I just wish everyone else would stop going out to eat. The mall is right across the street! It's hard not to go. I keep telling myself that in all reality I am paying to be larger, instead of saving money and being thin. I could actually save money by not eating out and choose healthier choices for lunch and snacks and be thinner. I'm trying.......trying!

I have been tossing around the idea of becoming a nurse. I will be 28 next month and just think I am too old to start school over again for something new......I think it would be a great atmosphere, helping others, I love that. I am tired of the office setting.

I tried to get the ticker thing on my rofile it doesn't work am I too new, anyone know?

Are most of the 100 calorie snacks ok? I really like cheeseits and I found them in 100 calorie packs.

Hi Kity:

The ticker is supposed to be placed in the signature section of your profile, however, the signature feature is not available until you have been a member for 20 days and have posted more than 20 times (thanks Neesy - she told me this info.).

Tonight, I was so tempted to go out for Chinese food. My hubby even offered to go and pick it up for me. But I was doing so good, that I told him no, that I would grill our chicken breasts. He's been really supportive, which has been nice. I'm starting to work with him on portion size and hopefully that will help him lose as well.

Kity:
It's kinda funny, I was thinking of going into nursing myself. I already have a bachelor's degree in social work (which I don't use, I work in an office. Social workers here don't make much money), but thought that I would be a good nurse. I really wish I had thought of that prior to entering college. I would go back, since I have most of the "general education" courses complete, but with my daughter only being 13 months old, and financially I am not in the situation to stop working and go back to school.

Hope everyone is doing well and have a great weekend!

Hey there!

I'm checking in today to let you know that I had a MUCH BETTER day than the last couple of days. I stayed on track and ate a very minimum amount of calories. Also, something kinda ticked me off today and when I get upset, I want to walk until I cool down. I called one of my best friends and asked if she was interested in walking with me tonight, well 6 miles later!!! YUP, 6 MILES!, we got sick of walking and went home. The time just flew by. Keep in mind, I was not speed walking, but I wasnt walking slow easier.

Maybe I should ask my husband to tick me off to get me motivated (LOL) (p.s.-he was not the reason I was upset, it was something else). Anyway, I hope all is well with everyone. I am not going to weigh in tomorrow because I am super bloated, but I am looking forward to weighing in around Wednesday, I am sure I have lost something. I have cut my caloric intake by 40% and exercise every day, even if it is only 10-15 minutes (usually its around 45 minutes).

Have a great night!

Lindy:
Good for you! I think the 6 miles would definitely more than make up for the other day! It's all about getting back on track. Great job!

The past week has been good for me...no soda (which wasn't as hard for me to give up this time around), and I've kept my calories at 1,200 or below. Yesterday, I only had about 950 calories, and I wasn't starving! I'm really watching the emotional eating...thinking, do I really need this, or is it because I'm mad/bored, etc? Then I have a big glass of water to see if I'm really hungry, and usually, I'm not.

Haven't weighed myself in a couple of days, last time I checked I was at 267, down from the 274 that I started with. I just take it one step at a time. I even managed to get out my old food scale and began weighing my food, and counting calories has defintely helped.

My back is feeling much better after throwing it out over a month ago. I guess it just needed more time to heal. I'm going to start working out more in the weeks ahead. I bought Jillian Michael's "30 Day Shred," so I'm going to start that as well. I have an elliptical machine at home, so I'm going to use that for something other than a clothes hanger!

Have a great Sunday!

OK, so this week food-wise...50/50. exercise non-existent. But... I did lose 1 lb. and I will take it.

Today I get to clean out my fridge and throw out all my rotten healthy food and go buy more. Why is it I can go to the grocery, buy the best food and still pass it up when I'm wondering what to make for dinner? I know part of it is living alone and cooking for one. It's hard to do without getting sick of the same thing over and over. It's also hard to do because of my family obligations at this time.

