A New Challenge -- size not weight

[kiss90]

Question for you all:

This is my first TOM on phen. Have any of you noticed a change in flow while taking phen? Mine is very light (not that I'm complaining!) and it's strange to have such a change. I don't want to jinx myself if this is a (good) side effect I just don't remember anyone else every mentioning this side effect. Thank you!

[*sparkle*weight]

Hi Kiss....I haven't experienced any difference in TOM but I think every single person has different side effects from this drug. It could be because you have changed your diet. In which case, please tell me what you are eating because I would love to have THAT change with TOM
Well...just reminded myself why I don't weigh myself....I got on my wii fit (it DOES weigh me every time I get on it but I just ignore what it says...usually...) and the nasty little "game" told me I GAINED 7 POUNDS???!!!! Not TOM, been eating well and exercising...no WAY have I gained that much weight!!!! I use the wii fit for a lot of my exercise...but I just HATE the fact you have to weigh when you use it.
The good news is that I tried on my goal jeans and they seem to fit a little bit better...no where near close to wearing them in public...but I seem to have lost a couple of the rolls above the waist band.
Thank goodness I joined this challenge.

[Kelliee]

Great news Sparkle !! Congrats....

Don't worry about the wii and what it told you this morning....I worked out yesterday at the gym with a trainer and woke up with every muscle in my body screaming bloody murder! Got on the scale and it showed me up about a 1 pound. I didn't do anything different (eating wise) either and so I am going to chalk it up to my muscles holding onto extra water to repair the damage I did to them yesterday. (I am really sore....)

Haven't tried on my capris yet....but I will next week sometime just to get an idea how things are coming along...

Hope everyone else is doing great....

[kiss90]

Well, I must have jinxed myself because all the lightness is gone and the regular is here.
Oh well. So I've been working out pretty hard and watching my diet and my scale hasn't budged. I'm sure I'm losing because my clothes are fitting better. My bra is getting bigger--definitely didn't want to lose in this area unless it's back fat! ha ha

I have a weigh-in to get my first refill tomorrow and I'm hoping my TOM won't get in the way. Although, if I'd lost too much the doc might not have been willing to refill. Whatever. So yeah, we'll see where I am tomorrow.

We're going to Gulf Shores, AL next week. I won't look like I want to but I will look better than I did four weeks ago. I'm pretty proud of how far I've come already. Hoping to look like a prime rib soon! hahaha

Does anyone else feel like you eat the same thing everyday?

[Kelliee]

hi Kiss90

Good luck on your weigh in and if the clothes are fitting better, that is all that matters right?

I do eat the same darn things everyday....Dinner is the only one I have that is different but it doesn't vary enough to make that much of a difference for me to yell whoopie...

I'm sure if your working out is doing something so good for you and hang with it.

[kiss90]

You're right Kelli, as long as the clothes are fitting better something is working. Maybe I'm losing the fat and firming my muscles. Sure wish my doctor's appt was first thing in the morning tomorrow. : )

[Kelliee]

Hi everyone:

I didn't want this thread to get lost so posting today and hoping everyone is doing great with their goals...

I already posted the information below on another thread but thought it might be useful here as well on our challenge... I think a lot of us have been confused about how many calories to eat and then when we are doing it all right not seeing results....this might help explain a lot of what is going on during our "plateaus"....

This was written by a trainer named CoachDee...this is what she writes about the confusion of CALORIES IN/CALORIES OUT -- Proper caloric deficits.

__________________________________________________ ______________
For the love of well sauced buffalo wings....


Sorry folks, there are no magic pills, no magic diets, and no ab blasters will help you and your body lose fat. It's hard to accept sometimes isn't it?

Fat loss is about the ratio of calories in vs. calories out. Plain and simple. But what most magazines and infomercials do not tell us is that in order to achieve our fitness goals the ratio is actually 70% nutritional and 30 % exercise. But that does not mean starve yourself and do as little exercise as possible. It means eat sensibly, have 5-6 smaller meals per day to balance the blood sugars, that will also keep the metabolism stoked, and exercise on a regular basis, which should include strength training to maintain and develop lean muscle mass. This too helps boost your metabolism.

