[Manda0719]

Ok, I've been on Phen for 11 weeks. The last 2 weeks, I haven't lost anything. I know it's because i've been letting myself slide a little, by slipping little things into my mouth that i don't realize add up. (I actually put a piece of brownie in my mouth and closed it then spit the brownie out - hahaha and felt SOO much better!) Anyway, I've never counted calories, only carbs. I'm usually aware of calories to a degree. When I make something at home, which i'm trying to do more because it's better to make from fresh than from a box, I have NO idea what kind of calories are in what. I HATE measuring food. I've tried spark people .com but it's not quick enough for me to find the calories, plus I don't have the internet at home only at work. Is there anything else I can use? A book maybe? I aim for minimal carbs a day, but usually exceed my goal of 20 and then don't get enough calories, or (on the weekends) too many calories. It's lead to this vicious cycle of me losing 24, no 21, no wait 25, nope, it's 21 again pounds....grrrr. I NEED to learn that everything I put in my mouth has a value whether I think it's "Not that bad" or not. This weekend, I drank slim fast before I left, and then ran all my errands non-stop then by 12.30 I was STARVING and made alot of wrong choices, because I thought it was "OK" because I was starving. I know I should have brought something along, but with a 9 mo old baby and a husband who acts like one sometimes it's hard to remember everything....anyway, if anyone has any tips/encouragement, I could really use it right now. I did so well in the beginning, I hate the fact i'm slipping a little. I guess I need to make my eating realistic for the rest of my life, but havent' had bread/high fiber cereal, good for me stuff for the past 11 weeks and have been "making up" for it with little snacks like 5 m&m's or a bite of icecream...ugh, sorry for ranting, but it feels good to let it out.

[kittypie]

Honey, honey, honey, it's okay. You are doing great. It is perfectly normal to be slipping at this point in the game. Watching what you eat on a daily basis and counting carbs gets tiresome. But, you gotta get tough with yourself. Only you can decide what goes in your mouth. (Good job on spitting the brownie out!) It is fine to have that stuff ONCE IN A WHILE, but when it becomes habit again, you will start to gain.

Only you can decide if you are going give up, or if you are going to get tough and get back on track. Nobody else can do it for you.

Are you working out? If not, you need to be. You have to exercise at least 4 times a week just to have a healthy heart... plus it burns calories and helps you lose weight. Not only that, when you exercise it helps you make better food choices. You won't want a 500 calorie cheeseburger when you just burned off 450 calories working out. That would be crazy!! Someone on here said "nothing tastes as good as thin feels".

22 lbs down in 8 weeks is fabulous!! You have done awesome. Now, it's time to get to the knitty gritty hard work of keeping the momentum going and overcoming plateaus. That means you are going to have to get tough on your food intake and start exercising if you don't already. You can do it!!

I don't know of a calorie counting book, but maybe you can google it and find something. I use sparkpeople also. I've also used Ediets.

Also, if I can make a suggestion. Eat a big breakfast. Slim Fast isn't enough! I am starving an hour after I drink one of those. I think they have something in them that makes you hungrier! Try 2 eggs and toast, or if you are on the run, Carnation Instant Breakfast and a banana. Also add in your bread and cereals again. Whole grain bread is good for you. And cereal with lots of fiber will help you stay full. I like Fiber One Honey Clusters. A big breakfast (300-500) calories can help you eat less and have less cravings throughout the day. It will also keep you satisfied until lunch time.

If you need more motivation and you would like support from other members, feel free to join my challenge. It is "New Size for the New Year" and it keeps me and the others on there accountable to what we eat and accountable on our exercise, plus it's support from others. There are other challenges on there too to choose from.

Good luck... you can do it!! You know what you have to do!

PS.. 20 carbs is not enough! You need to aim for 1400-1500 calories a day, less than 50g of fat and at least 100 carb to be healthy. Carbs are not bad for you if you eat the right ones. Cereal, whole grains, and fruits and veggies are good carbs. Bad carbs are white bread, donuts, cookies, cakes, white pasta, etc.

[ November 06, 2006, 02:53 PM: Message edited by: kittypie ]

[Manda0719]

Thank you so much, kittypie, you have been so helpful and encouraging to everyone on this board!

Yes, I'm just in a slump and need to pull through. I need to be tougher with myself. Also meaning I need to eat more good carbs if I'm ever going to stick with this for life. I'm so afraid of them...so what do I do, go and eat the bad kind...ugh. That's it, I'm going to the store and buying soy milk, whole grain bread and fruit and I'm going to force myself to eat it every day. I also just got these pure fruit popsicles that only have 25 cals/5 carbs and are very good for the sweet tooth.

I do exersize 4-6 times a week, but only for 30 mins at a time, either Curves or walking.

I'll have to check out the challenges board...that's where yours is, right? Only problem is, since i'm at work, I can only check in once a day or so.

That's another thing, i'm so revved up throughout the week to do this thing, but then comes the weekend, and I treat myself too much. I usually exersize at least one day out of the weekend, so that isn't the problem...it's just the food calling my name.

I feel that I know all the "tricks of the trade", if you will, but it is 10 times harder applying them.

Thanks again!
Amanda

[tahitidreamz]

Hi Manda!

I think you are doing awesome with losing the weight that you did. I can only suggest things that have worked for me though, because every one is different.. Where as you can drink slim fast- I cannot....I am on an eating schedule, snack schedule.... I have my breakfast- my pill, my snack, my lunch, my snack, my pill, work out, and then a light dinner... I workout basically 6 times a week... even if it is a 30 minute walk. I am also on a Probiotic food program, and instead of me drinking the slim fast- I do ensure for a few of my snacks with cheese or fruit... At any rate sorry to ramble...I can offer support *beams a smile* You will be ok.... Oh by the way, I do cheat... I have a reeses cup or dark chocolate pieces every now and then...So yes, I do endulge every now and then and enjoy it...I just know not to gorge on it each day, and late at night...things of that nature...

thinkin of ya!
tahiti

[LoseItNow]

Hi Manda!

Congrats on your weight you have lost!

If you've read through any of my posts, you'll notice the one thing that I try the hardest to do with my food is to keep my fat calories below 15% of my total calories for the day. The easiest way I do that is at the grocery store when I buy food. I read the labels before I buy something. If it calculates to more than 20% fat calories I put it back on the shelf. This way, I can use several foods in a meal and I know the fat calories are where I want them to be. I figure the % by multiplying the fat grams x 9, then divide that number by the total number of calories. Move the decicmal point to the right two places and you have your percent of fat calories from the food. For example, tonight I had a wonderful omelet. I used egg beaters, 1 slice onion, 1 slice tomato, 2 thin slices of lean ham, and 3 slices of fat free cheese. This whole omelet, which filled me up before I was finished was only 237 calories and 7.5% fat calories. I was able to throw this together at such low calories and fat because I purchased the ingredients with the diet in mind. If I buy stuff for others to eat in my house that doesn't fit into my diet, I do not eat it. I know there are many temptations out there, but if you do your fat and calorie watching at the store, then the only thing you have to watch is the serving sizes at home. I don't mean to go on and on, but it does work for me. It also helps me that I don't have a taste for chocolate.

[Manda0719]

I'll have to keep the calories from fat in mind. I just can't get this darn carb thing out of my head though. My mom, grandma, uncle are all diabetic and everyone has weight isses, so I feel like I still have to watch my carb intake as well.

Is anyone else watching carbs? How many grams do you eat in a day?

Thanks all for your support, hopefully I can keep going strong through the weekend....No, I AM going to get through the weekend!

Amanda

[kittypie]

Hi,

I know what you mean about weekends! I do the same thing. I feel I've worked hard all week and I deserve a break. But then I weigh 2 lbs more on Monday and regret it. That's why on my challenge we changed our weigh in day to Tuesday instead of Friday. We are hoping it will keep us on track for the weekend, but most of us usually fall of the wagon.

Just try your best to beat your "inner voice" that is telling you it's okay to eat the food that's calling your name. Even if you have to talk to yourself outloud! I've recently told myself "you are NOT having that donut!!" ha ha. It sounds so silly now, but I REALLY wanted it. And I probably would have had it too if I hadn't have had something else bad for me the day before! I am no guru or anything. I should take my own advice more often!! I just like giving people encouragement because I know this is tough and I feel like if I can help others keep going, maybe it will help me keep going too.

[Manda0719]

You know it, and sometimes it's sad but all the support we have is from ourselves so sometimes we have to talk to ourselves outloud. It is so important to have a good support system. I feel so alone when I'm dieting. I'm trying to get my husband to start eating better and exersizing and he will if I ask him too...but not by himself. He's very supportive, I just feel alone because I'm doing it myself.

AND my mom started arguing with me because I told her I had 40-50 more pounds to lose before I can even get into my Normal BMI range...and right now i'm considered "obese". She said "you are not obese, etc". I know it has to do a little with the makeup of your body, but even given that, I have lost 26 lbs and yes, am still obese at 5'2" 174. She was really mad at me for saying that.

Anyway, this board is great for support and it keeps me focused...so THANKS to ALL!!!

Amanda