stringcheeze

Take measurements -- it's quite possible that you're slimming down but not seeing anything on the scale. The scale can be your worst enemy simply because not seeing it budge after putting in so much hard work can make you want to give up. I know I saw my measurements change (and clothes fitting better) waaay before the…

If you're getting your sugar from fruits and veggies, don't worry about going over -- these sugars come with nutrients and fiber. If you're getting it from processed stuff, soda, sweeteners, etc, then worry. Limit this stuff as much as possible.

Can't go wrong with scrambled eggs with a bit of mozzarella cheese, spinach, and a bit of broccoli. Greek yogurt (Fage or Chiobani are good -- most of the others have obscene amounts of sugar) are high in protein. Add in 1/2 cup blueberries for nutritional sweetness. Have lunch or dinner for breakfast -- reheat the…

I love roasting them in the oven. Take one squash of your choice (acorn, butternut, delicata, sweet dumpling, etc), and slice in half from stem to stern. De-seed and place halves in a oven safe dish that will fit both comfortably. Drizzle each half with extra virgin olive oil and rub all over. Sprinkle with a bit of salt,…

This. Though watch the fortified cereals and yogurts for the sugar content -- you pay for the calcium at the cost of excess sugar you don't need. The more you can get through natural means the better.

Or at least the government should stop giving farmers corn subsidies to grow useless crops -- less grown, the less forced into the food.

I :heart: Joan Harris. :) Yes, I'd kill for curves like Christina....

Agreed. Sticking feathers on a pig does not give it the ability to fly....

If you want to wear your ring but it doesn't fit on your finger any more, get a nice necklace and use the ring as a pendant. The same symbolism is there and you know you're married -- who cares what anyone else thinks (and completely agree with the other folks who said "who brings a mistress to a school open house!")

Granted, I'm not where I want to be yet, but now I have a better understanding of which foods work well with me -- I know now if I eat more quality protein with each meal, I feel full for a lot longer which means less snacking in between meals. Lessons like that will stick with me. I've also gotten to the point where I…

The only difference it would make as far as weighing goes would be if you have one of those old dial scales -- the more still you stand, the easier it'll be to get an accurate reading. Same concept as target practice -- shoot on the bottom of the exhale since your body will be more still. The air in your lungs would be…

I've got this currently stewing in the crock pot for dinner tonight (and lunches to freeze): 1pk (or 5 pieces) boneless, skinless chicken thighs (could also use breasts) the juice and zest of two limes (toss the rinds in too) 1 large onion cubed 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 1 - 2 tsp of whole…

My only suggestion would be to track your sodium while you're doing this. Depending on how much and the type of miso you use, your sodium counts could be up there (180mg for 1 tsp for white miso...I think its more the darker miso you get). The rest looks like it'll be okay, nutrition wise (most of those foods are pretty…

After you try it, you're going to want to buy a pallet worth! :) I love the stuff -- I could have peanut butter for every meal without "paying" the nutrient cost of regular PB. It's very versitile.

Chew gum. If you find yourself wanting to snack due to boredom (which it sounds like if you already feel full), do something to keep your mouth occupied that doesn't involve eating.

Pretty much. I've given up on ever fitting into womens jeans -- I have the shape of a brick. My waist never curved in even when I was at my thinnest (135lb) back in high school running cross country. I can get guys jeans that fit me perfectly and even if they're an inch or two over in the inseam, I can always re-hem them.…

Oats, unsweetened chocolate or vanilla almond milk instead of the water, fruit of some kind (cut up apples, raisins, craisins, even had it with prunes), tsp of honey, a pinch of salt, and a good shake of cinnamon or apple pie spice. Cook then top with a scoop of Greek yogurt (I like the hot and cold contrast). I've also…

For solids, it's better to weigh them if you can since 2oz of liquid compared to 2oz of solid is a lot different (ie, a 1lb brick takes up a different amount of space than 1lb worth of feathers -- crap analogy, but I hope you get the idea).

Serving size of most oatmeal is 1/4 - 1/3 cup (dry, which doubles in size cooked). 1/4cup of Quaker Old Fashioned is 75cals. That plus half a large banana and 1/2 cup of Fage Total 0% is 335cal. Replace the banana with a fist-sized apple and it's even less calories. You can get a filling breakfast for reasonable calories…

Yep, you're reducing your natural insulation (ie, the fat on your body). Occasionally a fired-up metabolism helps to keep you warmer, but you can always resort to layers if not. More likely the result of eating a healthier diet than your body trying to hold onto body heat. Is your complexion/hair healthier than before?…

LOL! :drinker: HRM or if you're not up for that, probably do strength training (add it under cardio).

The other option would be to do some sort of relaxation technique. Might sound silly, but the more you tense up due to the headache, the worse you're going to feel. Find someplace comfy to lie down, put a cloth soaked in cold water on your forehead, and do some deep breaths. Progress from your toes onwards up with muscle…

My money is on caffeine withdrawal. You're describing the mind-splitting agony I had a few years ago when I brought my coffee habit down from 5 - 6 cups a day to 1 cup of regular four-ish times a week. I seriously considered amputating a limb just as a distraction from the headache. :) Awesome stuff (I'm migraine prone…

If you like the taste of Hidden Valley, why not buy the seasoning mix packets and make your own with healthier ingredients (LF sour cream instead of full fat, LF plain Greek yogurt instead of mayo, 1% or soy milk).

Amen to that!

Nothing good has ever come from HFCS. Peanut Butter is fine. Bread is debatable (but at least choose a whole grain option instead of white).

Not overly large ones (no bigger than a computer mouse) and never just by themselves -- make sure you have a decent portion of lean protein with them (might want to skip the beans if you make your jacket potatoes that way, and go for something like chunked grilled tuna or chicken) . There are ways of reducing out the carb…

Same here. If its something that's high fat, calories and/or protein (peanut butter for instance), I'm extra careful in measuring that because it'll take such a huge chunk out of my daily totals in one go. Something like a clove of garlic, I'm not nearly as nit-picky over. I generally know the average of what I consume for…

Venison is good as well, and depending on where you live and who you know, free of cost.

Yep. I use it as a mayo alternative too with a bit of lemon juice and white pepper to give it more tang. Greek yogurt is awesome stuff.