Hi Peg, You're right, I quit :smoking: 14 mos ago. This is much harder. Like you said, you need food to live. Ironically, the way I've been eating is killing me.
Also, smoking is very unacceptable these day. Food, junk food especially is constantly in your face. Ads on everything you see, tv, buses, billboards, radio and situations that are built around whats to eat, christenings, weddings, any party or meeting (they don't plan smoking for those events) you tell people your travelling or vacationing and the first thing is where to eat, the best buffets (they are the worst) everything revolves around food. [by the way, I used to love buffets, but now I think of everyone touching and sneezing on everything and it really helps :p ] But it is mind over mouth :lol: (or hand over mouth my work even better :lol3: ) but it's true. We have to stop eating because that's what everyone is doing at that time, or because we are bored, or just because! We have to learn to eat when we are hungry. I think any of us out there who has stuck to a plan, knows if you eat what you should when you should, you're not truly hungry. You still have to fight temptation and cravings though and that's the tough part. :devil:
Oh to only be able to practice what we preach.

ttyl :grouphug:

Peg and all

What I ordered was two chicken burritos, refried beans and a quesadilla

They put just a slight amount of chees on their beans, but I also ordered a "to go box" with my meal

What I ate was, the refried beans
1 burrito
1/2 of a chicken quesadilla, the rest went in a to go box and is still sitting in my refrigerator, until my DH or grandson decides to eat it! I did a lot of research on how many calories that all was and I counted the beans as 1 full cup, so I came up with 477. even if it was a bit over, I still had about 200 to reach my max of 1300, but I still like to eat in the 1100 or 1200 range but I have that bit of an extra. I could have had the taco salad with them not putting it in the shell, no sour cream or guacamole and only put the salsa on my salad, but that would have still been very high too, and sometimes you need to be normal.

Anyway, that is why this diet is best for me, the more normal I try to eat, the less depravation I will feel and the less chance of falling off the wagon.

Donna and all

I'm reading a book, that talks pretty much about the same thing Donna was talking about, "mind over matter" and it talks about getting the mind right and the body will follow. I started reading it so help me focus on my eating habits that got me into trouble, and to help me keep it off after I lost it. It covers a good bit about what may have caused a certain trigger and it is not so deep that a paragraph will put you to sleep. It is written in "people language" not pompous I'm so important and too bad you can't understand me but give me your money anyway language!!!

I will let you know what further help I think it gives a dieter in future updates and let you know if it is overall worth it, but so far, a lot of what we are saying here is being covered in his book, but also he talks about dieters know all this anyway, and what can flip the switch from non-dieter, to dieter and then to life-long maintenance.

I am not proud, I will take any help I can get, so I figure this will help me scratch out one more issue from my brain on eating.

Magnolia,

You have the best attitude. Obviously the book your reading is helping. I read alot of diet and nutrition books and try different plans. Some of my friends just kind of roll their eyes at me like, here she goes again. But how will you know what works and what doesn't. You have to customize everything you read and try to suit you. So I find help in almost everything. What I still have to do is find the right combination for me. It might be several combinations depending on what's going on that day. Busy, boredom, traveling, entertaining. They all call for a different strategy. Sounds like a lot of work, and it is. Hopefully it will become second nature. And it some ways it has. Just as you state you go into a restaurant and ask for a to go box, that's a great idea. In my head it's always been don't waste it you paid for it, or, it's not enough left to wrap, I'll just eat it. Now I will pick a wise choice and box 1/2 right away and look at it as a meal I won't have to prepare the next day. Great idea :thanks: So I think it's great to read, post, listen and do what ever you need to do to amass the knowledge and WEAPONS to win this war and become the super power over yourself and use our minds to help and not hinder us.
Boy, I really did just go on & on. I'm sorry, maybe it's a Sunday thing. :lol:
Anyway, ttyl

Hey Maggi,

What is this book you are reading, I love to read and it could be of help to us all.
Hope everyone is doing well. I am still coughing,sneezing and I am so tired of this allergy stuff!!Talk later

New to posting
 

I do not know what thread I am posting to......
OH my
My name is Valerie and I signed up in this group a year ago. i lost 33 lbs but gained some of it back .
So here i am looking for some support and advice. I would like to get an accountability partner.
I have 60-70lbs yet to lose.
:dizzy:
I am looking forward to getting to know you all
Blessings
Valerie

