WillowWindow Member

I've been Gluten-free for over 6 years now. I started because of allergies and gut symptoms, along with migraine and it has helped enormously. Later I found that celiac disease is in our family, so I strictly avoid gluten. Bloating and diarhhea are some of the most frequent symptoms people with celiac disease or gluten…

LOVE these kinds of posts. It's so great that so many health benefits come from a healthy lifestyle. I was pre-diabetic so I'm so glad I stopped it before I needed the meds. Congratulations to you and everyone who has gotten themselves healthy!

We need more of that so people don't think it's going to be tolerated. Thanks for standing up to him.

Usually there's a bit more work involved if you want to save money. The biggest thing is not to buy convenience foods -- that's anything already prepared for you because you pay a premium for small volumes of food. So, for example, if you usually get frozen dinners, then if you make your own you save a lot. Another is buy…

After spending years living in Japan, I just can't stand those tea with other flavour blends. I also dislike the green tea available in tea bags -- in my experience it is really low grade, bitter, and unpleasant. If you want good green tea buy some loose tea at a tea or Asian shop and get a tea strainer so you can pour the…

Some really good answers here and the usual "tough love" or is it just tough? crowd. Tracking is a pain, especially at first until it becomes a habit -- then you'll feel guilty if you DON'T track. Until then think of it as the work you need to do to change your health and your life for the better. You'd be willing to do a…

Wow. What kind of nurses act like that? I assume you have a professional union. Can you do a complaint through them? Don't know if it's feasible for you but would you be able to transfer to another hospital/workplace? Sometimes you get in with a bad bunch at work and they pick on people for any/no reason/ just because they…

Bikes may be good for some people but not others. I injured my meniscus on one ( regular road bike). What about swimming or water aerobics/ or walking in a pool? Depending on your injury elliptical trainers might work. You will have to cautiously do trial and error, I think. Good luck-- being injured is no fun.

I admit I didn't read this whole thread because, though some people were sympathetic and helpful, too many were just jumping on the tough love bandwagon and insulting and disparaging the OP, who I believe has demonstrated his will and determination to improve his health by losing 65 pounds, far more than some of you people…

Adding other things you have to restrict is challenging for people on a gluten-free diet but the good news is that there's a learning curve and once you identify some foods that you like and can eat, then it'll be much easier. I can't have dairy and I also eat vegetarian, so it's essential that I cook if I want tasty and…

You've got a lot of perspectives here and I'm not sure that I have any advice for you but thought I would mention my experience with quitting smoking in case it's of help. I smoked on and off for about 20 years, but when my dad ( who was also a smoker) died after a years' long bout with heart disease I saw the writing on…

This is an absolutely wonderful result. Congratulations on your increased health. I hope you soon achieve your other goals. Thanks for reporting this. :)

I've read a lot of great success stories here, but yours has to be one of the most touching and inspiring because you were able to express clearly the learning and self-growth that goes along with the big challenge of a lifestyle improvement like the journey you're on. Aside from the awesome physical and health benefits of…

I started at around 1200-1400 and lost a bit quicker but was miserable. Grumpy, tired, shaky, dizzy (after a month or so at that level) so I did the TDEE calculation and adjusted to 1600 ( net). I add execise back most of the time. I have been losing an average of just over 4 pounds a month for about 6 months. It's going…

Like they said, don't try to change your way of eating overnight; just adapt it to use healthier versions and or lower calorie options. I would makeover my sandwich to have whole grain bread or toast with 1 TB natural peanut butter ( no trans fats) and either banana slices or a measured amount of fruit jam. You can also…

Yes, walking is working for me along with cutting down on calories. I think walking is one of the best exercises because you are less likely to get injured and it's likely to help with hunger cravings and evening out your blood sugar. Really, you just need to do something regularly and stick to logging food and educating…

Fresh creamy homemade tofu , 3/4 cup = 132 calories, topped with a Tb of really good tamari sauce= 10 calories for a total of 142. Slice or two of pickled ginger on the side. Heavenly trip right back to Japan.

Breaking the "curse" of feeling like I had no choice about my health and weight and feeling about 20 years older than I do now.

Also with those stats, hard to see why you would be needing to lose weight unless you are preparing for a bodybuilding competition or something, and I have no advice for that, sorry.

You know, there's something about exercising that turns off hunger cravings. If I walk regularly I'm fine, but if for some reason I miss more than a couple of days I find myself craving sugar, fats and more snacks. I think I read once that exercise pulls fat/ energy out of your liver stores. Anyway, I think the key is to…

I quit aspartame and I've read a lot about the pros and cons. I HAVE researched it and come to the conclusion that it's probably not healthy to be taking in that and the other chemicals, artificial flavour enhancers and presertatives that are often paired with it. And if you've ever tasted those drinks when they aren't…

Hi: I live with my mom, I'm her caregiver now -- she has developed dementia, so there are ongoing struggles for control around food. I prepare the meals and she changes what she will and won't eat frequently, so I have to constantly accomodate that. As well, I'm a vegetarian and she's not. Then there's the fact that she…

I haven't lost agreat deal of weight yet but I'm over 60 so my skin is definitely vulnerable to sagging. My body is still OK ( probably because of less sun damage since I always covered up) but my neck and under my jaw are getting saggy and worse, crepey. BUT the good news is I found something that seems to be wrking to…

Are you exercising at all? If your muscle mass has diminished, along with a slightly slowed metabolism, you might be maintaining at that calorie count. Why don't you figure out your TDEE (Total Daily Calorie Expenditure) and BMI ( Body Mass Index) and then reduce your calories 15 to 20 per cent below that? You recalculate…

You won't get many if you reply to well-intentioned posts with rudeness.

Yup. I'm on a tight budget, so I do a combination of things. I just went down a size and I definitely wanted to get some new clothes so I bought a few pieces (from Joe Fresh) all in one lovely summer colour and then I mix and match them together to make all the outfits I need. I don't work in an office so what works for me…

Not trying to be rude or controversial, but if you are back here it hasn't really worked. Maybe just a straight calorie deficit from whatever your regular diet is would work better for you in the long run? Anyway, IMHO people should try to work a diet into their regular way of being, make any changes gradually and try to…

I think you're doing well. Congrats for going out and exercising even if it was hard. I had the thighs problem when I first stated. Just make sure you wear longer shorts or tights, preferably in some slippery fabric, rather than bare skin and you won't notice it so much or get chafed.

Know how you feel. We're currently experiencing a heat wave here in Nova Scotia but compared to Japan where we had monsoons, it's still more bearable. This is perfect weather to swim for exercise, if that's a possibility for you. There might be a pool that would be open after supper, or that you could stop off at on the…

I read the article and though I also tweaked on " the only reason to exercise" statement, if you read further down you see that it recommends intensity interval training, which is really a kind of cardio. Actually the one reason to exercise. in my view. is to increase your health -- heart health, body health, mental…