Weekly Weigh In - Slimming Buddy required!

Hey does anyone want to have a weekly weigh in with me, might push me to avoid that extra glass of wine or chocolatey treat if I know I'm going to have to deliver bad news - Let me know if anyones up for it!!!

I am currently 232lb with a goal of losing 5lb every 2 weeks, (Down to an ideal 126lb) 

Limiting myself to 1500 calories a day

Doing 30 minutes on the Wii Fit (Rhythm Boxing, Step Aerobics with 2 x 2.4kg weights, Yoga & Muscle Workouts), 30 minutes on my exercise bike (16-18mph) while watching Gilmore Girls!!  and walking to and from work (60 minutes)

Of course at weekends I might let myself have 1800 calories and do minimal exercise except maybe go swimming for half an hour! (And I stress maybe)

Other stats, I am 5ft3 (Titch), 25 years old, female, Irish, Size 18-20 in UK Clothes sizes. Can't think of anything else but would love a slimming buddy if anyones interested!!!

Hey Gcak- thanks for the tip. Have a good weekend

Very naughty weekend for me - it was my nieces confirmation so my sister made loads of goodies of all kinds and as I was staying in her house and she is as weak as me - we ended up snacking late at night on leftover lasagne and cheesecake!! Calorie consumption through the roof, several glasses of wine later and a horrible hangover on Sunday morning!!!

This lead to major Sunday food consumption with a massive sunday dinner (delicious mummy dinner) and lots more rubbish.

Plus minimal exercise though I did have several bounces on her bouncy castle and had a little run after the kids!

Not expecting a big loss this week  Will try very hard today and tomorrow!!

Hey Feely good to hear from you.  I know what you mean, I went to a girls weekend and Saturday I don't think I ate a single thing that wasn't covered in either cream cheese or goat cheese.  The best I could figure was about 2000cals. Sunday was much better.

BUT...

I weigh every day and I haven't lost a single pound. I know tomorrow is our official day, but let's be realistic, I'm not going to miraculousy drop 3 pounds overnight.

Here's my new plan: divide my 1200 cal into 6 separate snacks/meals. 800 divided between lunch and supper and the other 400 into snacks. Plus, I am notorious for forgetting to drink anything all day, and I read that dehydration will slow down fat metabolism. So, I've actually scheduled on my work email to remind me to drink my water.  lololol, yes I realize how much of a control freak that makes me sound.  But, guys I don't know what else to do. 

Now, on the upside my clothes sizes are getting smaller, and you would think that it would take the sting out of the fact that the scales not moving, but yeah, not so much.  It's still disheartening.  I hope everyone elses week is going better than mine.  I'll post officially tomorrow.

Talk to ya'll tomorrow.

Hey Feely- your account reminded me of somewhere around Christmas, when I decided to have a drink of Johnny Walker Gold (big historical romance buff and I figured it would be the closest thing to figuring out how 19th century scotch tasted). Lets just say that it didn't work out well and it totally threw off my eating not only that night, but the following day. I'm thinking that alcohol does not help my food judgement so I'll lay low on it for a while . Hope your recovery plan is working well. Do you know I've now remembered that today is weigh-in day? I can't remember how much I posted at originally, but as of this morning I am 229.2 lbs. Yeah!!!

GCAK- is this feeling like a plateau to you, or have you been there for a while? If its a plateau you could try increasing your calories by about 10% for the next week or two, and changing around your exercise routine. Maybe mix up the elliptical with some walking/running or strength training???? Also, and I hope you don't mind me asking, any particular reason why your calories are so low? Is it possible that your body is defending its weight? It's always hard to get past the scale no matter what is happening. But the scale is just a guide. If you get a few weeks of the same weight, its telling you that you've got to change up your routine- your body may be too accustomed to the type, intensity of exercise and/or what you eat. Congrats on the better fitting clothes.

As for me, this week has been challenging. My head is not in a good place, and I'm fighting the temptation to change up how I am doing things (since it makes no sense as I am getting results and if it ain't broke don't fix it). I actually think it may be some perverse form of self-sabotage that is going on . I'm happy that I've lost but not so happy that I could have lost more, as there was a couple of bad eating episodes that caused me to put on about 3 lbs, which I would have had to re-lose again before I could register any loss. And also because I really wanted to lose 50 pounds by next Tuesday, but that seems to be more and more unattainable as I still have 6 more to go and not a lot of energy to do it. Nevertheless, I will persevere...