:wave: val

welcome we are all here to help each other. :) but the most strength has to come from within. i also go to t.o.p.s. (take off pounds sensibly) it is a non-profit support group. 20.00 to join and very low weekly dues (ours is .50) there are many chapters all over th U.S. and world. go to www.tops.org if you are interested. the weekly weigh in helps me because i know it is being recorded :write: and i have learned that i was eating when it was time instead of when i am trully hungry.(break buzzer goes off at work...eat or hubby wants lunch...eat too even tho i was not hungry yet) so now i only eat when my tummy starts to growl and then i am eating healthy :hun: . bran cereal,banana,skim milk or 1 piece of toast and yogert and hot tea instead of :nono: biscutes and gravy or bacon,eggs, and home fries. then for lunch i will have lite turkey sandwich, raw vegies,and diet mt dew or salad and fruit instead of :nono: burger and fries. you get my point? any way i think we all know how to do it. the problem is being able to stick to it. :) i tell myself everyday that i am NOT on a diet but that i have changed my BAD eating habits. i was starting to have health problems (bad knees, high blood pressure, and diabetes runs in my family) so not only do i want to do this i NEED to do it. it all comes down to you and you alone. you are the only one who is responsible for what goes into your mouth :eating2: . so good luck on whatever plan you choose and i will be here every step of the way. :cheer:

talk to you LIGHTER!!!
Peg

DonnaD

Girl don't worry about going on and on, as you say, you go for it and get it all out! Sometimes I think that is the most helful of anything. yes it is a lot of hard work, but to me, it is about changing the way you think, and that is what I am all about these days! HOw I use to think got me overweight, now how I think is getting be back healthy and in the right weight range. I've lost another 2lbs since last wed and I got on the scale Monday goes I just couldn't stand it, and who knows, maybe I will lose anothe half pound by wed and I would love that but ok if I stay the same.

You have done great for yourself, so you can really pat yourself on the back. You are very supportatiave of others too I've noticed and that makes you tops in my book girl, so when you won't to ramble, I'll listen, cause you just never know what will come out of your mouth. You kinda like brain storming, some of the best ideas are found that way. I keep a running journal going, have it on my computer, with a nice fat password, just in case, dh is not the snoopy kind but I feel it is too personal for anyone to even accidental read and if I thought someone would/could read it, I wouldn't be as honest. It has been amazing to me, how many insights I have picked up during this process, I just let myself ramble about anything and everything and pow, it just pops out. So you go girl!

The book is called
 

aggie

The book is called "FLip the Switch" and I would give you the author's name but it is on my bed side table and dh is still sleeping. I found it at Books-a-million, in the diet section but probably at other stores too. I have found it very insightful and though provoking in a postive way, not the normal diet book ball busting way!

Think I'm going to try it
 

bearzy2u

I just looked up TOPS and found one in my closet town, and it just so happens that they meet tonight. I may call up the coordinator and make sure it is still correct info and drop in and check it out. I will let you know what I think.

Slimmer today than yesterday!

Hi Maggie,
I just went on Google and looked up "Flip the Switch" the author is Jim Karas
and the site lets you read the book flaps and and excerpt. It caught my interest. I'm gonna hit Barnes and Noble tomorrow. Thanks. :D

Hi All,
I hope everyne is doing well, I myself have not had a great weekend, I didn't just "fall off the wagon" so to speak, I jumped off!!!!! :lol:. I really blew it, and I knew I was blowing it, I could just kick myself!!!But now that it is over I will have to get back on track and not do that again. Now I have to face those scales, this time they will not be good.
I was re-reading the earlier posts, just to reresh my memory, and I must apologize for my insenesitive statement comparing trying to lose weight to quitting smoking, I have never been a smoker, please forgive me. I have friends who used to smoke and I realize how ridiculous my comment was.
Now I have got a lot of work to do. Hope to hear from you all soon.

DonnaD
I have really found the book insightful to some pitfalls in my eating personality. I was reading at one place about times you eat and I realized when I get stressed or bored I eat. I thought about some of the things the book said and looked back and realized when it started. This happened for me just in time to keep me from stepping into a pit. I got really stressed the next day and remembered that and took some good measures to avoid it. Also, as soon as I felt the stress piling up, I took a long look at what was stressing me and was able to put it in its right prespective.

I am going on vacation, leaving Sat or Sun and will be gone about a week and don't know if I can check in or not, but will try, but that book is going with me because I am hoping I will read something that will help during vacation. I am concerned about it and how I will handle it. I don't want to lose the good feeling I have now and fall off the wagon, in fact I want to continue to lose while gone and come back with another 2 lb loss.

Hi Maggie,
Have a great time on your vacation, you certainly deserve it. Don't stress too much about the eating. Usually on vacation I lose weight. Doing vacation things and not picking. I'm sure you'll do great. I didn't get a chance to get the book yet. But I still plan on it. So again, enjoy your vacation. Look forward to hearing good things about it when you get back. :D

Aggie, We've all jumped off that wagon before. As long as we don't break anything we just get back up and keep going. Sounds like your planning just that. Maybe you should wait a couple days to get on the scale. Sometimes after a 'trip and fall" the first couple days will show a loss, and when you get on the scale you may be suprised. Anyway, the thing is to get back on trak.
good luck :goodluck:

hope everyone had a good day. ttyl :D

Thanks for Good thoughts
 

Hi all

Thanks for the good thoughts, we don't leave till Saturday, and sometimes Iwonder if I will survive that long. I have had 2 bad days, not sure what was different other than maybe too tired for some reason. I am going to try and hang in there during vacation, I keep reminding myself, how important this is to my health wise as well as vanity/ego wise.

