I Need to Make This Work
 

Hi,

I just turned 55 and I have a terrible food addiction. I know how to lose weight, and have and some success with it in the past, only to resume my old habits and gaining the weight back. The last time I tried I lost 70 pounds, but then I returned to my old eating patterns and gained most of it back. My youngest son is getting married in Oct. 2018 and I want to lose at least 90 pounds by then. Short term goal, i want to be able to sit in an airplane seat and not have to ask for a seat belt extender when I go on vacation.

In spite of my weight I am generally a happy person and I love life. I would love to find a weight loss partner to communicate with each day. Support and accountability are key for me to stay on track and lose this weight.

Same!
 

We have similar struggles! I lost 80 lbs in 2013 and it's all crept back on. Every single pound! I am very knowledgeable about good food choices. I know about lean protein and complex carbs, healthy fats and portion control. And I never follow it! I don't know what is wrong with me. Last time it was a horrible breakup that drove me to lose it. Now I'm happily married. And I'm a genuinely happy person also :) rarely does my weight lead to me crying but I'd say once a month my self fustration pours over and I just lose it. Maybe we can help eachother stay accountable!

I would love that. The weight loss journey is so much easier when you are doing it with someone.

.
 

I'm a night owl. My husband works late at a manufacturing plant so I stay up until 3am sometimes because that's the time when dinner and dishes are done :) so, currently I have 1/2 a carton of strawberries and blackberries I haven't touched in a week in my fridge, in addition to 2 bags of unopened baby spinach and a small bag of green beans. I try to pump myself up to buy the good things at the market then never eat them! I drive myself crazy. My husband would rather die then eat any thing green so I don't make veggies with dinner either. But u know as men are blessed he weighs 190 at 5'9 chugs soda all day and gains nothing!! Meanwhile I go hard for 2 weeks before I make some excuse to give up and lose nothing. I also have a fitbit. That's sitting dEads on my coffee table now. Been there a month... in My head I see myself as a svelte athletic girl running with her dog or playing with my nephew. But in reality I'm at 275lbs and only getting bigger because I have no self control or discipline. Anyways that's a bit of a novel :) I think we can be good for eachother to bounce ideas off of. I have so much more to say but I'll wrap it up or you'll be reading all day! Hope to hear from you :)

I had a hard time finding this thread again at first. I kept thinking I said I wanted us to support one another, and now I can't find the thread. Fortunately I finally did so here I am. I hate it when I buy produce, let it sit in my fridge until it goes bad. and then have to throw it out. I don't like to waste money yet I often do that. I also have a Fitbit and just started using it again this week. My job can be pretty sedentary at times. If I don't make a point of getting up and walking a bit I will only have 2500 steps for the day. How sad is that? Today I was more active so I have just over 5700 steps. That is much better.

Are you following a specific diet plan, or just trying to make better choices? I am using the app My Fitness Pal. It is free and that is what I used last time when I lost so much weight. Then I stopped using it and quit using my Fitbit, and gained 40 pounds back. Since I know I can be successful when I use My Fitness Pal and my Fitbit, I have started using both of them again. I just started on Thursday of this week but so far so good.

I tend to be one of those people that craves sweets and once I start eating them I have a hard time stopping. Since I know that I made a low cal gluten free lemon pie and I have had a piece each evening since I started back watching what I am eating. It is sweet and creamy enough to satisfy my sweet tooth, but not so sinfully delicious that I want to eat multiple pieces. Having something sweet on hand that I can eat helps me stay on track.

What do you like to eat? Do you prefer sweet or salty food? Perhaps we can figure out something for you to have on hand that you like so you don't feel like you are depriving yourself. I think when we feel like we have deprived ourselves it leads to giving up.

I am so happy to have you to bounce ideas off. Hope your day was happy and you were successful.

Chocoholic!
 

So, my thing is chocolate! I am so addicted to it and always have been. I don't beleive dessert is dessert unless it's chocolate. I tried to make a low calorie recipe for strawberry mousse using Sugar free strawberry jello and fat free Sugar free whipped topping to try and ebb my cravings. That did not work. I also tried buying a tub of ice cream (moose tracks is my downfall!!) And I portioned it out into the smallest size Rubbermaid containers I think they are a half a cup each. And that worked as a nightly snack but not so healthy. So id say im definitely more on the sweet side. Though I also have an addiction to sunflower seeds. I usually eat 2 small bags a day. It's my TV watching snack. Better then chips I suppose but still salty and filled with fats. During my day I am on my feet constantly walking or standing in place I usually would get 8k steps or so. I did charge my fitbit so I can use it again :) but, my feet KILL me when I stop moving or sit down. It's like a railroad spike is being driven up my heel the first couple of steps in the morning. It's been a good few months now and I plan on asking my dr about it when I see her next month but according to Dr Google I'm pretty sure is plantar fasciitis. I do have insoles for my shoes, I've tried many but none help alot. Anyway so that would be my excuse for sitting on my bum watching TV until bed after work. When I lost my weight Ito was easystem the first time. I had just gotten dumped my my ex and we were together for 7 years so I didn't have many friends and swore to get my revenge body so I just lived at the gym and made mostly good choices like no soda Monday thru Friday and packing lunch even though I worked at a restaurant. And I was only 22 so it fell off. Now I'm 27, I'm married and always with my husband if we are home. I do try to get my dogs out for about 6 miles a week, but other then that I'm too lazy and lack discipline to do the amount I did before.

