Hi Joyce.

Yes, I'm almost 5'9" Even averaging 41 points a day, I'm losing well now,
so I don't see 28-30 being a problem later. (although I'd rather eat 40
points....LOL)

However, I look really good even at 200 pounds because of my height. (about
a size 12) I took the goal WW gave me, but I'm going to go by how I look
and feel, what size clothes I wear, and how easy it is to keep losing. I
won't starve to maintain a lower weight. If I have to weigh 180 to be able
to eat comfortably, then that'll be what I do. I'd rather maintain 20
pounds above WW goal and not struggle, (which might mean eventual gains for
me because of discouragement) than be smaller and have to work all the time
at it.

My body is what it is. I wish I'd accepted that when I was younger and I
wouldn't be on this journey now. I weighed about 150 in college, and felt
really fat because my (shorter) friends weighed 130 or so.

I'm finding the same thing with exercise as you do. Each day gets a little
easier. After two miles, this morning, I felt just comfortable, not hurting
or tired at all. (my heart rate is still about 130, but I seem to be able
to handle that more easily now.)

Carol

--
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318/254.6/169
63.4 lost since December 2002
I am a slim person in process.
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"Joyce" wrote in message
...
Earning those exercise points is a real mystery, as it is another area
that seems
to be constantly changing. I no longer can go for length of walks (such
as 2 or 3
miles), I can really only count length of time coupled with intensity
level. 4MPH
seems to be about a minimum level for me to get the heart rate up now. I
was
exhausted earlier this week so set the treadmill lower (3.5mph) - after 45
minutes
I was barely sweating ... and that was walking on a 15% incline level
(highest my
treadmill will go). So, figured it as lower AP's and that it was better
than not
doing anything at all. The problem kicks in as if I go much over 4mph I
am
virtually running. I'm not short (am 5'6"), but unfortunately all my
height is
upper body - got blessed with wide shoulders and gorilla length arms ...
along
with short legs. Bad knees from youthful exhuberance prevent me from
running,
unless I want to suffer the consequences ... which I don't. So, 4mph it
is for
me.

I do agree that I want to exercise for the benefits it provides as well as
how it
makes me feel. But it does seem to be a double edged sword. I don't want
to
think of it as a means to eat more food, but it is a fact. If I don't
exercise,
then I MUST cut back on the food consumption. No other way to get around
it,
unless I want weight to come back on.

I would think you could comfortably maintain on 28 or 30 points, I believe
your
goal weight is a bit higher than where I am ... and would assume that
means you
are also taller. Again with that sword scenario G ... if the exercise
goes,
then so does the food. Guess it's another one of those healthier facts of
life.
And healthier is what we are aiming for.

Joyce


On Thu, 02 Oct 2003 13:57:50 GMT, "Carol in NC" wrote:

Hi Joyce,

I know that I wont' be able to eat this many points at maintenance. I
guess
I was trying to say that being able to eat more NOW as I lose, will make
the
maintenance level higher than if I didn't stoke my metabolism. (Before
Flex, I was GAINING on 30 points a day.) That is why I'm so excited.

I have found that it gets harder to get the exercise points. One thing
that
I'm struggling with now, is trying to keep my enthusiasm for exercising
under some kind of control. I currently get 5 points for 3 miles of
walking
and 3 points for 2 miles. That will decrease. This past week, I settled
for a 2 mile morning walk instead of pushing for the 3 mile. Why?
Because
to get 5 points later, I'll probably need to walk 7 or 8 miles. I know I
won't be able to do that easily every day, so I'm working on ENJOYING the
exercise, so that I'll want to keep the regularity of it up...regardless
of
how many points I earn. (and can eat....LOL) In other words, I'm trying
to
do exercise for exercise sake, not for food possibilty sake.

I do believe, though, that maintenance will be easier for me than it
would
have been without Flex...simply because I'm eating 50 now. Perhaps, I'll
be
able to maintain on 30...perhaps 28. Time will tell. All I know is that
I
want to get my metabolism purring well.

I lose a point a day in another couple of pounds. That'll be the next
hurdle.

Sorry this is so long....I guess everyone can see that I have a new found
excitement for the process.

Carol