The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[Serendipity]

132 today. Holding steady.

Our new employee starts today, so I'm sure I won't be checking the forum much. Plus, tax season is here......that means 65-75 hours/wk for me, ugh. This time of year, I work and sleep, that's about it. I have always kept Sunday free to veg out, but I lost my laundry help, so now it's work 6 days and laundry on Sunday. Oh the drudgery!

Taaan, Your question has confused me. My expectations were high if we're talking about happiness and I can say that I have exceeded my expectations there.

If we're talking about my looks, although I feel really good about how I look, I do have lots more skin than I thought I would. My face had NO wrinkles before MF, now they're everywhere. I look 50 now, before people thought I was about 35. Last time I lost alot of weight, there was a little bit of extra skin, but nothing like now. I'm hoping that it will tighten up some over the next year.

I'm also a little smaller than I expected to be at this weight.....good thing.

Re: my expectations about maintenance. I've exceeded my expectations there. I thought I would be ravenous and tempted all the time. Instead, I'm quite happy keeping it simple and only having treats occasionally.....so far.

Hope that's what you were looking for.....if not, please clarify.

[bikipatra]

Jo, I really don't think you look 50. I have seen the photographs. You have an adorable figure, a hip style and gorgeous skin. Nothing says 50 about you. You may have noticed, I am not one of the people on the board that tells everyone they look gorgeous at all times. Sorry, if that seems offensive to anyone because I am trying to be more sensitive and appropriate. What I am TRYING to say is that I sincerely believe you look fantastic and so not a day over 40-42. Look at those "fabulous forties" chicks on Desperate Housewives, you look better than all of them, expecially that one who has a head like an alien.

[Serendipity]

Aww, Thanks, Biki. You just made my day

[bikipatra]

Aww, Thanks, Biki. You just made my day

You're welcome. I was just telling the truth!

[GucciGoo]

Jo- I don't think you look older OR younger- you just look like a completely different, FABULOUS person!

[lauradr]

Jo, I to thank you look much younger.

[Taangrl21]

I think you look very happy.And I dont think your look old at all. You hit the nail on the head with your response to my question.

Good luck with Tax Season...I used to work in a financial institute cashing them...BUSY!!!

[Serendipity]

I wasn't fishing for compliments but.......THANKS, GUYS!!

[Sojourner]

I wasn't fishing for compliments but.......THANKS, GUYS!!

Jo! That totally gave me a visual of you in waders and a plaid shirt...and you even looked cute in that!!! :lol:

[Serendipity]

Sojo, This girly girl doesn't wear waders and flannel shirts, lol.

131 today. All good.

I've been worrying a about an old Medifast friend who hasn't been here for quite some time. She probably wouldn't want me to say who she is, but if she reads this, she will know and maybe contact me. I just wanna know you're alright. You have my email address.

I'm between meetings right now, so no real time to post anything clever.

[Lauren]

Jo, you really did such a fantastic job in LV, I am sorry I am just getting to comment on that now! I don't think I have the confidence yet to tackle going "off plan" and then coming back, but god knows when I do, I'll want to handle it exactly as you did! For now, a treat for me is generally a bigger portion of something I'm already eating, or more frequency - as opposed to trying entirely new things. I'm also not quite as militant if there's a bit extra oil on something, you know, little things like that. And I still weigh every day, and have continued to be under my goal (like you, I always want to be under goal), but I don't know when I'll be able to totally break out on a food adventure.

This past Saturday night I really seriously thought I was finally going to order a drink at a bar, I planned it and everything, and then I chickened out! Is this insane? I am just really happy where I am and don't want to do a thing to jeopardize it. I don't feel the least bit like I am making a sacrifice, though, I feel really good about it, and (like you) still fully enjoy all the foods, both L&Gs and MFs. Anyway, sorry to hijack your journal, but I was sort of curious about your opinion on my inability to break into the real world of foods. Smart and conservative? Or living in a an alternate reality? :-)

By the way, I think you look beautiful, Jo. I told my family that even though I am thrilled to have lost the weight, I looked much younger when I was fat, as I had no lines, and now I do. They all laughed, and said I am fooling myself if I thought I looked younger - that even though our faces were without lines, the weight ages us, and I always looked older than my age, mostly because of the lack of energy and bounce. When you are lithe and energetic, you evoke youth, which is what you do now, Jo, and don't question it. And yeah, my skin is ridiculous now too, but I just laugh at it and realize that it's my battle scars for a lifetime of war, but that I won! Besides, surgery can become my new friend!

Lauren

[Serendipity]

Lauren,

I think that taking it slow is the way to go. I, too, have chickened out on eating something that I have allowed myself, lol. I give myself permission and then just don't want whatever it was when the time comes. For me, it all comes down to control. I feel so safe in my normal day. I'm enjoying new foods, mostly veggies that were not on the list. You would think brussel sprouts were coated with chocolate the way I look forward to them. My banana or canteloupe is like dessert.....loving the fruit. So when do we move beyond this? When do we chuck the packets and move on? For me, the answer is never. My plan is to just eat on the maintenance plan and occasionally allow myself extras....not every day....not even every week if my weight isn't cooperating. I need structure in my diet and the maintenance plan is very easy to remember. I don't have to write it down. I just do that and it's comfortable. I've done a few things....like popping an olive in my mouth, or having a bite of something, but if that leads to loss of control, I'll stop. It's just not worth it.

I've been trying to find time to discuss this with my HA, but I'm so busy right now that I haven't done that.

I may be in a dream world, but at least I know you're there with me.

[Lauren]

Ha! That makes me feel better, Jo, we're dreaming together, then!

You cracked me up with the brussel sprouts comment, because I SWEAR the other day I was practically salivating over a couple of them. I never even loved them when I wasn't dieting, and now they tasted like a carb-laden treat!

I have talked to Nancy a couple times in the past about staying with MF products (plus maintenance off plan foods), and she totally supports and lives by that. You and I are lucky that we truly enjoy the MF products - I still look forward to my oatmeal multiple times a day!

I don't like olives, so I'm not popping them, but last night out for sushi, I actually tried a piece of sashimi that had an "unidentifiable" sauce on it. Not a lot of sauce, but not something I would normally be willing to eat. But I did it. And I survived! :-) Scale was still cool this morning (I know, wouldn't show up THAT fast), so I think I'm okay. Ha!

Let me know what your HA says about our structured plan. I figure, if we don't feel like we're perpetually compromised, it's fine, right?

Lauren

[Lucy]

I hate to repeat what everyone is saying, but they are right, YOU DO NOT LOOK 50!

I worry about the whole skin thing, but I think Dolly said it best " When I start saggin and baggin I get nipped, tucked or sucked" I will most like end up with a tummy tuck, I was only 18 when I had a 30 lb cyst removed, my stomach muscles were never the same after that...

Others are like Paul Newman and Robert Redford, they go au natural...I like Dollys way, hehehehehe

However, YOU really look amazing, I thought you were 40 ish, good luck with tax season, I am right with you. I remember the 80 hour weeks, now I only help a few close friends, of course we seem to have more close friends in Jan. or Feb. and new very best friend on April 14th at 6 pm


Thank you for still posting!

[bikipatra]

Others are like Paul Newman and Robert Redford, they go au natural...I like Dollys way, hehehehehe

Sorry but our dear Robert has had major work done on his face, especially around the eyes. Google him and check it out!