Hey, I think we're in a similar place right now. I've taken off about 15-20 lbs and am trying to get another 15-20 down before I'll be at a good weight.

I also carry my weight in the middle and have been asked if I'm pregnant :P Uggh! To make it even more annoying, as I've been losing the first 20lbs over the past 5 months.. It has been coming off of my stomach the least! So it looks like if I want to make a good difference in my stomach, I really HAVE to lose this next 20 lbs because that's going to come off last!

To jumpstart "phase 2" of my plan, I've started to supplement my trips to the gym with a variety of exercise videos - I'm hoping that this will help me get around excuses (Sometimes the gym isn't open when I want to go, or I get home too late and don't feel like going out again.. so if I can get a good workout in my living room - there's no excuse!) .. I'm about to start trying to do an excercise video every day AND go to the gym (I know I wont always be able to do both, but if I do both on some days I'm doing better than just one or the other every day!)
And I'm getting more serious about my diet.. Until now I've just been "trying to eat better".. Now I'm actually starting to count calories and pay close attention to portion size. I'm also paying more attention to snacking... phase 1 was to snack less and to try to snack on healthy things. Phase 2 (now) is going to be to try to drink water and herbal tea instead of most snacks.

I can't really recommend any of this because I'm just starting out myself, but this is how I'm trying to handle it :) I've been using the workout videos for a week or two and at first they were flooring me! but now I'm building up all new weird muscles and getting used to it so this week I'm starting to try to go to the gym and do the work out videos..

Good luck! and feel free to message me or anything if you need some support.. I'm here a lot.. usually just babbling to myself in my journal and trying to keep my spirits up :)

I really dont like how long it's taking to lose this weight, but I know it'll be worth it to get back into good shape!

Hi mayfly
i go to curves 3 times a week and am also thing of doing my exercise videos at home, i have a dance video a hoola hoop video and a belly dancing video, i just have to motivate myself a bit more.
I did hear the more calories you eat sensibly the more you burn during work out, i dont know if you have heard of this or not.
I do count calories, i dont usually go above 900 to a 1000 a day, even if i barely eat at all im just not loosing.
I pretty much live on tuna salad, light mayo, chicken curry salad light mayo and soup 100 calories and a few lowfat low sugar desserts like lean and fit yogouts or the choc pudding with no sugar low calouries, not sure where im going wrong.
Yes being asked if your pregnant is the worst, the last time it happened at cashout in wallmart so i very loudly exclaimed"IM JUST FAT NOT PREGNANT!!, you should have seen the lok on her face!!! she went very quiet very quickly.
Any advice from you would be wonderful.
Well Done In Your Efforts and motivation on your diet!

Ok. Listen up! 900-1000 calories a day is very little. It is best to at least stay around 1500. You must stay above 1200 unless you are cycling for a fitness competition. Since none of you seem to be doing that, trust me and stick with 1500 calories. When you did below 1200 calories your body is not getting what it needs to fuel you workout programs and it is going into what we call "starvation mode". Your body will hold on to every ounce of fat it can to "survive" and it is going to settle around your middle because this is where your vital organs are. The fat is there to protect your organs. Make sense? Eat 5-6 times a day; every 2-3 hours. Eat healthy things!

Ok from there. Cardio is only going to do so much and you will end up "skinny fat". You will be slender, but have very little muscle tone. Lift weights and I'm not talking about the 5 lb. weights either. Don't be scared of the bigger weights. When the 5's are light move on up to 8, then 10 then 15 lbs. This will not cause "bulking". Women do not have the testosterone levels to cause the bulk. The women that look bulkish are on male hormones. This is not natural so don't be fooled and don't get stuck in the light weight high rep gimmick. If anyone has any other questions I will be more than happy to help. If you decide to get a trainer make sure you ask who they are certified through and how long they have been training. Your program should be tailored to you!