shirleycatt Member

I am almost one week in on this program. My take away so far... I feel like I am eating a ton of food! The food measurements are really important (ie, 1 2/3 cheese stick), I enjoyed the fact that I knew a high carb day was coming after two low carb days... I felt I could handle it better. The recipe options are pretty…

I have saved a pair of Levi's (they have little diamonds on the butt in the shape of the Levi's logo) for about 10 years. They are my.. ok can I fit into these yet? Well I hadnt tried them on in awhile and this weekend I went for it. They fit! The best part, after wearing them all day.. I realized I didnt like them because…

My biggest obstacle.... my own head. I can literally convince myself in or out of anything. I want to be healthy, I want to be fit... My job is really stressful and going to work out or eat healthy just seems like such a chore. I want a simple life most days! I need to retrain my thoughts into positive and not live in the…

Water Chestnuts; indifferent.. Cilantro; I actually really like.. Black licorice is yukk! I have celiacs so licorice is a no go. I do miss good ole fashioned red vines :neutral:

Name: Shirley Age: 45 (this month) :neutral: Height: 5'4 Start Weight (Februray 1st): 192 lbs Goal Weight (End of Feb): 180 lbs (I am going on vacation 2/26, so that will be my final weigh-in day) Weigh-ins: Feb 6th: Feb 13th: Feb 20th: Feb 27th: Weight -/+ this week: Weight -/+ this month: Successes/struggles:

My husband and I are going to Hawaii at the end of the month. I have lost 29.4 lbs in the past 6 months.. I am really trying to get to 180 by our departure date. I was 192 last weekend so I guess 12 lbs might be a bit much. Even 182 would be amazing! The problem, none of my "summer" clothes fit me. So I guess I will have…

I remember hearing that weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise (or something like that). I guess working out 4 hours would be the exception.. who would have time to eat?

Wow... Wow... Wow... You are amazing!!!!!!

sweets before bed. I just loved a gluten free cookie (i have celiacs) or a trader joe gluten free cupcake. yummmm

I was diagnosed with Celiacs in June of 2013. It took me about 2 months to really get over my loss. I honestly mourned for weeks.. Now I don't miss it at all. It is a bit of a pain to eat out but in the end, It is lovely! My best advice.. don't try to eat gluten free products! Just eat foods that are naturally gluten free.…

I want to look great in our family pictures. Usually I am hiding in the back... This time I want to be front and center!!!!!!!!!

I am on the 1200 calorie plan and I don't eat my exercise calories (most of the time). I find that cutting out bread helps me eat more of the other stuff. I try to eat a piece of fruit with each meal except dinner (too much sugar before bed). I also have a rule of not eating fruit by itself. If it is a snack, I always eat…

Motivation is tough! For all of us, in all things! I am reading a book right now about finding the real me inside this chaos called a body. One of the things I am focusing on, is positive self talk! If I don't have anything nice to say to myself... I zip it !!!!!! I am also using current words like.. I AM... IT IS.. !!! I…

You are exquisite! Such an amazing story and a great read!

Wow.... the only word..... WOW !!!

Let do this together! We can figure this craziness out :)

I can completely identify with your challenges. (except I am short) I have started and stopped more diets than I can count.. Sadly some on the same day! I own every diet book ever made! Luckily my ipad hides them now, so my husband doesnt really see my obsession. I have been trying to get things straight for two weeks now.…

Daryl I am so sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, grief can be a great motivator. I have started and restarted my diet so many times that I literally cannot count. I really need to make changes too! I am here for you! To motivate or just to listen! We can do this together!!!!!!!!!! We deserve the best!

I am 41 now.. (even that makes me throw up a little in my mouth). I cried during my entire 40th birthday cruise! (Thank goodness for lots of alcohol). The key is to always and I mean always have friends that are older than you!! My bestie just turned 48.. It was pure joy! Who needs enemies when you have younger friends? :)

I am at 1200 calories too! I am trying a little thing called "carb cycling"! It is from the book that Chris Powell (Extreme Makeover) wrote. It is very interesting! I am kind of combining MFP and the program. I am doing 1200 low carb and 1500 high carb.. (alternating days) It has been pretty easy so far. I always know that…

Wow.. Wow... Wow.. Those are the words I kept thinking through the tears! You are an inspiration! You have shown that success is not only possible but probable! Thank you for sharing your journey! Best wishes! -Shirley

I started making a smoothie for my drive in! It really helps me :)

I am all of things (well closer to 5') shhhh!! Need friends to get through these fun times!

Oh goodness.. the sad part is I have been trying to lose weight all through my teens, 20's and 30's. Now I am in my 40's uuuuggghhhh. So before I get to my 50's.. I better get this thing licked. I have lost substantial weight two times in my life. Both times in my 30's.. Here I am a decade later and all the weight (and…

I have recently cut out all wheat/gluten and I feel amazing! I have soooo much energy and I have noticed that I eat less. I gave myself a 2 week adjustment period of not tracking my calories but so far everything is going great! I didn't have to replace it with anything because as it turns out I dont need it. I do allow…

I am in the same 5'4 ; 200 (215) lb boat. I started working out at curves during lunch and elliptical after work. So far the scale hasn't moved much, but I haven't been good on my food portions either. I am trying to eat healthier and more often. Hopefully that transition will make my calorie cutting easier.

30 LBS WOULD MEAN A NEW WARDROBE! COUNT ME IN!!!!!!!

I think admitting that we cannot do this alone is the hardest part. Women are such strong creatures, but this weight thing can be pretty overwelming! Good job on coming back! and with your new boyfriend too! You can do this! We can beat this evil little monster. :drinker:

Mike, Congrats your new life! I have lost and gained the same 40 pounds atleast times, so I am obviouly still learning. I have tried numerous other programs, but MFP seems to really work! The food options in the tracker are amazing. Good luck! You can do this! Wait.. no.. WE CAN DO THIS!!!

Its actually pretty easy once you start choosing foods that actually help you feel full. Whole grains, fruit, dairy, the good stuff. Remember to eat a little bit all day so your body stays in "I am not going to starve and die mode".