What do you fill your day with after work? Perhaps at work if you have a desk Job that isnt customer facing you could get a fitness ball to sit on even if it's just anot hour a day, balancing burns a few extra calories. Also, and I'm sure you've known about it but just incase I'll mention it anyways! Parking farther away, at work or the grocery store. Taking stairs instead of elevators. Walking in place during commercial breaks. All little calorie burners that add up over time! I wish I could reference what u said while I rely to answer your questions. I feel like I forgot some! Oh, for this post I hit the star button and hit subscribe that way I can find it straight away. Once you subscribe just go to forums, then hit the menu and click subscriptions and it should be there :)

Have a good Sunday!
-M

Thanks for the tips on fitness. They are certainly good reminders. Also thanks for telling me how to subscribe to this strand. It will make it much easier to find it each day. I am a school administrator so some days I am walking a lot while other days I am at a desk completing paperwork or sitting in meetings. Those are the days I am going to have to make the extra effort to get up and move. Again, I know how to do it, I just have to be motivated enough to do so. Physical activity is difficult at times due to arthritis in my knees and an auto-immune disorder that affects my muscles but I am not going to let either one of them win. I am not old enough for that nonsense.

I am quite a bit older that you though, in fact you are just a year older than my youngest son. In the evening when I get home from work I complete additional work related stuff for about 2 hours and then watch TV with my husband. A couple of nights a month I get together with a group of friends for Bunco or book club. Wow, I am really highlighting our age difference there. On the weekends I run errands and my husband and I like to go to festivals, antique shows. etc. My youngest son is getting married in Oct 2018 so I am also on the hunt for things for the wedding at a great price. I don't have a daughter but his fiancee and I are close and she has asked me to help. She tells me what she wants and I start looking. I am really enjoying the planning part of this.

I just finished my first week of using My fitness Pal and I am down 4.4 pounds. Yipee, I always love the first week weigh-in. I am at a conference today and tomorrow so it is catered meals for me. Not good for the diet for sure. For instance, lunch today was salad, chicken with risotto and asparagus, and cheesecake. They also had a bread assortment which I passed on. Did I pass on the cheesecake you ask. Well, the answer is a resounding no. I ate it and really enjoyed it. I have decided I can't deprive myself of everything so in special circumstances I will allow myself to indulge, but that doesn't mean I can go completely overboard. This morning they served bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches on a croissant and a fruit cup. I ate the fruit and took the sandwich apart so that I didn't eat the croissant. Baby steps I guess.

From what you describe I agree it sounds like you have plantar fascitis. I have had that before and it is very painful. When I had it my doctor had me take Aleeve and I found it helped if I took 600 mg. It also helped to freeze a water bottle and roll the arch of my affected foot over it while sitting (about 20 minutes at a time). Aetrex and Earth Origin shoes helped as well. I hope you get some relief from the pain soon.

Have you ever made the chocolate cake that uses a devils food cake mix and a can of pumpkin? It is extremely moist and a small piece may satisfy your chocolate craving. If you haven't ever had it let me know and I will be happy to send you the directions. My sons love it.

Have a great day.

.
 

I suppose I'm a few years younger but I don't really feel it! I know someday I'll kick myself for wasting away on a couch watching chopped in the peak years.
I also like to read though but usually light things on myvdeck or on the beach it's been a while since a book has been good enough to have me choose it over the tv though. I'm reading the Stephanie plum series, just started so only on book 3 but it's humerous, has some romance and some mystery so its a little bit of everything :)

I'm a pharmacy technician/rx supervisor at a CVS. I love what I do but when I'm in the pharmacy it's slot of standing still and that's when my feet start to get cranky. When i work up front I can walk around and move more so it's a little better. I will definitely look into those shoe brands! So funny, of all places I was at the gyno and I asked the nurse what shoes she wears cause it's a known fact they never sit down and she said Asics kayano gel is what she was wearing. I looked them up and they were around $99-120. Which would have been okay but only a few months ago I invested a similar amount into a pair of dansko clogs after reading reviews on those. Very supportive but didn't help me unfortunately. That water bottle trick is genious! I've been using a bag of frozen corn haha.

A wedding!! Weddings are so fun and a good goal to give yourself. Also a great way to get to know your new daughter :) I just got married in October. We did teal and yellow/sunflower theme. It was cheap as far as weddings go but it was perfect. Are you on pinterest? I'm addicted and there's so many great ideas on there too!!

