RandomMiranda

Mostly I just want to feel strong and beautiful, but also: To feel more confident, especially in professional clothes. To have a healthy pregnancy, when/if the time comes. To be a good example to my kids when/if I have them. To have more energy. To not still stress about my weight when I'm 95 (my Granny still complains…

I haven't don't it routinely, just interspersed with other stuff, but I liked it a lot. Definitely a good muscle burn. I'm going to do the 20 min. workout from it tomorrow morning.

If you read the fine print on the commercials, it says the average person lost 3.86 pounds over 6 weeks or 7 pounds in 12 weeks or stuff like that. That's not a significant weight loss at all. You can realistically lose 1-2/week with diet and exercise. I watched my mom experiment with different pills and diets my whole…

Jumping jacks were killing me - especially since Jillian's like 'there's no modification. 400lb people can do this'. I did a few modified anyway. But I know from past experience that they become doable soon if you stick with it.

I won't do 30 days straight. My goal is to do 30DS 3-4/week then on the other days do Pure Burn Super Strength (Bob Harper, lifting not much cardio, 20 minutes) and run/walk at the gym. 6 days/week total. I'm doing a diet bet on dietbet.com starting today, so I'll do 30DS for the month basically.

As for the coffee, I use vanilla almond milk or plain almond milk with splenda (although I just saw that Truvia is on sale so I'm going to get that instead). Banana's are hard to fit in if you are tracking carbs or even sugars. I don't recommend Atkins or going way low carb, it's really messed of a lot of people's…

I did! I've done it before, a long time ago, and decided to go back to it now that I'm getting back on track after a few months off the wagon. Friend me if you like :)

I'd say tell him, but like another poster said frame it as an energy source, not the evil little things we treat them like. Emphasize the importance of getting the right amount of energy for the body to grow strong and healthy. I wish I had learned that from my mom, instead of clean my plate and no sense of healthy versus…

If you can already run on the dreadmill you are well on your way. Running outside can be more difficult since your muscles have to work a little harder. Slow down when you need to. Find a good route that you know the distances for, so you can set goals like keep running to the stop sign then walk 2 blocks. I use songs for…

I've had my Polar FT4 for about 6 months and I love it. It's a great motivator for me, like if I only have a few minutes left on the machine, but I'm only 50 calories off from the next 100 I'll push a little longer. While working out it shows you your heart rate, calories burned, whether you are in "the zone" and the time.…

Keep those calories up at 1400. 1000-1200 isn't enough for normal body function. Also, instead of focusing on your weight, since part of your goal is wedding awesomeness, incorporate a lifting routine. There are lots online, or I like "Pure Burn Super Strength" DVD by Bob Harper or do 30 Day Shred or Ripped in 30. That…

What Doesn't Kill You by Kelly Clarkson (it's a very motivation phrase while exercising)

Those are many of the same reactions I had. After reading more of her blog I think I sort of understand some of her overall point, but especially the idea that health and fat/weight are completely separate things or that there isn't a true correlation is problematic. My mom, for example, is pretty healthy if all that means…

Great work! And way to stay with it. If you like the method for 30DS and want to try something else you should get Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30. It's the same kind of circuit approach, but has different exercises and 4 levels. It's pretty killer.

I have a coffee in hand right now. I usually drink it with skim or 2%, but some places only have half-n-half or at one of my jobs there is just the flavored coffee mate stuff. I use it, try to be accurate about how much I add, and log it. No big deal. There are things that are much more detrimental to a healthy lifestyle…

I don't think ceiling punches would be distracting. Or if they are, at least it's something that one can justify doing on the machine and may even give others ideas to keep their workouts challenging. I give this guy props for not caring what people think and just doing his thing, but at the same time, does he have to do…

I love 100 cal. bags of Kettle Corn, and if I have the calories and craving, add some dark chocolate ships to the bag while it's still warm. Another amazing snack is "baked" apples. Core an apple, put it in a bowl with about 1/8c of water, cover, microwave about 2 minutes, cut up the apple and sprinkle with cinnamon and…

When I'm really craving pizza (and the convenience of delivery) I get a crunchy thin crust from Domino's. The meat is really the bigger calorie issue than the crust, but I like veggies on mine anyway. I don't know if they offer turkey pepperoni, but you could keep some in the fridge to add yourself. With veggies, 1/4 of a…

It wasn't Sensa, but another one I see regularly says the average trial participants lost 3.86lbs in 8 weeks. That's chump change for most people on MFP. Less than 1/2 pound a week? Most people can do that just by cutting calories - and not even all that many calories.

Working out is good for overall energy level and emotional stability (endorphins) and a good stress release. If those aren't concerns for you, and you don't have trouble staying under your calories and you don't care about toning, then I guess you don't HAVE to exercise. I don't usually eat back all my exercise calories,…

I don't relate to the workout "nerfing" (I rarely work out with anyone else, and when I used to run with my former roommate we were pretty evenly matched), but I TOTALLY relate to the mom issues. Lucky for me I am a few states away. But my poor sister is a certified trainer and our obese mom is always asking her to train…

Mexican or Chinese restaurants. I can go, but I have to plan ahead, meaning I have to be way under calories most of the week so enchiladas or sesame chicken don't throw off my weekly average. It just doesn't work for me to try to make "good" choices at these places, so I only go if I can make my favorites fit my goals.

Depending on the friend, I'm comfortable mentioning before hand that I am watching my calorie intake. I'll simply say, "what are you planning to make? I want to make sure I plan my day so it will fit my calorie goals." Obviously you can't say that to everyone, but if this is someone whose home you are eating at regularly…

If the reality of your life is that you will eat fast food a few times a week, have a plan for that. Look at the calories on their websites (or some post them on the menu now) so when you do have to drive through you make the best possible choice. My go-to fast food is Subway. In general, most places have some kind of…

In case you don't get a free trainer session . . . Start with cardio equipment, like a treadmill or elliptical. They are usually very user-friendly or at least let you do "quick start" so you don't have to try to figure out the settings and stuff. Then while you are jogging or biking or whatever you can observe and get a…

Don't do anything drastic. But, cut way back on sodium to keep from retaining water weight. Maybe you won't technically lose 10lbs, but you might drop enough between diet/exercise and not retaining water to hit your goal.

I'm in Texas now, but I was in Central Jersey for 3 years then North Jersey for 2 before I came here.

I focus on my weekly average. I don't know how to view that chart on the computer, but the phone app has it more accessibly. I was WAY over my calories today, but I was only over 1 other day this week and was under the other days, so as long as I get in a good workout and make good choices tomorrow and Sunday my average…

I have chicken marinating in teriyaki sauce and pineapple juice waiting in the fridge at home. I'll eat it with some rice and broccoli. It may end up a little over 400 depending on how much chicken I eat, but a serving of rice is 150 and the teriyaki doesn't add much (although the sodium is high). Our go-to meal is salmon…

My first 5k was cold and rainy too. What a fantastic accomplishment for you. Doing a few 5k's a year, if you enjoy them (or at least enjoy having finished them) can be a great way to stay motivated. Congratulations!