theginnyray Member

1200 calories probably isn't enough. Your body needs fuel.

You probably won't find the time to exercise if you aren't willing to compromise something. You have to find what works for you and your family. My husband and I both work 9-5 jobs, so I take the morning workout slot, he gets afternoons. My alarm starts going off at 4am, I usually get up around 4:30. As long as The Kid…

I was thinking the same thing too!!! They almost always get a chance to come back. No big deal if they did away with that - but I don't recall the last time they DIDNT give the first ones kicked off a chance to come back! Conda is awful, I never really liked Kim much either. However, I'm still leery of the girls on the…

I really only hit the gym in the winter, otherwise I'm outside. First things first, I cover the screen on the Dreadmill. I do keep my time and speed out there, but not distance. For me, that's what gets me unfocused. I also keep reminding myself how much I really do love running. It's much harder for me to zone out on the…

I love this video!!! Each level is about 40 minutes (ish). When I first started doing it, I was not used to doing any squats/lunges or leg work of any sort. So after the first day, I was very very very sore. The first level is plank-heavy and floor work. My back was also sore with level one (just the first week or so), and…

Pre-log food: Yes. I plan all of my meals in advance, so I always know exactly what I'm eating for the next week. I pick my snacks at the beginning of the day, and pick them according to how many calories I have allotted for the day. Pre-log exercise: Today I did, because I rode my bike to work. I don't have an option not…

Two things come to mind: 1. You need new shoes. You need to be properly fitted for running shoes at a running store. Not a big box store at the mall. They will analyze the way you walk/run and recommend shoes. The analysis is usually free. Most places will just have you walk barefoot in their stores, other places use fancy…

Going for hikes is a great idea! Do either of you have a dog to walk? If you live in a city, or near a city, or anywhere where there is sight-seeing, maybe take a walking tour? My city has a great downtown area - a sculpture garden, shopping district and some walking/biking/whatever trails all within walking distance.…

I knew I wasn't alone! Bohemian Rhapsody gets.me.every.time!

Add raw veggies to your salads - broccoli, broccoli slaw, cauliflower, peppers, onions etc. Roast them instead of steaming - put them on a pan with some EVOO/salt/pepper and throw in the oven (lots of recipes floating around the web for this right now) - broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, asparagus. If you need more…

I lip sync in the mirror on the treadmill, and have been known to sing out loud when I'm the only one there. And I definitely sing out loud when I run outside, mostly when I'm out in the country or alone on the trail. I can't help being moved by a song!!!

This. Seriously, soups are so easy to make, especially if you have a Crock Pot. Throw everything in the crock in the morning, it's ready in a few hours. A lot of them also only take 20-40 minutes on the stove, and will feed you for at least a week. You can control exactly how much sodium you take in, and no ingredients you…

That's great! I think if you can already ride 20 miles, with a little more time on that bike seat you will do great! I haven't done it, never really had a desire to until recently. If I wasn't already on vacation during RAGBRAI this summer, I'd definitely do a couple of days!

Weekends are definitely harder, hello, it's the weekend! My only suggestion would be to plan ahead. That is our only saving grace! My husband and I are really trying not to spend a lot of frivolous money this year, which includes impromptu dinners out and about. So, when I plan our meals for the week, I also include…

I ran my first official half mary in October of 2011, and did a 20k (so 12.whatever miles) in June of 2011 (and other distance races in previous years). I was not properly trained for the 20k - I somehow finished, in 2 hours and 40 minutes. Eeeeks! Lots of walk and potty breaks, was sore and had an upset stomach the rest…

I second entering your ingredients into the recipe maker on here. It saves them, so if it's a recipe you make often, you already have it saved. Works great!

Keurig and food processor, Crock Pot is great too.

For starters, what all have you tried? What exactly do you find boring about it? I mean, are you bored because you want to chat with someone? Because you found the exercise too easy or difficult?

I was using a meal planning service (google: e-mealz), but I come across too many new recipes that I want to try, so I make my own list. I keep a 3-ring binder of recipes (torn from magazines, prints from The Interwebs, etc). Each week, I create a new word document for the next week's food plans. There are two columns, one…

My Winter food plan is as follows: Breakfast - Oatmeal, banana, coffee Lunch - Homemade Soup (chicken, various vegetables, etc etc) Dinner - Changes daily, tonight is Stir Fry night Snacks (pick 3-4 per day) - Carrots/Laughing Cow wedge Popcorn (plain, no pre-packaged bags) Apple Other seasonal fruit Pretzels String Cheese…

If I were you, I'd keep the gym membership. $15 a month is a great deal. Do you have any friends who also go there? I would also borrow a couple of DVDs from a friend to try out in your house. For me, the thing that made DVD's doable in my own house was setting up an exercise area. We have our a TV/DVD player in the…

If you're jogging or running, you should be fit at a running store. Not a big box store, but an actual running store that caters to runners and walkers. They will analyze your steps and put you in a shoe that is right for your feet. This is a free service they offer (pretty much all running stores), and they might have a…

Popcorn, good ol plain popcorn. Throw a few tbs in a brown bag, in the microwave on your popcorn setting and BAM! 130 calories of delicious crunchy goodness. Add some seasoning if you'd like.

Bingo. Beyond buying better foods, have you considered making them yourself? Homemade pizza and soups happen on a weekly basis at my house. They are surprisingly easy to make.

I do log my energy gels, but not coffee (the actual coffee, I do log creamer). Gels are 100/pack. I take them when I run, and I never run less than four miles, so I definitely work them off. There is a difference in 100 calories and a 2 calorie cup of coffee tho. I would start logging your gels - however, you're really…

Do what works for you. If you don't need to eat before exercising, don't. If you think you do need to eat before a workout, be willing to try different things and figure out what works for your body. I run 3 or 4 mornings a week, I need fuel, so I use energy gels. I don't have enough time to digest food before heading out…

I would agree that it kinda depends on your body and your activities, health etc. Personally, I focus on calories, fat, fiber, in that order. I'm over on sugar every single day - which is a result of the fresh fruit I consume. I'm not going to battle that. I also don't watch my sodium - I don't eat foods that I consider to…

My husband travels for work and I am a runner. When the weather is nice, I load the kid in the jogging stroller and get a few miles in. Let me warn you, the jogging stroller is extra work, and it will not be comfortable, even if you buy the most expensive model :-) But it's totally worth it. I would also recommend a bike…

This is a pretty loaded question. Let me ask you instead: What are YOU doing to lose weight? Do you feel that your excess weight is coming off slowly? Is there anything specific that you want to know more about? But to answer your question, I also use Nikes. I also do and don't eat back my exercise calories. I also do and…

That is fantastic. Just the motivation I need - thank you!