Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Less Than Ten Pounds From a Normal Weight

F' 5'10 SW: 220 CW: 173 GW: 150ish

I realized this morning that I was less than ten pounds from a normal weight range and I just wanted to share. It's been over a decade since I was in the normal weight range and I'm just a little bit amazed and feeling very reflective.

A couple of years ago I was obese. I hadn't always been I was raised with healthy eating habits and stayed in a normal weight range for my teens and 20s. Heading into my 30s with a sedentary job and a busy lifestyle I began consuming more processed and fast foods, along with caffeinated energy drinks like monster and rock stars. Eventually I was consuming two rock stars a day and 190 pounds.

Here and there I'd focus on my weight for a bit and loose ten pounds but I always regained and worse my weight kept growing due to my sedentary lifestyle and poor diet.

In 2019 I was 220 pounds, tired all the time, my knees hurt, I could barely climb a flight of stairs and I struggled to stand from like a toilet. It was awful.

I knew what needed to be done and after playing around with slim fast for a bit I got serious. I kicked the caffeine, I stopped ordering Doordash, I stopped using uber for any place less than a mile and either walked or walked to the bus. I stopped picking up sweets, cut back drinking alcohol and increased the fruits and veggies, made sure to keep healthy low cal snacks on hand and the weight came off. In fact the first 30 pounds came off almost effortlessly.

It helped that I combined the health goal with a savings goal so I could focus on dollars going into my savings account rather than numbers on a scale.

I started exercising and hit a bit of a plateau with the weight loss. So I decided not to worry about it and just decided to see if I could maintain at 180 pounds. I did! In January of this year I started exercising again. This time with a goal of maintaining a regular exercise habit for a year. So far it's going well. I've been exercising at least 20 minutes daily for 4-5 per week.

In March I started CICO and I've dropped another 7 pounds and well on my way toward my goal weight of 150.

I think what worked for me is that like a lot of people I've experienced how damaging obesity really is and I'm genuinely afraid of how bad my life could get if I hadn't changed my lifestyle. My knees used to hurt so much and I didn't really understand why at first. I can only imagine what my life and mobility would be like heading into middle aged at 220 pounds.

I've also really finally absorbed what a lifestyle change means. It's means forever until the end and it means you take the time no matter what. You make the time to exercise, you make the time write down what you ate, you make the time to cook 90% of your meals at home. And if you work at it, if you make the time it will happen.

Another thing that I think was key for me was kicking the caffeine habit. Besides the insane amount of calories from two rock stars per day, for me at least, I think caffeine really contributed to my sugar cravings and my cravings for sweets in general. Those craving evaporated once I stopped consuming caffeine.

This is a longer posts. I hope it meets community guidelines and shares information that people find helpful.

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I can finally run on the treadmill!

I just want to share a small celebration and to remind anyone struggling not to give up on themselves! Today I officially hit my next weight loss goal after two months of plateauing and having a hard time making good food choices. It really is a marathon and not a sprint y'all. I recently was able to start walking on the treadmill without holding on after six months of needing the extra support. Now I'm able to do two minute sprints (3 total for the 30 mins I'm on) so basically 3.8 mph walking without holding on, followed by three separate running at 5 mph for two minutes each. I'm only 29 lbs down from my final goal and after struggling with eating disorders my whole life it feels good to do it the right way and without hating myself. Y'all give you the time you deserve.

SW: 228.6 CW: 169 GW: 140 F/36

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22 Easy and Healthy Spring Dessert Recipes

With the springtime warmer weather—and summer just on the horizon—you might be thinking about spending more time outdoors. With that in mind, you may be even more motivated to stick to your healthy eating plans.

But what about all of the delightful light and airy springtime desserts out there? You might feel frustrated by having to forgo some of the delicious treats that pop up at this time of year. Though many of these traditional spring dessert recipes tend to feature spring fruits, you know that they’re also packed with lots of sugar.

