cherapple Member

I'm going to be 40 in a matter of days, so I'm getting up there myself. :laugh: I just refuse to age. :bigsmile: Walking is good - whatever gets the blood flowing. I think most of us started as junk food junkies, too, which is why we're so devoted to NOT being that way anymore, after suffering the health consequences. A…

No treats! Now that's just unreasonable! LOL. :laugh: You have to find some kind of treat that you can enjoy now and then or you'll lose your mind trying to stick with any diet changes. How about a small piece of really dark chocolate (if you can do it -- I don't trust myself :ohwell: ), or clean hot cocoa (make with skim…

Good luck! I think we've all been there. I had my temptations today. (I gave in to a few crackers.) Even though I've been doing really well, the scale isn't budging on the last ten pounds -- I'd be happy with five! -- for me either. But I'm feeling really good and strong, so I'm not too worried about it. It's winter, so…

Hi, booksarenice! It sounds like you are making some really good changes toward your health and your husband's! Your body must be getting used to the lack of sodas if you don't even finish the one you're still drinking. That's progress! As for peanut butter, I personally buy anything "natural," with just peanuts and salt…

I was so hungry today! What was up with that? :grumble: I need to work on my away-from-home meals because it often doesn't feel like I'm really eating -- just snacking -- so I still feel hungry (largely psychological). I think I'm going to have to have a 7th meal before bed because I'm starving right now, too! Meal #1 The…

It's tough! Have you tried sweetening with less refined sugars, like honey or maple syrup? They don't seem to have the same "crack" effect for me that sugar has. I can eat a little and be satisfied. Of course, you aren't going to find a soda made with those things -- I sometimes drink selzer with a few drops of Stevia in…

Debbie, You are more than welcome to join! There are no "rules" and we don't expect everyone to do exactly the same thing. The Eat Clean Diet is based on the diets of athletes, but anyone who eats that way is going to be healthier. It's no small feat to eat whole, unprocessed foods, and if you're already doing it then join…

Clean Eating Magazine is my favorite! Lots of recipes made with whole foods and minimal sweeteners, and very few splashy advertisements -- none for junk or "supplements" or any of that crappy stuff. It's just real, good food. :happy:

It helps me to eat several small meals every day, rather than three big ones. Then I always know I have another meal right around the corner! :bigsmile: I never have to let myself get to the point of starving. I also make sure I eat protein and healthy fats every time I eat something to make it more satisfying. Nuts,…

Oh yeah on the "white crack"! I prefer to get "high" on exercise and good health! :laugh:

Today's workout: Upper body and abs Meal #1 (preworkout) 3/4 c skim milk 1/4 c egg whites Stevia Meal #2 1/2 c multi-grain oatmeal (1 c cooked) 1 sliced apple 1/8 c trail mix 1/4 c skim milk 1/4 c egg whites Stevia 1 c coffee 2 T half and half Meal #3 Turkey burger 1 piece whole grain bread 3/4 c baked french "fries" 2 T…

Hello, dalawna! Yes, this is the first time I've ever experienced this amount of success, so I know where you are coming from! There was one time a few years ago that I gained ten pounds in a month from binging!!! I started in puberty and I've struggled with it pretty much my entire life. Luckily, I've always enjoyed…

Debbie, Have you seen our Clean Eating Club threads? It's the perfect diet for getting rid of sugar! It teaches you how to eat only (or mostly) whole, unprocessed foods. I'm loving it and not feeling deprived at all.

Definitely crack. :laugh: I can't touch the stuff without binging. I always immediately feel better when I go off it, but I hear some people have horrible withdrawal symptoms. I might have food cravings and ravenous hunger for a day or two, and then I can forget it -- until I think I'm safe to have "just a little" and…

I certainly have a few branded products that I'm devoted to!!! But I make sure they have the fewest ingredients and as little processing as possible. The key, of course, is to always take advertising with a grain of salt and read the ingredients in *everything.* Chemicals, no thanks -- real food, yes, please! TC,…

Thanks, FC! It's interesting to note which one has all the brand name products and which one doesn't. Personally, I'd go with the bodybuilding.com one for health. :smile: In fact, that's pretty much the way I eat.

32 hours is a long time when you don't have power! :laugh: Or fresh, refrigerated, cooked food! Did you have a storm?

Meal #5 Navel orange 1 c Orville Redanbacher's (sp?) Simply Salted popcorn

Jess emailed me and said that she's had relatives visiting for the past few days, and now she is without power! (She emailed from her Blackberry.) That's whey we haven't seen her much.

:flowerforyou: Homemade Ketchup 12 oz tomato past 1/2 c cider vinegar 1/2 c water 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp oregano 1/8 tsp cumin 1/8 tsp nutmeg 1/8 tsp pepper 1/2 tsp mustard powder squeeze of garlic from press Source: The New Laurel's Kitchen I half the recipe, and I also don't like all the spices, so I just use the tomato…

Meal #1 1/2 c multi grain oatmeal 1 sliced apple 1/4 c skim milk 1/4 c egg whites 1/2 T almond peanut butter 1 cup coffee 2 Tbs half and half Calories: 296 Meal #2 1 piece whole wheat bread 2 oz. turkey slices 1 Tbs hommus Lettuce 1/2 c butternut squash Calories: 252 Meal #3 1/2 c lowfat cottage cheese 1/2 c lowfat plain…

LOL! I can't justify spending money on something like that most of the time! How about calipers AND a HRM? :bigsmile: :laugh:

I just posted this in the nutrition thread: Sugar Is Pain: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/33063-sugar-is-pain My new revelation that sugar has been the culprit in my coffee all these years is *really* helping me to "keep it clean." :laugh: I'm still so blown away by it! Am I so "dumb" that it took me twenty years…

I've had a major revelation that is really helping me to eat better over the holidays! I was diagnosed with IBS in college, and I've always thought that coffee and chocolate were the main culprits causing me abdominal pain. I stopped drinking coffee for nearly 20 years because of it. The chocolate wasn't quite as easy to…

I went to a running store to be professionally fit for running shoes, spent $100, and ended up pulling and tearing my calf muscle three times in the shoes that they suggested. I had never had that problem before, and once I quit wearing the shoes, the problem went away. They were especially designed for overpronation. I'll…

Hey, Jawaria! I've gotten a little off track, too. I haven't had sweets, but I did eat a lot of processed foods at our family Christmas get-together today, as well as eat more than I should have. I haven't mastered how to NOT eat a meal that family members have prepared for my family. I guess in time they may understand…

So did anyone get anything fun for Christmas? :bigsmile: I got snow shoes, a new iPod nano, and some hazelnut COFFEE!!! I bet the caffeine jitters are burning off some calories. :laugh: Meal #1: Banana 1/4 c Grape Nuts 1/2 c skim milk 8 almonds 1 T cashews 1 c coffee 2 T half and half (I'm drinking it unsweetened, but…

Here's a great idea for a clean protein bar: Boomi Protein Plus bars. They come in almond and cashew varieties. Nutrition for the almond version: 270 calories 12 g protein Just three ingredients! -- Almonds or cashews, honey, whey protein isolate They are more expensive than Clif bars, but much better! You can get them in…

Snowshoes (because I'm chicken about running in winter) and a new iPod nano. :bigsmile:

I didn't count today -- it looks like everyone is taking the day off! I ate pretty clean, but allowed myself a break from logging my foods. I had a very nice Christmas with my kids, husband, and mother, who came to visit from out of town. I hope everyone is enjoying some relaxing time with their families! :heart: