Support Groups - 21-Day Challenge!! -- the fun continues!!!

On day 19!! And down one pound - only two pounds to onederland.

Marti, I used to be a heavy smoker. Quit once for two years and started again, quit for five years and started again, then quit for the final time about 14 years ago. So I know it's not easy. When I finally quit I did so with the help of the patch, so the physical addiction was taken care of while I worked on the psychological part. I realized that everything I did involved a cigarette. It took a couple of years, but the urge has mainly gone now. And it's easy to stay away from smokes now I realize how bad many smokers smell, especially those who smoke in their cars. Keep on trying, one of these times it will work. (One time I quit I bought baskets of new crop baby carrots and ate one every time the urge hit. It satisfied the oral urge, and didn't make me gain weight. And I was so very regular that summer...)

Red, I'm a little slow sometimes, didn't realize you had red hair. You must really stand out in Tokyo, especially if you have the alabaster skin that goes with it!

Don't get too discouraged! Avoiding sugar is a really tough goal. I considered it, but knew I'd be starting the challenge over every second day. and as it is, I really haven't indulged too much. I'm finding the junk control so much easier this time partly because I'm NOT counting calories or excluding anything (except wine and choc/candy bars). I should add that I'm also weaning myself off an anti-depressant, and the evidence seems to show that it was involved in part of the weight gain and uncontrolled binging. Ironically, I also feel more up most of the time. Probably a coincidence, and I'm not off entirely.

My separation happened a little over 2 years ago. I was totally blindsided, still find it hard to believe he showed so little concern for me and our commitment, but I'm improving all the time. The psychotic behaviour has stopped, and I can see his character flaws that let him express his mid-life crisis this way. I was really just an innocent bystander - sort of collateral damage. I've tried to bury the hatchet, but he's too afraid I'll bury it between his shoulder blades and refuses all contact with me. I do know he's lost his job and is doing part-time work, so if he's still with his bimbette, he's once again with a woman who earns more than him. But enough about that.

1nceagain, it looks like we'll finish off this challenge together. I may have a glass of wine and some chocolate to celebrate... :rofl: I haven't decided on my next challenge. I'll be travelling for a week of it, so I'll probably keep the no choc/candy bars bit, and apart from that maybe 8 glasses of water and at least maintaining my weight. I'll try to keep the wine part going most of the time, but have some occasions coming up... What will you do?

Red, enjoy that rain and cooler weather. It's a little cooler here today too, although the high humidity is due back tomorrow. Yuck.

Enjoy the weekend everyone.

Carla : been there don't even consider going back... stay strong and u will find "the one", i promise it took me 2 years to even be ready again to try... but trust me.. there is a wonderful person waiting for u..

dkkrf: my heart goes out to your friend .. an i will keep her in my prayers

Curly, I have no desire to go back in time. I just don't like being angry or having someone angry with me. (My behaviour did get a little extreme. Not that he didn't deserve it, but it was the crazy me, not the real me.) I think I'm better suited to the single life anyway. ;)

day #9 did my workout 2x and got all my water in!!

Finished day 19 yesterday. I can not believe I only have the weekend to get through. Thank goodness I have a free day cause it's gonna be a doozie! A picnic and lunch out. It will be a regular gauntlet! I must say, I don,t feel much of a difference in my clothes or the way I look. Except my face is not quite as puffy. I weigh in Monday. Ugh . . . I guess with so much to loose, it will be a while. Ok . . . Hope everyone else in on track. Have a great evening.

Day 19 finished, only 2 days to go. Tonight I really had the urge to go nuts - was clearing out some old papers and stumbled onto a series of "Love always" cards from my ex. I did snap out of the ensuing funk fairly quickly, but didn't lose the urge to self-medicate. Knowing I have only 2 days left in the challenge got me thru the evening! So thanks to you all, especially Red for starting the thread and being so supportive to us all. Go Red!!! :)

Good for you, Carla! Don't let past hurts keep hurting you!! :cp:

Red, stay away from the sugar! You can do this. You're already halfway through, it's all downhill from here. I don't have soda daily, so I think I can cut it out if I just make that my only goal. I need to, I feel so much better without it in my body.

1ceagain, I don't even have soda daily, that's what kills me. It's not something that I depend on daily. But if one of the kids is up late or if I'm up late (like tonight) and then I have to get up really early the next morning, I'm just dragging. I just want to get it all out of my system though. I went without soda for 2 1/2 years and then made the mistake of starting to drink it again. I don't know how tall you are but I bet within about 10 more pounds, you'll see a pretty big difference in your body. I'm 6 feet tall and right around 25 pounds or so is when I noticed - hey, I have collarbones again! At 35 or so pounds I could fit into size 18 jeans and that's when EVERYONE started commenting on my weight loss. It felt like it happened overnight for me, and I bet that all of a sudden you'll start seeing major differences, too.

dkkrf, I missed the post about your friend before. What a horrible, horrible thing for her to go through. I can't even imagine what she must be feeling. How awful.

Marti, cutting back is a good start. Maybe you need to "wean" yourself off of the cigarettes a little bit. Going from smoking a pack a day to not smoking at all is a pretty big shock to your body, I'm sure. Good luck on your new challenge.

curlylocks, bedroom workouts count as workouts, too ;). A long distance relationship sounds so hard! My DH and I were a whopping 20 minutes apart while dating and it felt like hours and hours, I can't imagine being in different states. That takes some serious devotion. Good for you two for making it work.

Carla, congratulations on being SO close to ONEderland. Won't you feel incredible when your weight starts with a 1 instead of a 2? I can't wait for that. I'm sorry to hear about your troubles with your ex.


Today was day 15, and I'm done! I came mighty close yesterday though, but I stayed under (by about 10 calories!) so it counts. I have gotten in some nice workouts this week, too. I did an hour on the bike yesterday, and today I did 50 minutes on the elliptical and then 25 minutes of weights. I just increased my weights on some of the arm and shoulder machines, and my arms feel like noodles right now. But, I've also got some pretty great muscles showing up, and that makes me so happy.

Day 4 - Stayed in my Pts. No activity pts used,

Day 5 - Stayed in my Pts. No activity pts used

dkkrf - I'm sorry to hear about your friend.

gray eyed girl - Thanks for the well wish on my 3rd day. I had a chance to buy a realy nice elliptical but did the usually thing.. I'll wait til next week. Well someone else go MY good buy!! Darn I didn't know much about them till I started reading the great reviews on 3FC's.

1nceagain - I'm finding SBD a great tool to help me make better lifestyle choices. It sure make a person think about what they are putting in their body!

Red - Yea all that hopping is getting me ready to the the Easter Bunny for my grandson! :)
Sorry for getting this in late. Thanks for the words of encourgament.

Wrapping up Day 13 here. Just another week to go. Gosh, it seems like the days are passing sooooo slowly! :dunno:

mez -- :cp: A big hand for the next two days down! Hurrah! What, by the way, are activity points and why are you not using any? Wouldn't it be good to get them? I don't know the rules. This is Weight Watchers, right? I am glad to hear you are learning from South Beach. As I said before, it's a very healthy eating plan and one that you can live with the rest of your life, I think. Are you still hopping? :cb: Good luck and keep up the good work!

gray eyed girl -- Thank you for the encouragement. :yes: It means a lot to me! :thanks: Good luck on giving up the soda. Take heart in the fact that you were able to give it up for two and a half years and think that you can do it again. :bravo: on getting to Day 15! :encore: And all that exercise! Great going and keep on keepin' on!

carla -- Wow! Only two more days! You are almost there. I bet you feel great about yourself. You better! :spin: What an incredible save too that was with those damn cards, huh? You showed great strength and resolve in being good to yourself and not letting something like that hurt you further. I like to call it self-abuse, not self-medicating because the latter makes it sound okay and it is NOT an act of love, not when we are trying to get the fat off. You didn't do it, beat yourself up and I am proud of you! So glad you're finding the thread helpful and thank your for thanking me! :goodvibes: Also, thanks for the support from you! Yes, I put down the sugar thing, I guess, because I've done it before quite a few times. But, the thing is, no, it's not easy and perhaps having thought of it as such has deprived me of the pleasure I could get from the sense of accomplishment I could get each day I am off the stuff. As for the red hair part, I don't have fair skin, not the alabaster type at least. I have dark brown eyes too so it's a strange mix. As for standing out in Tokyo, I used to, but nowadays virtually every Japanese dyes his or her hair, so you see a lot of redheads! They especially like auburn tints to it and surprisingly it suits them.

1nceagain -- :cp: A big hand to you too for getting through this far. I find it hard to believe your 21 are almost up. It seems like just yesterday you were starting out. Wow. I wish you luck on the scale but we know how that can be, especially since you've been exercising a lot. I did South Beach for a few weeks and I didn't lose weight and my clothes weren't feeling too different but there was some difference and the fat had seemed to redistribute itself better. Good luck! :sunny:

curly -- What more can I say, you are our star challenger! :woo:

dkkrf -- Heh, thanks for filling us in on the accident. It certainly sounds freakish, doesn't it? like it was almost determined to happen, him not feeling well but getting in the water, not being able to get the life jacket. I am thinking maybe he had a stroke. Will they do an autopsy? But, oh, so, so tragic and traumatic for your friend to have been trying to find him. God, I hate to think of what she went through and is going through. And dkkrf, you ARE doing something and you can continue do something. Just be there for her. She will have to get through the grief and your being there can help her through it without her doing harm to herself perhaps. You really mustn't have a guilty conscience about going to your concert and missing the memorial service. You are right, there will be so many people and you need to get away and enjoy yourself too. Pleasure mustn't be put on hold. No matter how tragic death may be, it is still part of life. Today was the 22nd anniversary of my mother's death and yesterday the 20th anniversary of a jet crash here that killed 520 people. I remember it well, how the plane was out of control, couldn't steer and it did this big looping circles for hours before crashing. Afterwards, because the rescue teams couldn't get up the mountain where it crashed for 16 hours! a lot of people who could have survived died. There were only four survivors. At work today, I was reading a story on more tapes being released in the World Trade Center on 9/11. It brought back a lot of memories and certain thoughts closer. Let's remember how precious yet fragile life is.

I am glad to hear you are still determined to restart your challenge when things calm down a bit. We'll be here for you. And have fun at that concert, you hear! :yes:


:kickcan:

mezmerize, I love the elliptical. It's a tough workout, so it can be hard to get myself motivated to do it sometimes, but I always feel great when I'm done. It's right up there with running as far as calories burned - not quite as good, but very close. And it's easy on your knees, which is a big deal for me. Maybe you'll get another chance to buy one - they're great.

red, well done getting through day 13. I have to admit that part of the reason I was able to stay away from soda is because I was pregnant for most of those 2 1/2 years. But if I could do it then, I can do it now. You're absolutely right.

I'm through day 16! I weighed in today and I was still at 208, but that's okay. I'm still losing 1-2 pounds a week, it seems, and that's what everyone seems to recommend. Fine by me, as long as it keeps coming off. No exercise today because of the torrential downpour outside - I'm not going out in that! - but I'm going to go tomorrow.

i got my day 10 done !

Can you say . . . MACUDADONUDASU? :faint:

Day 20 done, today is the last day of the challenge! I'm just so excited I can't sleep. (Actually, I think it was the delicious - and large - cup of coffee after dinner. What was I thinking?) Oh well, I can sleep in or nap tomorrow. Scary to think on Tuesday I'm flying out west to WORK for a week! I'll have to get up early EVERY DAY! :fr:

Red, Grey, Curly - you all seem to be doing well, just chugging along towards success. Good work. :woo: :woo: :goodvibes :woo: :woo:

!nceagain - Will we graduate together, or did you take a free day and pig out at Macadonodasu (or however you spelled it - assuming you mean Japanese MacDonalds???)?

