First time to post here.

[justgamma]

I started watching what I eat about a month ago. I'm down 15 lbs.

I had a revelation the other day. I was getting a salad out of the vending machine and I saw my favorite dessert. I stood there a minute thinking about how good it tastes and smells and feels when I eat it. As I was walking away, feeling proud of talking myself out of it, I suddenly went "duh". I didn't talk myself out of it, I stood there and tried to talk myself into it. It hasn't happened since. Now I think about how great that salad tastes instead.

I haven't had a moment of temptation since.

I hope this makes sense to you.

You are all an inspiration. Keep up the good work.

Does anyone else have a diet tips they could pass on?

[auntAgonist]

1. hi Justgamma! Welcome to the group.

Good luck with your new food choices and way of eating. Diets always failed me, or perhaps I failed them :)

however. I wish you much success !!!

aA
:hi:

[Longhorn]

2. Welcome!

You're wise to lose weight by making good food choices. Unfortunately, once you've been through a few dieting cycles, it takes much more to lose. I often wished I had something to cut from my diet but I was down to bare essentials and still couldn't lose. Diets seem to lose their effectiveness and what's worse, you usually gain back more than you lost.

However, you aren't really dieting -- you're eating healthy food in proper portions. You're on your way to success! Congratulations!

[lavenderdiva]

3. Welcome aboard, justgamma!

Congratulations on overcoming temptation, and finding a way of healthy eating that you can manage, and have realized such wonderful results!!

I don't know about diet tips, but I think you just really have to find a way to eat that you can manage and maintain. Having a little of something you crave once in awhile may not be a bad thing. But knowing when to stop eating that craving is key. Sometimes, its just better not to have it at all, if control is an issue.

As 'they' say: 'Nothing tastes as good as thin feels!' :hi:

[Systematic Chaos]

4. Congratulations on your month of success! And many more!

As for diet tips, it really doesn't sound like you need any. If you can relish a salad just as much as you used to do with some sugar-laden processed dessert, then you're golden! :)

[justgamma]

5. Just an update on how I'm doing.

I'm now down 50 lbs. I started some strength training last month and more walking.

Tonight I did Sweatin' to the Oldies for the first time in 13 years. I didn't expect to make it all the way through, but I did!! and I'm psyched! It was just as much fun as I remembered.

Everyone keep up the great work!!

[The empressof all]

6. WOW! You're doing GREAT!!!!!

50lbs in about 4 months is terrific! I'm down 30lbs since the middle of April and I can't exercise much below the waist. I'm doing some weights with my arms, but no cardio.

I'm not really having trouble with cravings much anymore. On the plan I follow I eat small meals 6 to 8 times a day so I'm rarely "really" hungry. I do find that when I get upset or annoyed with something I still have that inclination to want to go look in the fridge to find a way to "stuff" it. I try to be aware of what it is that I'm feeling and focus that energy into something else even if it's just a good long vulgar string of sensless rants sent out to the universe. Sometimes it's a good thing I don't have neighbors too close or they'd be wondering about what that middle aged broad next door is cursing about to herself..

[justgamma]

7. You're doing great too!

I'm proud of us.

Glad you found an outlet for your frustrations. Sometimes that's all it takes. I have heard that rants can be good therapy.

[KaryninMiami]

9. He he-- we can create a Richard Simmons Sweatin' Sub Group!

Wonder how many more of us there are?

[justgamma]

12. I thought I would do STTO 1

for a couple of weeks and then go to 2. Last night I couldn't resist and did Sweatin' 3. Ouch did I pay for that. Had a back ache most of the day.

Richard is about the only thing that gets me moving. I've tried others, but he's the only one I can't resist. LOL

Which one is your favorite?

[Catshrink]

8. Welcome!

I understand exactly what you mean about passing up something you formerly would have inhaled. After eating healthy for 3 months or so, I find myself choosing honeydew over cookies and ice cream. If I eat out, I'll ask for fruit or vegetable instead of fries and not miss them -- 3 months ago I wouldn't have done that.

I've also noticed that I'm not drink as much diet coke as I used to. I'm either drinking iced tea or water.

Now, if only I could get the weight to come off a little faster! But, slow as it's been, the scale is moving in the right direction. I'm trying to be patient.

[Iris]

10. Wow! You lost 15 lbs in one month just by watching what you eat!

That's amazing. I once read that if you cut out emotional eating, you'd be surprised at how quickly it comes off. Did you just make different choices or did you try to eat only when you were hungry?

[justgamma]

11. I think my body was shocked

by my choosing different food. I was really heavy, so the weight just kind of melts off at first. I just startd exercising. My hips and knees were in bad shape. I made up my mind to never just sit, fidget. The whole time I'm on the pc I'm bouncing my feet. Looks silly, but burns more calories. I'm just doing little things like that.