dawnmcneil10 Member

I wish I'd done this, I never took a starting photo or measurements of course when I started out I didn't know I was really going to have such an impact on myself. Kudos for facing the measuring tape! My original clothing size starting out was a 22W and 13 years later with the occasional set backs I've been proudly wearing…

I'm going to be the oddball because I'm going to key in on the "competition" part of this. I don't lift heavy, I don't run marathons I do what I need to do for me to make me healthy. Because I have friends that are in that competition frame of mind and do a bunch of "classes" I just avoid the conversation of fitness with…

You are definitely not alone, I too was waiting for that moment of YIPPEEE oh look balloons! I didn't get them and I did feel lost however I decided it was about me so it was up to me to find a way to make it feel special. I sometimes wonder if once we reach goal we wonder why it seemed so difficult before. Perhaps that's…

I traditionally always use garlic, pepper, chili powder in my stir fry dishes they're my go to spices. Toward the end of the cooking process I add either a flavored balsamic vinegar or sometimes a bit of fresh orange juice. Stir fry's are really simple, most people think to hard about it, so my recommendation is just start…

Oh pet peeves, yes! 1. You clearly don't eat enough! Meanwhile I eat like a teenage boy it's just WHAT I eat that makes the difference. 2. I don't have time for exercise and all that, I have responsibilities. OUCH like I don't? The latest now that I'm in maintenance are people who didn't know me before with this…

I can't say I used clothes to motivate me to lose weight but now that the weight's off through healthy eating and exercise the clothing I have now keeps me motivated to do that workout some days because I will NOT have a spare tire over my jeans ever again!

This is what will make you a success, you're seeing that small changes have big impact. Congratulations on your first staying within macros day.

It's odd that after many years of getting fit/healthier I find I have more than one NSV a day now. I guess that in itself is a NSV, actually noticing that I have more than one a day. One of my favorites will always be being able to zip that first pair of tall boots, another seeing myself in a mirror while shopping and not…

First off always bring yourself a safe snack/side dish and enough to share. I always offer to help setting up, food prep, occupying the kids, maybe take the dog for a walk and so on, if that's not an option I make myself a drink, a little wine and a lot of selzter for a nice wine spritzer, keeps at least 1 hand busy. I…

Prepare a brownie mix (I puree a can of black beans to dry brownie mix) and place in 11X13 baking pan. Bake as directed then let that cool several hours. Top with a package of SF/FF cheesecake instant pudding prepared with 1 1/2 cups of milk. Let that set a few hours then top with a can of SF fruit pie filling (I use…

I'm on here just about every day unless I'm traveling to parts unknown then I might miss a day or two. I don't exactly do the "maintenance" thing as I'm just now living the new life I created for myself, I try to keep myself in a 5 pound range where I'm comfortable and have been doing that for just shy of a year now. My…

It sounds like you have the heart of a runner you just haven't found your zone yet. I personally like to run alone, don't mind the dog but other people please just let me be. I unplug from everything except my GPS which I use for mileage and just clear the mind. I'm not a racer by any stretch but when my run is complete I…

Nicely done! The feeling you get the very first time completing a 5k is amazing and your time is great you should be very proud of yourself. Also you learned something else in case you didn't catch it, no money means no stopping for fast food and it doesn't sound like you missed out. :wink:

Change things up, if you typically run outside find a treadmill. I know the fall allergies are hitting me hard this year so outside running has been more difficult simply because of everything flying around in the air. I'm using this time to change up my running, I run a mile then walk .10 then back at it for another mile…

I use frozen fruit all the time in my yogurt. What I do is put about 3/4 of a cup of frozen fruit in a mason jar, top with plain greek yogurt and put in the refrigerator at night, the next morning I toss in my granola and eat it something throughout the day. The berries/fruit are always thawed and the extra juice from them…

I had a really hard time visualizing myself for the longest time and then happened to see a picture of the me I used to be and thought OMG who is that?! I really couldn't see myself as the "thin" or "skinny" person all the others were seeing. Now I can't say I see myself as others do but I know who I am on the inside now,…

I can't even remember the last time I just poured salad dressing on a salad. I tend to have so much in my salad I don't notice it's missing. For example taco salad is a favorite of mine, could eat it almost daily and I put plain greek yogurt on the top sometimes mixed with salsa and it does the trick for me. I also find…

It's got carbs, protein, and veggies.........perfectly balanced meal no matter when you eat it. Enjoy it, log it and put a smile on your face. Tonight you can have breakfast for dinner if it makes you feel better.

Compliments from strangers are the best! They're honest and truthful because they don't have any reason to try to boost your day other than just a genuine appreciation for what they see. Congratulations on making an impression on a stranger. I've had a couple instances that have shocked me into a smile. I started running a…

I will admit now I didn't read through all the comments so if I'm repeating I'll apologize but I have a few thoughts for you. A portion of why your friends are eating out is for the social interaction. It's also possible they don't or can't cook so why not offer the option of come to my place to eat, have everyone pitch in…

Love this, at the very least you'll get in and extra walk! I completely agree on eating things that are worth it, once in a while I want that DD cinnamon coffee cake muffin and you know what when I have it I don't regret it. I have learned I cannot combine it with a pumpkin spice latte though........wow way to much of a…

Many are probably inappropriate so I won't repeat but hubby has mentioned my muscles showing in my arms and legs, he never expected that. I still have my "bat wings" which you used to love jiggling, he told me a few weeks ago there isn't much to jiggle there anymore and now he's afraid if I throw a punch it might hurt. LOL

If you're truly in this for a new lifestyle then you have to ask yourself if you can live with what you're not eating forever. The options you've come up with are fantastic and kudos to you for making the attempt to create them. You don't HAVE to give up pizza and burgers, you do need to control yourself with them but…

I absolutely love the fact that you not only wrote the first letter but that you took the time to write the 2nd one and show yourself your accomplishments. Congratulations to you for all that you have become and that you were brave enough to take the first step!

It's actually quite easy to travel and stay on track once you find what works for you. Here are a few items that might help you with snacks and a few dinner options a quick visit to the grocery store can fix up. It's spectacular you have a mini fridge and a microwave, that's half the battle. Scout out the breakfast far of…

I make up a batch of (dry) black beans in the crockpot with water, spices (garlic, cumin, chili, dried onion) and a bit of pork like ham or bacon and cook down for around 8 hours.Eat them as is or use in random meal plans.I use these in a ton of different things throughout the week and freeze some for later. I often mix…

Was a big festivities weekend here, friends 40th birthday party with lots of food and drink and of course all those amazing items that you don't make for yourself. Instead of eating them all I took over grill duties, played gofer, entertained the masses and basically kept my legs moving. Yesterday was another biggie, the…

Greatest freakin feeling in the world, I bet you really did run like the wind for a moment there. :wink:

This is a major accomplishment, so happy for you! :bigsmile: Enjoy your journey, don't worry about posting photos or logging your foods online obviously you're doing the right things for you right now. If one day you wish to post photos heck maybe that should be a goal for you, being comfortable with posting pics. Anyway,…

I have one of those jobs where some days I'm at my desk all day and others I'm on the go from the start to the end of my day. I never know which it's going to be or where I'll end up so I pack my breakfast, lunch and 2 snacks in my lunchbag and keep some emergency supplies in both my car and desk. I probably sound like a…