I'd also like to thank you all for your kind words about my marital disaster. My apologies for going on about it. For some reason, every so often my ex just gets into my head and won't leave. But he's gone now, and I'm fine. In fact I'm better than fine. Losing weight at last, two rambunctious kitties to keep me on my toes, Flylady to make me shine my sink... does it get any better? :rofl:

I really should get some sleep. If I'm still awake at 6:30 maybe I'll boogie on over to my little gym for a quick elliptical. Maybe a swim too if the pool is empty. (Do I get points for good intentions?)

Hello, all! Sure gets quiet on the weekends here. Hope you're at least out having fun! At least there's some action here still. I'd get awful lonely if there weren't... :( Well, I'm getting through Day 14. I blew it here last time around, the furthest I'd gone before blowing it. But I'm determined to get through this one so I can have some sugar again....though I'm going to limit it, I think.

curly -- You're reach the peak! Momentum should pull you through from here! :spin:

1nceagain -- Thank God for free days. Remember, the rule change makes it a "pause day" now. Resume counting from tomorrow (unless you have another freebie. I think this is your first round, so you just have one in that case. Well, what was that, anyhow? Mac's? Whatever it was, I hoped you enjoyed it! :sunny:

gray eyed girl -- :bravo: on making it clear and through Day 16! You're in the homestretch now! We need to look to you for patience and the scale. I am very proud (and in awe) of you for not letting the scale swing you around by the tail emotionally! :yes: And yes, slow weight loss usually means it's true fat you're losing and not muscle, so you're probably not wrecking your metabolism. Good going! Why didn't you drink soda when you were pregnant? Doctor's orders or just thought it healthier? Do you always exercise outside or in a gym? In any case, torrential downpours are dangerous, even in a car. Now, what was your challenge again? Whatever it was, you're almost through it! Good luck with the rest! :dancer:

carla -- Wow! Great going. You're there on your last day. You're certainly not going to blow it now, are you!?!? :flow1: I'll BET you feel great. :cloud9: And you'll be finishing your challenge just in time for your trip. Did you plan it like that? You're welcome to all the kind words we can give you and NO reason whatsoever to apologize. It's always good (well not like fun or happy but you know, beneficial) to hear about others' misfortunes. It can put our own in perspective or make us feel less alone..."ah...it happened to her too" kind of thing. With your ex blocking communication like that I can see how you could obsess at times. I've learned to banish them (the exes) from my thoughts (and see, I speak in the plural!) and actually insist on them NOT contacting me. In the beginning, after a major shock, sometimes I would talk a bit just to get over the initial shock, then I would insist they never call me again. Told them flat out I didn't want to hear from them again. We were NOT friends. Only one and there were never kids or anything, which keeps things simpler. I'm so glad you're losing the weight you want to at last. And two kitties are great to have around. I was just outside brushing two of my three. And, oh, yes, the sink is going to get cleaned again tonight. At least there was nothing growing in it. If I ever have anyone come into this disaster area I will just tell them, "just keep your eyes on the sink! don't move them anywhere else!!!" :lol: And NO points for good intentions unless it involved some sort of preparation. :rofl:


:df:

Red, if I put on my sneakers and workout clothes, does that count as enuf prep for points? :lol: Good going on the sugar, and on reaching day 14. I know you'll make it to 21. I couldn't do the sugar thing. I haven't had a lot these last 3 weeks, but if it had been a tabu I would have craved it. And I'm not convinced sugar is a bad thing anyway. (There I go again, denying another diet "rule".) Of course, in the quantities I'd be consuming without the choc/candy ban, it WOULD be a bad thing.

I had a feeling I couldn't use today as a free day and then be done. Rats. But you're right, I did plan to be finished before the trip. And I'll start again when I get back.

Gotta go - big stink wafting into my bedroom from the cats' bathroom. I think Bigboy has created another little Chernobyl in there. Time to put on my gas mask and flush and deodorize. (Why did I get a male cat? Didn't marriage teach me ANYTHING about males and their noxious emanations?)

carla -- workout clothes AND sneakers! Oh, well, in that case, YES! of course you get points! Chapter 5, Paragraph 16 of the rule book specifically addresses this. :yes: I think it's 15 points you get, five for the clothes, five for the sneakers, and five for having them on at the same time. I'm not sure, it could be six for having them all on at the same time. I will check the book again! Now, question is, what are you going to do with those points? :rofl:

I'm going to pat myself on the back with them, that's what. :) I did put on sneakers and workout clothes and went off to the little hotel gym. A bit disappointed to realize the elliptical they have is legs only, which is way less fun. But I had a good 15 min on the rowing machine, so my arms weren't neglected. Points are very important. I get extra because it was before 7am on a Sunday, and because I managed to squeeze into my sports bra. I decided not to swim because of the difficulty of getting into a slightly too small swimsuit when sweaty. Besides, there were people in the pool, which is very small.

Time for breakfast and a nap.;)

Hello again :)

Let me catch up... what day am I on? Monday Aug. 8th was Day 4... so today would be... Day 10. Only I haven't had any veggies or the tea yet... If things go well, I should be done on the 25th (if I don't take a free day). After that I'm planning to finish off the second tea pack, and start a new challenge after the big move. I already have some ideas. :) Certainly NO herbal tea!!!

Recently I've been counting it by the number of herbal tea bags left. Only one left, and then off to a next pack. It's a different type, so hopefully it will not be as yucky... I don't think I'd mind so much if this thing smelled bad... but it's the TASTE!!! Yuck. So far the tea doesn't seem to be doing anything... I'm getting worried that it was outdated and that all this effort is in vain... :eek:


Red, stick with it, you're aaaaaaalmost there (note the number of As) :yes:

Carla, wow, it seems like your 20 days have gone by so fast! Somehow I had thought you were around the middle of your challenge, but here it turns out you're almost done! Wow! You go girl!

1nceagain, congratulations to you too! :cheer:

And everyone else - great job! :)

day 11 done.. the temp combined with the humidity makes it feel 110 here today ????? how long till fall???

Good morning, all. It is Monday, the 15th and I see my days are coordinating with the date, which means it's easier to remember. I am having a very hard time believing how slow these 21 are going.

I am going to try to change my thinking on this challenge. The difference in my skin, my energy levels, PMS, they are all the obvious reasons for giving it up, I hate to think of the others that I'm not seeing but are nonetheless there. It is a pure chemical, there is nothing natural about processed sugar and I have an addictive reaction to it, whether that is physical or not, I don't know, but it must give me some rush that I crave. Oh, yes, that's the other thing, the cravings are totally gone staying off sugar. But, that said, the cravings are gone, but I am wanting the sugar for some reason, probably some mood-altering effect I get from it. What a friggin' addict I am! :mad:

curly -- :cp: Congrats on Day 11.

carla -- Great going on actually doing a workout! Rockin' stuff! :spin: Oh, and you bet you get points for getting into the sports bra. That is a workout in itself. And you did it BEFORE breakfast! Excellent! :woo:

Sushi -- where have you been!? Get those veggies in you and drink the tea! Get a new box now if you're thinking it may be old. What is this stuff, some Chinese tea? I can get you weight-loss tea. There are tons of varieties here. And it's probably fresher. Don't know how good it is though. But if it makes you feel better, then go for it! Sometimes we need a bit of magic! :yes: Thanks for the encouraging words. I am soooo hating this challenge for some reason. Gotta stop that. I am definitely consuming less calories and like I said above, there are differences and I should just stay away from it anyhow. I like it. It doesn't do anything for me :nono: ....reminds me of some of the guys I used to hang with.....

:sunny:

Day 6 - Stayed in my Pts. No activity pts used

Red - I use a program called Weight Watcher Pure Points. A friend sent it to me. It is a British Weight Watchers Software Program. I have never seen it in the USA and I have never ran across anyone on 3FC that is using it. It is a WW program and I was even able to update it on the internet when I installed it last year. I put in my weight ( It is measured in stones. 1 stone = around 14 lbs) Then you log in general questions..male/female...measurments and weight if you want can be log in also. When you log in your weight It will tell your BMI and how many Points your allowed each day. (Points will go up or down depending on how much I weight) That is the base of your points for each week. If you don't use all our base point your allowed to bank them. (only 4 each day) If you workout you get points for that depending on the workout and how long you do it.(Up to 12pts for the week) It will figure that out also. So when I write Stayed in my points. It means I DID NOT use any banked points or activity pts. As far as eating them I don't know if it's better if I do eat them Or if I don't that it won't matter. Good question. I know that somedays I do use all.

gray eyed girl - Yea the next time I won't let that elliptical slip by me! Sounds like the perfect fitness machine for me.

mezmerize -- :bravo: on getting through another day on your challenge! :cp: And thanks for the info on your program. Okay, so I take it you are always execising, right? and that is why you haven't used any BANKED points. You know, I sure wish there was a program that took into account your strength, i.e. the amount of muscle you have. BMI doesn't, nothing does. This is basically why you have the difference between male and female charts, but for someone like myself who has a ton of muscle I am always just shooting in the dark about the whole thing and I know the dangers of eating too little and screwing with your metabolism because it throws your body into starvation mode. I will just have to log everything I eat and try to get a calorie count somehow and start from there. It's such a hassle because my days are so varied. Sometimes I can get to the gym and really kick A, but others I'm sitting around all day working and get no exercise. I hate this whole thing, really! But we gotta keep trying, right? I guess I should just be happy I'm alive and healthy! :sunny:

ah yes, TODAY is day 21! No problem there. ;) Yesterdays Macudadonudasu did me in. Yes, that is how the Japanese around these parts say Mc Donalds. A few extra vowels. It was good, but really weighed me down. :p Did hours of uphill walking yesterday-calves are killing me. Sunburn on my arms, :cool: sweated through to my undies. :stress: It was a fun day though. Today is cleaning and laundry. Hubby comes home Wednesday. :cheers: I am going to pause between challenges. I will give it some thought. . .

:bravo: :cb: :flow1: :flow1:CARLA WAY TO GO!:flow1: :flow1::cb: :bravo:

WHEEE! I'M FREE!!!
Day 21 at last. I think I'll stay up to have my celebratory glass of wine at midnight. :lol:

I'm going to stay off chocolate if I can; it's even harder for me to stay away from than the vino. But my next 21-day challenge won't start until after my trip. Until then I'll try to do a week-at-a-time to keep me on the sort of straight and narrow.

Mez, the two (or is it three?) times that I did weight watchers I ate all my points. I still lost well and fairly quickly. I don't like the idea of feeling hungry - in my case it makes me want to binge.

1nceagain, congrats for being on your last day! :cb: :cb: :cb: :bravo: :cb: :cb: :cb: :cheers: I don't blame you for wanting a little rest. If you want to start on the 23rd, I'll challenge you to a competition to see who caves first and uses a free day...

Red, I really think you're too hard on yourself. Listen to some of that good advice you keep giving the rest of us! Say nice things to yourself, or else. :rollpin: You seem to be a champion exerciser, so you're probably bursting with health. And even if you're not enjoying the sugar challenge, you're sticking it out. Only 6 days to go, and I KNOW you can do it. I have a suggestion for your next challenge: make it something more closely defined than sugar (like cakes, cookies, and candy). And still try to stay away from all sugar, but without beating yourself up for every little slip. Set things up so you will succeed. And remember what a positive effect it's having on your skin. :smug:

It's time to go chill the wine. Bye for now.

