Robin: I'm sure I could get cabbage year round at the grocery store, but I try to buy all my produce at the farmers' market. Cabbage must be a winter crop because I wasn't able to find it at the market last summer. The cabbage sold at my grocery store during the summer must be coming from very far away, probably another country. I feel very strongly about buying as much locally grown produce as possible; not only is the produce noticeably fresher and tastier, I really believe that it is important to support the local economy and independent farmers. I'm blessed with some great farmers' markets and I feel that it is important to support them. I end up making a few exceptions, but I really try to keep them to a minimum. So that means no cabbage over the summer (unless last summer was just a fluke).

That is so true! The other day I was going out for dinner for friends and had forgotten to mention it to my SO before I did the weekly grocery run. Normally I make dinner for the two of us, but when I go out he has to fend for himself. When I mentioned it to him (at least 24 hours in advance), for a minute there he got a little snippy, asking what he was going to eat. This from a man who is over 40, has a car and a driver's license, knows where the grocery store and our favorite take-out restaurants are (never mind that our cupboards and fridge are plenty well-stocked--there's plenty of food to eat around here), and lived on his own and successfully fed himself for several years. I said I didn't know what he would eat but that he is an adult and I was sure he was capable of figuring out something, even on short notice.

Oh gosh, I hear that all the time - what will I eat?? Um, there's always cereal or soup! When I decided years ago that I was not going to be responsible for packing DH's lunch (and having him complain about what was in it!) he sulked for a week. Now if I offer to make him a lunch he's very grateful!

Barbara, cabbage is a cool weather veggies, and it doesn't surprise me at all that it isn't grown in a CA summer. We grow it in the summer, but it's nowhere near as hot here. And thanks for explaining on the cream cheese - I may have to try that.

Evangeline - what a great plan! I may find myself chanting more....

Yesterday was spot on. On to today.

B - 1.5 scrambled eggs, 1/2 kiwi, few strawberries (what was left), 1/4 cup yogurt, toast with whipped cream cheese,
S - latte
L - rueben on toast (vs. grilled), fruit cup (I always have Fri lunch out with my girlfriends, so this is a "planned" meal)
S - cottage cheese with berries
D - leftover chicken stirfry, brown rice
S - we're going to a Cinco de Mayo party - I'm bringing cut fruit! Note to self: salsa may be a good option, chips are not!

Barbara, I understand completely. Thanks for clearing it up. That makes a lot more sense to me now.

Meg, your point is well taken and I thank you for mentioning it and I will most definitely keep it in mind. One time I actually DID insist that we stay here in my home and I served a bunch of salads and stuff and lo and behold - it was a big hit.

Would you believe that there are times we wound up going out at 11:30 at night? How crazy is that? I've got it planned that IF we do wind up going out, no plans as of yet, I don't give a darn. Depending on the time, I will have a diet soda and some cantalope (if we go to a diner). If we go to a "fancier" restaurant - I'm screwed. Just kidding, well not really, but I'll come up with something. I am not willing to ruin my "NO EXCUSES" week. Which by the way, I would like to repeat again NEXT week. I hope you're all up for it. I have found this VERY beneficial.

All right, today is almost in the books, well not quite. The day so far as been super. The rest of the day looks like this:

-Cucumber, tomato, red onion salad
-Roasted chicken breast with roasted string beans, asparagus, brussel sprouts, onions and fresh chopped garlic.
-SF Jello with fresh sliced strawberries and fresh pineapple

Saturday:

-FF/SF yogurt with Fiber One Cereal
-sliced gala apple
-Roasted chicken breast (left over from Friday), veggie platter (grape tomatoes, baby carrots, mini peppers, raw string beans with salsa. Cabbage salad
-Morning Star Farms Chick Pattie with lots and I do mean lots, of cauliflower and carrots cooked in a bit of chicken consomme
-cucumber salad
-FF/SF yogurt with Fiber One Cereal
-sliced gala apple
-cabbage salad
-SF jello
-leaving a little wiggle room for unexpected plans.

I'll post Sunday's menu Sunday morning.

Forge ahead troops. Forge ahead. It's all good.

I knew today would be my challenge day and it has already been!
Once a month we have birthday lunches for all of my co-workers and today it is make your own sundaes with all the toppings! I managed to stay away!
But the rest of the day may be more of a challenge. I have a school event tonight with lots of bad food choices (we are having a carnival with food booths!). I will eat a snack before I go and hope I can avoid the booths or at the worst, make a good choice.
Tonight is also the night I can't fit in the gym and I've come to grips with that. I can have a day off and not feel TOO guilty.
I was excited to get on the scale this morning though-- I was almost 136-- I was 137.2 so it is close.
I hope I don't mess it up this weekend-- the family wants a Cinco De Mayo meal-- we'll see how that one goes!!

Mexican is one of the easiest meals to stay on plan with and still satisfy your family's desires. Everyone can do their own thing. You could do fajitas or tacos--everyone gets the same meat (could be chicken, lean ground beef, lean ground turkey, or even fish). I make my meat with onions and bell peppers and fajita seasoning. Or Trader Joe's sells Pollo Asada, which is pre-seasoned chicken and only 120 calories per 4-oz serving. We just had it last week and it was excellent (I still added fresh onions and peppers). It is in the fresh meat area.

