[Crime girl]

How is everyone this morning??
As you all know - today is "what in the heck have I been eating all week??" day!
So- you can either give us an idea of what your daily intake looks like or just how well you are doing. Also- I think it would help us to talk about anytime that we stumbled. By looking at these times, we can see what was happening at the time that might have brought on the urge to cheat.

For me- I have done really well thanks to all of you- except last night I ate half a bag of popcorn at 8pm which is against my rules. I think it was because I was so stressed about my stupid papers which was totally unnecessary. Right after I shoveled down the popcorn I talked to a girl from my class who hasn't even started writing hers. So- that made the stress go away. Anyone have any suggestion of things I can do on top of exercise to relieve stress??

There are a couple of things I am doing which you probably are all already doing but they are new for me and I have the urge to share.
I eat a bowl of all bran every morning and I swear it gets me through the day. I don't really like the taste but it kind of gives me a good base to work with for the whole day. I also try to eat every two hours and have started eating lettuce in place of potato chips (which I love) because it is crunchy and makes me forget I am not eating chips. Most of time I am shoveling chips in my mouth in the past it is habit not taste so I am trying to replace the habit.

Jazzmine- Great job on the # of steps yesterday! I have those days too when I just don't want to eat until late in the day but I usually sabatoge myself because by the time I eat my body is screaming for food so I overindulge.

Susanne- I feel your pain with the paper writing- hang in there- semester is almost over!

Donna- Congrats on your son's engagement! Any idea when the wedding will be??

I just remembered another tip- (wow my mind is all over the place)
I also plan ahead my meals. So first thing in the morning I know exactly what I am going to eat all day. That way- the MCDonald's drive through doesn't get me.
What kind of things do you guys do???

Well- need to get back to my papers. You guys have been a Godsend to me and I credit you with keeping me on course (this is the longest I have ever stuck with it) so keep chatting!
Also- I second little grasshopper's statement that we are here for the bad as well as the good times so let us know how we can help.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Don't forget to laugh, dance, and enjoy your day!

[little grasshopper]

Hi there. I have a great stress tip - it doesn't involve food though. It kind of "resets" the nervous system so it can handle whatever has you rattled. I use it with clients and they feel great afterwards. Here goes....

You sit or stand in a quieter place (where you can spend a few minutes or seconds for yourself) Place one hand across your forehead (like you're checking a child to see if they have a temp) Place the other hand across the top of your head. You don't have to press hard. Now think about whatever has you stressed out and breath. Picture it ending well and things going just fine - or picture whatever hard thing you have to go through happening and you being able to cope easily. Do this for as long as it feels good. 1 minute is usually a good amount of time. You should feel much more relaxed and in control of the situation afterwards.

Hope that helps! It has a name but I swear I can't remember it!! Sorry

[little grasshopper]

Okay, I'm ready to confess my sins Eating has been pretty decent. I can eat beef and chicken, veggies and pears and nuts. So I've been having soup, salads, and stir fries with meat. I did mess up yesterday and have a hardees burger but I promise that was only because of blood sugar. I'm not doing a very good job at scheduling that part of my meals. It's almost impossible to eat fast food right now. I have been drinking tons of water with lemon Another problem I've been having is snacking. I think I'm not eating enough at meals and I'm getting really hungry shortly after I eat. They'd rather I eat 5-6 small meals so I wonder if that's what I'm basically doing or if snacking on nuts will stall me.

As for tips that I have. One thing I do when I know bad weather is coming is make a big bowl of healthy soup! It works as a comfort food and keeps me out of things like chili or hot chocolate. That's what I made this week. My challenge is that it's hard to make it taste different with the limitted ingredients I have to work with. I'm going to have to start making one veggie soups - just so they'll taste different

I also put lemon, lime and ginger in my water - not all together though It breaks up the water we drink all day I use a lot of seasoning. OHHHH!! You can chop green veggies up really small - like a spice and put them in dishes and they give them a neat unique flavor - AND you're getting green veggies. I topped a chicken breast with mustard greens last week and grilled them. The greens made the chicken yummy and spicy The more flavor the better I feel about my food and the less likely I am to cheat.

I walked today and timed myself. I'm not suppose to do that but I wanted to make sure I was somewhere in the ball park of where I needed to be. I'm doing well. two miles in 30 minutes flat. I have to walk again friday - 40 minutes of walking So far so good. Nothing hurts and I actually WANT to do more than I'm doing. Nice logic they're using on me I have been doing ab and leg and arm exercises too.

this weekend is BF's holiday part for work. I don't have anything "worthy" to wear. I can almost wear a top I have. I'm doing my best to turn the "almost" into a "can wear" I'm close - wish me luck!!!! I don't want to buy anything when I'm so close to being able to wear the larger stuff in my closet.

