This has been an odd week for me-- with some high points and some low points.

I did very well in the beginning of the week and by mid week, I was down 2lb and just a lb away from one of my first personal "milestone" goals... and 8 lb from a more traditional milestone. It is forcing me to recognize that I am making positive changes that are impacting my energy, flexibility, weight and appearance. I am going to start tracking my BP also -- it hasn't been a big concern other than a very high BP pre-surgery (to be expected) but I have always had a slightly high BP (even when in good health) and two of my siblings are on BP meds so it seems wise to measure.

Towards the end of the week, I had some struggles with cravings -- just not something that is normally an issue for me. I have been susceptible to triggers from what other people are eating and most surprising.. to things I wouldn't normally choose to eat, including sweets. I am trying to power through it but it hasn't been easy. Yesterday I nibbled/snacked throughout the whole day-- no meals, just snacks. Mostly healthy but I am certain I exceeded my target calories.

I generally tend to follow what my body tells me-- often my cravings are for fresh vegetables or a certain dish. I assume when it happens that my body needs whatever I am craving. I do not trust my cravings for sweets or junk food that someone else mentions. My body is betraying me and I need to recognize that and resist.

In the next few weeks I will be done with my dental work (for now), have a new hairstyle and hopefully by past my first weigh loss goal. I am thrilled and feel like I am breaking out of an unhealthy shell! I won't let stupid cravings derail me!

Thanks for keeping this up, funkyart. I enjoy reading about your and others successes and struggles.It's helpful.

August/September has been a bit wacky getting 2 DDs settled halfway across the country in new universities (thank goodness they are relatively close to each other) and getting my classroom ready for back to school.

This week, I've tried to get back on track and have been swimming a few nights. My goal is to swim 3 times per week. Luckily, we have a public pool fairly close that is very underused so it is often just us and one or two other swimmers. Another bonus is that it is kept at a higher temp for disabled swimmers.

Trying to stick to a diet that limits gluten, dairy, and sugar seems to be helping my knee and hip issues. I'm also finding it easier to stick to healthy eating without the young adults living at home. We just don't keep the same kind or amount of foods around.

Solid 1 lb down. No additional physical activity. Hopefully, one day I will be embarrassed enough to actually do something since the goal each week says the same thing.

All true, iPink-- but I don't think my cravings are anything more than my brain saying, "if John can eat this, then I want to also!". It's not addiction because these aren't things i do or have eaten in forever.. like.. cheetos. I don't even think I like them but for 2 days after my friend said he had them, that's what I wanted. And candy-- i was never a candy eater but after he got halloween candy, I wanted the same (while also being all judge-y about it LOL).

I think I am wanting more satisfying foods in these colder temps.. so hoping I just need to adjust my meal plans. I am still finishing the chicken breast but have ordered a turkey meatloaf (I love) and since my rancho gordo beans just arrived, maybe a spicy bean soup.

As a side note, I made "clean out the fridge" minestrone last night, it was delicious. The main flavor components were one chicken breast and a can of cannellini beans and chicken broth. For the sofrito I used up a languishing core of celery and some celery leaves, along with the onion and carrot. I've started insisting on buying the higher quality chicken broth brand and it has really made a difference in how much I like my simple soups. Then some left over black bean chili, but just a skosh so it just gave it a little kick. Plenty of garlic and Italian seasoning. A little bit of leftover brown rice, some baby spinach, and some garden tomatoes. But the kicker was, served over cooked pearled barley. I don't know what your carb restrictions are, but barley is one of my super grain friends, very gut-friendly and it is marvelously nutty and sticky so it makes the soup feel hearty without adding a lot of calories. Topped off with just a sprinkling of parmesan. It tasted good but somehow just had a healing, comforting texture and mouth feel so was one instance of a healthy stress reducing food!

I have pretty much resumed having decent habits again. Splurged on brunch this morning. How bad could a mimosa and enormous croissant be? Yes, I know ...

I doubt I shed a pound, but at least I arrested the not exercising. I get on the treadmill early on in the day and get some strength training done before my willpower is depleated from saying no to cheese and bread, my favorite foods.

