What a "real" meal out can look like these days (6 months out)

Yup. I think we all have to know ourselves. That's been the key for me, I've found. If I slow down weight loss then I look at why, but you are right. Track it all. Even when your day wasn't stellar. LOL. I'm able to stay within my limits and I have "go to" foods that are part of my daily/weekly diet that keep me on track.

The scale this morning was happy, I'm still sitting at 266 so even my overindulgence this weekend so far hasn't registered. Progress and small steps!

Miles mama and brown blonde summed up my philosophy perfectly. At the end of the day it will always be calories in versus calories burned. For me, depriving myself of anything makes me want it even more. I have learned this is a marathon not a sprint for certian.

I do think that not everyone Is the same and you have to do what's the best, most successful plan for you.

We are all in this together, fighting the same damn disease. Just because different opinions and strategies are present doesn't (shouldn't) make us still equally committed to te cause. And I know we ALL want one another to succeed!
In fact, it's healthy, IMO, to share different opinions and successes so others can experiment and find what works for them.
Great post and even better thread!

Yeah, this thread ended up being good. I never know how stuff like that would go, but wanted people to know that you CAN eat "normal food" and stay within plan some days. 

And yes, everyone is different. Our body chemistries are different and brain issues around food are different. I think that's the hard part. There's really no one thing that will work for each person. For me, if I don't allow my self a taste of dessert now and then, I know I'll totally binge on them later. Others can have one bite and it's all over.

LOL... darn mental stuff! :)

Hey June sleever!

I am glad that you have found that you can enjoy food and work your sleeve at the same time.

I think something that is not mentioned here a lot is that there are different paths that led us all to get obese. Another poster was asking how some can become militant all of a sudden. Well I am one of those people. I started gaining weight after childbirth and hormonal BC shots. Then I started on the cycle of yo-yo dieting and diet pills (which are HORRIBLE). I was also a soda junkie and just ate bad quality foods ---not necessarily a lot of food at any one sitting. Some would've suggested the RNY for my eating type but I did not want to go that route.

As I was going through my 6 month wait, I weaned off sodas and sugary products and fried food. Now they make me ill. Carbs was never really an obsession for me. For Christmas I had some homemade Mac and Cheese, more than what I should've had--it was a slider for me. I also had shrimp. I occasionally will eat chicken wings but I am close to goal and very strict in other areas.

I still smell certain things and think hmmmmmm. However, I like the sweet smell of success. Just yesterday I got in a size 4 dress at the mall and I am not even at goal yet.

My eye is on the prize and I look to the vets to see what makes them successful.

Yup, there's different ways of getting to obesity and different ways of getting away from it. For *me* that works, but for some, it definitely won't. 

... and I always say "works for now" because I already know that my "rules" change sometimes. I know I'll have to really tighten up as I lose more and more weight and have to start paying even closer attention.

I think self awareness is the single biggest tool for WLC Success.

I have pretty much the same philosphy as you!! One of our favorite places is BJ's Brewery and I always get the seared ahi off their mini-bites portion of the menu. it's like 7 pieces of seared ahi with wasabi and a soy sauce based mix on the side. It's so good and satisfying! But I'll also snag a couple fries off my husband's plate and sometimes we'll share their beer sampler. Not all the time; not every time, but I refuse to be super militant ALL THE TIME, especially when we're out to eat.

Yeah, for me it cannot be all straight and narrow all the time. I know if I did that, I'd binge. Like I said, it's all about knowing yourself I think above everything else! This whole weight loss stuff is WAY more mental than physical. Ha!