Joan & slimming down,
I am so happy I found this post. I feel the same as both of you. I lost 85 lbs, I have 30 to go. I have been sabotaging myself with carbs and no exercise the past 2 months and the scale shows that. I am ashamed that I am failing the tool and myself.I think I am getting depressed which is probably due to the lack of daily exercise. Thanks for posting. In respect to the fruit punch Crystal Light, i did make 3 ice cube trays of it and suck on them instead of banging down 2-3 no sugar added Klondike bars a night. One small step... Please keep posting, I am getting inspired by you. Thanka again.

In other words, make it more concentrated? Will try it. I bought the protein drink stuff I started on after surgery, too - I liked the Wild Berry flavor, and the addl protein can't hurt, either. Thanks again for the help. Heading to the gym now for my workout, even though it is 90 degrees here.

True, I have tried some of Nikki's recipies - she is a great resource. Yep, I have a thing for sweets, and could try the Crystal Light Fruit Punch - have tried other flavors but didn't like them as I thought they had a funny taste - the lemonade, etc. I wondered about freezing them and making popsicles. I have tried the no sugar popsicles and they are good, but I eat them all - no sense of filling. I could try the muffins, too. I have been trying to eat denser proteins, like beef without gravy or sauce, chicken breast, not dark meat, and find that stays better. Did you read about "slider foods?" Someone has a website that was really enlightening to me about "slider foods", check it out. We ran it past the NUT here in Michigan, but she didn't have much to say on the subject. She describes how any carb goes right to your gut and absorbs and raises your blood sugar and wreaks havoc on your system - that scared me enough to cut way back, but I wish I could get past the craving again. Was past it after surg, just am not now. Sigh, might have to go back on the pre-surg diet again - 400 cals, 6 meals, etc. No carbs there,that ight get me past it once and for all. Not nice lessons to learn.

So you are pretty much on top of things. Just have hard time with sweets. What about replacements? I just purchased some low fat low cal. muffins. Taste really good and it fills my pouch. I don't have the dumping factor either thus far. OH.. I also drink the crystal light fruit punch..that usually helps with my sweet tooth. I was doing the slim fast bars, but that didn't help cause I would eat a whole box in a day..same with the low cal ice cream..lol..so easy to eat. I just learned to stay away from it. I heard about the 129 cal ice cream for the entire pint. I wish I could remember the store. I have to ask the girl who made that post a little while back. There are options out there. We can find them together. Niki is usually on the RNY forum has amazing recipes.

Wow..You are a busy person! Maintenance is what I am waiting for. You have already reached goal? That is wonderful. What was your starting weight? How much did you lose? If I had stayed on track I would probably have reached goal, but I slipped off. Now I am back on track with my eating habits. Keep up the good work and congrats on a job well done.