Bpasamba,

I love that idea.  I will have to try that.

Trisha

Miss D,

I'm a snacker too, but I stopped keeping a lot of things in the house.  I started freezing banana slices and grapes.  I snack on them through the day, and they're nice and sweet, but since they are frozen, I cannot eat them quickly, and they last longer.

Bernadette

Thanks Bernadette for the information, I just wanted to get some input on things that have worked for people.  I am really ready for this, but still starting something, that I obviously don't know much about, is a little overwhelming :)  I bought 3 different kinds of SF shakes, and then I picked up fruit and veggies, and some salad fixins.  So tomorrow I will be able to start eating healthier at work, and I will think about what to do for dinner....

Hey everybody, I will be uploading a picture in a little bit. I am going on vacation on June 27th and hope to lose about 10lbs by then. I have only about 20bs or so to lose. I am at 176 and need to be down to about 150lbs.

I bought the slim fast shakes yesterday. and some of the special K protein/meal bars. I was just wondering if anyone would like to help me as I would like to start hardcore tomorrow. I just really need ideas to keep from snacking on random things in the day, as I always feel as if I am a little bit hungry

Welcome Kelly!

Good luck, and congratulations on taking responsibility over your own body.  Deb, I do the optima plan, but I have to modify it to my lifestyle.  I also work in a hospital, and work a lot of long hours.  We don't really get formal eating schedules, so I used to just grab whatever at the cafeteria whenever I could.   (You would be amazed at how unhealthy hospital cafeteria choices can be), so I also use the shakes to keep me from just "grabbing" whatever.  I take a shake for dinner (often with a fruit blended in for thickening), a canned shake for lunch with a frozen weight watcher meal or somthing small at some point later in the day until I can get home for dinner.  I also pack 2 SF optima snacks in my backpack for whenever cravings hit or if I'm just hungry.  This is ideal, but often I don't meat ideal, but this is what I strive to.  Then 40 min of aerobics 5-6 x per week depending on my schedule.

Hope this is the info you needed.

Bernadette

Good Morning Everyone,

I am starting this new chapter in my life tomorrow, I have to attend my father's birthday party and then I will be going to buy some SF shakes, fruits and veggies.  I have been eating so poorly for years now, that I am finding it hard to know what I should eat.  I don't like fish or meat, so this is becoming a challenge in itself.  Any suggestions on foods that are good to start with? 

As far as exercising, well I have very bad knees so I cannot do certain things.  I guess I will just start with walking, that is probably all I can handle right away, as I have been laying on the couch forever and using the remote was the only exercise I have done in years LOL !  Well and of course walking to the kitchen ! 

I am really looking forward to this, which I can only assume is a good sign.  I have tried diets in the past, and I started out aggravated and unmotivated, therefore they didn't last.  But this time, I really feel like I am in it to win it !!!!  I can't wait to get to know you all, and with your help and encouragement get rid of Fat Kelly !!!!!

Hope you all have a fantastic day !

~~Kelly ~~

Debspier, I actually use the products in my own way. I am a nursing student who needs convenient food on the go (eliminating the fast food trips) so Mon-Thur I use them for breakfast and lunch along with some veggies and fruit if I'm still hungry. The rest of the week I try and eat sensible, using SF if I feel I need it. I've also been walking between classes, walking the dogs in the evening, and getting some videos in here and there. It's working for me. :)

What is everyone else doing?

I love your theory, Bernadette! From now on I will simply taste and see if it is worth it. Honestly...the smore was worth it! It had been years! :)

Thanks for the recipes! Bananas and chocolate soung great together!

Keep focused this week and we'll both have something to cheer about! :)

Cara

which meal plan are you using ? The one with fewer options or the one where you cook diferent things all the time?

You guys are doing great!  Congratulations.  I haven't weighed myself since last monday, but I'm afraid to cause it's that time of the month and I'm definitely retaining water.  My pants are still looser so it can't be that bad.

The vanilla shake is definitely better with ice and fruit.  The ice and blender add volume, and the fruit smooths out the chalky flavor.  The chocolate royale is pretty good -- I tried it blended with ice and half a banana and it was great. 

I deviated a little from the diet too today because I had a birthday party to go to.  I ended up tasting things, and not eating them because they just weren't good enough to set me back.  Things better be pretty awesome if I'm gonna take the backward slide on the diet.  Mediocre is not good enough for me to walk around with it strapped to my hips for the next decade.  That thought alone was enough to give me a healthy appreciation of good food today (in moderation of course!), and keep my plate a lot less full than it would have been a few days ago, before starting this whole thing.

Tomorrow is a "party-free" day, and it's back to the program.  Good luck and stay strong!

Bernadette