OMG I would have died.

I really like your idea for the vase to actually see how much you have accomplised. I soo know what you mean about your back hurting and feeling blah all the time. I went from a size 4 to a size 16 that I am now. Gained 30lbs in about 5 months and I am so affriad of becoming huge and not being attractive anymore. What hurts the most is this summer my boyfriends mom had taken a picture of me and said that I looked like I was pregnant.

I know that we all can accomplish the goals we want to achive with the support :]

That's how I felt a long time ago.  Was in a 22-24 and just did not realize how big I really was.  UNTIL......the boyfriend, now husband, took a picture of me without me knowing..  Woa, who WAS that woman?  At 300 lbs it was scary.  Buckled down and got down to 140 in about 2 years.  It was hard but the end result was/is worth it. 

 Maintained for 3 years and it started creeping back on.  With work and everything else I lost track of me.  Now it is a matter of time. Exercise and watching how much of what you eat is key.  Drink all your water, it does help the hunger.  Liking your vase idea.  I do rewards for every 10 I shed and maintain off.  Little things.  Manicure, new haircut....that type of thing.  I also allow myself a food treat once a week so I don't feel deprived and binge.  Knowing that what I choose for the week is waiting for me helps to keep me on the straight and narrow for the rest of it.  Something small, does not even have to be a sweet.  Sometimes it is just something that is not a diet food.  Shrimp and pasta is a food I adore.  Get your support group together.  That is a must.

The biggest is what you already plan to do.  Stick to it.  See ya around and about, all my best. 

Mary

THIS IS A GOOD FIRST STEP. I HAVE ALWAYS FOUND IT HARD TO DIET ON YOUR OWN. I LIKE YOUR IDEA BUT I PUT A DOLLAR INTO THE POT EACH WEEK OF WEIGHT LOSS OR INCHES LOST(DUE TO MUSCLE GAIN). THIS HELPS WITH LITTLE BIT OF CLOTHING HERE AND THERE. $30 AT THE END OF THE MONTH OR MORE. EACH TIME I  PASS UP MY FAVORITE ICECREAM I GIVE MY SELF EXTRA DIBBS FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING. PLUS MY SISTER SAID SHE WOULD MATCH WHATEVER I HAVE AT THE END OF THE MONTH OR TAKE ME TO TENNESEE ON VACATION ALL EXPENCES PAID. THIS IS A GREAT IDEA.

THANK YOU,

WOE

Welcome to the community, Courtney! I am sure you'll do well. I am in my first week and it takes some getting used to. For me it took a lot of organizing since I was used to eating out all the time. The site meal planner is great though and takes the burden off. It's especially neat that they have the "substitution" button so I  can get other oprions besides what SF is suggesting.  Good luck to you on this weight loss expedition.

~Robin

I am new... I started after i got tired of buying bigger and bigger clothes i would start buying sweat pant and stretchy shorts and just be comfortable... I never really knew how big i was getting till one day my boyfriend has his hands wrapped around my stomach  while stand in a store and a lady offered us a creditcard since "we had a baby on the way" which is what she though and told us we would need it for that... i was in no way pregnant and i relized how big i gotten i use to be able to get into a size7 and now im a size 20 or maybe even a 22 now... i feel so horrible... i always feel sick, my back always hurts... and its becoming really unhealthy... I decided that was the end of it... i was going to get healthy and feel better... I am day 2 right now officially and i can tell you i am hungry but i think the word skinny in my head and it disappears.. because the word skinny triggers me thinking about how things will be better then... i am also going to be doing a "Pound Away Jar" I will have a tall vase and I am going to use these cute little diamond in pink and clear i saw at walmart but you can use stones and put one in for every pound i lose... so instead of desert as a reward my reward is adding another diamond or stone and plus i get to watch my progress till all the stone as in the vase... i am excited any of you girls have tips you can pass to me