mornin' folks, and thanks for your input about counting calories. I guess I must be doing something right and am thankful for *any oz/lbs lost* I'll just keep plugging along (and going for a long walk when DH makes those pizzas ;-)

On the subject of diet sodas, someone mentioned Kroger supermarket. I used to really enjoy the Kroger brand diet pink lemonade. As a matter of fact most of the Kroger diet sodas are pretty good (tasty AND economical). I don't have kroger where I live now and must pay premium $ for the brand names. I do miss the pink lemonade. If any of you have a Kroger to shop at try their diet drinks.

We'll I better go now and try to get in my walk today before the rain comes.

Great day yesterday for me but was still nervous this morning when I did my "mini goal weigh in" don't know why I was nervous, I was a half pound from it on Sunday or Monday, but I lost 2 pounds below my mini-goal, yahoo. Happy dance going on here about that.

I try and not drink diet sodas, my dentist fusses too much about it because of the problems he feels it causes teeth, even without the sugar. Also the sodium, I tend to forget about water if I start drinking diet drinks other than maybe diet lemonade once in a while. Now I do get bad about unsweet teas, I use the fake sweetners, when ever we go out to eat. They kill me though, up all night getting my exercise going to the potty!

Aphil: on the weight loss pounds per week. While reading that I was thinking how mine has gone, and once I started eating up to 1200 to 1300 calories I've pretty much averaged 2.5 pounds per week, most weeks. It baffles me and I've sat and figured out what calories I use to eat to maintain my start weight, and done the math and it looks to be about right! It may decrease down as I get smaller, as I recall it did that when I lost the weight before. I really figured when I started dieting, and with my mature age, that it would be about a 1 lb to maybe 1.5 lbs per week max and was pretty surprised when it pretty much started averaging out to the 2.5.

I think I've got dh talked into joining an "offical" gym with me. Been working on it slowly so he doesn't feel pushed so he doesn't do the big balk! I've thought it over and think the best time for me to do it, is approximate 1 Aug, that coincides with my quitting smoking, start date, and the weight training and machines should help keep the metabolism level from the drop in quitting smoking and it would also be a great stress reliever. I would also keep doing my 30 minute walks, and aerobic tapes. I just think it would be fun if we do it together, but if he doesn't want to I will do it.

I feel a bit guilty about not doing it now, knowing how much it would help me, but I need to have something to break my routine when I quit smoking or I won't stay quitting! I will even hire a personal trainer to help me if I have to!

WEll I have a project to finish in the sewing room before dh wakes up and I hit the bedroom for my treadmill walk.

You guys take care.

Hello everyone! Bad, bad, bad weekend for me. This morning I am going to have to start writing everything down that goes into my mouth. That tends to help me stay accountable. For a while, after I basically had the caloric content of everything I eat memorized, I got lazy about writing it down. So...off to a new day. Everyone have a good one!

sugarplum have you tried the wal-mart brand of flavored waters? The black cherry and white grape are very good.

Dixie,

I would like to recommend www.fitday.com to you. I have lost 17 lbs since Feb by using it. It's been years since I could say that. I am not "on a diet", that doesn't work for me. I eat whatever I want as long as I keep my calories below 1500 and fat grams below 50 grams per day. I keep track of it on fitday. I don't feel deprived at all and I naturally eat healthier foods, (low fat) because I want to have as much food as I can. Initially, I did some research and found out how many calories I could eat per day to maintain a certain weight and came up with 1500 calories and I found out that fat grams should be no more that 33% of daily food intake. Its working great for me.

Good luck!

Debbie

To find out how many calories you should be consuming per day to maintain a certain weight go to this website. http://www.ivillage.com/diet/tools/healthcalc/

Hello all!

For anyone interested in Pilates, Barnes and Noble University is offering a free 'Become your own Pilates Trainer' course, starting today. No fee for the course but you do have to buy the book and dvd they work from. Since I already own the dvd, I signed up with hopes of getting my hands on the book asap. I figured, maybe taking a course will get me to move my butt plus I may actually learn something at the same time

On the weight topic, mine is fluctating all over the place lately as is my self-discipline! AF is due any day now so this may have something to do with it but hey, no excuses right? I just gotta behave

Hope everyone else is having a better time of things!


