IowaJen1979 Member

I love meal planning! I use a couple of blogs (skinnytaste.com and emilybites.com) or I flip through whatever cooking magazines I have around and pick out recipes I like. I then add those recipes to an app on my iPad, which is where I keep ALL of my recipes. Each week I scroll through the recipes and pick out whatever I'm…

I am not reaching my water quota! But I'm drinking more than I was, so I guess that's progress. I drank a full bottle at the gym this morning and am working on another 22 oz. this morning. Here is an article about why water is important: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/6-reasons-to-drink-water For me, I think it helps…

After some debate, I dragged my butt out of bed this morning and ran on the treadmill. I made it 3.5 miles in 40 minutes. I would love to run an 11 minute mile but am firmly at 11.5 for now. I can run the first mile in 11 minutes but can't really maintain it for longer than that. One step at a time, right? Literally!!! I…

I did not so great on water today. I drank 68 oz but I should be drinking 122. I rode my bike today for about 30 minutes (a rarity in January!), walked my dog (20 minutes), and went to Zumba (60 minutes).

SW: 183.6 GW: 164 Woot woot!

Hi, all! My name is Jen and I have been on MFP in earnest for a year. In December, 2012 I was throwing a baby shower for my best friend and something in me snapped. I hated how I looked in pictures, I wanted to buy a new dress but I couldn't find a cute dress that fit me, and I was nervous about standing on my friend's…

No, you won't have finished a full 5K until the last week. And even then, my pace wasn't fast enough to finish a full 5K. After I finished the last week I started running longer so I could finish the full length. Now I run for 40 minutes, no matter what my pace. I'm usually around 3.6 or 3.7 miles.

I run twice a week, I do Zumba three times a week, and I use the elliptical one day a week. On my "day off" I take my dog for a long walk. I also do yoga after one of my Zumba classes. Twice a week at home I do a ball workout. When did I become such a workout nut!?!?

I am a former binge eater and I still struggle with these feelings. The urge to binge never really goes away, unfortunately. Like an addiction, I just had to quit cold turkey. When I felt the urge to binge, I would come to this board and remind myself why I didn't need to turn to food for comfort. Eventually it got easier…

I don't think there's any good answer to this. I have the same issue. I just buy clothes when I feel like it and when it's in my budget and piece together a wardrobe with what I have. No one seems to notice!

I know what you mean! I have friends who do crossfit and they definitely look down on me because I do mostly cardio. I don't care. I love it and I feel great. I hate strength training! I only do it because I want to lose weight. And I've lost over 60 pounds, so it must work. ;-)

Yes and no. I hate how I look in old pictures. I didn't even like having my picture taken because I hated seeing how I look. I still don't love looking at old pictures, but I appreciate how much I have changed (emotionally and physically). What I love most about those old pictures is knowing that no matter how I looked, my…

Everyone seems to agree! You just have to build those new habits. It is HARD to change but it gets easier and the benefits are well worth it. I go to bed around 10:30 and get up at 6:00am. Ideally I wake up before my alarm at 5:40-ish and watch the news for a few minutes to allow myself to fully wake up. That is what…

I never eat a meal over 400 calories. Go to Skinnytaste.com or emilybites.com. You'll find so many great options!

PW: 186.4 CW: 186 Not quite to my goal, but I did go down a size. Yay!!! Makes shopping so much easier. :-) Good luck with your move, Pam! I can't wait to start another challenge!

Sofar so good. I did indulge on Saturday at a tailgate, but I went to Zumba and yoga AND I rode my bike to and from the game to help balance it out.

Way to stay motivated, Pam! I'm not sure if I would have done my workout if my trainer slept in. :-) I started running in June and while I don't necessarily love it while I'm doing it, I love how it makes me feel and I noticed changes in the shape of my body after I started. I went to an introductory yoga class at the Y…

So sorry to hear about the health issues with some team members! Keep us posted and take care of yourselves! Pam - hang tight with the move. I HATE HATE HATE it when my life is packed up in boxes and everything is in limbo. I can't imagine how much harder it is with kids! Good luck! A couple of more breakfast ideas (I told…

Another favorite breakfast: One Eggo waffle (low fat) 1/2 sliced banana 1 Tablespoon peanut butter With a side of skim milk = heaven :heart:

Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Hash Brown Cups (from http://www.emilybites.com/2011/10/sausage-egg-cheese-hash-brown-cups.html) Sausage, Egg & Cheese Hash Brown Cups Source: Emily Bites Original Ingredients: 20 oz shredded hash brown potatoes (I used Simply Potatoes brand which comes in a 20 oz refrigerated bag. If you use…

Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes (from http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/02/heart-shaped-chocolate-chip-banana.html) Heart-Shaped Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes Skinnytaste.com Servings: 6 • Serving Size: 2 pancakes • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 5 pts* Calories: 179.6 • Fat: 5.2 g • Protein: 5.9 g • Carb: 28.4 g • Fiber: 2.5…

I love it! I have been trying to branch out again with my workouts. I added Spinning once a week and for this week's challenge I'm going to try yoga. My YMCA used to charge for these classes but starting this week they are free for members. There is an introductory class on Sunday I'm going to attend and will hopefully…

Runners' World website has great articles for beginners. It helped me with breathing and with correcting my form: http://www.runnersworld.com/the-starting-line I was the same way - I had no idea what I was doing! Once I corrected my form I never got shin splints again.

Good for you! It might be a tough adjustment but it's worth it. A year ago I could never ever fathom working out before work, now it's my preference! I love the energy it gives me and I'm much less likely to skip a workout if I do it first thing in the morning. My gym offers early morning Spinning classes which I go to…

Sorry I was MIA this last week! I was out of town Thursday through Wednesday, but I'm back now and jumping back into the swing of things! The good news: While I was on vacation I went running 3 times. The bad news: I was not mindful of what I ate AT ALL! As a result, I only lost 2 ounces this week which is actually better…

I'm traveling today so I weighed in yesterday. I had a GREAT week after a few weeks of being stuck. I think the water really helped! SW: 190 CW: 187.2

I completely forgot to do my crunches last night! Sorry!!! I am doing them tonight and tomorrow night. I went to Zumba (my fave workout!) last night and tried Spinning for the first time this morning. This was the perfect time to try it because they changed locations due to gym maintenance so it seemed less intimidating…

From skinnytaste.com: Skinny Texas Cheese Fries with light sour cream with ranch seasoning mixed in Salad of mixed greens topped with basil green goddess dressing

Did OK this weekend. I went out to lunch on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. Stayed within my calorie goal but didn't eat the healthiest food. I did crunches on Saturday and not on Sunday. I'm not used to doing crunches so I'm only doing them every other day. My favorite Zumba instructor was on vacation this weekend so I…

Checking in for 8/23 and 8/24! Friday and Saturday I went out to lunch so calories were a little higher than usual. Friday morning I ran 3.25 miles. I usually go to Zumba Saturday mornings but my usual instructor is on vacation, so I went to the gym in the afternoon and spent some time on the elliptical and lifted weights.…