Lose the weight, look great, in cosplay

[taboo]

i used to eat a chocolate fiber one bar after dinner but the sugar was keeping awake

and anyway i ran out

edit: augh so close to weigh dayyyy

[dirt monkey AL]

I don't touch pop though - mostly because my teeth are super sensitive to that sort of thing - so I get orange juice or lemonade usually.

[Dervish]

Regarding cravings, I must say I personally never found eating just a little bit of something when I have a craving to be particularly successful. For me, all it takes is a single bite to turn that craving into a full-fledged binge session, and one bite becomes two, and then two more, and so on. I've found that it's better for me to just deal with the craving by filling up with a healthier alternative. It also helps quite a bit just to not keep tempting food in your house if you can. It's harder to indulge a craving if the food isn't within reach (although this is not always possible if you live with others, who might not be watching their diets).

Something I've tried when a craving simply won't go away is to eat something filling but lower in calories (like perhaps a fruit salad with a full glass of water) and wait a bit to see if the craving eases up. I find it's considerably easier to restrain yourself from eating too much of a snack food when you're already full than when you're peckish–so that way, if you decide to go ahead and have a bit of your "luxury" food, you're less likely to overindulge.

And Arei, I hear ya about the sugar addiction. I used to drink soda by the quart--it was really hard to cut back on it, because my body kept craving that sugar. But if you can hold strong, it really will help your diet out so much. Soda is just so much empty calories (and bad for your teeth--I owe a few fillings to soda, I think).
Oh, and fun fact: since I haven't had full-sugar soda in so long, I've found that regular soda actually tastes too sweet now. Sickeningly so (and it gives me heartburn now, of all things).

And regarding soymilk, I tried vanilla soymilk for the first time this month after a good friend recommended it to me. I tried the Silk brand and it is excellent stuff. Doesn't taste exactly like milk, but it's still so good. Such a clean, mild flavor. Planning to try chocolate next. ^^

[CCC]

@Dervish:

I tried the Silk brand and it is excellent stuff. Doesn't taste exactly like milk, but it's still so good. Such a clean, mild flavor. Planning to try chocolate next. ^^

So good. I self-diagnosed myself as lactose intolerant about two years ago (I don't think I actually am, but the doctors never found an explanation for my side-splitting stomach pains), and although I found the thought of soy milk absolutely repulsive at first, I immediately fell in love with Silk milk. I buy two quarts every Thursday when the school store restocks and ration them out evenly during the week. As Dervish says, the taste is slightly off (compared to real milk) but it's still goddamn delicious, and presumably lower in fat and stuff (right? right?).

[Dervish]

It certainly is! Lower in calories, fat, sugar and carbohydrates per serving than whole/2%/1% milk, if I recall correctly. Around the same amount of protein. And it's just so light and tasty–I remember being kind of wary that it might taste weird at first, but I actually prefer it over regular milk now. Best advice I can give to those who are thinking about trying soy milk is to not buy it expecting something that is exactly like milk (although it's close). Rather, think of it as a drink that is milk-like, but with it's own sweet and delicate flavor. ^^

And if the chocolate version tastes even half as good as the vanilla, I will be a very happy lady indeed.

[Chrissie]

I didn't check if there was chocolate or vanilla flavored soy milk at the store near my place. Does the taste differ a lot from normal soy milk? I really don't want to have that grassy taste in my mouth ever again! >_<;

[CCC]

@Chrissie:

I really don't want to have that grassy taste in my mouth ever again! >_<;

Yeah that's definitely what I imagined it would be like, but it's absolutely not. Super smooth, and any and all chocolate cravings will be gone for hours.

[Chrissie]

Ok then! Will give that a try, especially since they didn't have almond milk in this store and I am too busy to go down to the town to search for it these days. =.

[maggie]

@dirt:

I must admit.

