age 45-50 group. Anyone interested?

I have looked for twins and poked around other groups without finding a real support group.

I am 48, 5'5", SW 151, CW 134, GW 128

I am the school teaching mother of three in their upper teens, wife of my 3 lbs from goal hubby.

SO...

Anyone interested?

"Cause a plateau "? Wow. I did not know that. Anyone know the reason or science behind that? Thanks for the advice!

Haiko - Has something to do with your body going into "hunger-mode", t.i. you make your body used to a too large deficit, but it still needs fuel as in cals, minerals etc for whatever it is you do when burning off 2000+ cals. So your body starts sitting on everything you eat, it holds onto it and there you are - you eat less and less and you're very active - but you're stuck on a plateau. Only way to move on from there then is to EAT! Get your metabolism rolling again.

So I agree, I think you'll do better in the long run if you make your deficit smaller - keeps your metabolism going all the way. And of course stay active. Sounds like you're doing so great, it shouldn't be a problem. Good luck!

Janet - got it! Anybody else wants to mail their info before I create the info-post? Hi Con, glad to hear you're ok, well done! You'll lose again, I have no doubts whatsoever there. Tammy - no fun; good to here that you're mum's better though. Jasmine - crossing my fingers for you, and good to hear that you can function again.

I'll go bake some Danish pancakes: big and thin, wholewheat and with lots of egg, - to be eaten with anythiing: cheese, salad, ham, jam, fruit, mmmmmm. Good food!

Hi everyone

Glad to see you're back Connie. You'll lose that weight in no time.

I have a question about calorie intake and burn. If Haiko is burning 2800 claories, he should be taking in at least 1800. That's a difference of 1000 calories. Is that what most people here aim for? What kind of weight loss should I expect with that? The expected calorie intake on my homepage seems high for someone trying to lose weight and I try (not always successfully) to stay well under that. I have never counted calories before but rather tried to make sure I was eating a balanced healthy diet. I have been using calorie counting to "cheat." I eat things without any nutritional value but can stay under my calorie goal by eating less that day which means I am not getting all the nutrients my body needs. I really need to discipline myself. If I eat healthfully, it will be easier to cut down on those calories. Any suggestions? What kind of deficit should I be aiming for? How large a deficit is too large?

- signed my willpower fell and can't get up

Hi Adrana!

I don't know if there is a way I can share my food log, but here is what I have been eating since the 6th and I have stayed just under 1500 Calories per day. According to more experienced dieters on this site, I probably should be consuming more, but I am pretty sure that this is a reasonably balanced diet regardless of the relatively low calories. Let me know what you think...

Tue, Jan 06 2009 Grade Grams Cals

Half & Half Creamer 30 Chicken, Light Meat, Meat Only - Cooked, Roasted B 140 242 Wine C 206 171  

Breakfast Sausage McMuffin with Egg F 164 450 Dasani 600 0  

Lunch Saltine Crackers - Side Selections 6 25 Chili, Small - Side Selections B- 227 220  

Dinner Tomato Soup - Campbell's Condensed Soup B   90 Baby Spinach Salad - Packaged Salads, Fresh Discoveries A 85 20 Salad Dressing, Kraft Light Done Right! Italian Dressing A- 31 53  

Snacks 100% Whole Grain - Harvest Selects A 28 70

Total Calories Consumed 1,371

Wed, Jan 07 2009 Grade Grams Cals  

Breakfast Coffee (Filter) 237 2 Cream, Fluid, Half And Half C+ 15 20 Total Raisin Bran A 55 170 Milk, Nonfat, Fluid - Without Added Vitamin A (Fat Free Or Skim) A 245 86  

Lunch Chili, Small - Side Selections B- 227 220 Saltine Crackers - Side Selections 18 75  

Dinner Chicken, Breast, Meat Only - Cooked, Roasted B 210 347 Salad, Vegetable, Tossed - Without Dressing A 207 33 Newman's Own Lighten Up Honey Mustard Dressing B+ 45 105 Wine C 206 171  

Snacks Carrots A 64 26

Total Calories Consumed 1,255

Thu, Jan 08 2009 Grade Grams Cals  

Breakfast Coffee (Filter) 237 2 Total Raisin Bran A 55 170 Milk, Nonfat, Fluid - Without Added Vitamin A (Fat Free Or Skim) A 245 86 Cream, Fluid, Half And Half C+ 15 20  

Lunch Chili, Small - Side Selections B- 227 220 Saltine Crackers - Side Selections 6 25 Saltine Crackers - Side Selections 6 25  

Dinner Cheddar Cheese C 8 32 Vinegar, Balsamic 15 10 Chicken, Breast, Meat Only - Cooked, Roasted B 140 231 Salad, Vegetable, Tossed - Without Dressing A 207 33  

Snacks Tortilla Chips B- 6 29

Total Calories Consumed 883 Fri, Jan 09 2009 Grade Grams Cals  

Breakfast Coffee (Filter) 237 2 Cream, Fluid, Half And Half C+ 15 20 Total Raisin Bran A 55 170 Milk, Nonfat, Fluid - Without Added Vitamin A (Fat Free Or Skim) A 245 86  

