I am commiting today to a change in perspectives and placing my health in the forefront, for myself, my husband, and my future.  Two summer ago, I lost a significant amount of weight and since August '07 some of it has slowly crept back on.  I place the blame on regressing to little exercise, a mandatory daily scrub uniform, and getting married to someone who has to constantly try NOT to lose weight.

So this is my story as I fight to become fit and healthy...feel free to join in.

It has not been an easy start. Yesterday was a big blow to my ego.  I went out for a "run" (which means a slow as molasses mix of walking and jogging) only to come home and realize my husband had gone to walk the same distance and beat me back :-(  But I am trying to use that as motivation. I'm sure if I was his weight I could go a lot faster too!

At my highest...178

My current "starting" weight...157

2 pounds lost over the last 2 weeks with diet and exercise

I am starting alli today and hope the pounds continue to fall

I'm not sure what my end goal is, I think I'll be happy with anything in the 130's (perferably lower 130's!!!)

Hey, It doesn't matter who beat who back to the house.  What really matters is that you are doing something about your weight. The fact that you got out there and exercised is all that matters.   You and only you are in control of how healthy you want to live.  You've lost 2 lbs so far so you already know you can do this.  You just have to be committed to a lifestyle change.  Keep posting and let us know how you are doing.

Liz

Hey, my son ALWAYS beats me back! Actually, he goes ahead, then comes back for me or waits for me, then goes ahead again. but hes a 6ft 15 year old - he's got more umph than I do, but I'm getting there! Every little bit helps!! Keep up the good work. 

Hey everyone!

Thanks for the words of encouragement! I am trying to stay positive through this battle and will continue to celebrate my own goals and accomplishments instead of worrying about how others perceive me :-)

Day 2 went well, even though I forgot to take my alli last night with dinner--but today I have been extra dedicated to the plan. I am desperately trying to stay away from the scale until my sunday check-in's so I won't get too obsessed with numbers. It's hard though b/c I want to see daily results!! 

Unfortunately, almost all of us have become scale addicted! I know that I weigh myself several times a day, not the brightest thing to do but I can't seem to help myself. The results will come, just hang tight and know that we are all here with you, on the same boat!! 

How do you post your stats at the end of each email? Is there a way to make it automatic or do you just always type it in?

To post your stats, or anything else you want to put in, go to the Alli home page; click on My Account in the upper right hand corner; scroll down to Edit  Profile on the left; in the box labeled Signature type in whatever you like..then save...If you type in your stats you will have to go back and change your weight as you lose. Once you put it in, it will always be there whenever you post unless you delete it. I hope this answers your question.

Liz

Thanks for the info Liz!

 I'm so happy with the changes I have made this week. Not only do I use food to comfort me in times of stress, I also use shopping as a way to make myself feel better. This week I went to a Coach outlet and LOVED a purse on clearance! It was over 1/3 off the original price and I resisted the overwhelming urge to buy! Luckily, it's not very close to where I live b/c I have thought of it several times since then!

Then yesterday someone brought several pans of brownies into the department I was working in. Usually when this happens I take a piece when offered and then take like a whole row of treats when no one else is around. This time I took a very small piece (about 1in square) and never went back!

I think spending so much time on these boards helps to keep reminding me of my commitment to lose weight! Where in the past, it's easy to just eat b/c everyone else around me is eating and then beat myself up later for "forgetting" my goals.

We are kindred spirits!  I also turn to food for comfort and love to shop to lift my spirits.  But I can tell you that it gets easier to control both as time goes by.  My cravings for food, especially sweets, hasn't gone away altogether but I am able to fight them off most of the time.  Each time you are victorious over food it makes the next battle a little easier to win.  Last night I had to talk myself out of eating a Weight Watcher's ice cream sandwich.  I knew I had eaten enough; I knew I wasn't hungry; I just wanted it because they taste good.  I have to get busy in order to get my mind off of food when the munchies hit.  If I am really  hungry I will eat something.  But if I know I just want the pleasure of eating the food I will do something to occupy my mind for awhile.  It works better the more you do it.  I still go to bed sometimes wanting a snack I know I don't need, but in the moring I am always so happy that I resisted the urge.  I also started exercising almost every day.  I know that if I eat something just to be eating it, I will cancel out all the hard work I put into the exercise.  And I hate to exercise!  This strategy works most of the time too. 

I love brownies!  I don't know if I could have resisted them or not if they were put in front of me.  Congratulations for having enough determination to leave them alone.  It sounds like you're going to have a good handle on food.  I agree that the message boards help us to stay focussed and motivated.  I love them.

Liz

I almost made it through my whole first week without any setbacks.  Even last night we went out to eat to celebrate my passing my board exams and I ate about 1/2 my reasonably healthy meal and then asked the server to box it up.  Then tonight we went for an hour walk and my husband suggested we go to my favorite place to eat and not only did I order something horribly fattening--I ate everything on my oversized plate, which I haven't done for the last month or so. Plus, b/c I didn't expect to go--I didn't have my alli but I'll probably still have the TEs b/c I have not missed a single dose since last Sunday. 

Tomorrow is my weigh-in so I hope it doesn't affect me too much. I had lost 3 pounds so far this week and I was super excited, that will make for a combined 5 pounds.

I was a little down when I went shopping today and everything I tried on was super tight but I know it is just a matter of time.  Has anyone else noticed they aren't the same size as they were when they were gaining the weight?  I precisely remember the day I hit 152 for the first time--it was my friend's 21st bday and I had to go out and buy size 12 pants to wear for her party. Now I would love to be a comfortable size 12--I am more like a size 14 waist and 16/18 leg which of course no one makes and I don't have the budget for tailoring!

I like that you decided that this is going to be for you and not for the way you look to others.  I believe that is a really important distinction to make.  You are so worth it!

By the way, I have one of those "skinny" husbands.  He is supportive, but...  Suffice to say that he can put three Oreos on a plate and it takes him half the evening to finish them -- a bite here, a bite there while he is reading, etc.  When I eat Oreos, Babe, it's by the row.  I am trying to learn what seems to come naturally to him.

Anyway, so far our daughter seems to take after his body type and eating habits.  Yaay!

You are on the way.  You can do it.  When I look at my progress, I can't believe that i am about halfway there!

OK.  So you had a slip up.  We all do.  The important thing is to put it behind you and get back on track immediately.  Don't let it discourage you and don't use it as an excuse to give up.  If you didn't take a pill before the meal you should not have TEs.  The Alli doesn't stay in your system that long.  Now, if you had taken the pill prior to eating a meal heavy in fat, that is when you will have the TEs because the pill removes excess fat from your digestive tract before your body can absorb it. 

One week is a bit early to go shopping and expect to see a difference in the size of clothes you wear.  But that day will come soon if you stick to the program.  My 'day of reckoning came when I had to buy a dress for a funeral and had to buy a 'tent.'   We all have had those painful moments.

I hope you did well on your boards.  I am sure you are happy to have that behind you.  Keep posting and let us know how you are doing.

LIz

You should tell your husband to walk with you and keep you company while on this frustrating journey!  If he has to try to keep weight on, then he doesn't need to race you.  Maybe by having him with you it'll challenge you to walk faster or a longer distance.  In any event, be glad that you're on your way and ignore anything/body that is adding to an already frustrating task!  Good luck!