I've been just counting calories for a bit over a year now and its been working really well for me. I started on new years of 2007 and have since lost about 67 lbs. (I did take about 2 months off in there due to a loss in the family and for me, greiving and dieting didn't mix.) I also exercise about 3-5 days a week, mainly walking/running and a weight lifting DVD. I've seen a nutritionist every few months and she agrees with what I'm doing. Basically I track my calories and aim for between 1200-1500 a day. I do try to make them highly nutritious calories. Whole grains, fruits and veggies, lean meats, and lots of fiber. I also take a multivitamin, vit D and calcium supplement. The great thing about just counting calories for me is that nothing is off limits and that I can occasionally splurge if I want to. For example if I know I'm going out to dinner tomorrow night to a nice resteraunt, I'll try to stay on the low end of my calories the day before, during the day of, and the day after. That way I can enjoy my higher calorie meal, but it doesn't derail me from my goals. Also make sure you are tracking everything with calories, including the drinks. If I'm going to happy hour with the gals after work, I skip my afternoon snack and use those calories for a recreational beverage. (And, because I'm restricting calories, one or two drinks is all I need to get a bit tipsy now.) I highly recommend some of the free calorie counting websites out there for tracking. fitday, sparkspeople, and calorie-count are some good ones.

Absolutely! A specific diet is not necessary to lose weight. The best and easiest way for most people is to limit portion sizes and reduce or eliminate snacking on empty calories of refined sugars in cookies, pie, cake, and white bread. And exercise is an essential part of the equation if you really want long-term, successful weight loss. However, rather than "counting" calories I think it is easier to eliminate empty calories such as sweets with refined sugars and limit portion sizes. For example, a serving of meat is about the size of a deck of cards, not just one big steak. :-) Also, be sure to eat enough calories with small snacks in between main meals. Eating smaller amounts throughout the day maintains the metabolism. Jen

I think the deal with the sweetened drinks is it's just so easy to drink a lot of them, especially if you're using them to quench thirst. Here's a quote from a book I worked on (I'm an editor) a few years ago: "The major mechanism linking soft drink consumption to weight gain and obesity risk is a lack of compensation. . . People do not eat less because they have had a Coke with their meal. In fact, compensation for calories ingested in liquid form is much poorer than that for calories ingested in solid form." (There are some cites to scientific articles that I haven't included.) He summarizes that over the past 20 years, people in the U.S. have added about 100 calories per day to their diets, on average, from drinking sugared drinks. When you take into account that some people drink a lot more and others don't drink any, you can see why some people can get really fat from this if they also eat a full complement of meals along with the soda. Shee's 5 or 6 cans per day = ~800-1,000 (empty) calories. That's about half of the total calories needed to maintain weight.

Wow you guys are great. This thread has more responses than any I have had on GW. I thank all for your responses, and will keep all the info. It means more to hear personal experiences and what has worked &/or others tips. He is starting on supplements, but as most of us know they get old real quick. He has lost 70 lbs over the last couple of months. I am not going to save him my desire is to support him as long as possible so he hopefully dies at home with dignity rather than go into an institution. Anyway, I have been around so much cancer the last 6 years I thought I would share my thoughts also. Maybe another poor soul will someday be in the same boat & these posts can benefit them. Lindac: your shake idea is great. He has been eating mainly ice cream for the last couple of months, so adding the extra calories would be great. He has refused chemo, but I agree on the acidic stuff. I have helped another friend with meals and cancer, and the tomato stuff always causes indigestion. Fresh tomatoes seem to be less of a problem. Orange juice is a definite no sometimes apple juice helps. The Mexican food sounds good. I tried making cheese taquitoes (sp) yesterday with fresh tortillas from a tortilleria, but they flopped. I think I need to use the rolled ones. ginger_st_thomas: Great site. It will keep me busy for some time. The Individual Cheese Pies, Macaroni and Cheese, & Creamy Potato Salad will be at the top of the list. I cook by feel, & the recipes give me tips on how to add extra calories. He eats peanut butter, so the snack spread might work. woodie2: I really like your overnight breakfast casserole. I was making a meal for two people with cancer last night. Sometimes helping people with cancer gets tiring, & an easy meal helps the helper. The bacon bread is also a nice finger food, & the rice bake looks nice and different. Potpie: I find your post especially interesting, as my friend also has lung cancer. As I am sure you know, it is a particularly bad cancer, & your fil is lucky to be around. I will try the caramel apple idea. You also make an important point. When cooking for cancer, be prepared to have your dishes tossed out or not eaten as these individuals can be picky &/or too sick to eat certain things. The helper should not get upset about this, & not be offended. It is just part of the role of a helper. Daisyduckworth, I am so sorry to hear about your friend. What you describe your friend experiencing lies further down my friends path. He can eat a little now, but he has been warned his eating will be eventually affected. It is or can be part of living with cancer. Sometimes you work yourself to the bone hoping to see that unique recovery only to see death. You are so very right about letting him decide. Success in helping a person with cancer, in my opinion, is being there for that person in whatever manner possible so they write that last chapter. Your cutting up fruit is a very good tip. Sometimes people with cancer will not eat whole fruit, but having something cut up appeals to them. Lisbet, I think the brand you spoke of is down the street from me. I am going to check it out. It would be a break from the supplements if he likes it. I like the idea that he could take it with decreased renal function, as my friend has that problem. I will check this one with his dietitian, however. Potpie, medicinal marijuana is legal in California, although the state and federal government are always arguing as to whether it is legal. I agree, when living with cancer it is time to break the rules. Lindac again. Daisyduckworth makes a very important point. Sometimes the path is as the doctor predicts sometimes you never know the time the outcome etc. Sometimes the suffering is a long path, sometimes people that should completely go into remission suddenly die; sometimes those that are expected to die beat the odds. I have seen people recover, but I personally do not like the word "cured." It can come back, & I do not want to jinx any good fortune, nor add any more to the wounds of those who have lost loved ones to cancer. Having said all that, here is my very bland egg roll recipe: 2 carrots diced ½ head napa cabbage ½ onion 10 or so mushrooms Vegetarian oyster sauce I used a tad of msg on one batch, but its use is up to the user. I sauté all ingredients in order of cooking time & add them to the dish. I then stuff the egg roll, seal it with cornstarch liquid & fry it. It takes about 45 minutes for a small batch. It is not a sophisticated recipe but it worked. Here are some of the other things I have found to be helpful if that person can eat it. Hard boiled eggs. Easy to prepare, grab & eat. Cabbage dishes are another good idea, as well as sauerkraut. Good for digestion. Cooked popcorn can be less upsetting than microwave popcorn. Broccoli, broccoli, broccoli. Fresh fruits and snacks always available. High fiber cereals and a variety of liquids available for constipation. Oatmeal, if tolerated for a bland meal. Supplemental vitamins and digestive enzymes if possible. These people need all the help they can get. Consider decreasing the meat. If they are losing weight, one may need to break the rules & add more meat. Last tip break the rules now & then. Remember stubbornness can be annoying, but sometimes it provides the fight that can result in more time. Please keep adding your comments and tips if you think of more. Baci