nicolepope11

In case no one said it, muscle helps BURN fat. You don't have to be a muscle ball. You can be lean and not have protruding muscles. I will say that I felt the same way at first. I didn't want my muscles to bulge. I still don't want to be huge. But there is something incredibly sexy about flexing your arm, seeing the bicep…

At least you have a great training partner! And congrats on the loss! 103 pounds?!? Nice!!

I'm 5'7", currently at 135 with a goal weight of 125. That is to be debated depending on how my body actually looks. I'm not as concerned with the number as I am how I look and feel. I just finished P90X and am eating clean. I just started a hybrid combo of P90X and Brazil Butt Lift. I have seen drastic changes with P90X…

Healthy fats, particularly avocado helps restore muscle health :) And LOTS of water! Make sure you are getting between 2-3 liters per day!

Good for you! You look awesome!

Congrats!

I LOVE this! I will start today. I have a sore back, but I am determined to get it better and back on track. I started with 10 minutes of yoga this morning and hope to do some more yoga later today :) You'll probably see lots of yoga at first since the stretching helps heal me! Great idea :)

I use general circuit training.

Try getting better shoes. Good support helps with shin problems. Ice them too! It helps the swelling go down (there is minor swelling even if you don't see it).

You need to do a combination of cardio (to burn fat) and strength (to build muscle). Crunches fall into the strength training section. You can't spot where you will have weight loss, so you need total body.

Bicycle crunches are awesome. Try doing them for a minute, then rest, then another minute, rest, etc. until you can't do anymore. Don't count reps, just time. I also just started the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred and it seems to be making a difference. I am only on day 7 and can feel it. It is only a 20 minute workout, so…

First of all, awesome job! 72lbs is great! I came home after working my second job last night and despite being exhausted from working 13 hours, I popped in the 30DS and did day 7. It's all about the small battles. It's all in our heads :) You are living proof!

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred is only $8 on Amazon. Buy that. I am working on day 6 today and I can tell it is working.

Agreed. The quality isn't great, but not bad. Definitely comparable to Forever 21. I buy costume jewelry from there and it usually doesn't last too long.

Awesome! Congrats :) Keep sticking with it. You'll get to your goal weight soon!

No! Do not rest them! It is better to continue working them. If the pain is really bad, stick to a light walk or something else light. You'll feel better after a light workout than you would if you were to sit around and "let them heal."

Wear a belt!

I am sorry I don't have any advice, but I wanted to say "WOW!" You are doing awesome. You are so close to your final weight! Congrats!

You can also get steamed veggies and brown rice with the brown sauce on the side. That is where most of the calories and sodium are anyway, so if you can limit the amount of brown sauce you'll be able to control it more. You can also do the chicken and broccoli with brown sauce on the side. Both are delicious!!

Maybe you should try setting small goals. For example when you lose 5lbs, buy your self a bracelet or ring (even just a cheaper cocktail ring or inexpensive bracelet). That way, when you wear it, you'll be reminded of the small victories. You have to take it all in baby steps. Losing weight is hard. Once you get into a…

Honestly, the best way to measure it would be to get a food scale. They aren't too expensive (I think I got mine for less than $30) and well worth the money. I use it often and it has helped me to be able to guess more accurately when I am out or someone else prepares the food.

Great question! I'd like to know too. I usually count about a tablespoon. I figure that some of it burns off if I am grilling, but it would probably be about a tablespoon to cover the whole breast. But I am just guessing!

When you input all your info MFP already creates a deficit for you. If you are at 1370 calories, you can probably eat around 1800 without gaining any weight. In order to lose a pound week, you need to eat 1370. You can lose that without working out if you stay under the 1370. Now, if you are burning 100 calories 5 times a…

This is my suggestion. Take one of everything you like out of the baskets, bags, whatever. Allow yourself one or two sweat treats per day. That way you can tell everyone how yummy all their goods were. Then, wrap the rest up in pretty little boxes or platters and take them to your neighbors or family as little presents.…

They have the Biggest Loser games and a Jillian Michaels game as well.

It seems you are like me in weight loss. I am very slow at losing weight. Despite staying under my calories and running 3 miles 3 times a week, I just couldn't lose large amounts. It has taken me since January to lose 17lbs. Just a little over 1lb a MONTH! Since starting MFP in June, I've lost 10lbs. Not a drastic loss by…

I ALWAYS go over on my protein. It is really hard. I love meat!!

Go to your doctor, get a good knee brace designed to help with whatever issues you are having and start welking/running. I could have never started running without it. I unfortunately have the opposite problem from you. I have lost a lot in my butt and thighs and not as much as I want around the middle. I run about 3miles…

What did you set your weight loss at? Maybe start with losing 1lb per week and go from there. You may lose more, but 1200 calories does seem low. If you have the weight loss set at 2lbs per week, that could be why you have so littel calories. 1800 is what you can probably eat and maintain your current weight.

I completely agree!!! Many think muscle weighs more than fat, but 1lb is 1lb, as someone said earlier. Just because you don't weigh less, doesn't mean you aren't losing inches. If you are active and running, you could be building that muscle replacing the fat, but not noticing a decrease.