Since I seem to mess up a lot on my diet. I have decided to post my every bite on here. It seems to work for others so I am crossing my fingers. I promise to tell it all. The ice cream everything.. I will bore you to tears. (now thats a change) :D

That's a good I idea that is why I put my journal here so I can be accountable to everybody here. Keep up the good work and I don't think you will bore us. :D


Richard ;)

bigrich7373@hotmail.com


"Footprints on the sands of time are not made by sitting down"

Oh no, wont bore me at all. LOL :D

Okay yesterday. :o 2 baby toast. Ya know real baby toast. (i was hungry)A ton of coffee. Thats because I never sleep. And here is the biggy... We had egg mcmuffins with hash browns for dinner. Yes with chesse, butter, the works..
Today is a new day

That's all you had the whole day? wow! :)

Melissa I did mention the butter. The deep fried hashbrowns..ect.. 8-| Besides that coffee had half ton of sugar in it. :tongue:

yesterday,spaghetti, and coffee. ( I was busy) I ate a lot of spagetti. :D

Coffee, a chicken sandwitch and Ice cream.
Oh yes there was a milkshake too. :eek:

Benita thats ok I think we all slide this way and that way at times. I think we all are just glade you are here with us and that you have a strong will to stick it out. You Go Girl.

Chuck :) :D :) :D ;) :D

[ 02-21-2001: Message edited by: Chuck ]

Breakfast Coffee :D
Lunch Ice cream cone. (not a bowl :D )
crab alfrado

yesterday; About 1o cereal squares ( no milk ) Chicken helper. I have been replacing half of my sugar with Splanda. I swear I should go weigh myself. :D
All in all I did pretty good yesterday. Bravo for me!! wooo hooo just incase no one says it. :tongue:

Benita..... this is every bite you are eating? You might be comsuming a lot of calories, but your nutrition is almost nill. Maybe that's why you feel like you can't stick to a diet. Also if you are drinking loads of coffee, it really screws with your blood sugar levels and that can sabotage your eating habits as well. You need vegetables and fruits and protein, too, and it doesn't look like you are getting any of that. You might have an easier time of it if you plan your meals, plan your snacks and get some good nutrition into you. You might just be more successful at losing that way, too. Take care and good luck to you!

Good advice DJ..Benita, let us know if you would like suggestions on what might make losing easier for you, and more pleasant!! It doesnt HAVE to be eating as little as possible..you can eat TONS of good food spread throughout the day..and it will give you lots of energy and you will feel soooooo much better!!

I totaly agree. Benita you are starving. or at least you feel like you are huh? I eat way! more then you do,but lots of veggys and fruit.an other good stuff. I feel like I eat to much. I splurge too often. count those calories in your coffee sugar. I am so proud of you for getting splenda,but replace all the sugar in your coffee. If you must have Ice cream try fat free chocolate sorbet. taste like a fudjecycle. Watch those calories. Good luck

yesterday/monday
Coffee (lots)
muffin
hamsandwitch
A-LOT-O COOKIES :eek: Hey ya gotta support those girl shouts right?? :D :D

Today 2/27/2001
Bowl of shredded wheat
Pasta (lipton type)
corn (with butter)
fried chicken (2 legs)
oh and coffee (tons)

Hi Benita,

You sound like a very busy person! I have found that planning my meals helps me eat more nutritously. I still munch on things that are not on my daily plan, but I've noticed the more I plan, the more I stick to it and snack less. You might try it and see how it goes. I started with planning just day by day. Now I plan a whole week in advance. It helps to look ahead at your week and see where you will need some quick fixes. This has actually helped me cut down on my grocery bill.

