Hi . . . glad to see you slugabeds are finally up and about. . . but I know you'll still be up doing stuff long after I've gone to bed.

Cassie . . . Wonderful loss, girl. Glad you're enjoying the WATP. I ordered one of her DVDs yesterday . . . "Seniors Walk Aerobics" (trying to be kind to the old bones). If this one doesn't kill me, I'll try to work up to the regular one like you've got.

Tina . . . the stores around here have certainly decided it's Spring . . . lots of specials on kids shorts and stuff. You hang in there, kiddo. Don't let a little plateau get you down, you've been doing so well. Just keep doing the good stuff and you'll pull through.

Countess . . . another wonderful loss. Keep it up, girl, it's mighty impressive and inspiring.

Stayce . . . A good loss for you, too. The forecast for tomorrow is calling for snow, followed by freezing rain, followed by rain. If I can figure out how to keep the snow from melting, I'll send you some . . . I sure don't want anymore.

Robsia . . . you are one busy lady. I love your theories and the logic makes sense to me. Great NSV on the exercise. Bet you feel great. And compliments too . . . can't get much better than that. Enjoy everyone of your victories, you deserve them all.

Jelynn . . . Great attitude . . . it will take you far. A slip is not a fall unless we lie down. A fall is not a failure unless we stay down.

Cheryl . . . Hi Congratulations on your great loss, too.

Ok, that's it . . . Everytime I figure it's time to post, I notice that somebody else has shown up. Well I have to go to the bathroom, so if anybody else comes along you'll just have to wait until later.

Well, nothing else very exciting around here. As well as the WATP DVD I mentioned above, I also ordered Peggy Cappy's "Yoga for the Rest of Us". I remembered year's ago I used to love Yoga (back when I had a smaller body that bent in the right places) and I hope this will get me limbered up a little. The e-mail confirmation from Amazon tells me not to expect them until April 7 to 11. I think they must be recording them especially for me, it's going to take so long.

Have a great evening. Keep on doing all the right things and the rewards will follow.

Yay - I was down 0.7 this morning which means I can add another 5 lb star and I'm only 0.6 from hitting my Paddy's Day goal!!!

jelynn - glad to hear someone else's body does weird things weight-wise too! I am so glad I keep a spreadsheet because I can SEE the patterns forming. If it does it again next month then I can call it a definite pattern. Of course, once I've decided I've got a pattern, it'll probably suddenly change on me.

Cheryl - I wish I had taken my measuements at the start too, but I think I as more scared of what the tape measure would say than the scale. Memories of being 16 and thinking I was fat because I had a 27" waist when all the othe girls had 23" waists! The last thing I wanted to see was a 40+" waist!! Congrats on your 2 lb loss and meeting your Paddy's Day goal early - I'm right behind you girl!!

Cassie - you go work off that chocolate. We all give in now and again - just burn that bad stuff all off.

Yes, it IS my Monday morning, but I had a very nice week end, so I'm not complaining. I still feel like my head is in the right place as far as my diet and weight loss goals go (despite a couple bad meals) and I feel confident that this will be an even better week. Forgive me please, but I'm going to do my personals from work. As I need to straighten the house up before it's time to get ready for work. I so like feeling good, like this. It's sort of new to me. Perhaps you all are part of that reason. Thank you for accepting me here. I feel very welcome here. More from work later. If I take a picture of the new keyboard stand my DBF made me, can one of you post it? It allows me to be on line (even chatting) while I peddal my turtle butt towards fitness. But I'll need to clean my living room before I take THAT picture. LOL Thanks again for making me feel so welcome here.

Java Turtle

Good morning buddies!

Countess, wow! Great job, well done! How's that for motivation...keep it going!

Stayce, congrats on losing 2lbs this week! You go girl! Get ready to bust a move at Curves..hehehe

Robsia, all I can say is thanks for saying that! I had to laugh when I read your theory cause I do the same thing! haha I weigh myself after I pee just before getting into bed and I can usually tell if there is going to be a difference in the morning. And if I get up in the night I do the same thing. Congrats on getting your first non friend/family comment. I know that must of really hit the zingers! What is your novel about? Congrats on the weight loss girl! You rock!

