What makes this time different?

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8/8/12 7:45 P

attitude for sure!

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8/7/12 8:24 A

I am 68 years old and I think I've been on every diet for the last 35 years. I've reached my goals on Diet Workshop, Weight Watchers, Herbal Magjic and with 3 different diet doctors.
Low calorie, low fat, low carb, high fiber, soup, etc. All through these "plans" my mind-set was DIET! I had to get on a scale every week and have someone else judge my weight loss.
Much too stressful for someone who suffers from social anxiety. I was always afraid they would think that I'm not good enough!
My daughter told me about SP and I am inching downward - slowly but surely. For the first time, I don't think diet but journey to health and complete lifestyle change. My journey thus far, has been slow but that's okay because this is the route I've chosen. My goal has very little to do with the scale.
I want to get off my high blood pressure medication.
I want my asthma and hyatal hernia to improve.
I want to be able to ride my bike and go hiking without my knees hurting and screaming for breath. (I've been working up to this)
I want to be able to buy clothes in a regular store,
AND when I get there, I want to stay there.
I will !!!!!

Edited by: JAY-NINE2 at: 8/7/2012 (08:27)

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8/7/12 7:31 A

My attitude

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8/7/12 3:02 A

I cannot afford new clothes

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8/6/12 11:52 P

I am focusing on exercise this time, rather than diet.

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8/6/12 10:37 P

XXICYLADYXX: your approach is the same one I am taking toward losing the weight for good this time! I have until next June to lose the weight...and if it takes more time, that is ok too.

Keep up the positive focus and you will reach your rewards while enjoying the journey!

Take care:-)

Edited by: JENMITCHELL1965 at: 8/6/2012 (22:38)

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8/6/12 9:40 P

Thanks for posting this question. I appreciate being able to see others' responses because it reminds me that we are not alone in our struggles.

I think the difference for me, this time, is that it finally sunk in that if I don't DO something different, I cannot EXPECT different results. I finally admitted to myself that my lifestyle as it was would NEVER allow me to lose weight or reach my goals, no matter how much I kick and scream. I realized that if I want to be strong and healthy, I have to make changes...good ones. I struggle, of course, especially when it comes to nutrition, but I realize now that this is about my health and my future...not just a smaller dress size.

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8/6/12 4:46 P

I've been on-and-off of Spark People for a few years now and love it...but never really followed through long enough. About a year ago, I told my doctor about SP. He had to have surgery earlier this year and wasn't at work for a while. When I saw him a few months later, he had lost 25 lbs., and thanked me for turning him on to Spark People! He had decided, while he was out, to start journaling his caloric intake and as a result lost 25 lbs. in 3 months!!! I thought, "Wait a minute! That could've been MY 25 lbs.!!" I was sooooooo impressed (and jealous) that I got serious about SP the very next day!

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8/6/12 4:35 P

I hope this time I will reach my goal. Since I lost my husband life has been full of roller coaster emotions. There are some things I cannot control, but my weight is not one of them. I have lost the same 20 lbs. about 8 times in the last 2 years, but then I gain them back. As I get older I know this is not healthy, and want to look good but also feel good. Hopefully joining SP will be good. I have done weight watchers and did ok, but then went back to old habits. I really hope I am motivated to stay on track this time.

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8/6/12 2:27 P

I'm not racing myself down only to burn out on dieting and revert back to bad habits. I've decided to take my time losing weight and ignore the weight I am and just focus on what I've lost and how I look now.

I've given myself almost a year to lose all the weight, which is less than a pound a week. Hopefully with the extended time and ease of weight loss I won't get burned out or discouraged. I'll have weeks where I won't lose and some where I lose more than 2. I'm ok with that.

But, I'm happy with how I look now and I'm ok with waiting to look better later :)

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8/6/12 2:21 P

Thanks to SP, I've Finally realized there are no more diets in my life but instead a healthy and fit lifestyle that I will never stop reaching towards.

Thanks to SP I have a wonderful Spark Friend who once said it's time "to stop the madness".

I started last Oct. and I could easily qualify as the "slowest loser" but I am closing in on my goal weight and I have relied on SP all the way.

I love the way I feel and look and I never want to go back.

For me Winning is Not quitting. Japanese saying: "Fall down 7 times, get up 8."

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8/6/12 1:03 P

This time I'm actually thinking of the long haul. I'll be 66 in a few weeks and I've decided I'm going to enjoy my food plan. I do want to change and lose weight and I know it has to be different this time.

