Dgramie ~ That is scary figure and it is probably true, if not more.

Canadianwoman ~ Sounds like you are putting that book to good use. I do like my fruit and I avoid table sugar and any other type of sweet because it causes cravings for me. I do eat my oatmeal with a little stevia or Agava.

Didjaever ~ Its crisp here in my neck of the woods also. It was 33 this morning and only going to get up in the high 50's. BRRR! To cold to fast I think.

I just wanted to stop in and say HI to everyone.

Things are going well for me on the dieting front. I am back to following the program Tinky lost all her weight on and I am hoping to have a nice loss even though TOM is here.

I have to get going but hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

It is amazing how "little things" can add up to a huge calorie load. And counting calories has made me so aware of it. And has helped to really change some of my most destructive habits. I used to like to stand in my open fridge door and have just a few bites of this or that. I don't do that, any more.

I hope that everyone is having a good, on track week. I have been solidly on track since my blow out on Monday. I have been really good about exercise, too. But I am down, today. My stupid knee is trashed, again. I have no choice but to rest it. It sucks... I am working so hard to lose this weight and have a healthier, more active body but I am held back because I am so heavy that even gentle exercise trashes my knees and forces me to stop. Gah! Hopefully I will be able to get back to it, tomorrow.

On plan most of the week and tomorrow is my weigh in. Hope this plateau breaks soon. I'm about ready to eat a large bag of chips. Just dreaming about them now. I need success to breed success. But on the brighter side of things I'm getting loads of compliments these days. I'm also getting in more water. I had to stop drinking today a bit before lunch because I had to go to a funeral and didn't want to go to the washroom in the middle of the eulogy or something like that.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Originally Posted by retiredone:
Yes, Miss Canada, it's the little things that really add up. I love little nibbly things to eat and 1 tortilla chip is over 20 calories and who can eat only one. And then of course I need a little bit of cheese with that and by the time I'm finished I'm way over 100 calories and not even full.

Gotta go, mother is calling.

I could never eat just one tortilla chip.

Originally Posted by healtheeme:
Oh, thanks for that tip on the calorie counting book! I was relying solely on the 3 Fat Chicks link but....lost my Internet access for a few days and was LOST when it came to calorie counting! I've learned from my mistake and will go get that book so I have access to calorie counts no matter whether my Internet is working!

The reason I wanted a calorie counting book is because my youngest son and I share my laptop and I can look things up if necessary when he is online.

Originally Posted by healtheeme:
I'm in week 2 of counting calories. I totally did not meet my goals last week, but was spending more time learning than getting it totally right. This week, I have a meal plan, I have my calories spread out over the day in a way that is more realistic, and I'm doing much better getting protein.

I met my goal of 1500 calories on Mon - Wed. but today I lost it a bit when the kids had pizza for dinner...I had a few and blew away the calorie count. But that's ok - just one day out of 4! I'm still working out using The Firm rotations about 4 days a week. Hoping I can keep up the momentum!

IMO it is all about trial and error and finding what works for you. I also believe in having a 'free meal' once a week if I want it because you never know what comes up (out with the kids...a date...a wedding, etc, etc, etc)

Originally Posted by GrammyL:
Canadianwoman ~ Sounds like you are putting that book to good use. I do like my fruit and I avoid table sugar and any other type of sweet because it causes cravings for me. I do eat my oatmeal with a little stevia or Agava.

I am enjoying the book very much and on an even more positive note my sister is going to Las Vegas next week so I asked her if she could bring back a copy of the CalorieKing book for me, provided she finds one.

I also love my fruit as well which is why I cannot stomach being on Atkins anymore. I was even getting to the point where I was missing green peas, parsnips and sweet potatoes and getting very, very sick of salad.

At least with calorie counting I have plenty of variety.:)

Originally Posted by Rain Dancer:
It is amazing how "little things" can add up to a huge calorie load. And counting calories has made me so aware of it. And has helped to really change some of my most destructive habits. I used to like to stand in my open fridge door and have just a few bites of this or that. I don't do that, any more.

I used to do that and I also used to eat my son's leftovers off thier plates when they were younger. No wonder I gained so much weight.:mad: I also used to eat a lot at night and am trying very hard to not do that anymore though sometimes old habits come back ....especially if I settle down to watch a dvd.

Have you tried fish oil caplets for your knee? My left one used to ache all the time before I added fish oil to my diet and now it hardly hurts at all. I just use the brand I bought from Walmart.

Originally Posted by retiredone:
On plan most of the week and tomorrow is my weigh in. Hope this plateau breaks soon. I'm about ready to eat a large bag of chips. Just dreaming about them now. I need success to breed success. But on the brighter side of things I'm getting loads of compliments these days. I'm also getting in more water. I had to stop drinking today a bit before lunch because I had to go to a funeral and didn't want to go to the washroom in the middle of the eulogy or something like that.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Chips are my drug of choice too and twice this past week I have wanted them but never gave in to those cravings.
There are over 1500 calories in one large bag and I would eat the whole bag. Nope..not gonna do it.:carrot:

Living right across the street from a convenience store doesn't help matters either.:mad:

Originally Posted by canadianwoman:
I used to do that and I also used to eat my son's leftovers off thier plates when they were younger. No wonder I gained so much weight.:mad: I also used to eat a lot at night and am trying very hard to not do that anymore though sometimes old habits come back ....especially if I settle down to watch a dvd.

Have you tried fish oil caplets for your knee? My left one used to ache all the time before I added fish oil to my diet and now it hardly hurts at all. I just use the brand I bought from Walmart.