1nceagain & carla49 - I'm SOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY for you guys hitting 21!!! Take a BOW!!! HAPPY! HAPPY! JOY! JOY!

carla - What program are you using now? Or have you designed your own? You know I'm thinking of doing just that. I feel I have learn alot from South Beach and Weight Watchers and I'm working out a lifestyle using both. I know I'll have to tweak here and there but I feel I have a basic plan. Right now I'm mixing SB with my WW. I've kind of ran into a snag. I'm finding I'm getting bored with the SB diet food. I'm on phase 1. I started tuesay of lastweek. I don't feel I'm craving anything. I just feel bored. I've lookup some recipes on here. I'm going to try a couple maybe that will help. Just have another week and then Phase 2. Sorry for going on an on...

Red- I wish that I had the motivation to workout to my DVD's everyday! I have to push myself to workout and I aim for 5 days a week. With My WW program I'm allowed to bank those workout points (activity points max 12 a week) This week I did 21 miles of WATP's DVD. Usually the 3,2 & 1 mile walk aday or sometimes just the 3 mile. I just bought Walk and Jog today. I'm going to give that a try Monday. On weekends I'm usually busy walking the mall,stores ect... so I figure I am moving so that is good. I also need to give my knees a break. I was having problems with pain so I give them a couple days rest.

ONEDERLAND AT LAST!!!!!!!
:cb: :cb: :cb: :cb: :cb: :cb: :cb: :cb:
This morning's weigh-in: 199.6. Now that may be an ephemeral victory, as I'm probably a little dehydrated from my celebration last night at midnight - 3 glasses of lovely crisp, chilled, white wine. But I've changed my signature, and will just have to do whatever is necessary to make sure it stays true. I remember being appalled when I first hit 199 on the way up. Funny how things change.

Mez - I'm not really on a specific program. First, you need to remember that I'm probably losing especially quickly because I've considerably reduced some meds that may have been causing weight gain. That being said, however, I have cut out candy bars and wine. I also stay away from pastries. I do still eat some "white" foods, but in moderation. I haven't been eating a lot of cheese. Sort of like the WW core program, but no counting. I decided I had had enough of being obsessed with food and writing everything down, so I'm trying to eat like a thin person. Most of the thin people I know have a good appetite and don't exclude any foods. The difference between them and me is that they don't eat when they're not hungry. They don't clean the plate if they've had enough. They start with small portions and go back for more if they need it. They don't do any mindless munching. They don't eat huge bags of mini-Snickers because they were on special at the drugstore.
This has been a lot easier because it's summer and I can eat a lot of fruit and veg. And I haven't been working, so I can control my environment. And I was really ready to do this, so it hasn't been too hard. I still eat excessive quantities, but instead of Almond Joys, it's a big bag of cherries or grapes. Lots of calories, but healthy ones.

Sorry to be so long-winded, but I just couldn't do the "diet" thing again. Rules about eating just make me want more food. And this attempt at mindful eating seems to be working out. (When eating an ice cream doesn't make me feel guilty, I don't have to eat another one to feel better. :lol: )

Good luck - gotta get ready to take my little kittie for her shots.

Hi Red! hope you are doing well. I`m pretty challenge-less right now, but I hope I can still come and post here once in a while. I`ve been doing okay besides the exercise, over a week now :( I guess I found a way to slow the weight loss down. I hit 198, what a great feeling! I`ve been fluctuating now between 198-200 for almost a week so it`s time to get moving. I know this, I can feel it. Not sleeping as well, getting moody again...I need the exercise. Been drinking a little too often and definetely not drinking my water. No problems with food except for maybe not eating enough. It`s time I get back to making this a priority. I think I`ve been getting comfortable with all the compliments and feeling great and hitting under 200...but I at least want 18 pounds more gone and that should be a piece of cake if I just apply myself like I was. I`m trying real hard to make a fresh start today, pushing the water, exercise no matter how much I don`t want to, take my vitamin, and no drinking (til friday lol). One day a week to drink thats it.

It makes me sick to open the exercise journal part of my notebook, I missed 2 days the first month and averaged over an hour a day. The next page, out of 22 days I`ve only done 7 days of minimal exercise :( I havent even looked at it til today and realized it`s been 12 days since I exercised.

I`m going to see how I do this week before picking a challenge to try again. I cant handle failing at Day 1 or 2 again! Thinking of giving up my morning iced coffee for 21 days, its not the caffeine it`s the sweetness I like about it, so if I can go without for a few days I`ll make it official and try for 21 more. It`s painless for the most part, and replacing it with water would be wonderful for me. It`s more of a habit than anything, so this is something to think about. Maybe I can break it in 21 days.

Congrats to those who met their challenges!! And everyone else for keeping at it! I`m trying real hard, hope to be back in the game real soon. No more excuses for me. The best one lately is that I have a new coffee table. Nice, huh? Good excuse when I have the elliptical sitting there still, and all I have to do is move the table to the side to do a workout DVD. How pathetic is that?! :p At least I`m aware of my lame excuses! LOL : D

carla49 - Keep that wind blowing!! You know I have never thought of how to eat like a thin person and what you wrote has hit home with me. I know at times I've loaded my plate and have eaten it all even if I was full. The candy bars on discount ..... geez so much close to home. Thanks for sharing! That is FOOD for Thought!!

yesterday was day 17 and it went well :), and I'm halfway through day 18 here and so far so good. We're going out to dinner tonight, so I will have to be careful. But I'm NOT going to start over at this point in the game, so I'll just have to plan in advance. Off to go look at nutritional info for our favorite restaurants - I'll check in again and do personal responses tonight after I finish up today.

I am so very, very excited for you! Yes, I would love to start another challenge on the 23rd. Still not quite sure what it will be. Caro-maybe you will be up for it by then. Think it over girl. Anybody else? What do you think Red? Any ideas brewing?

Although I'm not doing a challenge until then, I am back on phase 2. I think I can maintain that (most days) w/o a challenge. Exersize maybe. Although the past 3 weeks I have done more than I have ever done in my life--at least 2hrs 5 days a week! I have a feeling when hubby gets home and he wants to go at 4:15 in the AM, my body is not going to be so dang excited about it! I will need more motivation. We will see.

Hey Ladies, while I was on vacation I've slipped up :( So I'm starting over again!

21 days, 30 minutes a day of work outs!

Day 1 :: I got 60 minutes of cardio! (30 treadmill, 30 bike) and 30 minutes attempting to lift weights with DH's old free weights... not so much accomplished, but better than nothing!

Hi all - day #1 again - already got my exercise and water in so, I will actually be able to make it to day 2 tomorrow. Let's hope I can get back on track here again.

Carla - congrats on completing your challenge!!! :cb: And for hitting the ONDERLAND!!! AWESOME!!! :cb: hopefully I will be able to say the same thing in a few months!

Caro - don't give up!!! This is my 4th time at day #1 in the last week. You can do it!!! Stay positive - you will get back on track.

Carla/1nceagain - I would be up for a challenging challenge. Might help keep me even more focused - mind if I join in. A few years ago - I belonged to ediets - and they had a 21 day challenge where you were put on team and challenged other teams - you had to pledge how much weight you wanted to lose and how many minutes of exercise you wanted to do - so say you would say 6 pounds/630 minutes of exercise. And say for a team of 3 people that team would have to lose 18 pounds and do 1890 minutes of exercise (combined) So if you didn't do your part someone had to pick up the slack and do more. And you had to check in each week with where you at, and you didn't want to NOT do your part because then your team would "lose" It was hard because there were days when I just didn't want to do whatever, but at the same time I didn't want to let my team down either - they were depending on my numbers to reach goals. It was a great way to stay motivated.

Sushi -- where have you been!? Get those veggies in you and drink the tea! Get a new box now if you're thinking it may be old. What is this stuff, some Chinese tea? I can get you weight-loss tea. There are tons of varieties here. And it's probably fresher. Don't know how good it is though. But if it makes you feel better, then go for it! Sometimes we need a bit of magic! :


:lol:
Red, I guess I've been hiding? :lol:
I'm following the thread all the time, just not posting. :) For some reason, I don't like posting each day... it seems to go a lot slower this way. Makes me feel good to post when more than one day have gone by - and have been completed successfully. Just the way I am, I guess... ;)
The tea I have is some European weight loss tea, from a friend. There are several kinds... Tea 1, Tea 2 and Tea 3, maybe more? The idea is to drink Tea 1 each day for 20 days, then Tea 2 and so on. I'm sticking with it despite the awful taste because I know it works - it worked for me before, I just never managed to drink it long enough... Hopefully this new box of Tea 2 that I'm starting today will taste better... it is different than Tea 1... it hasn't been 20 days, I know, but that's because the box was not full as a result of my previous (unscuccessful) attempts.

The other part of my challenge - eating veggies - is going great. And it's not difficult, really. I love veggies and usually eat tons of them, but recently I realized that "large tons" had changed into "little tons" (or actually hardly any). That's why I made eating veggies part of this challenge. Just to get back in the habit of eating them daily.


I have a stragegy to get through awful things - like this yucky herbal tea, and I wanted to share it with you... perhaps it could help you with your no sugar challenge. :) I use it whenever I have to get through several hours/days of something... usually people say and thing "gosh, still 7 hours left" or "oh no, another 5 days left". Not very encouraging thinking, is it?
My system is to tell myself that "in X hours, I'll be done." If I apply it to my yucky herbal tea, I can tell myself that in 10 days, I will be done and won't have to drink this awful liquid ever again. You could tell yourself that in X days, you can have sugar again. Not sure if I'm explaining this well... it's kind of along the lines of "only so many days to go" as opposed to "STILL so many days to go."

day 12... all done.. busy day decided that since it was 95 degrees in my livingroom it was the perfect day to paint it!! lol got a sauna & new walls!!! lol

Day 7 - Stayed in my Pts. No activity pts used

Hello, all! It's the evening of the 16th and I'm still sugar-free! And just did the cleaning part.....bigger today....cause I was rained out of riding....bummer....real scary quake today that raised my heartbeat for quite a while. I'll count that as my exercise. ;) Plan on getting to the gym early tomorrow. :coach: Gotta get cracking!

mez -- :bravo: on getting through Day 7. You're doing just fine! :yes:

curly -- Wow! Are you already on Day 12? Why is it that everyone else seems to be getting through their challenge so quickly? Doesn't make sense. Did I miscount somewhere? Hmmm. Great going! Keep it up, curl!

