worm2butterfly2012's Journal, 15 July 2013

Don't give up! you've come this far, just keep going. Muscle weighs more than fat, and when you exercise and build your muscles, yes, you gain muscle weight.(I ride a recumbent bike.) My highest weight (a few years ago) was 418, so I know your journey has not been easy. Also, I went online and ordered my son some insta slim tank style shirts. Out of curiosity, I tried one on. To my amazement, it helped to support my excess skin and allows me to move more freely (have permanent internal stitches OUCH!) with no pulling. And I don't need my abdominal binder with it. Other than flattening my breasts a little, it helped my clothes fit better too. It is not like Spanx, thin and easy to ladder. It is very strong. This might help you feel better too! By the way, if you send me an email address, I will send you my cookbook. The weight clinic at UAB Hospital has given several recipes from it to others. (108 calorie cheesecake, 152 calorie quesadilla, etc.) Anything I can do to help, just holla. It's too important a journey to just give up. 

congratulations! How nice to fit into new clothes that didn't fit before. Slow and steady is a great way to get weight off and keep it off. You're doing great. Believe in yourself - first start acting like you believe, and pretty soon you will. A trick my Momma told me that has helped me in stressful trial or argument settings is, last thing before you go to sleep, tell yourself three things that are important to you (for me, before a trial or important hearing, I tell myself that I'm going to be articulate, that I'm going to think quickly on my feet, and that I will be confident). Then, first thing in the morning, before you even get out of bed, tell yourself the same three important things. I swear it helps. Figure out the three things (not two, not four) and follow this pattern. It'll help make the three important things reality for you.