| Forum | Topic | Date | Replies |
 |
|
|
|
| Weight Loss | No more denying....so embarrassing. :( | Dec 16 2009 20:55 (UTC) |
4 |
I went through a huge downturn like this, and mine lasted for two years (well, those were the worst two, the years before it I was overweight too, but not over 200 pounds). At least you caught it early on and are ready for a change. Start by watching your calories and eating at a deficit (I'd aim for the lowest, 1200 cals a day, but you can also do the math and really calculate what will put you at x number of calories a day deficit). When you are comfortable with it, I'd start working out. Ease yourself into it. Make it fun, something you enjoy doing. The good news is, when you start working out, you can add however much you burn on to your daily allowance of calories. And I like the above advice as well. Don't just think about the end of the journey. Think about what you can do for yourself in this moment. The end goal can seem unattainable, but it can be done little by little - you can do it! Good luck. |
|||
| Fitness | Jogging? | Dec 16 2009 16:11 (UTC) |
4 |
Original Post by rosieblue: Get a good sports bra. I love running, it's the perfect free workout! |
|||
| Fitness | Workouts for Unfit Beginners? | Dec 13 2009 20:15 (UTC) |
8 |
I started from scratch by working on an elliptical for 30 mins/day, then increased it to 45 mins when I felt ready (after a couple weeks if I remember correctly). If you don't have access to any kind of equipment, or don't want to feel like a gerbil, going out and taking a walk (a good long one where you really feel like you're working, not a casual stroll) is always good. Work at your own pace and step it up when you're not challenged anymore! Good luck. |
|||
| Weight Loss | Confused on what should be the right amount of calories for me??? | Dec 11 2009 12:48 (UTC) |
4 |
"Keep in mind sedentary is for those that are in a coma, bed-bound, or just literally stay in bed all day." It's also the baseline setting on CC for people who want to log their activities instead of having CC calculate your daily burn. |
|||
| Weight Loss | The Many Excuses | Dec 07 2009 21:30 (UTC) |
11 |
Original Post by dkenworthy: That first one is my grandfather's excuse. I wish the doctor would stop telling him he's got perfect blood pressure and that he has great genes and he's going to live til he's a 100 just doing what he's doing. He's severely overweight. And the "I have a healthy diet" ("I eat healthy") excuse was a common one of mine. Just because the food you're eating is "good" for you (avacados, nuts, a vegetarian diet, homemade food, etc.) doesn't mean you can have as much as you want. Serving size and calorie count still apply. My mom still uses this excuse. She loves cooking and makes everything from scratch... but makes a LOT of food. Sure it's healthy. But not if you have two giant plates of it... and wash it down with lots of "healthy" red wine and dark chocolate. |
|||
| Weight Loss | The Many Excuses | Dec 07 2009 19:16 (UTC) |
16 |
My eating habits, when my weight was really out of control, were less about excuses and more about a state of unconsciousness. I had lost weight - on a calorie-counting program - before grad school. And at some point, I just felt invincible. I was losing weight, and food didn't matter. I actually remember having that thought. And then I went into a temporary state of amnesia or self-denial about how I had done it. When I inevitably started to gain again, I wondered if I should go vegan again, or make vitamin shakes (both of which I had done while also dieting). Then my ex-boyfriend's mother started making not-so-subtle hints about calories and food portions (she was really passive-agressive about it). This made me shut down further and almost eat in retaliation. Anyway, weight loss basically mystified me while I was in my unconscious state. I made no correlation between what I was putting in my mouth (which was a lot), and how I looked as a result. And because I could see no immediate result from exercise, I didn't exercise much. I didn't see the correlation there either, that if I burned more calories a day working out, I could earn that much more intake. I would watch people go by running and think, "why is it that all the small people are runners? It's not fair." But you have to start somewhere... I love going for a run now! It's the gym of free and I don't feel like a gerbil on one of those machines. =) So those were my excuses!! |
