CrystaLight74

So excited for you!!!

Very well written!!! I have been waiting with great anticipation for you to write your story :) You have done an amazing job! I'm so happy to be among your Pals... and I continue to cheer you on as you walk (run or swim) in your new-found freedom! Congratulations on your tremendous success, my friend!!!! (High five!)

I echo what Whiteoutpen and Abells said!!! :)

ChocolateCoveredKate.com has some gluten and dairy free stuff... and not JUST desserts, either :)) Bob"s Red Mill has recipes and ingredient substitutions that might be helpful too. I'm new to the gluten-free thing... but these have been helpful for me so far. I have found almond milk to be very tastey... if nuts are okay…

Open :)

silly :) ETA: This was meant for the girl with her tongue out, LOL!

I noticed changes in the mirror at the 10 lb. mark. Others didn't start commenting until I was 20 lbs. down. Everyone is different. Be patient with yourself... AND others :)

Green tea or black tea for the caffeine. Zevia is a calorie free, sugar free, low sodium, low carb alternative to soda pop. It's sweetened with stevia (a natural, very sweet, herbal alternative to sugar, which can be a bit of an acquired taste), but they do have a caffeinated cola that is pretty good. They have many…

I started getting lots of comments when I was about 1/2 way to my goal... which was around the 20 lb. mark. Edited to add: Weight is such a sensitive subject.... I think people are sometimes hesitant to say much. They may be jealous, or they might just be aware that a comment might imply that they thought you NEEDED to…

@ Cinthya: Lovely face... beautiful smile! Keep shining :))

Thank you Jessica! Someone else mentioned the gluten thing on my home page.You have given me more to chew on! :)) Cora, that makes complete sense! I saw a Nutritionist over 10 years ago and didn't find it very helpful or informative. Interestingly enough, I weighed 152# at the time. I had been referred by my healthcare…

Bump :))

That is so true! I need to budget my calories more evenly throughout the day... or I just can't stick with the plan as well.

I am wondering... as I analyze the recent changes I have made with syncing my Fitbit and upping the intensity of my workouts, if I am sabotaging myself. I am eating more, but often eating close to bedtime trying to get all of my calories in. Makes me think I should try NOT eating so late, if I'm not hungry especially. To…

Thanks Starbuck, I don't understand it either! Congratulations on getting so close to your goal weight!!! That is an amazing loss!

Thanks for being in my corner, Overboard! Your journey has been very inspiring to me :))

Just bought New Rules for Women off Ebay... but will look into the one you mentioned. Thanks!!!

Thank you for your encouragement! I certainly do NOT want to make matters worse!!!!

I hear you! I do want to have realistic goals... Just not sure what is realistic for me. I thought 135 was healthy and do-able (at the upper end of "normal" for my height). I hope this is just a minor setback I'm having and things will start improving again. I'm trying to be patient with myself and not flip out over it. I…

Thank you. I did see a nutritionist years ago, but it might be time to consult with one again. Thank you for your thoughts! Edited to Add: I do measure and weigh everything, when I'm home. I only estimate when I'm "out".

Great thread... I love Chinese!

I am wondering about this too. Hope you get some answers!

Thanks for sharing!

Thankfully mine is diminishing in proportion to the rest of me. I don't do anything specific for that area. I walk, bike, swim (leisurely), go to dance/zumba class once a week, and have a boatload of exercise vides to keep things interesting. Keep moving. It will eventually melt away!

Thank you for sharing your story! I needed that, having just upped my calories. I needed some convincing that I was on the right track :)

This stuff can be very confusing... The link mentioned above was very helpful for me. I encourage you to check it out. I simply figured out my TDEE and subtracted a percentage less than that (20-25%) and customized my mfp settings to reflect that number of calories. We'll see how it goes. I only recently upped my cals from…

I have to eat a good breakfast, or I cannot get all of my calories in. I love nuts and keep them on hand to help "fill in the cracks". You got some great suggestions here. Hope you enjoyed your snack :)

I am 5 foot 4" with a goal of 135. I am medium framed. My starting wt was 172 with a current wt of 162. I will reevalute my goals as I get closer. I am aiming for a toned size 10/12. In my early 20s I was 120 and a size 10. Not sure if I need to be that small at age 38. (My profile picture shows me pregnant cuz I do not…

Bump... :)

These sound so good. Thanks for sharing!!!