TheLegendaryBrandonHarris Member

Hello, there! I'm glad you're here. There is all kinds of information to read up on, and I've been doing really well using the food diary. My back pain is going away, I'm off my blood pressure medication, and down right at 50 pounds in 2015. Haha, I'm guessing by your username that you have grandbabies...hey, that's some…

You're joined this website...that's a great step! You'll start learning new things, new ways of thinking, and you'll start reaching your goals...it's exciting! Do you know how to set and reach goals? This is crucial... Here is my own method in a nutshell: 1. Set your Goal Goal: Lose 95-100 pounds of fat. 2. Set MEASURABLE…

I know you guys mean well, but have we verified that her stress and depression is caused by her low calorie goal? I was 290 pounds and cut from about 3800 a day down to 1200 calories, and the weight loss has done wonders in alleviating my own down-and-out feelings. Just saying, maybe her intake is fine...

Went off Benicar after being on it 18 months. Been off for 5 weeks now. Went from 290 to 260 and my blood pressure was consistently very low, so I came off it.

If you are ready to make some changes in your life, there are things you can do. You can take back control. It's not a finger snap...it's a process...but it does work.

I'm sorry you feel bad. One of the toughest things to determine is if we want to vent, and let our frustrations air out, or if we're ready to make some real changes. Figure that out and maybe you'll feel better. Keep your head up...I believe in you! Brandon

To jasmineboyle: I actually thought about you during lunch. My brother took me to an ale house restaurant. Fried, fried, and fried are most of the choices. But I ordered the chicken breast dinner...supposedly 430 calories. While I'm not absolutely sure it was 430, it was a small breast, serving of potatoes, and…

Is it sad that I'm enjoying this mini flame war over sugar?

I think we just have to be careful with words like addiction, because sometimes we'll let them become a way to pass off responsibility. It's OK if I overeat; I'm addicted to food and can't help myself. The reasons we do things, like overeat, don't matter. It might make our endeavor more difficult, but we still have the…

When my weight loss stops ("plateaus") it's always because I'm not accurately measuring. I went to the store and got some inexpensive liquid measuring cups and a $15 digital scale. Got back on track. Good luck. Brandon

Exactly. Take care of your mind, body, and others. Be strong, be fit, be compassionate, confident, thoughtful and decisive. Be a builder. Build your character, build others up, build good relationships.

I understand you, my friend. We all like to pretend appearance isn't a huge part of attraction...but we know it is. If that's your motivation, more power to you! Good luck. Brandon

I don't know anything about whether or not you can be addicted to sugar. It really doesn't matter to my following point: You have to control yourself. If you're addicted or dependent or just like sugar a whole lot and eat too much of it doesn't matter. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO DO. Direct your energy into meeting…

You're on a good website/application! Use it! Jump in with both feet---make a profile, fill it out, make friends, read, contribute if you have something to add, just get into it! One of my favorite things is to just tell folks that they're doing good. The fact that you're here means you're on the right track!

I'd love to ride my bike to work, but here in Tallahassee that would require a shower at the office!

I just figured up my old average of sugar consumption just in tea and coffee and it came to 855 calories per day. Crazy!

I use artificial sweeteners daily. (Got some in my coffee right now.) Water, from the right source, is my favorite, but using fake sugar in my sweet tea is the norm. I keep a pitcher of "regular" sweet tea in the fridge (I'm from south Georgia...iced tea is vital lol) and a pitcher of green tea as well. Switching from real…

Nice work!

Use this website/application to set yourself some calorie goals, then try to be as accurate as possible in measuring what you eat and drink. Your body naturally needs a certain number of calories to maintain your current weight. Let's say that number is 2500 per day. Eat that and you stay the same weight. Eat more, you'll…

I'm not sure what kind of sleeping ritual you do, but sometimes reading helps calm me down. Also, a sleep aid tablet can help. Oddly enough, the sleep aid and a run of the mill allergy pill have exactly the same active ingredients. They take about an hour to kick in for me, and it helps a lot. You are a big guy...when I…

Yeah, sorry, but that starvation mode idea is a pervasive myth. Caloric Deficit. That's it.

Yeah, man, the scale is a good tool. I started with 'guestimating,' then moved on to measuring cups, and now I use a scale. It's definitely worth it. OH! And make sure you're not leaving out what you drink. Sodas, beer, wine, milk, all of it.

The best advice has been offered...be as accurate as you can in monitoring your calories. I know it can get a bit tedious, but it does make a difference. And example: I was 'eyeballing' and 'guestimating' the amount of olive oil I was using to cook with. When I measured, I was off by three. BIG difference between one…

Being more attractive. (Sorry, I can't lie...)

Melissa, I drink often, too. My 'usual' is a half bottle of bourbon whiskey every night, and the whole bottle on Friday night. As I look back through my diary, alcohol accounts for 50-70% of my caloric intake---I would honestly rather drink than eat. So far I would not describe it as a problem---I get up in the morning and…

You can't lose motivation! I believe in you.

Hey there, lulabell. I've found that making friends on MFP helps a lot. It really does. If you have a day when you don't meet your calorie goals you try better tomorrow. Why did you overeat? What can help avoid that? Here's the deal with measuring your food...9 times out of 10 when someone posts a forum topic, "Help, I'm…

Hey Shelby! It's ok. You're in control. Do you know how you reach your goals? Well first you set them! And you are ready to set a goal. What do you want it to be? To lose some weight until you reach a certain number on the scale? To lose some weight and feel better? Whatever you want to reach, set that as a goal. OK, so,…

OK. I'll get a scale this weekend.

ok, ok, so you guys are weighing things like chips? Things with more bulk? I can see where weighing would be a benefit. I use measuring cups because that's what I have, but it's for things like beans and rice and liquids, popcorn kernels, stuff like that.