Branstin Member

I drink a ton of water then by the time I get to the snacks I don't eat much at all.

This isn't silly at all. I have 2 MP3 players. I keep one in my gym bag for when I workout at home and one for the bag I take to the gym. I am going to buy a third to keep in my desk at work as well.

The only product you need is a willingness to take this journey seriously then everything else will fall into place. What are you initial goal or goals?

I know you asked for food ideas but I drink water before eat meal and don't feel hungry. When I want snacks, popcorn and pretzels work for me.

There is eating to be healthy and eating to lose weight. More importantly, if you have an eating disorder, you should be working with your doctor, nutritionist, dietitian, and therapist. Have you joined any support groups for people with similar issues? Don't try to go it alone. Use the resources around you.

It's up to you. Some open it up to get help and ideas from other members. You could first open just to your friends. Once you get comfortable then make it public.

I will read this and try it...perhaps. I better read it in its entirety first. LOL! Thank you

So what do you suggest for a person who stalled at losing weight (healthy, no medical issues) if they are already at the minimum amount of calories? How else could they create a deficiency without increasing the exercise?

Yes, I honestly logged everything because I was determined to lose weight. Since I was at the minimum of 1200 calories per day, she suggested that I up my exercise. When I did, I started to lose again.

I figured that was what you were saying but I wanted to be sure. Here was the issue with me. I originally created the calorie deficiency while losing the initial 30lbs. When I stalled, I was at 1200 calories. I had already decreased my calorie intake as low as possible without going into the danger zone as I call it (less…

A month..... If I understand correctly, you are saying if I had eaten less but remained with the same exercise time, I would have started to lose anyway?

I won't pertain to be an expert at this but I wasn't trying to fool my body. My point was to challenge it more which is working. As silly as it may have been, I was glad the weight started coming off again.

What about weight training? Did you add any? I want to drop another 4 lbs. then I will start with the weights. Don't feel like you have to go it alone. Add friends ..me if you like.

LOL You are funny! Well, my body plateaued after I lost 30 lbs. doing the same routine. I consulted a certified trainer and followed her recommendations. I added 10 extras minutes to my cardio and 5 extras lbs. for weight training and I started losing again.

The body usually plateau after getting used to the same exercise. Have you switched up on your exercise like add more time to cardio and more weights to strength training?

There is nothing to feel guilty about because you are not a robot. You are human and as a human you will have good and bad days. Furthermore, being 21 calories over the limit is nothing to feel guilty about...ever! This is normal. Going over the limit of net calories once in a while is not only ok, but should be expected.

Have you tried drinking a nice size glass of water before eating the junk food? It helps to curve the cravings so you'll eat a little and not a lot.

It seems to me that you have her on the correct track. It may take a little longer than you expected but give yourself credit for what you have accomplished so far. In most cases, overeating is a learned behavior and you have already started teaching her healthy lifestyle choices so stick with it and she will come around.

As you have learned, maintenance is another journey in our efforts to a healthy lifestyle. Tracking really helps with control and accountability. I don’t mind doing it because it’s much easier now with online and apps tracking tools. There was a time when we tracked on paper and carry the items all day, every day. LOL! If…

Childhood obesity is a common problem today. Having fruits, veggies, and other healthy snacks around for her will help a lot. If her mother is the type that you could talk to openly and honestly without getting offended or bent out of shape then perhaps you could suggest taking the little girl to her pediatrician to find…

I stay motivated by taking this commitment as seriously as I take other commitments in my life, staying focus, and keeping your goal at the forefront of your mind everyday.

First of all, you should never feel a shame or hopeless about yourself. Secondly, stop beating yourself up. If you take this commitment serious then you will lose the weight. You have already set your first realistic goal which to lose 10% of your body weight. It’s a great starting point.

I'll be glad to motivate in any way needed. You dropped the weight before, you will do it again.

Keeping a journal and recording when you get back. However, like others have posted, take a break, enjoy and resume when you get back. I am going on a cruise in May 2014. I will not track but I will use the gym.

If you aren't inspiration to the rest of us then we might as well hang it up. Fantastic!

You look awesome!

The Atkin's program is very carb restrictive.

You won't if you beef up your exercise.

Who set that target? I asked because it's pretty low so I am wondering if you are eating enough. Are you drinking plenty of water as well?

How long depends on how often you eat right, exercise, and drink plenty of water. I started off doing cardio everyday for 30 minutes, drank 64oz of water, stayed within my calorie range and lost 4.5lbs the first week. Afterwards, 3lbs a week then finally down to 1-2lbs a week. This was all under Weight Watchers. I switched…