I am new to diet talk, but from all the posts I've read, starting a journal is the best way to go, so I'll try it.
I've been dieting since September 8th. I started at 248 pounds and I'm down to 203; I've basically stayed 202-203 since Saturday and I'm ready to see the scale move. I would like to be down to 198 by the New Year. I'm trying to keep my calories around 1,200 per day and to do my crosstrainer for at least 30 minutes a day and drink as much water as I can swallow.
Yesterday, I had
slimfast for breakfast 180 calories
subway roast beef 12" for lunch 580 calories (no cheese or condiments)
stouffers stuffed green peppers for dinner 360 calories, very tasty, but tons of sodium
a caramel slimfast bar which tastes just like a nestle 100 grand for 120 calories and 25% of your daily rec. calcium.
and a light and fit strawbery yogurt 60 calories

I like to know exactly how many calories are in each thing that I eat which is one reason I like subway and boxed foods so much. The big problem with packaged meals is that each contains so much sodium. I also really enjoy the louis rich chicken strips which are low in calories but also have the sodium.
Do you think with all the water that I'm drinking I'm doing o.k. with the high sodium intake?

On a different note, to all you worker bees out there, keep up the good work of passing by all the treats coming through the office at this time of year. I'm sure it must be so difficult.

Hello Karen,

:welcome: to Diettalk and to the Journal's Forum ....

WAY TO GO on your very substantial weight loss ... :up:

The only comment I would make regarding eating TOO MANY processed foods is retaining fluid ... I realize that processed foods makes it easier for those who work ... but if you can limit them imo it would benefit you greatly healthwise in the long run ...

I should explain I am a diabetic and because I have to be very mindful of EVERY nutritional aspect of my weight loss program ....

I know that by starting a Journal (for me) is a VERY POSITIVE way of dealing with the everyday aspects of losing weight ... again welcome to Diettalk and to your ongoing success. Always, Monica

First off :ribbon: Congratz on your weight loss thus far.

Second WELCOME to journals..... your food looks great.

I'll be checking in on you! :D

Welcome to DT! I too do the prepackaged foods but usually for lunch only. I try grilling chicken and fish for dinners. As always...water, water, water. You are doing well! Keep up the good work!

Take care
Julie

Hi Karen! Welcome to diettalk! I look forward to following your progress. Your weight loss is already an inspiration! :D I think your goal of 198 by the new year is a great one! Good Luck! You can do it!

-Lindsey

First, thanks to all who replied to my very first journal entry; it was nice getting the encouragement. It was exciting, like getting mail.
When I started my diet back in September, I knew it would take around a year to reach my goal weight. Because I new it was going to take so long, I didn't want to make things so strict that I wouldn't be able to stick to my diet and ultimately reach my goals. I love going out to eat and I surely wouldn't be able to give that up. Since September, I haven't really cheated per se, but I'm certain I've eaten things that some of you would never consider. I haven't had one day where I went off the wagon and literally pigged out, but...I do go out to eat quite often and not always to subway. My going out to eat almost always fits into my calorie allowance of 1,200 per day. With that said, here's what I had yesterday...
slimfast 180 calories
3 piece McDonalds chicken selects 380 calories
small fry 230
buffalo sauce 60 calories
ketchup packet 10 calories
lettuce and onion salad with just 2 good itallian 50 calories
3 scrambled eggs cooked with pam and no milk 210 calories
1/4 c cottage cheese 40 calories
yogurt 60 calories Total 1,220
more than 100 oz of water

With the above, the day would have been fine; however for some reason my husband decided to bring home popcorn from their popcorn machine at work and while watching o.c. I ate about 3-4 cups of it. Popcorn is definitely one of my weaknesses. Even now, when I go to the movies I get popcorn (usually I've eaten lighter throughout the day with popcorn in mind) but I don't get butter on it like I used to and I don't gulp down a large REAL coke along with it.

Yesterday I also did 40 minutes on my crosstrainer and my usual sit ups.
I've never been a big cake and cookie eater, but I do love McDonald's (and chocolate). Luckily we moved to a smaller town back in May and we don't have a lot of dining out options which makes things a little easier (no Chili's boneless buffalo wings, and no Olive Garden).

I'm not sure how I'm supposed to add my daily entries to my joural, do I do it with the quick reply or what? Help!

Hey there!

You are making changes that you can live with. That is great. :)

You can reply by using the post quick reply, or if you want to play with colors and fonts or preview your message, you can use the 'go advanced' or the 'new reply' button at the bottom of the thread. Just play around with it and you will get the hang of it!

-Lindsey

First let me say I too am an OC addict! Last night was GREAT!!! And I too had a problem yesterday with the popcorn. Funny how we seemed to have the same weekness on the same day.

I too liked McDonalds until I saw that movie Supersize me. GROSS. Now I don't crave that as much.

Anyhow - take care. You are doing fab!

Julie

Hey :) I just joined too!!