So why am I here? Simple, because I need assistance in losing fat. "But you're a personal fitness trainer for God's Sake!"

Yes, but I was naughty, and I did not keep track of my daily calories like I tell my clients, and lo and behold, I discovered that I was not eating ENOUGH calories!!! YIKES... that is not a good thing folks. Here I was thinking I had it all under control, yet, I could not understand why my body fat percentage did not drop over the course of the past 4 weeks. WHat had happened was I was starting to plateau, so I changed up my exercises and even dropped some calories, but I did not keep a watchful eye on those calories and now I have discovered that I am actually sabatoging my efforts by not eating enough calories.

Folks. Remember to only drop your caloric intake by 500 calories per day via a proper nutritional plan and exercise. If you increase your caloric deficit by over 800 calories per day nature has a way of protecting the body against excessive weight loss. At first you will lose alot of water, a little fat. Then suddenly you stop losing. You've plateaued, because your body now refuses to give up the fat, regardless if you want it off for summer or not.

It is a scientific fact that when your calorie count suddenly drops, your body will compensate for the fact by reducing your metabolic rate. As a result, you'll need fewer calories to maintain your weight. This explains why some people lose weight up to a point and then cannot lose any additional weight, no matter how hard they try. Friends, this is one of the most dangerous myths in the weight loss world. You literally have to eat yourself thin, not starve yourself thin.

Know your BMR, know your activity level and know your caloric needs, and monitor them closely. You will achieve!

The key is really that the number of calories you eat directly affects your metabolism. If you don't eat enough calories, your body goes into "famine" mode. Fooled into believing you cannot find enough to eat, your endocrine glands PURPOSELY slow your metabolism to conserve energy. Slowing the metabolism means burning less fat. Is this really what you wanted to do??? It sure isn't what I wanted to have happen. Counting Calories is an important aspect of fat loss.

I hope you all find this informative and answering a lot of the unknown

[*sparkle*weight]

Hi Kiss90! Let us know how your appt went! I have a love/hate thing going on with my monthly weigh-ins. Have fun on your vacation, lucky you!!
I have a horrible confession regarding vacations. We had planned on going skiing over spring break. Three months ago I realized I had just become too fat to ski. I knew I would be embarrassed about the way I looked and also knew I would have to buy new, larger ski gear. I cancelled our vacation because of my weight...I made all sorts of excuses (should we REALLY be spending the money right now..can DH really be taking the time off of work..anything I could think of). So, to make a long story short, I took away something that our family loves and looks forward to all because of my fat. Not a shining moment as a mother for me. It did make me realize that I had to get control over myself, so here I am!
Okay, confession time over...
Hi Kelliee! Thank you so much for the info your posted, both here and on the main thread. The calorie counter really opened my eyes about what I'm eating (or not eating). The yo yo dieting has really caught up with my metabolisim and it is really important for me to be eating enough. Not to make excuses, but I also think age makes it difficult to lose (I'm 41). Where I'm losing is also different....strange things, these bodies we were given.
I hope you don't think I'm trying to highjack your thread, Kelliee. I get on here to check in, but end up writing my life story. Sorry

[kiss90]

Went to my appt yesterday--was down 12lbs in one month per my doctor. I'm thrilled, he was thrilled for me and I'm ready to work on the next 12. Told him I wanted to lose 50 and he told me that I can do it--why when he says it do I really believe it??? : ) (I love my doctor, he's wonderful)

So yeah, totally excited and ready for month 2. Ironically our son had a double header baseball game last night so I ate Popeye's at 11p last night. Not a shining moment but it tasted so freaking good. That was my first real "cheat" so I'm gonna let it go and move on. I hadn't had much to eat at all yesterday so I really didn't go over my calories as much as fat and sodium.

Sparkle--I read your story and totally understand and felt for you. I was very nervous agreeing in late January to go to the beach in March (next week). I used that (shame) and nervousness to spur me into getting something done. While I won't look like I totally want to next week, knowing that I'm doing something makes me feel so much better. Next year (hopefully) I'll be right where I want to be!!! : )

Have a great weekend ladies!