(long story short..) My mom had gangrene show up on her toe the first week of June, also when I took a week vacation-which was no vacation after all this started. She has had 8 or 9 surgeries (lost track) and ultimately had partial foot amputation. She is now receiving oxygen tank therapy treatments that promote the healing of her foot and the growth of new tissue on her foot. This is done while she it temporarily living in a nursing home since she can not fully take care of herself at this time. Once this is over, she will have 2-3 weeks therapy to teach her how to walk, bend over, climb stairs etc. with half a foot. In the meantime, I feed her cat at her house 2x a day, get her mail, pay her bills, visit her, do her laundry on weekends and whatever else she requests. We are both depressed and want this to be over and for her to go home. Her depression turns into being mean while my depression sucks the life out of me and puts food in my mouth. Sorry, guess that wasn't so short. Anyway...

I know I should plan and prepare meals on the weekend, but darn it, I don't want to do anything on the weekend. I want to relax. As it is, I have to do all my basic 'take care of your home' stuff like laundry, cleaning. And then do the 'mom' stuff. I can't even sleep in on the weekends...ggrrr!

So, this is going to go very, very slow for me. But as long as I lose, I don't care anymore how long it takes. At least it isn't adding weight.

So anyway, YAH for me, I lost 1 lb!

I was good all week.. I kept my calories at 1200-1500 a day. Then....last night I went out and ate/drank too much! I weighed in this morning at 228. I'm not changing my ticker yet, because I'm going to get it back down!! I'm glad I'm going back to work this week. I think it will help to keep me on track and active.

I'm not giving up though. Just gotta kick it into gear like I did when I first started this diet back in December. My husband is keeping me motivated. I have surgery scheduled for February 16th. I want to be down to 215 by then.

Takeadeepbreath- It sounds like you have a lot on your plate. Slow and steady is always a good idea. Congrats on the pound!!!

Lindy, six miles is amazing. I wish I could get out side and walk. I did go for a walk the day before yesterday but that is because my husband locked the keys in the house so we had to walk to the neighbors which is pretty far away to get a key to our house. But hey, it counts, right.

maddiesmom, No soda is awesome. I havent had any in a while either, but I have never really been much of soda drinker.

takeadeepbreath-1 lb is awesome. A loss is a loss. Hope things get better for you and your mom.

I couldnt wait one more day, I weighed myself this morning. I will probably still weigh in the morning. But anyways, this morning I am down another pound. So that 4 so far. 4 lbs in 13 days. That is pretty good, since I am not really changing totally how I eat, just cutting back. 6 more to make it to my first mini goal of 10 pounds.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Neesy- you will get those 3 lbs back off. Just keep going, dont let it get you down.

I forgot to tell everyone that we are going downstate on Wednesday for my husband to do jury duty, so we will be eating out. I plan on having salad or something low cal. My husband already knows he want to eat at IHOP. I have to make good decisions. Everyone wish me luck, and I can use the gym at the hotel so I can stay on track.

I am looking forward to the mini vacation. Get away from the dogs being stuck to me all the time, if only for one night.

Keep up the good work everyone.

Burgandy: I went to Culvers today for lunch, and since I knew that was where my hubby wanted to eat, I went online and checked out their menu to see what I could have. Decided on a caesar salad, no parm cheese and no croutons. Salad with dressing (I brought my own low cal parm cheese) was only 370 calories. Not too shabby! Maybe you could do something similar with looking at the nutritional information for IHOP and other places you think you may eat.

Neesy: Don't sweat 3 pounds, it's probably just until the food gets out of your system and water weight.

Take A Deep Breath: So sorry to hear about your ordeal, but you still lost a pound through all of that! So congrats to you. My thoughts are with you while you are going through this difficult period.

I weighed myself this morning and I'm down 9.6 pounds by just changing my diet. I'm thrilled.

Oh - I so wish I could weigh in today and let you know how much I've lost, but like I said (like a hundred times), I'm still bloated.

Maddiesmom - wow, 9.6 pounds is awesome!!! Keep up the good work.

Burgundy - 4 pounds in 13 days is impressive. Realistically, 1-2 pounds a week is whats going to keep it off (at least thats what they say), so your right on track. It's all about making lifestyle changes and it seems like you are doing an excellent job.

Takeadeepbreath - I am so sorry to hear about what's going on right now, for both you and your mom. Stay strong and know that you have a support system here with us. I know we have never met but I look at all of you as friends and am here anytime if someone wants to vent. I know when I am majorly stressed I GAIN WEIGHT, so to lose a pound, that is an accomplishment - kudos to you. I know what you mean about pre-planning meals, sometimes you just dont want to. I pick veggies that are easy to prepare. Ya know, frozen veggies are just as good and taste great steamed.

Neesy - 3 pounds is no sweat, considering you have been on vacation, you shouldn't feel too bad. Once your back into the swing of things this week, Im sure those pounds will melt away in no time. You said that your having surgery in February? If you dont mind me asking, what for? If you do, thats ok, I wont be upset if you dont want to share.

Today was Sunday, you know, the big Sunday meal at my Grandmothers house. Well, she had turkey with gravy, stuffing, corn, bread, baked potatos and lemon cake. Even though turkey is healthy, I do not like fresh turkey (only turkey lunch meat), so I passed on that. Corn is really not that healthy, but I had a small scoop, I had a bit too much of the stuffing (it was liver stuffing), but it was so good and I wouldnt change that for anything. I passsed on everything else, including the lemon cake, so all in all, I did pretty well. Later on I had a fat free cheese stick and a can of Campbells Healthy Harvest. I'm getting hungry now, so I might have something like chicken and green beans, thats what I'm in the mood for.

I'm glad to hear that pretty much everyone had a productive week in weight loss. I'll check in later.

So I was thinking that today was Saturday and that I weighed a day early, but it is in fact, Sunday. So weigh in was right on schedule. Had my days all mixed up this week.

Maddiesmom- Thanks for the tip. I think I will do that. That way on Wednesday night I will know what I can get and will be less likely to pig out. I will have to remember to take some of my 100 claorie packs and a grapefruit so I am not tempted to have some of the snacks I know my DH will buy.

I am so glad to have found this forum, you ladies keep me motivated to keep going and not give up. Usually I would have by now. Also my sisters are trying to lose weight too, so we keep each other in check too. My older sister only has like 25 lbs to go. My twin sister wont tell me what she weighs cos I wont tell her what I weigh yet. I dont know what it is, I can share my weight here but with family I just cant bring myself to do it yet. I know I will, I just want to be smaller when I do.

I need to go clean and get a workout in, so have a good night ladies.

I'd love to be a buddie and have lots of other buddies as well ( ;

Hello everyone!
Sorry I was not able to check in earlier with all of you. It sounds like everyone is right on track or at least trying their best to get back on track. Congrats to all of you. I did not do so well this weekend Pizza!! and more pizza! I am soo frusterated with myself I don't really have any diet plan I am following or counting calories. I had joined LA wight loss in the past as I had mentioned and now they are closed. I thought that had worked in the past but knowing I don't have to weigh in I feel like that's in a way to have freedom on what I eat. I am still new to this, but in a way I feel like if I used this as my "weighing in" it could possible work for me. I know what I need/should do it's just to actually commit to it is another. I keep gaining, and not loosing. It is actually depressing. I know I feel like a sap, I am just not able to have will power. My birthday is at the end of next month and it would be really nice to loose just 10 pounds by then but I always think "what can I eat?" I am a salts person, I eat when bored, and if I think it's been too long since I ate then I think I need to eat. I should just eat when hungry. I did improve on the water though and cut down on pop. That's one step in the right direction. I did go to grocery store and pick out healthy choices for lunches and I am hoping I can stick to it well all this week instead of eating out with co workers.

I am very proud of all of you for accomplishing your goals with your weight loss. Congrats again.

I hope this works out for helping me loose the weight I intend to loose.

** Sorry for sounding so pitiful!! It's not intended. Just venting a little......