It is something that I've put to my mind and I want to succeed at. Not to just lose the weight but to also just learn to eat healther so that as I get older that I have less chances of getting ill and so that Maria or future children learn it so they don't struggle with the things we have. It is something that I have control of and something that I can do good for myself. It has to be a personal decision and once you make that choice there isn't anything that will get in your way.

The battle is mostly mental, and then mostly physical afterwards.

You may find that beating the mental makes the physical battle go by much easier. Also you will find that weight loss is residual - that is you may find that losing at first is difficult, but once you get into the habit, the weight will come off without much thought.

That is what I am finding out. I worked out religiously from August to November, then took a December break. I found that all the work I did paid off and that December I actually kept losing even though I didn't work out. What was the reason? I still had the mental battle in my mind, and was still devoted to many of my goals. (kinda like putting money away in a fund. It keeps growing, even if you stop putting money in it, at least that is the hope...)

These are just my thoughts on the subject.

I started last Mon. at 148lbs and weighed in tonight at 142lbs. I could hardly believe it. I lost my started book to tell what the points were and this is new to me because we didn't have points back when I went but I just kind of guessed and ate three meals and less then I have been.

Made that pizza that is posted on the website. I liked it but thought that the crust was to thick but then figured that is what made it so filling.

I've found some new desserts that only count 1 point and that is what is my biggest problem. I like my sweets to much. But if I can find something like this it helps.

It was 2tbs of cool whip on two choc graham crackers and freeze. Like ice cream bars.

Like as our friend has said if we put our minds to it it will all come off. I was where you are Sheryl when I first started and it took my just three months I think to get it off. But I not only was taking care of turkeys I was walking 4 miles outside each day. That is what really helped. I walked around the section where we lived. In an hour.

I know when I fix my mind on some thing it works but I have to fix it in my mind first.

Congratulations, Mom!

I've been drinking a lot of water lately and I'm hoping that helps me out a lot this week. If I lose the 40 lbs that I want to in 3 months I would be estatic, but I'm setting my goal to at least reaching it by next year this time. If sooner that would be excellent!

I have found that we have a wider range of food variety rather than the same old, same old. I haven't tried the graham cracker snack yet. We did try the fat & sugar free choc & vanilla dessert...1/2 cup each with 2T of cool whip for 3 points and that is great! The skinny cows, ice cream bars you can find at cub, for 2 points. They look like a round ice cream bar in a long round container...clear. Variety pack...choc & vanilla. They are big and thick...excellent. I'll buy some more for this weekend so you can see what they are when you come.

I've, also, have found the I eat a lot of raw veggies with my meals...0 points! Seems to help fill me up even more.

I've been trying to keep active and that I feel will fall in place as I keep losing. At least 3 times a week.

Yeah!