Lib_B Member

Oh and Des Moines does NOT have good public transport. Nor does Omaha, Lincoln, etc.

I'm actually in Des Moines and we do NOT have a downtown grocer. They are all in the burbs/outlying residential areas of the city. So you're lucky in that respect. In the rural areas that I've worked, I'm not talking out on the farm. I'm talking small town that might have a local grocer (an IGA) who's prices are inflated…

Sorry, they divested in 2006.

That's wonderful. But food banks don't address making people self sufficient and actually creating personal responsibility. Give the man a fish versus teach a man to fish. Again, not to diminish what you do, but for all the talk about responsibility, you aren't creating access, you're organizing a hand out. It doesn't…

I think that's great - especially if local schools could host several computers for families to use. On the flip side, many of the poor and immigrant families I work with don't have bank accounts or credit cards. How would they purchase? Again, it's just not something a middle class person thinks about. I know I didn't…

I don't know where you live, but there aren't always options in walking distance. I live in Iowa. Rural poor. I don't make excuses for overdoing it at McD's - i freaking HATE McD's - not on principle - on taste. I'd rather have some roasted brussels sprouts than french fries any day. gimme some chipotle - i can get down…

Completely agree. I conceded McD's is a scapegoat. But the bottom line is accessibility. What are YOU doing to make it accessible? I am a master gardener and volunteer for 5 inner city community gardens and consult on a school gardening project. But until everyone has access to healthy food, it means at this moment in…

I think there are a number of things that need to happen. Big picture, It starts with infrastructure in poor neighborhoods. It means investing in schools. It means paying a living wage. It means owner-occupied housing - until those things happen, good luck luring in the grocer. It's not a simple answer. It's not a cheap…

McD's is more expensive in Europe than it is here in the states. I remember being quite surprised by that. And it doesn't taste as chemical laden as it does here.

And I agree that McD's is the 'scapegoat' for all fast food because they are THE giant chain. When I talk about lack of accessibility to fresh food and only fast food options, I mean all fast-food. I also mean gas stations that serve up chips and hot dogs. Yes, eating less will help with obesity, but it doesn't have the…

I've lived abroad and Europe is much more pedestrian friendly as well as mass transit. If you live anywhere outside of the mega-metro areas in the US, there is no rail service, no buses, etc. And I'm not saying poverty makes people fat. It IS about choice, but it boils down to your CHOICES. And when your choices are…

I do not deny personal responsibility, but your responsibility is limited by your choices.

I'm not rich either. I'm talking about people with nothing - which if you had ever walked in those shoes or even knew someone close to you who lived this life, you'd have a little more empathy. I see it every day and it breaks my heart to see hungry kids when my biggest problem is losing weight. hungry kids who are obese…

you obviously haven't heard of food deserts where grocery stores do not exist within a reasonable distance.

I'm so relieved all the personal responsibility folks don't live in abject poverty. The voices of those in extreme poverty aren't here and you know why? Because they don't have computers!!!! When I ate fast food, it was a choice. I gained weight and it was totally my choice. However, I also had/have the resources to make…

Your view is simplistic. Making everything expensive isn't the answer. Making nutritious food affordable is the solution food activists want. Yes, it's your choice. But a poor family doesn't have many choices. They should be able to afford enough fresh food to feed their family and meet their nutritional needs. But that's…

My bad on the international perspectives. But the fast food debate is largely an American one as is obesity. I was speaking as an American with an admittedly far left liberal bias. As well as an American who believes in personal responsibility as well as strong government oversight - like many of our Western European…

Actually, McDonald's earnings are shrinking and they have been making efforts to change their menu. With that said, I HATE McDonald's. My kids love it. The get it as a treat every once in awhile. But I agree with some posters that this is not a black and white argument. The problem with cheap, processed, carb heavy foods…

^^^ good point. i love my man hairy. just not 'there'. otherwise, it's time for my best cat impersonation.

LOVE LOVE LOVE my husband's chest hair. He's not ape hairy, but fair amount of coverage on the chest area with that lovely lil' trail.... mmmm. It's so masculine and sexy.

Lots of good advice. And I agree with everyone who said you aren't lifting enough weight. I think you are underestimating yourself. I hadn't worked out in years and walked in and started curling 40 lb dumbbells; squatting 100 lbs and calf pressing 300 lbs. My upper body was really weak. Shoulders were an impressive 25 lbs.…

Oh, and warrior ropes. Great way to mix it up!

I do HIIT on the bike and elliptical. Also, don't base your calorie burn on what the machines say or what MFP has listed as burn. Invest in an HRM. The machines at the gym regularly give me about 100-150 more than I actually burn. And MFP - I'll do an hour of intervals on the bike. I'll burn 500 calories according to my…

My 3 year old (in Catholic preschool) when told he couldn't have any more snacks stamped his foot and said "God Damn It!!"

Epic

amazeballs

hell yah!! ^^^ i like a bowl with white rice, black beans, barbacoa, pico & hot, sour cream, cheese, lettuce. very special treat though. doesn't fit too well in my macros.

This ^^ and if I can manage a duece, I'll do that too before hopping on. :laugh:

I also have heavy periods. I've been informed by my doc, in my case, it's age and it gets worse before it gets better in terms of approaching peri-menopause. With that said, I just purchased a DivaCup in the hopes that I'll be able to workout during my next cycle. I've heard anecdotally that it reduces cramping. What I'm…

It worked really well for me in terms of weight loss, but I found the lack of fruits drove me bonkers. My plan is to employ Dukan when I hit plateaus and when I'm down to the last stubborn pounds. For the bulk of my loss, though, I just can't do it with so few carbs. It really does work, it's just not something I can…