Tuesday, April 30, 2019

April 2018-April 2019. 15 pounds down!

Hello Reddit! I present to you: 15 pounds of weight loss!

My face comparison: https: https://imgur.com/a/FyzUxrP

I can honestly say that this journey has been a crazy taxi of a ride- and it’s not quite over, I’m still aiming for my high school weight, but I take it VERY slow. Since I made it this far though… if you don’t mind, I did want to talk about it.

Compared to the absolute ROCKSTARS in this sub, my lifestyle change was definitely smaller and less impressive. I was not at too bad a weight; at 5’6” 142 is still within a totally regular BMI if you subscribe to that. I was used to being a pretty active, skinny kid/teenager so, seeing that number on the scale (the highest I had ever been) I realized that if I continued my current habits, my weight would continue to increase and it could mean some bad news for me- note that even when I was a 115 pound 13-year-old, I had cholesterol higher than my then 50-year-old father. When I last checked it at 135 pounds it was still too high. I did not go to the doctor in time to see how it was at 142, but probably not good at all!

So I started on a Wednesday at 4pm in April of 2018. Here are some things I realized during this lifestyle change:

1) I identified my bad habits: I was seriously inactive (sleep, take the bus to work, sit all day at work, take the bus home, stay in bed and watch youtube till it’s time to sleep), I was definitely overeating (I was surprised by American-sized portions when I moved here, but it didn’t occur to me that eating it all would be bad for me!) and what I was eating was a mixed bag. I have always loved fruits and vegetables to the point where I’m sure I’m ethnically 40% tomato by now, so that was good! but I also have the hugest weakness for salty junk food- do not put French fries and burgers in front of me, I will inhale them and top it off with fruit gushers. 2) I went SLOWLY. With the habits described above, would you be able to eat 1200 cals and run a 5k the next day? Of course not! I did little things at first- went with the burger, but no fries. Went to the gym and simply walked the treadmill for an hour. Made the salads bigger and the proteins smaller. Oh, and the ever-saving grace of a good food scale! It helped me SO much to understand how much my body needed- much, much less than what I thought. 3) As time went on, the changes got bigger and bigger. I went from 1500 cals to 1400 to 1200. I started going to the gym 2, 3 times a week- then, every day that I could. I went from running one whole minute to keeping a steady pace for 30 minutes. I started walking home from work (1 glorious hour). I cannot tell you how many podcasts I have listened to, to keep me entertained for all this ahaha. I got leaner! And stronger! 4) The biggest changes started in 2019- PURELY because I felt like it, I have cut down significantly on red meats and have a more pescatarian diet. I go to the gym practically every day except Sunday, so I upped my calories to reflect that. And the hugest one of all: after a 27 year diet coke addiction, I cut from 5 cans (A DAY!), to 2, to 1 (this is when the withdrawal hit…condolences to the people who had to be around me those two weeks) to 0. Can I begin to describe to you how much energy I have now? I remember on day 2 of 0 cans, I got home after work and cleaned the whole house because I was THAT freaking manic. It was amazing!

Today: I am at an incredibly satisfying 127 pounds- a lil higher depending on bloat. I want to lose just a little bit more and maintain it. I am now an active person who has more energy to go out with friends, get her responsibilities done and feel better in general. I just got my results from my doctor and while my cholesterol continues to be higher than normal (it probably always will be, I have a double whammy on genetics for that one) it’s definitely at the lowest it has ever been…certainly lower than back when I was 13 whaaaat?? Never thought that would happen!!

But more than anything, even if it was me doing all this, do you know who’s responsible for it? That’s right, y’all. If it wasn’t for this sub, for this community and your advice, help and insane support, I have no idea how I could have continued. During the first 8 months my new “diet” was ALWAYS on my mind, and it felt great to have a space to not shut up about it to spare my friends/family. Thank you loseit. Thank you so much. You have helped me become a stronger, healthier person.

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Can’t seem to lose any weight!

Just looking for some advice if anyone has any better ideas than myself.

I’m F 23 5’3” and currently weigh 10st 4lbs. Had a c section 6 weeks ago and so haven’t been able to do as much exercise as I usually would - also used my entire pregnancy as an excuse to consume an immense amount of junk, so gained around 3.5st. Went down to 10st pretty quickly after giving birth and have been intermittent fasting 20:4 (as I had been regularly pre-pregnancy) for the past 2 weeks. I seem to be stuck at 10st 4lbs no matter what I do! Making sure I take a brisk walk for a minimum of an hour a day and stay active wherever else I can with a newborn and a 4 year old.

Does anyone have any ideas of how to kickstart the weight loss again? I just cannot understand why it hasn’t been dropping!

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from loseit - Lose the Fat http://bit.ly/2GRT58G

[tip] I've found that High Fructose Corn Syrup absolutely destroys my diet, even in small amounts.

I'm sure that most of the people on this sub know that high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is total shit. I have worked to minimize it from my diet as much as possible over the past year and rarely drink soda. I also gave up caffeine last fall which was incredibly difficult.