Jelynn, wow, you go girl! I need to kick my butt too and get results this week.

Cheryl, LOL! What a pretty picture I painted for you all. My foot I feel is getting out of the toilet...meaning I feel a bit better today. Just my toes are still wet. I burned on the treadmill this morning, I got some jogging in. Congrats on the 2lb. loss, keep it up!

Linda, thanks for the kind words aswell. Sounds like you have some great videos coming, I hope they work you good!

Cassie, the weekends are torture for me! My parents come every weekend, not that I mind that. But I feel bad having them try to eat around my new habits. But this weekend will be different, I will definitely have something better planned. I hear ya on the chocolate, have you tried the cadbury thins? 100 calories per bar. Definitely soothes the craving and doesn't make you feel like you've busted the program.

Java, glad you're enjoying the process so far! I'm feeding off of you now! LOL Would love to see how you rigged the keyboard/biking situation.

Well girls, I'm feeling a bit better this morning. My "jump" has started to come back down. I couldn't even mention that I had a jump yesterday because I was so ashamed that it happened. I figured that I am plateauing because it's gettig so much harder, even the little slips are showing big time compared to before. I read online some tips of how to break it, and I've boosted my exercise a bit. Last night I did the high intensity workout (Biggest Loser) and got through most of it, the main thing is I didn't stop. And this morning I did some 1minute jogging/running spurts. I did the same distance but I managed to burn more calories. Before I walked speeds between 3.3 & 3.5m/hr. going the distance of 1.75 miles, burning 175 calories. Today I burned 208calories doing the same distance but I slowed my walking to 3.0 & 3.2m/hr, and did jogging at 4 &5m/hr. if that makes any sense to you all! LOL I sweated way more anyways so hopefully it does something!

Well, I think that's all. Thank you girls for being here, you are such a support to me. I appreciate each one of you! Have a great day ladies. Here's to burning that fat today!

TTFN!

~Tina

From the website "Diet-Blog, No more big fat lies"

5 Ways to Break a Weight Loss Plateau

If you've ever tried to lose fat for any sustained period of time - you may have hit a plateau. You have changed nothing, but suddenly the fat no longer disappears. The human body is incredible adaptive, and will do its level best to maintain equilibrium (homeostasis).

The plateauing effect has to be the biggest motivation-killer there is. Unfortunately many popular diet books are strangely quiet on the issue -- I guess the concept doesn't sell well.

The best single word of advice is to make a change. Don't make the mistake of doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result (Ben Franklin's definition of insanity).

What changes can you make?

1. Zig-Zag Calorie Intake
Zig-zagging, or calorie cycling is the process of varying daily calorie intake, while maintaining the same weekly intake. Instead of consuming (for example) precisely 1800 calories each day - you can mix it up. Eat 1500 calories one day, and 2100 calories the next. This can be as simple as halving then doubling a portion size, or adding a post-workout shake into the plan. Just keep your body guessing.

2. Strength Training
If you are not doing this as part of your program or lifestyle, then it's time to start. Working your muscles will help to strengthen bone tissue, increase lean mass, and ultimately boost metabolic rate.

3. Change Your Exercise Routine
So you go walking a lot? Then try jogging, or swimming, or cycling -- anything that will change the way your body is working. If you are doing low intensity cardio work, then try some high intensity exercise (such as HIIT).

4. Alter Macro-nutrient Intake
Although it sounds complicated, once again, the idea is to change what you are eating. If (for example) you are eating a moderate diet that is higher in carbs - try eating less carbs and more protein. There is no need to get super-technical over the whole thing. If you have a carbohydrate snack every day at morning tea time - change it to a protein snack. Whatever you are doing consistently - try mixing it up a bit.

5. Change Meal Frequency
If you are eating three square meals a day - start adding snacks in between (which may mean reducing the portion size of the main meals). Eating often is an old and common style of eating - once again, you are trying to boost your metabolic rate.

I know all that - What else is there?
Some of us seem to have more adaptive bodies than others. I remember when I was eating a fairly rigid diet, having three strength training sessions per week, and as much as seven (often intense) cardio sessions a week. After 3-4 weeks - the fat simply stopped coming off. The frustration was enough to make me take my meal plans (stuck to the fridge), screw them up and throw them away in disgust. I was furious and disappointed. I felt that I was doing everything "right". So what was the answer?

