ExcelWithMel Member

My daily goal is set to 1,650, but I eat 1/2-all my exercise calories back, so usually 1,800 - 2,000 or more. I'm pretty much at my goal weight, but trying to loose 5 more vanity lbs. and tighten up.

We've done Vegas for New Years. It was FABULOUS. I highly recommend it. Book early. Live it up. They close off the strip and literally EVERYONE goes out before midnight to watch the fireworks (going off from a few hotels in various directions). We were able to buy bottles of liquor at the store and sip them where we stood…

I did read the Anne Rice's Sleeping Beauty Trilogy. I borrowed them from the library and even the covers were racy. I was careful to hide them while reading on the train, and often blushing at the content. I have not read the 50 Shades as I'm into other things right now, but thanks form reminding me of the amusing way I…

I do wear my shoes for my at home workouts. The people on the videos do, so I do what they do. I have a pair just for this. Except yoga. No shoes in yoga. Even at home.

Ask yourself, are you every going to smoke again? If not, then you are a non-smoker. I smoked for 19 years. I LOVED smoking, but I was a SLAVE to cigarettes. But I had to make a choice, and I chose to live smoke free, rather than continue to be chained forever to the cigarette. I quit December 2, 2009 and it was the best…

I'm about 50/50. I try to cook up "batches" of food. 20 turkey meatballs, or 4-5 servings of easy to reheat side dishes. If I get in the grove of eating a lot of the same thing for several days in a row, I pre-log so I know how much wiggle room I have. I also make sure I have logged all my food for the day before I have…

I'm 5'8", live in Chicago (was in Minneapolis/St. Paul this summer for RiverFest). I already lost my weight (@45 lbs.) but work every day to have a tighter, hotter body. Would be happy to help keep you motivated.

I was a 36B/C when I weighed anywhere from 145-165 from ages 17-27. I ballooned all the way up to 210ish and they were 36DD/Es. When i went back down to 165 they became deflated 36Cs. I was also almost 40, but had never been pregnant or breastfed. I bought myself implants and a lift earlier this summer and now they're…

I do what you do: work out right when I get up on an empty stomach. I'm usually swimming and burning less than 300 calories and don't feel weak. Then I eat as soon as I get home a good balance of carbs and protein, then a snack mid-morning, and then lunch, etc. My swim is a HIIT workout. I do a few warm up laps, then 100%…

I'm 5'8", and I'm at my goal weight of 164, which is the top end of the range for my height/age. Now that I'm here, I'm trying to lose 5 more and build lean muscle. I have to say I look ahelllofalot better than I did at 210, but I still feel I have more work to do. I do know I weighed 145 in High School and I was WAY…

I used to work out after work. Loved it! Then I switched to early mornings. Loved it even more! Now I do swimming or yoga in the morning 6 days a week, and starting weight conditioning after work/before dinner 3 times a week. Whatever works for your schedule is going to be best for you.

Yes, I just did it for my 40th birthday/as a reward for hitting goal. I had talked about if for years and as the weight came off, I knew that was the only thing I couldn't fix with diet and exercise. BEST decision I ever made. I went a very modest size so EVERYONE says they look so natural, even my friends/family who know…

Yes, it happened to me with running and weight training. Did you just get the videos or the whole packet? You probably have to eat more, and definitely more protein. Also, as suggested already a dozen times, take pictures and measurements. The scale doesn't tell the whole story.

I weigh myself every day, but only use Wednesday as my official weigh in day to track progress. I like to see what I ate the day before does to my weight loss and make sure I don't get too far off track. I also take pictures and measurements every 30-90 days depending on how much work I've put into it recently.

What are you doing for your morning workouts? When I switched to morning workouts I had a specific agenda. I either signed up for a crossfit class or swam laps. The class was a paid class and if you didn't cancel 3 hours before, you got charged anyway so it forced me to get up and get to class. Lap swimming is only for 1.5…

I eat fruit in moderation, and aim for 2 per day. Berries in the morning, citrus as a snack in the afternoon - not too late in the day. It fills a sweet need with natural sugars and is better than chocolate or ice cream. I think one small bowl of strawberries is not going to hinder your goals.

Violin & piano all through grammar school. Was even first chair, and won a contest against all instruments in the whole school. Gave them up to play sports in Jr. High & H.S. Nothing now. Couldn't play more than a few notes if I tried.

Boobs. <<--check 'em out. They're great and the only part of me that I couldn't "fix" with a clean diet and exercise.

Yes! Usually 4-5 bucks for a $25-30 delivery. Yes, it's that expensive in Chicago and no, I don't order Domino's. I used to deliver pizza in my early 20s and you didn't make squat except tips. I got something like $1.25 for each delivery and I had to use my own car, gas, insurance, etc. So I lived off those tips. I also…

Height : 5'8" Weight: 164.2lbs Bust:42" Waist: 36.25" Hips: 42" Size 8-10. I forget what my upper arms and thighs are, and I have never measured my calves. I'm at my goal weight but I need to lose some jiggle and work on toning.

Jester. I want to name my next dog Fred.

I know you've been "stuck" for some time, but look how far you've come! At some point you're going to make a choice: Do I stay here, or do I keep going and then you will do what is right for you. You're already a healthier, happier, fitter you, and you've made great progress so far. So happy to continue to support you on…

Sweating. I would work out 3 times a day if I didn't have to clean up or shower afterwards. Cardio in the AM, a nice walk on my lunch hour, and lifting weights after work. If I didn't sweat.

If you can afford it, get a Brazilian Blowout Keratin Straightening Treatment. My hair is a lot like yours. I have cut it short over the last few years to make maintenance manageable, but especially in the summer I treat myself to the BB. I was my hair every other day, use a pinch of defining gel after towel dry, and blow…

I'm the second wife. And sport the bling to prove it. :) He certainly has an interesting take on it.

SkinnyTaste.com Green Monster Smoothie Ingredients: 1 small frozen ripe banana, peeled before you freeze it 2 cups baby spinach 1 tbsp Peanut Butter 3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk 1/2 cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt (I used Fage 0%) Directions: Place all the ingredients into the blender, add ice (optional) and…

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If you like it...DO IT! I go to a crossfit gym twice a week and it kicks my butt and sometime takes me 2-3 days to stop feeling sore. But I run 3 other days per week 45-90 minutes and take 1-2 rest days per week. There are a lot of folks at my crossfit gym who do it 5, 6, 7 days a week and they love it. If you enjoy it as…

Thank you for sharing your story. I had a similar experience at 29. I went from 202 to 177 in 5 months eating pretty much the way you described and no exercise. I loathed exercise. I'm 5'8" and even though I was still 10-15 lbs. overweight, I was much happier with my body. My advice to you, keep tracking. It doesn't mean…

I married a divorced man. I never thought I would even date a divorced man since I had never been married, and my parents are together 42+ years so I had a great example. But this one time I made an exception. And then I married him. And over 12 years later things are still wonderful. So....yes.