Sushi -- you, lurker, you! Yes, I know how it is. Posting all the time makes it go slower it seems. But I feel obligated to. Haven't this past couple days and I felt bad. But you do what works for you. Ok, on the tea. Too bad it tastes so gross. Then again, maybe it wouldn't to me. I can drink just about anything these days, I think. Your veggies are like my sugar. I did the NO sugar thing because I too was starting to lose sight of an excusable amount. Kind of a reset and it has been hard. Yes, I like your looking on the bright side of things. Then again, it all depends on the person, your mood, a lot of things. I do try to play with perspective a lot and will keep your idea in mind. Just five more days! Actually, I often do that by thinking....as of such and such a time it'll all be over...for better or worse.

dkkrf -- Glad to see you're still with us. I was wondering about you too. Ok, I see now that you've been struggling. Well, each time you fail makes the chances of succeeding better! :yes: You can do this! :strong:

Legally -- Hello, good to see you back! :wave: Quite a big challenge you've taken on there. Good luck. :goodluck: :cb: I'm going to be thinking up the next challenge soon. Debating whether I should go really hard or fairly easy.....maybe focus on weight loss instead of health or merely exercise, or focus on both.... :kickcan:

1nceagain -- Never did congratulate you on your challenge! :encore: :cp: :woo: :encore: :cp: Hurrah for you!!! :bravo: From the sounds of all the exercise I'm not sure if your challenge was only SBD or not! Wow! You really did great! As for the next challenge, I don't know what to say. I think you should exercise when you want to. I couldn't do it at 4:15 a.m. I would consider just getting up that early enough accomplishment. Can't you go when your husband is working, make the walk there part of your exercise if it involves walking? I haven't thought of what I'll do yet. I think it'll be a diet plan I will work out or something, something to see the fat come off.

gray eyed girl -- You've only got a bit more. I take it your dinner went without a slipup, right!? No, you just couldn't start over at this point. :nono: I hope you're okay. Look forward to hearing how it went! :comp:

Caro -- Come on, girl! What's up with you?! I don't like to see people challenge-less! Wow! Not sleeping and moody! Oh, no! And drinking TOO MUCH but NOT drinking water??!?!?... :?: don't think I'm following what you're meaning there :?: .... she, who just had another stumble-in-the-door-at-5 a.m. night out with the guys, says! ;) Okay, all in jest, Caro, stop with the perfectionist stuff again!!! You did this before if I remember right. There is no need to be test-driving your challenges! Just ease off and pick something you KNOW you can do. All this looking at stuff you haven't done. What's the sense in that? We all go through slumps, some of them long ones. Don't give up your morning iced coffee if you really enjoy it. Challenges don't have to be about giving up things you love or forcing yourself to do things you hate doing. They're more about doing things that are just not habits, about trying to start a habit to get going, kind of like blowing up a new balloon. This is the way I look at them and this is the way I want you to look at them! Ok, I know I've been griping about that no sugar I'm doing and the cleaning and yes, it's tough, (darn, I didn't think anyone was listening to me.....) but the sugar is the only hard one and I did it because I was getting a bit too lax on eating it. As for the cleaning, I go easy on myself and still call it a clean for the day. ;) So, come on, just do something that'll make you smile AND won't make you feel bad if you don't do it. Remember, since this is your second round, you have two pause days. Don't think of them as being there for when you screw up (although I know some people do like to think of them as such, kind of a safety net) but think of them as your relaxation days, when you take a break, come up for air, plan for them. Someone here does that, can't remember who it was....:coach: Okay, Caro, I'm rooting for you and want to see YOU back in the game REAL SOON!

carla -- And last but not least!!! I'm sorry I've been AWOL. Just have been too tired and bummed out to post. And maybe you're already off on your trip...oh well, maybe you'll check in. Firstly, of course, a big hand for completing your first challenge round! :cp: :cp: :cp: :cp: :cp: That was no easy challenge and I hope you did enjoy that post-challenge wine! Only three glasses?! Don't know how you people stop at only three glasses?! And, what's more, congratulations on arriving in Onederland! You have arrived! You are THE woman! :dancer: :dancer: Cool! You are doing this and I am so proud of you!! Okay, I will say nice things to myself. I think I'm just too lazy, but maybe not. I do do a lot of exercise. I'm kind of an allout type in anything I do. And it seems there are more things out there that put the fat ON than take it OFF, especially when your work is sedentary. And I'm sorry for the ranting about the sugar. Yes, of course I will stick to it. My bark is ALWAYS worse than my bite and in this case it means I will ***** and ***** but I will NOT throw in the towel. When you get to know me you will know it's the quiet times that are the bad ones for me. If I can at least come in here and rant then I'll be okay. :) Aren't I wonderful? Well, I hope you have a good trip and maybe can touch base with us a bit. Who's watching your kitties while you're away? Hope to have you back with us on challenge real soon! :wave:

Hey Red, heard on the news last night about the big quake and was thinking about you. :hyper: glad to hear that you're alright!

Thanks Red, I needed that!! Well I exercised for 30 minutes yesterday and it felt great, more than enough water, ate very well, and my weight is up to 200 this morning. :( I`m officially stuck in fluctuation around 198-200. I really thought I`d be at least 198 this morning with an actual workout lastnight and having such a good day. I know the scale is my enemy, but today IS my official weigh in so I`m just bummed :( I just want so badly to get maybe 4 or 5 pounds away so I dont keep fluctuating and see that number 2 at all anymore. I`m not changing my ticker, I held on to 198 for a few days I know theres just something going on and I just refuse to go back into the 2`s.

Yes, I completed one challenge. I worked out most days up to an hour and a half and loved it. And you`re right, I just have to do it and stop thinking so much about if I WANT to do it. Yesterday was my Day 1 . Challenge is to work out for a minimum of 30 minutes a day. I can do this. Today is Day 2 and I will keep doing it. I will never get the body I want sitting on my butt and watching what I eat. I would much rather be a toned and firmer 170 then a flabby 160. I`m probably lucky because I`m almost 5'8 and I have not just big bones, huge. At this weight I can wear my 14`s they just don`t look as good as they could, so it`s really coming down to exercise for me and turning the flab into muscle. And I think most importantly, exercise is going to be key in my maintaining. I have to get out of that all or nothing mind set, I was able to do it with food, now it`s exercise. I know I don`t NEED an hour and a half every day to lose weight, so I`m going to keep in mind after I get through this challenge I can do it 4 or 5 times a week for maybe 40 minutes. Maybe I did push too much the first month and I just got burnt on it?

I couldn`t fool Red with my iced coffee plan, LOL. I was just looking for an easy way out of the exercise and that just wont do. I love the coffee, and I drink a little over half which is maybe 12-14 ounces so ya know what, I`m keeping it! :D Thats not where I need improvement.
And, good point with my 2 days to relax. I think thats a good idea to use them as a planned relaxation rather than a "oops I`ll just take a free day". You motivated me, Red. ;)

Okay thanks so much Red! Must be the Leo in you, you have a great way of pumping me up and making me feel so much better and telling it like it is! I love it! I was ready to cry after the scale and your post just squashed that, and I already know what you`d say about the scale going up... you`ve told me before! :)

Off to work on Day 2, and I`m even going to get it out of the way early. Will chat more later!

Red - Congrats on making through your 16 day of sugar freeness. :) Yea I consider an earth quake rise in heartbeat a workout! Scary Stuff!!! :fr: Sometime ranting helps us give over the wanting. I know in my case when I rant I'm think typing :) and before I know it the craving has lessened or I get ever more stubborn that I WON't GIVE IN!! So rant away. If it helps. Do you have many horses? I heard that riding is one of the best workouts because one uses all their muscles.

Well this week be my 1st full week of SBD-P1/WW. Planning meals are a pain. Other than that is it seems to be going well.
My daughter gave me a call lastnight my grandson crawled!!! Well he has his special way of doing it! He's on all 4's and hops his back knee forward like a bunny!! LMAO I can't wait to see it!!!!! I watched the Up Side Of Anger lastnight . I'm not sure what I think of it. I found parts funny but not sure about the rest.

Howdy Red, glad to see our fearless leader back. I think sometimes you use up so much energy being our cheerleader you have none left for yourself. But we're here to cheer you up, so you can't quit. Even manufacturing earthquakes won't get you out of your commitment.

As for me, the 3 glasses of wine were very, very, big. And I woke up with a splitting head in the morning. So I decided that it was a rest day - I started the celebration a little before midnight - and yesterday was my actual day 21. And ONEderland? Well, it was a fun visit, but I'm back in the terrible twos. Not changing the ticker, as I intend to be back down when I return from my trip. I'm not disappointed because I was pretty sure it wouldn't last.

While I'm away the kitties will have company: I was able to track down a woman who comes and stays in the house with them. They'll be alone overnight tonight, so I hope Lily survives Bigboys playing. Lily has developed a fun new game: she uses the bed as a crazy-cat playground in the mornings. It's extra fun when she gets to wake me up by playing mousie with my hand or my hair. Bigboy just sits on the dresser and stares at her performance. I guess I'll have to become an early riser, because this really doesn't work with my late to bed, late up system. Maybe this will help me sleep on the plane, which is a good thing. And there's a 2 hour time difference, so I can sleep in without sleeping in.

I won't be doing individual posts today - I still have cleaning and packing to do, as well as laundry, and I have two inarticulate electricians here replacing my bathrooms fans, installing my over-the-stove microwave, entertaining/terrifying the kitties, and making a total mess of my freshly cleaned bathrooms. Grrr.

Have a good week!

Just saying hello. I've basically kept up with the thread, but I haven't felt like posting. I'm not up for a challenge (I can do) right now. I've not been well. But I've been pleased to see you all doing so well and succeeding. I've been trying to maintain my work schedule without missing too many days and this requires me to take some turtle naps. I've been wrestling with depression a good bit, but coming out victorious thus far. Here's to beating depression :coffee:

I may be back some day. You can never count a turtle down or out completely. I got the wind knocked out of my sails, but I'm still afloat so far. Thank you all for the warm wishes and concern. Sincerely yours Java Turtle

Hi, all. Wednesday morning here, my Day 17. Yesterday was fine with the challenge but I did eat a lot and exercise next to none. But, I moved some more boxes around in my room (thus kicking up dust and making it hard to breathe all night cause I get asthma) but that movement means I'm making a bit of headway. I have an exercise machine outside my door because there's no room to set it up inside. If I could just get that up I would force myself to use it. This is the plan. But, I am focusing on the challenge. I see how eating sugar puts the weight around my middle super fast and it's not there in such quantities now, which I attribute to the being off sugar. I'm thinking I may keep my next challenge a VERY low sugar one along with some other things. Gotta think of that, what to do. :bubbles:

happy -- :wave: Thanks for stopping in and asking about me! Yes, it was pretty scary because I was up on the 11th floor of a department store and it was swaying like a big ship at sea. And it went on and on. I took the stairs down fast because I just have this thing about not wanting to be flattened under piles of debris, not that this would help, but I hate the idea of being anywhere but ground level. It wasn't till I got home that I saw on the TV that what we felt here in Tokyo was a lot less than what they were feeling up in Sendai, which is 200 miles away from us. It's a miracle no one was killed. There are many types of shaking and this one, a big swaying movement, probably didn't cause much damage. Still, the roof over a crowded pool feel down, lots of stone wall and grave markers fell and a house nearer where I am totally collapsed with an old woman inside, but she was okay. The scary thing is they are saying this could just be a warning of a bigger one. They never say stuff like that so it leads me to believe that they know something we don't and just don't want people to panic. These are plates shifting, like in California, not volcanic. Damn. Scary stuff. And there have been so many of them recently. Well, thanks for asking!

Caro -- :love: Thank you for all the kind words and I am so glad they helped you. I was planning my reply as I reading your post and, of course, I was going to chide you on watching the scale like a hawk, and then you said.."I already know what you're going to say" and I had to smile at that! :lol: But...you know...I'm going to say something anyhow! Leos may inspire but they also got to roar when they feel like it. There's no shutting them up! ;) What I want to say is not so much, "don't check the scale" per se, it's about looking for some sort of reflection of your efforts in the scale and TOO SOON. You are like a farmer who sows the seeds in his field and the next day goes out and digs around in the dirt to see if anything's sprouting! And then when you don't see a loss you get bummed out. But thinking you should see a loss because of a workout and having a good day is where you logic is wrong! Things don't work that fast. They just don't. We get so hung up on fluctuating numbers. Why do we think the losses are any more real than the gains we see? A gain does NOT necessarily mean fat is not disappearing or getting ready to disappear. A loss (a decrease in the number on the scale), unfortunately, doesn't necessarily mean the fat HAS disappeared. You will feel it in your clothes when it's gone. But that takes a good deal of time because there too we forget what our clothes felt like. Anyhow, you know this I think. I DO know how you feel because I feel the same and I'm saying it to myself. What I'm NOT doing is being consistent. I put all this effort into things and then goof off for just as long if not more. When I can say I have stuck with something for, say, a good three weeks, and then see NO change, I will know something I am doing is just not the right thing....(after I throw a tantrum and wail the self-pity blues that is...)