PS- Those girl scout cookies are so hard to resist! I give in every year! UGH! Next year, only one box! ;)

Well, your eating more thats good. Try a little salt an pepper instead of butter. It's really not bad. Once you get the taste of real food flavor you won't like butter,gravey, mayo ect... not much anyways.
Try 2 different veggys with dinner, I put a little piece of meat and a small potatoe on my plate then 1/2 the plate I fill up with veggy's even fruit. yummy :D

I just can't do it.. boo hooo

[ 03-01-2001: Message edited by: Benita ]

[ 03-01-2001: Message edited by: Benita ]

YES YOU CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!! BENITA!!!! YES YOU CAN!!!!!!!!!!! Benita, the better you take care of yourself NOW the better you will be all the way around. You KNOW this is true. I've been looking at your eating plan...please try to work in some fruits and veggies with that protein. Carbs can sometimes mess with our emotions because it makes your insulin bounce up and down all day, and you are eating a LOT of carbs. It really helps to stay as even and calm as possible when losing weight, AND helps us in other stressful areas of our life as well! PLEASE eat well and drink that water! We want you around reporting those successes! I'm watching you!!!

2/28/01
coffee (lots)
2 cheese burgers :eek:

I am working on eating more whole foods.

Benita, my dear, sweet A-Team sister. You must start eating a more balanced diet. I just read your plea to Sooz and DJ for advice, and I'm so happy that you are looking for a better plan.

I've been keeping a journal on this board for several days now, too. I'm certainly no expert on nutrition, but I've made up some daily food plans that are working for me. I invite you to come visit on my thread; you may get some ideas that you can use.

Your health depends on what you put in your body, Benita. I don't know what you currently weigh, but I could help you figure out how many calories you should be eating a day if you would like me to. I'm on the boards every day - just yell if you would like some more help.

Hugs,
ThinLynn

Okay thinlynn but I warn you I am a challange..
I will pm you with the details..

half bowl of cereal
coffee ( i have a problem) :D
6inch chicken sub.
Please notice I had ledus, tamatoe, and stuff in that too. :D :D :D
I am also planning on 3 drinks.

[ 03-01-2001: Message edited by: Benita ]

Benita, all of that coffee you are drinking is dumping caffeine right into your breast milk. That could be why your baby fusses so much. Have you considered eliminating the coffee, to see if that would make things better?

Some more ideas for one-handed dieters; any type of fresh fruit. Fruit juice in single-serving cans. Nutrament or SlimFast shakes in single-serving cans.

I'm also wondering if you have talked to the baby's pediatrician about holding the baby all the time. (I'm sorry - I don't know if your child is a boy or a girl.) A seven-month-old baby should be crawling around (in a playpen if necessary) exploring and playing with toys.

Do you belong to the Mommie's chat group? Maybe the younger women could give you some other ideas. (I'm a little out of practice - my four kids are all adults now!)

I got your PM. You didn't mention your weight, and that's OK. The number of calories you need is based on your weight, though. There are some "calculators" right here on the DT home page that can help you.

Hugs,
ThinLynn

Thinlynn you are right. I am pouring coffee down me to stay awake. Witch is keeping the baby up. Witch is keeping me up. Then I drink coffee. MMM 8-| Someone slap me. Geez.. You are right about the fussy part too. He does play with his toys through out the day. Its just not for long.Breastfed babies are normally more dependent. I have held him from day one constintly. So in part its my own fault. :) But most babies don't play for long alone. Anyway thanks for the pointers and for waking me up a little. (no pun intended) ;)

[ 03-02-2001: Message edited by: Benita ]

3/2/01
banana
coffee :D :D :D
spaghetti
snake size kitkat bar

Hi,
I agree with some of the others, you are not eating enough and what you are eating you eat too much of. I found that I need to eat more, and more often to lose weight. Its just that the meals should be small and you need to educate yourself on what a portion is. This has helped me a lot. I began to lose weight in Feb, and have lost 20lbs so far. Also being more active helped. ;) I do suggest, don't starve, it doesn't help in the long run.

Well I have not been doing so great lately. :( So I have been avoiding coming into my journal. LOL

Benita, sweetie; Here, I brought you an apple. It's when you aren't doing well that you NEED to journal. One small change at a time, Benita. You can do it. You have this big group of friends who want to see you succeed and who are willing to help and encourage you. (((((((HUGS))))))))

ThinLynn

Okay I must be eating enough. i am not losing weight to fast. I looked today and I gained. I have been eating less then normal. So I guess the moral of the story is? Mm..
I will get back to you on that one. Yesterday i had 1/2 of a chesse buger.
drop of coffee :D
and a small bowl of mac and cheese
Okay so I am doing something wrong X-(

Benita, Im thinking it's not how MUCH you are eating, it's WHAT and WHEN you eat it..you could be eating so much more..and losing so much easier...just a thought...

