Every month my weight fluctuates it goes up during a certain time of the month and then back down again, but the amount of pounds I fluctuate has gone up from about 5 pounds to about 8.  That puts me very close to 140 and also makes my clothes really not fit too well.  Also, I went out last week and bought a bunch of size 5 clothes and happily they buttoned easily but, I did not realize that with these fluctuations during the month they get too tight in the back below my butt.  So either I am going to bring them back and trade them for size 7s or do this diet.  Oh, and the other reason is when I was exercising 6 days a week for several months after awhile my skin broke out really bad and I am still recooperating from that so I really do not want to vigourously exercise right now.  Therefore this diet seems most appropriate. It also claims to help clear up the skin.

As long as it is followed correctly it appears quite healthy and is better then straight up fasting. Energy is said to increase.  My plan is to follow it to the tee and even drink the salt water flush in the mornings (yuck).  I will be hoping to stay on it for 10 days.  Tonight I started with the laxative tea.

I will keep everyone posted.  One is expected to lose 2 pounds a day but that is not the goal of this cleanse it is to get rid of all the toxins in your body and cleanse it.

Wish me luck!

Well I reached my weight goal of 130.  Yea!!!!

I am so happy to report it feels great.  I have so much energy and feel like I can breath even deeper now (as silly as that may sound).  I love trying on clothes now too.  I even love to see my body in the mirror.

I have to admit that at one point somewhere in my 140’s I thought it was going to be virtually impossible to even get to my original goal of 135.  I told myself well maybe it is true what they say as you get older you can’t get back to your old size.  My stomach at one point also looked unrepairingly bad.  It actually looked lumpy and disgusting.  So I decided it was either deal with this and be happy I atleast made it into the 140s and looked alot better then from my starting point, but continue to not be 100% happy with myself and camaflouge my imperfections - or work harder at the progress I had already made.  So I worked harder…

The results came almost too quickly at that point.  I dropped to the low 140’s and then to the high 130’s.  My stomach started to look toned and that is what it took to give me the extra motivation to continue on this weightloss journey. 

So now I have achieved what I set out to do.  I am happy to report it is all worth it.  Never settle.  There will be ups and downs, but stick with it. Consistency and changing it up on your body coupled with good eating habits will win out!

Personally, I was watching 20/20 and heard a story of 3 woman that met each other after sharing a online relationship through a weightloss sight affiliated with People’s Magazine. They shared such a bond after losing lots of weight together that they had to meet!

I searched and searched for this site, but had trouble finding it until one day I happened upon this site and I have been here ever since.  Good thing I did, too.  It has been a tremendous help to me tracking my progress, and getting lots of support most importantly.

I have even paid for sites and they have not been this helpful. Before hearing about this site on 20/20 I only thought to keep track of my weightloss through a weight ticker I could manage. 

So how did you find Buddyslim?  I am just curious.

I am just here to report once you get a handle on your eating habits you will be on the road to weightloss.  How?  Well that is not the easy part.  What worked for me maybe different then you, but here is what worked for me and is still working right now…

1)  Start viewing food as a fuel source not a tastebud tantalizer!  I like food that tastes good just like the next gal, but I did things slowly.  Morning:  unsweetened oatmeal, raisans, and vanilla.  (not the tastiest but it is filling and it can be topped with toasted flax seed which is great for your health too and filling as well)

Lunch:  1 slice of whole wheat bread peanut butter (unsweetened)

Snack: cottage cheese  Dinner:  I love dinner! ;o

I usually have a cup of steamed veggies (variety)

a lean protein (chicken, fish or veggie burger) for fat I always cut up some avocado (it helps reduce my cravings for fatty foods) Plus, I throw in tons of lettuce and arugula.  Sometimes I add a bit of dressing (be careful here) or light sour cream.  I also can add a small amount of carbs because I exercise right before.  So I will have tortilla shells about 2.  Sometimes I will eat a very thin cut pizza (Palermos in the frozen section) 1 serving, and add to a salad.  It only has 300-something cals and has a lot of protein if you get the supreme one.

