Every time I think of Tyra I think of that Family Guy episode where she turns into a dragon and eats the model in front of her.

Welcome! And that's what I thought. I really like the Tyra Banks Show.

Thanks Erin! That was something I was wondering about. Good to know!

So long as you are up two hours after you eat you will not gain any wait. Thank you Tyra Banks! I don't think I spelt her name right, but oh well. She did a little program on it where they had a girl try both ways and it turns out if you eat with in two hours of going to sleep you don't burn it; you just store it.

Don't feel bad though. I understand what you mean. I do the same thing.

Does anyone have any tips/encouragement for me? I am finding myself eating more than I think I should be, but only later at night, and especially on nights that I close at B&N and am hungry after my shift (which ends at 11:30 pm). What can I do to make myself not eat so much? Any tips on what to eat maybe, like a snack? Or is that bad to do that late?

I'm emailing Lynn about her questions, so if anyone wants to see the answers just tell me.

I agree that SP is kinda confusing. There are soooo many pages and click-y things... idk. it overwhelms me! But I'm going to try again (3rd times a charm, right?) during the school year.

Erin, I have a riding question for you.... I've been riding a lot this summer and have really improved. I'm going back to school in a few weeks and I won't have access to horseback riding. I'm going to try looking around, but in all likelihood I won't be able to ride until I come home for breaks. So will I "lose it" or will it all come back even after a couple months of not riding? And what can I do to "keep it." Sorry if I'm being ambiguous. haha. I'm just not really sure how to phrase it.

I only read some of the emails from SparkPeople. I didn't feel like dealing with everything else haha.

I tried to use SparkPeople as well, but it's just way too confusing for me. I usually write down my workouts in a notebook and make them harder every week.

I'm back on SparkPeople again to help me keep track of my work outs for PT. I figure I might as well also track my food intake.

I attempted to use SparkPeople in the past, but its cluttered layout and flashiness scared me off! I'm hoping to get a better handle on how to work this thing from now on though. My username on SP is 'burningcoin.' Feel free to add me; I'm still trying to figure out how to go about adding people.

Anyway, I lost a fair amount of weight while I was abroad (bad food + walking city = weight loss). I've managed to maintain that weight, but I'd like to eventually get down to my healthy weight range.

Yay Tahleen!

I've been loosing weight because of work. I'm remodeling Walmart so its decently hard work and I'm often only eating twice a day.

I also just had my first lesson with my new horse trainer today. He helped me a lot and while this might seem a little out of place he got me to ride correctly which will help me get into much better shape properly. I discovered I need to start doing some stair lowering excercises which is like a calf raise only you are lowering your heel and bringing it back to level not just raising it, which is much better for a rider.

I also am planning on asking my PT tomorrow about some harder stretches since, while I think the ones they gave me are good and actually great for the average person, I need a much higher amount of flexibility then the average person for my riding. My back just was not able to bed as well. I might just have to start doing couch squats, but perhaps they'll have something easier.

Hooray, I just joined a gym! Maybe now I will get back on track.

hm.. well, the bike is easy cause I just hold it. The elliptical depends what kind it is. At my gym, you can turn off the part that uses your hands. I don't do it anyway cause it bothers my shoulders, which leaves my hands free to hold a book :)

I thought about it, but I can never figure out how to do it! Is there an easier way than just propping it up? I would think the book would close and/or the pages would fan.

Hi everyone. I'm new to the group and of course this topic caught my eye since I'm an exercise science major!! If anyone ever has any working out related questions, feel free to ask!

So... Here's my question - anyone ever try to read while on the elliptical or bike at the gym???

I am super happy! My PT gave me a shortened work out. Now I am to work out twice a day for around ten minutes. Its wonderful and I think it'll make it a lot easier to keep it up. My back is doing a lot better.

Yes it took me a wh ile to love it, about a year when I was upto the point where I felt good about it. It probally wouldnt take most people that long but since i have asthma I had to start by walking everyday and building it up from there. I would walk faster and then slow down a bit. Then I would add in a short jogging spree, then walk again. I did this till I could run a fare bit then walk again. I have never been able to run the entire time.

But they say it is better for you to (if I could I wish) run for 3 min then walk 60 sec then run 3 min and repeat. You get a better workout that way. Another thing that I did to get my breathing controled was do high intensity workouts like tae bo and tennis. Getting the different muscles that you nromally dont use. I still cant lift my arms the next day after taebo, but I feel great!

