Karen – I like your idea about the “cruising buddies” edition of the Swan. But, I agree – the pain and torture of it makes it less appealing. However, when crunch time comes closer to PIP, I may be ready for whatever torture it takes to get the job done :D :D We’ll see . . . . .

Denise – Of course I looked for one of my better (& lighter) pictures for my avitar. :D But thanks for the compliment!

Kimmi – You are a girl after my own heart in regards to what I can realistic give up in the way of food. My husband, Tom, loves the Atkins diet. But then since I’ve known him, his favorite food in the world (except sweets – his downfall) is meat. Although I do eat meat, it’s not my favorite food. And what is cheese or eggs without the carbs to go with it? I’d never be able to stand that diet. I have to have at least a few carbs. Otherwise I feel so deprived that I give up altogether. I think the biggest secret is to allow yourself some of the foods you love, but in moderation. The reason I count calories is that I can eat some of the foods I love and use the calorie counting as a control of how much I eat. I don’t feel nearly as deprived that way. My big problem comes when I get in a busy, stressful situation and run out of energy and time to use that control method. Then I start slipping. With tax season coming up (and tax season where I work is really from January all the way through to April 15), I’ll need to be on constant guard to not give in to that stress. I love chocolate too. What I do (when I’m being good) is to keep Hershey kisses in the house. (Plain only – if they have almonds in them I can’t resist eating them all at one sitting.) Just the act of unwrapping each one is a conscience effort and makes me think before I eat a second one. They are only 21 calories each. So depending on what I ate the rest of the day, I can eat 2-3 or so. I agree about the alcohol. I’m cutting that out for the most part. It always makes me want to munch. As for fruits, I thought I was the only one who watched them rot on the counter. I always mean well.

Kathy – Your eating plan is exactly what works for me (again, when I’m being good). My problem for the last 10 years is that I just don’t stick to it. I’ve slowly gotten into the habit of having to eat bigger portions. But with your plan, Kimmi & I can still have some of the foods we love. You are encouraging me so much!!! When you see it written down as you have it, it really does seem realistic.

The biggest problem I can see is that when I went to my 2005 calendar a few minutes ago, I see that it is only 20 weeks until PIP #1 and 19 if you are going on a pre-cruise like I am. If we lose the 1 pound a week (which is really considered good progress), I’ll never lose the 30 – 40 pounds I want to lose. So I’m hoping that my goal to add the exercise every day will make up the difference. (Kathy – looks like we have the same goal in weight and exercise!!!)

Now that I’ve written a “book” here, I’m going back to my “eating fest” on this last day before we start getting serious. I know that after a day of gorging myself and a night of indigestion, I’ll be sick of food. :D :D :D Thanks again Kathy, for your suggestion of this thread and Kimmi for seconding it and to all the rest of you who are joining in. WE CAN DO IT!!!!!!!

Cyndi