So..most of you know I'm headed on my dream trip to London shortly. This is miraculous to me as only 2 1/2 years ago, I was barely able to walk a block and was only weeks away from going into a wheelchair.

In preparation for a bike tour through St. James and Hyde Parks that I signed up for, my friend and I rented bikes and will ride in Central Park this afternoon. I've been practicing at the Y but I need to make sure I can ride a real bike and not just a stationary one.

So...for those who focus too much on the scale and the numbers, think of me and others like me who note success as not just a number but in how we've regained our lives. In fact, I've climbed above 115 lbs. this week and while I'm not thrilled, I'm not obsessing. I've been eating out alot recently and this is likely the cause. I'll be a little more aware of how much I'm eating and the few pounds I've gained will come off. Or they may not come off. As long as I don't put on more, I'm OK with it.

I'm way more focused on the bike ride today than what I weighed this morning. Think about that when you get pissed or depressed because you didn't lose enough weight this week. Or why didn't I lose weight if I'm starving myself? Don't starve yourself. The body doesn't like it.

Have a great day today and a great holiday weekend. Eat well and eat smart. Enjoy all your non scale victories and enjoy your friends and family. I want to hear about all the holiday NSVs after the weekend. I hope to see lots and lots of them.

Liz

What a great idea Liz! I think I might just break my bike out of the shed and give it a go this weekend. I haven't ridden a bike in a long time, and I used to love to ride all over the city when I was...dare I say it "younger".

Have a great weekend!!! Share some pictures of your tour through Central Park!

It is truly remarkable that a short time ago you were on the verge of becoming immobile. Now you are going to bike through Central Park.. Amazing Liz. Thank You for reminding me to keep being happy with the progress I've made and not get too bogged down by the scale . I know you will have a great trip.

What an inspirational post. Your newfound happiness just oozes through, and I couldn't be happier for you. Enjoy your trip and bike ride!

Here you go. Me on a bike. I rode around for more than an hour. London, here I come!

Here you go. Me on a bike. I rode around for more than an hour. London, here I come!

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your life is getting better and better. Watch out london????

This post made me so happy. Liz, post from London if you can. I can't wait to hear all about it!

And I totally agree with your advice. I've been stressing over my weight hovering around 200 recently. No matter how anxious I got, one day it would be down a pound, the next day back up. I restricted my food and it didn't help. I got angry at myself. I starved myself. It still wouldn't budge. But I vowed not to throw in the towel.

Somehow this week I found myself choosing more solid Protein and veggies, and the scale started to move down again, albeit slowly. I'm not suffering and I'm eating well and leaving food on my plate. I have no idea why it suddenly got easier. And I lost five pounds.

I began talking to my therapist about the weight loss mental game. I don't think it caused this "better" week, but it didn't hurt.

Bottom line, as always. Never, ever, ever give up.

Wow what a great read! This is such a motivation to us all its a fabulous day in London today and you will no doubt have a blast!

Wow what a great read! This is such a motivation to us all its a fabulous day in London today and you will no doubt have a blast!

Thanks @Maddiee. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to coming to your fabulous city. It's been a dream of mine since I was a teenager. If you ever think of coming across the pond, come visit my city. Manhattan is a blast as well. Wouldn't want to live anywhere else. When I go up to my roofdeck, I can't see the stars...to much ambient lighting from The Empire State Building, The Freedom Tower, The Chrysler Building, The Citicorp Building...etc. I have a great view of them all and never get tired of it.

Love, love, love the picture of you on a bike -- that smile says it all! What a great trip you are going to have. Like Lisa, I'm getting my bike out of the shed today. Top of the morning to you and a very happy Fourth of July weekend!

Loving being on the east coast! So lush and green in Mass. No drought here! Saw witchy Salem...

Now in the Berkshires.... Very serene and pretty. Giant houses and lawns

Looking forward to tanglewood, James Taylor and fireworks????

Happy fourth????????✨????

Enjoy yourself however you decide to celebrate

gowalking - congratulations. Wow the smile on your face in your bicycle photo says it all! What joy shining out of your eyes! You look terrific! :-)

You've met your weight loss goal, and therefore you have wisdom to share (if you're willing!) Did you hit any slow periods of weight loss along the way? Any tips for those bandsters (like myself) who are 'stuck' at a certain weight even though we're following the rules?

Kudos to you!

gowalking - congratulations. Wow the smile on your face in your bicycle photo says it all! What joy shining out of your eyes! You look terrific! :-)

You've met your weight loss goal, and therefore you have wisdom to share (if you're willing!) Did you hit any slow periods of weight loss along the way? Any tips for those bandsters (like myself) who are 'stuck' at a certain weight even though we're following the rules?

Kudos to you!

I never stalled so when the weight loss would slow, I'd just keep plugging along and the scale would move again. Just know that I only lost more than 3 lbs. once in the more than two years I was losing weight. Usually I lost 1-2 lbs. a week. That's it. But over time, those pounds added up. I hit the original 150 goal but never changed my eating plan and I continued to lose. Now I bounce between 112 to as much as 118. I want to stay under 120 which gives me enough of a spread to not go crazy and worry about every pound.

Here you go. Me on a bike. I rode around for more than an hour. London, here I come!

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Wow Gowalking you look so beautiful and happy!!! You inspire me so much!! beautiful picture enjoy your trip!