https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 08 May 2026 15:28:05 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort/page/2#post-108844 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:06:04 +0000 Angie 108844@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Michelle, you’ve been through a lot and are coping phenomenally well. I continue to be IN AWE. You are right to tackle one challenge at a time. Now that you and Reva are two peas in a pod, and Corey has a bit of positive news – it’s time to focus on Michelle again! And this time you’ll be extra supported.</p> <p>Jenny and VC, let’s see pictures! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort/page/2#post-108839 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:38:24 +0000 velvetychocolate 108839@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd love to join in on this too. I've done a lot of 'coasting along' lately. I want to get to goal! I like Khris' suggestion of just posting an up or down number on Mondays. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort/page/2#post-108812 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:23:40 +0000 chewyspaghetti 108812@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'll start a thread Monday after I weigh in, and then you lcan all post when you do yours. If Thursday works better- just pot it on Thursday. I'm going to start another Weight Loss Support thread about closte clean outs right now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort/page/2#post-108756 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:51:04 +0000 jennifer26 108756@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry for the delayed response. I'm definitely in. I can't find the link to a much older posting with photo. I think I need to reactivate my photobucket account. Thanks ladies, I'm so excited to be doing this with actual buddies (in the past, I've always done this on my own). </p> <p>Up until now, I've been doing weekly weigh-ins, for some reason, Thursday has been the day, but I'm happy to shift to either daily or Mondays, whatever the group consensus is.</p> <p>My goal for this week is to rejoin weight watchers and write down everything, I eat. Looking forward to the new thread. I'll get a picture posted as fast as I can. </p> <p>Thanks. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort/page/2#post-108754 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:36:48 +0000 Anonymous 108754@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not poor excuses at all!! You are dealing with a lot and need to treat yourself tenderly.<br /> Reading all the stories and inspiration was amazing. I just want to add that I could never lose the weight I wanted to look better, but I was motivated to do it for health. Also, a plan of low carb meals/snacks with some protein about 6 times a day really works and you are not hungry. Expect it to take a few days to get rid of cravings for certain foods. The hospital dietian also insists on slowing down eating by chewing each bite about 30 times and limiting servings (even going so far as to cover extra food on your plate with salt so you won't eat it.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort/page/2#post-108741 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:06:44 +0000 Michelle 108741@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You're sweet to ask, Angie (and you're always welcome to PM or email if you want more detail than what's coming ). November was a pretty rough month, but we got some good news on Friday when we heard his work contract was being extended until the end of March. That keeps some money coming his way while he wraps up his final two university courses and gives him more time in which to find a full-time position (this current one is three days a week, which worked fine while he was in school). That piece off news gave us all a nice lift, but there's considerable family drama brewing on his end that threatens to make life complicated again.<br /> I'm doing ok, just terribly terribly tired. I know this is part of why I haven't gotten my game together re. the weight loss; I just felt too overwhelmed for so long, what with this business and adjusting with Reva etc. A poor excuse, to be sure, but true nonetheless. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort/page/2#post-108738 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:58:25 +0000 Angie 108738@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Works for me, ladies! Khris, you rock. </p> <p>Michelle, I have been meaning to ask you how Corey is doing? How are you holding up? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort/page/2#post-108736 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:50:44 +0000 marianna 108736@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Monday is great. I can probably buy a scale tomorrow and that will give me almost a week to have some results!</p> <p>This is awesome! I am most successful at weight loss when I have someone I am accountable to! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort/page/2#post-108735 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:41:56 +0000 Michelle 108735@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome to the fold, Khris!<br /> I'm very much in favour of weekly weigh-ins, and starting Monday sounds great. I have a scale already, but in my case there's the logistical issue of having someone around to read the number that comes up. That's one of the reasons that I would like to skip the daily weigh-in (the other being a comfort factor, plus the recommendation of WW which I plan to follow_. Is that cool with you, Angie? