JuliaHaleFitness Member

Eggs are my #1! Greek yogurt is great, beans (they have carbs but still a good source of protein). Do you eat fish?

Hi! I've been using MFP for a while now and love it! Happy to chat and add my 2 cents whenever! Feel free to add me =)

It's really difficult to count how many calories you are burning. 1) Cardio machine calorie counters can be off by huge percentages. Specifically the ones that don't even ask for your personal stats. 2) Everyone burns calories at a different pace. 3) Steady state cardio kills calories while you are working out but stops as…

First thing to do is to start to weight train! Strength training will build muscle which BURNS fat and calories! Steady state cardio is wonderful for general health but not necessarily for weight loss. If you want to drop pounds, it sounds like you already have a great cardio base. Add in the strength training. Lifting…

I really recommend talking to a trainer. A lot of gyms offer a free session when you sign up. It's really important that you don't hurt yourself simply because you are unsure! A trainer should not only give you an idea of the workout you should be doing but also make you feel comfortable being there! Don't be too shy to…

Plan your meals ahead of time. That way you can a) not have to think about it b) know that you are on track and c) not have to log every meal when you eat the meal.

A shake with pineapple, kale and protein powder, a 1 egg+3 egg white omelet OR (and this might sound weird but it works) oatmeal with egg whites baked in!

Coconut chips! I eat Dang coconut chips sprinkled on fresh berries when I want a sweet hit. That way I can satisfy my sweet tooth, eat something crunchy AND healthy AND delicious, and be satisfied =)

1) I agree with Kat, I think that your best move is to talk to your trainer about how you feel. As a trainer myself, it's really important to me (and so I work hard on this) that my clients trust me. Remember, you hired her to help you and if you aren't 100% with her, she can't adjust and help you to the best of her…

I'm not a huge fan of low carb diets mainly because your body needs it to survive! Carbs are you body's go-to source of energy. Maybe start by cutting them out of dinner time and see how you feel!

Don't worry too much about day to day fluctuations in weight! Eat every couple of hours to keep your metabolism up and stay with healthy snack! I always have fruit, tea and greek yogurt on hand because I know that I'll want to snack at some point during the day! Keep up the walking and keep reminding yourself why you are…

I couldn't agree more. It's about how you feel. Where do you feel comfortable? It's not all about the number!

Just remember that this is the beginning and stay excited! I find that always having hot tea or lemon water with me reminds me to reach for that when my hands are idle. Another good trick is to get up an walk around, go talk to someone for a few minutes when you have a craving. Experiment, you'll probably find that you are…

Make a BAS!! A Big *kitten* Salad! If you fill your plate with greens + veggies (raw or grilled) and throw some beans, seeds, and lean protein (shrimp, chicken, turkey burger, lean steak...) on top you will fill yourself up without a ton of calories! You eat with your eyes first! Also, make a bunch of healthy options on…

Congrats for taking that step! That's huge. Try sipping on something fun but non-alcoholic when you're out (or even at home)! A lot of it might be the social aspect and the fact that for most people that first drink marks relax mode. I cut alcohol out of my diet during the week for fitness reasons but I found that really…

I agree with what's written above! After you figure out your TDEE, I would suggest logging your normal food consumption for a couple of days first. That way you know where you are starting. Slowly start to reduce calories to get to where you want to be--that way you won't shock your system. You don't want to go too low…

There's no harm in sticking with the things that work!

cooked quinoa + shredded chicken + black beans + salsa + sautéed veggies. Can top with low fat cheese and bake the night before. Perfect with some avocado on top at lunch, hot or cold!

EXACTLY! It's really about you. MFP is an awesome tool but you are the one that makes the decisions!

peanut butter is awesome! Try to stick with the natural stuff. And just make sure it fits in to your day--it's great for you but definitely packs the calories so MODERATION is key =)

I would love to be a mentor here! A little about myself: -I am a Certified Personal Trainer and am currently studying for a certification in Fitness Nutrition. This is my passion. I currently train clients individually and online through my website, juliahalefitness.com and absolutely love seeing how healthy changes can…

Hi there, I'm responding because I want to let you know I've been in your shoes. I suffered from anorexia during college and felt like I lost years of my life. Like you, I was smart enough to know the science behind gaining weight and muscle, etc but that didn't matter when I was sick. My family cooked amazing meals that I…

Hi Jessica! Give your body some time to adjust. Everyone's body's react differently but remember, that 1 pound a week is just a short term goal in the big picture. You WILL start to see changes if you keep it up and exercise as well. Focus on the long term goal and the weekly pounds lost will get you there! It's hard to…

Hi Melissa! I can always tell when I head to the gym on days I'm unmotivated to be there. Those are always the workouts that are the toughest to get through. But it feels SO good after. That's true for anything--choosing a healthy meal over a heavy one, walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator, going to the gym…