Well I usually have one weekday and one weekend day off per week. I really try to take my dogs for long walks near creeks where they can swim and play. I also love love love to kayak! Nothing crazy just a lake or easy going stream and I'm all over it. That's another issue with my weight. My kayak seat has metal clips and they dig into my hips :/ but hopefully soon they won't anymore! I also love to work on my garden but they only thing I can seem to keep alive are pansies and hostas. I tried growing from seedlings and that did not end well so I cheated and just bought some. I also have azelias that I'm trying to keep alive :) I love to go out to eat with my husband too. After around 7pm unless we go to see a movie or something I usually watch tv the rest of the night. Which as u can see is until 3am most days due to his work schedule. I Do this even when he's at work. I just watch tv for hours and hours. I need to work on getting to the gym 3 times a week and sticking to that.

I'll admit I have not been good the last few days. I did have a cookout at my parents and skipped over the carbs on Saturday. But then Sunday we went to Texas roadhouse and I had 2 buns and a pork bbq the size of my face. Then tonight was wing Monday with my co workers so I got 6 bbq wings and fried pickles. So not the best :/ I'm going to the beach for 3 days starting Wednesday and I know I won't behave there either. I really just need to get 8nto gear when I get back. I have my fitness pal but I find that if I've been a disappointment that day I don't use it because I just don't want to deal with the numbers (there's my immaturity showing!) But as with fitbit I will make it a goal to do all step goals and fitness pal check ins when I get back from vacation. I'll start small, just every day for 14 days I think I can do that. :)

You sound like you're well on your way :) very disciplined with leaving out the carbs. And yes there was the cheesecake but at least it wasn't cheesecake AND all that bread so still you're kicking butt :) I've always been in awe of people who could completely cut carbs and go into ketosis but I know I do not have half that strength! I tried medifast a few years ago. When I started putting weight back on. $200 a month for the most terrible food I've ever eaten. I got to day 3 of the prepackaged meals and then just ate the bars, breakfast, lunch and I could have a salad for dinner. I was literally crying by day 4.

My husband, who was just my boyfriend at the time there all of it away and said it's completely ridiculous. About a year later I tried again, another $200 and a breakdown over just wanting pizza. So never trying that again! I feel like I just need fatcamp. Just like a month of eating clean and working out and having fun with a bunch of other women who are overweight. To help build the habits and discipline. I've almost signed up for weight watchers a few times. I felt like the meetings could really help. But I'm scared to waste more money.

I have not heard of the pumpkin devils food cake but I'll try anything:) send me the directions and I'll give it a go!

You seem like a fighter, not letting arthritis and the disorder get in your way :) well, when I did go to the gym and I really really really didn't want to go I would tell myself just go, just 10 minutes and if u still don't want to be there then u can leave. I never took my own offer, once i went and was there I felt good about it, and even prouder when I left for getting through my laziness. Perhaps trying that take for your walks around the school to get your steps? Tell yourself if u just do one block of halls then u can go back and sit and maybe once you're up and moving motivation to strike will outweigh the pain. Another trick i read about food but haven't applied it's telling yourself I don't eat that. So instead of thinking oh I can't have that croissant, you say I don't eat croissants. Something about the words makes your brain process it differently? I can't remember the terminology they used but perhaps it's worth a shot even though you're doing well in that department!

Take care:)

-M

The more you write the more I see that we have in common. I love the Janet Evanovich books. I have read through book 13.

The Devils Food chocolate cake recipe is 1 box of devil's food cake mix, i can of pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) and 1/2 cup of water. Mix them all together and pour into a 9x11 cake pan (spray with Pam first). The batter will be thick and sticky, It will nor rise when you bake it so don't be alarmed. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. When it is done let it cool completely. Spread coolwhip for the icing and store in the refrigerator. It is actually better cold.

In the fall substitute spice cake mix and make mini pumpkin muffins. They are so good. You decrease the water to 1/4 cup. When I make them I don't use mini muffin liners, I just spray the mini muffin tin and bake them for 20-22 minutes at 350.

I tried Medifast for a very short time but like you I did not like the food at all. Didn't stay on it for very long. I like your idea of telling myself I don't eat certain things. It gives it a positive spin. I have actually cut way back on gluten. I had so much pain in my left ankle and I just could not figure out what was going on. My son is a personal trainer in VA and when he saw me in Dec he was concerned as well. He asked me to try cutting way back on gluten to see if I could get any relief. As an adult he discovered he has a gluten sensitivity and gets severe neck pain when he eats it. I decided to try cutting back for 2 weeks to see if it would make any difference. After a week I was surprised by how much better I felt. Of course I have continued to eat very little gluten and it has made a huge difference with my ankle.

I hope you have fun at the beach. I am originally from Florida and I love to walk along the beach. Enjoy yourself and we will work on this journey together. We just have to look at it not as a diet, but as a lifestyle change. We can do this.

