Alternachicks - Fresh start for Fall! (Fall challenge)

Well, I don't know about anyone else here but I did not do well in the last challenge. :( After reviewing the last few weeks I think I need to start fresh, review my journals and get back to work on my weight loss goals.

September always makes me think of new beginnings so I am going to apply this to my weight loss plan :)

If anyone else is up for a new challenge or wants to get a fresh start feel free to join in.

The challenge will start on September 1st and run through to October 31st which gives us 2 months to bust our butts and commit ourselves to our respective weight loss goals.

Please post the following if you want to join in.

Current weight:
Fall goal (Oct. 31):
I commit to:
My reward:

Here we go! Good luck everyone: lucky:

Current weight: 175 lbs

Fall goal (Oct. 31): 165 lbs

My reward: a new item of clothing (in a smaller size ;) )

I commit to:
drinking 6 glasses of water per day
exercising 3 times per week
eating out only once per week
meal planning
trying out 1 new recipe per week

I'm in!

Current weight: 174
Fall goal (Oct. 31): 160
I commit to:
working out five times a week (two weights, three cardio)
avoiding trigger foods (pizza and Mexican food)
measuring all my portions and counting points honestly
and hardest of all, not drinking too much beer!

My reward: A shopping spree at Lush (http://usa.lush.com/cgi-bin/lushdb/index.html?lang=en_US)!

I could definately use a fresh start and it has been a long *** time since i've been on track, so i have been failing left and right at the monthly challenges. so, my fall challenge will be to start and keep a food/exercise journal, make consistent weekly menus and shop accordingly, so there is no reason to say - oh, i forgot to think about dinner, let's go get wendys. *L* I really need to utilize the rest of my gym membership and stop making excuses for not going.
As for weight loss goals, i'm going to keep it easy, i have a feeling goal more than a poundage goal. i want to fit better into my clothes, right now everything is getting pretty tight on me, and i can't continue this route! i would ultimately like to see myself get back into my 18's and 20's but for now i'll settle for being comfortable in 22's. We'll go from there. :)

Good luck gals, I know I'll be needing it.

I like the sounds of your challenge Maiv....My bf & I are going to wear something super slinky for Halloween so I'd like to look better for it. I'm with liz...I don't want to lose a pound amount, I just want to fit into a smaller size of pants. I think I'd like to add gaining muscle definition to my goals.
So, lets see:
1. I want to keep up my new weight routine (first day in the gym was today)...which is three days a week, after class on m/w/f.
2. I want to walk every day with my dog (already doing that) but I want to walk night times at least three evenings a week (NOT doing yet, well, not consistantly)
3. I want to stick with my diet during the week better.

current weight: 245
fall goal (Oct 31): 240

1. Drink more fluids
2. Watch what i eat before work better (when i get home i'm ready for a meal again)
3. Keep up with my exercise routine including walking my dog daily, yoga 4x a week, weights 2x, plus extra activities

Current weight: 193
Fall goal (Oct. 31): 173
I commit to:drinking 8 glasses of water a day
My reward: Not sure yet but something good!

Current weight: 150
Fall goal: Lose another inch off my calves so my stompy boots will fit better
I commit to: Keep on keeping on :)
My reward: My stompy boots will fit better!

I was doing so well at the beginning of the challenge, then I went back to school. It's so easy to make poor food choices when I'm there all the time.

CW:193
GW:180

I commit to:
Drinking LOTS of water.
Packing lunch/snacks the night before for those days when I will be spending a significant part of my day at school.
Attending all of my PE electives.
Biking to school at least four days a week.

i'm right with you Hanna....I've never been tempted by so much junk. People keep bringing krispy kremes & mt. dews to class! And i tend to eat when I'm bored. There is always something I am doing at home so I can distract myself from eating. Not so easy in MATH class. yuck. I am doing better at carrying low carb snacks with me. It's cutting down on the not so good snacks but I'm ashamed to say its not getting rid of it altogether. :(

My eating has not improved, unfortunately, but sheesh.. gaining 8 lbs? Shouldn't I at least be maintaining, instead of gaining so much? *sigh*

I guess I really need this challenge!

