RandomMiranda

ditto.

Just FYI, I worked at Starbucks until a few weeks ago and baristas aren't trained on the "secret menu" since it isn't officially a Starbucks thing, just stuff people have come up with. So if you go to Starbucks you should be prepared to tell the barista exactly what is in the drink, not just "snickers frappuccino" or…

I have a Polar FT4 and I love it. While working out the watch tells me time, heart rate, calories burned and a few other things I don't look at. It will beep when I get into my target zone and when I fall below it so I can pick up the pace if I need to. I find it motivating because when I want to quit but I'm at 460…

I used to weigh in daily and would regular fluctuate several pounds on the scale from day to day. For me it had to do with water (sodium, muscles retaining it, etc.) and my menstrual cycle. Don't worry about it. Keep up your healthy habits and the overall trend will be down in weight and inches.

Friend request coming your way. I recently moved in with my in-laws, so I understand what it's like living in a house that's full of temptation.

Yes, this. People keep using words like causation and relationship. This is not a statistically significant relationship. There's not even a correlation, let alone causation.

what an amazing transformation, inside and out. Great work! I bet your older son will remember that change and he will be proud of you for it when he is old enough to understand what you did.

I eat what I can afford, and right now that's not organic usually. You should know that if produce crosses state or international borders it is sprayed with pesticides, even if it was grown organically. So if you are concerned about not ingesting pesticides you'll want to buy local.

Thank you! I've been intrigued by "lifting heavy" but have no idea what kind of weight to start with, and the term definitely sounds more intimidating than starting with the bar and adding weight to it over time. It'd be helpful to hear what women started with for different lifts. I haven't done bench press or deadlift or…

Incorporate interval training. http://www.active.com/running/Articles/Use_interval_training_to_hit_your_5K_and_10K_potential I haven't tried to set PRs (I usually forget to look at my time), but running intervals has helped my speed and endurance. Plus I feel pretty badass sprinting on the treadmill, even if only for 30…

Cut up an apple into pieces, sprinkle with cinnamon, microwave 1.5 minutes. Instant baked apple. Add some dark chocolate chips for extra indulgence. Works best with sweet, crisp apples like fuji, gala, jonagold, braeburn or pink lady.

I have an FT4 and I do wear it while lap swimming with no problem. The HRM stays in place and it continues to function as well as for "dry land" workouts.

I eat the steam-in-bag frozen veggies a lot. There are lots of varieties and I keep the freezer stocked so I don't have to worry about things going bad, and I always have something quick on hand. If I add anything to them it is some garlic powder, cajun seasoning, a little parmeson, or just good cracked pepper. My husband…

Not a fad diet, just stupidity, but in highschool I ate fat free pringles and junior mints for lunch for a few months. I lost weight, then went on vacation and gained it all back. My mom tried every fad ever and watching her made me never want to do any of them.

It depends where you're going what kind of temptation awaits you. I went to Disney for my honeymoon and gained a few pounds. If it were me, I'd probably just take the five days off. But if you are concerned about that derailing you longer or something, just try to choose the most nutritious thing you can. Grilled chicken…

I use it on sandwiches. Yesterday I made a wrap with hummus, light swiss cheese, turkey, and spinach. Also tortilla chips, any kind of veggie for dipping, or spread on toast.

I just had a wrap: Flat Out bread w/ flax, spread with hummus and 1 wedge of light laughing cow swiss cheese, turkey and lots of spinach. I would have added other veggies if I had any on hand. I made it this morning and brought it to work.

I googled it, and it looks like its supposed to be to hold up/in all the extra skin after giving birth, which I imagine might be nice if you stretched a whole lot and it is uncomfortable. If it is there to help lose weight, the weightloss is probably from a combination of sweat and having the thing so tight you can't eat…

My husband and I go out to eat on Fridays and we don't avoid pasta or mexican if that's what sounds good. I know in advance that this treat is coming, so I budget my calories the rest of the week, log the meal and am usually still under for the week, even if over for the day. If I thought I could never eat enchiladas or…

I've heard that lots of times. I think it makes sense if you tend to get hungry or maybe if you have a very active job and need a more regular influx of energy, but it doesn't fit my schedule or my needs. I don't get very hungry between meals, and I function fine with a small breakfast and lunch and a bigger dinner.

I'm not really a fish person, but I've learned to like a few. I get frozen salmon or tilapia then make them in the toaster/convection oven. I just put them on the tray still frozen, bake at 400ish for 20-30 minutes, and sprinkle some lemon and herb seasoning or cajun seasoning on it.

Blood Diamond. I had a small faith crisis after seeing it and it turned me off diamonds forever. My engagement ring was Baltic amber instead of diamonds because of it.

I'll have to read that. Crunchy texture is what I crave more than anything. I won't need chocolate or chips - I'll need something crunchy with either sweet or salty flavor.

I'm in a very similar place, except my motivation stopped when I picked up a third job, and I gained back 30 pounds instead of 10. But I'm back on the wagon yet again. Great job getting back on it. Now you know you can do it, because you already have. And you look fantastic (and I'm jealous that you live in Seattle).

I also have this problem. Not with bread, but with lots of other things. I'll finish the package, plate, bowl, whatever. A lot of stuff I just can't have in the house. Some things I can buy in a smaller portion or individually wrapped. I also try to either measure out the food I'm cooking for just one portion, or put away…

I eat the occasional lean cuisine for the convenience, but it doesn't fill me up at all. Plus they are really high in sodium, so they cause water retention. Today I packed lunch, and having multiple items to eat is good psychologically. I see more food, so my brain says I'm more full. And the overall nutrition is better…

In my best shape, fit and running 5ks no problem, I run an 11min mile. A sprint, like think my legs are going to come unhinged, is an 8 minute mile for me and I can do that for like 30 seconds at a time. You ran, and for not having run since HS you ran fast.

If it was s'mores poptarts this might be my breaking point.

Don't be afraid to ask how things are prepared and request changes. Seafood is good for you, but request it steamed or without butter. Even if there isn't something on the menu that is within your goals, I can't imagine they would deny you a steamed or baked salmon filet and steamed veggies. With something like that you…

I trained for my first 5k almost entirely on a treadmill and I honestly didn't notice much difference except the weather. It was cold and rainy outside. Even now I switch between outside and treadmill depending on the weather and I don't notice a difference in how my body reacts, just the pacing is different. Definitely…