craigheon Member

Have someone do an actual bodyfat caliper measurement on you. One of the trainers at my gym does it for me. They measure your chest, lovehandle area, and thighs. Then you take those measurements, and there are a ton of online calculators you can input the measurements into. It's more accurate than a scale you can step on.…

Agreed! More weight training too if you can. This will help blast you past this plateau.

Yes. I have. I usually have a cheat day on Saturdays. While I don't go crazy overboard, the foods I tend to eat contain a lot of sodium, and this will make you retain for a day, two, possibly 3. This just happened to me over this past weekend. As of this morning, I dropped 3.5lbs. As long as you don't have a high sodium…

^ :laugh:

Best way to know is to purchase a HRM (heart rate monitor). I just recently picked up a Polar FT7 for about $75. It's great. I've found that the estimates from MFP are fairly close, but some exercises are way off. It really all depends on your effort you put in, which can affect MFP's estimates. It doesn't know when you…

Well said. OP, why do you think it is silly? Have you tried it?

Polar FT7 user here too. I love it. It allows you to put in your age/weight/sex etc so it gives you a more accurate calorie burn when exercising. You do have to wear the chest strap with the module, because that is how it communicates to the watch. Unlike a FitBit, where you just wear it on your wrist. I liked the FT7…

Wow, awesome work, and great restraint on the foods and drink! Good for you!

If you want a true reading of calories burned, invest in a heart rate monitor (HRM) with a chest strap. I recently purchased a Polar FT7 from heartratemonitorsusa.com for about $75. Best money ever spent on this journey. It allows you to put in your height, weight, age, sex, etc... It gives you a true readout of calories…

It's really just a matter of getting back into the habit of doing it again. Stretch everyday, and you'll find in a week, you'll be more flexible than you were. Just keep at it. Our bodies are wonderful at regaining things we couldn't do before!

This explanation is perfect. And I totally agree with a heart rate monitor (HRM). I have one and it's more accurate than the generic read-outs from gym machines, because you input your height, weight, age, etc. It's all based on YOU, not an "Average Joe" like the gym machines read.

I've been doing Crossfit since Dec 31st, 2013. I've lost 15 lbs so far, and I feel a ton better than I did before working out there. My particular box has a bunch of great coaches. ALL of them are very attentive to every single person that walks through that door. They never push us beyond what they know we should be…

Might have to try this! Thanks for sharing! I love crockpot recipes.

I've replaced my morning coffee with a product from Optimum Nutrition called Essential AmiN.O. Energy. You mix it with water, and it has caffeine in it, along with green tea and green tea extract. It's only 10 calories. I haven't tried heating it up though... I don't think it would work really. I love the orange chiller…

Nice job bro! It's amazing how much better the tats look now too.

Congratulations to you! I'm working on my first 20 as well. Been at it since Dec 31st of 2013, so not too long... but I'm 15lbs down. I'm hoping by the end of Feb early March I'll be there! My goal is 40 lbs.

Purchase a heart rate monitor. I am using the Polar FT7 and love it! You'll get a more accurate burn than the generic readouts from gym machines. I picked mine up from heartratemonitorsusa.com for about $75.

Those energy drinks are HORRIBLE for you. It's nothing but pretty much pure sugar. That will NOT help on your journey to becoming healthier / lighter. I would recommend seeing your doctor about this. Perhaps he can prescribe you something like Lunesta or another type of sleep aid. As far as getting through the day, I use a…

Welcome back. You are taking the first step and making the right choice! This community is so supportive, I just know you will succeed! Feel free to add me. I am here everyday and very active on here.

I always allow for 1 free day of eating per week (usually Saturday). It is good for you psychologically because you aren't depriving yourself of the foods you want to have. For instance, yesterday my wife and I went out to eat, and at the end of the day, I was about 1000 calories over my limit. I just take it in stride and…

Not necessarily. If you are working hard enough and at a quick enough pace, you ARE going to increase your heart rate. The HRM will track this, and obviously adjust calories burned as well.

As long as you put your height/weight/age etc into the settings when you first unboxed it, it should be very accurate. I just purchased one minutes ago online, and will be using it by Wednesday night's workout, so I'll have to check back in here later and report!

If you have lost a significant amount of weight, (the phone app) will / should give you a message stating that you should update your goals based on your lost weight. Did you do that, or possibly accidentally agree to it? I have been putting it off, but it's been reminding me for the past few mornings that I should. Maybe…

I use a foam roller everyday. I roll out my back (love it when it pops and relieves that pressure), and my legs. If it hurts (the legs anyways, not so much the back) then you are doing it right. It is going to help with muscle soreness and lactic acid buildup. When I'm really sore (especially legs), I'll actually take a…

I buy it direct from the grocery store. Comes in different flavors, and you don't have to worry about doing your own fermenting/straining. Problem solved! It's really good tasting, and great for you too! I usually buy the Helios brand, but I've also tried Lifeway, and both are fantastic!

Same here. If I'm drinking coffee, even though it contains water, I don't consider that a glass of water... it's a glass/cup of coffee. I make sure I get at least those 8 glasses of strict water per day.

I also second the protein comment. It also contains branched chain amino acids, which are vital for growth and recovery.

Stretching and mobility exercises are key. Do you have a foam roller? Lacrosse balls also work wonders for alleviating muscle tightness and pain. Do it regularly and it WILL help!

Welcome! Very cool that your Doctor recommended this site! I am also on a 40 lb journey. I'm a quarter of the way there! Wishing you good luck!

Nice work, and congratulations! :smile: