I am doing okay today. Making progress in many paths. I have asked for God to help me for the first time in years and have many friends who are helping me as well as continuing to feel your support. I know my Mom is in a good place and that my sedative medication is history. It was not agreeing with me at all. Like a light switch I am trying hard to take the bull by the horns to take care of myself at this time. Tomorrow is a day to order flowers, clean ourselves up - I will be seeing my family doctor and will start taking responsibility for myself so I can be there in life with my family. Like all things in life, health - one step forward, one day. My problem with food now is reversed - it's hard to eat but I keep trying and drinking lots of water with our sudden heat wave. There is strength here and I feel from each of my dear friends. I will be back hopefully next week, but focusing on my health style and choices in life which I hope to learn from. I accept a higher power to guide me through this difficult time and I accept that I believe I have a substance abuse problem which I am determined to address. Let's make today count - it's precious. Lots of love to each and everyone of you. Peggy

Eat lots and lots of veggies along with some fruit and WHOLE grains like whole wheat, brown rice etc and lean proteins like chicken, turkey and fish. Avoid refined, processed, & "diet" foods, focus on real food the way nature intended. Drink lots and lots of water and get some exercise, walking is good. Try some winter squash, it's delicious, underappreciated, and great for you. Here is a link that might be useful: Winter Squash preparation tips

The bad thing is that I'm hungrier, and it's hard to stick to the calorie level that seems to produce rapid weight loss for me. I've been missing my target fairly often, and it feels like my body wants more food. So I've started packing a bento-type lunch, as mentioned in another thread, in hopes that at least my calories will be healthy ones. This is a classic example of dieting vs. lifestyle changes. Dieting is a temporary way of eating with the goal of losing weight, while lifestyle changes are a permanent change in one's lifestyle with the ultimate goal of improving one's health in all areas including weight loss (if it's necessary). IMO when someone says they "can't lose weight", what they really mean is "I can't lose weight as fast as I want to", and so they give up. The "diet" industry has brainwashed us into thinking that if we don't lose at least 1-2 pounds per week, then something must be wrong, and that's a big lie. Choose fruit over chips -- not because they're a "diet" food or "low-cal" but because fruit is a much healthier choice than fried potato chips. Eat a salad full of veggies with lean chicken -- not because it's a "diet" meal but because it's full of healthy nutrients that are good for you! Include a piece of 100% whole grain bread if you want and even a little bit of butter -- yes, butter! Take smaller servings (and only one of each -- don't go back for seconds) and skip the gravy and creamy sauces --- they're not necessary if food is well-seasoned. Eat smaller amounts more frequently. Don't skip lunch if you're planning a nice dinner out -- just eat a smaller dinner (dinner out doesn't have to mean overeating). Have a dish of ice cream now and then, just not most days of the week. Don't eat "diet" foods (low-fat cookies, etc) --- just skip those snacks altogether and eat the real thing only on special occasions. That's how I slowly lost 50 pounds several years ago, about 1-2 pounds per month, eating ~1800 calories a day of healthy food choices and increasing my exercise, and have kept off every single ounce even during holidays and stressful times. During the holidays I don't eat as many cookies because "I don't do that anymore", simple as that. I dropped those bad habits and they're not a part of my life anymore. Prior to losing weight I had acid reflux and have a family history of diabetes. The acid reflux is completely gone (without taking a single purple pill) and probably so is my risk of diabetes. I don't have the metabolism of a race horse; I'm a typical middle-aged woman with a desk job. I made simple but important permanent lifestyle changes in eating and exercise, and I stuck with it and persevered no matter how slowly the scales budged, and some months they didn't budge at all!

I've not used the Justin single serve but see them. Like little 'ketchup' packets. I've had a fridge in probably the past few dozen hotels with a small top freezer. Most memorable to not have one recently. We do seek out more boutique hotels over the chain variety. I use TripAdvisor for reviews. Most in NYC don't charge for the first couple bottles of water but do make money if you tap into the full fridge of beer and soda and snacks. (why i suggested to call ahead and ask). It is a money maker so many have them. I had to clean out a fridge of soda crap to fit the giant Katz's pastrami i only ate one quarter of during a last winter snow storm...took it home to DH and noticed the water was complimentary so froze it to keep the meat beast cold. I'm with Annie about issues with small snacks especially in the heat. My food need goes way down and just need a bit of small protein or tiny bits during the day. No big meals. Need water. Nothing worse that getting peckish and spending time looking for a mini snack. Having something small in your bag familiar is much better than looking for it. Fine dining while traveling is one thing but sometimes the sites to see are most important and food can often just be about 'fuel' for getting from one place to the next. This post made me check my 'city' bag. Some things have been in there for months. I don't even chew gum but for some reason have some. The 'Krave' jerky is really good. All over the city now. Even in a pharmacy that seems to be on every corner now. Probably expensive but i get promo cases and hand it out to the homeless usually. I'll be all over WallStreet tomorrow and i just need fuel and water not a restaurant. My work provides that but as a visitor i would want the same....