[1049jess]

Crazy but "they" were right all of these years... exercise works.
While my weight hasn't changed much in this last year, I have begun to develop some serious muscle tone and stamina. I NEVER thought I'd be a runner, but I completed a 10k on Thanksgiving day and ran the whole thing!

I've had no trouble maintaining my weight while continuing to eat things I probably shouldn't (I love desserts!!!).

Further proof that what I'm doing is working... In just one year, my triglycerides went from 77 to 61 and HDL from 49 to 64. The overall ratio went from an acceptable 3.4 to a healthy 2.9!!!! I'm thrilled!

Now if I can just get the dessert thing under control, I'll hit my next big goal of being under 200#!

[BreathingSpace]

I agree! I am 172 pounds and look better in my jeans now from doing massive amounts of hot yoga than when I wasn't doing much and weighed 172 a few years ago.

In fact, I keep looking in mirrors when I have these jeans on and am surprised at how much better I look, I'm sure could pass for 150 lb thanks to lots of exercise!

[Trazey34]

haha I hate it when 'they' are right!

I do have a bone to pick tho -- I kept waiting to LOVE it, never happened

165 lbs. down and I still hate every )&^&^&^#$%#$ second of it ha ha!!

[Misti in Seattle]

Good for you! And yes, they are right... it does work!!

[KittyKatFan]

Wow, you ae all such inspirations...so much weight lost

I, too, am a huge believer in exercise and do not think I could have gotten as far as I have without doing it. It is about more than the weight; it is about how my overall health has improved.

I am well below 200 in cholesterol (last two labs have been 115 and 143) and triglycerides (last two readings 71 and 52). My blood pressure readings have consistently been in the 100/60 range - before starting to exercise I was typically in the 125/80 range.

Most importantly, my fasting blood glucose readings have been in the low 70's. given that my father had type II diabetes that caused him major medical complications that eventually brought about his death, I am scared of diabetes. Such a cruel disease. Knowing that I have blood glucose readings in the normal range, combined with a clear mammogram in December (mom died of breast cancer, another evil disease), I feel very good about my improved health.

I also am proud of the fact that I can run without collapsing! Who woulda thunk it? when I was 12, I couldn't even jog a mile in gym class. Now I can do 5 miles without having to stop. 1049jess, you are an inspiration because I would love to be able to get to 10k one day.

[April Snow]

During my last loss, I did a 30 days straight of exercise personal challenge and I lost a lot of weight that month. It definitely makes a huge difference and I wasn't even doing intense activity, just what I could do at home with a Wii and an exercise bike.

Right now, I'm just getting started, so I'm committing to 10 minutes minimum every day. Hopefully I will do at least twice that, but it's less intimidating this way! lol!

[bleuwater]

So true. We can turn our bodies into fat burning furnaces with exercise. Once that happens, a few days off plan makes little difference. I find that the soreness in my muscles also serves as a reminder for me and I'm less hungry when I feel that. Is almost like my brain is getting a signal and it knows "oh, yeah, I'm behaving now"