heidij123's Journal, 27 October 2016

Do you measure using a tape measure as well as weigh? You might put on weight, but it could be healthy muscle, which will itself make you more efficient at burning fat.  

You WILL do it!! Where in Ibiza are you going? We have just come back from Santa Eularia, which is lovely, well worth a visit not at all tacky - you will like! 

Goals are important to have but they shouldn't be set in stone! Life has the habit of happening and sometimes you just have to adjust your goals! Best wishes :D  

Well done on the loss! Keep doing what you are doing, you will get there! 

Yes, I do measure sometimes, and occasionally use callipers to measure fat too. I did find that after the summer, when I had been more or less been maintaining weight for about 6 months, that my waist was slightly less, and fat measurements seemed to indicate that I still had about the same amount of body fat as 6 months before, but that it had moved around! I have no reason to think that I might have gained muscle. I do about the same amount of walking most of the time, and I don't do any kind of strength training. In any case, the recent gain occurred the day after a meal out, and has gone again now, which looks to me to be exactly what I would expect from an excess of salt, as restaurant food invariably contains more salt than I would get in home-cooked food, causing water retention. I was just surprised at the amount of the gain this time, and how long it took for it to go. It's all good now though! 

@spiritspell, you're right! At the moment I am trying to find ways to make this goal by making adjustments to life, such as not eating out too often. But there definitely are things that one cannot control, or times when there are overriding reasons to 'go with the flow'. I am usually very flexible in my approach - just keen to make this goal if I possibly can, otherwise I could feel my motivation slipping away. It's hard to keep motivation going for a long time, 16 months for me now and counting. I want to get to my final weight by end of March if possibly can. For that, I need a plan. This is my plan! 

It's trickier now Heidi. I am not looking forward to this stage when and hopefully I can get there. There are buddies here doing the same. I know you will get that goal you want ready for Xmas. It's all doable Well done so far🌹 

Targets are lovely but devastating if not reached. You are a braver woman than I! I'm just vaguely hoping to be my goal weight before I die yet another Prime Minister pitches up . . . 

Maria, we're going to a beach area near the centre of Ibiza town. Looks like a nice hotel with a big garden and pool area right on the front. Not that it will be pool weather! We're interested to have a look at the old town, and we have a car hired for week so that we can explore the island. We live in a lovely rural part of Spain in the winter, and it's only about 45 minutes run to Benidorm. We sometimes go down there for a change of scene. It has its tacky aspects, but also a beautiful and clean beach and promenade, and some quite grand aspects too. We're expecting Ibiza to be a similar mix! 

Thanks for support, Debbie and Mrs M 😀 StrangeTrout, the thing is to keep trying, you haven't ever failed till you give up, so never give up! Small steps, and keep trying to go in the right direction, you will get there. 

Nice drop, happy for you! Your holiday sounds lovely! I love the beach so could you please sneak me into your suitcase??? 

Yes, of course! Oh wait a minute, we're only taking carry-on bags! Hmm, might be a squeeze..... 

I am smaller than I used to be, but don't think I will fit in the overhead bin. *sigh* 

Xxx I love that... You haven't failed until you give up. It's my new Mantra. Cheers . Holiday sounds brilliant . 

Great loss. 

Good loss, heidij123. And such a positive attitude. I'm going to steal a bit for inspiration from you if that's OK. Hope you enjoy the trip to Ibiza.