Andrea - Yes Be like a postage stamp, pick something and stick to it until you reach your destination....lol
A 1200 calorie diet is good becuz if you pick a balanced one you get:
Protein, veggies, starches, fruits, dairy and fats
Protein helps build muscle. Starches can convert to sugar.....
I don't think it would be wise to eat 1200 of ding dongs (although I would be first in line for that diet).....lol
I believe it is really important to eat healthy. Plus there is the thing about when you eat crap (sugar/salt) it makes you crave more.......
Like you said (kinda) you have to find out what works for you and stick there.
I did WW and I loved the variety but by the time I came real close to getting all my points in for the day, I would go over just enuf to not lose (or maybe gain). That drove me crazy......
Anyhow - what are you thinking of doing?

Trina- I really love that pic of you!

As far as diets go...I'm not really on any plan. I'm just trying to watch calories, but I'm not logging them either, which could be trouble. I can kinda "eyeball" the calories and know that I'm doing ok. ****, I've probably lost and gained over 100 pounds several times, so I do have a pretty good concept of calorie counts. Although, I do have major problems with taking "little bites" of things. And portion control. I am trying to aim between 1200-1400 Sunday thru Friday, then I am going to try to stay around 2000 on Saturdays, since its so hard for me to be on plan. So far, I've had Slim Fast with fruit for both breakfast and lunch, afternoon snack was tangerine, a 100 calorie pack of Cheese Nips, and 100 calorie bag of popcorn...I'm starving! Then for supper I'll probably have either cereal, Lean Cuisine, or meat and green beans. Then, I'm sure I'll want an evening snack. LOL.

I did see LA Weight Loss kits on eBay and thought about buying one...

My take on this is that different bodies process food differently. Jillian Michael's book has a quiz to find out the best protein/fat/carb ratio for your body. I took the quiz and came out that I should be eating 30/30/40. I think if it might not matter too much for weight loss per se but it does make a difference in how I feel. I have a hard time getting enough protein in, but I feel better when I do.

DOH...I was missing a couple newer posts...

Andrea - The nibbling thing kicks my butt, too. Are you getting enough protein with those slim fasts? Do you like yogurt or cottage cheese? They have decent amounts of protein and make a handy snack...
Logging what I eat is a PITA - but it keeps me honest. I do think that 1200-1400 sounds good - and giving yourself a splurge day is a good idea, something to look forward to. Just watch going overboard on the processed stuff. It's easy to get sick of...and learning to cook some stuff will ensure you can keep it up for a long time.

Trina - so cool you got the green light you were waiting for! Go get 'em!!

Hope everyone else is having a lovely evening...'cept 2Fru who is having Friday already

It is indeed Friday! It's my birthday tomorrow! WOOOO! I've made chocolate brownies!

Scales are still bugging me but I've packed them off on holiday and now I'm going to concentrate on my fitness and stop moaning! Oh I was down 0.1% Body Fat this morning so I guess it's in the right direction!

Did a great UBW workout last night Makes me feel so good so who cares what the scales say?

Okay.. and these brownies are TOTALLY worth the extra 5K running or whatever to burn them off!

Hi Chicks.
Andrea - on the LAWL thread everyone was posting their picture so I followed suit. This picture was taken on a vacation in Flordia with DH before he was DH in 2002......I want to get a new picture of me and DH to post on here but my scanner is broke.....I want to show off my DH and my braces....lol
Andrea - if you really want to do LA weight loss, several chicks on our thread (LAWL) haven gotten it off e-bay....you could post over there too. It is a great support site and alot of fun, good chicks, etc...Although right now we have alot of newbies becuz of new years resolutions.
So I signed up to restart Jazzercise last night, I will start on Monday. I will still do my at home workouts as well. Then in about a week or so I will go back to the gym and see my old gym buddies....They probably think I died, since I haven't been there since late October.....
Gina - I noticed you ticker and you are doing awesom. Also noticed that we have the same weight goal...how tall are you? If I remember your taller than me....I'm 5'7"
2fru - Brownies? Oh heck, it's your birthday (and HAPPY BIRTHDAY), so enjoy! Yor close to goal too, how tall are you?
Okay ya'll have some work to do here, catch you later....
Hugs - me

Hey everyone!
I had a yucky day yesterday. I had a IUD put in and was in a lot of pain the rest of the day. Plus, I'm not supposed to exercise for a week. It'll be ok though, it's only a week and I will watch what I eat.

Good to see everyone's doing great! Happy Birthday 2Frustrated!! Enjoy those brownies! Star, that's great that you get to exercise now! You'll feel so much better.
Rebel- how're the little demons treating you ?
Hey Chick, is Jillian Michaels book the BL book? I was thinking about getting it, is it good?

Everyone have a great day!
Kathy

Hi Kathy - I hope you feel better.....I had an IUD 100 years ago...
Enjoy the ORDER to not exercise.......(wink)
Hugs

Happy Birthday, 2 frust Have a great birthday and enjoy those brownies!

Kathy- I hope that you are feeling better and enjoy your week off exercise. Oh, as for the demons...all I can say is TGIF!!!!

Star- I may really have to think about that LAWL kit I saw. A year or so ago Dh was mentioning that he had thought of joining (before he was dh) but didn't think he could afford it at the time. So, I may mention that to him and see if he's interested. Some guy that he works with lost a TON on LAWL.

Gina- You really are doing incredible! Congratulations. Your highest weight was close to what mine is. That is a really great idea about adding some more protein to the Slim Fast. I am kinda worrying that I am eating too many processed foods. I am just so lazy...well actually BUSY. Your 30/30/40 plan sounds alot like The Zone, which I heard is really great. So, do you do all your logging on Fitday?