Then you just make a variety of toppings and everyone picks their own. You stick with the low cal stuff, like salsa, cilantro, lettuce, nonfat sour cream (or I just use NF Greek yogurt), and maybe a little guacamole (it is good for you) and they can have the higher calorie stuff like cheese. You can have a salad on the side and they can have tortilla chips. Or you could serve FF refried beans. You could get corn tortillas or low carb tortillas for yourself and regular flour tortillas for your family. Or you can just have your meat and toppings over lettuce (a taco salad) and they can have tortillas. Or I sometime have my meat and toppings over polenta (you can get it pre-cooked in tubes), which is only 85 calories per serving.

I also have a recipe for Tamale Pie that comes in at 265 calories per serving, and the servings are very generous. I'm guessing that tacos or fajitas are the way to go for Cinco de Mayo, but if you want the Tamale Pie recipe, let me know.

Barbara - Tamale Pie Please!!!

I'm up for doing this next week. Only problem is, there will be at least 3-4 situations where I have no control over my food (business meetings where you can't bring your own in, and one dinner at a coworker's house). I can make a plan to "do my best", but that seems awfully loose, especially considering I have to go to a reduced/modified exercise plan during that week due to time constraints.

Still, I can commit to doing SOME rules, and I will stick to those, no excuses.

Hi Gals ~ I had the day off so I took the dogs to the duck pond and trails for a little over 3 miles, then jumped on the treadmill for another 3.5 when I got home.

I didn't eat breakfast before I went and due to running into an old friend at the pond and doing the treadmill, I was ready for lunch which was the same 'ol turkey sandwich on wheat and the last of the (not-frozen) homemade soup. Tonight we meet my son and his wife for her birthday at a new Italian restaraunt that they like...Angie and I already know we will split the meal....you already know this if you checked out my FRIDAY NIGHT SPLITS thread

BARBARA ~ Speaking of Mexican food and adding the onions and peppers to things...Costco has a carnitas pack in the refridgerated section by the meat...we throw that in the microwave for 4 minutes as we saute some onions and peppers, throw those in the carnitas and a real quick tasty meal...I am sure the calories are not that good...but...if you like quick and easy carnitas I recommend it.

See you all tomorrow ~ HAVE A GREAT WEEK-END!

MEGAN...he better make YOU dinner from time to time!

and yours too BARB!

I'm totally up for next week too. This "no excuses" week took off spontaneously last weekend and it's turned out to be the best thing for my maintenance in a long time. I feel totally back in the food groove and it feels SOOO good! It's like once I get past the first three days, I'm back on track. But there's always been something about that third day that gets me.

I've strayed from my planned menu today but it will all end up fine, calorie-wise. I've been helping DS move into his own apartment all afternoon and didn't have a chance to eat what was planned, so I ended up gnawing on the stump of a protein bar in my purse. When I got home, I was craving protein in the worst way so made an omelet loaded with veggies and a little cheese and lean ham. So it will end up as another good day.

Great planning, Robin! I know you can do it and I can't wait to log on tomorrow morning and read all about your success.

Barbara, I'm seconding the request for your Tamale Pie recipe.

Yes!! It's been a great maintenance "tactic", so to speak. I can't tell you how many times I've stopped myself from a little nibble here and a little nibble there (all healthy & low cal, but nevertheless) directly because of this here very thread.

And yes, I too feel totally back in my groove and it feels MARVELOUS. Heavy Duty RELIEF. 3 days. All it takes. Don't want to sound too cocky just yet though. Cautious optimisim.

Mandalinn, it DOES sound like you've got quite the challenging week ahead of you. But you have proven time and time again that you are up for the challenge!! I still haven't forgotten how you managed when you were out of commission there for awhile.


Barbara, I'm thirding the request for your Tamale Pie recipe.

OK, I'm mulling over commitments that I CAN make, regardless of my challenges. It's a lot better than "Do my best", and gives me solid goals to be accountable for that still will let me get through.

1. Go to the grocery store on the first day. Get breakfast stuff. Eat breakfast every day before meetings start, so I can avoid pastries/etc that are brought in. Morning eating at the meeting to be restricted to coffee, as well as fruit if it is provided.

2. On same grocery store visit, get healthy, portable snacks. Keep in my bag or work fridge at all times, and eat in favor of less-healthy snacks, cookies, etc. served at the meeting.

3. When I eat out, which I know I will have to, order lean protein and veggie-based dishes, avoid starches. Limit to 1 glass of wine, and only if it would be socially awkward from a business meeting perspective not to.

4. When I can't control what I'm eating (catered in business lunches and at least one dinner), take mostly veggies and fruit if provided. Take small portions of things that are higher calorie, and rely on snacks I'll have with me if still hungry.

5. At least 30 minutes of physical activity every day (except Monday, when I'll be flying). I'm bringing exercise wear, my resistance bands, and my headphones. My in-laws live in the Hollywood Hills, so cardio will be hill-walking. I'll do strength training at least 1 day. In addition, I will do 20 minutes of yoga before bed at least 1 night (in addition to the 30 min in the morning), with a goal of 2-3 nights.

6. Keep water intake at least 4 L per day.

There's my no excuses commitment for next week.

I try this......but I make it for weeks staright and then have weeks where I can't keep it together at all????!!! GEEZ

Devandra! Group support can really help when we're having a bad week -- just knowing that there are other people who understand how hard weight loss/maintenance can be and who will support and encourage you. Stick around and keep posting with us and we'll all do this together!

AMANDA...You will be just fine Kiddo!...Hugs...and have a wonderful business week!

Amanda, great plan! And keeping it to one glass of wine isn't as hard for me when I look at the cost of it in a restaurant! I'm assuming that your work doesn't reimburse for alcohol; mine doesn't.