Posts by losmom7

Hello!  I've been in both positions.  My hubby will say he wants to eat better & work out.  I make his healthy lunch and he ends up ditching it and going to Chilli's!  And I know how difficult it can be to work out in front of others.  There's a couple reasons for it... one is the obvious, being embarrassed about what you look like.  The second is less obvious (from a girls point of view)... and that is if you're seen trying to better yourself then it means others might think you're not comfortable in your own skin.  Weird little female minds, eh?

Anyway, I'd suggest some workout DVD's you two can do together at home.  Nobody else is there to see you, and they have some pretty good ones.  There's walking DVD's, like Leslie Sansone (walk in place) and Denise Austin's Personal Trainer one is awesome too.  You can customize according to your level, plus the time you have. 

If that fails - go it alone!  If she wants to change, she'll need to decide when the time is right for her.  Maybe seeing you stay with it will motivate her. 

Every overweight person WANTS to lose the weight... It's being WILLING to make the changes that is so darn difficult!  Good luck.

Bad idea.  Women shouldn't eat less than 1200.  Your body may go into starvation mode, making it hang on to what you do eat.  It slows down your metabolism and when you start eating more, then it won't burn that many calories.  You're also setting yourself up for binge eating!

Now that I've got the right answer out of the way... my doctor told me that women shouldn't eat less than 1200 calories for more than 1 day in a row.  I wouldn't do it on purpose (some days are just too busy!) because I love food too much and don't want to set myself up for a binge.  Have you ever waited too long to eat and when you finally do, you eat too much?  If so - not a good choice for you to try it.  Just get over you two bad days and move on.

Hi there.  To lose a pound a week, you need 500 calorie deficit a day.

So take your current weight and multiple by 15 (since you're active).   that's the approx. # of calories you need to maintain your current weight.  Eat 500 calories a day less than that, and you're on your way!

Hello!  You can also go to Tools on that toolbar, go to Calorie Target and type in your current weight and goal weight.  It will tell you how many calories to eat to safely lose weight, and when to expect to get to your goal. 

Definitely use the food log to track everything you eat.  Once you get the hang of it, you'll see patterns.  And if you're like me, you'll see exactly what that one handful of cashews really does to your calorie intake.  It takes practice, but soon enough it'll be second nature. 

Hi there.  Sorry to say that I'm not in college anymore (I wish!) and I was also more in the position of your roommates.  But in that position, I can tell you that all you need to do is have a heart to heart with them.  Tell them your goals and it doesn't help to have that stuff around.  If they really care, they will save it for another time like when you're in class.

Second, for any age... when they bring out the junk, go brush your teeth and pop a piece of gum in your mouth.  Gum is cheap and hopefully you won't want to get all that grease, sugar or whatever else on your perfectly clean teeth.  Gum will keep your mouth busy.  Sounds cheesy but it works.

If all else fails... when they offer up the buffet - go for a walk!  Willpower is amazing and you will feel amazing about yourself having it.  Good luck!

Hi there.  I'm 5'4" also... a bit heavier though, and a bit older!  I'm 35.

A year ago I was 140 and thought it was terrible.  I wanted so bad to get down to 130.  I gave up when I wasn't getting anywhere (along with other things happening in my life) and gained 30 pounds.

I was 117 when I was 23.  I had my son when I was 25 and got back down to 133 (after 67 pound gain!)  Scale doesn't seem to budge as easy as when I was in my 20's.  My advice though - 140 isn't bad for our height.  Even if you lose a few pounds, that's great!  Don't get stuck on a number or you'll get frustrated.  Everyone has a happy weight, and if I realized a year ago that 140 was probably mine... I wouldn't be in this boat right now!

Good luck - we're all here for you!

They add up fast, don't they?!  I went a little overboard yesterday and came on here, added everything and almost 2300 calories.  My goal is 1400 a day.

Did you splurge because it was a special day?  Or just because?  I decided that I'm going to add everything to my food log the day BEFORE.. then try to stick to it that way.  Just an idea..

Don't kick yourself too hard, no going back now... just remember and do better tomorrow!