I am now addicted to Burger King's new Stuffed Steakhouse burger. Otherwise, I've been a good girl on what I'm eating.

but egads, that thing is delicious

woah! I've never tried it… i have 1 burger king hamburger about once every 6 months-year. Kills my stomach, but i crave it randomly. Other than that, i never ever eat fast food.

i will NOT switch to soy milk. refuses

i understand about cravings... the thing i binge on is this local organic chocolate. it's the only sweet that doesn't seem to give me a headache. I like their one with almonds, dried cherries, and cinnamon sprinkled on top q I go through about 1/2 lb-1lb of chocolate every week-12 days respectively. I'm much worse when i'm on an artistic bender, i like to munch while I'm drawing, it helps a lot for some reason. so i'll go through that whole box of chocolate in a few days.

What i've found REALLY helps to stay on track is to take 1 day/night off and just cook. Make ready-to-go cooked meals that you can pack up and bring with you, pre-made salads and little containers of veggies and healthy snacks. I never stray when food is already prepared and ready. I'm rather lazy, so i'm much more inclined to just take something cooked out of the fridge than prepare something every time.

[taboo]

Regarding cravings, I must say I personally never found eating just a little bit of something when I have a craving to be particularly successful. For me, all it takes is a single bite to turn that craving into a full-fledged binge session, and one bite becomes two, and then two more, and so on. I've found that it's better for me to just deal with the craving by filling up with a healthier alternative. It also helps quite a bit just to not keep tempting food in your house if you can. It's harder to indulge a craving if the food isn't within reach (although this is not always possible if you live with others, who might not be watching their diets).

Basically this is why I went vegetarian

on weight watchers, I kept trying to squeeze in fast food items and junk food, and of course with fast food comes soda, so I never lost any substantial weight (like… 10-15 lbs? in two or three months)

kicking meat and soda eliminated pretty much all of my favorite fatty foods and I also had to learn to like cooking vegetables

also it destroyed my interest in fast food places because of their terrible vegetarian options (which in turn removed my interest in soda because that was where I usually ordered them).

I'm just the kind of person who has to have some unbreakable ground rules in my diet I guess. All or nothin

[Arei]

That's understandable, taboo. That's how it is with me and right now, I can protest and bitch all I want but the junkfood doesn't stay out of the house.

I lost 20 pounds in a couple of months because I was in a situation where I didn't have junk food nor could eat fast food because my grandma wouldn't buy any (I was like 14-15 at the time). I always do good when staying at my grandparents but now, considering its out in BFE and I want a good paying job/see my friends, it's not very feasible anymore. Even though my grandma is no longer alive, my grandpa eats the most nasty cheap cookies from walmart and I'm totally not tempted to eat those >_>

I just have to lose all of the temptation, or it's not gonna work. I've been doing great with teh soda and sweet tea but other things are hard to avoid. Oh well, I got my certificate today and went and applied at CVS and walgreens for a tech job, I'll move out as soon as I can >_>

I've been tempted to try to become vegetarian, though I don't think I could part with grilled chicken because the protein helps alot during these sick times. (and the occasional burger is awesome) Most people I know who've gone that way are so much healthier. Atleast eliminating fatty beef and pork stuff would do good (and wonders for my skin).

The South Beach Diet meal bars work with the chocolate cravings sometimes, but thats meant to be a meal replacement and it really does nothing more then satisfy a snack craving :

[taboo]

yeah. I still eat fish and eggs so I get my protein, but I also just mix a scoop or two of protein shake mix into my oatmeal or yogurt.

another 2lbs this week meaning I've officially lost 10/11 lbs

yaaay

[Dervish]

@taboo:

yeah. I still eat fish and eggs so I get my protein, but I also just mix a scoop or two of protein shake mix into my oatmeal or yogurt.

