yeah, you must have some muscle on you. I mean I think I weigh more than I look, but not that drastic of a difference

Hello Lovely Ladies!

Well, good news for me I am down about 8lbs. Someone that I havn't seen in a while asked if I have lost wieght (even though it's not much so far) it made me feel really good and she said I am looking fabulous. Just thought I would share my good feelings for when we are feelin down...

Keep up the good work ladies, I am proud of all of you for starting to make some serious lifestyle changes! Keep going!!!! You are all beautiful and fantastic!!!!

^^ wow congrats!!!

I've actually been putting weight on lately :-\ I was down to a really good weight but I've been eating some TERRIBLE junk food... so I know i've not been in this w/ you all from the beginning but I'm thinking I wanna start running before class in the mornings. I was thinking just two maybe three days a week. It'll help me lose and keep those few lbs off and i'll just be healthier and in better shape (or i hope) so wish me luck... I just have to stick w/ it!

Congrats to everyone!

I'm still stuck, but I've got a new idea and I think it's GREAT! I heard this on another website and I wanted to share.

So, basically, you get a clear jar and for every good day (eating right, running, no sweets, etc) that you have, you add $1 to the jar (or your pocket change, or $5 or whatever). You then find something you want to reward yourself with (non food) and tape a picture to the front of the jar (I really want some dior perfume) OR you could wait until you reach a goal weight and then buy something pretty So anyway, (this sounded harsh to me, maybe you could do like a three-strike system) if you have a bad day, you have to empty out the jar and donate it to charity (or put it in the tip jar at Starbucks, or buy x of those paper things at the grocery store). Point is, you have to give it away. I thought it was awesome! Especially since if you mess up, it's gone!

I was thinking for me:
Amount: $1 a day, $1.50 for a day with exercise
Good day= Eating right, no snacking on crap and my weight goes down
Bad day= Eating takeout, fatty food, a horrible buttery egg bagel, or if my weight goes up
Reward: Dior Miss Cherie Perfume or a cute summer dress

I'll be brave and post a pic of my body shape. I was once over 200 pounds but lost 30-40 pounds, depending on the days. My trouble spot is my stomach because I am an apple shape, but also because I ended up with sagging, loose skin that hasn't responded to diet or exercise due to losing a good chunk of weight.

Ohhhhhhhhhh here is a really good lunch/supper for anyone who is at school and has access to a microwave. Get a whole wheat wrap and fill it with fat free refried beans and add like a tbsp of cheese on top and a little bit of tobasco. Just roll it up and you're ready, nuke it for 30-40 seconds. It is so yummy, full of fiber and protein and fairly cheap to make. I also added red pepper strips to eat as a side.




I have been eating really good for the last week. I am eating a ton of small meals in between classes and it has kept me full, energized and away from junk food. I did have a grilled cheese sandwich on ww/low fat cheese and alpha-getti and 2 cookies from a meeting.

Callire: Great Idea! Let me know how it works after some time...+1

Court: Brave Girl! way to go! you look great! and keep up the good work, sounds like you are really making progress!

courtz, truly an inspiration!

ah today I am bummed out. The scale says I gained weight? WTF. I've been eating 1500-1800 cals a day (1800 is a bad day obviously) and running at least ONCE a day (more often than not twice a day). How is this happening?

Hmm... Maybe you're gaining muscle mass? Also, make sure you weigh yourself correctly. Do it first thing in the morning after you go to the bathroom (before your shower too) and before you eat anything. That's what I do anyway Chin up!

NP It is a little hard to follow, but I love the way that she used to be overweight and looks like that!!! I love the variations on the exercises too, you can have it so you never do the exact same routine for a month!!


PS, I have lost 14 lbs since beginning of Dec Only 10 more to go!!!!

What times are you eating and what calories are coming from fat, carbs ect

The times you eat can almost be as important as what you eat, If your eating high glycemic index carbs late at night ( anything white and processed, bread for example), thats your problem

^ I eat regular meals, but smaller portions. I really like salads and tend to eat those often too. I eat when I get up (a yogurt or cereal), my lunches vary a lot..sometimes sushi, sometimes a sandwich, salad or soup. Dinner is something usual but smaller portions. I like to snack on yogurt, pickles, cheese (sometimes not always), miso soup, or a cup of soup.

I've been running because I suck at push ups and have been putting them off, and I broke a rib so I can't use my abs at all right now, which really sucks because usually I do a pilates tape (which I adore) with my running.

I've decided to try not to eat after 7:30 anymore (it's been like 3 days), and I've increased my water intake from last week as well. Yesterday I had a bad day because I was kinda sad, but generally I've been doing really well. I'm just frustrated because this is what I did awhile ago to lose weigh and now it's not working!

Good call^

On the road to loose weight, you always have to change your methods. The body is a crazy thing, and can adapt within a month or 2 to common workouts. Your lucky your not a guy trying to keep muscle mass, I change my workouts almost daily..

The trick is to keep your body guessing ( and maintain a heart rate that is best for fat burning)

Change up your cardio, try an elliptical machine or a stairmaster, they work phenomenally well at burning fat. Running may build up your endurance, but when it comes to cardio its bottom of the barrel for fat burning.

Mind you its great for the heart

I'm doing better, but I now have a problem I've been trying to avoid eating after 7ish, but our study halls start at 7:45 till 9:45 at night. So I can generally finish all my hw and be okay, but then we almost always have snacks in the dorm at late check in (10pm). Sometimes we'll have cookies, or brownies, or crackers, or nachos or some other yummy snack that the duty person brings... And oh my god, we had the MOST AMAZING snack 2 nights ago... it was the best mac and cheese I've had in AGES.

Okay, so any ideas on how to avoid these treats? I could just check in and leave, but then I miss out on all the great food Maybe I should get in the habit of taking some of the snack, bagging it up, and eating it later on?

-- Oh, and I really like the jar thing.. it's silly, but sometimes I'll be like... "Well, I could eat this cookie, but then I wouldn't be able to add another dollar tomorrow!" Yeah.. it's weird, but it helps.