Don't panic, I doubt that you gained 8 lbs of fat in a week, you'd have to have consumed 4000 *extra* calories a day to do that. :eek: Most likely it's at least partially a water fluctuation. :)

Welcome!

Yeah, and don't worry about getting voted off, if that was going to happen I'd have been kicked right out back in January! *LOL*

don't forget muscle building can add weight too!

Shoot... *slaps forehead*.. forgot all about all this water Ive been drinking. That probably did count for some of it. Hopefully there's some muscle-buildin' goin' on here too..

and thanks for the welcome, ladies :0)

lilith

I'd really be voted off too, if we voted people off. Thank goodness we don't.

I need to add a commitment and a reward. How could I forget the reward? :o

Commitment: shoot for between 25 & 30 grams of fiber a day.

Reward: $10 to spend on vintage costume jewelry at this great shop I found today.

I finally got around to getting weighed at the doctors office yesterday. I'm back up to 134...not SO bad I suppose but I've gained about six pounds since my last dr. visit. And my sundresses are fitting way too snuggly in the boobs & butt. I'm doing the uh oh, what am I gonna wear today thing again. I forgot to post a reward too. hmm....I can't think of anything I really, really want except to have a great rear end in jeans...I guess I will allow myself to go to Charlotte Russe & buy an outfit. I love their stuff. Very girly/feminine.

Okay, I'm jumping in here so I can keep myself on track! I made my Labor Day challenge goal and I've got to make it to my short-term goal by 10/15 so another challenge will keep me focused.

CW: 162
Fall goal 10/31: 154
I commit to: Keeping up my workouts! If I can do that, I will have officially gone the longest in my adult life (only 3 months even--isn't that pathetic) with regular workouts. I'm really working on my endurance b/c I am so tired of panting and I can already feel a difference. I'm also going to focus on keeping more fiber in my diet.
Reward: i don't know yet...if I get down to my goal weight i am definitely going to need some new jeans, so I might splurge on a really fabulous pair.

Also, I'm really hoping that by the end of October I can run 40min or 5mi continuously, whichever one ends up testing my endurance more.

Meira! Three months is NOT pathetic!!! They say it takes 15 times of doing something continuously to build a habit. So you have definitely formed one! Good work & keep at it!

Hi guys
I am back again! Starting a new diet next Monday, Sunslim. Anyone hear of it and is it good? Mauvais, where is Ellis! I do not see her here anywhere. I miss you guys, and I plan on sticking around. Chat soon!
Virginia

Is sunslim the diet pills they sell in the pharmacy?

I was up 6 ounces on Friday and the doc says it is because I am retaining water. He said to increase my potassium. Has anyone heard similar things? I took a laxative last night cause I thought that might help. Which it has but now I'm home bound for the day :( I also ate a brownie last night which I feel really guilty about!! I am trying to get to 189 my temp goal and then I get a new pair of shoes!! I'm currently 193 ish!

No it is all regular food that one would have in there home most times anyway. You can take vitamins they suggest if you like but not totally neccessary.
Virginia

No one gets voted off the island or I would be the first one to go in August :lol:

Well the last few days have been pretty good. I went out for lunch with a coworker and had a small cheese pizza appetizer instead of a full entree and club soda with lime to wash it down. Had steak, veggies and a glass of wine on Friday for supper.

Saturday I ended up eating a burger and onion rings but had a good dinner.

Sunday is still going well and I am going to ignore the Doritos that friends brought over for movie watching :yes:

I am determined to lose some weight this month!

I did good yesterday, despite a seriously bad food choice in the morning. There's a place here (Dos Hermanos) that makes the best breakfast burritos. They are seriously huge, even though they started making them a bit smaller. I went and picked up some of them for our breakfast yesterday, well there went a thousand calories. :o :?: So the rest of the day I made much better choices, but I had Mahjongg which pushed me over my goal for the day. I hate to make any restaurant completely off limits, but I think I'm going to have to do it in this case. Maybe when Bryan really craves it I can get him one and stop somewhere else for me, or have cereal instead.

