I'm going to jump in here and say hello. My name's Thelma, I just started actually counting calories yesterday after deciding the day before that I couldn't hack Medifast anymore. I weighed myself this morning after forgetting to yesterday (hectic day, I had class, ended up with a migraine, etc ugh) and I guess I'll start playing with calorie ranges this week, as I've read that's the best way, right? Anyways, I don't have anything else to say really haha.

Well my daughter only tried on 5 dresses and loved 2 of them...she ended up going very traditional. She got her bridesmaids dresses as well.
I ended up low on calories after all yesterday and scales were even lower today.:O)
My son and his expecting wife are coming home today so I have to cook a big meal today..maybe cycling calories from yesterday.LOL
well hugs to all ..

dgramie - Ooh...a wedding coming up and a new baby? Your house is going to be busy with celebrations

I think I might be getting a sinus cold or something because I have a headache and my teeth hurt. For some reason, whenever I get head colds and whatnot, my teeth always kill!!! I am going to pop some advil or something and then go to the gym. I'm on "front door" watch this afternoon. Haha...my dad is painting our front door because the house just got sided and the door now doesn't match. They have to leave the door open a bit throughout the day to let it dry, so I have to make sure that I'm home while that's happening.

Hi Thelma. Welcome to Calorie Counters. This is a good plan. Once you get your calorie range figured out, which can take a little tinkering, it isn't that complicated. Nothing is off limits, tho eating clean and healthy foods is a good plan to follow, as much as you can. And it is a plan that you can modify to work in maintenance after you reach goal and stick with for the rest of your life. Keeping a food journal, either online or in a notebook is extremely helpful. Mine really helps keep me on track and accountable. Good luck and I hope that you post often.


Good morning, counters. Yesterday was a good day. On track, exercise and water done and in. I am going for a good on track day and all my water down, today. Unfortunately, it looks as though I will not be able to carve out enough private time to exercise. Probably for the best, my bod is asking for a rest. Monday will come soon enough and I can exercise again, then.

Weigh in is Monday, too. I think I am actually beginning to look forward to it. Maybe.

Have a great day, everyone.

Hi Thelma. Welcome to 3FC and the Calorie Counters. You'll love it here.

Wow! Your DD picked out her dress in one trip. Amazing. And got the bridesmaids dresses, too. That must be some kind of record. Ha, ha. Have a nice family dinner today.

My teeth hurt, too when I have a sinus headache or cold. I've got something wrong with my ear the last few weeks that keeps coming and going. I should see about that.

You're really staying on plan lately. I'll bet you'll lose lots come Monday. I know what you mean when you say you're looking forward to weighing in--maybe. That wonderful anticipation and anxiety all at the same time.

Good Afternoon every1,

YEsterday was an absolutely horrible day for my plan. I do not want to even talk about it. Today i will start over again.....

I found the root to one of my problems and it seems to be my parents house. they arfe so very very vey unhealthy there. I had to go there for another birthday party yesterday and it was terrible. For now on i am going to bring my own food over there or just show up for the presents and cake and ice cream. (at least if i just show up for that i can plan for a small serving of it instead of everything else) Today is better. I have to do better on working out. I have slacked off considerably and it makes me feel awful. Why do am i not doing something that makes me feel better about myself, that is just stupid to me. I am smarter than that lol. Oh well, i will get there.

Hope every1 is doing better than me.

Don't beat yourself up. You hit a rough patch. It happens. It shows strength and determination that you are not willing to let this tough spell keep you down or defeat you. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and hit it hard. We all believe in you and know that you can do this!


Good morning, counters! I had a good day, yesterday. On track. A little hongry and ended up chomping down about 300 extra calories. But, they were quality, good food calories. And my body needed them. So, it got them. I was still very nicely within loss range and I am happy about it, this morning. Drank all my water, too.

I gave myself a day off from exercise, yesterday and I feel sooo much better, today. My poor old bones needed a little rest. I am ready to move again and am going to try to find a quiet spot where I can get in a gentle workout. Can't let myself get all stiff and lazy, again.

I hope that everyone is having a good day. Happy, on track and feeling fine. See you all later.

morning
I didnt get any exercise all weekend long and i can sure tell it this morning. Today after i get done with my babysitting job i am driving to the town where my daughter is in college at and help her pick out flowers for her wedding. I also get to see the church and stuff. Ihave a feeling my life is going to be a whirlwind from here until the wedding is over.
She is wanting ideas on fingers foods that can be made ahead of time...any ideas anyone???

Thanks for the hug. I am def not trying to beat myself up about it. I know i cannot change the past, only the future. I am determined to make this work. thanks again.

