Me, a size 8!

I have been obese most of my life, so my goal was to get down to a size 12.  Today I went shopping and actually fit into the size 8!  I wasn't an 8 in high school.  I never thought I'd get to an 8 because I started so large (36 womens). This is too much fun.  Sally

Congradulations!  That is wonderful!  Now post some pictures so we can see the before and after for some much needed inspritation.

Dear Nanci, Thanks; I'd post the pictures but I don't know how without having them already somewhere online.  Which I don't.  I'm not the most computer savvy person around:) Sally

Congratulations Sally what a wonderful feeling that must be for you way to go.                                                   Annie

Sally, you give me hope. I too an a 36. Hugs to you. Jo

I kept looking for profiles of people who started at my size to see what their success had been.  And then I never aimed for that small since I had been obese since childhood.  I am a fan of realistic expectations as that way I can 1) achieve them and be pleased and 2) be even more thrilled when/if I exceed them.  No disappointment necessary! Good luck, Sally

That's just incredible!  I don't remember ever being a size 8, maybe when I was 10 or something.  Or maybe 8.  Congratulations!  That's completely awesome!

I was only "small" once in  my life--the summer before 9th grade.  I lost about 30 poiunds and was a size 10.  The doctor thought I should be a size 8 and my mother commented on my stomach still pooching out.  I thought I had done well, but not well enough by their standards.  Of course, I put it all back on in a flash.  That is a piece of history I do not plan to repeat. Sally

You gotta love all that great family support sometimes eh?  I've been through some of that recently - you should have lost MORE weight than that.  Well dammit, I'm trying!  If I was good at dieting I wouldn't be 400 lbs!  Argh..

My family dynamics were so bad I had to literally move out of state and start afresh.  Even after a few years of distant contact, I decided it just wasn't worth it.  I had to just stop calling them (and they would never make the effort to call me).  I don't recommend that, but for some of us, it is the only way to survive emotionally. As for how much weight one should lose or how quickly, I truly believe that a lot of it is out of our control.  I do think that obesity is a disease that affects how the body processes food.  There is just too much research out there about genetics, hormones, bacteria, viruses, etc. all contributing to obesity that it isn't just about calories in versus calories out.  Now, if I'm sitting on the couch all day eating Milk Duds, that's a different story.  But even the food craving we get, the ability to feel satisfied, etc. is not under our control.  That is why I focus on my behavior rather than on the pounds lost.  If I follow my eating plan, do my exercise, and take my supplements, I'm a success. And why is it that people's curiousity (we'll give them the benefit of the doubt) always comes out as criticism? Good luck, Sally