fortally

Based on that statement, I almost have to agree with you OP, but ONLY because you are looking for guidance. I really do understand the misconceptions that you had about MFP going in - after all, most diet programs market themselves as programs because if you could do it yourself you wouldn't need guidance, right? To use a…

Agree. Also, think about the barrage of commercials and advertising out there today that promises "quick weight loss." It seems like I can't turn on the TV without seeing Atkins, Jenny Craig, and all the others that promise dramatic results in a short amount of time. I am NOT saying they are right OR that the OP doesn't…

Hey, that's my mantra too! :laugh: When you make the commitment to get fit and healthy your whole outlook on life changes. It's like this huge mental shift in your brain to do things differently. At least it was for me. It is SO HARD to accept that your body can't make a sudden switch the way your brain can. Every time I…

No - when I envy the people in the supermarket check out lane because of all the yummy stuff they're buying. (have you ever wiped actual drool off your mouth at the sight of Oreo cookies in someone else's cart? cuz I sure have!)

I actually wasn't laughing at you at all. It's the snarky responses that gave me the giggles. I'm also a little in awe of how great your attitude is. I wouldn't take the snark or the giggles personally. I'll also be the first to admit that I'm a little envious of people with empathic skills. And yeah, I believe people DO…

So I'm a twerp? Really? Ohhhh, you said derp. So sorry, my apologies. Wait, what?? What the frell is a derp?

I was one of those people you described (skinny, no exercise, eating what they want) - and sure I was "skinny." Doesn't mean I was healthy. I got a physical in my mid 20s and was told I had a body fat % that put me in the "morbidly obese" category - and I was a size 6. One of the nurses made the snide remark that I might…

In all honesty the treadmill doesn't do much to reshape my body. I have the most success with toning and tightening by using resistance bands and doing a whole lot of sculpting exercises (squats & lunges with weights, etc.). Workout dvds are awesome for that. My advice, though - don't rely on just one video. You need a…

I second that! I have a very old treadmill, an even older step bench, resistance bands, 1.5-5 lb. weights, and a variety of workout videos. That was all I needed to get in the best shape of my life a few years ago (5' 6", mid 120s weight, size 4 jeans! :smile: ), and it's all I'm using this time around too. (Exercise…

"You'll never get the butt you want by sitting on the butt you have." and "Suck it up now so you don't have to suck it in later." (saw those in another thread, apologies to original posters - I've forgotten who you are!) (edited for typo :smile: )

OP - I lived in Alaska for two years, which is where I learned about melatonin. It was widely used where I lived to help deal with insomnia, SAD (seasonal affective disorder), and to help keep regular sleep patterns in the winter. I've taken it on and off for many years with no adverse affects. Lots of folks say to take it…

^^This. If your bed is in line of sight with the crate the pup is going to whine endlessly to get your attention because she can see you. Unfortunately you've also taught her that your bed is WAY better than her crate. :wink: She's going to use every tool she has to get you to give in and let her back in the bed! Sucks,…

If I don't have a plan in place then in the morning I wander in the kitchen and start wolfing down the first things I see. I wake up ravenous, and nothing gets in between me and the fridge (people, dogs, doors, whatever) first thing in the morning. Having a plan helps me stick to my calorie & macros goals. I plan each day…

But some of us newbies DO know how to research and think for ourselves. I personally find it useful to ask questions in the forum and sift through the responses. Sometimes I don't agree with what people say, but almost always I mull it over for a while and dig deeper. And I have changed a LOT of what I do based on…

I think these might have been her first (?) - Frontside & Backside are geared towards beginners. They are both just straight up circuit training. Some people don't like them because it is a plain white background & no music, but when I was first starting I loved them because it was almost like being with a trainer (and…

As a 5th grade teacher in a low-income school I can tell you that it's astonishing how little kids know about food. There's one activity where it really hits home. When teaching food chains it's fun to "deconstruct" a meal and trace it back to the beginning. So my kiddos might draw a picture of a cheeseburger, then draw…

