akgrl1020

I think they are one of the most educational items we can use on our journey! That and the Nutrition Facts on the package. I found I was eating triple what I thought was the serving size of some things, based on the picture on the box.

The more natural the food, the more actual food you get in a serving...this is something I have learned along the way....I can have a great big salad, with about six cups of food for under 300 calories for lunch...or I can have something little and still be starving. I can have several cups of steamed veggies on my dinner…

I prefer to run outside, whenever possible! I get stuck indoors in the winter...especially this last winter here in AK with its record snowfall! It is more challenging to run outdoors, but it is so much more rewarding, with the fresh air. I find it much more interactive, and comfortable then running on a treadmill...no…

I look at this as a journey to a healthier me. I didnt gain the weight in a short period of time, and acknowledge it will slowly but surely disappear. I have plateaued for six months along the way (been on MFP for almost 18 months). Don't give up!

What kind of HRM are you using?

Are you wearing your HRM during an activity, or for several hours? You could just select Aerobics, General. I don't think there is a way to quick add exercise calories burned. After you select an exercise once, you can just reuse that for future.

Slow and steady wins the race! Just take your time, slowly increasing distance or speed. Avoid setting unrealistic goals, and you will succeed! You have already taken that first step, and remember..."No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch"! Good Luck!

Are you using a HRM to count the calories burned, or the gym equipment? If you are using the gym equipment, are adding in your age and current weight? You will get there! You are taking the first steps, and should be so proud of yourself!

I used to be the same way! I thought I ate healthy..then I bought Eat This, Not That and really learned about reading those pesky labels on the side of the food I purchased. Yes, I was making healthy choices, but eating double or triple servings, without realizing it. I now have a food scale, and measure everything! Good…

You might want to watch your sodium intake. It is pretty high, and would at the bare minimum cause fluid retention. Good luck!

I love almond milk! I especially love the almond-coconut milk blend..yum!

Did you look under Table Salt, or Spices?

MFP is actually setup so that you do eat your exercise calories back. I just recently reread the welcome information on the forums, answering this question for a friend. Of course, it is your personal choice. If you were like me, and had a lot to lose, I didn't want to start out at the bare minimum, because then I wouldn't…

I love black beans! If you get the canned ones, make sure you rinse them really well. Otherwise, they are cheaper dried, and no sodium! I love them with a little lime juice, topped with chicken breast, salsa verde, and some pepper jack cheese!

I have a Kindle Touch, and love it! If you have a smart phone, you can download the Kindle App for free, to check it out. Great book, BTW!

I am a slow runner, and proud of it! Mostly because I am just simply running, and never thought I would/could :-) I jog at about 4mph, and do sprints up to 6.5mph. I have short legs, and honestly, to walk at 4mph is almost impossible for me. I have to break into a job, after a minute or so on the treadmill. It is more…

It was about a week for me...just got my invite on Friday. Enjoy!

Kashi Golden Goodness is my favorite! A serving size is actually 1 1/4 cups, rather then the 3/4 cup most cereals list.

I started out walking! I walked for 30 minutes, and then increased my distance, in that 30 minutes. Eventually bumped up to 45, then an hour. Then I couldn't help myself, and started running, but that was after I had lost 30 pounds. I started out at 250, and have lost close to 60. I didn't expect to lose it in a year,…

I didn't either. No pictures for reference, or measurements. I did keep a pair of pants, that were getting too tight, and try them on periodically. Last time I checked, my hips were barely keeping them up :smile:

Read those baby food labels! My son was allergic to apples as a baby, and I had to make most of his food, because most baby food fruits have an apple base. Good Luck!

How much water are you drinking? I glanced at your food log, but you aren't tracking water. You have some really high sodium days, which causes us to retain water, especially if you are getting enough. Exercise can make you retain water as well, especially if your muscles are fatigued or sore. From experience, drink lots…

Are you properly hydrated? My calves will cramp, if I haven't been drinking my water like I should be.

I have one, and like it for the most part. Mine is almost always off, and I have to adjust it almost every time I run. I can run the same exact route, and it can be off anywhere from a tenth of a mile, to half a mile. I DO love that it tells you how far you have gone, and does a countdown when you are nearing you finish. I…

I did this the other day at the store! I picked up a box of cat litter, and thought about it being kinda heavy. I glanced at the weight, and it was 25 pounds. I have lost more then two of these...really puts it into perspective!

Hey there, fellow Alaskan! You are welcome to send me a friend request! I live in the Mat-Su Valley, and have been using MFP for a little over a year. It is a great site!

I love the Gold's Gym Cardio!

Well, if you were walking at X mph, you can select "Walking at X mph", and designate the amount of time you spent. That is how I log it. I don't think it matters if you are walking outside or on a treadmill, just as long as we are moving

I had to really become a label reader. Anything that is even slightly processed seems to have an abundance of sodium added. I had to ditch processed foods, and make everything from the whole food. I also keep my breakfast and lunch to almost no added sodium, allowing for the extra at dinner, when I prepare for the family.…

The best thing I can recommend is portion control. Become a label reader, you will quickly find that serving sizes are not what you see in the picture on the box. Get a food scale to really learn true portion sizes, and weigh everything. Find exercises that you enjoy, even if it is to just get out there and walk. Push…