Benita - See the little guy up in the corner, walking? That's gonna be ME, from Pennsylvania to Washington, to give you a good shake if you don't start taking better care of yourself!

Have you been over to my Journal? I AM LOSING WEIGHT - EVERY WEEK - on that amount of food! I want you to get over there right now, and pick out a few things that you like, and make them part of your food plan for TODAY. (I better find a note over there from you, girlfriend. I'm not kidding! Don't make me come after you!)

((((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))))))))
ThinLynn

Benita you can cry on my shoulder if you let me cry on yours.
I have the same trouble ! Feel like I am starving myself and the scale will not budge !
I have gone over and over my food plans with several people and no one has a clue what is going on......I am ready to scream !
I am eating NO fried foods, only about 20 - 30 grams of fat and under 1200 calories a day and drinking at least 5 glasses of water and exercising every day. I have NO sugar, NO salt, NO choc and the NO list goes on and on.......and still 3 weeks now - NOTHING !
Tomorrow is my weigh in day again and I am dreading it something terrible - if I don't show a loss soon I am .......well I am not sure yet what I am going to do lol but it won't be pretty :(
I am sure my post did not cheer you up and I know darn well it did not help you - sorry, just had to tell someone else in this hell war that they are not alone !!!
Jade

Jade, from what I have read, if you let your calories drop below 1200 your body thinks there is a famine going on and for countless generations of genetics we have become great fat storers so that when there are famines, we dont die. You have to up your calories to at least 1200 the bare minumum for getting in all the nutrients you need...I suggest you try this..you arent losing anyway so it's worth a try...make sure you eat at least 1200 calories every day, spread throughout the day in 3 meals and a couple of snacks...try to eat a little protein at every meal...just some ideas about why you may not be losing..not to suggest that my way of doing things is the only way..just a suggestion to see if it may help..good luck.

Benita,Benita,Benita.What am I gona do with you?
Thinlynn, I live close to her want me to give her a shake?
Jade maybe you need a new scale? just a thought. :)

Benita hang in there - it finally does pay off :)
This morning the scales finally moved DOWN 1 lb...!
Only 1 lb in 3 weeks - but hey it's progress :)
sooz I actually did wonder about that and still do.....must give that some more thought, as I was eating more in the beginning of my plan and losing faster too, so you may be on to something here - thanks :)
Jade

.......walk, walk, walk, walk, walk.

Whew! I just may count that toward my 30 minutes of treadmill time today!

Benita, (and Jade, Hi!) are you listening to what Sooz and I are trying to tell you? You can't have a healthy body if you are starving yourself; and you can't lose weight if you don't have a healthy body.

Benita, dear. Here's a challenge for you. I'm going to type a little "chart" here. I want you to see if you can "fill in the blanks" each day for just one week. And if you don't, I may have to work something out with Gwendolyn :D

Milk, yogurt & cheese______ ______ ______

Meat,poultry,fish & eggs______ ______

Fruit______ ______

Vegetables______ ______ ______

Bread,cereal,rice & pasta______ ______ ______

I do not claim to be an expert on nutrition. I only claim to be your friend. This little check-list is not a scientific tool. It's an easy-to-use guide to help you get started toward a healthier body.

Also, are you getting some exercise, Benita? Besides chasing all of those kids, I mean. I know how hard that can be when you have a baby to look after, but it's very important.

OK, sweetie; I'm done lecturing you now. I'm going back over to my journal to type my food plan for today. Be good to you! You're the only YOU you've got!

((((Hugs))))
ThinLynn

......................................walk, walk, walk, walk, walk..................

GREAT chart, ThinLynn!!!