[Kelliee]

Thought I would revive this thread so it does get lost in the back pages....I hope everyone is doing fine and losing those inches..

I actually ordered P90X and plan on starting that when it comes in this weekend...not sure if its something I can do but I am going to try. After finding out how expensive personal training sessions would be to build muscle, this looked like something I could afford.

I am starting to cut my Phen pill in half and stretching it out. I only have 1 more prescription refill next month and at this rate, I would run out at the end of April...I am hoping to stretch it now into June (at least). I am going to take the 1/2 pill at 2 in the afternoon. Yesterday was the first day and I did great...no hunger and I had more energy in the evenings which has been a huge problem for me lately...

Have tried my skinny capris on and they still are snug but the muffin top rolls that are produced by the tightness have diminished and I think (my goal) will be gone if not barely noticeable by the time April 11th comes for me...

I am amazed at the fact that I have increased my calorie intake and I have budged the scale and it is moving reasonably well again. Still a slow Phen loser but at least not a "stalled" Phen loser anymore...I would never have bought into the idea of increasing my calories another 200-300 a day but I am beginning to really believe I have been starving myself and the Phen has controlled the hunger so I didn't think my body needed anything more than what I was feeding it. I even have one day where I ate 1600 calories and still didn't gain, only to find I dropped weight 2 days later...It hasn't been quite a week with regard to increasing the calories but since I have, I have dropped almost 3 pounds....(I haven't lost 3 pounds in one week the whole time I have been on this crazy rollercoaster!)...

Will keep you posted as to how it goes...Hope everyone who joined this challenge is still doing great and getting ready for their summer bodies and new clothes!

[toyamcgee]

Congrats on the progress, Kelliee. I watch the P90X infomercial at least twice a week. I contemplated ordering it, but never got the courage to do so. I'll wait until you get it and see how it goes for you. I have ordered several other Beach Body workout dvd's and really like them. I have Turbo Jam, which I do daily, as well as Hip Hop Abs. Beach Body puts out a quality product. Hopefully the P90X will work for you and give me enough courage to purchase it for myself.

Happy Losing,

Toya

[*sparkle*weight]

Congrats on getting that scale to move, Kelliiee!
After reading the info you posted I adjusted my calorie intake and I swear I have lost. In fact, guess what I'm wearing?? Yep, my goal pants. They are still a little bit tight and I don't think I would wear them in public, but they FIT!!!! I have to admit, I was very unsure of how the extra calories would affect my weight loss, but I think it did the trick. It's hard to eat more (especially on the phen) when you're trying to lose. There is something that seems so "wrong" about it. Thanks again for all the information.
Let us know how the P90x is.

Hi Toya....do you like the Hip Hop Abs DVD? It looks like it would be fun.

YEAH for 12 lbs Kiss90!!!!! I have friends who have sons that are in baseball.....what a schedule!! I don't know how you guys do it.

[Kelliee]

Hi Ladies:

Toya, I sure will let you know about P90X...it actually arrived today and I am going to spend the week reading...I bought the chin up bar and I cannot for the life of me do a pull-up, chin-up....(pathetic) but they say I can use to the resistance bands...It looks good and it says I should eat 1800 calories with the expected 600 calories anticipated from the burn with this program...Not sure I can buy into that much yet....I'm getting the 1400 - 1500 and I'm doing fine but if I continue my cardio at the gym....who knows. I will let you know about it though and if its worth the $$$$.

"Sparkle" -- Congrats to you too on upping the calories and seeing the weight come off. Wearing your goal pants...you put me to shame...but I am so happy for you. Everytime someone posts that they are stuck and only eating 1200 calories I try and tell them to eat more but I know its hard to believe. Like you said...I feel rather "naughty" and wrong doing it. As a matter of fact, I get to right now 7 p.m. and I have only eaten 900 calories for the day and I'm fretting on how to get the rest in....who would have ever thought that would be my life???? Phen does make us not hungry but I have cut mine in half and am now only take 1/2 at 2 p.m. I have my energy back in the afternoon when I need it most and my appetite suppressed in the evenings, again, when I need it most...

