Thank you soooooooo much...

[Salcheq]

... to all the lovely, lovely people on here, especially you admin superstars and regulars who have become my friends.

I have today hit my target weight of 60kg, have a BMI of 22, fit into a slim fashion shop size 12 on bottom and 10 on top, learned a massive amount about calories and have developed dramatically improved eating habits, have nearly kicked emotional eating out for good. But even better, I've found a place where I can chat, get quality advice, support and encouragement and just feel comfortable talking about stuff.

I always felt like a fraud coming on a weight loss website, as I never really looked that big, but I was putting on weight rapidly, and couldn't control it at all. But I've not had even a hint of negative judgement from anyone on here ever. And, since losing 10 kg I really notice the difference. I regularly carry bags which are between 5 and 10kg, and the strain on my body is noticeable - that used to be on my body all the time. I can run better now even though I'm really no fitter.

Best of all, I feel sooo much happier, and like I'm not hiding my bad eating habits from the world while pretending everything is okay.

So thank you to each and every one of you who have supported me along the way.

Now I ask for help again as I begin the much more difficult stage 2 - trying to figure out how to make this for life!!!

[Tiggerr]

You've summed it up I think, by pointing out that everyone is catered for (pun unintended).

Like you, I always imagine trying to carry my weight in bags of sugar... the fact is that I wouldn't be able to for long.

Great to hear you've reached your goal... a great xmas present to yourself.

If you weren't aware of the Maintainers club, then you'll find the monthly post on the first Sunday of the month, under Pinned Posts.

[Salcheq 1kg in reply to Tiggerr]

Thanks Tiggerr, I'll be there at the maintainers club, I'm going to need a lot of help to figure out how to keep doing this!!!

[Tiggerr in reply to Salcheq]

When you figure it out, fill me in will you?

My main impression is that it's persistence and still working with everyone here. We're all different but helping each other is a big strength.

[Hidden]

So happy for you salcheq! Your determination and zest for life have gotten you here! You held a mirror up to yourself and really owned your issues.. so I think that honesty has allowed you to recreate your patterns. You're my inspiration today to keep it going.. I knew you would get here and I'm delighted for you!

[Salcheq 1kg in reply to Hidden]

Thanks HappyBeee, you've been a wonderful host and support to all us Sunday Slimmers. Strange to think that I might be an inspirations to someone else!

[Villageduckpond]

What wonderful news to greet us this Sunday morning......very well done Salcheq

I am so delighted for you and am sure you deserve a virtual medal for every pound you have shed

[Salcheq 1kg in reply to Villageduckpond]

Thanks vdp, how lovely that others think it is good news too! No medals, but I did reward myself with a new hairbrush and some bath bombs!!

[Hidden in reply to Salcheq]

Last of the big spenders, eh? 🤣

[Villageduckpond in reply to Salcheq]

Glad to hear it

[Copperbird]

Awesome! Well done!

[Salcheq 1kg in reply to Copperbird]

Thanks Copperbird

[lucigret]

Really happy for you Salcheq, well done, what a lovely Christmas present for you and a really lovely post. Sims up this fab forum😄

[Salcheq 1kg in reply to lucigret]

Thanks lucigret, and for all the smiles and support you've given me on the way

[rutheliza]

what fantastic news, very well done. I'm really happy for you.

[Salcheq 1kg in reply to rutheliza]

Thank you so much rutheliza

[Anna_8888 Maintainer]

Gratz! It's an amazing feeling isn't it 🎉🎉🎉🎉

The maintenance takes a bit of time and I'm currently in the midst of that.

I'm sure it will work out for you.

[Salcheq 1kg in reply to Anna_8888]

Thanks Anna, it is an amazing feeling, but I know the next bit will be tough. I really want to get more consistent with my exercise and tone up a bit too.

[elliebath Maintainer]

I know exactly where you're coming from . Being overweight even by a relatively small amount can really affect our self esteem and pull us down , so when we lose it the feeling is just as great as the next person's.

Well done to you, and here's to a fab 2018 for you as a new maintainer. Stay with this site and we'll help you through the next stage too. 😊

PS you and I seem to be the same size and this is my 3rd Christmas in maintenance...so it can be done!

[Salcheq 1kg in reply to elliebath]

Oooh, so good to hear that you've been maintaining for that long, what an inspiration. By this time next year I plan to be entering the Christmas season at the same size, and safe in the knowledge that I can eat well and not put on 5kg over Christmas!!!

