CantarellaMiyani Member

I'd worry less about the calories than about the artificial sweeteners and preservatives. But if allowing yourself that drink every so often helps you stick to your goals, then it probably evens out. Just make sure that you can fit it into your macros for the day.

Well, the more they have to do to it to get it into that form, the more processed it is. A tomato isn't processed - it comes that way right off the vine. Canned stewed tomatoes are more processed, but still barely, it's just cooking them down. But check ingredients, for salt and preservatives. Ketchup, obviously making…

My carbs are under 75 g a day, most days, and I absolutely don't "cut carbs." I don't eat grains (and rarely eat starches), I focus on protein and good fats, and I make sure that my plate is, as much as possible, full of awesome and colorful whole foods. Rather than arbitrarily picking something to cut out, why not spend…

I'm hoping it won't be too bad. I mean... what do I actually need alcohol for? I've proven myself perfectly capable of having fun without it, and it probably affects my sleep. But I don't do well with deprivation, so I may be in trouble. :P I'll let you know!

Definitely log everything. We all have crap foods sometimes, but looking at the general trend might actually make you feel better. "I can't believe I ate three cupcakes today, I hate myself," versus "wow, only 5% of my calories this week have been from refined sugar!" And I agree with the poster who suggested developing…

Go for whole foods, when you can, with healthy fats and a good amount of protein. You come in way under protein a lot, and that's something that will help you feel more full. You're drinking a lot of calories. I'm not just talking about the soda (well done going from 5 to 1, that is fantastic), I'm talking about Campbell's…

You don't, really, you change how much weight you plan to lose per week. That adjusts the date. But they only allow healthy (though of course, the same goal isn't healthy for everyone) loss schedules, up to 2 lbs per week.

MFP's protein macro is notoriously to low - many people say to treat their number as a minimum, not a maximum. You can also adjust your macros in the goals section, so that if you want to do high protein, lower carb, you can cause your numbers to reflect that. I can't see your diary, but unless you're being ridiculous with…

I hope so too! Don't get too discouraged if the results aren't extreme, though. Good things very rarely happen instantly, and any loss (of ounces, pounds, inches, whatever) is a loss. Good luck!

You'd have to define healthy. It's low calorie, and I'm sure low fat. But the flavorings in it come from chemicals, not nature, and I don't think that can be healthy.

The least processed, the better. Canola and other vegetable oils aren't allowed in my house, ever. For low-heat cooking and salad dressings, olive oil is great. For higher heat, coconut oil has a much higher smoke point. For a bit on how canola oil is made, Mark Sisson comes through again:…

Mark Sisson has advocated, if you need to do something carby, white rice or sweet potatoes. White rice over brown, yes. So that's what I'd go for. As much as possible, I'd avoid anything laden with gluten, which does still mean no bread, but sometimes you just can't help it.

Any chance he's looking at your butt? Boys do that, and I know that if I'm sensitive about something, I can often misinterpret people's glances. That said, I agree with previous posters that muscle tone can do a lot to hide cellulite. Work those legs!

Yogurt, especially greek yogurt, can be a good source of probiotics and intestinal flora. A typical dessert for me at the end of the day is half a cup of thick greek yogurt with a teaspoon or so of honey, and crushed walnuts. Yum! Make sure to look for "live active cultures."

Look at the tagline in your profile. You KNOW you can do it. And think about the things that are easier for you now than they were - stairs, swinging your adorable baby around, pushing that stroller. Think about how your arms are looking more toned, and your butt is getting nice and firm. And think about the progress…

I am in! Just to be sure I'm clear, though, the first weigh-in is on September 10th? Is there a place to post starting weight (which I'll get when I get home today)? Also, is there room for a comparison thread? Who does what intervals for fasting, who does other eating/lifestyle plans like vegan or paleo in addition to IF?

What's done is done. Looking to cancel out the weekend is too big a goal, I think. But, you can make damned sure that the rest of your days this week are on target, so as not to do any more damage. That said, you may be surprised at how your body deals with one binge in a blue moon.

You can't make him change his lifestyle if he doesn't want to. And I've noticed that with my husband, if he feels as though I'm pushing him toward something, he gets resistant, and wants to do the opposite. "I'll do me, you do you" has become my mantra. I can't let his choices get in the way of my happiness. And our…

I track because historically, drinking enough water has been a problem for me. This helps me form the habit, so that I can keep it later, without tracking.

I'm not seeing anything in your diary - an indication of whether you're getting enough nutrition is the only way to really answer the question. Out of curiosity, why such a narrow food window? I'm on 16/8, and find that it works well for me. But if I go shorter than that, then I get sick from trying to cram enough food in…

A cup is a cup is a cup. :) 8 oz per, so your water bottle has two cups.

Where are you getting 1800? Everything I'm finding suggests that an hour on the elliptical burns half that, or less, depending on your weight. If the Android app is anything like the iOS one, then on the right, hit More, then Settings, then Diary Sharing Settings.

Also, the more weight you lose, the harder it becomes to lose weight, simply because there's less extra there. A pound or two a week for the first 50 is great, and after that, as long as you're still trending downward, you're on the right track. Plus, if you're doing strength training, you're building muscle at the same…

It might be helpful if you opened your diary, and described what you're doing at the gym. Burning 1800 calories in a couple of hours is... I mean, that's more than you burn without exercise in a day. And it would help to know what you're eating, what your macros are, etc.

You're far more likely to lose more weight as you increase your calorie intake, but you're going to want to go way over 1000. 1200 is widely regarded as the bare minimum for a subsistence diet. I would be very honest about your height, weight, and activity level, set the weight loss goal at something reasonable, perhaps a…

There are some absolutely fantastic food blogs out there, too. Some of my favorites are: http://everydaypaleo.com/ http://beta.primal-palate.com/ I'd really recommend giving them a try. Also, hubs and I are going back to paleo (after a really backslidey summer) this weekend, feel free to add me if you'd like.

Yeah, arsenic is natural, too. :P I tend not to trust any slimming product, but hey, you never know, I guess. Be sure to let us know how it goes, if you do try it!

I think that they're a fantastic option, for some people. One of the vets at the clinic where I worked had amazing results. They're a tool, like any other, and aren't good a good option for everyone. But I don't feel differently toward someone who has one than I do about anyone else. Of course, it's important to try to…

This is one of my favorite meals, though I can't eat the gnocchi any more, except once in a blue moon: Cube a chicken breast and brown the pieces in a pan. Then set the chicken aside. Do not wipe out the pan or anything! Then put a tablespoon of olive oil in the pan and use it to scrape up the "brown bits." Throw in a very…

I completely misread the question. Oops. :P