Welcome Thelma! Calorie cycling does seem to be pretty popular - I often end up doing it totally by accident! :) I've been pleased with calorie counting, I've never done any other diet plan, every other time I've lost it has been unintentional calorie cutting!

Wow - wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses in one day! Cool! The first time I got married we picked out my dress in one day, but it took weeks to settle on bridesmaids dresses! And Rain & dlphnmomva are right - anything precooked needs to be reheated to 160 degrees or higher then, held at 140 or higher during service. It is pretty easy to do. (Can you tell I work in food service :) ) Also, hiring some folks from school to help out is a great idea, or even teenagers or college students from the church where you are having the wedding. I've been to several where we did that and it took a lot of pressure off and cost less than a traditional caterer. I can't suggest any recipes, but the ones retire listed sound great!

I just put together that my teeth and jaw always hurt with a sinus infection this year. I looked it up and it is a pretty common sign, but one I never recognized. Now that I know what to look for, I have a little heads up to go tot he doctor if I'm so inclined - my jaw usually hurts a day or two before I notice any other symtoms...
Welcome! :)

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My parents have a house full of unhealthy food too - I have to try really hard every time I go visit them to not go totally nuts. Don't be down on yourself sweetie, you will get back up and back on track! :hug:

Rain - woo hoo! :cheer2:

Okay retire, now I find myself having a sudden craving for finger foods!:dizzy:

I was hit or miss on plan this weekend, depending on who you ask... I'm still targeting 1500-1600, thinking about raising a little since I lost 1.3 pounds on maintenance last week.... I had theater tickets Saturday night, went out for Thai food before hand (where I had a spring roll with my dinner), then had Bailey's and roasted cinnamon sugar almonds at the theater. I still think I came in around 1700, the Thai entree was all chicken, veggies, cooked in a chili paste. They don't use a lot of oil in the prep, I'm not sure how they actually cook it.... Sunday I was OP all day, then DH wanted ice cream and I gave in to it... Came in at 1800 calories, so 250 over what I was targeting.... It was the first serious splurge I've had in a while... I wasn't good about my water or my protein on Saturday, I caught up the water Sunday, but was still a little short on protein... Going to try to get back in balance today.

I did 45 min elliptical on Sat with 10 min ab exercises, 45 min Sun with 20 min cardio yoga, 45 min this morning, 10 min ab exercise, 55 min on the Weider this afternoon. Should come in about 150-200 cals under today to make up for last night's ice cream if I stick to my scheduled plan...

Good day everyone!

Yes, actually, they did. I wasn't dumb enough to believe it. :D

A couple of good, on rack days. For some reason, I am not hungry, at all. And it is hard to get in the minimum required number of calories. I am going to try harder, tho. :smug:

Hi everyone

I am also new to this. Calorie counting seems to be the only one that works for me. I don't like being restricted to what I eat. I always keep the 100 calories snacks on hand.. just in case I get the munchies. During the day I do great with the eating its once I get home from work that the cravings get worse. I have to cook dinner for my 2 girls and my fiance. Whats been helping me when I get those cravings at home is keeping fresh fruit around. Also I am not a big water drinker.. so I always carry the crystal lite packs with me.

So far I have lost 5 pounds.:D

Hello everyone - I've been POP the last few days, actually came in about 150 under plan on Monday (made up for a little of my weekend indulgences). I've been exercising every day, not as much as before, but still exercising. I weigh on Friday and I'm interested to see what happens with the weight at the 1550ish maintenance calorie level with the lower exercise. Might be ramping that exercise back up next week... :)

Welcome Jen & Belinda!

gosh I dont know where the last few days have gone. Eating has been great!! exercise has been NONE!!Scales showed it this morning..i have to exerice to lose!!Im hoping things slow down a bit in a few days...it seems like all we talk about here is the wedding and the baby coming in 2 weeks.fun fun

At least those are fun things to talk about!!! :)

Hi Jen and welcome. Obsessive, indeed. Why would anyone think calorie counting was obsessive-writing down every morsel with the calories, weighing, measuring, figuring out how many calories are in 1/10 of a piece of cake, reading labels, knowing calorie dense and calorie light foods....yes, maybe we are a bit obsessive but it works!!! Ha, ha.

