5x7

[danaf]

=35 containers taking up space in my fridges.

I started a diet which I actually believe in. No sugar, no salt - eating once every 2 1/2 3 hrs but all good food (meant to speed up my metabolism). I really need to drop 50 lbs so I'm doing this. I figure it is worth a few hours on Sunday to prepare everything for the week - yahooo, no cooking until next Sunday (my husband is on his own).

[lrprn]

Sounds like you have a plan, Dana - that's half the battle. Good luck to you!

Do try to lose only 2-3 lbs a week average. If you lose faster than that, you'll make your body slow down your metabolism and hold on to fat more tightly because your body thinks you're starving.

Keep us posted on your progress and enjoy the no cooking for the week!

[jennordhavn]

Good luck. I wish I could be that organized! I just joined Weight Watchers with my sister yesterday. We both need to lose weight and she has some health issues, so we're doing it together.

[JollyGG]

I'm right with you guys trying to loose weight. Also need to loose about 50-60 lbs here. Hoping to have made real headway and be looking good by my brother's wedding in June. I brought a huge bag full of salad, fruits, veggies, and yogart to work with me this morning for my lunch and snacks all week. I've lost 5 lbs in my first week. I'm sure most of that is water weight and things will slow down from here on out (I know it should be about 2 lbs a week), but it felt good to start out on a high note.

[chpxiii]

Hey!

A friend showed me http://www.sparkpeople.com/ I signed on because I had decided to start writing my food down. I found myself looking at calories and HOLY GUACAMOLE! Literally!

My favorite Chipotle bowl: rice, carnitas, lettice, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole: a WHOPPING 867 calories!

I admit that I have somewhat of an advantage in that I've had weight loss surgery in 2001. (Part of the bill on that written off in the bankruptcy.

At anyrate, I'm now on my own and I've gained 35lbs or so lbs. I'm now at 173. eeps! So, I'm doing the "watching and counting calories" thing. It's amazing. Even though I can't eat that much while at a restaurant, even smaller restaurant portions can still pack a punch with the calories.

I've tried other things, weight watchers (which has actually been quite successful for a coworker), carbs (which isn't working for yet ANOTHER coworker - as I don't see she has lost ANY weight), and other things. I'm going to try the calorie intake and more exercise along with healthy eating habits this time around. I can't eat much anyway and I'm finding that I get fuller faster and for longer periods when I prepare my own foods. (But I am still allowing myself to go out every once in a while! )

One thing for me, and this is all a mind game I'm playing with myself, is that I REFUSE to tell myself I "can't" have something. i.e. Fritos. I LOVE fritos! But I won't tell myself I can't have those. However, when I see the cold hard numbers I think, "Hrm. Where can I shave off some calories?" It's sort of hearkens back to finances and budgeting. I have a "budget" of a number of calories per day. I need to stay within it.

If you're interested, check it out. Also, I'll share my spark page with you if I'm familiar with you on the board. Just PM me and I'll send it to you.

[JollyGG]

Hey!
One thing for me, and this is all a mind game I'm playing with myself, is that I REFUSE to tell myself I "can't" have something. i.e. Fritos. I LOVE fritos! But I won't tell myself I can't have those. However, when I see the cold hard numbers I think, "Hrm. Where can I shave off some calories?" It's sort of hearkens back to finances and budgeting. I have a "budget" of a number of calories per day. I need to stay within it.

I also find I fail if I say I can't have something. I do however, set a goal each day of having all the recomended fruits and vegatables and dairy servings as well as all the water I am supposed to every day. So, If I want that cookie and I have eaten all my fruits and veggies, water and dairy I can have it. However after 5-6 servings of fruits and veggies, two dairy servings, and eight glasses of water I am rarely craving a treat or am capable of making it a small one. I also try to keep the treats out of the house. That way if I want a pop, I have to get in my car and drive to the store where I buy one pop. I'm too lazy to put the work into it most days. I try to keep the focus on adding food that is good for me to my diet not on taking things away.

Thanks for the link. It looks like a neat site. I joined, took a look around, and looked up some some food calories.

[danaf]

I tried WW and hated it. It was too hard with all the point counting and cooking (their receipees). And I always seemed hungry.

I like what I'm doing better. I still cook but it is a simpler type of cooking. Much simpler. We'll see how it goes. This is my first week. I tried it 2 days last week to see if I could hack it, and I did and could so I'm going for it.

This is really the first time in years that I've been this serious about loosing weight. Every year I seem to gain 5 lbs here, 10 lbs there. It has added up and now it's time to pay the piper.

[chpxiii]

danaf, first of all.. one thing I have learned through the years of obesity, attempts to lose it, losing it through surgery (I had gotten desperate enough I had given up on life), and now maintaining that, is to be gentle with yourself.

Be very very gentle. Treat yourself like you would a child who is making an attempt at accomplishing a big goal. I'm sure there are plenty of us here who can help and support you. I'm on the road myself.

[BKOnce]

Make a hard pratice, don't think about foods regularly anymore, try to forget foods, don't look at food commercials, don't think about cooking a lot, don't think about good appetite either, throw food ads/papers,... whenever you get hungry, try to read a book or do some other hobbies, excercise, games, walking, etc. I know the diet feelings.. It is all in your minds...It is hard to control!

[ssdsco]

My sister who was about 80 pounds overweight for the last 30 years was always on a new diet and finally had the surgery about 2 years ago when she hit 50. Needless to say she dropped the 80 pounds and looks and feels great. She really regrets not doing the surgery a long time ago. Now she’s on to fixing other things in her life she’s not happy with. I liked her husband, oh well.

[arkienurse]

Now she’s on to fixing other things in her life she’s not happy with. I liked her husband, oh well.

<snort> now I need a new keyboard.

[FreshLikeADaisy]

That was funny, ssdsco.

[JollyGG]

Now she’s on to fixing other things in her life she’s not happy with. I liked her husband, oh well.

A number of members of my family have had weight loss surgery. My cousin is trilled with the 100 lbs she lost after her surgery, but is even happier after loosing the 250 lb husband. You'd be amazed at how common divorce is after weight loss surgery. As confidence levels improve and lifestyles change sometimes spouses just can't keep up.
Everyone only thinks my uncle got divorced and remarried after his wifes gastric bypass surgery. (They jokingly tease about that ex-wife of his). But heck she lost a whole person's worth of weight (135lbs)

[$$only4ever]

That way if I want a pop, I have to get in my car and drive to the store where I buy one pop. looked up

Do you mean pop like soda pop? I grew up in NYS and it was pop. I Moved to the Mid-Atlantic region 10 years ago and still get laughed at when I call soda, pop.

DH and I are on diets too. Little or no carbs.......no life....no fun

[JollyGG]

Do you mean pop like soda pop? I grew up in NYS and it was pop. I Moved to the Mid-Atlantic region 10 years ago and still get laughed at when I call soda pop.

DH and I are on diets too. Little or no carbs.......no life....no fun

Yes, it is a Soda Pop. I live in the midwest where we call it pop. I laugh when I go places where they call any soda-pop a Coke. I think is is funy when I ask for a Coke and someone asks me what kind.