Hi! First post hehe. So basically I am trying to look hot for when I go to Finland June 28th. My boyfriend and alot of our mutual friends live there and I have gained some weight since I saw them last so this is a must for me. I really started this a couple of months ago when I weighed 225ish. I lost a good 15 pounds in 2 months (without working out). So now I am hitting the gym and walking and a little jogging so I am hoping the kick starts it a bit. I am pretty tall and at 190 I was a size 12-14 which was nice. My goal weight is 165 but I dont wanna go too fast and will very much settle for the 190. I will post progress here as I go and any tips will be helpful.

I am currently trying to get in 1700 to 2000 calories a day while eating 6 to 8 mini meals. This has done wonders for my energy and all around well being. When I say mini meals I mean just that. There will be 15 walnuts as one meal then eggs with broccoli and an orange as another, then avocado with fish and spinach then a banana, orange and applesauce for another and etc. On the days I gym it I try to hit the 2000 calorie mark best I can. it really is hard while eating healthy :P

So I am currently 210, 20 more pounds to go for June 28 wish me luck!

I know you will do it. Wow! excellent progress. So you maintain a 1700 to 2000 calories a day diet. Is there any one food item that you stay away from? I am on a 1400 diet but cant seem to drop anything.

I am very weak when it comes to bread/pasta. Sugar treats are easy cause there are alot of ways to make something you like with less to no sugar ex: Sugar free jello with 2 table spoons of cool whip, Splenda sweetened cheesecake with grinded almond crust, 100 calorie nabisco treats etc. As long as I calculate it into my journal I can have one treat a day.

With the bread and pasta issue I try to moderate. I will never deprive myself again because I binge very easily so what I will do if I want bread is limit 2 slices of whole grain with veggie burger or the veggie patty (half) at subways on whole wheat. Oy it is good! For pasta I have 5 pieces lol. Like lets say I am at work and it's lunch time, I would have fish, veggie and if there is pasta I will literally take 5 ziti's or shells etc. If it is fries I crave i will buy my friend fries and take 5 and eat them very slow lol. Once I reach my goal weight I promised myself one night a week where I can have a slice of pizza or my own fries (I love fries passionately).

I settled on 1700 to 2000 because my normal calorie intake for my height, weight and activity level is anywhere from 2500 to 2800. I actually used to think I should add more calories to what I am eating now and strive to reach the 2k. maybe you should raise your calories? My doctor told me that if you go too low with your calories you can have the opposite affect and damage your metabolism. Try to strive for 1700 calories. here is a sample of my daily menu:

*Oatmeal (2 tspns of honey and granola) and
15 Pistachios with a cappuccino (pistachios = 170) 465
banana and pistachios 275

Small salad with salmon and avocado/cappuccino 520
Avocado with Olive oil drizzle 342
baby bell chesse/orange/strawberries 155

Total: 1757
Goal 1700/2002

Oh also i forgot to mention always take measurements! If there is a week where you lose little or nothing you can always measure yourself and see if you lost there as well to keep motivation up. There were 2 weeks where nothing was lost... except like an inch on my waist! It really brought my spirits back up.

2 pounds down so 18 more to go! I did so much walking yesterday and have been eating so many oranges and vegetable I may turn into an orange :P. Can't wait to see what kind of fish they have today for lunch mmm. Almost time for my second breakfast

Work hard and you get to your goal...

1 pound down 17 to go

Up 2 pounds but lost half an inch in my waist

Is there something special about oranges that you've discovered? Just wondering. I have added an orange into my diet this week and have had success, too. Thanks & Congrats on your accomplishments.

They are the one fruit that make me work for it hehe. I guess the peeling then the sectioning of it prolong the eating process. Also they are my favorite fruits so I really OD on them. I also make sure I eat 2 bananas daily (TMI but they make my mucho regular)

You can do it!

Mad that reminded me of this lol

http://adriandparker.files.wordpress...waterboy_2.jpg

Here is the link if you cant see the pics at work like me hehe