mandarkio Member

5! I've been hovering around 207 since February, fluctuating up and down, but I've finally started losing again. Aiming for 199 for my birthday on July 2nd! I've lost 47lbs, I will not be defeated by these 5!

I walked into work the other day after having been on holiday for a week, and my colleague yelled 'oh my god, manda, what are you, a size 4?!' (i'm somewhere between a UK16/18 right now!) she said it so earnestly i had to laugh!

I can't stop touching my neck and upper chest now my collarbone has started to show, and my forearms definitely look more defined! All the changes seem to be happening to my upper body, I wish my legs would get with the program!

Sorry, i just have to say: Cardiff! and also, you look great, keep it up!

i was looking in the mirror this morning, and i turned my head and my collarbone popped out! i can't remember ever seeing my collarbones before. i thought it would be ages before they were so close to the surface, i'm still well over 200lbs. i have a bit of a thing for collarbones, i think they're such an attractive part…

i've lost a sperm whale's brain, but nearly an automobile tyre! you'd think those things would be difficult to misplace.

i told my mum and sister, then my sister joined me on mfp. my mum, who works for the same company as me, told basically everyone, so now my workmates keep asking about my 'diet' and i have to keep explaining that it isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle change. a couple of my workmates have been quite complimentary and…

i've been telling myself for years that my weight is empowering and that beauty comes in all sizes (and i totally believe that it does). i even had a 'fatshion' blog. in reality i am super unhappy with my body but was too lazy to work for what i want. i've only been at this for five weeks but already i'm feeling and seeing…

Wow, you're stunning! Congratulations on your fantastic loss! I bet you have so much fun clothes shopping ;) Love your style!

Thanks, everyone, for your insights and advice :) I am going to cut my speed down until I can walk without holding on and go from there. It's good to know others haven't launched straight into full-tilt running, I feel like I can slow down a bit! For the record I'm 5'8", and 4mph does feel pretty damn fast to me, so I will…

i wasn't sure what sort of weight i should be aiming for on these machines, i was afraid i would overdo it and do myself an injury! but if it's safe to do then i will. i wonder though, is it common fpr upper and lower body to be so unbalanced? i can barely manage 30lbs on the bicep curl/chest press etc.

ok, thank you :)

i do a program that changes the incline. do you have any advice re: the walking straight? i'm wondering if maybe it's my weight throwing me off balance, so it could improve with weight loss, does that seem at all logical?

really?! hahaha i'd look even sexier in the changing room ;)

thanks everyone for your hints and tips :)

this. but i didn't want to come out and say it, hahaha! next payday i'll be looking for a better bra for sure. i have two at the mo, both are pull-on-over-the-head deals. one has cups so i can wear it on its own, but i get quite a lot of chafing. the other is just a crop top thing that flattens me a bit, but i have to wear…

good idea!

Hahaha, I don't think I will be doing that again anytime soon :p I did increase to 90lbs today though :)

hi everyone, i want to lose 84lbs to start, now sure on UGW yet. i've lost 12 so far, feel free to add me if i haven't added you already :)

My sister has IBS, and she recently started using MFP to track calories and lose weight. So far she seems to be doing fine with no major flare ups, but she knows to avoid her triggers, which are gluten and lactose. She was already eating gluten and lactose-free, so now she just eats less of it.

As long as you don't go over maintenance you won't gain, today's figure just won't count towards the week's deficit. to gain 1lb in weight you would need to eat 3,500 calories over your maintenance amount, so it's kind of hard to gain from one cheat meal. log and move on :) have fun tonight and really, don't fret!

I use skimmed milk and sweetener in my morning coffee, and it's only about 30cal. I drink it because i like the taste, but if you're only drinking it for the energy boost, tea is less calorific and has more caffeine. Or you could try more sleep :)

Obviously crisps are pretty bad for you, but Quavers and Wotsits are pretty low calorie, I think ~90 cal. I don't eat them but my sister does when she's really craving crisps. Alternatively you could try eating popcorn? Either plain or low cal (you can find low calorie brands in most supermarkets). I'm sure others can…

That's exactly what I was doing, but the lovely people here set me straight last night. I'm going to increase my calorie intake by a couple hundred and see how my loss progresses. Can't hurt to be a bit less hungry! And I don't want to accidentally damage my body by forcing it to eat muscle to make up for the deficit! Good…

Your digestive system keeps working while you're asleep so I'd say it's down to personal preference. I don't get home from work until 9pm some nights, and I'm not going to deprive myself of dinner because of work. It's not the boss of me! (except it kinda is :p)

The honey and nut belvita with chocolate chips are AMAZING. So tasty. I usually have two with a muller light yoghurt for breakfast and save the other two for a snack or for the next day dependant on calories. My normal breakfast is two wheatabix with skimmed milk and a teaspoon of sweet freedom (fruit syrup which tastes…

I didn't know this! I don't really have a clue what I'm doing with resistance training tbh, I'm doing like two sets of ten reps (right terminology?) on shoulder lift (or whatever it's called), chest press, inner and outer thigh, bicep curl, tricep extension, abdominal curl (?) and the ones that work your calves and…

Thanks, you've all made this so much clearer :) and now I can eat a bit more and not feel like I've failed, yay!

Yeah, I wasn't sure what to select! I am a retail manager, I am on my feet 8 hrs per day, I sit for one hour at lunch. I walk to and from work everyday, which is about 15mins at 2mph. And I go to the gym now, I'm aiming for 3-5 times a week, 30 mins cardio followed by resistance training. What do you think my activity…

Thank you! :)