Food comparison (along with a whole lot of exercise) is the reason I was able to lose all that weight without being hungry. I don't know why it took me so long to figure it out but it was really the answer for me. I was eating so much junk all the time, my diet was horrendous and it's amazing that I wasn't a lot heavier than I was. I also was not exercising at all. One thing I realize now is that when I was eating all that junk, I would eat it until it was gone and I was completely STUFFED but I never felt satisfied no matter how full I was. I was always just wanting more of it, even though I constantly felt stuffed and miserable and had indigestion that kept me awake almost every night. Now that I'm eating all healthy foods I can eat whenever I am hungry, eat until I am full and then that's it...I'm full and I don't want anything else for a while. It just gives me such a feeling of freedom. Any time in the past that I have been thin I have also been starving. I love it that I can eat so much food and be thin and never have to feel hungry.

I read something today that I thought was interesting but I don't really know if it is accurate or not. It said that every gram of fiber that you eat burns 9 calories because of the combination that it helps prevent fat absorption plus it burns calories as it digests. Like I said, I don't really know whether or not it's true but I really try to keep my fiber intake high every day and I have to wonder if that's part of the reason the weight came off so fast for me. At the time it seemed like it took forever but 100 pounds in 10 months is really pretty fast.

My son has been itching to go spend some of his Christmas money so we went shopping today and he ended up picking up the Billy Blanks Boot Camp workout series so I might have to give them a try sometime. I also found some Denise Austin DVD's on sale and since all I have are two of her old VHS tapes from about 10 years ago I picked up two of her newer DVD's. I did one 50 minute workout after I got home tonight and I can tell that a new workout routine was overdue for me. I could work up a good sweat with the old ones, but my arms and legs felt like jello after my new workout and that hasn't happened for a long time. It felt so good, like I really did something.

You know, when I was on that fitness panel a couple of days ago the teacher of the class said something and I have been kind of mulling it over ever since just because it was something I had never thought about but I did make a bit of sense to me. She is a small person and always has been and she said that was probably because her whole family is small she is just naturally thin, but she stressed that she had NOT always been healthy and that it was easy to ignore because she was never overweight. She could eat a poor diet and not exercise and get by with it because she just didn't gain weight. She said there are many people who are just naturally thin who ignore their health because they don't always have their weight reminding them that they need to get in shape and stay in shape, but that being unhealthy still put them at extra risk of health problems. I don't know that I would have ever taken the incentive to make the changes I have made and get myself healthy if I hadn't gotten so big. It was pretty hard to ignore the fact that I was unhealthy when it was staring me in the face every time I looked in the mirror.

Ok...sorry for the ramble, I guess I had a lot to say tonight. Hope everyone is having a great night.

We are home from Boston and it was a real nice day, lots of talk and playing with the kids. I had a smoked salmon sandwich for lunch with 3 little spinach turnovers and 2 forkfuls of pasta for dinner and an apple. So I think it was an ok day.
I never buy the imitation foods. They are too expensive and too fake. There are so many other choices out there that it doesn't pay to eat that stuff.
Laura

holy cow. it's 2:30 a.m. and i am leaving for work in an hour. it is really strange to be having breakfast at this hour, so i am having a strange breakfast. it is some kind of indian chicken stew i guess. only 310 calories, but man, i eat weird food. at least it is not ice cream today ;)
i have to agree with you kayelle about junk food. i think the food manufacturers design the food so you can just keep on eating and eating chips, frozen burritos, cookies, and whatnot, without ever getting full.. and they make it so you want to keep on eating because of the taste. something like that. maybe there is some chemical in the stuff that does that. there is definitely truth the claim that "once you pop, you can't stop," and "bet you can't eat just one!"
at least one junk food-type place got it right. today dh and i had gelato at this place in the mall, and although the gelato was really good, they only sell it in tiny little cups. the large size held about 1/2 of gelato. i had a small.. i estimate that held a little over 1/4 cup. to make it easy for americans used to "supersize" food, they give you a tiny little spoon to eat it with. about the size of my thumbnail (and it bite my nails, so it was *small*) lol.

:wave: hi everyone! I have been MIA, and will be today as well...just dropped in to say hey and catch up some. Glad everyone seems to be well and happy...will check back in detail this evening.

Theresa

You are so right Kayelle-we attribute being thing with being healthy and it is just so not the case for the majority of people. My SIL is thin and he has to be one of the most unhealthy kids I know. He has so many digestive and intestinal issues. His main diet is candy and soda and then can't figure out why he spends so much time in the bathroom. His mother has colitis and says she can't eat fresh fruit and veggies but when I did some research on it, said needed to eat those things. Can't make a horse drink though. I make healthy meals when they are here and now only answer questions if I am asked.

Candice good girl for not having ice cream for breakfast. Getting up that early and starting your day is an adjustment. People used to look at me when I was eating a sandwich or soup ect at 8a but it was lunch for me lol.

Looking forward to hearing from you Theresa-wondered where you were.

