GingerLolita Member

I use a fitbit flex and just don't eat back my calories from exercises it doesn't track, but I don't do a lot of them and I figure it makes up for any errors that fitbit may make in counting random arm/wrist movements. I think the answer would be to get a fitbit or other activity monitor for everyday wear and use an HRM…

Oatmeal + unsweetened soy milk + cinnamon w/ natural creamy nut butter and a banana Scrambled egg(s) + egg whites + canola cooking spray w/ whole grain toast and avocado Scrambled egg(s) + egg whites + extra virgin olive oil + bell pepper strips

I start my third year tomorrow :) feel free to add me

Ten pounds in five weeks is the most you should hope to lose safely. Not sure why this wouldn't be motivating. I also feel like it brings some perspective into what my calories in/out relates to.

I've tried sunbutter when it was available for sampling at Trader Joe's. I don't like it as much so I generally buy peanut and almond butters instead, but I'd use it as a substitute if needed because it did taste pretty good. I love almond milk and haven't had flax milk. I prefer soy milk if you're able to have that. The…

My favorites: http://www.organicgardening.com/cook/cashew-tofu-and-broccoli-stir-fry http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/fried-rice-with-scallions-edamame-and-tofu-recipe.html

If lunch is one of your most important meals, I'd advise against a smoothie in favor of a balanced meal. Maybe make yourself a smoothie to take to work as a snack/dinner.

I eat six times per day - sometimes this is 3 meals/3 snacks, but it may be other combinations, depending on my activity and hunger levels and plans for the day.

Exercise can have an effect on your hunger hormones that could be causing this. I recommend speaking to your doctor about the ideal amount of calories for a person of your size.

It seems like both of you are enabling each other to be heavy. Aesthetic preferences aside, you should want each other to be healthy.

I love using ground beef in a pasta sauce! Here is my favorite recipe - http://recipes.womenshealthmag.com/Recipe/linguine-bolognese.aspx

Someone asked a question about ginger - it tastes great in stir-fries/Asian dishes, but if you specifically want it to calm your stomach, I love making some Ginger Hot Cocoa - http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/ginger-spiced-hot-cocoa-recipe.html - though I make it with almond milk, which may be better if…

If you're logging your walk on in your exercise diary or in map my walk, you'll be counting it multiple times because your Fitbit has already counted it. Fitbit calories burned = BMR + exercise (although there are limitations to what exercises the Fitbit can track, but it is meant to be used for walking and running) The…

I'm totally obsessed with Trader Joe's dark chocolate almond bark.

Why do you need 3 extra hours to workout? Even if your gym is a bit far, you shouldn't need more than 2 extra hours in the morning. You could also buy some workout videos or find something to do at home for just 1 hour before your normal wake up or even after you pick the kids up, such as if they go to sleep 30 min or more…

I find that having a good macro balance helps calm any digestive issues I have

It definitely varies individually. I get PMS symptoms well before and throughout and sometimes for a bit after my period, water/weight retention included. I just ignore it and don't log because I know it's probably just water weight/bloat.

I consume at least 25 and often upwards of 50 g of fiber per day - and I don't typically even make a conscious effort anymore. I focus on whole grains, love nuts, and eat lots of produce with very little processed food. Feel free to check out my diary for ideas, although it doesn't show fiber since that's not a concern for…

I've had mine for about six months and I really love it. It's made me much more active and helped me understand myself better.

When I've gone to IHOP in the past, I've just ordered off the Simple & Fit menu, which isn't too bad calorie-wise. Also, maybe you could bring food with you so you don't always have to eat there.

I do keep some organic mayo in my kitchen because some recipes wouldn't be ideal to swap. However, roasted red pepper hummus is a great alternative. I also really love avocado as an alternative to mayo or butter. I've used plain yogurts in the past as well if it's not a sandwich and would be a suitable sub.

Just has to be semi-sweet or dark.

I have a very similar issue with dairy. Coconut milk yogurt tends to be high in fat and almond yogurt is almost all carbs. The most similar macronutrient values would be soy yogurt. You may have to try different brands to find one you like. If available where you are, I like Stonyfield's O'Soy line, the Whole Soy brand,…

I use a fitbit and between walking around my neighborhood running errands, cleaning my apartment, and doing laundry around the corner, I burned 200+ over lightly active. So yes, people can actually burn calories doing these activities. I do recommend a fitbit though because I feel like it's hard to estimate how vigorous…

I believe 1500 is generally regarded as the minimum for a male, so you need to meet that. That being said, make sure you're logging accurately. When eating packaged food, unless it's individually packed and you eat the whole serving, you need to measure the amount you're eating in ounces or grams to accurately account for…

Everyone will probably give a slightly different answer (and I'm sure there will be some ridiculous comments like "food that is washed), but I strive to eat clean as often as possible. The simplest definition in my book is: whole, single-ingredient foods or foods made with ingredients I understand and would use in home…

Hale and Hearty - Ten Vegetable Soup or Three Lentil Chili with 7 Grain Bread, Snack: Fruit Salad Chop't - Modern Asian Salad with Chicken Pret a Manger - Chicken Noodle or Moroccan Lentil Soup, Snacks: Grapes, Chocolate Trail or Omega 3 Mix Panera - Garden Vegetable, Black Bean or Chicken Noodle Soup and/or Strawberry…

After counting calories for a while, I can tell the difference. But I think awareness is the first step towards that.

Fitbit will continuously update your daily calories. Assuming you last checked your diary yesterday before midnight, it's normal to expect a change. Because you were probably not very active late at night, your actual calorie output was lower that what Fitbit anticipated when you last checked.

Yes, this is especially important since you're eating 1200 cals/day, which is generally regarded as the safe minimum