msjamartin

I've lost 194lbs in 2 years...I've done this by eating in a calorie range not by limiting my calories to a specific number. I don't use the excersice calorie plan on MFP per se. Since I started this well before I joined MFP, I've simply stuck with what worked. I adjusted my macros to be a 40/30/30 balance and I eat between…

Look into the Zone or South Beach plans if you need something structured. They are not as extreme as Atkins and have good structures that will help you learn how to balance your macro's. Pesonally I really liked the Zone structure and while I'm not on any particular plan I do use the 40/30/30 balance of carbs/protein/fat…

Reset the default...MFP is set for a setting that has your carbs way to high. I use a 40c/30p/30f I don't always meet it, but at least I have a better balance that really helps with the weight loss. I do a ton of cardio with strength mixed in and the protein is key to recovery and building lean muscles. Never worry about…

Made several of the skinnytaste.com recipes and will make more as I still have pumpkin. Love the chili (I've made it 3 times this year already) http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/10/crockpot-turkey-white-bean-pumpkin.html Also made pumpkin spice cupcakes....YUM!!!

I try and choose restaurants that I can research and pre-plan before I go. I try to choose something with a lot of veggies and lean meats without cream sauces. For instance, if I'm going to an italian restaurant I look for something with whole wheat pasta, marinara and grilled chicken. I'll have a dinner salad with a light…

I was right there with the original poster for most of my life. I finally had to bit the bullet and get my 378 lb body into the gym or die. For most of the first year it was me, the elliptical, my mp3 and my kindle. I read more books on that machine in a year than I have read in 5 years. Thank goodness for the free kindle…

FYI - if you are looking for salt-free spices and blends here is a link to all of Penzey's listings. http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/c-Salt_Free.html

I buy alot of my spices and blends from Penzeys. They have stores in many cities and you can order online. They have a Tuscan Seasoning and a Green Goddess that are salt free (in fact, they have many salt-free blends available including several chili powder blends)…

I've made more from this site than I can list and nothing has been bad. From Pumpkin cupcakes for work, mixed berry muffins, applenut bread, the pumpkin chili and chicken taco chili, etc. etc. etc. Last night I made - http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/01/kalyns-stuffed-cabbage-casserole.html Absolutley WONDERFUL! I made it…

Your body is adjusting to the new routine. I've seen weight vary by 5 lbs from day to day and not due to eating a ton of food. Gaining at the beginning of such and intense change is not uncommon. Stay consistent and dedicated. Your body will catch up and you will see a drop on the scales soon.

I second Skinnytaste.com.....not a bad recipe on the site and majority will be family friendly. She put points for WW and calories/nutrition breakouts.

Best advice...plan, plan, plan. Make a menu for the paycheck/payperiod you are buying in that week. Then make a shopping list of EVERY ingrediant (even if you know you have it). Then take that list and go through your kitchen crossing off everything you already have in the house. Take what is left and go through the…

I'm training for my first 1/2 marathon in June. I still have 37lbs till my goal yet I wanted to start officially training at the beginning of the year. I'm building up the running slowly with weight training and hoping to have my last bit of weight off before the final month so I can be in more maintenance mode when…

I don't believe in cheat days at all. It is simply life. Everything can fit in your day, even cupcakes. I do not look at any food as off limits and find it unrealistic to try an live with these type of rules. Once I hit my goal the only thing about my food that will change is the calorie amount. I still eat cake on…

I have happily discovered the single serve of Uncle Ben's Brown Rice (and other varieties). I know it cost a bit more than just buying a bag but these are great for lunches. 1/2 cup portion ready to heat and eat. I'll spend a little more to have the rice easy for lunches. Of course this is no help when it is a family…

most packages of rice will tell you how much cooked the uncooked measurement will make. I believe these is some variable depending on the type of rice as well. 1 cup dry will generally product 2 cups cooked. 1/2 a cup cooked is considered a serving by the USDA food pyamid people.

Where are you getting your exercise calories from?? The machines at the gym, MFP listings or HRM? the gym machines and MFP tend to be on the high side for many exercise (although I've found some to be low). For this reason, I do not eat all my calories back as I do not have a HRM for the most accurate count (these are the…

Keep doing weights as the muscles will tighten up. The fat, well it will come off when it comes off but you want the muscle underneath firm and lean. I too have what I call "arm flaps". My trainer and I are working hard on the muscles in hopes that the fat and skin will catch up. They are my one area that I hate. From you…

Hi - I've been on this journey for a couple years and have lost 191lbs. I was 378. First, you are doing awesome. You are focused and consistent and that is more than 1/2 the battle. Next, everyone one is different so finding your right mix is the key. You are frustrated and have been trying so many things that you are at…

www.skinnytaste.com has many muffins and cupcakes that are all delicious. I've made several, including a whole wheat berry and banana nut that were really good. Gina has kids and she tests alot of her items on her 2 year old and teenager both. If they don't like it, it doesn't make the site.

I've made a ton from this site. Many of my chilis and soups that I do in the crockpot come from here. I've also made muffins, cupcakces, breads etc. So far not a bad recipe on the site.

Down 191 since my highest and have 37 more to go. Posted a block on New Years with photos and history - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/msjamartin/view/new-years-2012-and-one-more-milepost-gone-184664 You can do this!!!!!

When you lose something you try and find it...I'm not losing any weight...I'm giving it away to the needy.

Spa day (whole day..not just a massage or mani but a whole day just for me!!!!) Trip to the Canyons - Zion/Bryce/Arches. Me, my camera and the hiking trails New wardrobe Life, liberty and the pursuit of happyness (oh wait...we already have that)

I agree you need to eat more. I don't eat all my excersise calories back as I know the machines at the gym are not accurate but I do eat some back. I try and keep my calorie intake right around 1500. I've lost 191 lbs in just over two years with only a few months where I had a very slow weight loss. I've never "plateaued"…

Started with just walking M-F, then added the gym 45 min M-F, then upped that to twice a day M-F, then upped that to 1hour cardio twice a day with 3 days a week added strength training... I've lost 191lbs in about 2 years and have 37 more to go. I'm actually changing everything up again now that I'm so close to my goal. My…

Another Kindle user here! I have the wifi version as well and read constantly at the gym while on the elliptical (can't read on the treadmill as jogging and reading don't mix with the way the machines are set up..I can read when I'm doing a walk with an incline though). I've started checking out books from the library…

Gone from 48 to 36 in a year and a half...still a DD (but then the extra skin is what really keeps them cups full..have to stuff it somewhere. Hoping once more firming happens I'll be a D. It will come.

I weigh at home on Saturdays each week and I do a mid-week gym check on Wed. Since I do my measurments/weight monthly at the gym and I know the scales are different than at home, I like to keep an eye on it both places. I can't wait until I reach my goal and then I'll only weigh at home once a month and at the gym once a…

I've noticed interesting trends at my gym. Mon-Wed full morning and evening (more so now and that is to be expected). Thurs and Friday it is very quiet. I'm fortunate that my main gym is very big with many machines. I did have to use treadmills in an area I don't like as the good area was full but that will change in a few…