Well, I tried to send Dotsie a private message asking about the diet forum, but was told her mailbox was full and to try again later. If I wait, I won't. I'll let it go. So I'm going to slip my message in here, and hope she'll see it. I hope that's okay.

Dear Dotsie,

I was wondering if I might join the Diet Forum. I don't know what it's all about, but I'd like to try it. I weigh 180 now and my goal for the new year is to lose 30 pounds by December 31st, 2006. That's not unreasonable, is it? A little bit more than a half pound a week?

Anyway, please let me know what I'd need to do to join in.

Thanks,
Flo

Flo Voy, welcome to the diet forum. There's nothing to do to join in. Just post in as much as you want and enjoy our encouragement. A half a pound a week is not unrealistic. Ask questions and tell us what you've accomplished.

Dieting is about making yourself feel better and achieving all around better health. It should even help lift your spirits.

I walk about seven miles a day. I see that you live in a nice warm climate so take a 30 minute walk every day. Start cutting down on the portion size you normally eat. Always remember, do what works best for you. What may work for one of us doesn't always work for all of us. Don't be obsessed with getting on the scale every day. Wait about a month after you first start and then get on the scale.

Good luck, get started and post with us, we're here for you!

Flo Voy, I have a friend who says he's waiting until January to start his diet. I'm going to ask him why he's waiting.

Did you know that in some cases depression can be improved by dieting? Losing weight and taking daily walks has been shown to improve mental health.

If you don't feel well yourself it can be difficult to take care of another family member who needs you. You've got to take care of yourself. Do it now and don't wait. Don't use those "stall" tactics. This can be an especially difficult time of year to diet with all the wonderful goodies in your face everywhere. If you're going to a dinner party the worst thing you can do is starve yourself so that you can "pig out." You will over eat too if you've starved yourself all day. The body is programmed to pick out the highest calorie food when you've starved it all day. It's important to eat small meals as you feel hungry. Don't starve your body but don't feed it high calorie foods either.

just a note on all who are trying to lose weight: if you're including exercise, you may gain lbs. due to muscle weight. I always weighed more than I looked because of muscle. Muscle weight is good: it's the exact opposite of flab, and will help you burn calories faster. So lbs. per se are not the only judge of dieting success. Firmness is. But losing extra fat is a good goal, regardless.

To me dieting is about fitting into my new slacks I just bought a month ago! he he he I'm really serious. I'm going to have to move up a size if I don't start eating right.

Daisygirl

I think it's a good idea not to think of eating in a healthy way as a diet. Diet souds temporary and being fit, healthy and being a weight that is good for you shoud be a way of life. I like Weight Watchers and I also eat fruits and veggies and try to limit anything made with white flour and sugar. It works for me. I am also big on exercise.
Paige

Paige you are 100% correct.