Solar_Cat Member

There are two activities that I've found to work really, really well for stress, anxiety, and depression: 1) Regular exercise 2) Regular mindfulness meditation One or the other works a bit. Both together work really well, at least for me. YMMV. If you can't find a meditation or an MBSR (mindfulness-based stress reduction)…

I weigh daily and log it in the WeighTracker web app. It uses a hidden formula to smooth out the curve and calculate a "true weight" based on daily values. It also calculates your true daily deficit based on your weight change, so if you log accurately it's easy to see what your true maintenance calories are. Free and…

Two months later I'm down to 174 and I've revised my goal to 156. Current estimated bodyfat is 21%, and I feel it's realistic to expect 14% - 15% at 156. That's based on dividing the remaining loss 3-1, fat to lean mass. I'd be very happy with that. Even happier if I can retain a higher proportion of lean mass. The…

Excellent point, @J72FIT! My sentiments exactly!

I'm another one who likes to weigh myself multiple times a day. I record an "official" early morning weight every day here and at WeighTracker, which is a site that calculates a "true weight" based on daily entries. Seems to work pretty well. I figure, so what if I'm a little obsessed? It doesn't freak me out. I know…

IMO the main reason for mixed messages is that goals aren't stated clearly. If the goal is to optimize health and fitness, then you are correct, @TrainerLB (and others), it requires comprehensive changes, including diet and exercise. If the goal is simply to lose weight, then any calorie deficit will do the trick.

Probably a New York Philharmonic Young People's Concert with Leonard Bernstein in the mid 1950s. First rock concert: The Beatles at Shea Stadium, 1965.

I'm not going to tell you that you don't need medication. Perhaps you do. Your doctor can help you decide. I will say that anti-anxiety meds aren't magic any more than anti-depressants. If you expect them to help you overnight, you'll probably be disappointed. There are two activities that I've found to work really, really…

Well, I'm certainly not an equestrian by any stretch of the imagination. (I ride once every couple of years, maybe.) But I'll take this as an excuse to post this rare photo of me on horseback because I like it. And I know the horse will appreciate a lighter me next time I ride. :)

That must have been so moving. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing it with us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5E_zXbmrlM

I went on a cruise a few years ago and didn't gain a pound. I hit the elliptical every day, and when I got seconds (or thirds) at meals, I chose lean proteins. You can do it! And have fun! Don't spend your vacation time stressing about your weight.

The least expensive protein powder supplement I've found is the unflavored whey protein isolate in the bulk bins at Sprouts grocery. Here it's about $13.50/lb, which contains 45 servings of 9 gm protein each. I really prefer the unflavored, which is a bit hard to find elsewhere. No artificial sweeteners or other additives.

But you are trying to get another thread deleted, methinks. Or to put it another way, testing the limits of the mods' sense of humor. But don't we already know they have none?

I weigh multiple times a day. The fluctuations interest me, and I don't freak out over them. I record my daily official morning weight -- the real one, whatever it is -- here and at WeighTracker. The WeighTracker site applies a formula to smooth out the fluctuations and calculate your "true weight" based on daily logging.…

For most young people, excess sodium doesn't seem to matter much. As we age, we tend to become more sensitive, hence the advice that folks over 50 limit sodium to less than 1500 mg daily. (Some sources say 1300 or even 1200.) The advice about drinking more water to help flush out a sodium excess is very widely seen, all…

Exactly! Does anyone notice that many "why" questions aren't actually seeking answers? And even when they are, there may not be any good answers. Enjoy the ride, that's my advice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdg5ereIsaI

The best pie I ever had was a coconut cream made by the pastry chef at a local restaurant. A masterpiece. Simultaneously rich and light. One bite and you were in heaven.

The only goals I pay attention to are calories, protein, sodium, and fiber. The rest can take care of themselves. MFP's automatic goal setting for fat is much too low imnsho.

I've been using The New Rules of Lifting for Life, which is designed for us older folks. Even if you don't like the exercise programs in the book (I do but ymmv), I recommend it highly for theory and technique. Another plus is that you can begin at home with minimal equipment. (I have a step, a few dumbbells, and…

I love butter flavor and use very small quantities of unsalted butter on vegetables. It adds maybe 15 calories to a serving of veggies. Worth it to me. For cooking I mostly spray olive oil. I've never willingly eaten margarine in my life. :disagree:

The chart is kind of cool, isn't it? I like seeing the averages. The general idea is that as long as the "actual" line stays below the moving average, progress is in the right direction. There's only one spot where it isn't below the 28-day average, just at the end of the long plateau. I also like the charts and…

I made the chart using a spreadsheet program, Calc from the LibreOffice suite. Excel would do just as well, but LibreOffice and its cousin OpenOffice are free!

Thanks for the kind words, folks! You're never too old to change.