I am about 20 pounds lighter, but have less stamina and use a walker now instead of a cane. Last year the cane was new and I was having problems with walking much distance. I keep fighting to do as much as I can. I do think the body remembers its ideal weight and tries to stay there.

Trish, your dedication to daily exercise is admirable! You may stumble but you never give up and you keep fighting! I'm always pulling for you. The number on the scale is a big deal no matter what they say, but feeling great and happy is even better. I'm struggling with that now. I feel great, but that damn number is haunting me. And I still have fat to lose. I won't give up, either!

Hello Weekenders!

we just got back from a night away at a B&B downtown. We stayed there because at one time it belonged to the university, and they housed PhD students there (not all of them, of course). DH's father was one of them. We took a tour of the place with my late MIL about four years ago, and she pointed out his room - and ever since then, we've always wanted to stay there. Specifically, in his room (my FIL died at age 34, so I never knew him). So...we finally did! It was great. The place is beautiful - a restored Italian mansion that about 100 years ago was the governor's mansion. Close to everything. We walked over to an Indonesian place for dinner last night - and then walked to a fancy hotel about two blocks from the B&B and had drinks (and DH had ice cream, too). I drank too much, though - normally one glass of wine will do it for me, but I had that plus the rest of a big glass of beer that DH didn't want to finish (he had maybe 1/4 of it). I normally don't like beer, but this was some fruity kind that was actually pretty good! Anyway, didn't sleep too well because of the alcohol - and had a headache this morning. I may have to take a nap this afternoon. But other than that, we had a great time - and I'm sure it was very meaningful for DH to sleep in that room. We may make it an annual thing..

QOTD: I've gained about 30 lbs since my lowest weight, which I've struggled with for the last couple of years. I'll lose a few lbs and gain it back, then lose a few and gain it back. Rinse and repeat. I think my body is happy here and it's going to be a challenge to lose it and keep it down, yet I keep trying. Some days I feel like I should give up the ghost and be satisfied with where I'm at, but other days I want to be about 15 lbs lighter (I don't want to get all the way down to my lowest weight again. I loved feeling so light then, but I really looked pretty awful. I look my best when I'm in the low 150s). Since I'm still in the "overweight" category and in my mid-60s, my PCP says to quit worrying about it - I'm fine - but I really did look good when I was about 15 lbs lighter. I keep thinking it shouldn't be THAT hard to lose 15 lbs, but when you're close to a normal BMI, it is. Anyway, my downfalls are grazing and wanting to feel "full". Back when I lost weight, I learned to be satisfied with being just "satisfied" or "not hungry". Now I want to feel "full". I remember some nights when I was at or near my lowest weight putting myself to bed at some ungodly early hour because I was so hungry I couldn't stand it. Haven't done that in forever. I guess that's what it might take if I want to be - and stay - at a much lower weight. Ugh.

(I had a big breakfast because we were still at the B&B this morning - this would not be my normal breakfast)

coffee with half & half

1/2 bagel with cream cheese (it was a big bagel!), mini scone, medium banana, 2 oz cheese, a few rice crackers (maybe 10 - they were kind of small)

protein shake, 2 rice cakes

probably another protein shake this afternoon (didn't get much protein at breakfast)

leftovers from last night (I had Gado Gado - so lots of veggies - but it had a sauce on it that I'm sure had some calories!)

have a great day, everyone!

I had surgery in 2007. I would vary between being at goal and being 10, 20 or 30 pounds over at different times. During the pandemic I joined online Weigh****chers and went to online meetings one, two or even three times a day. They have a different philosophy now than they did years ago. You can eat anything as long as you count the points. That gave me the freedom of no longer denying myself any food. I lost all cravings and the weight came off slowly but surely. Their book, The Shift, is so insightful. I had a hard copy and an audible copy in my car.

You've done an amazing job staying vigilant and you inspire me! Your dedication to planned exercise and food as well as giving yourself grace (hard for me) is everything. You definitely walk the walk and talk the talk! I feel like a slacker compared, but it motivates me to be better. We can do hard things!! Thank you for bringing it everyday!