I have been eating whole wheat bread for a long time the only time I ever eat white bread is if I every once and a while either bake my own bread or go to the bakery for hard crust french bread,white sandwitch bread dose not ever end up in my house.I also keep grilled chicken brest in the fridge so f I want to snack on it or make a sandwich I have it,I also have lots of calorie free veggies in the fridge to snack on right along with bowles of things to make a salad with.Also I am makeing my own derssing with various vinagaretts where I can add diffrent flavors to them to keep it intresting.
Im doing a restricted carb diet..not adkins where u cant hardly have any carbs but the diabetic plan the doc gave me,I can have as much as 130 carbs a day but usely around 70 some carbs a day even tho sometimes I stretch it to the limit if I hav something thet has more carbs than I should have,the next fue days I eat salads and veggies so at the end of the week it all averages out.I also test three times a week to see that im useing carbs the right way.So far my test have run betweek 85 wich means I am really hungry when I get up and 111 when I use up my carbs or eat after 9pm.Plus im working out a lot so I really need to keep my emging running by not getting to hungry cause then I run the risk of over eating when I do eat.

Welcome BigButchMistie....so glad you joined us! :)

I see you're already getting lots of good advice. I'm a big advocate of making small, progressive changes. Usually when we try to do everything at once, it's a lot harder to stick to.

Cutting out fast food and drinking more water is a fantastic place to start. Like Zimmy, I've become a huge fan of the greek yogurt. The first time I tried it, I didn't like it...but I tried a different brand and that made all the difference. I like the Oikos (Stoneyfield) Organic non-fat greek yogurt...although I like the ones with fruit at the bottom (and not the honey or fig flavors :) ). Sometimes it just takes experimenting.

If you're not a veggie fan, I'd say drinking a V8 is better than no veggies at all. I love puregrrl's idea about the soup too....you get all the goodness that way.

Stick around and keep trying different things. You've got lots of support here!

Some suggestions:
1) Start drinking only water (no other kind of beverage). This can lead to 30 pounds off all by itself.
2) Stop eating any of the white stuff and switch to 100% whole wheat, whole grain. Quit white bread/white rice entirely. Bad for those with diabetic issues.
3) Keep a daily journal of everything you eat and the times and how you feel. This alone can make a big difference in it's weird, magical way.
4) Go right to a doctor. You may need some medication to keep you safe along the way. I'm worried for you, my friend.
5) Read every post on this thread. It's full of useful information and support. Make it a part of your daily routine.

:rrose:

This is my menu for today:

Breakfast:
Mixed berry smoothie:
1/2 c mixed berries
1/2 banana
1/2 c Greek vanilla yogurt
splash of sugar-free OJ
lots of ice
Total: 2 pts


Mid-morning snack:
2 small plums
Total: 0 pts

Lunch:
Turkey sandwich:
2 slices of very thin wheat bread
2 thin slices of cajun-smoked turkey
1 slice of "buffalo" cheese
lots of lettuce
regular mustard
Also on the side - Fuji Apple
Fiber one bar
a handful of green seedless grapes
Total: 9 pts

Mid-afternoon snack:
a few of those Quakes chocolate mini rice cakes
Total: 2 pts

Dinner:
Grilled chicken breast marinated in smokey bbq seasoning
side salad with carrots and lite ranch dressing
grilled bell peppers and onion
grilled new potatoes
steamed asparagus with lemon zest and garlic
Total: 7 pts

Snack before bed:
Sugar-free banana popsicle
Total: 0 pts

Total points for the day: 20 points

As you can see, I kinda graze all day long and use fruits and veggies to bulk up my diet. Plus, fruits and veggies are great for your needed fiber intake.
I also drink water all day long and might add a random Fuze drink (0 pts) if I'm feeling like I want something different.

As an insomniac, sleep is always an issue for me.

From a Yahoo pop-up article:

"People who don't get enough sleep are more likely to have health issues. People who don't get enough sleep are 15 percent more likely to have a stroke and 48 percent more likely to develop or pass away from heart disease. Additionally, people who sleep four hours or less each night have a 75 percent higher chance of being obese due to the fact that sleep deprivation can affect appetite hormones."

sleep and stress relief major factors.

I try to sleep 9 hours. Sometimes I just can't fall asleep. I put my headphones on and listen to "The Ultimate Sleep System". It really helps. There are others. Then at some point in the day meditate. Even if it's just sitting still and focus on your breathing for 30 min. Both of these are huge.

