What Ya'll Eating...??

Ok, we are all almost 8 months out. The time is flying by, right? So far, I am still fluctuating between -89 & -91, and want to get to -100 by my cruise, on 8/20! I haven't exercised, but I did get a cortizone shot in my lower back today, and I KNOW I'll be back on 'track' literally, by the weekend, working it all out. So, what you guys eating now? I love twizzlers, and a few other junk foods, that I can't shake. However, I do eat a lot of high protein stuff, but still not eating 3 meals yet. I'm still at 2, and sometimes 3, but the 3rd is usually a snack. I do a protein shake 3-4 times per week, and KNOW I need to increase tha****er intake is ok. So, I just want to hear what everyone else is eating, so I can get a few new ideas. Food tastes good again, and not gaining is wonderful! My sugar is low, 97, blood presser 118/69, and this alone is reason to jump up and down... a far cry from 300+ sugar levels, and 179/109 blood pressure levels! I am in a size 18/20, and feeling great! Not hungry, but curious as to what you guys are putting in your mouth! Love you all and miss you too! Vera, Crew Encourager

Each AM I do a smoothie with 3 cups 8th COntinent Vanilla soy mild, 2 cups strawberries, and 8 packets of Splenda (280 cals/21 grams protein). About 3 hours later, I eat a Premier Nutrition Protein bar I buy at Sam's(280 cals/30-31 grams protein) Lunch is usually 1/3 of the following combo: 1 can tuna, 6 boiled eggs, 3 T no fat mayo and 1T sweet relish (210 cals/23 grams protein), and 1 fresh tomato (30 cals). Early afternoon snack is 9 baby carrots (35 cals). It keeps me from wanting to eat my arm off. The late afternoon is 2 ounces Kraft 2% milk cheese and 4 whole grain seaseme/wheat crackers (260 cals/20 grams protein). Dinner is a 280-300 cal. meal with at least 20 grams of protein. Usually a low-fat turkey chili, another smoothie. I take in about 1500 cals each day and get in my 5 servings of fruit and veggies. I find that if I eat about every 3 hours, I don't get too hungry and binge on bad food. I just discovered jerky at Sam's that is flavored with KC Masterpiece. It is 70 cals and 8 protein grams for 2.5 pieces. It satisfies my BBQ craving in a more healthy way. Angie 302/198

Hi Vera, You are doing really great and I have been following your journey. I am almost 8 months out and I find that there are days that I eat entirely too much and other days that I barely eat at all. Here is a sample of my daily menu (depending on my mood): 5:30am - protein shake and water 6:30am - water and vitamins 9:00 am - (Breakfast) 1/4 cup grits w/unflavored protein mixed in with 2 slices of turkey bacon or 1 turkey sausage patty and water 11:00am - (snack) boiled egg or cashew nuts or fresh fruit and water and vitamins 1:00pm - (lunch) 3oz grilled salmon w/string beans or salad and water 3:00pm (snack) - protein shake or s/f jello (that I made with extra unflavored protein in it) and water 7:30pm (dinner) - grilled chicken salad Sometimes that is my last meal or if I want a snack or something sweet I will eat 1 Pecan sandies or a graham cracker. I make sure that my snack is 2 hours before I go to bed. I am still not working out regularly like I should because of my loose skin making hard on my back and knees. I crave sweets when it is that time of month and I really try to make good choices but hey I am only human. I am currently in a size 12 and feel really great. Just take it day by day and journal everything you eat. You will have bad days but you know what.......tomorrow is a new day just start all over. I hope what I said helps! Keep up the good work and continued success with working your tool. Fran 12/16/04 283/183/155 -100lbs (finally)

Hi Vera, I can eat just about anything that does not have sugar or chicken. I eat very small meals, Breakfast is an apple and 2oz of cheese Snack: Protein shake and nuts (if bad 1oz bag of cheetos) Lunch salad and meat Snack: Cumcummber, celery some kind of veg Dinner: Salad, Meat, Sometime a little amount of pasta,potatoe or rice. Hardly ever snack after dinner but if I do it's a piece of fruit. I really miss the chicken but twice I've tried it and hated it but this weekend I'm going to try it again. Renee 5'1 214/138/120

I do much better at work with a strutured day than I do on the weekends. 6:00 am I take my morning meds and must wait an hour for any food or drink. 8:00 am I start with my water (each day 64+ oz), I allow myself 1 cup of coffee with SF hazelnut cremora. Then I have my protein shake, made with Jay Robb's Whey protein (24 oz protein) and Hoods Simply Smart milk a total of 36 grms protein. 10:00-10:30 I will have a protein bar or some cheese or trail mix. noon to 1:00 I will have a small samwich of ham, turkey, salami, cheese, tuna, seafood salad or grilled veggies; 8-11 jumbo shrimp with sauce, 2 hard boiled eggs; Stouffers Mac & cheese; pepperoni slices; or rolled up cold cuts with no bread. 3:00 sf jello or pudding, fruit, cheese, protein bar, nuts, trail mix or some reduced fat crackers. 6:30-7:00pm, I will have what my hubbie is cooking. I can eat any meat, veggie, or potatoe, salads. I am fortunate that I can eat anything. I am very very concious of portion control. I have special salad sized plates and this is what I use. If it does not fit I don't put it on and eat it. I have been having corn on the cob and loving it, digestes easily. I stay away from white carbs if possible. I avoid rice, but will allow myself some potatoes, small amounts of pasta. I try and eat beans since these have good fiber, taste great, and have good protein amounts. I also eat nuts. I try not to eat after dinner, just drink my water. I sometimes have a protein drink before dinner, about an hour before. I am getting 1000 to 1300 calories a day. Protein first and the biggest amounts. I found I was carbing too much and have cut back. I avoid sugar at all costs and stir clear of products with sugar alcohols. I read the labels of products and truly find that the labels are so helpful. I have lost 98 lbs and I am currently at a long lived plateau. My body is changing almost daily as I continue to melt into a new Monica. I can wear size 18's and find this wonderful. Still heavy on the top, so wear a 18/20 or 20/22. Feet have shrunk. Legs have much loose skin and under the arms too. I purchased a Facial Flex from QVS and use this 2 times a day. My facial skin and neck are reducing nicely and firming up. I have returned to the gym after a long absence due to a rotator cuff injury and bursitis inbetween the 2nd & 3rd toes on my left foot. I am using the recumbant bike for aerobic exercise and can now use the nautilus equipment at the gym that I have been cleared for by my trainer. I continue to be thankful daily for this gift, this new life of healthier, happier, stronger, sexier, empowered me. Continued good luck to all of the December crew. We have come far, food no longer rules, we are in control and it feels wonderful. Monica age 57, shrinking now 5'3" 12/06/04 330/232/1??

Your doing wonderful lady My biggest problem is that I hate food I have a hard time eating and that's tough. Some people tell me that's normal. What I'm pushing now is the water as I need it. Donna 338/193