I've been intermittent fasting (8/16) for the past three weeks. I used this weight loss method in summer of 2017 to go from 235lbs to 195lbs, and then did it sporadically and abandoned it only to get back to 215 pounds last month. I had an almost perfect streak, until this past Saturday when I was at a memorial for a friend of mine who had died of a drug overdose. They had pizza and soda and I made sure to get a non-caffeine soda (Orange Fanta I believe) and drank one iced cup of it.

For the rest of the day I was starving. I could not stick to my fast and was hungry no matter what I ate. It wasn't the pizza, I have had that during the 8 hour window and had no issues sticking with the fast. HFCS totally messed my day up and I went way over my calories for the day.

I think that complete removal of HFCS (as well as artificial sweetness in diet products) from your diet could help you if you are struggling with weight loss. I don't think it's any coincidence HFCS became popular in the mid-late 80's (cheaper than cane sugar) which was around when the obesity epidemic began.

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from loseit - Lose the Fat http://bit.ly/2J5H1Cn

10 Tasty Blueberry Recipes You Need to Bookmark Right Now

Often labeled as a superfood, blueberries are chock-full of antioxidants. But they offer so much more than that. Blueberries contain Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Manganese, which is necessary for the body to build and maintain bone and connective tissue. These yummy little berries are also a good source of dietary fiber when eaten with the skin intact. Nutritious and sweet, blueberry recipes are the perfect go-to for those summer months.

Besides being such nutrition powerhouses, blueberries are also quite delicious. Their sweet flavor makes them wildly popular when baked or blended into dishes—or even just used as a yummy topping. They can be served atop oatmeal, yogurt, tarts, baked goods—or even just eaten plain and whole.

There are so many healthy ways to incorporate blueberries into your day. While you probably have lots of your own ideas for how to eat more blueberries this summer, we’ve rounded up our favorite blueberry recipes that you’re going to want to add to your list. After all, now is the time that this delicious fruit is in season.

12 Strawberry Recipes Sweet Enough to Eat

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Check out 10 blueberry recipes that are perfect for summer:

1. No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake for One >

cheesecake

Few recipes are simpler than those that are “no-bake.” This recipe involves layering delicious ingredients, including a crumbled Nutrisystem Blueberry Lemon Baked Bar used for the “crust,” into a small dish or ramekin. When complete, it counts as one Nutrisystem Breakfast, one SmartCarb and one Extra. While this dish tastes incredibly indulgent, the cheesecake topping is made from healthful ingredients like fat-free ricotta cheese, blueberries and just a touch of honey—making it quite nutritious.

2. Blueberry Burst Energy Balls >

blueberry energy balls

Energy balls are all the rage and for good reason. They are easy to make, portable and packed with healthy ingredients that give you a burst of energy when you need a nutritious snack. These energy balls feature cashews, rolled oats, dates and blueberries. Everything is blended in a food processor to form a dough, which is rolled into balls—two of which count as one serving at 197 calories. On the Nutrisystem program, a serving also counts as one SmartCarb and one PowerFuel.

5 Foods that Boost Your Brainpower

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3. Baked Blueberry Oatmeal Tart >

Baked-Blueberry-Oatmeal-Tart

This is one of our favorite blueberry recipes and couldn’t be easier to make. It involves heating up and then topping our Nutrisystem Baked Blueberry Oatmeal with nonfat Greek yogurt and blueberries. Though it only requires simple assembly, it will give you the taste and feel of a warm homemade breakfast. And it’s healthy, too. It’s very hearty and filling, yet this breakfast is only 168 calories. And it counts as two Extras on the Nutrisystem plan.

4. Blueberry Nut Sweet Potato Toast >

Blueberry-Nut-Sweet-Potato-Toast

If you like having toast in the morning, then give this no-bread, more nutritious alternative a try. It uses a medium sweet potato, cut into slices, as the base. After being crisped in the oven to create a “toast” texture, it is topped with cottage cheese, cinnamon, blueberries, nuts and honey. It’s absolutely packed with flavor and boasts the nutritional benefits of the sweet potato, including fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C and several other vitamins and minerals. And for all that taste, it’s only 176 calories, counting as one SmartCarb, one PowerFuel and one Extra.

Superfood Saturday: Berries

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5. Blueberry Lemon Chia Jam >

blueberry jam

If you’re looking for a tasty but nutritious topping for your whole grain toast or crackers, then you’re going want to make this delicious jam. It combines blueberries and chia seeds, which are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, rich in antioxidants, and even provide a boost of fiber. Combined with the juice of a lemon and just a touch of Stevia, this jam is sweet and flavorful without being high in calories (it only has 40 per serving!). It also counts as one Extra.

