For the ladies!

Dark chocolate is the best. I used to hate it, but now I love it. I have 1 Ghiradelli 60% dark chocolate square almost every day lol. One of them is 50 calories. 1 is enough usually since it's so rich.

Also, hershey kisses are good for portion control, too. Just grab 4 or 5 and you can still stay under 100 calories.

Drink sweet drinks with 0 cals like Vitamin Water Zero and Sobe.

Chocolate protein shake mixed with ice and if you reallllly want something yummy add a fiber one brownie to the blender when no one is looking. Brownie milkshake, healthy style.

Betty Crocker Warm Delights- 150 Calorie portions. The caramel ones are ridiculously delicious.

Skinny Cow ANYTHING. The chocolate truffle bars, ice cream sandwiches, and ice creams cups. Soooooo good.

FRUIT!!!

For salty I like Pop Chips, Special K Chip Crackers with sea salt, or pretzels with hummus.

Ok Ladies .... First of all, that time of the month needs to be addressed ... since we are already slightly annoyed at everything, we don't want to deprive ourselves of comfort foods. Question ... what is the nutrition on a bag of curtons ? ( Mind you I have no idea what those even are ! lol ! ) ... You have to allow for your daily goal to have these in it ... don't look to lose weight for 1 to 3 days .. maybe more for others ... our bodies all react differently. Forget about ALL the right foods and try to have a nice combination of things you love and things that love our bodies ! ie ... I love carrots and peanut butter, edamame and chocolate ! Yes ... that is a splurge for me ! Sooooo .... I get out 5 dark chocolate Hershey Kisses in the morning and put them on the cupboard ... thru out the day I take one to satisfy my craving. I also like to walk / ride everyday ... so exercise helps big time ! More calories burned = More food allowance. Just don't go over your calories allowed / burned for the day.

Weekends ... it's all psychological, a mind game. Weekends = Freedom to most people. So don't stress it ... enjoy your weekends out and about ... eat less of a splurge and add more veggies ... exercise, exercise, exercise ... I can't say it enough ! You can basically splurge on anything within reason and be able to burn it off !

Just remember .... 3500 Calories burned = 1 Pound lost. It really is that simple !

I have the mobile app to help me on the weekends - it's really great to be able to pop my phone out of my pocket and log it in right then. As far as staying on track during that time of the month - just limit yourself. If you want ice cream, have it. But instead of a whole bowl have 2 scoops.

Try whole grain baked chips or crackers, portioned out, for salty snacks. Try the following recipe for an ice cream like treat.

Slice up a couple of really ripe bananas, lay them in a tray lined with parchment paper and freeze them for a good couple of hours. Once they are frozen hard, put them in a blender or food processor, pulse them a few times, then let them whip until the bananas become completely smooth, the consistency of hard ice cream. Add two -four tablespoons of cocoa or peanut butter, or both! Add a little honey if you need more sweetness. If the bananas are really ripe they should have enough natural sugar.
So good, and healthy to boot!

I tried burning calories before I snack on craving foods, really had to think if the calories were worth the extra work.
Also, don't match bite to note with men. They burn up to a thousand calories more and don't get the extra layer of fat at puberty that girls do. It ain't fair, but that's the way it is. You can eat the same foods, just smaller portions, and if you're like me, don't gorge on bread and mashed potatoes and pasta. I like me some carbs.

Get even by NOT eating all the crap your mother in law puts out. Get even by being healthier. When you want to eat the muffin or whatever, chew gum, drink water, offer to help prepare something so that you stay distracted. Don't let her win, you are stronger! :happy:

Here are a few things that help me.
1. GUM is my BFF
2. when I have a craving.. depends on where I am and time of day. @ work, I pop in some gum, do pushups, squats, lunges only like 10 or so cause I gotta get back to work. drink some water. @ home, go for a walk, ride, drink water. something to get my mind off it.
3. talk to an accountability partner. not an enabler. take a look at how far you have come.

YUP! Gum is the best! I chew gum non-stop!!! But still have to have my chocolate too! I like the Fiber one 90 cal. brownies! Not as good as the "real deal" but they do help with the chocolate cravings!

personally i think treats are okay on your time of the month but in moderation. it's good to think of sweet and at least partially healthy alternatives that can satisfy your sweet tooth. i enjoy things like fruits, kettle corn, and an occasional brownie when i really need one. another good thing to do is look up healthy dessert recipes. i've made healthy apple cake, nutella brownies, and other such recipes that keep me low on calories and happy as far as my cravings go.

as for people not saying anything to you about your weight, some people think that commenting on something like that is rude. personally i enjoy when people tell me i look good but when i want to tell other people i feel like i'm being rude in saying they looked bad before or something. [i don't know i'm contradicting]

it is important to stay healthy and i know it's important to lose weight but as all us girls know, you can't always deny the cravings. its your brain's way of telling you what it wants. an occasional treat won't hurt. plan it into your daily diet and you can work it out :]