10 pounds to lose challenge- May 1, 2025-July 31, 2025

@deepwoodslady My husband and I spent thousands of dollars on patches to help us quit smoking. And, I always bought the name brand (they seemed to stick better than the generics). But, if I wanted to smoke, I would just remove the patch. Even then, it can be dangerous. People have OD'd from nicotine poisoning from patches and then smoking on top.

We had no side effects from Chantix whatsoever. The way it worked was that you were supposed to continue smoking for five days after starting the treatment (if I remember correctly). We later both admitted to finding cigarettes that someone had put out and sneakily tried to smoke them after we quit. But, after those five days, it was disgusting for both of us. It did completely rid us of the habit. But, everyone is different.

Sorry to hear about your Dad and brother. I too would probably not drink if I had had to go through that. It's heartbreaking. I also had a neighbor who died of cirrhosis in the last year or so. And, we lived in an apartment many years ago, where one of our neighbors had died (I believe of alcohol poisoning). They too, found a whole bunch of liquor bottles in his apartment. He had been hiding it too.

I will be quitting soon. I really don't need a fake replacement. To me, drinking fake alcohol or drinking sparkling water in a fancy glass would just be setting myself up for failure (but that's just me). It would make me want the real thing. It's like the power of suggestion. Many years ago, I was living at my Mom's house. I was watching an old movie, possibly Jimmy Stewart, and they were drinking Martinis. I had never drank a martini in my life and I wasn't drinking at the time. But they looked good, so I went down to the liquor store just down the street and bought martinis in a can and some olives. They looked elegant on TV. But, they tasted disgusting to me.

Anyways, when I quit drinking, I will be done!

@SunnyDays930 That's what I've always found…that when I quit drinking the weight just falls off. But, unfortunately, when I start drinking again (which usually happens), the weight comes back on almost exactly like it came off. For instance, if I were losing 2-3 lbs a week while I wasn't drinking, when I started drinking again, I would gain 2-3 lbs a week. For those of us that are concerned about our weight, it seems counterproductive to be drinking.

That's why I joined this challenge. I thought it would motivate me to quit drinking. And, see if I lose weight quickly again. I guess the key is not to drink or just occasionally.

CHALLENGE: lose 15.1 pounds by July 31 (13 weeks)
Highest weight (7/10/2020): 330
yearly gain/loss: year 1: ↓ 87 lbs; year 2: ↓ 18 lbs; year 3: ↑ 16 lbs; year 4: ↑ 15 lbs;
year 5 YTD:↓ 0.2 lbs; year 5 goal: ↓ 11 lbs
May 1 starting weight: 260.1 (7-day average)
Jul 31 goal weight: 245.0 (desired loss = 15.1 pounds in 13 weeks)
ultimate goal weight: 220 (maintenance range: under 225)

May 01 : 260.1 (Weigh-in day: Thursday -- 7-day average)
May 08 : 260.6 : ↑ 0.5
May 15 : 259.5 : ↓ 1.1 - total gain/loss: ↓ 0.6
May 22 : 257.9 : ↓ 1.6 - total gain/loss: ↓ 2.2
May 29 : 256.3 : ↓ 1.6 - total gain/loss: ↓ 3.8
Jun 05 : 255.8 : ↓ 0.5 - total gain/loss: ↓ 4.3
Jun 12 :

My word for this week is consistency. I’m starting to get in a healthy routine, and the scale is moving. GW is within reach. 😄 This week I have bday lunch for MIL, bday dinner for BIL, my bday dinner, and early Father’s Day dinner. Phew! It’s going to take a lot of mental work to stick to plan and not sabotage my success (like usually happens). The challenge for me is having fun without falling off the cliff.

5/2: 150.6

5/9: 149.8
5/16: 146.6 (fasting wt)
5/23: 148.2
5/30: 148.0
6/6: 147.4
GW: 140-145 ish