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Personally, I try to get at least 25 grams of fiber a day, to help keep my cholesterol down. My trainer advised me to take my weight in KG (not pounds) and try to get at least that many grams of protein in a day, preferably lean, just to maintain the muscle mass I have. If I'm building muscle intentionally, I'll eat more…

I often make shakes with yogurt and whey protein and fruit for breakfast. Whey is especially beneficial because it breaks down more slowly than some other proteins. The shakes are an easy way to add protein and calcium and fiber. According to my trainer, "you" need your weight in KG (not pounds) for grams of protein in a…

My MFP goal is 1200 cals now (5'11, 185, 39YO), but it's still set to lose 2 pounds per week. I eat half to all of my workout calories. Some days I'm hungrier, and I eat. I make smart choices (more lean protein and fiber) most of the time but not always. I shoot for 25-30 grams of fiber every day, plus my weight in KG for…

I was diagnosed at 23 after having never had a regular period. I'm 39 and still really don't. I was clomiphene resistant and spent 18 months and hundreds of shots to get pregnant the first time. I weighed 254 when I got pregnant and gained 33 pounds. My second pregnancy (235/18) took one cycle of shots. I've done laser…

It sounds like you're retaining water. Everyone knows sodium will make that happen, but so will exercise for a while. As you're building muscle (which definitely weighs more than fat), it can take a few weeks for your body to adjust. Sore muscles are from small tears, which need additional hydration to heal. Eventually…

Try a couple of days of no carbing. High protein and veggies, plus some fat (salad dressing or butter). 3-4 days max of no carbs. Low carb after is fine, if you choose, especially if it's fruit-based.

Washing too much will make your skin overreact and produce too much oil. Don't overscrub. You'll make it worse. Also, as you change the muscle to fat ration, and especially if you're increasing muscle mass, you'll have a higher testosterone level, which will make your skin more prone to breakouts. Lots and lots of water is…

Pure sugar will yield the highest carb-per-ounce. But remember that carbs aren't calorie dense. They're 4 cals per gram, just like protein. Fat is 9 cals per gram. If you need to add calories, peanut butter is a great choice. You'll get protein, some carbs, really heart-healthy fats, and some fiber. Stick with natural,…

Two one-minute sets of Russian twists with a 10 lb medicine ball don't give me ab pain the next day. Walking five miles and making sure I get a good, tight core the whole time does. Pain just means muscle tear and lactic acid. Your body could be really adept at handling both.

Make up at least part of the calories, so you net at least 1200-1500. My trainer says to try to limit it to half of the calorie deficit.

Pancakes in general can be pretty low in fat. I always use a Better Homes & Gardens recipe, which uses very little oil. Canola oil and lowfat milk. Sometimes I replace a 1/4 cup of the flour with ground almond meal, which makes them super delicious and adds extra protein and fiber, plus tons of good stuff for your heart.…

You could be having all kinds of metabolic and hormonal weirdness going on, keeping you from dropping what you think you should. Take a day off. Don't go nuts but let your body think it has to play catch up. And remember that it really is that much harder for women. Hormones wreak havoc on weight loss!

Real Simple recently had a review of sports bras. Their fave for the busty girls (like me) is a $62 La Mystere bra from barenecessities.com I just read the article and haven't tried it, but Real SImple has never failed me. They also suggested getting the rcaer back clip to convert any bra for additional support.

You can also try magnesium/calcium supplement at night. It can really help with cramping. My mom is prone to getting bad foot cramps when she's getting a UTI.

The extra weight can contribute to a condition called PCOS, polycystic ovary syndrome. I know from very personal experience. Both of my boys were the result of fertility shots, although we were a much harder-to-treat couple than most PCOS couples. In two more months, if you've still had no luck, go see your doctor. Don't…

You're right! There's definitely a difference. Congratulations!

Fantastic!

You might also want to check into organic meats and natural meats. I'm outside of Atlanta, and I have we have a great local chicken farm (Springer Mountain) that sells through some of the local grocery stores. No antibiotics, grass-fed, no hormones, and ethical practices. Similarly, we have a wonderful grass-fed beef farm,…

Consignment stores will often let you trade in your clothing for store credit. And don't be afraid to find someone to do alterations on your clothes. Often times a good dry cleaner can do them. You might pay $5-15 per piece for the alterations, but that's still much cheaper than buying a whole new wardrobe. Plus, I;m 5'11,…