|||
| Weight Loss | How do you do it! ? :O o.O | Nov 05 2009 22:17 (UTC) |
4 |
Hi Loubyloou, I think you are at the right first step - wanting it, and wanting to understand what it takes. For a long time I was overweight, and would look at healthy people and just be envious. I didn't think it could ever be me. I didn't know how to get from point A to point B. My problem ended up being that I was enjoying food, blissfully unaware of calories. I scoffed at people who, in my eyes, obsessed about them. My stomach would hurt so bad after meals, especially dinner, and I still didn't make the connection. Your body can't handle it. I was also not working out, except for a weekly yoga class (which was pretty depressing at 220#). Just remember that #1, calories count, and #2, it doesn't happen overnight so be vigilant, honest about what you're eating, and patient. To answer your questions: how long did it take you? 1 year. I have lost 100 lbs. and am now at my maintenance weight. (Since August of this year) what were your goals/motivations? - To be at a healthy weight - To start dating again - To not be afraid of the scale how much exercise did you do? - I didn't do any at first. The pounds just started dropping when I started eating at a deficit instead of my usual thoughtless shoveling. About 3 months in, I started going a few times a week to the gym to use the elliptical. About 6 months in I started running. I now run 3.5 miles a day, weather permitting. Otherwise I use a "LifeCycle" machine at home, since the days are getting darker in WI and the weather is cold and unpredictable. Man, I miss the summer days just thinking about it! Running has really gotten me in tune with the weather and the seasons, just another added benefit. I also biked on the local bike trail to mix it up; too cold for that now too. did you go to the gym, or do exercise @ home ? As said above, a little of both. The gym costs money so I don't have a membership anymore, I just run, bike, and use a machine at home. Good luck to you!! |
|||
| Weight Loss | Help! Does anybody else resist eating foods with an unknown amount of calories? | Oct 30 2009 15:09 (UTC) |
8 |
It sounds like maybe you're not ready for intuitive eating yet. The term implies the ability to look at a food and correctly gauge the number of calories/nutritional value. If you can't do that, and/or you really don't know what went into these foods you love (which is hard at restaurants but should be easier with home-cooked meals), I'd continue to count the calories until you understand better the nutritional info about these foods. I usually try to guess at the value of unknown foods (home-made meals - do they have lots of cheese in them? Oil? Cream? Yogurt? Nuts?). But then after I eat I usually go into Calorie Count and enter the most significantly caloric items that I know I've eaten to double-check my guess. So that I can get a good idea (hopefully) of what I've just consumed, and see if I was way off. Or if I know where I'm going/what I'm eating for a meal later, I sometimes look ingredients up so I can plan ahead. I know you don't want to be tied to a nutritional scale either, but you'd only need to weigh one of your favorite donuts once, for example, to get an idea how many calories it's costing you. Bring the donut home, weigh it, and query Calorie Count with the specific weight in a comprable (Krispy Kreme) donut. Voila. |
|||
| Foods | Good protein smoothie? | Oct 29 2009 17:39 (UTC) |
3 |
My protien smoothie:
1 banana 1 C crushed ice 1/4 C unflavored soy protein isolate (can buy at any health food store. I prefer this over milk/whey protein because it's more protein bang for my buck. and I also just don't like milk/whey) 1 T unsweetened cocoa powder 1 T instant coffee powder, or 1 C brewed coffee or espresso if I've made that ahead 1/4 C soymilk (can sub in yogurt, or skip even) 1 C water
Stir all this up in the blender, then blend it up.
If you get the unflavored powder, you can experiment with your own flavors. For instance, I've used matcha green tea powder in place of the cocoa/coffee. And of course there's always the standby berries, etc, but they're not in season right now, and I like getting my morning coffee and breakfast all in one. For the moment!