6. Instant Blueberry Crisp >

blueberry crisp

Though delicious, traditional blueberry crisp is made using quite a bit of sugar and butter—and usually served with whipped cream or ice cream. We developed a healthier version that is still full of flavor and has a lot less calories and fat—plus some great health benefits such as fiber and antioxidants. It combines a package of Nutrisystem’s oatmeal (either Maple Brown Sugar or Apple Cinnamon—your preference) with a cup of blueberries. It’s really that simple! On the Nutrisystem plan, it counts as one Breakfast and one SmartCarb.

It’s Fruit Season! 11 Tasty Dessert Recipes Featuring Fruit

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7. Blueberry Almond Nice Cream >

blueberry ice cream

It might sound too good to be true, but with this delicious dessert you can satisfy your craving for ice cream in a healthy way. At just 131 calories, the smooth and creamy texture of this “Nice Cream” is made from combining a frozen banana with frozen blueberries and almond milk. It’s sweet and delicious while also being totally guilt-free. In addition to all the antioxidants you’ll get from the blueberries, the banana packs in some added potassium, fiber and a variety of other nutrients. This dish counts as one SmartCarb and one Extra.

8. Blueberry Green Tea Smoothie >

blueberry-smoothie

If you love smoothies, then this is one of our blueberry recipes you’ve got to try. Combining a cup of iced green tea with frozen blueberries, nonfat Greek yogurt, Stevia and ice, it’s blended to smooth perfection. This is a smoothie you can feel good about sipping. Between the green tea and the blueberries, it’s absolutely brimming with antioxidants—and only has 108 calories. It counts as a half of a SmartCarb and a half of a PowerFuel on the Nutrisystem plan.

10 Reasons You Need to Eat More Fruits & Veggies

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9. Red, White & Blueberry Pancakes >

Independence-Day-Pancakes

This patriotic breakfast is packed with protein thanks to its use of a Nutrisystem Vanilla FreshStart Shake and egg whites to make the “pancake” batter. It’s then topped with a sweet berry sauce made from blueberries and strawberries and finished off with some sliced bananas. The recipe makes three pancakes, all of which count as a serving. It clocks in at only 251 calories despite being a very filling breakfast. On the Nutrisystem plan, it counts as one SmartCarb and one-and-a-half PowerFuels.

10. Red, White and Blueberry Smoothie >

blueberry recipes

The last of our blueberry recipes is another yummy smoothie to add to your list. This patriotic drink combines the flavors of strawberries and blueberries with vanilla for a sweet treat that is both delicious and nutritious. It uses a package of the Nutrisystem Vanilla FreshStart Shake for that indulgent vanilla flavor. Counting as one PowerFuel and one SmartCarb, this smoothie will also give you a big boost of vitamin C.

The post 10 Tasty Blueberry Recipes You Need to Bookmark Right Now appeared first on The Leaf.



from The Leaf http://bit.ly/2XXufd8

On the road to recovery...

Hello all,

I hope everyone is making progress on their goals.

For myself, I've finally decided to do something about my intimidating weight gain. I had my wake up call when i step on scale recently and saw I broke over 200 lbs, first time in my life. My story is typical of most veterans: get out, stop exercising, eat anything, then get fat. Trouble is when you have no more restrictions, you do not hold yourself to any standards.

I'm joining this community to start holding myself accountable. I've decided to commit to several methods for weight loss: Caloric intake management (1500), Intermittent fasting (8 hour), Biking to and from work (10 miles total), & Orange theory (on off-shift days). I just gotten through the first week, 7 lbs so far. Was rough but at least I'm through the breaking in period. Now just the hardest part is just sticking with it. Which is why i'm joining this community to see it through.

30M 5'7

SW: 205
CW: 198
TW: >160

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from loseit - Lose the Fat http://bit.ly/2Lel078

How does r/loseit feel about weight loss surgery?

I’m a 23 year old guy with Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex. If you’d like to know a little about it here’s a great blog post that goes into a little more detail and gives some insight of what it’s like to live with.

I’ve struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. The more exercise I do, the less I’m able to be on my feet. It’s a vicious cycle. I finally decided to go through with weight loss surgery, sleeve gastrectomy to be exact, on 4/22/2019. I’m extremely excited for this lifestyle change and looking forward to the journey ahead.

My question is, do the fine folks of r/loseit view weight loss surgery as a crutch? Do you feel like it’s cheating? I’ve tried every diet under the sun, but I am simply unable to put in the necessary exercise to lose the weight without being unable to walk. I’m interested to hear how you guys and gals feel about it.

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Weight loss and agoraphobia

Hi all,

I am new to this sub but having looked through some of the posts here you all seem a great bunch and hopefully someone may be able to give me some advice.

My wife has agoraphobia and anxiety and finds it very difficult to leave the flat, however she is quite overweight and has been wanting to get in shape for a long time as it's now starting to become a health risk. She's asked me to help her find some ways to lose weight, but everything online suggests the best exercise to start with is walking, which obviously would require going outside.

We're working on the anxiety problems as well but anyone with this will know it's a lengthy process.

Can anyone recommend any exercises which might be useful to try?

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