. What types of food did you eat this week? Bacon Cheeseburger without the bun; plain smelt sauteed in butter (mmmmmmm!); homemade spaghetti meat/veggie sauce with no pasta; s/f cheesecake jello pudding with a Triscuit as crust, then added fresh strawberry, kiwi, and blueberries; top sirloin steak; still enjoying fresh broccoli or spinach! And maximum three total very SMALL potatoes in a week. 2. What types of exercise did you do this week? Speedwalking with weights, yoga Pilates, stair-climbing. Am getting many compliments on how well toned my upper arms are--lots of work, although very much worth it! 3. How much weight did you lose? Total loss? Another pound; 101 total! 4. What was your biggest challenge? Simply awaiting more consecutive sunny days to proceed with my natural tan! 5. Have you begun your bathing suit shopping? Any difficulties? What's your experience? I buy all my clothes except lingerie at a local thrift store and Goodwill. Bought two size twelve swimsuits too early, and both are too big. So got two size ten suits, which will very soon be replaced by size eight (or six?) *Name 3 goals you'd like to accomplish over the next year? Actually, within three to six months, to attain and maintain at 125 lbs--thirteen to go. **Fun bonus CHALLENGE: I dare you try a new food this weekend and report back with what you tried and what you think. Will stick with the 'tried and true.' Have a Memorable Weekend everyone!

Jim- Welcome back in the game. My progress has slowed as well, but still chugging along. I dump, but only if I knowingly over do it (ok, those 4-5 cookies just had to be eaten...and I paid dearly for it!). I need to get back to not snacking...it's killing my progress...although I know if I stepped up my exercise that would help too. Ahhh...the balancing act and motivation games we play! Congrats on getting back on track! Christina S

1. What types of food did you eat this week? Turkey burger 1/2, salmon, chicken, veggies, strawberries, nuts, and I tried chow mein 3 bites, protein shakes 2. What types of exercise did you do this week? Walking up and down stairs at work 3. How much weight did you lose? Total loss? I gained 1 lb total 76 4. What was your biggest challenge? snacking due to boredom, and eating enough at meals (not hungry) 5. Have you begun your bathing suit shopping? Any difficulties? What's your experience? No *Fun bonus question: Name 3 goals you'd like to accomplish over the next year? 1.) get to goal weight 2.) become more tone 3.) to get my motorcycle license **Fun bonus CHALLENGE: I dare you try a new food this weekend and report back with what you tried and what you think.

Friday Five - Weekly Update! 1. What types of food did you eat this week? Chicken, hamburger (for the first time), cheese, 2. What types of exercise did you do this week? gazelle, walking 3. How much weight did you lose? Total loss? 2lbs - 122 total 4. What was your biggest challenge? I found that I'm not eating enough at meals and tend to snack cuz I get a "little" hungry 5. Have you begun your bathing suit shopping? Any difficulties? What's your experience? Bought a swimsuit for a weekend trip. Had to cut 3 inches off of the shoulder straps to keep the top up, seems I've lost my shoulders. Funny thing is when we were in a wave pool the bottoms keep falling off. *Fun bonus question: Name 3 goals you'd like to accomplish over the next year?

Mariah, Good to hear from you. Like you, this body of mine is a total stranger to me. And the fear...I'm telling you, I feel it too. The gals at St. V's said that the appetite would return at 9 months. They weren't kidding. I upped the exercise then got an infection that I used as an excuse to cut back on exercising. Except I didn't cut the calories. Oh brother. Talk about a few weeks of shame, terror, and all-out mad. When I realized that I had fallen into that old habit of "game playing"--you know where you cheat and lie to yourself about what it is you're really doing about your eating--I knew that my surgeon had been right all those months ago. He isn't a brain surgeon. He may have done my gut, but I'm the only one who can do anything about my head. He wasn't kidding. This past month has proven that to be true. So, I'm back to the serious exercising, so I can break this mental and physical plateau I've hit. Back to total honesty with myself and just plain back to committing myself to my goals: being fit, being happy, and being productive. All the best to you and keep at it. Englishlady1