For bad weather, I am lucky I have a treadmill. Soon I will have full access to the bases gym. But if it is hot and humid out, try doing some workout dvds inside, that is what I do.

Melissa wrote: "About three years ago I started running, well walking then made my way up to running I also started eating better and smaller portions. I lost alot of weight. Then I hit a road block. I got pneumon..."

How did you work up to running? Earlier in the summer I got to the point where I was walking/jogging 3 miles (usually) everyday.. but I had some trips and stuff and it gets so brutally hot and humid here... so I stopped. I never loved the running but I did feel good about doing it. Did it take you a little while to fall in love with it?

that looks great Tahleen!

Appetites Why Women Want

I know I've mentioned this book before somewhere, not sure if it was here or not, but every woman should read this book. Every one. I suggested it to a customer today at the bookstore and I think she took it; it is an amazing book and it changed my life.

Good Luck Melissa, it seems like an entirely possible goal. I always think it is easier to get started doing something if you have done it before (does that make sense?).

I also agree that we are our own worst critics. But last year I was over 20 lbs heavier than I am now and everyone said I looked fine but once I lost the weight they are all saying how much better I look. I was nearly 200lbs so I was actually overweight but I think a major thing is that now I carry myself more confidently cause I feel better about myself and that probably matters more than weight.

About three years ago I started running, well walking then made my way up to running I also started eating better and smaller portions. I lost alot of weight. Then I hit a road block. I got pneumonia and couldnt run for months, I get the okay to run again and I get in a bad car accident and am not able to run until my doctor says I can.

So I was in great shape and into running for fun, and now I have to force my self back into it I was able to do my five mile normal run for the first time in a while, which is a big step, but I havent done it since. I need to be able to fit in my wedding dress, I have gained a little bit of the weight i lost back so I have 16 days to get there. Running and taebo everyday for me!

Exactly! So that's a positive thought to me! b/c I'm like "Hey, self, shut up! You're the only one saying it!" haha

I agree completely. I'm always thinking of how overweight I am and how I need to be more healthy, but my boyfriend actually thinks I'm skinny. And it's funny, because I think all of my friends are the perfect weight and absolutely beautiful, and they're all about the same as me.
We're our own worst critics you know.

well my big wedding weekend has come and gone and I've been looking through photos... both professional and amatuer.. Some are good (a few really good), some are bad (some maybe even atrocious if I allowed myself to dwell, but I'm trying to stop myself from doing that!)... I really didn't lose weight before the wedding (like 5 lbs tops.. probably more like 3) so now that the stress is off maybe I'll do an even better job.. I'd like to be at a healthy weight by the beginning of next summer, preferably before then.

One thing I've noticed... no one cares about your weight/body as much as you. Anyone else agree??

I hate running outside too. And I haven't done it in almost a week. But I think I hate the gym even more. I just need to suck it up for the summer and when school starts, I'll take a class.

I just need to join a gym. I decided I hate running outside. And haven't done it in almost a week.

I really need to start running/jogging, I've always wanted to. So I definately plan on starting in the next few days... I hope lol

Lynn I don't know much about it. I wanted to ask my PT today but ran out of time(I was late to work). Right now I'm doing core strengthening exercises which will help you with your seat, but if you aren't stretching your core while strengthening it then you will get into trouble like I am now.

I think it's healthy to let go sometimes... for a while there I think I was getting too obsessed, so even though I drank too much (which we all know is just empty calories...ugh) and I didn't eat healthy this past weekend, I feel like I'm going about things in a healthier way.

Kailey, I'm glad you're having a blast on your vacation!!

I am on vacation and I have been eating my heart out! I will go back to exercise and moderation when I get back home, but right now it is time of cut loose and enjoy!!

Ha :) ... absolutely! We had a True Blood marathon last night and I ate (and drank) a ton. The day before that I had a wedding to go to. The day before that we had a going away party for a friend who got a summer singing position. Enough said. :P

So... who else goes on a "break" for a few days at a time? ...because that is me right now haha.

really? That's odd... my mom was a hardcore runner and rider - although she wasn't really riding much anymore once she started running. And now she's back to riding and hasn't run in years. So what kind of exercises? You make me nervous b/c I've been doing both at the same time!

