I hate the fish burps. I actually bought some fish oil that said "no fish burps" on the label. So far - no more fish burps!!

[quote=radiochick]As for my husband, he just went in to get a refill and the Nurse Practitioner gave hime a real scolding. I mean severe. I told him I'm going to send her a thank you note. She told him that he had to take action or he needed to get the Lap Band becuase his health was a serious matter. This all before the bloodwork came back a lot better than the last. BUT still... he is on track to a healthier life. I'm also very proud of him to tell her that he hadn't given diet and exercise a fair try.. so he would do that before he would consider the lapband. I honestly think she was just going for shock and awe... and wouldn't really have let him get to far down the Lapband path until he after he had tried. I'm seriously going to send her a card!!![/quote] Kudos to his Nurse Practitioner! She will be happy to receive that card, especially when you have told someone that they need to lose weight!

Thanks for sharing - I admit, I'm a scale addict!

The pediatrician literally yelled at me when I took my daughter in for a school physical for the 5th grade (we had just moved to a new state). He told me that if I choose to over-eat that I should not subject my daughter to those same habits. While it pissed me off at the time, it was the best thing that he could have possibly said to me. I started eating healthier so that my daughter would eat healthier. She was overweight at the time and is no longer overweight. Secondly, I am a nurse practitioner and must tell you that it is my duty to tell people about their weight. If their labs and blood pressure are fine, it is still necessary to discuss weightloss with them. Since I am overweight, I know the way to tell them without being too harsh. The problem is that no one wants to hear that they are overweight. I will be honest - I hate hearing it too. It's a lot easier to treat diseases with pills and people are much more open to that. When you explain to someone that they are overweight and have to make lifestyle changes, they usually don't like to hear that. I usually take the route of offering some diet education within that appointment and discuss portion sizes (most of us think we eat one serving when we are actually eating 3 servings). I also talk to them about walking everyday. It does make it easier when I tell them that I'm in the same boat with them and we can work on it together.

I agree!!

I agree with all the replies above. I want to wish you all the luck in the world. You can do this!! I personally count my calories because I can eat whatever I like as long as I stay within a specific calorie range (which happens to be 1800 calories for me). I think that walking is an important key to my success so far. You are amongst many friends here who are encouraging you all along the way!!

I love the Wii Just Dance game and Michael Jackson experience. Love it!! I do it from time to time to get a break from the normal stuff at the gym.

I want to add that I am hypoglycemic. Prior to this diagnosis, my diet was predominately carb based. A higher protein diet helps people like me prevent the large drops in blood sugar (so I don't pass out or become very weak). Do I still eat carbs? absolutely. I will admit that I also try to make my carbs count - choosing whole grains, more veggies and fruits instead of eating french fries, white flour based substances. The combination of increased protein and whole grains have made me feel good for the first time in many years.

There are several reasons: 1. I want to look spectacular for my high school reunion next year. 2. I am sick of my inner thighs rubbing together. 3. I do not want to seem like a hypocrite when I talk to my patients about losing weight. 4. I want to get my "swagger" back. 5. Of course, I want to look good naked :)

Thank you for offering advice! I recently introduced some weight training (not free weights but the weights on the machines) into my gym workout. Since I am shaped like an apple, I would appreciate any advice you could give me with regards to my abdomen. I already do crunches, but if there is some type of weight training that would benefit my abs, please let me know. Do those sketchers shape-ups really help tone your butt muscles? Thanks, Becky

Green beer is essential on St. Patty's day!!

I found that when I was in graduate school I gained 30 pounds. When I looked at my eating patters, about 40% of my calories was after 6pm (when I was trying to sit up and write research papers). The rest of my calories came by means of fast food because I was always on the go. I also manage to eat when I'm happy, sad, frustrated, celebrating, etc.... It appeared that every single emotion in my life revolved around food. Once I discovered that, I tried to eat only at set times for nutritional means. I do not eat cake to celebrate, or grab cookies when I'm upset anymore. I really am trying not to medicate my emotions with food (of course that is easier said than done).

Yay!!! Congrats! It is really inspiring to see someone be so successful with weightloss. Kudos!!

Wow, that's pretty astonishing. I think more people eat fast food and do more desk type jobs vs. eating at home. Scarey to think what the numbers will be 10 years from now.

I love unc tarheels = 1tarheelfan.

For me it was several things. I hated that I could barely buckle my seatbelt on an airplane, hated that I was the fat girl with the pretty face, hated that I couldn't wear normal size clothes, and the final straw was when I went to the doctor and she told me I was hypoglycemic (precursor to type 2 diabetes). I am a nurse and know exactly what that diagnosis would mean for me, healthwise. I can't wait to only have one chin. I can't wait to get rid of the belly pouch (I feel like a fat kangaroo)!

I had bought some, as well. I had to throw them out because it was just too tempting.

I decided to use 1800 calories. I don't know why, but I knew that the number that fatsecret recommend was far to high. It's been working for me. I will adjust that number as I lose weight.

And I forgot.....another symptom was ZERO energy. Worst feeling ever!!

I have been diagnosed as hypoglycemic about 5 months ago. I was told that I need to eat a higher protein diet to keep my blood sugar stable and watch my carbs. Symptoms that I was feeling were very lethargic, tired, grumpy, etc... I honestly went into the doctors office because I thought that something must be wrong with my thyroid, but my thyroid was fine. I do feel so much better since I have increased the protein in my diet and watched what types of carbs I have been eating.