Okay so I saw an article in a magazine about Calorie Counter, Diet Tracking, Food Journal, Nutrition Facts at The Daily Plate so I went there and there is a calorie calculator (you have to create a free account). I put in my weight and my size, age, etc and discovered I was eating...are you ready...2400 calories a day to maintain that weight!

I was astounded, shocked, in denial, I was incredulous!!! There is a nifty feature that says if you eat so many calories you lose so many pounds per week.

Well I went back and put in my "ideal weight" and discovered I should be eating more like 1500 calories a day. So I cut down to 1500 calories a day. Right then and there. No more effing around. It's right there in black and white. And to think I am fifty pounds less than several years ago I must have been eating enough for a small army.

This was especially surprising to me because as anyone who reads my posts knows, I eat only good wholesome unproccessed foods staying away from the Big Bad Five--HFCS, enriched flours, hydrogenated oils, salts and processed sugars so I must be eating correctly right? WRONG WRONG a thousand times WRONG!!!

I have upped my walking to 2 miles a day and been doing Pilates for an hour twice a week with no fail and usually a third day a week.

Just by using thedailyplate (which has a calorie database to rival all others) I can see if it's not listed on the food itself what the correct portion is and how many calories etc are in it.

I am not going to lie the first week was HELL. I was so used to eating this large amount of food I felt I was torturing myself. However after two weeks my stomach started shrinking to the normal size it should be and I am no longer ravenous nor am I even hungry.
I have discovered the deliciosity of great big salads and they have so few calories (no more than two tblsp dressing).

I allow myself one "cheat" day a week. I eat my "cheat" food or foods early in the day so I can still walk my two miles and get it off. I don't completely pig out. I make a choice if I am having sweets I go to an all you can eat make a big veggie salad then take a spoon (one bite or two) of every single dessert I want.
Once my cheat day was big homemade rice enchiladas with sour cream and lots of cheese I ate it early in the day.

I want to share this because so many of us have issues with our body size. I don't want to trivialize it but when I finally "got it" it has been very easy for me and is something realistic that can work FOREVER so if I can motivate one person or encourage one person to do it I will be happy.

About the Pilates I joined a class at my local community college. About $93 for 12 wks a good deal. She lets me tape the class on my microcassette recorder so I can continue doing on my own (no class summer term). I also bought the book The Pilates Body so I can advance when ready.

Pilates is great it's like using weights but you use your own body.

I feel great I have a very small waist I have lengthened and strengthened my body and my mind. I am losing three pounds a week and it seems like a lot that is simply because I was eating so much more than my small frame was meant to eat.

I went to the Dr on an unrelated matter yesterday and they are very proud of me (once they heard how I am doint it-they don't encourage crash diets).

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

THANKS AND CONGRATS!!
I am starting to do weight watchers monday not so much for weight loss but to learn how to eat correctly!!

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GO TONY!!!!!!!!!!! # 20!!!

Neat site!
Good calorie counter too!

Try this one too

Weight Watchers Support Network

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GO TONY!!!!!!!!!!! # 20!!!

Congrats! Keep up the good work! I checked out the site, and its really neat. I recently lost 20lbs. It took me about four months. I tried to stay at about the 1,200 calorie range and I exercised six days a week. Now, I am trying to maintain my weight and it is much more difficult that I imagined it would be. I wanted to cut back to exercising three to four days a week, but when I do that....I can't maintain my weight. I am eating a little more than when I was in *diet* mode, but its minimal. Maybe an extra 150-250 calories a day. I have learned that in order to maintain my weight, I will not be able to eat much differently than when I was trying to actually shed pounds. My dh has lost 34lbs. He lost it in about half the time it took me to lose the 20lbs. I do allow myself one free day a week. It keeps me from going crazy! I always make sure to get in a good workout on my *free* day.

Congrats!!

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Brenda

GO #24 JEFF GORDON

You ladies are inspiring me - right before swimsuit season!

Good job!!!

Congrats to the OP for a great job!

I have started back to low-carbing since that is the ONLY thing that works for me. It's been a week and I've lost 5 lbs. I've also joined Curves and hope to get there 3 times a week.

More motivation Ladies! After only three weeks of doing Pilates one hour twice a week the "shelf" on my butt, which had been there for about ten years, disappeared! If that isn't motivation then I can't think of anything better!!!

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

That is fantastic!!! Man , I need to get motivated!! You would think bathing suit season would do it.!

Thanks for sharing your success story. You are an inspiration to others. To me, losing weight means cutting back on calories and exercising more. Diets fail because people feel too deprived and become food obsessed. By incorporating small changes in eating habits, people can lose weight. For me, eating one serving of food at home works. When eating out, eat half the portion, and take the rest home. It's hard to lose weight when the people around you are eating unhealthy. I was at ChickFilA the other day with my friends, and those waffle fries sure looked good. I had a salad topped with chicken strips. Those were fried but it was better than eating strips and fries. After you have lost weight, you still have to work to maintain it. Be conscious of portion sizes. If you indulge at one meal, cut back on the next one. The Leslie Sansone Walk at Home DVDs are a good when you are too lazy to walk outside or go to the gym.

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Nicole