Robin_Bin Member

fresh mango salsa - yum! fried okra? oops, I wasn't on the most recent... fried fatback in beans - don't know. fried okra?

If it helps, do it. People tend to lose more when they first start. So some people have a few good starting days and then freak out when they have their first day where their weight goes up. if that's you, you shouldn't weigh yourself daily. My weight can vary by more than 5 pounds within one day - depending on what I eat,…

No evidence behind this, but having seen a lot of posts like this... Sometimes your body just has a plateau. Think of it like setting a new, lower baseline. After a bit at the same weight, the loss starts again. Other potential issues... Make sure you are recording what you eat accurately. The same dish can vary widely in…

Good luck! You can find lots of different types of support here. I suggest reading the boards and finding some people with similar background, preferences, and goals. But don't get stuck thinking there's only one way that works. Try different ways to lose weight and be healthier. So for instance, like you I was fit when I…

These were great ideas. Does anyone else want to add ways to sneak in some exercise? I've got a few more: * use hand weights for arm curls while watching TV * if you're working in a place where you spend a lot of time on the phone, can you stand during some of that time? if you have a headset, can you walk around a bit? *…

It's been ages since I first posted this. One thing I found in Thai, and some Chinese, restaurants that I like is eggplant in garlic sauce. It often has some breading, but is roughly 150-200 calories per cup. Then add rice. Most servings are 2 or 3 meals for me. So I use a suggestion from long ago, ask for a take-away…

Wow! I've been away from the site for awhile. It's an honor to see a nice person like you recommending the blog I created. (I think I need to take my own advice more often.) :smile:

Good luck everyone! Send a message, if you want me as a cheering buddy.

Don't completely deprive yourself. Find other treats - some food, some non-food. Remember popcorn is low-cal - the butter and additives may not be - you can find receipes for good popcorn spices/flavorings that keep it low-cal.

A variety of things can change your weight - how much you just drank, time of day, what you're wearing. The short term doesn't matter as much as the long term. That said, there could be a different problem. A hormonal problem - check your health with a doctor - if that's a possibility. Or you may be counting calories…

Great ideas! It helps when selling things on-line to have good pictures. Make sure the item is clear. It may help to have pictures of the front and back (or sides, top, open/closed). Check whether it looks better against a plain background or "in place" - for instance glassware might look better if you also have a picture…

What an excellent idea! It helps with the planning, breaking the project into reasonable "bite-sized" bits, and creates a way to track and feel good about what's been done.

One suggestion I've heard is to take a picture of anything really special. Then you still have a memory jogger. And if you keep an electronic journal, you can paste the picture and describe the good memory there. I'm planning to do that even with some family heirlooms I'm keeping, so when they go to the next generation,…

Hi. I'm looking for something like that too. Not so much for accountability, but I feel the need for a cheering squad. I'll cheer you on and remind you of any accountability goals you tell me. I have a bigger goal than you. I expect it to take about a year and a half. Oh, and if it matters, 50+F.

I think you forgot 2 very important measures... 1) How do you feel? 2) Can you do basic things without hurting of feeling out of breath? These would vary by person, but can you * climb a floor of stairs and talk at the same time? * walk a mile on easy territory (like sidewalks or smooth paths) * go grocery shopping (or…

Based on my limited experience and what I've heard from others here... at about 5% of your original weight lost, you'll see (and maybe feel) a difference; at about 10% of your original weight lost, close friends and family may notice; at 20% lost, many people will see the difference. Of course your mileage will vary…

Hi. I haven't been here for awhile. (That was a mistake.) Good to see the supportive messages in this group!

One hundred calories is not going to cause any harm. Obsessing about it will cause harm. Always being over is not good, but it's perfectly reasonable to go over by small amounts (like 100 calories) every once in awhile, and to go under by small amounts occasionally too. It's what you do over and over again that causes…

I may not want to share my food diary with all the people I agreed to be "friends" with in order to encourage them or follow their good posts. Or I may be using this as a tool to share my food diary with just my doctor, nutritionist or someone else who understands my specific dietary needs. Those are just 2 of many…

Experience. Take a look at the people on this site who have been successful for the long term. You'll see that most of them did not get into the shape they wanted quickly. Most people who lose quickly also regain quickly. There are multiple reasons for this… usually they boil down to the fact that when you lose quickly,…

Congratulations! Great job!

Could be your body rebelling… but make sure you're covering your nutrients. If your body is missing something, it could cause a desire to eat until the need is met. If you're not already taking one, consider a multi-vitamin -- at least temporarily. When you're eating healthily, you're probably not missing much, but for…

Business travel is very difficult. I found it especially hard when it was out of the country, and we went out to dinner together at the end of the day. It was hard to figure out the foods that were new to me and not in English… best guesses, a bit of extra walking… managed to maintain, but not lose during most of the…

I'd recommend the baby steps, but use the motivation you have starting out to try out a bunch of different baby steps. Here are some pieces of advice I've gathered from people who seemed to be successful at their goals (usually weight loss, but for some weight gain or greater fitness or... you pick):…

Replying to OP Of course it matters what you eat. Poison is not good for you. Malnutrition is not good for you. Does it matter to weight loss? Yes, although not as much. There is some evidence that calories from different foods are processed differently... but that's probably minor in comparison to the fact that it's much…

Great translation and answer to the question! I know other people who were not taught proper grammar, spelling, or how to construct a sentence in school. Through no fault of their own, it's difficult for them to write clearly. They make an effort; they use spell checkers, and ask for a proof-reader on important messages.…

Prepare them better... no over-boiling unless you're making puree. Roasting and grilling can be yummy. Eat them with other things you like. I like mac&cheese or toasted cheese better when they have tomatoes and sometimes a few leaves of fresh spinach. This works for many sandwiches... they are more filling and can taste…

Be afraid. Be very afraid. (Or "a frayed" in honor of this thread.)

[Not reading all the other responses, so excuse repeats.] Don't give up anything that you aren't willing to give up for the rest of your life. Just eat it in moderation. I eat chocolate almost every day -- I've switched over time to higher quality, darker chocolate, but less of it. Some sweets have few to no calories. Have…

A collection of advice: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Robin_Bin/view/how-to-use-myfitnesspal-427993 Looks like you are consistently way over on sodium. It's not showing, but I bet you're way under on fiber. I'd try adjusting those. Good luck!