Today was my second weigh in, and I feel great!!!!  I lost another 2lbs =)  Yesterday evening I alternated walking and jogging for a mile.  It felt great.  I haven't jogged for awhile and it felt good.  Clothes are starting to fit a little looser.  My back is starting to feel better and better each week with the weight loss.  This Saturday I'm going to an engagement party, but I have already looked at the menu and have decided what I am going to eat before I get there.  Later in the evening there is going to be dancing so I will be able to work off my dinner.  My husband and I love to dance =)  Looking forward to next week's weigh-in!

sw-200, cw-196, gw-135

Hi WashingtonRoll,

Congratulations on your success! Isn't it great to be able to be more physically active and to have your clothes getting looser?! Every pound that you lose takes 4 lbs of pressure off of your joints so you will definitely notice a difference in this right away.

Keep up the great work,

Betty Kovacs, MS, RD

 Thanks Betty for the support and information.  I did not know about the 4lbs of pressure off the joints for every pound lost.  That is amazing!  I actually gained 1 lb. this week, but I still feel good.  I watched what I ate and worked out hard this week.  My husband and I went dancing this saturday for about 3hrs.  I didn't have any problems with my back.  I'm going to stick to my guns and hope to have a good weigh in next week.  This week is going to be a little bit of a challenge.  Depression is one of my triggers that makes me have unhealthy cravings.  I just found out on sunday that my uncle(who is like a father to me) is dying of esophageal cancer.  He is being placed on hospice.  I am trying really hard to control the cravings.  I'm trying to work out harder to relieve some stress and anxiety.=(

Hi WashingtonRoll,

I am so sorry to hear about your uncle. Many people use food to cope with depression. Unfortunately, the food is a temporary fix with long-term consequences if you gain weight. There are times when there is nothing that you can do about how you are feeling. It sounds like nothing will completely take away the stress and anxiety over what you are going through. You can find comfort in friends, family members, and healthcare professionals. You can look for things to do that will bring you happiness and peace outside of eating. Are there places that you can go, hobbies that you can take up, or activities that you can join? Like I said, none of these will make your situation any less intense, but they will give you some much needed breaks.

Please keep me posted on how you are holding up,

Betty Kovacs, MS, RD