PaulaRicco Member

That's a lot of progress for one month! Go you!

I'm so happy for you that you quit smoking! Good luck on your journey :)

You're honesty is so refreshing, it sounds like you are ready to embrace change. Joining MFP has helped keep me motivated and accountable in so many ways, I hope it does the same for you :) I have had many set backs myself and I just want you to know that you can always move forward, no matter what. Congratulations on your…

You look great! Hard work pays off! Congrats!

You look amazing! Give yourself the credit you deserve :)

So inspiring, great job!

Wow!!! Great job!

Wow, you look great! Such great progress, very inspiring!!!

Thank you for posting this. I think there are a lot of people out there who feel this way. It's definitely hard to stay motivated on such a long journey. But that's really what it is - a journey! And each day is one more step on that journey towards your goal. So my advice is take one day at a time. Decide what you will do…

One day at a time! I go through these down times too. Living in the present has really helped me - I like to say that in 2013 I worked on taking a major chill pill. Instead of regretting the past and worrying about the future, focus on how you feel right now. And maybe you feel crappy right now, and that's alright! You can…

First of all, every bride is beautiful! You will most definitely look Beautiful! Go for a fitting. ASAP. Explain to the seamstress exactly what you explained here - that you've gained weight due to surgery. And then talk to her about your options - you might not have to lose 25 lbs to fit back into it. Bridal dresses are…

Incredible! Very inspiring story!

"Would you rather your child learn the importance of self-care, or would you rather model that a mother's duty is sacrifice and her needs are not important?" - THIS!!! The fact that you are having this concerns already speaks worlds about what a great Mom you are!!! As your kids get older, they'll be able to do more and…

Me too. When I was an unhealthy eater, I was in love with food. Now that I'm a healthier eater, I over obsess about healthy food. I pre-package everything and pack it in a lunch box for the day. Somehow knowing what I have to eat for the day allows me to forgo over-thinking about my next meal a little because I know it's…

It most certainly sounds like a Twilight Zone Episode! Most people are so mislead about what health and fitness is and how to get there - so many people want the quick fix. But if it was quick and easy, wouldn't we all be svelte Olympic athlete-type hard-bodies walking around in size 0 jeans? It's not quick and easy, you…

I've been on a lifestyle journey for about a year now and what really helps me is focusing on all the other benefits of training and eating healthy besides the weight loss. Like how much stronger I am, how much more stamina I have, and how I get sick far less frequently. Living in the present helps as well. Instead of…

AMAZING! You go girl!!!

Does your job provide you with health insurance? If so, maybe it's time to remind your boss that it is in their best interest to support you being in the best shape possible because it keeps health care costs down. I work at a family-owned business and everyone is encouraged to be as healthy as possible - they even let me…

I want to be the best version of myself that I can be. I no longer spend my life wishing and hoping - I spend my life doing!

Amazing! Bring on 2014!!!

Wow, thank you all so much for the great advice. I was feeling really down about this lately and hearing your support has made me feel so much more at peace with this issue.

No doubt holidays are tough when it co0mes to food - I've had a few moments these past two weeks that I wish I could just fast forward to January 1st. Firstly, don't skip your work outs. I know for me, the days I begin with an early morning workout, I'm more likely to make healthy food choices. Plus, if you do slip up and…

"If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten." - For when I'm feeling resistant to change!

So many changes in my life helped me control my binge behavior - and I don't mean just binge eating, I mean binge everything. Binge facebooking, binge spending, even binging on negative self talk! I hit a point that I realized that binging automatically put me in a place where I wasn't in control of myself and I knew I…

In my own experience, people tend to project their own insecurities onto others. Stay strong, it sounds like you're working really hard to do what's best for YOU - not anyone else. :) Hang in there!

What a difference a year can make! You look great!

WOW! Keep it up, you're on a roll! Great job!

Excellent advice! While yes, it is only one day, for many people eating a ton on this one day snowballs into a 4 day food fest! And THAT can majorly derail even the most experienced MFP'er. I plan on taking your advice, thanks for sharing!

Speaking from my own experience, I just try to plan ahead - I squeeze in an extra workout during the day and then try to have food at home waiting for me that I like. That way, even if I go for the bad stuff, I've got a few more exercise calories in the bank. One meal can not derail all your hard work, just don't don't go…

Wow! You look like a totally different person, great job!