I think the biggest thing for me is how I view food.* Now, I try not to "diet".* For the first time ever I do not get too down on myself for eating a bad meal.* Instead, I stay positive and get right back to healthy eating (even in the same day!).* Before, one bad meal could turn into weeks of bad meals but most certainly I'd eat poorly an entire day.* Now, I limit it to meals!

I change a lot of bad habits, coffee I had coffe with cream*and 2 sugars, now I drink it with skim*milk one sugar, no fry foods,*no more excuses that my back hurt and can't workout...for so many years I was excusing my self for not*working out now I do*on a regular basic. I also stop, juice and soda all I drink is water and instead of juices I eat*the fresh fruit to take advantage of the*fibers. I change*regular bread for whole wheat bread and pasta for whole wheat pasta....I love ice cream but I can't do without it...Reaching my goal comes first...Thanks for the opportunity to share with all our changes and challenges, because changing it is a challenge that we have to take in order to reach our goals...

*

Janet

Okay. Here is a topic for discussion...
What is the biggest change you have made on your journey that you NEVER thought you would change?????
I have TWO:

1. I used to drink a cup of coffee every day with three tablespoons of sugar in it. Even after starting my journey, I hung on to this habit, because I dont drink or smoke, and sugar every morning was my only vice...So I told myself! But once you start treating your points or calories like Money, you soon learn that you dont want to spend them on stupid stuff! WIthin a month, I switched to using Equal, and I have never looked back...Now the thought of that much sugar turns my stomach!
2. My second one is of course, DIET POP! I was one of those folks who absolutely refused to try it. Loved my three cans of MT. DEW a day, and nobody was going to stop me...I actually preferred to drink just water or tea...But I started with what I liked, DIET Mt. Dew...Within the week, just like folks always told me, I was used to it. My current favorite is DIET SUNKIST. I LOVE IT...Followed by Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper...

I have not had a regular coke, or pop, in over two years, and frankly, I dont miss it!!!!
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHANGE???????
Dawn
*

I'd have to go with coffee as well.* I used to use cream, yes real cream!* I also went through the flavored creamer stage.* I know they contributed to a rather large, quick weight gain.* Ick.* Now, it's just Splenda for me.* :-)*
I also gave up my BOWL of ice cream a night habit.* Now, I measure out 1/2 cup and that's it.* Guess what?* I'm just as happy with the 1/2 cup!

My biggest change is really my perception of food and eating.
If you scan through blogs, there's a ton of blogs about emotional eating,...etc

I'm actually now to the point, where I quite literally have no desire for any comfort food at all and I even sometimes have to force myself to eat as I'm almost never hungry anymore.

When I go to a party, or gathering of any sort, I actually get kind of repulsed by all the food and eating that goes on.* Guess it kind of makes me a wet blanket, but I don't care

My biggest change is that I haven't quit.* Even if I mess up* I know that I need to change my life or I will not stop the cycle of being over weight and all that comes with that.

Mine was definitely giving up Mountain Dew for water.. I drink 5 32oz cups of water a day now.. that used to be 5 cans of not diet mountain dew.. that's a load of calories to give up...* Oh I exercise alot more now than i used to too.. Those are my biggest changes..*** I have a bunch of cool buddies now too like Dr Marc! That helps a lot too!!

Oh, I have two really big changes....

1.) I NEVER drank water... If I did, it was only a bottle or two a day! No where need what is healthy to have. I lived off Pepsi and Coke... I thought Lemonade was the healthiest I'd ever get! But Now I drink at least 74 oz of water a day, and if I don't drink water, I feel horible the next day!
2.)I HATED the gym... I would say I'd go, go for a week, and then never go back for over a month. And though it's hard, now I wake up every morning, and drag myself to the gym, and I always feel better after walking my 3-4 miles! The last time I lost weight, I'd only do 1-1.5 miles! I feel amazing now!

Hope Im doing this right! I gave up soda 14 months ago! Before my gastric bypass. Have not looked back! Took a sip awhile ago and yuck!! I use equal as well . Also no more fried foods! (13months)!!
sheree

My biggest change?* Well, it's not in what I eat or drink.* I've been dieting for 25 years.* My biggest change is how I look at myself and the way I accept responsibility for what I eat.* I used to be one of those people that would "fall off the wagon" and then not bother to get back on.* Now, if I 'choose' to have a burger and fries, I make allowances for it point wise.* And if it does put me over on my points, I don't fret about it.* I pick up from there and go on.* And I don't see myself as repulsive any more.* I see myself as an intelligent, beautiful woman trapped in a body that doesn't fit me.* And I'm working on getting out of that body.* It may take longer than I'd like, but I WILL get there.