I have a shake in the morning and yes, I do think it helps. But I didn't used to eat breakfast so I just kinda slid it in there. My problem with oatmeal is that once I start with carbs ... I don't quit! Even oatmeal.
You could try it ... no harm done. But you will have to watch your cals.

Mornin ladies,

I am sure you are right Susan, I am most intrigued by the maintenance aspect of it...but for now I am reading all the way through and sucking it all up into my brain. Later on I may make it a veritable home of post-it notes and re-read often. It's funny though, as I have started reading I keep thinking how helpful this site is...how many more opinions you get, you get constant motivation and support 24 hrs a day for free.

AJsMa - I too am not a breakfast eater. I have some oatmeal at my desk at work, but it's rarely a temptation. Today is the first day I'm going to have some in a while. Usually I think it is not worth it. 100-130 calories for a pack of instant oatmeal, not very much protein, small portion...I drink a protein shake in the morning but I usually follow it up with 1-3 cups of coffee so it's hard to say if it really subdues my appetite. I think I rely on caffeine to suppress my appetite more than I rely on protein. Everybody has their drug I suppose...(exercise works for me too! helps me from late night snacking)

Had a 619 deficit yesterday so not bad. I should have probably lost a lb this last week, but like AngieLynne sometimes you just don't get it when you want it. My body will probably let go of it in another week or so, I tend to lose my weekly 1 lb in 2-3 week intervals all bunched together. Okay, my grammar and making sense is fading so I should probably stop here...take care ladies!

Today would have been pretty darn good - - had I not eaten the stupid snack mix. I have a deficit of about 500. I know. Better than nothing. But, it could have been better had I not chosen to nosh on that CRAP! I really need to straighten up and fly right. I know what to do. It's just been too easy to nibble and snack lately.

Blues - I only use old fashioned oatmeal. It is supposed to be better for you to digest. And, I put in two egg whites for protein. The calories are around 140. I may try a protein shake, however, to get more protein in my diet.

Does anyone else think that a higher protein percentage help with the weight loss? I'm trying to stress about the pounds (like I've mentioned before). But, darn it, it's hard!

Have a good day tomorrow!

Wow, busy day for posts! Wonderful!

While I was out today, I stopped in at Barnes & Noble to pick up the book you all had been talking about. Sadly, I forgot the title and ended up getting something different. I got Body for Life for Women, not Thin for Life . On the positive side, BfLfW seems really good -- at least the bits I've gotten to so far. The program outlined by the author seems right in line with the way I've been thinking recently!

I still haven't tried protein powder. If it's a thick shake, I probably wouldn't like it. I don't do well with thick liquids. I've always been a breakfast eater (and now, my DS is one, as well!), so getting in breakfast isn't a problem. I've just substituted out some of the breakfast items. I like the old-fashioned oatmeal, too, but never thought about putting in egg whites. Does it substantially alter the taste? Do you use real eggs or the egg whites in a carton?

I'd be interested in hearing about the role of protein in losses, too. I just haven't been able to get a "good" protein number yet. I need to figure out a way to swap the protein and fat numbers! Thanks for asking all the questions, Lynne!

Don't be down, Angie and Miles. I think that's just one of the pitfalls of daily weighing. I'm up 3/4 of a pound, too, since yesterday. It can be disheartening but I'm working on the asumption that it's only a problem if it KEEPS going up, not if there's a little up down up down action with the basic trend being down.

Susan, isn't it neat how the number just sort of work? You may not be surprised, but I'm just blown away! It's almost scary how close it's working out! And good for you with a nice big deficit so close to goal!

Donna, you had a deficit, too, even with BBQ! Mmmmm BBQ! I trust you thoroughly enjoyed it!

How close to done are you with the swing set, AJsMa? I just know that's burning up the cals for you! Is AJ getting excited about it? My son's reaction when his was finally completed... "(gasp) It's be-yoo-tiful!" Made every backbreaking second of construction 100% worthwhile .

Have a great rest of the evening, folks, and let's get geared up for a Terrific Tuesday!

I really like the BFL food lists.

