BrainOnAStick Member

Fabulous! Way to put in the work and time to make it happen! That is just great.

- Number of days you drink 8 cups of water(3 points): 6 - Number of days you have 2 (1/2c) servings of fruit (3 points): 5 - Number of days you have 3 (1/2c) servings of vegetables (5 points): 2 - Number of days you avoid refined sugary snacks (5 points): 3 - Number of days you log all food consumed in your MFP food diary…

I am not specifically hoping to lose weight, but I definitely want to be fit and develop healthy habits! Feel free to add me.

There was a question about examples of "self-care." My "self-care" includes (but is not limited to) reading for pleasure, journaling, meditating, giving myself a pedicure, and/or knitting.

Brilliant topic. Thanks! While medications haven't been my obstacle to weight loss, I definitely think depression has led to a lack of motivation to exercise and definitely sparks some "comfort eating."

I sheepishly raise my hand and say, "I'm in."

Yes! Way to go!

Well, shucks. That's swell. :blushing:

Hi, there. Three cheers to you for giving voice to your "issues" with food. I have beaten the battle against the urge to binge on food and alcohol most of my life. (Unfortunately, a hard lesson learned through observing what it does to my mother and did to my father. Also unfortunately, my issues have manifested themselves…

I did my first Mud Run today. Even though I am recovering from a *terrible* cold and sinus infection that kept me from the gym for a week, I at no point felt like I was going to die!

My name is India. I married an Indian in India. I kid you not. I could not make this up if I tried. I have a twin brother. I have travelled to twelve countries.

Consider adding me as a friend. I am not vegetarian, but I rarely eat meat. My husband is Indian and we cook a lot of delicious Indian curries. Almost any vegetable can be made into a curry and there are a range of fabulous curry pastes, simmer sauces, etc. on the market. If you're serving with rice, just use a small…

Someone else mentioned working out with someone. This can be helpful! Making it a "date" somehow works for me on the days when I don't want to go. It's easier for me to view it as a social engagement rather than something I don't feel like doing. If I don't go on my date, I let myself down and the other person down. Also,…

My most successful tomatoes have been in self-watering containers made of rubbermaid boxes and PVC, as well as those big plastic paint buckets. A very important point to consider is sunlight. Which direction does your balcony face?

Couch to 5K. Also, I invested in some good running shoes and this made a *world* of difference. I was running in heavy overpriced shoes that fit me poorly, but I mistakenly went into a one-brand only store (New Balance) and ended up with the best that had for my skinny feet--which was no good at all. That's not to slam New…

I love to cook and my diary is public. Feel free to add me! I am also loving your usernames. Fun!

Hey, it's nice to see others in the same boat, so to speak. I am going to add some of you to my roster of friends. Feel free to add me, too. I am on my 5th year of a Ph.D. program in Higher Education. (Yes, there is a degree in Higher Education.) I am just writing, writing, writing these days, but making time for workouts.…

Good question. Four things come to mind. 1) I remember how good I feel after a workout. Even when I am dragging at the gym, I remember that some sort of workout is better than no workout. I end up thanking myself for taking the time to sweat. I could foul everything else up that day, but my gym time is precious. 2) I also…

Oh lord. You're in medical school. Good luck. I am in my 7th (!) year of graduate school and I can't begin to adequately explain the toll taken by sitting at a desk, getting irregular sleep, eating food on the go and managing school and life stresses. Your mom probably meant well and was trying to moderate your…

I am sure there is a much more informed answer to your side stitch question, but what I usually do is stop for a moment and take a few deep breaths, during which I focus on sending or forcing my breath to the cramp. I also find that the more frequently I run, the less frequently I experience side stitches. Congratulations…

My husband and I eat mostly vegetables of varying sorts, rice, noodles, and fruit. We used to shop for veggies at Whole Foods. While the idea of organic produce appeals to me, it's cost prohibitive for us at this point. I was *astounded* at how much less expensive produce is at the local farmer's market. (We go to a…

Avoid anything fried, of course (i.e., pappadams, samosas, dosas, vada). Maybe go with daal, sambar, or channa masala. If you're going to have something creamy in appearance, consider asking if it's made with coconut milk or yogurt. My understanding is that coconut milk has greater caloric density. Also, eat slowly and let…

I was constantly sick following the death of my father and suffered from a general malaise. I was certainly depressed and saw a therapist at least once a week for a year or so. Therapy and a little Wellbutrin pulled me out of it. I hope you're caring for yourself in whatever way seems appropriate for you. Maybe consider…

I am sorry that this has happened. It seems to me that anyone who steps foot in the gym should get a giant pat on the back for even showing up. In these sorts of situations, I play dumb. I'd ask, "Hey, what's so funny?" I suspect that they'll be embarrassed that someone called them out on their stuff with an innocent…

"To be honest with you..." (Because normally you're not?)

Violent Femmes, 1995, Rendon Inn, New Orleans, LA.

Ha. I think your mom and my mom are kindred spirits. (My mom is one of the most stubborn people I have ever known. She is an overweight nurse who recently decided to start losing weight, despite years of nagging from my father. It had to be done on her terms and no one else's.) One thing I've learned lately is that when it…

We eat a lot of Indian and Asian foods, as well as few prepared foods. Feel free to check out my diary anytime.

Great question! 1) It's gross when people don't wipe down the machines/mats/exercise balls. 2) Women who spray heavy perfume in the locker room drive me nuts. One day I was in there and ended up in the line of fire of someone's body spray. It was over-the-top offensive. I understand a small spritz, but a fog of spray in…

I usually drink a large bottle of water first and then see how I feel. I do things to take my mind off of things, too. For example, my go-to is knitting while listening to a podcast or watching mindless TV. Sometimes I also play mind tricks... like waiting 30 minutes to see how I feel then. Then, I'll tack on another 15…