Support Groups - 21-Day Challenge!! -- counting on new habits!!

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(I think I'll stop posting these happy guys...) 8 days of no beer!
Day 14 complete on the steppping!
Red I'm with you on the bear down and lose weight gig. I found while these challenges are great to establish certain habits, like getting off my butt for 15 minutes, it is easy to sabatoge a weight loss plan while still sticking to the challenge. anyway.....I hope everyone has a great weekend!

I'm here I 'm here! Better late than never, right?

Today was day 1. AWFUL eating today, although I stayed at 1490 calories (I posted my foods in the food log thread in Support, as required, and also put them into fitday). I tried to space out my grocery shopping to walk more than usual but other than that got no REAL exercise. I did take extra trips up and down the stairs while straightening up this afternoon, too. Not real exercise, but an effort to move more anyway.

Sorry I'm behind, It's already past midnight here and I'm beat, but I didn't want to go to bed without accomplishing even ONE day of my new challenge!

Woo-hoo! Less than a week to go!

Finished day 12 yesterday, exercised for 45 mins and stayed within my points.

Well I didnt walk today. I got up and it was already 85 out and SERIOUSLY humid. The kind where you walk outsie and it takes your breath away:flame:. HOWEVER I did replace my walk this morning *so that I atleast did SOME sort of exercise* with riding on the exercise bike. Did 5.00 miles in 23 minutes doing avg 14mph.:ebike: So hey atleast that counts for something.

Also last night I slurged and got myself a diet cherry vanilla dr.pepper:nono:. Funny thing though, I drank like a few sips and didnt want it. Guess I was just craving the sweetness. Anyhoo. Guess I'll start back at day 1 tomorrow :(

First things first, a big belated !!!CONGRATULATIONS!!! for gray eyed girl!

:dancer: :cp: :cheer: :woo: :encore: :cp: :cheer: :woo: :encore: :cp: :cheer: :woo: :encore: :cp: :cheer: :woo: :encore: :dancer:

You crept up on us there by going undercover in the final days, gray! But, we're so happy to see you through. You're like me with the not feeling happy about it and this is something we just have to NOT do!!

The hard thing about getting the body and health you want is that it's not just one simple thing you work with. It's all these little things put together and they also involve working with outside factors, many of which are totally outside of our control. These challenges allow us to work with the pieces individually, focus on the things that are especially hard or unappealing, and then, someday, we will be able to work with more together.

I guess you could also think of it like a juggling act, where you are juggling many different kinds of things, not just little, easily held balls. Suppose you had some real awkward thing you had to throw in the air and catch and that was hard doing alone, let alone with several other things. In order to learn to do it you'd have to practice with just that one thing alone for a while perhaps and everything else may be waylaid. Then, when you get good at that, you could take up the other things, maybe only one at a time, maybe more. Anyhow, what I'm saying, is, it takes TIME! You didn't fail in the other aspects. You had to put them down for a while. Take heart, girl! I am too!!

Heh, all! I finished my challenge yesterday!! Hurrah for me!! Those last days were kind of tough. My resolve was failing,I was feeling lazy, like reaching for sweets, but I didn't!! I ate sweet fruit instead. Thank God for sweet fruit!! Yum!! So, it's Monday morning here and I can have anything I want. But, I am going to try to think of myself as still more or less on the challenge. That's the way it should be I guess. I haven't thought of my next challenge. It'll probably be the same, but with something extra. I may even do two challenges at the same time, separate the factors so I don't fail the whole thing, even though I am doing good on one of the aspects. The white flour and sugar I think go good together. But, I may do an exercise thing too. I will start the new thread when I start up, which may be in a couple days, but I will be here in the meantime, cheering you all on!! :cheer:

Silly -- Too bad about the soda. I think you have one pause day, right? So, you could keep going with that. But, I think, too, it's still early in your challenge so you may want to start over. The important thing is to just keep going!! :dancer:

vanessa -- :cp: You're doing great!!