Well here it goes, I am setting goals that should be easily attained, so hopefully that will be the case...in which case I reserve the right to add to or increase these goals!

I am committing to NO sugar, NO devil whites, At least 32 ounces of water a day and to workout at least two days a week.

The weight that I want to remove is 15 pounds. I am doing a very strict two week detox right now and it is possible that I could reach that goal too quickly, so if I do, then I will up it another 5 -10 pounds, depending upon how much the body is reacting to the detox...

Whew......good luck to us all!!

Well, I don't know about anyone else here but I did not do well in the last challenge. :( After reviewing the last few weeks I think I need to start fresh, review my journals and get back to work on my weight loss goals.

September always makes me think of new beginnings so I am apply this to my weight loss plan :)

I did terrible in August. I actually GAINED for the first time ever. (The culprit was TWO out-of-town trips.) October I don't know about yet, but my goal for September is to get back to my end-of-July weight, which was about 145. As of September 1 I began applying myself to my program with everything I have. At the end of September I'll re-evaluate and set goals for October accordingly.

My current weight: 151.4 this morning.
My reward: a lower number on the scale. I won't be in a smaller size, but my size 8 jeans will fit a bit better!
September goal: 145.

Ok - here goes - 8 weeks to Halloween, 1 lb per week = 8 lbs off.

Current weight:233
Fall goal (Oct. 31):225
I commit to:4 16 oz bottles of water per day, 4 meals per day as zoned as is convenient. NO MORE CANDY - till Halloween :s: keeping up on my housework (closest and most realistic exercise I can hope for), continuing my daily rounds.
My reward:Halloween Candy and maybe a night out with DH :D

I'm in!

Current weight: - 157
Goal weight: - Less than 157 :)
Commitment: Tracking all food in FitDay and going to the gym in the AM
Reward: Looking and feeling hella good! :D

Oh yeah, Tani, sore muscles actually retain water, so dont bug out, just keep on working out. That scale will move eventually if everything is on track.

Tiki.

Hi guys
My goal for this month is to lose 5 pounds, drionk plenty of water and walk my dog at least 5 days a week.
Virginia

I blew it this weekend and didn't exercise at all and succumbed to temptation at the in-laws cookout. I'm back now, though and I've set up a fairly strict 3 days in a row diet-wise. I need to drink more water today, but salad, fruit and yogurt is my day so far. I'm planning on putting in a long cardio and strength training tonight while my dh acts as babysitter...no telling what dd will have for dinner with him though! I have my weigh-in tomorrow and I'm a little nervous about it!

Tiki, what is fitday?

Welcome back Meira, I'm feeling your pain. :) I just packed my lunch, all low carb & tons of it. I think my biggest problem is that I don't plan well enough so I'm easy prey for temptations.

dawnlizbeth~ jumping in here ahead of tiki--you can go to fitday.com or nutritiondata.com and log in your food and exercise to get calories in/out. It will also give you a nutritional breakdown of what you've eaten. The planning thing really helps on the weekdays, but on the weekend I have problems staying disciplined.

2beautiful2bfat~ I heard about the potassium thing somewhere too, and fiber. You still have to make sure you are getting all your water in though and lower your sodium intake so you don't retain more. I know I need to be more careful about sodium, but it's hard to keep track of everything! I've cut out almost all processed foods, leaving cereal (Fiber1 or organic granola), triscuits and canned soup. The soup is baaad...like full day's sodium for lunch.

Well, I had my WI today and I'm down 1 pound! I don't know if I should trust my scale though. I would go out and get a digital, but I also know I'll obsess on the difference btw .8 and 1.0 pounds and I don't want to spend the money. I figure I'll weigh myself again later in the week to doublecheck.

Also, my workout last night really made me feel a lot better about myself. I got in 45 total min of cardio and 35 min weight training. I adjusted the total on my sig. I walked away from that treadmill just tickled with myself! Going back tonight for 30min cardio and my ab and back work.

