tulips_and_tea Member

My vote is "Other" because I enjoy all those things (deep tissue massages, manis, pedis, etc.), but I prefer to do them separately, spread out over time. Some of that is due to cost, but mainly because I'd much rather do each separately (yes, even manis and pedis are done on a different schedule because that works better…

Haha! I took this to mean as a flavor comparison. Vodka has no flavor, so anything you mix it with will be the flavor. Same with tofu: no real flavor alone, so it needs marinades, spices, mixed with other food, etc. I could be wrong, however, since I'm not the person who posted that.

Agreed! Congrats on the new baby and enjoy! No need to beat yourself up. Babies pick up on our emotions. Be grateful for what your body just accomplished and treat it that way. Good idea to up your calories a bit to make sure you keep up with your milk production. Are you still eating the foods you enjoy? No need to make…

What about fennel? That's all I can think of right off the bat as far as adding more flavor. Otherwise, I like to roast zucchini, squash, mushrooms, etc. Not exactly flavorful! But still good.

Other. Definitely walking / hiking out in nature.

No, but I'm not sure that's enough time for your feet to heal, either. If you just mean taking it easy while on vacation, then sure. That won't affect your overall health and fitness level.

I agree with the other posters. As hard as it is, you do need to let your feet heal. If not, you'll never be able to resume high-impact activity. While not cardio, last year after a bad case of gout in my right foot that lasted over a week and I was unable to even get a shoe on, I found some really challenging pilates…

Guess I'm in the minority with the OP. I can only eat a few raw baby carrots before I feel full. Roasted or grilled carrots seasoned properly with a bit of good quality oil? Yes! But I also agree with doing less oven and stove top cooking in the summer and eating more cold and raw foods, such as salads.

True, personal accountability is required in order for this app or website to be helpful. Honesty is the key. Whether you count or log calories or not, your body reacts to input and output accordingly.

The bold is me too, for sure. I don't to low carb for weight loss. I do it to feel better. However, the "all or nothing" mindset can cause trouble, so for example, when you had a burger and chips, maybe get rid of the bun and have a few chips. Or, have half the bun and no chips. Or a combination of whatever works for you.…

Great comments from our experienced posters. Remember, the mind is a powerful thing. Losing weight at age 50 is no different than losing weight at 45. Get rid of that "age 50" mental roadblock first and foremost.

Maybe take a closer look at what happens when you hit the 50 pounds lost mark. Why do you decide to stop? Is it a "decision" or is it subconsciously returning to prior habits? Or, something else? No need to answer publicly. Just an idea that may help you get past that point and continue on.

Unfortunately, I've run into this issue frequently with plant-based "meat". Reading and comparing labels is key.

I agree with @mtaratoot. However, if that's not an option or you don't want to go to a gym, spend time on YouTube watching HOW certain exercises are done, the proper form, their names, planning a routine, etc. You have to learn the moves first and how to properly execute them before utilizing them.

New battery for the key fob for my car. Replacement filter for the dishwasher. Garage door maintenance. Easy fixes, but does everything have to malfunction at once?! (No need to answer that, Universe.)

Good suggestions so far. Also, stop and ask yourself, "How will I feel after I eat the cookies?" Sometimes it might be worth it, but other times not. But thinking about the consequences beforehand can help. No sense eating a cookie if you're going to beat yourself up afterwards. If you'll enjoy the cookie and move on, then…

I take Vitamin C and Vitamin D and I notice they help me with my energy level, particularly during the dark, cold winter months. So, increased activity could be a positive effect of vitamins. Also, I take them with a large glass of water before eating my lunch, so the water intake could cause me to eat less than I would…

In that case, I'd say the easiest thing for you to do is simply eat smaller portions of everything you currently eat. Consistently. You know how much of whatever food you serve yourself. Start by giving yourself 2/3 of that portion. Maybe cut to half of some higher calorie foods. Really, all you need to do is eat less than…

The other posters have pretty much covered everything already, but which toe hurts? Do you have properly fitting shoes made for walking?

I, too, didn't realize I liked sweet potatoes until I was an adult and cooked them myself. There's a bag of mixed frozen vegetables I like to buy and it contains chopped onion, red, green, and orange bell peppers, corn, and black beans. I cook that in a pan with a bit of oil and spices while my sweet potatoes are baking.…

I can relate, as we're similar. The best thing I did was start lifting 7 years ago. At the time, I was doing way too much cardio and no weights. Learning to lift was a life changer! And it doesn't have to be difficult, complicated, or time consuming. Start with body weight exercises and planks. It will make a huge…

There are a couple different apps specifically for planks that you can download on your phone. I use them regularly. They are progressive and teach all the different variations, which is important for progress.

"Yeah, it's "nice" to know I have it in me to put in the hard work to get what I have", is what I'd like to say to this type of comment, but I have yet to do so out loud.

Are you certain this is due to hunger? Good that you've had blood tests and are looking into it medically. "Growling" could be digestive grumbling to do some digestive issues. Also, acid reflex feels like hunger to some people. Just thought I'd toss those ideas into the ring. Hope you find something that helps!

Good advice has been given so far, especially about changing habits. Habits CAN be changed. Yes, it's difficult at first, but well worth it. Also, you may want to keep reminding yourself that your newly repaired spine will recover better and will be better in the long run if your body has less weight to carry. Super that…

"Healthier" is up to each of us to determine personally. However, for ME, in this case, freshly caught fish would be determined as "healthier" than store bought chicken breasts. Personal opinion only. Not fact based. I'd enjoy every one of them! Although not at the same time. You should get several delicious meals from…

Both a healthy diet (noun, not verb) and regular activity are important for overall health, so I don't understand the "one or the other" option. "Both", as the PP noted.

I'm the opposite as far as activity level, but I don't gain and lose seasonally. I maintain year-round. However, the heat in summer makes cardio more difficult for me because I prefer outdoor workouts and struggle to put in time on the boring treadmill when I'd rather be out in nature. So, I shift to mainly lifting and…

If you're wanting to improve all of your diets, then I'd steer clear of "kid friendly" searches. Start small and set the example. Don't make a big deal of it and don't turn it into a battle. As the previous poster said, start leaving out fruit and have fresh veggies ready in the fridge. Serve those along with your current…

Due to some stressful circumstances a few months ago, I unintentionally lost a few pounds. I was losing energy and knew I needed to eat more. I used that as a time to focus on the quality of food I was eating. I've always been low carb, high protein, but I started experimenting with new (to me) and different types of food.…