Welome Toni
I know you will find a lot of support here.
Hello Everyone. I found this article and posted it on another thread and thought I would share it with you as well...enjoy
Change your perception of the word "diet". Your diet is what you eat and drink, not a rigid set of rules that eliminates the foods you like and forces you to eat the foods you dislike. Develop eating habits you can live with for the rest of your life.
Exercise regularly. Weight loss occurs when the calories we take in are less than the calories we expend. Exercise helps increase the calories we expend. 30-60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity 4 or more days of the week is recommended.
Remember to include strength training activities in your exercise plan. Strength training increases muscle and muscle burns calories even when you are sitting still. Therefore, the more muscle you have, the more calories you will burn. Strength training activities should be included 2-3 times per week. Don't strength train 2 days in a row, allow at least one day of rest in between.
Focus on behavior changes and not the scale. Each week set specific, measurable goals such as eating 2 servings of vegetables per day, measuring portion sizes, etc.
Keep food and activity records to help you assess your progress. Look them over daily and ask yourself "Have I met my goals?" If you haven't, ask yourself "why and what do I need to do to be successful?"
Reward yourself for changing behaviors with non-food motivators. When you meet your goals for changing behaviors, treat yourself to a movie, a massage or something else that you enjoy.
Remember portion sizes. Portion size is one of the most often overlooked pieces of information on nutrition labels. How much you eat is as important as what you eat.
Don't be afraid to throw food away. Is it any less waste to eat food that we don't need than it is to throw it away? That extra ½ cup of juice or cereal or the few extra chips may not seem like a lot at the moment, but over time these little "extras" can add up to a lot of calories.
One food indiscretion does not make or break your weight loss efforts. Simply refocus on your goals and make more thoughtful choices the next time you eat or drink something.
Eat mindfully. Mindfulness is "knowing what you are doing while you are doing it." Taking the time to be aware of what you are eating and enjoying the experience of eating can help us slow down and manage portion sizes more effectively.
Learn how to manage stress. Many of us often eat in response to stress and a successful weight loss plan also includes stress management techniques.
Drink 6-8 eight-ounce glasses of water each day. Try filling a pitcher with 64 ounces of water at the beginning of each day. Make it a goal to drink all of it before you go to bed.
Balance your plate. Only ¼ of your plate should be made up of meats, the other ¾ should consist of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans.
Learn new ways to cook and plan ahead. Try new recipes and don't be afraid to experiment with new products. Make a plan for handling difficult situations like eating out and family gatherings ahead of time. Being prepared will help you stay focused on your goals.
Now something on Water...
Water makes up 60% of body weight and is very important for proper functioning of the body. The bones are 22% water, blood is 92% water, and the brain is 75% water. We need water to cool the body, metabolize fat, remove waste from the body, and convert food to energy. Adequate hydration is also necessary for maintaining muscle tone and skin tone.
Most people should drink 8-10 cups of water daily, or 64-80 ounces. Drink water even when you are not thirsty. The body's thirst mechanism is not a reliable indicator of hydration status. By the time we feel thirsty, we may already be mildly dehydrated. When we exercise, we need even more water. It is important to drink water before, during, and after a workout. In general, the recommendation is 8-16 ounces of water before exercise and 5-10 ounces every 15-20 minutes during exercise. After exercise, drink water to quench your thirst, then drink even more. If you weigh yourself before and after your workout, drink 16 ounces of water for every pound of weight you lose after exercise. You can tell whether or not you are drinking enough water by monitoring your urine. Urination should be frequent and urine should be pale in color. Remember to drink extra water during hot, dry weather when our fluid needs are increased.
hi
i am going to try my ddr sometime tomorrow and i'll let you know how it goes. take care of yourself!
. I believe he is realizing that I'm not a teenager that will follow him around like a puppy at work. I have my own responsibilities. hmmm...Valentine's is around the corner 
it's a great way to execise. i had to quit after a little while because my legs were getting sore. i was using muscles that were saying "we haven't been used in a long time". it's going to take some practice to get coordinated though.that's why mother didn't name me "Grace".
did you have a hard time adapting to boston? i made a big move from CT to NY when i was in my early 20's. 
