Welcome Mel! You can do this if you just stay focused and committed, we'll help all we can.

WELCOME MEL. Hey SuzyMC, try cucumber slices in ice cold water. Great refreshing taste.

I reached my goal yesterday of 30 minutes of exercise. I have the same goal today and my eating has been fabulous which is quite surprising.

That is awesome uncovering! Never thought of cucumbers in water-will have to try. Occassionally I use fresh cut up lemon but will have to try the other too.
melissa

It does seem like a lot at first, but you get used to it. I drink most of mine just before, during, and right after my biggest workout of the day. It gives me more energy to get through it.

Theresa

Cucumber slices? I never would have thought about that. I did get some lemons this afternoon...I'll have to see about picking up some cucumbers.

May I join you all, also? I need all the help I can get to put an end to my yo-yo nightmare. In the last 8 years I've been as high as 265 and as low as 122 and back and forth in between the two. Right now I'm aiming to attain a goal of around 150 and be able to maintain it. I am always either losing or gaining...I have a really hard time maintaining ANY weight for more than a few days. I really want to put a stop to this as I know how unhealthy it is and I'd like to be around for a while. One of my downfalls is that it's always "all or nothing" with me. I either do very, very well or I do really, really bad. I love all kinds of sweets so that's what packs on the pounds when I'm doing really bad.

I'm 35 years old and happily married for 16 years and we have 2 terrific kids.

I'm not really following any specific plan...I just found something that works for me to lose weight so I stick with it. I don't really pay attention to carbs or protein, but I do count calories. I stick with low-fat and high fiber foods as much as possible and that seems to work for me better than anything. I'm not really much of a meat eater so I could never stick with a low carb plan. I do eat chicken, turkey, or fish on occasion, though. I love fresh fruit and veggies so that helps.

I know I don't drink enough water (mostly I just don't like water that much). I'm wondering if I can include Diet Rite as part of my water intake? I do drink quite a bit of it and it's sodium and caffiene free.

For an exercise goal I want to jog at least a mile and walk at least 2 miles 5 times a week, or substitute with an exercise video if it happens to be rainy.

I am really looking forward to being a part of this group! It looks like everyone is really committed and you are all doing great!

Kay

Welcome Mel & Kay!

About the iced tea..... have your tried to brew your own from a decaf tea bag and then low cal sweeten/add lemon as usual? I would think that would count toward water if there is no caffeine?

Good Luck to all on your goals!

Thanks so much for the welcome! Wondering though... what's this "check in" email thingy about???

Every Wednesday morning you are sent an email with current weight, loss ect and you fill it out and hit reply to all. It is a way for us to all be accountable to each other but still keep it private and just within our group so it isn't on a public forum. If you have any other questions or I didn't do the explanation well enough let me know-happy to answer questions.
melissa

Hi Everyone!

If it is ok I would like to join you. I had a baby 7 weeks ago and need to get rid of the weight I put on before both of my children were born. I was so excited watching the scale go down after my son was born, but now I am watching it slowly go back up. At my highest weight I was 212 and my goal is 150. I would love to be part of your thread to get help and motivation from others.

Hi Julie you are more than welcome. One of the things we do is a weekly check in with each other through email. Could you PM your email address so I can get you added to our list?
thanks
melissa

Well I drank more water than my little 20 oz. daily goal every day this week and I am finding it easier every day as I go along to drink more.
I have decided that grocery stores are not my friend and I have to be on guard every moment checking labels and avoiding the candy aisle. I have also decided NOT to take others as in hubby or kids with me when I go - This means I can put healthy foods in the cart and take time to follow my list. I spend alot of time in making a list so I can eat better and then can't follow it with kids fussing and hubby putting cookies in the cart
I am also really finding lots of great tips on the forums , one was mixing cottage cheese with yoghurt for a more filling snack and I tried it and it was GOOD.
I did get a bit down when I was reading forum posts and seeing how much exercise everyone does compared to me But then I thought well gee no two people are the same and you have just started after NOT exercising for years.
I will one day look back at my journals and laugh when I can do miles on the bike and lift weights with no prob.
Keep up the good work everyone and thank you for all the support!

Hmm Cukes in water.. I'd prolly end up eating the cukes.. but I'll try it ..

Don't feel alone with the excersize thing-I am awful! Course just basic housework gets my heartrate up-not sure if it due to excersion or cause I had just cleaned it and it is already trashed again-all things come at their own pace. Don't worry about eating the cukes, not only are they extremely low in calories and usually a free item in any food plan but they are good for your kidneys. The way through the grocery store is usually around the perimeter-there you get produce, dairy, meat, ect and I try my best not to take at least my oldest child and if I have to, we set one item that he is allowed to have before we even get to the store and if he bugs me for other things, that one thing goes back-it does make shopping a much nicer experience-
melissa

welcome to the group mel, kay, and julie. i am so happy everyone is doing so well. i pretty much messed up today. i haven't counted the calories up yet, but i had half a pint of red bean ice cream. 340 calories, yikes! i think that may put me over my target a little. but everything else was healthy.. veggies, lean ground beef/turkey, rice, puffed rice crackers, cranberries. my husband is always encouraging me to be bad!! he picked up the ice cream at the store, and is all like, "look what i got for you honey!"
i also think i am going to skip the gym tonight it's already 1 a.m., so it ain't gonna happen.