Dgramie - at my wedding We did alot of food ourselves. We made fruit trays and vegie trays (these you can slice ahead of time and put in ziploc baggies then put them on trays before the reception) We also did meat an cheese trays, (same concept). You can also do finger sandwhiches (like eggsalad and chicken salad) these can be refrigerated and made the day of the wedding.
We hired a friend of my sisters (highschool) and paid him a little cash to set it all out for us while the ceremony was in progress. I gave him a diagram of how i wanted it set up and he did very well.
We also did things like meatballs in advance and pu them in foil pans. We got the Sterno warmers at a party store and used those to warm them up. Hope this helps some.

nonva- thanks for the advice..i may ask my daughter about having a group at school to work her reception and donate the money to them. It would be alot cheaper than actually hiring someone and would help a group at college out as well.

Hey everyone. I hope all is well with you all.

I am doing okay. Down another five, according to my nutty scale. I'll take it.

Dgramie, if you prepare foods like meatballs in advance, be sure that you bring them up to temperature in an oven before you place them on the warmer. Then be sure that the warmer can hold them at a safe, hot temp. Above 140. Otherwise you are risking a bad bacteria situation. Something that could put a damper on an otherwise beautiful day, fast.

I have to run. See you all later.

I agree, i might have left that part out, we pre-cooked them ahead of time and then just made sure they stayed warm in the Sterno warmers.

Here are a few ideas from my church catering and my own home parties. Most of these savory appetizers can be made ahead and frozen cooked or uncooked and cooked or heated just before the reception.

Warining: Non-diet, foods ahead!

I've also suggested some dessert buffet items that guests can serve themselves. When I make cakes for a banquet or dinner I usually make 2 cake mixes in the same flavor but bake each cake in 3 8-inch pans. That will give me 6 layers, enough for 3 2-layer cakes. For instance, if I have 3 chocolate cakes I make one a German chocolate, the second chocolate with chocolate icing and the third chocolate with peanut butter icing. With the white cakes the first would be a Boston cream pie, the second would be filled with lemon and frosted with whipped topping and sprinkled with coconut and the third might be a Jello poke cake.

Savory Appetizers
-Garlic Fingers
-Pizza Pinwheels (served hot or cold)
-Mini Quiche (served hot or cold)
-Pigs-in-a-Blanket with dipping sauces
-Cheese Puffs
-Anything wrapped in phyllo pastry such as spanakopita (spinach and cheese)
-White meat chicken nuggets with dipping sauces
-Perogies, fried/deep fried with sour cream dip (can be bought frozen and prepared before reception)
-Chicken wings in various sauces
-Don't forget the frozen section of the large grocery chains or Costco/Walmart/Superstores. They carry large selections of pre-made appetizers that could be less expensive to buy than to make. You may want to try these out first to make sure they are up to snuff for a wedding.

Make these the day before:
-Cream Cheese Tortilla Roll-ups (sliced)
-Spinach dip in bread bowls with bread and crackers to dip
-Sandwiches as suggested by other posters

-Pickled egg (can be purchased or made weeks in advance)

Dessert Bar
Ice Cream
–Vanilla and chocolate, etc
-Whipped cream/topping in pressurized cans
-Cones and bowls
Toppings
–Chocolate Sauce
–Butterscotch Sauce
–Pineapple Sauce
-Strawberry Sauce
-Sprinkles if kids are at the wedding

Cookies
–Chocolate Dipped Shortbread
–Chocolate Chip
–Oatmeal Raisin
–Assorted Squares

Cake
–Chocolate Fudge with Orange Chocolate Frosting
–Banana with Vanilla & Chocolate Frosting/Walnuts
–White with Chocolate Frosting
–Black Forest Chocolate Trifle
–Chocolate with cream cheese and strawberry topping

Beverages
–Gingerale and assorted soft drinks
–Sweetheart Punch (frozen berry punch with strawberries and gingerale or 7-up)

Good advice about the hot foods. Hot foods should be served hot and cold foods served cold. Don't want the wedding the news for the wrong reason.

5 pounds!!! WTG. You knew you were going to do well this week and you did.

Rain:

I had to laugh when I read this. Did your parents tell you washing dishes was "special"...

Just follow your own motta, "tomorrow is a new day". OR should that be "yesterday was a new day", since I am writing this on Monday

I am feeling good today... got my walk in at lunch... it is 2:30 pm and I have eaten 740 but that is ok because lunch was my big meal today... I think I am going to have a nice bowl of cereal for dinner... My new snack is 16 animal cookies...YUM!!!