spoiledpuppies Member

Accuracy. Even packaged food that says a whole package is XX number of calories often doesn't weigh what the label says. (Often it weighs more, which would sneak more calories into your day if you didn't measure and do the math.)

I joined MFP with the goal of getting to an 8, and that seemed like a stretch goal. Now I'm fitting into some 0s, 2-4s for sure. It's crazy! I think it's got to be due in large part to vanity sizing. Today's 2 is probably yesterday's 8.

I find that even realizing that the craving is due to my period helps me to resist cravings. I know it will pass, even if it takes a day. Or, if I can fit in some chocolate, I do.

That's great! Must have felt amazing--and I wonder if anyone noticed you beaming!!

A lot of people on MFP seems to like Quest bars, and I agree--hadn't heard of them before MFP. They have more protein than most for way fewer calories. Love the double chocolate chunk and PB&J. For protein powder, I like Metabolic Reset.

I agree about increasing your protein. Look for less calorie dense foods. (Since tracking my calories, I've gone from eating whole bananas to maybe just adding 1/4 banana to a smoothie or oatmeal.) Add veggies too. I've been making 250-300 calorie frozen meals combined with whole steamed bags of veggies for a total of…

Several years ago, I did similar calculations for myself. And I was pretty convinced that I only had a very limited amount I could lose. I'm so glad I was inspired by MFP success stories several months ago that I decided to give it a try anyway! I would say go for it and see how you look/feel. (I'll finally be getting a…

While not as healthy as homemade, I've really taken to buying the healthier/natural versions or brands of frozen low-cal meals (usually 250-300 calories) and pairing them with a whole steamable bag of fresh or frozen veggies like broccoli, green beans, cauliflower, etc. Total calories end up at 350-400 for a very large…

Fantastic attitude and really good points!

Tamilee Webb's "I Want That Body" is awesome with no jumping involved.

I like unsweetened original. Sweetened is far too sweet in my opinion (and waste of calories since unsweetened is already sweet); and vanilla just isn't great in my opinion. Or on the rare occasion I want some vanilla flavor, I could add some vanilla extract myself. But try all of the varieties and see what you like. None…

I tend to do better on weekends actually. I end up so distracted with a non-routine schedule that I'm not thinking about what to eat so much. And time flies on weekends since I'm not working! It helps that my husband is very supportive, and while we do go out to eat pretty much every weekend, it's only to places where I…

If it ever gets released, the BodyMedia Core 2 is supposed to be awesome. (It was supposed to come out last August, but supposedly delayed since Jawbone bought BodyMedia and they say they're working to make it even more awesome.) When I first started MFP last July, it was going to be my reward for consistent logging. But…

I agree with the advice to talk to a therapist. I also think this could get easier with time. A part of me also doesn't like the attention/spotlight I get when I see people I haven't seen in awhile and they gush about my appearance. (Of course, in my case, a part of me loves that too!) But someone already told me that she…

Do it!! They're fun to prepare for since you get to do three things/also helps you avoid injury. My husband couldn't swim even one length of a pool when he started preparing for his first.

Always before. Usually just before each meal/snack though--not the night before or anything earlier.

Weigh it in grams

I like this stir fry idea--thanks!

I've tried it in a smoothie, and it was good. But when I add peanut butter to a smoothie, I often do it specifically to add fat to my day, so I'm not sure how much I'll use it.

Awesome photos and story! I also love your quote about getting out of your own way (seems we're pretty much always our own biggest obstacle). Congratulations!

I agree with others that a Diet Coke is fine if it helps you in whatever way. I have a couple a week--probably one at home and one (maybe two!) while out to eat. I have the exact same problem as you though while drinking it at home-- I found that I was wanting to continue snacking as long as I had Coke left. So now I buy…

It's hardest for us to see it on ourselves since we look in the mirror many times a day. I've gone from a 12 (pushing 14) to a 0/2. Sometimes I see the difference, and sometimes I don't. When I see a pair of jeans on a hanger in the store, I think, "Those look tiny--they'll never fit me." And then they do--possibly even…

I wasn't actually looking for anything. I happened to see MFP listed on a "Top iPhone Apps" list, so I downloaded it and logged on. It wasn't until seven months later that I really thought about using it; and I ended up getting really committed.

This is what I thought too. (You can only imagine how horrible my skin looks at 42!) But yes, congrats on your success!

I just ordered a few, so I'm hoping for the best. But I really like Tamilee Webb's "I Want that Body." My husband (who's pretty darn strong) just did a couple segments of level 1, and it kicked his butt!

Thankfully, not really. I lost 50 pounds 10 years ago. Only in the last few years, I regained about 10 pounds of that. It really happened for me--like others--when I took my focus off of things and stopped weighing every day. I know weighing every day helps me a lot to stay mindful. So I came to MFP to lose it and then…

I just count calories. I pay attention to my macros, but I can mostly just tell when I need more protein or fat; and I'll make a point of eating what I need. I think that after some time of being healthy, we learn to listen to our bodies better and actually crave healthier foods.

I've been pleasantly amazed by the wonderful low-calorie meals that can make a very satisfying 1200 calorie day. I very often add an entire steam bag of veggies to any given meal. It adds 100 calories, but with a whole lot of volume. Really, everything I make gets a whole lot of veggies for additional volume. I also found…

I did 10 days straight of each level, with a day off in between the levels. I found level one to be a bit easy, but I figured it was prepping me for level 2, so I just did it anyway. The whole DVD killed my knees to the point that if I do it again at all, it will just be for a day here or there in between other things.

Depends when you do it and how hard you work. I work out first thing in the morning, so I typically just have water before--sometimes some caffeine. After, I just have breakfast, which is often a natural, low-sugar yogurt mixed with a plain cereal like puffed rice, some ground flax, and some nuts. Works for me.