Well, here I am. Starting my journal. I haven't even formally started my "diet" yet. I was thinking this time to not call it a diet...A lifestyle change is more like it. I have a hard time starting anything. I am an all or nothing kind of person. I can do good for a while, but if I slip the littlest bit, I totally go off the wagon... This time will be different. I am going to shoot for obtainable goals....small baby steps...a little at a time so I won't be overwhelmed. Sometimes I look at myself and feel so sad. I know I need to like myself more, but I have a problem with negativity. I beat myself up. I feel that maybe this journal will help me on my journey. I have an unhealthy obsession with food. It runs my day. It shows me what kind of mood I will be in. It tells me how I will feel. I am going to take my life back. I am going to be in charge. I AM GOING TO BE POSITIVE. I have met so many great people here, You guys have my heartfelt gratitude for making me feel like I can reach my goals. So much inspiration is in this place. I will write again tomorrow. Oh - yeah - I AM going to drink more water!!!!

I was thrilled to see that you have started your Journey .. and like I promised I will be posting in your Journal and I will start looking for SNACK recipes and post them here ... (probably mid-week)

You're going to find that OTHERS will be stopping by and offering their welcome :wn as well as their input on HOW YOU CAN ACHIEVE YOUR WEIGHT LOSS GOALS ...

One thing I wanted to suggest (notice the word SUGGEST) is to record your food intake (you might try www.fitday.com ) ... that way you can see what your eating habits are AND WHAT CHANGES you can make ...

REMEMBER THIS IS SOMETHING YOU CAN AND WILL DO .. it TAKES TIME AND PATIENCE SO GIVE YOURSELF THE TIME AND PATIENCE IT TAKES. If I can ever be of any assistance, please let me know. Welcome to the Journal Forum and :cheers: here's to your ONGOING SUCCESS. Always, Monica

I think you're taking exactly the right approach. Change one small thing at a time, and keep building until your whole life is different. I'm with Monica on the food journal thing, too--recording your food is a good way to see what you're actually eating, because a lot of the time we don't realize what's going in our mouths. Personally, I have to be careful when i keep a food journal that I don't get obsessive. If I do it for more than a week or so, I get far too rigid with my food plan and bad things happen. I only write down my food for a week or so every couple of months. It helps me stay on track (or get back on track).

Hi Kimmy,:welcome: your going to love this site there is so much support here I promise you that you can succeed at this if you just take one day at a time and no that it doesn't all happen over night but over a period of time if it is truly what you want then you can and will make it happen.Maybe start with some good exercise,that helps to motivate you to eating better,and read read read some journals too for more motivation.There is also challenges you can join on your journey.Don't worry if each and every day isn't perfect believe me I have had days that are very off but I just tell myself that my health and being in shape is more important than the bad food choices and then I move forward,I myself have been losing anywhere from 1-4lbs per week which has kept me in focus and I know full well I will see my goal as you will too,you just have to look within yourself and believe that you can and will succeed because your worth it.Very good luck to you on your new healthy journey.

Kimmy is back and has a journal!!!!!!!!! Hurray!!!!!!!!!!

It was great to meet up in chat with you the other day Kimmy, I hope we get to do that often.

In our Tuesday evening chats we talk about Stinkin' Thinkin'. Those times when we beat ourselves up and all kinds of nasty thoughts. We are working on changing those thoughts and attitudes and it really does make a difference.

Looking forward to cheering you on!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hurray, you are taking a big step just by starting a journal, good luck.

Thank you all for your words of encouragement. It helps more than you will ever know. I did well for supper last night. Tomato soup and grilled cheese - not quite the fat free cheese, but I did not gorge or overeat. As a matter of fact, I quit while I was still a little hungry. I am proud of that.