[wa2un7 Maintainer]

Congratulations. I'm delighted for you.💐

[Salcheq 1kg in reply to wa2un7]

Thanks wa2un7

[Hidden]

Well done.

[Salcheq 1kg in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Caroline, still a lot of work to do before I'm really and truly there!!

[Hidden]

Yay WTG you - you have done the work and got there, now maintenance is to be worked at

I am so pleased for you and hope you will stay around and not disappear - you know we are all here to support you on your maintenance journey

[Salcheq 1kg in reply to Hidden]

Def staying around cracker10, still got my fortnightly daily diary slot to host, and I would miss you all. And I'm pretty sure I might just put it all back on again if I disappeared!!!

[Hidden in reply to Salcheq]

Great to hear you are not thinking of leaving us You would definitely be missed if you disappeared

[Ceals in reply to Salcheq]

Glad to hear you are staying around Salcheq

[Sailsalot]

Great to hear such a lovely success story, well done Salcheq . Sure you will be ok maintaining if you stay with the forum, has certainly helped me. Have a lovely Xmas!

[Salcheq 1kg in reply to Sailsalot]

Thanks Sailsalot, think I need the forum more than ever, and I would miss everyone too much to not stick around!

[anigoni 2 stone]

Yay Salcheq .. that is brilliant news... What an achievement! You have done so well.. thank you for all your encouragement on this forum too....

[Salcheq 1kg in reply to anigoni]

Thanks anigoni, and thanks for all your support during the many many weeks of ups and downs in the weigh-ins!!

[Hidden]

Well done Salcheq and isn't this forum wonderful.😊💐 Wishing you success in maintaining in 2018.😊

[Salcheq 1kg in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Kazzi, it is a most wonderful place indeed.

[Hidden in reply to Salcheq]

👍😊💟

[Hidden]

So proud of you!! Congrats!! You can keep it off. Join the maintainers club and they can help you.

[Salcheq 1kg in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Melhall, I've enjoyed hearing your news on here, and watching you grow and become happier in the last few months.

[Hidden in reply to Salcheq]

Thank you. This forum has helped me through some rough times. I appreciate all of you.

[87down]

Woweee well done for reaching your target brilliant! Lets us know how the maintenance goes......🤞

[Zest Healthy BMI]

Many Congratulations on achieving your goal. That is fantastic news!

[Salcheq 1kg in reply to Zest]

Thanks Zest, now I need to learn to maintain like you!!!

[Hidden]

Fabulous post Salcheq , and one I could have written myself last week, when I celebrated a year here and reaching my target weight. What an amazing achievement, you should feel justly proud. Even if you didn’t have a lot to lose, coping with emotional eating and learning healthy eating habits make you a winner in this game, and you know that there will always be people here to support you with maintenance. What a fantastic Christmas present to yourself!

[Salcheq 1kg in reply to Hidden]

Thanks tt, great idea to think of it as a Christmas present to myself, that might keep me being moderate when faced with oodles of my favourite things at Christmas!!

[Ceals]

What a fabulous post Salcheq I am so very, very delighted to hear your wonderful news. You deserve it so much and have worked so hard for it.

You are a stalwart on the forum and always offering support and encouragement to others, it is so good to hear that you have been supported too.

You are so aware of food I really don't think that you will have difficulty maintaining and I know you will still be around supporting others. How fab to have made it into the maintainers club, very elite.

Many, many congratulations, lots of love and hugs.

Ceals x x x

[Salcheq 1kg in reply to Ceals]

Thank you Ceals, you deserve a particularly special thank you from me, your warmth and friendliness is always there to help me through. And your menus are legendary, I never fail to see your daily diary posts and wish I was coming for brunch and dinner. I now love Greek yoghurt with cream because of you! xx

[Ceals in reply to Salcheq]

You are so kind Salcheq I am delighted if I had any tiny input into your huge achievement. So pleased I have encouraged you to include good healthy fats in your diet. To be honest I would love to come and eat at your house, you have some amazing foods and your curry nights always leave me wanting to eat curry.

Take care and be a great maintainer!

[James40Cheshire]

Really well done, hope to be posting something similar myself next year....... fingers crossed. Much love to our fellow forum members. James

[HubbysMissMouse]

I am so pleased for you Salcheq it is amazing that you have reached this and I am also glad to hear you are staying with us all as you have really been great to many of us too. I can’t wait to get there and my husband is so shocked and proud of me for sticking with this as long as I have so far. Well done and I am so proud of you. The next step will be so hard for you too but I know you will get there by sticking with it. All the best.