So glad to here you all are doing so well...keep it up...and happy losing...

[toyamcgee]

Sparkle, I do have the Hip Hop Abs. It is fun, but I like the Turbo Jam better.

Kelliee, good to hear your P90X has arrived. I'm excited for you.

Happy Losing,

Toya

[*sparkle*weight]

Hey Kelliiee....How does the p90x look? I started doing the 30day Shred...WOW!! It's tough, but doable. It's savings grace is the fact it only lasts for 20 minutes.
I am recovering from strep throat...yuck....I stopped taking the phen and was just too sick to think about eating right. I didn't do too bad. I DID have a McDonalald's sasuage biscuit but only ate 1/2 of the bread and a grilled chicken sandwich from Chick fil a without the bun. (This was over the span of three days.)
I'm going to start doing some easy exercise today, but don't want to over do it.
How is everyone else doing?
Happy Losing!!!!

[Kelliee]

Hi Sparkle --

I have been looking over the information and there is a lot with the P90X. My attitude going in is I am going to do the 60 minutes each day but if I have to stop at what ever reps to avoid injury, I will. The whole program is a process of improving and knowing that I am starting out well handicapped...my only goal is to feel better and have muscle definition at the end of 90 days.

The nutritional program is pretty simple. Funny thing...he makes you eat the 600 calories they assume you burn during each workout...so when I looked at how many proteins, etc...I'm already eating the correct amount and portions....so that tells me that with my 600 calories I've been burning at the gym, I had it right. The weight is slow but its coming.

I sure will let everyone know how this whole thing goes...I'm preparing myself for a fight with my body but you know what? I'm kinda bored at this point so I am really looking foward to becoming a complete maniac (a sore one at that) over the next few months.

Its getting to the TOM for me so have not tried on my tiny tight capris. I think I decided my goal was to eliminate how may rolls of fat are formed above the waist band by putting them on (ha ha). But who knows....they may just fit pretty good...

I hope everyone else is doing well on their goals. Talk to ya all later...

[Kelliee]

Oh Sparkle -- wanted to say that I'm happy you are feeling better. Strep throat can be such a pain and difficult thing to get over...I think you did rather awesome with your eating. I would have eaten the whole sausage and egg sandwhich from McDonalds...so you are better than me in that department.....

[midwestmiracles]

Just wanted to say that I like this challenge, I just came across it today. I agree its not about what the scale says some of the time, because i have lost around 10 lbs and people that dont see my like everyday tell me how much weight i have lost and they never even knew i was trying to lose weight. I dont work out that much either... not yet, but I will.. I have fibromyalgia and sometimes it hurts to move around too much. Anyhoo... Pants that didnt zip up before are zipping all the way and some pairs even falling down, i dont own a belt lol.... and my bracelet is hanging looser when before it was really tight! It was a anniversary present so i refused to just let it stay in the jewelry box...

Lets keep this post alive!

[mistressishtar]

I def. want to be sizes down, not necessarily weight, even though I am trying to get into the military.

I am perfectly content getting back into my size 10/12 skirts and pants. besides I have tons of these clothes because it's all my pre baby stuff. I hope to be at my goal weight by august, but in my favorite pants in a few months.

Good luck ladies and gents!

[kiss90]

Just got back from Gulf Shores--had a wonderful time. I didn't take any Phen while there because I usually got up too late. If I don't take it early (6'ish am) I can't sleep at night. However, we were so busy I didn't eat much at all and we were on the go a lot. I didn't gain any weight so that's good!

Like many of you I'm finding my clothes are fitting much better. Even my workout pants which are Nike spandexy-type pants. I never thought they didn't fit well until now....interesting.

Thought I'd share with you guys what I've been doing for lunches and it's working really well. Because I work and I don't like leaving at work (besides the temptation), I have been bringin my lunch. I got some frozen, cooked chicken breasts (grilled)--I put this in a plastic container and fill the rest of the container with frozen broccoli. By lunch everything has thawed, I heat it up and it's a filling lunch. I usually have an Activia with it. I believe this has helped me with self-control and keeping my fat intake down.