Benita, (and Jade) I've been watching you!You MUST eat more food with better nutritional value for you AND your baby! Stop giving your baby caffiene, that has all kinds of side effects. The baby's nutrition comes first, so whatever nutrients you are getting is going straight into the milk. You are not getting any for yourself. You've heard of people losing teeth, getting sick and breaking bones...that will surely be your fate if you keep this up. I know you don't believe you will lose by eating more, but you WILL if it is healthy food!! Fruits and Vegetables are the key along with the protein and starches. You'll feel healthier and I'll bet your little one will calm right down! You will also feel more balanced and be able to deal with stress better. PLEASE take good care of yourself!

Either I posted in correctly are I am REALLY confused - both are possible lol :)
I am not starving myself -
here is a typical day for me:
am = bowl of cereal with reg milk and a peace of fruit
lunch = soup or a salad and/or more fruit
dinner = meat of some type bakes - steak, fish etc. baked potatoe or something like it not fried with salad and a steamed veg and more milk.
Total calories = about 1200 and fat about 25 - 30 grams.
At times it's all I can do to finish my evening meal as I am full - my point is I am not hungry at all with eating the above.

now seriously what is wrong with that? I am not being smart - I am serious - why is this wrong?
Jade
PS: sorry bentia did not mean to steal your posting place :)

[ 03-12-2001: Message edited by: Jade ]

Jade- I think Joni and I were both just acknowledging that you were on board there - not trying to say YOU are starving yourself. Sorry for the confusion! It's Benita we are worried about, and trying to give her a hand with some food planning. We all seem to be congregating on Benita's journal---- which should show you how your friends are concerned about you, Benita!----- and it gets a little confusing.

ThinLynn

Hey Benita (& ThinLynn, Jade, Sooz, Gwendolyn)

I have been reading this thread for a little while now...I am sorry I haven't posted sooner, but I felt like everything that had to be said was said by ThinLynn & Sooz. I still do but decided to put my two cents worth in finally anyway.

This is very close to Sooz's explantation. A doctor I used to work for once compared us (modern day humans) to cavemen (& cavewomen ha ha). She said that if you do not eat "enough" to get the nutrients you need everyday, your cavewoman body thinks that the cavemen have gotten nothing on the mammoth hunt, and that the gathering of food is nil due to famine or drought. So your cavewoman body thinks, "uh oh, no mammoth and no veggies. We're in for a long famine" and holds onto every ounce of fat in your body to keep from starving and dying. Then when you do eat the next time, your cavewoman body goes "HOORAY! THE FAMINE IS OVER!!!" and collects more fat and nurtrients...for the NEXT famine. So then when you don't eat enough again, your cavewoman body thinks "OH DAMN the famine is back!" and the fat that your body held onto at the last meal in case of famine stays put on your butt & stomach. This cavewoman cycle is ONLY broken by consistantly eating "enough". If you consistantly eat what your body needs, but not too much of what it doesn't need, then your cavewoman body trains itself to think there is no famine and will be no famine because there is PLENTY going in your mouth. THIS IS WHERE THE WEIGHT GETS LOST. It may take a little while but you have to make yourself do it to see any results at all. You may gain at first, but as soon as your cavewoman body decides there is no more famine, it will all fall off!

Hope this helps!!!!!!!!

J.

Jade...sorry I forgot this part...along the same lines as my little story, maybe you are having trouble losing because 1200 calories is not "enough" for your body. Maybe you should try upping it...just a little bit at a time...and see if it helps.

J.

I am tip toeing back out of here... Shhh

,,,,YOU COME BACK HERE, WOMAN!

spounds like good advice to me. I see Benita running out. Thinlynn you grab one arm an I'll grab the other we'll yank her back in here LOL :)

You got it, Gwendolyn. Then we'll sit on her, and twist her arm behind her back until she screams for mercy!

I can see it now - both of us yelling "We're your FRIENDS, D*#^ IT!

Geez, Benita! With friends like us, you sure don't need enemies! You can run, but you cannot hide--we know just where to look for you, and we'll be there no matter where you go!

:D :D :D :D ThinLynn

You see Gwen the little green scary evil thing works sometimes.. LOL

Ok Benita I am done "hogging" your board now lol again sorry.
I am here for you my friend and cheering you on !!! :)
Jade

yep I use him whenever I want to snarl! :D

Jade, you are welcome to hog my board anytime. :P Just get Gwen and thinlynn out!! :D :D

Well thinlynn I did eat more... and here it is. Oh my
Pudding (sugar and fat free)
2 sloppy joe's
spethetti (too much)
yes there is more :eek:
Cereal
ice cream (the whole thing)
Well I am just going to roll on out of here now.. adding.. dorito's.. 8-| Adding stawberrys and banana. And chilli. Yes it was a major binge.

[ 03-12-2001: Message edited by: Benita ]

[ 03-13-2001: Message edited by: Benita ]

Benita, good, but no banana...literally! LOL! You didn't fill in all the blanks on the chart ThinLynn made for you. I'm telling you...fruits and veggies are the key! The more you eat, the more you lose! Is there ONE fruit/veggie you can eat a day???? At least you got lots of calcium! How much Ice-cream is "the whole thing"??? You are too much! There is no way we will be able to keep the "diet squad" from coming to your house and force-feeding you. Might as well write the directions out and make this easy on everyone!! LOL!

One pint is in the whole thing.. LOL please don't ever think i could not eat a half gallon.I have and I can.. Geez I am a sick puppy..

Okay, I just read this entire string. You have got to be the most stubborn person on the face of the earth. Vegetables and Fruits! Say it ten times. If you can't loose weight breast feeding, then you are doing something wrong! Some doctors work with nutitionists. Check with yours: Gyn, pediatrician, GP, interest, whatever you have. Often you need to pay no more than your regular co pay for a regular appointment. Listen to the voices of experience and success. Most of us have kids also. I breastfeed my kids. Their nutrition is your nutition. Being over weight is not the worst thing. Just start feeding that baby better!

"God, grant me the serenity to accept things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And Wisdom to know the difference."

Benita, I wish for you the very best. But I give up here.

Hugs,
Lynn

Benita,

We are all sure that you want the best for your family, and your baby especially. The only way to provide for your baby, especially right now if you are breastfeeding, is to provide for yourself. I don't have kids so I don't claim to know it all, but I know that.

1) You want your baby to be healthy right? Well would you feed your baby a pint of ice cream and spaghetti and chili and sloppy joes and all of those things? That is just what you are doing by breastfeeding while you are eating like that. Like DreamWeaver said, your nutrition is your baby's nutrition.

2) If you keep following the path you are on, are you going to be around and healthy enough to watch your baby grow up and be healthy too? You don't want your baby to learn the bad habits you have learned, do you? Every mother wants better for her children, and I am sure you are no different...you are such a happy and positive force here at DT, I know that you must be a wonderful mother. You just need to conquer this food demon and tell it who's boss!

We are here for you, Benita...we are your friends and want to see you healthy! Please take heed of everyone's advice...plan your days meals ahead of time and stick to it! Take your baby for a walk if you want to binge! It is best to start teaching your baby to be healthy from day one! But you have to set the example!!!

We love you Benita, please try for us!

J.

I am here because I do have a problem with food. Hello... I am here for support. I normally do eat 3 or 4 serving of fruits and veggies a day. We have had a real busy couple of weeks. I have been unable to cook a lot of anything recently. I always have a very well rounded meal for my husband and children. I have been real busy with sick kids and moving away. Then moving back. I have had family problems and lots of other things going on. I normally eat normally. We do get the kids and myself well rounded meals. Lastnight I went on a major binge. Do I not need support for that? Or am I just going to get cussed out? :( :(

Further more. To attack my nursing is just a bad idea. I have nursed 4 out of 5 kids. My kids have all been healthy. I do know what I am supposed to eat. I am a person that reads everything I can get my hands on. I not only know about nutrition but I could most likely run circles around you, as far as knowledge on nutrition and nursing plus nutrition… My baby is 8 months old. He sees his doctor just like any other kid. They take his blood and check it just like any other kid. So far I have done something right. My son is not only breast fed but also gets jarred fruits and veggies ever single day. So please lets leave nursing out of this. You just don’t want to go down that road.
My typical meal at home. (My kids eat at school too) Consist of this. A green veggie witch they love. Find me a kid whose favorite veggie is Brussels spouts. Wild rice. And 80% chicken that would be grilled chicken…