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort/page/2#post-108734 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:39:21 +0000 chewyspaghetti 108734@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I weigh myself every day, but I only record it once a week. I do it Monday mornings, and I would be glad to start a thread for weigh ins every Monday if you want. I won't post my actual weight either, but just a up/down number from the week before. That would give you time to get a new scale. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort/page/2#post-108719 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:00:07 +0000 marianna 108719@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Khris -- the more the merrier! Yes! :)</p> <p>Angie -- Weekly weigh-ins work best for me, personally. How say you, Khris and Michelle? Daily weigh-ins won't be good for my sanity. I prefer to just share what I lost and not reveal my actual weight.</p> <p>I need to buy a new scale. I'll see if I can do that soon. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort/page/2#post-108717 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:49:42 +0000 Angie 108717@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Khris. I am also happy to receive private weigh-ins from all of you if you’re comfortable doing that. Honestly, I strongly believe you should do daily weigh-ins, but I know that wasn’t popular with the other ladies when we discussed this topic before. Also, you could merely tell us what you’ve lost instead – that way nobody will need to know what you weigh! </p> <p>For starters, you all need to get a good scale. Weight yourself in the same way on the same scale every morning. Lets start this process now! Wooooho! I'm excited! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort/page/2#post-108716 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:42:49 +0000 chewyspaghetti 108716@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Marianna- I am happy to do weekly weigh in with you ladies, as well (and be whatever kind of buddy would be helpful). I still have a long way to go, and I need to re-focus. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort/page/2#post-108705 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:20:34 +0000 marianna 108705@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Michelle, you want to start that new thread?</p> <p>I think we need to have weekly weigh-ins. There is no way I am sharing the exact numbers with the forum, but we can report how many pounds we lost each week. That would keep me accountable.</p> <p>I've had a migraine for the past three days since starting my diet. Calorie withdrawals! My body isn't used to eating a normal amount of food but I've been good. Eating lots of salads with protein and healthy soups. I need to go grocery shopping and stock up on healthy food. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort/page/2#post-108702 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:12:35 +0000 Angie 108702@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Michelle and Marianna, we’ll wait for Jenny to answer and then we’ll press on ahead tomorrow. For the meantime, my suggestion is to mull over this thread again and pick out the bits of information that appeal to you. Present them on a separate thread and let’s start formulating a plan so that we can hold you accountable to your goals :0) </p> <p>Hanna, there are plenty of ways in which the forum can help! I like your suggestions for one thing, and also just checking in daily making sure the lasses are on track is another. If they stumble and fall, we’ll pick them up! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort/page/2#post-108661 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:01:13 +0000 hanna 108661@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>you guys are amazing :).</p> <p>i can't speak to your specific experience, but i will say that having a support buddy to motivate you and hold you accountable helps TREMENDOUSLY, as i can attest to -- bf was a huge help during the 5k saga. i'm so glad you guys have each other to lean on -- and of course, we will be cheering you all the way!</p> <p>is there any way the rest of us can help? maybe post interesting exercise routines, or music mixes to work out to, or recipes? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort/page/2#post-108569 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:22:03 +0000 Michelle 108569@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hurrah for weight loss buddies and Angie's proactive management!! Thank you all.<br /> Jennifer26, the more the merrier!! Please do join us; I know I'd love to have you on board for this endeavour, and I bet we could all benefit from more support and empathy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort/page/2#post-108548 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:44:09 +0000 Angie 108548@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's fantastic Marianna and Michelle! I’m loving this vigor and motivation before the goal setting has even started. </p> <p>Jenny26, you mentioned that you’d like to be a WLSB too. We’d love to see a picture if you haven’t posted one yet. That way things become a little more real for everyone. Hope that makes sense! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort/page/2#post-108528 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:39:02 +0000 marianna 108528@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie and Michelle, I totally want to be Michelle's weight loss support buddy -- if she'll have me! I have stuck to a "diet" for two days now and feel motivated!</p> <p>My boyfriend doesn't need to lose as much weight as me, and doing this with Michelle will be more fun anyway. No offense to the boy.</p> <p>How shall we do this? I haven't weighed myself yet. I'm scared to break the scale. