in the chats, Britt and I decided to bring the discussion to the board to augment the chats. We need ALL the support we can get so please help by listing the reasons you want to either continue to lose weight or maintain your weight loss. You don't have to have the book or even have read the book to get in on this. The book recommends writing these advantages of losing/maintaining weight on an index card and reading the card several times a day even if you have to post reminders to read it. It's really important to read it when you are facing cravings or temptations! So, let's hear some - a few or a lot - of your advantages of losing/maintaining! Here are a few of mine (there will be repeats but post YOUR reasons even if they mirror other people's): 1. I had major surgery reconfiguring my insides for life and spent thousands of dollars on reconstructive surgery to be able to change my future into something I only dreamed of before. 2. I feel happier now than I have in years and years. 3. I am no longer ashamed to walk in front of strangers or through a parking lot or cross a street feeling like people are judging me for my weight. 4. I feel NORMAL for the first time in years. 5. My self-esteem is better and will continue to improve if I use my tool wisely by eating healthy and exercising. 6. I honor myself and my second chance at life by eating healthy and maintaining weight loss. 7. I can continue to buy and wear smaller clothing and feeling good about shopping and trying on clothing. I have more clothing choices and shopping is no longer a heartbreaking, self esteem robbing process. 8. I love the feeling that my husband is proud to be seen with me even if he claims he wasn't ashamed to be seen with me before. 9. I love having my husband tell me I look beautiful. I don't remember him ever saying that before. 10. I no longer avoid family visits because of my obesity. 11. It's wonderful not to dread running into old friends and knowing they are no longer wondering why I kept gaining weight. 12. I feel like a normal sized fitness instructor. 13. I'm less self-conscious around my husband and he LIKES that! 14. I am healthier. 15. I have more energy. 16. I'm living a more active lifestyle (going to water parks, amusement parks and RIDING rides!) 17. I can shop for and WEAR swimsuits without being so self-conscious 18. I can look in a mirror without feeling shame. 19. I no longer have to worry about fitting in a restaurant booth or a movie seat 20. I can climb stairs without feeling like I'm dying!!! I have more and think of new ones constantly but you get my drift - I have a life again and I'm so thankful! CeCe

That it matters EVERY single time! What YOU chose to put into your mouth - each and every calories - Matters! THINK about it ... It really does matter Beck Thought for today .... Have a thought, a quote, something that YOU think is worth sharing? Post it!

Hi ALL - rescheduled for 7/16 @ 9pm - can you make it? CeCe and I chatted - we missed you all. I know Shawn and Corinna had last minute plans - Not sure about you Dee??? Regardless we missed you. CeCe and I thought that we'd wait and discuss this with all of you NEXT wednesday 7/16 -- therefore there is NO NEW READING! Please re-do days 1 - 7 and we can discuss it next week together. We are using Yahoo Messanger again tonight's for the Beck Chat. It's a quick download if you don't already have it or you can even access it directly from the internet without a download. It's much more user friendly than the chat function on here. Shawn please try to join us again - it should scroll automatically - please give it another try You just have to sign on and I will send you an invite. PLEASE let me know what your yahoo ID is if you haven't already. Mine is britt_olivieri so add me to your list See you all 7/16, 9pm EST. We will be covering pages 53 - 95 I look forward to chatting with all of you no new reading to do JUST get caught up and do the exercises BECAUSE YOU ARE WORTH IT! hugs Britt

Hey Britt, I won't be able to attend tonight. My boyfriend's son is on the little league all star team and they have their second game of the district tournament tonight. They won their first game so we're keeping our fingers crossed for tonight too. Who knew I'd end up going to children's baseball game and actually enjoying it How my life has changed...happily all for the better!! Corinna Q

Hello crew, This is a nice feature, to be able to go by surgery date -- check in and see if folks face the same issues. I've not been on here in a year, shame on me. I came back because I can't seem to shake the final 20 lbs of my overall goal. Started at 225 (5'3") and wanted to hit 125. I'm floating in the 40s ... mid to high depending on how bad I am. I'd prefer to be floating around in the 20s. Simple solution I know: shape up on the eating front (no Starbucks White Mocha or Chocolate Malts) -- damn the yummy liquid calories that go down soooo easy. I still get food stuck at least a couple times per week -- is that normal? To still be running to the bathroom at virtually every sit-down meal? I know, I know ... slllloooowwwww. Inevitably that's what does me in - get crazy hungry then eat like I think I don't have a straw to pass the stuff through! Okay, sorry for the long post -- first time back on got me rambling. And don't get me wrong -- I'm thrilled with where I'm at and how far I've come -- from a size 20+ to a size 8. Am I just getting greedy now to want to be a 4 or 6 again? I am 42 years old... Anyway, cheers to all. Best, Mary Nell