How's everyone else doing on their goals?

Just thought Id update: I didn't fall off the diet wagon this weekend, mostly because Im not on it (yet). Im afraid to set goals for myself regarding what i will eat because thus far I always fail miserably. Even with no goals, I still ate pretty poorly this weekend.. I think Im rebelling against the mere IDEA that i might be restricting my diet soon. haha.

On the upside, I'm really proud of myself for getting in some really productive workouts and staying very consistent with that. Since about Friday Ive been going every other day, because Im slightly concerned about this pain in my hip that isn't going away and I think might be feeling a tad worse, but I dont think exercising every *other* day will make it any worse, and I think it probably helps to loosen it up and keep moving. Once it starts feeling a little better I'll go back to daily jogging.

I'm concerned about meeting my weight loss goal, but so far I don't think I'll have any trouble meeting my exercise commitment :0)

congrats to all who are doing well, and good luck to those who are struggling. we can do this!

lilith

Well I am off to a great start *not*.

Only had 2 bottles of water yesterday. My calories were low though not entirely balanced.

Lilith - when I first decided to go back to dieting - cringe - in the first month or so, I just concetrated on portions and gradually weened myself off the really bad things like butter and crackers. I started drinking more water and over the first few months started planning meals from total calories, ratio of fat, carbs & prot and time of day to eat. For 4 months I tracked every morsel, every drop of water, sodium, cholesterol, fiber and major vitamins. After that I got into a routine of foods that I liked that I could eat regularly and it started getting easy. I allowed myself to enjoy treats that became available but didnt seek them out - stress is bad for diets so I dont do stress - wink -

Anyway - dont call it a diet - call it a healthy eating plan, dont do it to lose weight - do it to feel better - the loss will be a side effect.

Best to all - later.

Trish

Lilith - when I first decided to go back to dieting - cringe - in the first month or so, I just concetrated on portions and gradually weened myself off the really bad things like butter and crackers. I started drinking more water and over the first few months started planning meals from total calories, ratio of fat, carbs & prot and time of day to eat. For 4 months I tracked every morsel, every drop of water, sodium, cholesterol, fiber and major vitamins. After that I got into a routine of foods that I liked that I could eat regularly and it started getting easy. I allowed myself to enjoy treats that became available but didnt seek them out - stress is bad for diets so I dont do stress - wink -

Anyway - dont call it a diet - call it a healthy eating plan, dont do it to lose weight - do it to feel better - the loss will be a side effect.

Thanks Trish, what a great way to look at the whole thing.. and it's not so overwhelming or frightening to make the good changes like adding more water, adding more veggies, etc. I think I'll focus on the good things that I need to add rather than thinking about what I need to cut out.

I feel better already :0)

I have a good two days this week and I hope I can continue this way. Tomorrow will be a challenge as DH won't be home for dinner and I get lazy about cooking a proper meal if I'm on my own.

More on Fitday. If there is something that have eaten that isn't in Fitday, you can create custom foods and then FitDay stores them for you. Its the best free on-line tool for tracking your food that I have tried.

Tiki.

I tried Fitday - but found Excel to be simpler. Almost everything I eat is a custom food (being the detail freak that I am) and by using Excel it is a simple cut and paste from my Fridge List to my recipe maker and my daily counter. :D

I would be happy to share my template with anyone interested - just tell me how to load a file that is downloadable. :?:

Best part is you dont have to be online and you dont have to wait for webpages to load. :cool:

Fitday does have other features though and it is the best Free tool on the web - I just found it to be more effort than I wanted to put forth. (so lazy am I). :dizzy:

Later ladies.

I went ahead and bought the fitday download to have on my laptop about a year ago. I really like it. Unlike the online version I don't have to get on the internet to use it and, since I seem to carry the damn thing everywhere with me, I always have it with me. The features are pretty much the same, but I find the layout easier to use. Also I can create custom activities, for things they don't have. I wish I could remember more of the differences, but there's a tour of the download on the fitday website.

FitDay is a way tio track your calories.

Here's my journal and just go to www.fitday.com (http://www.fitday.com) if you want to sign up. It takes a little getting used to, and takes time to customize a lot of your favroite foods, but I swear by it.

http://fitday.com/WebFit/PublicJournals.html?Owner=Newbirth

Thanks for the fitday info guys! That looks really interesting, I think I will try it out. Meira, good job! Don't obsess over fractions of pounds though. I only weigh myself once a month, sometimes less, since I don't own a scale. Think about wether YOU feel better:) I'm feeling pretty darn plump at the moment...but I think its because I'm getting ready to have my period. On the plus side, no cheating whatsoever today on my diet, which is the first time in a few weeks. I got up early & packed tons of low carb stuff....I found that I was still starving on the way home but when I stopped for gas (gas prices...gasp!) I picked up a low carb bar instead of......ahhhh...the twinkies & mt. dew that were calling my name so seductively. :)

Homemade soup has less sodium. That is what I do. Also there are low salt triscuits. I also atay away from tea cause 1 cup and I retain like crazy!!

dawnlizbeth~Good for you for not cheating! Just keep at it!

yeah, i know there's low salt Triscuits, but the rosemary ones are just tooo good and the canned soup is good for convenience if I'm running late and don't have time to pack lunch. It's crazy how many different things there are to track-calories, fat, fiber, sodium...sheesh! I'd go crazy trying to keep it all straight! I already know I need to add some more veggies to my meals today, so I'll probably just throw a salad together for dinner.

mauvaisroux~Good luck keeping it together tonight for your dinner w/o your husband!

I've been good this past week, overall. It helps that I have a cold and thus no appetite. I'm worried about tomorrow night when I'm going out for Mexican food and beer for a friend's birthday. My husband just re-joined WW with me, so hopefully we can rely on each other for strength to get through the night without scarfing down tons of chips or drinking too many beers.

During the first few months of school, different student organizations have their first meetings and they always include free pizza. My biggest achievement last week was only eating ONE slice of veggie pizza at a Community Service Initiate meeting, instead of the five that I really wanted.

Week one done with clean eating the whole way. Keep going ladies, we can do this!

Tiki.

pizza, man, pizza sounds sooo good right now. :(

Well my eating was all over the place this week and since it is cooler and we finally got rain (good for the grass and trees and fire hazard - bad for diet) I havent been drinking enough water. And the overcast sky makes me even more lazy.

On the upside though I have a buddy that is going to walk every day on the track at the hi school starting Monday. So that will be 4 days a week and every lap is a 1/4 mile so I will count and let you know how far we walk. That is going to help alot.

Missed my WI - think I will skip it - I will weigh to make sure no damage from bizarre food choices but not count on my chart since it was supposed to be yesterday.

Homemade soups are the best - I used to be a cook at a small cafe and made the soup of the day 5 days a week. Just bought all the ingredients for split pea - mmmm - with ham chunks.

If I can force down the water - that will offset the bad food - havent been binging - still keeping calories down - but not getting enough fiber or veggies and too much salt again.

I bought some SB cereal bars -very good and filling enough. And some Pria nutrition shakes by powerbar - those are pretty good too. So if can stick to those, plus my oatmeal/cottage cheese and have a decent dinner with lots of veggies - plus the walking and the water - maybe I can swing my goal?

I would love to be below 220 before thanksgiving when we go to Portland to visit family. We'll see. Fingers crossed.

I'm a little late coming in here to this challenge since I just starting browsing the forums, but I want to try anyway. October 31st is an awesome goal time for me.

Current weight: 173
Fall goal (Oct. 31): 160
I commit to: Working out 5 days a week. Walking with my brother. Not having fast food snacks. Writing a food journal.
My reward: A sexy halloween costume, yo. :devil:

Welcome Poly! :wave:

I am sure you will enjoy it here!

Trish

Welcome Poly! :wave:

Well for the first time in ages I managed to keep a food journal on the weekend :cb: hope it pays off on weighin day :crossed:

Welcome Poly! Woohoo Mauvais :)

Joining in late...