I did bfl (the regular one) in 2000. I lost 20 pounds in the 3 month period that I did it in. I remember eating alot of tuna and egg beaters. That was my first diet/excersize program.

I haven't read far enough in BFLFW to analyze the food lists. So far, what I'm doing seems to be working and it's not stresing me out, so I think I'm going to stick with my own plan. Until it breaks down and needs repair .

Speaking of which, dang late night snacks. Even though it wasn't a "bad" one (Kashi GoLean Crunch dry -- very crunchy and delicious!), it took me under my goal 1,000 deficit. Deficit for yesterday was 924. I considered hopping on the treaddy to make up for it, but I'm just not that obsessed... I'll just take my 924 and move on!

That being said, I'm on my second day uptick on the scale. Nothing dramatic, but I will be a bit more diligent over the next few days to address it. I love being able to catch a problem in the making.

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

yesterdays deficit was 739.....I ate very well but drinking the protein shake (350 calories) makes my calories jump up there....After I got home last night from the gym I was hungry and ate a salad with a1/2 package of sweet & spicy tuna..it was very good...If you haven't tried the tuna try it it's really good

Tuna is definitely our friend And egg whites too.
I skipped legs last night in favour of hanging out with DH so my deficit is about 590 something. That's OK. I'll take that.
Meg has posted a sticky about "Exercise Myths". I've been skimming old posts so far this morning but I'm looking forward to reading that.

Morning!

I lost 1lb last week!

So happy. Even after the bday weekend extravaganzalazeathon, I lost 1 lb.

I also worked my butt off at the gym this morning, ran 2.5 miles, then ran hills for 5 minutes because all the ellipticals were taken (!) then did 20 mins hills on the elliptical, I'm feeling pretty right now.

Lena, have you tried making the protein pancake recipe that is on this site? I found it originally in the LWL forum,if you need info let us know and I'm sure one of us will post the recipe for you. The pancake is one of the best ways I get my protein in, the way I make mine gives me something like 25g of protein (off the top of my head).

Will check in later, work calls .

Congrats Lynne! Slowly, but surely, the weight will fall off!

Lena - the swingset is about half way done. Of course, progress will slow down during the week b/c of work. And, DH was so stressed out Sunday night b/c of the pile of wood that remained. I keep trying to encourage him and be supportive. Hopefully, we will get it finished Saturday. And, AJ is loving it already. It is "AJ's House". Unfortunately, the ladder isn't up yet and I have to pick him up and put him on the platform to play! He absolutely loves it!

And, I find that the egg whites don't change the flavor very much. I don't add salt to my oatmeal so it tends to give the oatmeal a little bit of a salty flavor. I use the egg whites from the carton. You can buy some that are 100% egg whites and nothing else.

Okay better go. Just got busted by my boss!!! Have a good day1

Well, I feel much better today. I drank a ton of water yesterday and weighed again today. I was down to 183.5..that's 3lb loss from last week! I knew it should have been more than 1lb. So..I accept that as my official loss for the past week and updated my tickers! LOL. I know it sounds dumb, but ever little lb counts!!! :-) I was pretty sure it was just water weight, but now I feel better to see the lower number.

Protein shakes...which ones do you all drink. I'm not really a breakfast eater, so I usually just drink a slim fast in the morning, so I get a good balance of protein and nutrients...better than eating nothing I guess.

I'm too cheap for prepared shakes. I buy plain protein powder in a bulk food store.

Do you all remember when Miles talked about how exercise was really helping to bump up her deficits? That thought has just been haunting me this last few days. I can't get it out of my head! Good thing because I've been implementing it too. Thanks Miles!

I have a question for all of you experienced calorie counters. My husband is about 6ft tall and 336 lbs. Do you know what a good amount of calories for him to eat so that he can loose between 2-3lbs per week? He's been eating a slim fast shake in the am, one for lunch and then about an 800-900 calorie dinner and then a low cal bedtime snack. He lost 15 lbs doing this in February, but has seemed to stall out. Any ideas? It's also hard for him to exercise right now too vigorously, so he walks twenty mins on the treddy at 3.0 every other day.

How many calories is that altogether, Angie?