Chaps -- You're rounding into the homestretch!! Work those abs!

gray -- Already back up and running, are you? Good for you! So, I'm not clear on your challenge. Give us the report clear and simple (for simple minds such as mine)! Are you through or not?! I take it you are. I can't keep track of what is on your challenge and what's not. You are just doing so much!! :lol:

Apple -- How are you faring?! You got through Day 14 stepping! Kudos! :cp: Beer guys? Was the reason you were going to stop posting them because you were going to hang out with one of 'em? ;) Did you get through the weekend without a cold one?

justkeepswimming -- You are in your last days, aren't you? Great work! :bravo: Just ignore those kids and come in and talk with us! :yes:

curly -- How did the walk go? I never would have thought you were shy...hmm. How's the challenge?

carla -- You hanging out there on standby? Maybe I should start the new thread for you before I start up... Let's really make this next challenge a beaut, ok?! :sunny:

diamond girl -- You still with us? I hope so! :yes:

Day 13 gone, stayed within my points , and just finished exercising. WI tomorrow wish me luck!
Vanessa

It WAS a diet soda so i'm not beating myself up about it.

And I'm not sure if you read but I ATLEAST rode the bike for 5 miles. Its not like I just sat on my behind....

That's the attitude Silly! Yes, I know you rode your bike, but you were saying you were going to start over....so? What is it? Did you make your challenge and another day down?

I didn't get in here to post yesterday, but I got my situps in!!! I am really feeling it! Hopefully its working, LOL. ARGH, I just hate my belly.
Today we went hiking, two hours, I just love being outside, and the weather was beautiful.

I hope everyone had a good weekend

Walked tonight with the puppy for 25 minutes. Gotta get her used to walkin on the leash like normal. She likes to run aside u biting the leash...she's a weirdo. Id rather not start over...I walked just not in the morning....That counts doesnt it?

Tomorrow my lovely guests leave for good, and tonight I'm awash in vino and good food. No weigh-ins for this porker! But I'm ready to start again tomorrow or Tuesday (please make it Tuesday!), and I'll make it through to the end this time. I've enjoyed this week off, and needed it, but I think I'm ready. Tomorrow night I have my bed and house back, and life will return to normal. I'm toying with doing a sort of WW core thing - it's easy and lets you eat like a person.

RED! RED! RED! RED!! RED!! RED!!YOU GO GIRL!

YOU ARE THE CHAMPION, YOU ARE THE CHAMPION, OF THE WORLD... (Think Freddy Mercury and Queen...) :cb:

And Gray, you stealth challenger, back on the challenge already? I don't blame you - you don't want to dabble in the food equivalent of the black arts... You go girl! and you have (I think) three free days this time...

Bed time.

Day 2 done :) since I'm here, and I just posted my food log over in Support. :)

RED, sorry I wasn't clear. My challenge is a little more abstract this time, mostly to get me to be more accountable. For this challenge, I have to:
1. log my food in fitday (http://www.fitday.com/) every day.
2. post my daily meals in this thread in Support (http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?p=965945#post965945) every day, because that forces me to really think about what I'm eating - I have to "confess" it at the end of the day, so it better be worth it!
3. Check in to this thread every day, for motivation and accountability on how I'm doing with my goals.
4. Move more. This one isn't specific, really - I just need to force myself to, say, park far from the store and walk the extra few minutes, or walk to and from my car instead of taking the shuttle, or take 3 trips up and down the stairs at home instead of just 1. Little things like that - I need to make a point to move more, since I'm not able to get to the gym very much.

Does that make sense? They're not big things, but it'll make a big difference for me.

Hello. Well, I've been enjoying (and feeling guilty) about my day off the challenge, or more specifically, in between challenges. I will not go into details....