Drinking water is my craving beating tip, if I pause long enough between the craving and the eating that is.

Minestrone sounds delicious, and I have a Parmesan rind in the refrigerator, plus Marcella beans. Time to dice the veggies.

Some mornings just call for mimosas and croissants! I think a healthy lifestyle will/does allow for indulgences here and there!

@daisychain Zn3b and @Zalco/bring back Sophie! so glad you are both back in the groove! That's great! I love that you can include swimming in your routine, Daisy.. it's such great exercise especially if you are having joint issues and it was always good for my head/soul!

And Zalco, you and iPink have me drooling. I am so ready to make a pot of soup-- I just have other foods to get through first. My marcella beans arrived today so I am all set when ready.

@JustDoIt you have a good steady trend going.. and I hear you on exercise. This will be the week we both get up and do a new activity!

Yay for soup season! I'm looking forward to it, and will probably make my first batch this week. I've been eating well this past week, with grilled vegetables, salmon and chicken. Today I made salad with greens, finely chopped broccoli and red onion, quinoa, pepitas, chopped chicken and half an avocado, topped with an apple cider mustard vinaigrette. It was filling and satisfying. I'll have leftovers tomorrow.

Exercise has been going pretty well, too. I'm still fitting in weight training. Our weather is cooling off, and I'd like to get a few early morning walks, which I surprisingly find invigorating in the fall.

Congratulations on everyone's progress.

Daisy, yes, it's easier for me to eat better when the kids and all their snacks aren't around. I miss the kids... not the snacks.

"Junk foods are biochemically addictive." Yes, I can literally feel this. I recall someone recently pointing out that we don't binge on broccoli--we don't have one bite and become uncontrollable. But potato chips? Yes, I find them addictive. It's why I simply cannot have junk food in the house.

Thanks for keeping this up, Funky. Have a great week, everyone.

Ah yes-- chips are addictive to me. Also shortbread and those cookies they serve on planes-- biscoff? But in general, sweets aren't my downfall and I don't crave them. I have a pile of chocolate in the cupboard since last year (time to throw it out?) .. m&ms, godiva mini bars and ghirardelli squares. They don't interest me at all. The salty snacks are where I need to be careful-- crackers, chips, those fried indian spiced snacks-- but there are a whole bunch of those I don't care for either. I guess we all have our demons and need to watch out for them.

When I am doing IF, I don't snack much.. it isn't that I am so virtuous lol, I just don't really want or need a snack. Even more the case if I am keeping up with my water. Do those of you doing IF find the same?

So what are your healthy go-to snacks? Here are a few of mine-- which I often combine for a snacky lunch or dinner.

• grape tomatoes -- or my favorite, the little orange popper tomatoes
• turkey pepperoni
• deli turkey rolled up with pesto
• pickles.. i like the claussen mini dills
• Sprouted multigrain toast (1 slice) with thin layer of pb or smeared with a ripe tomato
• watermelon, pineapple or mango (summer)
• clementine, grapefruit, pear (fall and winter)
• SF jello (i am ashamed to say I love jello)
• Iced coffee/espresso w/oatmilk and brown sugar syrup

Can't eat these now-- but will return to them once my dental work is complete...

• apple slices - with or without pb
• carrots, celery, broccoli, tomatoes w/hummus
• marcona almonds or raw almonds (or other nuts.. but i tend to keep these around)

My biggest helpful snacking tip is to keep a jar full of mixed nuts on the kitchen counter. When I wander into the kitchen feeling like I want something, my eyes land there first. If we do have ”junk food” in the house — which is rare — it’s in a cabinet, not on full view.

Also, fruits and veggies are on shelves at eye level in the fridge, not in drawers. I keep condiments in one drawer and cheese/meat in the other.

And, I always try to have a bit of protein/fat if I’m having fruit. Apple and pb is my favorite, but an apple plus a small handful of nuts is also good and very filling.

