I’ve had migraines since I was 3 and control those now mostly by diet. I stick to real foods. Shop around the perimeter of the grocery store (where most of the fresh food is), and as much as possible, try to avoid foods that have a real shelf life. Salads at lunch and/or dinner. Egg white omeletes for breakfast. Fruits and nuts for snacks. Occasionally, I’ll want something sweet and I may eat chocolate or a dessert, but I really emphasize portion control.

What’s been key for me is finding out how many calories I burn in a day. A few months ago, I learned that I only burned 1400 calories which makes it VERY easy to understand why I was gaining weight and not losing anything. I don’t count calories, but I keep in mind what I’ve been eating and guesstimate how many calories are in something.

Diet is the most important part, but exercising for me is critical. I will never truly be healthy without it.

At first, I was doing some weight training and half an hour of cardio a day for an average of 5 days per week. Recently, I’ve been doing an hour of cardio a day and I can feel and see the difference.

I sit down all day, so I’m usually ready to start moving around circa 5/5:30. When I’m stressed, mad, or bored, I go to the gym and sweat it off.

What’s different this time for me though is that I CONSTANTLY push myself. I pay attention to how my body feels and reacts when I’m working out. I do interval training maybe twice a week (sprint for 30 seconds, walking recovery for 90 seconds), but most of the time speed walk uphill (4.1-4.3 mph). What percent? It increases. I start off at maybe 2.5 and every so often increase it by .5-1 percent depending on how easy it feels. Obviously, I start off low in the beginning, but it starts to get really challenging on at about 9-9.5 percent on the treadmill I use. I keep going at the same speed but a higher incline until I feel the challenge is gone or I can use a bit more “oomph.” I’m all about the challenge.

Try that…just pay attention to what’s going on. As you progress and get stronger, you’ll need more of a challenge. But the same thing happens DURING your workout too.

Best to you on your journey!

I (re)gained 50 pounds over a period of a year. An achilles heel injury and a personal crisis sent me spiraling. I held myself together with food. Prayer works and food surely did comfort.

Since I know I cannot afford a nervous breakdown, food is my crutch. I just like to cook and eat! Not even bad food, but just a LOT of the good stuff.

I have always been a thick kid, managed to slim down but my weight has fluctuated over the years.

At any rate, when I had lost the weight and was doing exceptionally well — I was walking. It’s the 10,000 Steps a Day program (5 miles). It sounds daunting, but it gets easier as you work up to it.

I also know for me, those late night dinners result in the very poundage that I have added. So, I am back to walking, fewer late night pasta dishes and am adding a water-aerobics class. I am looking forward to being back to where I was this time a couple of years ago.

I do feel your pain and O’s pain and the rest of the brothers and sisters out there who struggle as we do. I do have to say, it really is about discipline and control. I am working on exercising more discipline in my life in a few areas. I think this is just one of them.

I will be praying for your (read our) encouragement and focus. Anything is possible Bella.

I’ve been having fun trying the recipes in the Well/Health sections of the NYTimes. I just wanted to cook more vegetables and learn to make new dishes — plus it’s freezing where I live and it’s nice to be in the kitchen roasting things. So I’d recommend that to get your veggies in a non-salad way.

I’ve also found that doing the treadmill or steps goes better for me if I listen to a radio show–like the wonderful Tell Me More–or some other podcast. Sometimes you just need that support to keep going.

I get tired of trying. My job is demanding and you know life is work. So if I’m going to have more energy for working out, I need music, a story, a bunch of magazines, tv or something like that. I like to eat healthful food and I like to cook but geez, it can get boring and just a drain. It’s work just to think of something else sometimes. So thanks NYTimes. I just make whatever they are writing about that day. I don’t think about. And it’s always good.

So I’d say, it’s about figuring out what you need to really thrive (as Michelle Obama would say). Surviving is so 70s.

And you know, the work out thing and eating – it’s about having control of your life, bella. I mean. Be a parent to yourself. You run this thing. It’s your show. You can’t let the culture tell you what to do and this person like candy so you have to eat candy. Bullsh*t. You’re a grown-up. Sort yourself out, get the tools and support you need and run your business.

Powers and joys

The blogger Krys is funny and does keep it real but she promotes women who are doing there thing in the industry that are full figured or as she would put it thicksational.

Tricia

Love always,
D&M