Re: O.k. here is my situation

[Guest guest]

wrote:

> I thought maybe I would tell everyone what I am currently doing to

> drop a few pounds and then maybe you guys can tell me what I am

> doing wrong.

How about ... what you're doing right?

You're able to limit your food intake, and you're aware of when you're

hungry and when you're not. That's the key!

You mentioned that you cook the richer foods that your husband likes on the

weekends, so you eat those too. I can't blame you -- it's hard to cook for

someone else and not eat any! However, you can limit the amounts you eat.

Eat slowly, chew carefully, and stop as soon as you feel that you're not

really hungry anymore. And drink plenty of water to help you feel full and

help your body do its metabolizing thing.

I've heard that it's important to eat breakfast, including carbohydrates

like bread or unsweetened cereal. Also, maybe if you eat a healthy snack an

hour before your husband comes home, you won't be so hungry at dinnertime.

As for exercise, can you take your two children to a park or the library and

do some walking with them? I know it can be hard to get small children

motivated to go for a walk. But if you have some destination that interests

them, like visiting their little friends around the corner or playing at the

school playground, it might be easier.

Best of luck!

in PA

[Guest guest]

First of all where are the vegetables and fruits? Where's your

breakfast? Coffee with fake (why are you using fake?) is not

considered a breakfast. Add some cereal or some toast and pb and

some fruit. Second of all I would starve on your diet. Seriously,

your body is starving and hanging on to every calorie.

Also I hate to say it, but your hubby needs to get on board. Do you

cook or does he? If you are cooking, he eats what you cook. Also

you don't have to cook two meals. Lower your portions. Add a big

salad to the table and eat more of that. Everyone in the house will

benefit from healthy eating. Maybe get him to have his cholesterol

checked and that might detour him from eating the crappy fried food.

There's your whole family to feed and consider. Not just him. Plus

making healthy food goes a long way. Cooking and eating healthy

truly is less expensive than eating crummy food. Not always dollars

and cents but health and future wise.

As for working out infront of your hubby DON'T. Tell him you need

some time to focus on you. If he doesn't like it he can lump it.

Seriously, you need time to focus on you. It's not being selfish,

it's ensuring your babies have a momma for a long time and your hubby

has a wife. Where does he get off offering advice? When my dh does

that I tell him to show me the money and get off his butt and keep up

to me, if not he can go somewhere else until I'm done.

Sorry I have to run, I have two little kids too and one is bawling

right now! LOL

Hugs,

>

>

> I thought maybe I would tell everyone what I am currently doing to

> drop a few pounds and then maybe you guys can tell me what I am

> doing wrong.

>

>

> Every morning starts with 3 cups of coffee with fake sugar and a

> drop of fat free milk in each one.

>

> Then I start the water intake drinking about 32oz by 9:30 that is

> when I have a small snack of a peace of lean lunch meat. and more

> water.

>

> At 11:00 I fix lunch for my daughter which is alway a fajita wrap

> and a piece of lean meat and a veggy. Myself is sometimes

leftovers

> or a sandwitch with has diet bread less than a 1/2 teaspoon of mayo

> and three piece of lean lunch meat, diet soda or water.

>

> More water all afternoon and a 30 minute work out of " Walk away the

> pounds " dvd.

>

> a snack may be about 30 peanuts, or 30 prezzels, or a popsickle.

>

> Then at five I fix my daught dinner she will only eat noodles and

> spinage and apple sauce, but I also fix her a Meat like chicken or

> hamburger, or a hotdog. She never eats it, so I end up eatting

that

> part. I sometimes have a beer or a glass of wine.

>

> Then at around 8:30 or 9:00 I get to eat dinner because that is

when

> my husband decides to come home. I know I eat about three times

the

> serving sizes I should. But by then I am hungry.

>

> Then It is bed at 10:30

>

> On the weekends I never know when I will be eating or what

fattening

> thing My husband will have to have. I would love to say we had the

> money to cook two types of meals but we don't and he just loves

> fryed foods.

> I also don't work out on the weekends because I maynot be home or

my

> husband is in the house. when he is there I don't because he has

> this way about correcting all I do and sugesting things that are

> hard for even a really fit person to do.

>

> I have two little kids in the house so the stress is high all the

> time. and as for time for myself I never get it until everyone is

> sound asleep or I am to tired to care.

>

> Anyone have any ideas.

>

> Chris

[Guest guest]

I have a few general suggestions that you can use or not, if they seem

right for you. I would suggest going into this with the idea that you want to

make new lifestyle *choices*, and not that you will be depriving yourself of

anything.

1. Every morning starts with 3 cups of coffee with fake sugar and a

drop of fat free milk in each one.

I love coffee. Be aware that coffee is a stimulant. If you can, cut back to one

cup. Also, sugar substitutes can actually enhance your need for sweets because

even though they have low calories, they are sweeter than sugar.

Most important, to my mind, is that you need to eat in the morning. You've gone

the entire night and your body needs calories. Cereal, an egg and toast, or

fruit. You might find it useful to figure out a calorie level for your body size

then figure out a daily intake of food and how much of what foods you want to

eat. I personally eat a bowl of cereal, cup of coffee then have a planned snack

before lunch.

2. Myself is sometimes leftovers or a sandwitch with has diet bread less than a

1/2 teaspoon of mayo and three piece of lean lunch meat, diet soda or water.

I would say don't be afraid to plan and fix the right meals for you. Veggies

and fruit can make a really big difference when it comes to shedding pounds.

Eating fewer calories that fits your body weight can also lead to your body

holding onto weight (starvation mode). Summertime is a fantastic time for fresh

fruits: peaches, cherries, oranges, grapes.

Everybody had a different opinion on this, I'm sure, but *for myself* I don't

drink diet sodas because I feel like it increases my need for sweets and

desensitizes my sweet taste buds.

3. a snack may be about 30 peanuts, or 30 prezzels, or a popsickle.

I think nuts can be very nutritious. Be aware that pretzels (and salted nuts)

can add a significant amount of sodium to your diet, which helps retain water,

and popsickles are basically sugar water and so are calories without nutrition.

I want to add that I believe that eating any food is fine, my way of dealing

with my weight loss is to plan my daily calories, then decide what food groups I

want to make up those calories. Denying myself an occassional goody doesn't

make sense, because this to me is a lifestyle adjustment, and that means I take

into account my treats.

4. Then at five I fix my daught dinner she will only eat noodles and

spinage and apple sauce, but I also fix her a Meat like chicken or

hamburger, or a hotdog. She never eats it, so I end up eatting that

part. I sometimes have a beer or a glass of wine.

You deserve to eat as healthily as your daughter. How about veggies, some

starches and some fruit for you? I love both beer and wine. While I'm trying

to lose weight I try to keep it down to once a week or less because I prefer to

eat rather than drink my calories. Besides, wine and beer have little

nutrition. Again, any food or drink can fit into a healthy eating plan, imho.

5. Then at around 8:30 or 9:00 I get to eat dinner because that is when

my husband decides to come home. I know I eat about three times the

serving sizes I should. But by then I am hungry.

I would say don't be afraid to eat more earlier. Then you won't feel so

deprived when you eat with hubby and so hungry that you eat bigger serving

sizes. It's actually better for your metabolism to eat more smaller meals.

Also, going to sleep so soon after consuming your biggest meal can make it

harder for your body to process the calories in the most efficient way.

You might be surprised how much food you can eat on a meal plan that contains a

healthy balance--I know I always am, LOL. I actually eat more on the one I'm

doing now, but I eat differently. I've noticed the biggest change for me was

that I was cutting out the sugar snacks, which had a big impact. I'm a sucker

for chocolate.

6. On the weekends I never know when I will be eating or what fattening

thing My husband will have to have.

I'm not quite sure why you don't know when you'll be eating. Are you doing lots

of errands? One suggestion I would make is to have the foods you need around

you. You can eat the same foods, but prepare yours in other ways besides deep

frying: chicken can be broiled or baked instead of fried, and it's not really

that much extra work--pop one in the oven rather than in the skillet. Also, if

you talked to him about wanting to change your diet, he might be more flexible

than you might think. Veggies and fruits are actually pretty dang cheap, you

can look for bargains and be aware what's in season (when it's cheapest).

Also, there's what I call the resistance factor. If I feel some emotional

resistance to doing something, I can always find some reason why I don't or

can't make a change. I'd say you might want to think about if you have any

resistance factors going on in your situation. Maybe the thought of changing

your diet seems like it will be a deprivation. I know that feeling made me drag

my feet for a LONG time.

7. I have two little kids in the house so the stress is high all the

time. and as for time for myself I never get it until everyone is

sound asleep or I am to tired to care. Chris

I don't have kids, first of all. So I certainly sympathize, but can't say I know

exactly what you're going through. I bet other mothers here might be better able

to give you tips in that dept. You certainly *deserve* to give yourself what you

need physically and emotionally. Sometimes I say to myself, I can't do that

because....when in reality, it's because I *don't* feel I deserve to give myself

something. Good luck, Chris.