Well I've rambled enough - looking forward to seeing everyone's posts you guys keep me going too don't stop!!!!!

[oraki]

Hi all!! Just wanted to pop in and say hi!! I'll post more later. Hope everyone's doing well!!

[susanne]

Michimish, I am truly sorry about your mom. I hope you have support and help. You are in our prayers. Life can be so tough sometimes. My heart goes out to you and your family.

As far as food goes for today. I am doing pretty good. Today was my first morning eating Egg Beaters, 30 calories a serving, no cholestrol,,,, costs a fortune!... I know they are good for me and I really wanted to like them but was scared I wouldnt...but I really liked it! I got the garden variety kind and it was really good! This is important because scrambled eggs are my most favorite breakfast in the whole world! This is an excellant replacement! I had a chicken leg for lunch with Hazalnut coffee... Then spent an hour at the gym!!! Now I just sat down to another chicken leg and a big salad.

I would use Fitday to log it in and keep track but I had to stop that. I found tracking food daily makes me obsessive and then all I can think about is eating. So I go back and forth. When I feel like I am out of hand I record my food for a few weeks to get me back on track.

I am using my scale and that helps a lot. I know for some its not good to weigh often but for me its like having food police. DAy 3 and still in the same pound.... digital is easier to read though, no eye squinting wondering if you hit the next pound.

GOod luck to everyone!
Susannah

[Crime girl]

I am happy to say that I have finished 1 of the 2 papers I have to write so I am feeling so much better!

Little grasshopper- I am going to try your stress tip- I need something for when I freak out and this would be perfect. Also- soup is a great idea-I may have to steal that one. It is getting cold now, by Florida standards, and soup would be perfect. Don't sweat the party clothes- it will work out and the important part is that you go.

Susanne- I didn't know Egg Beaters come in different varieties (shows how much I go to the store) I usually eat the plain ole regular ones. Took a while to get use to but now I like them better than eggs. I am also like you with writing down what I eat- I get way too concentrated on it. Sometimes I just wait until I get home at night and then write everything down- it makes me go through my day and face any indulges I make.

I am going to go- I am tired from my paper!
I will be on later -
Have a great night everyone!

[oraki]

Michiemish I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. Your family will be in my thoughts. Don't worry about bringing us down. That's what we're here for. To support each other through good times and bad times. Here's a hug for you.

It looks like everyone is doing okay!! Good for us!!! Okay let's see what have I eaten this week??? Actually I've stuck with my plan. Okay wait a minute I did have that late night snack Monday night. I had already eaten dinner but around 11 pm I was starving!!! I tried drinking water but I was still hungry so I ate a bowl of cereal. I don't think that was too bad. Other than that I've been doing great. I owe a lot of to this thread. :-) It really keeps me motivated to stay on track.

As for tips. Hmm I can't think of anything right now. I know I'll think of something soon...I'll be back!!!! lol

[kjk123]

Hello everyone!

Crimegirl suggested I join your forum, and I just spend quite some time reading all of your posts. I must say that you all are an inspiration!!! I hope that I can sometime soon become as dedicated as any of you.

I have had a really rough week with work, my hours are killing me. I have to be at work by 8, and have never been successful at working out beforehand. But then by the time I get home after 7, I am too beat to work out. So that's a battle I'm fighting. Which is hilarious, because...get this....I work at a YMCA!!!

I'm also struggling with food at this point. The holidays are a killer, but reading all of your posts has motivated me to do better at sticking to my plan. Which, by the way, is just to eat well-balanced meals, sort of WW based. I was a WWer about two years ago and had some success, but it's honestly the most sensible option I've tried.

As for what I will do when I've accomplished my goal:
1. Enjoy roller coasters again, because I'll be able to fit in the cars.
2. Buy cute outfits like the skinny girls.
3. Enjoy all of my cute shoes more because my feet won't kill because of the extra weight.
4. Swim!!!
5. Take a vacation and not worry about how I look in a suit.
6. Get a tattoo (this is a pact my best friend and I made, but it's been a long time coming, but I'm sticking to the deal).

Ok, that's it for today. I'll get on track with the schedule tomorrow hopefully. Thanks again, and I look forward to getting to know everyone.

Kelly

[oraki]

kik123 WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME!!!! It's a great group of people here. You'll feel right at home. You work at the YMCA???? I wanted to join my local one but it was just too expensive. Maybe you can squeeze a workout in on your lunch break??? I know about feeling tired once you get home. What I've been doing this week is coming straight home and putting my exercise tape in. I don't even sit down. If I sit down, that's it!! It's not going to happen!!!

