I started my diet June 2002, when I got back from vacation and was disgusted at my "fat" photos in a bathing suit. I had gained about 60 lbs. when I was pregnant with my daughter, 6 years ago! I never took the weight off and felt it was time. You know, when you bend over to try and fasten your sandals and your stomach is in the way, it's definately time to lose the weight!
Instead of following these "fad diets", I decided to do my "own" diet, using some tips and ideas from several popular diets.
Alot of dieting is common sense and SCIENCE! You need to obviously burn more calories than you consume! I started exercising, bought a home gym (free weights are good too, folks!) and got "busy". I walked through the warm months (spring, fall, summer) and just did weights in winter months (like now).
My menu has pretty much consisted of oatmeal, lowfat/high fiber cereals with skim milk for breakfast, lunches are mostly some type of salad with grilled chicken (McDonald's Calif. Cobb salad with grilled chick and lowfat balsamic is my favorite - total 300 cals!), sometimes I'll have a whole wheat wrap or sandwich with turkey, honey must, lettuce, tomato)
Dinners are pretty much whatever I cook for the family, only much less...I have protein shakes after a workout. Snacks include apples, Atkins Crunchers chips (100 cal/bag!), handful peanuts, fat-free yogurt, and lots and lots of water and coffee!
One thing I always incorporate is some type of "cheat food(s)" at least once per week. Every Friday night, we always have our "pizza night", so I have 2 slices. I make allotment during Friday's lunch for the calories, and don't eat too heavily on the weekends.
I lost 72 lbs. so far (as of 2/6/04) and have about 20 (give or take 1 or 2) more lbs. to go and would like to lose them ASAP, as we're going to "Vegas" in April! I would like to look nicer in a swimsuit and lose my belly fat!
My goal is to really try and cut the bodyfat % (currently 25%) to about 18-20% and lose stomach fat and firm up the general waist to thigh area!
I have to tell you guys, the weight training has made a HUGE difference in the weight loss! It helped to drop the pant sizes (almost 2 per month!) alot and has firmed me up much more than I would imagine. I'm at a plateau now, and I realize I have to start up some cardio, in addition to the weights, to burn this "jelly belly"!
Any support or suggestions are welcome!
72 Pounds and Counting!
Here's to making your goal in April for your trip to Vegas. 
