[Ernie]

The evening of 4/14 I looked at my "gut" as I sat on the couch watching tv.. thats when it hit me.. I'm getting fat.. and its almost SUMMER!!!!
I am 25 yrs old standing at 5'3.... I currently weight 137.
I just don't wear it well... its ALL in my stomach. My brother tells me I can work out all I want but unless I diet I'll never get rid of the fat on my stomach...
I have also moved into closer quarters with my boyfriend of almost 3yrs, we live in the same town.. FINALLY and spend the evenings together.. so now I cook and eat dinner, and as of last week would consume a bowl of ice cream with him in the evenings! NO MORE!!!
Oh.. and I have also quit smoking as of 3/30/09!!!!!!

So I have made a plan that I HOPE will meet my needs and get me down 10lbs or more.. Please give me your thoughts! This is my stab in the dark at something that I hope will help!!

Wake up earlier than usual (which isn't much.. I use to barely allow myself 30mins to get ready for work)
- have one boiled egg for breakfast BEFORE leaving the house (I have never eaten before leaving the house.. always around 10ish once I get to work)
- have a mid-morning snack either some low fat yogurt and/or a special K cereal bar and/or some dried cranberries
- for Lunch... GO TO THE GYM or PARK and walk/run for atleast 30mins... then get a "Shake Healthy" or Lite Whey Protein shake for lunch.
- have a mid afternoon snack of whatever I didn't eat in the am.. cereal bar, apple sauce, yogurt, whatever it was I didn't consume in the AM.
- for dinner - EAT BEFORE 8PM PERIOD! My boyfriend works late sometimes and I had fallen into the habit of waiting on him to get home to eat... no more. If I cook, or not I will eat a normal dinner but a smaller portion.. MUCH slower than what I've been getting use to. (About a year ago.. I HARDLY EVER ATE DINNER.. but I lived alone 2hrs from my boyfriend.. dang love weight!
I also VOW to spend Mon-thurs evenings in the gym...
Monday I take a step class and a butts & thighes.. each 30mins but VERY high intenisty.
Tues I will lift weights and take my pilates class that is over an hr long
Wed I do some cardio and free weights
Thursday lift my routine weights and take the pilates
Friday - Off
And over the weekend I plan to stay more active.. its getting to be the time of year I can.. and I love hiking and fishing.. etc!

So..PLEASE share any thoughts or suggestions!!! I'm going at this in the only way I know how and I hope so desperatly it works!
I have a feeing marriage isn't too far off for me and we all know bathing suit season is knocking on the door!
Thanks for your support and best of luck to you and your goals!!
WE CAN DO IT

[Jacqui_D]

Hi Ernie, welcome! You sound like you have a good plan, although I'm not sure about the shake for lunch, only because I don't know much about them. Just make sure that you do not deprive yourself of needed calories. You'll need them for all that exercise, otherwise your metabolism will slow down to conserve fuel. I definitely like that you are planning to eat before leaving for work, even if it is only a boiled egg. Maybe as you get used to eating that early, you can add more, like a slice of whole grain toast and a piece of fruit. That would balance it out well. I don't see any veggies, although you didn't list the types of things you would make for dinner. Just make sure you don't skimp on them. They are awfully important. Good luck!

[Ernie]

Thanks sooo much Jacqui D!!
I actually do get quite a bit of veggies! I LOVE THEM! Honestly for dinner many a nights I will probably have a can of turnip greens (funny I know but I LOVE THEM) I'm also a big salad fan so I plan to enjoy those as much as possible too.
Do you think a salad at lunch would be better than the shake? One shake is the shake healthy - herbalife mix. The lite whey I don't know a whole bunch about either but they are served at my gym. I like them and do feel full after one but I'd rather have a salad
I am big on veggies and could eat just that for dinner as long as my BF isn't there.. he's got to have a meat!
Thanks for your input I really appreciate it!
Best of luck to you as well!!

