[PhotoChick]

I've been lurking around for a while and finally decided to register and introduce myself. I hope you all don't mind, but I tend to like to remain fairly anonymous on Internet boards (got stalked once, years ago, so I don't reveal personal info).

I will simply say that I live in large metro area in the South, I work for myself, and I'm in a long term relationship.

The important stuff here is that I am finally committed to losing weight and getting in shape and I'm hoping to become a part of the community here. I started going to the gym with a friend almost a year ago now. At the time it was just a challenge for each of us that we were supporting each other in. Since then the goal of losing weight and becoming healthier is something I've taken to heart - much more than ever in the past. It's probably why it's working for me this time.

I started out in Dec 2006 at 237 - the most I've ever weighed. I wore a size 22/24 pants.

Today I weigh 176 and wear a size 14.

My goal weight is around 135 and/or to wear an 8/10.

The weight is not coming off quickly (not as quickly as I'd like, but then isn't that true for everyone?), but it is coming off and I feel like I've made some really major life changes as a result. Good ones, for sure.

Right now I'm kind of at a plateau. I'm holding at between 174 and 178 and have been for a month. My workouts are challenging, but I think my body has adapted and I'm looking for ways to shake things up. Ditto with my eating ... I'm in a rut (the holiday splurges aside) and I think I need more inspiration to get things going again.

So that was long, and maybe more detailed than needed!

Thanks for having me here ... and I'm looking forward to participating.

[mandalinn82]

Hey Photochick -

We'd all like the weight to fall off overnight...unfortunately, it just isn't possible. Ah well. You've made tremendous progress so far, so just keep it up.

You'll find lots of ideas here for busting through a "plateau", although at 4 weeks (including Christmas!) I don't know that I'd call what you're in a plateau just yet. Sometimes your body just needs to take a break. You may want to try mixing up different workouts and/or different calorie levels to get things moving, or you might just give it a little more time to work itself out.

Regardless, settle in and keep posting. Can't wait to see you around and get to know you better!

[PhotoChick]

Hey thanks for the welcome!!

although at 4 weeks (including Christmas!) I don't know that I'd call what you're in a plateau just yet.

Well the 4 weeks is sort of apart from the holidays. I actually have been at the mid 170's since before Thanksgiving, but I was comfortable with not losing any more over hte holidays, as long as I didn't gain any back.

I had hoped that starting in late Dec, getting back to the gym and the proper eating, I'd go back to dropping weight the way I was before the holidays. HOwever, it doesn't seem to be working that way.

So, yeah, I need to mix it up a bit, I think.