We are all here for you and support you! You can do this!

Have you done a food journal to get an idea of how many calories you take in on an average day? I have found that some people are taking in massive amounts of calories, and once they drop to a still very filling level (even say, 2,000 calories), they tend to drop weight pretty fast in the beginning, which can be a good motivational tool.

You can do this! We are here for you!

I would do a food journal first, to get a good idea of what you're eating and how much. Depending on you height and current weight, even 2000 calories might not be enough for you.

It is true that simple reductions at first will make a big impact on your weight loss. You know this weight loss thing will take some time, longer than we all wish it would. That's a good thing. It gives you time to establis some really good new lifestyle habits, which will keep you from gaining anything back.

So keep it simple at first. Look at what you eat, find one thing to cut out and one thing to replace. I cut out half-n-half in my coffee and I replaced butter with olive oil. Next I cut out fast food (a big toughie for me), and I replaced all caloric beverages with water. I actually started saving money!

A simple, cheap food that's very healthy and nutritious is dried beans. Do you know how to cook those? They're an excellent source of fiber, antioxidants and protein. And they're so cheap! One of the best dried beans to use is lentils. They cook very quickly (no soaking needed), they're delicious, and they help balance blood sugar.

Dried beans can be coupled with other ingredients to make a complete, balanced meal that stretches other ingredients. If you're not vegetarian, you can make an Italian white bean soup with a little lean turkey Italian sausage and some spinach or rappini tossed into the pot. Beans and rice can be spiced up with some Cajun spices and celery, peppers, onions and garlic. And black or pinto beans, with a little rice, salsa and some spiced ground turkey, wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla...yum!

It's important to eat a very nutritionally balanced meal. Include whole grain (complex) carbohydrates, some protein, and a little fat. It's all important for your body to stay healthy and continue to function properly. And making each meal balanced prevents you from getting too hungry in between meals. You food will digest at an even rate and you'll get an even disbursement of nutrients.

(Listen to me like I'm some sort of nutritionist!)

(Nope, just been doing this weight loss thing a LOOOOOONG time.)

Pink, I believe with my whole heart that you can do this! Those evil people in your life, it would be nice to lose them in the process. The truth about them is that no matter how much you weigh, they're going to be difficult to have around. They're so accustomed to picking at you that they'll never stop. Their evil twins hang out with me too. I had to get a whole new set of people in my life that believe in me, that supported me, that I could be honest about myself with. This is a good place to be for that.

I believe in you!

I love all things pink and sparkly myself!

You won't. Whine away. Or do like I did at first...pretend you're happy and healthy...and soon you will be! One totally fabulous thing about being heavier is that you tend to lose weight a lot faster than those with only a few pounds to lose. Welcome.

Ohh a food journal is a good idea. I think I will start a blog and keep track of it there. That way I'll know exactly what goes into my body. Today is really my first serious day and I've already gotten obsessed at looking at the fat and calories in things!

This morning I had toast and usually I put a lot of butter on them, and today I had none. I just had an egg and 2 toast. Normally I would have had 2 eggs and 3-4 toast with a lot of butter. So I'm already starting to cut things out. And I cut out regular soda (or pop as we call it here ) a while back and started drinking diet, so that's already done.

I went to the store today and got some boneless skinless chicken breast and I'm gonna figure out what to season it with and have that for dinner with a salad every day till it's gone. Then I'll find something new. I figure the less I have to think about dinner every day, the better off I'll be. I also got some low fat/calorie/sodium soups for lunch. And Jell-O for snacks. Oh, and some oranges. Switched to wheat bread. Got turkey for sandwiches. I think that'll do for now

Again, I want to thank you all for your suggestions!! I really do appreciate all the support. I feel good about this for the first time ever!

Oh, look at our sweet Pink...I'm so proud! You go girl! You gave me some inspirational energy too!

(That scale is going to be singing your favorite tune very soon.)

I just cut my scrambled eggs back from two to one + 1/2 cup egg whites. That change took me the longest time! For some reason, just couldn't give up that second egg in the morning.

Lemon pepper is good on chicken breasts. Try to find the salt-free kind.

Hey there. Glad to see things are getting under way for you. I have a few suggestions to throw in the pot.

Try a site like dailyplate.com, sparkpeople.com, fitday.com, etc to find your ideal calorie level. It might be higher than you think! For example I am losing weight at 2000 calories for now.

Also, try making just a few changes at a time. For me, to stop drinking soda was a BIG deal, and I tackled that one by itself. Then I started making changes to my diet. I do things this way to keep from getting overwhelmed and giving up.

As far as your budget goes, I know it's tough to eat healthy on a budget. I eat a lot of eggs, tuna, and sugar free jello. (not together lol) I also eat Lean Cuisine type meals a lot, and I add a serving of frozen vegetable to it. It's cheaper for me to eat the same breakfast every day, the same lunch every day, then I vary my dinners each day. That keeps me from having to buy too many ingredients at a time. I do make sure to change my breakfast and lunch choice each week in order to get a wider variety of nutrients.

Finally, try to find a dvd by Leslie Sansome. These videos are great for just getting you moving, and you don't need a lot of room to do it. You can even look her up on youtube and see some examples before you put money into it.


Please let me know if you would like a "buddy." We are about the same age, and I've been looking to find someone I can check in with throughout the day to help keep me accountable. Good luck to you!

Geo - you made me smile It is so nice to have someone in your corner cheering for you. And speaking of the scale - I need to get one. I found one I want that has a high weight limit but I gotta wait till payday to buy it. For now, no weighing.

ThisYear - I do have a Leslie Sansone walking DVD. I forgot about that!! I need to dig it out and do it. And I'd love to be "buddies" I see that you have AIM... I am on that all the time! So I will PM you my screen name Can't wait to talk!

Actually it wouldn't let me PM you so I added you.

Hey, good morning! I just saw the last message about you adding me to your buddy list, but I wasn't sure if you meant on 3FC or AIM. My aol name is AOKELLI. I'll have it up most of the day today so we'll talk later if you sign on today. Hope things are going well for you!

I added you on AIM. I'll catch you today, I hope. I wasn't online much yesterday!