I made a ”healthy” raspberry crisp last week after we went raspberry picking. I baked it in small ramekins so the portions were pre-set (small). I ended up with extra topping so I cut up an apple and made a tiny apple crisp too.

https://www.aimeemars.com/healthy-raspberry-crisp/

That is a great idea to make your crisps in small ramekins-- portion size makes such a difference. I should do that with meals also. I have a few planned for the next few weeks what would benefit from this.. like shepherd's pie.

iPink, i read your note about Barley last night and didn't respond. I LOVE it-- i use it in soups including vegetable, beef barley and split pea. Years ago my then bf loved desserts but was trying to lose weight-- I often made him an apple and barley dessert that I swore tasted like apple pie but was much healthier. I don't think I've ever used barley as a side dish but I'll check out some recipes. I think it would be good for the days I go meatless. Thanks.

I did ok last week in terms of eating healthy. It helped that I went to the grocery store after doing some meal planning. Dh was out of town for several days, so I was just feeding D17 and me. I had grandiose exercise plans tho that did not come to fruition. I did well on Mon but on Tuesday after a quick walk of my dog, I got both my first shingles vax and my flu shot. i was fine until late afternoon, then had an enormous wave of exhaustion. No energy for making what I had planned for dinner so instead made rigatoni with homemade meatballs and sauce I had in the freezer. So much for limiting carbs. I woke up in the middle of the night, first feeling cold, then sweating profusely. I couldn't fall back asleep, tossed and turned 4:30am when I dragged myself out of bed to go downstairs and take some Motrin even tho I didn't register a temp. Dozed in and out until 6:30 when I got up to see D17 off to school (yes, I know she is old enough that she doesn't need that but I told her the night before I'd make her lunch not realizing I'd be up all night).

Anyway, I felt mostly fine on Wednesday either than being tired from lack of sleep and a general "not sick, but not quite myself" feeling. My plan for strength training went out the window and my only exercise was a 20 min walk of my neighbor's dog. By Thursday I was back to normal but since I hadn't walked my dogs the day before, I skipped my strength training again and did a very brisk 3 mile walk. And Friday, well no excuse...walked instead. Saturday dh and I walked the dogs and did yardwork both Sat and Sun.

I ate well over the weekend, but had a weird craving last night for sugar! I'm totally a salty snacker - much prefer chips, dips, salsa/guac to sugary things but for some reason wanted something sweet. Around 8:30 out of the blue, dh says, "I could really go for something sweet." I laughed and said I was just thinking the same thing. No sweets opin the house tho.

So 30 mins later, D17 comes downstairs and announces she is going to the grocery store for ice cream and did we want any? Grrr, if only I had already gone upstairs earlier. Both dh and I caved.

On the bright side, I got out of bed this morning and immediately put on workout clothes and did a strength/cardio video. And tomorrow I'm meeting a friend I havent seen in months for a walk. We usually walk at least 5-6 miles so I'm looking forward to that, esp since it will be a change of scenery.

Goals this week - 4 days of strength training, and at least 5 days of brisk walking. Now that fall weather has finally arrived, I actually look forward to walking (I hate heat and humidity). Already have a meal plan in place for dinner this week.

What is it with the sweet cravings lately-- I feel somewhat better knowing I am not the only non-sweets eater craving sweets. Maybe it is the change of seasons/temperature drops?

And I would totally have caved on ice cream too-- except that it makes me sick. That is the ONLY thing that keeps me behaved around ice cream.

I really need to figure out a way to walk safely-- the weather is definitely calling out to me! I just need to find a well paved path. I know of a few-- so I may just spring for an uber to get there and get a niece to pick me up!

My week was ok. My weight loss has stagnated the last two weeks or so, but I guess that's to be expected along the way. My weekend was full of cardio - we played in a pickleball tournament. I have to learn how to eat properly for that much exercise. I didn't feel well yesterday and ended up eating some real junk to get me through all the games and true Mexican with chips and everything for dinner I was so hungry!

I have the most consistent weight loss when I do the long walk in the morning in my fasted state. It's good exercise, but not so much that makes me ravenous. But, I love pickleball, so I need to get that worked out better,

Other than yesterday, my food decisions were ok, but not as strict as usual. I think I'm not drinking enough water. And I seem to feel better when I mix it with a sodium add in. I think maybe I'm not getting enough salt either now that I'm not eating much processed foods. I'm trying to listen to my body - eat when I'm hungry, fast when I'm not. Drink when I'm thirsty. Find what makes me feel good.

