Greycoral,

Congratulations on the 50 pound loss!! Wow! I'm impressed. It takes a lot of dedication to make that kind of difference. I'm only 4 weeks in, so I have no idea what I'll do whan I hit my 1st plateau. I'm sure it will be discouraging, especially since I've has so much success the 1st 4 weeks (9 pounds).

I've been reading a bit about the "wendie plan" which I'm sure you're familiar with. I'm not sure I buy into the idea of her eating plan, but what I DO agree with is that your body becomes somewhat accustomed to a certain amount of fuel, and gets more efficient at burning that level of fuel over time. So if you give it less fuel, over time it will burn that limited amount more efficiently, hence a reduction in weight loss. That is, your metabolism changes. Exerise boosts our metabolism.

Perhaps what you need to jump start you is not *more* exercise, but a different INTENSITY of exercise. Say, taking a really hard aerobics class, or doing hill repeats once a week on your bike.

Really, I have no idea. I'm just knocking around some ideas, trying to think how I'll approach it when it happens to me too.

I'm just starting to get back into my triathlon training for 3 events I have planned for next year, and I'm hoping that the "new" routine will keep my body guessing, with a big variety of work outs hitting different muscle groups all the time.

Hang in there! You've come so far already. I know you'll get past this hurdle.

Susan