I was waiting for Jan 1st to get serious about cutting out the junk food and limiting portions, but there's so much sugar and fat in this house right now, I'm going to start today. If any of you would like to join me in trying to eat wisely but not too well, that would be great. We could share strategies and success stories. I don't have a time table, but I'd be happy to lose 5-10 pounds and get back into a certain pair of jeans. But I really want to cut out the junk and not over-eat. Right now my house is full of candy, pastries, and bread. DS brought home from work some about-to-expire blueberry coffee cake (320 cals a slice) and another loaf dripping with icing, no calories listed (must be zero!). We also have a tin of peppermint-chocolate bark, a few huge brownies with giant chunks of chocolate, too much bread from the bread machine, a freezer full of Breyers (DH can't resist a good sale) and misc. candies and goodies. Oh, and I forgot the 4 pound box of Godiva chocolates from my SIL. My plan for today is not to make eye-contact with any of this, and stick with my tried and true nutritious foods. Any interest in posting about better eating? Or is everyone really tired of this subject? Jem

Yes, always a good idea! I have some jeans I want to get back into also... 10 lbs would be wonderful, but not sure I'm gonna see that. My problem isn't junk food though.. it's just too much of everything! I'm a nibbler but I love to make big dinners... Being off from work this past week hasn't helped. I need to make some stuff that's easy to throw together when I go back to work, that my kids will eat, and is nutritious... I'm roasting a turkey this weekend and will stash several bags of 3-cups cut up turkey in the freezer so easy to throw in with pasta or rice, etc. Other ideas?

I'm doing the same because I am not running, so need to keep weight off. Nice quote from Othello by the way. Spareribs

Count me in! With all of this cold and snow we have had, it has become really easy to sit around the house and bake...sample, then bake more. Ugh! I need these holidays to be over!!!! There are cookies and chocolates and yummies everywhere!!!! I have no will power. Easy healthy recipes?? I love the crock pot for cooking chicken. It stays really moist and then can be used in a variety of ways! I know I need to incorporate a lot more veggies into our meals. We usually are good about it, but lately we have sloacked off. More of the colorful stuff!!!!

Good, we can all keep each other company! Erica, I remember descriptions of some of your meals - they were mouth watering. Theresa, how cool that your son wants to cook! I'm going for the veggies, too. Butternut squash, brussels sprouts, baby carrots, cole slaw for salads (crunchy), broccoli (peeled stems are good raw) ~ gotta get to the store. Ribs, oh that this too too solid flesh would thaw, melt, and resolve itself into a dew (hmm, that doesn't sound quite right - I think my quote is out of joint).

Over the years, I've taylored my tastes and habits to provide me with a fairly good diet. I seldom eat red meat and thrive on pasta, potatos, rice, and beans. I do have a couple bad habits however, being beer and chocolate. I can manage the chocolate pretty well and I don't even try and manage the beer. I just drink away. After a recent physical and in reviewing my blood work, my Doctor said it doesn't appear to be hurting me any. I would like to lose 5 pounds by 07/04 and race the big local 10k at 165 pounds.

Hey Jem, Where did all the weekly newbies go? I cant log into cool running anymore for some unknown reason. So it looks like I am here by default. Did you guys start up a newbies thread? Laurie

I, too, am eating healthier (beginning now). I've kept my weight fairly constant over the last 4-5 years, but am in the process of trimming off some belly fat and toning up the muscles. Someone said back in the CR days, "run for fitness, eat for weight control" ( or something to that affect.) Thanks for starting this thread, jemmama. Your right in that there is always talk about the subject, but seeing it this time has gotten my attention, and this time I'm listening!