I’m feeling a little bit better. I stayed home today and laid flat in bed for most of the day. It gave me lots of time to think. I am still committed to losing the weight I first set as a goal. I am just not sure that counting anything is the path for me. I am going to take some time to look into some other options that are way less work, and lots more accurate and see where that takes me. I am maintaining my weight right now, so I know I’m not doing anything wrong by re-evaluating.Wify,  Thanks so much for your comments. It was kind of you to take the time to share them with me. I am going solo for now, but will continue to post here in my blog. I have to find what works best for me. I have been trying to keep up w/ the Jones, and only getting more frustrated.  It’s like a baby bird, I need to fly on my own.To all who have commented- every last one of you have made a lasting impression on me. I am thrilled for all of you who are seeing results from whatever way works best for you. I really mean that. It’s time for me to find an alternate plan. PHASE 2, I will call it. Most weight loss plans have different phases, mine will too.  Sher, THANK YOU for your inspiring words. You are an awesome person.Jen, well, I know where you live. So the support we have for one another will continue.Rubes- same goes for you.Holly, you’ll still find me poking around and blog entering.  Tony and Robyn, you have been there from the start.  I lost 20% of my goal weight so far, and a lot is due to your ongoing support. I ride my recumbent bike now, and you have been my cheerleaders. THANKS!This almost sounds like a good bye, and it’s not. I am just beginning PHASE 2.I’m not sure of what will follow on my blog, but I can promise I will be checking in with all of you !!!So here is to PHASE 2. May it bring me the results that I deserve. AMEN!!!! 

Told you I wasnt going anywhere. I had an OK day. I ate well, didnt quite drink all my water, but the night is young. And the night will be long, with lots of potty breaks! lolI spoke to both my ND’s office and PCP office, and scheduled a visit with each on Thursday. After doing so, realized insurance may not cover them both. So, I will cancel one, just not sure which???? The part of me that wants a quick fix says go to the doctor, he’ll hook me up. I know it’s the wrong choice, but……. I know, I need to go to the naturopath. She is going to keep me on the straight and narrow.  I have to give her a chance, and accept that it may take time.  Realistically, any doctor is going to need to “get to know” their patients medical history b4 they can successfully treat them. It really is a trial and error process. I know this, but have a desperate sort of feeling as of late. Am I losing my mind? Am I obsessed with all this to the point of no reasoning?? I dont think so, but hell, I’d love a positive result to show me I’m on the right path.Towards the end of the day, I developed a nasty pulled muscle in my left pec. To the point of tears, if I moved wrong. No idea where it came from. Took some minerals, and some tylenol and will probably try to go to bed early.  Only 3 days til Thursday’s doctor’s  appointment. Looking forward to hearing her idea’s. She’s so awesome. She will first ask what’s going on in my life. Plenty to share there. Then she asks what emotions I have been experiencing most lately?? It’s like an hour long diagnosis, with a homeopathic remedy at the end.  Never any side effects, and hopefully some positive results. That’s my hope anyway.  Thanks to all of you who left me encouraging comments. I feel free, not tracking like I was. It was too much. I was even down a lb this morning. Could stress cause a plateau in losing? I guess anythings possible, huh?Keep up the good work. I’m still here in every way, just no counting for now. 

