Shopping time! What items have helped the most?

amandatiffany90

This week I bought a food scale, 5lb weights and proper measuring cups (can't believe I didn't have any!)

What has been essential on your weight loss and fitness journey so far?

ebr250

Extra food storage containers for making more meals and snacks. I work long days so I prep a bunch on the weekend and freeze it.

servilia

Definitely the food scale. Oh and fitness dvds for when I just can't make it to the gym and my HRM

wibutterflymagic

A food scale without a doubt is a must.

felicia8604

food scale and measuring cups! Its all about portion control for me!! Just eyeballing it doesnt work.

tj1376

Small storage bowls and freezer bags!!!! I like to stick the measuring cups into some of my containers so they are always there, so extra measuring cups are essential to me. Now if only they would make a dishwasher that washed the little containers instead of throwing them around like rag dolls, I would be awesome.

I did buy a food scale for Christmas, but I don't use it a ton, maybe once a week or so. That still makes it worth it to me

imhungry2012

A good tuperwares set with a variety of sizes! I bring breakfast, lunch and snacks to work everyday and this makes it so much easier.

Food scale is # 1 ... careful with measureing cups, I still weigh certan things (higher calorie items) in the measureing cups b/c it can vary if don't and many food labels have both. ex. 1/4 cup (1 oz.) on the package.

veggie steamer - just the cheap metal one that goes in the bottom of a pot to steam fresh veggies (though I do a lot of frozen these days)

woodsy0912

For food: Scale is a MUST!, also love my veggie steamer.

For fitness: Polar FT4 HRM, good running shoes, fitbit (not necessary, but very fun!), iphone armband (gotta ave my tunes!)

Other: digital body weight scale (nothing fancy), body tape measure.

amandatiffany90

Thanks everyone!

Energizer06

Food scale, HRM with chest strap, and making time to exercise.

dollylohaze

Yup, s'all about the food scale. And peanut butter! Mmmm...

endoftheside

My food scale is SO OLD, and I really question its accuracy sometimes, so a digital food scale is on my wishlist. Also, a bodyfat scale (I know they aren't necessarily the best, but hopefully I will at least be able to see a downward trend). Also on my list is a blood pressure device, push up and chin up bars, P90X, and a bicycle. Most of these things are more like rewards, and for motivation, tracking, and encouraging a more active lifestyle. For losing weight alone, the food scale is #1.

willdob3

Lots of good things already listed that I use.

Also important is a good cooler to take my lunch to work & to pack meals if I am going to be away from home at mealtime. Going too long without eating spells disaster. Also steel bottles for my water & coffee.

I'd have a FitBit One if it was in my budget right now but, because it isn't, I added an activity tracker app to my iPhone. I have MotionX Sleep & it tracks my steps as well as my sleep (the same sleep tracker Jawbone UP uses). I never would have believed the difference this makes. I move more throughout the day because of it. It motivates me to improve my cardio workouts & that means I'm burning more calories. It gives calories burned including BMR & the numbers are not too different from those I get on MFP. I know that none of these numbers are 100% accurate but seeing them increase is motivating me to work harder all the time & that is wonderful. An app like this is also great if you are not quite sure you would consistently use a FitBit or other separate activity tracker. It can help you decide if it would be a good purchase.

gemmaleigh1989

So many!

-food scale
-measuring cups
-polar heart rate monitor
-good trainers
-weight bench, racks and complete weights set up (barbell included)
-gym membership
-work out clothes
-tupperware
-MFP app!
-tape measure for tracking progress
-good BF % scales

And that's just off the top of my head!

pennydreadful270

My food scale struggles to weigh anything under 5g, kind of annoying. Usually I' trying to find out what a level teaspoon of something is.

I bought some big resealable packets of nuts and dried fruit from lidl- they actually seal back properly and keep really well! They're the blue-packaged ones near all the crisps and stuff.

WVprankster

A food scale (this was a real eye opener)
blended fabric underwear (%100 cotton %100 sucks)

paperhawk

Most helpful: The stuff I left at the store....

amandatiffany90

Thanks so much everyone!

GeekyGirlLyn

bump

healthygreek

I love my glass Corning casserole with lid! My veggies come out of the microwave perfectly steamed with just a couple of tablespoons of water! Love it! Use it everyday for yummy fresh steamed veggies.

boatsie77

My Google Nexus 7" tablet for logging and keeping up with MFP
Hamilton Beach Personal Blender for my daily smoothies
Taylor Biggest Loser Electric food scale
Stainless steel 18 oz Thermos hydration water bottle
Books: 'The Power of Now' and 'Women, Food and God'
Thorlo brand running socks
Asics Gel Strike 3 sneakers
Body Fortress Cookies & Cream Whey Protein Powder
Leslie Sansome Walk Away the Pounds DVDs
Goodwill & Thrift stores for finding smaller sized clothes on the cheap

jenf330

I've been thinking about buying a food scale. Can anyone recommend a brand?

darwinwoodka

Tiny ramikins for snacks and salad plates to use as dinner plates.

contingencyplan

A suspension trainer
A jump rope
And more recently, sandbags. 5 lb weights? Gonna need a lot more than that. =/ Your lower body is tremendously strong. 5 lb weights won't challenge it.

TheDarlingOne

baby spinach! I put that stuff on EVUR-REE-THANG! lol

darwinwoodka

The Asics Gel sneakers are nice too! And tighter jeans so I keep going.

elisabeisme

Set of cocktail size spoons and cocktail bowls.

They slow down my eating and made me put smaller bites of food in my mouth. The smaller spoon and smaller bowl create an optical illusion making me feel like I'm getting a larger portion. Absolutely essential for any type of treat like ice cream and cereal.

ItsCasey

Food scale
HRM
Kettlebells
Sexy workout clothes (whatever, we're all shallow ... looking good motivates me)
Foam roller
Measuring tape for progress check-ups


Generally, I just think it's good to have an attitude that buying health & fitness related products is an investment. If you don't spend it now on those things, you will spend it later in medical bills. I certainly would not recommend going into debt to buy things you truly cannot afford. But I do recommend saving up and getting the best you CAN afford when it comes to your health.

As for what brand on the food scale ... I got an EatSmart scale from Amazon. I've had it for about 3 years. It still works great. Measures in lbs, oz., grams, and kilograms, and the customer service from the company is great.

wswilliams67

1. Digital food scale
2. Measuring cups AND spoons
3. Lots of plastic containers for meals (Wal-Mart has sets of 5 for real cheap)
4. Little 2oz plastic containers for nuts/seeds
5. Really good water bottle (I personally like the 32oz Bobble filtered bottles)
6. Quality poultry shears
7. George Foreman grill (or similar)
8. Quality microwavable rice cooker
9. Omron Body Fat meter (look on Amazon for a good deal)
10. BodyMedia FIT LINK armband

Now go forth...

asaw00

I like snack baggies. Portion control!! my Brita water pitcher, you gotta drink lots of water! Cauliflower, you can do anything with it!!!

Natihilator

Water bottles of various sizes. One for home, on for your car, one for your gym bag, one for work, so you have no excuses not to chug it back all day long.