That's actually quite the awesome idea. I've never thought of doing that before–what a clever way of adding extra protein to your diet (and a burst of flavor as well). You could probably do that for cereal as well.
I'm going to try adding a scoop of strawberry shake mix to my strawberry oatmeal tomorrow morning and see how it goes. ^^

@Arei:

The South Beach Diet meal bars work with the chocolate cravings sometimes, but thats meant to be a meal replacement and it really does nothing more then satisfy a snack craving

Yeah, I've utterly given up on meal replacement bars. I know they're suppose to be an alternative to eating a proper meal (a method that I honestly question, but whatever). However, I find the majority of bars to be so…well, small that I simply can't justify the amount of calories consumed against the meager size of the bar. They just don't seem to fill me up like they're supposed to, and I usually end up eating something else because I'm still hungry.

That said, I do find the Fiber One bars to be a nice filler between meals. I've tried the chocolate and strawberry varieties and they're very good, not cardboard-ish at all. Downside is the sugar content (10 grams per) and that, well…they're quite delicious and as such you might be tempted to have more than one. I usually like to store one in my purse to snack on while I'm at school, since I have several classes back-to-back and often can't stop to eat properly. They're a decent source of fiber and one will usually hold me over until I can have a real meal.

[taboo]

That's actually quite the awesome idea. I've never thought of doing that before–what a clever way of adding extra protein to your diet (and a burst of flavor as well). You could probably do that for cereal as well.
I'm going to try adding a scoop of strawberry shake mix to my strawberry oatmeal tomorrow morning and see how it goes. ^^

Thanks and good luck! :3 Just don't put it in your tea. I tried that, thinking it might be a good creamer, and it wasn't.

Fiber One bars are soooo good. They have a reduced fat version that's only 90 cals and has 4g of sugar.

and it

is

delicious

[Dragonxpiece]

You will be surprised but, grab a gallon of water and make some Green Tea, then put it in the fridge once is cold , add to it fresh lime or lemon and Truvia (healthy sugar). Drink at least 4 glasses of that a day.

In the morning instead of eating breakfast , simply grab 2 scoops of protein, drop in the blender and add 1 fat free yogurt , then Add a banana or strawberries and fat free milk or Almond milk.

For lunch eat anything that totals less than 2.5 grams of saturated fat.

For dinner have something related to Fish (tuna,Salmon etc) and drink it with water.

You will be surprise how much weight you will loose in a week or two. that what I do and I lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks.

Green tea helps burn fat and oxidate fat cells, protein targets belly fat. Fish is low in Cal and high in Omega-3 fatty acids which help your body consume and use the bad fats so it doesn't store them. Drink at least 3-4 bottle waters a day,make sure they are really cold, since you will born extra 25-40 cal just for your body warming it to body temperature and the water will help move your bowels,etc.

[captain usopp]

arei, turn vegetarian for everything but grilled chicken. that's actually healthy anyways. and I assume the states has those 100 calorie chocolate bars for that lite snack.

I am not a breakfast person, but I found something I haven't been getting bored of. making my own quick fruit and yogurt dishes. i use jam instead of berries though. (and the oats) ya, the sugar, but at least i'm eating breakfast, which is good for me.

I'm also having fun with this bento box thing. part of making a bento box is having variety, and balance. I do pretty good, cept with the veggies. It's hard when you only cook for yourself, to have fresh stuff around. I've been reading up on some tricks though.

no buses tomorrow night after work. I might try to walk it, instead of cab it. saving money is a big motivator. (i hate walking ><)

[Rebecky_Mo]

Pop's into thread

Hmm, I tried soy milk last year (I sensed I was lactose intolerant); it was okay, but I just couldn't get into it. I do buy 1% Lactose-Free milk, to cut down on some of the fat. Stuff's not cheap though.

So back in November I decided to join a gym, to get in shape for both softball this spring, and cosplay. I was somewhere around 173 when I joined, and it was recommended I try to get into the gym 3 times a week.

! The very weekend I joined, hell broke open. A friend of mine, her daughter was struck by a truck crossing the street, and had been transferred to my city for proper care; it was damn scary for the first week (she's recovering exceptionally well now, thankfully).
! While my friend and her daughter were here, I was the closest friend in the area, so I was doing my best to support her after work/on weekends. Plus my sister (also friends with this person) came down for a weekend for moral support. I ate horribly, but it got our friend away from the hospital for a couple hours, and to sit down and eat SOEMTHING.
! And then, of course, Christmas/New Year's came around; we all know the food that comes with THAT.
! Through all this, I was lucky to get to the gym twice a week.

TL;DR: Three months after joining the gym, I GAINED TEN POUNDS.

MAMA, NOOOOOOOOOO!

So now I've got 4 months before Anime North. I'm hoping to lose the 10lbs I gained, plus another 5. So 4 months to lose 15 pounds, minimum. Not impossible by any stretch, as long as things don't go to hell again.

Now to get my ass into the gym at LEAST 3 hours a week. And stay on the treadmill instead of going to the weights like I want to.

[dirt monkey AL]

Are you sure it's not the weight from any muscle you gained from going twice a week?

That's what I'm trying to do first - especially in some key areas where I'm pretty weak (my back for one thing so I can try to do my workouts with a proper form).

@Greg:

Greg's Absolutely Positively Guaranteed to Make You Lose Fat and Gain Muscle Fast So Long As You Don't Eat Like a Slob Routine:

Summer-Daily

Winter- Every other day

Equipment- 100% Optional

Sit-ups:

Sets: 9
1-Straight
2-Lift left knee to meet face
3-Same with right knee
4-Same with both knees
5-Keeping trunk straight, turn hips and legs to left with legs bent, perform sit-ups straight.
6-Same with legs to right
7-As sitting up, turn torso to left so you look left at the top of the sit-up. Then turn yourself back down as you go back. No cheating and dropping from the turned position.
8-Same to right.
9-Lift your legs straight into the air as far as you can with the bottom of your spine still on the floor and perform sit-ups as usual. As you get tougher, lower the angle of your legs to the floor.

Sit-ups per set:
Beginner-25
Advanced-60

NO WAITING BETWEEN SETS. Progress from one to the next seamlessly.

Progress in increments of 5 when you are able to finish and don't feel burn like a mutha.

Followed by Push-Ups

Be sure to have correct form. check YouTube for any number of tutorials. Correct form is ESSENTIAL to effective push-ups. If you do not have correct form you are COMPLETELY wasting your time and possibly injuring yourself.

Sets: 3

Set 1- Should be your longest set. Do as many as your can until you can't do anymore (WHILE KEEPING PERFECT FORM) then do at least 1 more.

Wait 2 minutes

Set 2- Go into it aiming for as many as Set 1 but it probably won't happen. Again, when you can't possibly do any more, do one more.

Wait 2 minutes

Set 3- Do your best, then do another.

Ideally, you want to works towards 100 a day. Beginners may only be able to do 5-3-2. THAT'S GREAT! Just keep that up AND YOU WILL PROGRESS!!!!!! I do 50-30-20.

Planch Progressions AKA Mommy Why Does it Hurt?

http://www.dragondoor.com/articler/mode3/229/

Follow that. Progression is slow. But it's worth it.

Sets: 1 (multiple tries acceptable)

Advice: Stick with it. When I first tried it three years ago, I did the initial frog stand and couldn't even hold it for a second was just like, "FUCK THIS SHIT!", but consider that if you hold that static position for JUST 5 seconds every day for a week, your will increase your strength by 5%. With that in mind, keep it up. Now for me, the frog stand is child's play. I can hold that fucker almost indefinitely. I've almost got a minute on the second progression. TAKE IT SLOW. It took me almost a year to get to the second progression. The advantage of this is not using weights for a routine that can shape your upper body like weights can.

Running: The Grand Finale

I love running. If you don't, go fuck yourself. Without getting wet, it's the easiest way to lose weight and gain muscle FAST. 30 minutes. I don't care how slow you are, run at a pace that's difficult for you for 30 minutes every day (in the winter I jog indoors on a machine every other day) and weight will fall off you. If you cut corners and don't run a full 30 minutes you might as well not even run at all. Don't wuss out.

JUST DON'T EAT LIKE A FUCKING SLOB.

And if you can manage to maintain a 2,000 calorie diet every day and follow this routine I PROMISE ON MY LIFE YOU WILL SEE RESULTS IN TWO WEEKS. And after all, seeing results is the best motivation for keeping up with it.

Regardless of what bullshit artists trying to sell you something might say, the hardest part is not starting. It's easy as fuck to start. The hardest part is keeping up with it until you see results. This routine is cheap (practically free if you can jog outside in the winter)

Naturally it depends on your starting weight, but after 2 months of this routine (IF YOU PROTECT IT AND ARE HONEST TO YOURSELF) you will look like a different person and it only gets better from there.

Don't be a wuss.

Also just bringing this up again since I was reminded of it recently.

lol, and looking back and reading it, it almost looks like he's trying to sell something

[Rebecky_Mo]

It's possible (I am seeing muscle growth in my arms), but I'm kinda doubting it as I haven't gone AT ALL for about a month. Combining that with all the excessive/bad eating the last few months… >_>; In either case, I DO need to get my butt back in the gym, and get to work.

I think I'm pretty strong for an untrained girl in my back and upper body (thanks to hauling stuff around a grocery store all day), but my legs are pretty weak. As I'm a pear-shape and carry a lot of my weight in my thighs/ass, this is a focus.

The frustrating thing is that I'm afraid to work my legs too hard, as when I try to do weights with them, one of my knees grinds. It doesn't hurt, but I hear and FEEL it (ew).

[dirt monkey AL]

I didn't think that my back was in such bad shape either, but since joining the gym, and starting things with a trainer, I learned that in order to hold a proper stance for a lot of the exercises I was doing, I needed more muscle back there.

And though I thought my legs were strong, my quads continuously get their ass kicked in most of the stuff I do.

After I take some online tests for school, I'm thinking of going there today, and doing some of the things that really ripped into my quads.

[KamenRiderNeko]

@Dragonxpiece:

You will be surprised but, grab a gallon of water and make some Green Tea, then put it in the fridge once is cold , add to it fresh lime or lemon and Truvia (healthy sugar). Drink at least 4 glasses of that a day.

In the morning instead of eating breakfast , simply grab 2 scoops of protein, drop in the blender and add 1 fat free yogurt , then Add a banana or strawberries and fat free milk or Almond milk.

For lunch eat anything that totals less than 2.5 grams of saturated fat.

For dinner have something related to Fish (tuna,Salmon etc) and drink it with water.

You will be surprise how much weight you will loose in a week or two. that what I do and I lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks.

Green tea helps burn fat and oxidate fat cells, protein targets belly fat. Fish is low in Cal and high in Omega-3 fatty acids which help your body consume and use the bad fats so it doesn't store them. Drink at least 3-4 bottle waters a day,make sure they are really cold, since you will born extra 25-40 cal just for your body warming it to body temperature and the water will help move your bowels,etc.

I like the green tea idea, but I prefer it without sugar.

[eerie]

@Dervish:

Something I've tried when a craving simply won't go away is to eat something filling but lower in calories

I don't know if they're really that low in calories, but I use to do this with with marshmellows. Worked really well. 3 of those really big marshmellows usually curbed my appetite for a few hours. This was especially helpful when I got home from work hungry but wasn't going to eat dinner until a few hours later.

[Arei]

I was filling up on apples and watermelon for awhile, but it gets old fast

Gaaaaah I've lost like 8 pounds without doing anything. I don't know if it's because of cutting out soda/most junkfood/not being able to eat a whole bunch because we're poor as fuck or if there's really something wrong with me (because my gut is pretty messed up right now). Oh well, for now my pants are fitting better. I would celebrate but I can't shake the paranoia that something is wrong. If I feel better and I keep dropping it (though once I feel better I'm hitting the gym super hard), then it might've been my diet. But usually, even not eating a lot doesn't do a thing for me

[captain usopp]

i'd go with the no pop/no food reason. and girl! you don't have money for food, but your buying cosplay stuff, and OP merch! I'm gonna go all momma on you. gives evil eye

Wanna brainstorm some cheap meal ideas?

