https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 10 May 2026 02:58:41 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-74705 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:23:02 +0000 Laura 74705@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What an interesting article! It's scary to think we've been eating processed foods, hooked on them just like people got hooked on tobacco. But it's definitely has the ring of truth. I hope we can make sure our kids don't make the same mistakes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-74667 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:58:55 +0000 medusa 74667@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just found this thread while catching up on my forum reading. It's very interesting to read.</p> <p>Some of the comments reminded me of this article I saw in the NY Times online (registration may be required to read it), about a new book about food cravings and reprogramming your brain:</p> <p>"How the Food Makers Captured Our Brains"<br /> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/23/health/23well.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06.....3well.html</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-69398 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:16:19 +0000 chewyspaghetti 69398@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Glad to see you're back, Shiny!<br /> I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum- forcing myself to eat and tracking it to make sure that it's enough. It's just as hard as limiting for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-69372 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:45:44 +0000 shiny 69372@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've lost 0.6 lbs since this thread started. LOL. Okay, it's not much, and at this rate it'll take me 12 weeks to lose 6 lbs (which is probably how long it took me to gain it)... but it is something considering how much I ate and drank at the reunion this weekend! There were tons of veggie options, we did walk (and dance) a lot.... but it was all erased by too much alcohol. </p> <p>I do think it's real weight loss too, and not just a random fluctuation. Because last week it went down 0.2 lbs, then another 0.2 lbs. Then yesterday the scale went WAY up... a pound and a half!!! (the effect of all the reunion eating and drinking) ... but today magically went right back down, adding another 0.2 lb loss. </p> <p>This week's strategy is: veggie soup. I am too lazy lately to make any from scratch (especially since it's just me and DH I'm feeding this week), so I went to Whole Foods and stocked up on pre-made soups from their deli section. Of course I'm eating other things too; I just find that a cup of veggie soup before each meal helps fill me up and eat less. </p> <p>I barely miss the potato chips. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68935 Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:54:27 +0000 Vani 68935@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Khris, it is a Lifestyle Fitness gym which, I think, is local to Florida. They don't have evening classes on Sat or Sun either which would work better for me. The only reason I could never commit to evening workouts is because of my work schedule. Sometimes it is 6:30 or 7 by the time I leave work. I tried afternoons for a week but with changing, showering and changing back, it really cut into the workout time. Thankfully, I work very close to home now and the gym is also around the corner so even if I do miss in the mornings and it is not too late, I can always go directly after work. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68921 Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:37:39 +0000 chewyspaghetti 68921@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Niva- that sounds like the schedule at my gym. Is it a 24 hour fitness? Mine has a 5:30 am spinning class two days a week, and then nothing until 8:30. I have been doing evening (6:30 or 7:30) classes, and then the Sunday morning. They are just opening a new branch near me (it's the super deluxe version with a pool), and I hope they vary the class schedule a bit since they are pulling some of our instructors away. Mine doesn't have any Friday or Sat evening classes, and I wish they did. I know that most people want to go out and do things those nights, but even when I was young I think that a 6:30 or 7:30 class would have fit into my schedule between work/going out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68901 Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:58:42 +0000 Vani 68901@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congrats Khris! Well done. </p> <p>I work out better on my own, but love taking random group fitness classes to break out of a rut. Unfortunately, the gym I go to has group classes only from late morning through evening and I much prefer working out first thing in the morning. So I take the one odd spinning class in the mornings and hop around using different equipment to break a rut. I'm one of those people who uses all the equipment at the gym..LOL But I always have a plan and don't switch machines willy-nilly </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68886 Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:08:58 +0000 chewyspaghetti 68886@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow Brianna- that's too bad. All of the instructors (the ones that I have had so far) at my gym are very good about telling everyone to go at their own paces and do what they can- to listen to their bodies and not worry about anyone else. Most of them give modifications and tell you that it's ok to take a break. I'm going to try a different yoga instructor and an Everlast shadow box class today.