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort#post-108523 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:15:24 +0000 Sihaya 108523@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow. What a great community. I wanted to add this link where I found the 5 factors to be extremely helpful to see all together before the sales pitch started. <a href="https://products.simpleology.com/dpripwire/gluea" rel="nofollow">https://products.simpleology.com/dpripwire/gluea</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort#post-108479 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:58:55 +0000 Angie 108479@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Michelle! You cook too! That’s brilliant. </p> <p>Right. Your YLF Weight Loss accountability has just started, Michelle. Before we formalize matters, let’s ask Marianna if she’s ready to start with you as your WLSB (weight loss support buddy). No pressure at all, Marianna. I know that you mentioned that you’d like to do this with your boyfriend. I just don’t want you to feel excluded which is why I'm mentioning it here :0) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort#post-108455 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:25:43 +0000 Steph 108455@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Michelle, I am also someone who has trouble motivating initially--once I get started on a weight loss plan, I am good at sticking with it, but getting started is what is so difficult. I recently lost 20 pounds, going from a size 8 to a size 2/4, but only after about a year of saying I was going to start losing weight. More often than not, my pattern was to say "I'm going to lose weight. My diet starts tomorrow, so today I will eat whatever I want for one last time." Then I would gorge myself, tomorrow would come, and I would say "well, I have some leftovers from yesterday's eat fest, I'll just start my diet tomorrow." It was completely a lack of motivation, and I couldn't seem to muster up the determination to start the diet. </p> <p>When I did finally start the diet and stick with it, I found there were two major factors that changed things for me. One is that I was going to be a bridesmaid in a wedding and knew the other bridesmaids were small. I didn't want to feel huge in comparison. It's vain and pathetic, but it really did motivate me to start losing. The other thing that helped me a ton was to basically schedule a time to go to the gym every single day. I made going to the gym for an hour every week day something that I "had" to do--no excuses--and once I really convinced myself that I would go to the gym daily, I stuck with it. </p> <p>Similarly, my father has known for about a year now that he had gained too much weight and really needed to lose. But (like father, like daughter!) he just couldn't motivate. He recently started a diet and workout plan and is sticking to it. I asked him what finally made him commit, and he told me it was when I took a photo of him on his cell phone that was VERY unflattering. He said he didn't even recognize himself, and realized he had to do something immediately. As Oprah would say, that was his a-ha moment. (Full disclosure: I know my dad well and knew he was struggling with motivation, so when I took the photo and realized how unflattering it was, I showed it to him, hoping that it might motivate him to get healthy. Normally, I would have just deleted something that was so unflattering, because it really didn't look like him!)</p> <p>I think that motivation is very idiosyncratic, and what motivates one person won't work for another. For me, general goals like "being healthy," or "losing weight," weren't as successful. I needed the image of me feeling gross in the same dress as my boyfriend's sisters to get moving. </p> <p>I do think that, once you start, anything that keeps you accountable--keeping a food journal, scheduling gym time, going to a personal trainer, attending Weight Watchers meetings--make it so much easier to stick with it. About seven years ago I lost 35 pounds on Jenny Craig, and I credit weekly conversations with my weight loss coach with helping me to stick with it. </p> <p>Years ago, I read an interview with Alison Sweeney. She's an actress on Days of our Lives, and also the host of the Biggest Loser. The interview was way before her Biggest Loser days, and she had just lost a lot of weight. When she was asked what motivated her, she said it was a comment from her husband. She had complained about her weight, and her husband said to her "you are so successful at everything you try to do, I'm sure if you want to lose weight and put your mind to it, you'll be successful at that as well." So I will say the same to you: you have been so successful in so many facets of your life, and I'm sure that you will be successful here as well! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort#post-108436 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:02:00 +0000 jennifer26 108436@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Michelle,</p> <p>Thanks so much for your posting. I remain amazed and in awe of all the ladies here at youlookfab. On the whole, I've been more of a lurker than a poster. :)</p> <p>I so appreciate this post, and the advice from the ladies on starting now (rather than waiting until after the holidays). Over the weekend, I'd come to a similar conclusion about weight loss and the need to start taking accountability to actually lose weight (rather than hope each week that the scale might have miraculously inched down on its own). Like you, I've had success with Weight Watchers before, if you're interested, I'd love to join you in rejoining and setting new mini-goals week by week (thanks Kristin). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort#post-108397 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:40:55 +0000 Sarah 108397@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hey Michelle! First of all, asking for the support of those who love you is a great first step in pursuing health. There is no way I would have seen the results I did had I not had my husband, family, and friends' support.