Curious! Anyone doing their OWN plan??
 

I have flirted with a couple of groups, but I don't feel 100% comfortable there.

I have actually incorporated ideas from a couple of different plans and am seeing results now after a sluggish start.

I am still a fan of Susan Powter and her no nonsense approach. She is into low fat and her calorie and fat recommendations for my weight appealed to me.

I am 5'10 and weighed 265 when I started this almost 2 weeks ago. When I weighed yesterday, I weighed 255. I know that early weight loss is mostly water, but I was excited to see a loss.

My calories for the day are 1950 and my fat limit is 65 grams a day, which on most days I am at half that or below. I eat low fat now most of the time.

Susan's formula for figuring calories, is to pick the weight you want to be and multiply that times 13 and you will get the # of calories you need per day.

I also focus on the % of calories from fat in my food. Nothing above 30%.

Example....a footlong Turkey sub from Subway is 508 calories and 7 grams of fat. So 7 grams of fat times 9 (9 calories in a fat gram) = 63. Then you divide 63 by the total calories (508) and you come up with 0.12 which would be 12% of its calories coming from fat. SO I EAT IT!!!!!

I also loosely follow Body for Life's exercise program. They have a day of lower body exercise with weights, and then a day of 20 minutes cardio, then a day of upper body with weights and then a day of cardio. You alternate these until Sunday when you take a free day. A free day from exercise and from diet....and although yesterday was my free day...I had three pieces of Pizza Hut Super Supreme Hand Tossed...I was still under my calorie limit for the day and didn't feel deprived. And it's back to healthy eating today! (lots of whole wheat rice, whole wheat bagels, whole wheat pastas...skim milk, yogurt, fruits, veggies, chicken...you know the drill!

So anyway, this is what is working for me. I know everyone has to find something they enjoy and something that will produce results for them. This is something that I can live with, and I don't have to JUST eat meat, or cut out my bread, which I LOVE or limit my sugar (which I NEED once a month!)...whatever I want, I can have as long as I fit it in my day. Pretty much like Weight Watchers plan, except I just don't count the fiber and track my fat and calories instead in a little notebook. I then transfer my daily menu, fat and calorie totals to a spreadsheet and print it off and keep them in a binder for reference and also to show myself how great I am doing so far!!

Well, I was just curious to see if anyone else is following a plan that they have designed for themselves!

Best wishes to all and Happy Memorial Day,
Tiffany

Hi Tiffany,
I'm doing my own thing. I don't really want to follow a "diet" for the rest of my life. I'm trying to eliminate some of the over processed foods and get back to some basics. Whole grains, fruits and veggies.
I read Susan's book a long time ago (when I only thought I needed to lose weight!). I need to pick it up at the library and read it again. I remember it being motivating. Right now I'm reading Bob Greene's Get with the Program. I find that the reading helps motivate me.
I do videos for most of my exercise. Walk-a-way the pounds, tae-bo junior (my sons) and others I get from the library when I need a change.
I don't know yet if "this" is what is going to work for me since I've only been doing it a few weeks. I've gone from 201.5 to 196.5. But, sometimes I think my weight can bounce that much in one day. I'll know it's working when I can see it. I can't see any difference w/only 5lbs.
Sherri :D

Hi Sherri from Indiana! We are practically neighbors! (I'm in Illinois!)

Your plan sounds good! I don't want to get into the "diet mentality" either...I am tracking all of my food for now just to mainly get a feel for what "normal" should be. I have just eaten like a crazy person for so long that I almost can't remember what it's like to actually be hungry or full!

So...I am also trying to incorporate more whole grains in my diet. Whole grain bagels, pasta and rice, more veggies and since I have started this...I noticed that I have practically phased out red meat...which is a great thing...

I did just get Susan's other book "Food" and it is great, lots of recipes and she gets into the saturated fats a little more...interesting stuff. Also tells how to cook healthy for your family and things like that, which is helpful since I have 3 girls running around eating like boys!

Bob Greene, wasn't that Oprah's guy? He seems pretty inspirational! I have been walking and my thing is the step tapes, I LOVE step tapes! Makes me feel like I am melting my thighs right away!!!

Well, I'm off for a walk!
Good luck!
Tiff

Hello
 

Hi Tiffany,
What step tapes do you use? I saw The Firm tapes on TV last weekend, they come with that step thingy. Wondering if they are good.
How do you track your food intake? I've just started using fitday.com, but have been logging in a notebook for awhile. I think maybe I need to buy a food scale to help me get a grip on portions.
Are you trying to convert your family to a healthier way of eating? My family is fighting me. More so, the DH. He's always been thin, so thinks he can eat whatever he wants. I'm changing a few things at a time, easing them into it.
Better get the kids ready for school, they are like snails in the morning.
Sherri

Hey Sher...

I do use a food scale and I LOVE it. Like I said, I am still trying to get the hang of the portion thing. A portion of chips to me is about 1/2 the bag! LOL

So, the scale I use measures up to 3 pounds and does ounces and grams...so I can toss my chips in the basket and measure to the gram!!! It's great for measuring chicken when doing a recipe or exact pasta weights...etc. Definitly a great investment. I do strongly recommend the digital though. I have no patience to try to read the old fashioned ones.

As far as the tapes, I have heard a LOT of good things about the Firm, but I don't have any of those yet. I have several that I really like. I have one Cher step tape, one Jane Fonda that I love the music too, a Kathy Smith and another one whose name escapes me. She was the leader in Cher's tape...I think it's Kathy something too. She is Australian, I believe. But it gives me some variety which is good.

Right now, I am tracking my food on an excel spreadsheet that I have. I just haven't been out to find any good software lately. There used to be a great website that you could track on and it would do little graphs of your weight and calculate all of your fat and calories and whatever else you wanted...then they started to charge for it. Grrrrr....

So anyway, I write down everything I eat in a small notebook and the calories and fat and the % of fat calories and then at the end of the day, I log it into my spreadsheet and print it out and keep it in a 3 ring binder. Then I will bunch up all of May and paperclip them together and start on June! It's helpful to have them all there, so I can see when I am hungry (it's that time of the month thing) and it also helps to look at past menu ideas, when I am thinking that nothing sounds good!


