I wanted to use "There and Back Again" in the title, but thought it might be misconstrued as yo-yoing, which I don't want to do 
I'll start by answering the questions posed in the how-to sticky thread:
-- How much weight do you want to lose? 75 lbs
-- What is the timeframe for reaching your target weight? 2 years
-- How do you want to accomplish your goal (what methods do you want to use)? Eating well and exercise
-- Who or what can support you in reaching your goal? My husband, my father
-- How realistic is your goal? I hope it's very realistic
-- When will you start? Already have
What is your current height and weight? Just shy of 5'7" and 222 lbs
If you were at an ideal weight now, what would that weight be? 145 lbs
At what weight would you like to be at four months from now? Less than 200 lbs would be great
Why do you want to lose weight? To be healthy, to make it easier to try new activities, to be able to keep up when exercising, to enjoy clothes shopping, to enjoy being in pictures, to not worry about diseases linked to weight
Do you want to lose weight for a specific life event such as wedding or reunion? If so, when is that event? I'd like to lose 5-10 lbs before I return to work in 3 weeks
What obstacles could get between you and your weight loss goals? Making excuses instead of exercising and making too many exceptions for "cheat" meals
Why do you think that you now have a weight problem? I had an undiagnosed thyroid problem, which combined with the birth control I was taking in college made me put on about 40 lbs quite quickly. Also, I have too many sedentary hobbies.
What lifestyle changes do you think would help you lose weight? I need an active hobby and I need to find a workout plan that I will stick to. Also, I've recently quit drinking soda (including diet)
Have you lost weight in the past? If so, what has worked in the past to help you lose weight? Yes, I participated in a great weight loss program and learned so much about food and healthy eating, as well as what my limits are and what works for me. Unfortunately, I can't afford to do that again lol. Specifically, eating primarily lean protein and fruits and veggies coupled with 1 hr of working out 5 times per week
Why do you believe that you did not lose weight or you gained the weight back? I think my excuse for gaining it back was the stress of college and my 1.5 hr commute each way. Between class and homework and parenting, I did not find the time to cook and wasn't very careful about what I ordered when eating out.
What, if anything, has not worked for you in the past in helping you to lose weight? Why do you think it did not work? Any of the "diets" are ridiculous to me and I always felt bad the whole time I was doing them
Would you try writing down all food and drink consumed for a given period of time? Yes I plan on doing that, although I already know that I hate it
Do you cook at home often? If so, what do you cook? Since I'm currently off work, I've been cooking 90% of my meals. I have a pretty big variety of things that I like to cook and I am always up for new ideas.
How often do you go out to eat? Where do you go? Probably once per week, and it varies. If I could find a good sushi place that's close, I'd go there
What are your three favorite foods? Pomegranate, sushi, thai curry
What are your three favorite restaurants? A Chinese place called Jade Dragon (thankfully it's too far away to eat very often), a steakhouse called Daniel's Broiler (too expensive to eat very often), and anywhere with good red curry
What are three things you can do differently when it comes to food? I need to stop rewarding myself with food, I also need to stop justifying small indiscresions by saying that I'll exercise more etc, and I need to try to get over the issues I have with wasting food, especially when it's not very healthy food to begin with
If you woke up tomorrow and your body was exactly the way you want it, what would be different? It would be easier and more fun to exercise, I'd wear something besides jeans and a t-shirt, and I'd feel better about meeting people and trying new things
Do you eat when you are not hungry? I've been trying to eat when it's time to eat instead of letting myself get hungry in the first place; that way I don't suddenly decide a hamburger isn't so bad or, worst of all, go shopping when I'm hungry
Do you binge eat (large amounts at a time)? I used to do that, but ever since my trip to Europe, I've been much more conscious about portions and now I just feel sick when I overeat; my husband and I split meals every time we eat out and it's sometimes still too much
Do you hide your food or eat in secret? No
Do you eat when you are sad, nervous, or depressed? Sometimes...usually when I'm frustrated with the kids
Do you eat as a reward? Yes! Terrible habit
Do you eat while watching TV or using the computer? I've given up "screen eating" for screen drinking...I try to always have a cup of tea or sparkling water handy and it usually takes care of the compulsion to eat while being entertained
What do you normally eat for a meal? Varies widely, but I try to stick to some rules: lean protein, lots of veggies, baked/poached/broiled, use substitutes like egg whites and olive oil, ask for things like sauces/butter/dressings on the side, never add salt, avoid refined carbs like bread, and make/order the correct amount to be satisfied but not stuffed
What type of snacks do you eat? Lots of fruit, yogurt, cheese (carefully), sometimes protein shakes
In terms of exercise, what, if anything, are you currently doing? Walking, swimming during the summer, jogging once I lose a little more and build up some endurance, yard work, house work
Where do you go for exercise? A local public gym? School/work gym? Home? Outside around my house mostly; when I return to work, I'll go for walks at lunch. Also, I'm planning on rejoining the local gym
What, if anything, are your three favorite types of exercise? I love swimming but I'm picky about where and I hate how I look in a swimming suit. I would like to be able to run, but walking must do for now. I also enjoy hiking
What is your daily/weekly/monthly/yearly motivation to move towards your goals? I'm not sure I have put my motivations in these terms; my motivation is constantly worrying about health issues and being disappointed with my level of fitness and my physical appearance.
Do you have rewards for certain goals? Yep. When I hit 200, I'll start horseback riding lessons. When I get to 180, I'll buy a horse. When I get to 150, I'll hire a personal shopper to get my new wardrobe.
