How many times have you wanted to give up?

Since I started in June I haven't once thought of giving up. In my previous yo-yo life, obviously did want to give up and did. I don't think I was emotionally ready at those times.

Anyway, maybe if you open your diary to the public people can maybe give you some insight on areas you could work on?

Several times. I asked myself, how much do you want this? I said to myself, I want this weight loss a lot, more than anything else, more than overeating. Then I said to myself, suck it up, keep moving, make great healthy choices and get to work. I had to be tough with myself if that makes sense.

I think most people have not only wanted to give up, but actually gave up in the past. And fingers and toes just can't count high enough to tell you how many times.

I don't know if it will work yet, but this time around I'm trying to change one thing permanently about my lifestyle each week that will lead to a healthier life. Some weeks it is related to exercising more or differently, other weeks it is eating healthier. My first week I switched to eating at least 5 times a day, but only enough to not be hungry each time. This week I'm trying 4 different vegetable-heavy recipes to see if I like any of them. Pizza where the crust is made from zucchini and no bread has me most curious.

Changing something each week has been going really well so far. Last time I lost weight I got frustrated constantly, every meal was frustrating for not being what I wanted, every workout was too long, too hard, or too something. This time, I wind up focusing a lot more on whatever change I'm making and trying to figure out how to make it work instead of the negatives. I also look for healthy alternatives instead of caving to my desires. When I got a craving for ice cream I strolled down the aisle of the grocery store trying to find something I could eat frequently without sacrificing my health, and I found frozen greek yogurt. I really, really liked it and it will fulfill that craving for ice cream at least some of the time. I figure it's at least one small step in the right direction.

I'm not sure if that helps or is even on-topic, but I do wish you much success in achieving your goals.

I have to agree. Not giving up is the key. In the beginning, I wanted to give up a dozen times a day. I still think about throwing in the towel at least a couple of times a week. There have been a few days when I've eaten far more than I should. But, I figure, just like Scarlett O'Hara, tomorrow is another day. When I first started, I decided I would do the very best I could for ONE YEAR, logging in every day. Then, if it didn't work, I'd give up and eat fake cheese and cookies until I died. I've only been at it 3 months, but I really think when that year rolls around, I won't be eating the quantities of fake cheese it would take to actually kill me. You just have to keep chugging along. Put off giving up until tomorrow. <g>

Lots of times...when I have to go somewhere and wear a bathing suit in public, when I have to go somewhere and dress up "alot" in a dress, when I am around friends that are super skinny and have a high metabolism and I just don't. But then there are times you make yourself get out and do stuff and you see lots of other people just like you or you see lots of other people not working out that have gained "alot" of weight cuz of it. Or you run into someone you haven't seen in awhile and they tell you you look great. Then you just keep going. Its hard and you wanna give up but when you keep up for sometimes even a month more you can drop a whole couple clothing sizes and then when you feel your clothing start to get baggy or start to wanna fall off then you get happy and it makes you wanna keep going. Or I suggest you take a photo each month when you actually see the difference in them and how much muscle even you can pick up you will wanna keep going.