WeightlossWanted, I've found that restaurant food is a real problem. The food usually isn't as good as I can make it at home, and it is usually VERY high in calories. Do a search on Cheesecake Factory calories and it will be enough to tell you, never again... (fortunately I had ruled out Cheesecake Factory many years ago just because the food made DH & I really sick; now I know it's because of the very high fat content that we just weren't accustomed to eating).

So if you can, toss the restaurant food (save it as a treat, as opposed to a daily thing) and eat at home as much as possible. That will make a huge difference. It will probably save you some money, too.

newleaf: I know, but coming home and cooking for myself after work is a real problem! Especially after a draining day. I love to cook, but not when it's just for me. I buy all these great fruits and veggies, and tons of chicken breast but alot goes to waste because I never get around to cooking it. When I do I cook a ton and freeze/prepackage it for healthy lunches during the week. I can have a great food day all day, until I get home at night : (

I hear you, cooking for one is hard... as is cooking after a long day at work... Maybe you can find someplace that makes all sorts of awesome salads?

I really like this runner's blog: http://www.seejessrun.com/ Look for her entries under "food for fuel". She cooks for one, and posts very healthy, creative recipes.

Ok, here's a link with a "food for fuel" search I did to find her recipes on her blog: http://www.seejessrun.com/?s=food+fo...17&submit.y=15

Well I'm back home and no more weightloss like I had thought. I was surprised because I can *see* a difference, plus I am wearing some old jeans that I haven't been able to wear in years! So, I know I'm shrinking, and I'm ok with the scale not moving yet...

And I am estatic about something I just noticed....ladies, the cellulite on the backs of my thighs is almost GONE!!! I have had cellulite since I was in my early 20's (even though I was very thin back then - but I didn't exercise - I guess I was "skinny fat" as they now call it) and didn't think there was anything I could do about it. I guess running has really helped. I can actually wear shorts above my knees again!

Oh - and for accountability, I went out and ran 4 miles yesterday. Lots of hills in PA so it was tougher than running in TX, but it felt good.

way to go jasmine! you may not be losing weight but are obviously reshaping your body : ) the hills may be tough, but I think I would prefer that to the heat and humidity in tx! keep up the good work!

WLW, do you have a George Foreman grill or something similar? I'm also just cooking for one and it has been a lifesaver. Between that and my freezer, cooking for one hasn't been too bad. Last night, I wanted a chicken fajita so I got out some frozen chicken breast and cooked up enough chicken for last night's dinner and today's lunch.

Another thing I do is make turkey burgers out of a package of ground turkey and then freeze them individually. When I want a quick meal, I pop a frozen turkey burger into the pan and in literally 10 minutes I have a yummy turkey burger. I melt a slice of pepperjack over the top, heat up a 100 calorie sandwich thin and hack off a slice of watermelon or a cucumber and dinner is done.

I don't cook big fancy things like lasagna for myself (very often, anyway) but when I do, I make a full batch and then freeze leftover individual portions. I'm a big believer in nuking dinner in the microwave whenever I can.

thanks for the suggestions windchime! I know I do better when I do some precooking...just haven't been good about it lately, and my microwave died! I do usually cook up my chicken breasts with different seasonings to make it easier, and if I make a batch of spaghetti sauce w/chicken and veggies I can eat it for lunch all week. I just seem to poop out after work or whatever I have in the house doesn't appeal. a grill of some kind might help!

Another neat thing I have to report! Back when I started running in May, my resting heart rate was usually around 72. Well, most of the time recently it's been consistently around 62. Just the other night, it was 54 - my lowest rate ever! This is with a digital heart rate monitor. I am just thrilled.