Want to encourage all of you to keep doing it and remember life can change. One year ago I weighed 274 lbs. I joined a gym on December 16th of last year and found CC on December 25th. Today I weigh 151 lbs, one pound away from my goal.

It really is possible to lose weight even if you thought you never could. I am amazed and want to encourage all of you to give yourself a wonderful gift of health, energy, and life.

Since starting CC my blood lipids are normal and I've gone from a 49 BMI to a 27.5 BMI. My body fat percentage is now 20%. I have not had surgery, but have logged 99.5 % of everything that passed my lips and I have never gone below 1200 and usually 1300 calories a day. I have exercised on average one hour a day, starting with water aerobics and weights.

Best of luck to all of you

WTG fatdoc!  Its very motivating to read success stories; they give me hope. 

Restaurant eating is so difficult and takes tremendous strength to say 'no' to our favorite temptations as some of you have already listed here.  My issue with dining out is - if I'm paying for someone else to cook, I want something that I wouldn't normally cook at home, which falls into something rich or unhealthy.  Although I do, I don't like to order salads in restaurants because lettuce is just not that expensive to warrant the price of the dish.  Yeah, I have a money vs. food value thing in my head. 

For the first time in my life, I asked for a to-go box at the beginning of the meal.  Lo and behold, halfway through my meal, I was stuffed and instead of picking at the delicious food, it got hidden away in the box while my fiance finished his meal.

fatdoc-What was your inspiration? That is so awesome. Any hints that helped keep you motivated?

Lora

Fatdoc, Thank you for sharing your story. It helps us stay on the right path and its nice to know that we will one day reach our goals as long as we don't stop trying!

I just wanted to wish everyone a wonderful Merry Christmas to you and all your family's. Try to stay as good as you can with eating and keep movin. I will be out of town and no where near a computer for a few days or so. Take care and God Bless.

Merry Christmas to all! Thanks Sarah!

I'm planning on getting my butt to the gym on Christmas Eve morning if I can. :-)

Merry Christmas to all of my dear friends here!! 

Kate

I was a Wonderful Christmas, but I'm eager to get back into my normal routine! Started with a morning Mall walk (dodging those Boxing Day shoppers!) and logging in my food plan for the day.

Goal for the remainder of 2007...stay within the 1300-1500 calories/day range and walk at least every other day!

Hi Lora,

I'm here!  I've maintained during the holidays with a pound variation.  Not every day has been clean, but each morning I recommit.  Being aware of what I'm putting in my mouth is half the battle.  I tend to eat blindly and emotionally. 

I think 20 pounds by April 20th is extremely reasonable.  Anything special happening on that day?

Just want to thank you all for all the encouraging, motivational, and inspiratioinal stories. I started this program almost 2 months ago, and have so far managed to get through 2 of the 3 eating festivals that this time of year brings. Weight loss has been at a standstill for the past 2 weeks, but after logging in today, I'm on the pound decline (ok, it was only by .4...but it was .4, right?)

Yippeee!

Good luck to everyone this next year!

Happy (and I sincerely mean it) 2008!

Wow!!  What a great holiday!!  I weigh in tomorro....I think that it will be alright.  It felt good to know my limits and my triggers with food.  Having this site really, really helps, you, my collegues in the fight against bad eating habits..... in the fight to choose to move....it helps that you all are here and that I am here thinking and praying for you and us in our journey.

Here, my friends is to you, I lift my glass and toast our new year to come!!! Chin chin!!! (Italian toast)

Yes Rainforestgirl we go to Hawaii in April 20 for 2 weeks I would like to take a helicopter ride but if you weight over 250 you have to pay for 2 tickets. I guess that is a goal to strive for.

Toast to all of you too!

Lora

Mybutts: You've been through "2 of the 3 eating festivals" and you still lost?  Way to go!  This is a very challenging time of year in the weight loss battle and you've maintained and lost - thats a great accomplishment.  Now, kick it up a notch!

Chin Chin to you Kate!  Awaiting the results of tomorrow's weigh in and hoping that you are happy with that number.

Lora: Two weeks in Hawaii?  Nice!  We're going at the end of June, cruising the islands for our honeymoon.  You can definitely lose 20, probably even more if you set your mind to it.  You're an intelligent woman, you know what to do.  Here is to purchasing one ticket and having an excellent adventure (with all your newfound energy that accompanies weight loss)!

I lost 4 pounds!!!!I am really happy, It energizes me for this New Year!!!

Hey ya'll....Get up and move!!!!! Lets dance into the new year!!

If you go out tonight, please, please, please be safe!!  My husband and kids stay in!

Fatdoc, what intensity did you exercise with??

Original Post by tag1989:

Hello I am new to this. You all seem so supportive and I was wondering if I could join? I am 5'7 and weigh around 210lbs. I actually started at 267lbs. back in September 2006 and have been trying to lose weight since then, but for about 8 months I have not lost a single pound in fact right now I am gaining weight and not happy about. I am hoping to get back to the mindset I had when I first started to lose weight! :)

Welcome tag! I am fairly new to this also, but the thing I am really loving the most is the online support and interaction! Congrats on your initial weight loss. That's applaudable right there! I am currently trying to get to a goal of 135 (which is 10lbs lighter than my high school wieght), and I'm still 87 lbs away. It seems like such a daunting task, but I am so hopeful I will be able to do it.

I've happily uploaded some new photos from Christmas! Can you tell this Gramma is totally head-over-heels in love with her 2 yr old grandson, Lucas??

I didn't finish out 2007 on a very good note...I gave myself much too much leaway for Holiday eating. BUT, I had promised myself not a single Christmas cookie, and I lived up to that promise!!

So, here's to making 2008 just Great!!!