Current weight: 155
Fall goal (Oct. 31): 149
I commit to: 40 - 48 oz of water a day, food journaling on FitDay, excerising at least 5x a week, and to avoid eating out like the plague
My reward: A pedicure!

I should add to my goal - cutting back on salt again - I have developed an addiction to sesame sticks - fortunately they are almost all gone and won't be a temptation any more.

I suck at house work but did get my dishes done yesterday. At least I have the walking after work to keep me from taking naps. And I was pretty energized last night so that is good - keep burning those calories.

Hopefully I can do some actual cleaning this weekend - if I dont get our living back to useable, DH is gonna leave me - no joke.

We are about a 1/6 of the way through our time and the scale hasnt moved - but I bet it does this week with the added exercise - gotta mix it up - keep your body guessing and on its toes.

Happy Tuesday!

I'm right there with you on the lack of scale movement. It's frustrating since I've been exercising my butt off (apparently not literally though) and sticking to my eating plan.

I'm also with you on the need to clean. If something in my apartment broke right now I'd be embarassed to call maintenence. :o

Welcome lateralus! :)

Thanks Tiki! tonight is weighin - so I'm thinking positive...will know in a few short hours...

good luck on quitting smoking lateralus!
keep up the food journal mauvais!

Now, to update my progress on the challenge:
WI today and I'm down 1 pound! Yay! I'm still going to have to work a little harder if I want to get 5 more off in 1 month for my mini-goal.
Fiber is better--I finally bought a box of Fiber1 and it doesn't have the twig taste I expected.
Workouts are okay--I'm still getting sweaty I think 4 times a week, but I'm supposed to be doing 5 cardio and 2 weight days. I need to pick up the pace a little, but time has been really limited lately and will probably stay like this through Oct. I need to start prioritizing exercise on the weekends because I haven't for 2 weeks now.

Good luck to everyone on their goals!

Merla - congrats on the WI! You go girl!

For extra fiber I use Psyllium Husk - powdered - 1 tsp in my oats makes a big difference esp after too much salt - I can tell that bloat is water retention and a bit of fiber and 3-4 bottles of water and my belly shrinks over night.

I dont take it everyday just when I haven't been eating enough veggies and whole grains.

Baby steps - getting my water intake back to proper levels - yeah me - going for a 2 mile walk at 415 pm today.

Later!

I really need to have people I can talk to DAILY so I hope you don't mind me joining here.

Current weight: 165
Fall goal (Oct. 31): 158 (that's a pound a week :dizzy: )
I commit to: Eating healthy, and drinking at least 100 oz of water a day
My reward: I'm either gonna get my hair permed, or have a spa day.

ajandpj~thanks for the tip--as vain as it sounds, I'll definitely employ that trick just before the hot tub weekend!

diamond girl~ Hi! welcome aboard!

Welcome Diamond Girl! Now that I have the song stuck in my head - please tell me who sings it? Is it the Eagles, Little River Band? "Diamond Girl...you sure do shine..."

Someone will be here every day and often more than once, plus we have the monthly chat, alternachics at the movies (we all think we are critics) and Yah I exercised today to name but a few that I frequent regularly.

It is so good meet you! :D

I thought it was Elton John, but that's "Island Girl" and not "Diamond Girl."

But now I have "Island Girl" stuck in my head.

Well, I'm down another pound! But what's even better is that my BF looked at me yesterday and asked if I was losing weight already. He said my waist looked smaller already. Yay!

Today is weigh in day for me. I am down another 3lbs to 187. I have been on my diet for a month and have lost 17.4 lbs.

ROFL you guys are funny. I don't know about any song, I just love DIAMONDS (they are a girls best friend - now I have that song stuck in my head, LOL)

Okay today I will commit to (or be commited, LOL) walking two miles on my treadmill, ab workout and weighleifting for my arms (shoulder, tricips and bicips) I need to plan my meals....definately need lower sodium this TOM (water retention starts a week prior and lasts thorugh.. :mad: )

I also need to get the house clean OMG I have so been slacking in that area.

