I did it! I braved the free weight room at the Y today. I was feeling a bit lost and really self-conscious, like I was the only newb on the planet, but I figured out enough to get my NROL workout done, then figured out the Gravitron and did some pull-ups and dips there, did some back extensions, and finished with some sprints, push-ups and air squats on the indoor track. I felt much better by the end of my lifting workout, and not so out of place.

I signed up for an equipment orientation, though they said it doesn't normally cover the free weight room (I guess I was the first to ask for that). Anyway, my appt is for Monday morning, so cross your fingers that the tour guide will have a clue how to work the squat cage, lol. I'm a little disappointed with the lack of any instructional opportunities for the free weight room...no classes or even a standard orientation or anything. They have a class for pre-teens, but nothing for anyone over the age of 14.

Yoyoma, thanks for the encouragement! Sounds like you're doing great, yourself!

Sgirl, I hope it helps! Last time, I lifted without the protein powder, and was always starving. Wish I'd known then that all I had to do was drink the shake to feel full for hours! Live and learn, right?

Vikki, I did see that some of the machines have instructions on them, and was able to figure out the one machine I used today for pull-ups. Hopefully the orientation will help me figure out the rest of what I need.

jamsk8r! Way to brave the weight room! It is really daunting the first time. It's too bad there is no orientation for adults. I found the random muscular guys were so eager to help me with the free weights though...they really loved "imparting" their knowledge on me and have been so helpful. I come to think of them as free personal trainers...there are the 'roid guys who won't give me the time of day, but I'm sure you'll befriend people who will be more than happy to help you out!

Yay! At a new low - 200 pounds.

My goal for Canada Day (2.5 weeks away): 6.5 pounds. (200 - 193.5)

Oh- the protein powder is great! I just got some today at my steroid guy gym and it REALLY does help stem cravings and hunger. Mine doesn't taste bad at all. It's Myo Lean Banana Creme Pie. Yum. I've been doing 1/2 servings at a time today and plan on adding some to my smoothies.

~Cool on you Jammy for the weight room!
~WTG vikkivma! So close to the '1' in front! You'll be there in absolutely no time! That will be a HUGE day for me - some days I honestly feel as though I'll never get there.
~Great job staying OP yoyo!

WTG Vikki on the new low!

Won't be typing much for a few days. I cut my index finger right across the knuckle, pretty deep. No stitches but it will put me off hard workouts till I'm sure it's not going to open up again, and trying to type with a splint on is annoying! I'll still be reading up on everyone's progress, though.

Weighed in this morning and lost 1.5 pounds. That's 6 pounds lost and 1 more to go. I think I'll make it so I'm going to up my goal from 7 pounds to 8 pounds so that means 2 more pounds to go.

Isabella BIG congrats on the 1.5 lbs! You are doing AWESOME!

Layri, I 2nd that Boo on the water retention! BOOOO!

No weight loss this week, but I am hoping for a Wednesday surge in the weight loss since I just got over the Boo worthy TOM. I have 2 weeks to lose 6 lbs, and I highly doubt I can do that unless some of it is still water retention. I am going to weigh myself on the super scale at the gym that measures fat, water, and muscle. I will feel like I achieved my goal if I lose 10 lbs of fat by Canada day and not necessarily on the bathroom scale.

Jamsk8r sorry to here about your index finger. I would ask you how it happened and how you are feeling, but I'm sure it would hurt your finger to type up some answers I hope the experience wasn't too traumatic and that you are feeling better.

Great job to everyone else too!

Hey all. The finger is healing up well. Think I will still be off weight lifting for a week or so, at least with that hand, due to gripping/bending issues, but, fingers crossed, I should be able to do some cardio in a few days without mucking things up.

I hit 198.0 for the second time this week, and I can see my weekly average is going down, but it still seems that my weight loss is so s-l-o-w lately. Eating is OP, just really, really missing my workouts! Thinking I might ramp those up a bit when I do start back, to see if that kicks the fat loss back into gear.

Isabella, congrats on the weight loss this week! You are doing great on this challenge!

Rina, (so glad to learn your name ) I know what you mean about the water retention...frustrating! Hopefully, that will mean a bigger number in a few days.

