Current weight = 280 pounds
Goal weight = 160 pounds
Weight to lose = 120 pounds (a whole person! )
Timeframe = Would like to have most or all off by July 2007.
Methods = Following Weight Watchers on my own, more walking, more exercising with weights, daily participation in this forum.
Support needed = New forum friends, family encouragement.
Starting date = NOW!!!!

Just became a member of this forum yesterday and already I'm feeling at home here. I feel that if I can come here at least once a day and post feelings, questions, and support for others, I'll be able to resist temptation when it rears its ugly head.

So far today's been going well. I had Cheerios, skim milk, and orange juice for breakfast; and I haven't eaten any junk food yet! My plans are to get some walking in after work ... maybe a couple of miles. Right now I'm not a fast walker, but at least I'm moving!

You can reach your goals! 2 pounds a week will get you there, and you can do that if you stick to a good plan! Keep your focus and don't give up. You can do it!

I'm really hoping that this forum will give me the kick in the butt that I need too! Good luck with your goal - I'll be sure to check up on your diary regularly!

It was a great day! I didn't have any junk food at all, I didn't have any regular Pepsi at all, I walked 1.5 miles, and I did a few weight exercises! Woo hoo!!!! Got to keep it up!

Only had 1 minor slip today. I ate a large chocolate chip cookie from Mrs. Fields' Cookies. It was a surprise "just-because" gift from a well-intentioned friend, so I didn't want to hurt her feelings and say no (she doesn't do this very often, thank goodness). It was delicious, so I'm glad there was only 1!!!!! Otherwise I did pretty good. No other junk food or soft drinks, and I walked 1.5 miles. I know this may seem strange, but since I found this forum, I'm feeling very "strong" about my weight loss journey. The support here is terrific, and I have such a positive outlook on losing weight and life in general right now. Thanks, everyone!

keep up the good work!

we all get those surprise goodies once in awhile. You dont want to be rude and deep down you kinda want it. Just dont dwell on it too bad and get right back on the diet. look at it this way it was a treat to your self for all the hard work your doing.

Way to go on not having the soft drinks and getting in the exercise! Maybe you should try posting what you are eating each day. It is a good way to keep track of it and for everyone else who stops by to make suggestions. (And maybe get ideas! ) I'm trying to lose 100 pounds as well. That's also how much my daughter weighs! Lol!

Thanks for the kind words and support everyone! I'm afraid I'm still in need of them.

Yesterday (Friday) was not too good after all. Went to Applebee's for dinner with my best friend, and my willpower went out the door. I tried to talk myself into one of the Weight Watcher entrees on their menu, but my old favorite, the sampler platter, won out. I did bring half of it home for another meal, but I still could have made a better choice. I have such a hard time making those better choices when eating out, no matter how I try. How do others do it?

Today (Saturday) hasn't been too bad. I ran around with my parents today looking for a new house for them in our nearby city. We ate out for lunch, and I had a BBQ sandwich, a little mac & cheese, applesauce, and water. Eating a healthy dinner at home tonight.

restaurant dining is so hard for me... I know I should make smarter choices but i'm dining out - I want a treat... I generally don't want steamed veggies with brown rice.. But if IC an find healthy that has a ton of flavor it's good

Bringing half of it home is good...

One of the things that I've read about how to deal with restaurant dining, is to read the menu before you go... Applebees I'm sure has it posted online and decide before you leave home what you will have. That way, you won't look at the menu while sitting at the table and you won't be tempted by less than healthy choices.

Dont beat yourself up over your choice- forgive yourself and keep going forward...

When you are looking at long term weight loss, you're going to screw up. In fact, I really don't think its screwing up. The key is to reallize you made a bad choice and that in the end it may cause you to diet for one extra day to reach your goal weight. Now it's time to move on and make good choices. Sometimes, I think giving into temptation like that (And only eating half) one in a blue moon is better than getting something you don't like and feeling deprived which can lead to real binging.

Sometimes, it's just plain hard to make the "right choices" I know. My family is all skinny, and I'm the odd ball at the table. and it used to be, that I saw them eating whatever the heck they wanted, so I darn well was gonna do it too. Now that i've joined this forum, the support has been great, and like you, i feel strong about the battle of weight loss. Now, when I look at a menu, I hear a voice questioning what I'm eating. "is that the best thing that you should be eating? or should you go for the smaller size?" or. "get the salad, rather than the soup" and stuff like that

The nixing of soda is going to help you in the long run. Especially by taking away all that caffiene and sugar, which are the cause of frequent headaches (if soda is a main part of your diet). Keep up the walking, and keep it up!

The weekend was not good. On the go too much and not eating balanced meals ... just whatever was in the frig and heating up in the microwave. Exercise was non-existent. However ... so far today:

1/2 hour of weight exercises this morning.
Breakfast: 1 cup Cheerios w/ skim milk, 3/4 cup orange juice.
Lunch will be: 1 Lean Pocket, 1 oz. Cheez-Its crackers, 1 cup V-8 juice, apple

Tonight is stitch club night, so I plan to eat at Subway before going. Fortunately I love their low-fat menu! Still no binging, so that's a wonderful thing!

P.S. Thanks everyone for the great suggestions and support!

When I am trying to lose weight, I just love Mondays... The weekends can sometimes get out of control and usually consist of tons of opportunities to make bad decisions. The week is much better because we can get into a pattern and being busy helps avoid temptations to snack. So let's just be thankful that it's Monday and promise ourselves to eat right and exercise all week long!

yeah weekends are my worst time too. But hey I look at it this way, wasn't there a weight watchers plan that gave you weekends to cheat a little? and since I do longer workouts on the exercise machine, I figure I won't beat myself up too much for not having perfect weekends.