The scale was more reasonable this morning. Clocked in at 152.8.

Day 37:

6:45 am - 15" Abs (hard) + 35" Tai Fit

4:30 pm - 30" elliptical (fat burn mode, pulse around 141 bpm - I noticed that it dropped. I lost track of time listening to music and the 30" had gone by and I wanted more... drove to Andre's school and found out it is about exactly one mile from my house, so it would be a good marker for running.

Ugh. Clocked in at 153.6 this am. Very heavy TOM, feel like crap but don't want to break my streak... was tempted to sleep in this am.

Afternoon workout was good.

Day 38:

15" Abs + 15" Arms + 35" Tai Fit + 30" Elliptical (1.75 mi)

Clocked in at 151.8 this morning. Got over the worst of the TOM. Ketones high. That elliptical is simply amazing. I think that more than any other exercise routine for burning fat, it has to be up there at the top. I suspect there is something about running that makes it the single best exercise for weight loss... not sure why it is more effective than other stuff, unless it has to do with the larger leg muscles, but it really seems to be the key for me.

Yesterday I did 1.75 miles on the elliptical which for me is encouraging. I'm not a particularly fast person, but more of an endurance type. In fact a couple of years back when I was much heavier I did a 10k walk for charity and was the LAST person in my city to cross the finish line (kinda embarrassing... the county where I live has over 200,000 residents... but at least I made it).

I'm marking down the elliptical since I'm planning to do it again today... I love that darn thing. I've also mapped out a 2 mile route (via car) that I can use to do some "real" running/jogging outside. Not sure how I will do in that venue, harder on the knees, bladder, and my asthma, but I remember how I was able to do it back in '95 and I really loved it then.

Day 39:

15" (hard) Abs + 35" Tai Fit + 30" Elliptical

Clocked in at 152.2. Ketones high.

Upped the Arm workout to 10 lb dumbells. It was fierce.

Going to head to the gym after I get back from my trip to COHQ.

Yesterday I did 1.69 miles on the elliptical. Had a bit of an energy slump... a little sore throat is persisting.

Day 40:

15" Abs + 15" Arms + 35" Tai Fit + 30" Elliptical

Clocked in at 150 today. I kept staring at the scale. It's hard to believe that the weight is finally coming off after being stalled for so long. I have to credit the longer workouts (80 - 95 minutes per day) plus the serious drop in calories (some days under 1000, but not hungry) with motivating the metabolism. I've also noticed a dietary trend that involves more protein and less fat, but still keeping the carbs pretty low (I keep them in that 20-30 net gram stage, but allow plenty of veggies, strawberries, seeds, nuts, and some grains from lc bread).

The ketostrips are still showing high ketones and I literally am seeing the flabby parts of my body shrinking. I've noticed that the fat cells while shrinking are separating from the skin a bit so I can actually pinch the thin layer of skin where I could not before.

25 lbs more to go to get to a decently fit 125. I'm trying to see if it can be done by the middle of July... that may be a bit optimistic, but worth a try.

Day 41:

15" (hard) Abs + 35" Tai Fit

Planning to take the kids running and swimming today. My 7-year old has signed up for a 1.2 mile kids marathon at the Boys and Girls club and needs to train for it for the next 3 weeks.

UPDATE to Day 41:

Approx 30" jogging/walking - 2 miles + 60" swimming

Had a little upswing today. Clocked in at 151.6. I wasn't totally surprised because we had a big dinner the night before, although I had a killer exercise plan yesterday. Today my quadriceps are killing me. I suppose real running/jogging puts more stress on the muscles than the ellipticals do.

Today in dance class I wore my leotard from high school which now fits very well. The dance instructor referred to me when talking to Andy as "your tiny wife." Of course he probably meant that Andy is so much taller than me that in comparison I am tiny, but still it made me feel good!

I also was doing better with some dance steps I had been having trouble with in earlier weeks.

Day 42:

15" Abs + 15" Arms (10 lb dumbells) + 35" Tai Fit + 90" Dancing

Day 43:

6:45 am - 5" (hard) Abs + 35" Tai Fit

3:45 pm - 30" ellipticals (1.73 mi, 330 cals)

My quads did just fine, no pain. I did take 500 mg of l-glutamine this morning, but I definitely think that the angle that the elliptical uses is different from street exercise.

Funny thing I had lots of energy on the machine today. I did indulge in a Russell Stover SF fudge egg left over from Easter. I wonder if the sugar alcohols boosted a little endurance. Now of course, I am gassy. Figures, right?

Day 44:

15" Abs + 15" Arms (10 lb dumbells) + 35" Tai Fit + 30" Elliptical

Ooooh those 10 lb dumbells are really tough. I am able to get through the workout (it's 3 sets of reps in all sorts of positions, rather quick and non-stop--the tricep workout is a beast), but it's a real killer. Almost have muscle give out, but not quite, so I do think I am adequately challenging myself.

I just keep wanting to get up and wander away from my work. I do so hate such a sedentary job.

Looking forward to my afternoon ellipticals. Hilight of my day. Wierd, no?

