This is starting week two of my new way of eating. And it was the hardest day so far. My stomach felt so empty all day. Gnawingly empty. I had breakfast and felt hungry about 2 hours later. By 11:30 I was ready to eat my pencil. All I could think about was a burger/fries/sugary coke. But it kept running through my mind--my doctor saying 'you will have a heart attack if you don't make some real changes'. So I made a healthier choice for a low fat sub. I never tasted anything so good in my life. I'm a real bread lover and I think it was the satisfaction of the carbs. I got one of the under 6 grams of fat sandwiches and chewed reaaalllllllll slowly..........That was the best use of 320 calories I can think of.
It helps so much to talk here. My hubby is very supportive but he doesn't want all the gory details. He weighs the same as on our wedding day 30 years ago. I don't want to tell my sis as she will 'hover' and make me crazy as much as I love her. Don't want to tell my co-workers cause I don't want to fail in front of an audience. So just one dieting friend knows and all of you. Thank you for listening.
BTW, I got through the day on 1450 calories, and I'm allowed 1600. Although it's not bedtime yet.........

great job in making a good choice.

If you continue to have difficulties, pack some healthy snacks. I do NOT make it to lunch time without a string cheese or just a little something.

Way to go! Sometimes those cravings are soooooo hard to ignore! You should be very proud of yourself. I agree that this site is a great place to come and vent about stuff you don't want some people to know about. Keep up the good work!

Thanks, friends. I'm crying and smiling at the same time!

WAY TO GO, Looking!!!

You made sooo many good choices today, even though it was a struggle. You chose a healthy lunch, you came here to post for support, and... you didn't eat that pencil (now that wouldn't have been very tasty, would it??!).

Since you are on a calorie counting diet, I think you should check out the group Calorie Counters... there is a great March thread going strong. Lots of very supportive gals there, at varying points in their journey, but all watching calories and supporting each other along the way. Many of us use Fitday.com to count calories. I have used it since December and really like it. In fact, I'm getting ready to enter the last food I ate right now.

Hang in there... please keep coming to 3FCs for support! It really helps (I'm on here right now to keep from snacking!). We'd love to have you at calorie counters forum!

Take care

If you're really hungry - EAT. Being miserably hungry might be okay for one day, but it won't be good for a lifetime of days.

What was breakfast? Try for something really filling - 3 eggwhite omelet, stuffed with all kinds of vegetables, a tiny bit of cheese and covered with salsa. Plate it beautifully - a nice big omelet that fills a plate will really help you feel full (check out the book Mindless Eating for some interesting studies of how people rate being satisfied compared to the "fullness" of their portion!!!).

I always eat a midmorning snack. Breakfast NEVER gets me through to lunch. I have a good breakfast and I am hungry and ready for my snack at 10:00. I eat about every 2 hours - breakfast at 7, snack at 10, lunch at 12, snack at 2, snack at 4, snack at 6, dinner at 8 (most people would reverse the order of my last snack/dinner but I work pretty late). My favorite snack for the morning is plain low fat yogurt with fresh berries. I also love a piece of string cheese and 1/4 cup almonds or low fat cottage cheese with fruit.

I HATE being hungry, hate hate hate. I did so many "diets" where I was hungry and miserable all day and just wanted the diet to be over. The last time, I made a rule "No being hungry!" it helped me so much.

Good luck!

Yes, good job. Be SURE to reflect on this day and how you made it through. When we're in a tough spot, it's helpful to have successes like this to look back on and remind yourself that you were able to do it before, and how good you felt when you did.

To echo what someone else said: I highly recommend having planned snacks. My program (Jenny Craig) has a planned mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and evening snack. You can shuffle things around as needed, but it really helps to have something at least every 3 to 4 hours. Not only does it keep you from simply feeling famished, it keeps your blood sugar on an even keel, and you're less likely to OVEReat when a main meal rolls around.

Just know that you'll adjust and feel less hungry, but that there will be periods where your metabolism kicks up or just other bodily changes go on where you'll get hungry like this again. For me they don't last very long, a few days, and they are tough. But, I just remind myself that it's a sign my body is burning off fat, and that's what I want!

hi, I think you did great in resisting the temptation and, your choices, and your cals keep up the great work!

