I agree with your plan, Saef, and think your doctor is off-base. Doctors don't seem to know very much about weight loss or nutrition. I never do "cardio" except for walking or hiking, which I guess could be considered rather moderate "cardio". Lifting weights and pulling bands is what keeps my weight under control, along with portion control.

I agree too. And, anyway, weights raise the heart rate and get you out of breath if you're lifting properly.

When I went to the doctor with my flu last week I expected a comment on the 25 pound increase between the day I got my face stitched up in November and the day of the flu test. The doctor said "women, wow it is sure is tough for us, my weight jumps up and down 10 pounds in a day sometimes" and didn't say a thing about it. I'm not sure how to take that.

Thursday morning, at 156.1.

The doctor's comments were based on my scale weight, not cardio fitness. My own experience confirms that lifting weights is enough to keep one's cardio fitness. My heart rate remains extremely low, in the "athlete's heart" range, despite my having reduced cardio to 20 minutes daily. In fact, I've had several incidents at work where, when I got up from my desk after a prolonged bout of sitting, and walked about 10 steps, I felt like I was going to faint. My heart rate slowed so much while I was simply typing at my laptop or on the phone that the change from standing up and walking quickly to a meeting nearly put me on the floor.

Although my weight is slightly lower today, I feel lethargic. My alarm went off for exercising this morning and I just couldn't get out of bed and opted to stay in bed until the usual wake up time. Even then I was tired. I don't know why. I went to bed at 9:30 and slept fine. I don't have a lot of stress these days to keep me awake during the night. Now I'm wondering if there is something else going on--inability to lose weight and being tired. Maybe a thyroid issue? I don't have any other symptoms. But really, if I'm doing something that doesn't require physical activity (even minimal), I find myself falling asleep at all times of the day. One of the reasons I took up knitting--something to keep my body moving and that keeps me awake to watch tv. I even take the knitting to work to keep me occupied because I find myself dozing off in front of the computer. I went to the dentist yesterday and wanted to sleep while they were cleaning my teeth. Weird.

Allison - I'm seeing the same thing. I've barely eaten in the last couple of weeks, am still up more in weight pretty much every day, and I've been tired for what feels like months. I fall asleep at the drop of a hat these days, including Monday when I sat down on the floor of my office to plug something in under my desk. I fell asleep on the floor with the cord in my hand, in what I think was about three minutes. My mom did suggest I get a checkup, as apparently women in my family always have hormonal crazy starting at about my age. She says "I didn't tell you about it, because I didn't want to freak you out". I was in college when she was my age, so I wouldn't have noticed it really. Dunno. In my head, I feel like I'm trying to give myself an excuse.

I get it Shannon, I think I'm giving myself an excuse as well.

Allison - it may turn out that there is something going on, but I can't let myself think about that right now or I'll never stand back up on my own.

Hello! I've been consistently persistent (not the same thing as perfect) with the portion control and making an effort to move more. The result is maintenance of the sickness losses from January, and I was able to add a couple to that. LoseIt tells me it's 10 pounds for the year, which sounds and feels like quite a bit to me. I hope to keep moseying lower with the same plan.

I did something totally out of my comfort zone on Monday: I quit my job. While I was extremely tempted to give them the same 24 hour notice they gave me on Jan 4, I took the higher ground and documented that my last day would be the 29th. This gives me a full day to pack and prepare for our spring break cruise. And then when we get back, I turn the page to a new chapter. My plans are to complete my certification in gemology, and to also begin working toward mastery of two programming languages. And to roll all over my midlife crisis like a dog on a dead thing. Rawr!

Becky, you go! Well done!

And great work on the pounds lost!

Becky! Exciting!

Becky, good for you! We all know how stressful you found that job. Glad you made the decision and will celebrate with a cruise. My BFF found herself without a job (downsized after 20 years) and recently got a new one which she is very excited about. Midlife changes on the job front are not always difficult if you know what you're aiming for.

You go, Becky!!!!

I'm making inroads reading the stickies here. Gosh, I wish I'd seen these before.
I thought Justwant2Bhealthy's post on "Miantenance methods" from 2-28-12 was just what I was looking for.
Also, Counting Down (1-30-09) hit the nail on the head when she stated that "one needs to refocus, strengthen resolve, count blessings and push forward".

Occasionally I'll get that overwhelmed feeling (even after 12 years at this) and contemplate a cop-out over to Intuitive Eating.
I cannot see that happening and will continue to view maintenance as a hobby and come here more often.

Friday morning, and I'm at 154 even, after going to bed feeling a little hungry, but mostly shivering, because the heat went off in the apartment due to the rise in outdoor temperatures.

My mother arrived a day early, in advance of a storm in the forecast. The snow was supposed to start around 2 AM. There's still nothing on the ground just before 6 AM as I head out to the gym.

Becky, good for you for getting out and going for self-reinvention. You already started it with working on your weight loss.

(With healthcare in the news now, I am thinking how that is one of my manacles. Does your husband's healthcare cover you, or will you be on COBRA while you job-hunt?)

I will now daydream a little about giving notice to my snappish, irritated manager who clearly looks forward to our one-on-one meetings as little as I do.