I will probably start the new thread up on my Wednesday morning, which will be most of your Tuesday evenings. Just to let you know...

gray -- Okay, thanks for that explanation. Basically, can you just give us a clear "I DID it!" or an "Oops!" if you didn't and then tell us the details. Because your challenge is rather abstract and has soooo many components, I get lost and what I want is to keep this thread really clear on the challenge part. We can go waffling off about what-all and whatever but please, everyone, please at some point make it real clear that you are on the wagon or off it....I sound like I'm conducting an AA meeting here! :rofl:

Yo, gray! You are doing so well and I really like how you're getting all those parts of your dieting life in with this challenge. But, beginners out there! don't feel intimidated, gray is a real pro at this! :lol: Keep it going!

carla -- "awash in vino and good food"...hmmm, what can I say, except that I know you are giving yourself that big bon voyage party before you get on the Challenge Cruise! Oh, and wow, that song...that refrain..."You are the champion...of the world!!" YES! YES! I hear this in my head just like ALL the time!! And there you heard it too! :spin: :spin: Wow! That is so cool. I was starting to think it was just me!! Big sigh!!!!.....:cloud9:

Silly -- Your puppy sounds like a perfectly perfect puppy, not a weirdo!! I love animals... Of course walking counts, anytime you do it! :yes: Good going! :cp:

diamond -- Good to see you Ouch! but a big hand! :cp: You're giving me ideas about my own ab workout...hmmm.. :chin: Oh, and in your signature, the 30-day diet...I was thinking...15 lbs in 30 days! Wow! and then I saw it was 15 days lost..... :lol3:

vanessa -- :bravo: on Day 13 in the bag!!

Okay, others! Are you out there?!?! 1nceagain, curly, Sushi, swimming, Apple, Chaps, mez!! Phat!?! fancy, Yellow!! Come on down!! :dancer:

Redballoon - Congratulations! Really, excellent work. Good for you.

Everyone have a great day!

Maybe some of you remember me, I kept quiting, , I havent gained any weight, but I havent lost any either. So I'm going to start this again, I'm going to get at least an 1hr of exercise a day and give up soda. I hope I can make it through the 21 days this time :lol: .

Good morning!
Bad news, I have to start over on my challenge. Or start a new one or something. I think I will wait for Red and Carla so we can all start on the same day. I didn't step Saturday because I didn't get home from my daughters dance performance until 11:00 and we were all beat. And then I thought I'd double up yesterday but that never happened either. :shrug:
Good news is I'm still rolling along on the beer challenge so I may as well make it an official 21 day challenge instead of a mini one. Lets see, I think I've completed....10 days. (I'm not posting these guys :hat: anymore cause there's too many of them! It's turning into quite a party!)
Congrats to everyone, sounds like everyone is doing so well!! :cp:
Welcome Testament! You can do it!!

Offical weigh in today, I'm down 2 pounds. Yeah ME!!! :cp: I'm going to pick up my son right now, I plan on reading everything later...

Good day ya'll

Good morning, all. Not much action around here. What happened?!

Apple, apple, apple.....!! Don't wait for me to start up! :nono: Starting on the same day doesn't really mean anything because we all have a different number of "pause days" anyhow. The challenge keeps going. My starting a new thread is just to keep the thread from getting too long. :yes: Please try, Apple, to just keep going and keep trying to hit 21 instead of changing your challenge or dropping out! You CAN do this and unless you think your original challenge was just TOO much.... I like your no-beer challenge. That is amazing that you're clear for 10 days. Maybe you've got to too much on your plate. Maybe you could just switch...hmmm. Well, don't mind me! :lol: :coach: Go, Apple, Go, Apple, Go!!! :cheer: :cheer:

Testament -- Welcome or welcome back! :wave: An hour of exercise sounds a bit ambitious. But, I guess it depends how you define it. Go for it!! :dancer:

Chaps -- Thank you!! Congratulations on 16 days down!! :sunny:

diamond -- :woo: Allright!! 2 lbs down! You must be happy! :cloud9: AND, you're over (or just about over) the hump!! Keep it going! :strong:

Last day - Wish me luck I feel weak today. But I know I HAVE to workout because my sister will be there expecting me. I just feel bla today. Maybe it was those baked chips. I haven't had them in forever... and the diet soda...that was basically my Breakfast/lunch... UGH!!! Darn it got to set my self straight!! Today was my weight in day. Down 2lbs and only 4 to go and I'll be at my lowest before the wagon plopped me off.

day 7 & 8

yesterday i took a good long walk @ 3 miles at 6 am with my pup... drank all my water.. and then we went again in the evening...

ive been getting all my water down today ... and will head out to do my 45 min of circuit training after work... have my exercise clothes with me and will leave from work...

the Leukemia walk was pretty neat... we finished in the front of the pack!


wooo hoo :cheer: i ended up doing 1 hr of circuit training!