[Rebecky_Mo]

@ Arei:

WHOA, TIME OOOOOUT! suddenly has MAJOR Deja Vu

Okay, I was having problems with my digestive tract this time last year, and was dropping weight pretty damn fast. Hearing this from someone else has me wondering if you're in the same boat I was in.

If you don't mind me asking, are you having any of these symptons?

! ~ Pain usually after eating/when going to the bathroom, with some relief after a bathroom break?
~ Exhaustion?
~ Lack of appetite?
~ Unable to keep food down?
~ Paler complexion?
~ Anything else?

[Arei]

[hide]I'm definitely not fatigued by it. Or nauseated. I just have a lot of different pains in my abdomen. And an obnoxious amount of bloating that gas-x can't even make a dent in (and thats not normal lololol) And apparently my spleen is slightly enlarged. Though I think it might be more from inflammation because this was rather sudden (and it's painful). And my BMs have not been regular for a few weeks now. It's all been rather sudden, but I do not feel very ill, I'm just hurting a lot. It's more annoying then debilitating. I don't do pain well so it made me anxious for awhile (which always makes it worse lolololol). I have some other things, I don't know if I have infection of some sort or if maybe I've got IBS or something now. There's been nothing wrong in all the tests they've done. I'm trying to get into a different specialist but it keeps getting delayed thanks to the ice @_@

I already hurt all over from fibromyalgia, I was about to start serious treatment relief from that finally but I need to get this worked out @_@[/hide]

And I just really noticed today I really am not eating as much as usual. I can't beleive I stuff my face as much as I do. I think it's a combination of not getting junk food and not having much food at home, because I used to compose alot of my diet of going out and getting fast food and ice cream and crap, and all of that's been pretty much gone for 2-3 weeks.

And Hey I have money to get food once the ice melts @_@ I haven't had ANY new cosplay since Acen last year and last time I was even in cosplay was A-Kon >_> And I've applied to pharmacies, so hopefully there will be news in the next week. Hopefully ;A;

[taboo]

i dunno if i'll lose any weight this week. >_> I really havent been eating regularly and i havent been running because of hell freezing over in the mornings

[KamenRiderNeko]

@taboo:

i dunno if i'll lose any weight this week. >_> I really havent been eating regularly and i havent been running because of hell freezing over in the mornings

Yeah same here. I was doing good last week when I was going to the gym after work, but there is no way I can for the rest of the month because I'll be doing inventory at work Monday-Friday, 4am-2pm. All I can do is work eat and sleep. And the horrible icy weather does not help. I've been taking sandwiches to work with cut up celery and carrots and some apple sauce, and I drink water almost non-stop, since they provide it while we scan merch. Problem is, they also have candy, for motivational purposes I suppose. I've been so bad…

[dirt monkey AL]

I just have a fucked over schedule, and trying to eat small meals every two hours is difficult when I'm usually on the move.

Wake up at 6
Eat at 7-ish, and leave quickly to take sister to 8 o'clock class
Class from 8 to 9
Eat around 9:30
Pick up sister at 10:20
Eat at 11 or 12
Class from 1 to 2
Either get something at the cafe that closes at 2 or starve for two more hours since:
Class from 2 to 4:30-ish
Get home, and eat around 5
Then … eat at 7?
And then sometimes it has to be skipped for a half hour since my sister has a 7 o'clock class, and she has no one else to take her but me.

That's six meals, but I don't go to bed at 9, and there's always a chance I missed one or two of those meal times.

Which reminds me, I have to go pick her up now.

EDIT: Holy shit, there is a Pizza Soup recipe for the Vitamix, and it's 142 calories per cup.

[captain usopp]

celery, carrot, and apple sauce sandwiches? is that any good?

