I've heard Curves is wonderful, let me know if you like it, i have one about a mile from my house (after the wedding i could join too) money is so tight right now. :(

Good Cookbook To Go By
 

One of the cookbooks we use a lot is called "The Complete Step-by-Step Diabetic Cookbook".

It's great and you don't have to be a diabetic to use this cookbook. The doctor told me this is a great way for anyone to eat.

For each recipe, it gives:
Serving size
Calories
Carbohydrates
Protein
Fat
Calories
Fiber
Sodium
Cholesterol

It's a great book to go by. Using this book will mean you're eating according to the basics of good nutrition that provides a foundation for good health.

It reads: "You may be surprised to learn that what's nutritionally good for a diabetic person is nutritionally good for everyone else, too. And nutritious can be delicious. Their recipes prove it!"

Why didn't I find this sooner...
 

Count me in, but I am gonna need some help!!! I refuse to list my weight as it is disgusting to me, even though everyone including my doc doesn't think I look that heavy. I want to lose at least 50 lbs and I am 5'3". My vice, sweet tea. Gotta have it...Haven't found a diet drink I could stand yet. Any advice for slowly graduating to Splenda?

How depressing!!! What if the latte has skim milk and splenda???

On Reading Labels
 

So, here I've been doing so good. I eat a salad with a couple of pieces of chicken or a little scoop of tuna in it every day for lunch. I've been getting it from the cafeteria at work and I got the Balsamic Vinegarette dressing because that is what I use at home. (It's fat free at home) Anyway, yesterday I was eating away and I happened to pick up the dressing packet and look at the back. (Yes I know....should have done that first) and there are 15 grams of fat in it! A tiny little pack of dressing! I alsmost choked! Luckily I only used a tiny bit at a time because I don't like it to sit on the lettuce and it takes me about 2 hours to eat when I'm working. Well, I guess I'll be bringing my own dressing from home from now on. I just wanted to warn you that you just never know where you're going to find fat hiding!

That sounds a little better.

If it were me, I'd quit but I had to after I had my heart attack.

That's one thing the doctor said I had to quit - the caffeine!

You CAN live without it! Believe you me - I have for almost 15 years now!

Yes, I would be taking my dressing from home. Have the dressing on the side and just dip your fork in it for each bite. That's exactly what I do. I don't want it sitting on my lettuce and getting it all wet! Yuck!

Be careful and don't eat a LOT of salads day to day. They are Vitamin K and that causes blood to clot.

Yes, you have to read the labels on everything. You can't be too careful!

Good luck! Keep the comments coming! That's what we want you to do.

I love it so far. I will see on Saturday if I have lost any inches, but the whole circuit idea of doing the excercising to work every area of your muscles is great! I would highly reccomend you checking it out when you can!!!

Do whatever works for you. For myself, I want to be on my own so I can work out as hard as I want to.

You should be happy with what you're doing.

It makes it much easier if you have a friend working out with you.

We have 10-15 at a time in our group there all at the same time. It's fun!

GREAT JOB, Teri!!
 

Listen to Teri, everyone!! READ YOUR LABELS!! :p

Amen. I second that!

New Margarine
 

New - Improved PROMISE - Fat Free - helps maintain a Healthy Heart.

Heart Health Essentials:
High in Vitamins B6 and B12
Helps maintain cardiovascular health
Good source of Vitamin E
An antioxidant that helps protect cells & tissues including those in your heart.
No Trans Fat
No Hydrogenation
No Cholesterol

NUTRITION LABEL
Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
Calories: 5
Total Fat: 0
Saturated Fat: 0
Trans Fat: 0
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0
Monounsaturated Fat: 0
Cholesterol: 0
Sodium: 90
Total Carbs: 0
Protein: 0

W O W ! ! ! ! YOU CAN'T GET ANY LOWER THAN THAT!

The plateau...
 

Diet long enough and you’re bound to reach a stage where the losses level off and the scale is stuck on the same three digits for weeks. What causes the stall? Routine does.

"If you do the same workout over and over again (and eat the same foods), your body adapts and becomes more efficient," says Jason Parsons, Fitness Manager, Columbia Tech 24 Hour Fitness in Vancouver, Wash. "The trouble with that is that now it requires less energy to do the same activity." Here are four ways to nudge the scale back to its downward trend:

Create Diet Drama: Busting through a plateau requires change. If you eat the same "healthy" foods every day, your body will eventually use less energy to metabolize them. Load up on different fruits and vegetables -- those you’ve never tried before -- and seek out new seasonings, dressings and condiments.

Move It: Park your car at the opposite end of the parking lot, take the stairs instead of the elevator or walk around the building during your lunch break, says Parsons. Even just five minutes burns an additional 24 calories. Eventually all of those extra calories add up.

Crank It Up: When the workout that used to leave you huffing, puffing and sore for days barely makes you break a sweat, it’s time to add intensity. Instead of logging in your regular half hour on the treadmill at a steady 4.5 mph pace, try the interval option or take your workout on the road and use the terrain to act as intervals. Run in the sand or up hills and use landmarks to signify a change of pace.

Get Uncomfortable: To continue losing weight, you have to get out of your comfort zone. Someone who has never tried yoga will exert more energy and burn more calories during a class than an experienced yogi. Find something you don’t know how to do and give it a go.

http://diets.aol.com/americatakesitoff/humpday

Nicely done!!
 

WOW, Joann, this is GREAT!! I appreciate this post! All great tips, thanks!!

Your welcome :D