Another tea drinker here! :wave:

I drink a cup of hot black tea, no milk or sugar (just because that's simply the way I like it). Usually because it's hot it takes me some time to drink it and the tea simply takes up space in my stomach. It doesn't fill me up with anything substantial but most of the time I have the munchies I'm not actually hungry anyway!

You make a very good point. I was thinking of using this SparkPeople meal planner thing I found off someone elses diet blog. Will keep skimming other things too see if I find a better one or not.

Popcorn. I'm obsessed with it. There's ff bagged popcorn, but I like to make it myself. I have this microwave popper. It's a bowl thing--you stick kernels in it, stick it in the microwave, and voila! popcorn! I like a little olive oil and garlic powder on mine. Or even plain is good. without the butter and junk, popcorn isn't bad for you, lots of fiber and it's really filliing. And it's crunchy so it might curb that chip urge (if you're a chip or cracker eater--I am)

That is a really good idea, I haven't had plain popcorn in probably 15 years, but I remember I LOVED it with tabasco sauce, or garlic powder. yes I know weird . Will give it a try :D

yes, yes, yes - calorie counting is wonderful. You give yourself a budget. Once you do that, your choices automatically become clearer - and wiser. But you will find that where your calories come from REALLY MATTERS. I count calories, choosing very filling, satiating, nutritious, voluminous foods. No 100 calorie packs for me - they don't work - they are SO unfilling and satisfying, they leave my wants for sugar-y foods alive (instead of letting those cravings die down) and then it leads me to ANOTHER 100 calorie pack - and another. Yeah - not good.

Therefore I stick to tons of veggies (found great ways to prepare them), fruits, low fat proteins, SF/FF yogurt and the such.

BUT - you MUST stock your home with the healthy stuff, while GETTING RID OF THE JUNK. You can't eat it if it's not there. Period. SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS!!!! Have only healthy, low calorie foods on hand - take them with you to work and wherever you go. PLAN OUT YOUR FOODS IN ADVANCE, knowing where each and every meal and snack is coming from. Eating well, eating healthy will not happen on it's own. Don't leave it to chance. We are surrounded with unhealthy choices at every turn, you've got to do your part to combat that.

Also, that popcorn (& any healthy food) is great - but remember healthy foods can be overeaten too. 1000% so. Stick to a calorie budget. It's built in accountability and portion control. It will set your limits for you. Because lord knows when I started this, I had no limits, no boundaries. I was in dire need of them - calorie counting was my solution.

Also you must work through this initial discomfort period. The period where you are just beginning, you don't have your foods down pat yet, your cravings are still quite high. It does improve - greatly. but you must push yourself past the discomfort, KNOWING that there is a pay off. It's not painful, you're not bleeding - but it's new and it's awkward and yes uncomfortable, just like anything new. KEep telling yourself that everytime you say no to one of*those foods*, that you're saying YES to you and that you will be one step closer to losing the weight, ending the misery, heading towards a better life and becoming that fit, trim, healthy person that you've always longed to be.

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!! I AM CERTAIN OF IT!! CERTAIN!!! You 100% don't have to be fat if you don't want to be. You have the power to change this. Losing weight is a doable thing for any one and every one - yourself included. Just hang tough - no matter what. NO MATTER WHAT. Give this lifestyle a chance to catch on. Give it your all. Give it 150%. And transform your very life.

I look forward to hearing of your success. :)

Shmead, your plan is obviously working! :)

Drinking tea at my desk helps a LOT.

Also, eating a LOT more protein really helps keep me full faster. I never realised what a difference it made. Ham, Chicken, Hard-boiled eggs, protein-shakes and cottage cheese all make a big difference for me.

There's nothing wrong with eating *some* unhealthy stuff, it's when we go overboard that it's bad. There are some things that, if I deprive myself, I end up getting cravings and go crazy. I have a dessert every single day and am still maintaining the weight I lost over the summer without too much restriction.