Not much sleep last night so I'm feeling run down this morning...not coping with food though...just recognizing that it's early bedtime for me tonight. :)

Breakfast....greek yogurt and a banana

Snack (now because I still felt hungry)....1 stick of low-fat mozzarella string cheese, a BIG handful of tender young green beans (raw...delicious), and a handful of black olives

:)

Hi Pink Stuff!

Not the same as what you're use to drinking, but how's about giving these a try...They're only 64 calories. I have them and drink them when I want a beer. I've also tried the Select 55 and am not a fan. The 64 is a little better. I usually drink Amstel Light or Bud Light, but they're higher in points and I'd rather save my points for my reduced-fat cheese its and go with a lower point beer when indulging in my night time treats.

http://intoxicologist.files.wordpres...ize_story1.jpg

There are thousands of different beers. Here’s a selection of popular brews. Some are smarter grabs that save PointsPlus™ values. All are 12 ounces.

Beers with 2 PointsPlus values

Miller Genuine Draft Light 64 (MGD 64)
Select55


Beers with 4 PointsPlus values

Bud Ice Light
Budweiser Select
Busch Light
Coors Light
Miller Light

Beers with 5 PointsPlus values

Budweiser
Busch
Coors
Miller Genuine Draft

;)

I'm not a big breakfast person, but I know with school starting up again I will need the "brain food"...so I just finished eating an apple with organic, unsalted almond butter. Tons of protein and good fat and it will keep me satiated until lunch. I baked a whole bag of sweet potatoes last night and then brought left over chicken breast stuffed with feta cheese and artichokes. Another protein packed lunch for my hikes across campus today. :)

Keep up the good work, folks!!!

Pinkie, have you heard about the Paleo diet? It's not really a diet, per say, but rather a way of eating that harkens back to hunter/gatherer days. It is comprised of lean meat and fish, fruits/veggies, nuts and seeds. No wheat, dairy or legumes. I have been eating this way for a little over a year now and SWEAR by it. My digestion has improved drastically and I feel incredible. I still do eat a bit of dairy (feta or goat cheese mostly) but the biggest change I have noticed is that when I do splurge and eat wheat or heavier dairy products like ice cream, I feel terrible! I highly recommend it!!

You have to know that the Virgo in me SALIVATES whenever someone makes a list in here of any kind.

So can we make some lists? How about a list of movies to watch that will inspire you to eat healthier?
We could start with:

1. Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead
2. Supersize Me
3. Food, Inc.

Also, grocery lists?! (VIRGO!)

Well im not a big fan of breakfast either so its a good thing I dont get tired of cottage cheese and water packed peaches,or some fresh strawberries to add to it.Also I usely have 1 or 2 cups of coffee with non dairy creamer in it just enough to taste right to me.Im going off to the gym in a little bit so I will take some string cheese and apple slices with me incase I need them,will have lunch when I get back...some kind of salad with hard boiled eggs in it.Dnner tonight will be grilled fish steaks seasoned with sea salt,fresh cracked black pepper,a squeez id lemon then some dill layed on top of it with a side salad to round out the meal.Desert will be later when I want a snack,maybe apple slices w/pb or chedar cheese.Im finding if I eat a little something before bed thats in the food frange I keep dureing the day I feel beter when I get up cause I sleep better.This morning I tested before I ate and came in a t 101..wich means im useing up the carbs while burning calories and fast cells like im suposed to.

I have been all kinds of off track! I just don't feel motivated like I used to. Before I had a girlfrend, I was running everyday, tracking like a fiend and really following plan.... now after I have been with my girlfreind, I feel less motivated LOL!! so annoying. I am going to start making little steps again to get back on track. I am still 42 lbs less than I was when I started WW, and under 200 lbs... so I am doing ok.... but if that scale hits 200 again... I will be all kinds of upset!!

here is too a good week, on track!!

:-)
Starry

I picked up a few groceries yesterday to get me through the week:

Pepperidge Farm Very Thin Wheat Bread - $4
Super lean thin-sliced cajun deli Turkey - $4
Bag of 3 romaine hearts - $2
Huge bag of Fujis - $3
Cantaloupe - $2
Huge bag of black plums - $3
Dannon Light and Fit - $3
Bananas - $2
2 Amy's burritos - $5
2 Bags of Quakes rice cakes - $3
1 box of sugar-free banana pops - $2
4 bags veggie steamers - $5
Bag of baby carrots - $1
4 ears of corn - $1
1 pkg wheat English Muffins - $2

This all came out to $42 and is enough food to last me all week for breakfast and lunches (coupled, of course, with a huge bag of mixed berries that I already have and condiments) and several dinners (minus the chicken I already have).

