mightyminerva Member

I've listed some of my favourites! I hope it's a help to you. Tomatoes. They go well with anything--raw, chopped for curry or Italian sauces, roasted in the oven (cherry tomatoes in particular). Pumpkin seeds. Fabulous and an easy snack to take with you. Also, they're great for maintaining focus and memory. Cheeses. Feta…

A care package is a great idea! (I've just had a setback with a back injury, so mail of any kind--especially mood-boosting goodies--is up there in terms of items I LOOOOOVE at the moment) The "Fat Girl" Practical Care Package of Fitness Equipment: A new yoga mat and hot weather nonslip towel Yoga trousers from Lululemon A…

Oatmeal/porridge made with soya milk and cinnamon, and then after it's cooked I add blueberries, banana and a bit of peanut butter, or some baked apples (done in the microwave with a little bit of sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves). YUM! I sometimes add a few mini chocolate chips to my banana and peanut butter breakfast,…

Calculate your TDEE (total daily energy expenditure). Your BMR is what your body needs to function! For example, my BMR is around 1550. My TDEE is between 2100 and 2300 (depending on calculator and exercise that day). To lose, then, I eat 1800 everyday and more on days I exercise.

YES! Sharee (funeralformyfat) is amazing, and she's proof that you can do anything you put your mind to. Even if she doesn't help you decide one way or the other for surgery, she's a huge inspiration. For what it's worth, she took 4 years to lose the weight and was at a healthy weight for a long while before getting…

I had Shock Absorber when I first started out, and now I swear by Moving Comfort (the Juno style, especially, though I love Jubralee also!). I began with a 40DD in Moving Comfort, and I don't think that was the biggest size. My girls have NEVER been so comfortable when working out! (I checked and MC had them up to a size E…

Oh, I forgot! Things like yoga will also help strengthen your knees. When I asked my doctor about the possibility of running and he said it was okay, he also mentioned perhaps doing yoga to help out my joints for more physical activities (and, thankfully, I've been doing yoga a lot for about a year).

I had a knee injury in college (bad kneecaps thanks to my mum!), and they still act up. I went to a running store to get my gait analysed and bought my running shoes based on their assessment, and my knees (*knock on wood*) haven't acted up. Before I started, I also asked my knee doctor if I could safely start running. He…

I think it took about 20-30 pounds for people to start noticing. I could see small changes, but I started to get the comments about then. I think it was the combination of getting new (more form-fitting) clothes, my higher confidence, plus the weight loss that began to get the attention. What I really wanted to say is this…

I went from 30DS to RI30, and I *still* go back to RI30 if I need a shorter workout. It's my favourite Jillian DVD, and level 4 still is pretty punishing (in a good way!). If you feel confident to move onto something harder, RI30 would be perfect! It's the same set-up (3 minutes strength, 2 minutes cardio, 1 minute abs),…

I agree with this SO MUCH! Others have made points that they're sometimes from children, and you've gained so much in return for your kids. Some have said that most people have them or other marks, and they aren't a big deal. I concur! However, the biggest thing is confidence in yourself. I asked my boyfriend once if they…

I'm not sure how all of the conversations with your husband have gone, but perhaps you should share with him how your calorie intake works. Explain that you have an allowance (much like, say, a monetary allowance) and that you can spend it how you want. This can mean that for dinner you have half of your budget left or…

30 Day Shred was my first Jillian DVD, and I loved it! From there I did Ripped in 30 (my favourite workout is her level 4), and now own Extreme Shed and Shred, Yoga Meltdown, Shred it with Weights, her kickboxing, and Blast Fat Boost Metabolism. ESS and YM I adore, and I'm working through these others thanks to a generous…

I echo much of what others have said! I'm fairly familiar with London now, and so here are a few of my recommendations. I live in Yorkshire, so I'm not a Londoner but am pretty close! First off, I can't recommend Rick Steve's books enough. His series is called "Europe through the Back Door," and he has walks that highlight…

Definitely! I'm planning a hard workout today and then will do a shorter Jillian Michaels workout or power yoga for an easier day tomorrow. =) I know I'm going to be over my calorie limit tomorrow, so I might as well do what I can today to help limit the damage! Besides, I took a week off Jillian (just did walking), and…

I *think* you're talking about me, and it was a wonderful evening! We talked for something like 2 1/2 hours, and I can't wait to do it again! That was my first MFP in real life, and I hope to meet some of the others, as well. =)

Bump for later! Thanks for posting.

I'd have to agree about the collar bones! Dead sexy on anyone. In general I love my neck area. Has anyone seen The English Patient? The romantic lead in that has an obsession with his lover's neck, and that's been in my mind since I saw the film about 15 years ago! My least favourite part would have to be my thighs.…

New trainers (mine are in great shape but are WAY too big after losing 52 pounds!), more Jillian Michaels DVDs, and an appointment with a nutritionist!

When I was starting out, I found some cheap but nice-looking things on the JCPenny website. The brand is called Xersion, I think. The tops I had were brilliant, but while losing weight I found the trousers to be a let-down because the fit was very generous around the tummy for me and there's no tie to make them smaller.

I waited until I had dropped two or three sizes before buying a small wardrobe that will see me through for now and when I've dropped a few more sizes. Two pairs of stretch jeans, a few nice shirts, two dresses, and a skirt. I've learned that belts, cardigans, and cheap tanks/long-sleeved t-shirts are my best friends! I've…

Have I gotten more attention from guys since losing weight? Yes. But do I think my trimmer figure is the only reason? No. My confidence is much higher, and I've figured out how to dress my figure. (Having the choice of high street clothes definitely helps!) I wear more dresses, have banished sweatshirts and hoodies to the…

Ohmigosh, yes. It's amazing.

I hate exercise, too, but I discovered Jillian Michaels workouts which are 30 minutes! I can get through anything if it's just 30 minutes. Now, I actually look forward to my workouts, and my body craves the exercise! If you start with a short workout, eventually you'll get in the routine. Also, as many have said, find…

It gets so much easier, and yes, it does end! Level 2 was the hardest for me by far, and now that I've done 30DS and RI30, the Shred's level 2 seems like nothing! Keep going, and I promise you'll feel results. =)

Well, you've seen my diary. I love my produce! That's been the biggest thing I've changed. I've gone from some fresh produce and frozen veg to almost entirely fresh. Snacks? I love beef jerky, air-popped popcorn (both the salty AND the salty/sweet varieties in single-serving bags), Nakd bars (the chocolate orange ones are…

I did 30DS quite soon after joining MFP, so I would have been between 250 and 240 pounds. Since July, I've completed 30DS and RI30, and have gone down roughly 50 pounds in that time! I'd done little exercise before 30DS (a few weeks of Tae Bo several times a week), and I was able to go through the entire workout each time…

Something I recently discovered were lentils. Sure, I've used them in soups before, but now they're a staple for lunch! 100 g of lentils, some pre-cooked chicken (65 g), and some cheese (15-20 g) makes a healthy and filling meal that I can eat cold or hot and that keeps me going through the afternoon. Sprinkle lentils and…

I LOVE that website. Of course, the post that started it for me was the "CLEAN ALL THE THINGS!"

I understand where you're coming from! It's tough to balance school, work, and home life. I KNOW you can do it! First of all, you're lucky that you already have several things going for you. You live out as opposed to in dorm or university housing. You have a husband who can support you. You have access to a gym. Those are…