Hi Everybody,

I have been working with a few others recently who are trying to lose weight and get into shape. I thought it would be a good thing to share with everyone here.

The first thing we did was to find out where they wanted to be. A weight, and the diet they want to eat.

Second, they wrote down what they thought would be a good diet for a week. During the week, they wrote down, under the prescribed diet, what they actually ate. It was ok if they didn't match.

The last thing did was to track how close they were following their prescribed diet, and their weight at certain intervals.

The individuals I am helping really liked writing things out. They especially liked writing down their goal. Just seeing their name and goals down on paper made them feel like they were ready to do it!

Perhaps these tips could help you.

JGMotiv
http://www.motivation123.com

[ 05-10-2001: Message edited by: JGMotiv ]

JGMotiv, Thanks for the info. It really does show people who didn't think they had THAT much until they see it on paper. Add up all the calories, fat ect... can be an eye opener!

Read those lables. :)

Surgaree,

I couldn't agree with you more. When things are down on paper, they take on a whole different meaning. They're real and easier to work with.

In the past few months I have definitely been reading the labels!

JGMotiv
http://www.motivation123.com

Hi JGMotiv,
So true. Little things can really add up. People will go to a restuarant and have the salad bar thinking they are eating healthy. Yet, by the time they add all the toppings, they may as well had a cheeseburger!

If people would be aware of what they are eating, making a few changes will enable them to enjoy food. (No Guilt) Having a baked potato is no big deal. A medium spud is about 200 calories. But, the butter, sour cream, cheese and bacon bits? Worse than the tator! Doesn't mean you have to eat it plain. There are many foods in that supermarket. Reading those lables can result in less pounds. Without being hungry! Plus, you will learn your favorites. Don't have to carry a pen and paper everywhere you go.

Your motivation shows ;)

Sugaree,

I know what you mean. People get a healthy main meal, and then cover it with fatty extras.

I also agree with the pen and paper statement. After I read the labels for a while, I started to know I liked. After a while, I knew what to get without looking at all of the information.

I think the extra 10 seconds it takes to look at the back is worth it.

JGMotiv
http://www.motivation123.com

Hi JGMotiv,
I became a label watcher too & was surprised to find that just because something was Fat Free it didn't mean lo-cal!
I write down everything I eat & the first day I was way out of my league! I didn't want people to know I ate that much! (I turn in my food journal every week). Now, I realize that I have to be honest with myself & admit when I'm eating the wrong thing. Knowing that someone else reads it helps me to choose the right foods instead of having Milk & a bag of cookies for dinner. :(
Dolci

JGMotiv,
Back again, we seem to have our own little corner going. I post all over the site. I have to remember where I've been. 8-}

I haven't crossed off any foods. Of course I can't just eat junk everyday. But knowing nothing is off limits, allows me to stop obsessing. I do try and keep my trigger foods out of the house. Then when I choose to indulge, I will. All a matter of planning ahead. Takes practice.

Dolci, You're right about those lables. All those hidden ingriedents. I call the fats, good, bad to worse. The sugars. So many names for them. High fructose, syrup, ect.. But alot of people see fat free and say Woo Hoo, I can eat more! Nope, :( It's easy to fall into that trap. For the time it takes to glance at a lable, will save us from ruining alot of effort.

Now I know you don't have any cookies in the house right? :eek: That's okay. I just got thru saying nothing was off limits. If you can control how many and how often. We are learning. :o