[All Boys]

Melissa, Glad you could join us...
This is for everyone on any kind of diet...
I have done good for the last 2 days... I am feeling great about the whole thing today... Although my dh (who is just cutting back) keeps wanting something to snack on.. He is killing me.. He can't even go 2 days without eating snacks... It is taking a lot of will power for me to tell him NO!
Ok so here is what I ate today...
2 slices of Turkey with a little bit of gravy..
greenbeans
salad
and a glass of tea... appr.. 15 grams of carbs.
I have not yet done my exercising. But will do it before I go to bed..

Who is next?

[spaypets]

Gina--didn't you eat any other meals? Food is fuel and if you don't eat something during the day, your body will respond by slowing down, and you'll have twice as much trouble losing weight. The other problem with skipping meals is that it messes up your sugar/insulin balance, putting you at risk for Type 2 diabetes. In the words of Jewish grandmothers everywhere "Eat Bubela, eat!"

Yesterday, I ate:
4 Morning Star sausages
1/2 cup skim milk (in my coffee through the day)

Big salad with tabouli and smoked salmon

Squash lasagne
Salad

Popcorn

Note: When I say salad--I'm talking HUGE --like a whole salad bowl full--that's how I stave off hunger, with lots of raw veggies.

Today the plan is for

Morning star sausages
skim milk

Leftover shrimp and peppers and black bean and white corn salad

Manhattan clam chowder
salad

Popcorn

[All Boys]

Ok I know, I know... I should be eating more.. And I am going to... But I just wanted to get a JUMP start on things.. I am not going to eat breakfast at all.. I am not a breakfast eater. Never have been, and see no point in eating a meal when I am not hungry, and am use to not eating breakfast...
And yeah I am eating alot of salad too... I love salad..

I did exercise last night before going to bed for at least 15 minutes, but it might have been a little longer than that. Nothing strenulist (SP?) yet, basicly alot of stretches, set-ups, crunches, push-ups, and walking in place for quite awhile..

So I am feeling great today... How is everyone feeling?

Gina

[ddhuab]

Well, I had to do grocery shopping yesterday, as we were out of town for two weeks and I had been dedicated to eating what we had prior to leaving... so the cabinets were bare! To make a long story short... it took me a while yesterday to "start" (and even to eat... so I was going to "start tomorrow"... but after grocery shopping I decided I can't keep putting it off til tomorrow, so I had a partially good diet day!). I did not exercise, but going to the gym is on my "to do" list today. Although I did major shopping with my friend for her apartment on Monday and stood on my feet all day yesterday, so my muscles were pretty sore.

I need to make a New Year's resolution to limit my forum usage to one hour per day!

Yesterday I ate:
1. Lots of coffee w/ splenda and non-dairy ff creamer
2. Lunch: (ate out) patty melt and onion rings and coke (eek!)
3. Evening snack: chocolate protein shake
4. Dinner: "Balsalmic Salmon Salad", from a recipe, which is basically a salad with a homemade balsamic vinagrette (sp?) dressing topped with a piece of Teriyaki-basted broiled salmon which is surrounded by cubes of steamed new potatoes.

Gina - do whatever works for you, but Spay is right... for most people, it is difficult to lose weight on one meal per day. For me, that is how I GAIN weight. It is a pain to have to plan to eat several times (I know, my plan is difficult for me, at first, because you have to eat SIX TIMES A DAY!). I have to plan ahead or I will eat nothing (but coffee) all day until I am cooking for my husband. Even having some nutritious cereal handy can get your engine going in the morning, and is pretty quick.

Today's plan - lots to do this week (what's left of it)... I am planning on cooking some soup for dinner that should leave leftovers for two days of lunches.

Eating plan for today:
1. eggs and toast
2. shake
3. cottage cheese and apple
4. tuna sandwhich (w/ ff mayo and pineapple) on wheat
5. shake
6. southwest chicken soup (from recipe)

I need to get some water in there, too!

Spay, sounds like you are doing well.. Squash lasagna? I have never heard of that, but it sounds delicious... was it homemade from a recipe? If so, maybe you could share the recipe?

Well, I am going to drink some coffee and read on the forums for 1/2 hour, then I am off to the gym! (I like to work out after the early rush!).