<br /> I busted through my plateau! I am officially down 3 pounds this morning. Yay! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68824 Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:05:25 +0000 Ariadne 68824@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I tried spinning once, and it was awful. The instructor kept shouting at us to go harder and I felt like she was giving me the evil eye the whole time. I could barely breathe and had to leave at one point because I was working so hard and I got so congested (I had bad allergies at that time) that I thought I was going to pass out. It was totally embarrassing. Team sports and gym class in high school completely traumatized me, and that class did NOT help. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68784 Sun, 31 May 2009 22:03:25 +0000 chewyspaghetti 68784@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kari- you should try the spinning! It's really only as hard as you make it- you pedal at your own rate, and you control your own tension. The wors part of it for me was that the seat *really* hurt my butt. My gym offers a class that sounds similar to yours, but it's at a time that I can't make it right now. I did Yoga and Step Aerobics this morning. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68781 Sun, 31 May 2009 21:24:19 +0000 Kari 68781@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Khris and Brianna, having free classes at the gym gives me so much motivation to show up regularly. I have been taking a weekly one-hour class for just over a year that involves light but VERY repeititive exercises with weights and focuses on core control and alignment. I used to have a routine of something different I would do at the gym every day - a class, swimming, cardio &#38; weight machines - but got out of habit when I started going to dance in the fall. I should start it up again.<br /> Khris, my gym offers spinning but I'm nervous about trying it - I'm not sure if I'm in good enough shape to get through the first class! Is it as tough as it looks?<br /> I think Angie's strategy of daily weighing is a smart one provided that you don't freak out about the number and just use it as a tracking tool. I can fluctuate as much as a five pound difference at different times throughout the month, but stepping on the scale every morning before I have anything to eat gives me an idea of what fluctuations are "normal" for me.<br /> For the past few weeks I haven't been consciously trying to eat better or exercise more than normal, and I've been tracking my weight daily. I've stayed completely stable, which gives me an idea of some small changes I can make to eating &#38; exercising that will *hopefully* result in some changes on the scale (or even more importantly, in my waistline.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68700 Sun, 31 May 2009 05:28:58 +0000 Sihaya 68700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nope, sorry I lost the name - I think it was something like how to lose cellulite off of the MSN main page. I can't do apples and I don't like bananas. So it leaves berries which I eat a lot of when in season, melons, oranges, grapes. Congrats on your eating this week Khris. That's awesome. I'm scared to weigh myself because when I work hard and don't see the needle move down, it really lowers my motivation. So I'm trying to wait it out a bit before weighing myself. Besides I know as I start to work out with weights and build muscle mass, some of my weight will still remain the same or increase. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68622 Sat, 30 May 2009 22:09:39 +0000 chewyspaghetti 68622@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sihaya, is it the Couch to 5K or something like that? I have heard of similar programs. Let us know how it goes. Your fruit allergy sure sounds like it makes things difficult. Can you do apples, berries and melons?<br /> I hate to jinx myself, but I have been tracking my food for the last couple of days and stying near the top of my calorie rage, and this morning I did have a 3 pound loss. iI don't officially weight in until Monday, but this is a good sign as it's a lower weight than have had in a month. I'm hoping thatI have broken through my plateau. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68564 Sat, 30 May 2009 16:26:25 +0000 Sihaya 68564@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Khris - thanks for starting this thread. Have had a hectic week, partly because I started exercise very seriously so have been off the forum and am just seeing this. I would like to lose 20 to 25 pounds. I have put on about 15 pounds in the last 6 months alone likely because of insomnia (lots of articles that connect low sleep to weight gain and also do diabetes among other things) and stress. </p> <p>So now I've decided to take matters more seriously. I am doing an 8 week cardio routine I found on the web. I've lost the link but it's a running program and you do interval running and each week you increase the time when you do the fast part. I am really proud of myself that I was able to complete the first week and actually exceed the goal I'd set for myself. </p> <p>My main challenge is going to be able to sustain this over time. </p> <p>I eat very healthy most of the time. I only eat natural foods. The main time I find myself eating junk is when I haven't had breakfast. I find that if I start the day with a solid breakfast, I am less likely to eat junk. I totally agree with the sweet craving reprogramming as well. And i'm trying to eat at least one serving of fruit a day. I find that when I eat fruit, the sugars there help satisfy my sweet craving and I don't even want dessert. Problem is that I'm allergic to most pitted fruits so I have to work hard at finding fresh, quality fruts that I can actually eat without breaking out in big itchies. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68546 Sat, 30 May 2009 14:30:32 +0000 chewyspaghetti 68546@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Brinna, my gym has classes too, and that's what I've been doing so far. I've tried Spinning, Kick Boxing, Yoga, and Zumba. I actually have an elliptical at home, and I hate it.LOL </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68479 Sat, 30 May 2009 01:25:32 +0000 Ariadne 68479@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the elliptical at the gym, and free weights! I haven't been since the week before we got the Chickadee but I hope to start going to yoga (my gym membership includes lots of classes) once a week starting next week. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68465 Fri, 29 May 2009 22:50:00 +0000 chewyspaghetti 68465@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Please don't tell me anything horrible about beans, legumes and nuts- they are dd's only source of protein right now! LOL</p> <p>I've been trying to get back to tracking what I eat (I use the tool at sparkpeople.com for that), and I have been pretty successful today. Actually, I find that pre-tracking works best for me. I write out the whole day's food before I eat anything so that I can make adjustments if need be. I hate that I have to do it, but I obviously don't have a good innate sense of what is good/healthy, so it really helps me.</p> <p>Does anyone else go to a gym? What equiptment do you like best? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68426 Fri, 29 May 2009 17:49:59 +0000 cciele 68426@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>shiny -- my WOE/diet has also evolved through the years but now if I "fall back", my body really lets me know! Indigestion, acid reflux, etc. So I basically can't eat the foods I used to eat, since my body rebels.</p> <p>BlondeAmbition -- There's some controversy over legumes, especially soy and peanuts. Anyhow, here are a few points (from my most readily available source, "The Garden of Eating," but I have other sources I can dig up):<br /> - Raw legumes contain amylase and protease inhibitors that block our starch and protein digestive enzymes. These enzyme blockers are not entirely destroyed by cooking. However, they can be reduced by soaking or removed by sprouting.*<br /> - Beans (and whole grains) contain other antinutrients not removed by cooking, including phytates, lectins, and alkyl resorcinols. Phytates block mineral absorption, and lectins and alkyl resorcinols can damage the intestines and pancreas, and other bad stuff. *<br /> - Cooked beans contain indigestible carbs that create gas and bloating.</p> <p>Regardless of the scientific studies, I know my body reacts negatively to most legumes (bloating, indigestion, gas), so I don't eat them! I occasionally eat sprouted versions of grains and legumes, though, because those don't bother me.</p> <p>*Cordain, L. Cereal Grains: Humanity's Double Edged Sword. World Rev Nutr Diet 1999;84:19-73. Also, see Freed DLJ. Editorial: Do dietary lectins cause disease? MBJ 1999 April 17;318:1023-1024. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68417 Fri, 29 May 2009 17:15:34 +0000 chewyspaghetti 68417@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>DD loves cauliflower- I am going to try that recipe Kristen.</p> <p>Someone asked me yesterday if I was done trying to loose weight, because I was "skinny enough". That was a nice compliment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68363 Fri, 29 May 2009 12:24:55 +0000 Kristen 68363@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Found this killer-sounding cauliflower recipe yesterday that I thought I would share. DH and I have been getting tired of the same restrictive list of veggies we are on right now, so finding new ways to cook those is a welcome relief for us. </p> <p><a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/simple-cauliflower-recipe.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.101cookbooks.com/ar.....ecipe.html</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68360 Fri, 29 May 2009 12:10:33 +0000 BlondeAmbition 68360@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cciele- although I can see the reasons why you avoid dairy, processed oils, and refined sugars, and I have friends that avoid all grains because of certain intolerances, I have never heard of avoiding legumes. I tried doing a google search but the only thing that came up was positive reasons for including legumes into your diet.</p> <p>We try to make legumes a central part of dinner at least once a week, and a side item regularly. The fiber alone is worth it. I'm also from the mediterranean island of Krete which has long been established as the healthiest diet in the world mainly because it focuses entirely on vegetables, whole grains, and legumes and of course olive oil. Care to share some info on legumes that many of us might not be aware of? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68238 Thu, 28 May 2009 21:51:07 +0000 shiny 68238@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anne - dietitian.com also says I'm an apple. Even at my skinniest and healthiest, even before pregnancies, I had a 0.8 ratio; it's just how I'm built! But keep in mind that site's definition of apple is more about health (tendency towards diabetes compared to pear ratios) rather than fashion. I do think that if you're an apple by the health definition but at a healthy weight then you could be any of the fashion shapes. Does that make sense? </p> <p>Butter vs margarine - I've got a personal policy that if I'm going to ingest the calories, it BETTER BE WORTH IT! Therefore I would choose butter over margarine.... and good quality olive oil over butter!!! I eat a LOT of olive oil (dip my bread in it, cook with it, drizzle it over salads and roast veggies with it); butter is maybe a once-a-week thing (tops) for me, and usually not at home, at a restaurant. If you have a good quality butter, a little goes a long way. It's all about the flavor. </p> <p>Regarding cooking at home - you all know we eat out at restaurants a lot! (in fact, DD14 is trying to convince us to start a family blog critiquing the restaurants we visit). I lost all my weight eating out several times a week, and I don't think eating out has made me gain weight this time. It's the potato chips I was eating every day at home, not the restaurant meals. We rarely eat at national chains or fast food places because everything is drenched in fat, salt and sugar so it has no flavor, and there are few veggies and too many french fries. Not to mention portions are obscene. Instead we choose restaurants that focus on quality ingredients, aren't afraid of veggies, and serve smaller plates. Yes you often (not always) pay more, but you get what you pay for. :-)</p> <p>Regarding dieting vs WOE - I'm totally in agreement with the WOE thing. However, sometimes you do have to make tweaks because your weight is going up - and yeah, that's a diet. What starts as a "diet" should ultimately become a WOE but we're only human. It's easy to fall back into old habits - or for aging and life changes to force us into making dietary changes to an otherwise healthy WOE. If I look at how I ate 20 years ago and how I eat today, I've done a complete 180 - AND kept it up for most of those two decades. That is something!!!! But I can still fall into patterns like too many potato chips... or premenopause or other life stresses or life changes occur. </p> <p>I like what Oprah says about how if your weight goes up 10 lbs, it's a sign that something in your life is out of order and needs to be fixed. Sometimes it's not even what you are eating. It could be an undx'ed health problem. A change in circumstance impacting your usual level of activity. A major life stress (stress itself can make you gain weight!!). </p> <p>P.s. right above this post, I'm getting an ad from Jillian Michaels asking if I want to lose weight. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68168 Thu, 28 May 2009 17:46:09 +0000 Sarah 68168@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been in the process of losing weight for the past year. I'm at nearly 60 pounds (had to make up for a five pound gain over the Christmas holiday season - yikes!) lost so far, with only a handful or so to go.<br /> My mantra has been: eat less, move more. I've always eaten fairly healthy, but just way too much.<br /> So now I work out about an hour a day (six days a week), and eat "clean". Initially I used Bob Greene's Best Life Diet but have recently included Tosca Reno's Eat Clean method. No diets over here! Just good, whole, well-rounded food. I think Tosca put it well when she said that her program is designed to help people become healthy, and that losing weight is just a by product. I used to get sick almost every time after I'd eaten, and I've been hospitalized twice (I'm 27). This past year has been my healthiest and happiest yet! No more pain and an entirely new wardrobe to boot. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68166 Thu, 28 May 2009 17:36:13 +0000 Maya 68166@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You hit the nail on the head Anne. Butter is the better option, but that doesn't mean you should be eating lots of it! </p> <p>To be fair, there are lots of margarine options out there and some are worse than others. But, most of them are produced in a way that creates more trans fats, which actually makes them worse than butter. Trans fats are terrible for you, enough that NYC recently banned them from all restaurants (we also have legislation to show the calorie content of everything on the menu--even though I'm not a calorie counter, this has done wonders for me! I was shocked when I saw these numbers). I am also not sure if there might be differences between American and Australian margarine. I know in the US, we (shamefully) allow lots of things that are banned in the EU, but I'm not sure about Australia.</p> <p>Personally, I find the best thing to use is a whipped butter or one of those spreadable butters. They are still butter, but less fattening, and I only use the smallest amount necessary to flavor what I'm eating. For baking and cooking, however, I will use regular butter. </p> <p>I think Michael Pollan's advice and research is very common sense. I'm not a fan of "dieting" but of changing one's diet. There is a difference. I'm a big advocate of eating naturally, but not being unreasonable/obsessive about it. Everything in moderation. If I cull anything completely from my diet, I just crave it more than ever and end up binging the first chance I get (the exception to this was meat, which was easy for me to give up for lots of reasons). Granted, I am only getting fatter over time, but I think this has more to do with a dramatic drop in activity than with food. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68158 Thu, 28 May 2009 17:24:51 +0000 marianne 68158@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, I am very interested in your packed lunches too and I would love some new ideas. The way you eat sounds very similar to ours, except we don't eat any kind of meat. By the way, what bread do you get for Greg? I usually buy local bread from Essential or Wild Something (for some reason I am drawing a blank on the name). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68156 Thu, 28 May 2009 17:19:50 +0000 cciele 68156@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great thread! I haven't read all of the posts, but I love the encouragement and suggestions I've seen so far.</p> <p>I just wanted to share my way of eating (WOE). I don't call it a diet, because that implies something you go on and off, hoping to return to your "regular" way. I basically follow the Paleolithic WOE. At the core, its philosophy is that you eat whatever your Paleolithic ancestors would have eaten: anything they could catch or pick and eat raw (although as a modern person I would cook the food!). So that means:<br /> - Meat, fowl, fish<br /> - Eggs<br /> - Nuts<br /> - Veggies<br /> - Fruit<br /> - Roots</p> <p>I don't eat dairy, grains, legumes, refined sugars, and processed oils, and I feel WAY better because of it. I could go into some biochemical reasons why those items are not necessarily good for you, but I don't want to bore you all. I do vary a little from the core food list because occasionally I cook with butter, or I will have a piece of dark chocolate. </p> <p>I am now about 10 pounds under my pre-pregnancy weight, and have no problems staying there. I don't count anything, and I eat as much as I want. </p> <p>Someone brought up the issue of butter being better than margarine -- a good book to read is "Good Calories, Bad Calories" by Gary Taubes. He talks about the whole low-carb vs high-carb debate, and how the type of calorie (fat, protein or carb) does matter. Also, Sally Fallon and the whole Nourishing Traditions movement (along with Weston Price foundation) talk about good fats and why they are necessary in your diet.</p> <p>That being said, I believe everyone has an optimal carb:fat:protein ratio, and they need to discover what that is. I work well with a high-fat, high-protein diet; I think about 50% of my calories come from fat. I have an extremely high HDL (over 90), so *for me* I don't think fat is a bad thing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68147 Thu, 28 May 2009 16:55:06 +0000 christie 68147@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie,</p> <p>if you wouldn't mind sharing, I would enjoy hearing what you make for your Greg for lunch. I have the hardest time getting my Greg to eat lunch, full stop. I would like ideas for things to pack for him. (He won't do this himself). </p> <p>Christie </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/3#post-68093 Thu, 28 May 2009 14:49:52 +0000 Laura 68093@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One thing I will add about Angie &#38; Greg, and I hope she won't mind, is that when I met them in NYC, they walked A LOT. As a former New Yorker who walked 20 blocks to and from work every day, I've done some serious hiking around Manhattan in my day, and even I was impressed!</p> <p>We were all eating plenty in those amazing NYC restaurants, but we were also walking 60-block stints at a time, which equates to 3 miles, sometimes a couple of times a day. </p> <p>Just goes to show that being active goes a long way in keeping weight in check. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/2#post-68085 Thu, 28 May 2009 14:39:29 +0000 chewyspaghetti 68085@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for sharing your story, Niva. I m going to try the chickpeas- maybe dd would like that.</p> <p>Anne- I do use real buttr raher than margarine, but we use it very sparingly.</p> <p>Because of dd's dietay restrictions, we really can't eat out anymore. It's hard on me, but it's just a fact of life for us these days. (As is bringing food when we go anywhere)</p> <p>I feel like I ate a ton yesterday, but my weight is down a bit this morning so I think this is the right track. I'm going to try and keep close tabs on it and keep at the high end of my range for the next week. I guess that I've been really lucky- in 40 pounds and 9 months, I have avoided a plateau. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-support/page/2#post-68065 Thu, 28 May 2009 14:15:41 +0000 Vani 68065@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been wanting to post to this thread when I had more than a few minutes to spare, but that never seems to happen! So I'm going to give you all a quick intro into my weight struggles and share a favorite recipe.