Now, I want you, after you've had a really great day...to think of that foolish farmer out there in the field routing around looking for sprouts! Don't be like him!! :nono:

mez -- Hi there! Thanks for giving me permission to rant. :) I just have one horse and yes, it is exhausting work riding her. I do dressage and I have a teacher who is a perfectionist and the worst thing you could have if you need a little encouragement. You sure aren't going to get it from here. It really bothered me in the beginning but now I know that when she says,, "that was okay." it's like hearing the trumpets blaring and having showers of confetti fall around me! "Okay" is like a mega-compliment! No doubt part of the problem is I was raised in this kind of environment and I am still in this environment. Also in the gym, I am around champion bodybuilders who are top-rate at what they do. I guess I also seek these people out because I want to do things well. But there is a big difference between perfectionism and doing things well and aiming for a higher level. And few people can be both kind and encouraging AND aim higher. But I need too because it's the only way I'll get there because I have this tendency toward not seeing my efforts as "good enough." I mean, they're not "good enough" for a higher level but they ARE good enough for where I am and I have to acknowledge that. Okay, sorry for the little sidetrack there.

Your grandson sounds adorable. That picture of him there makes me think of you as looking like that! It's so funny. What is Up Side of Anger? It certainly doesn't sound like a comedy but is that what it is?

Good luck on your customized eating plan! The planning is tough but it is important! You can do it! :spin:

carla -- "Fearless leader?!?!?" :rofl: Carla, I tremble in my boots often in danger of wetting my pants, my heart is often in my mouth doing flipflops like a dying fish. I whine and I whimper, and the tears often stream down my face like a 2-year-old, but...yeah, I usually end up doing whatever it was I had to do. I'm kind of like the lion on the Wizard of Oz before he gets his courage and after. And no, that earthquake wasn't manufactured. It was as real as they get!

Okay, big, big glasses. Now I understand. Do you have like pitcher-size wine glasses?! :lol: I never drink wine. Always gives me horrible hangovers. It is nice though, goes down easily. What honor you have to be doing another day of challenge because you started your celebration a bit early. Good for you! And oh yeah, consider your Onederland foray just that. You'll be back, in force!

"Crazy-cat playground!" :lol: Oh, yes, I know just how that is. My one cat, Nozomi, is like that, and has to bother the staid older one all the time. She must get a real kick out of teasing the old one, who has always been so dignified and indignant at any kind of horseplay. Staid one (Mu), her brother, Shachi, will just give Nozomi a good wack, but Mu whines and growls and tries to stalk away...with Nozomi in pursuit. Your Lily sounds like Nozomi. Speaking of playing mousie...I heard Shachi outside last night doing his weird yowling, which I know means he usually has a sparrow or mouse in his mouth. I, ever the little critter savior, hurry out to see him poised over a mouse on its back. I shushed Shachi away and it looked like the mouse wasn't bleeding so I figured it was petrified. Quick, put it in a box and it came to life a little bit and I let it out (with the cats inside and the cat door locked). This morning I didn't see any little mouse corpse outside (or in my bed) so I think it got away! Hurrah!

Well, good luck with your cleaning and packing..."inarticulate electricians"...hmmm...interesting..Hope to hear from you soon!!

Java -- Thanks for stopping by. I really miss you and sure wish you would do a challenge with us, even a super easy one like standing in front of the mirror three times a day (or even once a day) and saying, "You're going to pull through this, kiddo!"

You know, I have always been easily discouraged, easily down, (how can a sensitive thinking person NOT be?! ) but I also have a lot of fight in me and pride and I so much want to feel better because I know the high that gives you. All my life I have tried to learn to deal with how my brain and my body deal with life and try to find the best weapons for them, whether that be a philosophy or an eating style, a way of living....I guess it's called knowing yourself and then making things work for you. Turtle, you've got to fight. Things rarely just get better on their own. Feeling good is really only a fleeting feeling. More often then not we're pursuing it, and really being in pursuit is another kind of good feeling but it's not the kind that has you sitting there with a smile on your face in some fog of bliss. It can look like anger, like sorrow, like exhaustion, but you will be feeling. So much of depression is about NOT feeling. But, to feel "good" you've got to want it, even if all you can muster is a feeble movement at first, that is GOOD, that means you're moving in the right direction. Even if you're lying their on the ground you can wail and kick your feet and pound your fists (and that would be doing REAL well). Eventually you'll feel like taking the next step, which might just be to sit up instead of lying there. Come on, Turtle, I know there are scary things out there, death, disease, real **** happens kind of things. But you've got courage. I know you do. Get angry, get up and use your pride to put fire in your belly and say, in the worst-case scenario, "I may go down, but I'll go down fighting!"

:dancer:

Carla, congratulations! That has got to be SUCH a thrill. I remember being at 190 and swearing every which way that I would NEVER go over 200. Little did I know. You should be so proud of yourself, you're doing great. I have to agree with Mez about what you said about eating like a thin person. Hits very close to home, and it is SO true.

Caro, girl, get back on the wagon! You KNOW how important this is to you. You've got to stick with it, look how well you've done already! That exercise was making the weight just fall off of you so fast. You've already done it one day. Just go again tomorrow, no matter how much you don't want to. Getting away from 200 can be a major source of motivation for you. Make yourself work out and every single time you want to stop, remind yourself that with every second you work out, you're that much further from 200 pounds.

1ceagain, I'd be willing to start a new challenge with you on the 23rd. My current challenge will be over on the 19th, but I'd be willing to wait until the 23rd to start a new one (nah, I'm not stalling giving up soda at all. Especially not while I enjoy my diet pepsi right now as I type this. :o ) . So what do you think, are we on?

LB, I was wondering what happened to you. I'm glad you're back. Sorry you had to start over.

Sushi Penguin, are the ingredients listed on the weight loss tea? I'm just wondering what's in it that is supposed to help with weight loss. Sorry for being nosy. I like your strategy for getting through with things you don't want to do - very smart.

curlylocks, congrats on getting through day 12 of your THIRD challenge. You are on a roll.

mezmerize, congrats on getting through day 7. You're a third of the way through already!

red, well done! You're doing great on your challenge. I'd consider an earthquake to be exercise too. Yikes.

Java, I'm sorry you're going through a rough time. I've had more than my share of depressive episodes too, and it's tough. Getting through that is a big enough challenge. I'm glad to see you again though.

Day 18 went great and now I'm through day 19! Only TWO days left. Yesterday, again, was very close. We went to a burger joint here in town! :eek: But I got a small burger with no cheese, had none of their incredibly delicious potato wedges, and stayed under. Today was great, I can even have a snack later if I want to. I haven't gotten to the gym as much as I'd like, because my kids both caught a yucky cold and decided to share it with me, but my husband and I got in a good workout together this morning ;) :o. Tomorrow is day 20 for me.

day 13 completed.......

Day 12 completed. Too tired to post anything else... zzzzZZZZZzzzzzZZZZZZzzzzz.... zzzzzZZZZZZzzzzZZZZZzzzz....

Thanks gray eyed girl! A third of the way sounds much better than day7. Big smile I'm very happy to make it this far. Even more so since I flub on the 3rd day.

Day 8 - Stayed in my Pts. No activity pts used

Red- Upside To Anger is a comedy/drama/romance movie. A sharp-witted suburban wife, Terry Wolfmeyer, is left to raise her four headstrong daughters when her husband unexpectedly disappears. Things get even more hectic when she falls for her neighbor Denny, a once-great baseball star turned radio d.j. This leaves her daughters out on a limb. They are forced to juggle their mom's romantic dilemmas as well as their own.
It was funny in spots but I'm not so sure I got it. But then my son had friends over and the loudness kind of got out of hand a few times... missed parts.

I haven't ran away!! Just had a Busy & Extended weekend so I haven't been on much!

I've been on my gazelle and this is day:::::::::sheesh, what day is this? Let me figure this out............


6!

Not to shabby!!! :D

I'll try and get in here more!

Today is Day 10!! I messed up my count! I restarted on 8/8. I goofed and for once it worked out better. (by a day) I maked a word file for this and I was filling in my days and counted ...then recounted. Yup today is day 10 not 9!

I did wake with a headach today. I can't recall if someone said when you do SBD you can get a headach from lask of something ... Not sure what.

Hi everyone! Well I made it to Day 3, just havent got it done yet! yesterday I did my 30 minutes on the highest resistance (day2), which kicks my butt twice as hard as 50 on the lower setting! Felt great! I know I`ll do it today too. Weighed in without arguing with the scale at 198, which I was at Friday before the fluctuation began so maybe I`ll see 197 soon. I think maybe after no exercise for so long I might`ve lost a little muscle I had begun building, so if it doesn`t go down as fast as I expect I won`t get discouraged. ;) I`m telling myself it`s the muscles waking up again!

Red, you are a true Leo!! The comment "When you get to know me you will know it's the quiet times that are the bad ones for me." OH yes... my ex is a Leo and he`d go from the life of the party and center of everything to totally shutting down. I have a magnetic attraction to Leo men, and spent lots of time learning about them, and even more time trying to change them in certain ways only to have it backfire! I think it`s the most powerful of all signs, without a doubt. I can pretty much tell a LEO man within minutes of meeting them, then I run,,,run fast! LOL Leo women, I`ve had 2 very good female friends (who were both red-heads too! so weird) and they were just the funnest and best girlfriends. My closest male friend is a Leo also. He keeps me on my toes thats for sure. I get along so well with Leo women, but the guys, I fall instantly for them and they`ve given the biggest heartbreaks of my life! But they are strong willed, when they want something they get it. And you have that in you, for sure. I know you have your tough times as we all do, but you are one who will not give up!

I am not going to be the foolish farmer. :) I am hung up on the numbers right now cause I just want to stop seeing that 2. I`ll get there soon, I know I will.

Hi Gray! I see 205!!! Thats so great! Thanks for the motivation, You are awesome. Thats what I did on the elliptical yesterday, kept thinking in 21 days I`ll be so far away from 200 and my 14`s will fit me. It kept me going and will get me going today. I had a mid weight loss break, I felt great at this weight for a little bit, but know it`s time to get back to my goal. I admit even more than physical I need the mental effects from the exercise, I`ve been so short tempered and feeling down. I wasnt like that when I worked out every day. It`s important for me, for the rest of my life. Maybe not everday all the time, but I can`t let 2 weeks go by like that again. If I can control what I eat 24 hours a day and havent went back to my ways in almost 2 months, I can surely control myself to exercise for 30 measly minutes!

Carla- look at it this way, we had to stop in and say goodbye before finally leaving to ONEderland for good. We`ve been there so long (in the 200`s), but it`s really time to go!
I drink lots of water the day after I drink, but that doesnt help the head when I first wake up... I usually dont drink half of what I should on the day I do the drinking, so thats something I have to work on, drink LOTS of water before having a few.

Turtle- I`ve been wondering where you were :( I love your fun posts, miss them :( I hope you feel better soon. I like what Red said, even if it`s small and takes a minute a day...tell yourself you are worth it and you will get through this, something. We`re here for ya, through the good and bad. Keep your head up, Turtle, I`ll be thinking of you and hoping to see you back real soon. :)

Day 3 to get through here. I`ll check in later, have a great day, girls! :dancer:

day 14!!!!

