evangsimmons:

You have to ask yourself how bad do you want to change your life and lose the weight.  This is more than just reducing the numbers on the scale; it's a whole new way of life. 

You are so right Evang!  It's just me and my husband at home, and he isn't exactly my best support buddy.  He won't even try some of the delicious Alli recipes I've made.  So I make his meals, and make mine too. He's my unwitting garbage disposal.  I use up some of the leftover things from my food plan to make his meals.  Obviously, I don't let him in on this :-)

I've been on this plan for a month now and have lost 10 pounds and lots of inches.  The inches are dissapearing faster than the pounds.  Why I'm not so sure yet, but very happy nonetheless.  It is indeed a new way of life.  In this short time, I don't even want stuff like pizza when there are so many healthier, more satisfying food choices.  Right now it's about me, my health, and how I feel about myself. 

How to get motivated?  Take a good, long, hard look at yourself and make a commitment to yourself.  Not to anyone else.  To yourself.  Next, check in on the forums for your age group and your "want to lose X pounds" category.  I've met so many wonderful, supportive people in these forums.  Support buddies are so important.

Step on in, the water's fine!

Mary

 Wow Evang, please don't apologize for long posts.  Please write more of these!  Every sentence was wonderful!

I still buy whole chicken and roast it.  Patrick gets some for dinner with his necessary trimmings.  Dog Monster gets some with her dry food.  I portion out 2 oz servings for myself, bag them up with celery and red onion, and presto, I have chicken salad ready for myself for lunch or dinner even for quick, easy, think ahead meals.  They can have all the skin and dark meat they want :-)

Mary

Mary,

You are indeed right!  I've lost weight in the past, the most being 70 pounds about 2 years ago.  But I gained it all back.  My motivations were not where they should have been.  My husband is deployed, so I have this time to focus on me.  I have been able to accomplish so many big things in my life, and my weight is the one area where I have heretofore felt defeated.  But no more!  I am more than a conqueror and will win the battle of the bulge once and for all.  I get excited when I stop to think about the new me...my new life....and a closet full of pretty, bright, smaller clothes.

We're on our way!

Mary,

Sounds great!  A few months ago, my husband bought me a jumbo George Foreman grill.  It's big but still fits on top of the counter.  I never put it away because I use it so much.  I can grill about 5-6 chicken breasts at one time.  I love that thing.  I can go from nothing cooked to having dinner ready in about 20 minutes or less by the time I cook some brown rice and steam some vegetables.  I work full-time and go to 2 colleges, plus I'm active in my church.  My time is extremely limited.  So I need to be able to cook healthily quickly.

Glad we're both learning that there's more than one way to skin a cat, as my mom used to say.  (No offense if you're a cat enthusiast.)

 Wow, Ev, you're a busy gal!

I'm sorry that your husband is deployed and will pray for his quick and safe return to you.  Meanwhile, getting in shape will give you something to focus on now.  I just love your positive attitude.  Exercise is a great stress buster should it creep up on you.

I use my grill outside, but have been looking at those George Forman's for when the weather turns colder.  Just went into the kitchen to figure out where I'd put it.  Ah ha!  Don't need that stand mixer or deep fryer on the counter anymore!  In fact, that deep fryer is going in my garage sale stash right now!

Have a great day,

Mary

Mary,

Thanks for your words of encouragement.  My main objective is to remove any excuse for not eating right.  So far it's working.

 Like most of the responders pointed out,  having a piece of pizza is not a bad thing.  And we're all looking at a lifestyle change, not a diet.  What I try to remember every time temptation toys with my common sense is that every bite I take, every food available is a choice I make each and every time.  Yesterday morning I went out to eat with a club I belong to.  I studied the menu for twenty minutes trying to make the best choice.  I decided on a mushroom omelet only to learn it was made with 3 eggs and topped off with tons of cheese.   I later told my husband we should have split it in half and we both would have benefited.  But after an hour of berating myself for not doing better,  I decided to let it go and start again.  In 3 weeks, I've lost 5 lbs.   I hadn't lost an ounce in the previous 3 yrs trying everything else under the sun.

So hang in there!

 I totally LOVE my George Foreman grill - my hubby got me that crazy new one with the different plates - and I'll tell you what - I can crank out dinner for myself and my son in nothing flat!

Hubby is a chef who loves his cream sauces and stuff - but is being very supportive (as he eats his Doroto's)...  The best part was that I didn't think about the Dorito's and how I wanted them, I thought about how he shouldn't be eating those and how bad they are for him... which is a change for me ;-)

Keep it up everyone ;-)

 I love Buffalo Wing pizza!  I tried this: WW Boboli Thin Crust, FF Blue Cheese Dressing, FF Mozzarella, Boneless/Skinless cooked chicken breast sliced & tossed with Red Hot, and Reduced Fat Blue cheese crumbles.  It literally came out better than using the full-fat ingredients!!!!  Before it was so greasy that the pizza was soggy.  You can eat half the pizza and still be within the proper limits.  Good luck everyone!