Sherri, don't EVEN get me started on the family!!! I have a daughter that is 13, a step daughter that is 14 and an 8 year old stepdaughter that looks anorexic. She wants chocolate all day long and when I tried to give her a fruit cup...she was like, "WHAT??? Am I on a diet toooo????"

The older girls are getting pudgy around the middle, but they are SO lazy. They don't want to exercise at all, but they have started walking with me at night, so that is one small step. They have also noticed that I am losing weight and gaining energy, so they are interested. The only problem is, no one wants to be responsible for themselves. They all want me to come up with journals for them, exercise plans and caloric guides and then cook healthy for them. They don't want to do the work. HECK, I don't want to do the work either. I would LOVE to have someone sit a healthy meal in front of me 3x a day and never have to think about it..but hey, someone has to be the adult!!!

DH, bless his heart, wants back into his 32 jeans, he will eat anything I put in front of him, healthy or not. He just can't be trusted to make his own choices!!! He loves that fried food.

I have started small by using the fake crumbled ground beef, and making Boca Burgers instead of hamburgers. If you put a slice of fat free cheese on it and all the toppings, you can almost fool anyone. Some other little changes, we all went to skim milk, although gradually. 2%, then 1%, the 1/2 % and then skim. We went to fat free cheese, fat free hot dogs, fat free mayo...Things like that. They really DO make a difference. Light breads, lean lunchmeat...tuna in water...baked chips...and lots of granola type bars, jello cups, fat free puddings, fruits, etc. for snacks. Most of the stuff, they don't pay attention to, but they miss my homemade chocolate chip cookies...so I still let them have a free day on the weekend. (we all look forward to that free day!!)

Anyway, I had better go before I write a book!
Enjoy your day!
Tiffany

Hi Tiffany!
I am also doing it my own way. I started on January 1, 2001 and hit goal last week after losing 96 pounds! I had done the WW route and was very successful, but then stopped going to meetings and gained it all back.
THIS time, I decided to do what will work for ME and I have made many lifelong changes!
I eat three lowfat meals, an afternoon snack and dessert every day. I eat high fiber cereal for breakfast (I love Kashi mixed with bran flakes), a sandwich made with lite bread and ff cheese and an apple for lunch, a 200 or so calorie snack when I get home from school (I'm a teacher) and a sensible dinner. I have incorporated many of the things I learned at WW, but I have allowed myself more protein. I usually eat protein at both lunch and dinner. It has helped me not be so hungry.
I also walk 2 miles a day, every day. Everything I read about maintenance proves to me that you must have an exercise component in your program.
I have a very new view of myself, and not just physically. I see myself as a person who makes good food decisions (no junk going into this body!!) and I also like to exercise. I am 39 years old, and believe me, these are very new thoughts for me!
I wish you luck on your journey. It is a journey that is more important than any other you will embark.

Tryin,

You need to change your name, you are DONE tryin!!! GOOD FOR YOU!!!!

I have no problem with all of these other plans...but I knew that in order for this to work for me for the rest of my life, that I had to do something that I could live with and not feel cheated. I too did the Weight Watchers, as soon as I stopped going, I gained it back too. I just didn't want to have to figure points forever. But like all diets and diet plans, you do walk away with some knowledge that you can apply in your own life that will work for you!

I also don't want to be on a plan where I have to send my body into ketosis, or give up breads and pasta...there are so many whole grain alternatives out there, there is NO reason to give up ANYTHING!!!!

I just don't want to keep eating all of those foods that have so many chemicals in them. Yuck...I want to be healthy and eating chemicals is no way to be healthy. But, I am starting slowly and trying to relearn portion control and really get a handle on eating again. I will never again starve myself on a 1000 calorie a day diet when I know that my body needs so much more than that! I have dropped my daily fat to between 10 and 20% and so far, my energy is incredible, and I am FULL. Lots of High Volume, Low Fat foods! GRAIN IS MY FRIEND!!!!! :D

Thank you for writing, it's nice to know that there are people out there having success on their own modified plans and you are an inspiration to me!

I agree about the exercise also, I am doing a strength training on Monday, cardio on Tuesday...alternating and taking Sunday off. Makes me even more ready to hit the exercise on Monday!

Thanks again for writing!
And GREAT JOB!!!!!
Tiffany

hello all, glad to read such postitive posts. i guess i should post here too, i am kinda doing my own thing too, i am making small changing everyday, trying to stay in control, excercises drink my water, portion control, switching to whole grains. trying to make healthier choices, lower fat versions of my favortie foods . i too have been on alot of eating plans and i can take alot of information that i learned from them and apply it to my own plan. i am not labeling myself anymore, i am not gonna say, i am doing this plan or that plan, i am just gonna eat healthier. that is it.

Hi Will!

Good for you! I think that all of those changes you are making will pay off in a big way!

I guess my biggest problem is that I want results RIGHT NOW!!! :lol:

We all know we didn't put this weight on overnight, but jeez, I would love to see it gone by next week. So, right now, that is my biggest goal, to be patient and accept the changes that I am making as a new lifestyle...a better, healthier lifestyle and to just be patient and see what happens. Good things, I know!!!

I really don't feel like I am missing much. I had whole wheat pancakes for breakfast with some great 0 fat syrup that is 10 calories for a 1/4 cup, and a sliced up banana and a cup of skim milk. I satisfied my sweet tooth and feel full, and I feel great because I didn't skimp on the food and I ate healthy. Small victories!

I think I mentioned that I have a free day on Sunday, a day that is free from exercise and a day where I eat what I want. I thought in the beginning that would be a DISASTER, and I would go crazy the rest of the week after that, but that hasn't happened. I went to Pizza Hut last week and had 3 slices of hand tossed supreme pizza and MAN was that good. I had eaten a whole wheat bagel for breakfast and then we ate the Pizza (notice how I started it with a capital letter??) at around 2:00 and then I was pretty much full for the rest of the evening. I had some fruit with fat free cool whip in the evening, but I was so proud that I could eat that heavenly pizza and still stay within the calorie range I like to be in.

This free day will come in handy this weekend, because I have been having a craving for Chinese food in a big way. So, I will go there in the early afternoon and make it a big meal for the day. But even though I am having a free day, I am always amazed that I can still make healthy choices...lots of rice...steamed veggies....and just a few things that aren't so good for me, but TASTE SO GOOOOOOD!!!!

I believe that we have to indulge every once in a while or we will not be able to keep going! It just makes me even more happy to start the week of healthy food again! I know if I am a good little girl all week, then I get my free day on Sunday!!! :s:

Have a wonderful weekend. I weigh tomorrow...I try to weigh once a week on Saturday, just for my own benefit. I like to look at my graph and see the progress I am making. (or trying to make!!)

:devil:
Off to the rummage sales!!
Tiffany

Oh yeah, I guess I should have mentioned. I started this thead as Miss Tiffany, and then remembered my password for my original name!

So, I am one and the same!

:dizzy:

hi tiffany, you are doing great!! sounds like you may have found the answers to staying in control. and you are right about the patience, i forgot to mention that for me too. see i was on a no diet approach awhile back, and lost 9 lbs in 2 months, but of course that wasnt fast enough for me and i tried to go on many other plans after that, sure i lost weight fast and then just put it on again, guess i had to learn the hard way. so that is on my list too, patience. the awful part is ,if i would have stuck to the no diet approach, i bet i could have reached my goal by now and looking good in my shorts. well i cant think about that now. you live and learn , age is really nothing to me, but i am only 37 and i want to start enjoying the things i used to , and stop making food a priorety in my life.


i am doing well also, not thinking about food so often, just eating what i am in the mood for ,and eating less and making healthier choices, cause my motto is not food is forbidden, so i know i can have any food i want, so i dont crave it as much. oh, the mind games that go on in my head.

i am glad the free day is working for you and you are still choosing wisely, good for you. i did try that free day thing before and i just went over board and it made me feel out of control. so i just take one day at a time, and if it is a day, where i really really want junk food , i will eat it , but just less of it and make healthier choices the rest of the day. right now i feel good about this way of life i am choosing, i cant be on anymore diet plans, cause when i fail them, i feel ashamed,misereable and so out of control. well it is my turn to take control and i will do it. i really have just started this, ya know getting my mind clear of the diet mentality, so i am gonna try not to get on the scale for a while. have a great day .

I hear you on being patient. Lord, that was my goal when I was 27, 28 years old...I was determined to get to my goal weight before I hit 30. I started at about 250 and was down to 195 and starting to look MUCH better and I guess I thought I was "all that" because I started eating more junk and now, here I am...32 years old, and at a higher weight than I ever thought I could be.

If I don't do this now, I will be sitting here at 35 looking at almost 300 pounds.
:(

Now is the time, I feel good...I have to have control over this...it's controlled me for too long...

I have a good feeling about this. I have the motivation, and I have the time to devote to this...same amount of time it took for me to drive out to McDonalds and get a Big Mac...is the time it takes me to put together a healthy, filling lunch at home!

I think I have finally grasped the concept that there IS no quick fix. Slow and steady will get us there.

Girls (or guys) We WILL be successful and hopefully we will be the inspiration for new people coming to the boards...

I'm already inspiring myself! Wow!! :D

WooHoo!!! Feelin Good!
Tiffany

hello, just checking in, i am going to the shore, i did great yesterday, i will check in tomorrow, everyone have a great day.

Hi everyone
 

I just noticed this thread and started reading. Ladies, you are an inspiration... ;)

I am sort of doing my own thing too, I saw a dietician as I'm a newly diagnosed diabetic but she cut out everything on the plan... :s: I'm convinced that she saw my fat butt come through the door and didn't think of anything else.. :lol:
I'm doing the whole grain, vegies etc like you, low fat versions of my favorite things. I look at my daily percentage of fat (try to stay at or below 20%) and with the diabetes have to count carb grams too (that's what causes the problem not sugar as thought so many years ago... )

Anyway, just wanted to say that I loved reading your messages and hope I'm not butting in here.

I'm 44 years old, lost 50 lbs doing this since January!

Peace!

Hello everyone, I saw this thread while I was just poking around and it seems that you are all just like me! I am 26 and I need to lose 60 pounds. The good news is that I am down about 4 or 5 pounds! It's been 3 weeks, well, I'm ON my 3rd week. This website has helped me tremendously. It's great to be able to develop a bond with other women struggling with weight. I am currently at 213, and that's alot of weight considering my height of 5 foot 3 inches. My overall goal is to be 160 pounds, I figure at that wieght I'll be able to trade in my size 16's of a loose pair of 9's. I have a mini-goal set and that is to be under the 200 mark! Boy I can't wait for that day to come. Since I think of my diet as a life time plan I haven't put any time restraints on my weightloss. If I do that it's getting myself into possible dissapointment when I don't make it. Even if it takes me more that a year, it's going to happen.

I have developed a plan that mostly follows Oprah's 10 steps. She wrote it along with Bob Greene, as a matter-of-fact I'm going to have to get my hands on that new book of his. I try to stay within 1500 calories a day, and 25 grams of fat. I have also been taking some herbal suppliments...I know, I know, their not good for me, but they really give me the extra energy I need to stay motivated. I checked with my doctor and he advised me to be sure only to take the minimum dosage. I also have a workout plan that involves walking on my treadmill, Denise Austin' s workouts and walking outdoors.

The first week of the new plan was pretty difficult. It took me awhile to get used to eating half of what I normally do, today, I feel full much faster and I don't get hungry anymore. My cravings have also declined, but when I find that I really want something I just go ahead and have it. It's not worth obsessing over it. As long as I am careful to moderate how much of that bad thing I'm eating.

So, that's my story. I'm looking forward to the discussions to come. Everyone have a fantastic and safe day! :)

Hi Will!!! Glad you had a good time at the beach, that sounds HEAVENLY!!! I was in and out all day. Our block had a rummage sale so there was traffic all day through here. I cleaned my house, and threw the windows open and enjoyed the nice day. I'll be complaining soon when my hair is all damp and frizzy and it's 100 degrees. (The good thing is...who feels like eating in that kind of heat?? AND!!! I will get my water in for sure. I HATE water!)

Anyway....Hi Judy!!! Welcome! I laughed when I though of your Doctor seeing you come through the door. She probably panicked. I think they automatically think the best thing to do is put you on a strict diet. HELLO??? If I could follow a strict diet, I wouldn't BE in this shape!!!! Did I mention, that the All-You-Can-Eat Restaurant here has a restraining order out against me?? :lol:

I agree with the grains and veggies. And I DO still have my sour cream and dressings and mayo...they are all just fat free now.