And I really hope some of my ideas are helpful to you!!!

lifestyle changes are HARD. Take it one step at a time and be good to yourself.

Keep track of your progress so that you can keep in mind that your moving

forward. reward yourself when you do well. DON'T beat up on yourself when you

backtrack--every misstep is a chance to learn and improve.

XXXMarge

[Guest guest]

I have a few general suggestions that you can use or not, if they seem

right for you. I would suggest going into this with the idea that you want to

make new lifestyle *choices*, and not that you will be depriving yourself of

anything.

1. Every morning starts with 3 cups of coffee with fake sugar and a

drop of fat free milk in each one.

I love coffee. Be aware that coffee is a stimulant. If you can, cut back to one

cup. Also, sugar substitutes can actually enhance your need for sweets because

even though they have low calories, they are sweeter than sugar.

Most important, to my mind, is that you need to eat in the morning. You've gone

the entire night and your body needs calories. Cereal, an egg and toast, or

fruit. You might find it useful to figure out a calorie level for your body size

then figure out a daily intake of food and how much of what foods you want to

eat. I personally eat a bowl of cereal, cup of coffee then have a planned snack

before lunch.

2. Myself is sometimes leftovers or a sandwitch with has diet bread less than a

1/2 teaspoon of mayo and three piece of lean lunch meat, diet soda or water.

I would say don't be afraid to plan and fix the right meals for you. Veggies

and fruit can make a really big difference when it comes to shedding pounds.

Eating fewer calories that fits your body weight can also lead to your body

holding onto weight (starvation mode). Summertime is a fantastic time for fresh

fruits: peaches, cherries, oranges, grapes.

Everybody had a different opinion on this, I'm sure, but *for myself* I don't

drink diet sodas because I feel like it increases my need for sweets and

desensitizes my sweet taste buds.

3. a snack may be about 30 peanuts, or 30 prezzels, or a popsickle.

I think nuts can be very nutritious. Be aware that pretzels (and salted nuts)

can add a significant amount of sodium to your diet, which helps retain water,

and popsickles are basically sugar water and so are calories without nutrition.

I want to add that I believe that eating any food is fine, my way of dealing

with my weight loss is to plan my daily calories, then decide what food groups I

want to make up those calories. Denying myself an occassional goody doesn't

make sense, because this to me is a lifestyle adjustment, and that means I take

into account my treats.

4. Then at five I fix my daught dinner she will only eat noodles and

spinage and apple sauce, but I also fix her a Meat like chicken or

hamburger, or a hotdog. She never eats it, so I end up eatting that

part. I sometimes have a beer or a glass of wine.

You deserve to eat as healthily as your daughter. How about veggies, some

starches and some fruit for you? I love both beer and wine. While I'm trying

to lose weight I try to keep it down to once a week or less because I prefer to

eat rather than drink my calories. Besides, wine and beer have little

nutrition. Again, any food or drink can fit into a healthy eating plan, imho.

5. Then at around 8:30 or 9:00 I get to eat dinner because that is when

my husband decides to come home. I know I eat about three times the

serving sizes I should. But by then I am hungry.

I would say don't be afraid to eat more earlier. Then you won't feel so

deprived when you eat with hubby and so hungry that you eat bigger serving

sizes. It's actually better for your metabolism to eat more smaller meals.

Also, going to sleep so soon after consuming your biggest meal can make it

harder for your body to process the calories in the most efficient way.

You might be surprised how much food you can eat on a meal plan that contains a

healthy balance--I know I always am, LOL. I actually eat more on the one I'm

doing now, but I eat differently. I've noticed the biggest change for me was

that I was cutting out the sugar snacks, which had a big impact. I'm a sucker

for chocolate.

6. On the weekends I never know when I will be eating or what fattening

thing My husband will have to have.

I'm not quite sure why you don't know when you'll be eating. Are you doing lots

of errands? One suggestion I would make is to have the foods you need around

you. You can eat the same foods, but prepare yours in other ways besides deep

frying: chicken can be broiled or baked instead of fried, and it's not really

that much extra work--pop one in the oven rather than in the skillet. Also, if

you talked to him about wanting to change your diet, he might be more flexible

than you might think. Veggies and fruits are actually pretty dang cheap, you

can look for bargains and be aware what's in season (when it's cheapest).

