rtmama Member

Not a big supporter of artificial sweeteners, but there are others that will tell you different. I think water is better for your body.

I'd concentrate on eating better. Try to get rid of all the processed salty, sugar laden stuff. Try to eat more whole grains and beans, veggies and fruit. If you can't afford fresh, then frozen is a good option. Dry beans are very inexpensive, and so is brown rice. Once you get a handle on the food, you can make your way…

Sounds like you are eating less than 1000 calories and with extra exercise, you are virtually starving yourself. Eat more calories and your body will be happy to release the weight!

Good luck, and welcome to MFP!

If you need to, try to do it slowly. Eliminate soda first, for instance. Then in a couple days, omit cookies, etc. But in the long run, sometimes it is just best to get rid of it all right away. And if you find yourself craving, make sure you are eating enough good quality calories. If you are depriving your body of…

Your sugar and sodium are over because you are eating too much processed foods. Try slowly eliminating processed foods, and eat more fruits and veggies and more natural snacks, like nuts.

Whatever you cook for dinner, make double. My DH and I eat yummy lunches this way. And especially when you are starting out, make sure you have enough snacks planned during the day. Always have some nuts or a banana or something with you so when you need an afternoon snack, you aren't grabbing disparately for something…

Agree! You are going to be faced with situations like this a lot. You can't always be perfect all the time. Reward yourself with a cheat once in awhile, and then move on. The more you fret over stuff like this, the more difficult the whole process will be. Just find the right balance between healthy and cheating, and make…

if you just want to create a new food, as opposed to an actual recipe, which yes, does require ingredients, then just add a new food in the database. click food>my foods>create new food and enter your info

Definitely start eating whole oats. I also love steel cut, but you can try the rolled oats. Try adding a tsp of maple syrup, agave, honey. I love adding so delicious coconut milk, and even 1/2 oz of nuts like walnuts or pecans. Yes, it might be more calories, but you are getting a more substantial and meaningful meal and…

Just stop bringing the bad foods into the house and replace them with healthy fruits and veggies. Get some healthy nuts for snacks. You won't lower your sugar until you stop eating the sugary processed foods. And once you stop eating them, your body will stop craving it. Believe me, I was there...a total sugar addict! I…

Congratulations on your success so far! I'm sure you will make it to your next goal(s) as well. Good luck and keep up your good spirit!

That is so terrific! Congratulations!

Yeah, no one can help unless we can see what you're eating. It could also be that there is a medical issue. Have you consulted your doctor and/or had blood tests?

I have no trouble most days getting over 30g fiber. Like previously said, if you eat whole foods, it's easy.

Actually, brown sugar is no healthier than regular white sugar. It's just white sugar with a little bit of molasses added back. It's still just as processed and refined as white sugar.

I'd like to add that at Whole Foods, they have a lot of choices in the Bulk isle. I buy most of my whole grains, nuts and beans this way, much cheaper than packaged, and I can buy as little or as much as I want. At one local WF, I even found sprouted whole wheat flour in the bulk bins!!!

Yay!! Congratulations!

brown rice, whole wheat, barley, quinoa, whole wheat cous cous, wheat berries google "what are whole grains" and you will get a lot of examples.

The more weight you lose, the less calories you will need. If the system asks to recalculate, allow it. It will decrease your calories slightly; if you find the calories are too low, then you can adjust your weekly loss goal to 1/2 pound, which will add more calories, plus get you closer to maintenance.

Yes!!! I wish I did! I also wish I was brave enough to take full measurements when I started. I guess I was so disgusted plus I didn't think I could do it. I think you will appreciate knowing how far you have come! Take the photos and the measurements!!!!

Try the library. Mine has lots of fitness DVDs you can borrow.

After looking at your food diary, I see a lot of processed high sodium foods, like deli meat, deli cheese, jarred pasta sauce. I know you say you are busy, but truthfully, if you'd start replacing some of the processed foods with homemade versions, it might help. I know its not going to happen overnight, but eventually,…

toward the top of the page, there's a link for signature (after "my topics" and before "search" You can paste the ticker there, and any other text you would like to add

Thanks for the great explanation. At this point It doesn't bother me but it used to be a little discouraging to always be burning so much less than my other MFP friends.

Your sodium is really high, you have a lot of processed foods in your diary. First off, I would add sodium and (maybe) sugar to your tracked settings. Then I'd start reducing your processed food intake. Try eating more homemade whole foods, with higher fiber. ETA: you would also probably be okay with the next level of…

get rid of the processed food, and the extra sodium, sugar, soy/corn fillers, and other junk will disappear. Stick to whole foods, like veggies, fruit, whole grains and you can't go wrong. (PS I don't worry about whole fruit sugars, as long as they aren't in juice form)

I posted this quote on another thread tonight, and it might help you as well. "God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it's me." one of my facebook friends posted it and it pushed me to start my healthy living almost 2 years ago. I lost 60…

I sent you a request. And Yes, I agree with those that tell you that cheating is okay - just not every day. Just a little treat once in a while to keep you sane!

I don't shy away from chocolate. It's good for you as long as it's dark and in moderation. I eat at least 70-85% dark and a half a serving with a dollop of peanut butter or a 1/2 oz of nuts makes me feel like I'm eating a candy bar!