Eleisabelle

Thanks, everyone, for sharing these experiences. They're all very helpful! I hope others will contribute to continue the conversation... :) And I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Thanks Glonigan! That's a very helpful story.

VirtuallyAmy: I will repeat that I have not followed the whole Chi Running program, but after having read a little bit about it, I thought I'd give some of the principles a try. Keeping the pelvis straight over the hips (engaging the core), leaning slightly forward (from the ankles, not the waist), using a mid/forefoot…

Yeah, I know that changing my running style helped a lot, but then I got this shin splint that really gave me concern. I did a 10K last year, no problem, but when I retired those shoes and started training for the half, I started feeling some pain in my ankle that, on compensation, became a shin splint. Now I'm worried…

Thank you, Grinch. It's good to know. As I said, I've incorporated some aspects of Chi running, which included training myself away from the heel strike (heel striking was the first cause of my problems, I do know that), and I do know that barefoot running would require extra training on my part. I'm willing to make the…

Thanks, all of you! I'd love to hear from more people as well. My husband has had knee problems for a long time, and he'd like to try to start running again, too. Maybe he should try to start into minimalist running, too? Ivhuse, what books did you read?

Look out! That's advice too! LOL...

No person on MFP is going to be able to tell you exactly what is the best way for YOU to lose weight. There's a lot of good information, and a lot of self-righteousness. The former can be helpful, the latter never is. Take what YOU can use, and leave the rest. And don't ever, ever, ever give up on learning about your own…

^^This. I'm a runner, and I found myself bottoming out when I wasn't eating enough. Like another poster said, you have to put gas in your car... and you use more gas when you run, so of course you'll need more. As you build muscle and lose fat, you'll gain a little weight but lose inches. If you're losing enough fat and…

Scientific research shows that even just 10 minutes of vigorous exercise can have benefits. Dividing exercise into three 10 minute increments over the course of the day is shown to be no less beneficial than doing 30 minutes in one stretch. So that person is just plain wrong. That being said, you're doing your body a great…

Variety is the spice of life. I drink whole, 2%, 1.5% (I love my milk delivery service), goat milk, and almond milk, and I even will put whole cream in my eggs or my pasta sauces. The fat is good for you in moderation, if you're not getting too much elsewhere. But too much of any one thing at any time is just not…

How good are they?

http://www.skinnygirlcocktails.com/

I don't deny myself pizza, but if I want a lighter version, I'll make one using an Alternative Pita (made by Western Bagel--http://www.westernbagel.com/buy_online_the_alternative_pita_bread.php), canned organic tomato sauce, spinach, and part-skim mozzarella with a sprinkle of parmesan for more flavor. Sometimes I'll add…

^^^This. But more power to you for just getting started to begin with. A step forward is a step forward. No need to leap tall buildings your first day...

Wheat gluten and casein (the protein in dairy) are difficult for humans to digest properly and can cause systemic problems of many kinds, including increasing problems with acne. I'm sure it also doesn't help that much dairy has hormones in it. Sweating from exercise can be a double edged sword--it can help clear toxins…

Thanks, all! Yeah, they're not as defined as some (Trail_Addict--Ha!), but the definition is absolutely there. It feels great to have some muscle definition in my legs at last! :)

This. Also look for isometric facial exercises. They help quite a bit by building the muscle tone in your face.

The support here is amazing, and if you stick to your goals and stay honest with yourself and pick yourself up when you fall (you will--we all do--but it's not the end of the world if you don't let it derail you), you will do it. And we will cheer when you do. :)

Dey eatz buggz!

I'd say be sure not to wear anything that a zombie can easily grab on to... The more costume bits you have, the more likely they are to catch you, I'd think. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy2YhxXn7NY

It's not easy to get stress eating under control, but it IS possible. First, you need to find better ways to control your stress. The first part is to snap yourself out of it--literally. Put a rubber band around your wrist (not tight), and when you find yourself craving or reaching for food, snap the rubber band to remind…

Healthy, whatever the build.

I understand the pressure that can come from "friends" teasing you. But don't let that make you do something that will ruin your health for the rest of your life--at 14, the rest of your life is a long time! And yo-yo dieting is a bad habit to get into at any time, let alone now. Show your friends how healthy you can be,…

Your photostream is set as private. We can't see the photos unless you set them public.

Homemade chocolate hazelnut spread is a little healthier. And still very yumm. http://www.ohnuts.com/blog/2011/01/homemade_nutella_recipe_1.html

Realistically? My dogs and my cat and my alarm. But they do it because I got in the habit of getting up early to write, so I still get up early and now I write and run and do yoga, all in the quiet of morning when everyone else is still asleep and I can enjoy it peacefully before everyone gets active and the day explodes.…

A homemade brownie made by my coworker who was a pastry chef in another life. Yumm! Hey, every once in a while it pays to indulge. The rest of the day will be divinely healthy. :)

Research BMR and TDEE. You should ALWAYS net above your BMR to avoid major health problems. If you have a deficit below TDEE, you'll lose. With as little to lose as you have, it will be slow, and it should be slow to make it last.

@Jessica... ah, no, my retail days are far behind me. But you look to me to be a professional smolderer.