Okay, so the official weight today is 234.7. I guess any pound will do. 

Sbeverly, I don't really know if this is a plateau. I do think my body has been in protection mode, because for about 2 -3 weeks I had a really hard time getting in the 1200 cals, I was averging maybe 850-950 cals a day, but starting a week ago this past Sunday, I've made sure I got at least the 1200 in, usually btetween 1200-1300. With a day at 1400 and one that I honestly don't know, just snacked all day!

Well it's kinda tricky how I got to 1200 cals.  I tracked my cals for about 2 weeks before I stared dieting and figured out that I was consuming between 1800-2000 everyday. So, I just cut 600cals off the 1800. Now at the same time I started using my elliptical 30 minutes 6 days a week, 3 of those days I also add 20-30 mins of resistance pilates for strengh training, I usually take off Friday's.  I did this based on the fact that 3500 cals burned equals 1 lb, so if I was 600 in the neg on intake plus the 400cals burned exercising, I should lose 2 lbs a week.  So far that ain't working. That's why I've divided it up, to hopefully keep my metobalism working all day. If this doesn't work I don't know what to do.

I forgot: what's your plan?

Hope everyone had a good week.

Well, I weighed in on Sunday for the Monday weigh-in at work and I was 241.5.  1.5 lb loss 24.5 total.  Quit the gym, started the Power 90 videos (original not P90X) .  Doing pretty well, they're tough, but it burns more calories in less time than it took at the gym and it still does resistance band training so I get both cardio and strength.  I missed a day already though, gotta try harder this week. 

Cheated once, my friend and I went to lunch and I couldn't resist cheese!  Chicken Fajita Roll-up from Applebee's. MMMM...

Hope everyone else is doing well!

Hey all, Its Thursday and I am a day late and I am really sorry I forgot to weigh in!! Explanation below .....

Start Weight : 242lb (1-4-09)

Group Start Weight : 232lb (29-4-09)

Week 1 Weigh in : 230lb (6-5-09)

Week 1 Loss : 2lb

(Which I am very happy with given the bad weekend accounted before! Yeay - Well done all who lost - We're getting there!!)

Gcak - Belfast is 6 hours ahead of Houston Texas, so its 9am Thursday here and only 3am Thursday with you - hope you're sleeping well :) Also the distance if you're curious is 4572 miles - Quite some travel if you fancy coming for a cup of tea!!

ljohnson - Thanks so much for the step aerobics tip - worked perfectly and I'm getting better scores than ever!! I am highly competitive and when I can't beat something I quit - bad mentality but your tip helped alot - thank you :)

As for forgetting to weigh in last night - I went shopping after work for holiday clothes (I am going to Paris on Sunday for a week!!) Came home, went on my bike and wii fit like normal, had dinner, had a shower, spent forever trying on holiday clothes to decide what to bring  I always bring too much! Realised alot of my clothes are too big - Yeay! And have to go shopping again today - Bad for the purse strings I tell yas! However after all that I sort of passed out. The result was a low calorie consumption for the day of 1200 (I usually take in 1500) but I guess it shows keeping busy stops the cravings!!

Anyways I hope you are all well, the weather here is lovely for a change - had my sunglasses on walking to work today :) Take care and good luck with the week ahead everyone !!!

Hello, is it too late to join your group - I could use the extra support since I am just getting started,  have been a member for a few weeks.

I guess my first weigh-in would be 270 lb.

My  goal is to lose 2 lb. per week.  My short term goal is to lose 50 lb. by Sept. 6th;  I am starting with 1600 cal.  per day.  It's hard for me to come up with an ultimate weight loss - but I guess I would like to weigh 165 lb. someday. I go to the gym  abt. 3X per week, do the exercise bike for abt.  15 min. and  machines/lifting for about 20 min.  Also try to walk on the weekends. 

My toughest time is right when I get home from work - stressed and starving - so I will probably check in with you guys at that time - I'm feeling very motivated right now, but not sure how long that will last.  Hope you guys can stick with me for the long term!!

Hey all..

sorry I know today is Thursday..missed yesterday...

but I only lost 1.5lbs...but on the upside I did not follow through on my exercise and I had two bad days of eating..so I know why I didn't and I have done much better this week..so maybe next week I will reach my goal...

feely..thanks for the info on stones...I hear it alot but never knew the actual number in lbs...and your going to Paris..did ya buy any fancy new clothes

sbeverly...I hate days like that though...so I have started telling myself that if i cheat or slack off it is me cheating me...LOL...and it does work.

gcak...I am trying to keep it mixed up going for Kick boxing next Monday.. I am trying to break my scale addiction..I find it funny sometimes I walk by it in the bathroom and have to talk myself out of getting on it..LOL

cespowell..nice to met ya..come on in...

Ok i post later..next week has got to be better

Hey guys:

Gcak- I'm a member of an online weightloss programme, www.jillianmichaels.com, which provides me with a workout schedule. Sometimes I try to mix it up and add other elements, but these days I'm trying to stick to it to avoid overtraining, and because by itself, it gives pretty good results. Basically it involves interval strength training. There are two non-consecutive rest days, 4 days of circuit training (exercises that range from those with weights, core building exercises and cardio exercises), 1 day of cardio for 1 hr. Jillian does a radio show that I access through the site, but otherwise it can be found on www.kfi640.com. I don't know if you have to pay for it, but it airs weekly and she answers alot of questions about fitness and nutrition, which I try to incorporate into my basic programme.

Other than that she set the amount of calories I am allowed (currently allowance is 1440 calories), and adjusts it according to weight loss to ensure that plateauing is minimised. I took the decision to minimise consumption of foods that have bad carbs until I reach maintenance, in order to control better the release of insulin. Bad carbs causes fast release, and insulin instructs the body to store fat. It seemed to me that if I was eating that, even within calorie allowance, then it would be working against me. And other than that I sometimes play with my calorie allowance and switch to using a weekly calorie allowance instead of daily, in order to keep my body guessing on the food side of things as well. My weight loss has slowed down in the last month, but I think that's more because of my choices than the programme. I haven't plateaued yet and I've lost 44 lbs in about 4.5 months. Obviously I love love love my programme, so I can get drearily long , but my point is that if that scale keeps on sticking, there will be a reason. You've got to figure out the reason and keep on changing it up until you get the results you want. I actually have some thoughts about what you can do to change things up a bit based on things that Jillian has said on her programme, but I don't want to overstep. Let me know if you're interested, or take a trip over to kfi site and see if its of any help.

Jasherman- sounds like you had a good week. I love cheese too. Never had that meal, but it sounds divine. Was that all to the cheat, because if so that sounds like it may have been only a high calorie day. It's ok to have those once in a while, it keeps the body guessing. I saw an advert for the new P90X and it looked amazing. The adventurous part of me would like to try it, but its a bit too expensive for me right now, and I would not want to stop my circuit training for the three months at this point. But I can definitely see myself going that way sometime in the future.

Feely- way to go (even with naughty weekend ). Paris, vraiment???? You are such a lucky duck. Enjoy it well, although try for some planned naughty days tempered with some run of the mill days to balance it off???? It might help to put in a calorie limit for those days (maybe about 2000 calories), and a limit to how many you will allow. And do blow some Parisian air toward my side of the world so that I can live a little vicariously.

Yesterday was a good day for me. I had to buy lunch because my food spoiled,so my lunch was probably high calorie (hard to tell because it was an ethnic food that I can't find on calorie count and not prepared by me so I can't estimate). I'm high balling at about 1000 calories, so I compensated by having protein alone for dinner and cutting out my beloved carbs. I wasn't feeling to do my circuits so turned to my BL DVD instead and did high intensity/strength training/bootcamp segments of the workout. The scale is slowly inching downward, so we'll see how it goes today...

Sorry cespowell, don't know how your message slipped me. Anyway, welcome to the group. Take it one day at a time. Go off the motivation that you have now- it will get you started and seeing results. When the results come in they will help you to remain motivated.

Tammy- congrats on the loss. There is no only about it- you've created a deficit of 5300 calories in the past week and that's just awesome. Some weeks its definitely challenging keeping all the balls in the air. I guess as long as we get up after falling off, we will ultimately reach our goal.

Hey there!

Just starting out.  I have a long way to go, but for right now, I am just looking at getting through tomorrow.  I would love a weigh in buddy or anyone who can help cheer me on through this.  I have tried other weight loss methods, but I can't stay focused.  I am a binge eater and after 6:00 is my "witching hour" when I can literally sit down and eat for hours.  I know I can do this.  I am 5'3" & 240 lbs, hoping to get down to 130-140 someday :) 

Sbeverly,  I would love any and all tips, oddly enough, I've tried all the commercial type weight loss programs: jenny craig, nutrisystem etc, but not really just me on my own.  Thanks!

