kwardklinck

If you log faithfully for a month, you'll be hooked. I did this on my own for about 2 months before I came here. The weight loss was much more consistent after starting MFP. The logging is so helpful because you're accountable for everything you put in your mouth. It also encourages you to exercise because the more you…

I enter my Bootcamp workout as "circuit training" because there are plyometrics and cardio involved in the workout. My heart rate is up the whole time, so I'm burning more than just "strength training" would burn.

Welcome. I started my "new life" a little over a year ago. The logging is so easy and I actually enjoy exercise. This is the longest I've been able to maintain healthy eating and physical fitness. I'm also smaller and more fit than I've been in years. MFP is great!

LOL I can so relate. I was raised to "Clean my plate." My litte bitty friends always leave part of their food or take some of it home but I have this need to eat everything I've been given. I'm so proud of you. You did a great job!

Measuring out your food is the best way. It's not what you eat so much as it is sticking to the appropriate portions of what you eat. I don't think all of my entries are completely accurate, but I usually go under about 50 or 100 calories in my logging just to make adjustments for any errors.

Water weight. Try drinking tea or water with lemon in it. Once your body gets used to the exercise, it won't hold the water in your muscles anymore.

Zumba and Power pump at the gym. Zumba is so much fun it barely feels like a work out and I always feel so strong when I do Power Pump.

Are you doing weight training? If you want to really see a difference in your body shape and in your pant size, I recommend it.

Great work.

What kept me going was a pair of pants I had in my closet. I kept them out and tried them on every now and then. I knew I was doing well when they zipped up and actually felt loose on me. It was a proud day when I could announce to my husband that none of the clothes in my closet were too small anymore.

When you enter your exercise, it will automatically calculate your exercise calories into your amount of calories to eat for the day. I know it sounds crazy and this is the first thing I've ever done that told me to eat more based on my workouts. It does work though. It helps speed up your metabolism naturally.

Um stupid. He said eat one meal a day but don't lose more than 2 pounds a month? How is that even possible? That's like eating a whole lot of calories at one sitting every day and that's not good for your stomach. I'd say find a new doctor. He's ridiculous.

Chinese food is full of sodium. You probably need to watch your portions and drink water or tea with lemon juice the whole day.

I usually weigh in the morning after a day's break from exercise.

Thanks everyone! My only question is about the amount of calories, i set mine myself at 2200. Is there a way or maybe some kind of formula that tells you your recommended amount of weight loss in how many calories you should take in during a day? Because I have just been keeping myself at the number or below it since I…

Weight loss isn't consistent but you have to be. 8 pounds in less than a month is great weight loss! I would give it another week. If you still haven't lost, make an adjustment.

I worked for a female doctor who was 5'2 and weighed 130 pounds. She was a size 0 and very tight and toned everywhere. The measuring tape, body fat percent tester, and clothing sizes are a much better indicator of how you're doing.

I'm 5'4 and have a goal weight of 125. I'm at 130 now and like how most of my body looks. I'm still concentrating on my lower belly, butt, and thighs. I am working out a lot though. I think I'll know when I hit my goal and am trying not to put too much emphasis on the scale.

For the salt craving, I have popcorn. For the chocolate craving, I have coffee with a yummy creamer or a low calorie hot chocolate drink. I also drink more water with lemon juice during this time. It helps combat the bloat.

I find it hard to get a balanced diet in if I eat below the 1200 number but maybe that's just me. What I can tell you is that I actually eat more food every day than my overweight friends. I'm losing and they're not.

I couldn't keep up with the sugar restrictions because I eat fruit and I have two servings per dairy per day. I removed that from my food log. I never go over on carbs though. I think that guideline is pretty easy to follow. I generally go a little over on protein and a little under on carbs.

I agree with the others who suggest you see a doctor. It concerns me that anyone would call you "hefty" or encourage you to eat so little every day.

I usually have eggs and turkey bacon for breakfast. I don't know if you like eggs but it could help.

Great job! It is hard. I'm a teacher and get lots of candy from my kids on Valentine's day. I divided the treats up between my son and my hubby.

I notice that if I'm getting a lot of muscle cramps, I need a vitamin supplement. Are you taking any?

If you cut something out of your diet, your body gets used to that. If you lose fast by cutting carbs, you're going to gain fast when you start eating them again. A 40 pound weight gain in 6 months seems excessive to me. Even at my worst, I never gained more than 25 pounds in a year. Her experience tells me that cutting…

God love you sweetie. I'm so sorry for what you've been through. I hope it turns around for you.

The good thing about MFP is that you do eat a lot, but it's healthy stuff. I know people are really wondering how I can eat so much at lunch and still lose. I just chuckle to myself. My metabolism is so efficient now I can actually partake in bad foods every now and then and it doesn't add weight to me. :)

When I get bored with my food and my exercise, I make some changes. You have to focus on the long term. Pull out some old pants you'd like to fit back into and keep them out. Try them on every week until they fit. I think the biggest motivator for me was getting into all my old skinny clothes. I realized that the effort…

I always look up the nutrition information before I eat something. It's really hard to judge what will be low calorie. Another problem is that if you choose a low calorie option at a restaurant, it will most likely be loaded with sodium. Best advice I can give, is just plan it all out before you eat it.