powerpigeon

I think it's quite common. You eat out more, or stay at home with a bottle of wine and a takeaway, or watch movies with snacks or whatever. I think a lot of women get caught out by portion matching a taller, heavier male partner, without thinking about it. That caught me with my ex. Or he would cook and automatically dish…

Don't push your luck with back! I've done my back a few times, and my physio always scolds me about my core strength. if you're prone to back trouble, a strong core can be a huge help. Pilates and yoga are great for building up your core, but please consult your Doctor first before trying anything if you have an ongoing…

Take it slow. Give yourself plenty of time to cook at first, rather than trying to create something when you've just come in from work and you're already starving. Student recipe books are great, usually very simple. I love A Girl Called Jack's blog. Her recipes are dirt cheap, simple to make, and don't assume you have all…

I'm in the UK and we had Food Tech classes at my high school. However, we started with an hour, and then they dropped our lesson time to 50 minutes. It's very difficult to teach 30 kids to cook much of anything in 50 minutes when that also has to include clean-up time. I learnt nothing in Food Tech, unless you include the…

MFP friends keep you accountable for sure. "I can't not log today, someone will notice..."

Nope. Get some rest. If you really must do something, bundle up and go for a walk. Fresh air is always nice, you're moving, but it's gentle.

Inch it back gradually. You won't suddenly be able to get up hours earlier. Take it back little by little in fifteen minute chunks and it'll feel much easier. Good luck!

I love Blogilates. All her videos are free on YouTube, and if you sign up to her newsletter (also free), you get a code to access a monthly workout calendar, although you can get her beginner calendar without signing up.

It is an eye-opener when you start realising the calories in some things. For me, it's some of things marketing as healthier options, that when you log them are rammed full of sugar and other junk. Scary stuff.

My mum is in her 50s and all my 20-something friends tell me what a MILF she is. You turned 40. So what? With age, a lot of women say they find more confidence and that is by far the sexiest thing. I think working out helps you get in touch with your body too, which helps you feel sexier. What are you waiting for?

Ebay is your friend! Sell the stuff that doesn't fit to find stuff that does. Check out charity shops too. Could you organise a clothes swapping party? Everybody brings along clothing they no longer want, and swaps it for something they do want.

I'm an evening snacker too, but I'm learning how to get a handle on it. What is it that you're reaching for? Is it dipping into popcorn or crisps sitting in front of the TV? Something sweet after your evening meal? Are you actually hungry? Are you just used to doing something with your hands? I'm one for something sweet…

I do both. I weigh myself about once a week, and take measurements generally every two weeks, but that's not really on a schedule, just more when I remember. As long as both are dropping, I'm happy.

11lbs to go! I think the last ones are the hardest. Always up for friends with similar goals, if anybody wanted to add me :)

Lots of clothing designed for running has little pockets in for keys and your phone. I have capris with a little flat zip pocket on the back of the waistband for tucking my door key in. My phone is an awkward size for the armbands, so I either just hold it, or I have a little running pouch that clips around my waist to put…

I did the relationship weight gain and I'm in a long distance relationship. If you're both into food, why not make it a journey you go on together? Find lots of new tasty sounding healthy recipes and learn to cook them together. Make it fun. Don't dish yourself up identical portions. My boyfriend can get away with eating…

Low-calories options like spirits with diet coke, diet lemonade or slim-line tonic are good for just keeping the calories down. Are there any drinks that you're happy with less of though? For me, I find if I drink wine, I'm content with a glass or two, because I'll be sipping it longer. They're higher calorie, but I…

I started in the second week of May, but I'm already seeing progress. I've lost 4lbs, an inch from my waist, an inch from my thighs and about half an inch from my hips. As for NSVs, well, I'm down two belt loops (small thing, but felt good when I did it!) and my stomach already looks lots flatter to me. I think that's down…

You'd be amazed what stupid things can injure your back. We move in a lot of ways our backs aren't always happy about, and sometimes, something just 'goes.' I hurt my back years ago, thanks to a bad lift when I was dancing. Since then, it doesn't take much to throw it. According to my physio, she's had people in who've…

Does the Mr Tickle mug only prevent tea from making me put on weight, or does it work for other things? Could I eat icecream or cake or drink a lot of wine, and not gain anything, as long as it was from the Mr Tickle mug?

Can you save any calories for the evening, if you know you're an evening snack sort? Is it sweet or salty you're wanting? I tend to go sweet in the evening, but it's more about having something than actually being hungry. I go for a cup of sweet fruit tea and a square of good quality dark chocolate. That hits the spot for…

Are you taking measurements as well as weighing yourself? The scale can be deceiving, but you'd be surprised how often your losing inches when the scale doesn't seem to be shifting.

My mum took me out for a belated birthday lunch yesterday. So, yes, cheat meal, but I almost died when I logged my peanut butter milkshake. I knew it would be bad, but wow. About 800 calories of bad.

If only we could spot reduce! You need to build the stomach muscles, and then get your body fat percentage down so they show through, basically. Don't just do crunches though; there are lots of ways to work your abs. Anything that works your core is working your abs. Reverse crunches and bicycle are good for the muscles in…

Some studies have suggested that the chemicals are a problem, but you're right in that there isn't anything really conclusive (in part because it's so hard to have a study without bias!). For some people, the sweetness makes their body expect sugar, which they obviously don't get from the diet coke. They get wicked sugar…

I'm starting today! I'm on those last stubborn 13lbs, so I'm hoping this can help that and firm up the last jiggles!

Brilliant idea!

What about logging a few different things you routinely eat as recipes, so you can just add them in one click, rather than searching about for ingredients? I know it doesn't help if you're out and about, but I think most of eats are creatures of habit and definite have a few meals we eat all the time. If it's quicker to…

Don't stress about it too much; if this a lifestyle change and not a diet, then you can't give up all the nice things like this get together. Give yourself a little bolster of extra calories by getting a good, hard workout earlier in the day if you can. Don't meal skip, but go a little light at breakfast and lunch. Maybe…

Great idea for a group! I'm a fan of exercise that doesn't feel like exercise; walking, dancing, running... I think this group will be an excellent way to get some inspiration for more ways to get moving! It's so easy to get a in a rut and do the same workouts until you're sick of them and do nothing.