Day 3 done!

:strong:

Day 10 - Stayed in my Pts. No activity pts used

Good morning!

Red, hope you are okay. You`re very quiet. :(

Well I broke that short, fluctuating plateau, and I am 196 today, actually the second time said 195 but I`m not going to buy it. I was hoping to get to 197, so 196 is just fine. I`m so thrilled. I had my workout lastnight and the last 3 days, but I had 3 pieces of Domino`s pizza for dinner so I was wondering how that`d play out. I thank the pizza Gods for being so kind to me. :D

I`m just so happy I didn`t give myself another week to slack off before jumping back in a challenge.

Go lots to do today, nothing will stop me from working out though. Lots of luck to you all on your challenge!

I'm here! I'm okay....now. Will write in the morning (in about 8 hours). Good night! Caro, congratulations!! :cp:

I just wanted to let you all know (so you'll not worry) that I probably won't be posting in this thread for a while. I'll still keep UP on you all (can't forget about my Chicks) by reading all your posts. I care, I really do. But right now, I'm just fighting to get back in the swing of things and I'm not quite up for a challenge yet. My over time details will increase triple fold over the next few months and I'll do well to just keep my head above water. I'm so thankful to all of you for motivating and inspiring me and keeping my head on straight when I freaked out and whined and had my little pity parties :tantrum:. Thank you all, so much. Please don't count me out. I'm just easing in a little slower than a 21 day-er. You all mean a lot to me. Thank you! :grouphug: WHEN I get my full head of steam again, I'll be back, right next to you, grunting and growling on the front lines.

Until then, I'll keep (hopefully) my daily journal and PIC (partners in crime) posts going. Best of luck to you all. Love Mary P in WV AKA/ Java Turtle :wave:

:wl: Day 4 done! I did it early too, getting it out of the way and not having to worry about it was nice. I might even do some more later, but I did my challenge of 30 minutes so figured I`d check in.

Sure has been slow here, hope you all come back soon! :) Maybe it`s the full moon, I know I`m feeling all out of sorts.

Red, thanks for popping in to let us know you`re okay!

Turtle- I`ll be checking in on your journal and posts in the other thread... lots of luck to you. :)

Good morning, all. Friday morning here, my Monday-ish. Really wanted to get to the gym today but didn't get in till late last night, so I didn't go. Would have been too tired. Well, I got through Day 18. This is 19 and just three more. I can't believe how slow this challenge is going, how many, many times I would have reached for something sweet, some sugary junk. I think I perceive this challenge as going so slow because of all the times I am NOT reaching for sugar but am still wanting to and without it there, I am feeling so frustrated, so like a wailing toddler who doesn't get what she wants!! :mad: Isn't that ridiculous?!

Caro -- Thanks for thinking of me. I'm sorry you've been writing some nice long posts and not getting replies. It's just been a busy last two days, especially yesterday. I have a lot of financial problems and I'm so sick of it. It's hard to come in here and get psyched up about things when I have big, big bills hanging over me and no sign of work in sight. But I will press on! Your asking about me does help though. The only way to get out of the problems is to keep moving. I tend to get paralyzed, the worst thing really. So, whether I'm coming out for this challenge or whatever, it all helps. Really wish I could have gotten to the gym this morning. Well, you're doing great again. So glad to see you pressing on and racking up those numbers. And seeing your weight move down to 195 (why not buy it?!) must be thrilling! :spin: I am inspired by your determination because I know you were/are not having an easy time of it. I see the moon will be full tomorrow. I usually have a great two weeks when it's waxing but these last two have been pretty bummed. Let's hope the next two will serve to get some of the unwanted things in our lives, such as the tire around the middle, OUT!

Java -- I'm glad to hear from you but very sorry you won't be joining us. :( I can imagine how you feel though, sometimes you just don't want to get up and go for a real push forward. It sounds like you need to recoup and recharge. Thanks for telling us though. Most people, if not all, would have just disappeared. And we'll check in at PIC and see how you're doing and that way not worry too much. You take care and I do hope to see you back here soon. :wave:

mez -- You're rolling right along too! :cp: You're on top of the mountain! Hope it's an easy downhill for you from here! :yes: That was no doubt a nice thing to realize you were a day further than you'd thought! :lol: How's the head? Oh, and thanks for the info on the TV drama. Might not see it for years or never. I have never seen most of the most popular shows for the past two decades or longer! Have heard the names and watched them go into legendom without even having seen one episode! :lol: I don't think I'm missing all that much somehow..... ;)

curly -- You're notching the days in your usual way, it seems. You're two-thirds of the way home! Keep it going! :dancer:

Sushi -- How are you doing? Get those zzzz's in? Good for you for making it to Day 12!! :bravo: Hope you're sailing along!

Marti -- You are a rare sight around here. Who would have guessed you were moving right along and staying nicotine (and all that other gunk) free!! Good for you! This is major stuff! How are you feeling? Can't expect much the first thing weeks actually. The body has to get rid of the gunk and ugly things can show up. Hope you'll breeze through it though! :goodluck:

gray eyed girl -- Thanks for your long post and for your support for everyone. It sure helps keep the thread alive...especially when I'm AWOL.You must be on your last day or very close, right?! :sunny: Wow. You must be proud of yourself. And what a great display of determination at the burger joint! You ARE eating like a woman on a mission!! Keep it going!

:high:

a fly by here... another day completed but i feel like crap mother nature is working me over (tom) dont know whats up ive never had cramps like these...(3rd day) but i did drag myself to workout

Day 19 and 20 are done :) Tomorrow is day 21 for me! I HAVE to get to the gym tomorrow for a great workout. I've really slacked off with my exercise this month. I am aiming for 2 hours tomorrow. I am getting over a cold so I haven't felt like exercising, but I need to just do it before not going becomes a habit.

I weighed in yesterday at 205. That is THREE pounds lost since Saturday! I must have been retaining water or something, I know that I didn't lose 3 pounds of fat in 3 days. But I'll be happy if even one pound is still off on Saturday :).

Hope everyone is doing well!

Day 11 - Stayed in my Pts. No activity pts used

Red - My head felt ok. Much better than yesterday!! Thanks for asking.

gray eyed girl - Congrats on the 3lbs loss and hitting your 21st day!

Calling Day 19 a wrap!! :sunny:

* * *

"Out of the strain of the doing,
Into the peace of the done."

Julia Woodruff

:cloud9:

Day 15 here.
Veggies going great.
This new pack of herbal tea doesn't taste any better... yuck!!! Someone asked for the ingredients... they're in a foreign language, and I tore off the English sticker when looking for the expiry date, so I can't list them, sorry. It's basically herbs that are known to help with "detox", I think. And like with all herbal products, you need to drink it for quite a while and regularly in order to get the benefit. This line has at least 3 teas, which are to be drank in order.

My boyfriend has been so sweet... helping me with the challenge. :love: He boils water for me and prepares the mug and the tea bag... and some days he asks if I had my tea yet and offers to prepare it... :love:

Lots of :rain: here, dark outside.

Starting off Day 20. Ready to leave for the gym before work. It's a different branch so I have to take more with me. Ugh. It's a workout just lugging the stuff there, 45-min walk, then 45-min train ride. But I'll be closer to work at the end so I should get there on time. I almost blew it off but am really wanting to get to the gym so forced myself out of bed at 4:30 a.m. anyhow....

Today and tomorrow are my last two days of the challenge. Every day I want to eat sugary junk food. I don't know what happened other than I probably just want the seratonin lift or something like that. Oh well, I'll slog through without it. The scale hasn't moved much but the fat around my middle seems like less and I really, really hate the feel of it there. I'll take this, even without the scale going down... :(

Sushi -- Good going on getting your tea down. I hope it does something for you. If anything, it'll teach you some discipline. I like the vegetables even more. Reminds me I gotta get some into me. Horrible how eating out here just doesn't give you vegetables. Ridiculous really. Well, hang in there Sushi, you have very few days left! :spin:

mez -- :bravo: for you!! Keep it going! :sunny:

curly -- Hope you're feeling better.

gray -- This is it, isn't it? Your LAST day!!!! And congratulations on the weight loss! :cp: :woo: Why is it that everyone poo-poos the losses but gets upset over a gain. It should be the other way around! Get excited over the drops, ignore the gains. Come on, gray! a 3-lb. drop means something is shifting around in there! Hurrah!!

Okay, gotta run. Ciao! :wave:

:strong:

Back to day one! :( dam TOM wont leave and is making me .. feel worse each day... now day 5 .. when he usually is only here 3 max! if the cramps dont go away i am gonna lose my mind :dizzy: :dizzy:

curly -- I would definitely get a checkup. Cramps lasting a long time like that can often be a sign of something wrong, something else, not just a normal period. Get to a gynecologist.

first things first:

DAY 21, COMPLETED!

I did it! I got through 21 days of staying below my calorie limit. THREE WEEKS! I am so proud of myself. I already put a little kiss in my signature to celebrate :chockiss:. I am so happy right now.

I'm going to start my new challenge on the 23rd. That challenge will be NO SODA and NO CHOCOLATE. Both of them are things I eat too much of, and it's important that I break my habits of both. To be honest, I also just want to prove to myself that I CAN do it - that I am in complete control of what goes into my body and I don't have to give in to cravings or impulses. That's important to me, so although I'll be healthier without soda and skinnier without (as much) chocolate after these 21 days are up, this is really about making sure I know how to fight the cravings I get, and win. I know a couple of other people are coming up on day 21 before then - would anyone like to join me and start that day?

thank you, mezmerize! I weighed myself this morning and it actually said 204, but my ticker is only "allowed" to change on the days that I'm "supposed" to weigh in, so that will have to wait until tomorrow. A 4 pound loss in one week would be amazing. I've had so many 1 and 2 pound weeks lately. Which is normal and healthy, but I got spoiled in the first month or so with 5 pound losses for a couple of weeks, and 1 to 2 pounds seems like nothing in comparison. As long as it stays off, though, and as long as the numbers keep going down. That's all that matters. Congrats to you for getting through day 11!

Way to go, Red! You are almost there! You are SO right about the weight loss being the thing to celebrate. I am excited, I am just halfway expecting the scale to hop right back up because as I said above, I've gotten used to 1-2 pound losses per week now. I was down to 204 this morning though, and hopefully will be there tomorrow morning too.

Sushi, I'm the one who asked about the ingredients. Thanks for looking, I'm just curious what's in it. How wonderful that your boyfriend is being so supportive. I don't know what I'd do without my husband's support.

curlylocks, I have to agree with red that maybe you should see a doctor. I've always had really bad cramps, too. They've actually gotten better since I started losing weight, although I don't know why. You really should call your doctor if this is abnormal for you though. It could be just a bad month, or it could be something serious. I hope you feel better soon.

gray eyed girl -- CONGRATULATIONS!!!
:cp: :encore: :woo: :cp: :cp: :encore: :woo: :cp: :cp: :encore: :woo: :cp:

Way to GO!!! :dancer: :dancer: :dancer: :dancer: :dancer: :dancer: :dancer:

You have done it!! Wow, and that was no easy challenge. Well, it sure wouldn't have been for me!! :eek: You SHOULD be proud of yourself and I hope you remember this feeling :cloud9: every time you're getting down on yourself. Awesome stuff! :yes: :spin: :yes: :spin:

And here you go, already starting up a second round. And I see you're going for healthy choices -- excellent. I totally hear you on the control and wanting to prove to yourself that you CAN be in control of what you eat. You WILL do it. I think a couple people are starting on the 23rd but really, starting together doesn't really matter with this challenge. Waiting till you "cave in" kind of defeats the purpose of taking control of your eating. You can plan to use your pause days instead of just having them there as safety nets. Remember, the struggle is always with yourself, not with others. Everyone's challenge is different, each challenge is hard to a different degree for each person. Be careful not to lose sight of the fact that being in control means not looking at what others are doing so much as looking at what you aim to do. In any case, Good luck!! :goodluck:

Well, I had a good day. Got the gym early before work, only did a bit of weights but jogged 5 K. Walked again at lunch. No sugar, of course! One more day and then I think I'm going to take off a day or two and then start a new challenge (and probably a new thread)!!

