Danielle_Style Member

Thank you for this post. You are inspiring, and I really needed to hear this today. I especially found this tidbit to be helpful: 7. It’s doesn’t matter how much I can’t do, I’ll do what I can do and still lap those doing nothing! I sometimes get discouraged about not being able to do more high intensity exercise because…

Way to go!

I also appreciate the comments by a few of you about how calorie counting doesn't have to be tedious or obsessive with meticulous planning. It's not the counting itself that bothers me. I actually kind of like it - it becomes almost a mini-hobby (that's weird, I know). The bigger thing I dislike is that when I'm truly in…

Wow! I just got to reading this thread after a nice night out (we saw the Lion King). I'm very moved by the outpouring of good advice and support. I suppose I agree with the person who said that people on a forum are not what is going to change me...but it's nice to see that there are folks out there who have been there. I…

As for exercise, I do enjoy walking and swimming. I try to do one or the other after school most days (I'm a teacher). But sometimes I get bogged down in schoolwork / housework and make excuses not to go. I never regret a workout when I do it. I always feel better for it. So I think that developing self-discipline in this…

Thanks, I agree that self-discipline is what's missing. It certainly is hardest at the beginning, right. But I'm starting today! My husband and I are going to a show in Boston tonight, and we are going to eat out - and that's okay. But I decided to have a low-cal smoothie for lunch so that I can try to stay within or very…

Well, I appreciate the sentiment that one has to be truly ready for it. But I feel as though I don't want to wake up one day as a 80 - 100 lbs overweight individual, having never taken the time to care for my health. I think it will be harder to change once I get to that absolute breaking point. I am 29 years old. I want…

Thank you Jane. Your advice is very helpful. My current goal is 1lb per week. But the only reason I set it to 1lb was because I was going over my calories anyway when I had my goal set to 1/2 lb. So I figured if I set it lower and I went over, I would still be able to lose weight. Honestly, the husband and I have stopped…

Awesome job! I am also much better at breaststroke than front crawl. I can swim two 25 yd lengths of front crawl, but I am very out of breath at the end. I can swim up to a half mile of breaststroke - I could do even more probably but I generally stop to stretch my shoulders because I have some shoulder / back issues. It's…

This was really inspiring!!! Keep up the healthy lifestyle!

Thank you to everybody for posting. I've been having a hard time with motivation this past week, but thanks to everybody's before and afters, I'm confident that I can do it if I work at it!

You seem like a very good-natured person. Welcome and best of luck on the journey!

I swam 300 yards total without stopping. For real swimmers out there, this doesn't seem like much, but I started out struggling with even 25 yards. I did it with breaststroke and I still struggle with front crawl, but I put lots of front crawl into my workout for a total of 700 yards. I'm hoping to get up to workouts of…

Thanks for the input. I'm not sure I can afford private sessions right now. But I have been thinking that I may not be ready for this type of program just yet because I know that I would feel compelled to push myself to keep up even when it isn't appropriate for my body. I think I need to stick with walking and swimming…

Awesome job! I can't wait to make my first true 30 day streak! Keep it up. Looking forward to hearing about your 60 day streak!

Thanks for the inspiration. I have 25 - 40 lbs I'd like to lose...and I was feeling discouraged. But your story is an inspiration. Thanks for the dose of positivity! You look amazing and so happy!

I notice a big difference. You look great!

Congratulations! You look fantastic! I appreciate what you said about not making it harder than it has to be. That's always been my hang-up. Very inspiring!

This story was just what I needed to hear / read!

Thank you all so much for your thoughtful replies. I think I might try logging sporadically just to keep a general tab on my overall eating habits, but continue to keep my number-free food journal on other days. I know how to eat healthy...it's just a matter of actually doing it and not getting caught up on how many…

Goodnamegone, How do you know that person was joking. They could have been completely serious, which would then make your laughter a bit insensitive. I agree with those who say they feel better in control. Also, even though I don't have tons of weight to lose, I understand those who say that they still feel like the fat…

Awesome transformation!

According to your food diary, your daily goal is 2200 for today. That leaves you with over 1200 for the REST of the day. I realize you may not want to eat back all your exercise calories. But surely you can afford to feed yourself a snack so you don't binge later. 3:00 is my absolute most important "mealtime". If I don't…

This has been on my mind too as I've been reading about The Zone Diet (not a diet in the strictest sense - more like a nutritional plan). It seems like the 40/30/30 is a good moderate approach that will force you to eliminate the refined carbs if you want to stay under and force you to add in more lean proteins, thus…

Fantastic progress!!! P.S. I love all your hairstyles.

Congrats on your sobriety and healthy lifestyle, man! Coming from somebody who comes from a long line of addicts...this is the best thing you can do for your family / yourself. And I think AA is totally legitimate - anything that has a proven track record of helping thousands of people to recover can't be completely…

Forgive me if somebody already mentioned this....it's a long topic. But I read somewhere that chewing actually triggers satiety signals to the brain...regardless of the amount of calories burned. This is why dietitians have been telling people to eat more slowly for eons.

Hi. I also am looking for friends and support. I am dealing with pain too. I have back issues related to Degenerative Disc Disease and I'm finding that water exercise is really the best bet for me. I joined the YWCA. I feel good about this on a personal level too because I know they support women in the area and there is a…

Awesome job! On a side note, you've got a really motivational way about you! Thanks for the boost!

Thanks everybody for the support. I'm planning on tracking everything today, no matter what...and heading to Water Aerobics at 6:30 sharp!