<br /> Many people as me how I lost the weight I did, and at first I'd type pages and pages of information, just to be ignored in the long run. So now I tell people to find a program that they can stick with. I really don't think one eating program is better than another (with exception to the fad diets that starve your body of much-needed nutrition - which frequently add the weight back on once the diet is over) or one exercise plan is better than the next.<br /> I know what works for me, but it may not necessarily work for you.<br /> The key is consistency. Pursue health EVERY day. Turn it into a way of life with baby steps.<br /> A good formula to remember is that as long as your output is greater than your input, you'll lose weight.<br /> And feed your body, don't just eat empty calories. Figure out your body's needs for protein, good carbs, and good fats. Make each calorie count!<br /> And lastly, get moving. I love running and weight lifting, but walking, yoga, and even dancing are equally as good.<br /> You will have a strong support system here on YLF, so you can't fail! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort#post-108353 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:13:38 +0000 Michelle 108353@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, guys... I am just overwhelmed at the amount of wisdom and usupport you've sent my way, and that's just on one post! Thank you so much. </p> <p>Marianna, I would love to be weight loss partners/sbuddies!</p> <p>Angie: Being held accountable by you or the forum would honestly be the biggest help ever. How should I do this? And to answer your other question, I do cook, am pretty good at it and love to do it. </p> <p>To all others who advocated baby steps: I agree; I get too overwhelmed at the prospect of changing everything. I think my goal for this week will be to restart WW, which is feasible I think because of the way the program works (i.e. no foods are tabooed, you just have to monitor portions and write it all down). Does this make sense? What I like about the system, too, is that it really reenforces the value of certain foods. For instance, a hand-ful of pecans has the same points value as an entire portion of delicious, home-made white bean and barley stew that I make myself using fresh ingredients. I know which option is best, and I know what I need to do. My major hurtle has always been to get started. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort#post-108313 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:07:51 +0000 rute 108313@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You'll find here all the help you want, my advice is that don't call it diet or weight loss, you need to know that you'll have to arrange a new and healthy way of life and that is for life, not for just a period of time, just change the way you eat, I do that sice I'm 15 years, I eat right and exercice twice of week, no sweats, no fries, drink water or tea, eat vegetables, fruit, white meat and fish. It seems hard but you'll get used to it and when you start to loose weight you'll feel motivated, the secret is to never give up and to discover way you eat, stress? It's a mental process, it's all in you mind and you'll have to be able to change that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort#post-108239 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:49:27 +0000 Anonymous 108239@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What an interesting bunch of comments. I saw myself in some of what was said here. I used to not care much for ice cream until I found a certain kind that I loved. I started eating it everynight and now I do feel addicted to it. At a certain time of the evening I feel like it is ice cream time. Thankyou all for helping me understand that I need to knock it off because it has taken me over.<br /> I also stopped my excercise plan when my Dad became ill with cancer a few months ago. Reading this post has given me the push I need to get back to yoga tomorrow. I do not feel as good as I did when I was on a regular yoga plan. I'm excited to get back to feeling good again.<br /> Thanks everyone.<br /> Good luck to you Michelle and Marianna. You are both gorgeous. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort#post-108229 Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:05:53 +0000 Angie 108229@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, wow, wow. Where do I begin! The suggestions, stories, feelings and personal experiences on this thread blow my mind. THAT is powerful. Thank you, ladies. I love your comments. </p> <p>Michelle, I can’t really add to the wisdom that’s been shared, but I would like to reassure your feelings of self-doubt. I meant every word with utmost sincerity in this year’s Thanksgiving Day post. When I see your posted outfits here on YLF, I am reduced to tears. (Ask Greg). These are tears of pride and joy. Seeing you take control of your life the way you have gives me motivation and inspiration each day. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Like I’ve said before: you are one of my role models. As Maya put so well, you of ALL PEOPLE should be proud of who you are and what you look like. So there’s a little extra to love at the moment. That’s okay! You and Marianna do the BEST job of dressing your bodies and that’s KILLER stylish. Don’t you dare worry your pretty little head about being ashamed! You have more style, elegance and grace in your little finger than most people on the planet (that goes for you too, Marianna). Coco would be proud :0)</p> <p>This is my 2 cents: </p> <p>o There is no time like the present. Start thinking about your weight goals now. Create a rudimentary action plan and start living it tonight. Baby steps make all the difference.