Hope you're all doing well out there! :wave:

Hey all you silent ones! Well, it looks like I'm going to be wrapping up my challenge all alone.... :cry: ..oh well, no problem... Yes, it's my 21st day at last and in a couple hours I will be asleep and dreaming of ....sugar....my room is not all that much cleaner but I do have renewed respect for cleaning. ;) Well, everyone, I expect a big hand soon from you all! Hope to see you all back and on your challenges! :wave:

:cp::dancer: Hurrah to me! Hurrah to me! Hurrah to me!! :dancer::cp:

And you'll notice I've added another :) to my signature...

way to go red! :cheer: another round completed! what do u have planned for your next challenge? Im waiting till tomorrow to re start.. Ive been trying to get some things done around the house.. and fighting a futon I am trying to put together!!

curly -- Thanks! I am not alone after all! :) Whoops, I missed that you had to restart. Now, looking back, I see you had written it after all. I was wondering how you were going to do your challenge when you were feeling so bad. Okay, restarting...is that your first time to restart?! You are our stellar challenger!! :yes:
How are you feeling?! I hope better. Take care! :wave:

:high: :high: :high: :high:

Congrats to you Red on making it through another challenge. Who's better than you girl? Whoo hoo!!!!

:dance: :dance: :dance:

Hi Red! You know I disappear for a few days but I come back, good times or bad. Congrats on your challenge!! I`m very proud of you! :cb: :cb:

Okay, I have good news and bad news. The bad news of course, I only made it through to day 4. Friday and Saturday I didn`t do any exercise. But, thanks to you, Red, pushing me to try, I still feel like I did good by working out 4 days last week. My weight is now 193 :) :D I drank A LOT (beer and shots) Friday, barely slept 3 hours, think I woke up still drunk! I kind of expected to go back up a little but it was a pleasant surprise. I thought it could`ve been dehydration but it`s still there today :) I cant believe I have only 13 pounds to my B-day goal, and then only another 15 to my goal weight. I never thought it would be this easy, this fast, and my life already changing so much. I tend to want to eat when I`m hungover, so I treated the kids to McDonalds which I never do anymore, and got myself a chicken sandwich meal AND an extra double cheeseburger. I ate half the sandwich, a few fries and my son had the extra burger, I cant even do it to myself anymore even when I think I want to. I really believe the eating part is under control, and it`s times like yesterday when the food is there that I`m seeing I can do this for life. Exercise may still be a battle, but it`s just not in me anymore to binge...and binging is what got me to 230 pounds. I know it`s just not worth it.
Another wonderful feeling, I made it to the "overweight" category and am out of the "obese"! BMI is now 29.8, down from 35.5!!!

Okay so now the exercise, I`m just getting right back up there and today will be a new day 1. maybe I`ll only make it a few days, maybe I`ll ge through the whole week and eventually make it to day 21, but I know by at least trying I`ll get some exercise this week and not feel as bad as I did the week I didn`t even try. ;) This challenge helps me tremendously whether I make it or have to keep trying over.

Gray-congrats!!! I`m so happy for you! I barely ever want soda anymore, I`ll open a diet pepsi and after 2 sips I`m back to the water. I`ve been hooked on Propel lately, so I alternate plain water with Propel. Thats a tough challenge, no soda and chocolate, but I think you`ll get through it just fine. And you have 2 free days in case you need them. :) Good luck, and thanks to you for the motivation as well. You and Red have helped me so much when I need it the most. :grouphug:

I desperately need to do some strength training today, and actually look forward to it. I hope to do a lot today, we`ll see. Challenge will remain 30 minutes of exercise a day. I know I can at least do that much! I`ll check in later with an update. :wave:

Good morning, all! I am up and determined to get to the gym again before work today! I really had a good workout yesterday evening too but I am going to get back there while I have the time and do more! :spin: I am also looking forward to being able to eat sugar BUT I am NOT going to go hog wild. That will only mean I didn't learn anything from these past three weeks AND I am going to get away from this binge-because-tomorrow-it's-back-to-the-straight-and-narrow mentality. That's part of the thinking that got me overweight, that keeps me overweight and that sabotages all the effort I DO put into losing weight.

Just wanted to say that I have lost weight, though the scale doesn't reflect it much. I am fitting into clothes better! And yesterday at the gym, a bodybuilding friend I hadn't seen in a bit immediately mentioned that my face was thinner, though he couldnt see much of my body because I was in heavy sweats. My face is always rather thin looking but I knew my body was smaller too. I knew I could count on the bodybuilders to notice. They are SOOO attuned to any little change and right now they are dieting down for the contests, Tokyo is on Sept. 11, Japan in early October. They are getting ripped and are lightheaded from the carb cutting they do while still going heavy on the weights. Racehorse trainers and bodybuilders, there are a lot of these in my life and they have made me look at the whole weight thing very objectively. That is something I thank them for though I must say their comments on every little fluctuation can at times be a little annoying. :lol: But really, normally, I am around a bunch of dull guys at work who wouldn't notice if I cut off all my hair and the anorexic people at the riding club consider me a tank for sure anyhow so don't ever comment if I lose a bit of weight. It sure is nice to get a bit of notice for your efforts, though I usually am pretty good about just doing it for myself. It does get lonely though...

happy -- Thank you soo much for the congratulations! "who's better"? I love it. Something you don't hear much but it's fun to get a real boost with a little boasting, eh?! Thank you! :love: You have always been so sweet. :o I feel like I have a little guardian angel here who pops in to make me smile from time to time... :angel:

Caro -- Ah..a long post from Caro..some things are right in the world... :cloud9: So, thank you tons for your kind words. It is always nice to hear from you and also to hear how the challenge is helping you. I am so glad it is. Caro, I really want you to learn how to ease off without goofing off. An exercise challenge is very hard and really not good if you are going all-out each time. You would soon end up overtraining. You have to learn how to rotate and add in days that are still what you could exercising but involve something gentle like walking. Even stretching or a bit of yoga would be good. There is rarely any need to go back to Day 1 I think. Then again, maybe you like to go flat on your back or bellyflop to the couch certain days and we can't have that, can we?! ;) So, you had a doozy of a night on the town, did you?! :lol: Sounds familiar, although there are not common anymore with me....thank God I am showing some restraint as I get older.... Yes, the best times for weigh-ins are after a night out... but if the weight is still off then probably a lot was real. I think sometimes the relaxation just kicks our bodies to let go. I think I hold onto water due to stress and a fun night out can be just the thing I need to relax. I'm glad McDonald's did not turn in to a binge for you. When I was first reading all you bought, I was thinking, oh no!!! but then see you didn't eat it after all. Good for you!! I admire your control and think you may have finally clicked with a mind change. That is what we need, isn't it, something that has us just sitting quiet or doing something that doesn't involve stuffing our faces just because of the way we feel (other than hungry!). Look at all the weight you've lost! That is amazing. You said you were tall and big-boned, right? You must be looking great right now! I am proud of you to hear you not poo-pooing the days you do get in on your challenge. There is NOTHING wrong with starting over, if you do it right away. Pauses in between challenges are okay, but not in between restarts! :nono: Well, good luck and keep up the great work!! :strong:

Well, I will be starting again and next time I'm going to make it superstrict with what goes into my mouth. I may jump in quickly or may take some time off. Most likely, I'll be back in in a few days, but I will be watching you all and posting in the meantime. Hang in there, mates! :cb:

Let me catch up!

RED! YOU DID IT! :bravo: :cp: :hat: :flow1: I am sooooo happy for you! What determination. Enjoy your sweets-in moderation! :chockiss:

LB-Looks like you are back on track! Good recovery!

dkkrf-You are already off to running start! I need to catch up!

Sushi-Great optomistic way to look at it! (8/16 post)

Curly-oh man-TOM sucks!!

Mez-Day 11 ! How is the combo diet working for ya?

Caro-Starting over isn't easy-but look how far you have come!

Carla-are you back?

Java-sorry about your sails-hope to see ya back soon.

Gray-21! Woo Hoo! Awesome Job!!!!!! :twirly: :high: :balloons: :encore: are you starting again tomorrow?

Marti-still hanging in there!

Gosh guys,
So sorry I haven't stopped in. 101 excuses-none good. :blah: I am back on track though and ready to begin again tomorrow. :hyper:

Good morning, all. In between challenges here. Trying to think of what to do. May just do another no-sugar challenge but with bonus goals to help lose weight. I'm worried that making the challenge too complicated may be unproductive. Hmmm...thinking.

ok day 1 completed did my workout and my water......

sorry I haven't been here all weekend. The birthday party was this weekend and between preparation and recovering, things have been crazy. I'm starting challenge #2 tomorrow and my challenge will be NO SODA OR CHOCOLATE. I am planning my free days in advance - between days 7 and 8, and days 14 and 15. Basically, I want to "train" myself to look at soda and chocolate as a once a week (or less) indulgence instead of some necessity I can't live without. Because we all know that's crap - soda and chocolate are NOT necessities.

Red, you make an excellent point about starting for myself. I had planned to take this weekend off from the challenge anyway, because of the party, but I also like the idea of having other people who are in the same spot on their challenges as I am, for inspiration's sake. Glad you got through day 21 too! Way to go!

Caro, sorry you had to start over again. Congratulations on getting to 193 though, and to becoming "overweight" instead of "obese". Doesn't that make you feel wonderful? On the little weight chart on fit day, I am now halfway through the "moderate overweight" section and can't wait to be in the "healthy weight" section instead. When I started I was way over in "severe overweight" so it's nice to see the progress. Anyway, I'm rambling. Congratulations!

1ceagain, I am definitely starting tomorrow :). Glad to see you around.

Curly, and you're off! Keep it up.

My challenge will be no alcohol. :hat: I did it for the first two weeks on SBD. I can do it for three! :crossed: I have to admit, as much as I don't want to, that whenever I do decide to drink alcohol, that is when I start to slip up. :devil: I have a glass of wine, I get hungry. :ink: I have two glasses, my willpower starts to go and I cave and eat something off program. :chockiss: :cookie: :jeno: :burger: I have three glasses I get lazy and I don't feel like exercising the next morning. :faint: It is definately a MAJOR reason I fail to stick to a program. I saw just how successful I can be at this if it's just not a factor. :yes: So, I'm commited now . . . :fr:

1 round done :dizzy:

Carla is back, and she has been a very, very bad girl. But it's the 23rd now, and I'm ready (sort of) for my next challenge. I'll sleep on it tonight, and decide just what the challenge will be when I wake up. For sure, no booze or chocolate. Maybe something else as well. It will be a sad place here when I weigh in in the morning.