Welcome to the group redsoxmom! Glad to have you! In case you didn't catch it we've all pretty much post our weights on Wednesday. And you can do this, getting on this site and joining us is one step toward your goal.

Feely, I am soooooo jealous! Paris sounds divine! Just awesome!

Well, my best friend is in from out of town, fortunatly she's working on her weight too, so we'll help each other stay focused.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. Check in with you later.

I was just wondering if it is too late to join, because I know I could use this.

So far I have lost 50 lbs and I have 100 more to go but I know I can do it!  I'm 5ft 2inches 220.4 lbs and I'm 20 years old.  I have been overweight my entire life and have tried everything under the sun to lose weight... who knew it was as easy as counting calories. I have been trying to live healthier since last November and so far so good.

I think the more the merrier - welcome aboard jnielson! We weigh in weekly on a Wednesday! Feel free to join in with ideas, problems, whatever - its all good!!

People I uploaded a photo of me and my drunk ass sister on my birthday last year - my minor goal is to be 200lb by then, 1st September this year. That would be an overall loss of 42lb from 1st April and 30lb from now. I must do this, I must have a pretty dress this year and look better than everyone else

My major goal I think I mentioned was to be an ideal BMI of 22 which is 128lb I think ... not going to do the calculations on that.

Hope you all have a great weekend, warmest welcomes to all newbies!

Hey redsoxmom- welcome welcome welcome. I'm a fellow binge eater. I kind of go through the range- food cravings when I haven't eaten enough/on time; snack cravings (can't even say sugar because its about 50% salt as well); emotional eating and binge eating. The binge eating has taken center stage now that I am eating clean- I'm not sure if its because my body feels deprived or if its a self-sabotage thing to slow down the weight loss. Isn't it weird that you could want something so much, work toward it and then get scared when its actually in reach. I learnt in the last 5 months that I definitely have psychological issues that is holding my weight in place, and am trying to work around this minefield. So you definitely have a partner in crime in me, and we'll both have to work on eliminating those dastardly binges

GCAK- here's my two cents and hoping that it isn't worth exactly that. I'm more or less just passing on tips Jillian may have given to others along the way who asked similar type questions:

Losing weight basically comes down to maths, burn more calories than you consume. To achieve this, you could manipulate two variables, diet and exercise. With food, you could look at your calorie allowance, as well as the balance of carbs/proteins/fats from the food that you are choosing as well as the quality of the food itself.  Yes you would need to reduce the amount of calories you are consuming, because of you consume the 1800-2000 calories you will just maintain the weight. However, if you drop too low your body will slow its metabolism and defend the weight. A woman should try not to go below 1200 calories per day. If you have more than 50 pounds to lose you can occasionally drop yourself as low as 800 calories because you have a big fat store, however, it’s occasionally as opposed to continuous setting at that calorie point. I’m not sure if the 2-3 weeks you did was long enough to cause a serious metabolic issue. Sometimes she would say to somebody who has been at the low point for months that they need to increase their calories by 10% each week until they get it back to a normal level, and that it may take a few weeks for the body to recognize the change before you will see weight loss taking place again. If it was only 2-3 weeks but generally you were higher, I suspect it shouldn’t take long to get you back on track. I’m pretty close in weight to you right now- I suspect other factors are taken into consideration like overall activity level, but my life outside of exercise is sedentary, so I have an allowance of 1440.

J would say no no no to the new plan of dividing into 6 meals (I did 5 meals when I lost 80 pounds the first time around and this totally worked for me), however, her reasons against it are that psychologically it feels like grazing and doesn’t give you a sense of satiety, as well as the fact that it will increase the insulin spikes across the day. She recommends eating every 4 hours (waketime), which basically boils down to 3 meals and 1 snack. That frequency will minimize the likelihood that the hunger hormone grehlin will be released- don’t want that to happen otherwise you overeat just to calm the cravings it produces.

Calories can be distributed evenly across meals e.g. I allow about 100 calories for snack, so I would have meals that are about 440 calories give or take. Each meal should have a balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats in it (if you go to her website you can do a free test that will give you an idea of what percentage of food should be coming from carbs, proteins and fats). She also suggests (this one I don’t follow strictly), that you allow yourself one high calorie day not exceeding 2000 calories and one snack/food of your choice per day so that you don’t feel deprived (however, build it into the calorie allowance).  Since the body gets accustomed to the food as well as exercise, the best way is to work with a weekly allowance instead of daily. So for me, my weekly allowance is 10,080 calories. I’d then vary each day so some days are low calorie days (but not below 1200), some are medium range and put in that 1 high calorie day. The goal is never to get above the weekly calorie allowance, never to fall below the 1200 minimum, but to keep your body guessing with regard to how much it can expect on any one day. I don’t do this rigidly because its a lot of work, but I basically eat according to how I feel that day (take 1200 and 1440 as my limits, and put in that high calorie day)- but that’s not the right system.

