On my diet, I get 5 to 15 syns a day to spend as I like, but they don't go far. For example 1 tbsp of light mayo is 2 syns; a Snickers bar is 15 syns. I tend to do without during the week, and have a treat at the weekend. As long as I stay within my weekly syns, I refuse to feel guilty! We also have a bit of a blow out once a month around payday...sadly this is usually a pizza from Dominoes or a meal from Burger King. I love junk food, but at least I know how to control it now! This method keeps me on track and it's obviously working as I'm now 32lb lighter than I was on 7th January.
Look forward to hearing from you all.
Helen, I love the "syns" concept -- it sounds so much more British than the weeklies that I get on WW!

A big

to you on your fabulous loss this year! Keep up the good work!
As for a real treat I try to limit it to the weekends. I dont find it a hassle because I am trying really hard to stay within my points daily. I had a big gain a couple weeks ago and am still trying to get it off.
Don't you wish it would come off as fast as it goes on?
I like to have treats available daily, although since I do low carb (not necessarily Atkins), my treats are usually a little sugar free jello with a dollop of whipped cream. That is a total of 0 carbs!!! Then I also have Friday free day, where I allow myself to have whatever without guilt. I also love junk food so when I am craving it during the week, I just put it off for Friday. Although usually by then, I am over one craving and on to another and never eat everything I have been craving all week in just one day. It works great for me, I never feel deprived or that I can't have something I want because I know I can have it on Friday. Also, I do feel that it keeps me on track and I am loosing weight, so for me its all good!!
I hope that you enjoyed your night off and your day today!

Not feeling guilty about treats is a great strategy.
Susan, oodles and oodles of

and good thoughts for sweet little Sunny.

She is such a cutie and lucky to have her 4 footed and 2 footed kitty mamas!
Hello Lisa!! Thank you for hosting us this week.
My reason to exercise is for strength. My core was very weak and I kept injuring myself. I do landscaping as my hobby and in order for me to continue that I need to build strength. I "dead lift" a lot of stuff and my physical therapist is helping me there.
INCH loss around my gut. I have lost weight but it seems to be hard as HECK to move that one. Weight loss alone is not going to do it.
Fixing my feet. I am digging the golf ball into my foot as I type. My plantar fascia muscles are ticked off, which has set off a chain reaction of issues in my body.
No bonus here. I am too new to all this. One day I will be able to answer that.
Jeannine
You do get bonus points because you are having that terrible PF and yet you are not letting that stop you!
I was thinking about your DH and wondering if you could put together the portions for him so he didn't have to think about it but just grab it. It wouldn't be a long term solution but just until he got the hang of things. It is a lot to deal with his illness and the inevitable feelings of loss and frustration at you new way of life. It's so tough on those guys.
Thanks Lisa for the above - I've saved just the ones for me.. I have diabetes and am trying to kick it with diet and exercise altho I don't exercise that much.. been trying to get a little more walking in now that weather is nicer and I signed back up for once a week Zumba.. I could do more and when I do I feel like alot those mentioned above.. I am very good at brushing it off - been doing it for years so I don't really have a way to bust it..
Sounds like you are busting those excuses one at a time with your walking and Zumba.

It's all those little good choices that will add up to big changes for you!
Happy Friday friends! Anyone else glad that the week is nearly over??
I'm at work today, but came in early so I have a few minutes to pop in here to say hello. I may also have time when the kids go to recess and then later in the day when they have Special, so I should be able to catch up easily!
Confession time.... As I mentioned I've been hovering a few pounds over my maintenance range lately. I've had trouble getting my weekends under control and figured that was the problem. So last weekend, despite lots of easy excuses to not eat right, I stayed OP, made good choices, and did not have any big splurges. I ate well during the week, measured my portions, journaled all my foods, etc. And I was looking for GOOD THINGS on the scale this morning. And you know what.... I lost exactly .1 !! And I can see that the frustration, anger, and disappointment is ready to cloud my entire day. I feel HUGE (although I know that is more about my head than my belly). I feel ANGRY. And I feel SCARED that somehow, despite having lost nearly 90 pounds and keeping it off for 4+ years, I can't do it any more. I know that is CRAZY and that I KNOW what to do and how to do it and I just need to be a bit more patient and maybe make a few more changes (like increasing my exercise routine).
Why am I confessing all of this?? Because I know that many of you struggle with losing and maintaining and I want you to know that it isn't just YOU! Even us "success stories" have days/weeks when we feel like we just can't do it any more! But you know what I will do? I will stay the course. I will stay on plan. I will stay "in the wagon" with you all. I will continue to make smart, healthy food choices. I will continue to get regular exercise (although admittedly I need MORE of this). I will NOT let this 3 lb +/- of "extra" weight get me down! But most of all I WILL NOT GIVE UP!!
Off to finish my coffee and read here a bit before the craziness of a Friday in 1st grade overtakes me!..............P
Big