Wow, you're the first person I've ever heard who made "athletics" sound like a dirty word. BTW - This thread was about experiences with going from skinny-fat to fit. Do you have any *personal* experience with that? Because I'm pretty sure that's what the OP was asking about. But I suppose comments about my fertility are…

I agree, because an "athlete" exactly how I would describe myself at that time. My life revolved around fitness, and excuse me, but I worked my a** off to get the body I had. I was not a stick figure, I was RIPPED, and I am PROUD of what I accomplished. I'm not going to apologize for that! And I'm certainly not going to…

Generalizations aren't really that helpful. While 18% might be too low for some, it may be fine for others. The reason I didn't sustain it had more to do with my diet. I'm hypoglycemic, and I was attempting a super-low carb diet. Maybe physically I could have kept it up, but not mentally. So a donut here and some chocolate…

The last time I lost weight I was eating a really calorie restricted diet and working out like crazy. I did South Beach, and while I lost weight it was really tough because my blood sugar was constantly out of whack. It worked - I'm not going to lie - but it was a pretty miserable experience, and I didn't stick with it.…

I get insomnia, sweats, and the shakes big time if I eat a carb-loaded meal close to bedtime. It's weird the way it works - sugar crashes during the day make me sleepy (in addition to the headaches and dizziness), but at night it's a sure-fire guarantee that I will lie there most of the night wide awake - shaking and…

Hi - just wanted to chime in. I got this far in the thread and said, "Oh, I totally get that." Just thinking of that needle makes my palms go sweaty and ice cold! I'm right up there with pretty serious blood sugar problems. I never really knew what caused my headaches, dizziness, and fainting until I went on South Beach a…

Stopped reading here to post question, so if it has already been answered I'm sorry! I'm also a woman, so very biased in my knowledge & experience :wink: , but isn't minimum daily recommended calories for men somewhere around 1800? I can get by on 1200 a day, but I'm a 5' 6," 130 lb. woman. It's rough even for me, so I…

I've started putting more & more in the recipe builder. Even 2-ingredient things (like hamburger & seasoning packet). Like others said - it does the work for you. Recipe Builder is awesome. It helps me control specific nutrients that I'm watching for health reasons. For example - the other day I entered a cookie recipe.…

No. No, no, NO. That is asking for trouble. If the dog is loose and can get close enough to bite you, having treats in your pocket is only going to make the situation worse. Stop and face the dog (as another person suggested). They might not know "go home," but odds are they will probably know "sit." Even a snarly, worked…

I'm in the "skinny fat" category. 5' 6" and currently 130 lb. Anytime I even mention that I am working out, trying to get in shape, or working on my fitness I get a barrage of "But WHY?? You're skinny!!" It drives me crazy because, yes, while 'technically' I'm a healthy weight I am NOT at a healthy body fat (over 30%). I'm…

^^This!!! @ Autumn - I HAVE to say this: You are FAR more inspiring to me than the Biggest Loser contestants can ever be. Think about it: who is the real role model here? A game show contestant who gets to put their life on hold, go live at an expensive "ranch" with a dream gym, celebrity trainers, a team of nutritionists…

Please be joking, please be joking... *sigh* You clearly have no idea what's coming your way. Hope you buckled up.

Just read an update online because I was still thinking about this at dinner. http://www.today.com/entertainment/biggest-loser-fans-worry-about-winners-health-after-massive-weight-2D12060323 Looks like she was home for 3 1/2 months (not the one month that some had thought). 45 pounds in 3 1/2 months isn't quite so…

Pulled out an old vhs tape that I hadn't done in a LONG time - Tae Bo Advanced. I've only been working out again for about a month, so that tape was HARD! (And yes, still have a few vhs workout tapes - things I still like & use but can't get on dvd. I'm terribly attached to my Jane Fonda step tape! :smile: ) Still have an…