Chill out and back off... I was becoming obsessional. I started eating more, and gradually reduced my cardio levels. I gave my body and mind a break. In the process I have learnt to eat more intuitively. Every person is unique, and we must learn how our individual body responds - and how to work with that.


Hope this gives you all some insight. I know I felt better reading this.
~Tina

Hi everybody. Sorry I wasn't here to wake you this morning. Our weather is not as bad as predicted . . . at least not so far. It's dull and windy, but no snow, ice, or rain yet.

I've been fooling around with Nutridiary and FitDay and a couple of other similar sites. I'm thinking of changing from my own little Excel program to one of these and at present I'm leaning toward Nutridiary because it seems pretty good at remembering previously posted meal patterns. Any suggestions? I'd appreciate your input. I'm getting confused. Just before I came over here, I checked out the nutrient content of 1/2 cup broccoli in three different programs and got three different answers. All pretty close, mind you, but, I mean, good grief, we're talking about an innocent little vegetable.

Cassie . . . I know the feeling. Sometimes when chocolate calls, you just have to listen. As long as you don't make it the only sound you can hear, everything will be fine.

Robsia . . . Looking good, girl. Bet you beat your St. Paddy's goal

Java . . . that keyboard stand sounds like a great invention . . . can hardly wait to see it. You should think about marketing them. The idea just might have some mass appeal.

Tina . . . never fear, the loss will come. Thanks for posting the information on how to beat a plateau. I know the zig-zag is a popular one that seems to work for a lot of people.

Well gang, back I go to my other endeavours. Have a great day doing the right stuff. Talk to you soon.

Well, I have never used Fitday but I like Nutridiary - you can program in meals as well as custom foods and you don't have to enter every single thing you do throughout the day.

Hello ladies. I'm at work and it's my Monday, but I'm still feeling pretty positive. I am very excited about the keyboard tray that Jay "Pooh Bear" made me and as soon as I clean the living room and my computer desk up, I'll take a photo of it and find a way to share that photo with you. It's gonna be a good week, I can feel it.

Stacye: I've never used photobucket, but I'm thinking I should check it out. My computer is old, slow and really bogged down. But I'll give it a shot. I'm SOOOO not computer savvy.

Pattybgud: Congratulations on your loss. A loss is a loss and I'd definitely take a .2 loss ANY day. Great job!

Teahoney: SIX POUNDS! ? Unreal! Great job. What's your secret?

Cassie501107: I feel ya on the chocolate. Would you believe I had a nightmare about chocolate? Actually thinking about it right now is turning my stomach. I hope this feeling lasts. It's one of my worst enemies in the diet war. That and the vending machine. In the nightmare I was eating from a combination chocolate sculpture/fountain thingie that was covered in melting whip cream. I was dipping stale graham crackers and hard slices of cheese into it. I knew it was going to make me sick, but I kept eating, trying to eat all I could before I was too sick to continue. That was the nightmare anyway. Pretty sad and pathetic eh? But if it works to keep me from eating chocolate, maybe I'll be thankful I had that nightmare. We can have chocolate in a healthy diet, so I know I can have it in limited portions, but sometimes it gets away from me. Here's to finding that delicate balance.

LadyLai: Thanks for the tips on plateau busting. I'm glad you're feeling better. And as for my profession, I'm a police dispatcher. I've been doing this line of work for over fourteen years now (started off with the State Police yeah, they even wear green hats like this) then I moved to this department. I started off as a hair dresser, but I truly sucked at that. That's why I dispatch.

Meowee: There's so many different counts on calories, carbs, you name it. It's hard to know who to believe and trust. Best of luck to you on that. And I hope you enjoy getting back into Yoga. I myself, haven't tried that yet.

Robsia: Thank you for the info on Nutridiary. Congratulations on your loss as well.

Ladylane06: Sometimes those sore muscles can be a good thing. They remind us that we're out there doing the right thing for our bodies, moving and staying active. I hope they smoothed out for you. And I hope that water retention flushed away as well. Keep up the good work.