But at Nutrisystem, we never want you to feel deprived of fresh and healthy desserts. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of 22 healthy spring dessert recipes that are lightened-up versions of some of your favorite treats. You can enjoy any of these to the fullest with zero guilt!

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1. Lightened-Up Lemon Blueberry Tart >

Lightened-Up Lemon Blueberry Tart spring dessert

Fruit tarts are typically as beautiful as they are delicious. This particular recipe does not disappoint on either accord! Plus, it’s lightened up, making it a diet-friendly choice. It starts off on the right foot using whole wheat pastry flour which adds a nutrition factor that traditional white flour simply cannot. It also uses a whole cup of antioxidant-packed blueberries for some serious nutrient power. While you won’t feel deprived of the delicious taste, a slice only has a mere 161 calories per serving. Click here for the full recipe! >

2. Strawberry Lemon Icebox Cake >

Strawberry Lemon Icebox Cake

Traditional icebox cakes are those with only a few simple ingredients and no baking involved. While they typically use full-fat whipped cream, our lightened-up version swaps in healthier, nonfat plain Greek yogurt. You still get the luscious texture and creaminess but without all the added fat and calories. Add in some layers of low-fat graham crackers and some fresh sliced strawberries and you’ve got a truly delicious spring dessert that won’t derail your healthy eating plans. Click here for the full recipe! >

3. Healthier Raspberry Lemon Scones >

Healthier Raspberry Lemon Scones spring dessert

If enjoying a fresh scone—perhaps with a cup of coffee—is an indulgent treat for you, then you’re going to love our healthier version. Using whole wheat pastry flour, a low-calorie sugar, skim milk and some coconut oil, this scone dough is off to a healthy start. The sweet and tart pairing of lemon with raspberries also creates a winning flavor combination. They are perfect for Easter brunch or as an after dinner treat. Click here for the full recipe! >

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4. Matcha Blueberry Muffins >

Matcha Blueberry Muffins

Matcha, which is a special form of green tea made from finely powdered dried tea leaves, is said to be high in antioxidants with numerous health benefits. In this blueberry muffin recipe, matcha not only adds a delightful green hue but also nutritional goodness. They’re wholesome, delicious and will satisfy your sweet tooth, too. Click here for the full recipe! >

5. Lightened-Up Lemon Bars >

Lightened-Up Lemon Bars spring dessert

What sounds more springtime, light and airy than lemon bars? The problem with traditional bar or cookie-type desserts is that they’re usually loaded with sugar. Not our version! These truly lightened-up bars get their sweetness from applesauce and a low-calorie sugar—plus they go light on the butter. As a result, the zest and natural deliciousness of the lemons really shines through in this citrusy delight. Click here for the full recipe! >

6. Must-Try Strawberry Pie >

Must-Try Strawberry Pie

There’s no question that springtime brings all of the fruit pies and baked goods out—particularly strawberries, which are in-season in the spring. Unfortunately, these recipes are often loaded with sugar, taking away from the natural health power of the antioxidant-rich berries. Our version keeps things light and healthy. With a simple graham cracker crust, the strawberries themselves really take the spotlight—as they should! A delicious slice of this spring pie is a mere 132 calories. Click here for the full recipe! >

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7. Homemade Carrot Cake >

Homemade Carrot Cake spring dessert

With a vegetable in its name, carrot cake sounds like a healthy treat. However, most carrot cakes are loaded up with unhealthy ingredients. Our carrot cake recipe uses healthful ingredients like nonfat plain Greek yogurt, applesauce, coconut oil and whole wheat pastry flour. Plus, the frosting is lightened-up, too. Instead of full-fat cream cheese, our version swamps in part-skim ricotta plus some nonfat plain Greek yogurt for a light-but-still-delightful topping. Click here for the full recipe! >

