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Here is how I have been losing weight without really trying too hard:

Last year I started to have a problem with irritable bowel syndrome. I think it started when I was so stressed out with my son having cancer. To control it, I started eating small meals more often. For example, if I went to a restaurant, I would order a meal and then plan what I would eat and what I would take home. I'd eat the second half later that evening or the next day.

Another thing I started doing was spreading my meals out. For example, tonight's dinner was a tomato salad and a small steak with mushrooms. While I was thawing the steak, I ate the tomato salad. An hour later, I had the small steak and mushrooms. Actually, I only had half the steak. While I was fixing it, I cut part of it up and put it in the refrig for tomorrow's lunch.

I also started throwing food away. OK, I know we have been taught to clean our plates, but we really should only eat until we stop being hungry, not necessarily until we are "full." If I get 2/3 of the way through a bacon cheeseburger like I did today, sometimes I just throw the rest away. I eat fruit between meals, and I also have desserts from time to time. I find myself not as hungry as I used to be and don't need that late night snack any more. I also think I am eating much more healthy than I have ever done before because I make that effort to eat more fruit and drink milk at least once or twice a day--just in smaller portions.

My irritable bowel syndrome is fairly well controlled, and I have fairly painlessly lost 32 pounds in 20 months, which is better than I have ever done on a "diet" before. I would really like to lose another 20 pounds, but want to do it slowly so it won't come back so fast.

Now, this all may get ruined if I go to a GTG, as was suggested, and start eating food cooked by people who are much better cooks than I am!! I have to admit to being completely bored by my own cooking these days.

Congratulation. No matter how easy you just made that sound....life style changes aren't easy....Sounds like you really consistently used good sense and thought about what you were doing. You made good choices compared to mindlessly putting food in your system. Between those good choices and having increased opportunities to get more exercise, I can't help but think you will continue move towards your goal.

Can I use you for a role model?

I think a lot of us could use Judy as a role model in a lot of ways.

Not my boring cooking, I hope. I used to like to cook but now just hate it.

Good for you Judy. I eat small amounts all the time and have for years. It does take some planning though to remember to pack myself a snack, especially if I'm going to be out shopping with friends who can go all day without eating! There are lots of good healthy recipes online. I Google vegetarian or vegan recipes then since I do eat meat I can add some or not. Carolyn just posted this no-cook oatmeal on Facebook and it sounds easy and good. The fruit this year has been extra sweet as it has been so hot so I would think some you wouldn't even need to add sugar. Also if you need you could add some powdered protein. For some reason oatmeal spikes my sugar but oat bran with just a few less carbs doesn't but I still always eat an egg along with.

http://www.theyummylife.com/Refrigerator_Oatmeal

You are definitely doing it the right way Judy. While I was home with Chuck during his last year, I put on 20 pounds. I was eating lots of sweets purely from the stress, I think. I went from sizes 6 and 8, depending on the cut, to sizes 10 and 12. Now that I am cooking for Mom, I find I am cooking much healthier meals again. I also am back to eating small portions. I don't like the feeling of being stuffed full. My clothes are telling me I am losing again. Since I only brought size 10 and 12 jeans with me, I am hoping when winter hits, I will be able to take them to consignment or goodwill store to trade for a smaller size again. Will just have to wait and see.

I think this lifestyle will be much healthier for us Judy. I don't cook for just myself either. That's when I eat the most junk. I imagine you are a good cook, just don't want to cook for yourself only.

Way to go Judy. Lifestyle changes are much better than "dieting". One can go off a diet, but not a lifestyle change. continued success. Linda

I don't know if you can really shrink your stomach, but I definitely am not as hungry as I once was. I had gained 35 pounds over the past 5 years, and am almost at the point where I am at my lowest in 20 years.

One funny thing is that I had to buy new underwear. The old ones were literally flapping and almost falling off! I will be buying some smaller shorts when they are available next season, also. Shirts are easier to find year round, and i have got some smaller ones.

Hope I can keep going on like this and don't get back into my bad habits.

Yes, the finding new smaller sized clothes is one of the best parts. Without a need like "my pants are falling off" I generally avoid spending money on under things..... I am trying to remind myself...take baby steps....and maybe I too can find my way back to some of those smaller sized jeans I have boxed up in the closet. I am always thinking positively!

My way to lose weight: Give up the 3 pairs of pants that you carried around in the rv for almost 2 years waiting to get back into them. Immediately, you'll start losing the weight - and voila - in AK, I went to the local thrift store and purchased a pair of pants to replace one of them. Yep, the weight is off.

Your method is just how it should be - a lifestyle change. I got a Chinese dinner my last day in Valdez. Ate leftovers from it 2 nights later, then again tonight. No reason why a dinner for some can't be a dinner for me several nights. My belief is that any dinner out is enough for at least 2 and sometimes up to 4 meals! And yes to the snacking on fruits.

Good for you ... and here's to hoping it continues. As to the gtg's, just have a little bit of what people prepare ... just cuz it's good, doesn't mean you have to have lots of it.