dopeysmelly Member

Oh yes, not wanting to buy bigger clothes is a HUGE (and incredibly vain) motivator for me. I had to buy EVERYTHING new except for one fleece which was microscopic on me to start with. The thought of having to buy all that again is just too much effort and waaay too much money.

Add me! I've been plant-based/vegan for 18 months-2 years (hard to remember how long).

Same here. It's a personal choice rather than a weight loss issue but I feel a lot better since cutting dairy and others have noticed to the extent they comment on how well I look.

I find it slightly more difficult to maintain than lose, but I struggle comparing the two. It seems that all the support out there from media to facebook groups to MFP (but less so), is all focused on LOSING, but when you've lost and you've made it, it becomes a lonelier game. It's just you, your head and your body. I…

This is what I did.

I'd agree with her, although much of the problem with no body of evidence is that there has been no funding for research into it rather than it's not true. I do know that for me it is absolutely the best way to eat. That doesn't mean that it's going to be the case for everyone, but you'll only know if you try. I did it for…

I stopped eating dairy and meat for a month to combat cholesterol issues. That was over 2 years ago! I said to myself that I could have fish and cheese once a month, but eventually just forgot to have them. It's actually much easier than you might expect. There are lots of great books and movies out there now. As for…

I used to, but now I can't really be bothered. As long as I'm getting the min RDA for protein, I'm happy with that, and it's pretty hard to go below that. I do track calcium and iron, and make sure I get enough Vitamin C with my iron to aid adsorption.

I take my own food generally and locate a grocery store at my destination before I leave. Jet lag screws me up and there's just no way around it. I do find that working out as much as possible, preferably outside, does help somewhat but not always. That and lots of water and just not being so hard on myself. I accept that…

Good advice here. I'd also suggest that you only compare "now" and "before" (whether that's weight, measurements, clothes etc) relatively infrequently, say once a month. It can take a while for the changes to show and you need patience, but the rewards are worth it. For weight I use Happy Scales app and only really look at…

I lost a lot of weight (1/3rd body weight), had quite a lot of saggy skin and boobs and after a year it had pretty much all sorted itself out, no creams, oils, surgery etc. I did work out but not intensively. And I'm early-40s (cough), so not exactly a spring chicken.

Absolutely, the cycle makes a difference. I can honestly predict when my next period is about to begin by what the scale does. This is why it's really important to look at your weight trend over quite an extended period of time. I use Happy Scales, log every day and don't worry about anything other than the trend.

DH noticed when I'd lost about 25lbs, other commented more like 35lbs in. I'm short (5'3") and was about 190lbs. It can take a while for it to become visible, but once you notice it's very hard not to be motivated.

It's perfectly possible to get the recommended amount, but watch the database entries. Also, watch the sodium content of foods like chicken. It may have potassium in, but chicken etc. are generally injected with brine during processing, which kinda defeats the purpose of getting your potassium intake up.

I vote for roasted/baked veggies as well. I just chop up a load and put them into the oven at 400F. It's easy and adds a bit of variety. No oil needed.

You may have lost water weight in the first week. Don't give up! You've lost 3.5lbs!! What will happen if you give up? The 3.5lbs will go back on, and then maybe some more. What will happen if you carry on? You'll keep the 3.5lbs off, learn how to get rid of the rest over time and how to keep it off. Pretty simple choice.

Sounds like muscle to me if you're working out more. It can take quite a few pounds for me to notice it in my clothes and I'm pretty small (5'3"). You'll be surprised at how your muscle tone changes with any new activity, not just lifting weights.

I work out, and then wait until I'm actually hungry before eating again.

Not sure what you're asking. what dietary restrictions do you have to work with?

It absolutely is a mindset. I grieved a bit when I reached maintenance and realized I would never be able to go back to my former habits, and I figured that it was OK to feel that regret as long as I didn't act on it beyond the odd special occasion/holiday. To be honest, after a few months of maintenance you'll forget how…

If your weight is stable and you're comfortable with what it is (don't feel weak etc.), then the problem doesn't appear to be getting enough calories. It sounds that you are successfully regulating yourself through appetite to maintain weight over time, which is perfectly fine. DH often has a variable appetite as well, and…

I hate to break it to you, but the chances of keeping that weight off are very low. It's going to be mostly water, which your body will replenish once you start eating even a little bit more. It's more important that you fuel your body carefully for recovery with lots of fruits and vegetables and lots of water, and also…

My experience is that with time people stop saying the comments or telling you that you're skinny, eat too healthily etc, and just accept you as you are now. It does take time though. People eventually give up when they realize their silly comments aren't going to change what you choose to do. What you might find is that…

Just absolutely this. I would strongly recommend you challenge yourself to use an app like Happy Scale to track your weight TREND. This is far more useful than watching those mindless and largely meaningless daily fluctuations. And, if this makes you feel any better. I am actually 15lbs heavier than the weight I was when I…

I'll settle for the spiced wine too. The smell of Christmas!

I usually run/walk briskly to the start because I'm always late!

I have a beautiful orange kabocha squash which just fits into the slow cooker, which I intend to stuff with a bunch of grains, nuts, dried fruit, spices, herbs, veggies and then cook very slowly for about 7 hours. DH and I were both brought up in the UK so stuffing means sausage meat not the bread-based US ones. So, we're…

I ate a very healthy diet before going plant-based (mostly), but I have noticed a lot of benefits anyway. My total cholesterol plunged from 300 to 173, and LDL "bad" cholesterol from 202 to 88. Most of that drop was within the first 4 weeks of switching. My blood pressure was good anyway, but DH's blood pressure improved…

tofu for calcium and protein. iron lots of leafy greens and eat them with a rich source of vitamin C to increase absorption - so pasta with beans, kale and red pepper etc.

This is so true! When I was larger I was built like an ancient Venus statue, all boobs and hips. Now, I'm built like a lithe Amazon!! Different shape, but still a goddess!!!