Posts by sachapp464

I'm the same only it's THREE days of seriously bad cramps and my legs get tingly too. I've never heard of anyone else having the leg issue. Nice to know I'm not alone. Always have been this way and I've been checked for endometriosis - always negative. That's just the way some of us are. I'm old enough to have been on prescription Motrin back when it was still an experimental drug and it changed my life. I don't use the prescription stuff anymore but use over the counter Ibuprofen. Three Ibuprofen = 1 prescription Motrin and I used to take 3 prescription Motrin to start off then 1 or 2 every 3 or 4 hours after that. So you know how much over the counter stuff I take. I told my Dr how much I take and she didn't bat an eye. But do make sure you tell your Dr. if you choose to go that route. And always take it with food because it will burn your stomach otherwise. Hope it helps.

Thank you! This looks interesting - the book is available on Amazon too! Think I'll get one. Thanks again!

If you're happy at your current weight, then absolutely go into maintenance mode. I'd keep up the exercise and figure out how many calories you need to maintain. I've been doing the slow weight loss thing too, for about 2 years. I did adjust my weight goal down when I hit my first goal. I'm relatively happy at my current weight but it would be the icing on the cake if I do make it to the new goal. Not sure what I'll do if I get there. I'm sure I wouldn't adjust down again but I'm happy with what I'm eating and the portions. I like the idea of more wine!!!

Thanks!

And good on you, deaglesfan! 4" is fantastic!!!

Even when I was a kid and was skinny as a rail everywhere else, I always had a belly. Some of us are just shaped that way... Sigh...

38 lbs in 18 months & going for a total of 40 lbs by year end. It did it mainly by changing my eating habits and very little change in activity levels. For me it's not a diet but a way to eat that will last for the rest of my life.I've been eating low carb, more or less following the South Beach plan. I used to never eat breakfast and snacks were always carbs. Now I eat 3 meals a day and snack on protein & fat. It's really easy and I don't get hungry.

If I snack on carbs I feel as though I didn't even eat anything and I feel starving. So all carbs are whole grain & high in fiber and I eat them with meals rather than as snacks. No sugar, corn sweeteners or enriched white flour.

I find it's best to plan out all the meals of the day ahead of time and stick with it. No surprises. There are a ton of free SB recipes out there so it's easy to plan but I do recommend the books that are out there as well. The hardest part for me was getting up early enough to have time to make breakfast but I love to eat and I love eggs, cheese & turkey bacon so that's my reward (and egg-muffin sandwiches and french toast...).

After I proved to myself I was losing weight (a few months into it), I allowed myself one cheat day a week and my husband & I go out to eat for dinner. Usually we'll get a pizza or a burrito or a steak or something but I eat only half (if that) of what's on my plate. Then take the rest home & have it for lunch the next day. Watch portion sizes! That's the key.

I know it's hard to start but once you start losing & you see the results that's more motivation! Yeah, you'll hit plateaus (everyone does) but just stick with your plan and make sure you're getting enough calories and you'll start losing again. Good luck with your weight loss!

Sometimes my local grocery store has it - sometimes they don't. I love cottage cheese but I hate the skim stuff. I don't think it's worth the few calories saved. The low-fat stuff is perfectly fine. Besides you need to eat fat! I've tried the unsalted stuff and I end up putting salt back in myself - I know that's bad. . . I like mixing in diced fruit or no-sugar-added canned fruit.

First off I'd say you may need to add a couple hundred calories on the days you are exercising. For me if I eat too much starch I get cravings and hunger pangs big time. So I stay away anything with refined sugar, enriched white flour or corn syrup.

If this was me, I'd substitute the instant oatmeal with the real thing - Old Fashioned Oats cook fine in the microwave too. For snacks I'd go with some protein. A cheese stick, cold cuts, nuts or a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese. For lunch I'd substitute the corn with some broccoli or some other green veggie. And for dinner the pasta would be whole grain and I try to limit it at 3/4 cup (dry) for a serving. I'd add a couple of servings of veggies for dinner too with a cheese sauce made with low fat cheese.

My fat & protein intakes are usually at 25-30% which I know is controversial but it has been working for me very well for the last 18 months. Just had my cholesterol checked and it is very low. The fat and protein keep me feeling full longer so I don't get hunger pangs and I don't overeat. Everyone is different so if you feel comfortable with your percentages then you don't need to change it. Good luck!