Nuts are my go to - my local health food store has dry roasted garlic thyme ones which are delicious. They fill my crunch and salt need in a healthy way and are really satisfying. I was out for a couple weeks and thought maybe I should lay off. But. I think they are a good solution for me. I make much worse choices when they aren't available.

I usually do a handful with some manchego if I just need a small breakfast. Very satisfying and satiating without any glucose spikes.

My go to dessert, is dark chocolate. I like the Theo bars, 80% dark with cashews. I small bite of that really ends the meal for me. They're only 4 grams of sugar and there is a lot of positive press for the health benefits of dark chocolate!

I'm traveling later this week, so I'm going to focus more on water consumption and the fasted walks every morning I can. I'm thirsty right now :)

This week I also gave away my jeans and sweat pants that were too bog for me. Even if I gain back the weight, I don't need to wear those again. I definitely bought most of those when nothing was comfortable and I just wanted big and comfy. Which they were! I'll probably miss the cozy fleece ones in a few months.

Pink, A friend of mine with a green thumb has had tremendous success with the hydroponic garden sold on Amazon. She is able to grow a ton of greens.

Yeah right now it is a space issue and also a "NO NEW PROJECTS" issue. See previous thread, lol! I am inundated with tomatoes right now that need canning . . . At some boring point this winter I may move on it. We bought a grow light set up two years ago for garden starts and I have an idea of a spot for it.

We now use the former spot we had it, a handicapped large walk in shower in our house, as the pet grooming station. Formerly it was our mini grow house . . . We almost never used it as a shower, we have another one in our other bathroom and this shower takes forever to get hot water to the back part of the house, and was actually slippery on the floor if you weren't in a wheelchair.

Legomom I really struggle with water. I set a goal of six glasses, but if I make four it is a major accomplishment. I don't think four is bad, just not ideal . . . three not so good, that's my usual rate.

oh, 4kids, it very well could have been the stir fry sauce that sparked your cravings. I know there are a few things that spark mine (trashy stuff like sugar-free jello and crystal light). I can't remember all that I ate last week but I don't remember anything especially sweet. I DID have sugar-free root beer-- something I haven't had in many months. Maybe that was the trigger?

Since the best fall snacking options (nuts, apples, raw veggies) won't work for me for another week or two, I made some changes to my meal plan.... with a focus on at least one actual HOT MEAL a day. Not a salad, not a large snack. A cooked meal. I am thinking that will be more satisfying on these cooler days and hopefully curtail hunger/cravings.

I looked for some fall main dishes that I can still keep low calorie and work well as leftovers. I also added some veggies I havent had in awhile -- and I was delighted to find both white sweet potatoes and cipollini onions which can be hard to find here.

My hope is that new fall menus will reduce the cravings that popped up last week and give me the much needed break from salads. I really can't look at another salad for a week or two.

I am feeling so energized with the fall weather-- and I am actually a little excited to cook some new dishes. :)

Last week went ok, but so far this week isn't going very well. I think I must have a mild cold/infection of some sort because some of my new dental work is suddenly quite painful. I have sensitive teeth and although it's been months since I had these fillings changed, all of a sudden I'm in a lot of pain. It's a little better today, but I'm taking it a bit easy both with exercise and eating. On a postive note, cool water helps the pain so I've been drinking a ridiculous amount of water. Does anyone else have stupid sensitive teeth that flare up when you're not feeling well?

Very jealous of @daisychain Zn3b and her highly available public pool! All of the pools around me have had a huge surge in usage in the last 3 years. And they're having lifeguard staffing issues. My pool was supposed to be open outside mid-day for 4 hours until Oct 15. Now they've canceled that for every day but Friday due to staffing challenges. There is new management and I think it's taking a toll on their ability to retain lifeguards. I'm so busy at work this week that I'm definitely missing a few days of swimming (previously doing 4x/ week) but trying to compensate with lifting weights and running. I'll do my best, but feeling pretty frustrated with losing out on several weeks of outdoor swimming. Outdoor is nice when they have multiple hours of open lanes. Once we're indoors we're competing with high school and middle school swim teams as well as middle school gym classes.

