I did better at working out consistently last week. I only skipped Friday due to work. Yay! Well, I am off the work and then 30min in the pool. Tip: Eat an apple and drink a glass of water before each meal. You will feel fuller and want to eat less.

I think I've been maintaining over gaining the past couple days...doing better about not eating late. I don't have a scale and so I'm not totally obsessed with a number right now, so I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing! But when I do weigh-in I track it on my iPhone- it has a web application to track it on a chart. However I made some yummy fudge bar things on Sunday- I have a sweet spot for baking, and thats not good because when that is around I tend to reach for it first- for breakfast and then my whole day is shot!

Alaina, good for you. And thanks for the tip!

Anyone who isn't using mydailyplate.com totally should! I signed up last night and it told me I was way over my calories for what I should be eating to lose a pound or so a week. Very helpful. Also, it tells you what exercise you can do to burn something off. For example, I ate 5 dove chocolates yesterday...yes, that was too many! lol. To burn it off I could run for 17 minutes at 5 mph. (Not that I could do that at this point...but it's good to know! :) )

Ohmiheck...I hear you Jackie. If I bake something, I can hold off in the morning but once those afternoon munchies hit...watch out. Go check out thedailyplate.com I don't want to be obsessed with a scale either but I think it will help me to be more aware of what I'm eating, how much it really packs on my thighs, and what exercise and amount of it will help me burn pounds consistently.

I'm excited to tell everyone that I have lost 2 pounds since this started! I have my third little boy who is seven months this week and a family reunion in five weeks. I hope to be able to buy that "fabulous" pair of pants before I head back home for all my extended family to see me! I'm going to sign up for the mydailyplate.com and hope that helps me recognize exactly what I'm eating. I think sometimes I just eat without thinking. I'm in photoshop so much and I blindly keep putting munchies in my mouth until all of a sudden I look up and say, "Hey! Who ate all my food?"

I've actually been good lately and have been going to the park almost every day with the dogs. I started doing these wicked crunches last night. My gosh, my abs hurt so bad. At least I know I did it right! I'm eating less and eating less carbs.

I have a goal weight, but its too far off, so it seems kinda unreachable. So I have my goal weights 5 pounds at a time, that way its easier to meet them. Also, if you have a spouse make sure they help you. I made my husband swear to not let me shop until I lose 5 pounds :)

I've never heard of that website to track, but all my friends use Sparkpeople.com and it's really good. A lot of known brand name products show up in the meal tracker so you are tracking the exact calories, etc. And there are a lot of resources and articles to help you along. There are also groups that you can join, so you can find people in your similar situation like an online support group. It's a really great site!

I swear by the daily plate now. It really does work. You'd be surprised to find out that you may not only be over but somedays under which is just as bad. On the bus ride from NY last weekend I sat next to a doctor and we spoke about health issues. He does triathalons..(ha..not there yet). He recommends to all his patients to take a 30 minute walk. You'll see how gradually it becomes into more. It's just getting out there and I'm learning that. He also told me that using light weights while exercising (5lb dumbells) is better for the body than machines when it comes to osteoporosis. It tricks the bone into holding on to calcium. I thought I'd share this because it's something that affects many women (and men).

Ugh. I haven't been doing that well lately. With all the stress of moving and trying to find a house, I've been slacking on the walking/jogging and working out. And I haven't been good about posting on Mondays.

But I've been trying to go jogging when I have time and I am definitely leaving food on my plate.

Going to check out the Daily Plate now... :)

Rachel, congratulations! That's wonderful! I'm so loving thedailyplate.com! It's totally motivating me. I think every time I eat about how many calories I may have to put into my dailyplate at night. I also like to see how much exercise it will take to stay at my calories for the day.

Anna, great idea!

Thanks, Amanda. It sounds like the sites are similar. Not sure if there are articles on thedailyplate...but I'm pretty sure you can join forums if you're a gold member.

Ingrid, are you the Ingrid that guessed Charlotte, NC in the contest to guess where I was moving?

Julie! Don't give up. Keep doing the best you can. It's the habit of getting moving that you want to get in place.

i'm trying to get back on the wagon, too. EVERYTHING seems to throw me off track lately (traveling, missing gym for sick kids, the candy aisle at the store...)
i have been drinking more water, which makes me feel fuller and healthier. thanks for inspiration!