justme, thanks for the advice. listening to my body would seem like the ultimate plan. i'm just not sure my body is sending the right signals yet. but, it is getting better!
i drew up a food pyramid with little boxes for each serving to check off as i eat them. dh will have to make a nice one on the pc for me. he's better at that stuff and likes to show off his talent. maybe seeing it, visually, will help me get it together. it's so nuts not knowing how to eat correctly. i feel like i'm trying to teach the old dog new tricks!
unfortunately, i do eat the biggest meal at supper time. it's when i cook for dh. i'm going to work on that, eat more calories early in the day and a smaller supper. that's something that i knew, but was failing to do.
tiff, do you use equipment with the susan video's?

tiger, i am often torn too, i think that is why most of us are here, i want to just listen to my body, which i am getting better at, i do alot of talking to myself, "am i really hungry"?? just try to eat half of that and see if you are full" just stop eating and go do something else" try to eat the lowerfat version of that food" dont take a bite of your daughter or husbands food when you are making it" one would think i was nuts if they heard me say these things out loud. but alot of the times it works.

i totally understand about wanting to somehow keep track of what you are eating, i was on ww before and know by heart pts for everything, for the most part. so even while i am not writing down stuff or counting pts, they are still in the back of my head and i know what a serving is. i make myself just have a reg . serving and say to myself if you truly still hungry get a second helping, but really one serving of pasta is enough, if you eat it with other stuff. like a big salad and a glass of orange juice or milk and some lowfat dessert. i used to just want pasta for dinner, so i just would pile it high on my plate and literally could not stop and later i would still want to eat.

i am learning to change all my bad habits, but it is gonna take time and there are gonna be slip ups, but no more binges or overeating till i am too stuffed to move. the pyramid sounds like a good idea, keep tweaking your eating plan till it is something you can live with. we are all still learning and changing our bad habits each day.

we all are so determined, i know we are gonna make it.

CONGRATS TO ALL OF US, WE ARE NOT QUITTERS!!!!!!

Hello, I hope everyone is doing well.

Tiger......listen to what Willbe has to say, that is very good advice. I too have simply started listening to my body and some days it is hard not to overeat but you will adjust in time. Are you an emotional eater like I am? Sometimes it is hard not to give in to the old triggers but time will change that.

I just got back from going for a walk and it sure does feel good. I still haven't gotten into the exercise like I know I should but I am hoping to get started soon as I am going to Las Vegas in August to see Michael Bolton in concert and I know from past experience that if I don't start walking many weeks before the trip that I end up exhausted once I get there. If there's one good thing about going to Vegas it is that I do a LOT of walking while I'm there. Now if I could just transform my track into the strip I'd be a walking fool!

Have a great evening everyone!

The sky is not the limit, nor are the stars.............

LJ

Hi all!!!

DietWatch used to be a GOOD tracking program, but then they made you have to PAY for it. Grrr...so I tried Fitday too, but I lost interest. For those of you who want to try it... the address is www.fitday.com

I haven't got my Susan exercise video yet, Tiger, so I guess the answer would be no, I don't use equipment!! (not yet anyway!!)

Tiger, I think the food pyramid would be a good way to start. I know that in the course of a day, I don't get all of my veggies and milk...but we all have to do what works for us. I know that I can NOT rely on my body to give me ANY signals other than, "LET'S EAT ALL DAY LONG AND MAKE OURSELVES SICK!!! "

Maybe after time, I can re-train it...but for now, I have placed myself on a caloric guideline. I aim for 1550-1800 which is the equivalent of the WW points 28-33 which is for my weight range. I didn't really want to track points, but for some reason, I don't mind jotting down what I eat in a notebook and writing down my calories and fat and at the end of the day, I total it up (actually total up as I go along) and see if I can get into that range. I keep a small notebook on the kitchen counter, so it is right there when I make a meal. I also keep notecards in my purse to jot things down while I am out. I am totally anal about keeping that food journal. But it is very good at letting me know what time of the month my eating gets out of control, so I can kind of prepare and increase the low fat snacks and fruits, etc.

