RD, there really isn't a crash course, the two websites I posted are really where I've gotten most of my information from. The second website is all about and recipes for green smoothie, something I drink EVERRRRYYY MORNING, without fail. For me, I have my green smoothie (that I make in a blender, though I think I need a juicer) about 4 or 5 cups, depending on how much water and how many fruits I use. The green smoothie isn't for the faint of heart, so I'ma post what I put in it. Some folks will turn their nose up or make an ugly face, but it's the most filling food I've had in all my "dieting" years.
1 1/2 cup kale greens (I use my hands and grab a huge handful)
1 pear
1 apple
1 banana
1 celery stalk
1 cup water (or more if you'd like)
(make sure you cut up your fruits)
I put in water, then the bananas and kale. I start blending till it's liquid, then I add in the rest gradually, till it's all smooth. I add some protien powerder, since the fruit and Kale give you fiber and let the blender run till I'm sure all fruits are completely blended. I pour in a big water bottle with the plastic straw, and head out the door. I'm done by the I get to work, rinse our my cup and go about my day.
I bring fruits and some nuts with me to snack on during the day and always a salad for lunch. And because they are all high density foods, I'm NEVER hungery.
Remember, for me, it started out as a clense and a way to get over my wall, now, I can't do without my green smoothie in the mornings..:p

SparkPeople Peeps
 

Can all of you on SP drop by my page and be my friend? Thanks :D :p

my.sparkpeople.com/CJSMOM756

I'm trying to get back on the backwagon...going through some stuff and fell off HARD. We can do this!!!!

Wow I think most of hit a wall or fell off the wagon the last few weeks/months. I know for me I was on a mission to loose my final 20 pounds and I was going strong and doing well. I was down 13 and only had 7 more to go and the ending was in sight, and then it happened. In a month I fell off the wagon, wasn't all that pressed about what I was eating, and gained 11 pounds in about a month and some change.

I got back motivated, and then you know what happened, Halloween game and I fell victim to all the candy that my co-workers brought in, and I usually don't even eat chocolate candy, but again when I had started to trun the corner there I was back off the wagon again. So then last week I took a trip to West Palm Beach for work, and you know what happened...yeah I was drinking like a damn fish, but here I am as of Saturday pulling myself back up, and getting back. I even signed up for a spin class on thanskgiving morning....so let's do this, AND all let's get back focused where we were hitting our end of year goals...come on now who is with me?!

I'm with you Kim.

I was so inspired by treblk's post about juicing that I think I'm going to take a stab at it next week.

I haven't been this motivated to lose weight in a long time, so I really want to capitalize on this momentum and do it big. Let's do it ladies!

Yup, let's do it big ladies!!!

It is most certainly the hardest thing I've ever done. Shoot, the hardest thing I DO, fuhget done, cuz clearly I'm not done. BUT, I am down 4lbs. I haven't been writing stuff down like I should, but I'm still conscious of what I'm eating and whether or not I'm getting exercise. I like the DVD I posted about. It's a decent workout. But I miss walking. I'm glad it's nice out today so I can get my steps on.

My new challenge? Push-ups. I can barely do one. Sad, I know. It's what I'ma work on the most. My upper body will love me for it. :rolleyes: lol

As far as juicing, I LOVE IT!!!! I don't like cleaning my juicer, so I haven't juiced in months, but I miss it. I was just tellin' my manfriend we have to get back into it because otherwise I'm not cooking/eating enough vegetables in a day. I honestly felt better while I did it. But it could be because I was eating so healthy and exercising regularly while I was juicing. I'm sure it wasn't the juice all by itself. But who really knows, right?

And remember, don't trip over the holidays. They come, they go. If you gain, so what. Enjoy the good food and family time. Take a walk after dinner. See a movie and walk around the mall. Like ladygreek said, park far away everywhere you go on Black Friday to burn off what you ate on Thursday. This is the ONE time per year that I purposefully do not pay attention to what I eat. I don't gorge like I used to, but I EAT on Thanksgiving!!! Don't let what you do (or don't do) over the holidays dictate your being on or off the bandwagon.

Cuz I'ma tear UP some macaroni and cheese Thursday. I can't wait. :)

KimL, I'm with you!!!!! :D

Hmmm... this SP deal... I see I'ma hafta see what it's all about. Is it like Fitday with more bells and whistles?

Lots of bells and whistles. Message Boards, tips and you get a web page you can trick out like on MySpace :cool:

If you get addicted, don't blame me. Not my fault :p

Wow, I've haven't been here in a long time!

Well, here's a three-month recap:

September: worked my way down to a few size 6 bottoms (don't think I'll ever be a 6 on top, LOL)

October: Had a double scale victory on the same day: broke the 160s for the first time since the mid-1980s and officially lost over "half my size!" Then got into a size 4 skirt (yay Wal-Mart!).

November: Switched to WW's Core Plan and finally received my 150-lb star from WW (163 lbs lost total)!

My site is pretty functional, but the guestbook is not working and a few photos are out of order, but here it is: www.officiallydes.com

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

You Rock! I just viewed your website. Beautiful.

Hey you got that right!!!!:D:p

Happy the day after Thanksgiving ladies!!
Ideal, you are so right, yesterday, not only did I COOK my ARESE off, I ate enough without gorgeing..except for the Moscato LOL
I gave away all my food to my brother, his friend and my Soror. I have enough food to last me today and tomorrow. The only thing I kept a great deal is was my greens.hmm hmm good.
I've gotta replenish my fruit and fresh veggie supply to start my weekend and week off on the right raw step. My goal is to drop 15lbs by the time I go to CA to see my family, which gives me a little under 4 weeks. That's my goal!

My weakness has been gumbo! I've been eating it like crazy. Other than that, I've been eating pretty normally. I have been falling in love with beignets again, only because I've been studying at the coffee shop since school has been closed, but that ends today. So, I'll be back at school with a big ol' bottle of water and my Lean Cuisines. LOL!

My First True Milestone
 

I reached a milestone today and wanted to share. I worked out five days this week! This is the first time that I've actually committed five days to my work out program. I also fulfilled my first week of the Couch to 5K running program (http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml). I am EXCITED!

What were your successes for the week?

That's great... keep it up!

Oy vey . . .

Okay, okay, I just joined the 50 Million Pound Challenge and this time I'm going to do it! (I have to look fabulous in July of 2008 . . . SKEEEEE WEEEE!!!!!)

Good luck everyone, let's bring 2008 in right!