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Hi Everyone. I have not a clue when I was last posting regularly. I do remember when I made the very first post that turned into this very long-running thread: June 18, 1998 my friends! Isn't that unbelievable! Anyway, it seems that some of the 5% faithful still check in from time to time.
What 5% refers to is the supposed "MERE" 5% who are 'able' to keep their newly won healthy shape and change their habits permanently. This is usually in relation to some sort of gloom and doom pessimism in some weight loss article - for all I know it is backed up by science and studies - who knows where they got the magic number. It is supposed to show limitation, but for us in the 5% club (and that most certainly can be YOU) the 5% means POSSIBILITY. That means SOMEONE manages to do this. People do it. People change their habits, their obsessions, their outlooks and ultimately their health and appearance. They do it all the time. So....IF IT CAN BE DONE, it can be done, so, ergo, it can be done! So here we are doing it.
I am personally in the 5%, and it is a proud achievement. I'm still at the weight zone I achieved and I am exercising like I always did, since it is spring probably at the most vigorous level. I've really been happy with Body Pump - I started it in fall 2001 and that makes 1.5 years of this program, and the muscle tone shows! Plus all manner of aerobics and strength pursuits, and a lot more walking than I used to do. Let's not forget the Buffer (my pet name for the elliptical trainer).
The most wonderful thing that has happened is my DH has (A) Quit drinking beer. (B) Joined the club with me and is a regular worker-outer. (C) Looks fantastic. So maybe that's another reason I don't post so much anymore.
I'm focusing a bit on food right now and am acually loosely using something of a plan. Getting below 135 is really difficult. If I gain to 140, I can lose back down to 135 in a trice. Getting below that requires concentration on the food thing. I've done a lot of checking on the web and I came across the "Wendie Plan" which is a version of Weight Watchers. I'm sort of loosely doing that, which is a way of staggering your calorie intake over a week so you don't slow down your metabolism. It's sort of interesting because I am not in WW and never have been, and I don't want to pay for it, either. So I am something of a maverick, looking for the conversions and figuring it out as I go. Last week? 134 lbs. I'll take that. I only weigh myself once a week or so so I don't know about this week. I'm really happy when 128-131.
I can't say if I will be a faithful poster, but I'll be checking in. I do okay on the fitness and lifestyle efforts, but I really miss the people I have met here. I also truly would love to help people address weight and fitness issues. I don't even rule out working in fitness again someday as a job or part time job (too busy now) but if there are people here who click into this discussion, I'm a great cheerleader, and I truly believe it can be done. Even you. Yes even though you weigh XXX lbs, etc., etc.
I have toyed a little bit with taking an online diary on, so I can pursue the health/fitness issue but also other topics of interest. Juno's 5% blog but with a better name. I am sort of low on the learning scale on what software I need and what service to use, etc. (Paging Shorty!) but I might just plunge into the user friendly no-frills kind and let you know if I do. So stay tuned for that, sounds like a blast.
Abs - Triathalon - now that is ambitious and to be respected. I did not find the 'sudden wean' painful but boy did I gain weight. I mean I looked pretty good after the birth, but after weaning was when I lost my stride and gained a BUNCH. You will recover, and water water water (seems counterintuitive I know, since you'll worry about filling those things up, but it will help I promise) and peppermint tea is so great.
Shorty congrats on your daughter on the way. Does you design firm have a web site? Your career is in some ways the me-that-could-have-been - that is a longer topic, for another day.
Phoebe - Not a 'whinge' from me today! SOOO glad you checked in, hope you come back.
This has been great - I will look forward to hearing from everyone!
Juno