Lunch Chili, Small - Side Selections B- 227 220 Mandarin Orange Cup - Side Selections B 142 80 Saltine Crackers - Side Selections 6 25 Saltine Crackers - Side Selections 6 25 Saltine Crackers - Side Selections 6 25  

Dinner Wine C 103 86 Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce - Smart Italian Menu - regular sized B- 567 670 Sausage, Italian, Pork, Cooked C- 83 286  

Snacks Rolls, Dinner, Whole-wheat A 43 114 Carrots A 50 21 Candies, M&M MARS, "M&M's" Plain Chocolate Candies C- 6 30

Total Calories Consumed 1,858

Sat, Jan 10 2009 Grade Grams Cals Wine C 309 257  

Breakfast Coffee (Filter) 237 2 Cream, Fluid, Half And Half C+ 15 20 Total Raisin Bran A 55 170  

Lunch Wheat Thins 100 Calorie Pack Mini C+ 11 52 Rolls, Dinner, Wheat B+ 28 76 Swiss Cheese B- 28 106 Newman's Own Lighten Up Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing B+ 15 23  

Dinner Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce - Smart Italian Menu - regular sized B- 567 670 Sausage, Italian, Pork, Cooked C- 83 286 Rolls, French A- 28 78  

Snacks Apples - Gala A 152 75 Diet Coke 360 2 Candies, M&M MARS, "M&M's" Plain Chocolate Candies C- 48 236

Total Calories Consumed 2,051 Sun, Jan 11 2009 Grade Grams Cals Oranges A 368 173  

Breakfast Coffee (Filter) 237 2 Cream, Fluid, Half And Half C+ 15 20  

Lunch Hamburger, Regular, Single Patty - With Condiments B+ 106 274  

Dinner Enchilada - With Cheese And Beef B- 384 645 Spanish Rice - Side Dishes (individual) C- 140 162 Refried Beans, Canned - (Includes Usda Commodity) A- 252 237 Tortilla Chips B- 28 137 Salsa A   72  

Snacks Carrots - Whole, Raw 224 65 Candies, M&M MARS, "M&M's" Plain Chocolate Candies C- 48 236 CHEETOS Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks C 28 160

Total Calories Consumed 2,183

Mon, Jan 12 2009 Grade Grams Cals  

Breakfast Apples - Red, Delicious A 170 90 Coffee (Filter) 237 2 Cream, Fluid, Half And Half C+ 15 20  

Lunch Chili, Small - Side Selections B- 227 220  

Dinner Beef Stew B 232 220 Salad, Vegetable, Tossed - Without Dressing A 207 33 Newman's Own Lighten Up Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing B+ 15 23 Rolls, Dinner, Egg B- 35 108 Wine C 155 129  

Snacks Apples - Red, Delicious A 170 90

Total Calories Consumed 934

Tue, Jan 13 2009 Grade Grams Cals  

Breakfast Coffee (Filter) 237 2 Cream, Fluid, Half And Half C+ 15 20 KELLOGG'S SPECIAL K RED BERRIES B 31 114 Milk, Nonfat, Fluid - Without Added Vitamin A (Fat Free Or Skim) A 245 86 Bananas A 118 105  

Lunch Chili, Small - Side Selections B- 227 220 Saltine Crackers - Side Selections 6 25  

Dinner Beef Stew B 232 220 Salad, Vegetable, Tossed - Without Dressing A 414 66 Newman's Own Lighten Up Italian Dressing B+ 45 90 Rolls, Dinner, Egg B- 35 108   Snacks Apples - Gala A 152 75

Total Calories Consumed 1,131

Wed, Jan 14 2009 Grade Grams Cals  

Breakfast Coffee (Filter) 237 2 Cream, Fluid, Half And Half C+ 15 20 Milk, Nonfat, Fluid - Without Added Vitamin A (Fat Free Or Skim) A 245 86 KELLOGG'S SPECIAL K RED BERRIES B 31 114 Bananas A 118 105  

Lunch Chicken Tortilla Style Soup - Canned Soups A 239 170 French Roll - Specialty Breads 57 151  

Dinner Soft Taco - Beef - Tacos D+ 198 420 Wine C 412 342

Total Calories Consumed 1,411

Adrana...just a side note:

I can really relate to you for this reason: I have always eaten pretty healthy myself thinking that, that is all I have to do. Problem is; I didn't have a clue how many calories were in "my version" of a healthy diet. Turns out it was waaaaaay too much! That is why counting calories has been a real education for me. I sure don't want to do this counting thing forever, but I am willing to give myself an education for the next several months. I am already starting to memorize these calory values and am quite confident I should be an expert at knowing the calorie count of everything that I typically eat by Summer time!

