AM I MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

Good Afternoon: I have been at a plateau for about 4 months now. I know that I have problems with snacking in the evening and will be more aware of that situation. I have lost 158 lbs since 9/03 and have 35 lbs left to lose. Here is what my meals consist of today (8/15): B: 1 Small plum 2 rice cakes w/Lowfat cream cheese 2 Dunkin Donutes decaf ce coffees (large size). Mid Morning: 4 oz. Advant Edge Carb Control Shake L: 3 Oz Dannon Carb Control Yogurt 3 oz. Sugar Free Pudding 1 sliced fresh cucumber 1 can of mixed vegetables (heated) Mid Afternoon: Large size dunkin donuts decaf ice coffee D: 2 slices lowfat american cheese with 2 slices lean deli roast beef - rolled into a sandwich w/mustard in middle 1/2 cup fresh fruit cup S: 1 bag popcorn Am I doing okay. I'm also using my treadmill at least 15-30 minutes per day (I have not been very good with exercise program). Please give me your opinions as I need HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks, Kathy from Massachusetts 8/15/05 1300

Kathy, everybody is different, but for me, I can't lose while eating the amount of carbs you're eating, specifically the "white" carbs---rice cakes, popcorn, etc. Breakfast looks a little light in protein, cream cheese is not a really great source of protein. Your lunch is also not that high in protein, and since it is soft (yogurt goes right through the pouch) you are able to physically eat a lot more volume. If it were me, I would eat solid protein first. and I would lose the popcorn snack. (Popcorn is a trigger food for me so I really avoid it.) Exercise is really important for me now while I'm in maintenance and also when I was in my losing phase. I do strength training twice a week and cardio 2-3 times a week for an hour to an hour and a half. Of course I worked up to that. Adding the strength training really helped me get off the last 30 or so pounds. You might try using fitday.com to track your intake and really see how much protein you're getting, calories, carbs, etc and you can also enter your exercise. I use their program when I'm needing to get back on track and it really helps me. Congrats on how far you've come, and good luck to you on your last few pounds. Hugs, Connie -147# @ goal

Kathy, you may have seen me post on this before, but I think you need much more nutritional balance at this point, not just to lose more weight, but to keep off what you've worked so hard to lose already! You also don't say how much water you drink, but you do mention a lot of coffee! Water, plain old water, is important. Here are some alternatives for a meal plan that my nutritionist helped me with--it works for me, maybe it will for you too. Breakfast: 1 microwave poached egg, 1 slice canadian bacon, 1/2 cup any type of berries. Lunch: 1 to 2 cups baby spinach or baby romaine, 3 ounces tuna, shrimp or salmon, fresh onion and peppers as desired, several toasted almonds or pecans or walnuts, 1/4 cup garbanzo beans, 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil based dressing (you do need good fats!); a few dried cherries or cranberries, if desired Dinner: 3 ounces rotisserie or grilled chicken, 1/4 to 1/2 cup fresh steamed green beans, 1/4 cup cooked sweet potato, squash or wild rice (which is a grain, not a rice), 1 teaspoon butter, if desired Snacks, if needed: 1 carton low carb yogurt with 1/4 cup high protein/high fiber cereal, cold vegies such as summer squash, sweet bell peppers, sweet onions, mushrooms that have been marinated and then grilled (soooo tasty). Both of these snack options require "effort" in that you have to use a utensil to eat them--this is a an idea my nutritionist gave me that really makes sense because you remember that you've eaten this food and you can't wolf it down too fast. And finally, never eat anything solid 3 hours before going to bed. As for exercise, if you can carry 3# wieghts and move your arms while on the treadmill (your balance has to be pretty good!) you can increase the effectiveness of your daily walk. Believe in yourself; you can do whatever it takes. Ann

Hi Kathy from Massachusetts!! In my opinion (and i'm not god) I agree that lower in carbs, more protien and UP THAT EXCERCISE!! You might be pleasantly surprised!! At the least 30 minutes of cardio and make sure your breakin' a sweat! Drink LOTS of water too...I notice that helps me alot!! Im STILL trying to lose the last of my weight (40-50lbs) and it aint easy! In fact it has NEVER been easy for me...I've had to work hard at it. But WE CAN DO THIS! Change something up to JUMPSTART your metabolism again! LETS GO GIRLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!! GOOD LUCK! Julie