There isn't a whole lot to report today really. I am OP and just cleaning out more stuff-the better things I am putting on ebay. Logan outgrew the jammies I got him last month already! Oh and katy's friend Zoo (yes that is what people call him) thinks I am a good looking woman-oh joy oh joy. Katy did tell him not to go there which saves me from having to shoot him down. I am not interested in people who hang out or do drugs and having teeth in some form is also good. He has what I call hockyplayer mouth. Ex also told me that the support is going into the mail today so that was almost two faints from him in one day no less. Ok I am off for the time being to get some more things put where they belong.
Melissa

:welcome3: Gracenote, glad to have you join us.

It sounds like everyone had a good weekend. Candace--no icecream--:carrot: I know that's a fav of yours!!
Well I did manage to stay OP this whole weekend at work. I'm still eating only yogurt or a sandwich at my 2am dinner break. I started using a light whole wheat bread that's low cal. The whole sandwich is only 250 calories and it fill me up. So far my little experiment seems to be working. I am down 4 more pounds for the week.:woo: I get to move my ticker!!!! Not much else happening right now, we are shorthanded at work so I have another 40 hr in 3 days stretch starting wed. I hate these long stretches as all I do on my first day off is sleep!!!! Oh well it pays the bills for now and my contract does end in May:devil:

I will try to check back later. Have a great day everyone:grouphug:

Suzette

ok i am pouting.:( went to an endocrinologist today and she was really helpful....

NOT

she was pleased that i had lost a little weight and my eating and exercising habits were better BUT she said me losing weight is an uphill battle and it will be very surprising IF i lose too much more. you can't lose weight with a fatty liver (it's called NASfld ) like non- alcoholic -2 big words etc.. fatty liver disease. they say it only causes problems on rare occasions BUT I am thinking your liver does so much for your body and it's filled with fat then how can it work??They say my liver is like 3 sizes too big?? they want me to have a liver biosopy next month..
so she suggested i do one of two things- keep eating well and gee you will just be fat or go on a medifast type diet where it is controlled by her.. ( i got to wondering if she got a kick back on it??)
the only cure for NASFLAD is to lose weight- BUT you can't lose weight if you have NASFLD- i want a second opinion :rollpin:
I am not going to do a medifast type diet. i will lose weight no matter what she says. i will just pay attention to my food intake and exercise MORE
sorry about the rant - i was so annoyed today.

YAY! :woo: Suzette! :carrot: way to go !

I agree Kayelle- you can be so skinny and NOT be healthy- i know too many people who smoke 3 packs a day and eat "bad "foods and they are super skinny and think they look great BUT their health is worse than mine. I hope that is true about fiber- i know it fills me up faster than non fiber foods.

I really think one of my problems is NOT thinking before i eat- or overeat.

OK enough cleaning ! Melissa-:D I started on my bedroom bookcases this afternoon -(yes- you motivated me !)
One good thing is I found 3 more WW cookbooks i forgot i had. HMMM new recipes!

It has been proven that certain people taste things in different ways and certain chemicals /ingredients will make you keep eating. and eating.. and eating..

I think TOM is again rearing it's ugly head- i am cranky and crampy - my face is breaking out and i am up 2 pounds from yesterday. now it takes 3500 calories to gain a pound and i know i didn't eat 7000 calories in 1 day. so it's TOM..i hate this. never know (except in the a.m.) when it will show :devil:
When i was a tennager i never broke out - i had perfect skin.. then i had kids.. and got older and clearasil and miss clariol are my two best friends.

i am off to start dinner (oh joy :p )
Sandi

Misty congrats on the loss! You must have hit the nail on the head so keep it up! i don't know how you work the hours you do-I would be passed out in a coma somewhere.

Sandi Get a second opinion. I know I have a fatty liver and my enzyme count was like triple what is supposed to be and no one told me I couldn't lose weight. Sounds like a kickback to me and if you can't lose weight, why do medifast? Isn't losing weight an uphill battle for everyone? If it weren't there wouldn't be any fat chicks. Get a food journal going girlfriend and map out the night before what you will have the next day and then thinking is down to a minimum and way cool on the cookbooks too. It is always fun to find treasures while cleaning. You had me laughing about clearasil and miss clairol-I think we run in the same circles and I figured that by the time I was in my forties clearasil would be bought for teenagers not for myself! Speaking of new recipes mine arrived today and TY TY TY TY!!! I have been pouring over them and now trying decide which one to try first. Tonight I am doing cheaters chicken caccitore so we will see how it goes. Josh won't be happy but he never is so no biggy there. I wound up keeping him home from school today. He got up and got sick. I am really tired of illness and rain. I have both in abundance here. I am really in the mood for somewhere warm and tropical right now.
Melissa

Sandi I agree you need a second opinion. You are doing so well with this battle, don't let her get you down. It doesn't make sense to go on medifast diet if you can't lose weight :?: that will just set you up to gain it back or be on that forever, and come on, who can really do that if it's not life threatening? Second opinion ASAP.

