I googled and googled and couldn't find anything good. I know somewhere out there has to be a place (free) where you can post pics, post stats, recipies, things like that, etc. I know there are sites where you have to pay for that I'm hoping to find something free.

-Amanda

You can always join my friends and I at realityofweighting

A lot of people like www.sparkpeople.com, which seems to have a relatively active community and some good weight loss tools, and it is completely free.

I love www.fitday.com. There's not really a community aspect there, but the food tracker and calorie calculators are invaluable.

I also like the community over on the WeightWatchers message boards - you have to pay to use the weight loss tools and get the program, but the message boards are free and a great support.

Here is my place.. "It's Free"

The Weight-Loss Gang

http://weightlossgang.proboards92.com/

You can do all of that there.

Our recipe section is growin' strong!

Thanks everyone for the replies! I signed up at sparkspeople under amanda776 if anyone wants to look me up.

Did I read on the RoW site that you were going to start charging a subscription fee? Don't you think that's going to kill any new people from coming to the site?

Sparkpeople seems to be a good site. I've seen MANY MANY people talking about it all over the internet. I haven't tried it yet myself, as I have a really great support system in place already.

Goodluck!

I belong to both SparkPeople and RoW.

I'm less active on SparkPeople than I was originally. I use it mostly for tracking diet and exercise, although I do weigh in weekly as part of a Biggest Loser SparkTeam.

RoW is for the support There's a great bunch of people over there!

I can't seem to get the RoW page to load on my computer here at work. I'll have to try it at home.

ROTFL! I love it @ 3 minutes in, I was bouncing all over the place just now :-)

For anyone interested- this is a great newsletter and fairly cheap to subscribe to. Great info on foods and health.
there are some archived articles also on the web site.


http://www.cspinet.org/nah/index.htm

I subscribe to this. A friend bought me a subscription a couple years ago and I've kept up with it.

I enjoy this newsletter, although they are certainly very conservative in their findings. But, that's a good thing, as we don't need to be panicking about every new finding we hear about. This newsletter brings me back to earth if I'm worried about something, and if they recommend something I can pretty much count on it being studied very well and can believe it.

I think the sodium levels on processed foods are incredible to see in print. I don't eat that way but it's still shocking to my system to see.

BOOK: Jillian Michaels Making the Cut
Although the book is targeted towards people trying to lose the last 10 or 15 lbs, I still think a lot of you might like it because the recipes are great. I have been struggling to figure out how to incorporate more fat (I know, ironic) and protein into my diet to get my 40 % carbs. 30% protein, 30% fat ratio. There are a ton of recipes which are mostly limited to between 5 or 10 ingredients and the ones I have tried have been great (and are now part of my regular routine)

WEBSITE: Caloriecount.Com http://www.caloriecount.about.com
This is a FREE site and has THE BEST online food diary out there. Not only does it have a large database of foods, but as you add stuff to your online diary it keeps track of the stats. Stats include nutrients, % carbs, fat etc. and you can go to an analysis page a review how much of each type you ate(shown in a pie diagram as well), what % of nutrients (ex Calcium, iron vit A, etc) you consumed that day. It also has an activity log, and a TON of tools including calculating your daily calorie burn. It does everything for you. It also has a fantastic community board with all kinds of advice. I also like that it was just started by two guys trying to lose weight, and eventually about.com sponsored the site. They are still there and are moderators on the boards along with other people, many of whom were calorie count success stories themselves. I have tried lots of paid online sites like e diets, and this is better and its free.

I'd like to try that book. I'm not needing to lose a lot of weight, but I need to lose ten pounds by Mid March. I am SOOOOO bad at losing even two pounds.

I don't have any favorite books right now. I'm still looking for something to get me motivated.

Thanks for the input about the book. I'm always working on those "last few pounds". I really like Jillian; I'm going to check out the book now.

Here are my recommendations:

The Ultimate Weight Soloution by Dr. Phil McGraw
It's not a diet. He states that weight is cannot be cured, it can only be managed. He teaches you a healthy way to look at food you you are eating to live. There are seven keys: 1. Right thinking 2. Healing feelings 3.A no-fail environment 4. Mastery over food and impulse control 5. High-response cost high-yeild nutrition 6. Intentional exercise 7. Your circle of support. There's also a food guide (seperate book)

Seven Pillars of Health by Don Colbert, M.D.
This is set up like a 50 day devotional, so it breaks things up into managable portions. The seven pillars are water, sleep and rest, living food, exercise, detoxification, supplements, and coping with stress. He discusses some things that are real eye openers.

I confess I own the Dr. Phil book but have never finished it. The second one sounds really intriguing to me - I may have to pick it up. Thanks!

I'll have to check that out, it's nice that there are tips out there for people trying to take off that last little bit. To me, it's like walking through mud, it's hard, and it's slow, but you have to keep pushing through because if you hold still for even a second, you'll sink to the bottom.

Its true boo, the closer you get the harder you get. I also think you really have to get the calorie math much closer to reality to make a difference (no more guessimations). its like a whole new ball game.