Benita, I didnt see anyone cussing you out..I saw people expressing concern for you and trying to help with suggestions after reading what you yourself wrote. So they are only going by what you SAID you ate..what you feed your kids sounds great..that would be a great thing for YOU to eat. I know that things have been really hard lately..please re read what people wrote and hear the concern behind their suggestions. Also re read what you said you have been eating..then maybe take the time to figure out from what you wrote, and what they wrote..what is the message you should be hearing? We care...

Benita, I am sorry if you think I or anyone else here was "attacking" you. You have grown on me and everyone here so much with your big purple pom poms, we can't help but care for you and worry about you. I am sorry if that is not okay with you. I guess tough love just doesn't work for everyone. I for one will keep my mouth shut from here on out. ThinLynn is right...all the best to you, but you will do what you want to and have to do. No one can make you do any different.

Sorry again,
J.

I understand the concern. I clearly stated that I binged yesterday. I just reread my journal. It looks bad. I know that. I am having a major problem with being treated like someone who doesn’t know I need fresh fruit and veggies. I know that. But let me ask you guys something. I am a mom without a lot of money. My kids get most of their food from school lunches. Witch is great. BUT I honestly can not afford to go run out and buy a whole lot of fresh veggies. I used frozen or canned. It cost a small fortune to buy fruits and veggies anymore. I could live on candy bars way cheaper then I could live on good wholesome foods.
Anyway I know people care here. I am aware of the problem. I loved feeling cared about. But there is a fine line between caring and a good cussing out. I am a nursing mother who is doing great. I do not feed my baby processed, fake milk in a hard plastic bottle. Now who ever want to challenge me on my nursing. Please go look at the label on formula. My milk comes from my blood. My milk does not come from my stomach. My child gets just the right amount of everything just like god intended.

Benita, canned and frozen fruits and veggies are fine. And wholesome food is MUCH cheaper than candy and fast food..so that one doesnt fly dear...Your milk doesnt come from your stomach but your body manufactures it from the nutrients you consume. You are right when you say your baby will get what it needs from your milk..Mother nature will make sure of that..but your babies also get lots of other things through mother's milk that may not be good for them..things like caffein and alcohol and drugs can pass right thru the milk into the baby (not saying you take drugs it was just an example)..so while your body is making sure your baby is getting what it needs, it is stripping you of the nutrition you need..and later on this will lead to osteoporosis, tooth loss, and other stuff...it is a whole big picture..try to see that people are just wanting to help you out cuz we know you are having a hard time....open your heart and listen to the message and the care and thought behind it..we care...

[ 03-13-2001: Message edited by: sooz ]

I understand the concern.I am thankful for that.
Sooz go into a store and buy 5 candy bars. Now go buy 5 bananas...I can get 3 candy bars for 89 cents

Benita, which do you think would be a better buy, bananas, or candy? And which would give you more nutrients? I know when I was a nursing mother (at the dawn of time) we were not allowed to eat chocolate because it could upset the baby's digestion and give them stomach aches which would make them cry more..There are government programs available for people (especially nursing mothers) for them to get the food they need if they are not financially able to buy it. One program is called W.I.C. I think it stands for Women, Infants, and Chidren..this is what our taxes are used for and I for one am happy to be able to provide nutrition for people who need it..if buying food is really a problem that is there for you..also food stamps, also food pantrys run by private charities. I dont care how cheap you can buy candy bars, it is wasted money. There is NO nutrition in a candy bar..NONE. You might as well take your money and throw it down the sewer. Get a grip and think about what you are saying.