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8/6/12 11:47 A

My whole family (aunts, uncles, cousins...) is doing a 90 day weight loss/health challenge. Everyone has a different goal in mind (toning up, being healthy, losing weight) so there's not really a "competition" going on. It's probably the best support group I've ever had for something like this.

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8/6/12 8:21 A

What makes it different for me this time is because I do not want to give up, want to feel better about my looks and even though people say I look fine I want to be more confident about me and for me, so I am really dedicated and know this is going to take time.

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8/6/12 7:36 A

Because I need to reinvigorate my committment, today I joined Spark Coach!

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8/6/12 1:55 A

Well I have my wedding date in May and I refuse to be this big when I walk down that's axel I need to be 60lbs less

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8/6/12 1:18 A

This time is different because I have more support. My younger sister actually drove 45 minutes to my house and made me work out when I didn't want to.

Another reason this time is different is because I am holding myself accountable. I registered for a 5k that I am going to do on Sept. 9th. My older sister is coming to run with me. Shes driving almost 3 hours to do that with me.

I really feel like this time is different because I have great support and better motivation. I already paid for the 5k, so I know I won't back out.

AND...for my bday my mom is going to take me to Big Sur for a hike!

Getting outside has been really helpful!

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8/5/12 9:42 P

I got a job where I have to wear a uniform to work. Never before have I had to tuck my shirt into my pants and wear a belt. Seeing pictures of myself in that uniform, especially from behind, got me back on the wagon. Strangely enough, it was a picture of myself from behind almost exactly 5 years ago that led me to the same thing. I didn't gain all the weight back since 2007, but I did gain 40 of the 50 pounds back. So I've got a little less to lose, but for a more serious cause as I'm going to be wearing this uniform for a long time!

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8/5/12 9:40 P

I got a job where I have to wear a uniform to work. Never before have I had to tuck my shirt into my pants and wear a belt. Seeing pictures of myself in that uniform, especially from behind, got me back on the wagon. Strangely enough, it was a picture of myself from behind almost exactly 5 years ago that led me to the same thing. I didn't gain all the weight back since 2007, but I did gain 40 of the 50 pounds back. So I've got a little less to lose, but for a more serious cause as I'm going to be wearing this uniform for a long time!

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8/5/12 9:08 P

I started doing a WW program with my daughter in February. She had started in January. Her and I were both about the same size. She didn't give up, has lost 25 pounds, and looks amazing. I look like I gave up, which I did. I'm pretty fed up with myself and the on again/off again pattern I've been engaged in for years.

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8/5/12 8:09 P

I'm tired of my knee hurting from carrying to much weight, it seems like every trip to the doctor I add another type of medication, insulin, cholesterol, high blood pressure, I don't want to start my retirement with a list of ailments, I want to be healthy, so this time I'm not on a diet, I'm making lifestyle changes that I can live with, and hopefully i can do this this time!

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8/5/12 7:13 P

It's not just how I look anymore. It's for my health. Too many thing are wrong with my health to ignore it anymore. I don't want to take more medications and I don't want to be the big girl in the room anymore. I want someone to tell me I am skinny and healthy. I want to be the first one to say it!

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8/5/12 4:47 P

This time, I finally felt more than enough shame and discomfort, coming only from myself, that I do not want to waste anymore time feeling the way I do.

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8/5/12 4:31 P

Keep up the good work!

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8/5/12 4:09 P

1. I am tired of having no energy.
2. I do not want to take cholesterol medications.
3. My feet ache.
4. I am watching how I eat and how it makes me feel.
5. I want to see my grandchildren.

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8/5/12 2:10 P

This time is different for me because I am doing it for myself. Life goes by too fast and can be so shortened by not taking care of yourself. I used the excuse of taking care of others for too long. Now it is time for me to take care of myself!

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8/5/12 2:06 P

I need to lose weight because I am very obese, have high blood pressure, have high cholesterol and the weight is a lot to bare on my knees and back. Every time I fall short, I just pick myself up and start again. One of these days I will stay on it. I am going to do it this time. Encouragement from others who have the same problem is great help. It gives me ideas from what they have gone through.

I also have a psychologist. Who tries to keep me in line. I really hate to disappoint her so I try real hard, but some times I just fall short. We set goals, weight, walking, eating healthy. When I meet a goal we have reward. Something fun but not necessarily food.