Good Job on the weigh loss Hannah and 2beautiful2bfat (love that!) I weigh in on Mondays.

I got everything DONE :cp: and I walked another mile outside (hills)

Great Job Diamond!!

Todays walk will be all up hill (well first we cross the pasture about 1/3 mile to the BLM Road then we follow that road up the hill - and up and up and up - it will be a butt burner - yeah!

I wont know the exact distance so I will just go by time and guess based on my treadmill experience that my pace is about 3 miles an hour - it will only be uphill 1 way so it will be 4 mph coming back (I always did 1 mile in 20 mins on the tread no matter how fast I walked or the incline since I speed up/slow down etc)

I will take the backpack and lots of waters!!!

With all the added exercise I have been getting this week that damn scale better move DOWN or I am chucking it out the door!! :lol:

Thanks Angela
The truth is I came up with my screen name cause I used to live with a gay guy and one day he told me he needed to have a talk with me and basically what he told me was I was too beautiful to be fat! It really stuck with me!

I'm supposed to go to the clinic today but I'm skipping because I feel bloated!

I know that bloated feeling, I'm feeling that way also ugh I hate this TOM (before and during, LOL)

I haven't been very good about posting updates, but I havent forgotten everyone here.. you're all still my inspiration :0)

And Ive been exercising faithfully. Still haven't lost a pound, but at least Im exercising.

lilith

Lilith, as long as your exercising, your probably get more muscle (it weighs more than fat) so that a good thing

Hugs,

Down a pound this week. I didn't go to the gym at all last week because of my terrible cold (I am finally getting better - sheesh I thought this would never end), but I also had basically no appetite because of it either. So I figure those two things balanced out and I came out ahead.

Next week is going to be much better, though! If I keep up my pace, I will definitely make my Fall Challenge goal.

Sister - way to go! I would so kill for a case of the stomach flu right now - quickest 10 lbs I have ever lost - :D

And Lilith - I am right there with you - I exercised - walked a lot this week and kept the calories down and the scale refused to budge. Starting tomorrow I am going back on the diary and will track my eating for a full week - making changes as needed, as I have been winging it - but I want to know if it isnt what I have been eating - calories and content - then why no loss?

Obiviously if I make a bunch of changes to what I have been eating I will know it was the "diet" (sshh, don't call it that) I will even take my measurements and weigh again in the morning - this will be fun - hubby going hunting when he returns from the road Wed - he will be gone until Sat then going on Road again Sun - so I could do this for 10 days....hmmm.
:s:

Hang in there chicks - we are gonna do this this time no matter what - we all just have to visualize being skinny (or the degree of thin you are shooting for - I like Zena - we are built similarly but I have 60 lbs on her) - anyway - we all visualize that image - When I see myself in dreams I am not overweight - I avoid full length mirrors unless I am dressed (the right fitting outfit can shed pounds and hide lumps) because the reality of how I see myself is...eeewww.
:p

So I just visualize that I am the me on the inside - only on the outside - and that images keeps me out of the cherry turnovers in the fridge that have been singing to me all week --- aaaaggghhh make them stop.
;)

See, I always would post my goal, then never look at this thread til the end. I didn't know we all chatted on this one too! Silly.
Anyway, Two weeks into my new budget and food planning and so far - awesome! I am right on schedule for budgeting and only had to have one day with food out to eat and that's because my darn chicken didn't thaw out in time, I had good intentions just a big ol' thick piece of chicken.
Anyway, I realized that one of my goals was a food journal, which I forgot about now. So this week, my mini goal is to get that started and keep track, see if there is anything I should be cutting out or down on to get my caloric intake where it should be. Also, I am going to make my goal of hitting the gym at least twice this week. I have been slacking so much, I think June was the last time I went. SHAME on me.

