Thanks!  Yeah, that the hard thing for me too....its like your mind tells you that if you just don't eat the calories, you'll lose even more, but I know it doesn't always work that way.  I'll have to find that balance!  The good news is, even thought I know I'm not any skinnier, I've been feeling like I am.  It's a nice feeling, just need to make it a reality!

Hi there, I am also new to this, congratulations on your engagement.  I also lack motivation on times and go through phases where I want to excersise like mad but it never lasts, about 3 months ago I was on the slimfast plan, I lost 7lbs in about 2 weeks but as soon as I started eating proper food again it all came back on. 

Im 148lbs at the moment and I need to get down to 120 hopefully by August as I have a wedding to go to and want to look nice for all the pictures!!!  Im waiting for my treadmill to be delivered so that I can really start pushing myself to shift some pounds, but I know as soon as it starts comming off my motivation will be higher and I will put more effort in.

That's great.  Good luck on losing the 28 lbs!  I have to get my bike fixed so I can start riding it.  It's been broken for about 2 years now... lol  But this year it will get fixed and I know that will help.  It is exciting when you start seeing the weight come off.  I can't wait to see a difference in how my clothes fit.  And I am absolutely looking forward to trying on my dress again when i know I'm skinnier.  I'd love to do it now, but I know it would be discouraging, so I will try to be patient :)

Thats the best bit, when you have to tighten your belt to the next hole to hold your jeans up. 

I started walking the kids to school and back every day and it works out to about 3 miles a day that was about 2 weeks ago, I thought I would see a difference even if it was just a little but there is nothing, thats when I decided to get a runner, at least when I get tired I dont have to run home, I can just get off.

When I first started seeing my partner I weighed about 120lbs and was really confident about my body but it seems to have crept on slowly over the last 4 & half years, I know he loves me whatever but ive really started feeling crap with myself, hiding myself and switching the light out etc etc.........so its time to change!!

I lost 70 pounds just by making a few healthier choices and going to the gym 5x a week (mix of  30 -40 min cardio & 20 min of weights). It came off pretty fast and easy. I think it took 7-8 months. I wasn't calorie counting at the time and did not change my awful fast food eating habits that much either haha. Then I slacked off for a year (didn't get any back) and am at it again but this time eating a lot healthier and counting calories!

Good luck! It seems like a lot and a lot of hard work but you can do it. If I can anyone can!

Thanks Maria!  I think what's key for me is getting that motivation to start working out.  Once you start and start feeling better, it's not that hard....just making that first effort :)

Wow, that's impressive!  How long did it take you to get down to the 175?  I lost another 1 1/2 lbs! I'm a compulsive weigher I guess.....for some reason (unless I know I ate stuff I shouldn't have) I feel the need to step on the scale every morning.  That is great that you work out in the morning and walk to work!  I think I'm going to try getting up earlier and taking the dogs for a walk... that's a workout in itself...they're always taking ME for a walk.  Congrats on your wedding as well. It's a very exciting time....'specially when the dress fits right! :) 

Well I'm down to 214 today.... that's 5 1/2 lbs in 5 days.  I'll take it....I can't wait to be under 200 again..

I know what you mean about the doctor's scales....those things are evil!   I hate the lecture as well.  I've been pretty lucky with not really having any health issues related to my wieght so far.  I know I have to change so I don't start having problems though.  I have bad knees which I'm hoping get better as the pounds fall off.  I used to use my hypothyroidism as my excuse for not being able to lose the weight....but I know I gotta stop doing that. :)  I had gotten under 200 before and then moved back in with my mom for a while and put it all back and more!  That was so sad.  But 15 lbs to go until i'm back under again.  I know it will feel great and I'll make myself the promise never to get that heavy again! 

