I've been coming here for about a month or so, and just finally starting a journal. My time is very limited right now since I have a 2 month old, who's just finally starting to sleep mostly through the night. He's my second son, I also have a 5 yr old. Most my life I was about 150-160, then my weight started creeping upto about 200. With my first child, I gained 50 lbs, but was able to lose about 30 of that, which put me at 215-220. With my second pregnancy, I gained 80lbs! I know, it was alot, my doctor never failed to remind meX-( ....but I couldn't help it. One reason I put on so much, was because I quit smoking. That was extremely tough for me, and I replaced it with food. That was one new years resolution I actually kept. Almost 8 months later now, I feel if I can do that, I should be able to get rid of this weight! Of the 80 lbs I gained, thankfully, 40 lbs of it just dropped off by itself, leaving me at 259. So now I have to work hard to get all this baby weight off! I'm counting my calories and making weekly goals. That is what I think will help me this time, making small goals. I have always been the type that expected impossible weight loss overnight, and if it didn't happen, I'd give up. Which of course is ridiculous.....I started 2 weeks ago and have already lost 7lbs. I have had a few cheats days, but unlike before when I'd immediately give up, this time I just get right back to counting calories the next day. So I will try to get on here as much as possible and at least post my weekly losses, or gains

Hi there, :wn

Welcome :welcome: to Diettalk ... and to achieving your weight loss goals. I know you will find MUCH SUPPORT :hug: and ENCOURAGEMENT :cheer: as you travel down the road of your journey to success ...

If I can be of any assistance, please let me know. Again welcome to Diettalk. Always, Monica

Hiya chesterish!

It's great to see you that you posted a journal! :)

It's a great place to vent, say whatever's on your mind, and even a better place to share your achievements!

I'm doing the calorie-counting thing too.. it's the only thing that works for me.

Congrats on your weight-loss so far and here's to your future success! :cheers:

Thank you Monica and Blue Roses for the support. Yes this place seems great for motivation. today went good as far as calories. Still haven't started the exercise. I will soon.

The thing that people often fail to relize is within the first week you lose water weight, so they expect to lose that much consistently, which is unrealistice. Don't beat yourself up if you side track. There is already 7lbs off of your body whci is a very good start. Just remeber that the healthy rate to lose weight is 1-2lbs a week. So it is going to take time, but you can do it. Stick with it and celebrate the weight that you have lost and don't obsess over the lbs that you haven't lost yet. Because as long as you make perminent changes in your life it will all come off in no time.

Yeah a couple lbs a week feels really slow, but I know that's what needs to happen in order to be healthy and to keep it off....Anyway I did good today as far as eating, but still have'nt exercised yet. I weigh myself everyday( I can't help it!) but I will update my weight each monday, also I will have a goal each week. Right now I hope to get to 249 by monday....if it happens, good, if not, I'll try for the monday after...8-|

Ok today went fine. I stayed under my 1500 calories, and 30 grams of fat. I also finally exercised! I'm also stopping eating 4 hours before bedtime. That should help. I'm also trying to drink alot of water, but I get so busy and forget....although I do have 2 jugs(16 oz each) that I keep filling up daily, though they never quite get emptied. Just a couple months ago I was drinking at least 64 oz a day, that was because when I was pregnant I had soo much water retention. I was the Michelin woman....it was horrible, and the water sort of helped, if I didn't drink it, it'd get worse....Well the weekend is coming up, those are the worst for me. I barely see my husband during the week, but the weekends he's here and wants to go out to eat and stuff like that so it's hard....Babys crying!:help:

Hey you! Keep your head up. If there is one thing that I am sure of- it is that weight goes on soooooooo much easier than trying to get it off. It took me a solid 2-3 years to get off 35 pounds -- but I have yet to gain them back *knock on wood!* :laugh:

You may want to focus on one thing at a time- like try your calorie counting for a week or two and once you have that down, then add in water intake or exercising. Congrats on your 7 pound loss already!!!!!

:cheer:

If you mess up, then don't get sad- just keep it going. We all fall off the track at one point at a time.. I fell off for 4 months earlier this year.. but the posting and journaling helps a ton!!

I look forward to getting to know you more!! :)

Today went fine, I stayed within my calorie limits, although I will cut out no eating four hours before bed at the moment, cuz I just get too hungry and then I cant sleep, and that's something I can't afford to lose right now. BUt I'm doing really good otherwise, oops forgot to exercise today, but oh well, I'm just proud of myself for sticking with my diet this long. Almost 3 weeks down, and I've never lasted longer than 2 weeks in the past. :D

Good Morning,

Just a suggestion .. fix yourself a large bowl of fresh vegetables (carrots, cauliflower, celery, broccoli, zucchini, radishes) and use either salsa or HONEY MUSTARD as a dip .. that way you can fill up and NOT USE A LOT OF CALORIES ... or

Have a piece of fruit with some yogurt ... HAVE AND MAKE IT A GREAT WEEKEND. I am as always, Monica

Thanks for the suggestion Monica! Well today is weigh in day, and it was dissapointing! I was 250 for a couple days, then today, weigh in day, I jumped back to 252! ugh, oh well, I did lose 2 lbs for the week though. BUt I don't understand why I'd gain weight when I've been doing the same everyday. but I've gotten over it and I'm still gonna keep going of course!

I know that you're disappointed :( BUT just think that YOU HAVE A NEW WEEK to accomplish a weight loss ...

I noticed that your weight loss plan indicates LOW CAL, LOW FAT as part of your weight loss goal -- how many CALORIES are you allowing yourself ? If it's UNDER 1200 that might be a problem. Your body needs TO BE FED .. do you want any help? If so let me know .. I have tons of recipes (low fat) that I can share with you ...

Also if you're interested I host the Weight Watcher chats on Monday evening at 9 p.m. EST .. and everyone (you don't have to be using the WW plan) is welcome .. that way I can get to know you better. TAKE CARE and have and make it a great day.

DON'T WORRY -- YOUR'E GOING TO ACHIEVE WHATEVER GOALS YOU HAVE SET FOR YOURSELF

I am as always, Monica

I've been allowing myself 1500 calories a day. I'm going to try to raise it to about 1700 and see what happens, also I'm going to be less strict about the fat intake. If 1700 doesnt seem to work after awhile, I'll try lower. Either way I'm really not discouraged thankfully. I'm just going to keep trying until I figure it out.

In my humble opinion, 1500 - 1700 is a great range ..

How many grams of fat are you allowing yourself ? .. Also have you tried www.fitday.com? It's a free site where you can monitor your caloric AS WELL AS your nutritional intake. You might want to check it out ..

I am as always, Monica