Again welcome welcome welcome and post often!!!

[little grasshopper]

kik123- HI!!! WELCOME! We're so glad you're here. We're a chatty bunch - which is great because sometimes you just need to know NOW that others are thinking of you and understand what you're going through! I really feel that way here. I can understand the work struggle too...I did it for years. I almost made a morning person out of myself trying to go in the a.m. Good luck finding a time you can work out!! As for the food - any small change is a positive one!!! Make one change a week and see where you are a few weeks from now

oraki - I hear you with the exercise tape thing! I made the mistake if sitting down today. Then I get a list of things that are "more important" than exercising (i.e. excuses ) I did manage to finish tonight. And I think you're right - as long as the bowl of cereal didn't derail you, it shouldn't make that much of a difference. You did a great thing sticking to your plan the next day!! That's huge!!

I've cheated..and on check in day too. Nothing too bad I just seem to be eating non stop. Little things. I really need to get a hardcore meal plan set. I had two of the raviolis I made for BF. I dipped them in the sauce. I know that won't kill my diet but I'm sure I'll remember it when I'm not 5 pounds lighter tomorrow

Crime Girl - congratulations on your paper success!!!!! You made it!!!! 1 more to go, right??

Guys I'm really excited. It's hard to get organic foods here. I just found out there is a farm near me that has veggies, meats, eggs, milk, cheeses - the works. They go to the farmer's market right by my house. I'm going Saturday - I love organic veggies - they taste sooooo much better! More soup

Okay, this is a book again - sorry guys!! talk to you soon.

[Crime girl]

Hi everyone!!

Welcome kjk123 I am so glad you decided to join our group! We have managed to group together some really supportive and caring people and we are always glad to get one more.
Your schedule sounds like mine and I have been doing lousy on exercise too. It is Okay though- one day at a time! We will try to nudge you back on track.

Just a reminder that tomorrow is "Have I been getting off the couch and moving my bootie" day! I can tell you all- I will be the person that deserves to be kicked in the pants tomorrow!
So- tomorrow post what your exercise plan is and we will go from there..
and of course let us know how you have been doing. (Then quickly disregard my failure to do it )
I think it would be fun tomorrow to talk about the things we love to do..
do you love to ski, swim, rollerskate, go handgliding, hike, etc.?
It can either be things you want to do, things you do, or things you have seen others do and want to learn how to.

So- I am going to go now. I have to concentrate to think of the word "sports" so I think the paper is still messing with my mind.
Have a wonderful night everyone!
And thank you all for all the great support!

[oraki]

little grasshopper Don't apologize!!! Talk away!! It doesn't sound like you did too bad. Ravioli? That's not too bad I don't think. It's not a pizza!! Organic huh? I don't think I've ever had organic veggies. Can you really taste the difference? I may have to try some. Sounds healthier for you. Right now I'm looking for some recipes. I'm determined not to eat junk food. The way I figure anything I may have a desire for I can find a healthier alternative for it. Anyone have any recipe sites that they like??

[oraki]

I plan on buying some groceries over the weekend and I was trying to put together a grocery list of things that are healthy and can turn into a quick easy meal for me and my husband. Any suggestions? What's normally on your grocery list?

[kjk123]

Thanks to all for the supportive welcome! And I'm glad this is a chatty group - I'd rather be constantly online chatting and posting than eating!!!

oraki - I'm not sure what your diet plan is, but when I was doing WW, I found that dottisweightlosszone.com had great recipes, as well as points for eating out at most major fast food/sit down restaurants. Even if this isn't your plan, check it out - you never know what you might find!

crime girl - I think we might be sharing that butt kicking tomorrow, but that's ok. Good luck on that paper - the end is in sight!

Kelly

[Michiemish]

HEY EVERYONE!!!!
Sounds like eveyone is doing good.....CONGRATS CRIMEGIRL for getting your paper done 1 less thing to be stressed about...

Welcome kjk123...

Well just checking in..I went to my first WW meeting today..it was ok..just have to start now...I was going to go to the store this week but i'm going to be staying at my parents house for 2 weeks...so no point in stocking my fridge...THANK YOU everyone for your support. .I'm trying to hold it together for my mom..She is alsways the strong one and now she is totally losing it...so i'm my mom support..

Let see to keep me on track with my eating i plan what i'm going to eat all day and put it aside also write it down..so i can see how much i'm intaking...i also don't carry any cash on me so i don't go to a fast food place (don't like using atm in fast food places..so that helps..)..

But i'll check in w everyone tomorrow..have a good night