Dora: aren't UK sizes just one size bigger than US sizes? Like..a US size 8 is a UK size 10? Though it's annoying here because some places go by even numbers, and others go by odd. So at Old Navy I'm a size 6 (used to fit into 8's), and at other places I'm a size 7.

Ok, yes. US sizes are confusing.

Morning everyone!!

Today after work Im going to a trainer who has the machine that you breath into to tell how much your body burns. Im excited! That way I can know FOR SURE what I should be eating. Has anyone else done this? Are they accurate?

Have a great day!

Yay! That will help a lot. My nutritionist did one a while back but it was several years ago. It seems to be pretty accurate.

I will let you all know the results! I am so curious to know how much I can eat to lose weight. Have any of you tried P90x??

I just researched the machine. It calculates your BMR, and apparently it's supposed to be measured when you haven't eaten for a while.

Yes! Thats what he told me. I am not supposed to eat past 2 today (I am seeing him at 6:30). I guess his calculates accurately your RMR..

Chelsey, I can't wait to hear how your test turns out!

Lilmisspope, for your 2 lbs! That is exciting!

Kellost, I too am looking forward to the structure and routine of the school year. I think this will be the first time I don't complain about running around from lesson to playdate and back again, because at least I won't be in my kitchen staring at food all day!

My attempts to run have been stymied by thunderstorms today. I'm not surprised by the one rolling in now, at 5:30, but at 7 am? Really? Rather strange. So I will go tomorrow instead. Of course, today was the day I splurged on lunch out with the kids thinking I would burn it off later...

I wasn't able to run today either because of the rain. I'll definitely run tomorrow though!

Morning Feathers and happy Friday!

I haven't been able to run that much outside as well because of the rain or sometimes its simply too hot (over 100). How has maintenance been going for you Amy?

So I went to the trainer yesterday and did the test. The results are this:

I can eat 2,000 a day WITH exercise and still lose weight

or

Eat 1500 calories without exercise and still lose weight

or

East 1500 calories WITH exercise and lose weight at a decent rate

I think I will go for option 3

Now for the bad news.. After visiting with him I went to Chilis with a friend and got the tripple dipper. This consisted of egg rolls, cheeseburger sliders, chicken bacon cheese quesadillas, and boneless chicken wings. Not to mention the chips and salsa before the food came out. WOW ! Oddly enough, my stomach doesnt hurt at all this morning or didnt really hurt last night. Odd. Anywhoo, our bodies are so resilient and today is a new day and I am excited to really get back on track now knowing what my body can eat and still lose weight!

HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13TH!!!

I did it again at the gym. *sigh* Seven miles running, six miles on the StairMaster, and then three hours lifting weights. I have committed to stopping this behavior now.

Dianne, I'm going to have to find someone who will administer that test. I've heard of it before and always thought it sounded fascinating.

Petite, you might have a case of the exercise addiction disease! Ok, I made that up but I think they might have some disease out there like that Exercising that much, you could probably eat 3,000 easily and maintain!

The test was really interesting! Although, it was what I expected, it's still comforting to know where my numbers stand. He said its pretty rare to have a woman who can eat 2500 calories without exercise and lose weight. (I was hoping for that haha)

I would advise anyone to get it. Its very insightful!

Yeah, actually that is a disorder—anorexia athletica—and I have suffered it in the past, unfortunately. I have never gotten dangerously thin because I always eat quite a bit, but I do become obsessed with working out if I'm not careful. Five hours is nothing: I used to work out entire days into the night when I really had a problem. That was years ago. Now I just watch myself carefully and reign myself in when I am getting out of control. I typically work out for about 3 1/2 hours three times a week these days, which for me is about as normal as it gets. I don't know that I will ever be able to do less than that comfortably.

Oh I'm so sorry. I was just kidding. I didnt know you really had a problem with it. How do you go ALL day at the gym? Where do you find the energy? You are a little petite powerhouse huh?

Oh, no worries. I was just saying it does happen to be an actual disorder. But I don't suffer from it anymore. I just like to work out and I get carried away. When I do that, I have to tell myself to stop because I don't ever want to go back to the summer I spent doing nothing but working out.

I don't know where the energy came from. I ate a lot—even more than I do now—and I would eat while I worked out if my stomach started feeling really empty. It's amazing what your body can do when your mind is pushing it to do it.

I'm trying to get myself to work out 2 1/2 hours three times a week, but I don't know that I will ever get there. And I suppose 3 1/2 three times a week isn't bad. It's 1 1/2 a day.

Wow Chelsey that's great! What's a 'decent' rate of weightloss versus regular? Maybe you could go for the middle of 1750 with exercise if you find 1,500 too low. Although 1,500 on average sounds like a good amount to me, but I don't exercise very much either.

This are going OK with me. Lots of fruits and veggies, although last night I was a carboholic and had 3 small pieces of bread and a beer for a completely non-necessary 500 extra calories. Boo! We usually have a bottle of wine on Friday nights, but I think today I'm going to 'forget' to pick one up . I'm also going to make some of my hummus today so I have it on hand for snacks and healthy lunches.

We are having lunch out this Sunday, but I've looked at the menu and saw some healthy choices. Next week I have one lunch out planned , but next weekend I'm making my sister a birthday cake so I need to be careful not to eat too much frosting!