Balice57 Member

Maybe you need to change up your exercise, and just move in ways that are fun. Take a walk just to look at the flowers and meet the animals in the neighborhood. I always like to get out and see the gardens. Also, sometimes I just have to kick my butt off the bus early so I have no choice but to walk home! You'll get there,…

Good grief! Some people just didn't learn any manners, and haven't pick up any on the way. Well handled.

I'm in. Starting Weight: 206 Current Weight: 200 Memorial Day (and birthday-May 31) goal: 185 Ultimate Goal: 140 and fit

I've just started adding one day a week when I allow myself to eat anything I might have been craving. I log it all so I make sure I'm still at a calorie deficit for the week, but this helps with cravings when you know you will get to eat what you crave in a few days. I'm always happy to return to healthy eating after that…

I love my kettlebell. Nothing gets my heart rate up faster, and I'm not sore afterwards. Check out Michael Skogg. He has a set of DVDs that I just bought, and he is a good teacher and very concerned with the correct form. I bought a set of gloves from his website as my wrists aren't strong and I am not yet good at form on…

Seattle, Washington

I have added it to my oatmeal and a protein shake. I think I may try stirring it in to my oatmeal after it has percolated in the microwave because the PB2 tends to clump. It tastes good, though, and was great in my shake.

The main benefit is it will support your training for the marathon and give your body what it needs to excel. I think if you were to just sit and eat less you would not look great as the weight came off. Everything just loosens up and isn't pretty.

It sounds like her husband has been suggesting she lose some weight; seriously, who thinks it is okay to comment on someone else's grocery purchases?

Great job! I need to take some before photos, too, because I think the photo evidence really helps you see the changes. I had to laugh because my Mom was forever taking butt shots of our family - and we had some butts we didn't want in photos! Ah, the beloved butt shots.

I have been over, as well. I did some research and it sounds like the mfp numbers are low, especially if you are working out. I wouldn't worry about it. I'm more concerned about keeping under the fat and sodium recommendations.

The Android phone app is fantastic. I use it all the time, even when I'm just in the living room in the evening. I will even use it to plan ahead and decide what to eat to keep within my parameters. The regular logging is key. We all think we know what we're eating but I was shocked at my foolishness when I started logging…

You need to eat a minimum of 1,200 calories a day - never 600! Your body needs a certain amount of calories just to keep your organs working. I'm doing the spike diet, modified a bit - for me (with 60 pounds to lose) I'm eating 3 days a week at 1,200 calories, 3 days a week at 1,500 calories and one day a week at about…

Check out T-Tapp. She has a book (Theresa Tapp) with exercises in it. She has rehab training, so her exercise routine is short but effective in bringing in all the small muscles and getting your heart rate up in a short amount of time.

Congrats for changing your lifestyle. Hang in there, because it will happen. I'm still adjusting my calories and sodium intake. Our bodies get a little confused when we start getting healthy; or they are just not sure we're serious. It's an adventure to keep tweeking and see what really works for you. Try eating more…

Try beefalo (i.e., buffalo meat). It's a lot lower in fat than regular beef. I keep to this when I need a fix. Trader Joe's has some interesting options for prepared meats, though the chicken breast I got the other day had more sodium than I wanted, so I guess I do need to cook my own. Drat!

I'm using it now, but I don't know that it makes any difference. I will stop using it after I run out. If you're planning out your calories, you're going to eat what's on your plate. It's for people who don't want to plan and it may help you stop sooner if you have a big plate of food. I'm trying not to do that any more.

Thanks, guys - great ideas. Yes, I notice there isn't a soup I can find in a can that is actually low sodium. I will try making my own, and I am avoiding eating out like I used to. I think for now I will shoot for keeping my sodium under 2000, then work my way down from there. For instance, today I have 700 calories left…

A significant benefit of MFP is for me to be able to see my own progress, and to go from a couch potato to someone who gets some movement in every day is a really big deal. That's how change happens, and every minute, every movement counts!

Very cool link. Back in the day I pulled out exercises from Self to add to a notebook. It's fun to see how we've progressed technologically. Self has some good moves to try.

Great progress! I'm 54, so I'm right there with you. I was shocked when I read that if you're 50+ you should keep your sodium intake to 1,500; unbelievably I can do that most of the time. Your before and after photos are fantastic, and inspiring.

When I started, I only concentrated on calories in and out. Then I noticed all the other nifty things I could track and did some research to see what the appropriate amounts of fat, protein and sodium were. Now I'm most concerned about keeping the calories where I want them, keeping my sodium intake low, and am working on…

I don't expect a man to give up his seat to me because I am a female. I readily give up my seat for anyone who is elderly (male or female), disabled or is carrying a small child. My pet peeve is people who lounge on public transportation like they're in their own home, and you have to ask them to move their bag or…

Squidgey - Hey, it's taken me almost a month to lose another 2 pounds, but this morning I had to pin my slouchy pants to keep them from falling off. If you're enjoying the exercise, certainly continue, but I think your body is probably in shock if you weren't exercising at all (like me) and then started a heavy regimen. I…

I love the kettlebell. Check out Michael Skogg and The Skogg System. You can find him on YouTube. He's very good at teaching you the right form to use with the kettlebell, which is pretty darned important. You could hurt yourself if your form is off.

Hi, Claire. I'm sorry that weight has found its way back to you. I know about a year ago I was doing a ton of walking and lost a lot of weight, and yet here I am with 50 pounds to lose again. Although the weight hasn't been coming off quickly, with mfp I'm learning so much and feel really empowered that I will never go…

Welcome! MFP is a very helpful place to be spending time, even if you're lurking. :)

I have had people ask me if I'm sick - no, actually I'm getting healthier. People really have no idea what a pound looks like, so they are shocked if you say you have 50 or 100 pounds to lose. I can tell you what 200 pounds looks like, because I've worn those pounds personally, but everyone is so unique that weight loss…

I have found items in the Quorn and Gardein brands that are tasty. Gardein I found at Safeway and Quorn at QFC or whole foods markets.

Thanks for the thoughts. Yes, I do like a good whiskey sour now and then, and that won't stop. But here I was thinking measuring things was for wimps - there's so much fat and so many calories in olive oil! Good grief. It really is important to track everything.