(POST 3) BATTLE OF THE BULGE - Summer Slimdown Challenge!!

A tip I'd like to give (and need to actually follow my own advice on this) is to not beat yourself up when you go over on calories or don't reach that goal you wanted on your weigh-in day. I went to Teneessee on vacation these past 4 days and last night I completely bombed my diet. My family went to the Dixie Stampede and my mom, sister and I have been there before but my aunt and her family never has and, if you don't know what it is, it's a dinner and a show where they start off with a creamy vegetable soup, then give you a Red Lobster-style biscuit, then a small baked chicken, half of a potato, a slice of ham, and top it all off with an apple pastry . . . . I demolished just about all of mine because we went to the 8:30 showing and we had lunch around 1, so I was straving. I didn't even log anything for dinner yesterday because I know I went well over my calories. However, I had anticipated this because I knew July was going to be a rough month for me because I went to the midnight showing of Harry Potter and treated myself for that because it's the last time I'll ever go *tear*tear* so, when weigh in comes this Monday and I'm not 175, I'm still going to feel proud whatever the scale says because I am defintely not where I was the last time we were in Tennessee at the Dixie Stampede. I have lost almost 30 lbs and I know it's ultimately all downhill for me. I may gain a pound or two because of this vacation, but I know I will never weigh 200 or even 190 lbs ever again, and that's good enough for me. So, whenever you gain those few extra pounds, let yourself go for a week, hit a platuea, hold your head up high and know you've come so far.

The BOB thread continues to be very inspirational! Thanks to all who continue to post and offer their suggestions and support to others out there. I find that when I plan things out, I am able to stick with my healthier choices. For example, if we are eating out , I usually check the menu ahead of time online and decide what to order before getting there, then log it in to my diary. If I am going to the movies, and want the popcorn, I plan for it ahead of time. One thing I have always meant to do, but only recently did, &it's so easy I don't know why I haven't done it before - I cut up all the veggies I got at the store this week, so they right there ready to go when I'm hungry and want a snack. Have a great weekend all! And don't beat yourself up if you did not make your goal come Monday's weigh in. Focus on how far you've come overall!

I will continue to check in, I may not weigh in til tues bc monday is the big move from WV back to MI!!! So, now my workouts consist of packing and moving boxes around! I have been staying under calories, I have been eating responsibly! My co workers got me a cake yesterday (my FAVE choc with buttercream frosting!!!!) And I only had half a piece (6 months ago, I would have eaten half the cake once I got home!!) I brought it home, told mom to get what she wanted and we put it in the freezer and I will share it with mom, hubby and step son when I get HOME. (I can count that as an NSV, right????) AND I bought myself 3 pr of pants...2 size 22 JEANS and a size 18/20 gaucho! (Down from size 26/28 pants!!!!!) I feel GREAT right now, even though I know I'm not gonna hit my number goal, I've been doing my best considering the chaos of the last 3 weeks with the move. Thank you all for your support and inspiration

Congrats to all the biggest losers!!!!!

i see myself as someone who has taken control of her health and life...my outlook toward life in general has changed....i find myself very capable of doing things i never thought i could do

Congrats to the biggest losers of the week and to everyone else for hanging in there. Your hard work and determination are paying off! You all are an inspiration!!

I am proud of myself for sticking with it and keeping a positive attutide...there have been some days that have been very hard to get through but I am still here and going and just keep tellin myself if I slip up that I will do better tomorrow...I am proud of myself for finding the positive in even things that most would find very negative...for example...this week I actually gained 2lbs...more first real gain since the beginning of this and Im sure its probably just water weight or something from not drinking as much as I usually do so I am not going to let it get me down AND I still surpassed my 5 week goal and I am extremely proud of myself for that!


On days that are harder than others I find motivation through my friends on MFP they have really helped keep me going with their words of inspiration and just always being there for me I am very thankful for that...

Also I think of how far I have come in such a short time and know that if I just keep working at it the results will show