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[momof4]

I am into my second week! It isn't as bad as I thought! It just seems like time is going by slowly. I already feel a difference in size and attitude! Once your first week is done, it gets easier.:love2:

[GettinSkinny]

Welcome momof4! :party1: Looks like you and I are starting close to the same time. And you are right, the first week is rough, but it gets easier after that. It may seem like time is slow, but w-o-w, you've already completed 2 weeks!!! Before you know it, 2 more weeks will have passed and you will have a month behind you. Good luck with everything!!!!!

[Bronwyn]

Hi there Momof4!

Welcome. Great job completing your first 2 weeks! Glad to hear you're having an easier time now and that you're already seeing the effects of this plan. Keep us the good work and keep us posted!

[WorthyQueen]

Hi Momof4,
Welcome! You are just a couple weeks behind me (if that). I found that it got easier, but I also found that sometimes i'd get so caught up in what I was doing that I'd forget to eat. Then it was not so much fun. Mostly we've been experimenting with recipes. This is a great program and I'm sure that you will do well! Please do keep us posted. :party1:

[momof4]

Thanks for the welcome! It does feel better that some are about where I am, whether in weight goal or time frame. I know Easter and a barbeque we are having with Friends Saturday will be difficult, but so far so good. How would you take a piece of lean red meat and weigh it before it is cooked? I am afraid that I will not cut off enough or too much! It's harder to weigh the meat before it is cooked! Any suggestions?:thinking:

[GettinSkinny]

After you've done this awhile, you can guess it pretty close. Also, once you find the right size, you can use that piece to guestimate the other pieces. But here's my trick.... first, I buy my steaks in a family pack, so I can weigh out several meals at one time. When I begin cutting, I try to err on the side of too big. Then, I cut small pieces off, gradually trimming it down until it is the exact size I need. Once I have cut all the "big" pieces I can get out of the family pack, I take what is left and I cut it into bite-size pieces. I then weigh out enough bite-size pieces for my allowance and freeze those together. When I'm done, I have nice big pieces for a steak/chicken dinner, and I have bite-size pieces that I can use for stir fry, chili, etc. Oh, and I use the Ziploc snack baggies to freeze my meats in. I realize those aren't as thick as the freezer bags, but they are the perfect size and I usually only freeze about two weeks of meats at a time, so I've not had any problems with freezer burn since I cook the meat so soon. Hope that helps!!!

[MrsPeel]

Hi, momof4!

GettinSkinny is right - you soon learn how to judge weight by eye. But in the meantime, if you buy your meat or fish from a butcher, you can have them weigh the pieces as you buy, so you bring home pieces that are close to your weights already, and then trim if necessary. If you buy prepackaged meats, then start by weighing a small piece to gauge where you are before cutting. Or sometimes a large piece is exactly twice your weight, and then you've killed two birds with one stone!
Steak is obviously the hardest one to guess - ground meats are easiest, and fish is pretty easy, too.

[Sarah Leigh]

Just do it! :) Go for too big, you can always trim down & someone will eat your sorry little pieces, I promise! Good luck - you can do it!

[Shasha]

{hi} there Momof4

A very WARM WELCOME TO YOU!!! :bighug:

I'll be thinking of you with your barbeque this weekend and I know that YOU CAN DO IT!!!

If all else fails, why not make kebabes? You can do meat and veggies and that is going to be really nice!!!

Happy dieting, I hope your friends give you all their support!!!


HAPPY SLIMMING TO THE NEW YOU!!! {cheerleader}

[momof4]

Thank you all so very much for the suggestions! I think the best part was all the replies! So caring and supportive. I had to show my daughter. She too thought it was awesome! I am going to buy extra meat just in case I am chopping it to pieces, but the kababes sound like it is a no fail option. Again, thanks for all the support and encouragement! I needed it!:plane: Flying High, Momof4

[Bronwyn]

Hi Momof4!!

I've got a 2 year old (not sure how old your kids are) but he eats a lot of my leftover meat. I cook it up with mine if there's only a little chunk left and it is either enough for him or I mix it with whatever else for dinner. I'm lucky as he's not picky at all. If your kids are all bigger that might not work for you but it's been great for my extra little bits.

You'll do great at the Easter BBQ and your Kabobs will probably be the envy of everyone.

I'm going to a Beach Bonfire tonight w/friends where they're all cooking hot dogs and making s'mores, etc. I've already cooked my chicken tenders which I will skewer and reheat on the fire and chopped my zucchini squash into sticks, salted that I will either eat raw (I actually do like it that way and it's a good cruchy subsitute for chips, etc) or will heat on the fire somehow too. At first I felt disappointed that I wouldn't be able to have the "fun food" but once I figured this out in my head I feel so good and I know they'll all be so impressed with me for sticking to my plan. The more weight you lose the more everyone roots for you and is in your corner and you'll find they won't ask you to "oh come on... just have one..." or "you can cheat just this once..."

Enjoy!

[momof4]

Hello Bronwyn! My kids are 13,12,10, and 5..so though they are not little I am sure they will eat the leftovers! Good idea! I already told my hubby that I will make kababes and he would have to cook them for me. I think I worry too much because of course no problem. I also figured if I cut too much I can use it for another night! It is a mind game so to speak. It is "fun food", but I also expressed to my mother in law that on Easter it can't be all about the food, but family. I have to keep reminding myself because it is the way I was brought up. If you've been good, have a treat...If your are sad, let's go get something (to eat)...lets' get together, to eat...this is the best, (of course it is unhealthy)...

So it helps to have encouragement, just to remind me :) Thanks! By the way, your ticker looks great...you are at the half way mark! Your new wardrobe is on the way!

[lfulwood]

I too was a little distressed about Easter dinner since I am the chef for my enitire family of 15. I love the ham and all the fixings, but alas, none of it is on my diet plan, not even the veggies we always have. Not sure yet what I will eat, but my progress is starting to pick up again at the nine week mark and I don't want to slow that down!
I am keeping my eyes on the prize!

[Shasha]

{hi} there Everyone

Just popping in to say that I hope you are all STAYING STRONG!!! on your eating plans... there are pounds to loose and clothes to buy...


THE NEW YOU IS WAITING INSIDE!!! {cheerleader} YOU CAN DO IT!!!

[wontonluvr]

Hello everyone! I haven't started yet...my start date is April 4, so I'm hoping to get some info on some of the do's and dont's of this diet. First though does anyone know a good recipe for salad dressing?

[Iisrias]

Lately I've been using unseasoned rice vinegar, (I asked the consultants and they said "any vinegar") adding some equal, black pepper, sea salt, and putting on salad with mango, cilantro, and diced cucumber - it is very refreshing, and with all the fruit and veggies it gets huge!

Another option, if you want to use your daily mayo allowance, is mayo and balsamic with whatever spices you like.

Hope this helps. Good luck!