Everyone I have spoken to suggest that you stay between 500 and 600 calorie deficit.  So if your BMI is 1900 as is mine then you want to eat around 1300 to 1400 calories and more when physical activity is added.  I am trying to keep mine around 1300.  Now eating empty calories really isn't what will satisfy your hunger or give you energy and stamina.  In fact, it may leave you craving things like sugar.  I have in the past done the Atkins diet and found I was always craving sugar - big time.  That was just my body asking for missing nutrients.  I don't want to sound like miss no it all because I don't know!! I am very  new to the concept of Clean Eating.   I just took out a subscription to a magazine called Clean Eating.  I do know one thing the only craving I have had since I have been on this - is an easy fast food night of anything easy!!!  But I have always been  a major sugar addict - and now I don't miss it at all!

Good morning all!

Well I think I will work off my calories with shivering & snow removal. LOL

I like the jello cook & serve no sugar chocolate pudding when I have a craving.  Get some calcium and have my chocolate.  It is low cal and it keeps me from having something that would really be bad.

Haiko one thing I have learned is that when I stop counting I always seem to start eating too much and we all know what that leads to.  I do give myself one day every other week to indulge if I want something that will throw my diet off say like spaghetti & meatballs or fried food.  When I stick to that plan it works, just have to stay the course.

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to share my good news. My surgeon told me today that they were able to take out all the cancer cells in my last surgery. I am a survivor!

I will be having radiation and take tamoxifan but I am cancer free.

I wanted to thank all of you who prayed and sent positive thoughts my way. I really appreciate it.

Have a great  day

Janet

Wahoo Janet!  Great fantastic wonderful news!

Great news Janet! Congratulations!

Wind chills of -40 have closed schools Thurs and Fri!!! NEVER have we seen 4 days off in one winter! WEIRD. but I'll take the long weekend!

Alylou

Janet!!! I am dancing around my desk for you!!! God is so good!!!

Lauri

How wonderful, Janet!!!!

Being so new, I did not know you were going through this. What a blessing this must be to you and your whole family. Way to go. It makes all of this weight loss stuff seem so trivial when you realize how important your very life is! Staying slim and healthy is the next step, right? Happy for you in Texas... Haiko

That's Great Janet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 We too have the way below zero in the icebox stuff here

weigh in day last weight 197 cw 194.6 total loss this week 2.4 lbs

Jasmine that is awesome!!! Congrats to you on the weight loss!!! As to the weather - I am in South Carolina and this morning with the wind chill it was between 5 and 10 degrees.  Folks that is cold for us!!!

Janet -

Such GREAT news!! You ARE a SURVIVOR! *smiling and hugging you*

Sue

By the way, just to add to Truus's explanation of a plateau...the body's reaction to the thought of starvation is to slow its systems, thereby using fewer calories. Things to look out for include: (I am sure this is not a complete list of symptoms)

• feeling cold all the time-the body's "heater" turns down the temp to save calories
• few BMs-as the digestive system wrings every calorie out of every bit of food in your system
• tiredness and excess sleeping-a sleeping body burns fewer calories
• slow or "muddy" thinking- the pathways for all activities, even thought, are slowed
• some people retain water-this might be the body thinking that water may be in shortage too

I hope that helps explain what a plateau is. As to how to break out of one, most find that some form of upping calories temporarily to work, but it does take time.

-21 air temp -46 wind chill when I got up this morning! Baby it's COLD outside! But the sun is shinning and it is as beautiful as it gets, so I am making a huge pot of turkey soup and going to enjoy living in this strange wonderful world!

Alylou

Janet I'm soooo pleased for you, what a relief that must be - you're going to have a great weekend I bet

I have so far had info-mails from 8 people, that's 9 including myself. I'll use the info from the old post for Lucy, who's too busy at the moment and maybe a few more. I'll wait just a few more days, so if anyone wants to contribute to the info-post it's still possible.

Have a nice weekend all. Truus

Hi Girls and BOY!

Well I have been trying to catch up as much as I can with all of you. Janet Hugs to you on your great news!!!

I can absolutely say eating too little works for a while and then the PLATEAU hits for real! I just didn't believe it until it really happened to me. I then staggered my calories (for me 1100-1400) when I am being good works fine. I have successfully went from 140 now back to 136.....GREAT! just not really sure HOW i actually did it this time but hey I WILL TAKE IT just the same.

I am in N.C. (Western) and the windchill this a.m. was -15. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! To all of you 'losers" congrats!!!

Haiko it is nice to hear a male perspective on all of this. Glad you are here. Now I am going to go back and look up on all of you NEWBIES!

Everyone stay warm and have a better than terrific day!

Hey how's the temp in Arizona these days?

Connie   

You guys,

I am feeling very emotional with all the love coming my way. Like Ellen Degeneres would say... back at ya!

Thank you...

Janet

Hi friends,

I just wanted to update everyone.  I don't have time to read back though yet but hopefully this weekend I'll be able to read though the post and catch up.  My daughter is reaching an agreement on her divorce so that makes me feel a little better.  Even though her end of the deal really stinks!  She learned way too many lessons for such a short marriage.  I'm going to try to start concentrating more on me again and less on all the drama. 

Love to all, Lucy