Although I have another journal found here - http://www.diettalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39975 , it was for 2004 so it makes more sense to start fresh and new for 2006.

My first diet day was this Tuesday and I have been starting slow since I have sedentary for way too long of time. I posted a history of me in earlier messages, but the quick side is I was doing fine on my diet until a layoff in late 2004 sent that work down the toilet. Even that is not an excuse, but I honestly just lost motivation. Unfortunately, I am 8 pounds heavier than when I started in '04.

With that said, I have already had my share of pitfalls starting out, but I have kept with my minimum 30 min exercise/day. I have also enjoyed soup and water for lunch (homemade from the cafe so it's very filling) every day and a approx 500 calorie dinner (yesterday, a "personal pan" homemade taco pizza loaded with veggies). My shortfall is my sweet tooth and I didn't do the smart thing of tossing the candy bars in the house (2), but I ended up eating them. However, a trip back from Kroger brought in spinach, salmon, chicken, grape juice, bananas, skim milk, Raisin Bran, Deer Park Water, whole wheat bread, and my soft drink replacement (Gatorade).

Exercise will continue at 1/2 hour a day, working my way up to a full hour every 3-4 days. I have enough exercise tapes to start a library and I have an exercise ball and weights. I would like to get some resistance bands for some of the exercises.

Good luck to all - I'll keep you updated on my progress.

Been a good week. It's been unseasonably warm all week so I have had ZERO excuses to not walk after work. I even had to mow the lawn today!! First time that's ever happened in January. My dog is now in the habit of the walk even though it's only been 4 straight days of doing it.

As for food, I rate what I've had as a 7 1/2 out of 10. Soups or salads for lunch in the cafeteria and chicken or turkey based dinners in the evening. Many times over better than what I have been having and I have been avoiding oversnacking. I have found that Raisin Bran takes care of a lot of snacking cravings.

I still have to deal with a problem of low energy but that will come in time when I step up the exercise routines. I will probably keep up my current routine for another week before I tack it up a notch. Gotta do baby steps.

Hi! :wave: Welcome to DT and the Land of the Journals!

Sounds like you have a good solid plan there. Just keep going and you'll see results in no time!

Hello, Carson! Everyone gets off track now and then and an 8-pound gain is not bad for a layoff period!!! Good for you for maintaining and for starting your good habits over again! :wave:

Thanks guys. I appreciate the support.

Athletea - I wish it was true that I was only 8 pounds heavier from the layoff period, but I meant I was 8 pounds heavier when I started dieting last time. I am actually 20 pounds heavier since 9/04. I'll keep burning it off, and you are a heck of an inspiration with all that weight lost. I stole your idea after reading your journals of the spreadsheet entries regarding food intake. It might help my late night cravings.

I did not lose any weight my first week of dieting, but I have eaten a lot better and walked every day. I have GOT to quit the late night hungries and it seems I need to stop eating Raisin Bran. Although it's a lot healthier than the Fruity and Cocoa Pebbles I used to eat, I still eat way too much of it. I am going to find a new snack to eat, probably peanut butter and honey sandwiches.

I am also going to step up the exercise plan this week as well. Still going to do the half hour of exercise after work, but I am also going to add 8 min TaeBo in the morning. I'll do that for a week, and probably step it up again.

Thanks again,
Carson

Hi Carson! Glad you found your way back to DT. I wish you the best with your losses. It sounds like you've got a pretty solid plan working, and you'll get the kinks worked out in no time.

Keep up the good work!

Amanda