hollen_carol Member

I'm over 1000 and met my goal during that time, even went lower, but now I'm up around 12 pounds from that goal and back to counting calories and upping the exercise and saying "NO" to alcohol. Hope I can make goal again!

Ooops.....nevermind :)

A great and very honest post here. I took off 50 pounds for my wedding 2 1/2 years ago. I am back on the wagon again because I'm up 10 pounds. That was just for not logging for 4 months!! WTH? I really did not want to log for the rest of my life when I started this journey. Yeah, life slips right back into the pictures as…

[ So my goal is to maintain my weight but also to keep getting better or lower in body fat. I don't even know what my body fat percentage is but in my middle stomach area it is not what I would prefer. Weight doesn't matter as I know now how to go lower and that is mostly a food issue. I want to keep all my muscle and keep…

Oh and just to add, I do not have to lose any more weight. Be there, done that. I started 3 years ago and lost 46 pounds to my goal in about 9 months. Now its all about keeping it off (and being able to eat a little more cause I'm burning a little more) and keeping my muscles toned and my heart fit.

Thank you all so much for your responses. Much to think about. Just to let a few of you know who asked, I have already done my non-swimming routine now for about two years so I know the things I want for the home gym. It sounds like many of you who do work out at home have large spaces or use basements (which are typically…

My goal weight changed too as I progressed. I am 5'3" and started at 173. I wanted to get to 138 which was about 5 lbs lighter then BMI max. Once there I knew it had to go lower. So then it was 127. I was happy with that but then I tried to get a little lower. Got to 121.6 and I really looked super terrific for me (and I…

Going on 2 years maintenance very soon. True it is hard. I get very tired of all the tracking calories, making good choices, planning ahead, less alcohol, constant at the gym........but I am very happy with how I look still 2 years later. I don't want to be fat again ever......just wish I could eat to my hearts' content!…

I should be ashamed of myself for always thinking about donuts :) Someday I will feel really ashamed of myself cause I'm just gonna eat one or two.......just kidding. When I decide to do that I will feel no guilt and I will enjoy them and savor them to the fullest. Life's too short!!!!

You look so awesome and so healthy and so happy. Be very proud!!!!!! It's hard work and you did it :)

This is also my wish but I know now the poster Stella is absolutely correct. Last year I had it pretty good, now 5-10 lbs up its bad again. The moral to the story is that the last 5- 10 pounds you have to lose make the biggest difference in the world if you hold fat there. I'm definitely an apple shape body.......maybe you…

I love this thread. I have done all of these things and then there are days when it just happens anyway and I just move one. Seems like any other addiction in that you take it one day at a time (or one minute/hour/tiny baby step at a time). Same with exercising (one step, lunge, pushup, job, weight) at a time. It's all…

Truth is that is not easy. At first it seems easy and at first it seems you can eat more and not gain anything. But as you continue that pattern the weight starts to creep upwards. But by then you are enjoying life and the wonderful tastes food and alcohol (which was also limited) brings to you in the form of joy (IMO…

Interesting. I already drink 68 oz at a minimum (when I behave myself) but I am going to try this for a month now to see what happens. Thank you for the information. Who knew?

This was exactly my case.......but now I've traded in TOM for hot flashes and waking up 20 times per night ;) Either way, it sucks.......just sayin :) Oh and edited to say my range is plus or minus 5. Right now I'm at 7 up as a constant and trying to get back down to range. This really is a lifetime effort!

You look super great!!!! Congrats handsome guy!!!

Yes! She looks like a "Luna" to me. Perfect name for this pup.

I Love the advice above given to you! The last line in that post is the absolute truth of the matter.

I am the same as you. I did get down to 121.8 as a low but I am now back to 127. Although I wouldn't mind being in the range of 120-125 it looks like instead the range for forever will be 125-129 for me since I cannot be the slightest bit hungry and remain happy in my soul! Anyway, I like me now so I'm good for the moment.…

I love your way of thinking for a break from the gym and from strict counting. I think that sort of mentality would really work to keep things fresh and not feel so trapped and obligated. I'm getting tired of this but I can't stop counting for the long term or I know what the results would be. I like to overindulge way too…

Don't you dare feel that way. 125 pounds is major, major inspiration and impressive. So your 8 pounds up. Not a big deal after 3 years. You should be so very proud of yourself and never feel like a fraud. IMO

Its a battle everyday, even in maintaining. I try to keep in mind, stories like yours, so I do not go there. You will lose the weight again and next time you will know it has to be a forever thing. Making mistakes is something we all do. I remember doing the same thing back in my 30s. Got down to a healthier place and then…

OMG. Gorgeous! Great work! I'm always hungry in maintenence too but when I looked at your pic I nearly died. I think it will be ok if you eat more. All those muscles take a lot of calories to keep them happy :)

There's plenty of cardio to pick from besides running. Walking on an incline is a great calorie burn, as is swimming laps (if you can do that). Recumbant biking or regular biking, eliptical, rowing, zumba, even just walking in the neighborhood at a moderate pace. If you can't do any of it? I guess there is no question or…

Ok, I'm just saying what worked for me, through this experience of my own, the last two years. I'll just stick with the answer "do both" (along with the diet plan as OP said above). Of course the deficit matters. Never said it didn't but you can burn more calories off with cardio then weight lifting if you compare them in…

This was not an attack on you whatsoever and that is how it sounds you are taking it. Just dont take it that way. The OP is saying she tends to binge (I've been there) and that she is not seeing the results she wants (and she is tending to go more lifting then cardio). I'm saying cardio is what will save the day in this…

I dont agree with the poster directly below you. Yeah sure, it's about what you put in but it can be burnt off with exercise as well. Op, I would do at least half and half. Its cardio that burns more in the short term. I normally do 40 minutes of each 3 or 4 times a week. It keeps me fairly lean and fit and allows me to be…

This is what my husband says to me all the time. Ok, I'll bite. But just how much more weight and how often. 10 lbs more after a week? I don't think they have smaller free weight increments then that. What is your suggestion on this?

LOL!!!! I'm with you :)

Its not a true gain. Weight fluctuates all the time due to sodium, time of month, and other things. Be patient and keep at it. It will be off again, and then some. Promise. Just keep at it. Don't give up. That is the biggest reason people fail is because they give up.