i just wanted to share something i realized...

since the end of november (around my birthday), i had been starting to eat badly. things that i knew i could eat more of (regardless of the band) and a lot of it. it started with, "oh, its my birthday today... its ok" and "oh, its thanksgiving..." and "for the sake of the holidays... " and little by little, i gained a few pounds and, before i knew it... i was eating crappy and feeling just as bad. not just physically... but emotionally too!

but january 1... i pledged to get back on track and i have been. it hasn't even been that hard to get back into it. so after taking a break from being healthy... and returning to being healthy.... here is what i wanted to share...

I'd forgotten how GOOD it feels to be healthy (and losing!)!

and.... Breaks are overrated!

so... if you're struggling because you've lost that momentum you had when you started... you can do it!!! all december, i struggled to get back on track.. but then i realized... mentally, i had to be there. i couldn't do it because i was stressed... it made it worse. so i gave myself until dec 31, knowing that january 1 was a new start and mentally, i was ready to be back. and it FEELS SO MUCH BETTER!!!

no cookie, cake, Pasta or anything feels as good as seeing a pound less on the scale!!!! seriously... i've lost what i gained, plus an extra 2 pounds down... and i feel better than i did eating the 'junk food'...

I stayed to the program through the holiday's. I'm glad you got back on the wagon, good for you.

Being that taking "breaks" while dieting in the past, is what stopped me from taking a break through the holiday's. We have to look at every holiday differently.

The holiday's no longer mean a feeding frenzy. I did the " I celebrate with food and start again Monday", but come Monday there was always an excuse to wait until the following Monday etc etc... 274 lbs later it was timefor me to learn, celebrations do not have to revolve around food. Now it's about family, friends and good times together. They can have crap, while I eat health.

Glad you experienced how crappy junk makes you feel.

Congratulations on realizing you were on a slippery slope and for getting back on track!

I stayed within my limits around the holiday. yes, I had a 'little' of everything I cooked and baked. I actually lost about 4 pounds in the month of December (not to shabby).

I have learned not to deprive myself, however I also have learned to 'stop', that is key! You can easily fall right back into old habits, and old habits sometimes are hard to die. I remember back then I would shove 6 Cookies in my mouth with no problem without hesitation, now the difference is I make myself stop after 2! If I feel I can't deal with that, it doesnt come in the house.....

So glad you are back on track, isn't it the best feeling ever!!!

as long as you wake up with a positive attitude

a want to frame of mind, if you think you did ((bad)), you can always begin again...nothing is that bad to say screw it and throw it all away.

head back

shoulders up

heels on and walking forward to better health this year

as long as you wake up with a positive attitude

a want to frame of mind' date=' if you think you did ((bad)), you can always

begin again. nothing is that bad to say screw it and throw it all away.

head back

shoulders up

heels on and walking forward to better health this year[/quote']

You got that right, sister!

I too have had to struggle through the holidays. This is my first season with my band. So glad to see I'm not alone. It has given me real insight to the many reasons I use food as a comfort. I am getting back on track& yes it does feel so much better to be on track physically. It is amazing how much I have learned about myself by listening to my tool!!!!

I did everything I could to "fall off the wagon" but was prohibited from doing so.

Lord knows I tried.....

You, as usual, made me LOL, B-52! Great ending of the old year, and happy New year and new success to all!

I am maintaining so am not as strict as I was during the losing stage.... So I ate proportionally and didn't lose and didn't gain. I love my band!

It was hard ... especially because we were totally knocked out by the flu that's running around. Mostly hit us with overwhelming fatigue, and we just did nothing for days.. drive me nuts, and every day I lay in bed i felt the fat cells growing ad growing . And I never lose my appetite with illness ohhh no! I eat everything !

And bourbon was a significantly delicious factor in my holiday season.

But, I'm totally back in the game, with only a.minor gain that literally seemed to drop off after a couple good BMs.

Back to working out regularly, avoiding the trigger foods, only one glass of wine a night during the week .... and finally feeling well enough to return to our hiking/snowshoeing and long weekend runs!

But it does bring you down... and I had to cut myself some slack knowing it could be worse...and that I didn't use falling off the wagon as an excuse to just stop trying..

Yay to all of us who dusted themselves off, grabbed the reigns and climbed back on that wagon! Giddy-up!!! Whoop!

It was hard ... especially because we were totally knocked out by the flu that's running around. Mostly hit us with overwhelming fatigue, and we just did nothing for days.. drive me nuts, and every day I lay in bed i felt the fat cells growing ad growing . And I never lose my appetite with illness ohhh no! I eat everything !

And bourbon was a significantly delicious factor in my holiday season.

But, I'm totally back in the game, with only a.minor gain that literally seemed to drop off after a couple good BMs.

Back to working out regularly, avoiding the trigger foods, only one glass of wine a night during the week .... and finally feeling well enough to return to our hiking/snowshoeing and long weekend runs!

But it does bring you down... and I had to cut myself some slack knowing it could be worse...and that I didn't use falling off the wagon as an excuse to just stop trying..

Yay to all of us who dusted themselves off, grabbed the reigns and climbed back on that wagon! Giddy-up!!! Whoop!

Had to click "Like" as soon as I saw the word Bourbon.....

Had to click "Like" as soon as I saw the word Bourbon.....

Right back at ya!

Had to click "Like" as soon as I saw the word Bourbon.....

Right back at ya!

No, I didn't but I gained weight.. I actually made my in-laws mad b/c I wouldn't eat the dressing, dumplings, pies, cakes, etc that they "worked so hard to make".. I stuck with my chicken and vegetables. I really hate it that someone says "there's no way you gained weight if you stuck to your diet".. Umm, yes there is.. I don't know what's going on but I can't wait until my next appt to find out whats going on.

Good for you!

i was on/off the wagon but was able to lose 7 lbs during the holidays! Slow & steady w/ exercise and eating right.

Positive at utile absolutely has a lot to do with it!!