I am a 32 year old, mother of one who needs to shed about 30lbs. I am desperately looking for some accountability and some help in learning to kick some bad habits. I have severe problems with impluse control and do so dearly love to snack. I exercise pretty regularly and have recently started working with a trainer so I am confident that I will get in shape in 2009 if nothing else, but I have got to get a handle on my eating. I want to have another baby and it is important to me that I lose some of my existing 'baby weight' before I start gaining it all over again with the next one.

Here's hoping that we can all encourage and support each other through this sight and reach goals that we never thought we could!

~T

T,

I have found that having no snacks in the house helps with my impulse control. I know that's tough when you've got kids. We have 2 boys. So, maybe an alternative is to switch the bad snacks for healthy snacks? (Like cherry tomatoes, small lowfat cheese cubes, lowfat yogurt, and similar?) Better than the "real good stuff" (aka bad snacks).

Chewing low-sugar gum, like Trident, helps also. Trident has 5 calories.

Another trick is to eat 6 small "half" meals throughout the day, instead of the usual 3 full sized meals. That would eliminate a need for snacking as well as increase your metabolism rate. This would work well, as long as you go to bed fairly early (before 9:00pm) and wake up somewhat early. (By 7:00am)

I am going to be doing that myself, I'm not at that point yet. But that's what most health specialists say- that eating 6 small "half-meals" a day is better.

Hope this helps,
George

You could have written an intro for me. I'm 33 mother of one and need to shed about 18kg. I have just started on my journey too - so it's good to know a fellow mum is trying to reach her goals this year!

Re:Snacking - I'm always at the fridge opening and closing it looking for god knows what. But I have now stocked up on plain crackers (crispbreads) and apples so that snacks for me and my daughter are healthier than the chips and chocolates. I find the crunchiness of my new snacks quite fulfilling! Maybe you could try this too.

Hello Tallulah99 and Welcome!

Just jump right in, get involved, ask questions. It will help you out immensely. And share with us what works for you as well.

Good luck to you on your journey.