Thanks Miss Dee. I needed to hear that I am a winner. When I look at all your weight tickers I don't feel like a winner. I've been dieting since January and only lost 15 lbs. Maybe since I've found Heartbreakers and BuddySlim that will change. I can definitely say you all are a huge inspiration. Especially the over 40 fabulous ladies! Those of us know its not as easy to lose as you age, but obviously it can be done with determination and support.

Yesterday I did great on my goals with exception of dinner. I ate my portions but was still hungry. I went back for more. Honostly I was just starving. Then I joined everyone with having ice cream. I kept it to 1 cup but still feel I went over my calories.

Today, I am making a grocery list with favorite low cal. foods. I believe if I stock up on them, I can easily substitute.

I really do like cherry SF jello with lite fruit cocktail and a dollop of lite whipped cream. If you haven't tried it, you should.

What are your favorite substitutes and/or treats for keeping your calories down? Please Share!

Originally Posted by 16883

Thanks Miss Dee. I needed to hear that I am a winner. When I look at all your weight tickers I don't feel like a winner. I've been dieting since January and only lost 15 lbs. Maybe since I've found Heartbreakers and BuddySlim that will change. I can definitely say you all are a huge inspiration. Especially the over 40 fabulous ladies! Those of us know its not as easy to lose as you age, but obviously it can be done with determination and support.

Yesterday I did great on my goals with exception of dinner. I ate my portions but was still hungry. I went back for more. Honostly I was just starving. Then I joined everyone with having ice cream. I kept it to 1 cup but still feel I went over my calories.

Today, I am making a grocery list with favorite low cal. foods. I believe if I stock up on them, I can easily substitute.

I really do like cherry SF jello with lite fruit cocktail and a dollop of lite whipped cream. If you haven't tried it, you should.

What are your favorite substitutes and/or treats for keeping your calories down? Please Share!

Look again at my weight ticker...... see a big loss? OK, look again, see a quick loss? That's right. Slow and steady works. And stays off. I average 2 lbs a month. It took me 50 years of yo-yo dieting to learn that it doesn't work. If you take your time your brain will reprogram itself to prefer healthy food. It's a fact. And it's true, as you age it just gets harder to lose. So start changing your brain now. My mantra is 'only eat food that is good for me'. Of course I go off track from time to time, but I have come to realize the payoff is a gain and regret. I'm a slow learner, and I'm a slow loser and that's OK with me. Please, please don't be impatient. I just want to shake some of these gals I see on here who expect to lose 5 lbs a week and will do almost any crazy thing to do it! It will come back to haunt them, eventually, and then some.

Now, for some quick goodies....my fave is a tub of FF Cool Whip, mix in a box of SF FF inst. pudding (choc is good) and two (or three, if you like it thinner) 6 oz FF SF yogurts (van. or ?) I experiment with Banana Pudding, Lemon Pudding, etc but pretty much stick with van yogurt. You just have to try out your own combinations. It's like a chocolate mousse, anyway about 1/2 cup with a nice dollop of FF Cool Whip on top is only about 150 cals. and so good. It's tempting to have too much so I pre-portion it out in 1/2 cup servings. I also like to have snack sized packs of crackers, Newtons fruit crisps, etc on hand. They are 100 cal packs and it is way easier to stop after 1 pack, than to have that open bag or box sitting in the cupboard calling out to you "just a few, just a few" lol also apple slices and a spoonful of lowfat peanut butter...

I hope this helps you, just remember.... Haste makes waist. You are doing just great.

JC- Thank you, its nice to be back.

Catherine- That's right, we can do it together.

Joy- I'm good I guess. Stressed still, but good. Thanks for asking.

Annie- Thank you.

To Everyone:

Thanx for all of your supportive words. I wasn't really considering giving up my weight loss goal, but I was considering quitting the Heartbreakers and going it alone, without a weight loss challenge group. But who wouldn't want to have friends like all of you?

Thank you so very much.

Tink, glad to hear it!

Cathy- You know I'm here if you need to talk My wedding is what... 24 days away?

Catherine (& Sandy)-- Our family does something similar. One tub of light cool whip... let it thaw out, mix in a container of strawberry (or some other fruit) yogurt. Then, use it as a dip for apples or other fruit. It's really good.