COMPLETE!!

Not only did i walk the dog this evening once it cooled a little but I also did 5.76 miles in the bike.

*pats self on back*

AND to make my day even better, I'm set up for a second interview tomorrow for a job. WISH ME LUCK!!!

Day 14 down on my challenge, 29th day on WW:) Today was my weigh in, even though i didn't do too good i friday i went down 1lb. :D Yay this week im going to eat better and hopefully by next weigh in i'll have 2lbs gone. Well today i took my dog for a walk, went on the gazelle, and did some weight lifting to tones my arms.
Congrats everyone!! Keep going, you're all doing awesome!!

SW:175
CW:159.5
GW:135

Day 21 FINISHED!!! Lifted weights worked arms/bicepts/tricepts - Abs and walked on the treadmill for 1.5 miles. Stayed in my WW points. I'm going to give myself a couple days and think what I want to do next.

HURRAH!! for MEZ!!
:encore: :encore: HAPPY 21!!:encore: :encore:

:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance::dance:
:dance: :dance::dance: :dance: :dance::dance: :dance:
:dance::dance: :dance: :dance::dance: :dance: :dance:

:cp: :cp: :cp: :woo: :woo: :woo: :cp: :cp: :cp:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

:cp: :cp: :cp: :woo: :woo: :woo: :cp: :cp: :cp:

Red, will do :). I know it's a weird challenge, but I have GOT to get things back under control. I'm not gaining but in my first 4 months I lost more than 40 pounds and in the last month and a half I'm struggling to keep myself from gaining, because I'm just slipping. These things are the things I did in the first few months, and stopped doing. BTW, WAY TO GO for getting through 21 days! You are wonderful, Red!!

Welcome, Testament :)

Apple Blossom, sorry to hear you have to start over. You'll get through this time though.

Way to go, Diamond Girl, SillyFluff, and vanessa6295!

MEZ, congratulations on 21 days!!

curlylocks, you're on a roll :). Keep it up!

Day 3 done! I'm glad I'm forcing myself to keep up with Fitday again, because it's become very clear that my biggest single issue is that I'm snacking too much again. Just mindless eating. That has ALWAYS been something I struggled with. I need to get it under control again. I also need a thesaurus - I think I'm going to be using the word "control" or some variation thereof a lot this challenge.

gray -- I think your challenge is great!! Don't get me wrong.

Here are those words you are going to need! :lol3:

adjust, bridle, check, collect, compose, constrain, contain, cool, corner, cow, curb, limit, master, quell, regulate, rein in, repress, restrain, simmer down, smother, squelch, subdue

be civil, be good, be nice, be orderly, comport oneself, control oneself, deport oneself, direct, discipline oneself, manage, manage oneself, play fair, shape up

Get Er" Done!!!!

Wow, I can't believe I'm so close to finishing my first challenge! I feel like one of the big girls now...so to speak.

AppleBlossom - Sorry about starting over, but as one who has done it herself, I promise you, it can be done.

DiamondGirl - Congratulations on the weight loss!

SillyFluff - Good luck with the job interview.

Mezmerize - You said you wondered if you felt "blah" from eating chips - I know exactly what you mean! I ate a bunch of bacon on Sunday and thought, ah well. But I felt so gross that night and the next morning. I need to learn that when I splurge, it has to have moderation. I can't go crazy like I used to, my system just won't take it anymore. Also, congratulations on finishing your 21 days! Woo hoo!!

