Hi April, and Welcome!

Sounds like you're doing what you need to be doing, and you shouldn't over-think a minor gain. We can vary as much as 3-5 lbs daily! The pounds seem to come off quickest in the beginning, largely because it's water the comes off first. To lose a pound of fat, one must have a deficit of 3500 calories. So, as an example, if your BMR calorie rate is 2000 for the day, you'd want to eat only 1500 calories per day in order to loose 1 lb per week. Or, if you add in the extra calories burned by exercise, you could eat more calories and still loose.

Surf around this sight and find lots of helpful info on stuff like BMR and suggested calorie intakes. And feel free to ask any questions. We're all here to help support (and occasionally kick each other in the butt :) and encourage each other.

Sue

Rebepi- Check out the food pyramid and see if there is anything you are missing in your diet. Protein? Peanut butter, Nuts, or Whey Protein adds healthy calories? How about fruit? Grab a piece of fruit or make yourself a smoothie How many servings are you eating of everything you need? is it enough? Milk Or dairy? Drink more milk or eat low fat milk products like ice cream ( 100 cal ) yogurt or low fat String cheese. Like Mommabear said The 100 cal pack are good for a snack they have sweets like cookies or salty Doritos and Cheetos or try the little “Quakes” they are really good too and are only 65 Cal. You can also put some dry cereal in a sandwich bag

As far as exercise. We do a “Time management study” that might help. We have the kids at school write down everything they do all day and the time that they are doing it. ( Yes that means EVERYTHING!) We have them go over the list and do one of two things. Number one see Where they can fit other things in. example Can you cut ten minutes off a phone call or watching TV? Number two is What activities can you do together? Example Watch TV and dance. Or Read and walk back and forth. Do dishes and march You do not have to do 30 minutes of exercise for it to be of help. Do ten mintutes here of 10 minutes there.

They are always suprised how much time they can find extra. Try it and see if it works for you.

Lora

PS Mommabear are we related ? I am Lorabear. Lol!

LOL...good thing no one does a Time Management study around here! I'd be out of a job if they knew just how much "spare" time I have to be online with all of you my friends!

I'm working out a new time management strategy for my mornings, since it's too dark & cold now to walk at 5:45AM. I can do the Mall thing, but have to figure in the travel time. But wlaking in the AM is a priority, so I'll figure it out somehow.

A new addition to my priority list of things I do "for myself"....a monthly massage! I can't believe I let that one go for so long! Last evening was so wonderful because I had my first massage in 2 yrs!!

Hay ya'll hope everyone is having a great morning.  I had a revelation today and wanted to share it with everyone.  I put on a pair of pants I found in the back of my closet and GUESS WHAT..... They're too big - I mean falling off big.  Man does that feel good.  Guess that means I get to go through my closet tonight and see what else can make me feel good.  I've lost 33.6 total but only 4 of that since I've been on here.  Doesn't matter though as long as it's going away. 

Lorabear - Maybe we're twins!  

Hey,

I'm also looking for others to help keep me motivated.

I'm 5'6 and currently weigh 284.5 lbs, my goal is to be 149.4 by July 2008.

Thanks
Sacha

Welcome sachas!

That's quite a hefty goal for such a short period of time! (forgive the pun)

But we'll cheer you on and help keep you on track as best we can. In helping you stay motivated, we'll be helping ourselves!

Sue

Welcome desperada!

Think of this journay as a "one day at a time, one pound at a time" road, and you'll eventually make it to your goal. We're here to help and encourage!

Today I'm wearing a pair of slacks that 6 weeks ago I couldn't come close to buttoning! What a nice feeling!

I'm actually looking forward to getting on the scale tomorrow...whoa, that's a new feeling!!!

Kris - congratulations on the pants!  Feels great doesn't it?

Desperada - Welcome!  I am at about the same place as you. I have about 145 to lose.  We can do it!  Feel free to ask any questions.  Some advice I will give is make sure to start your day with a breakfast theat includes some protien to get you started and drink lots of water.

Hello to everyone else.  I had a rough day yesterday food wise.  The ladies in our office bought birthday cake and ice cream and since it was my birthday I kinda felt like I should participate but I did go walk almost a mile last night to counteract the extra calories.  Exercise is the part of this I am struggling with right now. 

Hope everyone has a great Thursday. 

Hi everyone, I am new to the group and the site - but am looking forward to keeping track of my calories, in the hopes that I can finally get rid of my extra baby weight.  Although I shouldn't call it baby weight, b/c my daughter will be 2 in November. 

Thanks!!

Jen

Hey, mommabear :)

The food sabotuers got to you, huh? Well, don't fret. You did the right thing by walking to use up some of those excess calories.

I think exercising is one of those words that scares the bejeepers out of most of us plus-sized (whoever came up with that word??!!) folks. Harkens back to being the chubby kid that no one wanted on their team, even if we did know how to play the game well!

I only know that I feel so much better if I walk or swim...or do any physical activity!

OK friends, wish me luck! Going out to Italian restuarant with friends tonite!

Wonder if they have whole wheat pasta? And please...a HEX on that garlic bread!!!

Hello all!  Newbie here- can I come play?

I was always a skinny kid, and stayed that way through my first pg at age 19/20.  I was OK until I started into my life as a SAHM.  I thought I fought my weight while my oldest was small, since I was 180 and 5'7".  Well, I had four more babies between the ages of 26 and 31 and crept over 200.  Now I'm a solid 225 for the second time since my 5yo was born!  I'd lose 20-30# and life would smack me back down.  I've had two nasty surgeries in the last year and I've also come to grips that the depression I dealt with through pg is not necessarily gonna go away.  I've been on meds for the last few years and that doesn't seem to help the waistline!

So, there is my story.  I'm starting with water and logging my food for now, since I gain the weight while being in DeNile.  Even if I'm not working to plan diligently, just logging seems to be key to me.

Oh yeah, and I need to start walking so I can restart Curves soon.  I'm SO sedentary right now I think they would call 911 if I tried to work the circuit!