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If drinking crystal light will keep you from drinking cokes, then go for it. Maybe alternate water with sliced lemons, limes, cucumbers, or berries with the crystal light if you're worried about artificial sweeteners. I drink crystal light all the time.

Depending on how adventurous your family is, make some 5 minute couscous or quinoa, heat a can of black beans, and dice some tomato and avocado. Pile in a bowl. You have healthy fats, protein, and whole grains. Even easier is to buy a rotisserie chicken. Serve with some veggies (frozen steamer bags are easy). Or shred it…

I love pilates. Be sure the class isn't too big, and tell the instructor it's your first time. Form is very important, and you want someone watching to make sure you're doing the moves right. I wear a sports bra, tank top, and capri yoga pants. Don't wear a big t-shirt because it will get in the way. And it's usually done…

I really like Champion brand from Target. When you try it on, jog in place for a few minutes and see how much bouncing goes on. Try on several different brands and styles until you find one that's comfortable.

Try 3-2-1 cake: Mix 1 box of angel food cake mix with 1 box of any other flavor cake mix. 3 Tbs of cake mix + 2 Tbs water in a small container and microwave for 1 min. Portion controlled goodness!

It depends on what you are trying to get from it. The FitBit is great if you are trying to move more and be more active throughout the day. If you're focused more on how many calories you're burning during a workout, you might want a HRM. I wear my FB every day, but I use a HRM when I go to the gym. Today I did a Zumba…

At 23% body fat, you are in the middle of the healthy female range, according to WebMD. You rock!

Add in healthy fats: avocado on the sandwich, saute the veggies in olive oil instead of steaming, some nuts for a snack or pb on your muffin.

I try to use freckles as a guideline to get the same spot every time.

Maybe avoid the scale for a month or so. Focus on the inches you're losing instead. Progress you feel and see in the mirror is more important than progress on a scale.

I like DP10. To me, it tastes somewhere between regular and diet DP. I know I should be drinking water, but some days I just need my DP.

I cut it in half from stem to opposite end. (Make sure you have a very strong, sharp knife.) Scrape out and discard the seeds in the middle. Put about an inch of water in a microwave safe dish and put half of the squash in cut-side down. Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Microwave for 8-20 min, depending on your microwave…

Unless you're going to give up sweets for the rest of your life, you need to figure out how to incorporate them in your new lifestyle. I eat sweets a lot still, I just eat smaller portions. I've lost 8 lbs in about 8 weeks.

Get a crockpot and go to town! There are tons of crockpot recipes all over the place, including lots that you make in batches and freeze.

Try a long (slow) walk today, or something like zumba if you're up for it. Getting the blood moving again works best for me.

Almost every gym gives you a free introductory session with a trainer. They can show you how to do some basic exercises and help you set up a schedule. And find a friendly looking person who has a body you admire and ask them for advice.

I started out making them ahead of time and freezing them, but I've started making them every morning in less than 5 min. Toast the muffin. While it's cooking, crack an egg in a greased microwave safe dish, about as big around as the muffin. Poke the yolk then cover with plastic wrap. Microwave for about 30 sec. Then I…

If you really like working out with him, then tell him straight up that your time is just as valuable as his, and he needs to respect that. If he reschedules, no-shows, or is late again, tell gym management that you would like a new trainer, and tell them why. He may do this to all his clients and the management may not…

I recommend going to your doctor for a colonoscopy to rule out Crohn's disease, colitis, and cancer. If it is IBS (which seems to be the diagnosis when everything else is ruled out), you have to slowly alter your diet and exercise and see what helps.

Have you tried going cold turkey? It's the mental addiction you need to break, not a physiological one. Whatever you normally do right before you eat your snack, do something different. Maybe brush your teeth with really strong minty toothpaste or chew some gum. You are stronger than a cookie!

I got an FT7 today. The directions it comes with are worthless. If you go to the Polar website, you can get the user manual. It's really easy to follow.

This is an interesting article on a professor who ate *mostly* junk food and lost weight and body fat%. I think there is still a lot we don't understand about how our bodies work. http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/index.html

I sweat like crazy and I've never had any problems with my FitBit. Based on their forums, the FitBit even seems to be able to withstand a quick dunk in the toilet or washing machine.

My 2 cents: I agree with the suggestions to add lean protein and healthy fats like nuts. You also seem pretty low on fiber, so try more fruits/vegs/beans/whole grains. If you are losing at a reasonable rate (no more than 2 lbs per week), then overall you're doing really well. If you're losing 3+ lbs per week or not losing…

I log every bite, every day. If I know I'm going to be eating something that isn't the best choice, I try to log it before I eat it. Most of the time, I still eat it, but every now and again I'll change my mind once I see it logged in.

I have a BodyBugg and a FitBit. For me, FitBit is the winner, hands down. I got tired of paying the subscription fee for Body Bugg, and because of its size and where it is worn, it's very noticeable. The fitbit is much smaller and I put it on the useless tiny pocket on my jeans. I've compared it to some gps pedometers on…