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8/5/12 2:00 P

I'm too young to feel like this. Getting sick all the time. Having illnesses that normal and healthy people don't have. I'm annoyed that my clothes don't fit the correct way. I see these cute outfits out there that I'd like to wear but don't have the body for anymore. It's time to make a change. I'm tired of thinking about all of the ways I know that I can be healthier - it's time to do it.

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8/5/12 12:58 P

The main thing that was different for me when I lost 150 pounds was realizing that if I did not do it then, I may never, ever do it. I was on a path to be more than 400 pounds if I didn't change. As time went on I never forgot that I did not want to go back to struggling to sit in chairs, buckle seat belts, or even walk up stairs.

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8/5/12 9:21 A

no

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8/5/12 9:04 A

I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired about my weight. I want to be healthy, not that I didn't want it before, but it has a different meaning to me. I think I have a sense of peace about all the work it's going to take to be the person I want to be.

I can't say I will not stumble, but I'm hoping it will not take as long for me to get my baring and balance myself, yet again.

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8/5/12 1:38 A

I'm tired of my weight holding me back from enjoying certain activities. I want to be able to fit comfortably at the amusement park, plane, camping chairs, etc. I know people who have bags of medications and it boggles my mind; I don't want that to be me if I can help it. I am making very small changes right now so this can be a lifestyle I can live with.

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8/5/12 1:37 A

I accepted that it WILL be uncomfortable to change, to lose weight, to challenge my habits and attitude, especially around food. I accept that no one else will make changes for me, or make this easier on me - it is solely up to me to make better choices. I don't focus only on myself - I reach out to others and encourage them. Often, when I am sharing with others what has worked for me, it reinforces the good choices and changes I have made and makes me all the more determined to keep making better choices. I accept that it is a bumpy ride, that I will NEVER, EVER be perfect or close to perfect. I know that there is no one plan that I must follow, just common sense changes like "eat less junk, move quite often". I focus on being stronger, and more fit so that even when the scale doesn't move, or I feel like I will always struggle around food, I still know I am so much stronger and fitter than I was a couple years ago. I remain grateful for the weight I have lost (25 pounds or so) rather than feeling desperate to lose the rest. Desperation is no substitute for commitment - I didn't just join SP, I made a commitment to it so I spend time here, and contribute rather than just take. I am invested. Thank you for posting this question. It takes awhile to rebuild our integrity and trust ourselves but it is SO worth the effort and hard work. Take care.

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8/4/12 7:35 P

My weight is finally OPENLY effecting my job. There are some duties that are either very very hard for me to do now or I cant do at all and I fear if i do not get this under control I will end up loseing my job.

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8/4/12 4:09 P

I am TIRED of being fat.

I am a petite woman, and I finally accept it.

I want to live in my real body for the rest of my life.

I love the real me and don't want to cover her up anymore!

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8/4/12 3:02 P

I've been trying to lose weight on and off since 2001. I've yo-yoed a bunch. It got to the point where my doctor suggested that I think about lap band surgery. I did some reading and it seemed like the best solution because clearly what I was doing (or what I told myself I was doing) wasn't working. So I started the classes you have to take to get approved for the surgery, and I even met with the surgeon. All the while in the back of my mind I was thinking, "what if this doesn't work?" Because, you know, you can eat through that band. It's not going to save you from yourself. So I quit going to the classes and reporting to the doctor. For a few months I just lived life -- was helping my best friend plan her wedding at the time, and making dozens of cookies for her reception -- and so I didn't have a lot of time to spare. By the time the wedding was over, I was at my heaviest weight ever and so frustrated.

Then by chance i found spark people. In terms of the tracking of calories and activity, it's nothing new. But what is new and what I have found so addicting is the community that they have created. The rewards, the Spark friends I have made, the challenges ... it just works for me. Today is a good day for me to be writing in this thread because I'm actually feeling frustrated. I don't feel well today, had a small weight gain this morning, etc. so I'm feeling discouraged. But writing this has reminded me of the choices I left behind and the decision I made to make my life healthier.

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8/4/12 9:20 A

I've looked in the mirror and did not like what I saw. I'm making reasonable goals for myself and sharing them with my family and friends so they can help motivate and support me. When I reach a goal, I will reward myself with something other than food and then set another goal that is obtainable without becoming discouraged. My dr says I can only lose 1 pound at a time, so I'm going to do just that. Right now my goal is to lose 8 lbs this month and to incorporate more walking into each day. At the end of the month I know I will be happy with the results.