Christine
181/177/125
mini goal: 170

Hello everyone!!! sorry it's been so long.

Welcome, A Broad Abroad! hey, your loss is GREAT so far!! Took me about twice as long to lose that. Keep it up!

hi aphil!!! About the pic - it was a digital photo, and husband sized it down with Photoshop, using the guidelines that this site said to use (size guidelines, I mean)

hey, Maggie!!! howdy

Hi Jacklyn! and Christine! Well, sometimes we just have to get honest with ourselves, and that's when we start to "write it if ya bite it". A big hassle, but revealing.

Welcome, dixie! I agree with debbie, the best thing you can do is NOT be on a "diet" just watch your intake of foods; keep your calories in line, be honest and realize that junky food is NOT good, drink at least 64 oz of water a day, and get some exercise in. It can be a daily walk, which is just plain enjoyable, or video tapes, dancing, anything. We wish you the best, and welcome you here.

aphil, I meant to comment days ago about that stretch/bend you demonstrated...wow!!! Flexible AND strong!!Any man watching probably got that glazed look in their eyes, imagining...

Am I missing anyone? where's vmelo? and DEAR FRIEND SNOWEY!!!! sniff, miss you, girlfriend!

and tryin'hard!!!! miss you also. Kanola? my biking friend from down under! Well, I think of you often, and hope everyone is well and happy.

Don't know if any non-biking people know of it, but there's a big bike rally coming up this weekend, in Laconia, NH. We have an invite to stay at a friend's cottage! We'll be leaving Friday about 5:30 pm, riding there (it's about 2 1/2 hours away) and spending Friday and Sat. night, then coming back mid-day Sunday, for me to go right back to work - to make a dinner dessert for that night and dishwash. But at least I get to take off most of the weekend!

during the winter, thinking of going to Laconia was one of my goals, in that I wanted my rear portion to look good enough to.....don't get grossed out....wear chaps with a bikini bottom there's been great improvements in my flanks, and i can actually feel my butt muscle now, but it's not chapworthy yet I DO have a very ripped pair of very faded Lees that I might wear, with bright pink undies or black satin ones oh man, my mom would scold me!

I have done my Kelly Roberts aerobic tape enough times now that it's much more familiar, and now I like to do it! Will wonders never cease

I'll try to check in again before I leave Friday. Have a good night!

Well gang, ya'll look like ya'll have it all worked out this week. I took a break this week and have been working on putting my focus back into the exercise before it run me right out the door diet wise. I'm not going to comment individually so forgive me. I am trying to get a lot accomplished this morning so I can hit the treadmill and then recover some sleep and then, hit a video.

For tracking my calories, I bought the program, "Weight by date, Pro" got it off the internet, and I really like it, it has a lot of food already entered, and you can add your on in very quickly. I think I will even continue to use it and track after I reach goal. It has a place to track measurements, something I've never tracked before, but I started and every first of the month I measure and enter. It has been interesting watching it all. I am thankful I have this program, it has helped me with my accountability to myself. Unfortunatly, myself is the one that gets me into trouble, so I have to watch that ole girl all the time and use every trick in the book to keep my mind focused where it needs to be. I'm going to check out the internet sites several of ya'll have referenced and see what they have to say. Always need more info.

My opinion on Low carb vs, calorie couting. Low carb will work, but you have to be able to eat the protein, and do with out the carbs, i.e., fruit vegtables, etc... I've seen so many people drop weight and then gain it all back so I think if someone chooses that plan make sure you have a good plan to take you into maintenance.

Calorie counting is basically eating most of the same foods you will face after reaching your goal, but less junk food, sugars, amd smaller portions etc.. I think transitition wise this is a good plan because it is no major change just a up in calories. I think each person has to decide and if something doesn't work for you then find something that does. I did try the low carb, and just got where I couldn't take it, but that is just me, and I have some friends that they are working just fine on it.

Well ya'll have a good day and good weekend!

Just wanted to say hi to everyone. I am doing OK. I had some trouble staying on track this weekend. I went over my fat and calories. I decided that " the sun would come up in the morning", didn't let it bother me and got back on track on Monday. I am worried about next Sunday, Fathers Day. I have invited my family up for dinner and there is going to be lots of food tempting me. I am going to make this my "off day" instead of Saturday. Maybe I won't do too bad.

