junebug523

Just keep giving it time. If it's too overwhelming to try to make tons of changes all at once (which it can be), start with just one or two, and build yourself up from there. If you try to change too much too fast, you'll likely get discouraged and give up. Don't let that happen! So, maybe right now really focus on…

Give it three or four weeks; it may take that long for your metabolism to sort of reset itself...and you might even try not weighing yourself at all during this time. Make your focus solely on getting your body the nutrition it needs. And even if you do gain some weight (which I doubt you will), it will be minimal. Then,…

I completely understand where you are coming from. It is really difficult not to compare yourself with others, especially knowing that you started at the same weight a few months back. I don't think there's a "way" to stop focusing on that, other than to just do it. Practice focusing on the progress you have made. When you…

Spot reducing doesn't work (although it would be nice if it did!). You can certainly work specific muscle groups so that those areas become more toned as you lose fat, but as you lose weight, the fat's going to come off over your entire body. Your body may also tend to slim down more quickly in certain areas before…

Spot reducing doesn't work (although it would be nice if it did!). You can certainly work specific muscle groups so that those areas become more toned as you lose fat, but as you lose weight, the fat's going to come off over your entire body. Your body may also tend to slim down more quickly in certain areas before…

You should stick with eating more for three or four weeks before deciding whether or not it's working. Don't let a temporary gain within the first couple of weeks scare you into eating less. It takes time for these changes to really take place in your body. Also...if you're not already in the habit of keeping track of your…

I strongly suggest planning your meals and snacks ahead of time. It can be difficult and time-consuming, especially at first, but once you get into the habit of it, you will have a much easier time meeting your calorie goal. If you plan ahead and pack good snacks (for me, these are mainly fruit, dried fruit, veggies,…

Peanut butter and apples 1/2 oz Dubliner cheese + 1/2 oz walnuts = yum (and keeps me full) ...and recently, a handful of cherry tomatoes from our garden, usually along with a little cheese or something else salty...out-of-this-world yummy!

But you ARE getting there! 31 pounds is nothing to turn your nose up at! That is an immense achievement! How do I stay motivated when I get a little off track? I pick myself back up as soon as I can. I choose to make my next choice a good one, instead of one that I know will keep me feeling sluggish or yucky. In some ways,…

My goal on MFP is 125, which, given my medium frame and 5'2" height, is right around the middle of my BMI range. When I was in high school I actually got down to 119.5 at one point, and I felt amazing. However, things have changed. Right now my big goal is to get below 137, which will put me in the BMI range. At that…

During the time I was on the 30 Day Shred, I was also walking a lot, plus adding in some running-so the 30DS wasn't the only exercise I was doing. I was also watching my food intake, eating back at least half of my exercise calories. I completed the 30DS in the space of about 40-42 days, so I did take days off--I would…

Good for you for choosing to make healthy changes before they get out of hand! I'm kind of doing the same thing (although when I started, I had about 32 lbs to lose). I'm not obese either, but it's very important to me to become more fit, and also to reach a healthy bmi. I want to figure this stuff out now, so that I have…

Hi April, If you come to the point where eating at 1230 still isn't making a difference, it won't hurt to try increasing your calories for a few weeks. And yes, it can take a few weeks for your body to realize it's not starving, and start letting go of the fat again. When I started here, I had been eating at around 1200…

My weigh in day is usually every other Friday. Weighing less often helps keep me from playing head games with myself. Last week I weighed on Thursday, but I had been *ahem* a little backed up, and it *ahem* resolved itself on Thursday after my weigh-in, so I weighed in again on Friday. Yippee! Another .8 lbs gone!