With regard to your basically snacking the day you took in 1400, is it because of limitations you are placing on certain food groups? Because it really doesn’t take that much to get yourself into this range. One tbsp olive oil alone is 120 calories, and I use that for fat across three meals. If you are trying to eliminate carbs or cut fats or anything like that, you may be loading up on the veggies and whatnot. They’re good, but there are a lot of other healthy stuff you can include to bring your calories up that does not involve snacking.

Like food, your body retains water if it’s not getting enough because it interprets it as drought. If you want to drop off your water weight you actually have to take in adequate water. Her recommendation is  1 oz for every 2 lbs of weight.

Maybe instead of calculating at 600 on the food intake and 400 calories burn you should switch it around. Create a 400 calorie deficit in food and try to burn about 600 calories in exercise.  I’m not sure why but J does not love love love elliptical and bike. There was one week when my doctor restricted me from upper body work and I went to the gym to use the bike. I did 1 hour interval on the bike, where I would go from 1 minute slow to 1 minute fast (which actually burns more than if you are going at one steady pace). My heart rate was comparatively low across the workout to other exercises like jumping jacks, jumping rope, walking, jogging or sprinting. And I was really gunning it. Don’t know if that’s her issue with elliptical. I know plenty people have told me that they really get a burn from elliptical. If you’re ok with it- it makes you sweat, works you hard, your heart rate is up, maybe try to get the most out of the time by doing an interval approach instead of going at one speed.

Also, for her cardio is icing on the cake. When you add it on top of strength training it will help you lose weight faster. However, the foundation is actually strength training. So the balance might actually be more like 4 days of strength training (1 hour each day), and 1 day of intense cardio (gets heart rate up to 85% of maximum), and 2 non consecutive days of rest. You can add any additional cardio you want on top of that as long as you maintain rest days and don’t exercise more than 2 hours consecutively, as it releases a stress hormone that promotes fat storage. I've tried that but it makes me feel hungry, so I'm back to basics. I prefer to be slow and full than fast and hungry

Welcome jnielson. Congratulations on your awesome weight loss. I must say that you gave me a turn though- you are like a twin to my sister (I wondered for a while if she had joined and ended up on the same thread as me)

Feely- you and your drunk sister look like if you were having good fun!!! Enjoy Paris.

And as for me, I'm hanging in there. I'm slowly getting back to how I normally feel (which is a good thing). Realised this morning that I may actually be retaining water because I had alot of saltfish in the past couple of weeks, so I'm going to try and flush my system and see if that gets me any closer to my goal for next week.

Sbeverly- Thank you sooo much for the tips!  I really like looking at the overall weekly calories. It makes me feel better about a having a day "off" every once in a while. 

My job is really sedentary, and my available time is limited , so the exercising everyday for me is necessary, and I have to admit it, I HATE EVERY MINUTE. I'm lousy at it and generally my goal is to just finish as soon a possible, so I can say that I did it.  I sweat like I'm in the desert on the elliptical, it burns my gluts and thighs and I'm exhausted after 30-45 mins. I don't have have access to a gym, so where are you exercising, the only time I was every able to do interval was at the gym.  I've got several of the 10 min solution pilates videos and the elliptical and that's it.

I have noticed that I am getting hungier more often since starting the 6 meal/snacks.  So, I was going to change my routine.  What's your thoughts on how long I should try a particular routine before changing and trying something else?

Feely- Congrats on the smaller clothes!!!  Yeah you!!!!!!

Hello Everyone!  GCAK and I are best friends and she has encouraged me to join. Let me start off by telling you a little bit about myself.  I am from Austin, TX, am married, and a step-mother of two beautiful girls. I have been overweight as long as I can remember and was diagnosed with PCOS in March of 2006.  This syndrome effects my reproductive system and also messes with my insulin levels.  Diabetes runs in my family so I am focused now more than ever to lose the weight and avoid diabetes altogether. 

