This is my 1st post on this forum. I just got back into working out. I weighed in at about 266 lbs when I started working out. I've been hitting the gym 3-4 times a week for about a month and have lost about 4 lbs. But my problem is that I work at a retail location completely surrounded with fast food places! My nieghbor is Panera, than I have a Panda Express, Wendy's, Buffalo WIld Wings and a Pizza place very close to me. I hate packing a lunch so I won't do it! I also like to have my coffee fix if I'm working early! When it comes to lunch time I find myself trying to chose from the best of the worst places to eat. I haven't really started a diet of any kind. I just want to try to eat a little more healthy that I am now. I'm cutting back on the smoking and drinking soda! I'm down to 2-3 smokes a week I've been drinking more Iced Tea's and Green Teas. I've also been snacking on fruits (both fresh and dehydrated) and veggies through out the day. Is coffee bad for you? I usally put half/half and splenda in my coffee! How are the salads and sandwiches at Panera? Wow am I confsed! LOL

pack your own lunch don't be lazy and you'll save yourself some cash as well

I always say your diet is 80% of a fitness program. All the training in the world will not make up for bad eating habits.

Way to go on the smoking thing!

Coffee itself is pretty low in calories, very low actually, but the half and half is definitely not. Try adding a bit of skim milk instead. Be wary of the flavored teas and stuff, they can have a lot of sugar, and try to ditch all the soda, go for water instead.

Surrounded by food like that, you are pretty much going to have to start packing a lunch, like it or not, or you're going to see much much less progress.

Adding in more fruits and veggies is great, just make sure you aren't dipping them into full fat ranch dressing, etc. That can add a lot of hidden fat and calories.

Good information! Thanks