Dear Buddies:
Today I read Nikki's blog and she described learning something new on her journey, something that she will now keep handy in her mental rolodex and which will help her attain her goals.* Nikki said that she learned the importance of throwing away left overs, as to not be tempted.* The purpose of this forum is to share a tip that has been instrumental in your success...whether you have lost 1/2 lb. or 100 lbs., the idea is that we learn from eachother!
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Plan ahead!* I've learned that having my meals planned in advance keeps me focused on my goals and keeps me from straying into the unwanted snack jars!* One other thing...stick with buddyslim!* The group support is a must!

One of the*most important things I've learned is losing weight takes time...In the past I'd always give up whenever I didn't see the results I wanted...Or if I hit a plateau for too long I'd just give up..So, I'd have to say "Patience" is one of the most important things that has helped me succeed on my weightloss journey...As long As I'm doing all the right things..I know...Eventually the weight will come off...

I'm learning that even though my diet may have started as an accident when I ran across this site a couple of weeks ago, maintaining it and being successful at my weight loss and exercise program does not happen by accident.* Its*requires that I live deliberately each day and think about the consequences of my actions and inaction.

I have learned that I have to do this for me and me alone. Not for those who look at my weight in disgust. I also have learned that I have to make changes that I can incorporate for the long term. I know fad diets don't work for me and I have learned that I had to change my feelings toward food. It isn't my friend. Just fuel for my body. I have also learned I can't do this alone and* I have to stay with this site. It is my anchor!

i have learned as well as I continueon this path. I have learned I was wrong thinking that only junk food/processed will be satisfying to me. I found that I dont need the fast foods anymore, there are so many yummy things out there that are even tastier and filling, for me and the best part...is they are better for me and will help me towards a healthier me. I learned that half the time I thought I was hungry, I was really thirsty. I have learned to pay attention to what I eat and when. There are so many things that I have learned over the last two years. I look at myself and give myself credit. I could have let myself go down and continue the path I was on with no exercise, junk food (I still eat it just in moderation), feeling sorry for myself when I looked at the thin girls in the magazines. Face it, I am forty five years old, I am never going to look like Victoria Secret model, but I sure am going to look great and feel great with what I have. So this is my lessons learned. Have a great day.

Like Char said, food is fuel for the body.* I really look at food as fuel and not entertainment.* It took me a very long time to wrap my head around this one, but once I did, my journey got a whole lot simpler!* Many days my coworkers want to go out for lunch to a restaurant and it doesn't entice me in the least.* I can make healthy cost effective choices on my own, and if I eat my 6 meals a day, I never truely get hungry to warrant any cravings.* Now I just eat healthy food.* Sometimes my meals may seem boring or redundant to others if I haven't taken the time to plan other types of meals and am eating the same 5 things every day, but it really hasn't bothered me!* Today I went to the grocery store to see if there was any kind of "cake" or treat I'd want for my birthday meal, and I came out empty handed.* Just a good steak and veggies.* I haven't found anything "special" enough to warrant me binging again, even if just for a one-time birthday treat!

By far the BIGGEST thing I've learned is that we need to change our beliefs & our interpretations of how/why we do things.* I think part of the problem is that virtually everything you're exposed to (informercials, articles, diet plans....etc) seem to imply that you can lose weight permanently without really making sacrafices or 'changing'.** This is total BS, at least in my experience.

Two of the VERY best things I have learned are

1.* There is a price to pay - either way.* There is a price to pay to lose weight (dieting, exercise, ...etc).
But there is also a price to pay for staying the same (decreased health, being unattractive, low enengy....etc). The reason a lot of us have trouble is that staying the same is comfortable, easy and familiar.* The price we pay is much worse that the price of losing weight, but since it is so safe, so comfortable, we never change.
I had to make a conscious choice to pay the price before I started losing weight consistently.

2. The other thing I learned to do is to ask myself "What do I really want?" at many times throughout the day.* This is sort of the same thing as knowing that there is a price to pay, but this stupid, little question* helps me to interrupt my bad habits.* When I faced with a situation where I would normally overeat, not exercise....etc.* I have learned to actually ask myself.* "What do you really want?"
I know what the answer is.* Since I know what I really want,* I really don't feel deprived or tempted by food and I am motivated to exercise.** Unless you can find some way to interrupt yourself when you feel tempted or deprived, it is much harder to make the changes permanent.* When I answer this question, everything is very black and white and I don't feel deprived or tempted in any way.

What I have learned in the 2+ months I have been here is that getting up is what will get you toward your goal!* If you want to get there by being perfect and NEVER falling off, more than likely, you won't get there.* Even people that have perfect days for months at a time now*have fallen sometime in their past.* The thing is, once you keep getting up over and over, you fall less and less as time goes by because the changes become lifestyle changes.* So, it's not about saying, I blew it I'm giving up.* It is LITERALLY about saying, "I*blew it, I did it, move on!!"* That will get you to your goal......or at least keep*you on track.* At least that's what's happened to me.......*

Great answer Dan.