I just can across this wonderful website today. I am looking to lose 30 pounds by my 30th Bday. (one year from now) I have been steadily gaining weight since a sports injury in college. Then, I was very comfortable at a size 12, now I am 20.
Although I don't mind it, I am in law school full-time, so I don't have much time to workout, but do my best. I basically need support to keep me from eating my right arm during the semester. I snack horribly while at school and grab fast food whenever I do take a break to eat. I brought my lunch today and plan to start a concious effort to lose weight. I have never stuck to a plan for more than a couple weeks because I don't have support and I don't see results.
I am married with no kids (yet ) My husband and I met -60 pounds ago, god love him! We married only -20 pounds ago.
Will someone take me in?
LSB

Hi newstudent,

I can identify with that study-snacking. I have a lot of book work with my job and gained a lot of weight that way. Lately, know that I'm making lifestyle changes, I've replaced the bad snacks with sugarless gum and Poland Springs seltzer. I drink tons of it and grab the gum often. Both help a lot. I also started visiting this web site whenever I had the urge to snack looking for inspiration and getting lots of it! Like everyone here, I'm trying to make it to the gym more often and again getting inspiration from the site to do it. I wish you luck with your pursuit - I know you can do it!

sw210 8/04
cw193
gw150

Thank you for your suggestions, I have already started using the Sugarless gum suggestion. I also cut out all regular soda and will drink diet when water just doesn't satisfy me.

Beautiful quote! Your changes sound positive. You'll reap the benefits of these lifestyle changes. Hang in there.

Hi Law, i was identifying with you today as I am taking a grad course and all I wanted to do was eat while I was studying. I'm resorting to the sugarless gum, water and today I added a banana smoothie - 1 med. banana, 1 cup 1% milk, lots of ice in the blender - really yummy and lots to drink for a mere 190 cals. Hope you are doing well.

I am really surprising myself. I know I have to realize it has only been 4 days, but I am eating enough to fill me, but it is healthy food. No regular soda for me! I never knew Pepsi even had a diet and caffeine free. I guess you don't know til you go looking for it!
I love smooties too. I LOVE Starbuck's Frappichinio (sp?), but since I have to stop with that, I have started making my own frappachino at home. I have an instant capp. mix I use and then just add lots of ice and skim milk. Whola!
Today I thought of you too because I wanted to eat while studying. So, I cut up an apple and snacked on it. Usually I would have broken out the Pringles! I think not even having the bad snacks in the house is really helping me. I only have healthy alternatives.
I don't like banana's, but I might try that recipie with pineapple!

Hi all. Law, good to hear that you are filling the cabinets with healthy alternatives. Yesterday at a moment of starvation I pulled out a jar of great salsa from Trader Joes (terrific store for healthy alternatives - just remember to read the labels before buying to check out the calories as some foods are advertised as healthy but are packed with way too many cals). Anyways I dipped celery into the salsa - great low cal snack - my kids were having the chips with salsa so I was able to join in with a healthy alternative. Almonds also really fill you up you just have to make sure that you only have a few - healthy too.

You might want to join the ISO thread too - we're all trying to get down to 180 (or around that by 12/31). We weigh in twice a month - lots of motivating people.

This week I'm really going to focus on exercise as I've slaxed off and I know it makes a huge difference. I'm going for seven days, 30 minutes a day of anything I can manage. My sister who is a great athlete told me that she does a lot of her reading on the bike machine at the gym - I may try to combine some of my grad course work and exercise in that way.

Best of luck to you - this web site has finally found for me women who understand and are unbiased. What a gift!!!! Have a great day. Love that quote.

What is the ISO group? I looked under the forums and didn't see it.
I have been participating in the 20-something group and they are really great.
I used to do lots of reasing in college while on the stairmaster. With my knee injury I can't do stairmaster anymore. I am hoping when I go to Curves on Wed I will see book holders on the treadmills. Otherwise, I am not too fond of stationary bikes, but it I can combine reading and working out, then I can work out longer without worrying about time management.
That salsa sounds good! I'll have to make a trip to Trader Joe's!
Excercise is little (15 min of Tae Bo and some walking) but it is something. I am hoping to like Curves so I can get into some more intensive stuff.
Thanks for checking in!
LSB

Sounds like you are off to a great start. I am in the maintenance phase of Weight Watchers and really enjoy Starbucks iced mocha coffee as a treat. It gives me caffeine and chocolate! If you have it with non-fat milk and no whipped cream, it's only 3 points.

One thing I try during the day (I'm a middle school teacher) is frequent small snacks that include some protein. That might help you keep your enery up during a long day of class.

Good luck--Elana

Elana,
Thanks for checking in! I am doind ok I guess. Today I have gone through a whole pack of sugar-free gum and I am still hungry. I don't have any money, so snacking is not a problem because I can't get anything from the vending machine today, but I am afraid I might not feel well soon if I don't eat something else. I have already gone through my afternoon apple snack.
Could you please share your protein snack ideas. Fruit is just not substantial enough to keep me from starving! (already had an orage too today with lunch)
Thanks for any idea you have!
LSB

Hi law,

I saw that you wrote and wondered how you are doing? I like the question you pose and will check back in for the answer. I've got to stay up as late as possible to get caught up on reading and classwork. It's good to know that there are others trying to avoid the junk food while working away at the books. Hope you're doing well.