So good to hear from you! What did your doctor say about working out? I hope you will be okay. Just keep taking it easy. I have to go for my hip it keeps hurting! Keep up the good work!

Hey girl! Thanks for the support. You are very encouraging and a real inspiration to follow. I went to the doctor today and was down by 13 pounds!!! Wow I was so proud of me. The clothes are getting baggy and I just feel better. I can already see a few changes in being able to do the exercises without following Cat. I was never able to do a push up and can now. I am so addicted to all this now. I do have to back off the heart rate too high stuff until after my cardio tests but with that over I can kick my own butt again! I've actually gotten a few others to join the program. I was a former "hate to shop girl' and now my workout stuff just has to match! OMG - I'm turning into a real girlie girl! Thanks for you support and for being the person you are. You think the beach will be ready for us?? hahaha Stay tuned and stay strong!
Melanie

Hi djblackvelvet,
Your note is a nice surprise! Science and Discovery Channels are absolutely my favorites...along with How it is made, anything related to engineering, invention, nature and alternative energy.

It is exciting to see people make such changes in their lives. I have to tell you my sister's story for purposes of encouragement. Last year we talked and she mentioned her desire to lose weight. I reminded her that many people who have a lot of weight to lose are not aware that the portion sizes (for meals) they have been taught from childhood are not proper. Unless something happens to make one aware that their meal portion sizes are too large, they never even realize it. I realized it after observing my Mother's family (all morbidly obese) at potluck reunion dinners with their plates filled and going back for seconds, observing my thin, Sister-In-Law's portion sizes (that I did not think would keep my brother alive), and after my husband told me I ate more than any of the other women he had known in the past. That made me start paying attention. I realized that I had the habit of continuing to eat whatever was on my plate (because of what I was taught as a child) even after I was no longer hungry. So I stopped with the large portion sizes (that farmers used to eat when working all day on the farm) and stopped eating when I was no longer hungry - which helped me maintain my weight better. I shared this with my sister.

On January 3, 2008, my sister started a diet plan with her coworkers and lost 18 pounds just by cutting her portion sizes and starting minimal exercise. This gave her encouragement. Her motto is, "Now what can I do to continue this good trend?" She joined a hospital monitored program that used Optifast (there is a website) and an exercise program. She also read the book, "The Seven Pillars of Health," and drank the required water. She has started adding back regular foods. She no longer wants the trouble foods she used to crave; they do not taste the same to her anymore. As of yesterday, she has lost 60 pounds! She told me she can walk and even hike up and down stairs without stopping to catch her breath and she feels terrific! She got rid of all her big clothes and bought new. People are reacting to her more positively. She is more outgoing. She is getting compliments from many people and is happy and bubbly. Her blood pressure and cholosterol have dropped. Following her motto of now what else can I do to continue this good trend and keep the weight off, she was going to join a gym. I told her about the Bowflex (as I did not know about Barry's Bootcamp at the time) and she bought the Bowflex and loves it. She works out on it three days a week. In the 45 minutes it would have taken her to drive just one way to the gym, her workout is done. I just told her about Barry's Bootcamp which seems like it would be good for traveling or as a fun alternative to keep from getting bored. I am very proud of my sister. In less than a year, she has changed her entire life! There are other people around me who are struggling with morbid obesity but they will not make the necessary changes of doctor supervision, greatly reduced portion sizes, more water and exercise, and cutting out the cakes, candies, ice creams and other unhealthy snacks. They eat at least two to three times as much as I do at a meal and do not even seem to realize it. They think their obesity is only their problem; they do not even think about those who care about them and their health, and who will eventually end up taking care of them because they refuse to take care of themselves. So you may be able to understand why I am proud of anyone who is making the necessary changes to lose weight and be as healthy as they can be. I am proud of you and want you to succeed! You are giving yourself and your loved ones the best gift you can give them!

This is long enough, so I am going to sign off. Keep up the good life!

Barometerbabe

hey thanks for the add. I've read a lot of your posts and they're really inspiring. What's the latest in your progress?
Look forward to hearing from you....

Hi there and congrats on all of your success thus far. I had read one of your comments on someone else's page and thought I would mention something that might be helpful in the longrun for you. In the post you wrote that you're only eating 800 calories/day. I am a personal trainer and nutritionist, so I wanted to tell you that women should never eat under 1200 calories/day. Anything under that and your body goes into starvation mode...which eats away at your muscle, not fat. You may lose "weight" (muscle) short-term, but it'll mess up your metabolism as well as make you really burnt-out and tired...which isn't good when you are trying to lose 85 more pounds. If your body doesn't have enough energy (food) to fuel itself, it'll start to drag. Workouts will become harder and you'll become more tired. Not eating enough in an exercise routine like this could be detrimental to your muscle development as well as your longterm success.
I love helping people with fitness and nutrition, and been doing it for 6 years. I just received BBC to try out since I love to know what all is going on in the fitness world...and to hopefully pass it on to others. Good luck and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.

down 15 pounds! 85 to go!

DOWN 7 Pounds! 93 to go! WOOHOO!