Joanitude Member

Sounds like I could have written this. By weighing daily I know my weight can change as much as 7lbs overnight. As long as it keep trending down I'm fine.

Requires work: I make a huge pot of cabbage soup - yeah like the stuff from that old fad diet.. It is cheap, filling, and you can eat as much as you want. Minimal work: Tomato soup - using V8, Snappy Tom, etc. Add a bit of herbs, some Parmesan, heat in the microwave and you have a really good tasting 'soup' that you can…

If I had to pick just one...logging everything every day. The second best is not dieting or exercising - just making sure it balances out for the day. I am over time changing the way I eat, and I don't have to worry about "cheating" or "slacking" that I see plague some friends. A whole lot less guilt and other negative…

Different people - different plans. My plan is based strictly on Calories In vs Calories Out and log everything. I eat what I want, when I want, and how much I want. I just have to make it fit into my daily total. I want to eat more, I need to up the Calories Out to get it. For me, it really can be just that simple.

Whooo-Pig-Sooieeeeee I used to grill year round when I lived down there....like you said, 3-5 times a week. You NEED a grill like this!! Grilling is better for you than frying. Grilling makes veggies taste better (so you are inclined to eat more of them) The cost for you is 1/3 of what it would cost anyone else to make it.…

I have the answer for you - Puppies! Puppies by definition will pee on the floor, chew your shoes, etc. You do not get mad at them or stressed...they can't help it, they are just being a puppy. Sounds like you have a few puppies in your world :wink:

Welcome to the group. You will find that most of us have similar stories. Some are new - others have been here awhile. Some are older, others are just starting out in life. There is a lot of support here if you look for it. I suggest reading through the forums and finding people you like the sounds of. Check their profile…

This is why I am very glad I weigh daily. I know that my weight can vary up to 7 pounds on a daily basis, This way when I get an off day I know it is just a normal fluctuation and don't let it bother me.

I am also a big fan of planning. Planning exercise is a good way to get it done. It is also a good way to deal with the "but I don't have time to...." type conversations.

My little victory - when a coworker announced tomorrow was treat day (she being a professional baker) My *first* thought was "How can I make this fit into my goals?!" For me this is a success, because before it would not have even registered that I needed to think about it, just enjoy it and lots of it. I will still eat…

Oh heavens, I am not going to do that either. I will discretely log what I can, photo what I can't (to figure out later) and use similar foods in the database. I have been doing this long enough I can generally get a rough estimate of serving size without weighing it. I always try to guess too high if in doubt.

I will log everything - just like any other day. I will eat whatever I want - again, just like every other day. If I am over on my goal for that day...that's ok. Actually, I'd be surprised if I wasn't. I am not trying to "diet" as much as I am being mindful of what I eat. I can be mindful and still enjoy the holidays.

That is great - an sadly too true :)

I tend to believe that if all the rational options don't work - try the irrational. I have a list of banned items...yes literally a written down list. If one does show up in the house for any reason it immediately gets smooshed (to the point that no one besides the dog will want to eat it) and goes outside to the trash…

In the past I told people...and got a lot of comments about what I should/shouldn't be eating or doing. That was not helpful, and ended up doing more to encourage me to quit than anything else. This time I am doing things different - I have one person at work that knows, 2 close friends and my spouse. That's it. If someone…

I'm a big believer in Plans. For example....let's say you have an office party coming up on Wednesday. I would plan ahead and make sure I eat a bunch (healthy things) right before going. I would try to figure out how to keep a low-cal drink in my hand at all times. For me, having a drink in my hand makes it harder to reach…

I weigh daily - but only track it weekly. I am not hung up on the daily weighing, but it is a great way to remind myself that weight fluctuates - in my case a lot! That way if I am not happy with the official day number, I have some perspective. I am also using it to see patterns based on the day before: activity? salt?…

Sounds good - wondering how it would be to use spaghetti squash in place of pasta

I agree! Also there is a huge difference in quality of canned tuna. You have the regular stuff...then there is "micro-processed" It is made in small batches and is best when in glass jars instead of cans. The jarred version has all the healthy fish oil that the canned version throws out. Yes, it is expensive, but unless…

Ok...so much for that excuse :) Now to see if I can find classes that work into my schedule - that will be the tricky part.

I would so buy that! Actually, I'd get two - one for home and one for work.

I had a number of people ask me about this - so I made my charm bracelet part of my ticker below. The center bead is the starting point - it says "Celebrate Life" Since I added it to my ticker, I find it is even more motivating. Now my on-line friends can see progress (or lack thereof) as well as my in-person friends. I…

I think what you are planning sounds like a great time...and a sweet gesture to your boyfriend. You asked I don't do well with failure. I have a number of issues about it from my childhood, so I have learned how to restructure my thinking to allow for less than perfection - I redefine my goals. I take what i really want,…

That's great- both for you (personal victory) and for others (to inspire them to just go for it) Thank for sharing it with us.

Welcome to the group. I lived down South for a number of years - married now to an ex-Texan. I understand the Southern food groups well: Fried, w/Gravy, Fried w/gravy, Sweetened A lot of my calorie control is because I find it impossible to get catfish, tea, biscuits (w/ w/o gravy), etc around here. I am so far North now,…

I feel pretty safe saying it has nothing to do with simply counting calories. Just logging the number of miles you drive a car will not affect your gas mileage. There are a number of things that could be affecting your energy level: What you are eating, how many calories you are getting, your activities, your sleep....and…

If it helps, keep your diary private. That way no one but you can see it. I have a couple of coworkers on here too - but have specifically chosen to not connect with them. I would not find it motivating for them to know quite so much about me on such a personal level.

Just an update - I found these amazing button things. They work kind of like a tie tack, but act as a replacement button. Handy for adjust the waist in (or out). I was amazed to see how much my current jeans needed to be adjusted (and they are still not tight) Edited: trying to make the picture work - for whatever reason…

Oregon - US

Question: Why don't you use your real name like everyone else on MFP? Answer: Exhibit A: