oracle730

You have more motivation than you think...you have started this process. Consider yourself supported because we all have the same problem and we can all empathize with your situation. As far as advice, I have been on MFP since the beginning of November 2010 and have lost 36 pounds so far...so keep going, you CAN do it too!…

It is really difficult to stay motivated even when life is going along fine. Add the stress of your family situation and it is easy to loose site of your goals. I try to think of exercising as a way to relieve the stress instead of a way to loose weight. Exercising has become a way for me to relieve the stress and it makes…

I can't say why you are not losing more weight...but I know how you feel. I have hit a plateau and cannot seem to lose anything lately. All I can say is don't give up! Even if I am not loosing, I have lost some and some is better than nothing. Maintaining what you have lost already is important too. I am not losing right…

This site offers the tools to help...I know you can do it! (If I can do it, anyone can!) Tip 1: Measure, measure, measure...it is the key to portion control. Tip 2: Always add in the foods that you eat during the day...no one will see it (unless you make it public) and it will keep you accountable. Tip 3: If you have a bad…

So far, I have taken two pictures...one when I first started and one about a week or two ago. The best motivation is to see how far you have come, so I think a scrapbook is a great motivational tool! :happy: I know you can do it!

Congratulations!!! You look amazing and you have a great attitude ("on to maintaining!"). Love it!:happy:

Don't look at it as a diet...look at it as a way to eat forever. Even after you reach your goal, you have to focus your energy on maintenance. This site will help you maintain your goal weight if you are diligent. (BTW your maintenance calories are higher than your calories while you are trying to loose weight.)

Super snack for chocolate fix...Mayfield chocolate yogurt = 120 calories per 1/2 cup. Edy's Yogurt Blends Chocolate Fudge Brownie = 120 calories for 1/2 cup. I cannot even tell the difference in these frozen yogurts and real ice cream! Kroger has a Hazelnut spread like Nuttella that is about 40 calories less and it tastes…

I have been snacking on frozen yogurt...tastes just like ice cream! Yummy! However, you only get 1/2 cup per serving. I use a measuring cup to measure and I eat it right out of the cup. It is usually only about 100 to 120 calories per serving (depending on the kind you get). As far as sweet potatoes, they are more calories…

When you track your food, calories are not the only consideration you should have. (BUT...portion size is the KEY...if you are not careful with portion/serving size, you can really go off track!) If you go to the "FOOD" tab at the top and click on the "SETTINGS" tab, it gives you the option of tracking fat, carbs, protein,…

I don't USUALLY like it either but it would be nice to get noticed by men at my age (only 40, mind you!). I get looks from my hubby but there is something to be said for other men finding you HOT! It just makes you feel more...womanly. :wink:

Girl, you and I are in the same boat! I am a full time student. I also have a full time job (in a special needs pre-k), and I have two children. It is very overwhelming and the stress is incredible. All the more reason for us to take care of ourselves. I started feeling terrible after I turned 40 last March. As it turned…

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I threw out all my skinny pants years ago...maybe I should buy some to have something to shoot for! LOL! You are an inspiration!!

I am by no means an expert but if you are taking in less than 1000 calories a day, your body is in starvation mode. I have been told (even on this site) that if you reduce your caloric intake to less than 1200 calories a day your body starts to conserve the fat because it thinks you might need it for the future. Try eating…

No, you are not the only one! I get those cravings at that time of the month. Buy some Chocolate Fat Free Frozen Yogurt (I like Mayfield) or some of those Skinny Cow "Truffle" ice cream pops (those are AWESOME and I can't tell that they are not "real" ice cream). Then you can have some of something that is chocolatey…

It is funny that people think there is some sort of "secret." Most people know (whether they admit it or not) that you have to watch what you eat and exercise to lose or maintain your weight. It is not a "secret"...just a fact. Also, most people don't want to committ to what it takes to get healthy because it is so easy to…

My hubby has been doing this for a while and he got me started. He suggested that I take a picture (just for me, not anyone else to see) the first week and then every week (or month) take a new one to see the progress that I am making. It is motivating to see myself in a picture and think "I used to be a lot ...well,…

I started today myself. My husband has been doing this for about a year and he has lost weight and kept it off. He looks amazing. Kind of sickening to me to weigh more than him though. So, I decided I need to give it a shot. Good luck, I know you can do it!