therealkittymao Member

:smile: Jillian. Her videos are AWESOME.

People often describe it as "grassy" in flavor... straight green does taste like that a bit, but I have actually really grown to like it a lot. And there are all kinds of blends you can get, Zen by Tazo being the best I've tasted, that mix green tea leaves with mints and lemongrasses and it is really good!

My faves! Plus This American Life, sometimes Grammar Girl, and I am loving WTF with Marc Maron.

I am addicted to the DIY and crafts part! I have made the cutest scarf and skirt from tutorials people pinned on their boards. And some AMAAAAAZING recipes on there... really good stuff!

It is 24 minutes total, I think. I always load it as circuit training under aerobic exercise.

I used to be a Starbucks Barista, so I speak from experience, and I say watch out for the soy milk there! It's HIGH in sugar. Very high. I think if you CAN have milk, use the skim and have yourself a latte. The skinny syrups are a little gross, though. The Cinnamon Dolce skinny was probably the best of them (it has a shake…

I LOVE them. I love all kinds of cabbages, but Brussels Sprouts are up there among my absolute faves. So here's what I do... I cut crosses in the bottom and steam them until they are JUST fork-tender. Then I take them out of the pot, let them cook a bit, cut them in half and put them in a frying pan (cast iron, if you…

I started using heavier weights (I do the Jillian Michaels videos, like 30DS and Ripped) and WOW did I drop fast. I think it shocked my fat or something. :) I went from 5 pound weights to 8 pound weights, and I basically just do as many reps with 8 pounders until I have to switch to the 5 pounders again.

Jillian Michaels always talks about fast punches being a really good way to do upperbody cardio. I was thinking about it, though, and i think that if you spend the time easing up a little on cardio and really rocking out on strength moves (really working your core, lots of back and shoulders, and mat work with leg lifts…

I have heard about people dying by basically drowning themselves, but this was in contest situations (I think there was a contest for who could drink the most water held by some radio station a while back, and the woman who won died a few hours later). I think you are probably ok... :)

You are definitely not alone! Lots of people who have either lost a ton of weight (congratulations, by the way!) or had a baby have extra skin on their bellies. I don't have advice that's any better than what has already been posted, I just wanted to let you know that I know how you feel! All these perfect after photos…

You were absolutely in the right, she was totally out of line to get loud with you. I am glad you stood up for those kids and their families!

Ms Mayor! I totally cancelled my gym membership. I have had WAY better results using the 30DS and Ripped and watching my calories with MFP than I EVER had going to the gym regularly (and I really did, I was an elliptical maven). So I figure I'll save the money. :)

I was just going to try making thai peanut sauce with it!!! I am so glad to hear that someone else has done that with success. Maybe it would even work with cookies... I mean, they woudl still be cheats, of course, but not quite as fattening as usual. :)

I love the Taco Bell, too. I am BUMMED the more I read/see/know about how AWFUL the fast food industry is. I am trying to develop a simple low-cal version of the fresco crunchy taco to make at home so I can pretty much remove fast food from my life completely... It's a bummer, though.

I am older (38) and so I try not to spend a whole DAY cheating (I just feel like it gets harder to keep weight off anyway once you're in your thirties, why risk it). I do try to honor my cravings by figuring a little bit of something I want into my daily calorie intake. And every once in a while I have a cheat meal, or…

Dried fruits have a lot of concentrated sugars, which is what makes them SO DELICIOUS... and also so calorie-rich. Look at it this way, you will be VERY regular for the next couple of days. :)

Ack! I am so sorry to hear about your situation! I hope you are not in any pain? That would completely frustrate me, not being able to do traditional cardio... but Jillian Michaels always talks about planting your feet and doing rapid punches to get your heart rate going. You could try that! On the 30 Day Shred she has you…

I never pay attention to that... it is probably helpful for people who are doing low-carb or sugarbusters style diets, but for anyone eating regular, balanced diets it is probably way too low of a number.

I had an achy neck and upper back after doing the side lunges with raises... those are really hard for me to do without dipping my neck forward and pulling the muscles. That said, GURRRL stick with it and keep going! If something is really hurting you, just modify it a little (I did bicep curls until I could do the raises).

Your photo looks amazing, so I wouldn't be too worried! I am glad you are getting help and rest! Especially with chiro care, I think it;s a good idea to let your body rest and integrate the treatments. Drink LOTS of water! And ask your chiro if walking would be ok... it's not super high impact and it will still let you get…

I think it sounds like you are right where you want to be! Keep it up. Sometimes the changes aren't so dramatic at first. Give it 12 weeks, is what I have been hearing lately. That's THREE MONTHS, oy. But if you are diligent, you will see changes by then and so will everyone in your life!

I agree with not worrying about the two weeks. Also, focus on what your measurements tell you. I have not lost any weight for a couple of weeks now, but I lost an INCH off my hips. So something's happening! But I would be totally discouraged if I wasn't logging measurements, I would probably have given up. Seriously,…

You are an inspiration to me! You look wonderful!!!

I think eating fruit is more important than monitoring sugar levels, personally. You get a LOT of important vitamins from eating whole foods, especially fruits. If that's where the majority of your sugars are coming from, I think you're fine! If you are like me, and sometimes the majority of your sugars come from bread and…

I think weight loss is mainly about calories, and if you are only taking in 1200 and you are working out you are GOING to lose weight. I think, though, that you will look even better and more importantly FEEL even better if you eat healthier whole foods. I know it's hard when you are on the road a lot, but give it a try.…

Girl, you look pretty slender! That could be the "problem" maybe :). Although you could also be holding some water weight. If you are drinking diet drinks, STOP because they will bloat you. And try the Jillian Michael's diet drink, it is supposed to help excess water weight leave the body: Get 60 ounces of distilled or…

This might be weird, but... maybe making it yourself will make it less salty? There is still salt in the recipe of course, but I bet it's not as much as if you buy it in grocery stores. This website has a recipe for how to make it... http://www.wildfermentation.com/resources.php?page=sauerkraut I kinda want to try it…

I have been there!!! In fact, I kind of am there. I would feel REALLY bad right now if I wasn't keeping track of my measurements as well as my weight (have you been doing that? If you haven't, go take them now!). I GAINED two pounds last week. Totally bummed, feeling like "whatever, might as well have cake if that's all…

Do what works for you!!! Haters gonna hate, as they say. I eat off the Taco Bell Fresco menu all the time. People tell me I am just doing AWFUL things for myself, but I've lost a lot of weight, and my junk food cravings are in check. I wish you lots of luck!!!