zen_mama

I too have this problem and seem to be indulging a lot lately in my number one trigger...CHEESE. I am also discovering that ice cream (there's that dairy link) and excess sugar seem to irritate my stomach as well. I know that when I'm feeling stressed out, I tend to crave trigger foods even more, then pay for it for a…

My mom drinks it every day- about a tbsp in a 16oz glass of water at least 3 times a day. She has drank this mixture for years to help with her arthritis. She also took a bottle with her last time she went to Mexico and drank a little every day of her trip. She was the only one in a group of 5 who did not come home with…

I drink tea frequently and if I drink more than 3 cups in a day, I log it towards my water intake. True it isn't pure water, but it is a hell of a lot better for you than soda or artificially sweetened "water" drinks. I drink decaf iced green tea a lot in the summer months- sometimes up to a gallon a day and my body has…

I use a food scale as well (bought a cheaper one at Target for $16, but really want one of the nice digital ones). My other favorite tools for portion control are my measuring cup and spoons. I measure everything- from the light mayo I put on my sandwich, to the coffee creamer I use in the mornings. I even measure my dried…

walking has really been helping me to slim down my thighs. I didn't take measuments on my legs before I started, but my pants and shorts are fitting better after 5 weeks and I can see a difference when i look in the mirror. I also do a lot of stretching and toning exercises (yoga and pilates).

Did you use any kind of a sauce in it, or is it just the juices from the tomato holding everything together?

That looks fantastic! Fellow veggie here and I'm looking at your picture thinking "my family would totally eat that!" I make kind of a sheppards pie with veggie ground that my family just loves.

the only way chewing gum would bloat up your belly is if you tend to swallow lots of air when you chew. Or at least that has been my experience.

Thank you :-)

I log calories burned during yard work and house cleaning because that is what I do for a living. I usually only log half the time though. If I clean 2 houses at a total of 6 hours, I only log 3 hours worth because scrubbing floors and showers takes much more effort than washing dishes or wiping down counters. I figure it…

It's probably just water retention- perhaps from a higher sodium intake. Most womens' weights fluctuate naturally from day to day which can make daily weigh-ins become a psychological torture. I myself only weigh every two weeks for that very reason. Other things such as muscle gain and low fiber intake (which makes food…

It doesn't exactly keep me from feeling hungry, but it keeps my mouth occupied during times when I might be prone to snack out of bordem. As a plus side, chewing peppermint gum keeps me from wanting to eat because food just taste funny when your mouth is coated in peppermint.

you'll need to change your settings and make your diary public before anybody else can review it. I sympathize with the IBS issue. I've learned my triggers and usually do just fine, but have realized that sugar is now my newest trigger. Last weekend I indulged a bit at a family function (cake and a french toast casserole,…

When I realized I was going to be seeing my ex-husband and wife number 2 in June after not seeing them for a year. Great motivation to lose 20 pounds before summer and then keep plowing through the rest of the weight. Probably a shallow reason (because I want to make sure I look better than the new Mrs.), but it was the…

Well I can't vouch for myself since I was overweight when I got pregnant, then gained almost 70 pounds while pregnant and 10 years later I still have over half my baby weight to lose. Now my sister on the other hand- she was a curvy size 8 when she had her first child, gained about 35 pounds and was back into her old…

I feel your pain! I didn't have much chest to spare, but I've already lost about half a cup size (that's with less than 10# lost!). By the time I make my goal weight, I may be supporting my ladies with jumbo bandaids ;-)

Very inspired idea! This might become my favorite workout routine!

Little Debbie's Nutty Bars- I would buy a box and hoard them in the freezer, then eat them as soon as my kiddo was in bed. Awful . things and about 1200 calories right there. I don't buy them anymore. I also used to eat entire pints of Ben and Jerry's ice cream in one sitting (hey, who hasn't?) No more B&J allowed in this…

Are you drinking enough water? I find that if I drink a large glass of water (12-16 oz) after dinner while I'm watching tv, I am less prone to snack because my belly feels full. Also, staying well hydrated is essential to helping your body flush out salts and fats and keeping your digestion flowing.

I am so NOT a morning person and if I didn't have to get up by 6:30 to get my daughter up and off to school- I would sleep til 7:30 every day. My exercise is acquired a little throughout the day burning calories cleaning houses, pushing a vacuum and scrubbing floors. Then I go for a walk most evenings after work with…

eat an apple! So very healthy for you plus it has fiber which helps you feel full and it's sweet. If I need to bump my calories, I eat my apple with natural unsalted peanut butter or some low fat cheddar

When I make pizza at home, I start with a whole wheat pita, then a bit of whatever red sauce I have on hand, load up with veggies (peppers, mushrooms, water-packed artichoke hearts, tomatoes, steamed broccoli or zucchini) then top lightly with shredded cheese or crumbled feta and bake til perfect. So yummy!

I also suffered with IBS for years until I became a vegetarian. Cutting out the meat helped significantly, but the biggest change was cutting cheese and most dairy out of my diet. That was over 4 years ago and the only times I have a little flare up is if I consume lots of cheese (like half a cheese pizza ;-) ) or if I…

I am not a morning person at all so getting up earlier to work out just doesn't suit me. I'm a single mom of one and run my own business. I work out at night and try to include my daughter whenever possible. When I take a long walk, she rides her scooter or bike along side. On weekends in warm weather, we go to the lake to…

I've done 3 and 5 day juice fasts before with good results, but for me it's not a dietary choice i could easily maintain (and I am a vegetarian!). The purpose of a juice fast is to basically give your digestive tract a rest. Pure fruit and veggie juices are quite easily processed by the body, contain almost as many…

I love green smoothies! I also drink green juice when I have fruits and greens I need to use up. My favorite green smoothie is banana, blueberry, spinach and apple with some water to thin. For green juice I use a combination similar to the blend used in the documentary "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead". I use spinach or kale,…

Welcome Lori! I've only been on here 2 weeks but already loving the tools and support available here. Definitely add me- I log every day. I'm 5'4" with SW: 211 and shrinking my way down to 140-150 range. I've found the daily food journal to be my biggest motivation for staying on track and it was such an eye opener when I…

I love the Fage fat free. I use it in smoothies, or mix with a little agave syrup and chow down. My new favorite is a kind of peanut butter mousse I make using 1/2 cup yogurt, 1-2 tbsp natural unsalted peanut butter and 1 tbsp agave syrup- blend well with a wire wisk and enjoy. It's so tasty!

I'll friend you! I live not too far from you- Valley Springs/ San Andreas area. I joined a week ago and already seeing results. I have around 60 pounds to shed so I'll be around here for a while and I'm on a few times a day every day.

there are days where I get that hungry feeling within an hour after I've eaten. If i drink a full glass of water or iced herbal tea and the feeling still lingers, I allow myself to have a snack, but I aim for something 100 calories or less. I have discovered the beauty of steamed veggies. I take up to 2 cups of frozen…