Ter - that's the kind of thing I'm working on...realizing I just need to make a good decision, and then another, then another you know? I do think I'm getting a little better at it. I've learned this diet thing is so much more than my tummy and food, it is a mental thing, and me choosing to make good decisions.
Keep up these type reminders because they do help.

Today's been an unusual day in that I haven't had a real meal since breakfast. I couldn't sleep last night (hot flashes) and so when I finally got to sleep I slept in til ten. Had a good breakfast of oatmeal with 1/2 banana and Splenda brown sugar blend and a couple T of NF milk but then had to go out for a mammogram...had to wait quite a while before I got in and then it all took a while...and before I knew it it was 4 pm and I was in a grocery store picking up a few things before heading home. I stopped at Starbucks for a light mocha Frappe (110 cal) before I left. It was my treat for going through the darn mammogram!

Tonight we are going out to eat with our son and his gf friend. I have over 1100 calories to spare but of course will still have to watch the carbs. Can't have too many at one meal. Here's my chance to pig out...LOL..and Darn diabetes!

I thought I did pretty well last night. We went for Mexican and I suddenly got hungry when we walked into the restaurant even though I ate some celery before we left home. I ate a lot but only til full. My dh was surprised I think that I didn't mention dessert and later he said he was glad as he was too full. I usually expect him to share dessert with me.
But I was just comfortably full. I'm sure I got way too many carbs however I didn't feel any effects from it.

Meals so far today:
breakfast - yogurt, 1/4 c blue berries and 1/4 c cereal.
am snack - 1/2 banana and 4 cashews
Lunch - Potato soup, 10 crackers, 1 t. garlic & herb cheese spread.
pm snack - cup light orange juice, 5 cashews
later pm snack - milky way candy bar (I'm being honest!)
Dinner - Did some emotional eating tonight I'm afraid. Silly me, I let a couple issues make me overeat. Normally I don't have a problem with portion control at dinner but I sure did tonight.
1 cup lightly fried rice (about 1/2 T butter and 1/2 t. soy sauce), 3 oz broiled salmon with 1/3 T soy sauce on it, 1 cup steamed broccoli, and 1 1/2 c. Ideal Chocolate Milk! It all tasted so good and I'm very full right now!




Marie - glad you are feeling better.

Good point! But see, I've never really thought this way...just finally beginning to..

The way you are doing I think you will meet your goal!

The bad news is my home got robbed! Yes, I came home to my freaked out daughter who had arrived home just a few minutes before me to drawers up-ended, closets ripped through and 3 computers gone...PS3 , Wii, jewelry, cameras, etc.. So obviously, it's been a terrible week. We've calmed down now and I found a little time tonight so I figured I'd check in. Everyone seems to be doing fairly well with the challenge. I have lost 4 pounds since the first. It's the first time the scale has moved in months but I'll be honest, I'm hungry much of the time. I used to eat tons of protein and that was my way of life but I've just lost my taste for it and the carbs pack on pounds. I compensate with fiber crackers but then, well...there is a price to pay late in the day. I've been good about always getting to the gym even if it is only for 30 minutes. When I have the time I like to spend about an hour. Yesterday i just wasn't in the mood. I went anyway but I never got the mojo going. Well, I'll try again tomorrow because my pants are fitting a little better and I sure don't want to head back the other way. I didn't eat over the robbery-I won't let them have that too! Have a great week-I hope I get to check in more.

Trish

Marie-I am glad your appointment was helpful and that you are feeling better. Yeah for staying away from the cookies. I am sure that would be very tempting when you were not feeling well.

Rie-Well at least you are making progress on your dental work. My husband has had a ton of dental procedures also. I like to say he has a "million dollar" smile.

maryea-Way to go skipping the dessert. Your waist will thank you!

Thriller-My friend's house was broken into when I was a teenager. It made me realize how traumatic it is to have your home invaded. I am sorry that happened to you.

I claculated my total calories at 1740 but i did eat at a restaurant so I may be low. Exercise for the day was a 60 minute weight training class. I cannot say for sure if I will lose much at this calorie level but it is a good start. When I get used to this I can try to stay under a lower level. Thanks for the encouragement everyone, I would really like to make this work.

Trish - Oh my goodness, so sorry to hear about your house being burglarized! Glad neither you nor your dd were at home so you weren't hurt but oh, my that must have been terrible to come home to and a costly loss! That happened to my bro and his wife one time when they were on a trip. In their case not much of value was taken but they just trashed the house, which just seems so mean, I don't know why people act like that.. I'm glad you didn't allow it to drive you to food. You're doing so well.

Marie-My goodness. That is quite an accomplishment. Only 8 days missed. I don't know if i have ever exercised 8 days in a row. I do believe exercise though is key to physical happiness.

Rie-Your job sure keeps you hopping! I hope the weekend means some respite for you.

I was not on plan today. I am guessing 2105 calories but it may be low. Well, Fridays are a challenge. The "FAC" habit is hard to break. (Friday Afternoon Club)

I found this statement in a diet book review on Amazon. It was written by Jennifer Charron. Jennifer if you should read this I hope you won't mind that I posted it because it really resonated with me and I hope it will also help others.

"Every minute of every day is an opportunity to make the right decision - towards better health or towards a future bigger struggle."

I learned from another diet program how becoming more healthy (whether we need to lose weight or not) is a matter of making a good decision, then making another one, then making another one, and so on. It is not making one big decision and your whole life is different..I suppose that could happen but with most of us, it will have to be a daily moment by moment decision. I have already experienced this concept in other areas of my life. It definitely is a matter of moment by moment decisions for me and while I'm far from perfect at it, thinking like this is helping me.

Some good decisions I made today:
1. I chose to take my bs before I ate (I tend to forget it a lot)
2. I chose to make sure I got the right nutrients for breakfast and lunch and didn't go over calories for lunch even with samples an eating out.
3. I chose to only have four samples at Costco out of the 12 or more that were offered me! And actually I chose the smallest ones I could and only ate 1/2 of two of the ones I got.

Small things I know...but it is moment by moment, attempting to make more good decisions than bad that will be the way I will reach my goal and keep this weight off. It will take me time because I am always learning, backtracking, relearning, doing a little better, back tracking a bit etc., and honestly because some days I care more than other days. But I am caring more days now than not and am more committed than ever and I will never give up as long as I have a mind and strength to choose because giving up is just not an option. Just thought I'd share my thoughts with you.

I did pretty well today dispite eating lunch out. Ended with 1398 cal (edited as I made mistake) and 150 g net carb. Net to me is after subtracting 1/2 fiber if over 5. Still no exercise but all nutrition was good.

maryea-Good for You! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on making good decisions. I definitely agree. I have made significant changes in the way I used to eat before I lost weight but I still have a ways to go.

My weight is back up today. Waaah. However, TOM started so I am sure that has something to do with it. TOM is very hit and miss anymore, but I guess I have an excuse for the extra pounds. On the other hand, I have no idea how I did this week but I guess I can assume I need to do better next week. I am still happy with myself for keeping track and trying to eat at a level to lose weight.