The reason I like the weight machines is because you feel the difference in your shape with very little effort. I hardly lift anything, but my arms are more toned than before, and my posture is better. Little things have to mean a lot when you're working on a goal.

I agree...Little things...heck ANYTHINGS do mean alot! I'm going to try to lift (either w/weights or machines) 2-3x week. I was really sore last 2 days from lifting hard on Friday. But..I'm ready to get back at it.

Here's a sample of my proposed menu (I dont' tend to vary it much) for the week:

B: usually 2 - 3 eggs (I have Great cholesterol..so this isn't a problem) coffee w/splenda and 1/2 and 1/2, celery/cucumbers
snack: 1c nonfat plain yogurt
L: tuna on salad, water,
snack: handful of almonds
D: chicken + cauliflower and greenbeans

Hey Holly!!

Have you managed to add in fish yet? How was your eating over the weekend?

Hey Judy! Was thinking about you today. I did have some salmon earlier in the week (yum!). Overall, my eating was better than before (no chips!!)...but still not 100%. I find it harder to eat on plan w/no structure, so the weekends are particularly difficult for me. Went out to dinner w/my parents in Maine to italian restaurant, and ordered pasta on side vs all together; didn't even touch it! I'm looking forward to a structured GOOD week...with lots of good exercise and sleep!

Hope you're doing well. Hope the weight lifting I"m adding in gives me some more results. I"m happy w/my 2"..but i have a few more inches (and almost 15lbs) to go!!

Sounds better to me too!! "progress...not perfection!!"

Holly,
are you sure you're getting enough calories? also, with weight training, my body always seems to respond better with higher numbers of reps and less weight; just wanted to share. i'm sure everyone's different.
by the way, i think you're doing great! scales are stubborn.

Not sure if this will help you, but...I've been where you are-- lots of exercise w/ little scale movement. With a lower carb WOE, YOU WILL SEE RESULTS! Those results will likely show in sizes (inches), not always lbs.

Me for example-- started lc at a healthy weight (135), sz 6. After 2 years, I was 133, but wore a 4, with a 2 thrown in here and there for good measure...

In my pictures, people always thought I'd lost weight, when the truth was-- I'd just toned up! I gained a LOT of muscle. Weight training worked wonders...

Be encouraged-- exercise is a beautiful thing.

this IS a great question....so, HOW DO I know that I am getting enough. For example, for Breakfast, I ate 3 eggs + 1white, a drinkable non fat yogurt, 2c greenbeans (raw) and coffee. I was still hungry after this. I didn't bring enough food for a snack, and I ate a good 2-3c serving of homemade lowcarb chili...and I am STILL hungry. Whenever I've entered my calories (on a clean day), into Fitday, I tend to be around the 1200-1300 mark. I guess the old addage is...if you're hungry, then EAT!!! But..a calorie guide would be helpful.