I was cheering everyone up about McDonalds and tonight my daughter was REALLY wanting to go to Burger King. (heart attack city!!) So, I went and I had only had 813 calories when we went there, so I had the Chicken Whopper and then I splurged on the onion rings, (which after I ate them, I really wished I hadn't...first greasy food in a month) but after that, I fell at 1713 for the day and was still in my calorie range and felt good about that. Plus, walked a mile and a half after I got home! So, I don't agree with some people out there who tell you that you SHOULDN'T eat fast food. Phooey on them. I don't want it everyday, but I know I CAN fit it in my schedule once in a while!

Lizzo, I know what you mean about the seafood. My dad was raised in Alabama and they grew up on that seafood. When I come down, he makes a big ole batch of crab legs and shrimp, and all kinds of things that you have to pour butter on.

We will be fine, we will survive our weekend in Atlanta and be just fine. Raring to go on Monday!!!

Well, I just finished my official first month of my new healthier lifestyle! One whole month. I juggled my weigh in date to Tuesdays now, since that is the end of my week as far as my diet goes. I lost a grand total of 17 pounds this first month. I am beyond excited and even more motivated. I keep thinking how wonderful I can look this time next year if I stick with this. I will not sabotage myself!

I was in Kohls tonight looking for shorts for my daughter and thinking how damn happy I will be when I no longer have to shop in the fat section. I HATE that. I hate holding my pants out and thinking there is NO way my butt could possibly be that big, but knowing that it is. NO MORE, I say. I will not EVER feel that way again. Good things ahead for all of us. No more fat related sadness and pain.

Well, that was my book for the day!!!! Hadn't checked in for a little while and wanted to catch up!

Thanks for being here guys, it means the world to me!
Tiffany

265/248/150

Hey, Tiff I agree with you and all the other ladies about McDonalds and Burger King, I too had kids that wanted to go last night and after not eating the stuff for a long time it was really gross and that grease taste it leaves in your mouth is really horrible. I was just hoping that my stomach didn't give me fits afterwards. I also know what you're talking about going shopping for clothes. I almost refuse to buy anything at this point unless absolutely necessary. And we WILL be in the smaller sizes by next summer, ALL OF US! That is what is keeping me going. 17 #'s.......WAY TO GO GIRL! That is so great, I'll bet you're on cloud 9 right now!

I found a very informative post on the exercise thread that gives all the benefits of drinking water if any of you are interested look at page 4 of Get Strong, Motivated and Hydrated or something like that. I will check and get back to you. I was amazed at how many different body functions that require water but mostly what happens when the body doesn't have it. It inspired me to get drinking.

Well, I'm off to do some more reading then I have to get ready for work. Have a great day all!

LJ

Getting Motivated, Strong, Hydrated and Healthy is the name of the thread..............check it out.

Hello!
Tiff, 17 pounds is GREAT!
I know what u mean about the clothes shopping. I also have a hard time when I'm doing laundry and I see a pair of MY jeans spread out. SPREAD OUT. I want so much to be smaller than DH again, or even the same size would do. I used to be able to wear his pants...back when he wore a 30, now he wears a 33. He's grown too, but still looks good. Go figure. I heard somewhere that men have thicker skin, and that is why their "cottage cheese" doesn't show as much. How fair is that?!
DH doesn't care if I loose weight, so he says. This weight loss journey is all for ME.
Huntress, I'm gonna check out the water thread. Anything to keep me motivated!
willbe, I talk to myself all the time! Sometime outloud, sometimes to cat, dog and iquana...like they understand.
Have a geat day all!

Hi everyone, you all sound so happy. I am so jealous. I really feel crappy today. It's been a month, 4 weeks since I started my plan. While I have dropped 6 pounds I am just not feeling very motivated. I feel myself walking slowly down quitter's road. Am I being too hard on myself. Is 6 pounds in one month a good rate? I got on the scale this morning and it was back up 2 pounds. What is going on? Last week I didn't lose a thing....HELP!

Just..........don't you dare give up! You are doing so well..........6 #'s in a month, that is great......it is 6 #s gone forever. Is it that time of the month, have you eaten a lot of salt and are just retaining water? I know that this is hard but just think where you will be a few months or a year from now if you stick to it. Changing a way of life is always difficult at first and we are all here for the long haul. There is lots of support from everyone.............and I know that you can DO IT!
Also, don't rely on the scale so much, they can be deceiving, think about how you feel and how your clothes fit. You will be glad that you stuck to it after you've lost all of your weight.

Take care,

LJ

Just...the average weight loss is 1-2 #s a week. So that would be between 4-8 pounds. You are right in there. The only reason I lost so much early on, is that I had SO much to lose, well over a 100 pounds (115 to be exact) and my first weeks loss was almost 10 pounds. And we all know that was water! So, not counting that one, I lost 7 genuine pounds of fat this month and I am right there with you.

I am all about being impatient, but I know that if I get discouraged, I will quit. The girls are right, you are DOWN weightwise, and you will continue to go down. Slow and steady. Think of this, 6 months from now, if you keep going at the rate you are, you will be down almost 40 pounds. WOWOWOWOWOW!!!!!!! And you KNOW how fast time flies. Christmas will be here before we know it!!!!

PLEASE, for your sake, and OURS...we NEED you here, don't give up. You are fighting a war with your fat cells. You ARE the better person, you can BEAT this!!

Keep on keeping on, one day at a time. That's it. Or...one meal at a time. You can surely do that. If you slip, next meal will be better. If you mess up a whole day...who cares, tomorrow will be better still!!!

Just never give up. You are too valuable!!!
Tiff

This has been the craziest day! I didn't get to eat ANYTHING until 1:30 because I'm not an early breakfast eater. I usually make smoothies about 9:30 and that hold me over until lunch which is usually around 1:00. I ate 5 Fig Newtons after my Lean Cuisine meal. I think those things have like 100 calories each. I also had intended to really get busy on the water after reading about it earlier, but so far have only had 1 8 oz bottle. Oh well, I guess tommorow is another day.

LJ

Just in case any of you are interested this is my recipe. They are really good and an easy way to get in fruits for the day.

1 Ripe Banana 100
3/4 C Whole Frozen Blueberries 80
7 Whole Frozen Strawberries 50
1 C Orange Juice 110
1 Container Lite FF Yogurt 100
2 Packets Artificial Sweetener 6
2 Cups Crushed Ice Total Calories
446

This makes a blender FULL but I have a few coworkers who look forward to it every morning.
Enjoy,

LJ

Thanks for the support, I really did need it! After reading all your motivational words I do feel really better. I know deep down I will not give up. And yes, it is coming upon that time of month. That may be why I'm so emotional. Also, I did stop taking my depression meds, that may also be affecting my emotions. Well, I am marching myself right to the store after work tonight and picking up some St. Johns Wort. I said that I was going to stop taking all drugs, so maybe the herbal remedy will do some good. Man, I just can't wait until this week is over. Friday is my day off and I am really looking foward to going to my Flea Market and selling all the crafts I've been working so hard on. It's been an especially difficult week at work, once I get some time off, I'm sure I'll get back on track. Afterall, I am an emotional eater. It's hard to face up to these emotions without my old friend the "food".

Thanks again, you're all keeping me on my toes!

hey justme, what kind of crafts do you do? i love making things. lately i've been into paint techniques. i've done walls in my house, but think i'd like to move onto painting some furniture. just have to find the courage! i'd love to be going to a flea market. there is an indian festival in the fall that is my all time favorite....mabye i'll reach my goal by then and enjoy it all the more!
huntress, the smoothie sounds yummy. i think my boys could help me knock down a blender full!
i got a demo disk of dietpower in the mail today. wouldn't ya know it, it doesnt work?! my luck. still using fitday, but such a pain having to go online every time to enter food intake. slow dial up here in the boonies.
hope everyone is doing great!

Just - good for you, I am glad you are sticking with it. The reward will be well worth it. I am an emotional eater too, I understand where you are coming from. It's nice having a group like this for support. Hope everything goes well at the flea market.

Tiger - I hope you enjoy the smoothies, even my kids like them but they probably wouldn't touch it if they knew it was good for them.

Will, Lizzo - where are you......hope to hear from you soon.

Well as you can see I FINALLY figured out how to do the smilies, thanks again Tiff.

Well, I will be going walking soon, hope everyone has a nice evening. I may check back in again later......I really enjoy reading.

LJ