ClareMillsRoberts Member

I made this last Christmas and it was so good - even my husband's very traditional meat-and-two-veg-eating uncle liked it and took a piece home: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/mushroom-and-squash-vegetarian-wellington/

I often have soup, I'll make a big batch at the weekend with whatever veggies need using up - often carrot with orange or coriander or some kind of squash/pumpkin with spices. It's really easy to make as it's essentially all the veggies chopped up, fried for 5 minutes and then boiled with vegetable stock and spices/herbs…

I have found spinning to be a really good work out. I loathe running but have got into spinning really quickly, I found my fitness levels and stamina improved really quickly and I get really good calorie burns (judged from my Fitbit Charge HR). The classes I go to are really varied and combine climbs and sprints in…

I started off just wanting to lose weight but now that I am down 22 lbs to 142 (5 ft 4) I'm not so focused on the number but more on how I look/feel. I'd like to lose body fat and increase muscle mass and to feel fitter/stronger.

2000 calories is just an estimate really based on an "average" woman, it's not something to aim for. Everyone will have a different calorie requirement to maintain their current weight depending on their height, weight and activity levels. you can work yours out by plugging your stats in to an online calculator - Google…

Hey, I'm a pescetarian and my main advice to you would be to become well acquainted with your spice cupboard! Cooking without meat can take a little getting used to for a lot of people because they are used to the meat imparting a lot of flavour to a dish and in particular providing a rich/savouriness (umami) that can be…

I occasionally have a meal consisting of a veggie burger (around 200 calories), in a small bun (around 150 calories) with a small portion of oven baked sweet potato wedges with spray oil and spices (approx 150 cals). Then depending on how many calories I have left for the day I will decide on extras and condiments.

I usually take it to mean a wholefood diet that avoids ultra-processed foods. I dislike the term because it implies that there is some sort of virtue attached to eating in a particular way. Generally it's used on these forums in the context of "i'm eating really clean but I'm not losing weight" or "I'm struggling with…

I'm not a morning person so I tend to work out after work or at lunchtime - I'm really lucky that I have a gym at work that runs lunchtime and after work exercise classes which I book up to in advance for the week so I am pre-committed and less like to make an excuse not to go. I make sure to have snacks at work with me on…

What specifically do you need help with?!

It depends on the product and if there is a huge difference in taste or big calorie saving. I like the Hellmans light mayo and Lurpak light spreadable butter as I really can't tell the difference to the full fat versions. I use semi-skimmed milk and 0% fat yoghurtas they are items I eat/drink a lot of on a daily basis and…

Just looked this up online and it sounds like large fish like shark, swordfish and some types of tuna should be limited (especially by pregnant women) due to potentially high mercury levels. Think most other types of fish are fine and oily fish in particular are recommended as sources of omega 3 and good cholesterol

I often have reduced fat hummus with salad or crudités and crispbread/ryvita or you could have the same thing but with cottage cheese or light cream cheese. I often take leftovers from dinner - bean and veggie stews, pastas etc. Wraps with salad, quorn slices (the ham style are ok) low fat yoghurt, chilli sauce, mustard or…

I tend to allow myself 2 days per week when I eat more at maintenance levels. I don't go on massive binges or anything but I may eat a meal out and have a glass of wine or two. Spirits with diet soda are a good low cal option and you can always bank calories from the week and use them at the weekend. I don't always eat my…

It's doable, I typically have museli with low fat yogurt and fruit for breakfast (around 250 calories), a salad or soup or crackers with cottage cheese or hummus for lunch (250-350) and then for dinner I might have a veggie stew or curry, a veggie pasta, salmon with potatoes and veg, an omelette with salad, a bean chilli…

I'm not sure why you are so fixated on that last half a pound. Even when you are at your goal weight and eating at maintenance your weight is likely to fluctuate by a pound or two day by day and I guess the thing is to ensure you are hovering around the same mark week on week. Also I think 5000 calories in one day still…

I've been pescetarian for about a year now but I only eat fish very occasionally. For me it was quite a gradual process (probably over the course of about 5 or 6 years). I initially tried to eat less meat and only buy organic and free range and more sustainably sourced fish etc but it got to the point when I was eating…

I'm usually strict in sticking to my calorie goal 5 days a week - in fact I'm often under my calorie goal if I've worked out - but then am more relaxed on 2 days a week and probably eat more at maintenance levels on those days. I tend to plan those days around times when I'll be eating out and will have less control over…

What about diet tonic? Gin and diet tonic is my fave low cal tipple now. Most pubs will have those little bottles of the tonic water so you can see what you are getting. Goes well with vodka too.

Are you logging all your food on MFP and weighing/measuring strictly? That's the only way to really tell if you are sticking to your calorie goal. Are you new to exercise? As I understand it your body might hold on to some water weight if you start a particularly intensive new regime but that shouldn't last too long. I…

Breakfast: week days - no added sugar muesli with low fat natural yogurt and fruit (usually blueberries or a sliced apple). Tea with semi skimmed milk. Brunch: weekends - one piece of wholemeal toast, poached egg, mushrooms/tomatoes, sometimes a Quorn (veggie meat substitute) sausage. Lunch: week days - small portion of…

I've put on around 20 lbs in the five years since I met my husband. For me it was a combination of eating bigger portions and indulging in the same snacks and treats as he did. Plus I think there was an element of us both being comfortable and enjoying our food and getting a bit carried away enjoying ourselves with too…

I don't always log every single ingredient in a side salad - I usually log the main components (lettuce, cucumber, tomato) but might miss out the spring onion or radish or grated carrot - it's only a small amount and pretty low calorie so I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. I don't log spices, salt and pepper, lemon…

I have recently been making a low cal alternative to lasagna using courgette strips (could also use aubergine or any other roasted veggies) for the layers instead of pasta. The topping is low fat natural yogurt mixed with one egg, a teaspoon of cornflour and 25 grams of cheese. Another 25 grams of cheese and some…

Sorry meant to say I don't eat meat but do eat fish. Think it will be easier to cut the carbs at lunch and just have salads with beans or fish or eggs but struggle with dinner as most of the dishes I cook tend to have some starchy component. I guess I can just reduce the portions though, thanks!