Today I went to Sam's because they have a better variety of cooked chicken breast and bought some different types. I am tired of the grilled, plain chicken. : )

So I'm down to 202 (I was 200.5 yesterday). Hope to be in onederland by next week....that's the goal anyways.

[phenfriendorfoe?]

Sounds like a great idea to me!! I'm in!

[Kelliee]

Me too...I eat the same thing every lunch...Large salad with 6 ounces of chicken and no fat dressing....Sometimes a 1/2 c. cottage cheese a few hours later....I cannot wait to start grilling out and adding a little flavor to the chicken....thanks for sharing...

[*sparkle*weight]

Okay...I just typed up a very long post and compu ate it.....UGGHH
Here's the Cliffnote version (do they even make those anymore???).
Welcome to all that just joined the "size not weight" extravaganza!! It's all about a life style change!
I had my 2nd month weigh in today and lost SEVEN lbs. last month. Between being sick and little exercise I am super happy. Here's the real kicker....I lost TWO inches on my waist alone....in FOUR weeks!!!!! My body is finally starting to burn off some fat, not just pounds. .
Thank you Kelliiee! My rule of thumb (when I'm not sick) is to increase calories by 200 everyday that I "work out" (no p90x here more wii fit, 30 day shred for me).
OHHHH...those Abacrobmie jeans that I ordered in size 10.....had to exchange them for a size EIGHT

[*sparkle*weight]

Just have to do a shout out...........
GOOOOOOOO
BLUE

*sorry KELLIIEE...both my parents are Buckeye alumi....and then there was me. It broke their hearts.*

[lozbads83]

i started the medi slim tablets which is phentermine. the 1st week i lost 12LB, The 2nd week i lost 6LB and i was meant to get weighed monday just gone but i didnt, as when i got weighed at home i hadn't lost anything...a LB maybe thats all. my will power and motivation has just gone right down now, and feel like giving up. i exercise everyday, burning 400 kals a day off, and running around after my little man! i was eating more though the 1st week than last week so maybe this has a big affect i don't know.
i was that frustrated last night i got a chinese and had a vodka haha..then i weighed myself this morning and put on 1LB what the :O...
i can't tell yet that i have lost anything..but 19LB in 3 weeks isn't too bad ay!
i didn't put any weight on when i was pregnant, i had him in december, and in february i put 2 stone on so i was really down, as i don't know why this happened!
i have a pair of jeans that fitted me perfect after i had the baby, then february they "just" fit.
now they are too big. but i am going to see how big they get instead of being obsessed with the scales! i'm throwing them away..as your weight changed +2.2LB daily anyway, so you don't know what you are, you just make yourself go insane!
anyway..if there is anyone who just stopped losing weight for a while but it got better can you mail me, it will definatley make me more motivated than what i am now. thanks

[Kelliee]

Hey Sparkle -- Congrats for being able to exchange those Abercrombie's...I'm jealous but more than that...I am motivated!! don't worry about saying Go Blue....I've lived in the Buckeye State now since 1988 but I lived in New England before that. Born in Boston....so....I say GO BLUE too!

Okay...I go for my weigh in this morning. Last time I went I was 156 (her scales...my scales said 154). Today on my scale it read 149 (yikes!) but....I have been eating right, working out and that P90X is building muscle for sure...My butt hurts this morning and the backs of my arms....so tender. I know that even though the weight showed up...I can see less fat on my backsides (hips, butt etc) so I don't care what the scale says...is the size just like everyone on here has said matters more. I just weigh myself because ....I'm stupid ???

OH....also, I bought one of the electrical impedance fat analysis thingies...hand held....I have droped 1.5% body fat....so no weight loss...but fat loss...that is what we are going for girls....Fat Loss...who cares what the scale says...no one we know will know unless we tell them...but they can see the booty every time we wear a pair of pants and the stomach.

