CarynMacD

I don't understand what you are on about. I'm not advocating that anyone be the "food God". And as I mentioned, I quite agree with sin taxes on cigarettes and alcohol.

How many times do I have to say that I am NOT offering health advice or advocating that smoking is okay! It's just a light-hearted article I am working on in light of sin tax. Seriously! Do some research yourself and you will see that the obesity problem far outweighs (excuse the pun) the smoking problem. I AM healthier…

No...only the fat old ones who smoke...... just kidding!

Obesity kills as many people as smoking does. However, there are more obese people in the world than smokers - especially in South Africa. True, I am at risk because I smoke, but I can tell you right off the bat that I am a LOT healthier than a lot of women I know who are my age who are obese and don't smoke. For now.....…

I'm absolutely not advocating that smoking is healthy - don't get me wrong. The intention of this article is to highlight the ridiculousness of imposing a sin-tax on sweetened drinks. There was a study conducted a while ago (I'll have to try and locate it) wherein it was suggested that women who smoke and exercise…

Thanks eveyone.... I think I've got it!

Best I go and fix my food diary then.... for saturday (I think it was) I put down that I had 5 x cups of popcorn! :bigsmile:

Any friend of Kari's is a friend of mine :-)

So does that mean that the database values on MFP for say, 1 cup popcorn = x amount of calories is that 1 cup of dry popcorn?

Mmmm I suspected that.......... Will have to get my fat % checked.

Thanks so much. This is a great help. Been messing with my numbers all week! On my non-exercise days, would I then use the "couch potato" number or just carry on with the "including exercise" number?

I'm so glad you posted about this? Does the same apply to popcorn? Weigh it before popping?

Hi, I'm Caryn. Current Stats: Age: 45 Height: 5'4.5" CW: 164.6 Lbs GW: 132Lbs Chest: 90cm Bust: 102cm Waist: 84cm Abdomen: 101cm Hips/Buttocks: 107cm Thighs: 67cm My first day was yesterday, and this is what I managed: 10 Minute warm-up on eliptical Squat 2 x 15 (20kg) Note to self - too heavy, form was poor - decrease to…

Hi, I'm Caryn. Current Stats: Age: 45 Height: 5'4.5" CW: 164.6 Lbs GW: 132Lbs Chest: 90cm Bust: 102cm Waist: 84cm Abdomen: 101cm Hips/Buttocks: 107cm Thighs: 67cm My first day was yesterday, and this is what I managed: 10 Minute warm-up on eliptical Squat 2 x 15 (20kg) Note to self - too heavy, form was poor - decrease to…

Yay Lisa! Thanks for the encouragement. I just know that it is going to work out fine. I have lots of dumbbells and barbells at home, a bench, a mat, swiss balls, skipping rope and thankfully I am also a member at a gym. There are NO excuses. As mentioned earlier, I'm going to do NROLFW and will take a progress picture…

^^^ This^^^

Oh and remember, Once you have sliced up your eggplant - sprinkle salt all over it and put it on something like a grill rack for about half an hour. Wash it off and pat dry. This will elimate any of the bitterness it may contain.

Roast Veg Cous Cous Salad (Serve at room temp) Approx 6 Servings 1 x Butternut cut into chunks 250g Mushrooms (cut into chunks) 1 (or 2) Eggplant (cut into chunks) 1 Small Onion (leafed) 1 Yellow Pepper (Sliced) 1 (or 2) Cloves Garlic (Crushed) Grill in the oven with a little coarse salt and olive oil....then for the last…

@ smarieallen85 - Thanks. I just a quick peak at your pics - you look great at 148! I reached 146 last year and did not look anywhere as healthy as you! Yay to lifting!

Thanks! I love love love nakd bars!

Oh! Silly me. - Thanks for that. I'll re-calculate.

Great advice. I've re-set my calorie intake to around 300 cals under TDEE. I've upped my protein ratio too. It's not quite at 1gm/lb of body weight, otherwise I would only be on about 5-10% carbs and that would not be sustainable. So in short, I've re-set my macros at 30% Carbs 40% Protein and 30% Fat. I'll try this out…

Great advice. I don't even know where to start with regard choosing a weight. I thought I would start with bodyweight fist (on the exercises I can just use bodyweight) and see from there. I'm dying for tomorrow to be over so I can report back!

This is just the sort of thing I was hoping to hear. Well done! The program you are on now is exactly what I am hoping to do: 3 days of lifting with 3 days of eliptical inbetween. However I go sailing every second weekend so that will replace the long walks on the weekends. I am so excited to hear fabulous news like this…

Thank you Thank you Thank you! It is absolutely wonderful that people are noticing a difference after just three months! Well Done! And did I say Thank You!

So it was not just me having a blonde moment then - I thought maybe it was some sort of new fitness fad or something. :laugh: Fabulous shrink! That's exactly what my goal is - to shrink! If the scale wants to also co-operate, that's a bonus!

@ cmeiron - Thanks! I'm definately going to do as you all have suggested. Small deficit and lift! I have to say that I also lost quite a bit of weight last year doing loads of cardio, but, my appearance was not on a par with the amount of weight I lost doing cardio. Hi Ho Hi Ho - it's off to the weightroom I go! ETA: I'm…

@ FJS - Giving up the cardio is going to be really difficult for me...... I just don't feel like I've worked out unless I am breathless. So if I lift three times a week, would it be okay to do light cardio, say the cross trainer, the other three days, or will I be defeating the object of gaining muscle. My worst fear is…

Hi Sarahrbraun - Thanks so much for that inspiration. I am looking forward to hitting the weight room tomorrow.... a bit nervous... but excited nonetheless. I'm okay with small weight losses. I suppose when you get to 40+ it's more the inches that count... and looking good naked!

Thanks Geebusuk (Sp?) Perhaps I should start off with a small calorie deficit say 300 cals for the first month and then assess and change if need be. If I loose 1Kg (2.2 pounds) a month, I will be happy. Even though, I must say, it's not really the weight I want to focus on this time around. I really want to focus on…