Also, there's what I call the resistance factor. If I feel some emotional

resistance to doing something, I can always find some reason why I don't or

can't make a change. I'd say you might want to think about if you have any

resistance factors going on in your situation. Maybe the thought of changing

your diet seems like it will be a deprivation. I know that feeling made me drag

my feet for a LONG time.

7. I have two little kids in the house so the stress is high all the

time. and as for time for myself I never get it until everyone is

sound asleep or I am to tired to care. Chris

I don't have kids, first of all. So I certainly sympathize, but can't say I know

exactly what you're going through. I bet other mothers here might be better able

to give you tips in that dept. You certainly *deserve* to give yourself what you

need physically and emotionally. Sometimes I say to myself, I can't do that

because....when in reality, it's because I *don't* feel I deserve to give myself

something. Good luck, Chris.

And I really hope some of my ideas are helpful to you!!!

lifestyle changes are HARD. Take it one step at a time and be good to yourself.

Keep track of your progress so that you can keep in mind that your moving

forward. reward yourself when you do well. DON'T beat up on yourself when you

backtrack--every misstep is a chance to learn and improve.

XXXMarge

[Guest guest]

I have a few general suggestions that you can use or not, if they seem

right for you. I would suggest going into this with the idea that you want to

make new lifestyle *choices*, and not that you will be depriving yourself of

anything.

1. Every morning starts with 3 cups of coffee with fake sugar and a

drop of fat free milk in each one.

I love coffee. Be aware that coffee is a stimulant. If you can, cut back to one

cup. Also, sugar substitutes can actually enhance your need for sweets because

even though they have low calories, they are sweeter than sugar.

Most important, to my mind, is that you need to eat in the morning. You've gone

the entire night and your body needs calories. Cereal, an egg and toast, or

fruit. You might find it useful to figure out a calorie level for your body size

then figure out a daily intake of food and how much of what foods you want to

eat. I personally eat a bowl of cereal, cup of coffee then have a planned snack

before lunch.

2. Myself is sometimes leftovers or a sandwitch with has diet bread less than a

1/2 teaspoon of mayo and three piece of lean lunch meat, diet soda or water.

I would say don't be afraid to plan and fix the right meals for you. Veggies

and fruit can make a really big difference when it comes to shedding pounds.

Eating fewer calories that fits your body weight can also lead to your body

holding onto weight (starvation mode). Summertime is a fantastic time for fresh

fruits: peaches, cherries, oranges, grapes.

Everybody had a different opinion on this, I'm sure, but *for myself* I don't

drink diet sodas because I feel like it increases my need for sweets and

desensitizes my sweet taste buds.

3. a snack may be about 30 peanuts, or 30 prezzels, or a popsickle.

I think nuts can be very nutritious. Be aware that pretzels (and salted nuts)

can add a significant amount of sodium to your diet, which helps retain water,

and popsickles are basically sugar water and so are calories without nutrition.

I want to add that I believe that eating any food is fine, my way of dealing

with my weight loss is to plan my daily calories, then decide what food groups I

want to make up those calories. Denying myself an occassional goody doesn't

make sense, because this to me is a lifestyle adjustment, and that means I take

into account my treats.

4. Then at five I fix my daught dinner she will only eat noodles and

spinage and apple sauce, but I also fix her a Meat like chicken or

hamburger, or a hotdog. She never eats it, so I end up eatting that

part. I sometimes have a beer or a glass of wine.

You deserve to eat as healthily as your daughter. How about veggies, some

starches and some fruit for you? I love both beer and wine. While I'm trying

to lose weight I try to keep it down to once a week or less because I prefer to

eat rather than drink my calories. Besides, wine and beer have little

nutrition. Again, any food or drink can fit into a healthy eating plan, imho.

5. Then at around 8:30 or 9:00 I get to eat dinner because that is when

my husband decides to come home. I know I eat about three times the

serving sizes I should. But by then I am hungry.

I would say don't be afraid to eat more earlier. Then you won't feel so

deprived when you eat with hubby and so hungry that you eat bigger serving

sizes. It's actually better for your metabolism to eat more smaller meals.

Also, going to sleep so soon after consuming your biggest meal can make it

harder for your body to process the calories in the most efficient way.

You might be surprised how much food you can eat on a meal plan that contains a

healthy balance--I know I always am, LOL. I actually eat more on the one I'm

doing now, but I eat differently. I've noticed the biggest change for me was

that I was cutting out the sugar snacks, which had a big impact. I'm a sucker

for chocolate.

6. On the weekends I never know when I will be eating or what fattening

thing My husband will have to have.