Well, I have a girlfriend coming in from out of town and staying with us unexpectantly this weekend. She will be here late tonight and then all day tomorrow and all day Monday. We have a surprise potluck dinner for an old family member tomorrow, which translates to DIET ****. So, I think I will toss some healthy snacks in my bag and a bottle of water, and I will graze on my own stuff. Then...she wants to cook out on Monday. We'll do hotdogs and hamburgers for the kids, maybe I can have my Boca Burger, but I was thinking about Ka-bobs for the adults with a nice bed of rice...I KNOW I can behave, but I can't wait to see their faces when I am buying baked chips and Wow chips and fat free dip and fat free hotdogs...LOL...they will all think they are in **** for sure. :devil:

Sunday is my free day, and I just refuse to spend it eating potluck made by 90 year old women who only know how to cook with lard. Ya know?

Anywho...
It's SATURDAY ladies...let's enjoy it! I will poke in and out of here and see how everyone is doing!

Oh..today was my weekly weigh-in here in my bathroom. (BIG production, lots of excitement!!)

Down 3 more pounds!
:love:
Tiffany
265/252/150
Hasn't even been a month yet...so I KNOW this is working! Good for us!!

Hi Just Me!! Sorry, we must have been posting at the same time! Didn't mean to ignore you!!!

WELCOME!!! I think it's great to get a little group of us "independants" going.

I think all of us here have adapted some plan or another. I use a combination of Susan Powter and Body for Life. I watch calories and fat and try to exercise...I also think ALL of us have tried one plan or another and didn't stick with it. I think it's great that we are all smart enough to say..."Well, THAT didn't work for me, but I think I could use THIS and maybe THIS and make a plan that WILL work for me".

I also think (doing a lot of thinking this morning) that every single one of us could write a book on diets and nutrition. We all KNOW it...now we will be able to DO it!!

I didn't get too specific about my stats...but here goes. I am 5'10" which is good, and started this new lifestyle at 265 pounds. I was wearing size 22 pants and 24 tops cause the boobs found the fat too. :ink:

But....those days are OVER. By this time next year...(or maybe by June...) I will have lost around a 100 pounds and by God, next summer will be the summer of my dreams. No more sitting in the house afraid to be seen in shorts. I WILL wear sleeveless shirts, and I WILL have a bathing suit without a freaking skirt on it!!

Stick with me people...let's do this.
The biggest thing I can say is...and everyone says it...if you have a bad day and you eat everything in the house...IT IS NOT OVER. Start again the next day. Big deal...EVERYONE has a bad day...just don't let it be a bad week, month, year, life....

Much love,
Tiffany (who is not as cranky these days)
;)

tiffany, you are doing great, and your posts are so uplifting.

i love all the tips and encouraging posts, i got back from the shore on sunday afternoon only to find out that my grahm was back in the hospital so i was there yesterday. and boy i hate missing reading everyones posts, now there are too many for me to respond to.

hello newbies, i am so happy more people are finding there way here, i loved reading your stories and ways you are changing your life and good to see some great sense of humor on here.

i did great friday and sat. and i didnt even get any french fries on the board walk that has to be a first for me, that is my food i am addicted to. and on the way home yesterday, my husband stopped an got one of those breakfast sanwhiches, ya know with egg, sausage and cheese. i wanted it so bad , it smelled so good, but i figured if i could just control myself for one hr and 20 min, that is how long it takes us to get home from the shore, i could make a lower fat version of it at home, and that is what i did. i was so proud of myself, that i controlled my appetite. now dinner was a different story, when i got home from visting my grahm, my mother in law was there with chinese food and cocktails. i wasnt so in control then.

so , it is monday, and i am ready to get in control again. have a great day to all. we can do this. oh and i love the comment about the boobs, mine are so big, i hate them, i want to lose weight, just in hopes that they will shrink, oh and then i guess i will complain about them sagging:lol: hope everyone has a great day.

Hello! I'm still hang'n in here doing my own thing. I had a pc problem, so haven't been around for a couple days.
Tiffany, it sounds like you have a great outlook and I hope it rubs off on me!
I guess since I'm going to play here, I should tell all....
I'm 5'10, currently 195. Down from 201.5 a few weeks ago when I bought a new scale. I always thought I was overweight, thanks to our wonderful media. And, probably because my mother and sister are so petite. I passed up my mother's size in the 6th grade...I'm 35yrs old now. Looking back, I realize that other than prenancy weight I've actually only been over weight the last few years. What I wouldn't give to go back to the days when I "thought" I was overweight!
I like the Bob Greene/Oprah books and I'm using Walk videos for my exercise right now. I really want to improve my entire families diet. More healthy whole foods. I eat very few fat free products. They fall in the "overly processed foods" I'm trying to eliminate. I buy natural sour cream, natural peanut butter....switching a few things at a time so my family doesn't protest too much.
I have 2 boys, 5 & 10. The 10yr old is husky and I hope the change in diet will help him too.
I better get going if I want to get my walk in today! Good wishes to everyone!
:D

OH, Willbethin I am so jealous that you got to go to the beach. I am addicted to the ocean. One day, I will live there! I'm determined. One summer I spent in DE it was the happiest time of my life. There's just something about the beach that just makes me feel good.
It sounds like everyone is doing well. That's great, I myself am struggling with the workout thing. While I am still losing, I know it's not going to last if I don't start walking or something. Anyone have and suggestions on how to motivate to do the workout? I've tried promising myself just 5 minutes but I always brush it off. I even thought of giving myself a treat (not food) for working out all week. That didn't work either.
I need help!

hi tiger, i know what you mean about the days when we "thought" we were fat. i look back at pictures and what i wouldnt give to be that "fat" again, boy what was i thinking , i really looked good, yet always remember wanting to always just lose a little more. now i have alot to lose.

hi just me, i also love the beach, so you can imagine, how i lucked out, when i found out the guy who i am married to now, had a cousin who owned a house in north wildwood. i couldnt believe it. i have been going down there steady since i met him in 1985. i must admit as much as i love it, i dont enjoy it as much as when i was thin and was going boogie boarding and not haveing to worry about the way i look. you would think that was motivation enough to get this weight off.

i did have a good day today, i excercised , drank my water and stayed in control of my eating. i am really trying to get the white carbs out of my eating plan and trying to eat more fruit, veggies and lean protiens. and eat less.

hope everyone had a great day.