8. Skinny Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble >

Skinny Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble spring dessert

Nothing screams spring like rhubarb—a famously tart vegetable (yes, it’s a veggie!) that pops up early in the season and is often used in pies and jams. Its tart flavor is known to pair well with super sweet strawberries—and both are used in this delicious crumble. It’s indulgent and will fully satisfy your sweet tooth while only clocking in at a mere 185 calories per serving. Click here for the full recipe! >

9. Raspberry Chickpea Blondies >

Raspberry Chickpea Blondies

Chickpeas in a dessert? You heard it right! When blended up in a food processor, chickpeas can create the perfect creamy base for these dessert bars which combine the gooey-ness of brownies with the consistency of a fresh-based cookie. Packed with antioxidant-rich raspberries and protein-packed nut butter, this is a spring dessert with lots of surprising flavor combinations that just work. They’re sure to become a go-to favorite. Click here for the full recipe! >

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10. Strawberry Lemon Mousse Cups >

Strawberry Lemon Mousse Cups

Though they sound decadent and indulgent, these light and airy strawberry lemon mousse cups have the fluffy consistency that you love about mousse—but in a totally diet-friendly recipe. By combining a can of lite coconut cream with plain nonfat Greek yogurt, a lemon, stevia and strawberries, you can get in your sweet fix with a mere 95 calories. Click here for the full recipe! >

11. Strawberry Oatmeal Cookies >

Strawberry Oatmeal Cookies

If cookies are your go-to dessert, you’ll definitely want to whip up a batch of these! They use healthful ingredients like oats, fresh strawberries, Greek yogurt and applesauce to create a sweet treat that’s good for you, too. It’s a spring dessert recipe that you can enjoy with zero guilt at just 78 calories for a serving of two cookies! Click here for the full recipe! >

12. Blackberry Peach Upside Down Muffin Cakes >

Blackberry Peach Upside Down Muffin Cakes

Peaches and blackberries are the star of these fruit-based muffin cakes!  Like a traditional upside down cake, the fruit is baked on the bottom—but the cakes are served “flipped” so that the bottom is on top. At just 153 calories for two muffins, they make a great snack that will also satisfy your craving for something sweet. Click here for the full recipe! >

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13. Instant Pot Key Lime Cheesecake >

Instant Pot Key Lime Cheesecake

Did you know that you can use your Instant Pot to make desserts? This delicious key lime cheesecake uses six simple ingredients plus your Instant Pot (instead of the oven) for cooking! You’ll be able to enjoy the indulgent texture and taste of cheesecake but in a low-calorie version. Click here for the full recipe! >

14. Mini No-Bake Lemon Coconut Cheesecake Bites >

Mini No-Bake Lemon Coconut Cheesecake Bites

When it comes to simple, nothing quite beats “no-bake” desserts. With this recipe, you can whip up some delicious cheesecake bites with some simple mixing and freezing! The freezer will “set” the bites, which use healthy substitutes to traditional full-fat ingredients. With low-fat cream cheese, nonfat plain Greek yogurt, medjool dates and raw almonds, these bites are packed with goodness. Click here for the full recipe! >

15. Mixed Triple Berry Scones >

Mixed Triple Berry Scones spring dessert

Spring calls for pretty pastries and satisfying sweets! These berry scones are perfectly portioned and packed with berrylicious flavor. Featuring a whole wheat base, a medley of your favorite mixed berries and a sprinkle of coconut sugar, this healthy spring scone recipe provides the crumbly texture and light sweetness of scones that you know and love. Click here for the full recipe! >

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16. 23-Calorie Almond Meringue Cookies >

23-Calorie Almond Meringue Cookies spring dessert

Delicious, dainty and diet-friendly, these little meringue cookie bites are the perfect dessert for your spring menu. They might look (and taste) like they’re straight from the local bakery but are actually quite simple to make. Serve them up on a colorful plate with fresh berries for a spring-inspired presentation. Click here for the full recipe! >

