I would have liked to have been in Onederland, but I need to lose 25 lbs to do that, which is a little unrealistic...... so I've decided that Onederland could be my Christmas present to myself.... and if Christmas comes early, well then HURRAH! Karen 356/225/???

I know that lightweights lose slowly, but this is crazy. I am stuck at 140-142 and have been for awhile. The beginning of the month I weighed 141.8 and then I gained to 144 and now am back to 141.2. I just can't seem to get out of the 140's. It is driving me crazy. In July I lost 3 pounds and in August I lost 3.2 pounds. I can't seem to lose anymore than that no matter what I do. My goal is between 120-125 and I have about 16-21 pounds to go. I am really going crazy over this. I don't know what to do. I am exercising and everything. At this rate, I will never reach my goal. I am about ready to give up, please help. I need some suggestions. Stephanie 228/228/141/125

Dear Betty, I'm glad my doctor gave me a goal because I don't have a good sense of what is possible versus what the charts say. It all depends on your age, how much overweight you were, and for how long. The last time I was at the chart weight for my height, I was in the ninth grade! I can't even imagine trying to get myself there. So I was glad that wasn't where he put my goal. At 170 and 5'5", I'll still be overweight, but that's all. No more obesity labels! Good luck reaching whatever you decide your goal will be. Sally

Dear Christine, I don't think I'll ever reach a normal BMI--too fat for too long--but I do want to reach merely overweight. Best of luck. I did hear something interesting about stalls which I don't know if it is true. Do you eat on a regular schedule? This person said that if you eat on a regular schedule, your body gets used to it so it doesn't go into that starvation mode and hang on to every calorie; therefore, no stalls. I don't know how changing metabolism and simply adjusting fits into that, but I am curious. I haven't had a stall yet, and I do eat on a regular schedule. But I don't know if the two are connected. Best of luck with your goals, Sally

Dear Janet, I am slowing down so I'm happy with a two pound a week loss--I couldn't imagine 5 lbs. a week at this point. If I don't keep my goals very achievable, I just set myself up for frustration. I figure I have another six months to reach goal (and then I'll see if I need another six months!). Best of luck with whatever you lose. Sally