dragonflyjill Member

Also, I have one of those "magic bullet" blenders of infomercial fame and they work really well for single size smoothies. Makes portion control easier if you are just making enough for one person.

Frozen banana, frozen strawberries and/or blueberries, a few ice cubes, vanilla almond or soy milk. Bit of yogurt if I have it. Some people like to add protein powder. I find for me smoothies are a treat...pretty calorie dense for a drink and I am hungry pretty quickly after. But sometimes post work out they are a good…

I go for a banana sometimes. If I was organized I would have the banana frozen ahead of time and blend it up to an ice-cream consistency. Also, I have heard that a little bit of complex carbohydrate, like potato with skin or whole grain cracker will keep your blood sugar in check through the night. You can read about it…

We do them in the crock pot using the crock pot as a double boiler. http://annkroeker.com/2008/03/25/overnight-crockpot-steel-cut-oatmeal/ Works like a charm and easy to clean!

Some people also like to do them savoury, more like a rice dish. Salt and Pepper and some toasted nuts or seeds. Maybe a touch of butter. I used to do this but now I am digging the brown sugar, cinnamon, almonds approach.

I used to have orthitics, fitting by a chiropodist, and that really helped. But since taking up yoga (Bikram specifically) I can proudly say it has completely healed my feet! I think the standing on one leg balancing strengthened all those little muscles and corrected the alignment. Jill

http://www.self.com/fitness/workouts/2010/08/get-toned-in-the-pool-slideshow#slide=1 Just found this great article on pool workouts in Self magazine!

No matter what type of exercise (or diet, or whatever) you follow, there are going to be people who say something negative about it! Just do what works for you! I really love Bikram Yoga. It is easy for me to stick with it because I look forward to going and do not have to drag my butt there! People say it is not a "real"…

What I have come to realize is that I can really eat whatever I want...just not every day all the time. Does that make sense? For example I have not had to give up my favourite foods like pizza, ice cream etc. , I just make sure that they are balanced with more healthy choices, the portions are appropriate and I am within…

You look awesome! (and so does our fantastic city!) Jill

Feels great, doesn't it? I regularly cry with joy in dressing rooms now.

You have it exactly right! You are encouraged to eat the 1700 calories. There is lots posted about this in the newbie forums. Jill

You can refer her to overeaters anonymous if she needs more info.

I often fluctuate that much, usually between evening and morning. You have probably lost a few pounds and also caught your body at a low water time. Still, must feel good!

If you lose weight all over it should also come off your boobs a little bit. They have this TV show here in Canada called Bulging Brides where women have 6 weeks to get in shape to fit into their dress, and they work their butt off and lose a couple of inches off the chest which makes a big difference. Lots of cardio.…

I agree with kaitlinj, smoothies leave me hungry and irritable in about an hour. I drink them on occasion when I know I have the calories and am going to be eating in a couple of hours anyway. For breakfast I have found some steel cut oats with nuts in it. I make a big batch then nuke em up in the AM. Keeps me full and…

I find if I eat steel cut oats in the AM with some mixed nuts in it I am full for a long time. Also, remember sometimes we are hungrier at certain times of the month, so it may just be a temporary thing that will pass.

Trail mix and a piece of fruit? Can you bring a small cooler, maybe keep it in the car? How do they feed the patients with no kitchen facilities? Weird!

I agree about seeing the doctor. To me it sounds like it could be a thyroid thing. It is connected to metabolism and the menstrual cycle and it may have been knocked out of whack by your recent weight loss. Or by something else. yeah, see a doctor! Also, any chance you are pregnant? Have your periods been unusually scant?…

I have heard it said that it is helpful to create new goals so you can continue to feel the thrill of success and accomplishment. They can be fitness related (like running a race or something) or just something else in your life you would like to challenge yourself with! I think when I get to my ideal weight I am going to…

Also keep in mind "fluid ounces" and the "ounces" you see on the food scale are not the same thing or even related. Just to make things more confusing. Weighing your water to see how many ounces is not how it works!

I am interested in the answer to this as well. Has anyone just asked their doctor for ideas on this issue? I kinda pulled a number out of my butt based on BMI, and also I weigh people pretty regularly at work, and I know what some of my friends of similar height weigh, so I kind of based it on that. Also, I wanted to make…

I just finished week 1 of the couch to 5 k, and am inspired as well by your post! It is amazing what the body can do with proper training and patience! Jill

I have lost my dog! He weighs about 38 pounds. I also like to visualize 40 pounds of butter sitting on a table, and think that I have lost that from my body. Yikes!

This site has meal plans that do not involve recipes: http://www.freedieting.com/1200_calorie_diet.htm

This is great info, thanks! Seems like the couch to 5 k is a great program. I should just get over my fear and go for it!

Avocado! And I second the other people on here about adding nuts, just a handful can really add up.

Excellent point! If it does not work you can always change it up again. Finding what works for you is a process. I think it is true though, you gotta eat to fuel your body and your lean muscle mass, especially if you are working out.

I can't see pics, just photo bucket squares.

Don't feel bad, everyone seems to have problems loading pictures!