May weight loss challenge begun May 1

Hi everyone,

Name: Lin20281 or Lin or Linda
Age: 66
Height: 5' 6.5''
Weight: 209.2 on 4/30
Goal weight: 150lbs or maybe less. That is heavier than I weighed in 1993 when I was what I considered a normal weight (132) but I'm 24 years older (in 17 days) and I don't know if 132 is reasonable. So I'll get to 150 and decide if I should keep going.

Otherwise, I am single (well, divorced) and live in Las Vegas, Nevada. I have lived here, mostly, since 1972 when it was much smaller than it is now. When I left my husband in 2007 I went back "home" to North Dakota (very, very cold and lots of snow) for about 4.5 years, but decided I didn't want to stay in the cold. I think what decided me was the fall I took in the driveway and nearly broke my skull. So I came back to Las Vegas where I had a lot of friends, and also my ex-husband and I are good friends. We just like a different home and way of living. So we talk and see each other for a meal once in a while, but I wouldn't want to live with him again. He also has our "children" -- the dogs in the pictures I have on the site.

I've lost weight MANY times before. For me, losing isn't that hard. It is just about adopting healthy habits. But then I start to think I can eat like a "normie" and have candy or dessert or something. But once I start, I can't seem to stop. With me sugar and refined flour seems to be addictive. I remember being off sugar for 18 months and deciding at Christmas that I could indulge and get back on track the first of the year. I ate some "treats" and couldn't stop. I even went to a counselor to talk about my eating because I was terrified I'd go back over 200 pounds. I probably weighed about 134 or so, up from 121 (yes, too thin!) and she just asked if I thought I was fat. Well, no, but I knew I would be and didn't know how to explain it. This was about 183. Well, I went from 121 to 240 in less than 2 years. Having repeated the process, I now accept I have to stay away from sugar and most flour. I don't keep it in the house at all, so if someone is visiting, too bad.

I also have some health challenges that create problems with weight because of medications. At different times I have needed to take corticosteroids in massive doses for extended times. That makes weight control more of a problem, but I am trying to remember this is a lifestyle, and just how I need to eat and also exercise as best I can. Since October 2, 2016, I have lost from 274 to my current weight. I am hoping in the next month or so to be 200 or less.

K, my belief is that OMAD is not healthy. We all need to find our way and what works for one won't necessarily work for someone else. I know that. But I decided that I needed to just adopt a way of living, something that I can keep doing. Yes, maybe with changes and "tweaking" here and there, but I know that I couldn't ever do just one meal a day in the long run. I guess more I'm looking at it as something I couldn't do for long -- not from healthy point of view.

OK my dear friends, I posted some pictures in my profile but should try to explain them. First one in a red top with big smile. That is from 1993 when I was 43 years old. I weighed 132 then. The next one of a human (after all the dogs) in a white top holding a camera. I was 32 then and into running. Weighed 121 and was too skinny. To the right of that is picture in maroon top with double chin and my glasses on. That was taken April 6 of this year according to the cell phone. And in last, in the second row, is a picture with a really fat face. That is the before picture and was taken September 17, 2016.

I still have a long way to go. I know it. But when I see that before picture and where I am now, I'm so happy at the progress, and just try to focus on that.