Good morning everybody.

I just wanted to mention one more thing about calorie counts. Me personally, I have lurked and even participated a bit on the maintenance forum. Some of the very successful ladies there are now MAINTAINING on about 1400 calories, which quite frankly scares me, but regardless, that's what they have found worked for them. That eating more then that, even when at optimal weight, has resulted in weight gain. Now of course, luckily that's not everybody. There are people maintaining on about 1700-2000. And I'm sure there's a couple of very active, very LUCKY folks maintaining on a couple of calories more then that. But losing - well that's another story. We are trying to get a deficit going. Which is even harder to accomplish when some of you guys aren't even THAT heavy (morbidly obese) to start out with. Gosh, it's not easy sometimes, is it? Weightloss can and will occur for us all - with some patience, determination, commitment and a good dose of self-discipline. And let's remember it's really not a race, we're in this forever and ever. It does take a bit of tweaking to get it just right and at times switching it up a bit to keep it going. And we don't want to average less then 1200 calories a day. Nutrition is also very important. We want to get the most bang for our buck so to speak. So that would be the most nutritional value for our calories. I for one am very grateful to have found this place so that we get to learn and support one another on this very important mission - a better, healthier life.

Thursday's calories - about 1250. Have a great day everyone. Healthy, safe and ON PLAN. Will check in later.

hi robin I sent you a pm

OK, after reading all the post, I have decided that I am going to lower my calories along with Theresa and Zenor. I haven’t been losing and I am tired of being a good girl on my calories, well most days, and not getting anywhere. I know I can eat plenty on a 1200-1400 calorie plan and wanted to go that low but was worried about a slowed weight loss. DAHHH! I guess slow is better than none. What a dip I am. So, starting today I am going to lower my calories. With what I have planned out for the day I am currently at 959 and so I just need to keep dinner around 400.

I must say that most of my weight loss years on healthier plans were around 1200 and I lost great. The last plan I was on that is about what it ran and I was losing great but it was very restrictive and didn’t allow for some items that I would rather not do without. I could avoid those foods for a certain length of time but then the cravings would hit. I would then eat it and gain all I had lost.

I will post this and continue to read.

Carrie ~ That is to funny. Now would you be considered overweight at 32 lbs on the moon because our weight is close so that is about what I would weigh. HAHAHAHAHA! Plus the moon suits would make everyone look overweight. Thats it, I was born on the wrong planet and I am moving back to my mother planet, the moon.

Rockinrobin: I have really needed to hear all you have said and I like how you say it. You are honest, straight to the point and do it in such a way we all receive it with open minds. I am so glad that they made you a mediator, you are doing a fabulous job.

I just want to say I loved Rockinrobins post. I guess I never really thought about what I would do when I got to goal but if I had to stay around 1400 forever, I would do it. I have spent enough days of my life eating less than that to stay slim.

Latest finds that might help someone, bought at Kroger:

Wasa wafers: 60 calories for 2, 3 g fiber. I use them like bread. Taste great to me.

Fat free roasted red pepper hummus: 24 calories, 2 tablespoons. Great on the wasa wafers and I have it as a snack.

Vanilla meringue bits: 40 calories for 10 (little). I had one this morning to see if I could eat them since I am not a fan and they aren’t to bad but not something I would reach for. For those that like meringue, might be a good buy.

Rockinrobin ~ I have the feeling I will be one of the unfortunate people that has to have the lower calories to maintain and I am fine with that. I feel like I eat a lot and I am rarely hungry. My biggest challenge at this point is my DH likes buffets. Most restaurants have menus and I order off them when available but he has one place he likes to go to that doesn’t. I did OK with it the last time we were there but still ended up bloated because of sodium and MSG.

Lara - thanks for reminding me about Wasa crackers! I haven't had those in a long time and they're so good. I'm taking a little road trip this weekend and I think I'll pick up some of that and the hummus. I want to try not to do any fast food.

Ulapie ~ Your welcome, I just think they are a great find. I used to eat them on a diet plan I was on at one point but I don't remember when. I always liked them but never realized they were that high in fiber. I always looked at them on the shelf over the years but keep on going. Then this week something made me stop and pick one up and look at the nutritional information. Could have been the fact that they have the fiber content on the front in big writing and light wasa. After the first one I was reminded how well I liked them and I am hooked again. My insides are taking some time to get used to all that fiber but it just takes time. I just don't have anyone standing close to me at home. HAHAHHA!

Hello,

Just have to share this... I was looking at calories to scoot over from Dietfacts.com to Fitday....
It has the calories for a .... get this... a STAMP. http://dietfacts.com/html/nutrition-...tamp-47013.htm

That is the funniest calorie count I have seen.

That is too funny! Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where George's finance dies from licking the envelopes.

Do they even make the kind of stamps you have to lick anymore? We always buy the sticky kind.

Uh oh! I'm trying to avoid HFCS, so I hope that's not in stamp glue! It does taste kind of sweet...

Hello everyone-Sorry I didn't post yesterday, we took the kids to get Ice Cream and the park after I got home from work. Well they and dh got Ice cream, I sat there and watched them, lol. My son was acting wonderfully last night, I think someone asked how old he is, he is 5. He also was recently diagnosed with ADHD. So we are still trying to work out the medicine and that. But it is all wore off by the time I come home from work. But my calories have been great the past 2 days. And I did get in a little exercise last night. Hopefully I can get in a full hour tonight. I believe like Robin said a few pages ago, that you really see the weight loss or have weight loss when you exercise. I know that I see a difference. Well gotta run!! (not literally, lol)
Mary

aaah! a friend brought us dinner tonight and it was a fabulous chicken fajita taco meal. It was so good, but I have no idea how many cals I actually got. I entered the main stuff into Fitday, but I'm sure some ingredients are missing.

I'm done for today, with a guesstimate of 1787 cals.
66g fiber
131 protein

All around a terrible week... in general... and weight wise.

Ticker has gone up 1.6 pounds. My exercise/weight loss buddy also gained this week... argh.