So what are you "starting?"
I am still in deficit, I do lose still very slowly, but this time I've taken
measurements and in 9 weeks I've lost 11" and only 4 lobs but 11" (about 4" each
in stomach and hips)

What I've learned over at JP Forum and leighpeele.com is this:
I will be eating healthy foods "body for life" ie for life
When I'm trying to lose fat, I eat in deficit to what I burn
When eventually I get into maintenance I eat healthy food but maybe 500-1000
calories more of it per day..

this starting the diet and stopping the diet is a set up for failure.

Another wonderful thing I've learned (I am weighing and writing my food in
fitday.com), is that if I eat too much today, because of a planned party or
unplanned mis-step, tomorrow I eat less food. I aim for a weekly amount of food.
If you're doing palm of protein, fist of carb + vegies, you still know when you
ate over your plan, and you still can then next day or 2 eat under plan, or do
an EatStopEat day to have a low calorie day.

What that does is takes out the "failure" and "guilt." This is huge.

So in a way there is no stopping and starting.
Well, I know there is. I began my OPT for Fatloss program (Leigh Peele) on May 4
and it is a 12 week program. I keep a daily log at JP Fitness. I measure weekly
results. I keep being conscious instead of going numb.

I have had M&Ms. But I have to pay by eating less protein, which makes me feel
weaker. I make mistakes. I bring myself back up to START every day and every
Monday I bring myself to START again with renewed commitment.

Body for Life
Deficit for 12 weeks
Refeed week
Deficit again for 12 weeks
someday soon maintenance, still the same: not a green light for oreos and
icecream, just a few more calories / day than deficit was, really.

The more you do your program the more you learn your habits, and how to get up
fast when you fall

> hints on how we can stick with it? For real this time??
it's all for real.

Best of luck,
etana
who's foot surgery has healed and I'm hiking and doing Jazzercise and lifting
weights and feel 10 years younger from post-surgery and healthy eating and
exercising!!

> >My husband and my long time friend are also restarting tomorrow. Any