I am taking a break from all the calculating of numbers. I am almost wondering if it has absolutely overwhelmed me. So no more calorie counting, no more protein/carb/fat % counting. Maybe the scale, but for the time being, I’m taking a break. NOW, this does not mean I am quitting.  I gave what I was doing plenty of time, and I’m just not feeling it was a useful way to use my time. If I had seen better results, maybe, but…..I AM going to see the doctor. I’m going to my PCP (primary care physician) first, to see what he/she( it’s a large practice, and you never know who you will see) has to say. I also have a N.D.(naturopathic doctor) who I will also visit. I have to say, she always listens to what’s going on in my life b4 she even starts her visit. Sometimes she will treat anxiety, when I am complaining of something entirely different.The last visit I had with her was almost a year ago, so it’s time anyway. All her Rx’s are homeopathic, so I feel better about that. She had mentioned back then that my weight problem could be hormonal, but she wanted to keep that as a last resort, and we never got there. I am now wondering if maybe she was on to something. Everything else she recommended  didnt work, and I was only a little successful on my own. I bet my PCP will give me a Rx for something. Tell me I’m depressed, run some blood work. They dont really listen to me. It seems they are “pushing” whatever new drug they were most recently updated on. There is no empathy, or concern. I feel like a customer in a fast food restaurant. “We’ll give you a #3, only take at night, then a #6, just in case. OH, you are allergic, we must have given it to you too many times. You cant have a #6 anymore then”. I do my own research, which I have done for 69 days now, and it’s almost humorous hearing what they have to say. I am a bit of a skeptic with doctors, you think?????  I have found, I know what they will do b4 I even get there. So, here you read what I think they will do, and after my visit, I will elaborate.AGAIN, I am not giving up. I am just not happy with my current routine, and it isnt good for me to continue. I will find a new way, I promise myself that, and will certainly share it with all of you.This is not just a venting session, I am not like that. I have to find an alternative way, or I will at some point “throw in the towel”. This entry today is me proactively making choices to impact my life. I am doing what “I” need to do, to stay on the right path. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and I welcome any and all comments. You have been with me a long time, and have to have read the frustration in the last few weeks. I am thrilled for all of you who are experiencing success each week, and I want to be a part of that celebration.  I know each one of us has had a bad week, and how it impacts us. Well, I have had the last 3 weeks like that, and I cant do it anymore. It wears on my mental state of mind. I know I have a thinner, healthier body inside, and need to do what I need to do.   

Weigh in day- no change- I am still holding at 197 lbs. I am not upset, as I think my body doesnt know whether I coming or going. I think it stalled as my calories have remained consistent. I was hoping the exercise would have bumped me over to the losing side, but not yet. No worries. I love the bike, so even if I didnt shed another pound, I know it’s good for me.  I’m tired of tracking stuff and not seeing any results. I wonder if I will continue?? I know I need to make a change somewhere, but am stumped. I have recently thought about going to the doctor. I feel after 67 days of diligent eating,  I would have lost more than 10 lbs, or at least not stalled. Anyone have any opinions? I come from a family with heart disease, and I’m a little concerned for my own health. I’m fine, dont get me wrong, but the extra weight cant be good for me. So I think I may schedule an appointment and have a little chat with the doctor. I just want to weigh all my options.  No pun intended!!! lolok, enough serious stuff. We just got home from the hockey game. We won, 4-0. It wasnt too rowdy of a crownd, but we had decent seats. My 14 yr old daughter invited a friend, who had never been, so it was a treat to all. We even got our one token fight of the game. With unsportsman-like conduct and everything. I use to work for the WolfPack doing promotions a couple of years ago. It was fun to be back there. There is a certain energy- I love it.Due to all the running around, I am going to save my bike ride for tomorrow. I’m not going to say I missed it, cause that draws negativity, so I will ride again tomorrow. There are no hard fast rules here. I ride the bike because I enjoy it.  It’s just that simple.Have a great weekend!!!! 

I completed my 30 minutes on the recumbent bike, while watching Survivor. I rode 5.9 miles, and burned 149 calories. Felt good, got heart-rate up for all of the time, sprinted the last minute. I can honestly say, I’d be very disappointed if I missed my daily ride. Although tired, very refreshed. YAY for me. 4 in a row. My routine is in process. I dont plan on complicating it at all. I will continue my 30 minutes, and if I increase my mileage- great. FYI- the rest of the day went well. I had role play training today. I got high marks, but I am my hardest critic.  I accept nothing less than my best, and had to be reminded this was newer material and give myself some time. I will accept that, but continue to improve. Today was actually the most fun I had at work, as I got a taste of what I will be doing.I also was the highest bidder on a 4 pack of Hartford WolfPack AHL hockey tickets for tomorrow night. We were planning on going anyway, but this way I saved a few dollars, and the money went to a charity. WIN WIN as I see it.Gotta get back to Survivor- hope all is well. Thanks for stopping by, and your comments are very much appreciated. 

