spoiledpuppies Member

I'm 5'5" and 124. I kept resetting my goal weight as the pound came off, and I thought I'd ultimately want to stay under 130 forever. So I lost down to 123 to give myself some cushion for potential glycogen regain when switching to maintenance. I kept losing as I transitioned, and weighed in at 119 at my lowest. While it…

Definitely see a doctor. I was all concerned that I had messed up my body with diet/exercise, but it turns out, I'm just post-menopausal at age 42 with few other symptoms. (So I do still face potential boney density issues, but at least it's not because of anything I did.) My doctor ran a hormone blood panel and he said…

Try stevia. It's natural. And the best is straight stevia that comes in a jar like a spice. It will last forever because you only use a tiny amount. Truvia and others found in most grocery stores have additives that make it not taste as good in my opinion.

My trainer advised a 3 to 1 ratio of veggies to fruit, for whatever that's worth. I've been eating way more fruit now that berries are coming into season already, and I've discovered full fat plain Greek yogurt--YUM with berries, crushed pineapple, or peaches... I have no idea of my ratio, but I also eat a ton of veggies,…

Congratulations! I agree with the others about simply eating more and setting fitness goals. I've been transitioning to maintenance since January 20. I do still feel like I'm transitioning as I get used to the additional calories. I'm working with a trainer for heavy lifting so I'm actually at a 200 calorie surplus for…

I've always been a teacher's pet type. When I first talked with my trainer, I told him how I would be his best student ever, and he said he was getting that sense from me. I've worked with him about a month now. He's told me how I take direction well, how "we're going to work so well together," and he loves my focus. I'm…

Nope, but I wipe my hands down occasionally for my own benefit. (I also wipe down most cardio machines before I use them, as well as after.)

None - I'd rather eat the fruit

Happy to help! It sounds like you already know all the reasons this 1 pound doesn't matter, so I won't go on about them. You seem to be on a good path, with a great attitude about developing a healthy lifestyle. WAY TO GO! Be proud of yourself! (The rest will come!)

I think that for general loss, it doesn't matter. But a dietician told to space things pretty evenly--to think of myself having 4-5 "snacks" vs any meals (and this was for maintaining even). And my trainer has given me pretty specific guidance for breaking out my macros by each meal (5-6), with calories being pretty even.…

Mostly just bumping for the great egg ideas. (I just started eating eggs.) But I'll add mine: Smoothie if I'm rushing out the door (usually protein powder, flax, peanut butter, soy milk) You can also prepare oatmeal in advance, freeze it, then just thaw a portion. (I wonder how cooked oatmeal would be mixed into a muffin…

Try straight Stevia - it's so much better. You use extremely little because it doesn't include the fillers that the common commercial brands (including Stevia in the raw) use. You should be able to get it at a health food store--either in the sweetener or supplements section. It will probably come in what looks like a…

I think I would just leave off the part about watching your weight. Next time, just politely say "no thanks." Some people actually don't like chocolate or are allergic (or somehow, just don't like it), so it's not like it would be unheard of to decline. When you mention watching your weight, it can just open a huge can o'…

I think it can be for all of the reasons others have shared. But for me the key is actually enjoying my life as it is. I like eating healthy foods. I like being fit--and going to the gym to get it. I like working toward fitness goals. I like knowing that I can participate in pretty much any physical event/activity that…

500 calories is a good amount to work with. Of course, people have differing opinions on boxed/frozen dinners, but if you stick with some healthier ones, I think a great meal is a frozen dinner (especially one with a bit of sauce since they usually give you too much) with a whole bag of fresh steamed veggies--the kind you…

Very cool. Congrats on sticking with it and meeting new goals!

I think it either doesn't matter or depends on what you're going to do. I usually work out first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. I'm going to work with a trainer a couple of days a week, and asked him what I should eat beforehand, assuming he'd want me to eat something. He suggested just a 1/2 scoop of protein…

I've ended up enjoying "puffed" cereals. I really like Puffed Kamut (like wheat--it's like sugar/honey Smacks without the sugar). I always mean to remind myself to eat it just as a snack too with no milk. It's only 50 calories per cup. Puffed Rice is great too at just 60 calories per cup. I get organic versions in bags in…

I don't think it's much of a factor. I used a calorie calculator to check once, and for age, calories only went down by 100 from age 20 to 40, then another 100 from 40 to 60. I'm 42 and didn't find my recent loss to be very difficult, but then I'm quite a rule follower and logged diligently.

I just started working with a trainer for heavy lifting. He doesn't want me to do any regular cardio because it will ask my body to do opposite things with my muscles than what we're trying to accomplish. He set me up for HIIT runs though to maintain my cardio health. (We spent my last session identifying my starting…

This is what I did as well to keep off a 50-pound loss in the past. I didn't plan (or count calories) at the time, but life just worked out this way. And yes, it was really easy. Now, I reached a new goal weight, and I want to actually gain some. I'm working with a trainer to do it the right way. He said that consistently…

Agreed as long as you don't need to watch sodium. And the natural is SOOO good. You might end up loving it!

I got a DEXA scan to learn my accurate body composition. And now I'm working with a trainer to set new goals. Awesome splurges that are all about my health!

I agree about weighing everything, even the veggies--they add up too! I always search for "[veggie name] usda," and sometimes cross-check it with a google search. Packaged things that say X number of servings in the package: weigh those too. You often get more than the package says.

I second the comment about including protein powder. Also try to add fat, maybe in the form of peanut butter, avocado, or even just some coconut oil. You'll stay full longer, and it's good for you!

Awesome! I start heavy lifting with a trainer tomorrow, and I can't wait!

You did not gain 2 pounds. Fluctuations happen, mostly from sodium/water retention. I overindulged (by much, much more than you) on Saturday. Sunday's weigh-in showed that I had "gained" 4 pounds. Today, I've already "lost" 3 of that. After taking yesterday and today as light days, I'll feel right on track. (And I really,…

I ate SO much yesterday--for the first time since starting MFP seven months ago. It started with a splurge on a Chinese buffet that I was fine with. Then I went to Whole Foods and ate so many samples and even bought cookies--and I wasn't even planning to eat dinner after being so stuffed from the buffet. The scale…

I bought New Rules of Lifting for Women as well after seeing so much about it on MFP. I'm about halfway in. So much seems to be about fat loss, which I actually don't want. I do need to gain fat too. (I did notice that there's info for just maintaining, and perhaps the focus on fat burning is just because that's what will…

Don't let this ruin your day. It looks like you're doing great! The increase could be due to many, many things. If you log your weight regularly, over time you'll see that you might follow trends each month. It's not due to going over by 400. First, you were probably still under maintenance; and second, 400 calories…