I don't post here much, just to update my weight loss, but I read the posts. Just wanted to throw my congratulations and encouragement to everyone on this challenge. I do appreciate the nice comments given me over the last few weeks. I have a lot going on with my mom, who is in my care, and it gets hectic around here at times so usually I read and don't comment just to keep my life a little more simple. to everyone.

Jammy -- Ouch on the cut! On top of the owie, it must be so frustrating to have your workouts side tracked .

Isabella-- It sounds like you have a lot on your plate; good luck with your hectic home life :hugs: .

Sgirl -- good luck on the super scale... you are so right that losing fat is way more important than losing weight!

Rina -- Because of fluctuations, I pretty much have a hate-hate relationship with the scale. When the numbers are good, I'm sure it's a fluke. When they're bad, I still get disheartened. Hope you make up for your lost beach day!

Vikki -- :congratulations: on your loss... you must be so excited!

So far I'm doing well with staying on program. I am using a weekly weigh-in as my official weight, and so I have now officially lost 10% of my starting weight (whoot!). I was hoping to get this far by Canada Day, but sometimes the weight comes off so slowly that I don't like to shoot for a number on the scale. Still, I wouldn't mind seeing lower numbers!

Yoyoma, 10% is an awesome milestone! That deserves the coveted Flamey Award:

Isabella, I think we've all been there, just as far as having life get too busy to be spending a lot of time on the computer. Take care of yourself and your mom. I know that's a full time job right there, but worthwhile.

I finally got a new low on the scale today: 197.8. Not much, but it's still heading the right direction, at least!

Today I was looking at my weight loss calendar, where I record my daily weigh-ins and exercise, trying to figure what happened/caused my weight loss to slow. Looks like it started slowing when I had to take time off for my sore knee, namely taking time off skating, which accounted for 6-8 hours a week of exercise.

I might try skating again at home today, and if the knee seems good with it, I could get back to the regular rink sessions. If not, then I'll have to figure other things to do, to sub for it. At any rate, it gives me hope that it's a problem I can fix, and not some mysterious "plateau" that defies explanation.

Hello everybody!

-Jammyjam- Hope that finger heals quickly!
-WTG retiredone- I've had to up my goal before, isn't it wonderful?
-Layri/Rina- LOVE your name! I love storms and chinese food too- are we long lost twins?
-Sgirl- I'm in the same position, with 6 pounds to lose in two weeks. Who knows? It may happen! Either way we'll be healthier trying. I thrive on a challenge and am still hoping I make it.
-yoyoma- Wow on your 10%! Yay you!
-Jammyjam- was the skating your primary form of cardio? I seem to recall you walking your two dogs a lot. That makes perfect sense about a slower loss without the rigorous skating. 6-8 hours was a TON. Take care of that knee too!

As for me, I'm still trucking along. A minuscule loss last week, I'm just over a wicked cycle too and am hoping for a Hail Mary loss in the next two weeks. I can do it!

Hey! Where's our buddy Daffy? Having a good time at her cottage I hope.

Well, it looks like everyone is doing well here, while I was 'away'.

This spring allergy season keeps trying to cycle me into sinus troubles, and 'new boss' is increasing my stress levels, so I've been feeling just exhausted all the time. I haven't been responding by grazing, but I haven't been keeping track or exercising either. I've been reasonable, though, and this morning the scales showed me up a mere 1 lb from my ticker.

I'm back to keeping track, but I may as well toss my original Cda Day goals out the window. I'll settle for being back at ticker weight by the time we next head to the cottage on Tuesday coming, and completing 3 brisk walks of minimum 30 minutes.

FB, I didn't think of it as cardio, just fun to do, but looking at the numbers, it really did seem to make a difference. Hopefully I can get back to it soon.

Daffy, glad to hear from you! Good luck with your revised goal. I don't think I'll make my original Canada Day goal, but I'll leave it there for now.

I did change my long-term goal, because I think my original one would be thinner than I want, plus if I can quit injuring myself, I plan to be buff, so I added a few pounds to allow for all the musk-les! Okay, in reality, I just think that in my old age, I can't get that thin any more.

On the C-day goal, I did get another pound off for the ticker today, down to 197.0! No idea why, but it's been creeping down the last 3 days, and I'll take what I can get!