Everyone else, have a lovely day!

You are right, Red. I need to get right back to the challenge. So here we go on day one. I'm adding to it though. I also want to do 3 sets of sit ups a day. That should be easy, I can do those even with the kids around. If I try to step with the kids around, they all want to do it too. I should buy 2 more steps and start a mini gym. :lol: The dogs tend to get in the way too. And when I'm down on the floor doing sit ups they can't resist an easy face lick! :p Of course, I could just send them all outside...
I'm finished day 11 on the beer challenge. :hat: I don't think I'll have any trouble finishing that one...
Hurray for mez!!! Good work!!! :cp:

Thanks everyone for the being here to help me make that challenge possible!!

gray eyed girl - Yes that mindless snacking is running rapid. Think there is a vaccine? I should could use one!

redballoon - If I find myself doing a word-find I'm calling YOU!!! :) (will need to put you on speed dial)

Chaps - You know I hadn't really noticed how food effects a persons mood til I startes my new lifestyle. It's amazing how great one can feel when eating healthy when compared to eating badly.

Apple Blossom - LOL was thinking of my own little dog when I'm doing situps. LOL they sure like to peer down at you.

Good Afternoon Ladies! I finally made it back! This OLD pc is having fits and I know it's on it's last leg :( Hopefully this one holds out awhile longer, hubby says we can afford a new one next month-YAY!

WOOHOO MEZ! Another 21 down! :cb: I'm almost there! Today is day 20 for no soda and day 15 for exercise and water. I can't believe I made it so far with no diet soda, I used to drink 2-4 cans a day!!! I told hubby today that I would really like to drink one on Thursday, but then I will probably make it another challenge. I think I will also make a challenge of not getting on the scale. I am a total scale addict! I get on MANY times a day, just can't help mysef :?: I might have to have hubby hide it? We'll see!

I know what you all mean about too much food, or just the wrong food-Hubby had been having a craving pizza for days, so yesterday we went to lunch. I didn't do too bad, large salad, 2 pieces of pizza and about 4 cinnamon sticks(okay, not so good!) After lunch we went to WM and I got so sick :barf: !! I felt terrible the rest of the day. I have been doing so good keeping things low fat-no grease-that pizza was just too much! I told hubby I will no longer give in to his cravings!!! :lol:

Well, keep up the excellent work ladies! I'll check in again, when this darn pc lets me!!

Kathy

Well today is day 15 for me, so far i've stayed within my points but i never exercised yet..i dont know why but today i just dont want to :( But i will. Day 30 in WW:)

Day 15 is officially done!! Just finished exercising :)

Walk around campus for 20-25 minutes

ALso did 6.25 miles on the bike....25 minutes @ 14mph

Well, people, I am still in between challenges. Just don't feel like starting up again...but I know I will be feeling like it soon. ;)

Silly -- That was quite a bike workout! Good for you! Congrats on Day 5 done! :sunny: Heh, how'd that interview go? I hope, well.

vanessa -- Just a few short ones left now! Excellent the way you did that exercise even though you didn't feel like it! :yes:

fancy -- Good to see you back and just one more day!! Hurrah, hurrah! :cp: That really is quite amazing the way you have axed soda from your days! You see what you can do when you set your mind to it! :strong: Hope that computer stays up!

mez -- Enjoying your postchallenge bliss? I hope so! Are you going to come back and do it again? If so, what do you have in mind?

Apple -- Good for you, Apple! I'm glad to see you back and trying. Even if you have to restart. I can just picture you down there doing your situps, dogs licking your face every time you come up! :lol: And look at you go on the no-beer challenge. Wow! Did you ever think you could do it?! You are!!

Chaps -- Yup. Looking like Day 17. And your abs are no doubt thanking you! I'm thinking of doing something with abs in my next challenge, which I think I'm going to make super tough.

curl -- Glad to hear your walk was fun. And a big hand for putting Day 8 behind you! :cp:

Do NOT post here!!

I started up the new thread. Hit the link below and join us over there! :wave:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65526