Raspberry Ketones for the rest of us!

Bumping for future reference.

Bumping to read when I feel like quitting

Great advice, I needed it today. You look great, and should be so proud of your accomplishments. Fantastic!

"No pretending beans are cookies." love it! I agree 100% with everything you wrote. Just eat well, exercise and drink water. Don't need any tricks.

Thanks Bean.

Never giving up.

Absolutely great post. Everyone starting out should read this.

Fab post. I'd add, if you are starting out, change one thing at a time. If your diet is rubbish, improve that - start by looking at portion sizes, learn what you are actually putting into your body, make better decisions. You don't have to go hell for leather at the gym at the same time. I lost the first half stone just being aware of my food.

Also, if you make a poor choice, forgive yourself and move on straight away - if it's noon and you know you'll be over for the day, you don't have to just go all out and binge because if you're over you may as well be -really- over. The next choice you make can be a good one - you can swap out a chocolate bar for a banana, or skip pudding, or go for a walk.. even if you're over, you'll minimise the damage.

I'd also agree with giving yourself a break now and then - if this is going to be 'forever' and not a diet, it has to be enjoyable. I haven't cut any foods out of my diet, I just know I have to exercise more if I want something calorie dense! Eat real food (butter not olive spread if you like it, as many fruits and veggies and home made things that you can) and you'll enjoy it more. Personally I don't like prepackaged meals, but we batch cook and freeze so there's always something yummy available to add to a baked potato or similar.

The other thing I'd say made a huge difference for me was having some personal training. I'd been going to the gym for a year and it hadn't really done anything. I started seeing a PT just for 30 minutes a week, but it kicked my butt enough to get me there twice more in the week (or I knew I'd -really- be suffering!). There were two benefits - one is that you get pushed beyond where you'd push yourself, so your fitness improves, and the other for me is that I didn't want to show myself up in front of someone so I did my best too!

You can do it - you are the only one in control of what goes in your mouth and the activity your body does. You might have to be a bit 'selfish' at times - prioritising your health - but in the long run you'll have more to give your family in terms of energy and mood, so it's a good investment.

Bump. Because the latest People are Sooooo Mean thread is getting all the attention that this thread deserves. You want to do HCG or 800 cals a day? Go ahead. But the Mean Bullies of MFP will still be promoting *kitten* that actually works, is safe, and is sustainable.

At least until they ban us. That is all

Bump

I've been running faster, lifting heavier, and eating better than ever...and I've been tossing around the same 5 pounds for a month; I'm only 14 pounds down and about 50 pounds from my UGW. I look at myself and don't see changes (in fact I think...am I getting FATTER??), and I'm frustrated, tired, and pissed.

However: I'm...running faster, lifting heavier, and eating better than ever.

SO IF YOU ARE LIKE ME: listen to this woman. I needed to see this SO BADLY today. No fussing with my calories, no dumb cleanses or crazy bull**** restrictions or nonsense. I'mma just keep my head down, keep moving, and get where I'm going.

It's a temporary plateau, or it's another permanent excuse. I know which one I'm going to choose this time.

Thanks, wise lady. You look fabulous!