I find it easier to drink a few large glasses of water a day then constantly refilling a small glass. I also find water tastier with a wedge of lemon in it.

Then again, ask E. I've been a frelling camel when it comes to water for over a decade.

Well, on the subject of ingredient replacement.

I was on my lunchtime walk and decided to get a sandwich from a local artisan bakery (Semifreddi's for those who know it). There special of the week is a vegan egg salad sandwich. "Tastes just like regular egg salad" the sign said "with the benefits of eating tofu."

I have no problem with tofu and wanted to know for a fact (as opposed to a strong suspicion) that it didn't really taste just like egg salad.

It wasn't bad by any means. Except that it tasted nothing like egg salad (though it certainly looked like egg salad). So, as an egg salad substitute it was awful.

This I don't really understand. Why lie about it? Just say "tofu salad sandwich that is something like egg salad; trust us, it's good!" These lies about it just give tofu a bad name for failing to be what the proponents claim.

But if I see it, I'd consider having it again. Though if I were making it myself at home I'd go ahead and use real mayonnaise rather than the substitute they had, that was the weakest element.

That's how I feel about veggie burgers. Nothing like a slab o' beef, but an interesting flavor/texture and well worth ordering for its own merits.

As far as the fructose thing, I admit that makes me hesitant to use the agave.

Mexican Coke at Costco... woot! And I know a certain roommate who just got a Costco card!

Health is important to me, but bottom line - I want to look good in clothes, in a bathing suit or even sans clothes. An extra 30 pounds for me is uncomfortable and it's a PITA to work around with I'm trying to put together an outfit. What's the point of waxing, plucking, dying, shaving, makeuping if there's a roll of fat hanging over the jeans?

As for processed or substitute foods, I don't use them at all. I always figured that, if I have to substitute for something, maybe I shouldn't be eating that something in the first place. (Of course, I don't have any dietary restrictions to work around.) I simply don't need mayonnaise and butter in my life (unless it is required for baking). I've used plain yogurt in tuna or chicken salad for as long as I can remember and mustard is better on sandwiches than mayo anyways.

I have been watching my salt intake as well. My BP has been a tad higher than normal and, while not dangerous, it could get there easily given my family history. I never cook with salt and never salt any foods except potato products and popcorn (and chips and the like that come pre-salted), so I've been staying away from that stuff too. Buying "real" food also keep salt additives away. If I add enough herbs and spices, I don't need the extra flavor of salt anyways. The same goes for sugar. As long as I can have my ration of dark chocolate a day, I don't need anything else artificially sweetened.

Pardon my French but 'No freakin' sheit!!' Ugh, how did I ever gain back so many pounds? I was feeling much more healthy and looking decent in my clothes, no model but no 'muffin' top and felt good in my clothes. I will not buy up, so, if I am going somewhere I have to accomodate for my weight and not wear what I really want.

The substitutes; I worry more about Splenda causing other problems later than weight gain. I've been on Splenda for years and it didn't do anything to me along those lines, I still consistantly lost. I gained because I've eaten a lot I shouldn't and haven't been working out as I should.

As for the meats, I only sub on those things for the Vegans in the household. AND I agree with you, Alex. Just say it looks like an egg salad but it ain't. Like the restaurant my girlie took us to, Native Foods? We eat a sandwich, I think either she calls it our version of a {dah, what is that sandwich with roast beef and melted cheese with onions????} but it really has a much more better taste. Different and better.

Parents are a big motivator. My father died at 52 and had been sick all of my life. My mother, she really has not been sick {but she had her gallbladder removed, like a lot of women in our family, when I had issues they didn't remove it...} but she isn't doing anything now either. I don't want to be like that. I am hoping that I am still healthy and enjoying life with my hubby and kids. And, if they deem it to be, grandkids. I am really grateful that my husband takes care of himself, he is closer to the age my father passed away and I can't help but feel twinges......

Kudos to everyone, for whatever reason, to being so health conscience!!! I am tired of people saying they don't have the time or they just don't want to push themselves. It is a gift to yourself to take care of yourself.

Does this not strike you as a hurtful thing to say?

That would depend, wouldnt it?
She's speaking of herself, and we cant stop her from putting herself down. (At least no one's ever stopped me)

She's not directing it at the masses. Her comfort level isnt where mine is, and I know mine is no where near yours.
Gosh, you (in my eyes) are so comfortable in your skin, and revel in it.

An enviable trait to be sure.

LSPE~ to me, I take it that the clothes she has don't fit and that is frustrating at any size. I know I feel it now and I felt it when I had to reach for a 24.....

Ah. I thought it was a general statement.

That is how I feel about the way I look when I'm overweight. It's not directed at anyone else. Maybe if I take a good hard look at how I feel being overweight I'll stop talking and get to doing.

I LIKE being thin. I value thinness for myself. Not everyone shares the same values I have my myself. But, I still want to be thin, to be able to comfortably wear clothes without working around rolls of fat, to look good. It's important to me.