|
|||
| Foods | flavored coffee and caloies? | Oct 29 2009 17:27 (UTC) |
3 |
Put "pumpkin spice latte" into the food search here on CC, or go to Starbucks.com and use their nutritional information tool. Flavored starbucks drinks are pretty caloric. They have lots of sugar syrups, honey, caramel, and/or chocolate. Milk is caloric too, and if you don't specify non-fat, you will get whole or 2% or whatever their baseline milk product is. My old favorite drink, a 12 oz. soy mocha, no whip, is 190 calories. My new drink is an Americano with a soy topper. Which doesn't blow away 1/3 of my calories for a full meal. |
|||
| Weight Loss | Mistaking healthy weight loss for an eating disorder | Oct 26 2009 18:52 (UTC) |
14 |
I know exactly what you are talking about, and I wish I knew what the answer is too. I am 29, 5'4". My highest weight was 220 - I have been working on maintaining 125 since this June. My family was okay with my weight loss for a while - til I hit about 170. After that it has all been comments about how I've lost too much weight, and constant, constant comments about what I'm eating - and it's never enough. Most of this comes from my mother, with a few comments peppered in by my father, and sideways glances from my sister when I refuse food. I have to keep telling myself not to listen. (It's teaching me self-discipline and stressing me out at the same time). I've also talked to my mother several times about how damaging her words have been to me (and not helpful as she somehow imagines her commentary is). I don't have an Eating Disorder, I have made a lifestyle change. She tells me she just isn't used to me looking like this, or having these eating habits (yeah, because I grew up in her 'we-love-food-laissez-faire' house). Honestly I wish I didn't have to see her so often because I wouldn't be hearing these comments, and it would save me a lot of stress. She's like the voice of an ED I don't have. It stresses me out because I don't want to develop an ED because I start believing the things she says. Anyway, I'm interested to know if anyone who's maybe been in this situation before and has kept the weight off has noticed a dropoff in this type of commentary after the "newness" of the weight loss has worn off... please say it does! And thanks for posting Suki, glad to know I'm not alone. |
|||
| Foods | Protein-Rich Snacks | Oct 26 2009 18:31 (UTC) |
5 |
Primal strips vegetarian jerky are high in protein. And good. And not meat. |
|||
| Vegetarian | I read the funniest thing today! | Oct 26 2009 15:41 (UTC) |
15 |
Gelatin is made from animal connective tissue. If you're vegetarian for animal rights reasons, you shouldn't eat anything with gelatin listed in the ingredients. (There are also certain brands of white sugar that are made with animal bone char... another non-vegetarian product.) Also, that's funny that some lady would argue with you that vegetarianism is against the bible. I've never heard that one. Guess I'm going to hell and should start my Satanist journey as well! |
|||
| Weight Loss | Question about figuring out daily calorie goal | Oct 23 2009 16:05 (UTC) |
2 |
As I understand it, the activity level determines your burn meter. So if you want Calorie Count to figure in your average exersize, set your activity level at what your average daily activity level is and don't log your exersize/workout unless it's above and beyond what you normally do. I find that method a little less precise (but easier if you don't want to be logging every activity on a daily basis to calculate your burn meter). But what I do is set my level at sedentary, and then log any significant activity individually. |
|||
| Foods | Curse you Candy Corn! | Oct 20 2009 14:35 (UTC) |
34 |
I'm a sucker for candy corn, but only the gelatin-free kind. Which actually makes it easier to say no to, like marshmallows. =) |
|||
| Weight Loss | Mirena IUD help!! | Oct 07 2009 22:26 (UTC) |
11 |
I had a Mirena put in this past July. No side effects... it's so great. And as far as I can tell, no weight gain. I have lost a couple pounds since then but stayed steady for the most part - which is good because I'm trying to figure out what my maintenance calories should be. When I had it put in, I asked my doctor straight up if weight gain was a side effect and she said no, so I'm skeptical when you say "most docs won't tell you this"... that sounds paranoid, or like you want to use weight gain from the Mirena as an excuse for weight gain no matter what. The amount of drug in the device is very small - I believe it's just a fraction of the hormone you'd be getting if you were getting Depo shots (which I used to have, and would notice its effects on my body such as my skin being oily, etc). And the Mirena & the drug in it lasts 5 years. So I don't know. Aside from the insertion being painful as heck, I'd recommend the Mirena to anyone who can't/doesn't want to be on the pill. It makes my life easier. |