17. 5-Ingredient Flourless Chocolate Raspberry Cake >

5-Ingredient Flourless Chocolate Raspberry Cake

Who says you need flour to bake a moist, fluffy and delicious cake? Our recipe for Flourless Chocolate Raspberry Cake proves that you can create an impressive spring dessert with just five ingredients. Nutrisystem NutriChocolaty Wafers give this cake big chocolate flavor while keeping them diet-friendly. Click here for the full recipe! >

18. Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Pie >

Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Pie

Enjoy an elegant chocolate dessert that’s filled with fresh, fruity flavor. This simple Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Pie is a rich and decadent treat that’s perfect for any special occasion. Top it with some low-fat whipped topping and sliced berries for a beautiful presentation. Click here for the full recipe! >

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19. Blueberry Crumble >

Blueberry Crumble

This berrylicious pie might look like a gourmet dessert from your local bakery. However, it’s actually super simple to make! The secret ingredient is chia seeds, which provides extra fiber while creating a jelly-liked texture. This beautiful blueberry baked good is essentially to spring and summer dessert menu. Click here for the full recipe! >

20. No-Bake Skinny Mint Chocolate Brownie Bites >

No-Bake Skinny Mint Chocolate Brownie Bites spring dessert

These delicious Skinny Mint Chocolate Brownie Bites make some simple ingredient swaps to create a Nutrisystem-approved treat. Say goodbye to sugar-filled candy! These little mint and chocolate bites feature a wholesome crust and a creamy mint filling made from avocado, nonfat Greek yogurt, coconut oil, honey and mint extract. They are perfect for your spring celebrations (Hello, St. Paddy’s Day!). Click here for the full recipe! >

21. Air Fryer Raspberry Crisp >

Air Fryer Raspberry Crisp

Satisfy your homemade pie cravings without mixing, kneading or rolling any dough! Crisps and crumbles are ideal for all of the lazy cooks out there because they eliminate the most complicated step: pie dough. This easy raspberry spring dessert is made even easier with everyone’s favorite countertop appliance: the air fryer. Click here for the full recipe! >

22. Carrot Soufflé Cups >

Carrot Soufflé Cups spring dessert

Enjoy the flavors of carrot cake in a perfectly portioned muffin cup. This easy recipe is made with whole wheat flour, stevia and fresh-cut, nutrient-dense carrots. Feel free to add some raisins for even more sweet flavor. They are delicious with a cup of hot tea and could easily double as breakfast or brunch. Click here for the full recipe! >

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The post 22 Easy and Healthy Spring Dessert Recipes appeared first on The Leaf.



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Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Am I plateauing or is think kinda how it works?

I’ve lost 31 pounds since July 2022 and my goal is to bring that to 57 pounds by July 2023.

I think I hit my first plateau bc my weight loss has been steady thus far. Trying not to be discouraged bc I have some habits I can tighten up for sure.

But, I did lower my body fat and increase muscle mass at this time.

Feb 27th: 226.3 pounds, 68.1 skeletal muscle mass and 46.7% body fat

April 3: 226.4 pounds, 71.0 muscle mass and 44.7% body fat

So I just want some thoughts about this and how to beat a plateau. Also any tips to help me lose 26 pounds by July 1 2023. I really want to be under 200 for my one year anniversary

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What can you do for saggy, flabby arm skin?

Following weight loss surgery. What are some tips for the saggy arm skin? I’m also open to advice regarding other areas as well, but primarily the arms. My wife is looking to get the gastric sleeve done sometime next year and that’s something she’s worried about (though I’ve assured her that I couldn’t care less) as she does keep a lot of fat I. Her arms. It’s always been an insecurity for her so she wants to know how to help tighten that skin naturally.

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15 months of progress and halfway to my goal!

6" 29m(assigned at birth, I'm working it out) currently around 97.5kg (lowest 96.7kg) Posting to share my journey so far, in hopes it helps someone the same way this sub has helped me!

