darkenergie Member

Sodium for me as well. I always notice that in exchange for keeping my saturated fats and sugar levels below goal, my sodium takes a hit.

I've done that before too, unfortunately, when creating my recipes. Have you tried lite miracle whip? I love red cabbage slaw using that, Apple cider vinegar, some Splenda, diced Apple, and fresh grated ginger.

^^^this x 1000 . This is why doctors are starting to advise parents limiting their kid's fruit juice consumption; it's mostly just the fruit's sugar and calories without the beneficial fibers. Might as well be drinking any other sugary drink.

I use shirataki to sub in pretty much any noodle & pasta dishes. Spaghetti and sauce, miso noodle soup, pad Thai . Anything really.

Lentil and bean soups/chilis(sometimes with textured veggie protein which adds 6g protein per serving) quick soaked soybeans(220 cals w/ 21g complete protein), adding nutritional yeast flakes in my savory dishes(9g protein per serving), and my favorite - seitan(unless you can't eat gluten, but this is probably the best…

Have you tried chirashi dishes? They usually place the fish on top of a bowl of seasoned rice, so you can control the amount of rice you eat.

I like MRM veggie elite(only tried vanilla so far) texture is a bit grainy, but it think that is the overall expectation for plant based protein powders. That is less than $11 / lb on amazon.com. There is also orgain which is decent priced and flavored. Vega tastes bad to me and is pretty expensive. NOW foods makes a pea…

There are so many ways to accommodate for this weekly dinner issue. You can choose a small light side dish instead of a meal if you feel like you need to eat while there, or eat lighter that day/ rest of the week to still stay in your calorie goals, no exercise needed. A weekly cheat dinner is not to blame for a 25 lb…

The Garmin watches wont take into account your calorie deficit goals from MFP, just adds in your active calories. I have to look at my estimated daily rest calories from garmin connect, subtract my calories from that(-250/-500/-750/-1000 etc), then set that number manually as my calorie goal in MFP. It is the only way I've…

Fasted early morning workout, usually with a BCAA + energy supplement beforehand. Then a whey protein powder afterwards, and a small brunch an hr or 2 later.

Abs are a combo of leanness and developed muscle mass in that area. Like PP mentioned, it may be that you don't have enough muscle development hence why they aren't popping if you are lean enough. Try to go on a bulk and work on WEIGHTED ab exercises / compound moves that require you to use your core(like barbell squats).…

My goal is to work on strength, and work on getting leaner. For the past 2 years I was getting back to pre baby condition, and have found myself leaner and stronger than ever. I hope to train and develop my body to be able to compete in bodybuilding. I've found logging my food into MFP really instrumental to keeping my…

Frankly, I found using chalk just tons better and live with calluses. Gloves always messed with my grip.

I add psyllium husk powder to anything, including just plain water. It taste like literally nothing. It has a soft and thick texture.

Had my cheat-mas yesterday, totaling 2200 while my normal intake for weight loss is around 1400. Today has been low calories (660 so far today goal is less than 1000 to even out) and low carb(since yesterday's extras were so high in carbs). Using casein protein powder and Aminos to help protect my muscle, got in an extra…

You can supplement with adding in vegan friendly protein powder shakes and maybe add carbs like bananas to up the calories? When I was eating a plant based diet, I also relied on vital wheat gluten (made Seitan burgers) to hit my protein macros; for about 220 calories, got in approx 35 grams protein, and they didn't have…

Deadlifts are great, I love sumo to target glutes, and romanian to target the hammies. To echo what everyone has said, your form needs to be on point, especially as you progress to heavier weights. I always cringe when I see a lifter curling his/her back like a hissing cat on the ascent. That's a recipe for back injury.

Your weight loss goal can be achieved with solid food as everyone else suggested. Your desire to lose the fat around your midsection could be achieved with maintaining your current weight and implementing strength training. A proper Lifting regimen at either maintenance or a caloric deficit can help recomp your body to a…

Seitan, bean pasta (explore asian/banza/barilla plus), tofu, TVP, plant based protein powder, lentils/beans/nuts are usually what i ate for protein when I was on a more plant based diet. You can get over 100g in a day with a decent ratio to calories.

Lentils, beans (look up explore asian, they make great high protein pasta from beans/legumes), seitan, sometimes TVP and tofu. I also use pea protein powder in soups/chilis/curry, and MRM veggie elite protein powder if I fall significantly short of my protein/on a road trip. If you are eating alot of whole grains and green…

Gym membership could be used to workout with heavier free weights and to get in compound lifts with weighted barbells too. Like others mentioned, machines are only useful as accessory exercises and usually aren't good enough alone to replace all your strength training exercises.

Choose healthier options when eating out, or only eat half the meal and throw water in the rest. When eating a very calorie dense meal at home, opt for a smaller serving and make yourself a large, filling healthy side to eat with it (steamed veggies, green salad). It's hard when your spouse is not supportive of your eating…

1200 is not starvation mode, esp for OP's stats regardless of which Internet article is more accurate about describing how our metabolism acts during different scenarios. OP, whatever amount you are currently eating be it an accurate 1200 or not is probably your maintenance level. Eat a little less (100-200) daily or add…

Instead of shakes, I would recommend meal planning if you are willing to do some cooking - choose a day to cook/prep 3 to 4 days of meals in advance so you have a better handle on the calories/macro and micros you are consuming. You can invest less than $20 in a pack of meal prep containers and about the same for a lunch…

Meal planning this way is really the best way I've found to eat healthy. Taking with you whole fruits and veggies are also quick and healthy add ons.

Fitbit charge hr is the bee's knees. I've personally been waiting for fitbit to come out with a continuous heart rate watch that wasn't extremely expensive (i saw the mio alpha but at the time it was $250). If you just need the pedometer feature go with a cheaper model like others suggested; if you are like me where alot…