Man, I'm jealous! I would love to live at Chalene's house... I'd be at goal in no time!

On a side note, I just got my Turbo Jam Fat Burning Elite vids in the mail today! I know what I'm going to work out to in the morning!

I've got some favorite books to recommend:

My absolute favorite book right now is "Skinny B!tch" by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnoun. They have a really hysterical delivery of some sensitive topics surrounding food, and a lot of the shady things involved in the food and drug industry. Makes you step back and think about what you are actually putting in your body. The companion "Skinny B!tch in the Kitch" is a fabulous cookbook, and the recipes in it are yum-o.

Coming in at #2, but a close second (love ya Jillian) is Jillian Michaels' Winning By Losing. She's got a no nonsense, tell it like it is approach, backed by simple science. Doesn't get much better than that!

I guess I respect authors who don't candy coat or dance around the issue of obesity. Hmmm.... could be why I like Reality of Weighting so much. I am sensing a theme!

I love that book. I like how it feels like girlfriends sitting in a bar talking about food. LOL.

I bought the book last year, and I read the first two chapters in the store, but when I got further (after I had purchased it) I felt a little "duped" by it. It doesn't REALLY say how to get thin. It's mostly a Vegan hugger book. But, I will admit, I stopped eating meat, and I only buy organic eggs and milk now. I make the trek to Trader Joes every week to buy stuff I can't find in the grocery store.

Still, I reccomend that book to a lot of friends.

Welcome! I have one of his other books, Stress Less. He also wrote the Bible Cure series. I have the one for weight loss. It's really neat how he explains how different types of food process in our bodies. I want to get his other books: Toxic Relief, Deadly Emotions, Living in Divine Health, and What Would Jesus Eat (there's also a cookbook for this one). He writes very well and he's been an M.D. since 1984 and had a private practice in Central Florida since 1987. He's also got books on fasting.

If you want to check out his books, they are priced really well at www.christianbook.com

It does definitely promote eating vegan, and the right way to do it. Which, if you're eating vegan, avoiding all of the nasty stuff, sticking to a healthy plant based diet, it's hard to eat way too much.

I can't believe I am now following a 80% vegan/ 20% vegetarian (there are some dairy items in my diet) way of eating. I'm a Texas girl who teethed on steak and loves some fajitas, so for me to go vegetarian has pretty much put everyone in my family in shock!

I love it, though. I feel better and just more healthy. The authors of the book are going to be in a local Barnes & Noble on Wednesday, and if my husband gets home in time, I'll be able to go down there and meet them. Should be fun!

is there any fat camps out there for adults. if so whats the web site......

http://www.extrapounds.com/
Personal diet blogs, support groups etc ...+ weight tracker that keeps a sneaky eye on me whenever I post in a forum (see below)

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
Couch to 5 kilometers running program I'm following. It gives you a week by week schedule to follow.

The Daily Plate

I absolutely love this site. It helps that I'm a lazy-bones type personality...LOL...so when I can get something to help me out...I go for it!

On this site, you can keep your daily food journal, track your fitness daily (giving you your net calories for the day), and when you put in your weight, it will automatically calculate your daily calories.

Best of all...there's no charge!

I've found it to be a great help in my journey!

Awesome!!! Thanks!

Lose 4 Love is a organization promoting healthier lifestyles. By encouraging the loss of bad habits (overeating, smoking, drinking, etc.), we hope to promote the fight against heart disease.
According to the American Heart Association, more than 910,000 Americans die of heart disease annually. And more than 70 million Americans live every day with some form of heart disease, which can include high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, chest pain, heart attack and congenital heart defects.
Be around to enjoy life and share it with the ones you love most. Lose the bad habits for yourself, your family, your friends.....

Visit My Website

I just picked this up at our library and am finding it very motivational. Not sure how new it is- the date is 2008. Has anyone else read it? I think I'm going to order it from Amazon. so that I have it on hand for when my motivation lags.

I just picked up Dr. H's book at the library. It details not only the food plan that the contestants at home (during the "states" season) followed, but also the exercise recommendations that allowed the at home people to lose as much as their ranch counterparts.

My dilemma is this: He recommends 1 hour of exercise twice a day, for a total of 2 hours, to get those results. He explains that even morbidly obese people can do this and rapidly increase their fitness levels and weight loss, as shown by those on TBL. I can understand and agree with that, but how the heck do I convince my body?

Whether it's music or TV distracting me, I get bored, and my muscles do everything they can to convince me to stop. I get foot cramps on the elliptical, back pain walking, LOL you name it... it's just downright uncomfortable! (As a note- I don't have any health problems other than obesity, so I'm not being "dangerous") I just know if I were on the show, I would be one of those whiny contestants people hate!

For all you ex contestants, or even just experienced exercisers, how the heck do you manage to deal with 1) the drudgery and 2) the aches and pains. Do the muscles stop screaming at you eventually, or do you need to always exercise at a level where your body hates you?

I watch the show and wonder how the heck the contestants can compete in challenges after exercising or even walk to the scale normally, when I am hobbling to the bathroom after 25 minutes on a Gazelle or an Elliptical!