So how is everyone doing this week? Didn't see much action going on in here, some other areas folks are in general having a bad week. So maybe my bad days is just not me.

I have set it up with my friend we will be visiting for her and I to do some walking, so that should help that. Handling the eating I will just have to tackle one step and one day at a time. Will pop in if I can to say hi and read what you guys are doing.

hi all,

well i dont know how...but i did manage to go down 1 more pound. :) easter dinner and all..it is time to get back on track and really get this thing going. my daughter bought a tae-bo tape :cb: :cp: :dancer: and we tried it out last night. when we weren't laughing at each other :joker: :rofl: we did get in a good workout. the tape lasts about 45 min but we had to stop after 1/2 hr. :?: you sure need to be a lot more cordenateded (sp) than we are but got a workout all the same. how is everyone else doing?

Talk to you LIGHTER!!!

Peg

Hi All, I've been away from the computer, we are trying to geta new computer up and running. More later.
aggie

Hi everyone, I had some :comp: problems also. Made a long post yesterday and it gobbled it up. Been doing ok the last few days which is surprising considering the aggrivated, depressed state I've been in the majority of the time. I've really been fighting falling into a deep depression. It is TOM and I think that's just a part of it. Hope everyone is well.

Words Of Wisdom
 

hi all,

i just read some things in a mag. that i thought i would share.


10 WAYS TO STICK TO A PLAN


1.MAKE A GROCERY LIST AND STICK TO IT.

2.DON'T SHOP FOR GROCERIES ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.

3.TAKE A FEW LAPS AROUND THE SUPERMARKET BEFORE SHOPPING.

4.HAVE A LITE SNACK BEFORE DINING OUT.

5.EAT SLOWLY

6.TO ELIMINATE LATE NIGHT SNACKING,FREEZE LEFTOVERS IMMEDIATLY.

7.DON'T ALLOW FOOD IN FRONT OF THE TV. EAT ONLY IN KITCHEN OR DINING ROOM.

8.STORE HIGH CALORIE FOODS OUT OF SIGHT.

9.DRINK EIGHT GLASSES OF WATER A DAY.

10.WALK AROUND THE HOUSE WHILE ON THE PHONE.
__________________

where is everyone???
 

it sure is quiet around here. i had weigh in last night and am down 1 more pound. i guess slow and steady wins the race. i must start more exercise or something or i am going to get discouraged. oh well at least i am still going in the right direction!!

Talk to you LIGHTER!!!
Peg

Hi chicky's

I'm back from our vacation. Finally got into the server, have been trying for 3 days. I did very well while on vacation, still lost 1.5 pounds, I am so tickled about that cause I was sweating and worrying about that. I did get to walk 3 days, 2 on the beautiful Kure Beach and it was slightly cool but not cold.

Welcome back Maggie,
 

Maggie, so glad your back and had a good vacation with the extra bonus of a 1.5 loss. Thats fantastic. I really did miss this forum while it was down. I lost mine sat early and just checked in now. I've been in check while you were away. As of this morning, since 4/11 I'm down 9.5 lbs. Exercising 1 or 2 x 6 days a wk. I must admit, except for the usual aches from exercising and the daily sinus headache I feel pretty good. Definitely more energy.

Peg, How could you be discouraged. I was looking at your post and it seems your down over 15 lbs since 3/11. I think thats great. And because your losing slow and steady those lbs should stay away. I think your doing great.

Hey Aggie, How's it going with the :comp: ? Hope to hear from you soon.

Hope everyone is well. So glad were back up and running. I really missed my buddies.

ttyl :D

I missed you guys!!!
 

finally it is back ..... someone needs to kick my butt in gear. not sure if i will be down any more tomorrow at weigh in. just havent had the time or energy to exercise, but no more excuses. just do it!

donna,

thanks for the words of encouragement. think im just going through a slump right now. my daughter has kinda given up so i am more or less without my partner now. so you guys are going to be my help.