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8/4/12 8:29 A

The last time I made a serious attempt to lose weight was around 1981, before the average person had internet access. I had my own trackers and reports -- but they were on notebook paper and graph paper. I typed out recipes on my dad's IBM Selectric typewriter. It worked, but it's so much easier with the Internet and with SP!!

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8/4/12 5:39 A

This time is different because I am being proactive about my weight loss in a very focused and structured way. Instead of just having a goal, I also have a plan - which includes strategies for when I (inevitably) go off track sometimes - to get me to that goal, step by step. But most of all I have joined the Spark, and when you are in a supportive and safe community, everything is so much easier to put into perspercive and whatever you are going through, someone here will have gone through it too.

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8/4/12 5:34 A

What makes this time different for me is that I've decided to go vegetarian, which really is a lifestyle change more than a diet. There is plenty of vegetarian junk food choices too, but it reallt seems different this time.

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8/4/12 12:26 A

I watched on YOUTUBE the HBO four part Documentary "THE WEIGHT OF THE NATION" and I don't want a FATTY LIVER, like the doctors talk about most obese people now have. I'm getting to my goal weight.

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8/4/12 12:14 A

That is also one of my new attitudes as well (eat when I am hungry and not just to fill my time,emotions, or boredom) Trust is an issue I have in my spiritual and relationships as well as professional life. It is something I must relearn to do in all aspects including my nutritional. Thanks for the input.

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8/3/12 10:30 P

I feel this time is different because I have seen how my health is being affected. This site is helping as well

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8/3/12 10:29 P

Great thread! I honestly do feel differently this time. Part of the push was being diagnosed insulin resistant. My Dad and everyone in his family are diabetic so I "saw the writing on the wall" so to speak. But I feel generally calmer this time around. And I know it's different because I'M HERE on these boards, joined a SparkTeam.

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8/3/12 9:26 P

Good for you! You mentioned all the excuses I have also used when I just want to enjoy what "everyone else" is eating. I saw a Sparkpeople message that someone else quoted, and I want to share it with you.

"Trusting myself with food is eating what I want when I am hungry.
Eating anything when I am not hungry is when trust is abused.
I will trust my hunger."

You will make it because you have stopped making excuses for overeating.

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8/3/12 4:26 P

What makes this time different? This is a good question to ask myself, this time I am approaching my goal of weight loss with honesty. I can remember cheating and lying to myself when I tracked my eating. The really illogical thing was that I wasn't hurting anyone but myself. Why lie to myself and think by ignoring what I was eating by not writing something down it would not count against me. I'd sneak a taste here or go all out and eat something and not even record my little piece of pie, nibble of chips, bite of this or that. How insane was my thinking and how could it help me attain my weightloss goals. I will never understand why I thought I was getting ahead. I had many successes but when I did not lose as fast as I thought I would stop and began insane eating again, I was always angry that I could not have my cake and eat it too, it angered me that others could eat all day and never gain weight. Now I look at it as why did I feel I should have the privalege to be any different than anyone else and eat like a pig without any consequences. Why I thought I did not have to take responsibilities for my actions and how I tried to dodge the consequences by ignoring what I ate. Sometimes I think I was very childish in my thoughts and now I am finally mature enough to change my ideas and actions. What makes the difference now in my success? I have finally changed my irrational thinking and take responsibility for my actions.

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8/3/12 3:00 P

This time...its not about a time to do this or that. I have made many changes in a little time. My changes are catching on to people I know and those at the workplace. I am acccountable now and I wasn't ever before...So I feel great about doing the right thing and I guess that is what it was going to take to get me to change my life by changeing what I eat and joing Spark People!!!!!

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8/3/12 2:21 P

To be honest, I don't really know if this 'time' is going to be different, because I've not done it before. I was a skinny kid, ate whatever I felt like and was a UK size 12 for years with no exercise apart from walking almost everywhere. I hate sport. And I always kind of knew that one day things would change, metabolism, age, etc, but still I didn't do anything about it. And then my weight started creeping up. Size 14. Still I did nothing. Had a baby, weight shot up. Then owned a small shop that floundered. First of all I lost a stone and a half without trying, through being worried sick for months (not really recommended, but it does work), then my comfort zone adapted and I just comfort ate in the empty shop and went up to 13 stone. And even once I left the shop, only a couple of pounds came off. So much harder now. And then, last December, I turned 50, which depressed me badly. Christmas put on more pounds and even giving up chocolate after Easter did nothing to shift them. So now, I have just started food tracking, doing a Walk away the pounds dvd as many days as I can manage, and hopefully it will work, because after so much work and effort, if I backslide, it will be so much work wasted. Christmas will be a trial, but if it all goes back on again...