Due to a lot of stress since the pandemic, moving cities and getting a new job I let myself climb to a new high of 110kg, I've struggled with weight my whole life and didn't have the knowledge to parse the difference between genuine nutritional advice and fitness fads, nor did I understand working out and macro-nutrients. When I weighed myself these past Christmas holidays and realised that I hit 110kg I mentally dug my heels in and told myself "this stops here" I want to acknowledge that I've only been able to do this now that I'm 29 for a few reasons - support from my partner where I didn't have any before, a comfortable wage that allows me to buy more than the cheapest foods and afford a gym subscription+PT and gym clothes, and the proliferation of free good advice that drowns out the fitness fad industry.

I started by making changes to my lifestyle bit by bit, trying to be conscious of not overloading myself, and instead of seeking quick wins, setting myself up for a more sustainable and resilient lifestyle. My partner and I started off by committing to finishing couch to 5k, we'd tried in the past and gotten really far but always fell off for one reason or another. I also started trying to walk around 10,000 steps a day Two weeks after, we cut out all refined sugar for the month of January (in retrospect we didn't need to do this but it was good to break some bad habits) Soon after a local gym had a Saturday morning "community class" my partner and some local friends went to, this was a great introduction to the gym and became a really good habit that we've kept up each Saturday The same gym then started a "6-week challenge" program that I signed up for the week after The program got me in the habit of going to the gym, but most importantly got me calorie counting! Dialling in on what a deficit looks like for me and how to hit my protein intake goals with that has been an adjustment, but once I worked it out it made eating in a deficit much easier. I now have a PT and am (trying) to train calisthenics while maintaining my calorie deficit!

I've been in a calorie deficit for about 15 weeks now and recently hit 97.5kg, I suspect it just gets harder from here and I'm ready for it to slow down (I got sick this week and am eating at maintenance while I shake off this fever)

Writing all of this down makes me realise how drastic a change this has all been, going from mindlessly eating and drinking to deal with stress while remaining mostly sedentary, to now maintaining a 500 calorie deficit a day with 1.2g/kg protein, running 3 days a week and gym 3 days a week... But it doesn't feel like it, I guess since I introduced all of the rituals slowly

To wrap it up, I'll share some challenges and what has helped me the most

Challenges: - Energy levels while eating in a deficit. Nearly half of my days I need a nap at about 3:30pm, I just run out of energy... I might be able to solve this with better sleep hygiene, allowing myself to sleep longer... But I'm a night owl so that's tough - Eating out. This is a blessing and a curse, it's so hard to calorie count when eating out, so I do it a lot less (good) but when I do eat out, it feels impossible to know if I ended up in deficit or surplus, mostly you just can't know how much oil or butter a restaurant uses even if you guesstimate everything else. I probably shouldn't stress too much about this - Rate of weight loss. I've been targeting 1kg/week and have been generally hitting that, but rarely at a consistent rate. The first 6 kg came off REALLY fast, once I cut out alcohol, eating out all the time, refined sugar and started running. When I lose weight now, it's usually nothing for 2-3 weeks, then I drop 1-3kg in the span of a week, which is demoralising toward the end of those dry spells

What's helped? - This sub, it at least makes me feel like I'm not alone and that it takes consistency and patience - Resources like the "Stronger by Science" podcast, evidence based resources that AREN'T just trying to sell me something. It's not always the answers that I want to hear, but that I do need to hear - Healthy alternatives to things I already love. Quest peanut butter cups, sugar-free yoghurt, protein custard, halo-top and korean bbq (minus korean fried chicken & kimchi pancake 🥲)

Hope any of this helps, and I'll be back to report in at some point in the future, wherever it takes me!

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Week 1 SV and NSV - not much, but my slight progress is motivating

Disclaimer: This is my first time posting on Reddit. I've browsed this subreddit before and read the posting guidelines but just wanted to mention it in case I commit some faux pas in my post/posting style:)

For context, I'm 23F and have been in an unhealthy relationship for the past few years. I developed pretty severe depression over time which culminated in me quitting my job and slowly ceasing to spend time with friends/family. I ended up struggling with binge drinking. Of course I'm the only one responsible for my own health, but none of this was helped by living with a partner who would always put me down, encourage my unhealthy habits, and discourage me from getting better.

