I have found a lot of the problem in my trying to lose weight is that I get the muchies while watching tv or something. What I really need are some good snack foods that I can nibble on that are healthy and force me to eat slowly so I can't consume a lot. My problem is that i get itchin' for a snack and I end up eating a whole meal or more. I fanybody has any suggestions that have worked for them I would really appreciate it. Also, on another note, when I go to the gym, I can't stay on the elyptical very long because my feet start to go numb and fall asleep, which is a real problem because it is my favorite machine and I can do it for a long time without getting too tired and it burns off a lot more calories than anything else. Does anybody know what causes this? or what I can do to fix it?

Hope to hear from someone soon

~zeanea

What I generally use for snacks are string cheese, a spoon of peanut butter, a slice of ham and swiss, a handful of nuts, yogurt, carrots and light ranch dip, fruits of any kind but apples seem to make me feel fuller than any others, cottage cheese, a boiled egg...

There's just so many things you can pick from.

As for the elliptical, never had that problem. But I dunno, maybe it's the way you stand on it. Try adjusting your stance and see if anything changes.

Hi - I've had that same problem with the elliptical when I was wearing gym shoes that were too tight! I even had the problem doing a step class, but the elliptical was much worse. Try different shoes and make sure they fit good. I thought the shoes were just a little snug, but I knew for sure when they would go numb when I exercised. I guess your feet swell a little when you work out.

I second the above poster's comment about tight shoes! I use the elliptical at our gym and when I first started using it, my feet would be hurting/going numb after only 15 minutes. I discovered that I was tying my gym shoe laces too tight, if I slackened them up some my feet would not hurt. I also recommend taking some time to buy a good pair of gym shoes, there is nothing worse than exercising with aching feet!

As for snacks, I like baby carrots because they are sweet and crunchy and I don't need many of them. Look for air popped "light" popcorn too, it's lower in calories than the regular and still gives you the feeling that you are having a movie theatre snack.

Your shoes do play a part in whether or not your feet go numb while exercising, or running. I suffer from this problem as well. A good shoe with a lot of cushion will help but realize that this just may be a problem you have with the circulation in your feet. I researched this quite a while back and remember reading about this problem in an article published on Runner's World website (don't know if the article is still there or not). But basically it has to do with the type shoe you wear and the circulation in your feet. I bought a really nice pair of New Balance that have a lot of cushion in the heel and ball area and it helps some. If I run (or glide) too long or don't stretch my feet and ankles well before I begin my workout it doesn't take long for the numb feeling to come.

As for snacks -- baby carrots, celery, air popped popcorn, pretzels, pickles. Or if you prefer sweet -- angel food cake, fruit, Fat Free Pudding or Jello.

I try to mix it up so I don't get bored.

Good Luck!

The snack I've been eating most lately is Edamame (soy beans). The ones I buy come in the pod and I just throw a bunch of them in a bowl and put them in the microwave to heat them up. With Edamame (you can not eat the pod!!!) since you have to take them out of the pod, I just kind of push them out the top one by one, it lets your hands be busy and your mouth be busy and it's protein with very little carbs.

Thanx for all the snack suggestions. I've actually tried different types of shoes because I thought it was because they were too tight but the shoes i have now are wides and quite loose and I still get the same problem. Is it possible that it's just my feet? I never had this problem when I exercised at college, only recently. Once again, thanx for all the suggestions, and if you have any more, keep 'em coming.

Just my left foot had been falling asleep on the elliptical and I followed the suggestion about loosening the shoe and my foot didn't go numb.

I have the same problem. I found out a few thing and thought I link it here:

http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/a...hp/t-4586.html - I am not sure about this and have look up "plantar fasciitis " Sound like it's more for people with problem's with Sharp foot pain after exercising- if you have this check out the sites under ''plantar fasciitis" - either ways some of the sites have some good Stretching exercises.