I'll post a long chat once I've caught up and gotten some sleep. :-)

Heh, all! Glad to see some action around here! :cb: I'm still in between challenges, my second day of freedom. Don't ask what I've been doing! :) I am going to start a new challenge soon, maybe tomorrow...and with it will start a new thread. But don't worry, I'll paste the link in so you can all find it easily. I'm also considering a rule change to put a max on the pause days at three instead of five. Before they were substitute days. Now, they're pause days. I'm also thinking of making it a 1-2-3-1-2-3 cycle, i.e., after three challenges (where you have three pause days) you go back to just the one free day for your fourth challenge. I'm thinking it's good to get tough again after three. A little tightening the belt is always good and all that...it could also push us to change our challenges, try something that seems easy but is new and not a habit yet. What are your thoughts?

Okay, well, I was going to get back to you but I've run out of time. Later! :wave:

Anyone wondering about the horrifying scream that woke you up.... That was me weighing in. Up 6 pounds!!! :eek: :cry: :eek: There's been some pretty heavy self-indulgence going on lately. (I do hope the scale will be kinder once I get past some of the accumulated fat/salt/sugar of the past week.)
Grey and 1nceagain, it's Day one again for me. It'll be tough to get back into it - week-long breaks are not a good idea. My goals this time: no alcohol or chocolate bars, and no "free" food. Just because there are chocolate-dipped biscotti at coffee break doesn't mean I have to eat five and take two for later! The free wine on the flight home is not really that good, and will only give me a headache and insomnia! If I can't drink coffee without sugar and half and half, maybe I should just stick to water.

In any case, it's good to be home again. I'm going to need those free days, as I have a cottage invitation in two weeks, and then relatives visiting. And I know I'll be a much better hostess (and a much happier camper in every way) if I avoid the demon rum.

Good luck all! It'll take me a while to catch up with you all.

Good morning! Just want everyone to know I`m on Day 2 today. Sunday fell apart for me, I hate Sundays so I never should`ve attempted to start on that day. Okay, I really needed to hear what you said, Red. I shouldn`t push myself to only consider cardio my challenge, any exercise is beneficial to me. Like you said, even some stretching or walking can keep me on track. Thank you, I really needed to change the way I was going about my challenge!

I worked out for over an hour yesterday, so it felt really good (maybe the guilt about Sunday! But I took no pauses, Red! Went right back to Day 1! ) Today is Day 2. I have so much to do today, but I`m not planning any more start overs!

I have to get going, hope I have some time to respond some more to your posts later today.

Have a great day, and good luck to you all!! :)

Sorry was MIA, lots going on here with school and such. Congrats to all you 21 Dayers. :) Today would be the my end of the second week with the SB/WW diet plan. I've lost a total of 9 lbs. I'm thinking of staying on it for another week. I'm just now starting to get the Hang fo of it so to speak. Stayed in my Pts. No activity pts used Day 12 - 15.
Just looking at day 15 makes me proud. I didn't think I'd make it since I had a terrible start. I know that if I do go for another challenge I'll do the same thing. I believe this had made me stronger with my weight loss plan.

Hey, ladies
Hope ya’ll don’t mind if I jump in. I had my B-day yesterday and totally overindulged :hat: , so I want to try this challenge to make up for it. I am going to try and stay away from all liquid calories for 21 days. This includes: sodas, ice-tea, wine (and all other alcohol), juices, and anything else that can be consumed in liquid form. So, nothing but water for me for the next 3 weeks.
You think I can do it? :crossed:

NinaV that sounds like a wonderful challenge! You can do anything you put your mind to. :)

Good morning, all. Just checking in. Reading the posts. Will respond later. Still in between here. But, I am really missing not being on a challenge. I didn't realize how good it made me feel to be accomplishing something like not eating sugar, working toward a goal. These two days of overindulgence have felt, I don't know, kind of wrong in a way, like, what's the point? What's the point of eating the junk when it's not helping me and no doubt moving me away from the lean body I want. Interesting. I guess the no-sugar thing had become more of a habit, a way of life than I realized. And that's a great thing!! I know I'll whine and hate the strictness when I'm back on the straight and narrow, but I'm realizing how much I actually enjoy it in a way...is that perverse or what?! :eek: Am I, after all, perhaps gaining a kind of "thin mindset?!?!"

Yay Red! You're faking yourself into a good habit! You are probably becoming so naturally sweet you don't need all that added sugar anyway. So now you'll have to come up with a goal that's still hard for you.

:cheer: Day #2!!!

Oh my...I've been MIA from this for a bit. Sorry about that. I have a lot of emotional things going on at home at this time that a challenge for me has been put on hold until I get this work through.

Red....I had changed my challenge from not smoking (still working on it...not smoking as much, maybe 4 a day compared to a pack a day!) to working out on the gazelle. And I have to say I was doing quite well there for awhile...over a week!! But as I mentioned, things here have gone haywire and it's overwhelming.

So--before I babble along too much, I will say that as soon as I get this taken care of, I will be back on track. I had so much success in this challenge and now that I'm back.....can't seem to keep up!! :o

I'll be back to restart as soon as I can!!

Good Luck!

Well I'm off and running! :tread: NO ALC. yesterday!

Nina-Welcome! That does sound like a good challenge! :goodluck:

Red-when are you starting back up? I think you will have more power this time! :wl:

Marti-sorry the road is rough right now. :( Hurry back. ;)

Curly-Day 2! great job. :goodvibes

Mez-9lbs! That is awesome! :D I do believe SBD is a good program :yes:

Caro-way to get right back on track! :smug:

Carla-I would have heard your scream, but I think mine drowned it out. I, myself am up 4!!!!! :yikes: Between my pause between challenges, not getting as much exercize as I was, and (TOM) I am really screwed up. :tired: I am relying on this week to get me back to where I left off and by the end of the challenge be down another couple. We will see. Hang in there girlfriend. :high:

challenge rounds completed :dizzy:

Day 1 done. My second weigh-in wasn't as bad as the first. Go figure! So it's 5 lbs instead of 6. And I have hope that it will go down more now that I'm being a good girl again. Ta ta until tomorrow.

1nceagain - I'm really happy with the 9lbs. Since two weeks before I started the SB?WW plan. I was just on WW and I gained 2lbs. The scale wasn't moving! So maybe the SB/WW combined plan is for me. I know I'm going to continue it as long as it's working and I've learned other ways to deal with my snacking. Like celery and not skinny cow ice cream! LOL ( I couldn't have it durning P1) So I'm going to continue to have fresh veggies . WW taught me to watch my portions and to eat healthy. SB explain what was healthy to me. What I can eat to curb a hungry tummy so I don't over eat. I'm learning something everyday. I will admit I did find it easy at 1st but then I was forced to be creative. I got bored. It's a work in progress but I know I'm making better choices by using both for me I can't just be on the WW plan or just the SBD plan. I need to do both. I really think everyone needs to find what is best for them and to tweak their plan and not feel guilty not every plan suits every person to a tee. IMO
Ok I'm climbing off my soap box.
P.S. I'm not very good with words so please don't be offened by them.

Mez, I think combining the two plans is a terrific idea. They both promote healthy eating, with WW being less restrictive re variety but more restrictive in quantity. It all boils down to making choices that work in the real world.

(And you sound pretty good with words to me!)

:bravo: on those 9 pounds!!!!

1nceagain - all that screaming, all those pounds back on board. But we'll win in the end, that's why we're back on the challenge. Let's just keep smiling and keep keeping on. ;)

Day one down, but this is going to be HARD. The only reason I got through today is because I was wise enough to rid the house of ANY chocolate. I am craving it so badly right now. I keep thinking that the fact that I'm craving chocolate so much means that I really did need to do this, but wow - this is going to be tough.

Just 6 more days, and then I get my first free day. Hopefully I won't be :crazy: by then!

Gray, it's good to know you're starting out with 1nce and me. Maybe we can keep each other on the straight and narrow!

I don't eat chocolate bars (candy bars to you), but I allow myself DQ FF fudge bars or the choc pudding shakes described here on 3fc. They don't seem to make me crave "the good stuff", and I do enjoy them.

We're both starting this round at the same weight. Let's both be a whole lot lighter in 21 days, enjoying our permanent stay in Onederland!

Carla, Thanks for the nice words. I'ts comforting that a few are starting out at the same time. :goodvibes

Gray, I know that feeling. It will pass, but that doesn't make it easier. I know. We are here with you! :grouphug:

Mez, I think the combo plan sounds great! :cp:

So far, so good. End of day 2. At the moment what I would really love is a big glass of diet pepsi with lots of ice and a bendy straw. Thats the way I like it. But I know it would just screw with my sleep sched. :tired: so I guess it's gonna be a big glass of water. :beach:


challenge rounds completed :dizzy:

Completed Day 18 yesterday!!!

I'm sorry, but yet again no time to post much... just 10 days left until my big move and still so much to do! Red, congratulations!!!! I knew you could do it, and I totally understand what you said about the no sugar thing becoming like a habit. Good luck for your new challenge!

carla49 - Thanks for the kind words! Congrats on Day 1.

gray eyed girl - That was a very good choice to rid of the chocolate. I know at times I think I'll just take a small bite. Then its gone!! How does that saying go out of sight out of mind. Well for me it's out of sight out of my mouth, hips,waist... Congrats on Day 1!

1nceagain - Thanks I have found wonderful recipes on 3FC and that has been a HUGE help! Congrats on Day 2. I can only have stuff with caffinee in the morning if I even take a sip at night I'm wide awake.

Sushi Penguin - Congrats on Day 18!!!

New challenge for me - 96 oz of water a day! Just completing my first day!:cheer:

mscat

Ok, guys, I'm BACK IN!! After four days of the trough! I am jumping back in to a challenge (my third) with both feet!! Anyone miss me out there?!?! :strong: This is going to be a toughie. I am starting tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 26. I am determined to get permanently UNDER 70 kg on this round. You bet!! The details are as follows:

:coach: NO sugar, NO white flour (that's gonna be a first!!), and NO deep-fried foods.

I can have white rice, but should try to eat brown. The no sugar and no white flour will eliminate all snack foods, even those with minimal sugar. The only bread allowed is whole-grain bread with NO sugar. I will allow myself protein powder, whatever there is.

Ok, all, I will be back posting to you all soon. Hang tough! :spin:

Stayed in my Pts. Day 16 & 17 No activity pts used

Red sounds like you got a great challenge ahead! I know you can do it!!! I can't wait to add a challenge smiley to my signature. Miss you??!! Hummm yup I'd say so!! :) Your so encouraging and you have a wonderful way with words, a sense of humor... shall I go on or do you believe me??? hehe

mscat -- That is a really good challenge! One I should do... I'm terrible with drinking all my water. Humm you have planted a seed.... Congrats on you 1st day!

Yikes, Red, that's one heck of a tough challenge! But we're glad to see you back.

Mscat, you'll be floating away one of these days. I drink a lot of fluids, but I'm ashamed to admit most of it is caffeine-free diet pepsi. Yes, I am hooked.

Mez, You've only got a few days to your smiley! Believe me, it's quite an accomplishment to stick to ANYTHING for three whole weeks!

As for me, Day 2 went well challenge-wise, although there was a little too much nibbling in the evening. But this morning I'm down again, only 3 pounds away from my pre- binge week weight. I'm glad I know now not to panic at apparent 6 pound weight gains: it takes longer than a week of overindulgence to gain that much, and once the fat and salt leave the system...

Take care all, I hope Gray and 1nce are still on track and doing well.

Hi girls,
We have had a family emergency and I have to fly back to the states tomorrow. Everything will be fine-eventually. I will check in when I am able. Best of wishes for all of you in your challenges. :^:

STOP!! -- DO NOT POST HERE!!!!

I started a new thread!! It's called 21-Day Challenge -- counting on new habits!! :spin: Please click on the link below and join us!! See you there! :wave:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64102

:sunny: