True but 10 lbs of muscle looks a heck of a lot better than 10 lbs of fat. Check the nutrition info on your protein powder because some of them can have a lot of calories. I use met-rx whey (chocolate flavored) and it's 120 calories per scoop. If you mix with skim milk then add another 100 calories. You can also mix with water but milk tastes much better. Be sure to use skim. I blend in a banana or peanut butter and it makes an awesome breakfast. But that's all I have for breakfast. It's very filling so I'm full for the next 3-4 hours. It's much better than fast food or donuts for breakfast and much better than skipping breakfast. That is the key, never skip breakfast or your metabolism shuts down. I also have a protein shake with water at night after my workouts to help build muscle. Otherwise I do not snack or eat anything after 7pm. My trainer told me to eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a queen and dinner like a princess.

the calorie content of the protien shakes depends on what all you add to it. i'm at the point where it's 2 scoops of protien, 1 cup of milk, stir and slam. it's good to put a few spoonfuls of nonfat yogurt and some fruit for the true smoothie experience. so, with 2 scoops of protien and 1 cup of milk you get 55g of protien and about 300-350 calories post workout. they say 1 gram of protien per 1lb of body weight. not sure if that ratio is true for ladies too.

You're absolutely right though fitlady! a pound is a pound any way you cut it. but when you're cutting, it's good to keep positive thoughts in your mind if you have an off week.

let me also throw this out to you...YOUR BODY NEEDS CARBS. period. there's a difference between complex carbs and simple carbs. simple carbs: white bread. complex carbs: wheat bread. very small and simple changes to your diet can have amazing impact on your weight loss.

Another crutial tip to everyone, DONT WEIGH YOURSELF EVERYDAY! you should weigh yourself once a week. pick a day, keep that same day and check your weight. you can really start messing with yourself if you weigh after every workout session. the reasons for doing so are too numerous to list, but it's mroe a mental hurdle than anything. and if you dont lose as much in a week as you'd like, dont' get discouraged, keep on trucking and the results will come.

have a great weekend! I'll chime back in on monday. DO YOUR CARDIO! ;)

You are right skycruiser. You are very informed. About those protein drinks, I know I could never afford an extra 350 calories in my diet, so I would eat some lean protein like egg whites or some turkey breast.

Missycat, I like the meal reference. People always think dinner should be the biggest meal. I would try and make it the smallest. If you eat right all day you should feel pretty satisfied with a moderate dinner.

I'm only 17 days away from leaving to Cancun! I officially started "dieting" 12 weeks before and started consciously eating/exercising even before that. Now the 2 week mark is coming up, it's time to buckle down! I have already lost about 9 pounds and only have 3-5 more. I'm mainly focusing on toning up and maintaining what I've acheived up to this point. I am a chocolate fiend and have found that it is better to have one piece everyday rather than try to avoid it and eat a whole box in one chocolate-starved session. I dont have any magic secrets; i guess it's the main dieting rules. Better food choices, smaller portions, and increased exercise. I count every single calorie and have been steadily reducing them throughout the 12 weeks. I count every nibble. It keeps me accountable. I've also stepped up my working out from 2-3 days a week to 4-5. It's nothing insane and overwhelming. 2 days of 40 min cardio, weight training, and abs. 3 days 45-60 minutes cardio and abs. And 2 days rest. IT's practical and reasonable, and the more I stick to the healthy food: whole wheat, protein, fruits, veggies, and low-fat dairy products, the more I see myself slim down, firm up, jiggle less!

Good luck everyone!

All I need to do is stick to it! :)

skycruiser, i heard that once before about doing the weights before cardio, why do you burn more fat that way? just curious.

missycat-

Breakfast like a King, Lunch like a Queen, and Dinner like a princess. I LOVE THAT! I always have a hard time b/c I hate breakfast foods, but I LOVE dinner foods. I'm never hungry in the morning, but I try really hard to eat anyway. I eat those Weight Watchers Smart Ones for dinner and don't ever snack at night. It's really hard though....

