Alissa_Sal

Awesome! Way to go!!!

For me, it was more about seeing how things really add up. I would see individual calorie counts and know that some things weren't the best for me, but until I saw a whole days worth all added together, I didn't realize just quite how bad I was eating. I think that seeing it all there in black and white and added up…

I totally do this too. I always say that I "can't afford" something - I mean in calories, not in money. I try to get the most bang for my buck, calorie wise.

Nessi37 - What a great idea about the pizzas! I will have to give that a try. I like to bring leftovers from dinner (in smaller portions) for lunch whenever I have them (example, a grilled chicken breast, 1/2 cup of rice, cup of steamed veggies.) I pack it up as I am cleaning up from dinner and it feels like a great meal…

Wow, sounds like most of us had a great day yesterday! :) Noemi, so sorry to hear that your bike was stolen. That is awful! If you don't mind me asking, how do you ride a bike with a broken collarbone? Do you just ride it one handed? You must be very coordinated, I would fall for sure!!! vjohnso - I find that fruits and…

You look amazing!!!! Way to go!!!

Your starting weight for August: 174 Your personal goal for August: 169 Your personal self-challenge for August : Get eating under control - get some form of physical activity every single day in August. ETA: I am looking forward to chatting with you all and getting to know you. Feel free to add me. :)

I'm 5'7, and I have a medium frame. I weigh 174. I wear size 10/12. My goal is 135.

You look amazing! Great job!!!

I'm cutting out red wine (the only thing I ever really drink at home) for the whole month. It gives me the munchies!

Awesome!!!!! You are an inspiration! You should be so happy and proud of yourself!!!

I didn't have much to add, because others have given you a lot of great info, but I did want to say welcome and good luck. Regarding talking to your wife and kids instead of working out, what if you all went for family walks after dinner? Even a half an hour a night would be so beneficial, and then you could spend time…

I don't think it's "cheating" if you use it for its intended purpose, but I wouldn't be surprised if you got those 2 lbs back in a day or two. I imagine most of that is water.

Good for you for being honest and holding yourself accountable. When you don't acknowlege the real truth, you aren't cheating us, you are ultimately cheating yourself.

Congrats! You are doing awesome. Keep up the good work!

1. (And as a complete side note) - definitely try to get over the "I'm not going to eat if you're not" compulsion. I used to be the same way, but it's just not healthy. You should be listening to your own body's cues to tell you when you are (and are not) hungry, and so should he. Sharing a meal is nice, but not so…

I think you got some great advice. The thing I love about MFP is that you can "earn" more calories on a daily basis (as opposed to some other websites that I have been on that calculate your exercise calories on a more weekly basis) so that you can see immediate results - if I work out today, I get to eat more today. That…

I think that adding some homemade veggie/cabbage soup to your diet (but eating other healthy things throughout the day too) sounds like a fine plan. Eating nothing but cabbage soup is a bad idea, but that's not the way that I took the OP's post.

I like the extra calories. LOL But yes, I feel much healthier and happier over all when I workout regularly. Which always makes me wonder why it's so hard to stay motivated. You would think I would *want* to work out since it makes me feel so good.

I don't know if it is the "maximum efficiency" for fat burning to split it up, but I have to believe that doing 10 minutes on the elliptical burns more calories and fat than sleeping for 10 minutes. LOL Plus, think about all of the advice out there to do small things like take the stairs instead of the elevator and park…

Eric, then Alcide. He so is NOT a Butterface. LOL Bill and Jason are pretty okay too. ;)

I think we need more people in our lives that will kick us in the butt and tell us like it is when we start looking to try quick fixes that don't work. Good for you for being a good friend.

I don't know, but if you find the secret let me know! I can never zip up knee high boots! Who do they make those things for anyway? LOL

I think that if you love cheese and that you are staying within your calorie ranges, you should eat your cheese and enjoy it. If you are having trouble staying within your calorie range, cutting out cheese is a pretty easy way to cut back and make some room in your diet (I think.) A hamburger has less calories and fat than…

Thanks for the advice and info. I don't think this machine has an option to enter in weight and age - it didn't seem to ask for it. I think I'm going to have to suck it up and just get an HRM, because I really liked using the elliptical and want to use it regularly. Thanks again every one!

Absolutely! You shouldn't feel like you have to sneak around - you're not doing anything shameful. Quite the opposite, in fact. You are doing something that you should feel proud of - you're working out and taking care of yourself. Get on with your bad self!!!!

Wow, you look amazing! What a huge accomplisment!!!

Smile and eyes first. A nice strong body is also attractive. But I am dead serious when I say that the physical gets trumped by the personality every time. I find that the more I like someone as a person, the better looking I find them. Smart and funny are the two things that make a person the most attractive.

Thanks, this is very helpful!!!

Awesome job!! You must be so proud!