Cookie_4 Member

That's great!! Congrats on getting yourself healthier!

I LOOOOOOVE eating out and trying to stay on a calorie limit was the bane of my life at first (I know, dramatic :blushing: ) but now I just plan for them by looking at menus beforehand like the others mentioned. I'm always tempted to change my mind when I see what others are eating but I try to pick something less calorie…

Haha, Brent! I am hitting it! Hard!! (insert that's what he said joke!! :laugh: ) I adjusted my macros to 40:30:30 but my diet is accustomed to horrible foods and I'm still trying to eat more nutrient dense foods (with my cookies, chips and ice cream mixed in). I'm trying to increase protein but it's so difficult!! Thanks…

Chris, awesome that what you're doing is working for you!! I hope to get good results, too. I just don't want to waste my time. Thanks again for your input

I'm not sure. I've been struggling with the calorie limit these past few weeks. My TDEE is somewhere between 2050-2150 (different calculators) and I have my limit set to 1550 and I input 65% of calories burned and eat them back. *shrugs*. What's your caloric limit?

Congrats on being proactive about wanting to live a healthier (and happier) life! It's not easy but you will find people who will help and support you along the way, like me! Feel free to add me and I will help as much as I can. You can do it!

Why is it better to do cardio after? I usually do cardio for 15 minutes before to warm up. Isn't it bad to just start lifting "cold" (muscle injury, etc.) ?

What would you recommend or what do you think would be better?

Thanks for all the input, everyone. :flowerforyou: I think I'm just going to suck it up and continue with the program lifting 5 days a week. @Cherimoose - my goal is to maintain the muscle I already have and lose fat. I can't really build muscle since I eat at a small deficit but I absolutely love the overall feeling of…

You lift 5-6 days a week? Wow, ok, I will woman up and just work through it. ETA: I do remember reading somewhere that I SHOULD have rest days in between to allow proper muscle healing but I guess you guys are right. I should just listen to my own body and not a set schedule

I was JUST about to post a topic about this! I'm 5'8" and have 16.5" calves Still way too insecure to wear short shorts (especially since my thighs love being next to each other). How do I get over this?!?! I really do get looks when I wear short dresses and I don't think those looks are good ones!

OP, you have lost over 80 pounds!! Be proud of yourself and remember how amazing you are. Like others have said, we are our own worst critics and we all have our "feeling fat" days and our insecure spots, so I know where you're coming from (I never wear shorts because my calves and inner thighs are huge no matter how much…

I used to be super nervous and shy in the weights area before (still a little shy when it's crowded), but I've been using the website below and it has been working for me (I love lifting now!). Their plan tells you exactly what to do that day with videos on proper form attached. I watch the videos the day before and then…

Great share. I can't believe you met three women who all had "connecting" stories. It was meant for you to be reminded of the importance of kindness and to remind others the same. Thanks for being a kind hearted person!

From my personal experience, 1200 calories did NOT work for me. I was cranky most of the time, didn't see much weight loss and couldn't keep up with eating so little, so I quit. You've been so active and I don't see that you eat much of the exercise calories back (you should net AT LEAST 1200 a day). If you're nervous…

Wow!! You look beautiful in all your photos but much healthier in the more recent ones. Congrats, pretty lady! Any tips to share?

I'm so sorry you're feeling so down. Looking at your profile pics, you are a beautiful woman (and that's coming from a stranger who isn't biased!). You're not fat but I totally get it and have been (and sometimes still am) where you are. Not that every ED has to have some type of backstory, but have you (and/or your…

I appreciate everyone's kind words more than I can say. I'm sorry to all of you who know the pain of losing a loved one, especially good parents who loved and nurtured you. If only I could have one more day. Some great advice was given and I'll try my best to learn how to accept and cope (without stuffing my face with…

Thank you for your kind words. While I am eating it makes me forget/space out for that time, but as soon as it's over, I'm right back to that sad spot I was before, just now with a tummy ache. There is a book and a support group called Motherless Daughters which I read and joined years ago. It helped a little, therapy…

Awesome post!

Thanks for posting and commenting everyone! I've also been struggling with a similar problem where I'd lose a certain amount of weight and instead of being happy for myself, I would gain all the weight back. I don't like being overweight yet somehow it was safe and comforting and miserable all at the same time, but it was…

I've been on and off here for a couple years but what I'm finding is that it really does help to have weight loss buddies! I log daily, my food diary is open, I'm not perfect and am very supportive and honest. Feel free to add me! Good luck!

Wishing you all the best! :flowerforyou:

^^I totally agree. To lose 1 pound a week, MFP calculated 1380 a day for me. I felt hungry still and adjusted and I found that 1440 is maintainable for me. I'm maybe not losing as fast as I can, but this way works best for me because I never feel like I'm starving, I can still have my favorite foods while still staying…

Love this idea!! Thanks for the share

OH. MY. GOSH.... The chewy chips ahoy with the Reese's peanut butter cups are so amazing, I can eat one sleeve in the same sitting. I can't keep it in the house. If you can control yourself with yummy goodness, try these!!!

Losing weight and keeping it off is really hard! If it were easy, there wouldn't be tons of people here on MFP or any other weight loss program. You've done it before and you can do it again! Feel free to add me, I log daily, my food diary is open and I offer as much support as you need. Good luck!

Amy Poehler (love her) :glasses:

I've been gaining and losing the same weight for years now and can understand your frustration. I love hanging out with friends and LOVE food but am working to have a healthier relationship with it :heart: MFP and the people I've met here have been really helping me. Feel free to add me if you need some support!

You're not alone in having "food issues" as you call it Liz. I've been trying to get a handle on my emotional eating for years and am still working hard to control it while sometimes it controls me. What's helping me a lot right now is MFP! I never knew there were so many other people who struggle with something that I…