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8/3/12 1:47 P

1. I changed my mentatlity. I stopped the self-speak of "this is hard", "this is tiring", "I'll TRY". I started telling myself "this is/can be easy". "this is simple".... the more I did this, the more I believed it.

2. It FINALLY sunk in that the key to my success was FOOD habits. I focused all on food this time around (my third with Spark in 6 years!).

3. It sunk in that I wanted to accomplish this objective MORE than I wanted the food tastes.

4. I focused on the biology of it all- what's going on in my brain when I crave. What's going on in my brain when I feel I can't get out off the couch. What's going on in my brain when I know I should feel full, but my body is still saying Eat.

Edited by: IAMARMSTRONG at: 8/3/2012 (13:48)

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8/3/12 1:04 P

This time is different because I finally am really ready to change. I thought I was before, but I wasn't. This time I am using the Nutrition Tracker (before I thought it would take too much time or be too stressful), allowing myself to make mistakes and learn from them, learning about what food to eat, learning about portion control, measuring my food, looking at labels, exercising daily. The just came on and it feels great.

I also am no longer doing it just to look better, I want to BE healthier all around.

I am able to see myself as that healthy fit person, whereas before I couldn't. I didn't believe I could do it.

I am not expecting perfection anymore and am taking it moment by moment.

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8/3/12 11:08 A

I just read your post and it brought tears to myeyes because i saw me i felt me and i know you understand me. no one else in my life gets me and the people in my life are all about themselves. i love them and they love themselves and that is o.k but where is the love time and attention coming from them that i need? it is just not there. so i do feel a deep connection to you and your message have given me an outlook of optimism. i am not alone
thankyou

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8/3/12 10:12 A

I've quit denying the truths that have held me back in the past.

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8/3/12 9:28 A

I am a young woman and currently in college pursuing my career as a teacher. Ever since high school I have been a little on the heavier side and ever since I have graduated I have continued to pack on the pounds. I am now in a healthy relationship with a great guy and just want to be healthy for myself and him. He is fit and looks great and I want to do the same for him. We plan on having kids and getting married when I graduate in about 2 or 3 years and I want to make sure I am looking great on my wedding day. So my motivation is love

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8/3/12 12:45 A

Just decided that I am tired of having no energy, tired of being uncomfortable with the way I look, tired of not being able to find clothes I'm comfortable in, tired of feeling stuffed after eating, tired of wishing I were thin....guess it boils down to tired of being tired! I'm so thankful that, for me, it's almost immediate that all of those "tired" feelings start to change when I know I'm taking care of myself.
Thanks for sharing that quote about choosing your hard. It's such a simple statement, but so very true!

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Posts: 63
8/2/12 8:56 P

Big problems and nothing I could do about them -- that's what pushed me to find one thing - anything - that that I COULD do something about! Then it hit me, I not a victim of food; food doesn't hunt me down and cram itself into mouth! I am not a victim of over-eating friends or well-meaning loved ones who encourage indulgence. I am not a victim of yummy-looking commercials, opulent business buffets or decadent sweet shop windows. I have absolute control over what I put into my mouth -- ABSOLUTE! And, when I pre-track my intake on Sparkpeople, there's no guess work and no worry. I love that!

Posts: 21
8/2/12 8:47 P

"Losing weight is hard,
Maintaining weight is hard,
Being overweight is hard.
Choose your hard. "

CSJ552 I love that, thank you so much for sharing!

May Minutes: 0

0 35 70 105

140

Posts: 1,208
8/2/12 8:18 P

I realize that I have more than a weight problem. I have a bingeing problem that I'm finally dealing with. I have to deal with that first because dieting is just making it worse instead of better.

317 Days since:  Starting Recovery for an Eating Disorder

0 87 175 262

350

SparkPoints: (11,715)
Fitness Minutes: (6,575)
Posts: 214
8/2/12 8:15 P

I honestly don't know. I just feel it. And I saw a slogan that Spark had put on facebook the other day, it went something like this:

Losing weight is hard,
Maintaining weight is hard,
Being overweight is hard.
Choose your hard.