For dinners I usually have a lean chicken or beef with a salad and steamed veggies. EASY.

Heck no - I JUST now discovered the chocolate flavor! I have been eating the cheddar cheese ones as a chips alternative when I do my turkey sandwich or tuna.

They are ADDICTIVE!

One of my favorite flicks is:

Fatso (which stars Dom DeLuise) a 1980 classic that will make you laugh and relate if you're dieting, etc. Especially if you're a ginzo like me, you will relate moreso...This is one my all time favorite movies.

The film begins by chronicling the DiNapoli siblings - Antoinette (Bancroft), Domenico (DeLuise), and Frank Jr. (Carey) - growing up, whenever young Dom became upset by something, the one thing his mother did to comfort him, was to feed him, from nursing him while crying in the middle of the night as a baby, to giving him a cannoli after being urinated on by his baby brother as he's being changed. Because of this, Dom grew up with a love of food, a trait that was shared by his equally obese cousin, Salvatore (Sal).

When Sal suddenly dies at the young age of thirty-nine, the entire family grieves, and prompts Antoinette to urge Dom to visit the diet doctor that Sal was supposed to visit, so as not to further copy his cousin's unhealthy eating habits, and drive himself into an early grave as well. Dom is reluctant, but agrees to do so when he begins to realize the signs that his obesity is ruining his health; after his examination, Dom is heartbroken when he is given his new diet plan, and he sees the long list of things he can no longer eat, that he has always loved. The diets fail, and Dom's eating habits begin to drive his sister crazy, who enlists him in the Chubby Checkers support group.

I'm not going to say anymore about it, in case you decide to rent it on Net Flix. It's worth every minute to watch it has a lot of humor in it and also puts things into perspective for folks struggling with their weight..

Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead was life changing for me. As was Food, Inc.

i just have to throw a couple more ideas out there since food is a hobby of mine. ;)

if anyone is trying the route of dairy/wheat free...try adding slivered almonds and capers to your tunafish and then rolling it up in a leaf of romaine lettuce instead of bread. it is sooooo yummy and you save by not eating so many carbs.

i actually use lettuce a lot as a replacement for bread. not iceberg though, as it has zero nutritional value.

Have you folks tried these yet? These are VERY good and only 3 points for 29 chips! A favorite in our household especially on the side with a sandwich...

http://www2.kelloggs.com/ServeImage....03deb2f4&w=220

Hello everybody!

Mist bud, glad you joined us. Great advice, tips, info and people in here!
As for your meat coming out tough on your small grill, try cooking it less time and maybe turning it once. It shouldn't be cooked more than 10 minutes. . depending how you like it leave it a bit pink? and it will be juicy and delicious. I like to use top sirloin. The advice I would like to give you is drink more water. I buy 20 - 30 water bottles at a time and stock my fridge so it's always cold. . and maybe invest in an ice tea maker. . unsweetened of course is best if you need flavor you can add lemon slices and stevia sweetener. Also lots of variety of fresh fruits and fresh vegetables.

Scorp I drink beer so thanks for that info. I will be going back to lower calorie and light beer when I do want some.

My breakfast was honey oats with almonds 3/4 cup and fat free milk 1/2 cup = 170 calories and dark roast coffee 2 cups.
My snack before lunch will be 1 cup of cantaloupe chunks.
For lunch I want to go get some of that chicken breast cajun deli meat and the thin sandwich whole wheat buns with tomato slice. Mmm.

For me today it's more water!

This is what I prefer for bread. There is a different variety and brands to choose from.

http://www.iateapie.net/images/brand...nsthinbuns.jpg


http://www.kraftbrands.com/oscarmaye...aj_package.jpg

A few of my favorite lunch meats from Hormel Natural Choice:
http://www.omahafastfoods.com/demo1/...,%207%20oz.jpg 4 slices = 2 points...Yep I said 2 points only!


http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...LwGiKaxUzgHEWA 1-1/2 slices = 1 point...

I just got back from the gym a while ago,u bet I had a really full work out.What I find thats way diffrent with the exsecycles I ride that the calorie counter is never the same on either of them.Last week I rode 9 miles with well over 100 calories used today I rode a diffrent bike but only went 7 miles before maxing out the thing for a whoping 69 calories burnes for 25 minits rideing time.My speed was the same as were my rpm's so I really dont get it but just ride for all im worth anyway.After I got off the bike I went to the weight room and did a bunch of diffrent things with the lowest reps being 2setsets of 10 the highest being 4 sets of 20 I did everything form squats to leg presses to crunch machines with alternateing 30,40 and 60 pounds resistant and u bet my abbs feel it.Then I went around doing ten 2 twenty of what ever struck my fancy.What I really wish I could do is run on the tredmill...in my head I know how but when it comes to doing it I cant quite get the coordanation down very well..crazy makes no sence to me.

