Four_Leaf_Clover Member

It doesn't beat Quest, but Think Thin bars are pretty good. You can find them in many stores, too (Safeway, Giant, Target, BBB) They don't have the fiber of Quest and they have a bit more calories and carbs. 20 g protein 240 calories Gluten Free No Sugar Protein source is whey isolate, soy isolate, caseinate, and casein…

Ditto on checking your shoes - should be well fitting running shoes. I use a HRM and just log it for time/calories burned (I enter it as run/walk intervals) I would be concerned that you are having so much knee pain. Do you run on sidewalks or a treadmill?

I'm no expert, but my understanding is you cannot spot reduce (i.e., lose weight from a specific area) - you just have to keep reducing weight (or probably in your case reducing your body fat%) and toning up what is underneath. Do you do ab work or strength training? Do you know your body fat%?

Walmart is fascinating and so cheap! Plus they always have a way better variety of some things like yogurt (which my kids eat like its their last meal). I went on Friday with my DD to buy supplies for a cupcake decorating party - basically we had tons of candy, marshmallows, and sprinkles. Oh and lots of the aforementioned…

These are all crockpot, but I think quite tasty http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/10/slow-cooker-pork-and-green-chile-stew.html http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/10/crock-pot-asian-pork-with-mushrooms.html http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/04/slow-cooker-pulled-pork.html…

My favorite quick meals (that my kids like, too): Grilled sirloin with a sweet potato and broccoli High protein pasta with homemade meatballs and tomato sauce (I make turkey meatballs using a recipe from Skinnytaste) Stir fry (sliced steak or chicken), a bag of frozen stir fry veggies and sauce of choice - serve with rice…

I actually just have a smaller portion of rice (1/2 cup) or skip it altogether. The less I eat, the less I miss it. Now if only that were true of chocolate...

I would suggest organic full fat yogurt and cheese, avocado, salmon, nuts, bananas with natural nut butters, dried fruit Saute veggies in olive or coconut oil, etc. You could even make your own granola bars with oats, nuts/seeds, honey, etc. There are tons of recipes online.

I have done it a few times and have found that the rest days do really you to keep going with the program and avoid injury. You can always do someting else on the other days if you want more cardio.

There is no magical number for a bikini - you have already lost a lot of weight and I imagine you look great. Bikini is all about attitude - wear it and wear it proud! I was in the Bahamas recently and almost EVERYONE was wearing one. Just go rock it!

Both dairy and fruit are "high" in sugar - although not processed refined sugar. They will send you over the sugar allotment quickly. I have been much happier since I stopped tracking sugar. Unless you are diabetic or have a specific health issue you don't need to worry about it. If you like, you could try fruits with a…

Dang girl - nice work. You give me hope! (I also have 4 kids) - though I am much bigger and older. Thanks for the inspiration!

I love iced coffee with a little milk and one splenda. When it's cold, I like a tall skim latte with an extra shot of espresso (for a stronger coffee flavor) with one splenda (or raw sugar) - very tasty with cinnamon on top. The latte also gives you about a cup of milk and 8 grams protein - I find it makes a decent snack…

My favorites: http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/06/spicy-honey-chicken/ http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2008/05/tender-grilled-salmon.html Chicken and pineapple kebabs dice yellow potatoes into bite sized pieces, season with a little salt and pepper, drizzle with a little olive oil and lemon juice - toss to coat, put in a…

I had a really delicious appetizer - zuchinni carpaccio - very thinly sliced zuchinni (like paper thin with a mandoline), topped with shaved Parmesean Regianno, drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice and a little zest. It was awesome! You could roast a whole chicken in a crockpot and have meat for the week. Do you eat…

Someone suggested wearing a wrist band (like a tennis player) and wiping your brow with it. That seemed like a good idea. I just hike up my tshirt when I get really sweaty. I do use a SPIbelt to carry my iphone. You could also carry keys and pepper spray in it. It is basically a neoprene pouch that clips around your waist.…

I really enjoy Skinnytaste Skinny Italian Turkey Meatballs - it's a basic sauce (you can then cook turkey meatballs right in the sauce).

How about skewers with strawberries, blueberries, and chunks of angel food cake?

To repeat... great in a smoothie - greek yogurt, a little frozen banana, pb2 powder, and spinach - yum! I actually made a desert with it and it was great - Skinnytaste's Peanut Butter Pie http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/02/skinny-no-bake-peanut-butter-pie.html I bought mine at Giant (local grocery store) and saw it…

Try Skinnytaste.com - great recipes, including lots of traditional comfort food and desserts.

What is steak tip? I have a nice recipe for grilled marinated flank steak (never had the potatoes, but the marinade is great). http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/marinated-grilled-flank-steak-with-blt-smashed-potatoes-recipe/index.html Oh wait - I googled it - what about this? Some sugar and oil, but not bad…

You look incredible! I would never guess your weight. You look so tight and fit! What workouts have you been following? Are you lifting? You really look amazing!! You look like my ultimate goal already!!! I am so impressed you have done that in 18 weeks!!!

I struggle with this! What has helped me is making sure I don't undereat too much during the day and that I do allow myself some small indulgences. The more water I drink and protein I eat the less I crave sweets and snacks at night. I also have to work to question WHY I want to eat then - sometimes its just stress (kids…

I felt much better off of it. That said, I went off the month before I wanted to try and I got pregnant RIGHT away. So you will DEF need another method LOL! If you are willing to committ to another method - then go off of it. Some say it is better to get the hormones out of your system before you try. Talk to your obgyn or…

I just hadn't stopped to think what I look like (after also having 4 kids in 5 years) - my husband has always loved me - then all the sudden I just realized I was huge (5'3" and as high as 217 post kids). I have lost more than 20lbs since my heaviest but I am really struggling to keep consistently losing. We have to keep…

It's not a bad lunch at all - lunch meat and any dairy will always be high in sodium. If you find it hinders your losses or makes you retain water - you can always get low sodium meat (Boar's Head makes one) or roast your own meat and use it for sandwhiches. I would need some more food in my lunch to stay full - maybe a…

I make a pretty darn good burger with 93/7 - just add a little worcestershire sauce and dijon mustard and cook it medium rare. Delish.

I have an Eat Smart digital scale (about $25 from Amazon) - I love it. Any scale will do - digital is easiest to read. A tare function is also key (sets it back to 0) so you can weigh multiple things in succession or weigh right on your plate. I like the Eat Smart because it weighs in ounces, grams, etc. Grams is more…

Years ago (when I was younger, slimmer, and had not yet had any kids) - I complained to my doctor about how I was having a hard time losing weight. I was not eating a lot and I was working out regularly. I figured she might send me to a nutritionist or run a blood test - or provide me with some helpful (or perhaps…

I try to avoid canned - but it does work well in a pinch - I like Progresso Italian Wedding. The Trader Joes soups in boxes (butternut squash, etc.) are awesome! Made this in the winter and it was great - super fast and easy and not bad nutritionally speaking - esp if you use chicken sausage.…