I'm going to take a guess that most of us on here have had quite a few weight loss attempts in the past, and in the long run those attempts have failed. What are you doing to make this time different?

I was just checking out this chart that Spark offers on it's report, and it's quite depressing.


October of 2010 I weighed in at 264 pounds, and as the chart shows I struggled. I got down to around 247 there for a minute. Then where it dips down really low is when I had a broken leg and I wasn't eating very much. I got down to 228, in July of 2011, woohoo! But then you can see the increase after that. Once I was "better" and was able to stuff myself full of fast food, that is exactly what I did. Watching that cute little chart climb back up to even new highs is just so heart breaking. All the way up to 262 in March of this year, and then I started my steady decline and that is the way I plan to keep this chart moving.

This time is different for me because:
: I am not on a PLAN. I am eating whatever I want and tracking everything. This behavior will continue to some extent forever. May I get to a point where I can start to "eyeball" 1/2 a cup of something accurately, maybe I will. But there will always be some form of tracking and monitoring my intake. For now that includes precise measurements.

: I will not slip back into my everyday fast food habit. It is now a rare treat, but not a way of life.

: I realize I have to exercise forever, not until. I used to think "I can't wait to get to XXX weight so that I can stop exercising." How silly is that. Now I tell myself "I can't wait to lose XX more pounds because my exercises will become easier.

: I no longer let one bad day, or even a bad week derail me. Luckily I haven't had a bad WEEK while starting this in March, but that may very well happen. But I now realize that one week of poor choices do not undo months of hard work.

: This is the first time I can SEE myself reaching Onederland, and going on to goal. This is the first time the plan I am using to lose weight will be the same as my maintenance plan. MAINTENANCE?! I never once thought about that on any previous attempt, this time is different.

: I have successful and amazing Spark friends who not only support me, but dazzle me with THEIR successes. It really keeps me motivated to keep on trucking.

So that is why this time is different for me. I am not going to eat better and exercise "until" I get to goal, this is the way of life and something I am learning to embrace. Sometimes I embrace it kicking and screaming, but 9 times out of 10, I get the job done. In fact, I'm currently not feeling 's and 's about this whole thing, which is the reason for this blog. A friendly reminder to myself if you will.

If you are up to it, I'd love to hear why this time is different for YOU!