I have been off having a time with TOM cycle. I had two weeks of cramping and a very upset tummy (not relate to TOM, but I am blaming him) and just overall lack of energy and feeling icky. I don't know why I had symptoms so early, usually it's about a week before, but this time I was starting to wonder if maybe it wasn't going to come :eek: it is here and I feel better. Strange how I feel better once it starts pouring, always thought PMS was during it when I was younger. I have exactly 3 weeks before both Allie's bday parties...having here on Feb. 12 and then at her school on 13th, which is actually her bday. I was supposed to be signed up to help with the valentine's party on the 14th as well, but no one ever contacted me about it and the teacher called to ask about when to schedule her party, and mentioned the Val. party is on 14th and didn't say a word about me helping. I kept my mouth shut, if they forgot or just left me out that is fine with me! I still might get contacted sometime in the next few weeks, but I am just hoping I have been left out. That would not hurt my feelings at all. That is probably horrible, but 2 parties in a row is enough for me!!!!!

Anyway, I have been OP all the way, even with limited exercise, even with TOM, because I feel very focused on those new pants looking great for her party. If they feel really good, I might just wash them overnight and wear them to both parties :)

Hubby has been letting me take naps and that has been why I haven't been on here. I have decided to sell my strip aerobics dvds, since they are really too easy already (no sweat anymore) and I am getting the BL soon, and want to get the VH1 Celeb. Fit Club one as well...so decided to ebay the strip aerobics and get some $$ back to buy the other one. I was surprised what they are going for, should get a good price for them. I looked up the Celeb. fit club one there and was shocked that people are paying more than the price to just order it brand new from VH1. It's 14.99 from VH1, and they have auctions up well over $20+sh!!!! Don't they know they can get it brand new cheaper? Makes me want to buy 2 and sell 1 for profit :lol:

Theresa

Glad that you are feeling better and what a wonderful Hubby to let you snooze! You are going to be busy with parties it looks like. My niece is due here on the 10th of feb and can't wait to see her. Ebay can really rock so hey if you aren't using it, may as well do it even if it is so you can restock on something different. I always take into account the total cost when I buy. the only thing I went googoo on was a Zatch bell thing josh was wanting really bad for christmas. Have to break even or save before I buy. I got a bunch of stuff from mom today too and I will be putting it on ebay. Glass stuff and some teacup things.

My friend in PA made this for me so now I have a new Avatar.
Melissa

Sandi-I agree about a 2nd opinion. And you have lost weight, so why assume you won't lose anymore?
Today is a gloomy day in my world. It snowed again and I worked here and was lonely and bored and just wanted to eat a lot of food, but I didn't. I am at 1000 calories and we have a small piece of salmon and some veggies to share for supper so I will be under 1300.
I need a beach.
Did anyone see the 627 lb woman on TLC last night. Very sad. I googled around to see if there was a followup to see how she is now, but I couldn't find anything.
Laura

Snow is frozen rain so I hear you there. The sun actually poked its head out for about 30 min today but then it was gone again. I didn't see that show. You might check out the TLC website-they sometimes have updates ect on the site.
Melissa

TLc has nothing on her.
Melissa- I love your new photo.
Today is a hard day. I am not hungry. I know that. But I want to eat because it tastes good. I'm here, so I won't.
Laura

:hug: ya'll are welcome to my sunshine and beach's anytime. i will firmly tell the sun it needs to shine in various areas. no rain - snow either. then of course you may have to deal with a hurricane or two.. we only live 5 minuted from the beach but the past 2 years the hurricanes have wiped them out to nothing- we don't go oftenas it gets too hot in the sun during the day and it's a hassle to drive down on the beach and it costs like 5.00 a trip to get on the beach with a car- i do enjoy a walk there tho around 5-6 p.m. in the summer.we park in the lots and walk down. that's still free for now.

Thanks guys:D i needed cheering up this afternoon- i am calling another end. tomorrow and making another appointment. i just felt she was really pushing the medifast and from the beginning she was all you can't keep the weight off- it has made me more determined than ever . i didn't like her- she was very pushy about either the medifast or another diet that she put her patients with. and i know i could never do medifast unless many doctors told me i had to in order to save my life.


Ebay is a wonderful magical place unless you become addicted to it as i have been on the past:p just joking! one time i got inot a bidding war with someone over an item i really wanted and they kept raising their bid by only 25 cents i think just to annoy me. I finally won :carrot: and only paid 1.00 more than i said i was going too. tea cups sell very well on there.

melissa- i am glad you like the recipes- i have more that i will be wiiling to send out possibly thurs- friday again. i know i love so many of them - of course when they call for chopped cilantro or something strange i don't have i sub. something- like italian seasoning -i never put hot peppers in anything either. let me now if ya want more- don't mind making copies for anyone who wants them. love the avatar!
Laura -i saw that show and i cried. i felt so bad for that woman but i also understood her and there are times i feel like i just want to do "normal" things and can't be because i am overweight. i don't know if she got help or not- i hope so.
Theresa - i am jealous! i know my TOM is going to be here soon as i don't sleep well when it's almost here. i really think all those insides should go away after we have our kids - no more problems.

I am off to bed soon and try to sleep. i am all worried about vehicles and getting them fixed and costs of it all.. then again i'd worry if everthing was ok today.
Sandi

Is Anyone Doing Wwatchers?:)