Congrats, Dr. Pxlkitty! You are one of the IP stars!

yes they are my drivers license photos. I will change shortly.

But, I must add that if these 2 pictures were in a police line up, I would NEVER recognize them as the same person in a million years! Way To Go!

Seriously, that's why I started the diet. It was cheaper and more effective than the witness protection program.

Too funny!

made me laugh, it apparently works...

So today I was down at the main office of our department and the Manager walked right past me, then turned and said I walked right past you... I said yes you did. She then said she didn't recognize me she thought I was just one of those clients that come in to see someone.... she also said to me you are never going back are you? (this was after I told her I had about 20lb more to lose) and I said no I won't be going back, this was a battle that I am going to win. She said good for you. ( this coming from a runner who is maybe 100 lbs soaking wet)... I am still getting aren't you finished yet? and your done now right? My friend was kind of shocked when I told her twenty more pounds, then I explained to her the last 10 lbs will get rid of my hanging bat wings and then I know I will be finished... I could tell she thought I was nuts but... I have to try it, and if it isn't to be I am going to sure try to see it through.... I just think 100 lbs loss is such a BIG goal that I know I can do it and I want to finish it. Have a great night everyone....

Kind of nice still getting wow and your skinny, and every time I see you you are a different size. I still don't see it even though I know I am thinner than anyone in Edmonton has ever seen me except for one person who I grew up with, she remembers me as a skinny little thing... Tried on some size 7 jeans from my closet today... they fit,a little tight but they had no pockets and for work I really need pockets. So I settled for size 8 jeans instead. who would of thought me in size 7 & 8... now onto 6s.

Love the picture of the dogs! I didn't realize the red dog was so tiny. Must be like a little tornado being so active.

That is so neat about the size 7 &8 jeans, it must be so much fun to be trying the new sizes.

I had to smile when I read about the pockets. I was working with a nine year old today and he was demonstrating how he couldn't get his gum out of his pocket because he was wearing "size 8, skinny". He was quite pleased that he couldn't get the gum out because it would prove to his mom he needed size 10. So his aim is the opposite of ours, he wants bigger sizes.

I know you can do it!

As for discussng the "rest of the weight", if it's a close friend, by all means talk about the rest of the weight. I discussed the bat wing thing with my pilates instructor last night, after she tried to kill my legs, arms, and abs with exercise. I'm going to research specific exercises for triceps, since that is really where the bat wing flab needs toning. I was very surprised at how very tiny changes in the exercises really targeted the right muscles. I also learned that my right shoulder muscles are very tight in the front, which prevents me from strengthening the muscles in the back (includng the triceps). She showed me some good stretches using a foam roller that can help open up my chest muscles.

I've also heard about "fat flush cranberry water" (1 oz unsweetened cranberry juice plus 7 oz water) that helps with cell nutrition and can help with cellulite, and will incorporate that back into my diet on phase 3. Unsweetened cranberry juice has something like 8 carbs per 8 oz, so you can drink a ton of cranberry water throughout the day and not get too many carbs at any one time. Google "fat flush". There are good recipes too that I will use for maintenance.

I no longer talk about how much more I have to lose with most people. I took my coach's advice and just say "Yes, I'm done. Thanks. It really worked." then I change the subject. I don't need people's criticism, especially because most people are trying to make themselves feel better by criticizing something about what I'm doing. All I can say is "look at my weight, look at how much nicer I dress now that I feel good about myself, look at my bloodwork results, and look at my smile." This has been the best thing that I have ever done for myself. Period.

I'm always excited when you talkabout Pilates because I can't wait to get back for more!

I have to share that since the beginning of IP I have told everyone that i'm changing my eating for life and that the weight loss is just a benefit of fixing my body (hypoglycemia). I have had a few people tell me not to lose any more weight, and my response is "I think my weight will stabilize soon". That shuts them up I truly did start IP for the health benefit. The weight loss is amazing, but not dealing with blood sugar problems trumps that any day.

Don't forget to share the exercises for the tricep. I know I'm suffering from "bat wing flab" too!!!!!

Hi,

I had stopped for the summer but now I'm back and need to lose the last 20 pounds. I love this site, it's been such help to me. Just wanted to say hi to everyone.

I'm back and very excited!!

I can tell you about tricep exercises (believe it or not, I did get certified as a personal trainer although I haven't used it yet. My goal at the time was to have it as a post-retirement career and to be the oldest personal trainer in Canada).

I will see if I can find some youtube videos (when I get home from work) to demonstrate them.

There are several that need a gym: tricep pushdowns for example. But if you have simple weights you could do tricept kickbacks. You lean over and brace yourself on a bench or chair. You hold a light weight (start with light weights because the tricep is a pretty small muscle and you don't want to tear anything) with your arm straight out behind you. Then keeping your upper arm stationary, you bend your forearm arm so that the weight heads towards the floor. Then you straighten it back up.

Do that for 8 to 12 reps depending on the weight and then repeat on the other side.

Repeat that for 3 times.

If you have a barbell you can also do headcrushers. You lay on a bench or on the floor and hold a LIGHT barbell above your head. Again keeping your upper arm stationary, you lower the barbell down just bending at the elbow and then raise it again.

Or with light dumbells, you can hold the dumbell, raise your arm above your head. I suggest you hold your upper arm lightly to keep it still and then lower the forearm slowly down, bending your elbow. Then raise it again. Again 3 times on each side.

However, when you exercise one muscle you must also exercise the opposing one. So you would also need to do a bicep exercise. Like bicep curls for example.

Thank you and yes please share with us some of the exercises if you can...

Patns - That is the only pic I have of them that close together... that was when Red dog was 4 months old... she is now about an inch smaller than my old girl...

Coyote saga continues... Garbage day today so last night before I went to bed I took out my garbage, well Red dog did bark a couple of times in the night... this morning I found garbage all over my lawn... and while walking the dogs (on leash) I could hear the coyotes yipping back and forth to each other... great now I have to be careful Red dog doesn't get suckered into the pack to be killed.

For my arms I just started doing pushups (chest and shoulders and biceps) then I do dips (triceps). I only started this week, so I don't see a difference yet. But as Aunt Sheeshie suggested, I'm doing major stretches after. She called them Facia stretching..I think????

I'm really hoping that I can tone them up some. Glad they thinned down a little though. Just hope to lose that hangy look they have

TooRide- I really hope that red dog doesn't get involved with the coyotes. How scary! Good luck keeping him/her leashed. Sounds like he'd much rather run.