I was simply stating that here in the good old USA we can get candy cheaper then whole foods. That all. It is true. Now you want to talk about WIC well let me be the first to tell you they give cabohydrates nothing fresh.I am backing out of here

Benita, you will be alrite, you will do better tomorrow I know you will(((hugs))) :)

WIC is a program funded through the USDA. They give formula or cheese, cereal, peanutbutter etc. Until recent years that is all they have given. Now in some places they will give fresh fruits and veggies. That is in some places. For the most part WIC is handing out a lot of fatty processed foods. The USDA also funds or schools lunch programs. They fund our information on what is the right way to eat. I am talking about the food charts that they send to schools. They also fund many food-based programs out there. It is in their best interest to get us as a society to eat more processed diary products, and meat. This is way you will not find fresh fruits coming from WIC or most food based programs. They are teaching our children to eat more fat. Because it benefits THEM. Most people swallow this bull. Hook line, and sinker.. Now here is my question. If a cow or goat eats nothing but grasses how do they produce fatty milk? To feed they’re young? I being middle classed can not get WIC.I struggle to feed my family. Please if you have information. That you believe is true and right. Please make sure of who funded that study. People do your homework. Now I also want to add because of health problems. I have been told by my doctor to eat Fat FREE. No fat at all. Yes my Doctor. The USDA does not fund my doctor. And besides his 6-hour course in nutrition he learned more about the truth. So I would say I do know more then most. I do know that I am dumping crap down me. But on the other hand if I were just eating veggies and no fat you would be all over me. So the way I eat is at this point a personal choice. I am having a really busy life and I am going with the flow. We will get back on track after my life settles down a bit. Thank you for your concern.
Thinlynn I have been blessed to have you around with your lighthearted kidding and kicking my butt. That has been supportive and wise. I look up to you as a person. Gwen your light hearted kidding and kicking my ass is great also. That is what I call support. I felt like I needed to be picked up and dusted off and maybe have a little finger-shaking going on. But not a full forced battle. I do know my stuff. So when I fall. Pick me back up. Don’t rub mud in my face.

Ok Benita.. Best of luck. Peace....

[ 03-13-2001: Message edited by: sooz ]

Beneta I'm sorry. I wrote the way I did, because I know people will often do things for the sake of their children that they will not take the time to do for themselves. This whole thing is very frustrating, to everyone. None of us are here because we are skinny little athletic people. We are all struggling with the same thing. Weightloss. When you list your foods, you are being accountable to not the group but yourself. You are also inviting advice if you need help. I believe, with my whole heart, that everyone here is smarter collectively than any one of us on his or her own. I came here after reading that people with on-line support have greater success and perminence with that success than with any other method.

By your own statement you eat 3 or 4 servings of veggies and fruits a day, or about half of what you need. If you can buy a candy bar, you can buy an apple. They do sell apples individually. And don't think that I, and many of us here, know nothing about pinching pennies! I had a benefit you don't have. Did my kids eat hot cereal because they loved it? No. It was the cheepest, most nutritious cereal I could find. Did I buy those nasty looking bananas because of how they looked? Not! But whipped into banana bread, or hidden in a shake with milk who cared? Not me or my kids! Our problem is not that we don't get enough calories, which is the major thing you are getting along with a quick sugar high that gives you a tremendous, although temporary rush. The down side is tremedous.

I ask that you take a honest look at your eating and your budget. Is eating empty calories what you need? A candy bar gives you temporary energy, but does little for your overall health and nutrition. Ice Cream is comforting, and I love it dearly, even in our cold Ohio winter, but is it bringing you closer to your goal.

There is also nothing at all wrong with cheese. Even the high fat cheese given away in those programs. It is a sourse of protein that some people need, and it also has calcium. The cereal is okay, but doesn't have the as much staying power as oatmeal, or cream of wheat. Bread is the staff of life, but most of us eat far more than we need.

I was lucky enough to be able to go to a nutritionist. She told me, 6 oz of protein a day chosen from chicken or fish (you might need more, you are nursing). Both are reasonably priced most of the time. She told me half of everything I eat should be Veggies, so look for sales of fresh, frozen, or canned. Two glasses of milk, but I'm not nursing, you need more. Fruit! And bread, potatoes, rice, corn etc. to fill in the rest of the meal (one slice or 1/2 cup). I couldn't do it, but that is what she said to eat. I could do this for about a week. I'm still over-weight. I'm still at DT, but I am getting better.

Good luck to you.


sutton3528@prodigy.net