I am glad to hear so many other mommies aren't forcing their kids to eat everything on their plates. When my kids say they are done, I say "Make sure you're tummy's all full, because i'm not cooking no more tonight" or "until supper" whatever the meal is. Sometimes they'll take a few more bites, but usually they are just full and I let them stop. I want them to listen to their bodies, and there is no way I can tell if they are full or not. Another thing I do is to not pile up their plates real full. I'd rather them ask for more than keep eating becuase it's there. I give them a good bit, but not too much.

Laura, I also still cook meat for hubby and kids. I will let the kids grow up and make their own decision on that, in the meantime I will keep feeding them healthy meals, meat included daily. I don't mind touching or preparing it or even watching them eat (long as no blood is running out, ugh) but I just know I feel better if I don't eat it myself. Besides the fact that I just think it's disgusting eating a dead animal, just my personal feelings. I have never held anyone else to those, everyone has to make that decision for themselves, my kids included. I just feel like getting sick if I think about where it came from.

Okay, I have to go wake the hubby and kids from their naps...I got in 4 miles while they slept. It wasn't a very vigorous 4 miles because I was yakking on the phone with a friend through half of it lol but it got my sweat going a bit. Slow miles are still miles!

Theresa

I am so glad to hear things are leveling off although still kind of busy for you Sandi. That first chick out of the nest is always the hardest. Mine is 22 now and I still have a hard time-there is just so much that they DON'T know and think they do. Congrats on school- I still have about a month till Joshua goes back. Should be interesting with it being both a new school and new teacher-he doesn't do change very well. I am still planning on that walk after dinner. Josh has already asked if he can take his 3 wheeler along(big boy bigwheel). We have been trying to get him to try a bike but he just can't get it. Right OP today and when I saw my son's therapist today she asked me what was different and said I glowed-lol.
Melissa

My parents never tried to make me eat anything I didn't want to....it was my school that tried to force kids to eat. I don't think I ever got noon recess in kindergarten because we had to eat everything on our plate and drink all of our milk or sit there quietly until it was time to go back to our room. I was miserable and hated school the whole year all because of lunch! My mom even went in to my school and talked to my teacher about it and she was told that those were the rules and I had to follow them like everybody else. At that time I was small and always sick with tonsillitis and couldn't eat much as it was. After I had my tonsils out in 1st grade I never had a problem with being able to eat again, but I will never ever forget how horrible my kindergarten year was.

Is anyone who is counting calories bothering with goals on grams of carbs, fat and protein? I am getting most of my calories from carbs, and then fats and then protein. Do you think it matters re losing weight? I am eating about 4 fruits a day. Summer fruit is just the best and I just can't give it up. My DH has been buying the most wonderful breads at the farm market and I have had a piece each day, and then of course August tomatoes and corn are irresitable. According to www.fitday, I'm still coming out at around 1300 calories, but very low on protein. I hope it doesn't matter. Anyone have any ideas? thanks
Laura

carbs are important-it is what your brain uses for functioning-along with most other vital organs. Alot of people confuse carbs with starchy foods ie bread, corn potato pasta ect. those convert into sugar when we eat them. The only thing I can see if maybe put protein over fat-protein gives the feeling of being full along with the fiber also. I don't think you can go wrong with fresh fruits and vegies-they are so full of the nutrition our bodies need. And then there are good fats and bad ones too. If your fats are from like an olive oil dressing, don't worry about it-that is a good oil but if it is from butter and the like, maybe cut a bit and put some protein in its place. That is my .02 worth lol

Laura, I'm doing pretty much the same as you are. I'm not using a "diet" because I want to be able to continue eating like this forever and I just don't feel that I could do that with a "fad diet". I'm mainly counting calories and watching my portion size. I do think that it would be a good idea if you added some more protein though. I know if I don't get enough protein in a meal then I'm hungry again in an hour or so. I eat Special K Low Carb (blue box) for breakfast, not because it's low carb, but because it has 10g's of protein in it! One bowl with milk and fresh fruit holds me over until lunch with no problem! Tuna, chicken or turkey on a tossed salad for lunch would also add protein.

Hi all!

Back from the long weekend and the fair - I did o.k. at the fair - no fried dough tho' (he didn't have the pizza sauce - the way I like it.) ;( Instead, I had a slice of pizza and some of my friends fries. So I didn't too badly at all!
Tonite I made homemade pizza and loaded my side with chopped spinach with a little bit of cheese - and didn't even notice the difference! (Yes - I am a pizza fiend!)

Sounds like everyone is doing great staying on track! Great Job!

Question - Am I the only one obsessing by weighing myself every day?

Take Care all!

No you aren't the only one-I weigh not only every day but sometimes several times. I keep hoping as I get smaller, I won't obsess as much. I just want to be under 200 soooo bad!!!

Well I did it! I got a walk in-short one because my son was crabbing so loudly that I had to stop and I had a guy whiz around the corner, almost getting us( I am very residental area) and when I told him to slow down he gave us a string of profanities. I just love exposing the kids to that-NOT. So I came home and got my cell phone just in case I needed to call 911. This guy was so hostile I could still him cussing me out when he was around the corner! Geez wonder if he kisses his mama with that mouth. But the long and short is that I did actually get some walking in and sweating! I want to thank whoever introduced fitday.com cause that is a righteous site.
melissa

No you aren't the only one -re: weighing yourself.. I so want to weigh myself everyday -sometimes a couple times a day, But I am only going to weigh myself when I need to hit my goals. I need to know that inches lost, clothes fitting better and feeling better /healthier is my goal and pounds lost is a perk..I so want to just hit under 170 for the first time in 8 -9 years.. I want to be able to go into the regular womans size area of the stores and wear an outfit that isn't too big one place and too small somewhere else.

I had to go see a nutritionist today for the insurance to pay for WW- (I never realized what really great insurance we have) I showed her my eating / food diary and she said the only problem I had was that I should eat fruit with protein (think 1/2 cup cottage cheese) as it will slow the sugar in the fruit.
Of course the BBQ pork on saturday was a big
But ya know she didn't tell me anything I didn't already know- I told her my problem was just doing what I knew to be right. It's easier to eat the cookies than to slice an apple.. she did say the same thing my dr. told me: eat nothing white unless it has 3 grams or more per serving & drink/eat No white foods unless it's fat free. So far it has helped on choices I am making in what to eat.- I think..she said WW would give me an easy way to track eating.. I just don't like all the intensity I have seen with some people on WW -so it's online for me..

Next Saturday will be a test for me as little bits and I are going with 22 kids
(and a few other Mom's)to see Veggie tales live.. and we are stopping at Mcdonalds on the way home. and it's 2 hours there and 2 hours back.. me in a bus with 16 little kids ages 3-8 arrgh what was I thinking??? it'll be fun- the adults will prolly have more fun than the kids LOL

for all the support,ya'll are wonderful !

Sandisuze - Thanks for the slowing sugar in fruit idea.
I am really having a protein problem since I am not eating meat and chicken. I haven't been buying shrimp cause of high cholesterol. I tried putting tofu and lots of seasoning on a tomato salad and that was ok. Tofu picks up flavors of other foods. I think I have to go to the fish store. I could live on cheese, but that's not a good idea. Protein really does curb hunger cause I'm at 1000 calories now, and not hungry at all.
It looks like we have been together now for 2 weeks and we are all posting regularly. This is a good thing.
Incidently, I pass by Martha Stewart's house in Bedford sometimes and it is the most gorgeuos color grey I have ever seen, if you can imagine gorgeous grey. According to the tabloids, which I read on line in the supermarket, she has lost a ton, and is really thin now, and about to marry a zillionaire. If she can do it, I can do it. (but I'll never have the zillionaire.)
Laura
Laura
Laura

Laura, I have never been real big on tofu, but I read this tip that I never knew, so i guess I've just always done it wrong: if you freeze it, then thaw it back out it takes the consistency of actual meat! I always tried to just cook it and didn't like the mushiness, even of the firm kind. I am going to try to get some and freeze it...never knew I had to do that!

I did pretty good today. Eating was a bit off on times, but I didn't go overboard and didn't have red meat or sugar, so I am happy. I got a total of 5 miles in, didn't get the evening exercise session in but I did the first two so met my goal there.

Not sure how much I will be around tomorrow, busy day I want to just stay home and be bored and sloppy for once!

Theresa

Heck I would be happy with a thousandaire! Cottage cheese, yogurt, nuts (careful of fat) and legumes are all sources of protein and fiber too. Beans are also pretty versital and not just for chili anymore.

Theresa - Ive never cooked with tofu, just diced it up and added it to veggies or a salad. There are some baked tofus that come all seasoned. I've used the Thai seasoned kind and it was good. I don't like any of the make believe meats that are made out of tofu and flavored to taste like hot dogs or hamburger. They are yucky.
I'll try the freezing thing too next time I shop. It might be nice scrambled with eggs if it holds together,
Laura

Thanks for the tip for the tofu. I may try it again now. I have tried several times in the past in it was just yacky. There have been some WW recipes that call for it and I have avoided them but will try it.
melissa