Inspiration

As we all know, losing weight is very hard...even f its 20 pounds, 120 pounds or 220 pounds. What are some of the things you use for inspiration to keep you going when it gets rough and you want to break your new healthier living? -Ive learned not to call it a diet anymore, its definitely a change in lifestyle. That makes me less tempted to "go off" any sort of diet. -I got rid of all the junk in my house, even my kids are eating healthy and thats the best thing I can give them. -I come to this site and skim thru pictures, read blogs...just to remind myself im not the only one out there that has this problem and I can do it too. -I have "stages" outfits that I keep out in the open for a reminder. I have clothes that will fit me all the way down to goal. Cute, non stretchy pant kinds of clothes. -I dont talk about my weight loss with anyone outside weight loss sites really, besides my boyfriend...most people discourage me and Im not willing to deal with that right now. Those are just some of the things I do....I just wanted us to have a reminder, showing us how far we have come and just how far we are willing to go to have normal, healthy lives.

Hiya JH, I've been giving myself mini-presents. Everytime the 10's digit goes down 1, I get a new treat. Tomorrow I'm calling a salon to get my hair cut and colored. When I get to 169, I'm going to have something done I've never tried before...get my eyebrows waxed/shaped. When I get to 159, I'm going to get some sessions with one of the gym's personal trainers to intensify what I've been doing there and exercise more effectively. At 149, I'm going to start checking out PS's within a state of me that do brachioplasty. (There's no way my arm skin is EVER going to recover.) I think by 139, I'm going to start buying some new clothes. Some of the things which work for me are: ---using water and exercise to control my appetite ---using Wellbutrin XL to control head hunger/binges ---eating 5 mini-meals on a schedule with a priority on protein ---having my treadmill in front of my TV (I'm a movieaholic) ---avoiding having "trigger" foods in my house ---always having "emergency" grab-it-and-run foods handy (like protein bars) ---keeping my "falls off the wagon" as isolated events, not guilt-causing binge triggers which can go on for days (one binge meal isn't how somehow gains weight...it's only a pattern that does that) ---having some form of public accountability for my actions/results ---and finally, focusing on how far I've come, rather than how far I have to go Mainly, it's just keeping the faith day by day, not letting external stressors translate into poor eating choices. If I want to be compulsive about something, I try to come here and read the board or do an extra exercise session...never turn to food. Julie (244 highest known/176 current/122 dream goal)

-- I phase out clothing as I outgrow it -- as soon as it's too big, it's out of the closet! -- I too have stopped discussing my weight loss, especially at work, unless someone else brings it up. At my WW meetings I am fair game as the leaders recognize me quite often. I just believe that the results speak for themselves. -- I still love chocolate but I keep it in the freezer -- lasts longer. -- I concur that this is not a diet -- this is the rest of my life. -- I reward myself after every 25 lbs lost. Today I lost 2.8 at WI, putting me at exactly 125 lbs down. My 125-lb reward is diamond earrings. After some investigation, I decided to stick to my original plan and get half-carat studs and a cute shoe pendant as well. Here are my rocks! http://www.shop.com/op/prod-31169493 (shoe pendant and chain) http://www.shop.com/op/prod-31141011 (earrings) I keep track of my progress on my fridge -- for each new goal I put a photo on top and write down what I need to achieve it, each week crossing out the higher number and writing in the new number (when the new number is 10 or less I switch from black to red). I will be sure to post a photo of myself in my profile once I have received both items!

1. Reminding myself that this is not a diet......there is not any cheating....just getting off track. (Reality check get it together!) 2. Reminding myself that it is God's will for me to be healthy and He is not pleased when we abuse anything including food. 3. Reminding myself of how good I feel about myself as I loose. 4. Keeping pics on the frig of me at my high weight and me at closer to goal. (i was there once.) 5. Planning what I want to eat each day. Limiting white breads and foods because they make me tired and make me feel bad. 6. Making exercise more of a priority........It kinda hard to get started but after that it makes me feel like i am doing something good for my body. 7. I have people around me who see my weight loss and it inspires them to get healthy and so that makes me want to stay on trak for them also. I really want to feel good about myself again and i am getting there. I want to love myself more cause only then can i love others more.

I don't know who the author is, but I love this inspiring poem called Manholes: I. I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost...I am helpless. It isn't my fault. It takes forever to find a way out. II. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don't see it. I fall in again. I can't believe I'm in the same place. But, it isn't my fault. It still take s a long time to get out. III. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in...it's a habit...but my eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately. IV. I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it. V. I walk down another street. I hope everyone enjoys that poem as much as I do : ) Sabrina