Around June timeframe I realized I had gotten to 196 lbs... got back into running and lost some of that. Got very busy and have not been running like I should for the past month ... which is not good. But, two weeks ago decided to simply cut sugar back. So stopped putting sugar in my coffee and replaced morning yogurt with a protein like a boiled egg. Cut soda back to only about 1/2 of a 16 oz bottle a day (I like to drink something with flavor with food :P). So instead of doing the "I'm cutting it ALL back!" I decided to give myself a little bit of the stuff I like and cut back the rest.

Doing that and still not getting my rus in for the past two weeks (which I am going to remedy but it has been a tough couple of weeks) I have lost 6 lbs by simply cutting down the refined sugars. Since June have dropped 17 lbs as of last night and am sitting at 179lbs.

Since I am trying to up the weight training, I plan to sit at about 170. If I were not weight training I would want to go lower. But with keeping up with weight training I find that 170 is pretty much where I feel good and can maintain.

Sounds like your plan is working pretty well. Buy Crystal Light and choose how much water you want to mix in. It has almost no calories and comes in many flavors. Ditch the soda completely! The +1 drinks mainly Zero water but even dilutes that with regular water.

I started the year at 195 and made it down to 173 in June. I'm at 177 today. I can't say I am trying to do anything more than maintain. I will be happy if I can stay long term about 180.

^ Also good!! :thumbup:

Once I got used to eating smaller portions and fewer meals, it really became quite routine, Lainey. It's really not taking any discipline at all.

I still eat the foods that I want. I made bosccaiola and beef ragu last week and Ellen made baked haddock and scallops Newberg. It's not a starvation thing.

What about snacking? I love to snack! That's my issue. Tonight's dinner was some roasted chicken a little gravy and a carrot and turnip mix. Love that stuff, like many in NE do. Now I'm ready for a snack!

Snacking is spelled TABOO.

That's not quite true. I keep a healthy supply of Italian Ice in the refrigerator for my midnight walks to the kitchen.

And there is the discipline!!!

I don't eat them between meals, but I have Outshine bars. I like mango, pineapple and grape.

Another connoisseur of the Midnight Walk! The mango is the best.