50lbs and Counting, Success Progress!

Thanks guys!! I wish I had more to tips I could give, but the biggest thing of course is consistently logging and weighing everything, as annoying as it may be! Some things I have learned along the way...

- You don't need as much meat in meals as you think you do. Diced mushrooms help bulk out ground beef. I cut back the red meat and loaded up on them, and they're super filling and low calorie, while I still get enough protein from half the meat. Great to use in a Bolognese pasta sauce!

- Think outside meals being meat + sides. I used to get so bored of that! Instead, I make healthy one pot dishes by cooking some meat and diced veggies, seasoning them, simmering in chicken stock and adding rice, quinoa, or pasta until liquid is absorbed and it's cooked. You can make a Mexican chicken quinoa skillet with bell peppers, or do beef, vegetables, Italian seasonings and pasta for a quick all in one pot meal. It's made my work nights a lot easier to do this.

- Eat locally and seasonally! Food tastes meat when it's in season, and we go to the farmers market every Saturday to buy from local farms. Try out vegetables you've never used before and experiment in the kitchen. It's fun to try new things and learn to really love the process of making healthy food, not just eating.

- Find healthy and constructive support. My partner has been a huge help, and he has also lost a lot of weight with me! Also my friends here on MFP have been super motivating and keep me accountable.

- Don't ruin your social life, but you also dont have to go off the rails every time. My friends and I love to go out to eat, so I plan ahead for the day and eat low calorie meals that day as well as make sure to walk more in order to balance out a dinner with friends. You dont have to feel guilty.