so...
 

how are things going for you? I find this plan SO easy to follow so far, I hope it keeps this steady. For those of you who are already most of the way through your goals.. what was the toughest part for you? I found it pretty easy to resist food I normally enjoy when I am out, while out today. What do you love about your new life change???

Believe it or not, I have yet to eat EVERYTHING I'm supposed to in a day. It's usually the fruit and the Lites that are sacrificed. I suspect that somewhere in my mind I'm 'saving' food in case I want to binge at night. What do I love? I love the feeling of being in control for a change! Also, I enjoy the feeling of drinking enough water (even if I do have to run to the RR every 5 min. :)

Good Morning !
I also found the plan easy to follow and my biggest issue was getting in all the foods . I was one that was "was to busy to eat" when I started and my metabolism had all but died on me because of it. So eating was just plain hard . After I got used to it I actually get hungry if I don't get in all my food for the day. And the ladies room visits become a way off of life you just get used to . I know every clean ladies room between my house and Michigan and every other destination I visit on a regular basis !! LOL
I was a mountain dew freak before I started the plan and after I did ff off I didn't miss it at all. Didn't even have any caffine withdrawal headaches and had been drinking about 8 cans a day . My center said it was because the ff cleared my system of all the garbage . But anyway its great not to be so wired now days .
Well off to do some make ahead meals for the family my freezer is getting hungry again . Everyone have a blessed week and get the heart rate up at least 3 times this week !
Bye for now
Lois

Well, my weight loss is going a lot slower than I expected with this plan. BUT - I have found something I can live with and I don't feel deprived. I have been on so many diets, and this is the first one that I'm not thinking "As soon as I lose the weight, I can eat this or that". It feels really good to be in control of my eating and to know that I have the power to do this. I feel healthy and I can feel my self confidence and pride in myself increasing. Which is fantastic!

Hope everyone is doing well.

Sarah:)

I am lovin' this plan! I always thought I knew what I needed to do, but just didn't do it. I also tricked myself into believing that I was maintaining around the same weight over the past few years... but now that I am honest with myself, I see that I really have gained about 5-10 lbs a year!

With Lawl the weight is just falling off! I am following the plan, checking in 3 times a week, drinking the required amount of water and losing 2-3 lbs a week - just like they said! I tend to follow the plan a little more rigorous than necessary - don't eat the infrequent foods too often and do the take off every two weeks like clockwork, but it is working to my advantage.

JulieZ

Sarah, I totally relate to the control issue. I'm not losing fast, but I'm also not crazy about my food issues! I think writing down the plans each day gives me that feeling of control - even if I don't get everything on them actually eaten.

WI today, and down 1 lb. That makes 8 total for 4 wks. I was kinda disappointed, but am trying to stay positive.

Is it a big deal if you have to eat late on LAWL? I take a lot of food to work with me, but this week I'm not home until at least 8 PM each day. If my last snack is after school around 4, I'm pretty hungry by 8 or 9. Plus, I've got food left on my plan that I haven't eaten that day. Any thoughts? It seems BAD to eat late, but I forgot to ask my COD today.

Thanks all,
Jules

Jules - you are averaging 2 lbs a week. NOTHING to be disappointed about. Remember that slower steady weight loss is weight you are more apt to keep off.

As for the eating late - it really depends on what you are eating late and how much. You really want to stay away from starches that late, esp if you are going to bed and not staying up late. Have you through about taking an extra snack to eat in the car on the way home? You can do a slice of cheese, get some of the pre-cooked pre-sliced chicken or turkey pieces to eat in the car, or some fruit. Not sure what you have left at the end of the day, but these are some suggestions of things you can throw in a baggie and eat in the car. That way you are not ready to tear the house apart for food:D

today is my first day.. looking at the plan..and all the dots i have to color in.. i cant imagine how i am going to eat all that.. i never eat that much...

I still trying to figure out how eating more will make me lose weight.. ?

on paper it just doesnt make sense..

did or does anyone else feel like that?

:?:

I too thought that at first, now I think it is a normal amount to eat.. just broken up. My salad at lunch of 2 cups of veggies can count for 2 servings, add some strawberries and chicken to that and I have added in 1/2 protein and 1/2 fruit... things just add up really nicely when you combine foods.. ie english muffin and an egg is 1/2 protein and 1 starch. I don't always get it ALL in, but I have been pretty close and I am not a big eater (just was eating all the wrong things..) .

This is by far, the BIGGEST barrier to get around.. It took me a while to wrap my head around the fact that I had to eat..

It was weird.. Several weeks into the plan, for some reason, I started skimping on my portions, subconciously thinking it would speed up my losses.. But of course, the opposite happened and I hit a plateau, losing nothing for a couple of weeks... My counselor gave me a hard (but good natured) time about it once I came clean that I was skimping.. She told me to go have a Subway sandwich and get back on track.. And guess what.. I was down 2 lbs by the next week and kept on losing...

You can do it!!

wow thanks guys for the replies and words of encouragement..

i did some research today on metabolism.. duh me.. i didnt know how it worked before.. hence i guess the many many times a day to eat..

I still dont think i can eat all they want me to eat.. but i am eating more then i used to and more frequently since the weekend.. trying to jumpstart this metabolism thingy..

i have been walking for one week yesterday and only missed one day.. i went from 2 rounds around a little man made lake.. to up to four.. in forty mins.. i heard that six times around is equal to 5 Km.. so 3 would be 2.5 Km..

2008 better be my hear cause 2007 sure wasnt haha come to think of it.. it hasnt been my year in many years haha

thanks again gang.. i am loving this message board!!! :carrot:

Elizabeth, For me the hardest part was (and is) the last few pounds. My body seems to be very attached to them, and seems to want them back, and I keep trying to force it to keep them gone. I lost easily and fairly quickly until the last little bit, and then it got hard. The good thing was that I felt great and looked so much better by the time I hit that wall, that it was not as upsetting as it could be. Focusing on how I look and feel and not on the number on the scale was something I had to work hard at. This is a journey towards a healthier and happier future and not about the number of pounds lost really.