Thoughts anyone?

Funny I stumbled on this thread this afternoon. I was thinking Sunday after spending about 5 hours on my feet on Saturday how the heck they managed that last challenge. I know their endurance is up so that had to have helped.. But knowing that Heba was dealing with an ankle problem and Vicky a knee problem and other people talking about their feet... Not to mention the issue with the heat!

I made it through my Saturday okay..but Sunday my feet were stiff and had cramp like sensations all day. I can appreciate their endurance! I would have liked to see them the day after!

I think one thing to be able to do the cardio twice a day you have to mix it up to avoid boredom.. Or find one or two things you really like to do.. I remember Poppi saying that she worked out 2 hours a day... It's like anything.. just getting in the habit of it..

I bought a couple of the BL exercise dvd's a couple years ago.. They could help if I actually used them! We really do have alot of ways to mix up our workouts if we want.

I can certainly understand bored and distracted feelings though. I haven't really claimed the motivation to do what I should be doing (working out and eating right) if it isn't as enjoyable as we might want it. So unfortunately, I continue on in a 'status quo' mode.

I must not want it bad enough.. I remain in wishful thinking.. I know that is wrong!

Some of you might be interested in this thread from the Hypography discussion board. Hypography is a community dedicated to sharing, discussing, and understanding science.

http://hypography.com/forums/medical-scien...fat-epizza.html

The thread has been running for two years and there is an obscene amount of knowledge cited, discussed and references about the various issues related to obesity and why we seem to be growing around the mid section.

Be warned, this is a place for science geeks. If you make a claim, you are expected to back it up with credible sources and citations. If you claim that the "calories in/calories out" model does not work you will be asked to go read about the laws of thermodynamics and come back when you have a better understanding of the universe. Empirical evidence is what truth makes at Hyponography. These people are interested in the science behind the issue, which is not always going to include an answer that makes you feel better about yourself.

If you truly want to understand the real science behind weight loss and your body, this is the place to find a lot of knowledge.

Thanks, Ryan_D! I enjoyed this thread so much, I joined the forum!

For me, it's been all about making small changes. I started by eating more vegetables. I lost 13 pounds the first month JUST doing that! Then I started watching my portions. Eating healthier stuff and not so much junk. Eventually I added a bit of exercise. At first I could only do about 2 or 3 minutes on my recumbent bike, with NO resistance, 3 times a week. Now I generally do 30 minutes, 6 times a week on 5 resistance. I feel SO much better. I do have to count calories now, but that's not nearly as difficult as living life as a morbidly obese, 278 pound 38 year old mother. Life is much better for me now and I didn't need any special potions to do it. I do highly recommend blogging. Blogger has free setups and you can write about your struggles and victories. It's helped me a lot. My blog is Escape from Obesity (I think the link is at the bottom of the post). Try blogging, it really helps.

There are places all over the internet where you can post about weight loss. You can start a free blog on wordpress or blogspot.

I would recommend squidoo

There are large communities out there on dieting and health you just need to search a little more.


-----------------------------------------
Quick Weight Loss Tips & Reviews
Quick Weight Loss Tips

www.recipegoldmine.com

www.everydaycook.com.

The cookbook from Dr. Phil is pretty good, too. I love taking recipes and making healthier versions of them. I just got 3 of Chef Devin's cookbooks for Christmas. I plan on making at least 2-3 healthier recipes a week.

Has anyone here tried this place - http://my-calorie-counter.everydayhealth.com/journal.asp ??? I just spent about 45 minutes putting in my breakfast, lunch and snacks -- does it usually take this long to enter your food & activity with all the sites? At least this one is free and I only needed to add one item, found everything else - even rice milk! I don't know how long I could keep that up....

Oh man....

I just read the blurb from our gym at work about exercising at the appropriate intensity level...

Something about THR (Target Heart Rate) which is a calculation involving (I kid you not!)

MHR (Maximum Heart Rate)
HRR (Heart Rate Reserve)
RHR (Resting Heart Rate)

I think I need a computer just to figure this out!!!! Are those bodybuggs good at figuring this out? It might be worth it just to avoid that calculation -- sheesh!!!!

I figured out my ZONE!!!!!!!!!!

My Target Heart Rate Zone is 124.8-151.8!!

Now what do I do with that number??? Is that how fast my heart is supposed to be beating per minute when I am "in the zone?"

Arghh, I can see that I need a tool....

Jillian Michael's weekly podcast:
http://www.kfi640.com/pages/jillian.html

Master your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels - the best weight loss book out there. If you want to know how she gets the Biggest Loser winners all the time, this is the plan she puts them on.

hey all. i lost fifty pounds by stretching everyday, exercising and eating real food. check out my blog: thinkfitgirl.blogspot.com

Hi,
I'm new hear and just started checking out these boards. I noticed on the first page someone saying they go to a website " RoW site".
I tried searching for that and couldn't find anything. Could someone tell me the name of it.

Thanks for any help....