Good luck today!

D.

[spaypets]

The recipe was adapted from I think, cooking light. DH made it (he does the cooking). We skipped the cream in it and used whole wheat lasagne noodles. It is yummy, though last time with fresh squash it was better (we used frozen--next time will try canned). I'll see if I can get the recipe.

Did anyone see Dr. Phil yesterday? He's got a whole new weight loss challenge going on. One guy was drinking like 12 sodas a day--something like 1000 calories worth a day. What a relatively simple change for HUGE payoff. Anyway, I haven't read his book, but it sounds like it would be helpful (he talked about how bad it was to fast all day). I think his program makes you eat regularly scheduled meals in the first two weeks.

Gina, skipping breakfast--fine -- I actually don't eat until about 9 a.m. when I'm at work (I'm up and working out around 5 a.m.) because otherwise I'm starving at 11 and the starving again at 3 and before I know it, I've eaten enough calories for the day and still have dinner scheduled with DH. This way I can hold out until 12 or 1 and then am not hungry until about 4:30 and by that time I'm ready to go home soon. But, it sounds like you're skipping lunch too!

[janiej]

Hi everybody
I'm trying to get "back on my horse" since the holidays too.
While I was losing my weight the past 5 months,( since reuniion ) I didn't really do any "special" diets, what I did was "cut back".
I know alot of "experts" say that doesn't work, but I have found that I can still eat all the good stuff (except for the "goodie" stuff aka ice cream, pie, cake, cookies etc,) only be sensible and not eat as much.
I used to eat 2 pork chops at a a meal, now eat 1.
I used to eat half a plate of potatoes, now less.
I used to eat fries, now soup.
I think you get "the drift". Common sense & portion control.

We have burgers only once in awhile (hate the veggie burgers !) as opposed to at least once a week.
Eat alot of salad, although I have always done that.
Love my salad!!

I too never eat breakfast. Just never have, even when I was little. Try to eat "light" for lunch, maybe tuna or turkey on whole wheat - sometimes a bowl of soup & cottage cheese.
Dinner time is "usual fare", only LESS of it ! I noticed after a month or so when I started, it felt like I was "filling up" quicker and couldn't eat as much. I really do believe the stomach "shrinks" to adjust!!

Not a big fruit eater, but have learned to become one (WHEN we can "afford" it Have to sell your soul now days for fresh fruit & veggies !! )
For snacks, I do popcorn alot, pretzels, a small bowl of cereal like grape nuts or bran flakes (nothing too sugary).
I also stopped drinking regular soda & switched to diet - it was a hard transition for me, but where there''s a "will" ------I am a BIG soda drinker !
Only ones I can handle are Diet Dr Pepper & A&W Root Beer. Can do Diet Pepsi if i have to, but it seems the "after-taste" is my problem and those don't seem too bad.

Drink ALOT of water also, again, have always done that so not a big change there.

I really think everyone is different, and you just need to find the one that's best for you.If you're more comfortable on a "regimented" diet, that's good.
I'm just not that way. I eat what I "feel" like that day, and find that it "satisfies" me more doing that than "depriving" myself of the foods I like best (pasta is my very favorite, and still eat it alot, but smaller portions, and made with marinara sauce rather than heavy sauce & meatballs! )
Sometimes I even "crave" things like pizza or chips, so I allow myself to have "just a little". It seems to do it for me. Maybe this won't work for alot of you, but i think we just have to try everything & see what does work.
Sorry this is so long, but I think it's great we are all on here trying to make an effort "together".
I have felt "alone" in so many things for so many years, something even as simple as a "group diet" on here gives me the confidence that you are al out there in my "need" with not just dieting - but my original and bigger issue of "reunion" with my b-son!!
Thanks for listening - good luck to us all !!!!

Should we start some kind of "posting "our weight losses (honor system of course) on a regular basis, or should we just "wing it" like we're dong ?
I'm "up" for anything !!
Almost forgot, also had to quit being a"couch potato", don't have a gym here so I walk with my friend, just around the neighborhood, sometimes if the days are nice (won't be for awhile) we walk trails in the woods.
Surprising how much better I feel when I walk.
Have a treadmill but HATE IT !! Too boring I think, but with "encouragment" may get back on it again.

