Hi Carol,

I totally know your frustration. I've been walking more, been eating healthier (less desserts and fried things), and I've still got the post-baby tummy from hell.

But here's what I know. You've got to figure out a way to enjoy these lifestyle changes. If you hate your exercise routine, you've got to find a new one that you like. And if all the joy has been sucked out of eating... then you've REALLY got to fix that. I'm one of those people who live to eat so the thought of you miserably eating breaks my heart. Seriously! life is supposed to be enjoyable...

Now we've seen your daily eating diary and I have to tell you about the Japanese philosophy for healthy eating: Variety. They think you should eat 100 different food items a day (something like that). That means you eat tiny portions of lots of different things. It's supposed to keep your body on its toes. You can see how that might work. It keeps your body from getting in a rut.

So here's Lora's (I'M NOT A DOCTOR) recommendation. How about you shuffle up your eating for the next few weeks. Just go crazy! Well, not CRAZY. But eat the foods you enjoy in smaller portions.

Carol: You're right on track, judging from the other readings you gave. It's possible that, if you took your dietary and exercise regimen to the "next level" of rigidity, you might get body fat to reduce somewhat. Chances are by now that you are at stable values. As long as they don't increase.

And, the tedium never improves!

One of the things that happens as we age is that we lose muscle mass. So, you can exercise aerobically, have a normal BMI and still have a fair amount of body fat. What you may want to do is work with a trainer to find ways to build muscle mass. Then you might be able to lower your body fat percentage. The loss of muscle is a big issue for women that are not on any replacement hormones post-menopause.

Crappy day:( Sorry about the screening. Kudos for your cholesterol and blood pressure. There are many different indicators to good health. These are two of them. Something must be on the right track.

I hate running hard or hiking with people who are super competitive. Not fun and hurts my calves.

Do you like to dance? My son and I blast the stereo and dance crazy every so often and it feels great!

We also sing really loud. I recently discovered utube and we will listen to the Pointer Sisters or Michael Buble while dancing around.

Bummer about the joy being sucked out of eating.

What do you eat? Its weird, but my most favorite food is the steamed veggie plate over wild rice from our local cafe. The more veggies I eat the more I crave them.

Let me know if you want some yummy quick fill you up veggie ideas.

I am sick of the diets, exercising, and medications from doctors it is like for two years I have been killing myself and I have no results. I do what the doctors, nutritionist, dietitians, and what ever other persons says and I gain more weight. I what some answers I told my doctor at the last visit why I do all this and gain weight. I can say all this exercise I have tight skin but it is still big I havent lost any weight. So what does he say lets send you to a endocrinology doctor so now I have an appointment for April 9th to see what they say. Does anyone else feel the same way on here? What is a woman to do.

Hi eppy,

Sounds frustrating. Maybe the endocrinologists might have some useful information. I know what it is like to work hard and not see any results for a time. Eventually change does happen. But it can be tough making it through the rough spots.

How do you feel? I just feel so much better when I exercise. Difference for me is night and day.

Hang in there!

I hope she helps me also. It is very frustrating but I have hung in here for over a year now. I do feel good after I exercise and my Blood Pressure is very good and low. Thanks for the encouragement. Talk to you later FriendBee. Have a Happy Easter this weekend enjoy the family and friends.