Aww thanks again! :D :hug::hug:

Michelle what an amazing inspiration you are!!!!! what a great job you have done!!!

Amazing accomplishment !! Truly inspirational !!

Nicole K and LeslieB -

Thanks so much! :D :hug::hug:

Just wanted to say you give me hope! I didn't think that I had any left.

Awww. thank you. You've put a great start to my day :hug::hug::hug:

Michelle, I'm so glad I found your post. You are such an inspiration. Please don't apologize for your post being too long because it was not. I absorbed every word that you said and took notes on my little pad.

I have been running around these boards like a chicken with its head cut off posting/trying to find a eating plan.:dizzy:Then EUREKA!!! I found your post. I feel like I can breathe again. What you are doing is what I've been wanting to do, but I've been trying to find a commercial diet (WW, SB etc) that fit that bill.

Well, I'm going to do the old tried and true calorie counting like you did while eating healthy---avoiding the white flour foods etc.

I noticed you said you cut out sweets. Was it difficult? Do you ever have a cookie or b-day cake?

One more question, how do you determine the amount of calories you will need on strength trainding day vs cardio only day vs rest day vs strenght/cardio combo day? Sorry for the complex question.

Deb.

Deb -

You are very welcome and thank you so much for your kind words. You've made me very happy :D

For myself, it is better if I avoid "junkie" foods because I have a tendency if I eat something like that then I get in a mindset of "Oh well, I have messed up, might as well keep eating". Though I do on very rare occasions, allow myself a handful of chips or fries but I only have enough available for that handful. Though some calorie counters do not have any foods they avoid, they just work the foods into their calorie allowance and it works for them.

As for how I figured up my caloric intake, I found out from the beautiful people here, it is trial and error. I did use an online calculator then adjusted it to suit my lifestyle. My plans are not concrete because I think changes are a great thing for my weight loss.

I do stress to be sure you are eating enough to fuel your body especially if you are exercising. I use to believe less was more when it came to food/calories and losing weight but that is not necessarily true.

Good luck with your goals and keep us updated :hug:

Thanks Michelle! For all your help and I will keep in touch!

Deb.

You're very welcome :D :hug:

Congrats Chunkychic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You look great. I can see the changes in your face. I am so depressed by the weight that I stay away from cameras. Your recipes look good too and I am thinking about using them for myself. I am planning on getting the Wii for myself because I have heard of tons of people losing weight with it. At first I thought they were full of it. Now I know that it's true. How is the Wii boxing game that you are doing? Where did you get and how much did it cost? I guess I will have to keep the kids off it when I get it. Lol!!
I'd love to chat with you on your journey to send and receive support.

Thank you, Destiny2009.

The game cost 30 bucks, I believe, at Best Buy. My boyfriend bought it so I am not real certain on the cost. I really like it. It gets me to sweating in a "fun" way.

Good luck with your goals and thanks again :hug::hug:

I know lots of others have said it, but I wanted to thank you, also, for sharing! I am beginning another attempt at getting healthy and your story is an inspiration. I know I can do it, because I did it once before (got down to 190, anyway). I just have to DO IT.

Thanks again for sharing!! I hope you stick around here for a long time!

Amberlyn -

You're welcome and thank you very much.

This is a difficult thing to do but yes, we can do it! :D :hug::hug:

:cp::cp:Thank you so much for sharing your journey! You look beautiful and I am also inspired by your determination and can-do attitude! I have been on this journey for awhile and needed to hear your story for renewed vigor in my efforts! Thanks again and don't let anyone or anything get you down or stop you from reaching your goals!