|||
| Foods | Luna Bars for Lunch | Aug 26 2009 22:21 (UTC) |
1 |
I think Luna Bars are okay, but for lunch 5 times a week, I don't know... they wouldn't be my first choice. Maybe once in a while, but I'd mix it up. Some of my favorite quick lunches/mid-day snacks include Kashi granola bars, and healthy muffins I make myself. If you make a batch of muffins on the weekend, they should last you the week, if you have a couple a day. I've made carrot-oat muffins, banana-chocolate oat muffins, and I want to make bran muffins for my next batch... Anyway I'd say - mix it up! Don't just eat Luna bars. Besides, I'd think that'd also start to get expensive. |
|||
| Motivation | A neat realization | Aug 10 2009 18:13 (UTC) |
8 |
I love making connections like that - I can't believe how much weight I used to carry around either. I remember packing a heavy suitcase for a trip and then seeing how much it weighed on the scale at the airport... it's pretty amazing because I think it weighed around 35 pounds, about half of what I've lost so far and it felt like so much! And I used to carry double that all the time! ...scary. |
|||
| Vegetarian | I want to go vegan again... | Aug 05 2009 22:22 (UTC) |
3 |
Well, you know you can go lacto-ovo veg, too. I was a strict vegan for a year when I started the vegetarian thing, and then switched to a more flexible lacto-ovo vegetarian diet. (Going back to hamburgers... I can't even imagine that, can't believe you did it after being vegan! I guess it also depends on the reasons you're vegan/vegetarian (moral or dietary)). The reason I went lacto-ovo was for more flexibility, especially when eating with omnivores and eating out at restaurants. I am vegan at home. |
|||
| Weight Loss | 5 months... | Aug 05 2009 18:28 (UTC) |
5 |
Congrats and keep it up! |
|||
| Foods | 10 Worst Fair Foods: Yuck or Yum? | Aug 05 2009 05:07 (UTC) |
17 |
There are some really bad fair foods out there... At the WI State Fair, the "best of the best" (or "best of the worst" depending on how you look at it) in my opinion are - -Roasted Corn on the Cob, still in husk (option to have it dipped in butter - pass on that!) -Cream Puffs (haven't had one of these since I was a kid but it brings back memories!) -Baked Potato (I had this for dinner at the state fair when I was vegan - if I remember correctly, the only topping I could get was salsa, but it was still very good)
|
|||
| Vegetarian | veggie foods---SURVEY JUST FOR US!! | Jul 28 2009 22:14 (UTC) |
38 |
1. favorite leafy green I like them all! Recently discovered that arugula is not the devil, but in fact is AWESOME... 2. favorite veggie meat product Morningstar Farms crumbles as a "meat" sauce for spaghetti 3. favorite veggie breakfast food Well, my favorite breakfast is eggs benedict, with either a tomato slice or artichoke to replace the ham. My daily breakfast is a protein smoothie. <3 4. favorite veggie appetizer Not sure...! Makes me think of trying to eat out at a restaurant though, and how sometimes the only vegetarian option is a crappy spinach cheese dip or some variation thereof. 5. favorite way to have tofu Any way. 6. favorite beans? Chickpeas. 7. milk preference Plain soy milk 8. favorite veggie recipe Recently making a lot of whole wheat couscous with various sauteed/roasted vegetables. 9. have you ever had meat? I have been vegetarian since February 2004 10. do you occasionally eat meat? Never. 11. if you were a prior meat eater, what food would make you most likely to go back...not saying you ever would actually do it, so i guess your favorite meat. The longer I don't eat meat, the less I find I miss it. The smell of meat on the grill sometimes makes me reminisce, but never nearly enough to cheat and eat meat. If I could have a lamb burger and not have it actually come from a lamb... but that's not gonna happen so I am happy with my options as long as they are not animal flesh. 12. does your romantic partner [if applicable] meat? if so does it make it hard. Yes, he eats meat, but he doesn't mind going veggie when we cook together. He's also grilled his own meat on the grill while I grilled a portabella cap, and veggies for both of us. I love to cook, but have made it clear that if he wants to make his own meat option, he's gotta do it himself =P |
|||
| Recipes | Pumpkin Spice Muffin | Jul 28 2009 21:46 (UTC) |
3 |
I'm totally going to try these... been looking for a good granola bar alternative that I make myself! |
|||
| Fitness | Protein Powders: Do they work? | Jul 28 2009 21:28 (UTC) |
6 |