I'm going to eat a good breakfast tomorrow, you've motivated me : )

Teenta, I am not Skycruiser, but I may be able to help with this one. When you do a high intensity weight training workout you continue to burn calories even after you are done working out. Also, when you do cardio prior to weight training you tire yourself out and won't be able to perform at your best level when lifting weights. Your best bet is to lift weights until you "feel the burn." then you can hop on the treadmill to finish up.

Another good option for cardio is interval training. Try sprinting for 15 to 30 seconds as fast as you can, then doing an "active rest" by walking for about 2 minutes and repeating the cycle for approx. 30 minutes. You will burn more fat this way then doing a one hour "steady state" workout on the treadmill. This is just an example. You can do this with any type of cardio exercise. It is the most effective way to burn fat with cardiovascular exercise. I have read many studies on this and it has really good results.

Thanks Fitlady! I'm going to switch it up this week and try it that way..of course, I may have to bring an oxygen tank..lol. Thanks for all your great and helpful advice, I think we all need a little boost every now and then to keep us motivated and pushin thru, and this has certainly motivated me..besides the fact I have only 27 days to whip myself into shape!

I have enjoyed reading everyones input. We are going in May for our 10 year anniversary with no kids and I want to look the part!!! I have lost 16 pounds since the last week in December and thought I would share what is working for me.

I write down everthing I eat, my weight that day, how many days till my trip(45),and my activity for the day in a journal.

I am trying to count calories and stay between 1175- 1300s.

I do Denise Austin's show 5 day a week. During the commercial I rewind and repeat the segment. She includes interval training with weights that has really toned my arms, back and shoulders. I also do a few extra toning excersises. Later in the day I take the kids outside and walk for 30 min. and jump rope. I am up to 500 jumps! It burns a lot more calories a minute than most excersises and tones the whole body(cellulite!)

There is nothing that is forbidden for me . I am trying to do a lifestyle change as opposed to a diet. I have educated myself on FIBER. It keeps you fuller longer. I try to eat every 3-4 hours to keep my metabolism up. I still have a small desert about 2 x a week. I portion out the serving size. I love spinach salads and am eating lots of fruits and veggies. My favorite snack is a apple with 1 tbls peanut butter. It satifies my sweet tooth! I still eat my favorite foods just watch portions. My body is craving the health foods for the most part now and even my skin looks healthier!!!

It has been hard to eat slower and STOP when full but I am learning to. Food doesn't have to be the enemy. I actually enjoy it more now. Nothing passes my lips without being planned out first. A little time consuming but worth it! I do miss eating just to eat but I was just wasting my time. I try to stay busy. I brush my teeth or chew sugar free gum after a meal.

I drink a ton of water, 1 coffee in morning and 1 sweet tea with dinner.

I have 3 pounds left to get to my prepregnancy weight of 125 and would like to get to about 120.My husband is blown away by my commitment and he is so proud of me. My whole family is healthier and we are spending more time together out doors. My children love fruit but I was usually to lazy to fix it. My husband has even lost a few pounds. We eat at home most of the time now. But we still order pizza and I do eat my 2 pieces, After checking calories on the internet!

Knowledge really is power and I hope this helps! Have fun in Cancun. I know I will in my miracle bra bikini (because those are gone, too!!!) Thank goodness for Victoria's Secret! Lol

This is for anyone who can give advise. I work as a server in a sports bar. Not much healthy food on the menu. I eat a lot of salads and grilled chicken if i have to eat at work, which I do often because I also Manage part time and work at least three 8-12 hour shifts a week. The problem I'm having is there is not always time to sit and have a meal, much less 2 or 3. This evening it took me an hour to eat a small salad because I was only able to take a bite here and there. This is making it difficult to have 6 small meals a day. I have managed to stop snacking on french fries, they are easy to walk by the kitchen and grab a couple if there is no time to stop and eat. I'm making a good effort to change my eating habits and I don't have high expectations on loosing weight before I go to Mexico in June. I just need some suggestions on how to eat healthy and often while at work.