mrsraushel

^THIS!

Stop using the word "Cheat." I hate that word. This is a LIFESTYLE not a yo-yo diet. Unless that's what it really is for you, then by all means, have a cheat day!

Clearly this is a common thing. :) I think the first step is for you to acknowledge that this is going to happen every month and PLAN for it. I have the same issue, so, like others have shared, I try to make sure I'm getting to the gym and getting good sleep. I already do this regularly, but plan out your meals for each…

^yes! This! I didn't even think of this! Find a local organization you can volunteer with. Buy toys for kids and donate them to a toy drive. Focusing on others always helps me forget about me and my problems.

I don't have a big family and the little family I have (biologically) is drama-packed. So I went through a season of dreading the holidays. It's important to start fresh and make your own new traditions. Either with the family you have or with some friends. My in-laws have been welcoming and my husband is great. I still…

OMG I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE KALE! I've found pretty much anything I make with Kale requires removing the "ribs"/stems/whatever. I've found the best way to make kale chips is to rinse, squeeze out the leaves (after de-"rib"-ing them), and toss them in olive oil, put them on parchment paper on a baking sheet, season with salt,…

hahaha the elves that live in the forest behind your house! I'll have to remember that. You know, I used to be one of "those people" who could never give up carbs (I Loooooove pasta) or cheese. But I came around. American culture / diet is hard to buck--it's so instilled in many of my family/friends that they cannot fathom…

YES to the flossing! I had kale stuck in my teeth for who knows how long after lunch yesterday! :/ embarrassing! That's so sweet that your coworker brought you cherries!

Whoops! I assumed the two were interchangeable... turns out I'm more primal than paleo, but I am also one that's "straddling" the line. I like the baptist/methodist analogy. Made me smile. I suffer from migraines and so I had already started cutting out most processed foods and I knew I couldn't have any artificial…

I agree that honesty is the best policy--especially with close friends or family. If this is a change you are going to stick with, you don't want to spend the rest of your life telling "white lies" or sneaking a meal in first. I like what someone else suggested about asking what's served so you can bring a side/something…

I agree that you should learn to cook for yourself. If you just go to pre-packaged/prepared meals, you're doing BETTER, but not as good as you could be. That motivates me. I taught myself how to cook and I look for recipes that sound good and try them out. It really isn't that hard and you only need a handful of…

I get mild SAD symptoms, living in the frozen tundra of the mid-west. :) I take 1000iu of Vitamin D from ~Sept-May and 500 ~June-Aug, if needed. It definitely helps! And I echo what others have shared... eating clean improves my mood. And exercise definitely helps! I try to do some gentle stretching (sometimes foam…

Gretchen Rubin wrote a great piece on the difference between abstainers and moderators. (http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/2012/10/back-by-popular-demand-are-you-an-abstainer-or-a-moderator/) I think it's important to find out which you are more of. I am a moderator most days, but I know when I need to…

Something that's been on my mind as I've made a lot of changes this last year is that I don't want to make changes I'm not willing to continue with the rest of my life. For me, it's unrealistic to be 100% Paleo because my husband and family aren't on board. So if I was 100% and then had a "cheat" (I hate that word) now and…

I dropped about 16 pounds switching to Paleo 100% (or 99.9%) for a month. It's not realistic for me to be 100% Paleo/primal, as my husband isn't on board, but it was definitely eye-opening! I try to be as gluten/wheat/dairy-free as possible. I gained a little back when I started re-introducing some foods, but now that I'm…

Makes me hesitant to ask for advice!

My question is for a "normal" bra... By the end of the day I am in so much pain from the straps DIGGING into my shoulders and the middle of my back where my bra hooks meet is also so tense. Breast Redux is not an option for me, so I'm trying to find a GOOD bra that's cute and comfortable and supportive. I feel like that…

I'm also a 38DD and have found the VSX Sport bras to work well. But I still struggle with RUNNING in the bra. There's still too much "bounce," if you will. But I may have to try UA, as someone else suggested. But the VSX are great for everything but running.

I shouldn't be laughing about this, but I can't help it! ha!

Amen! :)

Encouraging to see someone else with a "higher" HW. I was reading through the responses and not seeing many over 200 and starting to feel kinda discouraged. For me: I am 5'10 HW: 249 CW: 233 GW: 175 LW (that I can remember): 180

Me too! I'm shooting for 175, as that's the high end for our BMI. I think it will take a while to get there. Scratch that, I KNOW it will take a while to get there. :/ But I am looking forward to becoming a happier & healthier me!

yikes! That would be awkward!!

This made me smile! :) I struggle with BMI # accuracy all the time. I try to look at it as a "guideline." It is fascinating to me how people like these ladies can "look" so similar but be at completely different weights/ BMIs.

hahaha I love this! I also love when I'm lifting weights on the machines and another woman gets on the machine after me and does a double take at how much I was just lifting.

^What they said!! Also, I love your style! Such cute tops and cardigans! :) I'm starting out as an 18 and hoping to be a 12 someday. I am so glad you shared! I needed the motivation.

They are so good!

This made me smile. My friends were raving about how great unwiches are... I was disappointed.

That's exactly what I'm trying to steer clear of--the obsessive behavior. For me, this is just about being HEALTHY and keeping tabs on just how many calories I'm eating/burning (I'd like to either balance out or have leftovers every day, if I can). Red is just a color. I like red, too. :) Thanks for the reminder!