Replies
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Seconded. I've been overweight or obese most of my life--and I'm not saying girlfriends fall from trees, but I've certainly had my share. It's probably something else. Self-assuredness?
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Yes, absolutely someone can be obese and happy (or thin and unhappy), despite a minority of rude and insecure people in our society. The response to a fat girl dancing is amazing. Of all things, that's exactly what we should be encouraging someone overweight to do! "Fat Girl Dancing"…
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Absolutely.
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Yeah--don't change this habit unless you have a clear and good reason to. To lose/gain weight, all you need is to eat less/more than your maintenance calories. If there is a reason to change, take baby steps. Maybe eat 90% of your daily calories in one meal and then 20% in each of the two meals. You can "bulk up" those…
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You don't need to--the goal is to add 20g of protein, and lifting will give you an extra 100-300kcal to do so. Whey protein powder is one good way--other ways include larger portions of meat in your normal dishes, a protein bar (often with whey!), greek yogurt, or a salad w/ chicken breast. It's especially good to consume…
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Eating fewer calories than you burn is how one loses weight (e.g., by meeting your calorie target if it has a loss built in). Are burpees a vigorous exercise that burns calories, works your cardio, and strengthens your arms? Sure! And if it gets you motivated to do your first steps in any of these areas, it's a win! What…
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Ice doesn't add calories, but popcorn or potato chips or wine are far more satisfying! My strategy is to leave some extra calories for late-night snacks. There's nothing wrong with eating late night snacks provided you stay on budget. In a pinch, I find flavored water more satisfying than plain water.
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If you can, I would still aim to get in 150 min/week of moderate cardio--the AHA recommendation for heart health. This could be a daily lunchtime (brisk) walk, or perhaps a single weekend hike.
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Wise, I unlinked Fitbit and MyFitnessPal early on because I didn't like it auto-announcing a loss when my weight was simply wobbling--e.g., -0.2lb today, +0.3tomorrow -0.3lb the day after tomorrow, +0.2lbs, -0.1lbs would appear in MFP as "He lost -0.2lbs, -0.3lbs, and -0.1bs. Hurrah!" Fitbit stores my daily record, but I…
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He's probably referring to what seems a consensus in strength training that most at the gym--especially those in their first months of training--should focus on compound movements rather than isolation movements (e.g., big pulls rather than bicep curls). The below article discusses the pros/cons in detail. I haven't seen…
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Dr. Stuart McGill warned some years ago to limit spine-flexing exercises like crunches--they aren't disc-friendly and your spine only has so much "flex" in it. I'm not entirely sure what to think about this, since many laud him then justify crunches anyway, but the modern approach seems more focused on core stabilization…
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Thanks for the tip! Looks like Fleet Feat is their main associate in California. I found a class 2.5 hours away this weekend or 0.5 hours away in two months. :)
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Everyday. Studies show a link between frequent weighing and greater weight loss. The exception might be those who obsess about every minor up/down tick. :)
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What's more likely--most of us don't get it, or we share an insight? You asked for advice and we want you to succeed. Labeling pizza as "good" or "bad" makes your job harder. Your most important goal is your calorie target. A good day is a day where you hit that. If you are locked in a room with only pizzas and garden…
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True. Reading it in place is easy for most body parts--calves, waist, hips, biceps, and chest--but for the neck, without a mirror, I must pinch the reading before lifting it off. Hmm.. my three closed fully, and while they have 1/8" (0.3cm) markings, I measure to 1/4" (0.6cm), and my measurements have been consistent at…
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Carrots are a good vegetable source of sodium. I brought a bag of baby carrots with me when I went hiking in the Grand Canyon! Apparently, swiss chard is even better.
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They certainly can--if they fit within your sodium budget for the day! Like most things, sodium in moderation is okay and some is even essential for a healthy body. :)
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Myotape. It makes measuring yourself a snap!
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Salt's been in our foods for thousands or hundreds of thousands of years. Sodium's essential, and eating too little can land you in critical condition or dead. However, there's enough salt in our foods both natural and added that you typically only need to worry about this during endurance activities--e.g., 90+ minute…
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In the Cardio section of MyFitnessPal, there's an entry for Strength Training. Based on Harvard Medical School's figures, it's a conservative and reasonable estimate. [This assumes you're taking a typical 45sec-2min break between exercises.. keeping at it, but not winded. If you're taking less than 30sec breaks AND find…
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While machines may seem simpler, they're less efficient at burning calories and making you stronger. Besides, I doubt you have a solid plan for which machines to do and why. Stronglifts provides a great plan and only requires learning five barbell movements. I do New Rule of Lifting: Supercharged, which is also a great…
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I'm glad you're eating more. Slow and steady wins the race! My first week here, I ate a whopping 3,000 kcal, which sounds crazy except it was already a small improvement over what I usually ate! Today you may not be ready for 1700 kcal. Next month you may be! Or perhaps you'll start walking 30 min/day, allowing yourself to…
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A late-night spoon of ice cream is fine--we all enjoy our treats--the key is to diligently measure and log than "spoon" and be sure you're still under target afterwards. :smile:
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100% agreed. My diet this week included Girl Scout Thin Mints, Manhattans, San Pellegrino soda, etc.--besides grilled chicken, greek yogurt, and baked potatoes--all part of a healthy balanced diet that hits my targets according to MFP and the USDA Dietary Guidelines. Well put! I think this is the best attitude for…
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Colleen, your diary's closed. If you've been watching your calorie intake in a meaningful way, there should be six months of entries we can look over if you open it. If it's spotty--missing entries, incomplete entries--then accurate logging is where to begin. Most underestimate what they eat, and while you can easily lose…
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As others have said, if your goal's healthy weight loss, exercise isn't necessary. If you have another goal, you just have to decide whether it's worth pushing yourself to exercise. Kinda like you force yourself out of bed to go to work. The AHA advises at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, which could be…
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I've completed a DietBet before. To me, longer bets make more sense. The short games I've seen rewarded gamey behavior, yo-yo'ing, and didn't pay out much. I'm doing a 9-month HealthyWage now! Larger stakes and a better payout. I also agree more with their philosophy that it's not a bet but something I commit to and if I…
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Very cool! I love hiking.. I've completed 16 miles/4500' elevation gain in a day.. as well as multi-day backpacking trips on famous trails. 100 miles in a 36 hours is quite a pace on hilly terrain! Sounds like a great goal and you're in for a real adventure. Wishing you well. :)
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This. OP, you've gone from one eating style that doesn't serve you to another. This is common starting out, and it's good you realize there's a problem (you're not hitting your calorie goal) rather than falling into the trap of believing you're doing "extra good". Add more healthy fats such as the above to your diet, or if…
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I eat 3 meals and 3 snacks. Some days I skip a meal or snack. I'm not "rigid" in my meal sizes or meal timings--no need to be, as long as I hit my calorie goal!