I'm definitely having fun at the beach and not being too bad with food. I haven't gotten fries and I have only gotten small ice creams.
I never would have guessed gluten could be such a nuisance. No wonder gluten free is so popular now.

Thank you for the recipe! I'll have to try it sometime next week:)

We can definitely do this! Perhaps by winter we will both need some smaller jeans when the temperatures drop. When I was thinner a few years ago I was 170 lbs and a size 10. And I was so happy so that's my ultimate goal. My sister and I have the same none structure and she weighs 120 and I feel like she looks too thin. I'd be happy with 150 at the least possible but really 170 is my magic nunber. But more importantly I just want to get to a size 8. Just being in the single digits in pants would thrill me. I think for me I'm going to try to focus more on inches lost then pounds but I know I'll still weigh myself. Anyways, sorry I dont have slot to say today. I'm tuckered out from dodging waves and getting sunburnt (only a little though)

Take care!

-M

Sounds like you are staying on track while at the beach. Keep it up!

In an earlier post you spoke about your wedding. It sounds like it was beautiful. I love sunflowers. The kids wedding will have a bit of a Bohemian feel to it and the colors are ivory and gold with jewel tone accents. My son loves old buildings so they are having their reception at a building that was built in 1904 and was designed by the same architect that designed the buildings for the World's Fair in St Louis. It is such a neat venue. They don't have a ton of money for the wedding and reception, but they found the perfect venue. I am having loads of fun picking things up from a Wedding Resale site on Facebook, as well as the app Offer Up. We have found lots of bargins. I just got a large floor easel for $5.00. What a deal!!!

Tonight my husband and I are going to a neighbor's for a game night with them and some other neighbor.s We don't know any of them. We connected on the Nextdoor site. We all live in the same neighborhood and I think it will be fun. I checked to see if we could bring a snack to share, and she said she has fruit, veggies, Smart pop and Kettle Corn. Perfect! I won't be tempted to eat something that I shouldn't.

Continue enjoying the time at the beach.

The venue sounds gorgeous
! My husband and I really lucked out on a fewer high ticket items. The photographer was free as I knew one from my previous job. She hadn't been in practice for years but the pictures were great nonetheless. And my husband set up a network inside of a bakery for a friend of a friend a long time ago and the lady who owns it came to know us because we'd stop in for cupcakes every so often. She made us an adorable little cake for $30. We Sam's clubbed the rest of the cupcakes and found the cheapest fire hall for the reception. We met online and our first date was meeting at a park (public place so neither of us could murder the other haha) and that's where we ended up for the ceremony. I always dreamed of a beach wedding but perhaps to renew our vows in 25 years fingers crossed!

I also am a part of a few yardsale sites near me. They do come in handy. I got our kitchen table for $20! And sold a bunch of stuff too. Though I've never used an app for buying or selling, perhaps I should.

That does sound like a very healthy lifestyle friendly party :) I honestly know one neighbor 3 blocks down lol and that's it so perhaps I should try that too!

It saddens me to say my beach trip is over :( it was just a quick 3 day trip but it was enough to push my reset button for many things. It's always nice to come home with a clear head.

So what are some visions of yourself at your goal? What would mean to you that you "got there"? A dress size? Or ability to do things you couldn't now? For me, I told you my kayak digs into my hips. I love roller coasters but they also are tough sometimes for my wide hips to squeeze into. I love looking at pictures of yoga and someday aspire to do some moderate moves and hold proper form. I'd like to be in pictures and not stick out as the biggest one. I'd like my husband to be able to lift me up. For piggy back rides or on his shoulders in the pool. Pretty sure i'd break his back right now haha. I don't have kids yet but plan to in my very early 30's and I want to be healthy and able to play with my grandkids someday and watch them grow as long as I can.

My co workers and I just did the Color Run today and it was so fun but I struggled alot on the hills. The 2 girls I was with are more close knit so they got ahead and didn't notice me falling behind, which is completely understandable, they were having their own conversations. I did have another co worker who did wait up or hang back with me and talk and he made it seem like it was his normal pace too which was very kind. But in the pictures i took and they took i am just so much bigger then all of them. I still feel pretty but i just look at myself and thats not the me i know i am.

Anyways first day back to work tomorrow. (Ew!) So I'm gonna try to relax a bit before bed. Talk to you soon!!

-M

Congratulations on doing the Color Run. That is amazing and you should be extremely proud of yourself for doing it. It doesn't matter that you fell behind your co-workers. You finished it and that is a fantastic accomplishment.

