Hi all,

Whenever I read that "Almostheaven" has checked in I read it. Almostheaven, your advice in these threads has helped me a lot since I started this health journey in August. Again, the stories by you, Fearless and Leenie have strenghtened me on this journey.

Teddybeargirl and Erica, you have come to the right place for support and great ideas. Like you Erica ice cream was my first choice for comfort food. I've substituted that with yummy, delicious smoothies. I make mine with nonfat yogurt, but I think you could make it with soy milk or other lactose free products. I add lots and lots of fresh frozen fruit, one banana and then a little milk and nonfat yogurt. They are delicious, low cal and very filling. I recommend it.

I wish you well on the journey. There's lots to learn here. Good luck. You can do it!

forgot my stats:

sw210 (8/04)
cw175(12/04)
gw 150

Tired, I had forgotten to mention smoothies. I make those as well. I use the Atkins yogurt in mine. Reduced fat, low sugar, AND low carbs...why not. LOL I add the same items you do as well. The banana really makes it smoother/richer. Hubby hates healthy eating and even he likes those.

Erica,

I saw your list of "To Do's".

Take that list and make them your longer term goals. Having a whole list of things to accomplish at one time gets frustrating. Start small. When you are not used to exercising or watching your diet, it's so hard to just stop your current habits and all of a sudden become this healthy eater and exerciser.

I learned in a group I was recently in that it is good to make one food goal and one exercise goal at a time. So for this week, make a goal for each. Say you will eat one veggie a day and walk around the block three times. Once you get through those, make it a little harder...move it up to 2 veggies a day and walk around the block 6 times, etc.

I am lactose intolerant too...I can have some cheese and some ice cream, but milk especially "does it" to me. I drink Silk soy milk...yum. Try the chocolate Silk and Very Vanilla. Great with cereal. I used to drink skim so the thicker consistency was something I had to get used to. It's good for you, PLUS, it has fiber in it!

Also, I agree with the meat substitutes. I'm a total meat girl so I wouldn't totally replace meat in my diet, but the great thing about things like veggieburgers is that they are full of protein, filling, give you that "meaty" sensation, AND they can count as a veggie serving AND they have fiber, depending on the variety. One of my favorite things to do is to make tacos with veggie "ground round" crumbles. Add taco seasoning just like you would to cooked ground beef (I prefer Taco Bell brand) and make tacos or burritos using low fat shredded cheese, fat free sour cream and lettuce and tomato...YUM! And super low in fat!

You can definitely do this Erica...just remember to start small and work your way up. It's SO hard to start getting into a routine, but once you're in it you're feeling really good. You'll have your low days and you may even fall off the wagon...I sure have and I keep fighting with the same 20 pounds, losing and gaining...but it's a matter of keeping on it. I always slack over the summer and gain back all the weight I lose in the winter but I'm determined not to let that happen again.

Girlie