I have been on so many diets throughout the years. I have read books, attended Weight Watchers, joined online, and I am still fat. I know exactly what I need to do but can't seem to get to it. While I have made up my mind, this time I will do it. I signed up for a weight training class and a yoga class at the community college. I also go to water aerobics. All I have to do is figure out how to eat what I need. I am working on that. I need your help. I don't know what or how to prepare healthy food.
I am a teacher and a mother of 5 boys and 1 girl. My boys are all married and my daughter is 20. I need to lose about 80 pounds.

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If you're interested in learning about healthy eating, I'd suggest checking out the South Beach forum, and the Whole Foods forum; both of these approaches to diet have a heavy emphasis on healthy food. And then if either interests you, you can supplement your learning by looking at the relevant books for the approaches.

Welcome

I am a teacher, too, and mom of 3! I want to buy shorts!! When it's hot, I want to wear a tank top...outside in front of other people!

We are at the same starting point, and have the same goal weight. I joined today, too.

Let's go for it.

I read a quote on another page and Nelie's quote struck me: "Eat for the body you want, not for the body you have." I am going to keep that quote in my head.

Anyway, you're not alone.

It's great that you're already active...now, you just need to hone in on your eating. I suggest calculating your RMR (resting metabolic rate) using an online calculator (do a Google search). That way, you'll know how many calories your body burns without anything else. Then, you probably want to eat a bit less than that...I think around 300 calories less and coupled w/ your workouts, should lead to a nice weight loss. Yes, counting calories can seem tedious, but it works for lots of people and it takes out that question in your mind of "have I had too much too eat or not?" Also, writing down every single thing I put in my mouth makes me more aware of what I'm doing. Finally, I recommend increasing your protein (and doing strength training), to build muscle and speed up metabolism. I recently discovered a great protein powder to make smoothies that has 25 grams of protein and only about 100 calories. I think it's by Robb and I found it at Whole Foods. It's sweetend w/ Stevia. Anyway, I use it twice a day with lowfat soy milk as my snack. It keeps me full for two to three hours, which is great. I wish you all the best!

I am one who has tried all the diets and found calorie counting is reliable, easy and free. I plan all meals ahead of time and keep a food diary. I still count calories and still plan ahead. It was because I didn't plan that I found myself at 204 pounds, this morning I was 121 pounds.

. . . glad to have you with us . . . . . . come and check out the Recipe Board in the Sugar Shakers forum too -- lots and lots of great low GI (good carbs) recipes in there too.