Thanks, Abasket. I am just trying to get a jumpstart to get on track. Just had a protein fruit smoothie. I may be using too much protein ( it would help if I measured) . Is the protein powder good or not?
Jym, iPhone truncated my post! And is doing it again Argh. “He” is the author of the yahoo article I posted. I forgot what exactly I typed up, but it was referring to the link saying that the trainer’s recommendations in that link do not constitute a long-term plan, and some of them may not be doable even in the short run (blending, for instance), but he does have some points that will take up to 3 pounds off your body (water weight, not permanent weight loss) for better clothes fit.
BTW, he is not against coffee, but he urges to curb alcohol intake:
https://www.yahoo.com/beauty/harley-pasternak-the-man-behind-hollywoods-best-101063938218.html
But, eating “better” means eating less carbs. Not low carbs…just healthy amount of carbs. I was eating well, I though… 1600 calories a day, exercising 3 -4 hours a week, weighlifting, jazzercising :). I’m 5’8" and 138 lbs. But I was creeping up to being a pre-diabetic because those 1600 calories, of which I thought was healthful eating, was too stock full of carbs.
^^^ I absolutely agree with that. I just didn’t mention it because it’s been said over and over (and field tested by MANY of us) over the length of the thread!
No doubt, the best way to start any food changes is by tracking your food intake on an official program that will show you the breakdown of the nutrients - absolutely eye opening.
Thanks conmamma and BB. I know how to do it-- I just HAVE to do it! I can get back into logging everything into livestrong (I have myfitnesspal too but it wasn’t as user friendly when I compared them eons ago). Just returned from Aldi’s with lots of fruits, veggies, chicken, etc. I cannot stand yogurt (OD’d on it in HS and didn’t like it then either!)
I agree with abasket. I don’t believe in diets. That said - fewer carbs, and as little refined carbs as you can put up with and more exercise is, I think the way to go.
I’m not a believer in smoothies. I don’t find drinking my meals at all satisfying. I find really upping my vegetables helps me a lot - make sure you have a big pile of both cooked and uncooked vegetables for both lunch and dinner.
A smoothie here and there is ok. However, people tend to add more sweet stuff to the smoothies than they would otherwise normally eat. Totally agree that a pile of veggies and a slice of protein is better and more satisfying than a blended “meal.”
A smoothie for me is fresh fruits, protein powder and water.
jym, while fruit is generally ok, too much fruit = too many calories. Veggies usually do not carry this burden (unless they are root veggies). I keep nagging Mr. B who thinks that eating 5-6 large fruits a day (pears, apples, oranges) is fine since they are “low cal” and have fiber in addition to sugar. Soon I will have to sneak more broccoli on his plate, ration his fruit, and hide the port. 
One cup of banana is 200 calories, a cup of strawberries is 75, a cup of apples in 63 calories, a cup of broccoli or green beans is only 31. And carrots (root veg technically) is 45.
Well, I bought broccoli, but it didnt make it into the smoothie. ANd they didnt have any kale (which I find bitter) or spinach (which I like in the smoothie.
Jym626- if you shop at Costco look for the big bag of power greens. It works well in smoothies and you don’t taste the greens.
A store with no spinach? 3:-O
Had a good day.
Thanks, mom60.
Mathmom- Aldis has basic vegetables, but its limited.
BB_ can’t I just take a bunch of diuretics before the wedding?
mom60-
Power greens- check! I’d looked at them before but bought them today.
Had a luncheon meeting today and did pretty well. I am back to tracking what goes in my mouth. This is good. Thanks everyone!
They sent everyone home with dessert. I brought what DH would like. But… some jumped into my mouth… 
[-X [-X [-X
(I just pretend that I have 3 hands. )
But It s generally in the right direction I need to lose at least 8 lbs. Would like to lose 14 lbs. The compromise is 10 lbs. Am sstarting to get my head in the game. Snacked or raspberries and blueberries last night instead of something like gelato.
Jym, I am here! Was traveling for 3 weeks straight and now I need to crack the whip.