melizerd Member

BREATHE! Make small goals so you don't focus on the big amount. Know it's going to take time (a year or more really). Make one small change at a time. I started here with over 80lbs to lose in August 2010. I started with the food, and just changed the food and focused on that for 4-5 weeks and then added in exercise…

I've never had a gym membership so it's totally worth the cost! My husband is obsessive about research in the sub $1000 category and we looked at them all and tried them out. IMO the Livestrong is definitely worth it. It's very sturdy too. I was 242lbs when I started using it and it didn't rock at all which was important…

I purchased a Livestrong Elliptical from ****'s Sporting Goods (I hate that we get bleeped lol). I paid $800 for mine and I LOVE it. It does have a long stride so if you're shorter than 5'6" it will probably be too long. It's worth going to the stores and trying them out to find out what you like. I suggest getting one…

The Couch to 5k program does it in 9 weeks, which is similar.

I'd look at a hardware store for a long dowel the right thickness for a broom handle (so it's sturdy enough) and have them cut it for you. PVC pipe might work well too.

I hope to be at my goal weight before New Year's so I hope that 2012 is the year of maintaining for me :D I started in August 2010 with over 80lbs to lose so I'm almost there now!!! I plan to run through the winter both outside an on the treadmill to do a 10K in the spring.

I admit that I do not ever buy cheap heels, I spend money on them. They don't hurt when you buy good brands (and don't go SUPER high). Cheap (and that means Kohl's, Target, etc) they just don't have the cushioning that makes the high end shoes (even middle of the road shoes) more comfortable. Also it takes practice to walk…

I love my heels. Heck I wore heels (smallish ones) 9 months pregnant even. I never quit wearing them. I never had cankles either though. So I've always worn and loved my heels!!

High school (even freshman). It's about when I started dating as well. And that meant sometimes I went on a date with an "older" boy who could drive. My mom was good about calling/talking to his parents and making sure he had been driving enough (not allowed on a date if the weather was bad because of young drivers). It's…

If it's loose skin it probably won't ever go away unless you have surgery. Losing body fat and toning up can reduce the fat and build muscle but unfortunately the skin is something that either bounces back or doesn't and there's nothing you can do about it. Since you can spot reduce fat you just have to reduce overall body…

I reached my original goal of 75lbs lost, and when I got close I changed it to a weight of 159 (which I'm only 8lbs from) but now my real ultimate goal is 155!!!!!! Of course maintaining is my ultimate goal. I want to continuing to build muscle and fitness. I want to run 5Ks like they are no big deal because I'm so awesome…

I've lost 75lbs without ever stepping foot in to a gym. I started just by walking and now I run but you don't have to (LOL). I got my first elliptical machine off of Freecycle and used it for 6 months every day til it fell apart. I have since now spent money on a treadmill (got it at a rummage for CHEAP) and my husband…

I set my own percentages and changed it to 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fat, MFP is very low on protein for their base amount and sort of high on carbs. I shoot for about 120g of protein a day.

I didn't pick a "final" weight until I was about 20lbs from what it was. That let me change things as I went along, find out what worked on me and how comfortable I felt with things. Setting smaller mini-goals and a slightly random final number is what I did. I picked 70lbs to lose because it wasn't a number so big I was…

They definitely need to give you 24 (48?) hour notice before entering your premises (I'm in Wisconsin too). My bet is that they downloaded a generic agreement and didn't really check for a Wisconsin specific one. Good for you reading the whole thing!! My husband is really good at that so I admit to not being because I know…

The truth is that some people are lucky and they fade over time. There are other people though that are stuck with the stretch marks and only surgical removal of them will get rid of them, which you are is a crap shoot (genetics, diet, luck etc). I have REALLY dark thick stretch marks from when I was pregnant and after 5…

I couldn't run when I started here at 242 (5'7" female) because my knees KILLED me! So I walked and walked (and used the elliptical too) until I was at about 180lbs and then running was much easier. I did the C25K. So if you try it earlier and you have pain or don't like it, try it again later. Now I LOVE LOVE to run and I…

Knowing how far I've come and that I am >< this close to my "goal" and this time last year I thought it was SOOOOOO far away. Knowing that I've come this far means I won't stop now!

I started here knowing this was a lifestyle change. I just thought moderation was the answer, what I found out is that there were things I was eating that I don't even LIKE anymore. I very rarely eat sweets (even skipped cake on my own birthday) and choose other options. So while I still believe in moderation I've found…

Strong athletic calves are healthy ones! The only downside I have is that tall boots don't always fit LOL so I have to buy wide legged ones but it's so worth it!

You are doing such a great job! I'm so proud of you!!!

My husband says we're only putting the first million in the bank and living off the interest. So there's no fun money the first year LOL. He's dead serious too. Plus there would be plenty of interest money the next years to have fun. You/we still need to keep our jobs winning a million bucks anyhow, health insurance for…

I've lost 75lbs without ANY HRM. I do think that I need one now because I'm getting MUCH closer to my healthy goals and think that the MFP estimator may come to harm me. I eat back about half the exercise calories back now because I want to be sure I don't over eat.

The HRM is the more accurate answer because it's on YOUR body, MFP is just an estimate. Sometimes it's higher, sometimes it's lower than an HRM which is why they are a good workout tool.

Slow down your pace til it's JUST faster than a walk, and keep repeating the week until you are comfortable with it. You don't HAVE to keep going on weeks if you aren't ready.

I used Jog.fm to pick songs that were in the time frame I want to run a mile in. Those songs work for just about any cardio work out then. I like things with HARD DRIVING beats to them during workouts. Normally I'm a country station listener but when I work out I like pop/rap/techno LOL.

Absolutely need to plan ahead. This takes some getting used to (until you have a regular workout routine and can estimate burned calories ahead of time) but it's SO worth it!

I don't own a HRM, or belong to a gym. I do own a treadmill and an elliptical machine but mostly I lost the weight by walking/running outside on the ground with my shoes on! I do use my iPhone to keep track of food using the MFP app and it has made all the difference for me. So I can be mostly low tech but I need my MFP…

A quick easy way to add in healthy calories is almonds. Just a handful or two a day can up your calories a good amount and they are good for you.

It is mostly for people who have never run before, but it can be used by people wanting to reach that 5K mark, just start in a later week to start building more endurance. Then get the bridge to 10K program next :D