I'm going to try to absorb some of the positive energy @Funkyart is putting out about fall weather and healthy cooking. I do love fall vegetables and do usually love soups and stews. Thank you for keeping this going!

Pricklypearcactus yes my teeth are very sensitive. They flare up and my gums swell up when I have my migraines. Colds and cold sores will do it too. As if I need another problem when I have any other illness.

Right now I have the triple whammy of inflamed gums migraine and a cold sore. Luckily the super lysine or the abreva helps against the pain from the cold sore. Also the Tylenol ultra helps with the migraine. At least it takes the edge off. For the gums I make sure to keep my teeth as clean as possible. I also gargle with salt water once a day. It seems to help as well.

I went for a long hike every day this weekend. I was traveling on Friday so missed my exercise routine but think the hiking straight up a hill for 30 minutes at a fairly good clip counts?

I still have not made the push-ups a 3-day event. I get to it twice and then I have to do it once on the weekend. I'm trying not to do anything structured on the weekend. Though it looks like I will have to continue to do the push-ups on those days because for some reason I keep missing them during my routine and then run out of time.

I made a vegetarian red lentil curry tonight for dinner. I added vegetables including broccoli, zucchini, red onion and sweet potato. Served over jasmine rice. It was filling and comforting. I think that's one thing that can quiet cravings, adding some variety to your meals. I was in a bit of a rut from eating out and also not doing a lot of cooking. As usual, the curry had a ton of ingredients but it did go quite fast to put them all together. The only thing that took much work was the cilantro. I hate trying to get it washed clean and then picking those skimpy leaves off the stem . . . but I really do like cilantro. I am one of the cilantro lovers . . .

I generally have wanted really fast meals because I was am so busy, but I could no longer put this one off, the broccoli had started to flower . . . Now I have quite enough to last me in leftovers . . . plus a margherita pizza with home grown tomatoes from Sunday and soup from Saturday, so I'm pretty good until the weekend I think . . . It's a good thing because I am overdue for processing a lot of tomatoes!!

@yeonassky your hiking sounds fantastic! It's such a wonderful exercise and great for leg strength as well as cardiovascular exercise. Thank you for the tip about gargling with salt water. I didn't even think of that, but I but that might help me. I've been carefully brushing and flossing and trying to make sure I don't have any food deposits that might irritate. As much as I don't want anyone else to suffer with me, it's somewhat reassuring that others experience this too.

@l pinkmountain that curry sounds wonderful. I love how comforting a lentil-based stew or soup can be. I recently tried putting it over a mixture of half rice and half roasted cauliflower and really liked that mixture of textures. I also completely agree about cilantro. I used to hate cilantro but have learned to like it. But it is such a pain to pull off the leaves. The only rewarding part is that my dog absolutely loves the stems so I'll give her a few which makes me feel a little better about the tedious activity. Your margherita pizza sounds delicious. I need to learn to make gluten free pizza crust.

I really enjoyed the white sweet potato last night-- which I had with turkey sage meatloaf and green beans with lemon, garlic and oregano. It reminded me why I like them so much more than orange sweet potatoes-- and like regular sweet potatoes, they have lots of fiber and nutrients.

The meal was delicious but problem is.. I am not used to actual "meals". I kept to serving sizes but i could have/should have reduced the serving size as a whole. It wasn't the calories-- they were fine and within limits. It was just too much food for one sitting. I would have been happy with just the sweet potato and green beans.

I suspect soups will work better for me.. I am about to start a pot of split pea soup before work heats up this morning.

Pink, I have a water intake suggestion for you. First of all, use a BIG container. My cup is 22 oz and I try to drink 4 each day and want to be done with water by dinner (over night bathrooms breaks 😫). I split “my“ day into sections: 7 AM, 10 AM, 2 PM and 5-6 PM and make sure I have consumed a glass of water at these times. This schedule keeps me on track and if I get behind, I chug a glass to catch up. FYI: Other than one cup of coffee in the morning, water is my only beverage that I consume. Hope this helps.

