awinmac

Hi, Potatoes are high on the glycemic index. Perhaps that might be some of the reason why they are not considered to be one of the best food choices. Of course anything in moderation is just fine. Also the peel is where most ot the potatoes nutrients reside so if you do eat them leave the peels on and eat them too. A lot…

Hi, I had an eating disorder when I was a teenager. I know what you mean about hating the body because it isn't rail thin, or doesn't look the way it once did. Your body is always doing the best it can for you, be amazed by it's restorative powers. Give yourself lots of love and credit for the incredible job you've done…

Hi, isn't enjoying some great food with your family and friends one of the best things about the holidays? It is okay to enjoy the food and not just worry about how it will make you bigger. You do not have to eat tons to enjoy it either! Actually pick the things you like best in moderate amounts and eat them slowly to…

Welcome! I joined too with about twenty pounds to lose. I have lost ten which is great. I am also not very well regimented all the time. I tend to exercise sporadically so this site has helped me a lot just to stay focused and maintain a routine that works, most of the time. best wishes on your journey! cheers! -Amber

Hi, That does sound frustrating! Have you tried having your thyroid checked out? That could be a factor. Sometimes hormonal imbalances can cause your weight not to budge. Stress is also a major factor in weight gain. If you're stressed that may be a problem. Yoga is great for that, trade something high impact for a yoga…

Hi Yeah I know all about the muffin top thing. Do you have a abdominal diastasis? That is a space between the recti muscles of the abdomen? A lot of women who have had children do have them. This makes it a lot harder to get rid of that muffin top. But not impossible. There is a great book by Julie Tupler, called "Lose…

Hi Yeah you should factor alcohol into your daily calorie intake. I'm sure you know about good alcohol (ha ha)like red wine, organic ales and beers and white alcohols ie: gin and vodka rather than the dirty stuff (like whiskey and all blended alcohols). Drinking is a lifestyle choice so no one can tell you not to. It does…

What kind of fat? I would stay away from any full fat cheese or yogurt. Try: Peanut Butter (all natural) or other nut butter, raw nuts, sunflower seeds, cold pressed extra virgin olive oil, grape seed oil, borage oil, primrose oil, avocado. Check out this book from your local library "The Natural Makeover Diet" by Dr. Joey…

Hi That sounds really uncomfortable! Protein Shakes (protein powder, milk or milk sub (soy, rice etc), ground flax seed (you can mill it very fine in a coffee grinder), banana and any fruit without seeds like peeled peaches or atulfo mango (stay away from reg mangoes as they are very fibrous), add some greens plus for…

Hello and Welcome all the new Mommies! My daughter is 3.5 too. I am close to pre preg weight but find that my body looks so different it is hard to be motivated because I can't see it ever regaining it's former shape....at all, so I know what you mean about not feeling motivated sometimes. All I can say is I hope with a…

Hey it can be really hard to stick to your guns. But you seem to be doing it! That is so awesome! You need to tell your parents (even if their behavior doesn't change) that you need their respect and support right now and you do not appreciate the double standard. In the end it doesn't matter what they think, you are…

Hi all, thanks to all who read and replied. It always helps to know there are others out there, who've been there. And yes I need to log my calories more often. Have been lax...at best. many Thanks! Cheers and good luck to all! :smile: -Amber

Hello and welcome! You know as you lose weight and gain muscle your workouts won't be so exhausting. That's quite a long workout too, well to start off with at any rate. I would try to do as much low impact exercise as possible as the strain on your joints is hard to take when you are just starting out. Swimming is good or…

Hi there! Has anyone mentioned that you may not be eating enough calories?? You are doing a lot of exercise and you may need a few more calories to stop your body from holding on to that little bit extra if it's in starvation mode. I believe a fitness counsellor or fitness nutritionist may be able to shed some light on…

Thanks for the recipe, and the tips. Always nice to see how someone else goes about the bread making process. cheers! -Amber

That's sweet! How about this. My three year old daughter was sitting in front of an uneaten hamburger, and I said "aren't you going to eat some of that beef?", "hmm" she says. I say "That's pure cellular damage just waiting to happen!" She smacks her hand down on the table and says "hope so, knock on wood" and taps her…

Hi, You know change is always hard. Getting motivated to bring that change about can be even harder. The thing is once you get past the little hurdles you just want to do better. I never wanted to exercise now that I have been doing it for a while I want to do it all the time. I feel better when I do, and that's…

Hi Ruthann, After a while of keeping track of your calories you get the hang of what a good calorie day looks like food wise, so it becomes easier not to go under or over too much. Check out all the good Vegan cookbooks too. Keeping your calories lower can be alot easier if you don't eat meat, eggs and dairy or if you cut…

Hi My Dad was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and I found a book for him in the library by Dr. Neal Barnard called Plan for reversing diabetes, or something similar to that. You can find it advertised on some vegan websites because it advocates a vegan diet. Yeah, scarey I know but if it helps I figure it's worth…

Hi I know that optimally you should not have more than 1 tsp of salt a day. Unless you are working out a lot, because you sweat it out and even then you wouldn't need to increase very much. You should also stick to iodized sea salt as it has many useful minerals in it. Reducing salt also reduces your risk of a stroke. As…

Hi Amanda, A few good things, unsalted raw nuts, almonds, walnuts. High in good fats and calories but also many good nutrients, you only need to eat a small handful at a time. Raisins, dates and figs good for iron and calcium also if you have a sweet tooth. I buy unsweetend Natura soy milk, add it to a good whole grain…

Hey Shannon, Welcome, and good luck with your goal. I know the best thing to do if you are pregnant is to up all of your nutrients without adding too many extra calories if you are trying to lose some initial weight. I just read a book called "Becoming Vegan" which had some really great information for enriching your diet…

Hi H Doing leg lifts is great for thighs and you don't have to go anywhere to do them. A lot of walking helped me no end with losing weight post partum. A word of warning, if you plan to use an exercise ball, or do sit-ups or pilates if you have a diastasis (a separation of the outermost abdominal muscles) you need to do…

Hi PCS When I was in university many a long year ago. Everybody ate on the cheap. Dried Beans- soak them the night before rinse when you get home the next day and boil them up in some broth or salted water with a few herbs and lots of garlic. Canned beans are often cheap too just make sure you rinse them before cooking.…

It sounds kind of icky but have any of you tried a colon cleanse? I hear it can work wonders for that last few stubborn pounds as the gunk left in your intestines from years of bad food choices can weigh a lot. I am thinking about trying it soon. I wish you all lots of luck with your health goals! cheers -Amber

Hi, I know it's hard when you don't feel like your losing any weight. I started only weighing myself once a week and only in the morning before eating anything. Also you could try eating lots and lots of veggies they fill you up but don't pack on the pounds like a lot of other things do.There are lots of great vegan diets…

Hi, Welcome and Congrats on the new little one! It is very daunting to try and lose baby weight. I lost mine for a while and then gained it back again. I also have a diastasis which makes me look 5 months pregnant even though I had my daughter 3 years ago. I never have really done anything about it but I have a great book…

Hi, I know how hard it can be to overcome low self esteem. I have lived with it my whole life since I was a little kid. Nothing I did ever seemed to be good enough. I talked to a psychiatrist weekly for 2 years which helped a lot. I think also it helps a lot to notice all of the beauty in life and in the world around you…

Hi, I know what you mean, it can be a real drag when the cold weather hits and everyone gets sick! I have a small child which makes it even easier to catch anything that's going. I take a small dose of oregano oil (Pure-le Natural is one brand but there are lots of others in the cold and flu section of your health food…