I was really excited because I just found a list of exercise books for horseback riders. I have been kinda worried about working out in the wrong ways. I learned recently that running is actually bad for your riding because it works the wrong muscles.

Something I notice is that when I'm eating right and exercising, I feel thinner, even though I know I haven't changed in appearance! It makes me feel better to be healthy.

I know what you mean Sarah.. I just keep telling myself that this is a journey and not an overnight thing. Even though it might not feel like it's paying off, keep up with the healthy habits! It's bound to make a difference at some point even if it might take a little longer than we might like

I was pleasantly surprised coming home and fitting into jeans I haven't worn in years.

However, since I've gained ten pounds, all those cute new clothes I brought back with me are starting not to fit. They still fit, but they're too tight for comfort. I wouldn't mind if they were t-shirts but these are traditional clothes that were hand-tailored. :\ :(

Alright I have a question for all you ladies? Who hates trying to lose weight and since you feel like you've been trying you put clothes on and their still too tight or clothes you had on not that long ago feel tight?

I am trying my best to lose weight. I miss what I used to weigh and look like. Right now I'm at an unhealthy 200 lbs and I would like to weigh 140 lbs. I have started by letting go of how many soda's I used to drink in a day. I used to go through 3 or 4 now I have 1 if that. Then I have removed slushies from my life which was the hardest for me and if I do get one it's a small, but it's very rare that I get one. I have also been meaning to get into my Wii fit again but have been putting it off. Other than that my boyfriend and I are walking on the weekends.

I've had the wii-fit since Feb and still use it almost regularly. Most nights I do yoga after work, and on some of my days off I usually do around 30 minutes of aerobics/strength training. I think it would use it more if it didn't take so much time to get to the exercise part, and if it could be one fluid workout instead of having to pick what you want to do every time. It does help me stay focused on the task at hand though cause usually I do like 2 lunges and consider that a workout.
Justine- I have mine in my bedroom and it works just fine, except I have to stand right in front of the tv and I often kick my bed

I hate running. Hate hate hate. And I hate traditional exercises. So clearly it's hard for me to stay active. Walking to classes helps, and I used to get more of a workout during marching band season (marching tuba. hell yeah) but now I don't really know what to do. Maybe I should find a pool and go swimming every other day or something. I like swimming. And I should go on walks too. I'm sure my boyfriend would be willing to go with me. He's very supportive. It's just I'm gong to be so busy next year with a ridiculous class overload I'm just worried I'm going to let stuff slide, and that added to the slightly more greasy dining hall food at this new college is going to mean even more weight gain.
Ugg. I'm just going to have to get myself together and make this work.

I need to cut back my soda/pop/soda pop intact. I would drink one bottle of Pepsi a week, maybe, if that, and now I'm drinking several cans a day. For what it's worth, I don't think my swapping chai for soda is equalling out.

I'm at the weight I want to be, which is ten pounds more than I was when I returned to the US in April. The saddest thing is that I don't know if my weight loss overseas was due to eating nutritious food and exercise, or the poor quality food that I got (plus it being almost strictly vegetarian). :\

I want the Wii Fit too! My brother and I are thinking of splitting the cost for a Wii, so I can use it to exercise and he can play old N64 games on it. But it'll probably end up being really underutilized during term time, so maybe not.

Now I'm trying to get fitter by going cycling and playing tennis again... I usually get pretty sedentary during breaks and now I'm trying to get out of that habit.

I looked and at Walmart, it's $429 for the Wii console, remote, Wii fit stuff, and a nunchuck. While I was planning on making a major purchase this summer, I think that buying a Wii will be about as useful a decision as buying a DS last year.

I want Wii Fit! Sounds like my cup of tea! I hate running and going to the gym ..but that sounds like perfect motivation!

I wish I could just get past my hatred for running. And the outdoors. Haha.

I'd like to get a Wii fit. But I'd have to get a Wii first. And I just don't want to spend that kind of money.

To motivate myself to do stuff I don't want to do, I remind myself that running is probably the fastest way to get the weight off and I want that weight gone! When school starts up in August, I plan on enrolling in a Zumba or Spin class to burn more calories.

I really want to get the wii fit and/or the other one that tracks all your movements, but my boyfriend says I can't get either until we have a living room, but I think I can make it work...haha.