gingajoy

I wondered this myself when I started out (I've been on it for 6 years). But when I started really tracking what I was eating I knew that it was overeating the wrong foods that was really the culprit for the weight gain. That plus the fact that our metabolism just slows down as we get older. I've lost this weight with…

I just wanted to say (apart from the fact you look amazing) that this was a really compelling read. I know we all love pictures, but you really know how to write well and engagingly. Must come from that newfound strong sense of self.

If you think you're running, then you're running! And I am pretty sure you're burning a lot more than if you were just walking. I run often at about 5 miles per hour and there is no question that I am not running. I have short legs!

It does sound like those comments might be coming from a jealous standpoint, but is there anything else that could be triggering them? The fact that you now say you think you look great (and you do) is a good sign to me, as it suggests you've got a good self image. Are you conveying this sense to them too? A warning sign…

don't forget that starting out on a diet and calorie counting can actually be quite mentally exhausting. We're forcing ourselves to go from not paying attention at all to paying attention *all the time*! Don't know about anyone else, but I find that tiring too:-) So give it time. A hells yes to breakfast. Eat it! My other…

you look TINY now! Amazing -- especially what you've managed to do the last couple of months. Have to say, you do look very cool in those halloween pics, but you're so different now. Thanks for posting and inspiring. I might just go for a 25K myself now::smile:

I agree with the views on changing things up, and upping your calories for a few days (within reason). The other thing that works for me sometimes is short, sharp interval training (running/walking combo) to 'confuse' your body. You don't say what your calorie allotment is, but if you've set it to 1200 and you're not…

what a great story -- thanks so much for sharing. I can't believe you're in a size 4!!! You've motivated me to look at my goal again and maybe just maybe lower it ;-)

I'll joins:-) I'm a southern gal living in the North, so will be with the Northern team (love it up here, BTW!)

I had a really similar start. Just don't give up! Chances are you'll drop several all one go pretty soon. Do you feel better? Are you measuring inches lost? Try to focus on the positive. In the end it's making a huge difference to your health and well being. the pounds will follow:-)

Just to add to the chorus. This is such an excellent post, and one I really needed to read right now. The scenario you describe could definitely be me. Food us not only a comfort but very much a reward for a hard or stressful day. Hell, it's even a reward for *losing* weight, which is not exactly productive! I find myself…

good for you, Tami! Like many others here I've been reading your story for inspiration. THANK YOU!

Hope you find the site as useful as I do:-) I am in not-so-sunny Manchester. Feel free to friend me if you want support. There are great people here.

wow, you had a pretty square jaw buried under there ;-) well done and thanks for sharing!

what a great post idea! My NSVs: I can run now. Actually run! And (gasp) I enjoy it. I run on Sundays with my suprt-skinny friend, and I coach her through the whole thing. I can't believe it's me doing that. My sillouhette is really changing -- much more pulled in, less slouching. All my clothes feel comfortable if not…

Hiya! Also from the UK (Manchester). If you stick with it, this site can be really invaluable. Feel free to friend me:-)

a belated hello from Manchester:-) Yes, lots of UK folks here, but the yanks are nice too ;-) Good luck and feel free to friend me if you want support. FYI, have got two cats, Alice & Brian:-)

hi there:-) I personally get a lot out of this site, and especially the support tools & the calorie tracker. Free! I've found the community side really helpful too -- just a few folks to support and cheer you on. But for some people the f2f side of WW is a real motivator. Feel free to friend me and friend some others too…

that's a really startling difference! You've become a perfect hour-glass:-) It really really shows around your waist/ Well done!

My experience is you can eat the calories *and* lose the weight. MFP already factors in a deficit before you've even exercised. I eat the exercise calories, but often save them for a day or two later. Uhm. Today I going to be making up for yesterday tho! I dint always eat them all, but I overall I think it evens out. Do…

That's fantastic! I had a similar experience first few weeks. Feels so good when you get the pay off finally! Well done!

I've been making Thai red curry quite a bit -- lush with prawns or chicken! Dead easy too. Don;t skimp on the fresh ginger or coriander/cilantro. http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4244/thai-red-curry also love Indonesian peanut sauce drizzled over a veggie stir fry:-)…

Hiya. Just made mine open (I didn't realise it was private). I actually use a lot of US measurements as I lived there for a long time, and find it much easier to measure by volume than weight. So you'll see cup and tbsp measures on my diary as well as weights. I'd *really* recommend buying a set of cup measures if you can…

Coming in late, but only just found this thread and am a Brit too, so thought I'd join this little island among the Americans (lovely though they are!) I've been on MFP since the end of August, and have lost 10lbs so far. I'd like to set myself a goal of losing 6lbs this month (I think that's realistic, although I want to…

that is AMAZING! I can totally see why you're worried. I can't quite imagine 2,000 a day, but as we all know, it's very easy to find yourself cumulatively eating a lot more than that. But don't you feel like you are so much more in tune now with how your body works and burns off calories? Maybe you need to trust yourself a…

sounds like you've figured out the issue. I bet you'll start losing in no time. I read yesterday to eat higher on your *rest* days and less on exercise days -- not sure about this, but I am noticing that I am *less* hungry on my exercise days than others (but that's just me). So I tend to stick to limit and not eat…

AnAbsoluteDiva is right -- don't sweat it. I think the benefits really outweigh the cons here -- all those Omega 3s and the fact that it's high in protein. Fabulous stuff:-)

speaking as someone else with as rather fat bottom, and who loves to cook, I'd say that you can really learn to make delicious food that is lower in calories if you follow this plan and avoid the processed and high crap foods. I've been making some really nice stir fries and curries. I am still really enjoying eating --…

I zigzag quite a bit -- try and keep to 1200 in the week, and try not to eat too many exercise calories If any). I then go over at the weekend (but hope that the uneaten exercise will compensate. I don't go bananas at the weekend, but over by about 200-400 each day. I guess that's not really zigzagging as you're thinking…

Well done on your 5lbs down! I have a similar amount to lose, and just one month in. I'd be really happy to be one of your buddies. Good luck!