Howdy chicks!!!

Ok, this has been a KILLER two days. I was way over on my fat yesterday, and ate fine today...(most of the day)...

But we still have company. So, we have 5 kids in the house and 4 adults...we just threw pizzas in the oven for lunch and I fixed a veggie burger and baked lays...and then everyone decided to have Chinese for dinner. HELLO...the worst place we could have went. I HAD to have an egg roll and a few pieces of Sweet and Sour Chicken and some pepper steak and rice...But I did drink a Diet Pepsi. :lol:

The good news is...they are going home tomorrow and then I can get back on my tight little schedule!

Will, you lucky girl! The SHORE...:dizzy: And by the way...congrats on the GREAT willpower on the boardwalk! Awesome!!

Tiger, glad to see you back! Keep up the great work! Those kids will get used to the healthy stuff before you know it and they will wonder how they EVER ate that old nasty stuff!

Justme...I wish I had the perfect words of encouragement to get you out there exercising....but this is what works for me...I have my husband walk in front of me with a sausage pizza on a stick, and I try to catch it. I could walk for hours. :D (Just kiddin, although that IS a great idea!)

I plan my walk in the evening. I am usually stressed from the day and that little walk feels GOOD. I can stomp around my block and just cuss the world in my head and burn off all that frustration. I am NOT a morning person and can't haul it out of bed for something so awful as EXERCISE...BARF!!!

Just Cuz...how are you hanging in there??

Well, I had two disappointing days and although I made some healthy choices today...that Chinese is weighing on my mind (and my butt) but like I said...on to better things, I will get my walk in tomorrow, and cut back a little more this week and work on getting in those veggies and fruits and life will be golden again!

Family and friends are often around and sometimes it just feels too good to go out together and EAT. I mean really STRAP on that feedbag and enjoy. Life is too short to punish ourselves...so with that in mind...I have enjoyed my friends and enjoyed my food...now I can concentrating on enjoying a better, healthier lifestyle.

I'm off to bed. Long day...(took all 5 kids to the public swimming pool. I had kids riding on my back all day. "Hey Tiffany, watch this!" "Hey Tiffany, catch me!" (followed by a leaping child, screaming and wet, flying onto my head) "Hey Tiffany, I have to pee!" "Hey Tiffany, I lost my bathing suit top!"

Anyway, you get the idea!
Much love to my new friends!
Tiffany :sheep:

this is my kind of place
 

Hi all.

I'm on my own "plan" too. It's very loose, but I might be able to do it long-term. I just watch portion control and be sure and walk every day. I lost 9 pounds last winter doing just that, but then I got busy and stressed at work, came home exhausted every day, no energy for a walk and hit the snack box at least twice a day while I was at work. Gained back 7 pounds.

I have a problem with the slow and steady too. The thing is, though, I've been heavy since I was a kid. I got to a normal weight and stayed semi-normal between 21 and 26. Now I'm 40 and I can't say how many "diets" I've been on. After each loss, I've ended up gaining back the weight and then some. I weigh 237 pounds now and I'm 5'6. What if it takes me years to get to a healthy weight? If I'd allowed myself years back in my 20's, I might be there now. Who knows.

I think this site is great. I know I've sat alone in my house thinking no one can understand what I'm thinking or feeling about myself and my weight. The weird diets, the binges, the compulsive weighing, etc. But we're all struggling together and with each other's support. We can lose weight. We can get healthy. Here's to us!

Jen

I'm doing good!
 

I'm doing good Tiffany thanks for asking... :) Busy week ahead at work and lots of weird things going on in my life right now but in due time it will all settle down... sigh soon I hope.

I saw your line about the pizza in front of you to get you walking.. lol I get myself out there and then pretend some 'scaggy guy' is following me and I walk faster... LOL
I was pretending that Toby Keith (country music singer in case anyone doesn't know who he is) was following me but heck I started stopping to look at things in hope's he'd catch me so that didn't work!!! :)

I made the most fantastic supper last night. Spaghetti and meatballs, now I know that doesn't sound so out of the ordinary but for my portion I took a small pan and sauteed some zuchinni strips, mushrooms, onions and fresh chopped basil with some Butter cooking spray and wow added to a 1/4 cup of sauce with a cup of pasta with some steamed broccoli and a salad wow I was in heaven and not 'hog' heaven either lol I'll be making it that way again... it tasted like it was from an expensive italian restaurant.. My 13 year old tasted mine and said "wow mom you did better than the Olive Garden this time, I must just start eating like you do just for the taste..." I glowed for the whole night... :) I love to cook and my new adventure is taking all my old recipes and making them lowfat. It's soo easy once you learn how. The new man in my life loves my cooking too and he can't tell what's lowfat and what's the old stuff anymore and I met him when I was cooking the old way ...

:cool:

Later ladies

Hi Everyone!
 

I have been lurking here for a long time and rarely post but when I started reading your thread I just knew I had to reply.

I am also doing my own plan, mostly just cutting back on portions.

I have been heavy since I was a child and have been on every diet plan known to man and found that nothing was working. Jen I swear you and I could be twins. I am also 5'6" and for most of my life until I hit my late 30's was probably no more than 20-25 lbs overweight. I hit my highest weight about a 2 months ago at 225. I decided then that it was time to change my attitude and do something about it, besides spending any more of my time and hard earned money for someone else to tell me how to lose weight. I already knew all of that stuff anyway, the real problem for me has been to do it! I also have teenage children (I am now 43) and naturally we always have to have lots of junk in the house.

I agree with all of you about wishing I were "fat" like I was when I was younger. I have clothes in my closet ranging from a size 10 to 20. I can remember that as I gained weight I hated those size 14 and 16's and now when I look at them I think, WOW, if I could get back there again I would look and feel great!

I don't mean to make this post so long, I guess I just have so much 'stuff' in my head that needs to get out. My weight issues really and truly started when people started telling me at a young age things like " you would be so pretty if you'd just lose some weight". I know you've all heard it before, but I just want to know who gave them that right to say that to me. Makes me wonder if people would just love and accept us for who we are if I would be where I am now or still just 20 lbs heavy.

Anyway, I would love to be part of your group. It feels like I've found my niche here. I have lost 15 lbs since I started a month and a half ago and am hoping to get back to at least 150 where I know I will feel good again.

Have a great day everyone!

