I need MyFP friends for encouragement (both ways)!

If only you could help me pick those 6 magic numbers!!!! LOL

Seriously, my workouts and healthy eating are going great........my work - that's a whole different ball game!!!

Been crazy busy.....always is at month end, but seems moreso this month. It's only Tuesday and it feels like 3 weeks in one!

So, I haven't been too involved in these discussions so far this week, but know that I'm here and willing to offer all the encouragement and support anyone needs!

Hello, Thanks for asking! I'm back on track after being off track for a couple of weeks.
Sent a few emails yesterday to people in this Group - asking if they'd connect as friends. So I'm very excited to have a new MFP friends today!
Exercised a bit this morning - and ate a healthy, high protein/ no carb breakfast (the dogs enjoyed a tiny taste too!), which has been the key to losing 75 pounds so far.
For our 20 pounds in 75 day challenge - I just posted a daily chart above the microwave where I'll see it every morning. It's a simple xls chart with dates/ weight lines. So - amazingly - it seems that I'm now within 17 pounds of my 95 pound weight loss goal. That sounds VERY DOABLE!! :-)

My personal trainer gives me homework that I need to do when I don't see her. So I am covered. Thanks for asking.

I need MyFP friends for encouragement (both ways)!

Friend request sent

This is long, sorry-

First, for recipe ideas try skinnytaste.com. Gina uses easy, everyday ingredients, though not always of the minimally processed, added additives kind. But you can switch out brands and the nutritional information is available for every recipe. Most of our recipes come from this site.

As far as shopping, my husband and I recently started shopping at Earth Fare but we are going to have to go back to Kroger b/c we aren't sure how the $$ situation will be for a while w/him starting his new job. However, we ALWAYS buy a majority of fresh fruits and veggies no matter if organic or non-organic. If you can't afford organic start w/regular fruits/veggies. Try to eat more raw than cooked. If you have to have potato chips or pretzels spring for the bag that's a little more $ but offers better ingredients such as whole wheat, unbleached flour and non-processed or flavor additives... we've started buying Cape Cod chips when we want chips- the ingredients are mimimal and they're tasty. A little more expensive but I'll pay more for those than say Lay's or Doritos which have an ingredient list a mile long... also Cape Cod chips are available at most retailers. I have found dried fruit to be a very tasty, healthy and long-lasting snack when I need something sweet. It's rich enough that we only eat about 3 pieces at a time. We've been buying the dried fruit at Earth Fare and it's reasonably priced. Farmer's markets are also getting ready to open so getting fresh, mostly organic veggies/fruits/cheeses/meats will be easier. We've also started eating mainly portioned meals. This helps save quite of bit of food for lunches the next day or even leftovers for dinner. Plus, there's only 2 of us so I can usually 1/2 a recipe and buy less of the more expensive ingredients like meat and fish.

I would say switching out a few ingredients at a time in your normal grocery shopping will help ease the price shock- that seemed to work for us. You may even find that you're spending the same amount or close to the same amount on healther options by leaving out the less-healthy choices. Plus it feels like a huge accomplishment every time I open the fridge and see fresh fruits, veggies and healther cheeses for snacks, as well as the pantry and seeing all the dried fruit, whole grains and minimal ingredient snacks. Add me as a friend and you'll be able to see my diary and I'd be more than happy to help keep you on track!

I don't have access to the site yet either. Just wondering if you got the week 1&2 pics cause I am having a problem with my email. I sent a few emails to someone and they were never received and other ones were sent to junk mail. Is the site up yet? Thanks.