Oh! Kiddo leftovers! I remember those days... A girl can pack on some serious poundage not letting the bits a little one can leave on a plate "go to waste". :o

You know... I haven't tried fish oil. Sounds as if it may help. I was considering trying glucosamine. I have heard that MSM helps, too. Problem is, MSM triggers my headaches. I need something, tho. Stupid knees. :(

Grammy, it is great to see you checking in. :D I'm glad that everything is sailing along for you.

Retiredone, I hope that your plateau breaks soon.

Where is Tinky, anyway?

I am on track and doing okay. Exercise is on hold for a day or three while I rest this stupid knee. Grrr!

I have been eating a little over my normal calorie range. I have been hitting in the 1400 to 1600 range. A part of me is actually a bit happier there. Another is totally panicked and thinking that I am beginning to spiral out of control. I feel much more in control and secure in what I am doing when I shoot for 1200. But, I am often below that and that isn't good. This range is actually better. I think. I will know for sure when I step on my scale on Monday... I do know that I feel smaller. So I know that weight is still coming off.

So... I don't know.

I think I am driving myself bonkers. And maybe over thinking this whole thing too much.

:lol:

Hello fellow calorie counters. I lost 1.5 pounds when I stepped on the scale this morning and I was so happy.

Rain Dancer, just remember what your calories for a day used to be and the 1400-1600 calories are just nothing compared to what you used to eat. I know I could and still could pack it away. Today we had a six layer dessert (commonly known as 'Sex in a Pan") and I could eat 3 servings easily. But today I had one small piece. I wasn't satisfied with that one piece because it's really tasty and gooey and yummy and delicious and...well you get the picture. But I stuck with the one small piece. I was already full enough from dinner and the dessert was my special treat. I'm still feeling full as I type so 2 more pieces would only go to waist. :lol: I purposely cut all the pieces small, served everyone, then put it back in the kitchen and told everyone they could help themselves to seconds themselves. I did lick off the server when I put the dessert away in the frig but that's a far cry from what I really wanted. You have been doing great so don't drive yourself crazy over analyzing everything.

Canadianwoman, I hear you on the chips. I call them my crack cocaine. I did have 2 pringles out of my mother's snack pack but didn't break open a package or bag for myself. I can eat chips until I make myself sick.

I've revved up my exercise a bit to get my heart rate up a bit higher. When I did my circuit workout yesterday I gave myself more resistance on the bands and I started doing jumping jacks for the cardio part. It worked really well but I need a good sports bra for the jumping jacks or I'm going to have trouble explaining the bruises on my face!

Have a good on plan day, everyone.

Originally Posted by retiredone:
Hello fellow calorie counters. I lost 1.5 pounds when I stepped on the scale this morning and I was so happy.

Rain Dancer, just remember what your calories for a day used to be and the 1400-1600 calories are just nothing compared to what you used to eat. I know I could and still could pack it away. Today we had a six layer dessert (commonly known as 'Sex in a Pan") and I could eat 3 servings easily. But today I had one small piece. I wasn't satisfied with that one piece because it's really tasty and gooey and yummy and delicious and...well you get the picture. But I stuck with the one small piece. I was already full enough from dinner and the dessert was my special treat. I'm still feeling full as I type so 2 more pieces would only go to waist. :lol: I purposely cut all the pieces small, served everyone, then put it back in the kitchen and told everyone they could help themselves to seconds themselves. I did lick off the server when I put the dessert away in the frig but that's a far cry from what I really wanted. You have been doing great so don't drive yourself crazy over analyzing everything.

I am so glad that you are past your plateau. :carrot:

You aren't kidding... When I think about the amount of food, the number of calories I used to put away my mind boggles. My next weigh in should tell me if I am on the right track, here. :D

That "sex in a pan" sounds fabu...

I must confess as confession is good for the soul. I had another piece of dessert but it was for supper. I punched all the ingredients into NutrtionData.com and using the low fat ingredients it wasn't nearly so bad as I thought-only 182 calories per piece. I cut the dessert into 24 pieces so it was based on that. And it is delicious. I'd post it publicly but it's too decadent for a diet site. Ha, ha. If anyone wants the recipe PM me. It's a cream cheese based dessert. It's great for potlucks and large family gatherings and also if you're not getting any/don't want any nookie. :D Fills the gap just fine.

Originally Posted by Rain Dancer:
Oh! Kiddo leftovers! I remember those days... A girl can pack on some serious poundage not letting the bits a little one can leave on a plate "go to waste". :o

With my 2 boys it was never little 'bits' of food. :o They left quite a lot behind because I never would tell them to clean off thier plates like I was forced to do as a child.

Originally Posted by Rain Dancer:
You know... I haven't tried fish oil. Sounds as if it may help. I was considering trying glucosamine. I have heard that MSM helps, too. Problem is, MSM triggers my headaches. I need something, tho. Stupid knees. :(

I've tried those other supplements that you mentioned in the past and they never worked for me. The fish oil is the only one that seems to help. I eat a lot of fish as well so that might be helping too.

If you do get fish oil Walmart has a pretty good brand.
When my bottle is finished I am going to get my next one at GNC only because I can get a bottle for half price using my oldest son's GNC gold card. He buys all his protein powders and vitamins there and when he purchased thier gold card he gave me the extra card that fits on my key chain.

Originally Posted by retiredone:

Canadianwoman, I hear you on the chips. I call them my crack cocaine. I did have 2 pringles out of my mother's snack pack but didn't break open a package or bag for myself. I can eat chips until I make myself sick.

Same here. I started thinking about getting some tonight while I was lying in bed and reading my book and promptly told the fat lady inside my head to shut the *bleep* up because it isn't going to happen.

She needs to be shot and killed. LOL.