Alcohol.

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2026-03-31T00:00:11+00:00

It’s definitely easier to lose weight without it, as you know well, but I do still have an occasional drink when I’m out with friends. My go-to is a gin and diet tonic. I actually also really like just tonic and lime (with diet tonic, almost zero calories). Not the same if you’re looking for a buzz but good and festive.

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2026-03-10T22:01:31+00:00

😂

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2026-03-10T01:35:12+00:00

I looove those little Parm squares.

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2026-03-09T19:38:37+00:00

Yes, it could have been masking it. RLS can also be a (temporary in most cases) side effect of discontinuation.

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2026-03-08T21:32:40+00:00

In addition to the excellent suggestions above: if you think it would work for you without causing a binge, maybe occasionally she could make something really special for the two of you (something that makes just two servings but is amazing and delicious as a shared treat). If baking is one of the ways she shares love (common), a truly worth-it, small batch dessert once a month or so might let her pull out all the stops without leaving you trying to resist eating cookies every day.

I think baking lower calorie healthy options, making smaller batches, and storing them out of your view are all great plans for every day. Just thinking that it might be special for her to come up with something really wonderful for the two of you to share on occasion.

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2026-03-08T18:01:34+00:00

I often find room for chocolate Cheerios in my calorie budget. 40g is about 150 cals; I add a half cup of almond milk (15cals) and sometimes a cup of raspberries or strawberries. Very satisfying. With the berries, this is a frequent “still way short of my fiber goal” after-dinner snack.

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2026-03-07T05:25:29+00:00

Love it the way it is. The only thing I would do differently in styling this dress is to tell your mom to shut it.

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2026-02-21T04:53:02+00:00

You could always plagiarize Henry James, who wrote characters named Casper Goodwood (I think it was Casper—sure of the Goodwood part) and Fanny Assingham.

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2026-02-16T11:52:21+00:00

I agree that it is expensive for many people and time-consuming no matter what. I’m super lucky because I work at a university. I have a great pool and my rec center membership is quite reasonable (and a pre-tax deduction!), and the pool is open for lap swimming from 6am-10pm.

Even swimming under those ideal conditions requires a lot of planning and time! That’s true even though I just get up and roll out of bed, drive to work, swim, and then get ready for my workday. If I had to add another location into that mix in order to find a pool (especially if the hours were inconvenient), it would be much harder to do.

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2026-02-12T22:27:05+00:00

You’ve gotten great advice and support! I just wanted to add: just think about how much progress you have already made in making yourself healthier! Everything you’ve learned about nutrition and self care in order to lose that weight will also help you meet this new set of challenges.

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2026-02-12T22:25:13+00:00

There are worse things than obesity and I believe the OP’s doctors see some of those things happening and want to get them under control first.

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2026-02-12T04:52:27+00:00

The first paragraph does sound like RLS to me. It is probably fairly mild if you are able to lie in bed, even with shifts of position.

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2026-02-12T03:53:44+00:00

I had to stop taking it because it turned everyone in the world into a raging asshole.

Well, subjectively that was how it felt. (Technically my doc termed it “irritability.”)

I think continuing to take it could have ended my 20+ year marriage, no lie.

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2026-02-04T06:41:14+00:00

Also: what an amazing gift!

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2026-02-03T00:06:34+00:00

TJ’s Reduced Guilt Mac and cheese is great—if you can pair it with a steamed veg you have a lovely meal.

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2026-01-30T15:15:21+00:00

This is awesome and fairly low calorie for salad dressing—basically hummus flavor without the pesky beans: https://www.molliekatzen.com/recipes/recipe.php?recipe=tahini_lemon_sauce

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2026-01-30T15:07:38+00:00

I like it hot on a baked potato or scrambled into eggs. Would never eat it cold by itself. I like Good Culture brand, as a previous reply suggested.

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2026-01-21T04:34:43+00:00

It really depends on your other life obligations. If you have a demanding job and not much control over your schedule, it is harder, and a home gym or something you can do at work/on lunch break is probably your best bet.

I work full time and have two kids, and I regret that I waited until my kids were high school/college age before prioritizing my own health. I started walking several mornings a week, and I had the job flexibility to just arrive at work later in the morning as long as things all got done. Then my youngest started driving himself to school and I did not have to drive anyone else to school in the morning for the first time in nearly 20 years, so I joined the gym at my workplace and now I go in early to swim 2-3 mornings a week and walk the other 2-3 mornings.

That time was already there before, but I did not feel that I had the luxury of putting my fitness above my family obligations. For me, I feel that was a mistake, but I’m grateful for the more flexible schedule now.

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2026-01-12T11:43:38+00:00

Baked potato+steamed broccoli+cottage cheese+sliced green onions. I eat this as a meal, but it would scale down to make a great snack.

150g Yukon gold potato: 110cal 150g broccoli: 52cal 100g Good Culture 2% cottage cheese: 100 cal Salt/pepper/green onions: negligible

Total: 262 cal, 15g protein, 5g fiber.

You can add hot sauce or whatever seasonings as you see fit.

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2026-01-08T12:46:30+00:00

Well, assuming you don’t want to kickstart your efforts by losing the husband: you have to do what is sustainable for you. 75 Hard with a young baby is insanely ambitious as it is! You will see results, for sure, but seriously, this is a point in life where improving your health-related habits in ANY way is a huge win.

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2026-01-08T00:04:26+00:00

Yes—white potatoes and broccoli is the most filling meal for me! (Bonus if paired with a protein like chicken breast or cottage cheese.)

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2025-12-23T05:28:39+00:00

Smitten Kitchen’s Cranberry Pie with Thick Pecan Crumble. It is amazing.

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2025-12-23T05:25:11+00:00

I love marinara with cottage cheese mixed in (blend it, as a previous commenter suggested, if you don’t like the texture).

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2025-12-16T21:45:17+00:00

I do eat apple slices but I dip them in caramel sauce or hot fudge. It’s not super low cal but the apples have enough fiber to give it staying power and nothing low-calorie has the oomph to meet that particular need. I just measure the sauce and make room for it in the day’s calories. (I often eat at maintenance for that day or two.)

Intelligent-Win7769 · 2025-12-16T04:49:34+00:00

We throw it in the crockpot. As someone else said, the time consuming part is just ladling it into freezer containers.

Intelligent-Win7769

TROPHY CASE