Harley- Happy Friday!

Speaking of diets...I need some ideas to add new foods to mine. I am so boring. Would you all list a day's menu for you? My dh and I always do the same things. I need to shake things up a bit!

Later, girls!

Oh, and yeah...I need to check into the BL/Jillian books...

Ok Andrea
Breakfast - Less calorie bread - 1 slice toast with 1 tlbs pb, fruit

Snack - lawl - lite protein bar

Lunch - salad with ff dressing, 6 oz chicken

Snack - Yogurt Dannon Light and n fit, fruit

Dinner - 4 oz steak, green beans, small salad

snack - lawl bar....fruit
64 ounces of water.....

I really like your new pic, Star! Thanks for your menu...you have tons more variety than I do. Do you eat out often? For some reason I have not cooked at all this week. We had cereal for dinner one night, rotisseri chicken from the grocery store another night, and last night Subway. I'm sure that since it's Friday we'll eat out again! Probably salad from McDonalds...

Star- Is your husband doing LAWL, too?

Andrea - yeah on lawl thread we are posting different pictures. That one was just before me and DH got married and I was about 20 pounds heavier than I am now. We were in Kemah, Tx and we rented Harleys to ride, that was mine - it was awesome a new Heritage...
DH (Ray) is on a diet too, the doctor told him to lose weight. So we both started on January 2nd. He is not on lawl exactly, but somewhat. He is mostly cutting back on portions, no bad snacks, etc. Actually, that will work for him becuz he loses way faster and easier than me....he's a MAN.......not fair!
We eat out alot too, I just went to lunch with DDIL and GBDave. I had a taco chicken salad.....with ff dressing...didn't touch the shell, ate the good stuff. Normally when Ray and I go out I'll have some type of salad with chicken and maybe a half pita....I actually love salad so that works for me.
If we go chinese, I get stir fried veggies/chicken in water/no msg.....it seems like I can always find something to work on plan when I go out to eat. It is easier to just eat at home, but we like to eat out too......
Subway is legal on lawl - half a sub....actually there is a eating out guide that you get and it has alot of resturants inthere and what you can eat on plan.
last night we had cereal too. I had a bowl of Fiber one with a banana and s milk....I love that for dinner, but only do it about every two weeks. Becuz the size of my cereal bowl is about 2 starch servings on lawl......
Hugs

Andera
Here goes a daily for me on program.
JC French toast (one and 1/2 slices)w/no sugar added syrup, fruit cup, coffee with sweetner and no fat half and half.
Peanut butter vitamin bar (about 100 cal. takes the place of one dairy)
Green Salad with lowfat dressing a chick broc. pocket. (It is like a hot pocket)
Orange or apple diet pepsi
Pot stickers (it is like steamed dumplings from Chineese place)w/veges
Yummy lemon cake w/skim milk

There are a about 100 combinations but most of the stuff I eat on JC is stuff you could substitue at the grocery store. A lot cheaper that way. I like the convience of the frozen foods but keep your calories around 1500 at your current weight. Once you hit below 230 you will want to bump it down to 1200 cal. You DO NOT want to starve yourself. It always sounds like really you don't eat enough when you log what your eatting. My opinon (and you know what they say about opinons!) Remember you can eat a lot of veges. I pretty much have unlimited veges on JC. If you get hungry try to curb with sugar free jello with non fat whip or some sugar free pudding if you like it. Just don't get carried away with it. Anyhow that really seemed to help me when I first started on program.

Kathy Goodness I didn't even know they even used an IUD these days. I thought they were off the market. Enjoy your weekend off. Watch those calories though! I have heard Jullians book is really good. Considering picking it up myself. I think Hat Chick could give you good insight as I have heard her metion it several times. Also thinking about getting the BL video but not sure.

2Frust don't worry I am sure the lbs will shed off soon. It sounds like your doing everything right. Seems like you get a lot of activity in to me.

Hat Chick hows the new floor? I am so happy for you coming down in weight. You kick rear chick! You are my inspiration for sure.

Star sounds like your totally back in action these days. Yippee!! Glad to her it Chick. Good luck back on program.

Well chicks have a really good weekend and stay on program if you can! Excerise too!

Harley- Your new ticker looks great! Thanks for your meal plan...your food looks so yummy! Thanks for the suggestions! I think that you are totally right about me not eating enough b/c then I end up starving and give up. I have some major issues with weight loss and maintence. I actually do kinda think that I have a tendency for eating disorders, which sounds funny considering how much I weigh. I either go WAY over board and terribly bad (binge) or eat way too little and starve. In fact a few years ago when I had lost so much weight I had put myself on a 200 cal a day diet. Plus, I was purging when I over-ate. I am just one of those people that can gain super fast, but I can also lose super fast. I can gain and/or lose 30 pounds in a month or so. I am now convinced that being so extreme in my dieting has never worked for the long term and this time I want to change my habits for life, so no quick fixes anymore!

Star- I'm glad I'm not the only person that eats out a lot. Sometimes I don't feel "wifey" because I don't cook much. In fact, I used to "cook" a lot more when I was single. But I was really really poor, too. LOL. My idea of cooking then was chicken breast on the George Foreman grill and a can of veggies. Or Lean Cuisine's and salad or sometimes a can of Spagetti O's. Perfect! I have found that when I want to be good I can find lots of healthy choices pretty much wherever I go. A lot of my bad food choices are just my own fault and I give in to eating junky. I'm not too crazy about eating veggies...I love green beans...but I'm trying!

I hope all you have a great, relaxing, and fun weekend!!! Enjoy!