I wanted to say congratulations on your Weight Loss so far!! Good Luck :D

Not much time, but yesterday was a so, so day both nutrition and calorie wise
I had....
Slimfast drink 180
Lean Pocket 280
Lettuce Salad Just 2 Good zesty itallian dressing 50
Large Popcorn, no butter probably around 1,000

As I said earlier, I typically have popcorn at the movies and last night we went to see Spanglish, which was a so, so movie but not the really good drama I was looking for. Today I've been feeling pretty crappy, probably from my good eating habits the day before.
Today I've done better but have a Christmas party to go to tonight, I pre-ordered the chicken, so we'll see.

Our Christmas party last night was o.k. Nothing to bust calories over though. I had a chicken breast, mashed potatoes, and some green beans. I was actually hoping for the sliver of cheesecake we had gotten at the place the week before (at another party) but it never came; better for me though anyway.

I didn't get a chance to exercise yesterday because I was running around all day. Friday I had done 45 minutes on the crosstrainer and did another 45 this morning. Today I did pretty good food wise, I had....
slimfast 180
ham n cheese lean pocket 280
1/4 c cottage cheese 40
lettuce salad 50
slim fast bar 120
chicken breast 200
green beans 70
bagel with no cal spray on butter 150
slim fast bar 120 Total 1,210
I really enjoy reading some of the other journals, it's especially helpful to read what other people who started out at my size and have lost big have been doing to get there.
I did weigh this morning, 200 The needle was teetering on 199, but I'm not counting it just yet!

Wow Karen! Right on the verge of the 190s! That is fantastic. I can't wait until that day comes for me. I know I would be thrilled! Congrats on making your way through the Christmas party, that is great too!

-Lindsey

Today was a so, so day. I had planned to go to town and have lunch with my daughter at a place with very good Cobb Salads, but it didn't work out that way. Our truck was leaking antifreeze so I had to follow my husband to the dealership so I could give him a ride back to work (I had waited around all morning for him to finish a meeting so we could accomplish this task). While we were in town he wanted to eat at McDonalds, and so we did. No, I haven't seen the Supersize Me movie so McDonalds still holds great appeal for me. My total calories for the day ended up being 1,560 which is still quite good considering Mcdonalds. I had...
Slimfast 180, Apple 80, McDonalds 770, 3 scrambled eggs 210, dry bagel 150, salad 50, and a slimfast snack bar 120
It is now freezing here. The temp is 3, but the windchill is 19 below. My minature pincher was absolutely freezing when we went for our walk tonight even though he wears a little jacket thing. I have another dog (austrailian shepard mix) and when we got back he was panting. We just moved to North Dakota at the end of May and this will be our first winter here; the temps have been mild til now but its supposed to be freezing through Thursday.

Hi Karen, you started dietting on a good day (my birthday :) ) You are doing a great job, 40 pounds since then, I have made 3 pounds, but I have been at it a bit longer then you.

Where did you live before ND???

I think your day looks pretty good, especially considering the McDonalds. I still crave McDonalds but I usually just have a kids meal or a salad when I go. Also I was wondering if you have tried eggbeaters. I see you have scrambled eggs on occasion, I have them all the time. It is pretty common for me to have eggbeaters and turkey sausge at least 3 times a week. I am trying to get in as much protein as possible, for it seems I eat way too much bread and pasta. But the egg beaters are a great alternative because they are only 1/2 the calories and none of the fat of eggs. The cheap brand ones are gross, but I quite enjoy them. They even have some with precut veges in them for a quick omlette.

Keep up the great work

We lived in Hawaii for a year and a half before here, so I guess I shouldn't be complaining about freezing to death since I had 18 month straight of summer complete with swaying palm trees and wonderful beaches. My husband is in the Air Force and the 18 months in Hawaii was our shortest time anywhere.
I haven't tried the eggbeaters, but I'm going to check into them the next time I go to the store. I'm just afraid they would go bad before they all got eaten because I'll get on a kick for eggs and then won't eat them for a couple of weeks. However if the calories are that much less (and I know there's less cholesterol) I'll definitely check them out. After New Years I'm going to try hard to curb my trips to McDonalds.

Wow hawaii to ND is a big change, I cant even imagine what that would be like. I am having a hard time coping with CA winters with the loss of all the insulation.

As for the egg beaters, you can buy them 2 different ways. One is in a carton which has about the eqivilent of 7 eggs. They say they are good for a week after they are opened, but I know I have eaten them up to a week and a half with no problem. The other way is in cups that are 2 eggs. I usually buy both, the carton for breakfasts and the single servings for everything else, and they last a while.
I have curbed my fast food, we used to eat out about 8 times week and now its about twice a week, but I have made fastfood a part of my diet. I quite enjoy the salads from McDonalds and they have a light balsamic vinegrette that is good. I usually get the cesar with grilled chicken and the light vinegrette and its only 290 calories, so its all about good choices. But basing on your status, you know all aboutt hat. You must be so proud of yourself, you are doing so great.

Elsie, Thanks for the information. You to are doing great. I also looked at your pictures from last year, and what a change, YOU must be so proud! :o