[jleger]

Hi guys. My name is Jennifer. I just turned 29 years old. While visiting friends back home almost everyone I met would say "I didn't even recognize you." What? I couldn't believe that I had gained so much weight that the people I grew up with didn't even recognize me. I try to explain it away by telling everyone I gained it while pregnant with my daughter. Well, she turned 3 this August so I think that excuse has hit its expiration. So as of today I am turning it around. When I turn 30 I want to throw myself a huge birthday bash and look AMAZING in a new dress! I can use all the support and advice that you can throw my way! I can't wait to take on this journey with you guys!

[theox]

Hello Jennifer! Welcome to 3FC! I hope to see you around the boards.

[Misti in Seattle]

Hi Jennifer

Yah sometimes we all gotta face the facts, huh? I'm sure we have all been there!!

[NEMom]

Welcome to the forum!
Do you know what food plan you are going to follow? There is a ton of information about many different food plans on this site. Pick a plan that fits in your lifestyle and you can follow long term. I chose calorie counting because it is free and flexible. It allows me to eat almost anything I wanted as long as it fits within my calorie range for the day and there are ton of free apps out there to help you track your food.
Give up the sugary drinks and drink lots and lots of water.
Incorporate some exercise into your weekly routine. You do not have to join an expensive gym try to walk more, use the stairs more, download videos off of YouTube or Hulu.com to work out to. There are a lot of things you can to do with spending a ton of money.
Lastly, if you have a bad meal, a bad day, heck, a bad food week. Do NOT let this be a reason to throw in the towel. Get back on track at the next meal. You can do this!!!
Best of luck to you!

[Danica61]

I am not much of a breakfast person, but because I am diabetic I need to have something, so here is what I have quite a bit;
1/4 cup of raw almonds=7 carbs or 200 calories
2 tbsp. light peanut butter=12 carbs or 160 calories
add a dash of cinnamon and a little of your fav sweetner
plus a cup of plain tea or coffee.
from what I have seen online if you count carbs women can have 30-45 carbs per meal and 15 carbs for a snack;
men can have 45-60 carbs per meal; this of course depends on your height and body frame.
carb counting is more refined than calorie counting, it also lets you see what you are eating and how much you are eating, this helps you make better choices