Meg28

Great topic! I'll reiterate shoes and add sports bra. A good sports bra is expensive, but will last a long time (don't put in dryer) and make you comfortable. Follow the plan - Hal's is a good one and continue to focus on nutrition - sports drinks have tons of calories and are not THAT necessary unless you are working out…

A lot of time cramping occurs when you are exercising out of your comfort zone (i.e., for me every race if I am pushing myself). Your cramps may not be nutritional in nature, but as a result of asking your body to work hard. I would expect over time the cramping goes away as you workout more (unless you really increase…

Cardio everyday and great and recommended. Now the intensity of your cardio should vary: perhaps a couple days a week high intensity with most days steady. Short term and exercise, weight included, will tire you out, but like you said the body will adjust and you will get to the point that not working out makes you…

Over dark greens, add roasted/chopped butternut squash and roasted mushrooms after they have cooled with feta and cranberries (either dried or fresh). It's fallish and pretty!

Agree with the goodwill comment. You can find less expensive stuff at target to and avoid name brands which aren't necessary. If possible, do try to get new shoes, to avoid hurting yourself when you run. Perhaps ask running stores about programs or sales. I would say continuing "borrowing" t-shirts because you just get…

Abby - Sounds like you are eating well if not too little, but if you want to gain muscle I would focus on exercise. Cardio will accomplish your goals of burning calories for the weight loss and building muscle and if you add some strength training that will help too.

Definitely happens...It probably wasn't low calories, but the type of food like you said...Your body likes the healthy stuff now and you're stuck :)

If you can get up early then running/walking is a great option because you don't have to go anywhere, put anything in a machine, or buy fancy equipment. Plus very few things burn as many calories as a run. Just choose a safe route and treat yourself to good shoes and sport's bra...good luck!!!

Agreed. February is too long to sacrifice your health for custom/politeness. I'm sure there will be occasions and outings that you will participate in to make them feel that you appreciate the hospitality, but you are there to work anyway. Good luck, I feel your pain, work travel is SO hard. I used to get funny looks for…

Ok, not ask the doctor, but ask your yoga teacher! Child's pose feels good for my shoulders and somewhat my upper back, cobra might help as well.

Wine spritzer? You can get away with it since it's summer. My downfall at happy hour is the food that generally the group gets. good luck!

Try signing up for a race or event of some kind so that you can train for it and have a goal to look forward to.

Running - no exercise is cheaper, logistically easier, or more effective :)

If you have lost a lot of muscle and then start working out, your muscles will probably hurt and even cramp. Make sure that you are wearing shoes that fit well and are not tied too tightly as that can also cause cramping. You could even try mixing your Zumba with other exercise to alleviate strain on your calf muscle. It…

Give it some time, if you don't see any results in 4 - 6 weeks then reevaluate. It wouldn't hurt to add more, but what you are doing sounds like a solid hr or close to it. Mountain Biking is extremely vivorous and will get you into shape fast!

Wow, you have my sympathy and admiration to do all that! I think most people here would agree that while exercise is important weight loss and weigh mantainance can be done through a good healthy diet. I would focus on that and let the exercise come when feasible. However, this is what I could come up with being totally…

Sounds like fun! You are just fine to do cardio every night, though its good to change the intensity within the week and have hard, medium, and recovery/easy days. There is nothing wrong with moving and working the heart daily - just stay in tune with your joints and if they hurt take an easy day. Good call on roating…

Yes, make sure you lace them up tightly so your ankles and shins are supported. You are also probably working muscles that haven't been worked in a while, so you'll be sore, but that's ok. Make sure to wear a helmet and gloves too in case you to fall over...

I am! I lost 15 pounds and dropped 5 minutes off my half marathon pace and increased my bike speed by a couple of miles per hour. Since I've been racing my weight loss is very very slow because you don't want to be calorie deficient, so it's a fine line. I haven't seen the 30 seconds per mile - wow - but that would be…

I feel your pain on this one. I think there are a couple of options. I don't find it necessary to stress the knee to get the same muscles a workout. Try doing a leg press (seated or on your back) to work the major leg muscles. This takes a lot of strain off the knee and is more stable. Another option is to do the lunge and…

Becki - You really need to see a doctor, is there any way to go despite the insurance thing? I would avoid a brace unless told to by a doctor as they can alter your knee in such a way that could do more harm or cause increased instability. Your screws should not be causing pain. So sorry. Good luck and keep at it. You can…

How about running? It's as expensive as walking and more bang for your buck when it comes to weight loss. YES, invest in a good sportsbra! They last a long time (don't put it in the dryer) so you'll get your money's worth. A lot of places are selling very cute trendy "yoga" sports bras. I would avoid these as they do not…

I agree, get a good sports bra! - very important...As for shoes, you really can get a great pair from $50 - 80...don't feel like you have to spend over $100, it's not necessary unless you have a special consideration

I agree with erickirb, but also twice a week (assuming a sendary desk type lifestyle) is not a lot. I believe the recommendation is 60 minutes of cardio a day (includes walking). This is a lot for starting out and with busy schedules, but 45 min. everyday or 60 minutes 4 times a week...just a thought

Is this everyday or just for fun on the weekends? You don't want to hurt yourself, but I think a lot of people (myself included) don't feel right without working out, especially with desk jobs. Carefully not to get too obsessed and that it is still fun and healthy!

Best of luck! 1200 calories IS hard, everyone here I bet would agree :) I personally cannot eat less than 1500 b/c I just get hungry, but if you workout it all works out. A couple of weeks on this and you will really know what foods you can eat guilt free and what you just splurge on.

Hi! It makes sense! It sounds like you are doing some great exercise and adding more, especially strength, will only make you fitter, healthier, and a better athlete. I do believe muscle takes a little longer to build than the time it will take to lose fat. I would just be prepared for you to lose weight faster than you…

Watermelon!

The quilt is great, but if you get like me and after two quilts, it makes sense just to donate them (if they are in good shape).

You look great! My honest recommendation is not to worry as much about lbs, but instead about how you feel. Do you want to be fitter or gain more muscle or cardio strength or are you at your goal there too? If say you are training for a race or event, I would focus now not on weight, but performance and fitness level. hope…