Sorry it's taken me so long to start this challenge, I've been going through a lot.

This challenge will run from February 3, 2017 through March 24, 2017. This will give us a total of 8 weigh ins. I will do my best to post to the spreadsheet within 1 - 2 day of receiving your weight but I am working two jobs and taking 5 classes so if it takes me a few extra days I am sorry but I WILL have it updated as soon as possible!! Please note that I will recalculate the figures as soon as I can following the Friday weigh in - so your weight percentages may be a little off...

I have made these Friday weigh ins because that will allow us to start as soon as possible. You may post your weight at anytime during the week if Friday is not your weigh in day!

This challenge is for everyone. If you are pre op, post op, in maintenance or looking for some accountability; this challenge is for you! The rules and link to the spreadsheet are below!

Procedures:
Please Post Your Starting Weight (Weight on or around 11/14) and your Goal Weight (what you would like to weigh at the end of the challenge) at the start of the challenge on February 3, 2017.

You can cut/paste this below and fill it in on your post -

Goal Weight:
Current Weight:
Today's Date:

Rules:
1. I will be awarding a prize to 2 lucky participants! The winners will be selected at random an the only thing you need to do to be eligible for the drawing is log your weight each week!
2.Post your weight on this thread every Friday. Specifically 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24
3. If you change your screen name please let me know.
4. If you miss 2 or more weigh ins, I will assume you no longer want to participate and your name will be removed from the spreadsheet.
5. If you miss a weigh in on Friday, no problem. Just post it asap.
6. We are all here to support each other, if you post a question anyone can answer.
7. You will know your weight is updated on the spreadsheet once I've liked your post!

The link to the spreadsheet is below! Have fun, and good luck with this challenge!!!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18mFrEfxi-VOlFkoSgiJzWVGclHea0cNUHJG6pqOkCVE/edit?usp=sharing

[mention=300860]Hazel_eyez[/mention] That happens to me too. And my cycle has been sooooo messed up because cysts have started growing again [emoji20] I just had mine for 9 days then 3 days later it started again!

[mention=307122]BigUtahMan[/mention] Thanks! I'm trying! It's so hard. Lately I've been feeling like such a failure which I know in my mind is silly because I've lost 236 pounds but in my emotions I just see the stall/gain

Omg lady, 236 lbs! You are a freaking rock star![emoji41][emoji41][emoji41][emoji41] Yeah, do not let this discourage you. This is just temporary! If you really feel like you need to do something, try lowering your carbs even more and drinking more water. If you are already doing the best you can then hide your scale!!! [emoji23] I get mad at mine, give it the finger and tell it that it doesn't control me. [emoji23]?[emoji23]?

@Hazel_eyez haha thanks! I don't watch my carbs at all which maybe I should? I don't know. My nutritionist said I don't have to if that kin d of diet isn't sustainable for me, which it isn't. I should start drinking more water though. I've been going out to eat a lot lately because I've started dating and it's annoying because I don't WANT to go out to eat but thats what people do!

@Dashofpixiedust8 - you may want to throw your scale away for a few weeks or months, and just not focus on your immediate weight. The one draw-back of the challenge is it made me check my weight weekly or even more often daily. By default that sets an expectation in my head for change each time I step on the scale when what I should only be measuring is our commitment to our plans and our body dimensions. Every time you get on that scale; you have a chance of disappointment, so you may consider stopping to put yourself in that position. Living or dying by the daily results is usually the source of mental brain damage in those situations. You clearly seem to be out of the "easy weight loss" stage, (when the weight seems just to fall off because we breathed) and that is OK and victory unto itself. You have time on your side to lose more weight; it will happen! Follow the plan that lead you to lose first 250 lbs, and just trust your body that it still knows what to do, without the preconceived idea of how fast you expect it to happen.

[mention=300860]Hazel_eyez[/mention] haha thanks! I don't watch my carbs at all which maybe I should? I don't know. My nutritionist said I don't have to if that kin d of diet isn't sustainable for me, which it isn't. I should start drinking more Water though. I've been going out to eat a lot lately because I've started dating and it's annoying because I don't WANT to go out to eat but thats what people do! [emoji14]

Oh ok, I hear ya about the eating out. I don't like to eat out too often either but friends, family, the job etc... seem to want to eat often. I just claim broke, but I guess you can't really do that with the BF. Try suggesting other things to do. It is getting warmer outside and just be honest and tell him you don't like to eat out so much. Maybe offer to cook.

@BigUtahMan Yeah, maybe I should lay off the scale for a bit. It's hard for me. Sometimes the weight still falls off a bit. I did end up losing 20 pounds in the in the challenge. I need to get back to being strict with myself though.

