Teelbee – I must say, that setpoint thing is interesting. That would explain why it’s so VERY, VERY easy to gain that weight back so quickly. As you said, once you hit goal, it’s time to be extra vigilant to be sure you can maintain the lose. Wow, I never thought of it actually taking 2 years but it does make sense. Afterall, if we can’t even look in the mirror and see our new body, what makes us think our body sees itself as thin? Thanks for your support.

Hartensia – Your post brought me to tears. Thank you so much for your kind words. I never thought about it that way but I do agree. It is easier to learn from people who have had hard knocks because they know from whence they speak! LOL

Susan – You are right on the money. Effort is certainly what it takes. And not just while losing, it’s going to take effort to maintain as well. Thanks for your encouragement. I’m glad my posting helped you a little. That’s part of why I did it. Not only to help myself, but to help others as well. I know I’m not in this alone.

Barb – Yes! I do feel cleansed! LOL For the last month I’ve felt like I was hiding from the world and everyone would think I was a failure. And being a mod and all, someone people are supposed to look up to. I just felt terrible but now, I’m raring to go! Thanks.

Rob – Thank you so much. Now I’m really crying. All you guys are so nice to me. Yes, I am going to take this at whatever pace happens naturally. I am NOT going to push it. I’m tired of that. Some months I may do well and lose 10 pounds, other months I may only lose 1 but that’s fine. I am no longer in a race.

Karen – Yes, I believe I will be struggling with this for the rest of my life too. I believe in my heart that I will not always have to lose weight. I KNOW I will make it to goal one day but I also now realize that it WILL take effort to stay there. Like you, I often wonder why me? But of course, I never seem to get an answer to that question so I think I’ll stop asking now and just get on with things! LOL

Michelle – “I was so close, yet very far away in my eyes” Tell me about it! You nailed that. I’ve come to realize that I not only have to lose weight, I also have to RETRAIN myself to see myself the way I really am. Congrats on your loss! 35 pounds means you’re 1/3 of the way there.

Deb – Excellent point. I DO feel so much better when I’m on plan. Do I enjoy carbs, sure. I have many favorites that taste yummy but the fact remains that they make me unhealthy, make me feel terrible, and cause me to not be comfortable in tiny Cathay Pacific airline seats! LOL Next time I take a trip, I’ll EXTRA room!

Clare – Yes, some carb-laden things ARE nice. LOL Good for you for resisting. You know, one day you’ll probably be able to have a slice of that carrot cake but it just won’t be NEAR as often as you’d like. Same for me with fresh French bread. Once in a GREAT while but not often. Thanks for your support.

Shortie - Thanks. I’ll definitely be hanging in there thanks to all the help from the kind, caring people on this board.

Barb L. – Your post made me laugh outloud! Yes, nothing tells the story like pictures. I also realized that looking at my recent vacation photos. Gosh, is that me again? I think you’re right, learning to make this woe a lifestyle is key to success.

Doc – “237 on the WAY DOWN is a lot more fun than 186 was on the WAY UP. I keep that in mind.” Now that’s a keeper. Excellent point. As for cheats, we all have our own ideas about that. Myself, I would NEVER call pizza, pasta, and gelato in Italy a cheat! LOL That’s a necessity. And you’re right, having to fight my weight the rest of my life just might be what I have to do. If so, fine! I’m ready. With lc I know I can do it.

Febe - Thanks for the invite, I might just take you up on that.

Mona – I’m a Taurus and also feel the drive for perfection. Silly! The world is not a perfect place. Thanks for your words of encouragement, you’re right. I would tell a friend to hang in there and that I knew she could do it.

See, this is exactly why I come to this board and have remained a part of it for so long.

The people. The members. YOU ARE GREAT!

This is the place where you get a helping hand if you fall off the horse, not a finger wagging in your face. I love it.

Thanks to everyone.


Member since 2001
http://www.ilovelowcarb.com
Size 24(start lowfat)/Size 18(start LC)/Size 14/Size 8

Marcie - you have recieved wonderful advice and support from the people on this board. I have just one thing to add. I suggest you check out something called the Skinnydaily Post - www.skinnydaily.com (someone on this board turned me onto it actually). Its a daily blog written by a woman who has lost over 100lbs and her stuggles to maintain. I have found her writing to be enormously helpful.

__________________________________________________ _____

"The passion that comes from the true Sox fans, and you know who you are, is unparalleled in baseball. Fanatics? yes. Lunatics? yes. Insane? you bet. I wouldn't have it any other way. It's a crazy ride, but it's our crazy ride and we'll take it and enjoy it or keel over trying!" ~ thisistheyear.com

Thanks, I'll check that out. Sounds interesting.


Member since 2001
http://www.ilovelowcarb.com
Size 24(start lowfat)/Size 18(start LC)/Size 14/Size 8

Lynn (sorry I have been here almost as long as you and I have trouble changing names for people). We all struggle. I totally understand waking and being TIRED of having to THINK about ever BITE you TAKE! But, that is our lives. My suggestion for you, when I just can't imagine eating another egg or nut or whatever, I switch to CALP! Then I look forward to 1 hour of variety! I basically follow Atkins, but when I have had enough...CALP is what I do. Sometimes for just one day, sometimes for several.

