Controlled Settings

In the immortal words of Master Yoda: "Do, or do not. There is no 'try.'"

Well, I guess I'm idiotic b/c I've failed on a couple of those.   But I have also had long term success in the past (obviously not long term enough, HA!).  What you said is really important, it is more about a decision to be healthy.  These programs are only tools.  I lost weight slow and kept it off over the course of 4 yrs or so.  Whenever I went to a restaurant I would order things like grilled fish or chicken and a plain baked potato with a little butter (usually no dessert).  I would make a conscious decision to have a treat (one treat), but it was a decision not a spur of the moment thing.  And I also worked out everyday, usually treadmill for at least 1hr 8-10% incline.  The reason it worked is because I was committed to staying healthy.  Somewhere along the line I lost my focus. Weight loss tools are rehab, they get you started but they don't fini****  You have to life your life in a healthy way in order to maintain it. I suppose this is my long winded agreement. Beth

Hi Beth, You know, it's people like you who scare me because I sometimes wonder if this loss is forever for me.  I pray it is, and right now I want it to be, but nothing is forever or guaranteed. But you said it yourself, that you lost focus.  I'd like to think that keeping focus is what is going to make this easy, using this term loosely. I'm glad you didn't take great offense at the word idiotic. LOL

Well, I didn't mean to scare you Donna.  It simply is a lifelong thing.  Focus is important for me.  I know that is where my problem was even though I can't pinpoint exactly when it start sliding.  I really did have a lot of things happen in a short period of time though.  Over the course of 3 years met my husband, bought a home, got married, both lost our jobs, moved in with my folks.  Food moved back into the comfort position for me and that is when it got out of control.  Had I remained active, I don't think that would have happened like it did.  I think I would have regained control.  I was never thin, but I was much healthier and definitely in better control and in better shape. The long term is really about maintaining and I think most people have problems with that.  We get busy and distracted and stop maintaining.  If you forget to check and change the oil in a car eventually the engine will seize and it will stop running.  We simply put ourselves on the backburner to take care of other stuff b/c we are busy. You'll do fine.  I know it.  Just don't forget about yourself.  You have a job and that is to maintain. b :)

donna, truth is, we need to be scared...all of us, if that is what it takes to keep this in the front of our minds.  Focus does wane when we feel we reach destination..and we all know this...maintenance is still part of the picture. Exactly like a diabetic whose insulin is working...great state of being, but gotta keep it up, or else, right?  You must believe that your loss is forever. We all must.  i find myself (foolishly) scared that i gave away hundreds of dollars of fat clothes, just knowing i will grow back there again and want them back. THAT is stinkin thinkin...and I am immediately changing those thoughts when they come. NO I WILL NOT NEED THEM. i won't. i believe and i will keep doing what i can to focus.

I know that for me it is different this time.  I am not doing WW or JC or SB or any others.  I am on the VP (the violamom plan).  It is NOT a diet... it is a menu plan.  The foods are all foods I have chosen for myself because I LIKE them and because they meet the correct criteria.  There is room, on occasion, for food that does NOT meet the criteria - and that is ok too as long as the whole day's menu is basically balanced. I plan ahead for sucess.  I avoid situations that are dangerous and I am learning skills that will take me through my 40's and beyond as a healthy person.

Hear hear...

Em