[SieteFleur]

Lol I think CatMonster meant a sandwich with celery, carrot, and apple sauce on the side

[KamenRiderNeko]

^ What she said.

[taboo]

I sort of have set times when I eat, so if I don't have food, I usually end up skipping meals until dinner, which isn't good!

That's why I like having apples and bananas around because I can grab one or two and eat them on the go

today I didn't have any though, so I didn't eat until I had this delicious organic spinach and feta pizza I found at target

soooo good

I got some 90cal fiber one bars too and I ATE TWO

You heard me

[captain usopp]

@CatMonster:

^ What she said.

XD thank god. that sounded gross to me. didn't wanna knock ya for liking it though.

[Arei]

@taboo:

until I had this delicious organic spinach and feta pizza I found at target

That sounds amazing. Whats the brand?

Man I'm glad it will be above freezing next week, it's been too icy to go to the gym ;A; Now on Day 4 of ice and death…

[taboo]

^archer farms I think. It was mostly whole grain too

today I cooked up about two gallons of vegetarian tortilla soup (a minute before my power goes out, heh). Super delicious! Maybe just a little too much cumin, but it'll be amazing for lunches next week

Weigh day tomorrow :x

I think I've lost some weight in my upperbody. It's really nice to see definition in my shoulders and neck. Where do you guys want to notice skinny changes?

[Crickeylynn]

My tummy, upper arms, and thighs. Planning on hitting the rec center more once it warms up. Biking in 30 degree weather isn't fun.

[Arei]

Thighs. I'm usually so frustrated at my thighs touching each other I could care less about my stomach. Chaffing is unbearable and I would like to wear more skirts. The thighs and my stomach are the most immediate areas to drop weight, I just got to get at it.

I've gained 2 pounds back as I got to eat decent food the past couple of days @_@ I ate too much, so I think I'll contribute that to the decline in eating. Someone finally showed up at the doctor's office and called me to schedule an appt for Monday so I can hopefully get this taken care of.

Though I started to take fish oil, and I noticed a near immediate improvement in my pain all over (that was new and that I've had for years). That's pretty nice. Now to just find a solution to where I stop hurting like death halfway into a work out. I really want to go back to 2 hours most days (or atleast 5 days a week), but the inflammation all over my chest gets angry.

[dirt monkey AL]

Upper arms, and thighs - both are shrinking already. My stomach too, but I'm not going to worry about that as much.

[SieteFleur]

@Arei:

Thighs. I'm usually so frustrated at my thighs touching each other I could care less about my stomach. Chaffing is unbearable and I would like to wear more skirts.

Omg I feel your pain. I remember being in high school and not being able to wear skirts because it was too uncomfortable. I'd get jealous of all these girls in cute skirts
But after I started going to the gym last year, I was so excited that they don't touch as much anymore

[captain usopp]

yay fish oils! so what's that suposed to do for ya? why'd ya start taking that?

[taboo]

Hells yeah another 2lbs this week

I am officially and without doubts in the 160s baby

I'm also at my quarter weight loss goal this upcoming week :3c

[Dragonxpiece]

You guys should try Morning Star products, specially their Veggie Lasagna, takes great. 20g protein 2g sat fat and only 200 calories. Also if you want more flavor, add to it Parmesan cheese Fat Free, which also have enzymes that help burn fat.

[Arei]

Congrats taboo Now that the ice is melted, and hopefully people pre-occupied with the super bowl, I can make a gym trip tomorrow (and it won't hurt :'D)

[KamenRiderNeko]

I'm with most of you, I just want to see a change in my thighs and get rid of my belly. I think my arms will start getting more toned because I'm working retail again.I'm also hoping my calves will shape up too. Been climbing up and down ladders all day at work lately, so here's hoping that will help too.

Man, I'm so jealous Taboo! I'm scared that I can't lose that much weight no matter how I eat or stay active. I can't seem to get down past 180 =(

[taboo]

Aw neko I felt that way too, and I've never lost as much as I have this past month before, so it's honestly a shock to step on the scale each week.