LJ

PS
 

Justcuz, I loved your thing about Toby Keith. Maybe I'll try that one!

wow, this board is really hopping!!

welcome newbies:)
jen, you are right we all have so much in common, we just have to hang in there and be there for each other.

justcuz, your pasta meal sounds great, i dont like to cook, so i try to make things as simple as possible, that one doesnt sound to hard, good for you for making the meals you already like , healthier.

huntress, congrats on your weight loss, sounds like you are finding what will work for you, i have the same problem with slow and steady, i have no patients. we all have to give ourselves time to lose this weight, and change our bad eating habits.

tiffany, you were sure busy girl, bet it kept you from thinking about food though. i know about chinese food that is a killer, so many different things to try. and it does feel good , when you are with friends and family to just go out and enjoy without worrying so much about what we are eating all the time.

well, i am ready for a new day, to control myself , excercise, drink my water and make healthier choices, i did pretty good yesterday. i kept myself busy which is a big problem for me as i am unemployed and not getting many babysitting jobs, 2 of the kids i was watching, arent here anymore because of one parent got hurt and is not working and the other one, relatives wanted to watch their kids, so i am left with alot of time on my hands.

lets all have a great day.

Well, HELLOO! This thread has become quite popular. I had so much fun reading all of yesterday's posts. The pepperoni pizza, country wester singer (don't know him) for me I think I'd do best if there was a big rabid dog chasing me, or a bunch of roaches. :lol:

I am in a very happy state of mind, I have done the weigh in and I am down to 211. I feel so confident that I will be under 200 in a month or so! Man, can't wait for that day to come.

Here, Here on the gourmet cooking! I love to experiment with new recipes. It's so much fun, of course, I do have my disasters here and there. :lol: I love to put all kinds of stuff with pasta and veggies. My favorite creation is my homemade pizza. All it takes is some ready made pizza crust, roll it out to a 6 inch disc. Top it with fresh tomatos, garlic and parm cheese, you can even add some lowfat mozz cheese. It is so GOOD! And so easy. I love to experiment with all kinds of toppings, artichoke hearts, broccoli, cheddar cheese (lowfat), cottage cheese and pinapple....I could go on forever! Hey, it also makes a great breakfast pizza....

Let me tell ya, I wish I was as fat as I thought I was in college, to me an 11/12 was HUGE! And that was from the Juniors sections. I look back at pictures of myself and think I only wish I still looked that way. In fact, the only time I was ever happy with my weight was in high school, I had lost about 25 pounds and actually fit into a size 5!!!

Why do us as women define ourselves by what size we wear??

Hey Everyone!
Justcuz, I read a book recently called The Schwarzbein Principle. The authur specializes in diabetes. If you like to read, it has a lot of interesting info. The sub title 'the truth about losing weight, being healthy and feeling younger' is what caught my attention.
Tiffany, I saw a Susan Powter video at the library the other day. Have you tried it? I didn't get it 'cuz I don't have the equipment she suggests. I imagine it's hyper like her.
The days I 'thought I was fat'...I think if someone would have told me it was ok to wear a size 10 it would have made a world of difference. I'm tall and big boned, my bones wouldn't fit in anything smaller than a 10! I'm in a 18 now. Size twelve is my goal. I don't think I define myself by my size. I just feel out of shape and unhealthy where I'm at now. In '97, I had gotten up to running 3 miles. I'm so far from there now that I can't believe I ever did it. My knees can't believe it either!
Willbethin, I babysit too. But, this may be my last week. The scheduling is getting to conflicting with my kids swim lessons and baseball. I'll miss the extra $, but life will be much easier.
Hi huntress, dream'n about those 14's and 16's too!
Welcome Jen!

:)

JustCuz...I had to laugh when I read your post about the "scaggy" guy chasing you. LOL

By the way, your spaghetti sounded WONDERFUL...I think we will all be trying that!

Jen, WELCOME!!! And we ALL understand how you feel. It wasn't too long ago that I practically LIVED in the McDonald's drive through. I would order a ton of food and then get 2 small drinks so they wouldn't think it was all for me. I would eat all that food and then go home and have a big dinner in about another hour...I had no idea how to fill up the empty space inside of me. I guess I still struggle, but my self-confidence is really climbing and I like the feeling of being in control of my food and not the other way around. I may not be in control of a lot of things, but by God, my dinner will do what I say!!!

Tiger, I haven't done any of Susan's videos...I just REALLY like those step tapes. I like the rythmic stepping sounds...and if I am REALLY ticked off, I stomp a little, and that makes me feel good. I picture someone's face on my step and I stomp all over them! (I believe that is called HEALTHY anger!!)

Just me!!! That pizza sounded heavenly too. You are making some great choices! You know, there really isn't much out there that we like to eat that we can't substitute low-fat versions of. I do love the pizza too, but I will used some ground chicken or turkey and loads of veggies and low fat cheese...the Boboli crusts aren't too bad. (the thin ones) and with all those veggies piled on...you get full!

I also love salad with grilled chicken and fat free Italian Dressing. I am in LOVE with the Olive Garden's salad...so I try to make it as close as possible. Has anyone tried their low-fat version of their heavenly dressing??

Hi Huntress! Welcome! I hear you on the teenagers. I have a 13 and a 14 year old girl, and they eat like boys. Resisting the healthy food a little, so I let them have a free day on Sunday too as long as they still try to make good choices for at least one meal!

Will, I too am unemployed right now and that can be tough. BUT...working outside the home can be tough too when there are so many temptations. You are my inspiration right now! So positive! *You can be our official cheerleader!!*

Well, the company is gone!! We went out to eat for lunch today at Bob Evans. YUCK. I had dry wheat toast and 2 poached eggs and I left the yolks on my plate. I just wasn't hungry. (It's that dang chinese food. STILL plugging up my guts!!) I feel like I ate enough for 6 months, but I know I didn't do TOO bad considering)

HHHHEEEEYYYYYY!!!! I wasn't DONE yet...I think they must have me on a word limit, and then it just shuts me off. HAHAHA!

Anyway, before I was so rudely interrupted...my daughters school is just about 6 blocks away...I think I may drive over there and then walk on their track. That would be an easy way to tell how many miles I am walking since each lap is a quarter mile.

