makemybodysing Member

Fake sweet snacks are not the answer. They're just letting you continue a bad habit. When you go off the diet, you'll just go back to REAL sweet snacks, and you'll put all the weight back on. The only way is to break the habit. What works best is: - Have NO sweet snacks at all during the day. Plan one or two really…

it's very probably wrong.

Just to be clear, it's not because a newbie might make an error with exercise calories, it's because the figures are inaccurate by nature. Firstly, most step counters are inaccurate (especially phone apps, some out by 40%). Secondly, the MFP figures are just averages. Actual calories consumed vary enormously from person to…

There are two theories about exercise and calories. One (which MFP obviously agrees with), says you should eat back those calories. The other says you shouldn't, because you actually have NO idea how many calories your exercise consumed. Firstly, fitness trackers are inaccurate, especially phone apps which can be out by…

I'm sure you've heard of the various fasting diets around. Some of the research indicates that fasting for a whole day isn't necessary, and that if you just make your overnight fast longer (i.e stop eating earlier and have breakfast a bit later), that can also enhance weight loss. There are only a couple of research…

It would help if you posted a few links to get us started on that research?

Check HOW you're sitting at work - is your workstation ergonomically correct? Are you sitting up straight or slouching - or maybe you're sitting TOO upright, with your back arched? The way you're sitting all day could be weakening your core, so you're not holding yourself properly when running.

I don't think you can call it "skinny fat"- but what the diet industry never tells you is that there a fit fat person is usually healthier than an unfit thin one. So you are probably fine!

Thanks all for a great discussion, fascinating to read how these things are worked out. I'm considering setting my allowance at 1500 and not logging my exercise.

Blame theMFP app which listed this as a new thread.

I cut out all deep fried foods for three months and ever since then, I find all deep fried stuff, sweet and savoury, far too greasy. Makes my diet a lot easier!

What kind of weird diet are you on that Greek yoghurt is such a critical component? There is no magic in Greek yoghurt, it's just plain yoghurt that has been strained so the whey is removed. That means it's much higher in protein, but it actually has less calcium. The extra protein will make you feel fuller, but that's…

After browsing through the forums for a while, I see people saying that, and I think that's very sensible - but why doesn't MFP set it up like that in the first place? Not all users spend time searching the forums for how to use the site!

Thank you! Nice to hear someone who actually put it to the test. I used to drink diet cordials every day, because (don't laugh) I can't stand the taste of water, even mineral water. Then I read how it can make you feel hungry, and I started to suspect it was doing that for me. So I switched to regular cordial (with sugar…

You're lucky! I used to do that but recently discovered that I have acid reflux. Turns out I've had it for a long time and it was the whole reason I wasn't sleeping well. Apparently it's possible to have no symptoms and still affect your sleep. So I'm having to retrain myself to stop eating two or preferably three hours…

You really, really, really need to break the habit. It won't make you gain weight if it's within your allowance,but it's very unhealthy. Recently, research is telling us more and more that it's vital to give your digestion a long break from eating overnight. That's when your body heals and recovers from the stresses and…

I agree with the setting a timer thing, but don't just go for a walk - stretch your arms and back as well. Also, do make sure your setup is ergonomically correct. That will make a HUGE difference to how much stiffness you get. Most people don't have their desk set up correctly.

I have piriformis syndrome which sounds exactly like your problem. I went to the doctor, who said it sounded like arthritis - but then he sent me for an xray which showed it was definitely not arthritis, but he had no idea what it was. I tried all kinds of stuff including osteopathy and chiropractic, but it was a yoga…

I hadn't heard of those but if that's the case, they sound like the best choice. I tried Zumba but I had to give it up because I felt the pivoting was too dangerous for my dodgy knees: if your shoes stick to the floor and your legs pivot without your feet following, it's a recipe for major knee injuries!

1,990 calories would be regarded by most people as a maintenance diet, not a weight gain diet. Why did you choose that figure?

Have you tried peppermint tea, or maybe some kind of chai? You can get chai tea bags and you don't have to add milk. If you like it sweet, one teaspoon of sugar isn't going to ruin your diet.

I agree with everyone else, ditch the trainer, it sounds like he isn't properly qualified. 5lb a week is not healthy and you could be losing muscle as well as fat. 2lb is sustainable long term - but if you're training properly, you should be gaining muscle, which weighs more than fat, and that can even mean you won't lose…

Boy, what a motivation! Maybe it will be a good thing. I've just joined here and I really like the bit at the end of each day, when you hit the Submit button and it tells you "if you keep having days like this, you'll weigh ...." Keep watching that message each day and you'll soon see whether you're on track to make your…

I agree about being thirsty - many people can't tell the difference between being hungry and thirsty, so have a drink and see if that helps. I find having a hot drink works better than plain water or something cold, because it's comforting, and you have to spend time over it and that makes you feel like you've really had…

The whole "lose belly fat by eating special foods" thing is a complete myth. If you research it, you'll find all these "special foods" do is stop bloating, which can make your stomach look fatter than it really is. I agree about the posture - if you learn not to stick your butt out, then your tummy won't stick out either!…

What foods are you avoiding? There is NO POINT in avoiding foods that are high in cholesterol, that won't help you (because your body makes its own cholesterol and that's the stuff that matters). What you need to do is avoid foods that contain FAT, because that's what your body uses to make its own cholesterol. Doing more…

I'm really curious WHY you would want such a diet? I'm guessing you want to "bulk up" fast - which is unhealthy and likely to result in body fat buildup, even if you don't eat much actual fat (because your body will lay down excess calories as fat regardless of their type).…