How will I know I reached my goal? My first goal is to be able to sit comfortably in a booth at a restaurant and to be able to fly without having to request a seat belt extender. I would also like to be able to go up a flight of steps without being short of breath. My longer-term goal is to be able to wear a plum dress that I have to my son's wedding. It is beautiful and has a gorgeous beaded jacket. Right now I am about 5 dress sizes too big to wear it. When his wedding gets here I would probably buy a new one even if I can wear it, but I would like to know I could wear it if I chose too. I wore it once when he was 2 years old and would love to know I could fit into it again. My ultimate goal is to be about 165 pounds. That is over 150 pounds from where I started, so I know it will take quote a bit of time and will power to get there. Most of all, I want to be here for my family and any grand children that I may have in the future. My family is my greatest joy.

So, you are back to work tomorrow. What are you planning to do to get this weight loss journey started? As for me, I am going to make an effort to increase my average steps per day by 500, and continue to pack a healthy lunch and snacks this week. I am also going to log everything I eat on My Fitness Pal each day.

Have a good day at work, and know I am here cheering for you.

Hi! I just joined 3fc and I am also over 300 lbs.. 315 the last I weighed myself.. which was about a week or so ago.. I pray I haven't gained since then. what caught my attention here was the comment about the seat belt extender on a plane. I'm planning on going to Az late Aug or early Sept and I was wondering just tonight if I'll even fit in the seats. :(

I am 46 and am at my heaviest point. This has GOT to stop. I'm just unsure how to do it. I think I'm going to go low carb/keto.. but I'm not all that familiar with the plans... and I get no exercise, but Idk if I can do anything, besides walk... I do have a treadmill though.

Anyway, I hope you don't mind me butting in here.. I'm just browsing around the site and saw this post and thought I'd pop in. :)

Yes I was super proud to have finished the color run :) it was fun and I blew away my steps that day! I think the small changes and short term goals of yours are good ones. 500 steps extra day us very doable. You can even walk in place during commercials. I've done it before and the fitbit still registers it!. My goals for this week are to log into myfitnesspal every day and stick to the 1700 calorie budget even if I exercise and earn more aclories. Also to get 10k steps a day on my fitbit. I also want to stretch. Nothing major, just a few moves to limber up and relax my body more before bed. I'm so glad we have one another to hold accountable and go over our goals for the week.

And, Jenna, I have never flown before as I am terrified!! So I'm not sure how the seatbelts are on a plane. I mentioned my love of rollercoaster and how I cannot fit on those. I'm 5'2 272 lbs. I'm a size 18/20 pants and xl top. Not sure how you compare because we aren't far off in pounds. I personally would never be able to do keto. I have no self discipline and will dive head first into the nearest extra cheese pizza face first after 2 days!! I've lost a lot of weight before and used the 80/20 rule for clean eating. You can try to find a book I keep handy for reference it a called "the eat clean diet-recharged" by Tosca reno. It pretty much emphasizes clean whole foods and good portions. A rule of thumb is if it doesn't grow from the ground or have a mother don't eat it! Stick to the perimeter of the grocery store as much as possible. Veggies, lean meats etc. Combine a lean protein (like turkey breast) and a complex carb (like quinoa or brown multigrain rice) for your meals. It will keep you fuller longer! As I said before I just struggle so bad with discipline and Oreos are delicious and hard to ignore!! But I will be trying harder with my new found friend here. I don't mind you butting in at all :)

I don't know your real names so I call you Joy (my first friend here) and jenna. That way if you stay with us I can say who I'm speaking to before it gets confusing!! My name is Missie :)

We are all stronger then the food in front of us. We have goals that matter more then temporary temptations! We can do this!

-Missie

Welcome Jenna! You are more than welcome to join us. We are both just getting back in the correct mindset for weight loss, so you are just in time. You are right at the start weight I was at when I started losing weight 2 years ago, and we are almost the same height. I lost a little over 70 pounds in 9 months last time, but then I started eating everything I loved in huge portions so here I am. It's okay though. With motivation and support from Missie and you, I know I can make good decisions again. Regarding the plane, you will be fine. I carry most of my weight in my hips, thighs, abdomen and rear end so a plane seat is tight, especially if the arm rest is down. I try to book the window seat when I fly so I have a little more room.

Missie, you are starting off the week with realistic goals that will make a difference for you. This time next week you will see a noticeable difference and we will all give a loud cheer. By the way, I love your statement:

We are all stronger then the food in front of us. We have goals that matter more then temporary temptations! We can do this!

Let's all make this a week that counts! Oh, and my name is Karen.

Missie, I have been taking your advice and moving more at work. I have set a goal of at least 1000 steps every 2 hours while at work, so I am logging over 5000 a day this week. Considering I started at less than 3000 2 weeks ago I am pleased with the progress.

Off to play Bunco tonight. I saved some calories so that I can eat some of the snacks tonight. My hubby made his fantastic chocolate chip cookies for me to take but I won't be eating one. Fruit, veggies and hummus for me. How is the week going for you?

So how are the goals coming??! I've been doing well with my fitness pal but o forgot my fitbit at home today. I took it off to shower then I forgot about it. But I'll assume I'm doing okay haha.

