What are your most useful weight loss tools?

not2old2move

barnbord, Do you like to dance? I find if I just put on some music I start dancing and that counts as exercise but is fun and the time flies by. A good way to burn calories. Use upbeat music of course. Hope it works for you too!

gramanana

My scale that measures grams and ounces. I found that measuring cups/spoons/etc. don't give an accurate assessment.

I love my weighted hula hoop. It's fun and good exercise.

My treadmill keeps me walking in all kinds of weather.

Dancing is good, too, when I remember to put on the music.

sharondtd

grandmothercharlie wrote: »

I like MapMyWalk, but some others find it less helpful. I like it because it takes into account inclines. Just remember that if walking and you need to stop. Stop completely until you can go again. That way the clock will stop, too, and resume when you do. I link it to MFP that way the walk is logged as soon as I save it. It also takes into account my current weight that way and I think we log stride in MapMyWalk, too. Makes a difference. Depending on the length of our legs depends on how many calories we burn in a mile. Two people, walk a mile in the same time. The short one (or rather shortest stride) will burn more calories.

Bumping this up.

retirehappy

Got to add my classes at the rec center. And this thread needed to be bumped, lots of good stuff in here for newbies.

mxchana

Not eating out. Back home again after what was actually a fund weekend in NYC ... but man, it is so good to be back home where I can cook and know what is going into my food!! ~ Kathy

retirehappy

Bumping for all the good ideas in here.

retirehappy

Bump for newbies

DreamOn145

1) MFP and this group
2) measuring cups and scale
3) fitibt
4) computer - I am frequently researching recipes, health advice, medical news
5) my friend Kathy who is my fitness companion in the 3D world
6) daily reiki (which is very similar to meditation but works much better for me)

retirehappy

Our carry out bag is my secret weapon. We put half or more depending on the size of the serving at the restaurant into the carry bag before eating one bite.

The bag itself looks like a purse, but is insulated. We keep a couple of containers that are divided into two sections, and one container that is not divided and find that works in just about any situation. Not only does the keep my portion under control at the restaurant, my portion is already set for the left over meal. We recently converted from plastic containers to glass as well.

What are you using to help you reach your goals these days?

mxchana

Great idea, Joell - where did you buy the insulated bag?

Today I just started working with a personal trainer to improve my strength training technique and to learn new skills - free weights, etc. I was VERY happy with the way my new trainer worked with me, just right! So that is my latest secret weapon.

My number one tools are, in order of importance: (1) my digital food scale and (2) my digital body scale. It shows me changes as small as .2 pounds and I find this very helpful.

retirehappy

I have two actually . The larger blue bag we found at Sprouts Grocery. The smaller one, I used to take snacks to work with me in it, was found at a garage sale. I'm not near either one, but they have company badges on them. I'll check and let you know, I am pretty sure you can buy them online as well. Also Costco and the Kroger stores both have insulated bags, not as pretty but useable. They are larger and meant for people transporting foods from grocer to home. All of them work well with hot or cold foods.

Yea for you getting a trainer for the strength training. I need to get back with my trainer on that as well. Stopped going when DH was sick and haven't got my groove back yet. We will be traveling in Feb. for a couple of weeks but on my return I intend to get back with my trainer as well. She is an older lady and extremely good. I've missed my workouts with her.

DreamOn145

I am LOVING having that extra freezer. My husband is just NOT a healthy eater and we frequently eat different meals, which can be a real pain. I bought some containers that allow me to make homemade frozen dinners and just made him FOUR chicken fried steak with country gravy frozen meals! lol I made maple mustard chicken thighs last night and made myself several dinners with roasted sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts. It gives me a lot more nights that I don't have to do serious cooking while we still have homemade food.

DreamOn145

Oh, and I am working with that resistant starch! I am mashed potatoes, rice, and pasta and cooking and reheating it. I have no way of knowing how well its actually working, but I am sticking with it for a while to see what happens!

retirehappy

Got to add my new favorite tool.
OXO Good Grips 3-Blade Spiralizer with StrongHold Suction

I have been using a mandolin to make noodles from zukes and squash, but this things makes it so easy and can get different widths so easily, and it really makes them curly too.

retirehappy

Bump up time.

mxchana

Two words: food scale.

retirehappy

Bump up time.

SuperSnoopy

For me it’s simple , loads of gym, cardio and weights 8 times a week and watch what I eat

wandakc

I am starting to get more active. Seems to have taken me a while this time after surgery. Tools that help me stay focused are my MIRROR and SCALE Gets scary at times

mxchana

Ugh, the mirror - that's something I try to avoid as it only depresses and discourages me.

This forum has really helped me to hang in and not give up. My food scale continues to be my best tool.

retirehappy

Love your new profile pic Wanda. I use those tools but they are not my favorites. Scales lie all the time. And mirrors are so different. One of ours makes me look GREAT all the time. The other is just too reality based for me to handle.

Happy Hollies, Joell