I have my own program where I calorie count and follow the Jenny Craig program (on my own, I don't buy their food), which is so many proteins, startches, fruits, veggies. I've also incorporated exercise into my routine, which includes walking, the gym, and some home exercise.

I allow myself a meal off and a snack each week.

I follow the Jenny Craig Program. It works for me and I it makes getting a meal ready real easy.

I've done Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, and good, old-fashioned calorie counting and exercising. I successfully lost weight on all three but, calorie counting and exercising seems to be my "magic" bullet for losing weight and keeping it off long term.

Although, to be honest, I think the program is just a small portion of any success. It is the commitment you make to losing weight and keeping it off that really counts. Even though some programs may be better geared towards helping participants build long term healthy habits, I think most of us know that the bottom line is eating less and moving more. We don't really need a program to teach that to us - we just have to choose to do it. We have to make up our minds that we will live that way from this point forward no matter how we lose the weight up front. For me, the control I have with counting calories has allowed me a gradual progression towards accepting this lifestlye. With that said, when I started losing weight a year and a half ago I was READY to do whatever it took to reach my goal and stay there. I really believe that I could have taken any route this time around and been successful because I not only knew what to do - I WANTED to do it and I was willing to make the necessary sacrifices.

I am a calorie counter and exerciser. Actually, the past 2 months, I have stopped logging my food and an not anal about counting calories. This works for me because of my workout schedule. For me, exercise is and will always be the key to a healthy, fit body.

I'm an exerciser. I also watch my food to make sure that I have roughly appropriate portion sizes, a good mix of vegetables, protein and complex carbs, but I don't count calories or percentages as such, I just go by instinct as far as possible, although I do balance things out like any good calorie counter by taking account of what I've already eaten when I'm making decisions about my next meal. I made up my own rules of what I will eat and when, and actually became almost-vegetarian midway through my weight loss (I'm still not too strict about things like gelatine and other animal byproducts, but I don't eat meat) because it helps me to stick to my "eat lots of vegetables" rule.

I don't log or journal my food, but I do log my exercise. That's where my priorities lie at the moment as I'd rather be fit than thin (but have discovered that I can be both).

Thanks for all the tips! TamiL, you sound like me.. love the melons and the berries and tuna!

Right now I am still experimenting with what will work best for me. I don't think I'll join WW or the others. Last night I went to Barnes & Noble and bought a really comprehensive calorie counter.

I also really love to exercise. Especially walking! I belong to the Washington Sports Club too.

Thanks again everyone!

Elaine
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Start date: June 20, 2006