So, so true and it has changed my perception for the good.

SparkPoints: (7,703)
Fitness Minutes: (14,990)
Posts: 22
8/2/12 7:41 P

This time is different because I realized I could not do another "diet". My mantra is "I've totally changed my eating habits." That's it. I am committed to getting healthy by eating healthy. I have lost 25 lbs since May, and I feel fantastic. I love my energy, and my love of exercise! I no longer care about eating unhealthy food because I don't want to lose this feeling.

Pounds lost: 59.0

0 19 38 57

76

Posts: 842
8/2/12 6:16 P

This time is a culmination of three recent weight management program failures...LOL...let me rephrase that...

I was in Weight Watchers...I learned what a calorie range was. (But I gained back all my weight even though I watched it like a hawk)
I participated in a medically supervised fast (OPTI-fast)...I learned that I can "thrive" without food. (But when food was re-introduced I couldn't/wouldn't stop eating...I was making up for the sensory deprivation.)
I followed Paul McKenna's system and discovered what body hunger is. (But when my life got rough, I used food for comfort.)

All of my failed diets have prepared me for this lifestyle change...one tiny change at a time until the changes feel normal and each change is forever...not just until the end of a "diet" or "fast" or "program".

Pounds lost: 28.9

0 15.75 31.5 47.25

63

Posts: 56
8/2/12 5:58 P

Because one of these days I'll get too old to enjoy success, so i'd like to enjoy some while I still can. That may sound like negative reinforcement, but it feels pretty strong to me.

current weight: 207.5

225 210 195 180

165

SparkPoints: (2,633)
Fitness Minutes: (1,504)
Posts: 20
8/2/12 5:16 P

This time it is different because I have a vision of what I want to look like. This look doesn't have a weight - no number attached to it, nor does it have a stop date. It's a lifetime plan. Every previous attempt at getting healthy included starvation, you know what's to the wall exercising and tears. Lots of tears because I failed. Now the fog has lifted and I can see myself happy, healthy and active. I'm gonna do it!!

Pounds lost: 34.8

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80

Posts: 20,667
8/2/12 4:06 P

I love the responses that have been posted. I see positive, whole-family lifestyle changes combined with the acceptance the perfection is NOT really the goal but that progress and planning are more important. Thank you all for brightening my day today.

current weight: 276.0

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150

Posts: 1
8/2/12 3:31 P

- because I need my clothes to fit
- because don't want to hide behind unattractive clothes
- because I'm worth it
- because I know what it feels like to have lost the weight ... and it feels terrific! I want that again!
- because no one is going to do it for me
- because eating doesn't solve anything
- because the only one I hurt by not losing the weight, getting healthier and more fit is me
- because my daughter is getting married next summer and I want to look and feel good!

current weight: 163.5

165 157 149 141

133

SparkPoints: (22,662)
Fitness Minutes: (7,057)
Posts: 28
8/2/12 3:04 P

My husband and I are also on this journey together, and I think that's part of what makes this time different. We're on the same page when it comes to healthy eating. As I started losing the weight, I realized that my back was getting better (1 degenerative disc and 1 bulging disc), my feet don't hurt, I can walk up a flight of stairs without huffing and puffing--why wouldn't I want to keep that up? I can wear clothes that don't look make me look like I'm 20 years older and have no shape. With the nutrition tracker, I see what I put in my mouth every day--that was a big sobering deal at the beginning! If it's there in black and white, I see all of it at once, and now I look at the tracker and am proud of what I've done at the end of (almost) every day. I can give myself a day every once in awhile when I can go out to eat and go over my allotment, and I don't feel guilty and throw in the towel, since I know it's a lifestyle that doesn't require absolute perfection. I'm actually proud of the fact that I've started exercising (much easier without back pain), and actually enjoy seeing the fitness tracker now. I can spend the whole day with my son at the zoo, and not be an exhausted, sweaty, hurting mess afterwards. I could go on. So it seems to be a variety of things I can point to that just add up to the fact that my life has changed, and I like it this way.

