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1/27/12 9:12 P

Maybe u should check it out.

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1/25/12 8:13 P

Great comments everyone and very informative. Thanks!

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1/24/12 5:15 P

Ned333 - I loved your message.

I used to do a very careful food intake, Monday to Friday. Then if I was home at the weekend, i stayed a bit careful (though not as completely as during the week). And if I was away for the weekend (or out for a meal) - I didn't bother myself about watching. I usually found that I didn't want to eat as much anyway.
I am absolutely certain that the change at the weekend, no matter how small, was what kept me from plateau-ing.

I'd really love to get back to that - I just need to get my mind back around to it.

current weight: 252.0

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1/24/12 3:56 P

ned333 - that was an excellent 'testimony' to share. It is such a reality that we need to know and remember. Plus your success at continuing even when you've plateaued is so encouraging. I am trying to listen to my body also -and letting myself eat a complete snack or extra healthy portions when necessary. It makes DH question me but that's good too. I can tell him that 'yes, I need more right now'.

Thanks for your input!!

Pounds lost: 70.6

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1/24/12 2:51 P

6 years ago I lost a bunch of weight quickly (like 50 pounds in three months) and ended up quite sick. There are lots of toxins stored in our fat and when the fat disappears those toxins need to go somewhere. I found that this time around (I'm being smarter about it) but my body kind of took a break for about a month to 'catch up'. So I let it. And now I'm losing again but there was a period of about a month where my body seemed to need more calories. There were also times where I wasn't losing and found that my body would hold on to the weight if I ate too few calories as well. I'm trying to listen to my body and what it's calling for as well as keeping on track with my food journal. I think it's a balance. There are some days where I can't seem to keep it under 2000 calories and other days where it's not a problem to stay within my range of 1600-1800 calories. I don't know if that will help you or just is plain confusing! :)
Good luck in your journey and congratulations on your success!!

Posts: 161
1/24/12 8:33 A

@JERZGURL_NAN - Thanks for the comment on my goal list! I got the idea from another poster. I wear jeans almost every day and I think it is a fun reward, but also practical since every 30 pounds or so I am going to be having issues keeping the old ones on! LOL

current weight: 234.9

336 295.75 255.5 215.25

175

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1/24/12 8:31 A

Oh KIM - that's right - that is another part of the Beauty of SparkPeople. I forgot that they ranges are calculated by the site and that I did not enter them. That's totally reassuring too. Thanks for sharing/reminding us.

Logging in Nutrition and Fitness is what has made this so successful for me!! It actually makes me get up and do some more - which is causing my husband to laugh AND worry some days. (He's a worrier) :) I thought he was going to have a heart attack last night when he watched my Zumba class, but he was good, actually.

This is the BEST place to be - I Love It

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Posts: 161
1/24/12 8:30 A

I did try updating my fitness goals on here and you are right, it did update my calorie intake goal (200-450 calories higher), but I was hoping for some confirmation from something other than a computer program. Logically it makes sense to me, but it also feels a little counter intuitive.

current weight: 234.9

336 295.75 255.5 215.25

175

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1/24/12 8:26 A

If you change your fitness goals to reflect the added cardio your caloric goals should change automatically. the system will recalculate if necessary to up your intake.

current weight: 179.8

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1/24/12 8:20 A

I will be curious to see what other responses you get, BUT my understanding is that your 1800 calories is indeed a great number and the extra cardio is doing what it should. In other words, you are doing exceptionally well. IF you feel that you need some more calories because you don't feel well, that's another story. I think though that you are saying, you are feeling good, just want to be doing this correctly. I'm really excited for you! You've pumped up the exercise - that's awesome - well on your way to a stronger, healthier body - and getting the weight loss reward too. BRAVO!!!


OKAY on the flip side of your message - I have to say how awesome your GOAL list is - but as an old lady who usually only ever has one pair of jeans in her wardrobe - I'd even go so far to say that I've only ever had maybe 15 pair in my entire life - Your Reward of New Jeans totally cracks me up - Thank You. Me Thinks there is a definite generation gap here. ROFLMBO

Have an awesome day!

Edited by: JERZGURL_NAN at: 1/24/2012 (08:27)

Pounds lost: 70.6

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Posts: 161
1/24/12 8:03 A

Before starting this challenge I did very little cardio (maybe 30 minutes of a stationary bike once a week) and I had a 1800 calorie goal that had me losing weight at a reasonable rate. Since I've started this challenge I have been doing the 5 cardio sessions a week for 30 minutes on a treadmill most of the time which burns a lot more calories for me. Based on what the machines are telling me I burn somewhere around 2000 calories a week (that is not taking into account this weeks 10 extra minutes per session). Should I increase my calorie intake? I have been losing a lot of weight which I like, but I don't want it to be unhealthy. I was thinking of increasing my daily calorie goal to 2000. Any thoughts?

current weight: 234.9

336 295.75 255.5 215.25

175