I have lost 15lbs since mid-July. Woohoo! Only 100 more to go.

[GreenPartyVoter]

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. well done! Just take it one day at a time....

you will get there!

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. Thank you! :^)

[NYC_SKP]

2. Well done!

Keep up the good work!

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Thanks, will do! :^)

[applegrove]

3. What is your secret?

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. I'm using

a food journal to help me calculate everything: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/diary/CoachJen71 (Note: if you are looking at today 8/30 that is _not_ my regular eating style. I had company for the holiday weekend.) I weigh and measure all my food, which is a HUGE part of my success, because I have a screwy sense of what a portion size should be.

And I have my fitbit tied into it so that it can show me how my movement during the day can offset what I eat: https://www.fitbit.com/user/2TQS4K When my numbers are in the red, I try to get enough exercise (even just pacing my house) until they are green again.

And the last part of my secret is I'm in a hypomanic cycle. I am a little worried about what will happen when I slide back into depression, but I am trying not to borrow trouble.

[NRaleighLiberal]

7. I am three years maintaining my 60 lb weight loss - keeping a food journal has been key.

I've written down what I eat - and calculate it to Weight Watcher points - every day for three years. Everything - which keeps me honest. My goal each day is 35-40 "points" (roughly 1750-2000 calories) - I am 6 feet, fluctuating bet. 198 and 202 - hell of a lot better than the 258 I started at. Also trying to get 10000 steps in a day (I use a Fitbit force).

Being retired, and loving to cook, and with a big garden, eating healthy is something we've now consistently done - and enjoy.

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. That is terrific! It's really been amazing how much it helps to have an external system

for keeping track of food, calories, and exercise. And I need the (almost) instant gratification of watching my dashboard circles fill in every day. That really helps.

[NRaleighLiberal]

9. I think it is all about self awareness. I had many years of binge eating, junk food eating

Bad habits formed in my early youth. Under stress, that is the direction I go....so having a system to "keep me honest" works very well. I do NOT want to go back to where I was - not with these bad knees!

I wouldn't expect the system I use to be appropriate for others - some, perhaps - but everyone needs to try things and find their own way that works for them.

[JennyD]

10. That's fantastic.

Best of wishes for your success!

[GreenPartyVoter]

11. Thanks! :^D