spoiledpuppies Member

Machines typically overestimate, and it's hard to know what you really burn doing the other stuff; but 500 seems really high for your workout. Also, you'll tone more effectively with heavier weights--you won't get bulky. I'm 5'5 and 125, and I do 50-pound kettle bell swings in my warm up. I'm far from bulky.

You've maintained, and you're right--that's huge! Good for you! I think the most important thing is to focus on the self-image part--no comparing to other people. You're beautiful right now. Maybe you do just maintain for awhile--enjoy where you are. So many of us out here talk about a time when we've thought of ourselves…

For whatever it's worth, my trainer told me that a 1/2-scoop of protein powder anywhere from 30-120 minutes before we meet for lifting would be fine. (Not carbs)

Definitely eat lunch--bring things that are easy, maybe that you don't even have to heat up. Hard boiled eggs (I don't actually like these, but I'm trying. I'll bring two--even today actually--along with 2 packets of Taco Bell sauce, plus some fresh strawberries as a snack.) Homemade smoothies are way better than the…

OMG on your cost--you SO lucked out. Mine is almost 10X yours...but I was still saying just yesterday that it's been worth it. (I'm about 2 months in.)

I'd say that if you really are happy--and you really are just 15 pounds over your ideal--then just be happy. But as others have said, you're here, so there's a part of you that does care. You might not care enough today to work on it. Maybe just make sure you maintain your current point and consider actively losing later.

For myself, I agree with your friend. Almost complete is not complete. But it's your goal, so you can decide (hopefully in advance) what "complete" means (e.g. actually meeting it, within 5%, within 10%...?).

I've never heard of oil pulling either. The fat in coconut is a medium-chain fatty acid, which have unique benefits. Some people love coconut oil and froth it into coffee or smoothies. (I tried it in a smoothie because I'm working to increase my dietary fat, but I barely noticed it so I didn't do it again.) What I do love…

I think you'l adjust, and 2,200 calories won't seem like so much anymore. I would just recommend eating more of the (presumably) healthy foods you ate while losing rather than adding in treats and splurges. Make your meals a bit bigger. I started adding mayo or avocado to sandwiches when maybe I didn't have the calories…

I'm guessing that it's mostly from the fact that you're somewhat new to maintenance and your glycogen just replenished. Unless you really want to be smaller, there's no sense in cutting calories again--you'll just deplete your glycogen again (and it will replenish again when you return to maintenance again). If you do want…

Great job catching yourself! You know exactly what you're doing! I lost 50 pounds about 10 years ago. I kept most all of it off for the 10 years--the scale only started creeping up a few pounds after a move, different habits, no longer weighing every day, etc. I hopped on MFP to get to get back in check, and I ended up…

I used to really not like Subway at all. But since I started counting calories, I actually have grown to like it. My husband loves to go out to eat, and unfortunately, fast food places are the most reliable regarding their posted calories due to the consistently of their food. Of those, Subway is probably the lowest…

I've only been working with him for a couple of months, and we're not exactly focusing on the size of my calves. He just mentioned shrinking my calves while I was doing a seated hamstring curl. So I don't know what else he has in mind. I'm doing general heavy lifting with him, so a variety of things so far.

I've always had bigger calves too. However, this winter, I couldn't even wear some hot knee-high leather boots that were a little tight last year. As my husband put it, this year, they looked like knee-high leather moon boots because the calves were way too roomy. But my calves are still disproportionately large for my…

The key, of course, is to not let loose. Accept--and even try to embrace--that this will require a lifelong commitment. Try to make it fun over the long term.

Nut butters most of all Honey roasted sliced almonds (love these in full-fat yogurt with fresh fruit!) Frozen foods for convenience: Chicken gyoza Chimichurri rice Biryani rice Seasoned eggplant/zucchini Shepard's pie (because my husband hates pot roast, so this is a nice substitute for just me!)

It turned out, that will very few if any symptoms, I went post-menopausal recently, at age 42. I started MFP in July, and stopped getting my period around Sept/Oct. I took a pregnancy test. Then I thought maybe it had to do with diet/exercise. In January, I learned from my doctor and a female hormone blood panel that I'm…

This happens to me too. I find that if I increase the resistance and put my weight in my heels, it helps. (I think that being on the balls of my feet so much is the cause.) I've also read people saying that Merrell Bareform shoes help--zero drop, wide ball of foot area. I use these shoes now, but more for running and other…

Just keep doing what you're doing. I started working with a trainer for heavy lifting a couple of months ago. I've already seen some results, but he said that it could be the end of summer before I really see a transformation. So more patience is in order...

I learned a couple of months ago that I became POST-menopausal at age 42-- no real symptoms. My period just stopped. The doctor said that it's purely due to genetics and that my diet/exercise would have had no impact. My mom actually went POST-menopausal at age 36 with no symptoms. So you never know. I had a female hormone…

This is actually the point of minimalist shoes. I remember learning how to transition to them, and the guidance said to walk actually barefoot and see how our feet naturally skip the heel strike. As you transition--very slowly/gradually--to the minimalist shoe, your leg and foot muscles that you haven't used maybe ever due…

Tea with pure stevia (NOT the kind with additives is what I prefer) has pretty much no calories and I've never logged it. I do log the Tbsp of soy milk I put in some cups.

Try the Merrell Bareform line. I use the Bare Access Arc 2, which is zero drop, but with some cushioning. There's a v3.0 (and maybe 4.0), but the 2.0 worked so well for me, I stocked up when they went on clearance. They use Vibram soles, but the toes are not separated. Love them! (I didn't like the separated toes-- my…

Merrell Bareform Arc Access 2.0 (similar to Vibram five fingers, but without the separated toes, which I found uncomfortable.

I follow the practice of "if I don't buy it, I can't eat it." So as long as I resist the temptation while at the grocery store, it's all smooth sailing. I do have a lot of treats in the house, but they are all things that I'm okay resisting. There are a few things that would be more challenging, so they are not available…

I lost 50 pounds about 10 years ago. I didn't strictly count calories to lose, and I certainly didn't count in maintenance. (While losing, I usually just wrote down what I ate each day to be mindful.) I kept nearly all of it off permanently. It was only in the last few years--when I stopped weighing in daily--that the…

Absolutely -- just stay on top of weighing in as you have planned. Everyone's different, but I'm a believer of daily weigh-ins (without getting too worked up about natural fluctuations).

I like it a lot, but I actually bought some balls for rolling. (The smaller size and ball shape get into the good spots better.) I have some from Yamuna, and I just bought "The Orb" at REI which is firmer and awesome!!

Beautiful - great job!

I usually end up a bit high on protein, so there's no sneaking it in for me. But I drink protein shakes and eat Quest bars, just because I enjoy both and I do like getting protein since it satisfies. I also recently started eating eggs (don't love). I also eat nuts, tofu/tempeh, full-fat yogurt...