I had a break, now it's time to get back on track!

I started my weight loss journey around January 14th this year.  I did well for about 5 months and lost 45 lbs.  Then in June I hit a plateau.  Then in July I went on vacation and gained 5 lbs.  So I started at 225 lbs, and I now weigh 185, which is 40 lost.  Throughout July I maintained.  It wasn?t a plateau.  I know I was eating too much and not exercising enough to lose weight.  Now I?m revved up to start again, and continue my weight loss.  I think that the plateau in June really got to me, and I just needed a break.  I didn?t go crazy, and I didn?t gain any back except for the vacation lbs.  Starting today, I?m logging my food again and getting my exercise in.  You know what got me going again?  A recent picture that was taken on my vacation.  I was feeling like I hadn?t gotten anywhere, despite the 40 lbs lost, and then I took a good look at my recent picture and compared it to the one I posted when I first joined here.  What a huge difference!  True, I still have 40 lbs to lose, and I?m still a big girl, but I am so much better than I was when that first picture was taken! And I feel better too.  I?ve gotten used to feeling better, and I forget to pay attention to the benefits of weight loss that don?t show on the scale.  I am in much better shape.  I used to plod up the stairs to my apartment, feeling terrible and barely able to breathe.  Now I can practically dance up them!  I have more energy than I used to have, and I?m able to do so much more.  Those pictures have really reminded me of that.  Take a look at them on my profile if you care to.

So if any of you are where I am and have been on a ?break? so to speak, get motivated to get back on track today!  Take a good look at how much better off than you used to be you are, and take a moment to imagine how much better you would feel if you continue your journey.  Join me in a fresh start, and let?s get those scales moving again!  If anyone has any tips or advice on getting back on track, please share!

Congratulations! I'm really happy that you didn't give up, despite the fact that you took a vacation...this really inspires me..and I just took a look at your picture..before and after, and you look great!

Thanks Icedfaerie!  It's so easy to get discouraged, but when I look at those pictures, I see how far I've come!

Oh yeah!  Good work.  Your pictures are great.

I also recommited to the weight loss at the beginning of August.  I was doing reasonably well losing weight since early March.  I faltered for the entire month of July... luckily only gaining 3 pounds.  With only 18 pounds lost total, I haven't noticed much of a difference, but a couple of my friends think the 18-pound loss is really noticeable.

Wow, you're looking great!
We all gain a little on vacation, and it's awesome that you can get right back on it. Congratulations, and keep it up!

I recently took a five month "vacation" from paying attention... well.. really sporadically for two years :-) 

(What can I say... met my husband.. got married...lots happened!)

I gained almost 75 pounds back on my "vacation"  (I was only 15 pounds away from goal weight when the "vacation" started).

ANyway... I've been back on track since the first of July...  (posted new pictures, too)... Yours look AwESOME plaidpooka!  You should be so proud!

Crissy, I agree that a break can be very helpful, but the trick is to get back to losing again!  Good for us for not gaining much and getting right back at it!

Chrysbiz, I bet that 18 lb loss is more noticable than you realize.  When I lost my first 20, i didn't think it made much difference, but everyone around me saw what I didn't!  Good for you for recommiting!

Thanks, Itskelso!  Vacation was great, but now play time is over!

Tamara, if I can get back on track, so can you!  Good for you for getting back in the swing of things!