Congrats on the wedding!! what do you do at work?? maybe you can try wearing those ankle weights and walk alot more at work...like i do the stairs rather than the elevator at work, and walk the whole way around the building just to go to one place, i make detours to get extra steps....as for portion control...weigh and measure...thats about the only way to get used to it. I also purchased a nice outfit that i want to fit into by the end of summer for a vacation in mid august...bought it 3 sizes smaller so i have to loose about 15pounds to fit into it....i think it is a good motivator!! Also, i purchased a recumbent bike from walmart, it is silent(i have kids and NO time for exercise), so i got a silent bike for when they go to sleep, and i placed it right in front of my tv. that sucker is heavy, so if i want to watch tv, i either have to move the heavy thing, or get on it!! so thats a good plan too i think, haha. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

Congrats on the wedding!!!! Planning for a wedding should be a workout in itself lol. This sounds stupid but buy a pair of size 12 jeans and hang them on your bedroom door and try them on weekly. If you can live on the slimfast program and it works for you go for it. I had tons of success with weight watchers and my sister dropped 60 lbs in 4 months from it (and running 7 miles a day). I am in my sister-in-laws wedding in a month and a half and I would like to lose and tone before the big event. Keep in touch and let me know how you are doing.

Thanks hdlm.. I work in an office so I'll have to try what you said and taking the stairs rather than the elevator. I know that would help.  I want a recumbent bike too. I really can't stand the treadmills, and sometimes you dont' feel like going outside for a walk, so that's one thing that I want.  I'll have to check walmart out!  Good luck getting into your outfit too :)

Thanks for the congrats walnuthill.  I think I actually have a pair of pants that are too small, but too cute to give away. I'll have to start trying them on :)  I'll love fitting into them again. I've heard a lot of sucess stories with Weight Watchers. If slim fast doesn't pan out for me, I'll have to try that.

Thanks again!

Well, after not eating the best over the weekend, I'm still at 214. I'll take it and continue with my fruit and slimfasts today :)  I'm hoping to be down at least another 5 lbs by the end of the week!!

I'm down to 213.5..whoohoo!  I'm starting to get a little tired of the strawberry slim fast for breakfast...chocolate is still going good for lunch though.  I was sooo tempted to have a little ice cream last night, but I didn't..  I need to stick with this!  Only 63.5 lbs to go!

I have lost over 100 pounds in 15 months on Slim-Fast.  It works really well, as long as you use the rogram effectively.

You need to add food to the shakes.  I have a cappucino shake and a piece of fruit for breakfast, an Atkins bar (very low sugar) for snack, a shake and fruit for lunch, and a good meal, followed up by a dessert that fits my calories for the day.

You will not lose 5 pounds every week.  Some weeks, you will gain a pound or two.  It is not a perfect system, but it can work.

Try to work out.  I do at least 60 minutes of high-intensity cardio every day, as well as weights and stretching.  I add in pilates and yoga if I find time.  It is hard to find a spot for exercise, but it can be done.  I joined the YMCA, and I work out at 5:30 or 6:00 every morning.  I am not overly tired, because I sleep better now.

You will fit the dress.  I am 206 pounds at 5'11", and wear a size 10.  Developing muscle makes you more compact, and you look smaller at higher weights.  I have a skirt waiting for me when I go down about 2 more sizes.  I shouldn't have bought it, but It is a double corset pencil skirt that is VERY cool.  My husband likes it, too!

Good luck, and feel free to message me if you want to talk!

Vendicare,  thanks so much for the words of encouragement!  I really appreciate it.  When I get under 200 again, I think I'm going to try on my dress again.  I'm dying to now, but want to see some sort of difference.  Once I incorporate working out into my routine, I know I'll see even more difference.  I want to get a recumbent bike. I think that would be a fun piece of equipment to have.  I'll also get out and be taking the dogs for a walk daily too.  We'll all benefit!  Thanks again for your success story. I'm so glad to hear it!  Congratulations....I can't wait to lose these 63 lbs.  I just know that I will feel so much better!

Congrats on the upcoming wedding. Double congrats on your committment to lose the weight and not wait till 1 month b4 your wedding, lol. I had a friends wedding to attend and wanted to meet my goal of 140 beforehand, and I did it, and enjoyed the wedding cake lol. You can do it. Make sure you stay committed even after the wedding. I have unfortunately gained back about 7 lbs in about a month and a half, which I'm trying to get back off now, so make sure you don't fall off the wagon after the weddings over.

BTW (I have a lil binging problem) I don't think an average person would gain that much that quickly, lol.