I am currently set to lose 1 lb per week (have been for about 4 weeks)--I've lost 4 lbs in that time, so it seems to be working. However, as I get closer to my goal weight, that may change. I don't want to get so absorbed with the number on the scale that I lose track of what's more important--how healthy and fit I am, and…

I eat full fat cheese most days. I love it. I don't like low fat cheese, so if I can still stay within my calorie, fat, and sodium goals for the most part, I'm going to keep at it. The key IS moderation. Whereas before I could easily eat a couple of ounces without thinking about it (and still want more), now I can have a…

I almost always eat at least half of my exercise calories. If I have an especially intense workout, I eat the majority of them. It doesn't seem to be slowing me down. For the last 8 weeks I have been eating my exercise calories, and I have lost 7 pounds. So if I can eat more and still lose weight, I'm not going to mess…

For me, it's mainly a matter of reducing my servings or eating the indulgence foods less frequently. I've been pretty consistent with a 9/10 rule (i.e. 9 times out of 10 I make a good choice, and then the last one is up to me!). I simply will not cut certain things out of my diet, if I know I can eat them more moderately…

:flowerforyou: Thank you for posting this! It's such a good reminder for anyone who is seriously trying to lose weight and change their lives. Actually, the "change their lives" part is really the most important thing to remember! If I hit a plateau or lose steam for awhile, that's no excuse to give up. It just charges me…

You say you are trying to watch your portions (this is great!)--but have you been tracking your daily calories (i.e. every single bite you put in your mouth)? It's possible that this might reveal something that is affecting your weight loss--either too many or too few net calories, too much sodium, etc.

I agree that this is part of the learning process. We're not just trying to lose weight for the short-term; we want to be making changes that will allow us to sustain our weight loss and fitness for the rest of our lives! If it's going to be a lifelong thing, I'm going to be making it a priority--reflecting on every…

As everyone here has already said, your weight loss so far is actually right about where it should be. 4 pounds in one month is tremendous progress! I don't know if you're already doing any of these things, but besides doing what you're already doing (because it IS working), here are some things you might try: -Strength &…

This technique probably isn't a good way to lose weight for those who have a lot to lose. Like several of you have said, calorie intakes of 2400+ daily probably isn't going to give you the changes you want! But for me, this does seem to have worked. I joined MFP in late April, and stuck to the recommended calories of…

Measurements are a much more accurate way to gauge your progress. Maybe try taking two or three weeks away from the scale, and just focus on your eating, exercise, measurements, how your clothes fit, and how you feel. I've only weighed in twice in the last six weeks, and it has done wonders for my motivation, believe it or…

I have found that if I want to keep my calories balanced throughout the day, I MUST plan most of them in advance. Each night, I plan out my exercise, and most of my breakfast, lunch, and snacks at the very least. Sometimes things change a little bit, but I'm usually right around where I want to be at the end of the day. I…

I agree with everyone who suggests that you just block out this "me time". It can be difficult to do at first, especially when you are tired and you have a lot going on...however, if you aren't intentional about making the time (i.e. making exercise a high priority), it won't happen. Try starting small. Block out 20…

All of these are good suggestions...but if things are REALLY bad, and I simply MUST have something naughty, I give in. I just pick which one or two things it will be, drink a ton of water, and start over again right away. Usually I don't end up eating as much as I think I will. I also squeeze in an extra workout to…

Spot reducing unfortunately doesn't really work (in my case, the area I would want to spot reduce would be the hip/thigh area...but I just have to take what I can get!). The best thing to do is focus on overall weight/fat loss, and also focus on toning & strengthening your body. Chest presses, chest flies, push-ups, and…

I am 5'2", 154 lbs, and I'm not positive what my "happy weight" will be. I've toned up so much that even though I'm still almost 20 lbs over my BMI range, I'm as small now as I was the last time I weighed 142 lbs! Right now I really really want to get below 136 lbs, which will put me in a healthy BMI range. My goal weight…

Depends on what your goal is. I wanted to lose weight, inches, and become more fit, so the 30DS was a great jumping-off point for me. Some days, all I did was the 30DS. As I progressed, though, I found that I still had the energy for a long walk, or walk/jog intervals. Before the 30DS, the only regular exercise I did was…