ajravanos Member

if you use it correctly & actually understand that you need to make a lifestyle change longterm, it works great. i was on it last year for two months, lost nearly 50lbs & only gained 3lbs back around Christmas. Eventually lost the 3lbs + more because I didn't go back to old eating habits. if you think you're mentally ready…

before after (taken a few days ago -- excuse the rats nest on my head haha) around 100lbs lost between those two pictures. all together, since i started my weight loss journey, i've lost almost 200lbs. still want to lose around 40-50 more. whew...final stretch, here we go :D

before (yikes) after (excuse the rat nest on top of my head...) around 100lbs lost between those two pictures. all together, since i started my weight loss journey, i've lost almost 200lbs. still want to lose around 40-50 more. whew...final stretch, here we go :D

i had the same problem - not enough potassium, charlie horses in the middle of the night. i started taking a potassium tablet, added to my daily intake of 3 different supplements/multi-vitamin, & no more leg cramps for me :)

the elliptical machine is my go-to cardio (& outdoor running if i still have daylight by the time i get off of work...which is maybe once a week). for the most part, i am in the gym 5 to 6 times a week. i shoot for 6 days a week, but my gym likes to randomly close down at 7pm on some nights & i am not home from work then.…

i get really excited when my dinner is just a giant bowl of brussel sprouts. never saw that one comin'....

when i was 14, i begged my mom to buy me this dress that was way too small for me. so small, in fact, i couldn't even pull it half way down my arms while trying to put it on over my head. i wanted it for a few reasons a) it was really pretty & b) i wanted to have it for when i lost weight (thinking that was going to be a…

thanks everyone! for the most part, i'm not a beer drinker, so i especially don't know anything about beer festivals. it didn't even cross my mind that the tastings would be somewhat small. with that in mind, i'm not worried about it anymore. for some stupid reason (which honestly doesn't make any sense now that i think…

10 days each level -- but it's honestly up to you when you want to progress. i did the "traditional" way when i first did it & it worked well. i've also done it where i started on level two & alternated levels after a few days. i don't think it really matters as long as you do it.

the same thing happened to me. i was stuck on the same weight for over 6 months, & that was while i was keeping track of my food, taking kick-boxing classes 4 times a week, & strength training 3 times a week. your body could be doing what mine did & has just gotten used to the walks that you take, therefore has stopped…

there's not too much on mine right now, but so far i've got: blackened salmon, brussel sprouts, sweet kale & veggie salad mix, unsweetened almond milk, & coconut la croix i could eat that sweet kale mix all day, every day. so good

hah, everything? not really...but sort of. no more cheez-its, triscuits, dips, chips, swiss rolls ( :'( ), or christmas tree zebra cakes. as much as i wish i could still have them & eat these in moderation, i know myself too well to know that ain't gonna happen. had to cut them out entirely. & a part of me is dead because…

thanks, all!

she got tired of us arguing over who has better tatoos

ethically, i think it's incredible. health wise, consult your doctor. i was a vegetarian for 6 years & did so without asking my doctor about it. i'd get sick all the time, easily bruised, high fatigue, etc. i was younger, stubborn, lived far away & by myself, & never went to the doctor. many years later, when i came home…

i am an avid user of essential oils. i have been able to stop taking my thyroid & hormone medications because of the oils i use that target those areas. & before anyone jumps down my throat, i go to the doctor regularly (my sister-in-law is one) & was told i was able to ditch the medication. i've been back to the doctor…

if you like ranch dressing, this dressing is an AMAZING alternative. seriously, this stuff is so good. in a blender: 1 large avocado 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1/2 cup greek yogurt 1 teaspoon hot sauce 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 garlic cloves 3/4 teaspoon salt keep fresh in a mason jar & enjoy :)

used to be extremely overweight as a child. haven't eaten that way in almost 5 years. i've had a MFP account for a few years, just started using it on sunday...so my goals need to be updated for sure. i know how i gained the weight; but like everything else in life, things change. my eating habits & life-style being two of…

$20 a month for planet fitness. paid the higher price so i could go to any planet fitness in the country since i travel often for work. it's not the best gym if you're planning to go for a full body, intense work out, but i only use it for their cardio equipment...so it gives me what i need for a cheap price.

thank you so much for everyones input. i truly do appreciate it! to clear things up about me going to school for health & nutrition, i just started my program in august. i still have a long way to go, obviously. i am well aware that the amount of time i work out with the way i eat isn't healthy, which is why i posted about…

you're right, but i literally just started my program...so i still have a lot (everything) to learn. hah

for a meal, i make a pretty killer kale & quinoa salad that i could probably eat every day for the rest of my life. freshly chopped kale cup of quinoa goats cheese dried cranberries &/or golden raisins (natural, unsweetened) toasted almonds or pine nuts salt pepper lemon juice olive oil & balsamic vinegar for a snack, i…

it depends. if i am laying in bed, knowing that i probably wont fall asleep for a few hours, & still hungry, i will usually eat a hard boiled egg or a bit of chicken (usually a tenderloin, if i have taken the time to make any). if i am hungry & already half asleep, knowing that once i hit the bed, i will be out again, i…

what exercises do you recommend?

thanks everyone! just trying to slim down these wide hips of mine, & have been told numerous times that side planks are the way to go -- was just a bummer that i couldn't do them. haha i will be trying out these modified versions tomorrow! thanks again

I retained most of my knowledge through research & talking to a nutritionist myself. I became interested in nutrition & how the body works a few years ago, so reading up on all the information I can find was very interesting for me. By no means do I think I know everything I need to know, though. I just started my masters…

Thankfully, I have a family who is willing to trade in most of the heavy foods for something lighter. I am not too concerned when it comes to actual meals (desserts included. I've been lucky enough to slip in raw & vegan desserts over the past few years without anyone noticing much of a difference haha). I do tend to have…

I do both. I go to the gym for 45 mins to an hour to use the elliptical & bikes, but I do all of my weight/strength training at home (via youtube). I used to only go to the gym & use the weight machines there, but they just don't work for me + I don't like those machines very much. However, I didn't want to give up my…

No worries! I probably should have explained that from the beginning. But, thanks! Me too haha!

Thanks guys! My diet is restrictive, I agree, but I have some health issues that make weight loss really tough. The diet I am currently on was given to me by a doctor & is being monitored, so I am being safe about it. I will eventually incorporate some fruit & grains, but for right now, in order to align the health things…