Finished week 8 of the program (my 9th week doing JMBR). I have felt stonger these last few days doing workouts 7 & 8 and cardio 2. The workouts are still very challenging, so, as planned, I'll be adding an additional week. Though I haven't been eating great, I hope the fact that I have been doing the workouts is helping prepare me for future weeks. I have to remember that my weight gain did not happen in a matter of weeks, and losing weight I have held onto for more than 10 years is going to take time. I'm not in a rush, but want to continue seeing results. A big goal is to see my weight start with a 1 (I am just over 30 lbs away). I have been over 200 lbs for almost 13 years (though my weight has fluctuated during that time from 205 lbs to a high of 285 right after I had my son). I'll continue to move towards that goal!

I'm back! After a 2-week hiatus, I'm back and in full effect (or something like that...lol). I decided that due to my 2-week break and gaining a few pounds, I would start phase 2 over. I had great results in phase 1 and during my "first" phase 2, I did the workouts, but didn't eat great, hence, I ended up not losing much. SO, after 2-weeks off that started with one day that I was unable to work out due to a work function (doesn't it always start with just one day??), I need to be back. I remeasured yesterday (I actually gained 1/2 inch in my chest, waist and hips since my last measure 6 weeks ago) and weighed in today. This morning I did workout 5 and FEEL GREAT! I felt strong (except for my first attempt at the one-legged squats...felt shaky) and was able to really go hard throughout the workout. I will definitely challenge myself this time. I'm ready, in terms of food (my fav breakfast and lunch foods are ready) and I'm just determined. My husband has also committed to eating better. In fact, I completed my workout a little while ago (and am updating this before getting in the shower for work) and he's out jogging. I'm feeling better than I have in weeks. I'm recommitted and here and ready for results!

Great to see you back! You have a really great approach to the program and have been an inspiration to us here on the board.

Thanks!

Oh, how I love you, Cardio 2! O.k., not love in the usual "always thinking about you" sort of way, but I do love how it makes me feel. Cardio 2 makes me feel like an athlete. It's challenging, I can push myself as hard as I want and I get a great workout. I always add a few minutes at the end doing additional cardio for a better cooldown; her transition from workout to stretching is just too abrupt for me. I typically do some kickboxing moves/combinations until the end (about 4 additional minutes), then go back to the cooldown/stretch. I feel much better afterwards and I get 4 additional minutes of cardio. I don't know about you, but somehow I feel more accomplished when my cardio time is at least 30 minutes (versus 28). I know that's silly, but whatever works to motivate, right? O.k., going to have another good eating day. I'm working from home, so everything I need is available here. Maybe I can try and get another workout in, but I seriously doubt it. Though I feel great after doing Cardio 2 this morning, I am pooped! Another day down!

Almost done with my week of 5/6. I'm already feeling less bloated than a week ago. I also had to start going through my drawers for summer clothes (we're going on vacation next week). Many items that I haven't been able to wear now fits or is loose. I fact, I might not have many pairs of shorts to wear. That's alright...Ithink I'll just wear some baggy ones fr the beach days and not worry about the rest . Feeling very focused and motivated .

My first week back was a success! I lost 4.7 lbs and I feel great! I started reading more about upping my calorie intake as a means to feel even better and have more energy for my workouts. I'm excited to try it. Right now, I'm average 1600 calories or so a day. I'm going to increase to my RMR (about 1750) to see if that helps. I also will allow myself in upwards of 2000 or more (whatever my total calories per day to break even) on one day a week to break up the monotony. This seems to work for a huge group of people (there's a group on MFP called "Eat More 2 Lose More" that's been very interesting. Looking forward to next week!

Workout 6 is done! I also spent time today trying to prepare for vacation; we're leaving to NH on Saturday. I decided that I'm going to try and do a "Jillian Body Revolution" workout on vacation. I can't bring weights, but I can bring my cable, so I'm going to make a custom workout with the equipment that's available (me, cable, cans, bottled water, etc.). I reviewed workouts 5, 6, 7 & 8 today and made notes of all of the moves, and what's need to complete them (e.g., weights, cable, if I could use cans or something else, body weight, etc.). I am going to review the list while we drive to our vacation house in NH and create a custom workout, with one workout being a combo of 5 & 7 (same body parts worked) and 6 & 8. There are enough moves/circuits that I should be able to build two 4-circuit workouts. There are some circuits that are all body weight and/or a combo with body weight/cables. There are also moves tha use dumbbells that I should be able to use the cable (squats, bent over row, etc.). I also plan to bring Cardio 2 and Jillian's kickboxing workout. I'm bringing my ipod (for doing the circuit training), so I'll be able to jog as well. I hope all of this planning will keep me on plan. I will have this "custom" week as my third week back on JMBR and then move into workouts 7 & 8 the week we return.

Completed workout 6 for the last time. We go on vacation tomorrow for a week and I will do some custom workouts. When we return, I'll start on workout 7 & 8.

I'm feeling pretty happy with my food choices tonight. We have little food in the house (preparing for vacation), so we ordered Chinese food. Usually, I order a pork egg roll and sesame chicken (which is fried with lots of sweet sauce). Tonight (and by the time we ordered I was already hungry), I ordered egg drop soup, teriyaki chicken skewers and chicken and broccoli. I feel very good about what I ordered and how much I ate. I now sit here...typing this update...satisfied, but not stuffed. That's a win to me! And though it looks like I went over my daily calories by 100, I've actually been trying to hit my BMR each day (1740), which I didn't even hit. This makes me confident I can eat well on vacation.