The promised land is not a myth, but starvation mode might b

I have to share my thoughts in the hopes that it might motivate others. And I won't lie, it feels pretty good to live life on the other side of hard work! I began MFP in late December 2010, 2 1/2 years after a hysterectomy/tummy tuck because my weight was out of control! My oldest son was getting married on a family cruise in June and I was DETERMINED to look good. Although I did have a tummy tuck, I looked terribly flabby and out of shape, not to mention reaching an all time high for me (including pregnant weights) of 158. I almost outweighed my 6'1" husband! I logged faithfully, eating as cleanly as possible and working hard on the treadmill and with free weights. I realized I had been lying to myself for years and only cheating my own self out of wonderful results. So, I logged FAITHFULLY! My original goal was 135. I exceeded that by the cruise. I maintained my weight on that 7 day food fest and have continued losing ...to my current weight of 131.7 and new goal of 129. I am thinking part of my success has been it has taken my body almost 3 years to adjust to the hormone imbalance of surgical menopause, but much of it is due to this website and the motivation and support I have received from good people like you reading this now! Also, I cycled my calories going as low as 600 a day (WITH the support of my doctor!) I never ever stayed there past 3 days in a row, and I didn't have to do it often but it worked! I still to this day believe I have enough body fat to stave off "starvation mode" for several days, MAYBE weeks. I highly recommend talking with your doctor as well AND on the flip side, I cycled in a few 1600-1700 calorie days just to mix it up. I almost always eat back my exercise calories and in looking at my progress/fitness report, I have averaged just at 1200 calories a day for over 6 months. Again, I hope this helps someone because it feels so good to pull out those clothes that I just couldnt get rid of, couldnt admit I was too fat for them, then try them on and have them FIT! and look good and feel good doing it. Thanks for listening and best of luck to all!