Belinda, welcome and congratulations on the 5 pound loss!

So far this week I've been on plan and eating well. I missed one day of exercise because I had company and I was too tired by the time they left and I got everything else done but I'll get in 5x this week anyway.

Have a good on plan day everyone.

Welcome to the boards and to Calorie Counters. Don't worry about your boyfriend not getting it. My husband doesn't, either. :D I think it is hard for them, if they are not actively trying to work the program. Poor dears. :devil:

Hi and welcome :D 5 pounds, so far is terrific. For cravings, try to keep lo cal, healthy snacks ready to go. Fruit, veggie sticks, popcorn, stuff like that. It is harder when you have to cook for people who aren't working your plan. Hang tough, tho. You are off to a wonderful start.



Hey, everyone. :D I hope that you are all doing well and having good, on track days and nights. You are all in my thoughts, even if I can't get in here, as often as I would like.

I am staying on track and getting my exercise. I am feeling better, all the time and have noticed that little things, like getting my shoes on and picking things up off the floor and getting my housework done have all gotten a lot easier. Life, overall is a little more pleasant. I have a looong way to go. I am not fooling myself, but the progress I have made has really improved my life. I am liking it. A lot. And I want more. :D

Belinda:

Welcome!! Congrats on your 5 pound weight lose...that is GREAT!!! :carrot: :carrot: :carrot:

I will not pretend to know what you are going through with having to cook for the family... I am single with no kids, so I kind of do whatever I want. I do know that when I go to a friends house and they are ordering takeout, I feel like I want to run out of the house screaming to fight the temptation. HANG IN THERE!!! YOU CAN DO THIS!!

Rain:

Congrats on your new found energy... it is a great feeling!! Just losing 25 pounds enabled me to walk up a flight of steps without feeling like I was going to pass out. Now I am miss energy when I get home from work. Last night I had an urge to wash the living room curtains... I know...I am crazy... on a hump day!!! hehe :)

I have been OP. The bloating from my TOM has finally left me completely and I feel good. The scale moved a pound this morning... I will take it when I can. I put a jacket on this morning that I have had for a long time. It is my favorite and I could not part with it. This time last year I could not even get it over my hips...today, the jacket is swimming on me... YEAH!! :carrot:

:welcome3: Yes i agree it is obsessive. My husband does not really understand the effort it takes to keep my self in line either, but he does understand that i makeing a huge effort to feel better about myself and my body. He has even joined me a little bit and has gotten in the habit of looking at labels on almost everything he eats. He goes through the grocery store and tells me "wow look at how many calorie are in this", or "is this ok for us to eat", it is kinda cute, lol


:welcome2: to you too!! And :bravo: to the 5 lbs already. I carry crystal lite packets too. South Beach also has water packets that are 30 calories and have 3g of protein to help with hunger too. I do not exactly follow the South Beach Diet but i do use alot of their recipes and products because they are pretty healthy.

At least you are eating well, it counts alot!!! hopefully you can get some excersise in sometime. But i would not stress out about it until the stress of the wedding wears down some. At least are bright and positive things to have to talk about!!


:congrat:on the Jacket victory. Now you will have to find a new favorite one.


Well, i am doing well this week so far OP. :broc: I have been excersising everyday. and trying to get in alot of water. I hope this helps some. It is completely disgusting outside today with this coastal storm. We are flooding out in some areas. I went ahead and came into work today but it is supposed to get worse this afternoon (and it is already starting too) so lord only knows how my trip home will be. I only live 5 minutes down the road but i am sure with all of the detours and stuff it will be more like 5 hours. Anyway, hope everyone is doing well today.

thanks
 

Shannon in ATL --Thanks for the welcome.. exercise is great once you make a part of your daily routine

retiredone -- Thanks for the welcome.. Good job keeping on track for the most part!

Rain Dancer --Thanks for the welcome-- You are an inspiration! Fruits are what get me by most nights... that and I am changing my family's eating habits.. so that when I do eat its not as bad.

dlphnmomva --Thanks for the welcome..I hadn't tried the south beach packets.. is there any flavors that you recommend?

didjaever --Thanks for the welcome and the inspiration!!

I really like the Strawberry banana one, the taste like smoothies!!!