dreamwellali

I'm currently in a 14 at 182 (I'm 5'7). I was also in a 14 at 200 (although that was sometimes tight) and at 170.

LOL. My personal trainer used to be my cookie broker. She called it "job security".

The best thing you can do for yourself is pick a day where you can have the headache and not taking anything. Not ideal, of course, but once you've dealt with the headaches, you'll be past the withdrawl. Otherwise, my suggestion would be to do what you're doing - reduce very gradually the amount of caffeine you're…

I cut caffeine out of my life about a month and a half ago and it's one of the best things I've ever done for myself. I used to drink a diet soda (24oz) first thing in the morning (sometimes I'd switch it up and get a Starbucks latte), coffee around 10am, more diet soda with lunch, then sometimes more coffee in the…

I spent the last month having a shake for breakfast - using regular cow's milk and fruit added usually. While I didn't lose weight, that wasn't my goal. My goal was to up my protein and certain type of fiber intake to help get my Crohn's Disease under control. And it worked! I love the shakes and have decided to go ahead…

Me too. I've had Crohn's since 1989 - and that was the last time I weighed anywhere near where I was supposed to. It's not easy, and with all the crazy drugs they give us (don't even get me started about the long-term effects of Prednisone), it's no wonder we're overweight and it simply won't come off. I find it hard to…

I've done pretty much every method of yogurt making - from crockpot to heating pad to various machines. Right now I've got the single-serve machine (makes 8 at a time) and I like it well enough, but I prefer having one large batch instead. I like the crockpot method the best. I use store-bought (Horizon brand, usually) as…

I started using these shakes as a nutritional supplement about a month ago - not doing it for weight loss and still making sure my calories are at 1500/day. I previously used Ensure for this purpose. I am also using their Omega oils supplement, which I am really like much better than the fish oil I was previously taking. I…

Yes, there is such a thing, but you likely don't have to worry about it. Monitor your bowel movements. If they are normal and "formed" then you are just fine. If they are more liquid and you see anything like mucous or blood, you need to be concerned. Too much fiber can irritate the intestinal lining. Gross, I know, but…

I think you've found the key - exercise, exercise, exercise! I can pretty much keep my depression in check if I'm getting enough exercise. I'm one of those people who is much worse in the winter due to lack of sunlight, so if I can get my exercise outdoors in the sunshine, even better! Too bad I don't run. My depression is…

Hi gang, I'm not IBS, but Crohn's - very similar symptoms. I've had it since I was 11, I'm now almost 35. The biggest thing to remember with any digestive disorder is that everyone is different - what works for you may not work for someone else, etc. That being said, however, I've noticed a lot of commonalities in reading…

Sorry gang, I've been sick sick sick. Not having gone to the gym, I have no idea where my weight is right now, so can't set goals or anything. Guess I'm out :(

Sorry gang, I was sick all weekend (still am) and didn't make it to the gym, which means I couldn't weigh in. I may still go to AquaFitness tonight and weigh-in there, but I may also go home early and sleep :P Also, I'm on a restricted diet for Crohn's Disease, and my fruit intake is severely restricted. I don't think I…

I did my usual AquaFitness class on Monday, but haven't managed to make it back. Feeling like crap and the crappy weather isn't helping. But I'm mostly eating well!

Thanks for all the great responses. I especially like the idea of a difference between "hurt" and "pain". I did decide to go to water aerobics, because it's the only class I can easily fit into my schedule this week. The warm-up hurt a lot, but once I was warmed up I was just fine. Hip is still a little sore now a few…

Very great advice, Tonya! Thanks! Perhaps the stride length is the issue I'm having on the elliptical - I find certain brands of machine to be easier on me than others. I bet that's the reason! I can't advocate enough for strength training of the knees after injury as well. Both my personal trainer and physical therapist…

I had my ACL/MCL done about 9 years ago (and now have unrelated pain in my other knee). The only things I've found that work for me are swimming - I take an Aquafitness class for a little variety - and the elliptical. Even on the elliptical, I keep both knees wrapped, just in case. I find I have good days and bad days. On…

Hey gang...for you Indianapolis area people (I know there's more than just me), I posted in the Week 4 forum that I would be happy to give any of you one of my Aqua Fitness class passes. I'm going tonight at 5:30 and was planning on Wed, but it looks like that particular class is canceled this week. I could be talked into…

I love group classes, sadly my current gym does not offer any. I regularly go to aqua fitness tho, and absolutely love it. I can't recommend it enough, especially for people with any sort of joint problems! I do deep water (with a water belt to float) but most Y's or Rec centers have non deep water versions. If anyone on…

I just couldn't get it together this week, either with exercise or eating right, but I still lost half a pound. SW: 199 CW: 198.5 Next goal: 197.5 Distance: 5.65 miles (I know I walked some this week, but didn't really track it to add to my total...sorry!) Good/bad news: I got my wedding dress this week! It fits perfectly,…

I haven't exercised AT ALL this week. Grrr, I hate my job! It takes up way too much time and energy. Good news is I'm on the list to interview for another job that would make me much happier, but don't have an interview actually scheduled yet. Going to the gym tonight, tomorrow, and Saturday no matter what. I can't let the…

I've never kept track of distance before - I use the elliptical for the most part. Will be interesting to see what my numbers are! This week's goal: SW 199, GW 198

Boo. I gained half a pound. Guess that's what Chicago-style pizza will do! So I'm at 199 (my goal was to maintain at 198.5). I burned 894 calories, at least what I kept track of. Back on track next week - with the time change I'm hoping I'll be able to get up early and hit the gym before work instead of this whole trying…

I made it home from Chicago late last night. Didn't eat nearly as badly as I expect to while I was there! I'm about 300 calories short of 700 right now, but plan on hitting the gym later tonight or tomorrow for about 400 more. Have to go tomorrow to weigh-in, so I'm trying to convince myself I should go tonight too. Just…

I'm so glad this week is an exercise challenge and not a food challenge! I'm in Chicago for a conference this week - no chance of giving up pizza or chocolate or wine or cheese while I'm here ;) My SW this week is 198.5 and my goal for the week is simply to maintain. I'm a little bummed because I brought my workout gear,…

Just weighed in at 198.5, which is .5 less than my goal! and zero chocolate other than that bite of cake, which wasn't a "serving" so it doesn't count. Next week, just looking to maintain as I'll be at a conference in Chicago. If I lose, great, if I don't, I won't be upset about it. I know there's lots of wine, cheese,…

Other than the bite of cake today, I haven't had any chocolate all week. I'm so proud of myself! instead of reaching for the Thin Mints, I went for the Shortbreads ;) I need a "cut all Girl Scout cookies" challenge apparently.

Ouch, stress fractures are no fun! Are you doing the 500 Festival 10k? I saw the training notice that traffic will be diverted on Saturday for that. I totally blew it last night. Finished my cake, and while I didn't eat any of it (I did have a taste of each flavor during the party today) I was starving when I finished. So…

The BodyBugg is tricky - I've had it majorly underreport my burn before and I was told it was because I had it too loose on my arm. An overly-high report might be because it's too tight, following that logic. For the most part, I find it to be very steady in it's reporting, at about 2100 a day (if I don't exercise), which…

My current weight is 200.5, goal weight for Saturday is 199. I don't actually own a scale and normally only weigh at the doctor's office once every 5 weeks, so this Saturday weigh-in will force me to go to the gym and weigh there! Will be a different time of day and different clothes and a different scale, so I will have…