I'm back. I haven't been using this group as much as I should sorry

I didn't know when the last I was on here so I checked all my past postings. I noticed when I first came on here it was Dec 2007 and I weighed 200lbs. then I came on again Dec 2008 and again weighed 200lbs. but lost 20lbs. before Christmas...Now ironically I've gravitated back here (Dec 2009) and now weigh about 230lbs. I see a trend happening.

I'm the classic yo-yo dieter and have come to the realization that this year is the year I'm going to stop. This year is different then the rest because I have set clear goals, made deadlines and have even purchased a weight bench. Previous years I didn't set goals, my meal plans were very extravagant, often taking more than 2 hours to prepare each night. and my weight lifting routine took more than 2hours to complete.

This time I am using a couple of really great Ipod apps to make my lifestyle transition go smoother. I've also made my goals more reasonable and the deadlines stretch me but not to the point were I'm going to give up.

I wish everyone all the best this new year, and hope that we are all able to stick to our lifestyle changes from this point on. :-)

I just listen to this weeks show...how ironic

Hi Tom. Welcome back. A similar thing happened to me. I love the show, and I listen regularly. But until I hit a trigger point of realizing that my weight is out of control, I was not coming to the forums here. One year ago, I was making the most significant strides toward weight loss that I could remember. People were commenting on my appearance.

Then Christmas happened. Holiday baking. I got derailed. Tried a little to get back on. Then fell off and never returned to the forums. Until I had gained it all back and more.

So here I am again, one year later, same time of decision. Same forums. And, like you, I have a renewed determination that this is the last time I make my journey, because this time the journey will not end. It is a life change, a paradigm shift. I've missed one day of working out so far. Christmas day.

I am trying to stay active in the forums because I need a support system. There are a few people who are posting regularly, which is nice. People let you know about their own struggles and how they are overcoming them. Good to see that it is not always a straight path with no resistance. Life happens. But we are here for each other!

Welcome back. Rock on.

Sup guys.... I'm pretty much in the same boat. It's good to see a few of us coming out of the woodwork to begin 2010 right. We just have to stick to it and stay motivated.

I look forward to taking to you more in the coming weeks and MONTHS.

Hi Scott. Last time for all of us, right?

Hey Guys,

It's good to see you guys posting again. I was just watching a couple tv shows on TLC where people just gave up and really let themselves go and it was quite sad. My advice is just to never give up and accept that for you guys (including myself), we will always need to be vigilant about our weight.

Part of why I keep working on the show is that it gives me more accountability to keep in shape. It is great that I hear you are going to truly be setting goals this year, because you guys seem very much to be "all or nothing" with your fitness goals. I'm kind-of the same way with working out and I get burned-out and this is a strategy that I use.

I just finished doing a 90 day workout plan for myself that is like a true re-start that is a super easy progression. I planned it out so that every workout gets just a little bit harder and at the end of 90 days I will be doing a workout that will almost kill me today, but I know from experience that it will seem like a moderate workout by then.

My suggestion for you guys is to not attempt to jump right back into going 100%, but set some goals that you are determined to do and make them easily attainable at the start and only gradually get harder.

Good Luck!

Today I dropped my Ipod touch in the toilet LOL I put it in a bag of rice overnight and hope it works tomorrow. 2010 hasn't been nice to me thus far LOL

Good to see some old faces here and can't wait to post my changes and see/hear others stories.

Thanks all for the kind words and I wish all the best for the up coming year.

Tom! That's awful!
But please, you've got to let us know if the rice worked. I've heard that's what you should do, but never known anyone who actually did it.

The rice worked!!! I turned my iPod on the next day and nothing was wrong with it. I think I lucked out though.

Good morning and Happy New Year
Tom – I’m really glad to hear that the rice worked. Who knew that it would be good for something other than eating (the rice not the ipod). I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about this topic and I have come up with a few. As I am a Weight Watchers member my first goal is the count my points everyday and to be truthful about them. I will work out 3-5x a week. I will kiss my husband everyday (I know it’s not a weight related goal). I will take my multi-vitamin. I will eat protein at every meal. I will feel good in shorts this summer.

I hope that I can keep this up.
Rakhi

That is interesting about the rice. Good to know.

This is a slow transition for me. Trying to do one thing a day. I think I over did things yesterday... trying to cut out the calories. I ended up with a massive headache that was really quite debilitating.

I have to work on a meal plan and go shopping for the food. It sucks that I don't get paid until next week. UGH.

Hey,
Well, go figure... I got food poisoning....BLAH!

Last Wednesday I had one of those Protein drinks you purchase in a drug store and wouldn't you know it one hour later my whole day of eating right literally flushed down the toilet LOL I was basically out for two days with illness. On Saturday I really felt weak and almost went into emerg because I had no energy at all. I forced myself to drink water and eat. I'm feeling better know.

I'm not certain if I told you all but I started a competition called "Get a Life" here at my office. Basically like Biggest Loser but you have to lose weight in a certain range each week. This way no one is losing 30 lbs. in one week and losing muscle mass.

Well today I weighed in and found I lost 7 lbs!!! WHHAAAT! I chalked it up to having had the food poisoning.

I had been eating clean for a week prior so I figure I probably hit my target weight of 2-3 lbs loss. But because of the food poisoning I probably loss an additional 4 lbs.

PS- I wouldn't recommend food poisoning as a good way to lose weigh. LOL

BONUS! Just kidding. "I'll take a protein shake a and a side of salmonella."