This post is timely for me. Like you I love to cook, exercise a lot, am often hungry, and am continually frustrated by my weight. Not sure why I am posting because I'm not having much success in losing any weight. On the bright side, my weight is not increasing. I have even gone as far as giving up dark chocolate and peanuts!

My diet consists of a breakfast of grapenuts w/ soymilk with fruit and coffee. Lunch a salad and a slice of cheese. Dressing is oil and vinegar. Dinner is usually something I have cooked fish, chicken, and/or legumes. Usually no sides. Snacks are a couple tamari almonds or an apple. Cytomax and diet lipton tea and some water. And of course I cheat. For instance, we have a tomato glut so I make salsa. And with salsa those corn chips are hard to resist... Never eat fast food. Rarely eat prepared foods. Occassionally go out for dinner.

Exercise most days: Cycling 3-5 days, running 2 days,weird indoor team sport 1 day, yoga 2 days. Obviously, they overlap.

I find my biggest problem is portion control, portion control, portion control and beer. (I only drink beer 1 night per week, but might have 2 and they aren't lite beers.) I would prefer to give up volume than taste. I have downsized my spoons. My goal is to lose 10 pounds.

Best of luck. It is nice to know you are not alone.

sarah