ashleydmassey Member

I'm not sure what is considered "slow". I've been at this for nine months. I know there have been times when I've not put in 100%, or even 90%. But slow and steady wins the race, right?! Ashley

Honestly, just because you aim for 1 pound per week, doesn't mean you will only lose that. You might go some time, especially after the first drop(s), where the scale won't budge at all. Then there might be other weeks where you drop several at a time. It all balances out in the end. If you keep your expectations low, then…

I agree with this ^. It took me forever to really get going with my journey because everywhere you turn, there is something new on television or somewhere telling you how to lose weight. And with every direction, there is a contradiction. It can be very confusing and overwhelming. Dieting is not the answer if you are…

Thank you all for the nice words. It really does mean a lot! :flowerforyou: Ashley

Thanks, my friends/family have all said the same thing. LOL I guess I didn't realize that my lack of smile was so obvious. It might not look like it, but I am very shy...and very, very camera shy---so it's hard for me to pose for a picture, much less smile and pose for one. But now that I know it's so obvious...lol

Thank you so much!!! I sent you a friend request. Much of luck to you, but I know you will probably do just fine!

Excellent work! You look amazing! Most importantly, I hope you are feeling amazing!

Amazing!!! Way to go!!!

The scale is not always my best friend, but that along with other tools keeps me accountable. I can't change what I choose to be in denial about. The scale removes the denial factor. Rely on your other tools too though. (tape measure, how you feel, your clothes and how they fit/how you want them to fit, etc.) The scale is…

I would say, do the moderate walking 30 minutes a day. That is all I did at first. That is all I aimed for at first. But be sure you are getting your heart rate up. The reason I say go for it is, from personal experience once you really breakthrough doing that and you start feeling better, there seems to be a natural…

House cleaning is inevitable. If it were truly worthy of being called exercise, none of us would gain weight. Especially stay-at-home moms. I don't claim the calories on it but I have seen others doing so. However, and this is a huge/rare however, in the event that I have especially hardcore house work to do, and I mean…

^ I completely agree! I have three kids. The "idea" of exercise was dreadful to me as well. I was sickingly sedentary, even with kids, for so long. Now I dread when I have to miss working out. It really is what you put into your mind. If you start off slow with something you can try to enjoy, I think you naturally learn to…

I thought it was just "me" in this situation. Glad to hear it's not. Thanks for the post!

What I tell everyone is, focus on the actions, not the results. The results are only the rewards for putting in the action. You can do it! :happy:

I will send you a request. Congrats on getting back. My biggest piece of advice I offer people in all situations is to focus on the actions, not the results. The results will be the product of the action. If you keep making great choices, great things will happen. Ashley

I am over 100 days nonstop. Actually, it should be higher but one day was skipped by mistake. :grumble: I'm definitely in it for the long haul and my diary is open to friends. You are welcome to add me if you want to. Ashley

Mine are smaller than they were in Middle School! I'm at 34" and probably closer to an A than a B. I've never been an A that I'm aware of. Very sad! I still want to lose 20 to 24 more pounds so I'm scared to know how much more they will deflate before it's over with. I love that you started this post because I've been…

I love this post and I agree. I weigh everything. For instance, my bag of baby carrots shows that 85g is the portion size, but then says approx. 14 carrots. If you just count out the 14 carrots, you will go over that 85g. I know one portion is only 35 calories but it adds up if quickly if you do this consistently.

You are looking fantastic!!! Keep up the great work!

You are doing an AMAZING job!!!!

Okay, I'm going to cave and do this but I'm really embarrassed. I am a "camera phobe" and I don't like having everyone see my pictures, but this journey is about new things, right?! I'm 5'2" My starting weight in May 2012 topped out at 200 pounds exactly (eye opener for change) I am now at 144. I haven't updated my MFP yet…

Two of my sons are sitting here with me and instantly they both said, "Wow!" You look really good! What an incredible job! I started at 18W and now my size 8s are big. You've inspired me to visit a fitting room!!! But hesitantly, I think I'll hold off a little longer. My most recent pic (the second one above) was 10 pounds…

I didn't really tell anyone either. Well, not until we had to eat with other people, then I had to explain why I wasn't being rude by not eating this/that and why I it looked like I was eating "nothing" because compared to the large portions of my past, it sure looked like very little. For me, though, I think my resistance…

^This sounds like an amazing idea, actually.

It really does take time. I am not one to really comment on these things too often but I will share what I do understand from my own experiences, research, and observations. First off, you have to be patient. Second of all, stress will prevent weight loss. A little calm might help. Working out will help your stress levels…

Welcome aboard! Much luck to you! You are welcome to add me if you want to. :happy: Ashley

I'm usually pretty quiet on the boards but this cracked me up! Thanks! :laugh:

I recently just found SP and signed up for it just to give it a try. I liked it the first day but then learned that the database is way off. I love the food database on MFP better.

The better you eat, the more you can budget in to eat. That said, everything in moderation is key, in my opinion. If you go too far extreme from how you eat in "real" life, you will probably have a tougher time abstaining and then sustaining. If you have a sweet tooth, don't deny it, but feed it reasonably. I started as a…

You will get there so much quicker than you realize! I started at 200 in May. I'm now 144. I want to be 120 though, possibly. Keep it up and congrats on the five pounds!