So are there any healthy foods you have found you really love? I LOVE green beans roasted with garlic and some salt. I also found that balance bars in the dark chocolate mint cookie taste just like thin mints!! I also made some peanut butter energy balls. Peanut butter, chocolate chips, steel cut oats and chia seeds rolled I to balls and stored in the fridge. Good to keep your belly from growling if you're trying to make it between meals. I also love hint wanter. I'm not sure if they have it near you but it's really lightly flavored water. Yoo often I feel flavored water punches you with flavor and I don't like that, so this is a good alternative.

I think our new friend may have lost our thread! Hope she can find us again! A small group would be nice but not too many because that would get confusing quick!!!

Anyways I hope you're sticking to your goals and are feeling great and proud!

Tall to you soon!

-Missie

I'm so sorry I missed the little update you posted! Congrats on all the steps. How's the knee holding up? That's really great progress. I'm always amazed when I start working out again how our bodies are able to build stamina quickly and before realizing it we had doubled what we started out with!

Also if my husband ever made chocolate chip cookies I would fall over dead out of shock! The man can cook mac and cheese, frozen meals, and cans of spaghetti O's. But he is a grill master! But good on you for not eating them!! I meal prepped a little this week. I made some chicken breasts with different seasonings and I get these little wild rice cups and small cans of veggies and that's what I had for lunch at work yesterday. I've been bringing 2 pieces of saltwater taffy as my treat. I just close my eyes and pretend I'm at the beach for a minute haha. Whatever it takes right!? Anyways, canned green beans are so so so terrible. I think I'll so my roasted ones and see if reheating them works out for next week's meals. Anyways I've got to go to work soon so I'll talk to you later! Keep up the good work staying strong!

-Missie

Good for you with the meal prep. It makes it so much easier to eat healthy. I have to agree with you, canned green beans are are not very good. I much prefer fresh ones. I pack my lunch every day as well. I found when I didn't it was way too easy to drive through McDonalds and eat a bunch of fast food which definitely contributed to my weight gain.

I was trying to think of healthy foods that I really enjoy eating. I love roasted brussel sprouts. I put a little olive oil on them and add some sea salt, then pop them in the oven. They are fantastic. I also like to keep fresh fruit and veggies cut up so they are easy to grab. Right now my lunches are a bit boring but once I get back to food prepping on the weekend I will start making salads in a jar. I don't know if you have ever made them but the lettuce is just as crisp in the salad that you eat on Friday as it is in the one you eat at the beginning of the week. There are lots of ideas for them on Pinterest. You just have to watch the calorie count on some of them.

I have also found a yummy brand of muffins called garden delight. They are in the gluten free freezer section at Walmart and they are made with veggies. I tried the chocolate one and really liked it. It has zucchini and carrots in it and is 120 calories. When I am craving something like a piece of cake I can have one of those with a cup of coffee and my craving is satisfied.

One of the teachers I work with has a Costco membership and I am considering getting one. She said she buys a fruit tray and a veggie tray each week form Costco and packs that in her her lunch every day. Now I know I can pick produce up at Aldi for a good price and cut it up myself, but sometimes it is worth paying a little more for the convenience of having that already done. I will probably wait until the fall when produce is more expensive and try it then to see if I save both time and money by getting the trays from Costco.

I am getting a bit excited about meal prepping now that I am talking to you about it. I think I will put some sweet potatoes in the crockpot on Sunday and pack one in my lunch each day next week. I love sweet potatoes, especially with a little bit of butter and some Splenda brown sugar on them. I guess by now you have figured out I have a major sweet tooth addiction. Since I do I just have to make sure I plan ahead and have food that I like that will also satisfy that need for something sweet.

I am really proud of your determination to eat well this week, Taking 2 pieces of salt-water taffy to work is a brilliant idea. You get to splurge a little and it takes you back to your happy place at the beach!

Keep up the great work!

- Karen

I've tried roasted Brussels sprouts before along with some cauliflower. I used salt, pepper,Garlic ,extra virgin olive oil and something else but I forget what the spice was. Anyway, the cauliflower was okay, almost good even, but the Brussels sprouts...they had a very earthy flavor to me, I wasn't a fan. I do love broccoli and carrots but not cooked. I will suffer through grape tomatoes if i have 2 in my salads at a restaurant.

I just pinterested "salad in a jar" omg They Are adorable! I will have to try that. Usually I pack a Rubbermaid 2cup bowl (when I actually pack a salad) but the jar is so much cuter! I just struggle so much with salad. I'm an oddball and hate dressing. I've tried italian,cesar,ranch,bleu cheese, thousand island, and a few vinagarettes and just don't like them. There was a lettuce premix bag once that had an avocado dressing that i actually liked, but of course I don't see that brand anywhere anymore. But salad dressing is bad anyways I guess so perhaps a dry salad is better anyway. I do sometimes sprinkle lemon juice but that's like twice a year when I pack a salad and also remember a lemon lol we've talked about food being emotional for us and work can get stressful and those days I really just can't bring myself to want a salad for break, u know? I feel like I need warm comfort food. Not like French fries and a burger but just something I can look forward to and not just a meal to get through.

