Thanks Renee for the shout out! I definitely appreciate it.

tips? Do I have any tips? Well....for me planning ahead and then sticking to my plan is the key. Absolutely. When I don't plan...it is so easy for me to fall off course (which is what I was doing for the whole month and a half before this one).

And another tip...is to find someway...somewhere...somewhere to be accountable. That is what works for me. Some people find meetings...for me, it is my website and the challenges. If I have to report in to someone..I am much more likely to stay on track. If I don't have to report in...it's much too easy to hide my gains or misgivings...and then continue down that downward slope.

My third and final tip: Don't make fitness, weight loss and health a misreable adventure. If you are misreable...you are so much more likely to quit. I like the food I eat. I have an ongoing love affair with my elliptical machine. I have always failed at diets...where I couldn't wait to get off the diet so I could go back to a peaceful existence. Make it fun...make it enjoyable...and it is a lot easier to make time for fitness.

Thanks again for the props...and I would like to thank this site as well. I know that this site has been so helpful in the last year. I have gained a lot of information and inspiration. Thanks bunches!!!

Thanks for the shoutout! that is so nice!

tips. Experiment with the different foods your eating plan has to offer. View this change as an adventure not a chore. it makes it easier to endure the times when weight loss is slow.

Don't give up when you get down. Talk about it, work at it, but get through it. You will lose eventually.

Three changes i made which I believe helped to start my weight loss again is I increased my water intake, I made a rule that after 8pm I could only eat fruit and veggies no big meals even if they are on my plan and I started to make sure I ate a good breakfast every day. It helps to start the day off right.

thanks for mentioning me! I am really touched!

My big things since I've been back at school have been:
1) working out with my friend who has been great at making me more likely to go (and he says I do the same for him!)
2) remebering how great I feel after I work out
3) keeping track of when I work out, for how long, and how it makes me feel
4) making the little changes - putting cranberries in my tuna instead of cheese, or choosing seltzer or water instead of soda
5) not paying attention to what the scale says. This has been the biggest one for me because when I do pay to much attention to the scale I get obessed with it and it gets me away from what I should be foccoused on - being healthy.

Keep up the good work everyone!