Great idea, @ratherbesewing! I keep a 30oz yeti cup full (water or unsweetened iced tea) .. but I don't have the checkpoints. I started out doing really well in the beginning of the summer but I have really slacked off. I am going to borrow the tip! TY!

Now that the weather is getting cooler, another good way to get extra water is decaf/herbal tea. I love having a cup of peppermint tea after a meal.

I celebrated my (belated) birthday with my two best friends last night. We are all trying to eat better. My friend grilled salmon and veggies for dinner, then we all split this tiny key lime tart! Just enough for a few bites each — which was perfect.

Sounds like a wonderful and healthy dinner! Love that you shared a dessert-- though I am not a sweets eater, I often want "just a bite". It worked out great when out with SO because I wanted just a bite.. and he wanted many bites LOL.

Also going to borrow the tip for herbal tea in the evening. I had this tea in my cart because I love owls lol.. but the chamomile peppermint tea sounds perfect for before bed. I also like Sleepytime tea which is cheaper.. but no owl.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iHmLljk2t8M

pricklypearcactus, if you don't mind single use items, there is an herb stripper you can buy that strips leaves off stems. Just google it. The big A has one w/ multiple size holes for like $6.99.

@straitlover I have never heard of such a thing! Looking into this now. Thank you!

I also need to look into something for garlic. I don't have a press and find mincing so tedious. I cook with garlic quite a bit so it seems like a tool would be a good investment. Recommendations welcome!

I've been enjoying Celestial Seasonings True Blueberry and Bengal Spice. On my fasting days, I only drink water, coffee, tea, and occasionally some sparkling water (but not diet soda). The tea can be really soothing and sometimes sounds better than black coffee to me, especially in the evening. Hmm maybe I'll go make a cup right now.

LOL @Sueb20! I think I finally purged that skit from my brain 2 yr ago.. now it's back!

I just use a knife to "shave" the cilantro bunch-- small stems and leaves-- and then chop it. Cilantro stems have a lot of flavor too.

This one is an herb stripper and garlic press: https://www.amazon.com/AmDONGKING-Stripper-Silicone-Stainless-Squeezer/dp/B07F912WG8

The week isn’t over, but the month is, and I weighed the same today as I did on Sept 1. I was steadily losing a pound a week until now. I guess it could be maintenance or a plateau. I’ve defintely loosened the strings with some more treats than usual. last night I had fries and some of DH’s brownie! Not a good evening on my glucose monitor.

I need to drink more water, pull back on some treats, limiting to maybe one day a week, and keep the alcohol consumption down. I do like hot tea, so that‘s a good evening substitution I can work on making.

I think plateaus are a normal phase of the journey. I know I tend to plateau at weights I maintained for awhile in the past. I am at one now-- my first goal was a weight I maintained for about 5 yr though I was in better shape when I was here before.

My struggle this week has been portion control.. not just for the calories but for my own comfort. I don't LIKE feeling full. Coming off the summer when I tend to eat less... and oral surgeries, my stomach just doesn't hold as much as it used to. I have had some good healthy food this week but just a little too much of it. I am going to start with a much smaller plate (literally, a small plate). If i want more, I can have it.. but I can't undo what I've already eaten. I think this sounds like a good strategy.

I am also (still) not drinking enough water. I really like the idea of a cup of tea in the evenings but I need to up my water intake all through the day. I feel better when I do, it just slips my mind.

Other than that, I am just focused on good, healthy fall foods. Today I am making a pot of roasted mushroom and wild rice soup.. I have been craving garlicy mushrooms for some reason. Mushroom soup, mushroom omelets .. dunno what that is about but I am going with it.

Mushrooms are so good for you, but i just can’t take their texture. I wish I liked them!

I did read somewhere about eating until you’re 80% full. I too feel a lot better when I don’t stuff myself.

https://kokorocares.com/blogs/blog/the-okinawan-s-philosophy-of-hara-hachi-bu