I'm the same way. I couldn't image eating only 1200 calories. I started at 269 lbs and ate 1900-2000 calories, now I do 1800-1900 calories. I exercise 5-6 times a week burning around 500 calories each time so if I ate 1200 calories my body would have almost nothing to run off of!

Cheryl,
I'm still working toward the Mother's Day Goal. Had my ups and downs lately, but pumped up again. Hey, congrats on joining the 5K Marathon. I already did three miles so far today. Yay!
Hugs, Dena

Wow, this thread has been busy! Good luck to all the new challengers, and welcome!

Switzie and DMPLS, I'm with you on the calories. I just upped mine on weight training days, because I was stalled out on the scale. First, I tried lowering them, but that just sapped my energy. I'm staying with 1800-1900 most days, going up to 2100-2200 on weight training days. That seems just right to keep me energetic, and the scale is moving the right direction again.

Speaking of which: down another pound today (2 for the week), to 205. Six pounds to go for my MD goal.

Rat, have fun on your vacation! We'll need a pic of you with the rat ears on... er, mouse ears! Get a tan for me, will ya?

Irish, good luck with your audition tomorrow!

I'd better get off here...dogs are antsy to get out again, and I have other chores to finish. I know I missed some names...Layri, FB, everybody, I just got too far behind to catch up without writing a book...I'm rooting for you, though, and celebrating with you!

ETA: Dena, you posted while I was typing mine up. Glad you are doing well! Keep the updates coming!

Well, since mine is the only recent post with that info, the above appears to have been aimed in my general direction. I know that my BMR has shifted downwards 100 calories already for a 20-lb weight loss, so for, say, a 50-lb difference in weight, that would translate into 250 calories difference in BMR. I also forgot to mention that I do not count my non-starchy veggies in my calorie counts, and I eat 4 to 5 portions of those a day. I'm also post-menopause. If I'm exercising, I'm around 1700-1800 calories a day, or more, depending. If not, I work at a desk from home, so I keep it low.

It works for me. YMMV.

Cheryl,
I finished the 5K Marathon!
Hugs, Dena

How are my fellow challengers doing? Well I should hope!

Slow weekend here, although I had to work at the studio today. It's freezing cold in the Midwest, so no outdoor shoots- blech.

Bought a treadmill off of Craigslist yesterday, since I didn't want to take my MIL's. I've used it twice and it's amazing! I love love love it. My dogs have also tried it out- (I was intrigued by Cheryl's mention of that) the chihuahua and jack russell do very well on it, the pit bull is a klutz!

I'm going to tackle the 5k this evening, which shouldn't present a terrible challenge as I often walk outdoors for longer distances. However, the treadmill seems harder than outdoor walking. I wonder why that is?

Maybe it's the steady pace, FB? I haven't actually gotten to try one myself, for an actual workout, but I think it would be great for winter time. That's funny that you tried the dogs on it. That Caesar Millan (sp?) does that with dogs, and it sounds like a good option for when you can't get them out for long enough walks, like when the weather is cruddy.

Dena, WTG on the 5K! I did it again today, walking with my dogs this time...what a fun challenge that was!

I'm a little late to the party but a goal sounds good. I picked up the Prevention Mag with the Biggest Loser folks in it. It had a 30 day firm up plan in it, so I'll give myself a little kickstart for the summer. So the goal is 145 by this time next month. My eating is fine but my exercise and my water drinking hasn't been the greatest. So here i go...

Cheryl, I love that show, "The Dog Whisperer" with Cesar Milan. I'm learning a lot about human psychology, too. Oh, and I did great with cals. over the weekend.
Hugs, Dena

Dena, I've actually never seen a whole episode, as I don't watch tv, but I've seen some snippets on youtube, or somewhere. Looks like it would be good, though.

No news to report myself. Today is a rest day for me, but I'm staying on plan with my eating. All day I keep thinking, "look how late it is, I'd better get my workout done!" then I remember it's my rest day, lol. Mind like a steel sieve, I tell ya!

I never watched TV until the hubster bought a DVR. The thing I disliked about normal television was that I was required to stay in one place for 30 minutes. One of the first series I began recording was The Dog Whisperer! Really, some of the techniques are amazing... my crazy butt jack russell is much more obedient.

OMG, I am so glad the hells of tax time are over! I was sweating bullets and making the hubby miserable the last few days. Poor guy was at the post office at 10 pm last night. Now that it's over with I can get back on track with the exercise. I slacked for the last two days because I was overwhelmed with receipts and paperwork.

No report on the weight yet! I've been a perfect angel with the food, but haven't weighed in. It's freeing, I was really too wrapped up in the scale. However, I know I'll be back to my old scale antics in a day or so once the 15th is far behind me!

Hmmm....I may have to check out the 'Dog Whisperer'...we have a yellow Lab/Bernese cross (that's him to the left, of course!) who is quite bright, and can therefore be challenging sometimes.

On the weight management front, I have been staying on-programme (and averaging about 1600 calories a day, for those who were concerned) but not exercising every day. I am struggling with some other issues that are sapping my energy and causing some insomnia, but this, too, shall pass The scale has not budged this week. I wondered how I would handle that when it happened, as it was bound to, but I am quite okay with it. It helps that I am tracking everything I eat, so I know that overeating is not the problem. It'll all even out in the wash.

Have a great day, all!

Hope it's not too late for me to join the challenge. I'm trying not to aim for quick loss because I fear it won't be permanent, so......
I'm going to attempt to get 1/2 way to my 10% goal (that's 175#) by Mother's Day. That works out to be another 5# in the next 3 weeks. Very do-able even if I plateau somewhere between now and then.

I knew I'd hop back on the scale after the 15th! Ha! 2 pounds down, 10 to go,

Daffy- your dog is a cutie!