</p> <p>o Accomplishing goals is so much easier when you are held accountable each day. If Marianna and her boyfriend are willing to share their time, it’s a brilliant idea to become weight loss support buddies. Feel free to use the forum and you can become accountable to me too. I helped Greg loose about 30 pounds a few years ago and he has managed to keep it off because he is accountable to me.</p> <p>o There is so much valuable information right here and it’s just the tip of the ice-berg. Whenever you stumble, we’ll be here to help get back up. Promise. </p> <p>o This is sort of related, but do you cook, Michelle? </p> <p>Michelle, you are beautiful in every single way. FACT. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort#post-108217 Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:15:47 +0000 chewyspaghetti 108217@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think that figuring out your food demons can be really helpful, too. Even at my heaviest, I was never one to eat huger amounts of food all day long. I ate fairly healthy option and not outlandish portions, but I am a binge eater. So, I'd eat healthy all day and then I'd binge at the end of a hard day, or around my period. Those binges were my downfall. I still have occasional binges, but not like I used to. Now I realize what I am doing, at least. That is the first step to changing behavior. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-shelving-my-pride-and-asking-for-help-with-the-weight-loss-effort#post-108201 Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:15:05 +0000 velvetychocolate 108201@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I do think that OA and FAA work very well for lots of people, it's just that I've come to believe that the cause of the defect or feeling powerless has a lot to do with the food itself. </p> <p>I used to eat whole boxes of chocolates too. In fact, I remember buying fancy chocolates for gifts for the holidays, and I purposely bought boxes that were already beautifully wrapped and decorated. Did that stop me? Nope, I unwrapped them and ate them, and had to go back and buy new chocolates for those I'd bought them for in the first place. It was ridiculous! </p> <p>I'm not entirely certain there are 'normal people' who can just eat one or two chocolates and leave the rest, 100% of the time, no matter what. I think that given the right set of circumstances, anyone could easily slip into this kind of thing. If you haven't eaten all day, or haven't eaten well throughout the day, then you're going to be much more likely to eat more than just one or two of the chocolates. If the food you're eating during the day isn't giving you enough nutrients, or if it's the kind of food that leaves you craving more...then the chocolates *will* be a problem - and I actually think this is true for most people. Or maybe there's some kind of emotional upset going on, and the chocolates just happen to be there, staring at you. And you're already craving stuff because of the things you ate earlier in the day on top of that. </p> <p>See what I mean? I'm still much more inclined to blame the food rather than the person. I mean, you could have some emotional upset going on, but if you've eaten two or three really good meals already, you're not quite so powerless over that chocolate. If you've been off the sugar for awhile, it won't be nearly as difficult. </p> <p>I actually have some chocolate sitting in my fridge - it's been there for awhile, and I haven't touched it. Part of this is because I've headed off the desire to eat it by eating well throughout the day. I just finished eating a homemade salmon burger with a small avocado and baby greens salad for lunch. I'm not experiencing cravings either, because I haven't been eating foods that cause cravings. </p> <p>Meanwhile, for a long time there, it was like what shiny said - can't have that stuff in the house. I'm still a bit like that - in fact, my husband made cookies the other day in the oven. I was pacing around, smelling them...it was pretty terrible. I have not touched one of them, but it has been a bit of a challenge. I do feel better without having tempting things around. I don't think it's a good idea to tempt/torment yourself, which is why most of the time - there isn't stuff like this in my house. </p> <p>I would say that I am a serious chocolate addict, which is part of why I chose 'velvetychocolate' as my username. :)</p> <p>I'll have the rare treat. A square or two of really good chocolate. Or I might occasionally (I've done this just twice in the past year) have a small dessert in a restaurant. </p> <p>I don't think eating a whole box of chocolates is crazy or defective. Seems pretty normal to me! I think the 'normal people' you speak of have developed strategies and ways around the problem. </p> <p>Funny story - shortly after I started out with Atkins, I bought my husband a box of chocolates for Valentine's Day. I figured he shouldn't have to be deprived because of my 'new diet'. So, the next day - he kept on slinking off down the hall and being all weird. Turns out he was going back for more and more of the chocolate, but didn't want to torment me with it, so he'd hidden the chocolate way up high, in a cupboard in a back bedroom that never gets used. Finally, I said, "You smell like chocolate! Get away from me!". We had a good laugh over that. He doesn't have a weight problem and didn't seem to be the kind of person who would eat whole bags of cookies or M&amp;M's or what have you - and yet, here he was....slinking off down the hall, all mysterious. He must have done this like ten or twenty times in a row. </p> <p>Anyway, just sharing a few things. I know all about the Chocolate Defect because I have it too. </p>