I just started about 5 weeks ago and one of the things I am doing that is really helping me is not letting myself get too hungry. That's a danger zone for me and when I might start fantasizing about certain foods! I found that by nibbling on healthy snack whenever I feel a bit hungry, it takes the edge of and keeps my mind from wandering. I like to snack on bunny luv baby carrots and f.f ranch veggie dip, sliced cucumbers, etc. Maybe it would help, if not already doing so, to bring in a few healthy snacks for those inbetween times or when feeling a bit hungry. Anyhow , congratulations on your choices today and for resisting that temptation! WIshing you continued success : )

I found this site about 5 weeks ago and I cannot begin to express how much of a help it is and how everyone is just sooooooo nice. I have learned a lot from these ladies and from reading their posts, stories, advice. There is a tremendous deal of support and a wealth of knowledge here. I think you will love it here too, take care

COngrats!!! I think the first 4-6 weeks are the absolute hardest in any lifestyle change. You're getting there. With careful thought, like you showed today you'll meet your goal!! I also recommend a nice hearty breakfast and a mid-morning snack. i'm not sure what kind of work you do, but even a flatbread cracker with some laughing cow light cheese on it, should be able to be eaten quickly at some point before lunch? If you have a fridge, stock it in pre portioned sizes of healthy snacks, yogurts, fiber one cereal, high protien bars, kashi and fiber one both make excellent ones. And, the bars keep well if you dont have a fridge. Keep up the excellent dedication!

Oh my gosh, Lisa, you CAN do this!!! That first day is so rough, yet you hung in there and made it through. Again, I repeat, you CAN do this! You have the motivation and desire, and you made it past that first real temptation...fast food. Subs are great, especially if you are a carb lover like me. Pack as many veggies onto that sub as you can, and it will also help with filling you up! I agree with the other posters, plan a mid-morning snack. Some days you will definitely need it, other days you'll find you are fine with out it, but at least in the beginning, make sure you have something healthy readily available so you don't let your self get too hungry. My ww leader uses a scale of 1-6, 1 being starving, ready to eat the desk itself, and 6 being so stuffed you need to loosen your pants. They want you to learn your body and your stages, and learn to keep yourself between 2-4....once you master it, you'll be all set! Also, I didn't notice in your post what you're drinking during the day. Are you remembering to drink a lot of water? Not only does it help your weight loss, but it also helps you feel full longer and reduces fatigue. Again remember, you made it through day one, it gets easier from here!!!

Oh without a doubt the first 2 -3 weeks are HARD. It really does get easier. But if you were hungry at 11:30, I agree you should have eaten something. I love the Danon sugar free yogurts for 60 calories. That's my mid morning snack. It keeps me going til lunch.

It sounds like you made it through just great!!!! I am so happy for you. One good day on top of another and then another and another and before you know it, you've got a new lifestyle down pat. You are well on your way to a better and HEALTHIER and happier YOU. Keep up the great work.

Wow! I've been sick in bed with strep throat for days. Then I log on and find all these wonderful friends with great ideas! Thank you, one and all! I'm going to take your advice on snacks. I'm a school teacher so it's hard to find time every day to pull out a snack but I will find the time. Several asked about water. I have to drink my water early in the morning when I wake up, then after school. Not enough potty breaks in the day for me to drink water all day. I admire the ladies who can hang in there all day without a break but I'm definitely not one of them. Anyway, after several days of sugar free popsicles, water and low fat ice cream (medicinal for the throat, you know), I am back on my feet and feeling semi-human again. Thanks again for all the great ideas for going back to school next week!

I did the popsicles and ice cream too while sick this past week. If you check out Wal*Mart, they carry Blue Bunny fudge and fudge/vanilla, and orange and strawberry/vanilla, sugar free AND fat free bars...60 cals each. It's the only ice cream I ever get. That, sugar free jello and sugar free popsicles got me through my sore throats.