melt2svelte

No tips, you pretty much said it - patience and a deficit (and a PP mentioned strength training as well). I know the frustration. For me, it is the last thing to go.

Do it! I don't even own a scale, and have weighed myself once since starting using MFP when I had access to one. I rely more on measurements, anyways.

I actually love that feature! It definitely keeps me optimistic.

Thanks everyone! (OP, I'm sure this is helpful to you as well!) :)

Ah! Interesting. Is there a site you or others would recommend in regards to it? I would love to learn more.

So if I am doing cardio and strength training as my exercise regimen, I cannot build muscle or tone? I just find it confusing based on my own results so far, as I am eating on a deficit, I have lost weight, but my thighs have not decreased in size. In fact, they have increased in size, they are firmer, and the muscle seems…

Can someone explain to me in layman's terms what the difference is between building muscle and toning?

More studies for anyone interested:

*Anything* in excess can be hazardous. No one is arguing that. Most people that use coconut oil, use it as a supplement or a substitute for other fats. No one has come here to promote eating a whole jar a day. I personally only consume 2tbsp max a day, and it is usually used in place of butter on my toast. MCT have been…

Please prove when/where lauric acid is ever harmful. Studies? Lauric acid is highly concentrated in human breast milk, and coconut oil is one of the only foods that contain such a high amount as well. Are you going to tell me that breast milk also has the ability to harm, strictly in regards to the lauric acid content? I…

Dietary medium-chain triacylglycerols suppress accumulation of body fat in a double-blind, controlled trial in healthy men and women. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11694608 Physiological effects of medium-chain triglycerides: potential agents in the prevention of obesity. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11880549…

I think "big-boned" often is meant to mean "large framed". Just because you have a large frame doesn't mean you have a "fat pass". Like a previous poster said, the weight difference is pretty miniscule for small, medium, or large framed people with a healthy BMI. For instance, I have a medium-large frame, my height is…

I just finished day 10 of level 2. So hopefully that is enough experience to answer your questions. :) I am using 5 lb weights. I would not even consider doing anything more than that, and I carry around a 40lb toddler all day! I believe they were using either 3lb weights or 5 lb weights in the video. I'd stick with 5lb…

Coffee and tea for the caffeine. Carbonated flavored water for the fizzy fix.

I agree! It IS like liquid candy. I try to avoid it at all costs. A few years ago, I started drinking 2-3 sodas a day. I gained nearly 20 lbs in a two month span. I ended up cutting it out completely after seeing photos of myself, and 20 lbs and then some fell off in about 5 months without any other changes to my diet. It…

I don't log my green tea or vitamins.

No, it is not a myth. There is some evidence that it may help boost metabolism. Of course you need to watch your calories and mark it down, as a previous poster said, it is a saturated fat. It has just as many calories as a tablespoon of olive oil. It is also a medium-chain fatty acid, not a long-chain fatty acid like many…

I was also going to mention protein. It looks consistently low. I'd try to meet your daily goals on that, and perhaps try to reduce your fats and processed sugars. Other than that, though, it looks pretty good!

I try to get my most of my meats locally, but they are still so expensive! I would love to be able to freeze a bunch of meat in my freezer, but it is small and inadequate. Woe is the apartment life. lol.

I wish lamb was more affordable here! It is super expensive. :/

Jen800 - Thanks for the recipe! I often do a baked chicken breast with basil pesto, but that looks awesome. Pinned it!

Tufel, it kind of is cheating, I guess, but I love the flavors. You're right about it tasting much better when it comes from the whole chicken. In all fairness though, I also eat them baked with just a dash of Johnny's seasoning salt and olive oil, too. I like the taste. It works for my small family, though. I wouldn't be…

I use it for the same reasons as everyone else has mentioned. There are also some studies that show it may actually help boost your metabolism as well. I do make sure to get the unrefined, expeller-pressed organic coconut oil, though.

I love them. They are one of my main sources of protein. There are many things you can do with them. Last night for instance, I cut them into strips and threw them into a pot of chicken broth, lime juice, coconut milk, and ginger. Cook some rice to go with, and you have a tasty meal. You can add sriracha, fresh cilantro,…

I'm 5'6" (5'5 3/4") And my beginning weight/measurments were: 149 lbs 37-29-39

I also log it as "Dancing, general". Love Just Dance! Such a fun way to burn calories. :)

You are definitely not a failure! It is TOUGH! There is always tomorrow, and you know each time is making a difference. Stick with it. You can do it!

Wow, awesome! Great job!

Just eat real butter. No "butter substitutes". I also use unrefined coconut oil and olive oil as well.

5'6", 149lbs, size 6.