Hi all, I love the snack discussion. It sure is my downfall. Any favorite protein bars?

I've been very busy and looking forward to spring. Have a great day.

Meowee and Jada congrats on the weight loss.
Susan welcome
Lori

Hey Freda and Lori!

I had taken foods with me on our trip--but sometimes you're sitting in someone's kitchen and realize you forgot to have your snack right before the appointment, and they have taken a phone call and it's taking them 20 minutes, and you're flat-out starving! And the thing is, that's not when I go off plan. Hours later is when I end up with the munchies.

One of my current favorite protein bar brands is South Beach Living High-Protein Bars. Decent amount of protein compared to others, and quite tasty. Some might find them too sweet tasting, though. I think they may use sugar alcohols for the sweet taste--haven't checked--but they aren't high carb. They have twice as much protein as a Kashi bar, and lower carbs.

Yesterday was my last trainer session, so now I'm on my own for awhile. It's about time, too!

See ya!
Jay

I'm having a hungry day today, but so far I'm resisting. The evening is only just beginning though.

How did I know there was a full moon last night? I woke up to a full double roll of TP unfurled throughout the house; every cabinet door and drawer in the bathroom standing open and stuff scattered all over the room; and just so the rest of the house wasn't ignored--the garbage under the kitchen counter (yes inside the cabinet) was upset and a couple of artificial plants in the sunroom had been dragged around a bit; guess the cats thought they needed to be relocated. Glad they had fun. Did you know that having pets has been proven to lower your blood pressure?

We did have a sunny start to the day, but it has clouded over this afternoon and there is more wet snow in the forecast.

Beautiful day today. There was a thin woman next to me, who was older than I at the grocery store today. She had about six large family packs of steaks and potato chips and other goodies. I wonder how people buy so much food and stay thin. They must not eat it all at one sitting like I do. Now I only buy what I can carry in my own two hands.
I was thinking today (dangerous) that when I was young I was thin because I didn't have as much money to buy food ( and I was a lot more active). Now that I have money for food, I can't enjoy it, because I have to worry about my weight. The good thing I'm learning is that I can eat what I want, I just have to keep it at 1600 calories.

Like Jay, I like the South Beach High Protein bars. The peanut butter are my favorite.

I also like the Kashi fruit and grain bars - 120 cals, but less protein than the 140 cal. SB bars.

DH likes the Balance 100 calorie snack bars. They remind me of a candy bar - particularly the chocolate caramel ones. They are satisfying for 100 calories if they don't trigger a binge.

I have also made my own using Nessa's oatmeal bar recipe as a base and adding some of my own touches. I make a big batch and freeze them

I do NOT like the meal replacement bars - my rule for a snack bar is under 150 cals.

Jay - you will do great on your own - you are one of the most tenacious exercisers I've met online

Linda We have a cat that adores TP as well. One time he got it so wrapped up around the dog that we thought that the cat had surely kidnapped him and tied him up with TP.

Jada - I have found that I actually enjoy food MORE now than I ever did when I was 200+ lbs. I enjoy what I eat, and even the act of eating far more than ever

A good day here. I did end up working a 10 hour shift, but I cleared a couple projects off my plate - which is always satisfying. And that pesky lb. did disappear today
The weather is still frightful, but I pulled all the shades, and I'm enjoying some tea. Something about a cup of tea that always makes the winter chills more tolerable.

We finally have a quiet night at home planned - of course it includes a couple hours of wii

Hope you had a good hump day!

Good evening all. Hard at work here.
Everyone seems to be doing so great. Maybe it was the full moon but I have been in a funk. Seems to be lifting. Phew. I am trying to stay OP and am not doing too badly.
It is sunny here but very cold. The gym seems to be eluding me. Well to be honest I have this ongoing eye injury that has really left me on the side lines. My one eye has a cornea abrasion so to speak and is constantly watering. I am walking around half the time with it closed. The cornea specialist has run out of ideas and is sending me back to the doctor I came from to start all over. It makes me really tired and grumpy.
Seems like I spend more time sitting in a doctors office than anywhere else. I am going to go to the gym this weekend and see how that goes.
I ran my food plan through fitday and it is coming up at 1600 calories. It is the calories that get added on by mistake that are the killers.

Glad to see Linda and Jada losing congrats. Jay are you going to keep up the workout from the trainer? How about the food plan?
Thanks to everyone for the encouragement. It can be done and you are all doing fantastic. I want to get to the 220's by the end of the month so better get moving. Was going to go do some aquasize but now am nervous about this eye in the pool so will stick to the gym for now.
Was watching Biggest Loser this week and they recommended Fiber One bars. Said they had almost half your recommended fiber for the day.
Myself I tend to stay away from them as they are all pretty sweet. Too much like a chocolate bar.

Seems like winter is having a tough time letting go.
Cheers.....Jude.

Great Linda on losing the "pesky" pound.
Sorry Jude about your eye. I hope, somehow, it heals itself.

Jude, sorry to hear about your eye....hope the doctors find something to help.
Meowee, your cats are definitely individuals with personalities! Worse then kids, or maybe equally as bad.

Yesterday I was able to get into a pair of dress pants....and button the waist...first time in I can't remember. Felt good, tho' am still half a pound from dropping into 155. I've been holding steady for almost a week. Today's my day to really push the exercise and maintain the mouth control.

Hi folks!

hijude, I had a "corneal abrasion" once that turned out to be a viral infection. Sort of like having shingles in the eye. Once I got the right drops to treat that, it cleared up. I did have to wear an eyepatch for awhile, though. In fact, I did my admissions interview for grad school wearing the eyepatch. "Arrrrr! I likes yer program, matey!"

Here it is time for me to renew my Florida Orchestra seats for the next season--and because of the schedule I chose for this season, I've only been to one concert so far! The rest are later this month, April, and May. But they have some good programs coming up. I imagine like everything else they are strapped for cash.

The trainer didn't really give me any kind of handouts for the exercises he had me doing--I guess it isn't really part of it. One is supposed to learn by doing... But I do remember most of it. Also I have as a handout his interval training regimen. Because I've been going to the gym for years, I pretty much know things to do while I'm there--mostly he gave me some new alternative type things: core exercises, different kinds of lifts and squats, and so on. I may hire him again in a few months.

My food program is a constant--why, my plan is better than what he gave me! Even with the Lean Cuisines. So there.

I'm tired today. I think tomorrow has to be a rest day from the gym. I could hardly make it 30 minutes in step class.

But, I did treat myself to a whole-body massage this afternoon.

See ya,
Jay

Susan, congratulations on being able to button your dress pants. It is a wonderful feeling.
Jay, I'm the same way by remembering exercises and how to use the machines. I've been doing it all since I was 18, not to mention doing the exercises with my mom when I was younger. I've had instructors tell me they can tell I already know how to do everything by my skill level. I just don't stick to it. I ran five miles when I was in the Army!!! I've let myself go and now I have to start over. I'm ready. I doubt if I'll run anymore though, except for a very, very short distance, if any.

some great successes on this thread this week! A late work day, and I'm gonna turn in early tonight. I did get in 45 minutes of exercise when I got home

Hope you all have a GREAT Friday!

I had a great day. Stayed OP. I heard on a financial show that we need to run weight loss the same way we approach financial budgeting. Stay focused. So I have made healthy eating/lifestyle my priority. Yesterday I did the final goodbyes to my old life and I'm better for it. Today I'm thinking and doing, instead of thinking and eating. I've always felt good about myself, but now I feel like I've stopped being a people pleaser, which helps to get things done so much faster and helps me to feel better about myself. My "to do" list is empty and I can concentrate. I'm amazed I have been with 3FC for over a month. In the past, I was lucky to make it for one day. I had given up. I hope this makes sense. I know what I want to say, but I'm not sure how to put it in words.

Busy day yesterday . . . but, once again, I managed to avoid the nasty foods that were calling to me and I am proud.

Today will be a hibernation day for me -- not that I'm superstitious of course -- just a believer in that old saw about it being better to be safe than sorry.

This is also the second day in a row of sunny, but extremely cold and windy weather -- know you couldn't exist without my daily weather reports.

New low! 155.5. Love the new digital scale I bought...it shows partial pounds, which is encouraging in both directions, whether you lose or gain. I'm nervous, afraid I'll get complacent. Got to keep going!

I woke up this morning, read a good book on changing eating behaviors, hope it puts me up in a positive mind set for the rest of the day. Realized part of why I eat is that it's just plain easier than making an effort to change. Habits set up by a lifetime of poor eating have to be broken and that takes work. This time I'm going to do it!

Meowee, happy hibernating. Jada, never thought about eating and finances in the same way but you're right. Have always been lax about both. Keeping a daily diary seems to be helpful. I write down how I want my day to go activity wise as well as food wise. I also am keeping a strict accounting of what I spend now that I'm retired from my desk job and only have social security and my teaching earnings to depend on. I don't always stick with the plan, but it helps alot.

Counting down, just viewed your pictures, you look absolutely fabulous! Don't have time to read your story, hope to catch up on it later. Have a great day everyone.

Jada - good for you! And I agree, I approach weight loss very much the same as finances - it is sooo much easier to overspend than to budget in a way that compensates for prior "frivolity". I keep reminding myself that staying on track is key!

Linda - I didn't even think about the date today until I read your post


Susan - thanks for your kind words! on your weight loss - you are doing spectacularly! And, you are right - old habits are hard to break. Journaling really helped me - that and being here every day. I used the accountability thread here in 50+ and did some of the BL contests in addition to posting here

A good day here - very balanced. The sun is shining, and it might actually get into the 50s next week

My ebay jeans came today, and they fit perfectly! I LOVE being able to buy clothes online. Last fall when I was in TN when my step-father died, I found a pair of DKNY jeans on the sale rack at TJ Maxx. They fit perfectly - I've never had a pair of jeans that fit so well and were so comfortable. While Dillards and Macy's sell them, I've not been able to convince myself that I need a pair of jeans that are over $50. So, I've beeen scouring ebay for them. I found 3 pair in my size and took a chance.


Hope you are all having a good start to the weekend! I've got church activities planned for most of it.

Hope you have a perfectly OP Saturday!