I DID IT! At 10:15pm, hopped on the bike to get in my time. Didnt push myself too hard, but still pleased with results. Rode for 30 minutes, rode 5.5 miles, and burned 143.6 calories. YES!Tummy feels ok, no lightheadedness. I think I’m good.  I’m proud of myself for getting on the bike. It bothered me to think I would miss a day, after I JUST started this routine.  I’m 3 for 3, with all intentions to continue.Just a short note, as I’m trying to get a full nights sleep. Give my body the rest it deserves. I have a big training day tomorrow. Lots of “role play” stuff.  YUCK! See you all tomorrow after work, unless I get a minute during the day to at least read your blogs. Thanks for stopping by.I own the  Stamina Magnetic Resistance Recumbent Bike . I bought it from Walmart for 108.67. Definitely on the lower end of $$$$. I am SO happy with it. Maybe I will upgrade one day, if I really get into it, but this was just the best bike for the money.  

Weight loss “It goes without saying that the recumbent exercise bike can help you with weight loss, but this type of device can help you concentrate on losing weight in the right area. The legs, thighs and abdomen are all engaged when you use this exercise equipment, thus targeting the problem areas. When you use the recumbent exercise bike, you can be sure that you are working with the parts of your body that need constant maintenance.”         “This exercise is very popular for people who do not want to jog and run. Make sure to adjust the seat for your height and so your knee has a slight bend on the downstroke position.”                                                                 —–                Great links,   www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/fitness-basics-exercise-bike-is-back                                       www.pioneerthinking.com/mw_ebikes.html   

I had an OK day at work. Not feeling 100%, and keep hoping it’s the change in weather, maybe sinus related. Well, I ended up skipping lunch today, just really not hungry. Driving home at 4:30, feeling worse. A lot of head pressure and lightheadedness. Could it be my lack of food or is it my sinuses acting up? I literally got in the house, shaking….. it was lack of food. I scoffed down some sliced chicken(Boars Head) and cheddar roll ups, got into my jammies and laid down. I figured I give myself a few minutes to let my body respond, and fell asleep. About 45 mins later I woke due to massive chills. Climbed under the covers and slept til 8pm. I just had 1/2 turkey sausage and a slice of pumpkin bread. I am not hungry still. I am going to pass on the bike tonight, but will definitely get on it first thing, b4 work, as long as I’m feeling better. I feel ok now, so I have no idea, other than my body was screaming, “feed me”.  I will not be skipping lunch again any time soon. Lesson learned. Catch up with you soon. May tomorrow be a better day!

I got on my recumbent bike before dinner- and pedaled another 30 minutes.  I covered 6 miles tonight( I was at 5 miles yesterday) , and burned 151.8 calories. I have the bike in the living room, where everyone congregates, and it felt good to be back on it. It felt even better knowing I added an additional mile in the same 30 minutes. I actually sprinted for the last minute. I plan to continue w/ the 30 minutes at least for a week, and see how it goes.  30 minutes works for me. I dont have to rearrange my day, or skip something to make it happen. I’m not going to complicate or add to my routine right now. Is it fair to call it a routine, after only 2 days? Well, one day at a time. I guess we make choices once we are mentally ready to accept the challenges. That’s my story, and I’m sticking with it! See you tomorrow.

A fairly uneventful day today, but wait til I tell you what happened at 11:10pm last night. Any guesses??   BREAKING NEWS: Minor Earthquake Hits Area. The U.S. Geological Survey reports that an earthquake occurred in the area last night at 11:10 p.m. The earthquake measured 2.0 on the Richter Scale and caused several residents in Chester to call 911. There were no reports of 911 calls in Killingworth. There were no power outages or injuries reported.According to USGS, the earthquake occurred about three miles from Chester Center, about four miles from Deep River Center, about five miles from Moodus Center and about 18 miles from Meriden Center.  According to the Department of Environmental Protection, Connecticut averages 1-2 earthquakes a year.  HOW BOUT THAT?  AND, I felt it.  DH and I both heard/felt it, and thought we were crazy. I’ve never heard of such a thing in CT. I will try to get back on later tonight, but it is BIGGEST LOSER tonight, so no promises.  I will be riding my recumbent again. 30 mintes is doable, and I will build myself up over time.      Me and Tour de France’s George Hincapie- training for the big race- lol