jgsparks89 Member

My sister in law has always had this problem! She's not really that heavy, she just has very muscular legs and calves. She gets her boots from Plus Sized women's stores, like Lane Bryant. They have more room in the calf/knee section and some have some stretch to them as well for comfort.

Well, for weight loss, the most important thing is calories....calorie in, calories out. If you can create a deficit, then you'll lose weight. However, eating a well balanced diet definitely helps. I keep an eye on my macros as well as iron and calcium. I shoot high from protien and low for fat, but if I keep it under my…

Sugar is just a carb, albeit a low-glycemic index carb. Like others said, if it fits into your macros, you are good. I personally don't worry about sugars. I focus on getting the macros I need and staying within my calorie goals. It's working for me. I am SO NOT on the "sugar is of the devil" band wagon.

The plan where I eat things I like everyday (in moderation), stay under my calorie limits, and lose weight. I think strict "diet plans" and eliminating food groups set you up for failure. If I can't have comfort food from time to time, life just isn't worth living :drinker: But hey, to each his own. Find something that…

It has been for me! I lost really consistently when I was going three to four days a week, and I rarely did any other cardio. I have recently had to back off because my schedule has gotten so busy so I go only twice a week most of the time now. I am on a 1600 Cal diet and have lost 20 lbs so far in the past 4 to 5 months.

I weigh 200 lbs and am 5'6"....I wear a HR monitor and it says I burn any wear from 490 to 520 Cal in my 1 hour Zumba class. But, it's pretty intense (lots of jumping, fast paced songs) compared with the Zumba tapes I have done. I would probably just log it as dance, in your case.

Could be food intolerance, sounds like peptic ulcer disease or GERD to me.... My advice, try some bland liquid or thick liquids (broth soups, pureed soups, etc) in small amounts to see if you can tolerate it. If you can, repeat as frequently as you can and try to get plenty of clear liquids, especially electrolyte…

I think getting healthy is, in part, about developing a healthy relationship with food. Some people will suggest the "food is fuel only" theory...but I am not on board with that. Food is so much more....it is part of who we culturally, it has connections to tradition and it can be comforting. I think it's about self…

Don't Do It!! You are better than that! I am all about indulging (in moderation) and eating things you enjoy! BUT, but, that doesn't mean going crazy. Since you are already in bad shape for the day...here's what I would do: Slow down, eat a reasonable amount for dinner, drink plenty of water and go to bed. Tomorrow is a…

I started with a low daily allowance (around 1450) to get a good start. As a started losing and increased my general level of activity, I have increased my daily allowance to around 1600. I don't usually eat back my exercise calories on purpose. Even though I am eating more, I am still losing weight pretty consistently.…

I was a SAHM while my son was in infant and toddler-hood....except for the time I spent at school (mostly nights). Having only one income is tough, but I do miss the general flow of the day being SAH. Ideally, I am looking into a job that I can to mainly from home so that we get the benefits of 2 incomes with the benefits…

Currently, I'm an RN working in home health...and it's sort of OK. Used to work in the hospital and that was a new level of hell! Currently going back to school to get a B.A. in English and looking towards medical writing as a career, or something else in the academic/research field where I can use my knowledge as a nurse…

I think so. I mean, not if you want to body build or lift competitively I guess....but for my goals, it works well. I don't alternate upper/lower body. I do an all over workout every time I strength train and combine free weights, machines, and core. I also do mine after cardio. I have tried doing the interval thing…

I've lost 20lbs so far (about 1/2 of my goal)...no low carb, no eliminating food groups, no fad diets, no starvation. Just counting calories, trying to make good choices, and adjusting when I don't. Eat less, eat better, move more.

I second. WHY would any one want to eat pink chicken paste?

I also love my holiday baking, and it's just not the same if I don't use my family favorite recipes that include full-flavor EVERYTHING. But, to combat the desire to over indulge, I bake, enjoy and then give the rest to family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, the local firefighters, my son's Kindergarten class. etc. That…

I know this is not totally ideal...but I estimate as best I can. If I go to a restaurant that has nutritional info listed, I go by that. If not, I try to make my best educated guess. But, I figure, that since I try to be fairly exact in my usual logging, my margin of error with dine-out meals that are not exact won't…

I think any exercise is pretty much equivalent in effectiveness as any other (given similar intensity/time) whether in a gym, at home, or anywhere else (if we are talking in terms of calories burned). The difference, for me anyways, is that I can't stay focused at home. I know from experience that I need a special, set…

I usually have a mix of fast paced rock (Shinedown, Chevelle) with some pop or hip-hop (Lady Gaga, Nicki, Kesha, whatever) and lately I've added some Dubstep mixes (Datsik - Calypso and Knife Party - Bonfire). It kinda makes you feel like a bada** and that's pretty motivational.

Fage with Honey is my fave, but the benefits of Greek yogurt (high protein, low fat) are pretty standard from brand to brand I think. As with anything, read the label. Some varieties are higher fat or carbs than others. Since I started this site...I have noticed grocery shopping takes me longer because I wander from aisle…

I think I am going to cheat in moderation....indulge and eat all my favorites....but not go back for seconds and thirds. Also, maybe just sample the desserts or have a small portion of my favorite. I'll log it, as best I can. But, I am not going to stress about it too much. After all, it is a holiday. :)

About a cup and a half of cranberries, 1/4 cup orange juice, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg. Simmer until all the berries pop and create an the mixture thickens. Congrats, you made compote! It's awesome with turkey, chicken and pork (all available in lean cuts with high protein)...pair it with steamed broccoli. Yum! Also, if you…

As long as your pee is the appropriate color and clarity (light yellow and clear)...then chances are you are adequately hydrated and peeing the appropriate amount. However, not everyone's bladder is the same. If you are rushing to the bathroom too frequently for your comfort or feeling urgency when you do have to go, you…

It sounds like you are off to the right start, and congratulations for overcoming such a huge barrier in trying to meet your goals in a safe way this time around. I say don't stress too much over calories. I aim for a pound to a pound and a half per week of weight loss (research says that at that rate you have a better…

Given that almost NO ONE meets all their daily vitamin/mineral needs from food alone.....even if you eat like a saint, yes I think they help. Now, taking them may not have a significant effect on weight loss, but they definitely have a positive effect on your body's health over all. Also, from personal experience, I take…

Exactly what others said. Genetics create a "range", if you will, of possibilities. Where exactly you fall comes down to environmental factors such as lifestyle choices, childhood nutrition, etc (barring any gross physiological dysfunction or disease). That is clear to anyone who studies genetic phenomena and health.

Well...you don't have to. You can survive on a whole lot less. But, my theory (and I have some reasonable backup for it) it this: 1. Water is good for you. It makes your body work better to have the appropriate amount on board. 2. It's not what your drinking...it's what you aren't. I.E. -- if you drink 64 ounces of water,…

1. light tuna in water 2. eggs 3. cheddar cheese 4. english muffins 5. romaine lettuce 6. black beans 7. rice 8. soy milk 9. granola 10. ben and jerry's frozen geek yogurt :)

Are you counting calories? What is your daily goal? Are you creating a deficit? And how long have you been at this? Also, have you noticed a change in other things (how your clothes fit for example)? And have you added strength training to your routine?

I also like running in the dark (usually at night, not mornings)...and as long as your wear something reflective or brightly colored and you are on a sidewalk or low traffic road, it's pretty safe (in my neighborhood anyways). But i you can't do that and you can't make i to the gym, I really like Zwow's (look up Zuzka…