[cherylwith kids]

Hi all, I started Phentermine last Saturday, I completely cut out Pepsi (which is a big step for me) and I am just drinking water. My problem is I am having a hard time figuring out what I should eat, right now I am just cutting way down, staying away from the sweets. and just eating smaller portions. I dont see anything yet, I know it has not been a full week yet, but I thought maybe my pants would get a little looser. I got up at five AM this morning and did aerobics-- YAH!!! That is my plan five days out of the week. I have a in-home daycare so I am really busy. My problem is I am in and out of the kitchen all day, so it is very easy just to snack. That is one habit I am trying to break. I am a carb addict. So I dont think it would be realistic to think I could completely cut carbs out, but how much should I eat? Is one sandwich too much? ANy help or insight on how you all lost your weight would be great. I have been checking the sights but have not seen anything. Sorry I went on and on--

[luvmyboxerpup]

Cheryl, welcome!

The first little while is so hard. I was the same way, what should I eat? When should I eat? How much should I eat? I know I drove everyone crazy here.

Basically, I had to find something that worked for me. Every body is different. Everyone's metabolism is different. I do believe that you shouldn't eliminate any one group out of your diet.(carbs, fat, etc). I have REDUCED the stuff like sugar products and refined flour stuff. I have made it a point to eat more fresh veggie and fruits.

What has worked for me, is to eat small meals/snacks every few hours. When I eat like I am supposed to, I have lots of energy and am not hungry. Think of your body like a car. It only runs when it has plenty of fuel.

Don't worry about not losing anything right off the bat, you may just be retaining water. Are you drinking enough water? When I was trying to lose the weight I was drinking about 80 oz of water a day.

Another thing I have learned is that I don't deprive myself of something I really enjoy. I just work my way around it and adjust.

Are you getting enough exercise? It is essential to losing the weight and keeping it off. Besides, it will make you feel great and will help with depression and stress and all that other yucky stuff!

This is too long and I'm sorry, but I remember being in your shoes and everything seemed so confusing and contradictory.

A lot of peole used fitday dot com to keep up with their food, btw.

I thought I would include a sample of some typical things I eat. It has worked since last March (Except for the holidays lol )

Breakfast: (usually choose 2) eggs (or EggBeaters), whole wheat toast, banana, or oatmeal, skim milk, coffee

Snack: low fat Cheese, baby carrots with fat-free Ranch dip, couple pieces of ham lunch meat, celery and peanut butter

Lunch: low fat soups, tuna, Weight Watchers low fat-low carb dinners, Sub Sandwiches on wheat (no mayo, no oil-lot of veggies-lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, peppers-whatever is in the fridge)

Snack: Whole wheat crackers with fat free cream cheese, fruit smoothies made with skim milk, beef jerky etc.

Supper: basically a normal supper, I always have at least 3 veggies, little or no bread, and 1 meat usually grilled, baked or broiled. Not fried.

Snack-Before bed or after supper- I usually have some kind of fruit/dessert. Strawberries and skim milk with artificial sweetener, apple with fat- free caramel dip, fruit salad.

I eat plenty of food. In between all these, on a good day, I drink water.

Hope this helps you some. SOrry for the novel.

[cherylwith kids]

luvmyboxerpup-
Thank you so much for the suggestions on what to eat, how to eat, etc. That was so helpful, I always feel like I am eating too much, but I think I am just eating the wrong way. I guess it will take awhile to retrain myself.
I will check out the fitday.com website you suggested too. I know alot of this is a mind game, I cant get discouraged and give up, I have got to keep going. It is so helpful to read all of the posts on this site. It inspires me and makes me feel I can do this. Thank You!! I am SO new at this I do not know how to post pics, etc. I will eventually figure it out.

[health4life]

HELLO
I THINK THE FACT THAT U HAVE CUT OUT THE SODA IS A BIG STEP..GOOD JOB ON THE WATER.

ONE GOAL AT A TIME WITH EACH GOAL TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME THATS THE BEST ADVICE I CAN OFFER U.

BELIEVE ME YOUR BODY KNOWS WHEN THERES A CHANGE. IF U ARE USED TO DRINKING SODA 5TIMES A DAY START OUT WITH A GOAL OF I'M ONLY DRINKING THREE TODAY. YOU HAVE TO MAKE SMALL GOALS FIRST. *THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT I MEAN*

SAME THING GOES WITH ANY HABIT THAT U MAY HAVE CUT IT DOWN UNTIL U CAN COMPLETELY CUT IT OUT OR LIMIT IT TO A SMALLER AMOUNT.

I DONT DEPRIVE MYSELF OF ANYTHING. CUT BACK ON YOUR PORTIONS AND EAT OFTEN.OR YOUR PORTIONS COULD BE FINE IT COULD BE THE IN BETWEEN SNACKING FOR SOME(THAT WAS MY PROBLEM) THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH U SNACKING BUT ALWAYS PLAN AHEAD. HAVE SOMETHING HEALTHY WAITING FOR U, WHEN U DO HAVE TO RUN IN THE KITCHEN. NEVER GO NO MORE THAN 4HRS BETWEEN MEALS. IT WILL SLOW YOUR METABOLISM DOWN.

EAT NORMAL AND DONT OVER DO IT. KEEPING A FOOD DIARY HELPS ALSO. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE AT A STAND STILL OR IF U GAIN U CAN GO BACK AND LOOK DURING THE WEEK AND SEE WHAT CAUSED IT. IT COULD BE A LACK OF WATER,EXERCISE, FOOD OR ANYTHING JUST KEEP YOURSELF A DIARY OF YOUR DAILY ACTIVITIES AND FOOD.OH AND I'M SORRY I DONT THINK I COULD LAST VERY LONG WITH A HALF OF SANDWICH. NOOO WAY..

LASTLY, BE PATIENT I KNOW ITS HARD AND DONT LOOK AT OTHERS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A FAILURE FOR U. IF U DIDNT LOSE AS MUCH AS THEY DID. IT DIDNT MEAN THAT U ARE DOING SOMETHING WRONG.

I WISH U MUCH SUCCESS ON YOUR WEIGHTLOSS GOAL. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT "U CAN DO THIS" AND U WILL

[ January 09, 2003, 11:39 AM: Message edited by: health4life ]

[luvmyboxerpup]

I'm bumping this for ya because I'm too lazy to type it again.