[Jacqui_D]

You are certainly welcome! And yes, I would always be in favor of a wonderful salad over a shake. I think it's more realistic about how you will eat once you get to the weight you want to be and need to maintain. I can see having a shake if you are on the go, but if you have time to sit down, I'd recommend eating a salad. Just be careful of the dressing. One great trick I learned when I once tried Weight Watchers was to dip my fork in the salad dressing and then pick up a forkful of salad. Your tastebuds register the last taste on the fork which will be the dressing, so it will taste like you had added it to your salad, and yet it will be SO much less in calories! Perhaps you already know this trick. It really works! Of course, if you plan for the calories, a tablespoon or two of extra virgin olive oil and vinegar is an excellent choice. Olive oil is filling and healthy. I use Paul Newman's vinegar and oil salad dressing. It's wonderful! I'm so glad to hear you love veggies! So many people who need to lose weight do not, but I'm with you! I love them!

[Ernie]

Thanks again Jackie )
Yes being the southern girl I am I grew up eating veggies, heck I actually grew up eating pretty healthy! No sodas, very little sugary snacks and rarely dessert with dinner.. Possibly why I over indulge sometimes now as an adult (though you think it would instil good characteristics)
I do actually know the trick with the salad dressing.. only difference.. I wasn't aware it was a trick! I just eat salad that way 90% of the time. It seems if I order a salad from Zaxby's I ALWAYS have left overs and I found that when you drench it in dressing.. it doesn't keep. So I started doing that. Question.. that good seasons dressing you make at home with olive oil and vineager and spices.. would that be a healthy choice? Its one of my favs along with balsalmic vinegarette.
Also when counting calories.. how concerned should one be with the fat content.. I ALWAYS GET SO CONFUSED! Is something that is high in fat, low in carbs and perhaps calories.. Ok?
I seem to try avoiding everything and I know thats not possible. I just want to get back down to my comfortable weight, because once there I seem to be really good at keeping it there, until winter and holidays atleast. But when I feel better in my skin I tend to make better choices.. Hopefully that time will come soon!
As for salads, order out more than I would be apt to prepare one at home (I'm always going it seems) Do you know of any threads or have any suggestions for healthy lunch salads? Like Wendy's or Zaxby's choices? They all put so much stuff on them it worries me that I'm taking in more than I need.
Thanks again for all your advice This is a great place for people on a mission!!

[srmb60]

Hi and welcome!

Good work on getting at those pounds before you had 77 instead of 17! Have you found the Featherweights threads?

[Ernie]

I did shortley after posting here Thanks! It doesn't seem as used as the rest but I'll give it a try!
Thanks for your encouragement! Looks like you've had some major progress! 15lbs already! The first is always the hardest for me!! So way to go!
Thanks again I'll let you know how it goes!
(I've been there with having the 60lb goal.. and I'm at the weight now that spun me in the downward spiral that sent me from a size 9 to 16+.. since that time I JUST CANNOT allow to happen again!)

[Jacqui_D]

Lol! Your diet growing up sounded like mine! I'm a Southern girl too, although I live in Ohio now.

I would think the Good Seasons homemade dressing would be good, just make sure you use "extra virgin" olive oil. It's the healthiest. And vinegarette is good too.

The thing about fat content is that you need to pay attention to the type of fat it is. You want to avoid saturated fat if you can and completely avoid transfat. Transfat may be linked to metabolic syndrome. Omega-3's fats are excellent: fish, walnuts, etc. I wouldn't go too low carb, but complex carbs are best. I wouldn't go too low protein or too low-fat either. I really think the body is designed to work with all three as long as they are balanced. And whole foods are always better than processed foods.

I am not sure of the best places to get salads. I would just pay attention to what they are putting in them, and I'm sure it will be okay. Lots of cheese, eggs, and meats will add calories, but something like grilled chicken and lowfat mozzarella cheese and maybe a little bit of egg would be healthy. And of course, romaine lettuce and spinach are healthier than iceberg lettuce. If I find any sites that mention where to get the healthiest salads, I'll pm you.

[Ernie]

Thanks Jacqui! I'll keep that in mind about the fat content, thanks for the info I never know which one is good and which to avoid!
Also with the salads! Sounds like there are plenty out there that would be just fine to eat!
Hope you have a great weekend!~ Thanks for all your support