Lozbads83 - Not sure why you would just stop losing but it might have to do with the eating. You said you ate more the first week and not so much the second. Calories will keep your engines burning and if you don't feed them...they stop. When the car runs out of gasoline, your not going anywhere...so look over your food intake (journal your food and calories in a book if you are not doing it right now so you can take a look back instead of relying on your memory) and see if you did eat better.

A lot of people on this forum lose a lot at the beginning and them find themselves not losing at all. When they look at water intake (too little) and calorie intake (again, too little), they usually start losing again by eating better and pushing the water.

Post what you are eating and maybe we can figure it out for you.

[kiss90]

Went to Sam's yesterday and bought more chicken breasts. I got the Teriyaki and Mesquite--both are already cooked, frozen. Both are 170 calories--that's not bad at all!

So if you have a membership (or know someone who does) you might try it. There's enough chicken for about a month's worth of work meals. For $13 that's much cheaper than going out for lunch daily--and better for you.

Stepped on the scale today--it said 199, then it immediately went to 200.5. I'm sticking w/the 199!! hahaha. By next week I'll be firmly in onderland. Thank goodness!

[Kelliee]

yummy,...sounds good....I do have a Sam's membership so I think I will have to check this out...

Okay, back from the doctors. I lost (according to her) 6 pounds which she said was very good. I think it would have been more if this damn PMS/TOM, Aunt flo would just come and get her visit over with!!!! So I think it is more like 8 pounds because I am retaining big time these past few days.

Got my last script ..but she said she would put me on Meridia if I wanted. I will definitely try it 1 month and see how it goes...just need something to help with the appetite suppression although I might need to rob a bank to pay for it (LOL)...$90-100/month?

So...just wanted to let you know and I am still doing all the crunches, and stuff to fit in my challenge pants on April 11th. I can wear them but they look painted on still....who knows....I'm praying...

[kiss90]

yummy,...sounds good....I do have a Sam's membership so I think I will have to check this out...

Okay, back from the doctors. I lost (according to her) 6 pounds which she said was very good. I think it would have been more if this damn PMS/TOM, Aunt flo would just come and get her visit over with!!!! So I think it is more like 8 pounds because I am retaining big time these past few days.

Got my last script ..but she said she would put me on Meridia if I wanted. I will definitely try it 1 month and see how it goes...just need something to help with the appetite suppression although I might need to rob a bank to pay for it (LOL)...$90-100/month?

So...just wanted to let you know and I am still doing all the crunches, and stuff to fit in my challenge pants on April 11th. I can wear them but they look painted on still....who knows....I'm praying...

Meridia isn't covered by your insurance? Holy smokes, that's a lot of cash. : (

Yeah, try the chicken from Sam's, it's really good. I tried the Mesquite for lunch and I'm stuffed. I'm trying to eat a balanced meal. What I'm finding is no matter what I eat there is a lot of sodium at the end of the day. Who knew there was so much hidden salt in everything we eat??!!??

[kiss90]

Ladies, I weighed this morning and I'm at 196.5!!! Holy cow I'm firmly in the 190's!!! I'm so freaking excited I might tell everyone I come in contact with today! : )

If I go by what my highest weight was I've lost 21lbs. I'm so freaking thrilled. This just motivates me to keep on keepin on!

[sep927]

I lost 50lbs on Phen and then just stopped. I was working out twice a day and I ate nothing but grilled chicken and vegetables. I was so frustrated until.... my workout buddy, and fellow Phen user, made me try on her jeans (she was the skinny one) and they fit perfect. My weight stayed the same because I was all muscle, I almost had a six pack, but I was so obsessed with the scale I didn't even notice.

[kiss90]

I lost 50lbs on Phen and then just stopped. I was working out twice a day and I ate nothing but grilled chicken and vegetables. I was so frustrated until.... my workout buddy, and fellow Phen user, made me try on her jeans (she was the skinny one) and they fit perfect. My weight stayed the same because I was all muscle, I almost had a six pack, but I was so obsessed with the scale I didn't even notice.

You go girl! that's a huge, huge accomplishment. Sometimes it takes trying on something out of the ordinary to realize how well you're really doing. : ) Congrats again!

