Thanks ;)

I joined Fatsecret.com one year ago and I've lost 30 pounds. I've still got a long way to go, but I'm headed in the right direction! The support and education I've received here have been life-changing. Thanks everyone! [img]http://farm3.static.flick...

I usually work out late in the evening and I like it. It does take me a while to fall asleep, but once I do, I sleep like a log!

I've not gained any weight recently, but I feel like my pants are tight and that I don't look as good as I did a few months ago. I haven't been working out very much, and so I'm thinking that I may have lost some muscle, and gained some fat??? How do you measure your body fat? Do you have to go to a doctor? Does the gym have something you can use?

I usually say weigh in only once a week, but this morning I broke my own rule and it paid off. I woke up wanting a big bowl of Fruit Loops, but after seeing my progress (I'd lost a few pounds) I decided I wanted oatmeal instead. Yay for me!

I say focus on health. Try not to worry too much about that loose skin. After carrying a child and having a c-section, I think it's pretty normal. Work out, get healthy and take care of your little guy. It's okay to love yourself with an imperfect body.

This is so strange because I am also 5'7, but at 190 pounds I wear a size 16. Everyone's body is so, so different.

Obviously JacquiLand "could have eaten something much healthier." I also think it's obvious that what she's looking for is encouragement and to know that she's not alone in her weakness, which she's not. Come on, kstubblefield, surely you know how she feels.

I hear ya. I've been at the same weight (give or take a few pounds) for months. I'm happy that I've not gained any back, but disappointed in my decision to slack off.

This story is so disturbing.

Great post!

I love how simple it really is. I've had several people ask me how I've lost so much weight. They are looking for something specific, like HCG, Atkins or Weight Watchers I think. I tell them that I enjoy all foods in moderation and that I started working out. They are always surprised that it wasn't something more dramatic. The trick to losing weight is not difficult to understand, but changing lifelong habits is really hard for most of us. That's why so many people out there are looking for an easy out.

Fatsecret.com is the most successful "diet" I have ever been on in my whole life. I haven't been at a weight this low for 9 years! If I don't lose another pound (but I will) I will still be very pleased with my success!

I love my body because I've lost 30 pounds and still have the same cup size! Rock on!

For me personally, a weekend of not eating right causes me to gain water weight. I seriously doubt you gained 3 pounds of fat over the weekend. That would be over 10,000 excess calories! I'm guessing you'll be back down to where you were in no time at all. Just keep working on it and don't stress too much about weekend slips.

My sister motivates me by wearing my fat pants. Every time I see her in them, it reminds me of how big I let myself get. I never want to go there again. Also my father, who is a diabetic, recently had a leg amputated. That is a big one for me.

I fast once a month as part of a religious observance. I eat dinner on Saturday night, and then not again until Sunday night. I've always found it to be positive experience.

Do you do cardio on a treadmill or elliptical? These are the machines I use most and I love watching movies or TV while doing it. If you have an Ipod (that holds videos) or an Ipad (my personal favorite), take it with you. I've watched 3 seasons of 24 while on the treadmill. It makes the time fly by!

I've never had and bariatric procedures done, so I can't comment on any specific option or program. But there have been 5 members of my immediate family who have had gastric bypass surgery and what I've witnessed has convinced me that it is a mistake. They have ALL gained significant weight back and two of them have had complications that require additional surgeries. Also, their mental health issues were not addressed and so they either became severely depressed, alcoholics or shopoholics. So, my point is, if there is a nonsurgical solution, I vote for THAT one.

K8yk, you are SO right about that. Trying to avoid negative feelings will only work for so long. Exercise is a great tool for me too. I always feel better afterward. Maybe I should try working out in the morning. I'd have to get up at 5:30, but maybe it would work. Mslissa...I have a great friend that is such a support to me when I'm feeling like that. She's worth her weight in gold to me. I've never found any other positive way to "feed emotional exhaustion". I think that it is inevitable with 4 children. They just take and take and take. I feel like I take care of my children, my husband & other people's children (I run a home daycare) and NO ONE takes care of me. It's a huge challenge to find joy in motherhood some days. I know this sounds negative, but I'm just keeping it real! I love my kids so I am trying to make positive changes in my own life in order to be a happier, more energetic mother and a better example to my kids. Okay, the rant is over. Life is good.