LILIANN ~ did you find some onlines buddies to help you yet? Let me know ... I'd be glad to try and help encourage you along the way. We can help each other; that's what a buddy is for ... right? RIGHT!
I love Richard Simmons too; he has the best attitude; and I think that I may even have one of his dvd's or videos -- will have to check that out. I have read his book about his life and it was good. I have Jorge Cruise's book "Eight Minutes in the Morning" which is also based on the exchange program; and he includes the meal cards in the book, which I had photocopied. This is the handiest method of calorie-counting I know of.
Jorge's cards start at 2000 cals and go down based on your current weight. If someone weighs more, then they just add another serving of this or that. I love his book and the encouraging tips he gives as well. He includes 8 minutes of exercise each morning upon waking; which I do. I do all the "hand-weight" exercises, and any of the others that I can do.
Anyhow, let me know how you are doing ... Rosebud
40s Something Chick, Needs A Buddy***
GOOD FOR YOU, LILIANN ~ that's a great start; I am following my plan, but skipped my WI this week becuz of TOM. Will do it a bit later, as I know that I always hold water at this time. Sure know it's TOM time; felt really hungry today, but still am sticking to my calorie allotment anyways. Kinda amazing really that I got my TOM two months in a row; usually I skip a month or two ... interesting that this is happening. Maybe eating better is changing some other things as well. 
