It's raining today, and we're getting ready to go out of town for a few days also, so I'm not sure how much exercise I'm going to get in today and tomorrow. OR how much I'll do while we're gone, for that matter. We'll be staying with family, so no cool hotel gyms or anything. I'm taking my jump rope, and I'll just have to see what else I can figure out when I get there. I'm just going to try REALLY hard not to gain any weight. I know it's going to be darn near impossible to keep strict calorie counts when I won't be preparing any of the food, so I'm going to have to rely on what I've learned so far to watch my portions and avoid things that are obviously high cal. Cross your fingers for me!! I'm very nervous about it, because I'll basically be not-in-control of my situation the whole time, and that's a major binge-trigger for me. BUT I'm going to focus on enjoying my family and really try hard NOT to focus on food.... I really don't want to let a food obsession ruin my little mini vacation.

Have fun in Tokyo, Kylie!!!

I am the same way: I am great if I am in total control of my schedule, my time, what food is in front of me. Which is very unrealistic! Being flexible without just completely giving up is something I need to learn.

Something we'll learn together. I'm going to focus on just eating "healthy" and when I actually feel hungry and getting some type of exercise in daily. If I can do that even while I'm out of my comfort zone (not at home, and not in control) then I'll consider it a success.

I'm starting to feel as if... *IF* I can just rely on what I know about food, make sure to get my daily exercise in, and remain calm, then I'll really be on the road to the lifestyle change we all talk about. How realistic is it to count every calorie for the rest of our lives?

Counting calories long enough to get a solid feel for how many calories are in a wide variety of foods will make us better able to make good choices later though. I can eyeball portion sizes now and can no longer convince myself that cheesecake doesn't have "that many" calories. Knowledge is power!

had a great time in tokyo! thursday i got in about an hour or so of walking, friday about 6 hours of walking and a thirty min. workout, then today about another hour of walking. and food was crap!! shaina, mj, i think i might be completely the opposite of you two- i am WAY too laid back when it comes to food. and right now i just feel gross!!
shaina, as for you going on vacation- you'll be fine! use what you know and make the best of it. lol- this after me saying i'm way too laid back. humm... not the best timing, now is it? you'll be fine though. and even if you can control your food exactly, you can control portions and you can always try to take more of the healthier things and less, if any, of the bad stuff. have fun!! you'll be fine

Sorry I have been MIA the last couple of weeks, we had county fair all last week and have interstate fair next week, so lots to do and get ready for and I have had to work all this week to get to take off for the fair. I have been trying to squeeze in some walking when I can. I keep telling myself next week will better,so I guess I will say it again, LOL!

Originally Posted by MJ

Counting calories long enough to get a solid feel for how many calories are in a wide variety of foods will make us better able to make good choices later though. I can eyeball portion sizes now and can no longer convince myself that cheesecake doesn't have "that many" calories. Knowledge is power!

I unfortunately convinced myself the other day to have a second piece of cheesecake as I needed something to go with my Mai Tai at the races. No more of that!!

Is there a new thread for this challenge? I feel like I've gotten lost and am always posting in the wrong place