Small But Super Helpful Habits

I don't drink pop anymore. I use the Wyler's flavor packets and I can take them anywhere and add them to a bottle of water. I can slice up cucumbers and put them into a half of gallon of water and have a tasty drink. This can also be done with oranges or lemons. I am just starting on this plan myself and I am still learning. I really plan my snacks....because a bite here and a nibble there really adds up. I used to think they didn't but they do. I drink Almond milk and I don't use much dairy at all but, that is up to the individual to decide. Please share with us what changes you have made as time goes by. I would love to here about your progress. Hope this helps.

usmcmp wrote: »

Here is the most helpful thing I could say on this thread:

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1296011/calorie-counting-101/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1159755/looking-for-a-detox-cleanse/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1161603/so-you-want-a-nice-stomach/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10012907/logging-accuracy-consistency-and-youre-probably-eating-more-than-you-think/p1

Just reiterating this actually helpful information.

3lazlow wrote: »

Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »

Eat an apple every day.
Take the stairs.
Eat a salad every day.
Park far away from the building.
Walk to the next office instead of emailing.

I don't recommend eating apples everyday as they are very high in sugars. They are actually a 'useless' fruit nutrition wise. They are reportedly more efficient at waking you up in the morning than a cup of coffee.

Apples are a fresh fruit, if you eat them whole you get some nice chunks of slow to break down material in your stomach, slow to release the natural sugars for a nice smooth GI... They have fiber, pack only a 100 calories or so... not a bad snack food. I buy mine at the "Save a Lot" type stores so they're small as or smaller than a tennis ball. The giant ones at upscale stores are too much for a quick snack.

I read a story in the NYT several years ago, about a group of healthy, average weight adults who participated in a long term study on the impact of a negative calorie diet. The idea was to see if humans in "starvation mode" would develop some of the same benefits as observed in captive monkeys. The results weren't "worth it" but the my take away was a side note about apples. The reporter commented on the bowls of apples around the check-in office, and one of the researchers said that they discovered that when people were in a calorie deficient state, everyone loves apples EVEN IF THEY NORMALLY DON'T. Basically, when your body is truly hungry, an apple will sound delicious! I keep apples around and instead of telling myself "no" on a junk food craving, I tell myself that if I still want it after eating an apple, I can have it. If the apple doesn't sound good, I'm not actually hungry, and we all know everything tastes better when we're hungry. Why waste a "cheat" item on a not-hungry tummy?

I am amazed at how easy the "after an apple" rule works for me - I've learned to better gauge when I'm HUNGRY vs. just a little snackish.

Did anyone mention this? Because it really can't be overstated that it's actually helpful. I'll also reiterate MrM;s point about reading and researching. Don't take something at face value. Knowledge is power and power can be applied to help you succeed.

usmcmp wrote: »

Here is the most helpful thing I could say on this thread:

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1296011/calorie-counting-101/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1159755/looking-for-a-detox-cleanse/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1161603/so-you-want-a-nice-stomach/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10012907/logging-accuracy-consistency-and-youre-probably-eating-more-than-you-think/p1

Sliced apple and cheese is the bestest snack. Not that low fat diet cheese rubbish. Good cheese. I have 30-40g at a time, it's a pretty decent chunk actually.

Also: banana and yoghurt. I hate fat-free yoghurts so usually buy the good stuff, but I've found some types that have quite a lot of protein, so adding the banana makes it taste good enough.

usmcmp wrote: »

Here is the most helpful thing I could say on this thread:

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1296011/calorie-counting-101/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1159755/looking-for-a-detox-cleanse/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1161603/so-you-want-a-nice-stomach/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10012907/logging-accuracy-consistency-and-youre-probably-eating-more-than-you-think/p1

Bumping this information as well. Not that ANYONE on MFP would advise newbs to click on this "Super Helpful" thread.

I continue to be amazed that this thread remains a sticky, and that MFP removed the threads where people could suggest good and useful threads be given sticky status. And regarding the apple comment..........not gonna respond out of concern of getting myself another warning.

The threads the got unstickied weren't about Stronglifts. They were about the basics.

The problem with this thread is that it contains information that's just plain wrong. It's not helpful.