I'm not quite sure why you don't know when you'll be eating. Are you doing lots

of errands? One suggestion I would make is to have the foods you need around

you. You can eat the same foods, but prepare yours in other ways besides deep

frying: chicken can be broiled or baked instead of fried, and it's not really

that much extra work--pop one in the oven rather than in the skillet. Also, if

you talked to him about wanting to change your diet, he might be more flexible

than you might think. Veggies and fruits are actually pretty dang cheap, you

can look for bargains and be aware what's in season (when it's cheapest).

Also, there's what I call the resistance factor. If I feel some emotional

resistance to doing something, I can always find some reason why I don't or

can't make a change. I'd say you might want to think about if you have any

resistance factors going on in your situation. Maybe the thought of changing

your diet seems like it will be a deprivation. I know that feeling made me drag

my feet for a LONG time.

7. I have two little kids in the house so the stress is high all the

time. and as for time for myself I never get it until everyone is

sound asleep or I am to tired to care. Chris

I don't have kids, first of all. So I certainly sympathize, but can't say I know

exactly what you're going through. I bet other mothers here might be better able

to give you tips in that dept. You certainly *deserve* to give yourself what you

need physically and emotionally. Sometimes I say to myself, I can't do that

because....when in reality, it's because I *don't* feel I deserve to give myself

something. Good luck, Chris.

And I really hope some of my ideas are helpful to you!!!

lifestyle changes are HARD. Take it one step at a time and be good to yourself.

Keep track of your progress so that you can keep in mind that your moving

forward. reward yourself when you do well. DON'T beat up on yourself when you

backtrack--every misstep is a chance to learn and improve.

XXXMarge

[Guest guest]

It sounds like you are doing good already adding water and some exercise to

your diet. And you definitely don't seem to eat too much during the day... I

would actually say you might be eating too little. Start out by making some

small changes. My first suggestion would definitely be BREAKSFAST! Breakfast

really is the most important meal of the day, try to eat something, even if

it is just a cereal bar or fruit. Don't try to starve yourself throughout

the day, that only contributes to your overeating problems at night, because

you are so hungry! Eating 5-6 snacks or small meals a day will give your

body the fuel it needs so that you are less likely to binge.

Another small change you can make to tackle the problem with your husband's

eating habits... supplement the " bad " foods with good, low-calorie ones. My

husband doesn't really like a lot of the foods I need for losing weight

either, so often I will make a main entree and a starchy side dish like

pasta or potatoes for him, and then make a large serving of veggies for me.

All of this is still only one meal, and not a huge added expense. I'll take

a small portion of the entree, a small portion of the starch, and then a

large serving of veggies to help fill me up. Add a piece of fruit too if you

want! The other night I mixed 1 ounce of angel hair pasta (110 calories -

about 1/2 cup cooked) with a box of Green Giant Low Fat Alfredo Vegetables

(200 calories even with the Alfredo sauce!) and ended up with a HUGE pile of

yummy food for just over 300 calories! Depending on your food plan, this may

even leave room for more food too... some grilled chicken to toss in maybe,

or an extra ounce of pasta.

My other recommendation... start out slow. Try just counting the calories

you are eating now, to get an idea of where you are. If you are eating 6000

calories a day now (that was about what I used to eat), don't think you need

to jump down to 1200! I started out just trying to keep my calories under

3000, believe it or not. Slowly but surely, my stomach started to shrink so

that I didn't feel hungry all the time, and I was able to reduce it a little

more. Now I keep my calories between 1700 and 2300, depending on the day (I

usually stay low 5 days a week, and give msyelf 2 days on the high end). I

have lost 25 pounds on this plan since April (combined with moderate

exercise). As always, this is just MY plan, and you need to work to find

what is right for you, but I hope my experiences can help give you some

ideas!

If you use Yahoo Messenger, feel free to add me to your buddy list. My Yahoo

ID is JetteRose. I'm not on a lot, but you might catch me now and then.

Jette

----- Original Message -----

> I thought maybe I would tell everyone what I am currently doing to

> drop a few pounds and then maybe you guys can tell me what I am

> doing wrong.

[Guest guest]

It sounds like you are doing good already adding water and some exercise to

your diet. And you definitely don't seem to eat too much during the day... I

would actually say you might be eating too little. Start out by making some

small changes. My first suggestion would definitely be BREAKSFAST! Breakfast

really is the most important meal of the day, try to eat something, even if

it is just a cereal bar or fruit. Don't try to starve yourself throughout

the day, that only contributes to your overeating problems at night, because

you are so hungry! Eating 5-6 snacks or small meals a day will give your

body the fuel it needs so that you are less likely to binge.