I also like to eat apple slices with a little bit of honey on them. Yum!

Yogurt alone is my absolute favorite low calorie/healthy snack though.. I LOVE dannon all naturals. They're not a light yogurt, but I think they're absolutely delicious.. they come in the four packs. I ate the cherry flavor nearly every day for about five monthes straight-- I never got tired of it. Now, I decided to try Activia since it was on sale. Still like dannon's...... it's worth the extra 50 calories, I feel.

I also found chocolate covered sunflower seeds?? I've noticed if I've a sweet tooth just grabbing a (small!) handful of them helps.

Sorry for being MIA so much. I feel like a broken record cause I keep having to say that. Well my brothers kids are finally back at their home. Now I have my hubby's dad here til Sunday for his vacation. My hubby is home too so every night since he got here, their entire side of the family thinks it is a good idea to come eat over here. *sighs* I love the family..I really do but we are talking BBQ's..spaghetti suppers...fried chicken, okra and squash..mashed potatoes...UGH..you name a fatty food..we have made it. I feel icky pretty much. I am totally off routine. I am still swimming everyday but thats about it. My diet is totally ruined and lying somewhere out in my yard. I have a sense of humor about it but I will be glad when there is some sort of sanity here. I was getting so used to the calm and having a VERY set routine.

I will say though that our whole family has been very happy. Its been nice having my hubby home. Now if I could just get the whole congregation of them to take a walk with me...LOL

My goals....hmmm very simply...try to make it thru this week without gaining a whole mess of weight.

Originally Posted by 15520

To Everyone:

Thanx for all of your supportive words. I wasn't really considering giving up my weight loss goal, but I was considering quitting the Heartbreakers and going it alone, without a weight loss challenge group. But who wouldn't want to have friends like all of you?

Thank you so very much.

Aww shucks, you are too kind. But we are all good, supportive buddies, I agree. That's exactly why I'm on right now......... it's my DANGER! time of day. John's gone golfing, no one here to see, but me and (now) thee. lol So a glass of Iced Green Tea with Crystal Lite Lemonade in it and my bs support group will get me through the next hour or so. I love your new picture, you are so pretty with out that green fairy suit.... Well, I'm off to read the blogs. See you all later.

Hi all.
I have been having a rough couple of days. I am off work for the summer and feeling very lonely. No one is around all day long here at home except me and well I am getting very bored with no one to talk to.I have been walking like 4 miles in the morning and was trying to walk 2 miles more at night but I have a blister beyond belief on my heel and I am having a hard time with the walking tonight. I decided to not even try and to come on here instead.
Don't get me wrong. I love my summers off, I just don't know why I am so bored this summer compared to the past years.
I have been sitting on my porch reading my book and trying to relax. Today I went to a local craft store and bought the material I wanted to make curtains for my front entrance way. I think I am going to work on those tomorrow. I will take pictures of them when I am done. I also bought a few pieces of scrapbook paper to scrapbook my vacation. I have to wait to get the pictures printed though first.
I am doing good with my eating this week for the most part. I did have some extra pretzels today at lunch. I will try harder tomorrow.
Well I am going to go read the blogs for a while and then I don't know what I am going to do.

Julie, since you are sort of at loose ends, have you thought of volunteering at the local library? Reading to kids sounds like something right up your alley. Or a summer camp program for kids crafts.... knowing how you love children... or even maybe starting a summer walking group for seniors? I used to do that when I worked in a retirement community. I had a few seniors who loved to take walks, but couldn't go out on their own. We were called the "Walkers Without Wheels". Corney, but they liked it. Too bad you don't live closer to me, we would find something to do!

Originally Posted by 11482

Julie, since you are sort of at loose ends, have you thought of volunteering at the local library? Reading to kids sounds like something right up your alley. Or a summer camp program for kids crafts.... knowing how you love children... or even maybe starting a summer walking group for seniors? I used to do that when I worked in a retirement community. I had a few seniors who loved to take walks, but couldn't go out on their own. We were called the "Walkers Without Wheels". Corney, but they liked it. Too bad you don't live closer to me, we would find something to do!

Sandy,
These are some really great ideas! I am going to look into the library thing maybe even tomorrow. I live two blocks from the library. I don't live near any seniors or kid's camps though. I think the library thing is a good idea.