In an attempt to do more than just lose weight, I want to be healthy. I know this means not just eating less calories, but eating the right foods, more fruits and vegtables (Remember, i HATE veggies). In an effort to do this, I have signed up with mayoclinic.com and their healthy living program. It's nothing more than the exchange program, but they tell you how to increase your exercise, you log everything there and I believe they provide you with e-mail encouragment. They really promte healthy living for life. My cholesteral came back still high - 246(**SHOCKER**). I was doing 1800 calories and losing, so I am going to do the exchange program at that level. I know it will be MUCH harder than what I was doing. But I also know it will be better for me.

Is anyone else doing the exchange program and can you recommend any good web sites?

Sandi, I am not familiar with the exchange program but it sounds like a very healthy plan. Now is really the time of year to enjoy the benifits of all the fresh fruit and veggies that are in abundance. I wish you luck and think you are on the right track to improve your health. I will check back into this tread to see if anyone reccomends and website about the exchange program so that I may learn more about it myself!

I did it for so long that I can tell you how much of a food equals one exchange, so if you need info, lemme know, Sandi.

Try sites geared to diabetics. That is what the diabetic plan is..exchanges. Also, the "old" weight watchers was an exchange program. Basically you have lists of "exchanges" (like starches, meats, etc.) and the list will tell you "1 slice of bread equals one starch exchange", etc. As a diabetic, I've done it for years (well, when I'm taking care of myself well, that is). Any of the ADA cookbooks have the exchange program in them.

I'm not so worried about the basic stuff, but it's combo's that has me concerned. Tonight we had pork chops, rice & corn. Easy. Tomorrow might be lasagna. Not so easy. I'll have to go searching.

I know it would be so much easier to count calories, but I wasn't making myself eat the good stuff. I was eating whatever I wanted that equaled 1800 calories. I was losing weight, but not improving my health. If I am going to bother...I want it all!! And I want it for life!

I'm following an exchange plan, but I go to a dietician so I got all my info from her. I did find some websites that might help, though.

http://www.diabetic-diet-and-recipes.com/index.php3
http://wellness.ucdavis.edu/wellconn...tesdiet42.html
http://www.medformation.com/mf/mm_qd...qd/nd2031g.htm
http://www.diabetic-menus.com/

Good luck with your changes!