mskatee

Thanks everybody! Just the support and encouragement I need!! Xmas tracking here I come. :bigsmile:

Also I think you're right about Xmas day--what the hell, it's good to know what we've done, even if we haven't done good!

Excellent! Just so you know--I've actually lost quite a bit of weight over the last couple of years, but I didn't join MFP until after I'd plateau'd. :laugh: So I won't be as lame a buddy as my "3 pounds lost" status might makes it seem... :wink:

He's also saying what works for a lot of MEN who often have more muscle mass and usually higher metabolisms than women. My partner is 6'1' and he needs 3000 calories a day just for maintenance! So just 'cutting out the burgers' and 'exercising a bit more' would work for him to lose weight, as he's got a lot of calorie room…

People's choice weight is just two pounds under my goal--142 rather than 145. Interesting. Also, Alexandra above who said, 'Callista Flockhart is not under my fat.' You made me Lol! :laugh:

Someone on here once called the scale a Random Number Generator. It's true. I've said this many times and I'll say it again: when I was building a lot of muscle I went down a whole dress size without losing a pound. That's when I tossed out the scale and bought a tape measure.

Knowing I'll never regret having done it, but I will regret NOT doing it. But really for me the biggest motivator is that I eat back my exercise calories, and I like to eat. Just looking at my diary and thinking how little I'll get to have for the rest of the day if I don't go to the gym usually will get me out the door.…

Love my Polar FT4! Buying it was essential for me for losing weight. I find it really motivating.

I was going to add to this thread before I read to the end. It seems to have turned into something else!

Also try to make sure you have some time to yourself, or just with you and your boyfriend--you'll be better able to keep your cool and stay confident if you have time to recharge away from behavior you find stressful.

If you like exercise DVDs try Chalene's Cardio Party Turbo Jam. You do these knee lift things that are like standing crunches--lots of ab work but as it's built into the routine you don't notice it! I hate crunches too.

Thanks for the responses everybody! Sounds like there are no guarantees but there IS reason to hope, which is good. Kdiamond, I've been lifting heavy weights for about two weeks now and I cannot BELIEVE the difference it's made, particularly in my arms. They are toning up practically before my eyes. It makes me mad…

It is sad, to feel stuck with people who aren't capable of appreciating you fully and/or who mostly use you as a way to try to make themselves feel better. If you don't know anyone who can support these choices off-line maybe you could look for a group to join--some areas have running/walking groups, healthy cooking…

What's NSV? (Sorry!):smile:

I weigh myself at the gym--it's an added incentive to go there!

In the UK Weight Watchers do these chocolate/vanilla mousse cups and I use them for just these moments. Something about the velvety texture of the mousse is very satisfying. And only 103 calories.

If I'm really in a hurry and don't want to feel too full, I just go for a banana! I can eat it as I walk to the gym if necessary.

I lost about 40 pounds two years ago, by counting calories and exercising. When I stopped I was still 20 pounds from my goal weight, but I had slimmed down enough that I could wear normal clothes etc and felt more or less comfortable. So I plateaud big time (though I haven't put any back on, which I'm proud of). Plus I had…

I second RunKeeper. I run in the city and have to stop and start for lights and I love that it has an auto-pause that detects when you've stopped moving. I used to have a Garmin but it was rubbish at picking up GPS, much worse than my phone. But maybe they've improved...

Don't rely too much on the scale, esp. if you are doing heavy lifting! I have gone down a full dress size in the past without losing a pound while I was gaining a lot of muscle. Try measuring instead as a way of keeping track.

London, originally from the States!

I second the Beach Body Turbo Jam recommendation. I did those when I had a knee injury and couldn't jump at all and they gave really good cardio. Also I grew to love the instructor, Chalene. She is really encouraging! I also liked being able to just do it at home, whenever, without having to leave the house or get to a…

brilliant, you guys! thanks so much for the suggestions so far. i'm in the UK and i find the beef jerky here is terrible--i should get my mom to send from the States!

Thanks Zozza--great idea! I sometimes do something like this for breakfast but hadn't considered it for a snack.

i'm glad you posted this! it's a reminder not only that skinny isn't always healthy but also that other people have LOTS of reactions to our weight gains/losses etc that are often uninformed and have WAY more to do with them than us. it's like they think our journey is a spectator sport and they are the commentators!

I agree with M Shuman, if you work out a lot and esp if you do weight training, you need to focus on your size/measurements/how your clothes fit, rather than the scale. When doing lots of muscle building I have gone down an entire size in the past without dropping a pound! I think the good thing about MFP is the way it…

Thanks, that's super helpful!!:happy: