HurricaneJulia

Maintaining a consistent eating and work out routine really is key. You don't have to go to the gym 5 days a week, but just try to be active for at least a half hour every day. Go on a walk after dinner or something. If you're stuck on the gym, try 2 or 3 days a week to start. You can keep it there or increase after you've…

You can tone with high weights and low reps too. The endless endless reps thing only works when you are using heavy enough weights to challenge your muscle.

This is a great guide that goes over what you're looking for, I think! http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/womans_lean_sexy_bible.htm

For the first few weeks, I would stay with relatively low weight; about as much as gets your muscles to a good fatigue after 10-15 reps. When you start increasing your weight, lower your reps (first 8-12 and then 6-10) so you don't strain yourself. If you begin to feel ANY sharp, shooting pain, stop and lower your weight.…

frustration*

Thank you all so much! About the trying on clothes thing, shopping used to be just the biggest NIGHTMARE ever. It was especially impossible for me to find pants that fit. Now not only can I fit into something at every store, I'm wearing sizes 4-6, which was unfathomable even a year ago. Just goes to show that ignoring the…

You look so happy and your face is glowing! Congratulations and keep up the good work.

You both look fantastic, like totally different people!

Yes! Harry was always my favorite.

Welcome! I also have been playing the weight game pretty much as long as I can remember. I joined this site with the last 20 pounds to lose as well (: Let me tell ya that being able to see what you're eating and how it is changing is a helpful motivational tool. You're going to love it here.

I agree that seeing a nutritionist would be a good idea because they would be able to better assess your physical condition and set up a plan accordingly. I too have had a weird relationship to food pretty much as long as I can remember and it definitely makes decisions about your diet difficult. I went the simple route…

Sizes are really dependent on the particular brand, but I'd say to be an average "XL" you'd probably have a BMI of over 25, which would still be considered overweight. So that's around 160-180 for a person who is 5'6"

I was chubby my whole life and being one of the "weird kids" in school, I never really got into the athletic activities or anything for fear of being ridiculed. I also love the nerdier things in life (anime, video games, books, documentaries, what have you) and I am in a similar boat as far as weight loss goals. My weight…

Congrats! You look awesome!

Grande unsweetened soy chai in the Winter, venti unsweetened black tea lemonade in the Summer :D

Thank you guys for the suggestions!

Just eat as little sodium as possible. You don't have to follow all the little goals, just do what works for you (:

That's a REALLY big milestone. Congratulations!

Fruit! It digests quickly and you have lots of choices (:

Thank you for the tips! I've never been a runner either (bad knee), but I could definitely step it up in the gym.

I am wheat/dairy free, but you can have a look if you like (:

Welcome (: I've logged in every day since I joined because this site is such a big help! Good luck!

I think of them as a badge of my success. I remember what led me to acquire them and I remember all the hard work it took to reverse that effect. If I saw a girl who was in great shape, but had a few stretch marks, I'd think - Wow! She must have done really well for herself (:

I agree with the dried fruit comment. And apple slices don't make too much noise. Also, you could just try eating a filling meal right before so you're not hungry!

Bump, I have a similar problem.

Good job! I still hate running.

Thanks, everyone ^__^ I work out at home and at the gym. Mostly the gym, though.

Good way to put it lol

My sentiments exactly. Maybe I should just start dancing if I want that dancer's body! Haha

Good to see other people have the same problem as I do haha