I have been doing a daily protein smoothie for a couple months now - for workout recovery as well as a protein source, because I am vegetarian. I've really enjoyed them. I'm not sure if I'd say "oh my gosh I suddenly see twice the muscle!" but I feel I'm getting a consistent source of protein, in known quantities. This is my smoothie: 1 scoop (1/4 cup) soy protein (the orange container, 90% protein) 3/4 glass of ice (whichever glass I'm going to drink the smoothie out of) 1/4 cup plain non-fat yogurt 1 banana .5 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder OR 1/4 cup extra fruits (blueberries are good) 1/2 cup water
Buzz in blender, pour back into the glass you used for ice... ~230 calories, lots of protein goodness. I like to have it for breakfast! |
|||
| Foods | Your favorties A-Z!!!! | Jul 23 2009 22:23 (UTC) |
26 |
A - type of Apple: Cortland
|
|||
| Foods | Food Tastes Survey! | Jul 21 2009 15:37 (UTC) |
73 |
Favorite breakfast: Eggs Benedict |
|||
| Foods | Healthy Food Survey | Jul 14 2009 18:14 (UTC) |
31 |
Cold cereal, oatmeal or museli? Cold cereal Kale, collard greens or Swiss chard? I like em all Soy milk, almond milk or oat milk? Soy (never tried almond or oat but I drink soy regularly) Favorite way to cook veggies? Lately it's roast them in the oven and serve with couscous. Also have been grilling them a lot - grill season! Favorite fruit for breakfast? Banana Favorite fruit for snack? Cherries Best way to eat carrots? Raw Whole grains are best in: bread, pasta or baked goods? Any Favorite healthy dessert? Any kind of fruit or combination of fruit. Plus small piece dark chocolate. Favorite nut butter? Peanut Luna Bars, LaraBars or Think Bars? Never had any of em. Black beans, kidney beans or garbanzo beans? I love me some Chickpeas. Black, spice or green tea? Green How do you take your tea? Iced at the moment Local or organic from store? I'd take local over organic... but both if possible. Favorite farmer's market item? Kohlrabi, celery root, snap peas, fresh strawberries... whatever's in season really. Favorite combinations for trail mix? I'm flexible. Good old raisins & peanuts plus whatever strikes my fancy. Favorite dried fruit? Meh. Raisins? Baked potato or baked yam? Sweet potato. Favorite way to eat dark chocolate? Straight up. |
|||
| Foods | Morning Star or Boca | Jul 14 2009 15:54 (UTC) |
27 |
Definitely prefer MorningStar over Boca. MorningStar tastes fresher, they have lots of flavors I like... I am not really looking to be fooled into thinking I am eating meat - I am vegetarian and I think meat is gross. Just looking for something that tastes good and is the general shape of a hamburger bun so I can have something to eat when all the meat-eaters are grilling out. I also like having them on hand for a quick dinner when I'm alone, plain with some ketchup, fast & easy... The MorningStar crumbles are also good, and I also liked the rice patties with edamame. |
|||
| The Lounge | an open letter to dog park people | Jul 02 2009 22:21 (UTC) |
3 |
To each his own, if you're that committed to keeping your dog on-leash I guess no one is really going to talk you out of it. We have Newfoundlands and take them to the dog park all the time, and never make them stay on-leash. The more they socialize, the better they get at it. The way I see it, if you're taking your dog to the dog park, you know what you're signing up for - dogs running around off-leash. Why take them otherwise? If they're off-leash they get to behave and socialize naturally. Everyone is on equal footing and the dogs establish a pecking order/dominance amongst themselves. We've never had trouble with our dogs in relation to their size, aside from stressed out owners. The dogs are always fine and work it out. I feel bad for any dog at the dog park on-leash. |
|||
| Motivation | What helped you make the switch to "thinking healthy"? | Apr 21 2009 21:29 (UTC) |
7 |
A few things helped me. For a while I had been mystified by weight loss. "Eating healthy", weight watchers, slim fast... none of it was magically doing anything for me. Then a couple things happened. Our vet said our dogs were overweight, and that we needed to rein in their portion sizes. The lightbulb went dimly on for me. Then, my father went on a regular reduced-calorie diet with almost instant results. It was like the common-sense switch finally went off in my head: I have to stop eating so much, period. Laissez-faire doesn't even begin to describe how I was eating... whole packages of Trader Joe's peanut butter cups, things like that. Because they tasted good - it was just mindless eating. Anyway, so I began counting calories. When most of the really excessive weight came off, then I started exercising daily. Sometimes common sense just has to knock you upside the head. And you have to resist the pressure when those around you (my family, for example) aren't watching what they eat and are offering heaps of food. No excuses. I'm down to 150 from an all-time high of 220. Viva free will and common sense. |
|||
Fast food?Fast answers.
Text food hamburger to
HEALTH (432-584) for full calorie information. FREE!
Click here to start
