In spite of my reported plateau, I did manage to lose 1.5 lbs since last week's weigh-in.  The goal for each week is 2 and I overachieved early on so I had some breathing room.  I am still 1.5 lbs ahead of target.  In other words, if I only lose half a pound this week, I will still be on target.    But I want to keep that margin of error, so I'm still going to aim for the 2 this week, in spite of plans to go out of town (always a diet and exercise killer for me -- must resolve to hit the hotel work-out room).

I have upped my exercise an additional 15 minutes, which is an increase of 50%, so hopefully that'll make the difference and send me crashing through the wall. 

My friend Tim left a comment that I should pick out a form of exercise that I really love in order to sustain it, rather than bore myself to death on the stationary bike.  I told him that the only exercise I have ever truly loved has been running and that I'm just too heavy to be able to do that right now.   He argued with me, but it is true.  The stress on my joints is a consideration when I am still carrying around an extra 67.5 pounds, don't you think?  Perhaps in another 20 or 25 pounds it will be more realistic.  I did, however, remember another sport that I loved -- tennis!    So now I just need to find someone who is pretty lousy at tennis to play against, then find 2 free hours two or three times a week, and a willing babysitter to come to my house!  Yeah, that's what I thought, too. 

Not to diminish Tim's own efforts -- which have been Herculean since July 1st -- but I chortle to myself whenever he says:  "I just do my exercise first thing in the morning."  It is definitely different for men/fathers.  Who is going to watch all these children first thing in the morning when the King is working, or out of town, if I'm not in the house?  Who is going to nurse the baby while I'm out exercising?  Who will make sure the other two get a decent breakfast so they aren't whiney before their math (1st) lesson is even done -- if I am out taking care of Numero Uno??  Now it is true that, in lovely weather, I can take them with me, Baby in the bionic backpack.  If the school work is caught up or we don't have to rush some subjects because we are heading off to Scouts or Boot Camp or piano lessons or ... you get the idea.  Or if the planets align just so, I can hurry off for a walk with the big boys when Baby is down for his nap (and the King happens to be home working).  But I really just can't march off at will and get some fresh air.  Although Tim isn't just getting air, he's accomplishing great things!  Check out HIS X Blog.  Puts me to shame.  [Sidenote:  When I dipped over to his blog to get a link, I noticed he had linked to my last blog!  How sweet!]

Anyhow, my point is not to make excuses, but maybe to say that integrating truly interesting exercise into your day to day life takes a willing and present partner -- a partner in juggling the duties of parenting, as well as in encouraging one another.   Alas, while the King is really trying to stick to the South Beach Diet program, he's a little limited in being able to help me with the children in order to free me up.  So for now, I just feel so thankful that I have the option of the stationary bike, in spite of all my whining.  It is there for me day and night and I have found myself on there, getting my time in at midnight a time or two.  Nice to have that option in a sometimes topsy-turvy routine-challenged life.  And REALLY nice to have a friend like Tim -- a natural and professional motivator -- there to motivate me onward in a slump.  I also know Tim goes out of his way to make sure Mrs. Tim gets her turn to exercise as well, and that is priceless. 

I'm looking forward to warmer days when waterskiing will become part of my regular exercise program!