jemachharo Member

normal.

Plateaus are very normal. I find if I significantly increase my calories for a couple of days and then go back down, I start losing again. My body gets used to eating patterns so I try to confuse it occasionally. Good luck! Jean

Just say no....

My 2 cents/opinion.... 1. I eat out - just be careful 2. Probiotics help me - i have IBS issues - they help lesson it 3. Exercise, especially strength training, is ESSENTIAL. It helps ensure you are losing FAT and not MUSCLE. If you lose muscle, you will gain your weight back and more. 4. Sodas - Drop em. Nothing good…

Try strength training

I am not suggesting everyone should give up cabs. For MOST people it works to eat them. But for those who struggle to lose no matter how hard you work on it, like I did for YEARS, you might want to try cutting back on starches and processed foods. I am not saying carbs are all bad - I eat plenty of carbs in my veggies and…

I'll bet my 54 pounds lost against your 18. I can eat 1200-1400 calories of what people consider a normal balanced diet that includes starches and gain weight. I eat 2000 calories of lean proteins, fruits, and veggies without consuming starches and processed foods and I lose. I am living proof that the "laws" don't apply…

Many people are able to lose simply by eating less of what they normally eat. If you are one of those people, you are blessed. For others, like me, WHAT I eat is actually more important than the number of calories I consume. I have an intolerance to gluten which screws up my body and actually makes me gain weight. I have…

Congratulations. You are doing a FABULOUS job. I know what you mean about wanting others to share your excitement - it makes a difference! Please feel free to add me. Jean

I'm with you. I hate tattoos. I think they look ridiculous.

I've tried cheap grocery store makeup and VERY Expensive department store makeup. For me the main difference is the price. So NOT worth the department store prices. From the grocery store, I prefer Loreal foundations and their DoubleExtend mascara - best mascara I have EVER worn. I also like their lipsticks. For a little…

I had a goal to lose 50 pounds by my 50th birthday which is May 14. I met that goal plus a few extras. May is very busy socially and then we have a long vacation planned in June, so my goal for the next two months is to maintain where I am now. If I can lose a couple of more, all the better...

I LOVE french vanilla coffeemate. I used to pour quite a bit in and heat it in the microwave so it didn't cool my coffee. I found using less just did not satisfy. I had to go cold turkey and now only drink black coffee.

I gave up alcohol when I started this journey. I found alcohol was a gateway to poor food choices for me. When I'd poor a glass of wine, I wanted cheese and crackers or some other snack. If I went out and ordered a margarita at a Mexican restaurant, I ate a lot more chips. I make much better choices drinking water instead.…

Finally had a chance to look at your diary. I don't see the daily menus of someone trying to lose weight. I would recommend cutting out candy and fries and heavily processed foods for a while. You don't have to give them up forever, but once you cut them out, you likely miss them. Focus on fresh food for a while - eat 7…

you are wrong about a calorie is a calorie. I believed that for a long time, but I have found that all calories are not created equal for some people. I can't eat starches/sugars. Give me equal calorie counts of healthier food ( protein, fruit, and veggies) and of starchy processed food - I will gain on the processed…

If you open your diary, I may be able to help. Not all calories are created equal. I struggled for years until I realized what foods work and don't work for me.

I keep a bag of dark chocolate Dove squares in my refrigerator. I have one most evenings. It's my way of signaling my body that I am done for the day.

Because the show has them working out all day long and has very tight control over their diet.

If you open your diary, we might be able to help. It's not just how much you eat, but what you eat. For me, all calories are NOT created equal. I struggled for years. Finally found I have Vitamin D and progesterone deficiencies - both were making me gain weight. I also learned I am allergic to certain foods - they also…

you are doing great. Just hang in there and stick to it - you will see results.

" weighed myself on a random scale today and I was up two pounds! " Random scale. I have two in my house and they give me different weights. Only be concerned if your normal scale shows a change. Also water weight and TOM cause fluctuations.

When I plateau I eat very high calories for 2 days and then go back down - focus on protein and fat, not sugar. Usually breaks it.

Stay away from processed food - eat fresh. I work full time without the time to do a lot of prep, but I find it easy to eat fresh.

I have a desk job too, but I make sure I get up and move. I work in a 4 story building. I try to get up and walk the stairs every hour if I can. When I'm on the phone, I stand up and pace around my office (or if I'm just listening to a call I put the headset on and walk the halls) I try to get out and walk at lunch. I also…

When I hit a plateau, I do a couple of very high calorie days - high in protein and fat. That usually gets everything to kick in for me. I also limit my starches to whole grains as much as possible every day. I don't eat breads or potatoes anymore - they cause me to hold onto weight. Good Luck.

NORMAL.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my fitbit.

Yes,actually everything you mentioned is a processed food. Anything out of a box, jar, can, etc is processed. Something you might try.... For dinners I will cook a protein (chicken for example) - I bake it with just spices. I will fix a vegetable and a whole grain like farro. I make enough for left overs so that is also my…