2) As far as how I handle cravings:  Well lately I honestly haven’t had any because I think I have done a great job training by body over the last 5 months.  However, before I would always have a bag of barbeque popped chips on hand.  Very flavorful! & 18 chips = 120 calories and not fried so better for you.   They come in bags that contain 3 servings so even if you eat the whole thing (binge) you are only getting 360 calories.  Nice!!  I am not perfect therefore, there have been times that I have eaten bad foods for a couple days straight.

My advice to myself and anyone else as soon as you get your share of a bad food- stop right there don’t continue with eating other foods just  because you gave into one.  I believe sometimes hormonally we need these other foods on occasion but we need to then immediately get back on track afterward. 

3) Catch yourself if you find yourself reaching for food anytime you are stressed (this is a bigee).  Don’t ever allow yourself to eat when you are feeling a pinch of stress.  Wait until you have a better handle and can make better judgement calls. 

4) Workouts are important - because you are putting so much work into yourself I believe you are a bit more careful with the eating.  Workouts are also like a brush and can paint your body the shades you want it!  Good luck everyone!  Just wanted to share some of my personal ideas! Hope someone finds it useful.

I am estatic right now!! For the first time in a long time I am wearing a skirt and couldn’t be prouder of my toned legs!!  I actually haven’t wore skirts in the past 5 years!!!

I feel great - I haven’t hit my goal weight yet, but I am relaxed at this point I know all the patterns of my body already –I have been documenting them since January.  I always gain during a certain time of the month and maintain during a couple weeks then drop the weight during another time of the month.  So as long as I keep eating right, and exercising and changing things up on my body I will continue to get in better and better shape!  I also want to point out and thank everyone on this site for helping me realize that I have been guilty of emotional eating! I didn’t even know it. Just like the first time I got on a scale and it said 169, I thought it was broken!  It wasn’t until after I seen a picture of me (actually my before that I have posted) that I realized how much weight I had gained!  Well getting back to topic because I now know that my overeating was linked to emotions I can and have changed that factor!!

I am thrilled right now.  Size 5 clothes are even being pulled out as they fit too snug right now, but very soon they will ease right on!!  I am elated.  Now I will get a little tan going on and its all good.

It is astounding to feel the sense of control that starts to come as you advance in your progress. I went to a breakfast buffet for Father’s Day and did not get tempted one bit to eat any deserts or other “goodies” like homefries or potato salad that I would not have been able to resist just a couple of months ago. I just desired healthy foods. It was nice to make a few trips up to the buffet tables and pick different healthy options.  Of course it depends on what buffet you go to - this one was great!

I have really started focusing on my abs and it is great as the flab decreases you can see all the work that is being done.  I have been doing lots of reps and working all the different muscle groups it feels great!  I am also loving all the cardio I do and have been reaching new heights lately! It is so nice to stick to a plan and suceed and feel good doing it!  I am so happy I stuck it out and made it this far!  I wish everyone continued success in their personal endevours and my advice is stick with it through good days and bad days - ups and downs it will be worth it.

Well Saturday after shopping for the perfect potted hanging flowers for a few hours in the blistering sun- I got hungry after passing one of my favorite Mexican restaurants… So I decided to make Saturday my “eat anything I want day.”  A few people have mentioned it on this site and in my exercise books as well.  Big mistake because since then I have no will power and I wasn’t able to exercise on Sunday or today so I feel even worse.  I had finally just made it into the 130’s (139 to be exact) and I was so happy now I have taken a step back again. I dare not even get on the scale again–ohh, I have to later I can’t stand the suspense no matter how bad the news!  I know I can get back on track if I just start exercising and drinking my water and eating small low carb meals again.  I am pmsing too so that is probably at the root of this as well.  I just had to put my struggle out there.  I need to get back on the bandwagon and I guess for now I cannot have eat whatever you want days anymore!

That is the power of making a decision to change your lifestyle.  Now I am not saying I will never order a cheeseburger deluxe meal again from a menu with coleslaw and fries - just that I will do it on my own terms when I want to.  I just like being in control not the food.  We often write about when we have given in to food cravings, but don’t always share how far we have come to this point.  That is just as important as improving on our current faults… MMM MMM MMM - now that tastes good!  Have a great day everyone - I am.