missdani's Forum Posts

Hello -

I am also in Chicago, and while I live in the South Loop and can’t help much for gyms in Wicker park, a good place to start is yelp.com. You can search for pretty much anything there (I use it to pick out bars and restaurants, mostly), but I also used it to find my gym. You can read reviews by other people – between that and calling around to gyms you find near you, you can figure out which is the best option for you! Hope that can get you started!

Topic: Fitness and Exercise / Gyms in Chicago????? Wicker Park?

I am at LA Fitness and I like it enough – a lot better than my old gym – tons of equipment, friendly staff, etc…but I think the only one in Chicago right now is the south loop location. Some other gyms in the area (around the city) to look into: X-Sport, Crunch, FFC…and a lot others – but some of those “others” have a price around $100/month attached to them – I find that ridiculous, but you might not. Good luck!

Topic: Fitness and Exercise / Gyms in Chicago????? Wicker Park?

I would definitely look into Stevia – like others have said, it’s 100% natural, doesn’t have an aftertaste, and doesn’t have any calories. And – it sweetens things up! (I use just one packet in a mug of green tea)

Topic: Diet and Nutrition / Artificial Sweetener

I’m not sure what it would be for you specifically, but I think the general rule of thumb for women is 25 grams of fiber a day – I’m not sure about sodium, though. Stay away from processed foods for the most part, and you should be okay.

Topic: Diet and Nutrition / How much fibre?

I will wear shorts because I won’t be embarrassed (or hurting) because my legs won’t be rubbing together!! (Sorry for the visual, but I can’t wait until the day!)

Topic: Motivation and Support / Things I'll do when I'm thin......

I totally have this problem, too! At first I thought it was just because I am new to running – but I have kind of noticed that I sound louder than other people next to me (I don’t think it’s in my head). I haven’t been to a running shoe store yet, but for now are there any exercises that anyone knows of that strengthens the front part of your legs? Would this help?

Topic: Fitness and Exercise / Running "Heavy"

Hmm I have always shied away from doing calf raises – I always figured they were strong enough – I do a lot of walking around on a daily basis – lol. But I will definitely start to work them into my strength workouts. Thanks for the tip!

Topic: Fitness and Exercise / Running "Heavy"

I’m not familiar with that restaurant, but regardless of which type of cuisine it is, try to stick to grilled lean protein, steamed veggies…skip the bread basket/chips and salsa/what have you before-hand…etc. Ask the server, also to note to not add any extra butter/oil salt on top/with the food while they prepare it – sometimes even something innocent sounding can be full of calories. And – whatever you order, right off the bat, ask for a box and wrap half of it up! Hope this helps!

Topic: Diet and Nutrition / Dinner at Johnny Carino's... HELP!

I agree with slaphappy as well as I use all these tips when I go out (and I love going out to eat!)- I usually wrap up half to give to my boyfriend, haha! And definitely stay away from the creamy sauces and pastas!

Topic: Diet and Nutrition / Dinner at Johnny Carino's... HELP!

WOW I could never eat that many calories on a day to day basis! I think some good healthy calories/fats you could try to help you get to 4000 calories are different types of nuts, avocado, nut butters (peanut, almond, for instance), adding olive oil to your meals (if you don’t already cook with it) – things like that – with higher fat contents (more fat = more calories) – but of GOOD fats, fats your body needs and loves (mono/poly unsaturated)

Topic: Diet and Nutrition / 4,000 Calorie diet

I don’t know how an everyday person without scientists attached to them would be able to tell if this works or not, but drink up anyways! =)

Topic: Diet and Nutrition / Green Tea

This is totally my weakness, also. Especially so because I love martinis that are filled with nothing but a million calories. I’ll never switch to light beer (bring on the wheats and stouts!), but when drinking liquor, I try to mix it with a diet soda or tonic water – so vodka tonic, rum and diet, etc. Vodka tonic can get realllly boring – so I ask the bartender for one of the flavored vodkas – and make sure to get something a little better than rail vodka – it will taste better and you’ll feel better the next day – and you won’t have to slam it because it tastes so bad you just want to get rid of it! If your friends want to rib you for not drinking like a frat guy when you go out – a good trick is to finish your beer and then fill it with water in the bathroom – you’ll have a head start on re-hydrating yourself, and everyone else will still think you’re drinking – and you save calories! Haha my post totally makes me look to be an alchy – but hope I could help!

Topic: Diet and Nutrition / Drinking Alcohol

I want to run around in a bikini this summer and not care what anyone else thinks – SO BAD! Good luck to everyone!!

Topic: Fitness Challenges / 24 for July 4 by matiojr

Do you mean Skippy Natural Creamy? I love this stuff too! It’s yummy and you don’t have to keep it in the fridge or stir it, like a lot of other natural peanut butters.

Topic: Diet and Nutrition / Peanut Butter lovers

I count all my cups of tea as a cup of water – if that helps. Anything that is liquid that isn’t alcoholic hydrates you – caffeinated beverages less so, but tea definitely should count as a “glass of water”.

Topic: Diet and Nutrition / Does Green Tea count as water and how much?