I tried reading this thread throughly, but just couldn't do it.... Call me stupid, but nothing made sense to me. I am in no way a scientist, and doubt anyone in here is. There MAY not be enough research to prove coconut oil is better than any other oil, but there are thousands of testimonials of people who made the switch from vegetable oils to coconut oils and are just astounded at how much healthier they are. No this does not mean that you can go ahead and eat a double double cheeseburger or a couple slices of all meat pizza and then take a tbsp. of coconut oil and it will make it all better for you. I want to share how coconut oil has helped ME. I started cooking at home more and cut out almost all eating-out (only eat out when it's a really kick back weekend and I don't feel like cooking). I was still using vegetable oil at first but in moderate amounts, I wasn't gaining any weight but I wasn't loosing either (and yes I was counting calories, cut out most of the sugars and most carbs), but I felt a bit better. THEN I found coconut oil, I cannot rave enough about all the good things it has done for me. I don't count calories anymore, but I do follow portion control and have my snacks in between. Two of my sisters (the thinner and "healthiest" ones in the family) had their cholesterol checked and found out it was a bit high, I on the other hand am overweight compared to them and enjoy a healthy life, since I made the switch I've been loosing pounds little by little (something that wasn't happening when I was counting calories, only 1200-1500) maybe because I had candida and didn't even know it until I started coconut oil and started experiencing yeast die-off. Not only for cooking but for dry skin, dry damaged hair, acne, and I don't have a list but I know there are many other benefits. My son didn't like to eat, I had to literally force him to eat, now he actually tells me to cook him something because he's hungry!! I am more active, with lots of energy that I actually feel like starting the p90x. I just want to say "God, thank you for putting coconuts on earth. And whoever started making oil out of this, thank you for coming up with this great idea. Its been a miracle food for me and my family. P.S. I told my sisters about coconut oil, they switched, and I'm glad to say that their cholsterol levels have actually lowered since then. (What's up with all the media misinformation? The big guys with the big bucks actually pay and threaten them with lawsuits if this kind of good information leaks out)

Raeanne - You are so right about having to sit down and have a good cry if that sauce fell!! Now I think I will be even MORE cautious carrying it downstairs! LOL Don't beat yourself up about the cheesecake. We have to allow ourselves treats. The trick is to take small amounts and stop when you are satisfied. I am finding that the longer I stay away from sweets, the easier it is to take only a small bite or two. The fear that I will become addicted again is too great! And the fear that my new pants won't fit is even greater! LOL Speaking of sweets, I am testing my willpower today and making pumpkin bread for a bake sale. I just put 6 mini loaves in the oven (and didn't lick the beaters or my fingers) and plan on giving 5 away and keeping one for DH and I. I will have my share for breakfast and when it is gone, there won't be anything else to tempt me. This is what I have been doing since July and it has been working so far. Then I am making a banana cake for my sewing club and I plan on having a small piece Tuesday night and giving away what ever is left. The ladies can each take a piece home, I will take some into work for the secretary and my cohorts, and DH could take some to work if there is any left after that. I still don't trust myself to have the leftovers sitting around for a week while I wait for DH to eat them. Laundry calls! I washed a Kleenex this morning in with a dark load and you know what that means. 1000s of little white flecks all over the place. I put the load in the dryer, but it didn't get rid of all the flecks, so I am running the load through the rinse cycle. Sheesh! Like I don't have enough to do. And I can't even blame the Kleenex on DD since she doesn't live here anymore! LOL Later, Marci

Hi, Having a great week. My weight is starting to move again. I'll know more by next Monday's weigh in at home. I'm still keeping a food journal and using WW old points system at home. It works for me. Today I baked a cake. Not for me, for my dear hubby. Rather than have too much cake I called a friend who loves having a dessert after dinner. She is one of those tiny women with a high metabolism who goes goes goes and is always on the move. Since we both can never eat a whole cake I made the two cake pans. I frosted both of them. Dave got his slice after dinner. I cut one more on a plate for him tomorrow. The rest of that single layer has been sliced into 1" slices and now sit on a baking sheet on parchment paper in the freezer to freeze each slice individually so I can freezer wrap them for single use, small sizes. The other cake that's done has been wrapped and ready for delivery to my friend's tomorrow. I had a good dinner but did not want any cake. I'm pleasantly full and don't want to ruin it. Being happy with my weight moving I have decided to save the cake for a celebration moment. If I can stay the course this week and weigh in on Monday down from this Monday's weigh in I will work that slice of cake into my daily healthy consumption and enjoy it slowly. A small piece. I am learning that too much of dessert pieces I no longer enjoy. When I truly want to savor a delectable food I put my fork down between bites and make it last. I do not enjoy over eating at all. I do not enjoy being too full by any means now. I did sample about a tablespoon of cake crumbs with a little frosting from the bowl. That was enough. I want my weight to move a whole lot more than I could want a slice of cake right now. There will be many opportunities in days ahead to enjoy my cake or other desserts. But not today. I am happy with what I have had, choices I have made. Most of all what makes me happy is being in control again. Seeing my small changes over a long period of time starting to really make a difference in my appearance and mood. I hope you are having a positive week. No matter what you face in your day just take a small step and keep taking small steps. They make a difference. Hang in there with me. You can do this. This is not about denial but learning to enjoy what matters most to you. Getting your focus back. Too much of a good thing is not good at all. As for treats - for me if I have them on a regular basis they are no longer treats and no longer have that magic appeal. I want the magic. You have a choice every day to choose your direction. If you slide a bit, come back. No matter what come back on your journey. Sometimes you need to step back, refocus and let any moment go. Live in your moment. Do your best with no regrets. Come on with me. I'm here with you. If you don't want to post, that is fine. Just keep coming back and join me - even silent partners are...

So.... is everybody ready? I am all stoked to start tomorrow. Armed with my new "Good Carb" Cookbook ( Thank you DeeMarie!) and an exercise plan, tomorrow is the day. Using ideas from this wonderful book I have planned tomorrow's menu comprised of about 1400 calories. I plan to walk up to Curves at 6:30 am and follow it up with 15 minutes of free weights. Then, I'll take a short walk before dinner. So what does everyone else have planned? I am so glad that we are doing this! Tikanas