Newbies

Hi, Rita. I’m not sure I understand the question – if you “can’t get to” the snack, you can still get to another type of snack? You can, of course, substitute – as long as the same food groups and portion sizes are represented, and you mix your protein with carbs.
However, most commercial cereals (including Special K, unfortunately) and protein bars are quite processed and high in sugar and sometimes sodium, and therefore not sufficiently supportive of weight loss/health maintenance efforts. If you like cereals, try those you would find at a health-oriented store, and read the ingredients to be sure there aren’t undesirables in there (i.e., anything that looks like a chemical, other than vitamins and minerals, high amounts of sugars above 22 grams per serving and sodium above 140 mg per serving). Organic is often best, because then there is also a lower chance of genetically modified ingredients.
Similar story with the protein bar – check out Pure Bar as an example of the type of ingredient list the Club favors (there are other good brands out there, of course).
Don’t worry, the label-checking inconvenience won’t last long – you’ll find something you like and that will be it, and even if you want to make a switch, you will be able to know quickly what is good.

Hi, frowsgetfit. Bravo for getting the whole family involved!
Yes, rye flour is generally whole grain flour. SWG items are found at health-oriented stores, including large chains such as Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s, as well as online, i.e. at http://www.foodforlife.com.

I am a 56 year old woman, and have been on this plan for about 5 weeks. Being post menopausal, I find the weight gain creep very difficult to deal with; this plan seems to be working, I’m losing 1-2 lbs per week.
A question. I like my glass of wine at night, and will not be giving it up any time soon! Any plan that I am going to stick to, will have to allow for that – it is one of the major pleasures of life in my view. I would ask that one serving of alcohol be allowed as an option, and servings adjusted accordingly. My guess is that there are many others out there, “cheating” as I do…

Hi, LaurieJ. If you are already losing weight at a steady pace, there does not appear to be an urgent need to give anything up that you really like. After all, this is not a short-term diet, but a long-term lifestyle.
Red wine has been shown to be protective against overweight-related diseases in some people. A serving is generally about 4 fl oz (120 ml) – if you are drinking much more than twice that, perhaps you may consider gradually cutting back.

Laurie, I like you enjoy my glass of wine each night, I haven’t been on this programme for very long so unsure if it will effect my weight.
I will give myself a month to see and for now I am forgoing my evening snack just in case.

Goodmorning all my cruising buddies….
ANGELEANA….thankyou so much for your prayers. I just got on here to sort out my menus..AGAIN….and looked in on deck to see who was around…and it was so nice to see your comment that you prayed for me. I am very grateful to have people who I don’t even know supporting me like this. Yesterday I was so tired I had a real meltdown…it had been building up…I am dissappointed as I haven’t even had the energy to think about what I am eating, and the exercise has gone out the door…and the house? well, you can imagine that has also gone with it…very depressing! So I reluctantly got myself sorted out and went to the chemist and got some tablets to help me sleep…my husband took the car to work this morning, so I didn’t have to get up and take him there, as I usually do…that was a real blessing to be able to sleep in. I still woke during the night, but was good to just sleep until about 9am! I am sure it will all settle down soon…thanks Angeleana for your support.
Now I must get back to sorting out food, and cleaning up my kitchen so I can prepare food for today!!! It is never-ending…well it seems so for someone who hasn’t eaten before 11am for about 30 years until joining Trim Down. The only times I ate properly was when I was pregnant with my three girls! Lol….
Catch you all on deck later everyone….Bev.

Hi Bev! Great to hear from you! So glad you are sticking with the program and getting ready to make meals today. In September I had a double mastectomy (i’m 46 with three boys and one girl). Over the years I packed on almost 40 extra pounds. Haven’t been on the program but for a few days–yet giving up the wine and eating more fresh foods has me feeling fantastic. No weight loss yet–but its only been 5 days since I started. As women we are often called to do so much–sometimes to the neglect of our own needs. In adopting this program, I use my friends in Afghanistan as inspiration. I figure if they can sacrifice comforts, amenities, time and sometimes their lives–I can manage my health. I view this program as a gift to us–because its a pleasure to meet “e-meet” women like you, Bev. I will keep you daily in my prayers, along with Mr. James Height, my fellow graduate school classmate at GWU, who is now in Afghanistan, along with another friend, Daryl Holland. I know its hard sometimes–but you can do this! 🙂

@Marilynne: Welcome to the program and best of success to you!