Good topic, Julie!

I've done this too many times to count, but my attitude this time around is very different, very relaxed. In the last three years of therapy and eating disorder treatment, I've been learning to let go of the idea of PERFECT. I will not beat myself up over this. My shrink has to remind me often that my obesity is the result of a serious disease, not the result of laziness, lack of willpower, Or any other negative labels I used to use.

The big difference in this time around, for me, is using new tools like nexercise to track my workouts, using MFP to track food and get support from others, using a nutritionist and therapist and limiting my weigh-ins to doctor visits so I don't freak out, LOL.

Basically, this is my first time working with a team and a lot of good tools. And not looking at this as a diet but rather making it a lifestyle I can live with. I am EXCITED to have this kind of plan and support. I am also IMPATIENT because I want to see huge, immediate results!!! So my next team member is a former student of mine who is exchanging yoga lessons for poetry critiques. I'm going to learn more physical flexibility and mental calmness. Wooohoooo!

I put off doing something about my weight as it climbed back up over 300 for years because I feared failing. My history is diet, lose weight, stop diet, weight comes back. To be honest I didn't want to start again because I felt I was doomed to fail.

The big difference this time was that I was put on insulin for my T2 diabetes. I really didn't want that. My doctor also suggested revision bariatric surgery. Also not something I wanted. After talking with her, she recommended MFP.

My first immediate goal was to get off the insulin. By the time I did that in the beginning of March I'd lost over 60 lbs. I'd had success and felt like MFP gave me the tools to be in control of this process. I also feel like MFP is giving me the tools and skills to maintain after I reach my goal.

One of the biggest differences this time from any other time I've tried to lose weight is that I have included exercise in my routine. With my HRM and FitBit I can see the benefits (calories burned) of exercise in addition to the other cardiovascular and strength benefits. That has helped me be dedicated in continuing to exercise, even on the days I don't feel like it. Even though I watch my carbs, I am still eating foods I like, just less of them at a time.

At this point, I've made it far enough along that I feel like I might actually succeed. And I am determined that at whatever point I stop, I *will not* put the weight back on. It is my intention to give myself a small range of variation and continue to weight weekly. If I go above that 5lb range, then I will go back to eating at a deficit for a while.

Great topic!! I don't feel as stressed this with this journey, I don't feel like there's some deadline!!! I decided a few weeks ago that I felt like crap after eating fried foods so I decided to stay away from them. The next thing I knew I was back on here with a whole different attitude. Its not about weight loss this time in my life. I want to feel good. I want to breathe better. Walk without huffing and puffing. The weight-loss is just a happy side effect! :happy:

I'm 26 and I don't want the myriad of health problems that WILL EVENTUAL HAPPEN as a conscience of my choices, I have a lot of life to live and I want to be in the best position possible to live it.

My attitude is I am working at this and the weight loss and life changes will happen, I may want it now but I will take the time to do this right, for the last time.