I was on vacation for a few days this week and then when I got home, I ate out a couple of evenings as well. I got on the scale this morning as I do every Sunday and I lost a half pound and I feel great. Not because of the weight loss....a half pound is nothing. I feel great because I feel in control. For the longest time, I gave in to my food desires and overdid at every occasion. Of course, then the guilt comes from not being able to stop.

So...this week I truly enjoyed every meal, and paid attention to what I ate and how much I ate and never ate too much...and again..I felt like I was in control...not just of food, but in control of my life. I don't know how else to explain it but I feel like I am in the driver's seat for a change and not allowing this damn food addiction to control me.

My only hope is that I can keep this up. I've lost weight before and always slipped back into bad habits. When I read posts from bandsters who have gained all or some of the weight back, it scares me. I want to be a long term success and I'm hoping the band makes the difference this time for me.

That is a huge accomplishment ! You will keep it up... Way to go! *high five*

It is a great feeling when the Band finally starts doing everything it was designed to do.....and takes over what we could never do on our own....FINALLY!

So I read your post and it put me through a bit of rollercoaster. 1) I was so happy to hear that you recognized you were gaining self control. There is nothing more rewarding (even weight loss) than realizing you now have the tools to succeed AND you are using them to your advantage. The reality that this is happening and that it will continue to happen is just such a relief and is motivating! I am just thrilled that you've come to that realization and congratulations! but than 2) I saw the self doubt trickle in. And YES! this has been our norm for so long that it's just a natural knee jerk reaction. We second guess everything because we have failed repeatedly. But this is not only different, this is the solution. This is what has been missing for us all these years and that is why you no longer need to self doubt. You need to just keep reminding yourself YOU ARE IN CONTROL. Control doesn't mean perfection. It doesn't mean eating clean 100% of the time. It means giving yourself permission to indulge on occasion with control. It means recognizing gaining 1, 2 even 3 lbs is not failure..it's a break and one you can easily turn around from...again, because you are in control. The more freedom you give yourself, the more control you have and that = success. I have full faith you can do this. Ignore the others. We are individuals and some of us make poor decisions. You sound like you have a good handle on this and are doing things right. You'll get there..one pound at a time. Now put that self defeating attitude in a box and burn it ahhaha

Thanks everyone. Thanks Hazel....I appreciate your wisdom and words of encouragement.

Congratulations! I think I'm almost there. Iwl be eating then I get this sensation saying I've had enough but the head tells me to eat another bite. I usually try another bite and that's when I know - no more, I've had enough!

I can totally relate to what you're saying. It's such a great feeling to finally be in control.