Good morning! I am weighing in for the week. Guess what!! It is starting to pay off. I lost 2 pounds this week.

Thanks for all the encouragement. You all have such good ideas. It is becoming easier to stick to a plan with all the great suggestions!

Thanks, Lneal, for starting this thread. After watching a constant 'creep' up the scale, I am finally (inching) 'going down'! :thumbup:

Oh! I forgot! I have been handed a great(!?) way to avoid the snacking during the superbowl. My DH has to work. (Not originally scheduled - just an overage of work). So we are not going anywhere, and will not be watching the game (no TV). So I will be quilting. I do not know whether to rejoice for the quilting time and no temptation, or cry because we don't get to spend time with friends. Ah, well. 'Going down!'

Quilt Mom - Congrats on the downward trend! :thumbup:

Sorry you will miss time with your friends, but a whole uninterrupted day to quilt...awesome!

Enjoy, maybe you can connect with you friends by phone off and on during the day so you won't feel completely left out.

I just discovered this thread last night and would like to join. I need to lose about 70 lbs. and have very little willpower. I read through all 24 pages and the encouragement here is overwhelming. Can't wait to join in. Today will be my first day. For me I need to give up sugar. Sugar, sweets, and chocolate are my biggest downfalls. I can live on chocolate. I also work a lot of hours and am usually just too tired to workout, but I am going to try to make a much bigger effort to do so.

Sugar is my absolute downfall, in fact, I think I'm addicted to it. When I make a conscious effort to decrease and eliminate it I find that my cravings go away. My sister lost 30 pounds by eliminating anything white from her diet. She's kept it off for 3 years and looks and feels wonderful. Her "diet" is lots of fruits and veggies, smaller portions at mealtime, but she denies herself nothing. Her carbs are complex, not simple. Hope this helps!! :D
Good luck to all of us!!!!!!! :D

Hey friends,
I'm still working on "movement" and keeping my numbers good. My bp was 123/72 this am, and my blood sugar 114. Really good numbers. I've been walking a little bit every day, still staying within my limits but I feel much better. I still keep missing the additions to this thread. I don't know what I'm doing to lose them.

Keep going girls! Every movement is positive change, and will result in a better life. Each energy consumption helps to increase your serotonin levels, which in turn, remove that "tired" feeling and add to renewed energy. Go, baby, go!

Yoplait has a smoothie product that is really good for you... well it's yogurt of course it's good for you... It comes with the fruit and yogurt all in one packaging. It only has 110 calories per serving. (2 servings per bag)

Another great product from Yoplait is the Yoplait Delights.

You can find these at your local grocer. Yoplait Smoothies is with the frozen foods and Yoplait Delights is located with dairy.

I sounded like a commercial! haha.

I have a question--has anyone had any experience that the use of artificial sweeteners cause weight gain? I've read a couple of articles about that. They said that using artificial sweeteners, especially in soda pop, causes people to have a bigger appetite and that by drinking them, when you think they are saving calories, actually cause you to eat more.
I personally don't use artificial sweeteners--they give me really nasty migraine headaches. If the articles I've read are really true, maybe it will help someone else.

I know one thing about artificial sweeteners, for example, diet coke- it tricks your pancreas into thinking a rush of sugar is coming in. That stuff is just not good for anyone. I got into drinking water and now it's a habit, I love the stuff :D

I use splenda and equal in my tea, and I know it is in my diet soda. I try not to overdo it. I do know it does cause some folks to eat more, but doesn't seem to affect me that way. Sugar is definitely an addiction for me. If I just don't eat anything real sugar laden I can stay away...but the first time I put a piece of candy or cake, etc in my mouth, I am like a junky...want more, more, more...the whole day is shot. So I try to stay away, except at planned times and specific things that I know don't trigger that reaction.
Purplemem - you BP and BS are awesome! Way to go. You are right just a little more movement can make such a difference, parking a little farther away, taking the steps, instead of the elevator, go the long way around to the aisle in the store you want...it all adds up!

Nursie, I'm the same way!! For me it's a total addiction. Once it starts it's like a valve that doesn't shut off!!