I could not agree more. In my experience, if I go from completely out of control to 800 calories of celery and twigs a day, I find myself foaming at the mouth in a Baskin Robbins within a month. :rant:

I am by no means an expert, but I stay within 25 pounds of my preferred weight ( I know that is a lot. I have food issues, ok? :) ) because of changes I made about 10 years ago. I exercise a lot, and while that is good for your overall health too, I have found that it is not the answer to weight loss for me. I have to eat less and eat better.

I hate that part.

Anyhoo...

Things that help me when I need to get a handle on food again :

1. No fast food. Even if they have this "great new XYZ that is only 100 calories!" Eventually I will be ordering a Double Whopper with fries/Burrito Supreme/etc. etc...

I call fast food the 'gateway drug' once i allow myself to go there, it is only time before I am recognized and called by name when I come into the store.

2. Drink a glass of water before I eat a meal.

3. Find a salad dressing that I can stand that does not have a ton calories (like 100 cal/2 tbsp I like any of the light balsamic vinegrettes), and salad toppers that you like (no more than 50 calories Here is the one I like http://i.pgcdn.com/pi/85/04/12/850412026_125.jpg)

and then eat my salad before the stuff I want to eat (I dislike/borderline hate veggies too. It makes me eat them and takes the edge off my hunger so I am less likely to chip a tooth on the plate, as I try to inhale my dinner because I let myself get too hungry :) )

4. Drink water all day long. I carry it with me. I drink until I feel like I am going to float away. Then I drink some more. It helps me by making me feel fuller. I tend to binge eat and eat portions for a person twice (or three, four, five, times) my size. Feeling fuller helps curb the need to fill with food.

5. Pack my lunch and snacks to work. When I my little bag is out of food. I am done. Hopefully that is not by 10 am, like today. :sigh: Progression not perfection, as they say.

5. Be honest with myself and write down everything I eat. It makes me make better choices when i know I have to look at the whole bloody list and see just how bad it was.

I am currently doing Weight Watchers and I find it to be a pretty realistic and sustainable program.

Is it perfect? No, but am I going to eat perfectly? No. I loves me some cake and shortbread cookies too much for that.

"Ingredients" It's on Netflix streaming and probably elsewhere too.

Good Evening Everyone,

I watched that movie, "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" over the weekend and it made me cry. To know, that was me almost five years ago is hard. I still have my sweets, but I have decided that soda or any form of alcohol is a no no and I don't crave either.

When I go grocery shopping, I normally pick up stuff that is easy for me to make on the nights when I get home late or I have to work until 11pm. I have found that keeping individual packs of chicken in the freezer and frozen veggies are the best. I stay away from processed cheese and usually go to the deli or for the Sargento brand cheese. I told my roommate, that the loaf of bread in the pantry is my last and I am going to keep myself in check and not have anymore bread. I don't consume a lot of sugar, salt, or fried foods. I am having a hard time with losing the last twenty pounds to reach my goal weight and it is becoming frustrating.

I am headed to the gym in a bit..

Zimmy

I found the same problem when I was still using a gym; all of the cardio equipment would give inconsistent readings. I worked with the staff on the problem for a while and they were unable to resolve it saying that it was probably the chips in the individual units. The equipment uses a combination of age, weight, gender, and heart rate to calculate calories burned. I finally just conceded that I would have to use my own heart rate monitor and do the math myself; I thought this was ridiculous but wanted accuracy.

What happened was sort of interesting. I bought a low/mid range Polar heart rate monitor that had a chest strap and would send readings to a wristwatch type device. When I started using it on the equipment I found it would input directly to onboard computers as well as the “watch”. It turns out that all of their cardio equipment had chips made by Polar in them and that the real problem they had was variable or non-functioning sensors in the grips/rails whatever input device. If I just made sure to avoid their sensors and wore my chest strap the onboard computers worked just fine and I could get consistent readings across all their different machines. This was at a 24 hour fitness center with about 90 machines, so I don’t know what you are using but my experience crossed several brand names. A “replacement” chest strap can be bought separately and might work.

On the other hand I like the “ride like heck“ until worn out approach too. :)

The ride like heck is what im doing,ppl there must think im nuts to be rideing or useing the equipment like that but im one of the fue that have a go for broke plan.I was so give out that when I got in my car to go home I just sat there cause it took a fue minits to go from gogogo to drive home mode.