I will have to try those muffins and still that pumpkin cake too! I tried some kind of organic muffin I found in the cereal aisle, I don't remember the brand but it's in a microwavable cup and u add water then microwave and I bought a few of them and it was awful. It was a chocolate chip one and I'm pretty sure it's what hay tastes like.

The tray idea is brilliant! I'm a Sam's club member (basically a Costco) and I've seen those trays I've just never thrown a party to buy one! I have to run there tomorrow for kitty litter so I'll check them out and see how prices compare.

Ill be honest, I've never had a sweet potato. My husband loves them..covered in caramel and marshmallows but I've never tried them. I think I'll make a goal this week to try 3 new foods that are healthy. Those muffins can be one. Perhaps a sweet potato too. I have a crockpot I've used once. I can try a roast and see how it goes. Hmm not sure what to make my 3rd thing. I'll have to think about it tomorrow :) I did perfect on my fitness pal this week, only lost 1 pound but I'm not worrying about that yet. Baby steps :) Friday night I didn't make my fitbit goal so I'll try that again this week as well as the my fitness pal and new foods. Oh and stretching. I did that one day then forgot about it until just now haha I should write these down!

I'm so glad I keep you motivated. You keep me motivated too! It really helps to have a sounding board every/ every other day! I'm so glad we found eachother on here! You are a good listener ( actually, reader I suppose!) You give me feedback and tips with my struggles and I really appreciate it! We will reach our goals!!!!!

-Missie

Congratulations on the one pound loss. That is wonderful. My mom used to be a Weight Watcher leader and she says when you think a 1 pound loss is not enough, look at a pound of fat from meat and realize that is what you lost. The visual is pretty motivating.

I love your idea of trying 3 new foods this week. I need to try roasted cauliflower. I was just talking about that with my sister this morning. She said the trick is to cut it up into pretty small pieces and roast it until it is brown and that will make it taste sweet. I don't like raw cauliflower, and I am not crazy about steamed cauliflower, but maybe I will like it roasted. That will be my new food to try this week.

If you price fruit trays and veggie trays at Sams Club please let me know how much they are. We have both Sams Club and Costco here.

I love the fact that we found one another and seem to have clicked. It is so great to have a weight loss buddy. Keep packing those healthy lunches and I will do the same. Next week there will a little less of each of us.

I asked my husband to look at and send me pictures of the fruit and veggie trays at Sam's club and he forgot. I'll probably get there on Thursday to look for myself :) I just got done grocery shopping. I gotbcherried and raspberries and blackberries and I got a dragon fruit! Never had one of those so I'll see how it tastes and let u know.
I've been taking ubuprophen before work and then 5 hours later and it seems to keep my foot pain at bay so that's nice. So you have summers off if you work for a school? My sister works as an aid of some sort and she gets to have off with my nephews for the summer.
Have you weighed in? I think I may only weigh myself every other week and I need to take my measurements. I also have to start thinking of what next week's goals will be :)
Sorry I don't have much to say today I'm sure I'll think of more later!

-M

I have never heard of a dragon fruit. You will have to let me know how it is. I went to Aldi this evening and picked up baby carrots, snow peas and different color sweet peppers, as well as bananas, strawberries, blueberries and a watermelon. I cut some of it up and put it in canning jars in the fridge. Storing it that way seems to double how long the fruit stays fresh.

I work for a school district but I don't have summers off. I did when I was a teacher but I have been an administrator for the past 8 years so I have a 12 month contract. When my kids were young I was a classroom teacher so I was off work when they were out of school. I loved being with them.

I made a salad today with cherry tomatoes, low fat feta cheese and a Greek salad dressing that only has 10 calories in 2 tbsp. It was really good and was just under 100 calories.

I weighed in on Monday morning and had gained a pound. I was really bummed but I also know we went out for Mexican food with some friends on Sunday and I had a lot of carbs. I weighed on Monday morning so I am hoping it was water weight due to the sodium and carbs in the Mexican food. Next Monday is my next weigh-in so time will tell. Today I was under my calorie allotment but it was easy because I was in the dentist's chair for just under 4 hours. I couldn't eat while I was there, and didn't want to when I left. I has scrambled eggs and grits for dinner. While I like that it is not something that tempts me to over eat. So that is a good thing.

I met my Fitbit goal today too. I was pleased with that since I was at the dentist for so long. I just decided I was going to walk until I met my goal and it worked.

Have a great day and continue to make strong choices.

I was supposed to go kayaking with my little dog today but I needed up doing some shopping. Which Is silly since I don't want to be my current size much longer! Buy I only got 2 things and two of them were for working out so I guess it's not so bad. As long as I actually go do that!

