I have no big plans for the weekend. We (my boyfriend and I) are cleaning the fish tank today. ICK...but it has to be done. We have a 55 gallon salt water reef tank that is more trouble than it is worth! The only other plans are house cleaning and studying. The semester started last week and I have a ton of reading to do before class on Tuesday. Balancing work and classes is a nightmare!

Yeah, work and school is definitely a struggle. I think that's one reason the weightloss has been such a battle for me. I feel like I have no time. I never focused on meals, and I would put off eating, so then by the time I was absolutely starving, I just ate anything (and everything ) in sight. That's one change that I've tried to make with this diet - now I plan meals. I plan to get up in time to eat breakfast and I take a lunch with me in case I get caught up at school or with errands, and I can eat on the run without having to head to McDonald's. It's definitely making things easier. I just hope I can stick with it.
Good luck with the fish tank (eeewwww) and studying. If you need any help, I can send my kittens over...

Stacy

Hey everyone

I'm new to this website and really encouraged by all of the people sharing similar experiences with weight loss. I went through a rough time when I was sixteen, put on a lot of weight, and the number on the scale has creeped up slowly yet surely ever since. Ten years later, I now weigh 230 (my heaviest) and frankly, not being able to fit into my clothes for more than one year in a row has just gotten old. I've been pretty sedentary (out of lack of energy, not interest) and not particularly good about making better meal choices and listening to my body's needs until now. About a week ago I started walking, drinking water instead of everything else, and actually paying attention to when I'm hungry rather than eating because I'm bored or upset. I think that my biggest challenge right now is learning how to cook good meals - take out has been waaaaay too convenient I'm hoping to get to know you all better and maybe get some tips and encouragement along the way.

I think one thing I like the most about this site (so far) is that I've seen so many people who actually understand what I'm going through. After years of feeling completely alone and like no one in the world understood, it's great to finally find people that I can share experiences, struggles, and encouragement with!

Dharma - I completely understand how you feel. It's frustrating when you reach a point where you just scream "NO MORE!!" I feel like I've just had no energy for so long. Although I've only been at this diet for a week, I already feel more excited and energetic than I have in years. There's hope! Everybody here has been great so far!

Stacy

ps - i'm definitely interested in exchanging ideas for quick and easy and healthy meals!!

Hamsm-
I agree that planning meals is very important. When you get to the point you are starving you tend to make very bad food choices! Planning all of my meals has really helped me with this. I also pack my lunches for work so I dont eat of the machines or in the cafeteria. How many kittens do you have??

Welcome Dharma-
I have found that this is a wonderful place for encouragement! None of my friends have weight problems so it is really hard to confide in them. I have found people here to be much more supportive. The people here have helped me lose 40 lbs over the last few months! Do you have a goal weight in mind?

Thank you for the welcomes, Stacy & Jibbelle

Jibelle - I do have a goal in mind: 140. 90 pounds... It seems like such a long, long way off. I just keep reminding myself that I didn't put all of this weight on overnight and that it will take some steady work to get where I'd like to be. I try to think about it in smaller increments to make it a little less daunting, but since I've never actually lost weight before, even 10 pounds seems like a lot. I like to think about Bill Murray in "What About Bob?": Baby Steps to ten pounds, lol

40 pounds!!! How wonderful!!!

I've never really thought about meal planning before, but it makes perfect sense. I skip breakfast because I wouldn't wake up early enough, then I end up in some catered meeting at work or wind up eating fast food for lunch, then back at home I just grab whatever is convenient... and convenient in my kitchen is not necessarily synonymous with healthy Definitely a lot of bad habits to overcome, but I'm feeling so positive about making a real change in my life.

I, like a lot of people around here, use a food journal. Every night I plan out everything I am going to eat the next day. This gives me time to pack my lunch for the next day so I am not rushing around in the mornings. By keeping a journal of everything I eat it really helps me stay on track. Especially since my counselor at LA Weight Loss looks through my diary all the time!

I also find the catered meeting and munchies at work to be hard to deal with. They are never very healthy. Sometimes you have no choice but to eat what is available and make the best of it. I usually eat as little as possible then during a break or when the meeting is over eat an apple or cereal bar or something that I have stashed away in my purse.

Hello
Jibbelle, I am really proud of your weight loss!!! You have lost 40 pounds since August, that is excellent! People like you really inspire me and keep me going. I have just begun my diet and it can be so discouraging, especially when I step to weigh in, I am still the same. I began on January 1st and so far keeping up with my goals. I drink lots of water, eat less carb and taking in more protein and exercise 5 times a week (mix of running on the treadmill and aerobic). However, I have trouble staying away from sweets. Would you mind sharing with us some of the tips that helped you? I would really appreicate it!!! Do you think I can lose 20 pounds by June? Thanks!

Cinthusha-
It sounds like you are off to a great start so far...especially if you keep with your workouts!

