Yes Cinnamon, you can use the bouillon and just mix with water.  The only thing is I recommend low sodium bouillon because too much sodium can make you retain water.

 Kim, the things you've said are the rules I'm learning to live by.  SparkPeople encourages drinking plenty of water, staying between 2000-2300 mg of sodium per day, and eating good carbs.  That's what I like about it.  The site teaches what I believe to be healthy eating habits.  I do not think the low carb diet was healthy and if you think about it, Dr. Atkins died from heart trouble!

Hi Allie... I actually did sign up with Sparkpeople for a little while, but canceled my account. It was just too much "stuff" to keep track of and I got confused... but I do know a lot of people have had success with it, so that's awesome! I do remember their recipe database was really good also. Now I keep a notebook and a spreadsheet.

Totally agreed on the Atkins diet. I could rant and rave for hours (but I'll spare you)! I knew someone who tried it, and insisted eating bacon and nothing else for breakfast was "healthier" than cereal and fresh fruit. Ummm, no! That person did lose some weight, but gained it ALL back as soon as they eased up on the diet plan and started eating pasta, etc again. I hate fad diets like that... their only purpose is to make money for the creators and marketers, and they don't really care who gets hurt or seriously ill as a result. 

Dear Michelle CinnamonHuskies, You've lost EIGHT POUNDS!  That is simply excellent for one month's work!  Be proud of yourself!  Love in Him, Deb

Dear All, Because 4 of my medications cause weight gain & are likely to lead to "metabolic syndrome" (pre-Diabetes Mellitis -- I just have Diabetes Insipidus, which has nothing in common), I can only lose a lb or 2 a month.  I've been doing that steadily for a long time -- I was 185 once & am now at 142.  I do push-ups & cycling exercises every day, & as I posted on another thread today, walk for 45 minutes or more approximately 4 days - 5days a week.  As you know, my diet is heavy on legumes.  I eat yoghurt or drink kefir (liquid yoghurt) daily.  I also have whole grains daily.  And, of course, I eat lots of veggies.  My downfall is when I have crackers, cake, or cookies in the house -- other than the snack cakes that I make, which are low-calorie & which I'm able to eat just one portion of (I don't underst and my psychology, either!).  Yours in Him, Deb

I'm in too!  I have lost 20 lbs and 20 more to go.  Several friends and I walk 4 mi per day 4-5 times per week.  We started with 2 mi, so we have worked our way up to the 4 mi.  I basically cut out processed foods and eat fresh food.  Processed foods (frozen, canned or boxed) seem to always be high in fat, sodium and calories. I make up a lg veg salad and ckn breasts on Sunday to bring for lunches during the week.  I also make a lg pot of veg soup that has only 65 cal per serving.  The soup and a Wasa cracker makes a great snack with only 105 cal.   It made a difference when I weigh and measure my food to get the right portion sizes.  I like to keep walnuts or almonds in the car, or bring a apple and string cheese.  I will admit though it has been tough this last 3 wks or so.  Had alot of stress, and food is my comfort!  I'm trying to get back on track and have treats on Fri or Sat.   Not easy too when DH will eat whatever and whenever he wants and doesn't care!

SW 160 (was at 156, and lowest 154...gaining... yikes!)

GW 140

good luck!

wow you ladies are pumped!

20 lbs down, i'm impressed!

I bought boneless skinless breasts instead of the pork I'd intended. More expensive, esp. when I have roosters in the freezer. But I have a chicken and rice recipe that only uses the boneless breasts, and everyone likes it. I paid $2.29 a pound for 6 peices...I have 2 leftover for an Asian Chicken Salad recipe I downloaded. Got out broccoli and cauliflower from the freezer, and pears from the canning room. Bagged outdated salad was .99 so I got 2, and an outdated bottle of garlic vinegrette dressing for .99.

I feel like I've hardly lost anything yet, but I know it's a little at a time. I hope I can keep going. When I get stressed, I want either comfort food or chocolate!

allie:

and if you think about it, Dr. Atkins died from heart trouble!

HE did?! No way. omg.........

I never thought of checking my sodium consumption. That's a great idea, esp. before my weighing day!

 I'm with you, gals!  Cinnamonhuskies, my stats match yours exactly (weigh 204.8 and want to weigh about 150).  In desperation, I joined Weight Watchers last Tuesday night.  I had been putting it off, thinking I'd do it on my own, but after piddling around the last quarter of '08 and accomplishing nothing, I bit the bullet.  They revamped our department January 1st and I now get paid for about 3 hours of overtime per pay period (2 weeks); before, we'd just get time off for it.  So I decided what better use of that extra bit of money than to make an investment in myself and my health. I bought a monthly pass which entitles me to meetings and also all online resources.  Don't know if I'll continue more than a few months, but I thought it would at least "jump start" me. It would be great if we could have an ongoing thread here to share ideas and encourage one another.

Deborahmichelle:

Dear Michelle CinnamonHuskies, You've lost EIGHT POUNDS!  That is simply excellent for one month's work!  Be proud of yourself!  Love in Him, Deb

That's so sweet Deb... but why couldn't it be 9...or 10...or 12 pounds in one month?! 

 I am expecting to see the huge weight loss that people that start like the South Beach diet see.....even it is is water weight, it still brings the scale number down lol.

Kim_150:

 

Stepping off my soap box now! This is a subject that really gets me going. 

I so glad to have you here, Kim! I could sure use your input on dieting issues.