Posts by jmk171

I was going to suggest same...you need a protein/carb combo in every meal!  Eating fruit/veggies or cereal only will just turn to sugar unless you add protein.

I typically ignore the craving... for about a minute then I give in if it won't go away. My sweet of choice is a vanilla/vanilla cupcake from a little bakery in my neighborhood.  I wish I could say I cut out 1/2 the frosting but, sadly, I eat it ALL and it's delicious!  I'm usually good for 6+ weeks until I start needing one again. 

It's that moderation thing that we're all learning, right? To completely forbid any treat at any time makes for a difficult if not unenjoyable existence.

A Polenta classic:  creamy polenta with sausage and peppers...

put the polenta in a pot, add chicken stock or veg stock if you prefer and break down till thick and creamy.

Sautee onions in 1 tsp of olive oil or non-stick spray if you prefer.  Add chopped bell peppers (red, yellow, green or orange - whatever you prefer).  Sautee til softened the scoop veggies and sauce over a serving of creamy polenta - classic Italian - YUM!

 PS...polenta from scratch is a snap and super cheap - just buy the cornmeal and stock to cook it in for extra flavor.

5.5 weeks ago I woke up one morning and decided to make better choices. I am 36 years old and have been overweight my whole life. I don't consider the changes I've made a DIET because these changes must last a lifetime. I found this website by accident but find it very encouraging. People all around the world are logging calories and favorite foods and the occasional rant about life and they are losing weight! So...I've lost 15 lbs so far and have over 100 to go. It's a daunting path but one I am willing to walk in order to be the best me I can be. I now skip the drive thru's and only indulge very rarely in the high fat, high sugar choices that put me where I am now. I eat whole fruits and vegetables and am a huge fan of high fiber choices. This moves the fat OUT. I have not started on an exercise program yet and know that this is a crucial step to my success.

I'm striving to be healthy and to have an hourglass figure I'd love to show off. My goal weight right now is 165 but I don't focus on that. I've lost 10% of the weight I need to and that's darn good for 5 weeks of better eating.

Good luck to you - I've spent a lifetime on various diets, resentful because I couldn't have the fries or pizza or sweet whatever...it was something that shifted within me that finally allowed me to see the better way out of this oversized shell.

Congrats to you! It's really exciting to make these better choices and see the results in so many places - waistline, scale, clear skin, increased energy, etc...

I have been at this for 6 weeks now and 1/10 done. My goal is quite a few lbs so I'm VERY proud and so looking foward to the getting rid of the next 10%.

I too am slightly obsessed with good grades. I don't worry about the grade of each and every food but boy do I want that A at the end of the day! Most days I achieve it but if not remember that it is a day by day process and tomorrow is always another opportunity to treat your body right by making good choices.

Here's a quick bit of advice though - raw veggies really bump up a score - I added sliced raw orange pepper and bounced right up by adding all that good vitamin C and fiber!

I am new too but have learned a few things in the past 2 weeks. Your 'burn meter' is based on your current height & weight - it's what you burn by just existing. So if you weigh less, you burn less in a typical day. If you were to increase your exercise and log it or gain muscle weight, the program would, ideally, adjust for those changes as well.

I watch my grade throughout the day and plan ahead - adding more veggies or protein without empty carbs or fat really helps keeping that 'grade' up!

It takes a deficit of 3500 calories to lose a pound - I'm only counting calories as well and have lost 2.5 lbs in the first week and another pound so far this week. I'm eating healthy foods and limiting my fats to olive oil and the occasional hard cheese for extra flavor. Just stick to the 'good' fats and you'll do well. Good Luck!