Hi

I don't exactly know what to say, because I must lose weight.

I've got asthma, diabetes, and sleep apnea that would probably improve if I lose a significant amount of weight. I feel a little hampered right now by the fact that I just quit smoking 5 1/2 months ago. It would be nice to wait a little longer before taking on another large task, but my health is a stake. I've gained seven pounds since I quit smoking, but I was already obese when I quit. And I'm having repeated asthma attacks.

What I've decided is that yes I need to lose weight, and I will be serious about doing so. However, my smoking quit will have priority. Every time I've tried to lose weight I've been successful, while I'm rarely successful when trying to quit smoking. So for me, quitting smoking is much more difficult and I've got the longest quit going that I've had in 20 years and I need to keep it going.

My official diet starts November 1, 2009. Right now, I'm just trying to hold the line at my present weight and to emotionally prepare for and to gain the tools to lose weight. I'm hoping that during these next few weeks a lot of the problems I'm having with jonesing will dissapear. Yes, as I said, I just quit smoking and now I'm craving food, or something--perhaps cigarettes but I'm substituting food.

Hi, there. I started dieting in March, 2009 and have lost 35 pounds thus far, and as of last week have a BMI less than 25, so I'm no longer officially overweight. Believe me, its the best feeling! I'm fitting in my old clothes, looking good, less stress on joints, healthier, up for less long-term health problems. Its been well worth it but I can't say it was easy. Here's some tips, stuff that worked for me:

1) Your body will adjust to less calories and less fat and then it will be easier, you won't crave food so much. After the first few months I couldn't eat a lot, my stomach just didn't want more.

2) To survive this diet I made a long list of good-tasting, healthy low calorie, low fat foods. Some ideas I got from CalorieCount. Most ideas came from www.hungry-girl.com . You can sign up for their daily, free email with names of new good products. Plus, look at their "Chew the Right Thing" archives for all of their suggestions. In addition, they post a "shopping list" of all the stuff they say we should have on hand to support dieting. The list wasn't as helpful 'cause I'm picky and don't like some stuff on it---I had to build my own list. This way, anytime I craved foods like ice cream and potato chips, I had lower cal. alternatives. I haven't had a Lays potato chip since March 'cause I eat Popchips instead, for example.

Breyer's Chocolate Double Churn Ice Cream is incredibly good, at 110 calories for 1/2 packed cup. When I'm into ice cream I eat a whole cup and cut back on other stuff that day.

Bacon Salt helps. Buttery Burst Smart Balance spray has no calories. Coke Zero's better than real Coke---to me.

Here's a good recipe:  Turkey breast skinless, cook in crock pot (spray crock pot w/ cooking spray), cook on low for no more that 4 - 5 hours. Drain some juice off. Pull apart using 2 forks (this will take 2 minutes, no more). Add BBQ sauce (I use low sugar Kraft, its delicious). That's it! Cook with extra breasts and freeze some. Use within next few weeks.

Anyway, I hope this helps you along. Keep in mind, you'll feel fabulous with less weight! Better than if you'd eaten a lot of stuff you shouldn't.

Good luck!

Thank you for the help. I'll be ready when the time comes.