hsmith0930 Member

Sometimes I get stronger cravings before and during. Today I NEEDED an ice cream sandwich, which was as amazing as I wanted it to be. The difference between what happened today and what would've happened two months ago is that I had one, then I went for a nice long walk with my dog and burned almost 500 calories. Two…

I actually REALLY like sugar free chocolate pudding! LOL

I agree with this a LOT! I'm not old by any means, but I know that even when I was first starting to look at weight loss in school I had so few options. I think that easy access to programs such as MFP and Sparkpeople and such will start showing up soon in the statistics of people who successfully keep weight off after…

I think it depends on what you're using it for. If you are simply trying to be aware of what you're eating without concern of exactly how much and how many calories, paper might be faster. If you are counting calories to lose weight, I think it's much easier to use MFP. I have the app on my phone so I can scan things, but…

It's hard to say for me. I have jeans that are 22's that fit me (and fit me before) but they have some elastic in them so they are made to fit snugger. But I also have size 18 old navy Pixie pants. I also have size 16 Old Navy Pixie shorts that fit better than the size 16 regular khaki shorts from Old Navy. I cannot,…

Sucks to be her. I mean, if there was any real way to lose weight without going through the rigamarole of counting calories and staying within my goals I'd be doing it, everyone would. But there is no magical cure. There are some tools people like to use to create their deficit, and if it makes them happy, well, kudos. I…

Sign up for MFP and ensure that any fun indulgences are accounted for.

Your numbers are a bit low. If you are having 4 days at 600 calories and 3 at 1600 you are only getting 7200 a week. At 1200 even every day you will get 8400. I'd eat more on your non-fasting days to ensure your average isn't going under 1200 calories and make sure to avoid heavy exercise on fast days, and to eat back…

I love coffee. I drink it with 3 tablespoons of half and half (59 calories) and usually one big cup of that is my breakfast! I feel full, it's hot and warms me up and makes me feel like I'm starting my day. Sometimes I will hold my cup in my hands and just smell my coffee for a minute it makes me so happy! And the caffeine…

Shots of straight liquor...

No, they are compulsions. Compulsions based on the same things that the compulsion to eat sugar is based on. The "pleasure" factor is created in a person's brain. There is no chemical dependency involved. Just because there are support groups available to help a person change their behaviors does not legitimize the fact…

WAHOO!!! Way to go!

That part there that I bolded. You are not "addicted" to sugar. Sugar is not an addictive substance in the same way drugs and such are. You MIGHT be used to the feelings the sugar give you, between the way your body produces insulin and thus feeling lower lows, and you might be used to the endorphins and serotonin that…

WHOOPS! Missed the part about the exercise.

It sounds like intermittent fasting. It's one tool a person can use to help achieve a calorie deficit. If that works well for you, then by all means do it.

I thought I was the same way. I really did think that if I had treats in the house I was doomed to eat them, and since we keep goodies for the kids I was destined to never lose weight. Then I realized I was wrong. It is MY CHOICE to eat what I want. Whether that is 15 candy bars, because I WANT to eat that, or just one or…

I think the real problem with a lot of the arguments here are that they are assuming that you have to have such a precise deficit to lose weight! Sure as you lose more and get closer to goal weight you have to be a little closer because the deficit range is smaller, but overall, it's not that big of a deal to hit EXACTLY a…

This! Also, whenever something needs to be taken to the other side of the store, volunteer. Or if a customer needs help finding something (if you're allowed) walk them to it, instead of just pointing it out. Usually managers won't really be able to complain if you tell them you were trying to give the best service to the…

Unrealistic... Maybe. It is quite an aggressive goal. Shouldn't be impossible but it will take some very strong commitment to maintaining a deficit. You will need to accurately weigh everything you eat to be sure your deficit is as accurate as possible.

I know one woman, personally, who had some really severe, life threatening complications. I don't remember the medical terms or anything, but essentially her intestines were twisting? I remember it being a REALLLY big deal. She had lost a lot of weight at first, but went back to eating poorly. She constantly posted photos…

Nope, my husband and I both weigh our food. Though I always want to punch him when he changes to ounces from grams... I feel like that is a different problem.

There really isn't a whole lot that can be done externally. Genetics and the amount of time you were heavier has way more to do with how your skin reacts to weight loss than anything else. I mean, hydrated skin always looks better than drier skin, so the lotion will help in that aspect, but no topical things will really…

To "match" my fit husband. To keep up with my kids. To feel proud of what I see in the mirror. To be able to shop in the normal section of stores/get great clearance deals off the rack. To wear a sexier swimsuit when I go on vacations. Because I have always thought of myself as athletic and fit, but in the last several…

It could be possible that as you start to feel stronger and better about yourself (and it's Spring!) that you are moving more and burning a bit more than before. I wouldn't go crazy or anything, but try adding 100 calories to your goal to see if it helps. After a week if you're still super hungry, try another 100. I bet…

There really are a lot of factors that go into whether 10-14 pounds will "make a difference". As others have posted, it depends on how much of what you lose is fat vs muscle. One thing I've read a lot on the boards is that CICO determines weight loss (fat and muscle together) but that watching your macros helps to…

This is anecdotal, not science based, but if I only drink diet soda during the day I get a little bloated and my weight will go up a bit. If I drink more water (even with stuff like Mio in it) in addition to the soda I don't get the same thing. Weird, because the caffeine SHOULD be a diuretic, but that's just what happens…

I think that smoothie sounds tasty in general, and I think adding greens into a smoothie is a great way to get extra veggies in if you have trouble eating them all. But yeah, no detoxing.

I've lost about 11 pounds just counting calories so far and I have PCOS. I think it doesn't come off as fast as it would if I were trying low-carb, because that can be VERY effective for people with PCOS, but I really hate trying to eat low-carb.

Of course life has rules! What I'm saying is what makes eating some fast food a "cheat"? I absolutely would never say a person should cut something out of their diet entirely unless they 1) didn't like it anymore or 2) had a medical necessity not to eat it anymore. Eat the McDonald's fries (for example) if they sound good…

But how is that a "cheat"? You are making a conscious decision to keep your calorie counts low because you know you want to eat a lot of Mexican food on a certain day. What are you cheating at? Like are you cheating on grilled chicken and ice cream sandwiches for Mexican food? Are you in a committed relationship to those…