That's it for me ladies. I hope I've not missed anyone. I'm not working alone, so we're switching on and off the desk in shifts/waves. I hope you all have a great afternoon and evening. I so love this site and dearly love this thread. You all are top shelf in my book Thank you very much.

Java Turtle AKA Mary P

Good evening ladies!

Gosh my arms are shakin'! I just finished the 'Boot Camp' part of the Biggest Loser workout. And might I say, boot camp fits the workout! It got me sweatin' though, hopefully burning a lot of calories. I've pushed myself hard exercising since last night. The true test will tell on the scales.

Linda, I couldn't help you in regards to Nutridiary or FitDay. I don't use them, I write everything using good ol'pen and paper! I've fooled around with both, but I found them to be so tedius and a little confusing myself. Best of luck to you with that.

Lois, good grief, Bob must of been at the bowling alley too!! hahaha Glad you're feeling better today and ready workout again. Lots of well wishes sent your way!

Java, you must have a lot of exciting stories. Every time I see police cars or ambulances I want to know what's going on! LOL

Cassie, way to go on upping your exercise! You'll be melting the fat off in no time!

Have a great night chickies! Let there be a lot of great reports tomorrow!

TTFN!
~Tina

YAY!! I hit my Paddy's Day goal this morning two days early!!! It was down 0.9 so actually I have gone 0.3 OVER my goal!! I'll leave the ticker on for a bit so I can look at and have that "I did it" feeling, but my next goal is 8 lbs by Easter.

Got another comment today - another colleague came up to me and said "Have you lost weight?" - the look on her face when I said I'd lost 26 lbs! I resisted the temptation to lecture when she said "Oh - I wish I could do it too!" It makes me laugh when people say "how do you do it?" Like they think I've got some magic spell or something instead of plain old dieting and exercise. I mean - how do they THINK I did it?

But forgive me a 'feel good' moment - I have met my first two mini targets early! True, this one was cutting it fine but it was still early.

Tina - try not to stress about your jump - I get them too and it feels awful, but it's nothing you''ve done - it's just your body messing you around. You're doing really well exercise-wise!

Lois - sounds like your bowling gave you a good workout!!

Mary - glad you are enjoying being here - I put all my successes down to coming here and having to be accountable to someone. Also having people to share successes and miseries with, who really understand what we are going through.

Cassie - sounds like you are doing really well with your exercising. I'm sure you'll hit your target by the end of the week!!

Robsia: Forgive your feel good moment? Are you kidding? I'd be bouncing off the walls and shouting it from the roof tops (well, here in West Virginia, I guess that would be mountain tops rather than roof tops). You deserve a feel good moment. Enjoy and congratulations!

I'm up a bit too early for not getting to sleep until after 0230, but I'm doing laundry and house cleaning now in hopes of exercising and POSSIBLY sneaking in a nap before work.

Food and water were great yesterday, but I might have been a bit high on my salt intake and I didn't manage much exercise. Today is a new and better day. I'll (like always) check in from work. Upper 70s on Monday (maybe even reached 80) and it was snowing and 36 on my way home last night! Ugh

Good morning girls!!

Well I'd be walking on the ceiling if I could. I watched the scale jump up to 243.5 on Monday, 242.5 on Tuesday, added some really hurtful workouts and this morning it was 239!!! I did it!! I finally made the -30lb. mark! The only down side is that I am one great big ache this morning. Even my skin hurts to touch it, the last time I felt like this I came down with tonsilitis. I hope not, although I've been dry coughing these past two days and a massive headache to go with. I can't afford to get sick at this point in the game. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Robsia, wow! You deserve this 'feel good' moment and more! You're doing so amazing. Congratulations on beating your goal. There were a couple stressful moments, but you maintained and pulled through. What an inspiration you are to me!

Java, have a ton of water today. If you have endulged in your salt intake a lot of water should "flush" it right out. Have a great day!

I'm waiting for my advil to kick in so I can go down and walk/jog/run on the treadmill. But what I really want is to sit in my jetted bathtub and soothe these aches. Ahhhh...wishful thinking. No pain...no gain! (or loss for our matter)

Have a great day ladies. I'll check back with you all later!

TTFN!
~Tina