Next goal: 20 pounds by the end of August!

Well if anyone can do it you can thats for sure, you definetly have more willpower then I do and i know its hard for you but you do a great job.

awwwwwwwwwww, thanks! Want some potato chips? I have some in my desk. Just kidding!!

mmmmmmmm save some chips for me lol

Good for you!!! You've done great and with the gradual approach, you are much more likely to keep it off. Applause to you!!! I'll be happy to help you any way I can. I was one of those porker kids. Mom cooked everything in leftover bacon grease. I was raised on an ugly diet with horrible eating habits and convinced that cleaning my plate would save starving children in some Third world country.

As an adult, I've managed to maintain a healthy weight and diet. My husband on the other hand is a junk food junkie who has to follow a strict diet for kidney stone issues so I've come up with a lot of low-fat, low sodium and low-oxylate recipies for him. He's down from 276 to a much healthier 225, he's 6'4", so that's within range for him.

Keep up the good work. Now summer is here, getting outside is easier and the wonderful foods of summer abound, you should be good to go for those 20 pounds!!!!

Thanks, Geri. I appreciate the support. I am one who need the accountability.

Just had one of my favorite "sweet treats." A handful of Sun-Maid Tropical Trio dried fruit. It's pineapple, papaya & mango. It totally satisifies my sweet tooth. There is absolutely no added sugar, a big plus. I keep a bag at my desk, along with my ever present bottle of water. Water is my best friend. Drinking enough water, believe it or not, prevents you from retaining water. I invested in a Brita pitcher, saves a bundle over bottled water. Well worth the cost. I also broke down and got a water cooler at Home Depot and refill my 5 gallon bottles from my Brita pitcher. It takes an evening to do, I just do it while I'm doing other stuff, but we always have fresh cold water. It keeps your metabolism up, keeps your organs happy, keeps your appetite in check, keeps you refreshed. I see the little one in your pic, it's good for him, too.

Geri, I am a big fan of drinking water. I have to drink my allotted amount daily before I can drink anything else, i.e. a diet soda. It keeps me from feeling hungry too.

I like green tea, too. It's loaded with antioxidants. I only use Splenda, brew my own, keeps the cost down. Enjoy the Lipton Citrus and Cranberry Pomegrante. Nice afternoon pick-me-up.

My mom just picked some of that up. I really don't like tea, but the Cranberry Pomegranite sounds delish!

I'm not much of a tea person either. The green and white teas don't have that heavy tea taste and with the fruit mixed in I hardly know it's tea. I've been known to add a couple extra drops of fruit extract to it for some extra fruit kick.

One of the other things I've found that helps keep weight under control that we don't even think about anymore is no more ground beef. I know, sounds drastic, but it's really not. I use ground turkey for everything I used to use ground beef for. From burgers to meatballs. It's all around more healthy for you and really doesn't make a difference in recipies, except that there is no grease to drain!!!!!

That is true, Geri. I have beef about once a month usually. Ground turkey is great in alot of things. You have to be careful that you use turkey breast, if not, it can have as much fat or even more than lean beef! The only thing I cant make with ground turkey is meat loaf. My family has vetoed that meal. It comes out too white, even when I try to add gravy master!

Is it just the color they have a problem with? Do what the meatcutters do, try some red food coloring. I add an extra egg or two, depending on the size of the meatloaf as the turkey will dry out easier than beef. So, any plans for the holiday weekend? Al (my hubby) is picking up his son (Nate, 15) and they are doing "car stuff." Think we will have Shrimp & Scallop Caesar's for dinner. Got turkey burgers for the boys for lunch. Did break down and buy a pack of steaks for them, too. Nate is his father's son for sure. At 15, he's 6'3" tall. He's not overweight, yet, but I do worry because his diet at his mom's house is horrible. He's the only 15 year old I know who is sick of pizza. UGGGG!!!! It's really sad because he likes all kinds of different foods. The only thing he doesn't like is hot dogs, which I have absolutely no problem with, we don't eat them anyway. Weekends are my big cooking time with the boy here. Think I try to give him a week's worth of fruit and veggies in 2 days, lol.

Thanks, Geri for the meatloaf tip. I will try it and let you know how it went over.
Today we had our son's 5th birthday party. It was sooo much fun. I will post pics tomorrow. The camera is downstairs and I'm upstairs. I'm just too darn tired to go get it.
I don't think I have ever seen a 15 year old that is 6'3". wow!

THAT'S MY GOAL TOO!!! My wedding is in October and there are other obligations in september...so I really really want to lose the weight too. Today is day 3...hard but doing it...and I lost 1/2 a pound...but I'm not getting discouraged...just continuing to count calories and exercising!! You have my support!

Katie, congrats on your upcoming wedding! My advice to you is not step on the scale too much. It can drive you nuts. Once a week is enough.

Stopping By to Give You A ~10~ to help you towards 3,000...Good Luck!