the little train that could...
 

Having that mentality is what helped me...

I definitely became discouraged many, many times... And some months it seemed like my body stalled and didn't want to lose any more weight... But I kept plugging at it!

So far it's been 10 months since I reached maintenance through the WW flex points system and I've maintained my 20lb weight loss.

Ladies,

I must say that I am very proud of each and every one of you... those who've already reached their goals, those in the process of reaching their goals, and those who haven't even started the process but have decided they want to do something about their current health!

Isn't losing weight such a powerful thing. I personally confirmed after I reached my goal weight, that there is nothing that I can't achieve. It just may take patience, persistence, determination, and hard work!

So ladies remember... I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!
:)

Soror, I have been doing the flex since last june and just started the Core, but I still counts points, I'm just eating mostly fruits and veggies, with a bit of whole wheat carbs and that's how I mixed FS with Core. I would only eat oatmeal (the oatmeal that takes a long time to cook) in the morning, salad or grilled veggies for lunch, with fruits in between when I was hungry. for dinner I would do a bean dish like a lettuc wrap. I got real creative and it worked.


Ideal I hear you, that's why I combined FS with Core, so that way I won't gain it back if I eat the "wrong" things. I had several glasses of wine this weekend at a wine festivel, I had BBQ yesterday with a small side of potato salad, and ran 3 miles this morning. Still eating my oatmeal in the morning, salad or veggies in the afternoon and maybe some brown rice in the evening.

But I tell you one thing..when you can't have all the "wrong" food is when you start craving it more.

Does anyone know where I might find a good (used ok if good warranty) stairmaster for $1500 or less? I have been looking but it seems like these things are thousands of dollars. Saw one for 7K.:confused:

This is the only cardio machine that does anything for me that I've found to date. The treadmill ...forget about it.

Also, has anyone had any experience with at home weight training (like with dumbbells) for keeping the pounds off? Seems like this might be a good alternative to cardio, which may mess up the hair. lol.

SC

Try craigslist or Sears- they have some pretty good equipment there.

i have a elliptical by reebok and it HURTS like a stairmaster. I don't see my model listed on their website, but maybe you can check local sporting goods stores or even craigslist. Mine was purchased new for under $500 and it is gym quality.

Congratulations to you ladies that are doing the darn thing! I guess I may be alone on this but I RE-FEE-USE to get on a scale and weigh myself. For me, the scale is my enemy. If I get on the scale and it says that I have not lost anything it will discourage me from continuing on my journey back to a size 6 my pre-pregnancy size. I had a baby a little over a year ago and I thought that I would be like my sisters and just automatically go back to my pre-pregnancy size. Well, that did not happen for me. After having my son I was a size 13/14. I could not fit even a half of a leg into my clothes! I knew I was not about to go out and buy a whole new wardrope so I had to do something about it. So what I have been doing is just exercising 5 times a week. I do cardio by running up to 3 miles. After I do my cardio, I hit the weight room and either work on my upper body or lower body. As far as eating is concerned, I don't eat dinner or heavy meals past 6:30 pm. If I must have a snack after 6:30, then I eat a piece fruit or raw vegetables. Before I eat any meal I drink a full glass of water with a lemon in it. This helps to curb my appetite so that I don't eat as much. I was never a person to eat fast foods and that has not changed. I still eat the way I always have eaten, mostly grilled or baked chicken or fish and vegetables, staches every now and then. I am not big on fried foods but maybe once a month I'll eat some fried chicken or fish. The problem I have is sugar. Being pregnant gave me a craving for sugars. Now to curb the sugar attacks, I eat fat free low cal pudding or jello. This helps me. Since Feb this year I have dropped 2 dress sizes and am well on my way back to pre-pregnancy size. I am now wearing a 9/10 which is a little big on me too. I can fit some size 8 jeans like the ones from NY and co. Hope this helps someone who like me can't seem to ever get those diets right.

Whoot Whoot

So, I went shopping on my lunch today. I picked up all sixe 16 bottoms and 2x tops (the boobs are STILL outta control).

Well, the dressing room guy was not pleased. I had to take all my clothes back and bring me size 14, which was still a teenie weenie bit loose and size xl tops.

I feel so cool. I started at size 18/20 in January at 208. My goal is to be in my size 12 by Jay birthday next month which would put me at 165-170. Though I won't mind going back to freshman year of college and fitting in size 10 at 150 again.

OK..I'm trying to wipe the grin off but it just aint moving. http://forums.realitytvplanet.com/im.../icon_razz.gif

I began the Extreme Fat Smash Diet on yesterday.

My starting weight is 204 (I'm thick, y'all -- don't let the pictures fool you).

My goal weight (before starting maintenance) will be 168 pounds by September 2.

That's a total weight loss of 36 pounds.

My biggest enemy is the night time hunger pangs. I am JUST FINE all day long. I exercise, eat breakfast (I don't even have an appetite at that time), then eat my second meal at 11am. My third meal is at 2pm.... still, fine, haven't been HUNGRY at all, even though my stomach might rumble.

But when 4pm hits -- a perfect time for my first snack -- I am practically insatiable. Those 25 grapes ain't doing NOTHING. And then later I'll have dinner, and the meal itself will be enough, but I still won't feel SATISFIED -- ya dig?

And NOTHING I may snack on that's "allowed" will help, neither will water.

So I end up being really really irritable, sad, depressed, whatever....at night. :(

This sucks, I wish I never let myself go! Damn the life of an educator!

* Not knowing if I can post here or not... (can I?)

After much time, I've gotten myself to start working out. I know there is no way to go down to the size I was my freshman year (nor do I want to!) but I'd like to tone up. I'm looking into some pilates but can anyone recommend a tape or dvd I can buy? I'm going to Mexico in exactly two months and I really, truly want to fit into my bathing suit! Thanks for any help.

Senusret, can you eat fruit or raw vegies at night for a snack or will that be wrong for this diet? Eating some raw fruit or raw vegies won't add any pounds. If I get hungry at night, I usually grab some carrot sticks and if that's not available I grab an apple or cantalope.

For some great DVD recommendations and user reviews you can try Collage Video.

And welcome! Of course you're welcome to post here.

A better snack would be something that included some protein- almonds are great for that, or pistachios. Are you not allowed that on Extreme Fat Smash?Protein does a much better job at helping you feel full. If it gets really bad then include another healthy snack after dinner (I always do, but then I go to bed so late- hours after dinnertime- that it's not that big of a deal).

The hardest thing to get used to (for me) with weight loss is not feeling full after a meal. Without having ephedra as a crutch to lean on (boy do I miss it, but anyway) I get hungry. Protein is the key- I recently discovered these AMAZING tofurkey sausages. 300 calories each, almost no carbs and they are perfect stir-fried with Pam and an assortment of veggies (mushrooms, broc and red/orange peppers) or a salad.

*sigh* My downfall is always and forever the sweets. It is so hard to walk into Whole Foods and JUST get a salad from the salad bar. I always want to get dessert. And I do, lol. Their bread pudding is ridiculously good after all.

Ephedrine . . .. . .


http://dnevitamins.com/bolt_ephedrine.asp


*

You miiight just have become my hero, you know this right?

Awesome. Thanks. :)

Check your PMs.