I'm working my way up the postings: I posted my sad metabolic rate on a previous post.

Last year I used "The Zone" as a primer, just to clean up my eating act. I called it my Peanut Butter diet. My breakfast generally is cottage cheese (I eat all fat contents, but never no-fat), and two servings of fruit and some natural PB, on a spoon. Yep, it's like dessert for me..at breakfast. Lunch is some protein and a couple of veggies (spinach and mushrooms cooked with oil and garlic), salad, green beans and garlic, zucchini and mushrooms in oil (Olive, canola - heart healthy oil), whatever I have time for or I make extra at dinner the night before. Mid afternoon, it's a small piece of fruit, usually half an apple, a cheestring and PB (Yumm!) on a spoon. Dinner is much the same as lunch. Before bed it's usually a glass of skim or 1% and some peanuts (would eat other kinds of nuts but I'm allergic) Following this, I lost 20 lbs in about 8 weeks. I avoided the white stuff (bread, rice, potatoes, pasta) but now have them occasionally. I've kept the weight off for a year. I train very hard and play hockey. I thought I would not have any energy, but I have tons! I also drink about 1.5 litres of H2O a day. I also take Iron, B12 and a vitamin supplement. My iron level prior to weight loss was borderline, with the hard training and limited caloric intake, it dropped. So my FD and I monitor my iron about twice a year. I used to get very hypoglycemic and shaky. Since I have very few refined carbs, I don't have that problem anymore.

It took a lot of discipline to change my eating habits those first 8 weeks...but I was tired of sore knees, tight clothes and an ability to maintain weight despite a lot of physical activity. I was just very determined.

People at work think I'm still losing weight but I have not. The training has rewarded me with a trimmer, healthier body, and I am totally delighted where I am.

I am currently on a month off of scheduled training, my coach says, do what I want. So I've been indulging a bit, but I tell ya, I don't feel as good as I did previously..the right food really makes a huge difference.

I don't think you need someone to tell you what to eat for that price. But if it will make you more accountable..sometimes that works for people. I just think of all the nice bike stuff I could buy...

My coach told me about a website to monitor my caloric intake if I want http://www.fitday.com/. I'll have to try it sometime. Due to have metabolic rate tested again to set new training HR for winter training for bike and run. He wants me to try Olympic distance next year. I don't know....