Go, Lorchen! Great job. It's very hard work. When you need to lose a lot it can seem insurmountable. By the way, I googled how much a stone is. It is 14 lbs, for those of us on the west side of the pond.

OMG, Lorchen ! That's terrific ! Believe me...I know how hard that is !
Kudos ! You are an inspiration !

Congratulations Lorchen - what a massive amount to lose in such a short space of time. I am sure you are feeling the benefits already. And you are right, it's not about becoming a stick insect, it's about feeling good and healthy. You are an inspiration.

Wow that's a lot to lose in that time, but guess if you feel well it can't be doing you any harm. You're an inspiration

Thanks a lot, Lotti! I have never been, and never will be a stick insect, but I just want to be healthier and fitter.

big applause, lorchen. very well done. every ounce takes an effort and every ounce counts to make the pounds. with you all the way

Hey, Rosemary! You can still easily hide behind me. I weighed in at 25 stone 1 pound on the 11th of September (5''7' tall). As of last week I have lost 2.5 stone (applause, please!) It's a long and hard road and will take me a long time. I have had to change my whole life style. My first target, because I'm so obese, was to drop 10% of my body weight. I was told (I go to a local Slimming World club - excellent for advice and help) that those 10% will make a big difference to my general health. The surprising thing: I have not lost my energy on this regime. So, my advice: Look for help if you need to sort out your health. You often can't do it on your own.

I suggest you read Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution, I discovered it when my GP told me with an A1C of 6.7 I was bound to be diabetic. If you google it you can read part of it online and see if it's something you feel might help you.

Terry, as Dr. Oz said, eating meat, especially lean meat in moderation, is not making us fat, or diabetic either. As Rosemary said, check those labels. I was told by my diabetes educator that any food product with 5 or fewer carbs per serving (such as ketchup, which has high frctose corn syrup in it) was a "free" food as long as I adhered to one portion. More than that and you have to account for those carbs. Sounds like you have things well in hand.

[2dogs wrote: Have you checked how much sugar or words ending in 'ose' are in those cereal bars? that is far worse for you than eating the fat off your beef or cheese.

Great information!

Last April by blood test came back prediabetic. In September i joined a DPP (diabetic prevention program) at our local hospital. Lifestyle Intervention; cost $100.00 for 22 weeks. We track fat grams per day, count calories, keep a journal, weigh in, count steps with a pedometer, meet once a week and also includes a Monday and Wednesday exercise class. Also I try to take a short walk every day. I've tried to quit snacking on all the not so" good things". Don't eat as much cheese but I am a cattle rancher, I like my beef and it's pretty lean. Now that it's winter I like to make soup with extra veggies and then there's leftovers. Also like to have fiber cereals or bars for my breakfast.

Appreciate all the information, support and ideas.
The different flavored Special K crackers are pretty good-low in fat and calories per serving as so are the Special K crispy bars.

Terry- Dillon, MT.

I thought they were a savoury dish so up to now dry roasted them with a bit of black pepper Would never in a million years have thought of putting marshmallow and brown sugar on a veg. That should kill the healthy factor Think I'll try the raw option

Interesting that some need marshmallows and brown sugar to make the sweet potatoes palatable. I came to sweet potatoes only as an adult. I hated them as a kid. It was because of all the ooey gooey marshmallow stuff that was baked into them on Thanksgiving that I disliked them so much. Once they were presented to me just baked with salt, pepper, and butter, I instantly liked them. It's what makes the world go around, I guess. All of our different tastes and experiences.

I have just discovered http://www.sparkpeople.com. The website has where you can plan your meal and get the protein, fat, sodium, carb, fats, etc. values for each food you eat. Then you can click a button for a report that shows you your recommended values as opposed to the meals and snacks you planned for the day. There are many other features on exercise, forums, etc, but I've only gotten as far as trying to track exactly what I'm going to eat on a day to day basis. I am Type 2 diabetic and have found this to really be good for me. I've actually been surprised at the fats I didn't realize I was getting in some foods. The pie chart comparing what I've eaten in carbs, fats, and protein and what my daily diabetic suggested percentage values is a real help. It's no cost, you can select your calorie range and other options. You may be interested in looking at it. I've tracked my food for two weeks so far. I'm determined to stay with this. I'm overweight and I think this will help me. I'm glad to see this on the forum - I believe it will help inspire me.