vixen0babs Member

Cardio is an important part to burning fat, but if your diet isn't right (as in not getting enough protein) and you aren't weight training, your body will burn muscle and continue to store the fat for energy. Building muscle will help boost your metabolism and help you shed stored fat. I would recommend cardio 2-3x a week…

I'm in MN. I buy frozen fruit for smoothies or baking. I have thawed them out for cereal/oatmeal, but they seem to be much softer and had a little bit of the "freezer" taste. I like frozen vegetables for steaming in the microwave. I feel that the quality of the vegetables is better than fresh when buying out of season. I…

Hi! I struggle with sugar cravings sometimes. This is what I do to curb the cravings: eat fruit (such as an apple, pear, banana, or berries), add berries to protein powder smoothies, add lemon or orange wedge to my water, eat greek yogurt (if plain, I sweeten with a little honey and add cinnamon), add a bite size piece of…

Buy a scale that measures your body fat, muscle, water, and bone mass. I got one from Walmart for about $40 (5 years ago). They aren't super accurate, but fairly close. You could also buy a body fat caliper and measure key points on your body (belly, inner thigh, back of arm, etc etc). And to be on the safe side,…

Hi, I just completed Phase 1 of the challenge, the "cleanse" so to speak. Let me tell you what it includes: it includes their energy drink Spark, which is basically no different than any other "sugar free" energy drink you find on the market - caffeine and a bunch of vitamins and sucralose. The cleanse also includes…

Consolidating your debt is wise if you are consolidating to a lower APR (interest rate). My rule of thumb is to not spend money that you don't have, but if you must (sudden unplanned expense - like a dr bill or car repair), pay it off as fast as you can. To build your credit, you'll not want to carry more than 10% on your…

Bread is not bad for you (in moderation!) Choose high quality breads made of whole grains. Opt for a lower carb/higher protein bread if you can (and the higher the fiber, the better...I'm not a believer in this gluten free trend, unless one is a true celiac) I really like Arnold/Brownberry (especially the double protein,…

Oh my god, yes! You can only put it off so long before you admit to yourself that wearing pants that are 4 sizes too big just looks ridiculous and the only thing holding them up is a belt, and your shirts now look like hefty sacks/dresses.

I try to get a minimum of 25% of my calories from protein (on 1400 calorie diet, that would equate to 350 calories or 90 grams of protein) . The general rule of thumb is to eat 1g of protein per pound of lean muscle mass that you have. For example, I'm 125 pounds and my body fat is about 25% so I have about 95 pounds of…

I do 1200 calories NET and I think it works...for me...here's why: First, let me point out that I am only 5'0 and I have a desk job (I do workout daily so that is why I said NET calories) Several years ago, I started weight watchers. While they don't calorie count or restrict what you can eat, the program does teach you…

Hi! I would recommend you get a heart rate monitor. It could be you are overestimating your exercise, which would result in higher net calorie consumption. Also, it's important to look at WHAT you are eating to make up those 1200 calories. For example, 1 brownie might be 400 calories, but 400 calorie salad would be like 4…

I think it's awesome! Kids have a ton of energy to burn and teaching them at a young age that exercise can be FUN will serve them well as they get older! Just make sure she doesn't overdo it. Keep her hydrated and make sure she's eaten a healthy snack (like an apple) an hour or so before hand.

I completely agree with the statement about the refined/processed carbs. I am not a vegan or vegetarian, but I am a firm believer that processed carbs wreak havoc on our bodies. While it is difficult to completely banish them from our busy lives, I believe we should incorporate more whole/raw foods into our diets!

I checked out the bloglates videos that I've seen several people suggest. They do look tough, but is it just me, or is her over-chipper voice/attitude a little annoying??! I just don't think I could listen to that for a full session.

I would recommend P90X. I did it for 2 months and saw very noticeable results as far as toning goes! I did Insanity for cardio weight loss. Also, I just started doing Zumba. I found some videos on youtube, Keira LaShae has videos she does out of her living room (fitnessherotv) and they are actually pretty fun.

I do the chopped salad...chicken, bacon, shredded cheese, 2/3 spinach and 1/3 lettuce (to add some crunch), lots of tomatoes, cucumbers, green pepper, black olives and banana peppers, italian seasoning (or oregano), black pepper, olive oil and red wine vinegar. A scrumptious salad for only 300 or so calories. But if I feel…

I assume by "gain weight" you want to build lean muscle mass? Do you use protein powders? Do you lift weights?

I agree andyb - you are inspiration!! I'm 5'0 and started out my weight loss journey at 170 (size 14) and am at 130 now (size 8) and my goal is 115-120 or a size 6. I aim for 1200 NET calories, but generally I eat between 1300-1500 calories when I am actively working out. I am a big fan of HIIT routines such as P90X and…

As for distance, measure the length of your stride (you could do this with wet feet) and buy a very inexpensive step counter. That will measure the number of steps you take, multiply that by your stride length and you will get the total distance. You can time yourself throughout.... so if your stride is 36 inches (3 feet),…

I shower daily, but do not wash my hair every day, maybe every other day. I use dry shampoo if it feels dirty, especially after it dries after a hard workout. I use a deep conditioning treatment once every week or two if it starts to feel dry. If my hair needs to be "freshened" up, I will rinse with luke warm water (as…

These are the stories I love to see! People who take their health into their own hands and work hard. Just goes to show that dedication and will power goes a long way. Congrats on getting on top of your health while you are still young! Your son has a great role model to look up to! :) Keep up the awesome work!

Fuji, Jazz, Pink Lady top my list! Sweet and crispy!