HTH

Monica
206/164/159
Basically following maintenance

MarcieLynn,

I don't think there's much more I could say that all these wonderful people haven't said already.

I have yet to feel anything but happiness from this WOE so far, but then I haven't had any long stalls, or struggles with cheating. I AM realizing how much time and concentration that food is taking for me and the wife nowadays. I'm sure glad I have the extra energy thing going, or I'd be flat exhausting myself every day. I don't know about everyone else, but we're finding this WOE to be quite a bit more expensive. Not just for the few prepared foods we eat, but all the fresh meats, veggies, cheeses, etc. It is adding some stress, but I'm seeing the benefits of that stress everyday.

Sometimes revelations come from the simplest things. The other night, I had to take kiddo to the Doc with a slight ear infection. The chairs in the waiting room were fairly small, and over the last two years, I'd always stood, or perched on the front of one with just enough of my substantial butt to keep me in place. Still far from comfortable. Well the other night, I looked at that chair, and my initial reaction was the same. Then I told myself "wait a minute!" and just sat down. Not only did I fit, but I was even comfortable.

For me the hardest thing is not seeing my body change much in the mirror. It still looks like the old me in there. Sunday, when I measured and recorded my progress, I looked at my starting points and put the tape measure to those lengths while it was around me. That was sure enlightening!

I think I'm beginning to relate to what you say, though about "losing weight defining you". I think it will probably define me for the rest of my life now, too. Well, that's pennance for the first 43 years of my life where I didn't even give it a second thought. Whenever I get tempted, and that is plenty with 2 carbers in the house, I tell myself, " I don't do this just to lose weight, I do it to;

Be able to ride rollercoasters with my grandson,
Walk in the morning without pain,
Sleep without acid bile in my throat,
Sit in a lawn chair without collapsing it,
Wear shoes without caving them in on the outside,
Play army men on the floor with kiddo and be able to get up without a struggle,
Get on a crowded elevator without making it go "buzz",
Sit in an airline seat for 2 hours,
Attend School Skate Night, and put on a pair,
And mainly to be here when kiddo graduates, high school, college, and beyond...

Mikeyrat

Started Atkins 5/30/2003
337/276.5/237 - 6'2" 43 YO
Wife: 224/194/165 - 5'11"

Marci

You have been an inspiration and help to us all. Your confession is also an inspiration. You are a woman to admire.

Welcome back to the WOL you kept us going on.

Thanks

Lynn
6/6/03
163/152/145
38/33/39.25 5'8"

Hey Marcie! {{{{{{{}}}}}}}}} A big hug from me! You may not need it, but to tell the truth, I need to give it to you!

You are one of the people who so encouraged me when I started this WOL almost a year ago now. I'm 11 lbs from goal and back fro my European months vacation. I remember you saying about your vacation, "I ate what I wanted," and believe it or not it gave me some permission to have a good eating time.

However, I also walked my fool head (and feet) off, and sweated like a true athlete because of the heat in Europe this past summer. So, I didn't gain a lot of weight despite the rolls, beer and desserts.

I've missed you so much! I, too, have noticed your absence and wondered about you. I have prayed for you and yearned for your assurance and loving non-judgemental presence. I'm so glad you are back.

Confession is good for the soul. I hope that it has worked for you. You KNOW that none of us needed to hear where you have been. But, I KNOW that all of us welcome you back as a fellow traveler on this lifetime journey.

As a Pastor, this lesson is one that I have had to learn over and over again in my ministry. NO ONE expects me to be perfect. But, I often do expect it of myself. It is only when I confess that my struggles mirror those of the people that I serve that I can be effective. It is a puzzling paradox, and one with which I struggle constantly.

Welcome back, my dear. I hope that you feel embraced by all of us.
Peg
1/1/03
205/177/165 5'8"

Hey Marcie!
I am in the same boat as you. I started this WOL Jan 2002 at 223 lbs. In about 9 months I was down to 160. I never could lose those last 20 lbs. I was stuck. I started cheating a couple of months ago and I have gradually put on 10 lbs. I guess the way I have been eating, I am lucky it is only 10 lbs. I feel guilty because everyone goes on and on about how strong I am and how proud they are. And I have at least 5 people who come to me for advice, questions, and motivation. They don't know about the 10 lbs yet but if I put on much more it will be obvious. I was down to a size 12 but those are getting a little tight now. Well, I am back on track now and I intend to stay on track. It is a lot harder this time around but this is the first weekend in a while that I have not cheated. Just be strong. We did it once, we can do it again.

223/170/140

First of all, Marcie, thanks for the great thread. It really got me thinking about the whole weight loss issue, and the feeling of "this is it, forever"

Last summer, I was on a little holiday with 13 yr. old son. I was watching other folks eat french fries and eat ice cream, and having this awful "it's not fair, I'm never going to be able to eat those things (without dire consequences) again" It really made me want to quit the program on the spot. It was a rotten feeling, with lots of self-pity involved.

Somehow, I got past that day and continued on the LC road. I don't know if I'll ever really feel like it's all fair somehow, but, when you get down to it, Americans have it easy when it comes to eating. There's millions (billions?) of folks around the planet skinny because of lack of food, and that can't be rectified at this time. I know it's not fair for them.

John

July 03, 2003
202/172.5/170