KerryITD Member

I love this thread--thank you all! I struggle with choosing health over comfort, but you've all motivated me to push harder today.

If I stretch well, I don't get sore unless I overworked to the point my muscles were on fire or rubbery feeling during the workout. If I pushed that hard, no amount of stretching helps, lol. But if I don't stretch at all (or don't drink enough water), I'll be sore often.

What's my biggest obstacle? Hmmm there are so many...or at least, so many I use for excuses. :) My job keeps me away from my house for 11 hours a day (and tied to a computer for most of it). I *hate* not being home (I used to work from home before getting outsourced several times and I miss it like crazy); I get bored…

Hi there! My name is Kerry and I'm 55. No kids, but have a dog, 3 cats, and a husband. I've always had weight issues but if I 1) log my food 2) do some cardio and 3) do strength training it usually comes off. Getting all 3 components in place is the hard part--I usually manage 2 at a time but seldom all of them. I'm hoping…

wow! you look tremendous and SO HAPPY.

yay Patti! Way to go.

I make an herbal iced teal using a cinnamon stick, a big handful of mint (or a couple of mint tea bags if I don't have fresh), and a packet or two of stevia. Makes about a quart. It may not sound good, but it synergizes into something great and is very refreshing.

Going from a 16 to a 12? Wow! My advice is to throw your scale out, keep doing what you're doing, and CELEBRATE. After all, isn't the whole goal to be smaller and more fit? Who cares about weight when that's obviously happening?

I like stevia as it's all natural, but some people notice a bitter aftertaste (my husband does, but I don't!). Lately I've been sticking a cinnamon stick in the cup--it gives a sweet mellowness and the stick can be reused multiple times.

I love my dehydrator. I first had a very cheap round one that had no fan, and nothing dried consistently--I kept having to rotate the trays. And the center hole and round trays limited how much you could put in. Then I got a nice Excalibur at a yard sale (for $15!) and that's what I've used for the past 20 odd years. I…

Most organic pesticides don't linger in the environment (or on your food) as long as synthetic ones do. They tend to break down more quickly and therefor don't require as much washing. I just like the taste or organic food better--it's usually less bitter. Ever try an organic banana or carrot? YUM.

1. Meat is leaner, but usually no tougher and MUCH more flavorful. Eggs from pastured chickens are much tastier as well--darker yolk, white that makes baked goods rise higher, etc. 2. I raise chickens for eggs so I do know about the various ways to keep livestock. Believe me when I say feedlots and factory farms do not…

I like them too--especially in asian dishes like stir fries with maybe a teriyaki sauce. Quick, easy, and no guilt. :)

I haven't read every post in this thread, but to answer the OP's original question--pastured or free range is best for 2 reasons: it's better for us and better for the animals. 1) Animals allowed to walk around and eat grass have a healthier body composition than those in feed lots, which makes their meat and eggs…

It's harder to lose weight with PCOS, but it CAN be done! For me, cutting down/out white carbs (flour, sugar, potatoes) and balancing carbs with protein, fat, and/or fiber at every meal was key. Also, cardio will help with blood pressure, but strength training helps your muscles become more insulin sensitive, which will…

I love the book, "Strong Women Stay Young" as a start to home weights.

to the OP: yes, I do think men in general are more OK with an extra 20 lbs--certainly my husband is! to Joanne--that's very interesting about your ideal weight! I'm also 237 and 5'7", and I'm in size 22s. More and more I'm convinced it's all about body fat percentages and not the number on the scale. I think that's the…

the zombie eating plan? <brains!> ;)

I have PCOS too and while I like the idea of IF (I'm not usually hungry until noon anyway), I find if I go too long without food I get a wicked headache.

When I'm ravenous when I get home, it's usually from 1 of 2 reasons: 1. I didn't eat enough during the day because I'm trying to hit too low of an overall calorie goal 2. I ate way more carbs than protein during the day When I balance the carbs better and got out of the 1200-cal-a-day mindset, I'm happier and it's easier.…

I make bread all the time, and even sell it at my local farmer's market. I highly recommend the book "Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day" for an easy method that has very little mess and makes truly excellent crusty bread.

I'm for vaccines. I was a veterinary technician during the time when the parvo vaccine was developed. Dogs (usually the very young or the very old) were dying a horrible death, then...they were not. Once enough of the population was vaccinated, it protected many who were not--that's what happens with herd immunity. We're…

Have you had your body fat tested? What you needed to do to lose when you were younger may be different now because you have less lean body mass (including less muscle). After all, your fat doesn't need any calories and won't burn them either. :) Even the best HRM doesn't take body fat percentage into account, so it may be…

Slaid Cleaves, "Wishbone" or "Broke Down"

Thanks for this. You look amazing and sound so centered about it all! Now your hip no longer has to be your primary focus, do you think you'll struggle with the continuing journey?

I take it one step easier and make scrambled eggs in a jar. Crack an egg into a glass canning jar (jelly jar size, 1 cup), and add a few drops of olive oil or a tablespoon of cottage cheese or leftover cooked veggies. I take that to work and microwave it for 30-60 seconds, stopping halfway through to stir. It's moist and…

i have no idea if this is possible for you, but veterinarian's offices usually have scales set into the floor that can be manually tared. You might still have to transfer to a chair that's been tared to zero, but any vet I ever worked for would have been happy to have the scales used for more than dogs. :)

I love the book "Strong Women Stay Young", and it's a great intro to free weights.

This is a great thread! I also live out in the countryside--north Mississippi for me. I've been a computer geek in e-learning for many years but got outsourced one too many times and now work at a university. The transition from working at home to an 8-5 office job has been tough! I'm struggling to find the time to…

wow, my story is so similar--except you didn't give up! Way to go!