Pounds lost: 101.0

0 28.75 57.5 86.25

115

Posts: 85
8/2/12 1:06 P

Several things are different:

1) My husband and I are working the program together. We cheer each other on, give support during weeks where the scale isn't kind to us, and plan meals and outings that involve food with the same goals in mind.
2) We took certain steps in our house toward making this a lifetime commitment. As we've lost, we have given away all of our too large clothes, so as not to be able to fall back on that. We're hoping that the concept of having to purchase larger sizes again (should we slip back into bad habits) will prove a deterrent.
3) We made a household-wide purge of foods that serve as triggers or that simply have empty calories. We've both become dedicated label-readers.
4) Cooking is my passion, and we decided to make that work for us by reorganizing my recipe collection to get rid of any recipes (other than holiday favorites) that are just too caloric to be a part of our regular repertoire. We also committed to eating home whenever possible to avoid some of the pitfalls that restaurants can present. When we do eat out, we pick our venues carefully, together, to keep them Spark-plan compliant.

It feels different this time, it looks different, and it's working for us. Hope abounds.

Pounds lost: 40.2

0 12.5 25 37.5

50

Posts: 20,667
8/2/12 11:25 A

Showmesunshine - I loved your response to this question and it has been the ONE thing I have learned over the years of dieting - that I too tend to go full-steam-ahead and want to change everything at once. Then I quit when I am not perfect. Perfection is no longer my goal - improvement is my goal - whether it is an improved health picture, a lower weight, a smaller portion, or longer workout or WHATEVER. I celebrate the small successes along the way and don't let things push me off-track. This summer I went on three trips and MIRACLE of all miracles, I did not regress - not even when I went away for 5 days and didn't get home until the 12th day because of car problems. What was different is that in each case, we ate mostly healthy foods and when my 84-year-old aunt realized that she had bought a LOT of junk that I no longer ate, she no longer eats, and that NONE of us need to eat - she GAVE IT TO HER NEIGHBORS. We ate out a few times - Chinese buffets in each case - but even there, we ALL made better choices and ate healthier. This was a BIG success for me as even when eating healthy in the past, I would just accept that visits, conferences, etc. were an excuse to PIG out and not a time to relax and make the best of the choices I was offered. I think PROGRESS and small steps are the secrets and that not beating myself up is easier when I don't take a change in routine or location as a "free-pass" to overeat or to eat unhealthy foods. I do eat ONE piece of pie, a single doughnut, or whatever but no longer feel like I have to eat 2 or 12 of them JUST because they are there.

current weight: 276.0

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150

SparkPoints: (50,371)
Fitness Minutes: (42,084)
Posts: 11,661
8/2/12 10:58 A

Go SparkFriends!

Love seeing all these great responses. Keep taking one small step at a time. As many of you know -- and as we've seen tens of thousands of times -- this formula truly can change your life in so many ways.

SparkCheers!

Chris (SparkGuy)

Posts: 1,451
8/2/12 10:34 A

i HAD to start slow because i was recovering from a severe back spasm- now working out is a habit for me so i think i can stick with it!

Pounds lost: 15.4

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40

Posts: 1
8/2/12 9:27 A

This time is GOING to be different for me simply because I am going to give myself the ability to make mistakes and do things my way and not how everyone else says I should do it. Every other time I tried to lose weight I failed because I went too hard, too fast and ended up making goals I could never meet and when I failed I quit. This time I don't have any other goal than to watch how I eat. And so far simply doing that has seen 20lbs disappear into my past. If I have a bad day then I shake it off and keep moving forward but I never beat myself up over it. I am me and I love me and I will be me and if that means a scoop of ice cream with my daughter on a hot summer day then so be it. If it means sitting on the couch for an entire weekend because it is too hot to go outside then oh well.
And as the weight comes off the better I feel and the more I want to get out and do things. I have started walking in the mornings, but only when the weather is cool cause I sweat like a horse and do not have time to shower before work. And if work does not call for me to be there too late in the evenings I try to get a yoga class in. But only if I feel like going to the mat. And knowing that I dont "have" to go actually makes me want to go more often. I know this does not work for everyone but it sure is working for me this time. I am not "hard-core" fitness and I never will be so I am happy to do what works best for me so that I can enjoy the life I want.

current weight: 265.0

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195

Posts: 28
8/2/12 9:15 A

This time is different because it has to be. I know I say this every time I "start" again, but I am really just getting sick of having to start over, with even more weight to lose the next time around. It's ridiculous because I know if I just stick with it, about 95% of my problems will diminish. I probably think about my weight for the majority of the day and there are probably other things that I could spend my time thinking about...or rather obsessing over. I want a better me, because I know I deserve to feel good about myself. I want my daughter to look up to me and not fall into the same destructive patterns that I am currently entangled in. I want to be able to breathe better, look at my non-swollen ankles and fit into spanx when I need them. I don't want to sweat the second I walk outside when it is only 85 degrees out. This time is different because I am not going to sell myself short.

current weight: 239.0

239 209.25 179.5 149.75

120

Posts: 27
8/2/12 7:58 A

I lost 60 pounds in 2007/2008 and I've since gained back 44. I feel like such a failure. I keep trying to find that drive to stay on track again but only lasts a week at best. I feel awful and I know this is not good for my body. I hate to say this but it does kind of help to know that others are struggling with the same things I am...motivation. Let's keep each other going. Having said that I think I need more friends on Sparkpeople to check with me from time to time to make sure I'm doing what I am supposed to be doing.

current weight: 209.0

209 204.75 200.5 196.25

192

SparkPoints: (25,515)
Fitness Minutes: (23,505)
Posts: 3,506
8/2/12 7:33 A

Hi my name is Darlene and I am 42 years old. Since I hit puberty I have dealt with a weight issue. That is is like 30 years of off and on dieting. Last year after a rather painful surgery and the fear of losing my right foot I was left bed ridden where my weight got to the all time time high of 366 pounds and for 10 weeks there was nothing i could do but think. I resided that I needed to lose the weight at what ever means necessary. So I started reading, gaining all the information on nutrition and fitness that I could find. However what makes this time different was not on a web site. There was no book that would show me what i needed to change. I had done all of this before and failed. So why would this time be different. The attack that was what made this different. I bought a notebook and I attacked the past in that book. I attacked every bad thing that happened because of my weight. I attacked the issue, the sadness and then I left all that in that book. It is book of pain that every fat bodied person should write. I am and will always be an emotional eater. I am and all will be proned to stress eating. However I attacked that with fitness and there is a plan for when these situation arise now. I track food and fitness everyday and join every challenge that I can find. I work hard even when I dont want to. I stopped internalizing the pain that the world gave me and learned to deal with it at that moment and move past it. I firmly believe that what changed this time is not the food /fitness plan it is the underlying person that looks back at me from the mirror. I started my journey to change in July,2011 and I joined sparkpeople in January 2012. To date I have lost 74.8 pounds and 39 of that was done with the help of Spark people. Thank you for your time and have a nice day everyone !!!!

current weight: 274.7

274.7 271.275 267.85 264.425

261

Posts: 11
8/2/12 7:26 A

My husband has challenged me to get to my "goal weight" with a HUGE reward at the end:
A TRIP TO TAHITI
So, what makes this time different?
EVERYTHING

current weight: 153.8

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115

SparkPoints: (127)
Fitness Minutes: (50)
Posts: 10
8/2/12 6:57 A

I would say like everyone else - I don't feel as good as I think I could and the signs are showing.

current weight: 195.0

195 186.25 177.5 168.75

160

Posts: 98
8/2/12 5:47 A

I don't know either, like Elektra, and I have been trying to figure it out. I have been struggling for almost 5 years and have been on Sparkpeople for a year, but 3 weeks ago it just changed. I am sticking to eating reasonably and enjoying exercising. I even lay in bed some mornings and say to myself, "if I get up now, I could get some exercising done" and then I get up! I wish I knew what happened so I could share the secret, but I'm loving it.

current weight: 149.0

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130

Posts: 2,848
8/2/12 5:29 A

IDK, I wish I could figure it out...I wish I could share it with the ones who struggle...something just clicked and I wanted it bad enough and I accepted its a life change and not just temp.

124 Maintenance Weeks

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140

SparkPoints: (7,484)
Fitness Minutes: (8,350)
Posts: 37
8/2/12 2:34 A

What makes this time different (as opposed to EVERY other time)? I'm kinder to myself when I don't make the "best" choice-I don't berate myself, BUT I don't tell myself "well, I've blown it, I might as well____." I stay consistent-I usually start EVERY morning with roughly the same breakfast-ESPECIALLY if the day before hasn't gone well. I also try weighing EVERYDAY-it keeps me accountable and (though it seems counter-intuitive) I don't stress as much with the weight fluctuations-each weigh in doesn't have as much weight (pardon the pun) as if I were to ONLY weigh in once-a-week. I use my weigh-in for trending.
This has been the ONLY time I have maintained my weight loss-for about a yr. I still have more to go-but this is my life long lifestyle NOT a diet. I'll get there eventually.

current weight: 155.0

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145