Hi everyone!



Well, it is my turn to do the happy dance again...I made my "mini-goal" of getting out of the 170's and into the 160's. I weighed in this morning at 169.8...yes, barely under the 170 mark-but I made it! My next "mini-goal" is to hit 165...

dixie-Hmmm...the low carb vs. the calorie counting....this is my personal opinion, but I think that whatever plan that you decide to do-the key is to do it healthfully. Basically-if you are low carbing....which is better...to eat lots of leafy greens and lean chicken or fish-or to eat tons of bacon, butter, and eggs...and processed low carb products-just because there are little or no carbs? You have all seen the people who count fat grams...and instead of eating lean meats and plenty of naturally low fat foods like fruits and veggies...they eat half a box of fat free cookies just because they are fat free. It is the same with calorie counting. If you are eating 1400-1600 calories a day for instance-you don't want to go all day long eating a side salad and then a big slab of cake-and think that is okay just because you are under your calorie level. Whatever plan that you choose-you should strive to have a little allowed treat now and then-but be sure that the healthy foods are outweighing the "bad stuff."

I personally choose calorie counting-because I don't believe in limiting the amounts of fruits and veggies I eat because of "carb content." I think that as long as my calories are in line, that it is only beneficial to eat plenty of those kinds of foods. There are too many healthy foods out there that are totally not allowed on low carb plans in my opinion.

ShowSkiMom-Welcome! I wanted to add that by NO MEANS is 1500 a lot more than a lot of us are eating. As I sid above, I currently stay between 1400-1600 calories per day. If you are getting in your regular exercise-you really don't need to go much lower than that-and you should really never go below 1200 per day or your metabolism will slow.

Been really busy here! We are taking the kids to the zoo tomorrow...and I have a dance session tomorrow...so looks like I am going to get well over my usual exercise for the day...one hour at my dance session...plus probably 1 1/2 hours walking at the zoo pushing a stroller!

Has anyone tried the new Pepsi and Coke products that are sortof a cross between regular sodas and diet? They are about 70 calories per can instead of 0 for diet or 140-150 for regular. The Pepsi one is called EDGE...I can't remember the name of the Coke one. Might be a good occasional treat for those who just can't palate diet sodas.

Hope everyone is doing well!
Aphil

Aphil, Congrats on getting to the 160s!

Coke's 1/2 the calories version is called C2. I haven't tried it myself but I did read some reviews that said it tasted like they'd just mixed a coke and a diet coke. I might try it sometime but so far I've only seen the 12 packs and I don't want to buy so much if I may not like it.

I'm not doing too hot here. I've not been keeping track of what I eat for a while. I did yesterday for the first time in a while but didn't track calories, just wrote down what I ate. Today I'm back to using DietPower again... we'll see if I can last this time. I'm getting very frustrated with myself. I know I can do this so why am I not making myself do it!?

So, how is everyone else? Any big plans for Father's Day? None here... guess we're just winging it. I helped Alexa make a garden stone for daddy with her handprint in it. I was going to make Kairi one too but I ran out of oomph... they are harder than they look! I still have the kit though so I'll get to it eventually.

So, that's my update.... hope to hear from the rest of you soon.


Christine
181/178(going the wrong way!)/125

Hi everyone!

Aphil!!! CONGRATULATIONS!! in the sixtees, woohoo, next step in the 50's, and with your muscle already in place, you know how good those contours will be looking!! wonderful, steady job!

and welcome ShowSkiMom!

We had a great (quick - 36 hours) in Laconia, beautiful weather, BIG house to stay in (and we got invited to come back, even better) took lots of pics, I rode another mechanical bull (am getting better each time, ha! didn't tear a fingernail this time)

Been so-so in eating, but doing great in exercise. It feels like it's really coming all together. I don't mind doing the aerobics now, 'cause I know it's helping. And when a couple of days have gone by, and I then do a strength video, I can feel a difference. I am SO glad I am in the firm habit now of exercising at least 5X a week, sometimes 6.

Have a great night!