flhedinger

I usually have 1 cup of kale, 1 ounce of almonds, 2 tbs of unsweetened coconut, one orange, and a handful of a frozen fruit blend that includes mango, pineapple, peach and strawberry. Obviously if you are going for lower fat you can leave out the coconut -- that's the treat portion of it for me because i think it makes it…

I recommend adding a good serving or two of greek yogurt to your diet (I use it in smoothies, in place of sour cream in meals, and with a drizzle of honey for desert); dark leafy greens have a lot of protein for the calories; lentils, quinoa, beans with brown rice -- the protein in these things will all add up quickly…

Good luck as you get started. I am trying to eat a diet that is more based on vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains as well. (I'm vegetarian to start with, so meat isn't an issue). The two main things I'm eating less of are foods with added refined sugars and cheese. I have found that when I eat foods that are…

I got tears in my eyes reading your post. You look beautiful and I hope so much that you reach your mental/emotional goals and gain the confidence that you (and all of us) deserve!

I'm getting ready to try this for 6 weeks. I'm not committing myself to longer than that, and I will allow myself a few limited modifications -- dairy 1-3 times per week and eggs 1-2 times per week. My main goals in adopting this approach to eating for a little while are: 1) to break myself out of a sugar craving that is…

This is great advice, and I second it. You need to enter into a loving and constructive conversation, whether just the two of you or through therapy, and do your best to each hear, really hear, where the other is and where you each want to go. Best of luck to you. I don't think you are necessarily at an impasse in your…

LOL - sitting at a desk all day is my problem too! Nothing like boredom to spur thoughts of food!

When I'm struggling to make the right decision (to power through a hard part of a workout, to not eat another chocolate, etc.) my mantra is "this is the new me".

I didn't count my calories very carefully while I was breastfeeding, but I did try to really focus on the quality of what I was eating, and that helped me stay within a reasonable amount of calories and lose my pregnancy weight. (I actually lost pregnancy weight very easily... it's just that my pre-pregnance weight was too…

I am proud that I got up when my alarm went off this morning extra early so I could go to a spinning class. I was *this* close to turning it off and skipping the class, but I feel so much better for having gone!

I just had to respond to your post -- not only do you look great (you really do -- I love the dress you're wearing in your current picture) -- but my name is also Faye! I don't come accross too many people with the same name as me! Anyway, you look amazing and I wish you all of the best luck in the world getting pregnant.

I'm in and I did it! Thanks for the challenge -- I hate planks and definitely wouldn't have done any (let alone 5 sets) without the challenge!

A certain number of any exercise: squats, calf-raises, push-ups, tricep dips off of a chair, wall sits, etc. On certain days you can challenge each other to double your exercise (if you usually work out 30 minutes, work out 60 minutes, etc.) If you are soda drinkers do "no soda" days. Challenge each other to take a walk on…

You have gotten a lot of comments to ensure you that your boyfriend's position regarding his children being first really proves that he is a good man and worthy of your love. I thought I would say something about step-parenting teenagers. I have a 14 year old stepson and I will tell you this honestly: there are days that…

You look great, and your start/end weights and height, plus age and children make you similar to me. It really is great to see somebody who started where I am and see how great you look now. Thank you for posting, and congratulations on your success!

I'm not a major biker, but I have done a number of organized 50 mile rides. My biggest piece of advice is to start doing medium and longer rides (15-30 miles) at least two or three times a week to get your body (especially your bottom!) used to riding that much. Otherwise you will be really saddle sore the day of your ride…

** Sorry to be posting late - I hope I'm still in time for the chart. If not, then this post is for me, so that I know I checked in every week during the challenge.** Name/ real name: flhedinger / Faye Current Weight: 169 Challenge Goal Weight: 160 {9 lb weight loss for 12 wks} 04/09: 169 04/16: 168.5 04/23: 168 04/30: 167…

I'm 5'5.5". My current goal is 150. I think that when I get there I will reassess and shoot for 140 or so, but right now I can't even imagine actually seing 150 on the scale, and I don't have a good concept of what my body will look like or how I will feel. My approach to this is to set a realistic and achievable goal so…

Name/ real name: flhedinger / Faye Current Weight: 169 Challenge Goal Weight: 160 {9 lb weight loss for 12 wks} 04/09: 169 04/16: 168.5 04/23: 168 04/30: 05/07: <<<166>>> 05/14: 05/21: 05/28: 06/04: <<<163>>> 06/11: 06/18: 06/25: 07/02: <<<160>>>

I do that all the time -- I make my oatmeal with a little bit less water than called for (I really don't like runny oatmeal) and cook it in the microwave, then add yogurt and mix it all together. I love it, and it's a quick healthy breakfast!

bump - I'm curious about this also. I think that fitness podcasts would be great for me!

Name/ real name: Flhedinger/Faye Current Weight: 169 Challenge Goal Weight: 160 04/09: 169 04/16: 168.5 04/23: 04/30: 05/07: <<<mini goal weight>>> 05/14: 05/21: 05/28: 06/04: <<<mini goal weight>>> 06/11: 06/18: 06/25: 07/02: <<<challenge goal weight>>> 160

Thank you for organizing and getting us the chart and our first weekly challenge. I like this challenge a lot - achievable, but important goals! I know I can meet the water goals during the week (when I'm sitting at my desk all day). I have a harder time remembering to drink water on the weekends when I'm out and about,…

Name/ real name: flhedinger / Faye Current Weight: 169 Challenge Goal Weight: 160 {9 lb weight loss for 12 wks} 04/09: 169 04/16: 04/23: 04/30: 05/07: <<<166>>> 05/14: 05/21: 05/28: 06/04: <<<163>>> 06/11: 06/18: 06/25: 07/02: <<<160>>>

I have problems with shin splints also. The trainer at my gym recommended setting the treadmill incline to .5 or 1 and that has helped me. Also, as other people have said, having the right shoes is important. And finally, if you increased your amount of running quickly, that can bring on the shin splints -- you really have…

This is the first time I have joined a challenge, but I think it will be good for me! Name/ real name: flhedinger / Faye Current Weight: 170 Challenge Goal Weight: 161 {9 lb weight loss for 12 wks} 04/09: 04/16: 04/23: 04/30: 05/07: <<<167>>> 05/14: 05/21: 05/28: 06/04: <<<164>>> 06/11: 06/18: 06/25: 07/02: <<<161>>>

Hi - I have been a vegetarian for my whole life (so going on 31 years now), and although I do have to be more concious of my protein than most meat eaters that I know, I have always been able to meet my protein requirements, even at times when I have been running or cycling a lot. I do not eat a lot of the fake meat…

For me, I don't worry too much about going over on protein or coming out a little bit low on carbs - knowing my body, I would rather fall low on carbs and high on protien than the other way around. And also I think that the protein levels are set a little bit low on MFP. Do you eat very many grains? If I have brown rice…

I am taller than you and consequently am eating 1400 calories a day, but I am vegetarian. When you say that you are having a hard time meeting your calories and getting the percentages right, do you mean that you are having a hard time getting enough protien without eating too much fat and/or carbs? (If I have…

I think that mantras are really helpful. When I get to the end of my stamina during a run and I want to push for those extra few minutes, I choose one thing to say to myself over and over in my head (and if I'm running outside and I'm alone, I will say it out loud, too!). For example, my running mantra is "this is the new…