@Hazel_eyez Well, I don't have a BF. lol. These are the first couple dates with guys. I've been going out with a few guys trying to find one that fits. Also, I live with my parents so I can't really have them over! Once I know them better I can offer to go to their house to make dinner but mostly I haven't gotten to that part yet!

[mention=300860]Hazel_eyez[/mention] Well, I don't have a BF. lol. These are the first couple dates with guys. I've been going out with a few guys trying to find one that fits. [emoji6] Also, I live with my parents so I can't really have them over! Once I know them better I can offer to go to their house to make dinner but mostly I haven't gotten to that part yet!

Gotcha, yea then do day time dates after lunch and before dinner if you can. I just tell guys I like active dates. So we usually go mini-golf, laser tag, putting range, batting cage etc...

I would never advise being "strict" as that usually means unsustainable expectation on oneself, but I would advise continued focus to change your relationship with food. I think you are closer than you likely realize at this moment in many different areas of your life to success, there appears to be a lot of change happening inside and outside your body that you are in the process of figuring out. My advice, just relax, live, and enjoy your body and your new shape as you continue down the path. Again, you have already done the hard part, only a small percentage of people ever had the issue you are facing, to lose weight after you already lost over 200 lbs, you are doing great. You can do this, as you have already proven to yourself and world. You got this, don't put a timer on your greatness.

Gotcha, yea then do day time dates after lunch and before dinner if you can. I just tell guys I like active dates. So we usually go mini-golf, laser tag, putting range, batting cage etc...

Yeah, that's a good idea. I would love to do that. Maybe a museum or something too.

I would never advise being "strict" as that usually means unsustainable expectation on oneself, but I would advise continued focus to change your relationship with food. I think you are closer than you likely realize at this moment in many different areas of your life to success, there appears to be a lot of change happening inside and outside your body that you are in the process of figuring out. My advice, just relax, live, and enjoy your body and your new shape as you continue down the path. Again, you have already done the hard part, only a small percentage of people ever had the issue you are facing, to lose weight after you already lost over 200 lbs, you are doing great. You can do this, as you have already proven to yourself and world. You got this, don't put a timer on your greatness.

That's true. I mostly mean getting back on program and tracking and exercising more again! Thanks! I'm sad I ever let myself get to the point that I have to lose 340 pounds. I know I need to look at the future and focus on how far I've already come but it's hard not to remember how trapped I was. I do need to work on my emotional eating still and am working with my therapist on it but it's a process. I go through phases of feeling proud of all I've done to feeling like a failure because I'm not losing as much or as fast as I thought I would. I feel like my "magically fast" first 6 months was stolen from me since I had so many complications and had to be on tpn infusions to get my fluids and nutrients for the first 5 months.

That's true. I mostly mean getting back on program and tracking and exercising more again! Thanks! I'm sad I ever let myself get to the point that I have to lose 340 pounds. I know I need to look at the future and focus on how far I've already come but it's hard not to remember how trapped I was. I do need to work on my emotional eating still and am working with my therapist on it but it's a process. I go through phases of feeling proud of all I've done to feeling like a failure because I'm not losing as much or as fast as I thought I would. I feel like my "magically fast" first 6 months was stolen from me since I had so many complications and had to be on tpn infusions to get my fluids and nutrients for the first 5 months.

I hope you realize these struggles you are going through are forcing you to be stronger and more aware of everything. While it is always difficult, you , unlike most will have a unique confidence when you hit your goal weight because of everything you just listed. That my friend is very valuable. I know you are also venting, but remember to have confidence running your own race. I have to remind myself this daily, as it is human nature to compare ourselves to others in all areas of life, but it simply doesn't have much value as we always see what we want to see, through very distorted glasses.

You are strong, and you will achieve what you focus on, keep the faith and stay focused. (Sorry for the sermons, I just want to help you like you helped me.)

I hope you realize these struggles you are going through are forcing you to be stronger and more aware of everything. While it is always difficult, you , unlike most will have a unique confidence when you hit your goal weight because of everything you just listed. That my friend is very valuable. I know you are also venting, but remember to have confidence running your own race. I have to remind myself this daily, as it is human nature to compare ourselves to others in all areas of life, but it simply doesn't have much value as we always see what we want to see, through very distorted glasses.

You are strong, and you will achieve what you focus on, keep the faith and stay focused. (Sorry for the sermons, I just want to help you like you helped me.)

Aww, thank you. I do appreciate it! I am trying to see the bigger picture and that it's a long term thing. I know I shouldn't compare myself, I try not to, sometimes it's hard not to. :-P

I do appreciate your kind words and I'm glad to know I was able to help you!

197!!!
I'm so excited!
Thanks so much for all of your hard work and encouragement to all of us @dashpfpixiedust8!!!
I looked forward to this every week!

My final weight was 209.