ellycope Member

Woohoo!! You're so much fitter than you thought you were! That's awesome :happy: Yes, it's likely that your new HRM is more accurate than MFP because it does have more data available to it for making the calculations. I would say that 334 cals for half an hour walk (what speed/pace?) and a half hour kettlebell session…

For what it's worth, I think you look amazing. I had the same problem though. Having been overweight for so long and being so used to seeing that every day and critiquing it every day it took several months for my brain to catch up with my progress and to start seeing what I really looked like! I would suggest that you…

It's the thing that nobody really tells you about weight loss (although if you look at some of the threads on here like 'what surpirsed you most...' that kind of thing, it comes up quite a lot!). I still find that I feel the cold a lot more than i used to but I think I'm gradually getting used to it!

This chilli recipe is amazing - it very quickly became one of mine and my husband's absolute favourites: http://www.snixykitchen.com/2012/09/19/healthy-turkey-and-veggie-chili/ We had to cut down the amount of chilli powder by about half for our tastes but it depends how hot you like your chilli! It covers pretty much all…

So glad I'm not the only MmmBop person! Makes me smile every time it comes on :)

It took me wuite a while before I caught up with where the needle was on the scales. I'd look straight at where it used to be and then wonder where it was - oh yes, a little bit to the left!

250ml skimmed milk and 1 tsp of cocoa powder - the best quality chocolate milk you can get and it's cheap and natural! Obviously you could up the amount of milk if you wanted a few more calories and more protein.

Hi, if it's a non-strenuous trek I would say don't count it at all - mostly walking with short trots and canters really won't burn much at all. However, in a lesson where I'm really working hard then I can burn up to 500 calories in an hour (measured using my HRM) but it depends very heavily on the type of schooling and…

I went out for my run early this morning and it was wonderful and cool. It was a bit of a struggle getting up but now I've done my exercise for the day and I get to enjoy the steadily increasing temperature instead of worrying about it! If you really can't do early mornings then I'd say go later, take some water and…

Bump! Can't look at this at work and want to have a proper play. Have saved the article to read properly later as well.

I've found that singing a song under my breath helps as it helps to regulate the breathing but without adding the stress of counting strides, etc. Find a song you like or one that seems to match your running tempo and breathe the words as you run. I think it helps you take deeper breaths and then also breathe out for…

I agree with the people saying Body Pump is amazing - it's hard work but you get through it because of the energy of the instructor and the music. I know it's hard to try new classes on your own but what I've found with the Les Mills classes is that the people who are going tend to be fans and they really won't mind…

Protein! It helps repair the muscles and keeps you feeling fuller for longer. The best options would probably be non-fat greek yoghurt, cottage cheese or milk for snacks or try and up the amount you have at each meal so you keep the hunger pangs at bay all through the day.

Peggy Seeger's song 'It's a free world' actually gives you a full menu plan for getting the kind of results you want...

I would suggest seeing if you can find any cycling training plans online like they have for running as that will give you ways of increasing your power and speed. In terms of the saddle - I can't recommend getting a properly fitting saddle highly enough! It made a huge difference to my riding and comfort on the bike and…

I did my first Body Pump class the other week (not at an LAFitness but I'm guessing they're all pretty much the same! Speak to the instructor beforehand and they'll give you some tips on form. I'm guessing you know about form for squats and lunges already? One thing I did do was go to the Les Mills website where they have…

I have the implanon implant and I haven't found any issues with weight loss. I've just used MFP and reduced my calories and done more exercise and its worked! I have had problems with breakthrough bleeding with it and for that reason I won't have a new one put in as I'm now taking a pill as well so frankly I might as well…

Realising that there was no wobbly tummy bits when doing my cycle tummies at circuit training! Also, and I'm really trying to see this as a positive, I'm feeling the cold a lot more now!

I can't really help with the pizza craving aspect because I like it but don't love it so can stop at a couple of slices. However, sweet things are my weakness, especially after dinner! My favourites are: 1 meringue nest with 50g 0% fat greek yogurt and 40g frozen raspberries (microwave the raspberries on high for about 20…

Really what the others have said. Prepare the night before and try not to think of the car as an option - remind yourself how much better you feel when you do cycle especially as otherwise you'll be on the M25 in your car. With the getting up early - you could try setting your alarm a bit earlier so you get the same bit of…

Morning workouts - they set me up for the day and help me feel more energised. Afternoon/evening workouts are OK but I do prefer to know that I've already done my exercise for the day! What about you?

Most people add it as Circuit training (general) but if you get a heart rate monitor you'll get a more accurate count and you can add it as an exercise in your own account. OP - definitely start with 30DS and remember that you don't have to do it in 30 consecutive days (have a rest day every week) and you don't have to…

Ripped in 30 is probably the next step up from 3oDS. 6 Week 6 Pack is very similar in that there's cardio in there to keep the heart rate up but obviously there's a big emphasis on the core. My favourites are the two longer workouts Banish Fat Boost Metabolism and No More Trouble Zones. BFBM is cardio and toning using body…

I have to say I think it's one of the better diet/health TV shows around. As one of the previous posters said, it is one of the only ones to highlight undereating as just as bad as overeating. Also, the diet swap seems to be one of the big factors in helping the people on the show - it's only when they see their food in…

I love Banish Fat Boost Metabolism and No More Trouble Zones - you can feel them working the rest of the day! 30 Day Shred was a great intro to her style and method. 6 Week 6 Pack is OK but I don't tend to reach for it as I always think I'll get a better total body workout with plenty of abs in it if I do a level from 30DS…

Fage 0% with stewed rhubarb and a tiny bit of honey or, if I'm taking it to work, frozen fruit because then it keeps the yogurt cool but the fruit defrosts in time for lunch, yum :-)

I actually love Level 2 - it's my favourite! Least favourites would be jumping lunges and rock star jumps both of which appear in L3 (hmm, plyometrics seem to be my least favourites in all JM's workouts!). I do love the walking plank and plank rows from L3 though - feel so strong when I do them! ETA: Oh yeah, chair squats…

My Sigma HRM is waterproof and I've worn it for a couple of swims. I'm in no way a competitive swimmer and the last time I went I burnt 220ish in 30mins so 1,100 for an hour and a half of intense swimming is probably about right. I'm 5' 6" and 143lbs if that helps!

This site so needs a like button! Love this!

I did this by accident one day at work when I was on my own and in sole charge. <spoiler alert!> I was so panicked and phoning the IT help desk was fun: "Everything on my monitor is upside down!" "What??"