kathrynjean_ Member

Can you open your diary or add me as a friend so I can see? I am a vegan and working hard to up my protein. I do pretty well but could always improve and I'd like to see what you're eating! Eating that much protein really isn't a bad thing though. At all.

I would say as a general rule to leave it. I know you mean well and have the best of intentions, but the gym can be such a weird place for people that even saying something in the kindest way can really be misconstrued. It's still unsolicited and you can't concern yourself with it. When I first started going to the gym, I…

I *believe* they are based on your personal stats, but they are still regarded as being a gross overestimation. Most people recommend eating back only 25-50% of your exercise calories if you're only using MFP to track. Before I got a Fitbit, I would just halve the reading that MFP gave me for any exercise.

So happy to hear this!

This!! I have a conference I'll be travelling for in November and was able to book in at a hotel with a fitness center. Before I knew that was an option, I was looking for some gyms nearby that would offer day passes or some sort. If you're travelling for 3-5 days, even if you can get 1 or 2 good workouts in, it can help -…

When I'm in this situation and travelling for conferences or something, I usually try to hit up a grocery store to grab some good snacks for the day. Bananas, apples, and baby carrots are great because you can put them in your purse to munch on and don't need to be refrigerated. Come meal time, if your only options are…

You can't spot reduce. The fat is going to come off where it comes off, and that will only be due to a calorie deficit. That being said, I'm a big fan of squats! Definitely feel my legs getting stronger which is satisfying :)

Makes sense!! Thank you for your response :) OP - sorry I derailed your post a bit there!

I am set to sedentary - and I don't mind the big adjustments personally :) I kind of like seeing them, even if I don't eat them all back. I guess I just find the adjustment to be a lot because I don't really do any dedicated/"formal" cardio. I just go about my day as usual and apparently that's a lot of steps. Right now…

+1 for squatting in socks! That's what I do :)

Out of curiousity, what are you using to track your steps and how many extra calories does it give you? I average 17,000+ a day and my Fitbit often gives me 800+calories for this (on top of 1200). I'm 5'5 and 137lbs so this seems like A LOT. I've read a ton of posts about the accuracy of Fitbit burns and such, but I just…

Thanks so much everyone! These are awesome and I'm stoked to strengthen up and stretch out these weak hammies of mine! I tried some RDLs today but a having a hard time getting the form right so I'll have to keep trying. Also loving those stretch suggestions @cafeaulait7 ! @hanymamdouh - according to the BodyBuilding.com…

Appliance wise, I would say that a steamer and a crock pot are some great investments if you're up for it. I use my steamer almost daily in the spring/summer, and then make a lot of hearty stews in the crock pot during the fall and winter months. Also, there are a ton of great websites out there with recipes. Oh She Glows…

I do use protein powder because as a vegan who lifts but is still eating at a caloric deficit, I find it hard to otherwise hit my protein goal and stay within my allotted calories. Previously, I never had a hard time getting enough protein on a vegan diet, but as people here have mentioned, you need more if you're in a…

I'm doing SL5x5 and if you manage to get to the gym at a quiet time and don't have to wait for equipment and such, I find I'm usually in and out in under an hour (it was about 45 mins when I just started out). But, I'm increasing my rest time in between sets now so it's taking a bit longer. Basically, no, you don't need to…

This is awesome! I had a similar thing last night ... I just found these super tasty ice cream bars at the grocery store (they are vegan, as am I, which means that good "ice cream" like products are not easy to come by) and ate one for dessert. I walked back to the freezer and was about to have a second before I stopped…

I know it can definitely feel counterintuitive, but try to reframe it as making the process more sustainable. You're in this for the long run! Congrats on all of your success so far!

That is definitely one of the best things I've heard around here in a while! :)

If you're using Fitbit and have your accounts synced, you should definitely have this feature enabled.

Preach.

I don't ever have planned cheat days or meals ... First of all because I'm working hard to (positively) redefine my relationship with food and so I don't attach connotations to food. Food is fuel. It's not good or bad or dirty or cheating if I eat something vs. something else. It's all just food. Since I've started lifting…

Thank you so much! Will keep you posted on my progress :)

@RuNaRoUnDaFiEld and @cafeaulait7 - thank you so much for those stretches! Really appreciate it! @smslogan317 and @hanymamdouh - Romanian deadlifts are a great suggestion - thank you! I'm already DLing once or twice a week with the StrongLifts program. Should I switch the traditional deadlifts I've been doing for Romanian…

When I started on MFP, I had honestly never considered weighing my food before. Then I started lurking on the boards and eventually came to realize how important it is - especially because I only have a little weight to lose. When I finally ordered one off of Amazon, I was so excited! And I think it's really helped. I find…

Check out ohsheglows.com - there are so many tasty recipes on there! I usually make a few big batches of a couple of her recipes and then freeze them for lunch and dinner throughout the week.

Just wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone for making me feel better about my first (and definitely not last) failure with this! On the bright side, I had a really good session this morning because I went in with the attitude that it literally couldn't be any worse than last time ... Also @hill8570 - thank you for…

With deadlifting, you should be adding weight gradually ... So it makes sense that it wouldn't be very challenging at first. Are you DL ing as part of a progressive program? My upper body is also comparatively week and my bench and OHP are progressing slower than a snail's pace, but I'm still adding weight each week to my…

Haha, I'm Canadian and even then there are often different terms that get used by Americans ... But yes. At least that's how I use the word/everyone I've ever known has used it ... Sneakers = running shoes or sometimes cross trainers

Definitely not for squatting and deadlifting ....

I just wanted to chime in again to echo how amazing you look!! Seriously! You are killing it and you've got this.