smsquash Member

I’m a little bit obsessed with anime (weird for a middle aged mom, I know.) Last winter I took my daughter to a crazy thrift store and in a pile on the floor I found this really nice, thick, high quality Attack on Titan Scouts sweatshirt. I LOVED it and new it would have cost me at least $55 - $60, but it was a medium, and…

Hi there. I wanted to stop back here to thank all of you who took the time to read through my post, and offer your experience, suggestions and help. I also wanted to say that today I was feeling kind of down about it all. I had decided to skip my ride, but wanted to do something with my 8-year-old daughter, and she wanted…

Hi. I am a beginner cyclist and have a few questions I’m hoping I might be able to get some advice on? First, some background: I’m mid-40’s, haven’t really ridden a bike since I was a kid. Had spinal surgery a few years ago because I developed cauda equine syndrome. I have nerve damage (permanent) from my waist down and…

I plan for an awesome hike or a paddle or a bike ride somewhere that I don’t have time for unless I make it a day trip (or a half day trip). I love taking “mini adventures” and use milestones as an excuse to take a day and go exploring somewhere natural and beautiful.

My absolute favorite kale chips recipe: http://www.alloy.com/well-being/original-sour-cream-and-onion-kale-chips-recipe-from-vegan-chef-douglas-mcnish/

One thing I've noticed is that if I'm prepared with healthy foods that I like, I'm less likely to eat whatever is quickest and most decadent. And once I've eaten something satisfying, it's easier to have the willpower to make other healthy choices. I cook a bunch of random stuff on Sundays now. I make a pot of lentils, a…

Thanks! :smile: It's ok, going through that forced me to face my mortality honestly, and I needed to do that. It blew up my whole life so that I had to rebuild a new one. It gave me the time and the opportunity to do that intentionally. It also allowed me to recognize how many good people there are in the world, and how…

Hi there. Way back in 2014 I was doing great. I was down 15# and feeling successful. But, then I suffered a severe disc herniation, developed cauda equina syndrome and ended up having to have a major emergency spinal surgery. Although the surgery fixed my herniation and relieved the pressure on my nerves, the damage was…

I love the outdoors and being outside. I've hiked, backpacked and camped most of my adult life. Had a medical emergency in early 2015 that led to major emergency back surgery, and have some nerve damage, minor paralysis and balance issues since then that have really set me back. Luckily we live rurally in Vermont and just…

I went to the Fair yesterday, a September tradition. Usually I look forward all year to eating all the totally unique fair foods - maple cotton candy, maple fudge, nacho french fries, funnel cake with fruit and sugar, roasted corn, cream puffs and eclairs, build-your-own burritos...you get the idea. I went with my husband…

I requested to join, would like to be a part of the challenge. Thanks!

I like lentils a lot. I make a BBQ lentils with cooked lentils, veggies (onion/garlic/carrot/greens), and a homemade BBQ sauce that always includes blackstrap molasses for extra iron. You can also add newt yeast for B vitamins if you like. I also really like this:…

I love to eat at night as well. I used to have dinner, and then second dinner (yikes), and then snacks after second dinner. It is like a compulsion. I keep a whole selection now of foods that are practically zero calories - things like carrots, cucumber slices, green beans, broccoli, etc. etc. They also happen to be the…

Congratulations! Your story resonated with me. I am also turning 40 next year, also decided to get fit because I felt like I was entering a new period of my life and wanted to do so with strength and vitality. And funny, I've been doing this for just over a month and just downloaded the C25K last week with the idea that it…

Hi. I'm 5'1&1/2" (and I'm 39 so we're close in age too) but I have a bit more to lose than you. I have lost and gained back the same 50 pounds, or sometimes I'd get halfway there and get complacent. I've been logging again, just for a month now, but this time has been really successful so far. What seems to be working for…

I'm only in my first month, and I'm almost 40 so I don't lose as quickly as I used to, but I've been walking and hiking 5-6 days a week, and I've lost 4 pounds so far. Also, even though the scale hasn't moved a ton, my pants have gone from being so tight I was embarrassed to be seen in them to actually being a little…

Thank you for posting this. Now I'm crying at work, darn it. :) Really though, thank you.

I'm going to splurge and do a retro pinup boudoir photo session. My husband and I are only two months apart in age, so it can be a birthday gift for both of us. :) Seriously though, I'm turning 40 next year and if I can go into the next decade feeling strong, sexy and capable, it will be wonderful. That's what the photo…

5' 1 & 1/2" here. I'm trying to lose around 55 pounds total I guess, but really the goal is a ballpark. I just want to be healthy and strong again, and I want it to be a lifestyle change so instead of focusing on a number or a weight, I'm committing to a year of healthy living (daily exercise and staying within my MFP…

Cheesecake. Pie. Green & Black's toffee milk chocolate bars. Pastry. Cream cheese.

Hi there. I'm 5'1 1/2 and around 178. In my head, I have a goal of 125-130, but instead of worrying about the numbers on the scale I decided this time to commit to a year of health. So...I stay within my calorie goal as much as possible. I try to exercise every day, but if I get in five days I feel pretty good about it. I…

These were one of the best vegan things I have EVER tried: http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2013/02/mexican-fried-eggplant-sandwich-vegan-tortas-pambazos-recipe.html In fact this site has 60 vegan recipes and a lot of them are amazing. They aren't all healthy/whole food/low cal though, so browse with caution, but YUM. If…

This reminds me of a weird habit I had when I went from 180 to about 130. Every time I would go shopping, I would always choose clothing much larger than I needed. Even though I knew I fit into the smaller clothes, I would look at them and think, "that's so tiny, you'll never fit into that, better get the bigger size." And…

Hmmm...well, I absolutely hate the inconvenience of logging everything. Hate it! I'm terrible at math, and I'm pretty disorganized in general (although I'm really good at language / writing / english and LOVE the blogging component). I like MFP because it works, and because it gives me a plan and helps me to make the right…

I'm a life-long vegetarian, but I have never been a very healthy eater. When I was a baby / little kid, my parents gave me a ton of soy, which we now know is not good for the body (or the thyroid). Also back in the day (I was born in the 70's) their doctors were saying use cheese as a replacement for meat as a staple food,…

Oh fun! Congratulations. When I had my daughter (she will be 2 at the end of April) I had never really been around a baby before. Seriously, had never changed a diaper, or even spent any time with a baby. A couple of things I learned that I wasn't expecting: 1. Don't get too attached to any of the routines you figure out…