Take care everybody - and again - thanks for being here with "all kinds" of SUPPORT !!!!(Something I've looked for alot of years - thanks goodness we got this computer in our "old age"

janiej

[tobeafamily]

Thought y'all might be interested in this:

-------------------------------------------------
MountainWings A MountainWings Moment
#4362 Wings Over The Mountains of Life
-------------------------------------------------

This edition of MountainWings is available as a spoken version.
Click to Hear > http://www.voicewings.com/4362.wma

Don’t Lose Those Pounds!
========================

Don’t Lose Those Pounds!

As we move into a new season the number one resolution will be to lose weight.

In one form or another whether it involves increased exercise, or dieting, the bottom line is that the number one resolution in America will be to lose weight.

And I’m here to tell you, "Don’t lose those pounds!"

As we sat in our board meeting for my company, I set goals for the coming season. As I set the goals for the company I urged each employee to do the same for themselves personally.

I told them they needed to be specific and that they needed to write down their goals and bring them into the next weekly meeting and we would openly discuss any of the goals that they wanted to share with the rest of the company.

At the meeting as person after person spoke there was one goal that stood out; many wanted to lose weight.

I heard, “I want to lose 20 pounds, 30 pounds, 40 pounds.”
Everyone set their goal based on how many pounds they wanted to lose. As I listened to everyone who wanted to lose weight, I made a correction. I told them,

“Don’t set your goal to lose pounds.”

I know you’re saying, “Why?” “Why wouldn’t someone want to lose pounds to get in better shape, to be healthier, to look better, why wouldn’t they want to lose pounds?”

Because it’s a temporary solution.

When they lose the pounds, the goal is over and as a result it’s not long before the pounds come back.

What I told them to do instead was this:
Don’t set a goal based on how many pounds you’re going to lose, set a goal for the weight that you’re going to maintain.

If you are 180 pounds and you want to get to 140 pounds don’t say, “I want to lose 40 pounds,” say “I want to maintain a weight of 140 pounds.”

When that becomes your goal it changes things. Once you get to 140 and you creep back up to 145 your goal is still there, the goal to maintain a weight of 140. So now you focus on getting the five pounds off instead of waiting until you hit 180 again and then begin the 40 pound routine all over again.

I’ve seen people take our product at XXXX.com and lose weight. (I deleted the link so as to not solicit - Regina)
The same phenomenon happens, it happened within the company, they lose the weight, then in a few weeks or months they’re back up to where they started and repeating the same mantra,

“I want to lose weight...
I want to lose weight...
I want to lose weight.”

Trust me; it makes a difference in just the simple way that you state your goal.

So don’t lose those pounds.

State where you want to stay and stay focused on that weight.

Then WRITE IT DOWN and place it where you can see it each day.

Leave it there, even after you reach your target weight, leave it there.

So, what weight do you want to maintain?


~A MountainWings Original~

[coco46]

Regina,

Great idea! My goal is to MAINTAIN a healthy weight of 135 pounds.

Yesterday I went to the gym and worked out with my trainer for an hour. I told her about the WW thing and she said it was a good idea for me-I can track everything online instead of tedious "food journaling", which I never keep up with.

So far this morning I had a "meal replacement bar" (bleah!) and a big glass of water. I have to say that the WW online thing is great. I was startled to learn that the "healthy" meal replacement bars are 9 POINTS! It's not even that tasty~no more of those for me.

Wow~ I'm happy that we have so many folks here to stay motivated with! Good luck everyone!

[janiej]

Good point, but I think many of us need to LOSE the pounds & then think about "maintaining".

I have a picture of myself on my fridge from about 15 years ago when I was at my ideal weight.
I look at it every time I go to "munch", and it does help me.
I agree that we do need to maintain, but for many of us we need to "get there" first - and I myself need the "help" & encouragement to do that before I worry about the "maintenance".
But thanks for the suggestion, for many it may work.
Just saying for me I have to "get there" first !!
God Bless You for being here & your input !
janiej

[echaos]

I'm in! In need to lose about 65 pounds but I'm going to just try to change my eating habits and excercise instead of focusing on the numbers.

My biggest obstacles are:

1)as soon as I get home from work I want to snack..... and never on good stuff.

2)Hilary does all the cooking and we have good healthy meals, but I need to cut back on portions...

3)I'm pretty lazy.....

My good points are:

1)I don't take money to work with me, so what I pack for lunch is what I eat.

2)I love to play with Liam! I put on some fast music, pick up him up (he's 30 pounds) and dance!!

3)I love to drink water

So my goal for this week is to not snack when I get home but to wait for dinner. One step at a time, right?

[lucyjoy]

Alright, all you people that don't eat and can get away with it sure don't make us that have to eat want to post much. I'm suppose to eat 6 times a day and I don't really like food unless it's chocolate. If I fail to eat large quatities of protien, I gain more weight. My body does not metabolize carbs right so no comfort foods either. Blah!! I usually manage to eat 2 or 3 times a day but mostly just low carb high protien shakes.

Exercise is my major week point as is chocolate-but if I don't buy it, I can't eat it.

I need fun exercise I can do with my kids or late at night if they happen to bother sleeping. Going to the gym is out as half the time just going to the bathroom with this household takes an act of congress. I have a gazelle, but it gets boring. I hate crunchies, but must do them. Need good exercise motivation.

[spaypets]

Lucy are you a vegan (I noticed you said no meat, dairy or eggs)?

What's a gazelle? I have a treadmill and a recumbent bike that I do in front of the television. When I have time, I lift weights. The great thing about lifiting weights--muscle burns more calories at rest than fat. So if you get muscle, you burn more calories just sitting around than you do if you don't have muscle.

I just got back from weigh in. I'm only up .2 lbs since last month (when I was up 1.4 lbs)

So, my goal is to weigh in at 112 or less. That means losing slightly under 5 lbs. And before anyone flames me for the low number--remember, I lost 35 lbs once --I'm trying to keep from going back up.

My non numerical goal is to get back in my skinny jeans comfortably.

Andy--have you though about having a piece of fruit or some other healthy snack before you leave work--that way you're not famished when you walk in the door?

Coco--9 points for a meal replacement bar? Do you know what I could do with 9 points--that's like a very nice dinner in our house! That's about half my points allowance for the day!

[lucyjoy]

Not really a vegan. I eat dairy and throw eggs in things I cook-just can't eat eggs. The meats a texture thing. Have battled eating disorders and food issues since I was a kid. I have a metabolic disorder that causes weight gain and have seen dieticians, but mostly they all just tell me to eat more. Been studying what I can eat and trying to manipulate it with what I can stand to put into my mouth-quite a challenge some days.

A gazelle is sorta like a ski machine. It's kinda fun, but I have a terribly short attention span. I probably should plant it in front of the tv and see if that helps.

[kllee4]

Ok, you guys..........you're making me feel so guilty. I have kind of gotten used to wondering who is that following me all these years!!!!!!!! (my big fatt butt, that's what!!!) HEE HEE I am so proud of you all for jumping in here but my problem is a bit complicated for me.............I just LOVE to eat........ANYTHING!!!!!!! Well, mostly everything.

I now work at home teaching preschool (well, child care provider but my kids in care are 2 through 5) so I am soooooo tempted to snack all day as they wipe out my energy. I have been a member of Curves since the summer but haven't quite felt motivated to go (that shadow following me should REALLY motivate me, huh?). I have to cook for my hubby and 4 sons (guess how much they eat!!!!!!). Last night, I had good intentions (hey, they count for something, right?) and made shrimp fettucine alfredo with a salad. I ended up using a small plate instead of my larger one and put the salad on a larger plate. Well, guess what? I kndly decided to top it off with a nice slice of chocolate cake!!!!!!! HELP!!!!!!!!

I would like to maintain a weight of 120 (I am currently 165 and am only 5'2''). Holy molly...165! I feel like I just confesseed something terrible. My name is Kisha... (you guys say, "Hi, Kisha") and I am overweight. Thanks for listening!

[lucyjoy]

Hi Kisha! Move away from the chocolate cake. Having sons works good. Just leave all the junk food you have out and they'll eat everything while you're asleep. Works great here.