Here's what I do

! -1200 daily calories
-exercise early
-try to eat meals at specific times
! -went vegetarian. You can still lose weight and eat meat, but I wanted a drastic change and I went veg mostly to prove to myself how serious I was and frankly it's made losing weight a lot easier than otherwise. Every time I ate, I was thinking about 'no meat' and so I was constently reminding myself about my diet. I've read and reread the Skinny Bitch book which has been a huge help. I don't know if I agree with everything they say, but there's a lot of killer information in there not only about what we shouldn't eat but why (like sugar).

[KamenRiderNeko]

That is great advice, thanks a lot Taboo! Maybe I should pick up that book someday. And for now, it seems like the weekends might be the only time I can exercise early because I don't work. For this month, I have to be at work at 4am, so it kinda throws everything off. Perhaps next month might be easier to get into a more regular eating/exercising schedule.

Also, I've recently found that when I do drink tea, I don't use sugar anymore. I actually prefer it unsweetened, especially green tea or jasmine tea. I think if I ever do go to Starbucks anymore, that's all I will get, I want to do my best to avoid their coffee at all costs. I don't go there often, but during my previous job, I would be tempted to get something there almost everyday.

[Arei]

I've started to really enjoy tea unsweeted too. Sweet tea is like my crack, but I'm trying to cut the sugar wherever I can.

I'm hoping this doctor can give me some answers tomorrow because now I have somewhat of an idea of what is wrong and what exactly happened >___> I want to get this fixed because ever since its started I've craved carbs, I've eaten so many tortillas and bread and I have not had bread cravings for quite a few years now XP

[captain usopp]

interesting.

i find if i don't eat carbs, i am hungry. i can eat 2 big bowls of vegitables, but I still need my carbs.

i like putting honey with my tea. I'm gonna go ask my nutritionist friend about that vs sugar cause I'm curios now. :3

[Arei]

Oh yeah, you need a small bit of carbs in your diet but right now its more like

BREADBREADHOLYSHITBREADINEEDITORIWILLFUCKINGJUMPOFFTHEROOF

And normally I could care less if I have bread or don't. Aside from Subway (which I havent had regularly in awhile) I don't have too many sandwiches, generally just my whole grain muffin when I make my breakfast muffin. I AM SO GRATEFUL that the Mozart bakery only had ONE piece of Melon Bread left, as after I took a bite I could've eaten like 10 pieces if they had it (though I couldn't have afford it at 1.50 a piece, i would've bought what $10 could get me XD). I finally got to go to the fabulous frozen yogurt place that had amazing Acai berry yogurt that tasted SWEET. I'm so amazed (at Orange cup its rather bitter. I like it ok but its a bit too tangy, especially to eat with blueberries, this was perfect for eating with blueberries). I need to ask when I go again if there is artificial sweetner as it was super sweet for being sugar free @_@ Do not approve of artifical sweetner lest its 100% all natural and organic. No synthetic colon destroying toxins for me, thank you.

I'm still holding still at those 2 pounds I gained after I was able to eat more regularly again, so that's good for now. I finally get to go to the doctor in the morning, they had to move to a temporary location today as a pipe burst while they were out of the office last week during all the ice and it had become a swimming pool

I really hope I get something. I am so bloated I look like I'm 5 months pregnant. I also wore a sweater today that was not very flattering IMO (but it was cold ;A; and i just got this sweater and I hate when my mom washes clothes ((I normally forbid her from touching my stuff)) because she threw this in the dryer and it shrunk ;A;)) but I got multiple comments that I looked like I had lost weight. Which is true, but I didn't think it was outrageously noticable. My pants do fit better, but as I found out today (the first time wearing jeans all day in 3 weeks), that even though it's not super tight, and tightness will cause nausea after sitting awhile @_@ I felt like a goof with my pants unbuttoned at the top but I started to feel like balls. Why have my yoga pants disappeared TT_TT