I know, I could WALK over to the track, but let's start small, shall we?? :lol:

You girls keep on chugging along! This is a long term commitment and I am feeling monogamous lately, sooooo....I know I can DO it!! And I know all of you can do it too. We are STRONG, BEAUTIFUL, SEXY, NOT VERY HUNGRY, GODDESSES!!!

Do this tomorrow, it sounds lame, but it really makes you feel good. Get up, go to the bathroom and look in the mirror. Tell yourself how beautiful you are and what a great day you are going to have. REALLY heap on the praise...and you will be amazed at how great your day will be.

I also like to pretend that I am my own client. I am an expert on diet and exercise and nutrition and I hired myself to whip me into shape. If I were REALLY hired by someone to do that job, you could bet your boots I could be planning menus and implementing exercise programs and motivating them to no end~!!! So...I am my most important client and I won't let me down! (I don't offer a money back guarantee...so I HAVE to be successful!)

Feels good to be in charge. Grrrrrr...I am woman hear me roar!!

Hugs guys! Drink your water today!
Tiff ;)

Your own best client
 

Hey that's not a bad idea there Tiff about being your own best client.. I like it I like it...
I just got off the exercise bike and I'm sweating all over myself here.. :lol: I still can't believe I am motivated to do this everyday. Today's motivation was a woman at work that said to me "Judy, you are looking pretty damn good there girl" Whoa!!
She never compliments anyone... :D

Last weeks motivation went like this.. I was standing in a parking lot of a restaurant talking to my friend that I had just had lunch with when this truck comes roaring up and stops dead in front of me.. I thought the guy was going to run over my feet until I looked into the window and saw the biggest, handsomest smile I've seen in a long time... ;) It was a guy that I haven't seen in about a year and he saw me from a block away. He said he had to come and tell me how wonderful I looked.. whoa again! Now that 6'8" cowboy can put his boots under my bed anytime if ya know what I mean.. giggle Anyway, he's just a friend and has a GF but it sure was nice of him to come and scare the bejesus out of me and make my day!!!
Every week someone else at work or in a store or something comments on how I look and to be honest it's a little eerie feeling as I sometimes wonder if they are talking to me.. :lol:
Life is good! And my friend, turned romantic partner told me today I am the most fantastic woman he's ever met. Well my goodness someone hold me down here ok??? I've never had this many compliments in my whole life and I don't know how to act! Graciously and with a smile but shaking inside..:)
I'm feeling good and these kinds of things are incentive enough to keep me going. That was my point of my ever long winded message AGAIN!!!:dizzy:
Peace to everyone
*J

wow, just cuz, that was an awesome posts, and you deserve some reward for all your hard work, and getting compliments is the best reward i can think of and a great motivator to keep going. i cant wait till i get there.

tiffany you are doing so great, and your posts make me laugh. you go girl. i cant do that mirror thing yet, i really just started gettting serious on monday about this no diet approach of mine, so maybe by next monday i may be able to do that, cause i know the pounds are gonna start coming off.

just me the pizza does sound wonder ful, i am taking notes i am going food shopping tomorrow.

huntress and jen and tiger lily hope you all are doing well. forgive me if i dont mention everyones posts i cant remember that well all the names and sometimes i dont want to write along post.

but just know that i really enjoy reading everyones posts and progress, we are really gonna do this, cant wait till we all reach goal. lets keep up the postive attitudes and encouraging posts.

and congrats to those who lost weight this week, you are an inspiration to me.

oh, i did stay in control today, i could have had more veggies and i need to start eating my fruit, but there was no overeating and no binges. yea me and everyone else too. there are some good choices being made, so we will succeed.:strong:

Judy...Congrats on all the compliments! Feels GREAT I bet!!!

I can't wait until I get my first compliment. I need to stand in front of the mirror and practice looking modest. :s: "I look like I lost weight???" "REALLY???" LOL

My favorite "almost" compliment came the last time I lost weight...and I stopped along side a highway to pick some gorgeous flowers from beside the road and as I bent over, a trucker slowed down and honked at me. I turned around and he was waving his arms around and whistling at me. I couldn't believe ANYONE would ever honk at my butt. (of course, he was probably SKAGGY and would have honked at anything with a crack in it, but still!)

Will!! You CAN do the mirror thing, because you are ALREADY beautiful, you know? Your beauty shines from within and soon the outside will simply reflect the inside...I can tell you are special from your posts. (Not short-bus special, but truly special!)

I am back on track today, did an awesome job and just finished my third week of doing my own thing. Feels good. Still too soon to notice a big change, but my jeans don't feel as tight when I put them on fresh from the dryer. Small victories!

Nighty Night friends!
Tiff
:smug:

This is the most awsome site! You guys (sorry girls) are so motivated and upbeat just sitting here reading in the early morning starts my day off in a happy mood.

will, I agree with you, it is difficult at first for me to keep up with everyone even though I often read the posts more than once. So hello and good morning everyone! Most of the time I only get online in the early morning while I am drinking my coffee and have a few minutes of quiet time.

just, it sounds like you are being complimented left and right and that is so great, what more motivation could a woman want. I am single and can't wait until I start getting attention like that. You go girl!

tiff, you sound like a bundle of energy always so upbeat, could you send some of that my way....I could use some.

Well, so far the scale hasn't moved anymore since the 1st 15 that I dropped and I can live with that. I also have difficulty with the slow and steady even though I realize that it didn't get on over night and isn't going to come off overnight either. I always said that patience is not a virtue that I possess and I have it in my head that I would like to be back to 150 by the end of the year but I know that wherever I am on Jan 1, 2003 it will be better than 225. I haven't begun exercising yet even though I have a really nice treadmill in my room that my mom gave me. I am going to make a commitment to myself to get on it in the next few days, and once I do I know I'll continue. For me taking that first step is all it takes.

I hope you all have a great day!

LJ

morning all, are we ready for another day of staying in control??

no i didnt do the mirror thing. not yet. loved the story about the trucker tif. i agree with huntress, you sound like a bundle of energy with that great attitude, i wish i could be like that, i am just so irritable alot of the times because i am so uncomfortable with these extra 50 lbs on. and mad at myself for not accomplishing the goals i set for myself in january, i could have been at or near goal by now. but i am working on it. wow , three weeks of getting your act together, no wonder you feel good.

huntress you are doing good, just remember what you did to lose the first 15 and remember how good it feels when the scales move in the right direction, you will get there.

ok, today i got a baby sitting job, the kids are eating breakfast and i will have him till 4 or 4:30 today. then i have to go food shopping, any suggestions on what you keep in your house to stay in control? so i dont think i will get my excercise in and i didnt do it yesterday, but my goal is 4 times a week and i did it on monday , so i still have time left to get it in before the week is up. water hasnt been so hard for me, because i dont drink soda, unless it is diet 7up mixed with flavored vodka. LOL . or milk. i really dont like to waste my daily food choices on juices or any other drinks. so i just drink water all day.

i am looking forward to having a great day, hope you all do too.