</p> <p>I've always been overweight, as long as I can remember. Even in my pictures as a toddler I have thunder thighs, LOL! I can count on my fingers the number of years I have been happy with, not really weight, but how I fit into the clothes the way I wanted to. My goals have never been unreasonable. I do not want to be thinner than where my body can comfortably settle in even with a few pounds up or down. </p> <p>4 years ago I found myself out of a bad relationship and wanted to do something different with my life, get out of the rut I was in. Next thing I know, I was training for the Marine Corps Marathon with a very supportive and athletic group of people. During the 4-5 months of training, I lost 2 dress sizes. Not more than 4-5 lbs of weight. But I was working muscles I had never worked and I started looking sleeker, toner and generally more compact. I did not change how I was eating, in fact I was eating more than usual. Then again, I have always been good about what I eat. An year later I met my husband who is a BIG foodie. For the longest time I resisted his eating habits but slowly started assimilating them over time. In about 2 years I found myself 10 lbs heavier. On a shorty like me (5'1") that is a lot. </p> <p>Then, just before the wedding I worked out diligently for 4 months, watched my calorie count, went easy on carbs, lost the 10 lbs and looked and felt great. Now 2 years, very little exercise and slackened eating habits later, the 10 lbs have crept back. I want to make a change for good this time. I am tired of the weight swings. I want to eat absolutely clean, workout everyday and make a lifestyle out of it. We're talking about having kids sooner rather than later and I want to be fit when that happens. Before and after. </p> <p>I have started going to the gym every morning so I will not have an excuse not to go after work (had to work late, am exhausted etc). I've started menu planning and timing my meals, drinking my 8 cups of water and keeping track of calories (I try to keep at around 1300 and sometimes try calorie zig-zagging during the week with the highest calories consumed on the weekends). And I am absolutely thrilled we are all here to support ourselves. Oh, BTW I never did mention: I am 140 lbs at a size 10.</p> <p>You are all so very inspiring, especially to manage everything while juggling work and family. Congratulations on all that you have achieved so far and more power to you for where you want to go from here!</p> <p>My favorite recipes:</p> <p>Creamy Italian White Bean Soup:</p> <p>Ingredients:<br /> 1 tablespoon vegetable oil<br /> 1 onion, chopped<br /> 1 stalk celery, chopped<br /> 1 clove garlic, minced<br /> 2 (16 ounce) cans white kidney beans, rinsed and drained<br /> 1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth<br /> 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper<br /> 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme<br /> 2 cups water<br /> 1 bunch fresh spinach, rinsed and thinly sliced<br /> 1 tablespoon lemon juice</p> <p>Directions:<br /> In a large saucepan, heat oil. Cook onion and celery in oil for 5 to 8 minutes, or until tender. Add garlic, and cook for 30 seconds, continually stirring. Stir in beans, chicken broth, pepper, thyme and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and then simmer for 15 minutes.<br /> With slotted spoon, remove 2 cups of the bean and vegetable mixture from soup and set aside.<br /> In blender at low speed, blend remaining soup in small batches until smooth, (it helps to remove the center piece of the blender lid to allow steam to escape.) Once blended pour soup back into stock pot and stir in reserved beans.<br /> Bring to a boil, occasionally stirring. Stir in spinach and cook 1 minute or until spinach is wilted. Stir in lemon juice and remove from heat and serve with fresh grated Parmesan cheese on top.</p> <p>Nutritional Information<br /> Servings Per Recipe: 4<br /> Amount Per Serving<br /> Calories: 248<br /> Total Fat: 5.5g<br /> Cholesterol: 0mg<br /> Sodium: 957mg<br /> Total Carbs: 37.8g<br /> Dietary Fiber: 11.7g<br /> Protein: 12.3g</p> <p>Lentil Pancake(s) (or Adai as it is called in India)</p> <p>Ingredients:<br /> 1 cup Brown lentil sprouts<br /> 1 cup mung bean sprouts (I don't think the Chinese bean sprouts would work for this recipe)<br /> 1 inch ginger, peeled and chopped<br /> 3 serrano chilies or 3 dried red chilies<br /> 1/2 cup scallions, chopped (even shallots or onions will do)<br /> 1/2 cup spinach or other greens, finely minced (optional- add if you want more nutrition)<br /> 2 Tbsp cilantro, finely minced (optional)<br /> 1 tsp salt or more to taste</p> <p>Directions:<br /> Grind sprouts with ginger and chilies into a coarse, thick batter.<br /> Spread a ladleful of batter, thickly on a medium hot griddle. Add a tsp of oil around the pancake.<br /> Cook for about a minute on each side. The adai should be a rich, reddish brown. </p> <p>The mung beans pack a good punch of protein. I like to eat chicken curry with these pancakes. They taste good all by themselves too.</p> <p>A favorite snack of mine that is both healthy and satisfying (esp when you are craving something crispy and savory)</p> <p>Roasted Chickpeas</p> <p>Ingredients:<br /> 1 15.5 oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained;<br /> 2 tbsp olive oil;<br /> salt to taste. </p> <p>Directions:<br /> Preheat oven to 450.<br /> Mix ingredients together in shallow baking pan.<br /> Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown, stirring occasionally.<br /> When finished, remove from oven and allow to cool.<br /> Eat at room temperature.</p> <p>I like my roasted chickpeas with ground red pepper, garlic &#38; onion powder. Really gives them a kick! I tend to make these in small batches as they tend get a little chewy in a few days.</p> <p>Thats it for now! </p>