Thinking of "starting today"? You might want to check this out - pics inside!

Pete1964AK wrote: »

Thanks for posting this and for updating it too.

I've started and stalled so many times that I almost feel resigned to being this size and weight. I accept that it is 100% my fault and failing, but the older I get, the more important for my health I think it is becoming.
So, this time IS the time that I stick with it and change my attitudes to food and exercise.

thanks ewhip.

I felt that exact same way for easily a year or more. I think I was just kind of defeated mentally and started to think that I was just meant to be obese and there was nothing I could do about it. Part of that came from what I saw as failures in the past in my attempts to lose weight. What I realized is that I had to find a way to take some of the pressure off of myself so I didn't get frustrated and quit. Ultimately I decided to just do the best I could, no matter what that looked like, aim for losing a pound or two a week, and not quitting if that didn't happen. Sustainability, habit forming and a mindset that didn't set me up for constant disappointment was the key.

jbosey wrote: »

It is really great of you after achieving this tremendous weight loss to continue to spend the time in posting to us that are trying to emulate your success. Your hard work and diligence in losing this weight has not only rewarded you in a much healthier and happier state but it has also helped many others that want so badly to lose their weight. To know that someone else was like me actually whipped this obesity problem really gives me a firm push to continue until I also defeat this ridiculous habit. After college and marriage, many, many light years ago I steadily continued to gained weight. Two years ago I discovered at the doctors office that I actually weighed 303lbs. I have lost down to as low as 274 in the past two years but when the scale did not continue to decline, I gave up. I will NOT give up this time thanks to your posting here. You are to be commended for being a source of confidence for all of us.

Thanks for the note. And I get it - I've been there. One thing I'm realizing is that I'll never really beat it. It's something I'm living with every day and just trying to do the best I can with. But it's not always easy. Last night for example, I couldn't sleep and got up around 1am and for some reason ate one (or two!) of just about everything in our pantry. Not sure why. Tired, stressed, etc. But at the very least now, after much trial and error and experience, I can take it for what it is - just a temporary blip on the radar. I feel like crap today but I'll just log it and move on and get back on track today. In the past I would have really beaten myself up, convinced myself that this is proof that I can't really do this, tell myself I'm destined to be fat, and just use it as an excuse to quit. Not this time though. I'm just going right back to the process and in about a week it won't even be a factor. So keep plugging away and you'll get there!

Hotbottom wrote: »

I so love your story and you look great!!! And so much younger... I'm inspired. Can I ask did you eat all your exercise points?

Hi all - sorry to be tardy here. I don't check the "community" very often anymore.

To answer your question.... during most of the time when I was losing weight I didn't log my exercise into MFP, so I really had no idea how many calories I was burning. I sort of set that part aside - I exercise for health and fitness and to keep up with my kids. I eat to control my weight. Hope that makes sense?