Still never made it to Sam's club but I did get those fruits the other day. When I'm done writing this I'm gonna go meal prep for the weekend. It's my weekend to work so gotta be ready with the good choices!

Keep going strong!

Missie

I believe food prep is the key to success with weight loss. My mini victory for this week is I have been able to say no thank-you to sweets at work every day this week. I don't know why but families have brought cupcakes in every day and sweets are my weakness, but I have had the will power to say no.

Now that you bought cute workout clothes you will have to put them to good use. I am confident that you will.

I don't enjoy exercise at all so I think I will do some weeding tomorrow to get some activity in. Weeding is not loads of fun either, but I do like for the beds to look nice so that will motivate me.

I almost went for a bike ride yesterday but chose not to and just do lottle tidying things around my house. It's just so so humid where I am! It's like a hot wet blanket weighing you down outside. Pretty sure is die in Florida!!
I've been acing my fitness pal but haven't worn my fitbit in 2 days. I hate sleeping with it so I take it off then I never put it back on. The dragonfruit was a light taste but good.not a super strong flavor. They are slightly expensive and I didn't like LOVE it so I probably won't buy them often. I did try a sweet potato but I had just baked it in foil. Idk it didn't thrill me but maybe if I add some goodies it will be better. I'm getting slightly sick of my daily lunch of chicken breast and green beans so I'm thinking this week I'll make a ground turkey and rice taco mix and get some of the super small soft taco shells and pack 2 of those for lunch and have corn or carrots and broccoli with it. I haven't had a soda in a few weeks at work so I'm proud of that :)

Weeding is definitely a light workout. I usually feel it in my abs, leaning I've the garden on my knees. It works those core muscles.

Sorry I have been letting our conversations slip a bit. I'll try to do better this week. Perhaps find an article or two or interesting fact on healthfulness/weight loss.

That dress is begging you to wear it! You've got this!

-missie

Humidity is the worst. It has been extremely humid here as well. When I eat a baked sweet potato I like to put Splenda brown sugar and some real butter on it. You may like it with that added to it. Your tacos sound like a good idea. When you cook with ground turkey make sure it is very lean. Some of them actually have more fat in them than ground beef. I like to add brown rice and cilantro to the mix when I make a taco mix. Your veggie selections also sound good.

I saw a pin for a Southwest salad on Pinterest that I want to try. It has corn, tomatoes, black beans and cilantro in it. It also calls for Jicama but I have not seen that in the grocery store here. Last week I made a side dish with cherry tomatoes, low fat feta cheese and a low cal Greek dressing. It was really good.

That is really great about the cokes. You are making changes that matter and the scale will show it.

Keep making great choices!

I'm really letting myself slip with logging on my fitness pal. I know I've been eating well but I need to log it because then I can look back on all my good choices when I'm about to make a bad one!

I weighed myself and took measurements. I'm down a total of 6 lbs now and I'm pretty proud of that :) I need to do some working out so I can lose more. I've been really slacking off on my walks and stretching. But I did kayak a TON on July 4th and hubby and I went swimming in a local lake. So i guess that sort of makes up for it.

My fitbit has been put on hold. I had a leather band that I was using and my puppy destroyed it 2 days ago. I have another ordered from Amazon. Then I'll get back on track with that. I know I haven't been walking enough this week.

I think I'm going to try some pilates moves in between commercials. They look simple enough and low impact so I shouldn't be huffing and puffing after only a few minutes.

Are you on facebook? If u are and want to friend me my name is Missie Keefer. My profile pic is me and my husband laying in the grass and my cover photo is of him and our puppy kayaking. If you want privacy I completely understand! We've been talking a while now and I figured it would be fine. :)

So, I was reading up on going to bed shortly after eating. Which is what I thought helped lead to weight gain. However it looks like it really doesn't matter. It matters in the way that your stomach processing the food could make for unrestful sleep. What are your thoughts and experiences on it? I've always been a late eater. Especially now since I cook dinner for my husband to get off work at midnight and usually go to bed an hour or two afterwards.
Did u get to do anything fun on July 4th? I spent the day kayaking, swimming and having a small cookout with my husband. My family wasn't doing anything and his wasn't either. We did get to see fireworks also, that's always fun, but the traffic was horrible and I have about 400 mosquito bites! (My fault for forgetting bug spray)

Anyways, we've been being healthful and accountable to eachother for over a month and it's really helped me! We will see our goals soon!

Missie

I hope you're doing well and sticking to your goals :) I've been doing well. I got a fitness planner from a craft store that I'm really excited about. It has a food/water/exercise log and a month spot for a progress selfie and a place to review yourswlf. What worked and what didn't.
I got these steamfresh protein blends from the store in the frozen veggie aisle. I got the California one in a garlic sauce and it's really good! Packed with protein and fiber too.

Take care. Hope to hear from you soon!!

Missie