I did not exercise last evening. I know I must. I am going to make it a priority. I was so tired from not sleeping good the night before. I also have to help my little one with his spelling/reading homework. I will fit time in for exercise. I am thinking about doing a little walking during my lunch hour. That would help. I would like to fit in a little more in the evenings..Every little bit helps. I don't have lunch planned yet. I know a little cafe that makes the best salads w/ chicken. I think I may go there. I think this journal thing is a good thing. Just getting my thoughts down in words. I have looked at the fitday.com.....signed up & gonna track what I eat to geta good picture of what I really eat.

Caramelized Sugar -- 10 Servings
1/4 teaspoon salt
10 cups HOT AIR popped popcorn
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons margarine

Sprinkle salt over popcorn in large bowl; set aside.

Place sugar in 4 quart Dutch oven. Heat over medium heat, shaking Dutch oven occasionally (DO NOT STIR) until sugar starts to melt. REDUCE HEAT TO LOW. Add margarine. Heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is completely melted and golden.

Remove Dutch oven from heat. Immediately add popcorn, stirring to coat. Quickly transfer to large bowl; cool. Store in AIRTIGHT container at room temperature.

TOTAL CALORIES PER SERVING: 75
Total Fat 1 gram
Saturated Fat 0 grams
Carbohydrates 16 grams
Cholesterol 0 milligrams
Sodium 70 milligrams
Dietary Fiber 1 gram
Protein 1 gram

FRUIT SNACK MIX -- Serves 14 (1/2 cup servings)
4 cups Total Raisin Bran, Total Corn Flakes OR Whole Grain Total Cereal
1/3 cup sliced almonds
1 (8 oz.) package mixed dried fruit, CUT INTO 1/2 inch pieces
2 tablespoons margarine
1/4 cup PACKED brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger

Heat oven to 300 degrees. Place cereal, almonds and fruit in a large bowl. Heat brown sugar and margarine in a 1 quart saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until margarine is melted. Stir in cinnamon and ginger.

Pour sugar mixture over cereal mixture; toss until evenly coated. Spread in ungreased jelly roll pan, 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1 inch. Bake 15 minutes, stirring twice; cool. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

TOTAL CALORIES PER (1/2 cup) SERVING: 120
Total Fat 3 grams
Saturated Fat 0 grams
Carbohydrates 27 grams
Cholesterol 0 milligrams
Sodium 95 milligrams
Dietary Fiber 3 grams
Protein 2 grams

TRIPLE FRUIT YOGURT SMOOTHIE -- Serves 4
2 cups Vanilla Fat Free Yogurt
1 cup fresh raspberries
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup SLICED banana

Place all ingredients in blender or food processor. Cover and blend on high speed for about 30 seconds OR until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve immediately.
TOTAL CALORIES PER SERVING: 145
Total Fat 1 gram
Saturated Fat 0 grams
Carbohydrates 31 grams
Cholesterol 0 milligrams
Sodium 50 milligrams
Dietary Fiber 3 grams
Protein 6 grams

PARMESAN CHIPS -- Makes 60 chips (15 servings)
30 Wonton Wrappers
Nonstick Cooking Spray
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, MINCED
1/2 teaspoon dried basil, CRUSHED
1/4 cup GRATED Parmesan Cheese

Using a sharp knife to cut wonton wrappers diagonally in half to form 60 triangles. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange one third of the triangles in a single layer on prepared baking sheet.

In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, garlic, and basil. Brush the wonton triangles lightly with some of the oil mixture; sprinkle with some of the Parmesan Cheese.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 8 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining wonton triangles, oil mixture and Parmesan Cheese.

TOTAL CALORIES PER SERVING (4 chips): 70
Total Fat 3 grams
Saturated Fat 1 gram
Carbohydrates 9 grams
Cholesterol 3 milligrams
Sodium 123 milligrams
Dietary Fiber 0 grams
Protein 2 grams

Hi kimmy!
Just popped in to wish you well on your diet. Its great that you've started a journal, and I hope It'll be alot of help to you!
Good luck!
Daisy x

Hi Kimmy :wave:

I offer my hello and welcome too! You will love it here.