enchantedgardener Member

I find that my bingeing is very much tied to my anxiety. Stress is a huge causal factor. I find that when I am stressed I don't want to eat. I have to remind myself to eat meals even if I'm not really hungry, because what invariably happens is that I become ravenously hungry and then binge on anything I can get my hands…

I had a really bad food binge last week. One large bag of potato chips, 4 chocolate bars, and 1 box of crackers in one afternoon. It left me feeling pretty nasty, too. It may take your body a couple days to get back to normal after a binge. Everyone is different in this regard, but I think 24-48 hours is typical. Drinking…

I've struggled with depression since I was a little girl. I don't know what causes it, but I've come to believe it's something that I just have to live with. I have also dealt with anxiety, which mostly seems to be caused by the depression. I've been on medication for a few years. After having tried a few different types,…

I would honestly suggest that you learn to cook. It's a skill that will serve you well for the rest of your life. It will save you money and enable you to eat healthier. Basic cooking skills are not difficult to learn.

Of course it is possible to lose weight while on antidepressants. It's also possible to gain weight or just maintain your weight while on antidepressants. You say you are eating 'right'. I assume you mean you are eating healthy foods most of the time. However, if you are eating too many or too few calories you will find it…

I add some to soups and pasta sauces in the last few minutes of cooking.

Great job with your progress so far! Starting a fitness program will definitely improve your overall health and will help with losing those last stubborn pounds. I'm no expert on creating workout plans, so do take that in consideration. I think what you've outlined is a great starting point, but you'll need to change it up…

I want to try butternut squash with feta! That sounds amazing.

Ricotta cheese blended with peanut butter and a dash of cinnamon. I spread this on apple slices or toast.

I've struggled with low iron as well, and I know it is difficult to get enough without resorting to iron-fortified breads and cereals. Shellfish such as mussels, clams, and oysters have more iron per serving than any other meat-based source. Considering that they are high in protein, low fat, and a good source of many…

Hi all! I'm a pansexual poly gal and would love more queer lady friends!

You need to determine 2 things. One is your basal metabolic rate or BMR. The other is your total daily energy expenditure or TDEE. BMR is the number of calories your body needs for your organs to keep you alive. If you were bedridden, this is what you'd need to consume in order to maintain your weight. TDEE is how many…

Yes, there certainly is a lot of variety in terms of protein powders on the market. Plenty of options out there for those of us trying to avoid junk such as artificial sweeteners, artificial flavours, etc. Most brands also have small packets available to try out their product before buying the larger and more economical…

All the low fat dairy products previously mentioned. I would also add low fat ricotta. Snack sized cans of tuna Hummus (varieties made with little/no oil) Edamame beans in the pods (my fave tv watching snack)

"bread contains a lot of empty calories"? Sure, the white stuff isn't particularly nutritious. Whole grain bread, on the other hand, is a source of B vitamins and minerals, not to mention healthy fiber. Either white or whole grain bread as part of a balanced meal, however, is still a perfectly good food. I don't think…

All the unhealthy eating I do is at work. And my binges, too, usually occur at work. I work in a restaurant. As a kitchen supervisor, I'm entitled to a free meal each day. Of course we have healthier options that I can choose from (salads, oven baked chicken, etc), the majority of the food I am surrounded by each day is…

My mom has been baking and freezing muffins for years. She takes one out of the freezer every night and it's thawed by morning and ready to eat. Any kind of muffin can be frozen. I wouldn't keep them more than a month or two due to the possibility of freezer burn, but longer would not harm them either.

I posted this recipe a couple days ago. It would work great with kale instead of beet greens. The boyfriend and I both really enjoyed it! http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1272421-beef-and-beet-greens-stew

Weighing from raw is more accurate because meats lose moisture (weight) while they cook. If you overcook a 4-oz raw piece of chicken, it will weigh less after cooking than the same piece of chicken that was cooked to just-done. This is especially true with steak, for example. Take two identical size steaks, one cooked to…

I started off doing 1200-1300 calories a day for the first few weeks. It was a great kickstarter for my weight loss, losing at the rate of about 2 lbs per week. It was not sustainable. I was hungry quite often and found it difficult to meet my calcium/iron requirements. I have been eating 1700 calories for the last few…

Eat food. It tastes better and is healthier for you. Calorie reduction leads to weight loss. But I'd rather my calories came from yummy food I enjoy, not chalky artificial strawberry-flavoured goo.

No need to cleanse. It's a gimmick to sell products, books, supplements. You can eliminate cravings by cutting back on the things you shouldn't eat and eating more healthy things you enjoy. It doesn't take any magic formula. It does take some willpower though, especially at the beginning. Get rid of the junk or 'trigger'…

My favourite, hands-down, is Cortand. We used to pick them at the orchard when I was a kid, so the flavour brings back memories. Slightly tart, crisp, juicy. Great for eating raw. It can be tough to find good ones out of season. My go-to grocery store variety was Gala, but I've gotten sick of them. I now usually get Mutsu…

So, basically what you're saying is that you need to increase your overall caloric intake without increasing your fat intake. You're already following a really healthy diet full of nutrition foods, so that's great! Is there any particular reason you're not eating complex carbohydrates? While fruits and veggies are great…

I'm not sure how much research has been done on the topic, but I've read a few articles that suggest there is a link between cravings for specific foods and being low in a particular nutrient which that food provides. I know I read an article on the topic in a fitness magazine recently, but I can't remember where. :/

I pulled my spring/summer clothes out of storage a couple days ago. It looks like I'm going to have to do some shopping: all my stuff from last year is too big! My summer dresses were sizes 16 and 18, now I'm definitely a 12 or 14 depending on the style/cut. Woohoo!!!

I don't know why supermarkets call it anise. It's fennel. The anise plant looks similar to fennel, but only fennel produces a large edible bulb. It's funny.... I HATE black liquorice, but I love fennel. Maybe because the flavour doesn't seem overpowering to me as it does in liquorice candy? I probably buy a couple bulbs of…

I've had good luck with the Shock Absorber sports bras. The styles I own don't have underwire, but other styles might.

It may be in the 'natural'/organics section, if there is one in your store. You may have to check out a bulk foods store (less expensive) or a health food store (more expensive) to find it. It IS delicious! Some brands require a quick rinse before cooking to eliminate a bitter compound that surrounds the seed while it…

You look great! Thanks for sharing your pics. It's so inspiring to see your progress!