Another small change you can make to tackle the problem with your husband's

eating habits... supplement the " bad " foods with good, low-calorie ones. My

husband doesn't really like a lot of the foods I need for losing weight

either, so often I will make a main entree and a starchy side dish like

pasta or potatoes for him, and then make a large serving of veggies for me.

All of this is still only one meal, and not a huge added expense. I'll take

a small portion of the entree, a small portion of the starch, and then a

large serving of veggies to help fill me up. Add a piece of fruit too if you

want! The other night I mixed 1 ounce of angel hair pasta (110 calories -

about 1/2 cup cooked) with a box of Green Giant Low Fat Alfredo Vegetables

(200 calories even with the Alfredo sauce!) and ended up with a HUGE pile of

yummy food for just over 300 calories! Depending on your food plan, this may

even leave room for more food too... some grilled chicken to toss in maybe,

or an extra ounce of pasta.

My other recommendation... start out slow. Try just counting the calories

you are eating now, to get an idea of where you are. If you are eating 6000

calories a day now (that was about what I used to eat), don't think you need

to jump down to 1200! I started out just trying to keep my calories under

3000, believe it or not. Slowly but surely, my stomach started to shrink so

that I didn't feel hungry all the time, and I was able to reduce it a little

more. Now I keep my calories between 1700 and 2300, depending on the day (I

usually stay low 5 days a week, and give msyelf 2 days on the high end). I

have lost 25 pounds on this plan since April (combined with moderate

exercise). As always, this is just MY plan, and you need to work to find

what is right for you, but I hope my experiences can help give you some

ideas!

If you use Yahoo Messenger, feel free to add me to your buddy list. My Yahoo

ID is JetteRose. I'm not on a lot, but you might catch me now and then.

Jette

----- Original Message -----

> I thought maybe I would tell everyone what I am currently doing to

> drop a few pounds and then maybe you guys can tell me what I am

> doing wrong.

[Guest guest]

It sounds like you are doing good already adding water and some exercise to

your diet. And you definitely don't seem to eat too much during the day... I

would actually say you might be eating too little. Start out by making some

small changes. My first suggestion would definitely be BREAKSFAST! Breakfast

really is the most important meal of the day, try to eat something, even if

it is just a cereal bar or fruit. Don't try to starve yourself throughout

the day, that only contributes to your overeating problems at night, because

you are so hungry! Eating 5-6 snacks or small meals a day will give your

body the fuel it needs so that you are less likely to binge.

Another small change you can make to tackle the problem with your husband's

eating habits... supplement the " bad " foods with good, low-calorie ones. My

husband doesn't really like a lot of the foods I need for losing weight

either, so often I will make a main entree and a starchy side dish like

pasta or potatoes for him, and then make a large serving of veggies for me.

All of this is still only one meal, and not a huge added expense. I'll take

a small portion of the entree, a small portion of the starch, and then a

large serving of veggies to help fill me up. Add a piece of fruit too if you

want! The other night I mixed 1 ounce of angel hair pasta (110 calories -

about 1/2 cup cooked) with a box of Green Giant Low Fat Alfredo Vegetables

(200 calories even with the Alfredo sauce!) and ended up with a HUGE pile of

yummy food for just over 300 calories! Depending on your food plan, this may

even leave room for more food too... some grilled chicken to toss in maybe,

or an extra ounce of pasta.

My other recommendation... start out slow. Try just counting the calories

you are eating now, to get an idea of where you are. If you are eating 6000

calories a day now (that was about what I used to eat), don't think you need

to jump down to 1200! I started out just trying to keep my calories under

3000, believe it or not. Slowly but surely, my stomach started to shrink so

that I didn't feel hungry all the time, and I was able to reduce it a little

more. Now I keep my calories between 1700 and 2300, depending on the day (I

usually stay low 5 days a week, and give msyelf 2 days on the high end). I

have lost 25 pounds on this plan since April (combined with moderate

exercise). As always, this is just MY plan, and you need to work to find

what is right for you, but I hope my experiences can help give you some

ideas!

If you use Yahoo Messenger, feel free to add me to your buddy list. My Yahoo

ID is JetteRose. I'm not on a lot, but you might catch me now and then.

Jette

----- Original Message -----

> I thought maybe I would tell everyone what I am currently doing to

> drop a few pounds and then maybe you guys can tell me what I am

> doing wrong.