hi ladies! so i started counting my calories last week (ok, so it was one day last week) haha, but it's been a crazy realization of how much i actually eat in a day. for whatever reason, ive been in a habit of whenever i'm sitting down (at work, on the computer, watching t.v.) i feel like i should be eating. so, im trying to shake myself of that habit right now too. ive also started working out and have been feeling GREAT.

anyway, i hope to soon be able to jump in these posts with you ladies and am excited to get to know you all and support you guys while we do this together

well, congrats on making the change and realizing your habits...this has been the easiest weight loss tool i've every used! every week almost i lose something, and every week i think "WOW how easy can this be?" dont get me wrong, i have my moments, but for the most part its not too bad! good luck!!

Hi and welcome! You are off to a fabulous start. I sooo wish everyone who wishes to lose weight knew how much they used to eat. Makes it so much easier to figure out how to 'eat less'.

Hello and welcome Crystal. It's easy to not realize how much you are eating, I had been a faithful counter for 1 year+, then fell off the wagon and was straight back to my old habits. Didn't know how I could have gained weight so fast! Of course, started counting calories again and saw HOW MANY calories I was eating and then it was pretty obvious why I had put so many on.

Hm, suggestions for when you sit down and want to eat (we all have our triggers). I keep a bottle of water at my desk at work, and don't keep extra snacks at work (only those I've planned to eat that day). Makes me far less likely to snack, and I find the water curbs my appetite more than I think it will, and of course drinking more water is good. When I'm watching a movie (don't have tv anymore) I usually try to do something else, like have my laptop handy so I can surf the internet. I find it's more my ADD or my wanting to multitask that has me wanting to eat, not so much that I am hungry. I know other people swear by chewing gum, and you could also get something to play with in your hands to keep your hands busy, or consider tv watching a good time to lift weights, that might help keep you busy too. Good luck and welcome!

Welcome and congratulations on making the jump to calorie counting. It's the only diet program I've been able to stick to. It's great because you don't have to eliminate any foods...just count their calories!