thanks Linda. No, I don't have any before and after pictures because I'm not 'after' yet, I'm only half way to my target weight. Then there is the every day job of maintaining it. Also, I don't know how to post pictures :~) Mush:"...It takes awhile and lots of patience to discover what causes you problems and what you can eat to stay feeling good..." I vow, truer words were never spoken. My Dr said it took him 40 years to find out what works for him, and he drinks two big glasses of instant breakfast every morning! ( first ingredient? sugar.) I'd be 310 if I tried that. Every body is different. What works for me is to eliminate any kind of sweetener, some protein each time I eat along with some healthy oil because it keeps you satisfied for such a long time in addition to the other health benefits. Everything I eat I want it to be nutrient dense. So that means the most vivid colors I can eat in fruits and veggies, add healthy nuts, avocados, olives. Funny how your tastes really do change, and what used to look good just looks like super glue for the veins now...and doesn't even look like it would taste good. The smell of food was my biggest obstacle. Fried foods, sweet foods, they smelled wonderful. That doesn't bother me too much any more, as long as I'm not past due to eat. Everyone just has to find their own way. Normal people can moderate amounts of not-so-good stuff. I can't. I guess that is an all or nothing kind of personality. My Dr is addicted to exercise so can eat more freely. That just isn't going to happen for me in this life. I hate it, always have, always will. Nasty stuff, exercise. Blaugh!! j

Well, let me just say, I think I've done enough 'moving' in the last 2 days to last me at least a week!! (But I'll keep doing more anyway...) Sunday, I walked the puppy after dinner. Ended up doing 1.7 miles through the neighborhood. Keep in mind he's a Siberian Husky and made to pull for long distances...so there was no loafing!! Monday I took the kids to the pool from 1-4pm. Both wanted to jump from the diving board, so there was quite a bit of treading water! The 5yo jumped 7 times, the 1 1/2 yo jumped 5!! so legs & arms workout there. Plus just carrying them around the pool! Then after dinner took the puppy for a walk again...1.6 miles this time (I'm trying to find a 2 mile route). THEN I went to BJ's for a big trip...1 hour of pushing a heavy shopping cart around, then loading and unloading the car. Boy, am I sore today!! I've not done too good food wise. I can't remember when I had french fries the last time! but we've had birthday cake in the house, so that's been a problem. But overall, feel that I've not been too munchy!

I'm not doing South Beach but I got this recipe from the book when I read it. It calls for part-skim ricotta but full fat is so much better if you can stand the fat grams. SOUTH BEACH RICOTTA CREME 1/2 c ricotta cheese 1/4 t vanilla 1 pkt Splenda Mix it up and chill. For variations add cocoa powder or lemon or lime zest. Or, for almond, substitute almond extract and add some slivered almonds. Cook's notes: This is quick and easy and satisfies my need for a little something sweet after a meal. I add extra Splenda for my sweet tooth. Teri

This is a recipe I picked up from the South Beach Diet forum. Baked Oat meal 1/2 cup olive oil 2/3 cup splenda (I think Splenda is bitter so I use Wheylow) 2 eggs 3 cups dry oatmeal 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup fat free milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon baking powder Wisk oil, splenda, and eggs. Add cinn, baking powder, salt, vanila and wisk again. Add oatmeal then milk and mix. Spray 9X9 cooking pan with non-stick spray. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Serving size 1/2 cup. VERY YUMMY! Variation: 1/4 c canola oil and 1/4c unsweetened applesauce, and 1/2c skim milk and 1/2c of plain yogurt. I did use 2 eggs. I think my glass baking dish is 8x8, and I baked it @350 for 30 mins. I think I could have baked it even longer to get 'crispier', but it came out great as is. small variation (not that this excellent recipe needs it) however since i have a piece of this daily it's nice to mix it up now again. I omit the cinnamon add 1/2 of blueberries, substitute the olive oil for 1 cup of apple sauce (I have those individual cup apple sauce on hand and use one whole one, i think its a cup. I have added a tablespoon of canola oil as well sometimes 2. Whey low brown sugar sprinked on top is nice too. Blueberries are in season and really go well with oatmeal. I make this recipe weekly and use it as a tote-able snack. Here's a link to the Wheylow site. Meg :) Here is a link that might be useful: Wheylow Sugar Substitute