I found on helping with the problem:

" This sounds like a neuroma on the bottom of the foot which is an inflammation surrounding a nerve bundle. This is not caused by a specific exercise but rather consistent and prolonged weight bearing while exercising. Fortunately, this neurological nuisance can be alleviated by doing the following:

* Loosen shoelaces if numbness or tingling occur.
* Be sure your shoes have a wide toebox and that the toes have plenty of room to wiggle.
* Try a metatarsal pad insert in the shoe to take the pressure off the metatarsals. The metatarsals are the bones of the forefoot beginning atthe base of the toes (but not the toe bones) and extending towards the heel.
* Use toe spreaders (used in pedicures) daily for about 15 minutes to help stretch the ligaments between the toes.
* Focus on technique, keep the heel down and in good contact with the foot pedals on the machine.
* Keep calves stretched.

-- Scott Jurek, RPT"
from http://www.precor.com/fit_ask_answers.php?id=2

"When you use the elliptical trainer, people tend to push down with the balls of their feet/toes. This restricts the circulation and make your toes go numb or give you a "pinched" sensation. Try focusing on either pushing down with your heels or the entire flat foot...this will keep the circulation going and you won't have that problem. Good luck!
Name: Deborah" - From www.fitness.com


hope this helps some and I am going to try this, since I just bought a new machine for working out at home. I notice that some machine tend to make my feet go numb more than others. I was tired at looking like a freak by lifting one leg at a time and shaking it while still using the machine at the gym- Which I am quit good at doing

Have you tried taking up knitting or embroidery or doing your nails or something while you watch TV?
My 2 fave snacks - rice crackers and salsa, and microwaved frozen peas (what a sicko, but I love 'em). A bottle of water to drink is good too

My life saving snacks; 94%fat free popcorn--i can eat the whole bag for two points. string cheese and 13 reduced fat cheez-its--2 pts., fat free pudding- 2 pts., baby carrots, skinny cow ice cream sandwiches- 2pts. and fantastic meringue cookies the fat free kind are 11 for 1 pt!!.

I have definitely had the problem with my feet falling asleep on the elliptical training. As I have noticed it during some other exercise, I think it is my shoes.

What brand are the meringue cookies? How much do they cost?

Hey LBTEPA, thank you so much for your suggestion. I got my mom to teach me how tyo crochet and now not only do I eat %50 less in front of the tv, I'm crecheting huge blankets and people want to pay me to make them for them. Awesome suggestion, it's just what I needed!

Don't watch TV and eat at the same time. Sit down at a table and eat if you are hungry. Be 100% present when you eat.

Eat 5 to 8 smaller meals a day rather than 3 large meals and 3 snacks. I find that eating more frequent, smaller meals every 2 to 3 hours works the best. I don't snack! If I'm hungry I know I skipped a meal or didn't eat enough at my last meal.

I try to be 100% present at all my meals. I found a great web site which addresses this:
Normal Eating

The information at the site teaches you how to eat so you don't overeat or emotionally eat.

They say that when you've had enough the food tastes like cardboard. Well for me it tastes bitter. I can easily judge the point before it becomes bitter. It is when my mind is no longer focused on my food. The minute it wanders the food is bitter on the next bite. It happens every time.

I eat what I need and nothing more. And like I said I don't eat snacks because my body is fueled throughout the day. Fueling your body throughout the day also boosts your metabolism. Increasing your metabolism burns fat. Burning fat is my goal!

And I don't have the belief about not eating before you go to bed. That's when I eat 1/2 cup of cottage cheese and some fruit or a veggie and sometimes more.

I second the thought about knitting or embroidery during TV. That can really help keep you busy while watching TV.

Also...I do floor exercises while watching TV. Leg lifts, etc. This keep sme busy and keeps the munchies away.

I can also reccomend the baby carrots, celery stickys and a tablespoon of peanut butter (I miss celery...but it is 100mg of sodium per 3oz). Also...a small bowl of whole grain cereal with a sliced banana and some big fat chilean raisins added (made with skim milk) is really filling and low cal. Also...you could consider some thing with bite...like radishes which have so much flavor that they are really satisfying. Or...you can mix some low fat granola into some light yogurt with some chopped walnuts....that is REALLY yummy too.

In theory I agree with soontobe154, but I know that in reality, I can't give up my TV snacking alltogether...so I try to limit it and when I do snack I try to make it the most nutritious things I eat that day.

~FM