Hi All I called my Dr.'s office today. I explained the episode that I had with passing out. I also let them know what I was eating and how I was trying to break the plateau that I was on. They are sending me tomorrow to confirm what they believe it is, but they told me that it was because my sodium level was to low. One of the things that sodium is used for in the body is to balance and stabilize your blood pressure. Your blood pressure if to low can cause you to pass out. When you lose a lot of weight quickly i.e. the 6 lbs. I lost this week, the fat you are losing is literally peed out. In that fluid is also the sodium. If it is not replaced this can cause an imbalance and down you will go. I actually had a problem with this about 4 months out and was told to add sodium to my diet. Although I never passed out that time, only felt dizzy. Ok ha ha I guess you do have to tell me twice. I am not likely to forget again after butting heads with the wall. I fought the wall and the wall won. I also asked them about how much protein/carb/calories I should be eating. I was told that I needed to have 60+ grams of protein and 64 + oz of water. After watching the protein first, I don't really need to keep track of the carbs and calories for 2 reasons. 1. after eating all the protein I will not feel as hungry and 2. As long as 60+ grams of protein is consumed a day the body will know that it has what it needs and will not go into starvation mode. I will still try to watch my carbs and keep them low, but it is nice not to worry about the calories. If the protein and carbs are low I shouldn't be getting out of control with my calories. I will give it a try starting tomorrow to see how it goes. I did so well the first week of the challenge and lost 6 lbs. initially, adding back in 2lbs after upping my carbs yesterday. I want to get rid of the last 23 lbs. and get to my goal weight!! I hope this helps someone if they are having a similar experience. As always check with your own Dr. as well since they have you on a particular program and know you much better. Take care, Tara Surgery 04/18/05 289/173/150

I figured my percentage and I have lost 83% so far. I have 23 lbs more to go. Hats off to all of you. You are doing wonderful! Tara surgery 4/18/05 289/173/150

Hi Melody. well with friends like her you dont need enemies. Listen , you are doing fine, in fact you have lost 30 lbs more than me. I am very strict with myself and only let myself slip up occasionally so please try to be happy where you are. Keep coming here and we are all honest with one another and give each other terrific support. I cant be done losing yet, I just cant be. I will not have gone through all of this to be stuck. keep your chin up and get right back to it today. hugs from down under Helen

I'm not losing fast in pounds, however I don't think I'm doing bad percent wise. As of today, I've lost 80% of my excess weight starting from my highest weight OR 62% of my excess weight starting from my consult weight. You can figure percent: First take your starting weight and subtract your current weight. Then take your starting weight and subtract your goal weight. Take the first number and divide by the second number. Multiply that result by 100. Example: My highest weight 310 - my current 181 = 129 My highest weight 310 - my goal weight 150 = 160 129/160 = .80625 .80625 x 100 = 80.625 %

I don't know where I'm suppose to post my weight cause I'm a late starter on the challenge but here it is 257 as of 1/9/06. Congrats to everyone else on the past week's weight loss.