Conference rocks::weight_control

    Hmmm...this isn't the sort of answer you asked for, but if you really
    eat the way you say, and work out like you say, then it sounds like you
    are doing the right thing and perhaps you can't lose weight because
    your body is at the right weight for you?
    
    From the Consumer Reports article on weight loss recently, your BMI (body
    mass index) is 
    
    	120 lb * 700 / 62 inches * 62 inches = 21.8 (desireable is < 25)
    
    so, from a health perspective, you are fine.  (See note 806 for more
    information on the article.)
    
    Most people's bodies were not meant to look like model's bodies.  In
    fact, most *model's* bodies weren't meant to look like that, and they
    must live in a state of semi-starvation to keep them that way
    unnaturally.
    
    Also, if you were once heavier and lost a lot of weight, you may never
    get to have the perfect body you want.  It's an unfortunate reality of
    physiology...
    
    D!

    I am 5'2" and 113-115 lbs.  I work out regularly, and wear a size 3 or 4. 
    I set my goal weight at 105, but realistically will probably never get
    down that low, and if I do I think about how I would look.  Not very
    healthy!  Sure I'd love a 24" waist but that is not how my body fat is
    predisposed genetically.  As long as you are toned, realize that muscle
    weighs more than fat and that is what you are probably seeing when the
    scale reads those higher numbers.
    
    Your hips/thighs might never be exactly where you want them.  I have
    been trying to get below 113 for months now, with no luck.  I just
    might have to accept the fact that my body is changing with age, and
    even though 105 was great for me in my 20's, it isn't the ideal weight
    for me now that I'm in my 30's.
    
    -Roberta
    

    Try cross training if you hit a weight or fat plateau.
    
    Whatever you do for exercise, stop it, and pick up something else that
    uses all different muscles at a different intensity for 2-4 weeks.
    
    After that, you can go back to your old exercise regimen.
    
    The more you use muscles, the stronger and more efficient they become. 
    The exercise becomes easier and requires less energy over time.  What
    you want to do is shake up your body with something new.

	Well, I have a minor problem with the consumer reports BMI.

	Based on my "lean body mass", and a fictitious body fat
	level of only 10%, my BMI is over 25.  If I used the BMI
	indicator in Consumer Reports as my measuring stick,
	I'd erroneously (in this fictitious example only...) think
	I needed to lose.

	Just trying to point out that there may be (read: are) better
	ways to understand your body composition and to determine
	if weight loss should be considered.

	Karen

    Thanks for all the info.  I know that I should be able to lose some
    weight, I have been lower, but as one reply mentioned, I just turned
    30 so maybe I will never see 110-115.  I want my want to get to the
    following on inches:
    
    PRESENT			WISHFUL/FUTURE/HOPEFUL?
    
    119-120 Pounds		113-116
    23inch waist		21 1/2 inch
    legs 20 inch		19
    hips 34			33
    size 5 pants dress		3 pants and dress.
    
    I just feel so fat and out of shape lately.  I guess I will join a gym
    and start working out harder than I have been.  If not I will have to
    go buy new clothes since I can't fit into much of my old ones.
    
    Again thanks for the help.
    
    Randi-Lee

    Randi-Lee,
    
    Are you sure you don't have a warped self-image?  :^)  I have a 25"
    waist, and 32 1/2-33" hips, and would trade your 23 inch waist and 34"
    hips for my hips anyday!!  If an article of clothing hits high on the
    waist, I need a 5/6; anything below I'm usually a 2 (misses/petite) or 3
    (junior).  Sometimes I can even get into the girls sizes 12-14.  This
    is why I feel 110 is the lowest I can get without looking emaciated or
    unhealthy.
    
    I tried Mike's suggestion of cross training, and that is what got me
    from 118-120 to 113-115 (substituted both walking and the life cycle
    for the trampoline).  Now I am stuck, but really would like to try for
    110.  I just switched back to the trampoline, and probably should lower
    my calorie intake a bit and cut back on refined sugar (too many fat
    free treats!) to accomplish this goal.
    
    Good luck!  You sound in great proportion to me!!
    
    -Roberta
    

    
    .0
    
    Husband uses Scardales' diet to lose 5-7 lbs a week when quick fix is 
    needed. Others don't work well or not at all, perhaps because he's way 
    below norm. at 6'4", anything over 170lbs is too heavy for his hernieted 
    disks.