sjv1966 Member

Great job on this!! I too have been on here since January and as you can see have lost 14 lbs and go through many of the same issues and struggles you describe. I never, ever thought that one of the challenges of loosing weight would be actually believing it when it happened! But good for you for seeing the change, and for…

Amen! I now actually fit into the DDD bra I was wearing -- but I am so looking forward to going down a size. Great job on this change!

At 10 lbs I treated myself to a massage. At 20 it will be a shopping spree -- I will need it by then! Other ideas - a professional airbrush tan - having my hair straightened - tickets to a concert or play - take a vacation day at work just to lounge at home with no plans! - maid service - perfume - classes in something…

I think it does go away -- I remember when I lost weight before at some point noticing that when I sat down that blob over my lap no longer appeared. I really can't wait for that day but the pessimistic part of me says that it will be the last thing to go.

Yeah -- I would say that if for the past month you have been exercising every day and only eating 1000 calories a day your body probably thinks you are starving and is doing everything it can to keep from losing any more weight! Your BMR is your base metabolic rate. That is the amount of calories your body would burn if…

Yesterday I wore a skirt that I haven't been able to wear for a couple years at least, and the top I wore with it was one where last time I wore it I was kind of grossed out by the fat bulges you could see under it but this time it was loose enought that you could not see any lumps. I felt pretty slim and foxy in this…

Mexican restaurants are tough. Maybe try a chicken fajita but just eat the chicken and veggies and not the beans, rice or tortillas that come with them (or at least eat a limited amount).

I did the math once and realized that to gain 10 lbs in a year (which is basically how I got here) you only need to eat 100 extra calories each day. So as you think of "little changes" maybe try to think of what might that will add up to 100 calories. The 15 minute daily walk is a great idea. Or maybe changing up your…

I have totally been there -- but I just try to think about how much I would weigh right now if I *hadn't* done the earlier weight loss. The fact that you went through a traumatic event and basically "maintained" is not bad ... and now you are starting back which is good.

Don't forget the humble acorn squash or actually winter squashes of all kinds. They are very filling for the # of calories. You can go sweet with them with cinamon and sugar or go savory with salt and pepper. Roast them in the oven or steam them in the microwave -- either way works good. The ethnic market I shop at caries…

Fiona bra -- love these.

One more thought -- check out this book: "Weight Watchers Start Living, Start Losing: Inspirational Stories That Will Motivate You Now" http://www.amazon.com/Weight-Watchers-Start-Living-Losing/dp/B0036DE51S/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331604897&sr=1-1 I have never done Weight Watchers nor do I plan to but I found the…

Yes -- pre-planning is another good strategy. Not everyone is able to cook and pack all of their meals and snack ahead of time but you CAN plan them ahead of time with your food diary. For example think right now about what you plan to eat tomorrow. Think about what you plan to have for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks,…

One piece of advice -- take a critical look at your past diary entries and think about what you could have done differently that day that would have kept you under your calorie goal. For example I looked at your diary for yesterday and to me one easy thing you could have skipped was the orange juice with breakfast. Just by…

I just ate some grape tomatoes sprinkled with Garlic and Herb Mrs Dash and it was pretty satisfying. Actually whole roasted garlic cloves would be delicious as a snack or spread on a cracker. As a bonus it would keep co-workers away.

If you do a search you will see lots of posts about fitbit. There is also a fitbit users group.

Yes -- this is really one of the toughest things. Sometimes honestly I will lie and say "I had a big lunch" or "I ate lunch late" so they don't wonder why I am only eating half my meal. Another strategy is budgeting. For example though a blue cheese burger and fries would totally bust my calorie goal a burger with a salad…

If you want to turn fat into muscle you need to do things that challenge your muscles to the point that they will be sore the next day. If you don't want to lift weights then you need to do things that use your own body weight to provide the challenge. For example ... 1. Push ups! Not only will you get nice defined arms…

Lemon juice is good but for a change of pace also try lime juice or orange juice. You can punch it up more by grating some of the zest of the fruit on as well. Finish it up with salt and pepper or Mrs Dash and you are good to go. Another great one -- GARLIC! Flavored vinegars are also great. I have a very light taragon…

Okay -- lets say you ate half and the others in the house ate half over two days. That means eating 1/2 bag of fries and 18 slices of cheese every day -- plus ranch dressing. Per the MFP database (I am guessing as to exactly what you had but this is an example): 1/2 bag of Ore-Ida- Extra Crispy Fast Food Fries = 2115…

I find that when I "go off the wagon" one of the best ways to get back on is to go into MFP and actually LOG IN what I ate. I am usually so shocked by the total that it gets me back into it real quick. Figure out (as best you can) EXACTLY how many calories are in one of the cheese-fries-with-ranch meals you have been…

How about olive oil mayonaise? Or olive oil itself?

I love chips too but I buy them only in 1-oz snack bags. That way I can still "eat the whole bag" but stay within a reasonable portion. a 1-oz bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos is about 150 calories -- totaly doable.

^^This!!

I think that there is nothing more impressive or delicious than a whole roasted chicken. Here is a great recipe for that: http://www.tastespotting.com/features/thomas-kellers-simple-roast-chicken-recipe Throw some veggies in the roasting pan or steam them seperately and you are good to go. If you want to make mashed…

Went out for dinner with a friend last night and had a great meal while ALSO staying within my calorie goal. She is also on MFP and we were both commenting about how great it is that by being mindful of what we eat and having a plan for the day we can still enjoy meals out together. And almost more impressive to me I…

I too sometimes feel like how could I possibly have been eating more during the years I was gaining weight than what I am eating now based on the MFP guidelines? But for me the weight gain was gradual -- about 10 lbs per year. To gain 10 lbs per year you only have to eat an extra 100 CALORIES PER DAY. 100 is nothing! Of…

Elie Krieger has a good recipe for turkey meatballs. I have made it several times though I usually use jarred sauce instead of making my own. It is here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/turkey-meatballs-with-quick-and-spicy-tomato-sauce-and-whole-wheat-spaghetti-recipe/index.html She uses these meatballs…

Just saw your reply that you are a vegetarian -- guess that shoots the chicken drumstick idea! :-)

Nuts! I measure out 1/4 cup of almonds and put them in a plastic snack bag. I make a bunch of these and they are easy to grab any time. Hard boiled eggs. If you make a batch they will keep in the fridge for a couple of weeks. Chicken drumsticks. This sounds weird but a chicken drumstick cooked with no skin is about 70…