Re-starting.

Hi, congrats for getting back at it. Two weeks away is not a failure, just an intermission that makes you appreciate what you can achieve with lifestyle adjustments. A several months long plateau, followed by my own vacation induced intermission and accompanying weight gain caused me to look at my eating critically. Here's some of the changes I made, largely from reading a book written by a Physician, The Skinny on Losing Weight without being Hungry (I am still reading it). Before the book I was eating whole grain (not instant or fast cooking) oatmeal, or egg whites (2) with veggies and cheese. Now, I eat 4 egg whites with veggies or 1 c of 1% cottage cheese with 1 c of melon or strawberries. The book says protein keeps you full longer and that carbs cause a blood sugar spike causing rebound hunger. At lunch I've been bring a big salad (3 or 4 cups) to work with 4oz of lean protein (usually chicken or tuna) and sometimes I don't use dressing (usually if I have tuna which i put mayo in). Then, at dinner I prefer to have a homemade soup to start but if I don't have any I have a salad first with lowfat dressing. Then I eat veggies (2 servings), some times before sometimes with 4 or 5 oz of protein (which is more than I was eating), then only 1/2 c of startch (brown rice, mashed potatoes).

I have to stay away from chips and crackers as I think the salt causes me to retain water. The book also lists acceptable snacks, and I have followed that advice, apples not the banana I've always eaten, celery with lowfat laughing cow cheese spread. I've lost 4 lbs in 3 weeks, so now I'm 3 lbs away from that platuea weight that I was on before my own "intermission." Good luck and hope this helps.

Hi, I am restarting also. Not really have been paying attention to my diet for the last month and just came off vacation, which is always a challenge. Therefore, before I do any more "damage", I am totally getting serious again. I feel better when I eat properly.

I eat protein for breakfast, though try not to eat eggs too many times a week. Have been known to eat 1/2 porkchop from night before and a little cottage cheese. That protein sticks with you! Good luck to all of us.

its so easy to take time out from this isnt it and to just eat.... i have felt like this all last week and its a struggle to get back on track...

Keep motivated! You can do it! I usually eat light for breakfast and have a mid morning snack because even if I eat heavier, I'm usually hungry again before lunch anyway. So for breakfast I have either a yogurt, oatmeal, cereal, or a bagel thin with light cream cheese. Then around 10:00, I have some fruit to last me until lunch. I feel like I'm eating enough and it's not too many calories.

I'm on this page too - I signed up for a 5k to get myself motivated again. The past few weeks, I've just let myself make excuses, and boy, could I tell when I tried to go for a run yesterday! It was pathetic

One thing I'm working on right now is reminding myself that food isn't a reward, it's fuel. The reqard is how much better I feel, how much more clear my skin is (ugh: adult acne, I hate you!), how much more energy I have when I make the time and put effort into taking cre of myself.

I have to be my priority - no one else can do this for me!

(Sounds good, right? Now: implementing it!)

l love banana pancakes for breakfast - so quick and easy and only 275 calories.

Mash one banana and add 2 beaten eggs. spoon into non stick fry pan and cook till golden on both sides. You get around 6 small pancakes and they are so filling!!