2 years ago...ready yourself for a ramble

Have you continued to lose during the 2 years??? I hit one year in July and could cry because I actually gained a few pounds back. I was taking care of my dying grandfather for the last 2 months and paying no attention to my needs. Now that he's gone I'm trying to get back on the wagon and discovering the gain last week was super discouraging!!!. I went back to protein shakes for breakfast and lunch and eating a reg dinner (chicken, etc) and the scale isn't moving. I think I'm broken. ;(

Yes, I have lost weight the entire 2 years. Last January I started eating more like the maintenance folks do and I stayed within 3 lb range for about 8 months. When I sat down and took an honest, hard look at my eating/drinking (5bucks Latte's ... mmm) I realized that I was taking in about 500+ calories more than I needed to eat in order to lose weight. In June I decided to cut the crap. I immediately began to lose again. I've lost 4 lbs in 4 months - nothing earth shatteing, but the scale is going down. I'm not in a rush.

Now I am staying very focused on what I am eating and drinking. It's not forever--the weight loss phase. At least, that's what I keep telling myself.

Also, grief is a very hard thing. I'm so sorry for your loss. I split (a couple of years ago) caretaker with my brother for my grandmother and it just never an easy thing.

One thing people tend to forget about is water. I drink 13-15 (8 oz) glasses a day--or 104-120 oz. It's not easy, but I've always been a good water drinker. Water is absolutely crucial to weight loss.

Give your body until Thanksgiving (I do better with true end dates that I can extend out if I want to) and see what happens. Protein first, veggies next. Let yourself have a "free" food--one that you don't count, but you can eat all day. I happen to love cabbage and it's my free food--actually all veggies are "free" for me. Make sure that you have something tasty to look forward to. I drink a decaf coffee sweetened with sugar free coffeemate with my hubby every night.

Water, water, water. I can't tell you how many times I've seen someone stall and when they added water, they magically started losing again.

Friend me and pm me if you want to. I'm happy to help.

Thanks so much.  At one point during the caretaking process I found myself eating Oreos for lunch.  And sadly, when I realized it I knew it was wrong and didn't even care.  :(  I'm horrible with water.  I have always loved water but I'm sick of it.  LOL  I also picked up the diet coke habit again because it doesn't bother my stomach.  When I drink a diet coke I don't drink water.  Monday is the day!  I guess I just assumed my year was up and I'm done losing but I'm not okay with my weight.  I have lost about 60 and I still have about 30 more to go.  It seems impossible to me.  I guess I'm just so down from the the last few month of craziness I just have no motivation to stick with it!  :(  Thanks!  I'll friend you...and I need to get on here more often for motivation.  

Congrats on 2 years! I've always said- there's no damn end date to this till we kick it.. hopefully we got lots of time ahead of us! This **** is all about making sustainable changes that we can live with till we aren't anymore. You know all this, so I'll just shut the **** up now and say- I love your snarky ass.

*smooches* I love you too!!!

You are my shero. I want to get to where I can handle this the way you are--with composure, grace and not losing my ******g mind every time tries to take my legs out from under me. I'll get there.

And **** it. I may not be at goal yet, but I look damn good right now. HA! Take that world!

Oh, I totally lose it from time to time.. but the only diff from back before to now is I allow myself the time in the hole for a bit, then climb out. I refuse to let myself get trapped in there. Short exposure=limited damage. We're humans, we **** up- and that's ok.