I think the thing that has helped me lose weight the most is controling my carb intake. I did not realize how many starches I was eating in a day...pasta, rice, bread, etc. Those will really get you! Did you know that most diet plans consider peas and corn to be starches as well?? I ate lots of those too. Now I eat a lot more raw or steamed fresh veggies. No fruit or veggies from a can.

Sweets are the hardest thing for me to deal with too. If I am really craving something I will have a bite of it...but no more. It usually satisfies me. I have found it is better to cheat with a bite than try to deprive myself. I think moderation is the key here. Lucky for me I am doing the LA Weight Loss plan and they have sweets (bars and shakes) that are very low in fat and high in protein. I can have those twice a day! Usually that keeps the sweet tooth at bay.

I think 20 lbs by June is definately doable. Will that put you at your goal weight?

GOOD LUCK!

Thanks for your reply.

Talking about low carbs... I am a full time student and I usually pack a sandwich for lunch on whole grain bread (2 slices) and I eat this 5 times a week. Is that hurting my diet? Any alternatives to packing a fast lunch in the morning that is high in protein and low in carbs?

Yes losing 20 pounds in my goal. I am at 130 now and I want to get down to 110 by June for my graduation and formal. I have trouble around the stomache. I have to lose it in order to fit into a nice dress and feel confident and comfortable. Thanks for your support!

I eat 3 servings of starches/carbs a day. One slice of bread is a serving.

For breakfast I usually have a nutrigrain cereal bar which is one starch.

I usually pack 1/2 sandwich for lunch. I use as much protein on it as I would put on the whole sandwhich though. So I have a really thick 1/2 sandwich! I will also sometimes make tuna or chicken salad with light mayo. With that I eat a couple slices (or 5 rounds) of melba toast.

I usually eat my last starch for dinner. Either 1/2 cup pasta, 1/2 cup rice, slice of bread or toast, 1/2 small potato, 1/2 cup of corn or peas, 1/2 flour or corn tortilla, or melba toast.

If I eat a whole sandwich for lunch, then I get no starch for dinner. Sometimes I eat a 6 in Subway sandwich or a Healthy Choice French Bread Pizza. I count both of those as 2 starches.

Carbs and fruit are the slowest foods to digest so I try not to eat them within 4 hours of going to bed. This REALLY makes a big difference!

Anyone here have AOL Instant Messanger? If so, I am on frequently and my user ID is Jibbelle! Look me up if you want to chat.

(posted yesterday, but seems to of disappeared with all the rest of the posts when the site was down)

Hope you don't mind me popping onto your board and posting a message of HAMSM

HAM Just wanted you to know we have a SUGAR BUSTERS BOARD right here on the 3FC'S SITE. If you haven't checked us out, please do so whenever you have a chance. We have wonderful informative boards, great recipe boards and a great support group. Of course, I extend this invitation out to anyone else who may be interested as well

Just click on the link below, and it will take you to our boards:

http://64.119.161.199/forum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=62

Good luck to you all, in whatever WOE you are following!


Debbie
194/122/129
SB since 3/22/00
Reached goal 6/10/01

Thanks Debbie! I'll check it out! I actually found out about this site from the SB page. In fact, I think I made your cheesecake recipe last night! It was great! Does that count as a starchy carb?

Ok, y'all, I'm very excited and encouraged now! Yesterday was the official 7-day marker for me. I started SugarBusters a week ago, and I've lost 6 pounds in 7 days! I also went walking with a friend last night, and although it doesn't seem like much, I walked a mile! Baby steps, right Dharma?

Cinthusha - Congrats! It sounds like you're on your way! 20 pounds is definitely doable by June. The one thing that has helped me in my lunch-packing is an apple. I made it my own personal silly goal to eat a piece of fresh fruit a day, and an apple is usually what I go for. It's easy to throw in a lunch and it fills you up! A great healthy alternative!

Jibbelle - I added you to my aol buddy list. I'm Hamsm0621. Thanks for the diary idea. I've heard of other people doing them, but never considered it really. It makes sense though. I think if I saw in black and white what I was actually eating, it would make a difference.

Have a GREAT Monday!!

Stacy

Hi there. I've been having a pretty busy week. I didn't realize how much my mother did until I started doing it.

Cinthusha - When I'm craving sweets I have low cal. Ones like sweet escapes, Jello pudding snacks and frozen yoguart. 20lbs is definately do able by June. You can do it!!!


Hamsm - 6lbs is a great loss. I agree with you that diet and exercise definately gives you more energy. I've only lost 14lbs so far but I definately can tell that my energy level is up and my stress level has gone down.

jibbelle- My aol screen name is rwuchic.

Any one else who would like to add me to there buddy list I'd love to talk to you. I Hope you guys all have a great night.

Hi Guys
Thank you so much for all of your motivations!
What is SugarBusters? Is it a type of diet? I am not
familiar with this term! Anyone willing to explain.......
Thanks Guys...
Keep on reaching for your goals.


"Nothing tastes better than looking good."