Day 45:

6:45 am - 15" (hard) Abs + 35" Tai Fit

3:45 pm - 45" ellipticals (used the Reebok machine this time, 30" random level 4 and 15" walk in the park level 7, did about 3.1 mph)

8:30 pm - 30" jog/walk (coaching Alex, ran 1.2 miles and walked .8 miles)

I just felt like I needed an extra 15" on the elliptical and well, heck, I did it. It felt so good. It was cold and crummy outside so the gym filled up this afternoon and I couldn't get a turn on the nice LifeFitness ellipticals.

Got to get in shape for roughing it in the mountains in November.

Clocked in at 149.6 this morning.

Hit 30% body fat last night. I was so thrilled.

Measurements are now 37 bust, 29 waist, 36 hips. (I can actually get the tape measure down to 28 on the waist, but too tight to really claim it!).

It'll probably bump up a little tomorrow, but all in all, it's been 46 days and 10.4 lbs down from where I started at 160, moreover a significant drop in BF percentage from about 34% down to 30%

Here's what's happening to break me through the barrier.

1) daily exercise.... intense aerobic exercise in combination with weights and toning. I started at between 50 and 65 minutes per day and have added 30 minutes + more lately. Key = every day do something. Ellipticals + running = extremely effective.

2) lower calories.... serious ketosis has kicked in probably due to the exercise, and it has killed my appetite, so I'm able to go between 800 and 1200 calories and feel just fine. It amazes me because previously I was a 2200 calorie girl.

3) different nutrition ratios... I have noticed that with the calorie downswing, the grams of protein ratio has gone up. My body is craving the extra protein with the workouts.

4) cutting out most of the lc junk food... trying to stick to more whole foods--I do regular dairy, nuts, seeds, veggies, strawberries, lc bread with no stalling. Rarely lc chocolate, because the maltitol kills me. Occasionally alcohol.

5) very small dinner, and no eating late in the evening.... dinner is the meal that I would choose to skip if I had a good snack around 5 pm or make extremely small. This has helped to keep the calories very low.

6) visualizing success + all the encouragement on this forum.... believe and it will happen.

Day 46:

15" Abs + 15" Arms (10 lb dumbells) + 35" Tai Fit + 45" Elliptical

I am grateful for this WOL. I am grateful for my strong body that I have put through so much over the years. I am grateful for ths forum and all the encouragment that brings me back each day.

Clocked in at 148.6 this morning.

Day 47:

6:45 am - 15" (hard) Abs + 35" Tai Fit

3:15 pm - 30" ellipticals (1.81 mi) + 30" jog/walk (1.2 mi)

Clocked in at 146.6 this morning.

Day 48:

15" Abs + 15" Arms (10 lb dumbells) + 35" Tai Fit + 45" Elliptical

Day 49:

4:30 pm - 15" (hard) Abs + 35" Tai Fit

6:00 pm - 90" dancing

Clocked in at 147.4 this morning. I figured that I would probably be up a couple pounds since weight had dropped so rapidly for a few days--plus I had a bit more sodium and a larger dinner last night.

I'm going to start logging my calories and breakdown here as well for the record.

Day 50:

6:45 am - 15" Abs + 15" Arms (10 lb dumbells) + 35" Tai Fit
3:45 pm - 45" Elliptical (2.69 mi) + 20" Jogging (1.0 mi)

Calories Eaten Today
source grams cals %total
Total: 836
Fat: 45 409 50%
Sat: 13 121 15%
Poly: 13 120 15%
Mono: 14 122 15%
Carbs: 11 38 5%
Fiber: 1 0 0%
Protein: 91 365 45%
Alcohol: 0 0 0%


Calories Burned Today
source cals % total
Total: 2892
Basal: 1417 49%
Lifestyle: 587 20%
Activities: 888 31%

Jeesh... I totally forgot to log Tuesday. Here's the rundown. Tuesday weight = 147.4; Wednesday weight = 147.6. I seem to have hit a step here.

Day 51:

6:30 am - 15" (hard) Abs + 35" Tai Fit
3:15 pm - 30" elliptical (1.81 miles)

Calories Eaten Today
source grams cals %total
Total: 1246
Fat: 80 720 60%
Sat: 28 256 21%
Poly: 7 61 5%
Mono: 18 166 14%
Carbs: 37 87 7%
Fiber: 16 0 0%
Protein: 97 388 32%
Alcohol: 0 0 0%

Calories Burned Today
source cals % total
Total: 2684
Basal: 1417 53%
Lifestyle: 602 22%
Activities: 664 25%

Day 52:

6:45 am - 15" Abs + 15" Arms (10 lb dumbells) + 35" Tai Fit
3:45 pm - 45" Elliptical (?)

Calories Eaten Today
source grams cals %total
Total: 1069
Fat: 57 513 50%
Sat: 24 213 21%
Poly: 3 31 3%
Mono: 16 148 15%
Carbs: 34 85 8%
Fiber: 13 0 0%
Protein: 105 419 41%
Alcohol: 0 0 0%

Calories Burned Today
source cals % total
Total: 2870
Basal: 1417 49%
Lifestyle: 589 21%
Activities: 864 30%