Talk to you lighter!!!
Peg

Well gang, another 1.5 lbs down. Felt like yuk all day yesterday, it was overcast and blah here in supposly sunny Florida. I hid cause I just couldn't take it and wanted to eat everything. I hid in the bedroom as far away from food as possible. I have gotten back into the routine of walking on my treadmill in the mornings, it was hard at first and still a bit hard, but getting easier. The audio book I am listening too is starting to get interesting so that helps sooooooo much. I hate weighing 171lbs, but the only way to change it is just what I'm doing no matter how long it takes! I too am hitting a slump.

bearzy2u

I am hitting a slump too, I checked your diet start date and we are close to the same date. I think it is the 6 week thing! I think we should just keep plugging away at it and not look down the road at where we are going but look at where we have been and how far we have come!

I think my next big hurtle will be my wedding anniversay and mother's day which are very close together. But dh is being pretty darn supportative! It shouldn't be as hard.

maggi,

just keep at it and we will do this. i was down 2 more lbs at weigh in last night so i guess im doing ok ....slump and all. well any way maybe this weather will clear up and i can walk this weekend. glad you have a supportive hubby, mine wants to go out and eat all the time and when i order something good for me to eat he says why dont you get something else it wont hurt just this one time. GRRRRRR this coming from a man that has wore size 32 waist jeans the whole 21 years that we have been married. i swear food goes in his mouth and out the other end without stopping anywhere in between. well i better go.

Talk to you LIGHTER!!!
Peg

bearzy2u

don't you just hate those skinny men, that never have to worry and they just don't understand why it doesn't work the same for us. My hubby lends towards the tubby tummy side, most of the rest of him is ok, and some parts like his legs are very great so he could lose a few pounds too when I started and he has been eating a lot of what I eat, just more, and he has lost a good bit, much faster than I have, but he still has his tummy it is just smaller.

I hit my reward gaol of 168, actually it my weight is 168.5 but he went ahead a booked my facial, knowing I would lose the other half pound this week. I am so looking forward to a good relaxing facial. now only 28.5 lbs to go.

weigh to go
 

Maggi,

Great job :cp: :cb: keep it up.

i am hoping to go down at least 1 1/4 lbs this week. if i do then i will be 1/3 of the way there :) (18 1/2 lbs) of 55 1/2 total. Boy that sounds better than it looks cause that means i still have 37 lbs to go :dizzy: . well i never claimed it would be easy. my daughter just said she thinks she has gained back 3 lbs :( . it sure is hard for a teen. i wanted to tell her it is because she keeps snacking and eating before bed :nono: but i dont want to discourage her. if she wants this bad enough then she will figure it out on her own. does anyone have any suggestions on the best approach in this matter.

Talk to you LIGHTER!!!

Peg

Peg

Thanks for the confidence booster. Your teen problem, can you suggest an alternate snack, like some lower calories healthier things, in example, fruite, rice cakes, flavored soy chips, (which are great by the way and only 110 cal for 25 of them) Low fat graham crackers, 120 for two full sheets, even a table spoon of low fat peanut butter. Also, Alba makes a milk product vanilla and chocolate are my favorites, that are 90 calories, you can add a half a banana to the vanilla, use water and ice to mix in a blender and it makes a great shake. I've done the vanilla's with a lot of different fruit and use splenda if it needs more sweetening. Also can you find in a store the brand called Health Valley, they have a lot of cookies that are made with whole wheat. and last but not least how about some of those snack well cookies.

I don't know how old your teen is but does she understand the whole calories thing? Maybe you could suggest sitting down with her and going through everything she has already eaten all day and show her exactly how many calories she has eaten. You may know this but I will tell you anyway, if she is active multiple her current weight by 13 and that will give you the number of calories she is eating a day to maintain that weight, now drop that number by 500 calories and that is what she should eat to lose 1lb a week. If she is not active multiple her weight by 9. That pretty much gives a good visual and then she can make her own decisions. This worked for me on me!

Maggie,

thanks for the help. she is 17 and pretty much understands. the problem is she gets discouraged too easy. and sometimes will say..... i dont really care. she is 5' 4" and weighs 217 right now. she has lost 13 pounds but keeps losing and gaining eack week. i am hoping that once she gets out of school for the summer she will have more time to work on this and be a little more focussed. dont know but can only hope that she GETS it. she is on meds for insulin resistance and the dr. has told her that it could lead to diabetes and shots. i dont think it has scared her tho . GEEEZ kid these days. LOL...... anyway i was down 2 1/4 more so now i am 1/3 of the way to goal. GO ME!!!

Hope everyone is on plan

Talk to you LIGHTER!!!
Peg

bearzy2u

I hope so for her sake on the summer thing. That is one of the reasons I am dieting, to hopefully avoid diabetes. It runs very stong in my family and my dad has to take shots so me carrying around any weight that is extra sure puts me at a much higher risk. I wish someone could have gotten this through my head when I was younger.

What about a summer weight loss camp. I watched one of those shows on television and the kids loved it.

I've lost 19 pounds so far, and have 27 to go. I can't wait to get a new middle number!