[HopefulHeather]

Well there is less than 2 weeks to April 11.
I've been working out every weekday after work since before I said I would do this challenge. I think today is the last day of my 5th week. Its starting to become habit now, so its easier to lose count.

At any rate, working out has never caused me to lose weight, ever. It is more than frustrating, and of course, doesn't seem like great motivation to keep going. I read something on here about making fillet minions out of your rib-eye muscles (they have fat embedded in them, and you gotta get it out) so I was trying to use that as motivation thinking: I can't see it but it is happening.

Well regardless of trying to maintain a positive attitude, I didn't, and have been getting pretty down.

Yesterday I was doing something and I saw my arm move when I clenched my fist. Ok sounds strange, but I can actually see the muscle move in my arm when I flexed the muscle, which I hadn't noticed before because of how chunky my arms are. So feeling my arm with my other hand I realized how solid it felt under the not-as-much-as-it-looks layer of fat.
I started doing this with other muscles on my body too such as my legs and so on. I have to say, I was surprised. Sure, I still have a lot of fat, but I think those muscles are getting harder under there due to all the exercise. Finally, the positive thoughts start flooding back in. Its so much easier to keep going when you feel this way.

I never quit though, in this whole past month, no matter how down I felt. I didn't really eat bad, I didn't skip workouts. (no matter how much i tired to talk myself out of doing them, I still did it) I kept pushing myself thinking the day I could start to tell would come. So I hope now It is only a matter of time before it starts showing even more. At any rate I am at least getting back into shape, because even though I have lost a ton of weight I was not in shape at all.

So come April 11, I don't even care anymore if the pants fit.

[thanvi]

Hi Ladies! Hope I can join in on this positive thread! It sounds like you guys are doing amazing!! Congratulations to all of you! I have not gone down much in the scales but a pair of my work pants (which used to be just right sometimes and sometimes snug) are falling off!! I was walking to my car and I could feel it sliding down! YAY and I've noticed that the icky back fat is getting smaller.

I have to be consciously aware of the fact that the scale is not what defines me. It is hard though when you have been conditioned to be a slave to the scale.

kelliee, I know you are doing p90x! How is it going for you? My brother used to do it and I remember just sitting around watching! Keep it up girl! I also opened an account with the daily plate and have been tracking my calories and shifting them like you suggested. So far, I'm feeling good! Thanks kelliee.

I started 30 day shred last sunday and I have been doing it faithfully everyday. It is a bit hard in the beginning and it gets a little easier. It's pretty lame but I really hate jumping jacks and she is all about them on the dvd. I used to do biggest loser powersculpt levels one and two but I've substituted 30 day shred for that. I am still using the elliptical for about 45 minutes everyday.

Good luck everyone! Here's to our new sizes!!

~thanvi~

[Kelliee]

Hey everyone!

I have been AWOL I know but some family stress hit Wednesday night and it took me until today to get back to normal. Nothing major, just drama (you know from the in-laws) and so I skipped my workouts but ate great and so I made it through a time that I would have normally turned to food for comfort...so I feel pretty darn good.

Kiss90 - Congrats on being in the 190's....it's awesome and will surely keep you motivated to see the 180's.

HopefulHeather - I am glad you finally could see muscle and feel how healthy they are. Me too! I made a little bicep curl the other and had had my kids and husband feel it and they were impressed...I too have a fat layer or two that needs to melt away first but you know what...when it does...it will be great! The P90X is very challenging but that is exactly what I was looking for after 3 months of cardio and weight resistance with the machines at the gym. I feel the workouts during and after but I really feel like this is going to help me get what I have been looking for. My husband starts Monday with me so that will be helpful.

Well I did drop a pound after the TOM came and went. Not that the scale is suppose to define us, I know but it is nice to see it move once in a while. I'm hoping that means my April 11th challenge will show that a month of hard work and not obsessing is the best way to get results.

Had neighbors over last night who definitely noticed I had lost 23 pounds. Geeze...finally someone notices. It was nice because for awhile, I thought why doesn't anybody say anything.

Okay so lets keep going girls...size not weight...size not weight....keep saying that. Talk to you soon and happy easter to everyone!