to you,
Pamela. It just goes to show that no matter what number shows on the scale that we all struggle with this healthy living thing. Never give up is probably the biggest thing I have taken away from WISH and the one that keeps me going time after time when I would have given up by myself long ago. You can do it!

I think you will get some new perspective and excitement with your new job.
Weighed in...I was 188 last September before our cruise, took 5 months off, yep, put a bit back on...likely weighed over 205 at the start of April...so today's weight was 202.8...hitting Onederland NEXT WEEK! Shooting for 189 by the end of April!!!
You are so close to ONE-derland -- you can do it!
Saw this on fb today and loved it:
Life has no remote. Get up and change it yourself.
Love the quote,
Rose. Hang in there.
Oh lord! It must be the season, the month, the weather, who knows what but I have been struggling since Easter. I haven't lost a single pound, some BAD snacks have been creeping back into my daily diet and I have been skipping some exercise days!
Some emotional issues at home ( come to find out DH is really NOT supportive of this lifestyle change, he was hoping it was just a fad) so I've been battling with his attitude as well.
Starting tomorrow I need to get back on track! Ultimately I know what I'm doing is good for me and the kids. Recommitting to eating good and exercising. I'm going to block out any negative chatter and get my happy attitude back!
Good luck and hugs to all those that are having a rough go of it
Melinda
Melinda, big hugs to you and big kudos for not giving up. You can do it!

Sorry about the DH issue. As Pamela said sometimes you have to lead by example.
I'm having a rough week too - it started out so well but this week was bad
Sorry about the bad week.

Luckily the wagon is right back here for you.
Speaking of circling the wagon, where are you,
Buffy? We are heading to your house next.
Hello and Happy Friday! I have had a rough time since Easter as well and got on the scale this morning all resigned to having to report a gain only to find a loss. WTH?? But I'll take it I have quit my Diet Dr. Pepper....I haven't had one since I think Tuesday now. I don't like it - LOL - but I know it's better for me. And I halfway wonder if I can contribute that unexpected loss to it. I think I am going to either figure out if I can get my bike in shape to be ridden or buy a new one this weekend along with a child seat for our little one because I really enjoy bicycling. My YDD loves her tricycle and just gets after it, but to go with us will need to be in a seat on my bike. We have a great trail system that I would like to utilize but my bike has been left out in the weather and needs some work. Hopefully I can figure that out this weekend! Oh....and I FINISHED my fence this past Monday evening.....wooohooooo!!! I was SO excited about that. Of course that just means I can start on the back one now Hope everyone has a great Friday and an even better weekend!
Great job on the Diet Dr. Pepper!

And I think bike riding sounds like much more fun than fence building.
My reason to exercise is because I want to feel better and have some me time. I like to take our dog for a walk and l listen to podcasts on my ipod. I found this station on itunes called after buzz tv and it does wrap ups on shows after they air.
As for my favorite excuse it is that I had a long day at work and I am tired. My way to bust it is to tell myself that this is my time alone.
I am tired is my favorite exercise excuse, too.
I had been successful busting it by working out first thing in the morning but the time change did a big number on that plan but things are getting better.
Oodles of

for everyone who is struggling now. The good thing is that we are all here and we are not ever, ever, ever giving up!
