megleo818 Member

This depends entirely upon genetics (well, age, too). What's happening is you're getting smaller overall, but your skin and the attached subcutaneous fat is staying pretty much the same because it's stretched to accommodate your old size, and your genetics and your over-forty-ness won't let it compensate. Your outside…

My mother-in-law had kidney stones and her doctor told her to cut out the Crystal Light and stick to plain water -- and lots of it. That's all I know. No sciency stuff to support or anything, just relaying the anecdote, since you asked. :)

Costco, Ross, Marshall's, TJ Maxx. I can't imagine paying LuLu prices for clothes I'm just going to sweat in. If you look at the off-price places and try on everything, you'll find something. Don't be afraid to venture outside whatever you think your size is -- I almost always wear a size smaller in exercise wear (small…

I do 35-45 minutes on the elliptical every day. I also do a cross-fit workout 3 times a week elsewhere. Or at least that's what I've been doing for the last week or so ... :)

For future reference, check out the two "Cook This, Not That" books. I swear I should be getting a kick-back from the publisher for how often I recommend these books. Easy to follow, yummy stuff that's low in calories, fat and sodium. But I guess the publisher would hate me for also recommending that you get them used…

When I was losing weight (maintaining now), I NETTED 1200. By which I mean that I exercised every day and ate back each and every calorie I burned. Worked for me. Only you can know what works for you. :happy:

I usually use the twisty method (mentioned above) to crack my lower back. Was surprised yesterday that using a foam roller cracked my mid back yesterday. I was just lying on the roller, rolling it up and down my back and it cracked when I got to about mid ribcage. I think it did this because my back was NOT particularly…

I've had two kids and am turning 50 this year, so jumping jacks are always iffy for me. :ohwell: I can do without jumping jacks, but I was having occasional issues with other higher impact stuff, so I asked my doctor what to do. She told me that even better than Kegels is to do this: When you're urinating, stop the flow…

Totally. It's you or the friend. Don't settle. Boyfriend loses the friend, or he loses you. End of story. Editing to point out that you're LOCKED IN YOUR FREAKING BEDROOM WITH NO FOOD and your so-called boyfriend doesn't give a damn. Really????

Food scale. $20 at KMart. Editing to say that I also switched gyms, which added about $10 a month to my overall expenses, and is totally worth it. I also upped my personal training time, but I don't think that's really helped me lose weight -- just keeps me motivated and strong.

I don't eat anything that's breaded and fried (messes with my stomach) and try to avoid salt, within reason. Carb overload makes me retain water, but sometimes that can't be helped. :happy: Basically, nothing is completely off-limits, unless I don't like it to begin with. Like I won't eat okra unless it's in gumbo. Just ew.

Yes. Many, many, many times.

Hmm. Haven't sneaked mid-day alcohol since high school, when we thought we were being "ironic" by filling empty root beer cans with Miller High Life. Yeah, I know. More recently, my alcoholic mother used to just keep a jar of vodka in her purse at work. Booze didn't kill her until she was almost 73. Cheers! edited for typo

Here's what I've found works: 1) Log EVERY thing that goes into your mouth. Gum, gin, lettuce, bacon, water, clotted cream -- whatever it is -- if you put it in your mouth, you need to measure it first and then log it. 2) Exercise daily, even if it's only for 10 minutes. Log those minutes and eat back any additional…

First, that was obviously a stupid, irresponsible, illegal thing to do and is inexcusable. Second, you're already done with this guy. If you weren't, you wouldn't have asked a public forum of strangers to give you advise (not judging, just showing you you're looking for support for what you and your family members already…

My sentiments, exactly. Too much is never enough.

Well, I can hardly say I make "everything" from scratch -- I buy canned tuna, beans and tomatoes, dried pasta, almond milk, ready-made bread and stuff like crackers and tortilla chips -- and I do like granola bars better than cookies (but they really ARE cookies ... I don't kid myself that they're good for me!) I also…

wow, wow, WOW!! You've made stellar progress!! Muy caliente!! :drinker:

Don't know about working out one's "privates" ... I think "beginner" is good. Or even "novice". Editing to say that I think of myself as "a recent convert". :happy:

Yes. Gotta count 'em.

My new mantra: "What can I do today that will make me proud in one year?" THANK YOU!!!

Normal is just another word for boring. I say pray for bell-bottoms to come back and in the meantime be glad you don't have a big ole beer belly! Editing to add that I used to work for a guy who had a very narrow waist and zero (and I do mean ZERO) butt. Seemed like a basic, skinny guy. But then when the warm weather…

Yes. All the time.

I don't limit my carbs. Never have. I do exercise a lot, but I don't think that's what made me lose 30 pounds -- the weight left because I stopped eating too many CALORIES. Period.

All "diets" are stupid. Listen to your body. Do your own research with your own body to find what works for you. Stop trying to find the "easy" way -- the only way that will work for you is your way.

Sounds like over-thinking and a hell of a lot of work. I'd just start with the tried and true method of following the caloric guidelines that MFP gives you, based on your activity level, age, etc. Give that a month or so and see how it's going. Then try mixing it up to go more vegan, if you still think that's right. Be as…

I believe the adage that losing weight is 80% diet and 20% exercise. That being said, if you exercise, you can up your (restricted) caloric intake and eat more like you're accustomed to while still losing weight. That helps you succeed. Also, exercising makes you more aware of your body and more in-tune with your overall…

It's equal parts encouragement and accountability. And, yes, it does work.

Got my booty to the gym. Didn't yell at my kids, one of whom is impersonating an idiot. Cooked a great, healthy dinner. Did laundry for the idiot-impersonating kid. Showed up for a friend who needed me. Yeah, today was a good day. Thanks for the reminder!!

5' 3.5", 120 lbs, size anywhere from a 2 to an 8. Totally depends on the jeans. Clothing size is a STUPID way to gauge progress, as companies make big stuff with small labels to trick us into buying whatever size we think our goal is. Just saying.