I set a goal of 160 and I reached it. And now I am at 156.6. In the deep corners of my mind, I dreamed of weighing 155....but 150 was about as possible as someone asking me to star in a movie.

Should I go for it??? Or will I just be disappointed if I cannot maintain at that weight? I stayed at 160 for 3 weeks with absolutely NO NS food except at breakfast and the dessert. But this week, I decided to do NS for lunch as well. For supper, I just eat a regular meal, keeping in mind to measure out the portions. Like the other night when I made beef stew and biscuits, I had ONE cup of beef stew and ONE biscuit. I made lasagna another night, and I measured one cup...and instead of the garlic bread, I had green beans. Nothing real extravagant going on for me in maintainance. Just trying to eat regular foods, but a lot less of it. (and I still have lots of NS meals saved for the nights I feel like the food is too fattening or too heavy)

But anyway...I am wondering if I should shoot for 150. That's just 6.6 pounds....but hmmm...I don't know. Maybe I should  just keep eating right and working out like I have been and see where my body takes me????

I posted yesterday about being on maintainence and gaining 5 pounds this week. You were right I guess about it being water weight. Those 5 pounds disappeared overnight! LOL! I guess my weight will fluctuate during maintainence just like it did during the diet! That used to drive me CRAZY to suddenly put on 3 or 4 pounds in a week, but I learned that it was not true weight gain and would come back off in less than a week. It must be a natural part of the body's rhythm...still happening! BUT...I am still going to be stricter about my cheats. I think I will take one writers advice and pick a weekend day to have an indulgence and not allow it during the week.

Okay, so it has not been quite a month since I hit goal, and I have gained 5 pounds all the sudden this week! WOW! Time to get right back on the program, because I am NOT going to let this happen! I am doing FINE at meal times, it is the snacks that are getting me. I had oreos a few times...I stopped at 4, but STILL...my body had gotten used to not eating that crap. Plus I had boiled peanuts at the ballgame! And I am not eating the vegetables like I should. I have eaten a slice of pizza from the school cafeteria instead of my NS lunch and salad...so...little by little these things add up. PLUS...I have slacked on exercise. Still doing it, but only a couple of times a week instead of 4.

Fair warning kids...you cannot ever go back. You have to determine that fatty, unhealthy food is a thing of the past. I think an occasional cheat is okay, but I have been getting a cheat in here and there every day! Big No-No!!!!

I have a whole new set of problems. I touched on it in a blog before, but now its really getting worse. Life is a lot different for a 160 pound woman than for a 215 pound one. Men I have known for YEARS are treating me differently..being flirtatous...LOOKING at me in obviously sensual stares. It can be heady at times, I will admit it. But I am beginning to feel like a piece of meat and I don't like it. I feel guilty if I look good in something I am wearing. Am I trying to get people to look at me? Gee...I just wanted to feel good about myself.

And WOMEN are a whole different game. Some that used to be friendly are downright icy. Some tell me how I better not lose another pound or my face will cave in or something ludicrous like that.

I will be so glad when enough time has passed that people are just used to seeing me at this size and its not such a big freaking deal. I cannot even see that much differnce myself...truly. I am wondering if it is all worth it!

I don't blog every day since making goal..but I am still here and still maintaining. So far, its not too hard, but its not even been quite 2 weeks yet!

I am feeling great. Went shopping this weekend to get some more clothes that fit. I must say that Lee makes some incredible jeans with a bit of stretch in them that fit right to the leg and look great. I will attach a pic.

I posted 3 new pics wearing a size 8. I thought I might use them for the contest...but I think too much flab is still there and you can see it. I guess I will keep trying to take the "right" pics.

Go to my page and look at my photos if you want to see them!

Love, Dottie

It's my red letter day! I did it!!! In just under 13 weeks I lost those last 20 pounds I have wanted to lose for so many years!

I have lost a total of 55! If I had not stopped and settled for 180, I could have done this 3 years ago when I was on NS the first time. But hey...it's done and that is what matters!

And thanks for the prayers! I have no fever this morning and I feel great!

I think I have the flu. I've been sick since Sunday night. I got some meds and was feeling better on Wed., so I worked out and went to work. By Wednesday evening I felt the fever coming back.  I tried to go to work anyway this morning. It's the end of the grading period and teachers have to get all the grades into the system by tomorrow! I still have some things to do....but I cannot seem to get well! I did not make it even an hour at work...I am just too weak. I have to go tomorrow though unless I am dead. Could use some real prayers. You  know...you people who really pray and not just SAY you will.

Love,
Dottie