Anyway, my stats are as follows:

Age:  32

Current Weight:  230lbs

Height:  5'1

Regimen:  I work out up to 45 minutes a day, 5 days a week.  My exercises vary from doing pilates, yoga, and cardio (such as stationary bike and elliptical machine), as well as walking, and some strength training. I have been exercising consistently as of working out consistently this way since February. 

My goal weight is 150lbs and I would like to reach this weight by April 2010.  I really think I can lose it faster but would like to set a reachable goal at this time. 

I am excited about joining this group!

Hey GCAK- wasn't until I posted it that I realised it was so looooooooooong- sorry about that. Over-enthusisasm for the subject .

If your job is sedentary, we're around the same weight and age (I think you're a little younger if I remember- I'm 36), maybe you should try to shoot for around the 1440. Why are you doing an exercise that you hate? How will you maintain this across a lifetime if its so horrible, and you feel lousy at the exercise itself?  You need to find you an exercise that you at least like. Why don't you try out a few different things? I actually don't go to a gym. I only went once on that same time I used the bike. J sends a daily exercise list and you just need basic equipment for it- some hand weights, a bench, a step, resistance bands and skip rope. Its amazing to me really- the heaviest weight I've used is 12 lbs, and mostly I go between 4 lbs and 10 lbs weights. I work out of home. And when she suggested her running intervals, I did it using my corridor at home. I must admit that I seriously dislike (refuse to say hate) doing jumping jacks, jumping rope and the other cardio intervals exercises. But I get enjoyment out of the fact that I can now do them whereas when I started I couldn't do squat without being out of breath and my knees hurting. Once I concentrate on form, I get pride out of being able to do an exercise in good form even when I don't like it. But I actually for the most part like the exercises that use weights and most of the core exercises. I'm not sure that I understand what netflix is, but thats like a rental place right? If so, rent some of Jillian's DVD's or the Biggest Loser DVDs or any of the other ones that give strength training on DVDs and see how you like it. If you do you could always invest in some of your own.

Whilst in general I think that you should give any new routine a fighting chance, in this case I say make the change. If you're hungry this new system isn't helping you to manage the release of ghrelin, so try something else before it derails you.

Hi Vivah- welcome. I also have PCOS- stopped taking my metformin couple of years ago and I am conscientiously avoiding my gynaecologist (although I think I'll really have to visit him soon because I've started bleeding again). My goal weight is also 150 lbs. It's good to have you.

Well I had a pretty good weekend. For the first time in forevery my energy was normal and I had a good workout on Friday and a really good workout yesterday. It's so nice to not be tired all of the time. Sometimes we take it for granted. Had a high calorie day on Friday and the rest of the weekend went as planned. Unfortunately I think there is little chance that I'll meet my Wednesday goal because I still need to lose 4.1 lbs to get there. But I'm going to try to get as close as possible so its last chance workouts for me this afternoon and tomorrow.

See you guys on Wednesday

Sbeverly - You don't say how you feel about not meeting  your goal of 4.5 lbs.  I hope that is not the only way you are measuring your success.  It sounds to me like you have many so many improvements in your lifestyle - I hope you are feeliing good about all of it.

Since I have been on Caloriecount, things have been clicking for me.  It was the tool I needed to figure out how to lose weight.  I have recently been trying to look at different aspects of my nutrition and making sure that I am getting the right things - things I never really kept track of but were in the back of  my mind.  Such as, fiber.  Never really paid attention to how much I was getting - now I make a concerted effort to get enough fiber each day, health-wise it is important and also is supposed to help with hunger. The result is I am eating healthier foods such as whole grain breads or pastas (not very much of that), fruit and raw veggies.If I don't get enough fiber (30-35 grams), I may pop a couple psyllium capsules (Metamucil).

The fiber is a part of "HOPE" acronym.  Not sure where this came from, but H stands for high fiber, O, stands for omega 3 fatty acids, P stands for probiotics (as in yoghurt) and E for enzymes.  Maybe someone else knows.  anyhow, to get the Omega 3 since I don't eat fish much,  I also take fish oil tablets.  This stuff is supposed to really help cholesterol.  And I eat yoghurt every day, but the health food stores do have probiotics you can take.  And I take an enzyme pill  with one of my larger meals.  This is important because digestive enzymes decrease when we age, and it also helps with the "gas" if you have trouble with that from the fiber. 

Right now, I am in the honeymoon period of my diet.  Everything is going right!  I am worried about maintaining this over the long term.   Obviously,  I have some issues about emotional overeating I need to deal with as well.  Right now it is not a problem, and thinking about weigh-in helps!