applejacks1552

Clinical Molecular Genetic Technologist - I work in a lab sequencing specific disease associated genes for mutations in patients with a certain conditions including developmental delay and autism. Doesn't pay nearly as well as you'd think though.

I would say it's not a guarantee, but a definite contributing factor. In the wrong environment of too many calories and too little exercise, it's a perfect storm for obesity. It's the path of least resistance in our modern world to become overweight if you are genetically inclinced to do so because food is over abundant…

Thanks all for the input! I will take all your advice and start shopping around! Right now I live in my running shoes with orthodic inserts, but I'm soooo ready to have some air around my toes with summer nearly here.

I'm in the same boat as you! Mine runs right around 120/80 too, give or take and it concerns me too. My Dad has hypertension so I'm at high risk. I'm also about 198 lb right now and working to lose also. Try to relax and know you are doing exactly what you should to improve things. Exercise, especially cardio, is very…

I do, even if it's only an gross estimate of what I did. A. It gives me an idea of how much I might have set back my weekly deficit goad so I can make up for it a little bit during the rest of the week with a little lower calorie intake or a little more exercise. B. It's a good educational experience for me to learn the…

Majored in Biology and Minored in Chemistry - graduated almost 10 years ago. Now working in a clinical genetics laboratory. Yay for all the nerdy girls! Wish I'd had the foresight (and the brains) to go into Bioinformatics though, it's really a growing field.

18 lbs down, sooo many more to go. But 2 lbs away from my first goal weight - under 200!

Bump! Want to read more of this later! Good suggestions. Must go put 2 year old down for nap!

Those are really good questions! Let us all know what your midwife says! Part of the reason I'm trying to lose now is to get ready for TTC in the fall. I only gained ~ 20 during my 1st pregnancy and lost most of it after giving birth, however my daughter was 7 weeks early due to preeclampsia. So I ate terrible the month…

Depending on your available space/funds, I was able to pick up a cheap elliptical ($200) and decent treadmill ($300) through craigslist. I did purchase them a few years apart. The winters here are brutal, so going outdoors isn't a great option year round. After my daughter goes to bed I alternate between those or I also…

Thanks for posting this question! I've been wondering the same thing. Live in and grew up in the Midwest on a very unfishy diet - not a lot of oceans around here. But my husband is allergic to poultry so it would be nice to find another source of healthier leaner protein. Only problem being we both HATE the taste. My only…

Change your doctor. He sounds like a jerk. Not all doctors are created equal and they are not all experts on everything. Clearly you are losing weight the way you are doing it and your blood work is coming out good. A good doctor would commend the work you have done, encourage you to keep going, and maybe give tips, but…

Let me follow that up with "Damn you Easter Candy!" Worst part is, I didn't buy it! My husband did. He knows I'm a total sucker for those Robin's Eggs. I mean, come on! I wouldn't offer an alcoholic a drink, why do the people I love keep giving me these naughty treats?! So far I've managed to stick to half the serving size…

When done right, a healthy snack. Love the air poppers and it's also not bad when made with coconut oil. Usually though, I buy the already popped local brand Vic's Lite White Popcorn (half salt) - only 130 calories for 3 cups. It's VERY filling, lots of fiber.

I've been able to lose weight both on and off the BC, but my perception is that my mood and energy levels have been better since getting off which makes losing weight easier I think. Also have a lot less headaches. Who knows . . . it could all be in my head. Other than heavier and less predictable periods, the change was…

I'm not totally sure or know much about it since I haven't run into issues with diabetes as of yet (thank God!), but I think you can Google to see where different fruits rate on the glycemic index. My understanding is the lower on the index, the less it spikes your blood sugar? But I mostly don't worry about sugars from…

Totally understand! I have felt the same frustrations. It would be much easier to diet and exercise if my husband was 100% on board. Once you get married, it's hard not to be influenced by the habits of your spouse. But hopefully that goes both ways and we can start to be a positive influences on them while not taking on…

Had my daughter the year I turned 30 and hoping for another maybe next year (will be 33). My husband and I also decided to wait a bit - enjoy being a just a couple for a while and get more financially stable. One point of interest, I work in a genetics lab and medically/biologically speaking 35 is considered "advanced…

Thanks to all those that gave positive advice! I will take it to heart. I really do appreciate those of you who gave good suggestions. I sure wasn't trying to stir up some big controversy. I think it's a common problem for people trying to lose weight to have close family and friends that are sometimes indifferent or not…

Started dating: I was 23 and he was 24 Engaged (about a year and 4 months later): I was 24 and he was 25 Married (10 months later): I was 25 and he was 26 Been married for 7 years now and had our first child 2 years ago. Hoping for a second child in another year or two. Good luck with your class!

Well EXCUSE me, but I was just looking for a little moral support from other wives dealing with a similar situation and NOT a lecture on what a terrible wife I am. Yes, it is truly TERRIBLE that I want my husband to care about his health and not be dead from a stroke in 20 years. And I have lost weight before. 30 lbs in…

Maybe I'm weird, but I mostly listen to audiobooks! That way my workout time is like a special reward. I used to be an avid reader, but just don't have time any more to sit down with a book. Our public library has tons of books on MP3 to download to my Sansa and I only allow myself to listen if I'm working out. Helps my…

A few of my friends recommend the Egg Mug recipes from Hungry Girl for breakfast. (You can google it to find several free recipes online.) Basically you make scrambled eggs using Egg Beaters in the microwave in a large mug, usually combined with a wedge of laughing cow cheese. There are various flavor varieties, but…

Wow, thanks for all the advice! There are many suggestions that I think I will have to try out. I agree, that it is a LONG process! Maybe I'm just getting impatient. It does seem a little better than it was 6 months ago and I'm managing to workout pretty well even with a little pain. I'm just glad to hear I'm not alone…

Simply understanding the energy value of foods does not make you want the higher calorie fatty/sugary/salty foods any less, now does it? Yes, we can make better desicions with that information, but our underlying biological drive is to gravitate toward those very foods. And do advertisers and food producers take advantage…

I understand where you are coming from because I'm not a big veggie fan either and I would honestly like to find more ways to eat them. Not everyone gets it. If you have tried something several times and really don't like it, then it's not so simple as "keep trying it" or "just eat it". For you is it more the taste or the…