My biggest tip is to try to cut out as much salt as you can. Eat fresh fruits and veggies whenever possible.

Tortilla soup recipe (slightly spicy) ---- 1 lb chicken, cubed (or leftover shredded chicken works well); 1 can diced tomatoes with chilies; 1 can golden hominy; 1 can black beans; 1 cup frozen corn: 1 large can (32 oz) reduced sodium chicken broth; 3 anaheim chile peppers (use jalepeno if you like spicy); 1 red bell pepper; 3 TBPS fresh cilantro, minced; 1 clove garlic; vegetable oil; 2 TBSP chile powder; 2 tsp cumin; red pepper flakes; reduced-fat sour cream; corn tortilla (don't use flour, it'll get gummy). ----- Dice the peppers and set aside. Mince the garlic. Open the can of hominy, drain and rinse well. Open the can of beans, drain, and rinse well. Heat a large soup pot on medium-high. Add a small amount of oil, just enough to coat the bottom. Brown the chicken. Add garlic and diced chilies and cook for about 2 minutes. Add hominy, chili powder, cumin, and the can of tomatoes with it's juices. Cook this mixture, stirring frequently, until the tomato sauce is reduced, it should be like a thick tomato sauce. Add the chicken broth, beans, frozen corn, and cilantro, stir well and bring to a boil. At this point, do a taste test. If it's too spicy, add a little more broth and some lime juice. If it's not spicy enough, add some red pepper flakes - be careful, a little goes a long way. Once the mixture is heated, cook for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add the cilantro. Stir. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and small strips of tortilla.

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It's ok, girl! You're not alone. I gained four pounds, and I'm really down on myself right now. Had a bit of a binge. But I'm really trying very hard to get back together.

It's official. The four pounds I gained are here to stay. I've been eating rather poorly, and I need to get back on the program! No more fast food, no more processed, packaged foods. More veggies, more lean protein. Luckily, I like to cook. I'll be posting my tortilla soup recipe later.

@misscole It sounds like your body is reaching an equilibrium between weight and muscle right now. What I think is happening is that you've lost fat, but gained muscle. Try taking your measurements and see if you have any changes in inches. You also could be retaining water. Have you eaten any salty foods?

I am a newlywed as well andI totally understand! Nothing like having that pretty white dress in the closet to give you some motivation to lose a few pounds. You'll do just fine, just believe in yourself.

no,don't worry about it! One bad meal isn't going to hurt you that badly. Now, five or six bad meals, yes. Just get back with it and don't give up!

Thanks. I was just kind of venting, really. Frustrated.

How is it even possible, that I've gained FOUR POUNDS in five days? ACK!! I'm gonna cry.

@Dana92484 hey, don't worry about it! One piece of wedding cake is perfectly fine. Hell, I ate a brownie yesterday. As long as you get yourself back on the wagon, and don't beat yourself up to much, you'll be just fine. Really.

well, I did end up splurging a bit, but mostly at a chinese buffet, after the event. Our table was seated downwind from the funnel cake vendor, and I had to smell it ALL day!! Talk about temptation!! But, I only gave in to buy a small nacho and split it with the husband. Yay me!

So today, I'm participating in a community event, called the "World's Greatest Yard Sale". It's basically a big huge yard sale, at our local fair ground, and in addition to people selling their junk, there will be all sorts of vendors selling burgers, mexican food, funnel cakes, fries, pizza, and other junk! Temptation city! Mexican food is my weakness. Thankfully, I went ahead and bought sandwiches, fruit, veggies, chips (I know, unhealthy) and salad to fill my cooler. This is still going to be a difficult day for me.

@alexressi well, thank you very much! I'm glad to be helpful

**Lentil Soup with asparagus and Tarragon** Excellent on a day when it's a little cold. Has a fresh, "green" taste.

2 cups dry lentils: 3 cups water: 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth ( I like Progresso): 1 bay leaf: 1 small garlic clove (optional): 2 tsp oregano: 3 tsp fresh tarragon, minced: 1 cup fresh asparagus, cut into bite sized pieces: minced fresh parsley ---- Sort and rinse lentils. Place in pan with water, broth, bay leaf, garlic and oregano. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low and simmer. Meanwhile, in a seperate pan, steam the asparagus until it is still a little crunchy and not quite fully cooked. At this point, remove the asparagus from heat and run it under cold water to stop the cooking. Place it aside. Cook the lentils until they are almost tender, about an "al dente" consistency, about 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the asparagus, stir well. Add the fresh tarragon, and stir well. Allow the soup to sit for about 10 minutes to cool. Serve, garnish with fresh minced parsley.

@Cat_B87 Tell me about it! All kinds of calories in that kind of food. I was visiting my mother yesterday, and she had these southwestern rolls, they were kind of like egg rolls except with taco meat inside. Anyway, after I ate them, I looked at the label, and I'd just consumed **880** calories!!! OMG!! There goes my day!

@cadburyaddict11 I want the quiche recipe! Husband loves quiche!

cucumber salad! I too am a salty snack lover, and this cucumber salad has gotten me through many a chip craving. It's only 50 calories for a whole big bowl.
*cucumber salad recipe* peel 2 cucumbers and slice thin in a large bowl. Make a dressing with 2 parts white vinegar, 1 part fat free italian salad dressing, and 2 tsp dill. Toss with the cucumbers. Adjust the ratios for your taste

@NightShiftNurse forgot to mention: dice the garlic before you add it to the meat.

*Crock pot chili* 1 lb lean ground meat - beef, turkey, or bison (try bison if you can find it, it's delicious and healthier than beef!) 1 can diced tomatoes with green chili: 1 large can (1 lb) pinto beans: 1 can kidney beans: 1 can black beans: 2 clove garlic: 3 TBSP chili powder: 2 TSP cumin: 1/4 tsp red pepper (or more if you like spicy): 1 anaheim pepper: red pepper flakes: 1/2 tsp cinammon: pinch brown sugar: canola oil: cilantro (optional) ---- Heat a small amount of canola oil over medium heat, just enough to cover the bottom of the pan. Add red pepper, and anaheim pepper. Cook until soft, then place in crock pot. Add a tiny bit more oil, then brown meat. Just before it's finished, when it's still a little pink, add cumin, chili powder, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper. When meat is fully cooked, add to crock pot. Open the cans of beans, rinse, and add to crock pot. Add the tomatoes plus their juices. Add cinnamon, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes. Stir until mixed, and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Garnish bowls with cilantro.