Several months ago, I realized I had gained some weight—I put on a pair of jeans for the first time in months, and I couldn't even button them. I didn't have a scale at the time, so I just measured my waist - it had gone from 23-24" to 29-30". I could also just see and feel how much fat I'd gained. I tried a few times to make some changes, each attempt lasting a maximum of 3 days before I lost all motivation and became even more depressed.

I finally left that relationship. Then a week ago, I decided to give this another go. By "this" I don't just mean fat loss, but completely repairing my physical health, mental health, and lifestyle. I bought a scale and weighed myself for the first time in years. I was shocked when I weighed in at 165 lbs; the highest I'd ever weighed in at before this was 145, typically fluctuating between 125-140 no matter how I ate (it was higher when I was more focused on lifting, and lower when I was doing more cardio). I had been expecting 5-10 lbs of weight gain, not 20-30. And then when I was exercising (first time in over a year), I realized how much strength and endurance I had lost—that I can't quantify, but it's pretty significant.

At first I was upset by these things, but I decided to reframe those thoughts and use it as motivation. I haven't been exercising as much as I'd like to, but I am trying to get a little better each day. I've mostly given up alcohol and am trying to reduce my intake each day. Whole foods are gradually becoming a larger and larger part of my diet, and I'm trying to eat more mindfully. I'm no longer going to bed at 3 AM, but at 8-9 PM (which has made a world of a difference).

Today, I weighed in at 160 lbs. I know probably 90% of that is water weight, but it's motivating to see. Maybe TMI, but I'm also menstruating—women's weights tend to fluctuate (rather predictably) throughout the menstrual cycle, with weight typically being highest during menses, and maybe this is strange but I find that even more encouraging. My waist size is down to 28", I have slightly more energy, and for the first time in months this seems possible. A week ago, I was unsure that I could do this; today, I'm sure I can. This is the longest period of time that I've been able to stick to a weight loss/health "plan" since realizing I gained weight, and that in itself is encouraging me. I'm feeling less depressed and anxious than I have in a very long time, despite this being the time of the month where I'm usually most depressed/anxious. These victories aren't the biggest or most tangible, but they feel major to me.

Up next is applying/interviewing for jobs, becoming completely abstinent from alcohol for at least a year, quitting vaping, spending more time with family/friends, reducing my screen time, getting back into the sports and hobbies I once loved, and continuing to incorporate more healthy habits/becoming more consistent about the habits I've already incorporated.

If anyone is wondering how I'm going about my weight loss, I'm eating around 1200-1500 calories/day and doing light cardio daily and bodyweight strength training 2x/week (that's all I can handle right now; I used to be able to run for miles and lift quite heavy, but this is what being sedentary and eating unhealthily for a year or two does to you haha). I'm tracking my food in Cronometer; I like it because it seems quite accurate and it helps me ensure I'm getting enough of all my micronutrients. My macros are 40% protein all month, and then 35-40% carbs/20-25% fat during the follicular phase of my cycle and 25-20% carbs/35-40% fat during the luteal phase of my cycle (women tend to utilize carbs for fuel at rest during the follicular phase and fat during the luteal phase). I also plan on incorporating occasional fasts after a few months, not for weight loss but for the overall health benefits.

This last part is just for me so that I can look back at this post in a few months to a year and see how far I've come:

  • SW - 165
  • CW (1 week) - 160
  • GW - 127 (I want to get down to 127ish through diet and light-to-moderate exercise, then raise my calories and begin to focus more on strength training to get back up to 135-150 with muscle mass)

ps Sorry for the long post; if you read this far, thank you. I'm hoping that in posting this and going back to look at it, I'll be better able to keep myself accountable and motivated. I also hope that this might somehow inspire anyone else who can relate to these sorts of mental/motivational struggles.

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