Regaining the use of my TOOL

Wow Thanks Lisa!  I never would have thought apples and peanut butter.  Kashi makes a high protein granola bar?  Huh...I gotta check that out.  Where do you get them...I do most my shopping at super walmart....I think I better go to another place to hunt for good high protein things.

oh apples and peanut butter are super yummy! the kashi bars are at super wal-mart! There are like 5 different kinds. the Honey almond and flax are 7 grams! The trailmix (my fave) is 6 grams. I keep them in my purse for a just in case.. too many times I've been out running around and don't realize the time and that I haven't eaten until I'm light headed and sick feeling so I keep them for a just in case. also the fiber one (it's new) yogurt is really good and it has 5 grams of protein per container.. the keylime pie is to die for!

GREAT!!!  Thanks!!

I'm already seeing a lot of great food suggestions, so my only bit of advice is: don't forget to replace bad habits with good.  Start walking, walking, walking.  Keep some weights or exercise band handy so that you can work your muscles rather than reaching for a cig or a snack.   Good luck!  You can do this.

I'm heading home after work to take Daisey for a walk.  Now that I only have one dog to worry about she and I are getting some "bonding" time.  And if I want to walk fast she can keep up!  Or rather I keep up with her!!  And I do have some wrist weights, but that's about it.

Paula,  my favorite snack is also a very healthy one - beef jerky!  Low fat, high protein, takes a lot of chewing, so it satisfies that need.  I buy the good stuff from the local meat market, and cut it up into smaller, maybe 1.5" pieces, then store it in a baggie in the fridge so it's always handy!  It really keeps the hunger at bay, too.  I really haven't gotten a sense of hunger back, but I do eat it as a snack to replace some of the milk I have issues with (PNC wants us to drink 3 glasses of milk per day.  My family and friends would LEAVE ME if I did that much milk!!!) Good luck to you with getting back on track!  You can do it, you obviously really want to do the right thing! 

Paula, I quit smoking a year ago, and the only thing that ever, ever worked for the long haul was obtaining a prescription for Chantix from my doctor.  It works two ways and you ARE able to smoke while taking it: Chantix will reduce, then eliminate the cravings.  Chantix will also decrease then eliminate the 'feel good' of  nicotine. 

As for foods, I agree with all that's been posted, although the only protein bars I buy (at Target Greatland) is the Atkins variety, which are 19 g protein each.  They come in chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon vanilla, chocolate mint, and chocolate-peanut butter.  I've always got two in my purse for 'just in case'  Another fave, is Edamame, which tastes like fresh peas, only better!  I find it at Cub foods in the freezer section of natural/organic foods.  Best wishes to you as you proceed with your healthy changes!  Hugs galore, Patti

Be gentle with yourself, first off.  Don't stack up so many things to do that it's a "all or nothing" type of plan.  Make strides in the right direction and work to consistently get there.  We are not perfect and your day is not screwed up if you've made a bad choice.  I wish you luck and know about the weight regain struggle.  I'm working, very slowly - consistently but not perfectly, on taking some weight off too.  Good luck. Karrie