I'll start by answering the questions posed in the how-to sticky thread:
-- How much weight do you want to lose? 75 lbs
-- What is the timeframe for reaching your target weight? 2 years
-- How do you want to accomplish your goal (what methods do you want to use)? Eating well and exercise
-- Who or what can support you in reaching your goal? My husband, my father
-- How realistic is your goal? I hope it's very realistic
-- When will you start? Already have
What is your current height and weight? Just shy of 5'7" and 222 lbs
If you were at an ideal weight now, what would that weight be? 145 lbs
At what weight would you like to be at four months from now? Less than 200 lbs would be great
Why do you want to lose weight? To be healthy, to make it easier to try new activities, to be able to keep up when exercising, to enjoy clothes shopping, to enjoy being in pictures, to not worry about diseases linked to weight
Do you want to lose weight for a specific life event such as wedding or reunion? If so, when is that event? I'd like to lose 5-10 lbs before I return to work in 3 weeks
What obstacles could get between you and your weight loss goals? Making excuses instead of exercising and making too many exceptions for "cheat" meals
Why do you think that you now have a weight problem? I had an undiagnosed thyroid problem, which combined with the birth control I was taking in college made me put on about 40 lbs quite quickly. Also, I have too many sedentary hobbies.
What lifestyle changes do you think would help you lose weight? I need an active hobby and I need to find a workout plan that I will stick to. Also, I've recently quit drinking soda (including diet)
Have you lost weight in the past? If so, what has worked in the past to help you lose weight? Yes, I participated in a great weight loss program and learned so much about food and healthy eating, as well as what my limits are and what works for me. Unfortunately, I can't afford to do that again lol. Specifically, eating primarily lean protein and fruits and veggies coupled with 1 hr of working out 5 times per week
Why do you believe that you did not lose weight or you gained the weight back? I think my excuse for gaining it back was the stress of college and my 1.5 hr commute each way. Between class and homework and parenting, I did not find the time to cook and wasn't very careful about what I ordered when eating out.
What, if anything, has not worked for you in the past in helping you to lose weight? Why do you think it did not work? Any of the "diets" are ridiculous to me and I always felt bad the whole time I was doing them
Would you try writing down all food and drink consumed for a given period of time? Yes I plan on doing that, although I already know that I hate it
Do you cook at home often? If so, what do you cook? Since I'm currently off work, I've been cooking 90% of my meals. I have a pretty big variety of things that I like to cook and I am always up for new ideas.
How often do you go out to eat? Where do you go? Probably once per week, and it varies. If I could find a good sushi place that's close, I'd go there
What are your three favorite foods? Pomegranate, sushi, thai curry
What are your three favorite restaurants? A Chinese place called Jade Dragon (thankfully it's too far away to eat very often), a steakhouse called Daniel's Broiler (too expensive to eat very often), and anywhere with good red curry
What are three things you can do differently when it comes to food? I need to stop rewarding myself with food, I also need to stop justifying small indiscresions by saying that I'll exercise more etc, and I need to try to get over the issues I have with wasting food, especially when it's not very healthy food to begin with
If you woke up tomorrow and your body was exactly the way you want it, what would be different? It would be easier and more fun to exercise, I'd wear something besides jeans and a t-shirt, and I'd feel better about meeting people and trying new things
Do you eat when you are not hungry? I've been trying to eat when it's time to eat instead of letting myself get hungry in the first place; that way I don't suddenly decide a hamburger isn't so bad or, worst of all, go shopping when I'm hungry
Do you binge eat (large amounts at a time)? I used to do that, but ever since my trip to Europe, I've been much more conscious about portions and now I just feel sick when I overeat; my husband and I split meals every time we eat out and it's sometimes still too much
Do you hide your food or eat in secret? No
Do you eat when you are sad, nervous, or depressed? Sometimes...usually when I'm frustrated with the kids
Do you eat as a reward? Yes! Terrible habit
Do you eat while watching TV or using the computer? I've given up "screen eating" for screen drinking...I try to always have a cup of tea or sparkling water handy and it usually takes care of the compulsion to eat while being entertained
What do you normally eat for a meal? Varies widely, but I try to stick to some rules: lean protein, lots of veggies, baked/poached/broiled, use substitutes like egg whites and olive oil, ask for things like sauces/butter/dressings on the side, never add salt, avoid refined carbs like bread, and make/order the correct amount to be satisfied but not stuffed
What type of snacks do you eat? Lots of fruit, yogurt, cheese (carefully), sometimes protein shakes
In terms of exercise, what, if anything, are you currently doing? Walking, swimming during the summer, jogging once I lose a little more and build up some endurance, yard work, house work
Where do you go for exercise? A local public gym? School/work gym? Home? Outside around my house mostly; when I return to work, I'll go for walks at lunch. Also, I'm planning on rejoining the local gym
What, if anything, are your three favorite types of exercise? I love swimming but I'm picky about where and I hate how I look in a swimming suit. I would like to be able to run, but walking must do for now. I also enjoy hiking
What is your daily/weekly/monthly/yearly motivation to move towards your goals? I'm not sure I have put my motivations in these terms; my motivation is constantly worrying about health issues and being disappointed with my level of fitness and my physical appearance.
Do you have rewards for certain goals? Yep. When I hit 200, I'll start horseback riding lessons. When I get to 180, I'll buy a horse. When I get to 150, I'll hire a personal shopper to get my new wardrobe.
