Hi joesgirl and blondiesteph.
I am finding that just by posting here, it is making me more accountable. I am also learning about all sorts of diets and learning a few tips. I'm doing Atkins but I'm thinking that part of the reason I continue to lose, even getting close to goal, is that I'm accidentally doing.....I can't remember the exact name...but it's "calorie..something" where you alternate your calories, up and down, to fool your metabolism and keep it from slowing down. I've not done this on purpose....it's mainly been that I've just been so busy some days, chauffeuring my dad all over....that I'll not get around to eating until late afternoon but on days I'm home, I will eat the amount of calories I'm supposed to....so accidentally alternating. And I learned all about that here...and it may be very useful for me if hit a plateau.
If I'd not learned about it here, I would not have realized it and would not have been able to apply it usefully. I spend quite a bit of time reading here....because I feel I am really learning a lot by doing this. I'd encourage you to read here, especially about the different diets...as this can be extremely helpful.
deena