:lol: :lol:

I'm up for a day of staying in control! I haven't been over eating, but haven't been making the best choices either.
Justcuz, what great motivation. I dread running into someone I haven't seen in awhile because most of my weight gain has been in the last 2 years. I hide if I see someone I know at a store. Look the other way and pretend I didn't see them. Hopefully this fall I wont be doing that anymore.
I want to reach goal by the end of October. It's my favorite time of year. All the fall colors, Indian Summer. It's also my bday, so figure that is a good goal. I have to loose almost 2lbs a week to hit goal by then. I will do it!!!
With the kids out of school, I'm a little off my routine. I was doing my workout videos in the morning after DH left for work and before the kids had to get up. I've been bad, going back to bed after DH leaves. :( I'm thinking maybe I just needed a couple days of vacation myself. Tomorrow, my vacation is over. No more sleeping in!
Willbe, I'm babysitting today too. I have my two, plus 2. Looking forward to their nap time!
Hope everyone has a wonderful day in control!!
:)

Good MORNING. Wow, I think I am ALWAYS here! :lol:

To address a couple of things, I am NOT always upbeat. Or at least I wasn't. Even just a couple of months ago, I didn't want to get out of bed, I would sleep all the time, wouldn't go out unless I had to, just a general all around awful person to be around.

I guess I feel good right now, because of all the positive changes. I know they will pay off and I know there is an outgoing, fun person inside of me. She is just getting impatient and starting to poke her nose out a little!

But I think we HAVE to stay positive. Even with no, or slow progress. ANYTHING is SOMETHING!!! When the scale won't move, I will sing HALLELUAH!!! Cause I didn't gain. And if I gain a pound, I will sing HALLELUAH!!! Cause I didn't gain TWO pounds! And when I lose....WATCH OUT!!!!

Wow, I can't remember how to spell Halleluah, but you get the idea!!

Well, I went to the Junior High and parked my car about 9:30 and put on those headphones and walked like Toby Keith was 2 feet in front of me, puckering up those lips! I only walked a mile, 4 times around the track, but tonight I will do 5 times around.

Back in the day....(few years ago) I was walking 5 miles a night with a friend. HOLY MOLY...and some of the time, we would jog a little. Heck, that 1 mile last night felt like 200, but I will survive and conquer!!!

Ok, on to what to keep in the house to stay in control.
We can all pitch in here and tell you what we personally like.

I like:

1. Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches. WOO HOO!!! They are big and come in chocolate, strawberry and vanilla (at least where I live) and I usually get a mixed pack of choc and van. They are GOOD. They have 130 calories and 2 grams of fat. And when you need a little something...there they are.

2. I like the sugar free jello too. I will make a whole box and eat the whole dang thing if I want quantity. There is almost NOTHING calorie wise in it.

3. Orville Redinbacher (oh, you know who I mean) Smart Pop...98% fat free and tastes like butter. The whole bag is BEYOND filling and will satisfy you for a long time.

4. Baked Lays. I love the Cheddar and Sour Cream. Salty and satisfy that salt craving I get occasionally.

5. EGG BEATERS. I will use a cup of it, with fat free cheese and there is some ham out there that has virtually no fat in it and only 60 calories for 6 slices (I'll check on that brand for you) and I slice that up in my omelet and add onion, peppers, mushrooms...any veggies and that is the equivalent of a 4 egg omelet. And man, if I eat that about 10:30...I can't eat lunch. So I will have a snack in the afternoon and then just have dinner. Good idea for days when you know you may have more for dinner than you normally would.

6. Frozen Juice Bars. In the summer, those hit the spot. 60 calories, 0 fat.

7. Regular Orange jello cups with mandarin oranges in them. Good size serving and tastes kind of sweet. Good snack. 70 calories and 0 fat.

8. Smores Granola Bars. Tastes like candy to me. 110 calories and 2 grams of fat.

9. Salsa and Baked Tostitos. What more can I say. I like salty things.

10. Hard Candy. I like the Creme Savers. When I cook or something, it's nice to have something in my mouth to keep me from taste-testing everything. 3 of the Raspberry are 60 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. But they satisfy that candy craving.

Ok, that is 10 for today, I will check my cupboards and do more later.

Ok, I am out of here. (soon, anyway) I found NO PUDGE brownies in my supermarket. FINALLY!!! They have NO fat in them, cause they are made with no fat plain yogurt. I think each brownie has 100 calories in them, but hey, when you need your chocolate, how many things are completely fat free and tastes like a fudgy brownie.

If anyone of you are not able to get them where you live, let me know and I will pick up some for you and send them to you. They come in Mint, Raspberry, Mocha and Original.

Brownies for my girls!
Let's have another great day! We are DOING it!
Tiff

OH MY FREAKING LORD.

I just found out that you can make 1 brownie at a time with the No Pudge. There is a recipe on the side for single servings.

*dancing in circles, waving my arms around*


Holy Bat Droppings, Batman.
:devil:

getting a break, my daughter and the other girl i am watching are in the pool and oh, what a coincidence i can see them right out the window in my computer chair. it is great. the little boy i am baby sittting is already taking a nap. so i jumped on here rather than eat out of boredom in my spare time. tiger lily when was your break, i am glad i will get some extra money this week, i love to babysit but not everyday, so the little jobs are just fine right now, and i can help someone out without any notice, like i just got the one girl, this morning , the mother needed to do some running around and some of her realtives are sick, so she ask me last minute, it is nice to be able to help out a friend. and get extra money too.

tif , you crack me up:lol: :lol: :lol: you are to much girl. and now i see how you have been staying in control, you have lots of good foods to have ready when you need a snack. thanks for sharing.
i am not really a sweet eater, but every once in a while when i give my daughter dessert i feel like having something, those ideas are great.

hope everyone is having a great day.