Hey m'am .

I'm definitely of the view that sometimes less is more (or rather, more is more) . I think sometimes you take off more weight when you eat more, still achieving a calorie deficit, but not such a large calorie deficit that your body holds onto the weight. I also think you need at least one day of rest, so definitely not 7 days of running. Honestly, after a while of eating around 1800 cals a day and I was working out a lot on the elliptical, I hit a plateau that lasted a few months (it ended very recently). I had to start eating more and I stopped working out for about a month, before the weight started coming off again very slowly. I know you've been eating really low and working out loads for quite some time, so be mindful of this odd phenomena. But definitely at least one day off from the running and lifting is without a doubt in order, despite anything your trainer says (in my very humble personal opinion).

make sure you're staying hydrated

One of the hydration tips I was given for the walk I'm doing is to weigh yourself before you head out to exercise - and then weigh yourself when you get back in - and the amount of weight you've l ost thru sweat should be noted.

16 - 20 ounces of water = 1 lbs - so for each pound your down, thats how much yuo should be hydrating..

I started doing that this week and I am losing 3-4lbs during each run so I try to down at least 5 glasses of water when I get back to the house. I never realized that I sweat that much. I thought women were supposed to glow? Not sweat like a pig.

Horses sweat
men perspire
women glow

Yeah, I'm a horse - I have never glowed in my life -I sweat and Im ok with it i think.. long as there's laundry

And lots of deodorant! My husband says I have onion pits after a good workout. Gross! I'm definitely a horse.

I've always taken days of rest because I have always heard that's what your body needs. I was quite shocked when she told me to do this. And she obviously doesn't have children! My dietician wants me to up the calories to 1600-1700, but it is killing me to do this. For some reason it makes me feel really guilty even though the calories I do consume are healthy. I have gone running every day this week but I'm not sure how long I can do that. I already go to the gym 3-4 nights a week for over an hour and it bothers me to be away from my daughter. I only have a little time during the work week to spend time with her.

Amy, you should never feel guilty about eating a sufficient number of calories. Why not look in your area for the resting metabolic rate test. You breathe into a machine and it tells you exactly how many calories your body burns daily for maintenance and during exercise. My insurance covered it as part of a dietitian visit. I would wait until your thyroid is supposed to have cleared up so you'll know going forward how much you need to cut back to lose weight. Lukewarm recently added more calories and took a rest day and I believe she's losing faster now, so why kill yourself with exercise, be away from your baby and starve when you could be losing the same amount or possibly more by doing less exercise and eating more. I think its worth a try and if it makes you gain then I would obviously continue to re-evaluate.

I've never heard of a resting metabolic test that you breath into. Hmmm, I'll have to ask my dietician about that. I would love to know an exact number to shoot for with my calories. Losing weight was so much easier before having a baby! I woke up this morning with body aches and fever so I will definitely be taking today off from exercise. I'm not sure if it's a bug or if I'm overdoing it. Maybe both!

Poor thing, I hope you feel better quickly .

I found the test by searching for "RMR" in my city in google. You just breathe into the machine for 10 minutes and it gives a print-out. I also like to peg down actual numbers with no guessing. Very interesting indeed, though it only confirmed the numbers I had been going with anyway. But it would be a good way to track your road to thyroid recovery.

Mine said my metabolism is 12% higher than the average person of my age, height and weight. I was of course extremely pleased with that assessment. I attribute that to my years of on and off again weight lifting.

I'll definitely be looking around for this. I'd love to know my actual numbers. I am guessing my metabolism is slow right now because of the thyroid but maybe this will show me the thyroid medication is working.

For the first time in over a year I looked in the mirror and didn't despise what I saw. I am still 40lbs heavier than I used to be but I look so much different from my post pregnancy pictures. My stomach is actually flat again! Bigger around but FLAT! Most of my weight is in my booty and thighs. I can finally see results from all the running and weight training I've been doing the past 8 months. This feels great!

I'm really happy for you Amy. Its a great feeling after so very long of being in the body that you're used to. Its almost weird to be back in your original body. I know what you're going through, I hit that turning point about 2 months ago. I think a little extra weight in the thighs and butt you can definitely carry off and be looking good. Eventually we'll both be right back to where we were before we ever even got pregnant, and yet we get to have our adorable little babies to boot . They are so sweet and fun!

Thanks for the motivation Blancita!

I have had a bit of a setback. I have been sick for the past few days and it turns out that it's strep throat. Yuck. So I am way behind on my jogging goal and I still don't feel that well. I am DYING to get back to jogging in the evenings so I can get into that ballgown in September. The upside is that I haven't been able to eat much so the calories haven't been too bad!

Hope you feel better soon.

Be careful around the baby..wash your hands lots .

Dont worry, a few days might be a good break for your tired body. You've really been working out hard these last months.

yuck for strep throaf - do take care of yourself...