Just thought I'd peep in and see how everyone was doing.
A couple of comments to add my 2 cents on a couple of things.
For those of you who are/have stepped up your workout regimen,
keep in mind that there very well could be an "early stage" plateau in dropping some weight due to the fact that you ARE converting some adipose (fat) tissue to muscle tissue. Muscle tissue is more dense, and there fore what you are losing in fat, may be being replaced by muscle, yet you see no weight drop yet.
Hang in there. As a higher and highter percentage of your body weight becomes muscle, not only are you better "physically fit" in that sense, but muscle tissue burns calories much more efficiently than fat tissue, so eventully the increased muscle will burn more calories "per unit" or "cell".
Walking not only burns calories but exercises the cardio-vascular system too. Never underestimate the good that it too can do in helping your body stabilize to its healthiest composition.
You do not have to be a "workout" warrior to reap the necessary weight loss benefits of exercise.
Naturally the more calories you do burn, the faster the fat stores in your body are converted. The "secret" to weight loss is to simply burn more calories than you ingest. Health-wise that doesn't mean eliminate caloric intake too much. You do need that intake.
Digestion and assimilation is still the most effecient form of energy production the body has.
The biggest calorie concern should be that of carbs. They are what "put the weight on" the most because they are the primary energy producers. Proteins and Fats require the utilization of more energy just to digest.
Don't confuse restricting caloric intake with not eating. You still need all your nutrient groups for optimal body function.....
Carbohydrates
Dietary Fat (mainly be concerned about trans-fatty acids- they are the real trouble makers to your body)
Protein
Vitamins
Minerals
Water