too beautiful to be fat...that is hysterical. I have a buzz so I will ask what I probably should Not...do you think that is a less offensive comment because it's coming from a gay guy? Because I can see one of my gay buddies saying that to me & me somehow not taking it in an offensive way but I think if I heard that from one of my girlfriends...well, somehow I don't think I'd deal with it in a "positive criticism" sort of way. WHY can gay guys get away with saying those sort of things? My gay girlfriends piss me off when they take that sort of stance.How come my gay chick friends & my hetero female friends say stuff like that & I want to make snide comments at them but when my gay guy's do, I think wow...that's such an alright thing. ???? Is it a personality thing? Are they just innately better at saying things so that we are amused, endeared & think about it instead of automatically thinking well what are you??? Gwyneth Paltrow? Ok, nevermind. lol.

I have not cheated once in four days, which for me is great. I made a great low carb cheescake that we have been nibbling on...plus tonight I made crisped pepperoni chips in a sour cream with garlic/onion/ranch dip so that took care of my urge for salty/crunchy stuff. I think last weeks messup was due to my period. Feeling much better this week!
Congrats btw Hannah! Very cool comment from your boyfriend!

Dawnlizbeth
I'm not sure what it is about the way gay guys say things but I think you might be right it may be the funny way they say it so we are better able to hear it. Not too sure but know it was a kick in the butt for me!!

This weekend was rough for me and I cheated like a crazy person!! I feel awful and must get back on track!!! I need help and support!! If anyone has any good tips please PM me!!

2 Beautiful - My willpower is always being tested especially lately with this being DH hunting month which means frozen hashbrowns in the freezer and bags of mixed candy lying about and pastries in the fridge. I do ok against the hashbrowns and the pastries I comprimised by only having half a turn over and only a couple times last week then sent the rest of them to work with dH so that is gone. The mixed candy is harder - fortunately DH packed what he just bought in the bottom of the camp tub - I know it is there but it is not easy to get to so I won't bother. :lol:

I find the best way for me to avoid temptations is to only buy what I am allowed to eat - that sucks for DH who can eat anything (******* - kidding) but he is pretty understanding - so I am looking forward to this month being over. And since I work from home I dont get the external temptations unless I go to a bday party or wedding - but my friends and I decided that bday cake and wedding cake have no calories in the first piece even with some ice cream - I think it is a cosmic thing - :dizzy:

In the beginning of my "diet" I found preplanning exactly what I was going to eat and eating at specific times (hungry or not) helped a lot. Figure out your calories and when you get up and when you go to bed and space meals at least 4 hrs (but not more than 5 hrs) apart. If you have really long days - smaller meals more often may be in order. I have heard that you should 1 hr after you wake and 1 hr before bed - but I cant eat in the am until I digest my coffee and do my animals so 2 hrs is my limit. The idea is that brkfst gets the metabolism going and a lite snack before bed keeps system functioning while you sleep so you dont awake starved.

In fact I need to do a "back on track" plan this week to see why I have plateaued - probably those damn cherry turnover - but OMG they are so yummy.

I will be doing measurments later to let you all in on my dimensional progress - since the scale hates me. LOL

Best of luck to all you ladies!!

PS - I think (and this is a tad caveman) when a man (gay or not) starts a sentence with "you are too beautiful" we as women tune out the rest. Whereas when a woman says the same thing - we skip over the first part and just here "to be fat". And your friend probably meant it in the nicest possible way - and when I first read it - it almost sounded like he meant he would never think of you as fat because you are so beautiful. :D

Excellent news! Since my last measurements - I have lost 1.5" off my waist!! .25" off my hips and .50" off my butt. I figure the loss was symetrical but gravity pulls it down to hips off the waist which is why the waist loss is so great and the hips isn't.

But loss is loss and I wouldnt even weigh myself if I didnt want to be closer to DH weight - it so sucks having a skinny hubby (he really isnt skinny - just built like an 80's rocker without all the pretty hair.) LOL

Later - gonna get in some actual house work - and some vacuum dancin' :s:

As for the gay guy thing - I think part of it is we have absolutely no competition or desire for them. Like, if your best girlfriend says something like that you automatically think - you *****! and if a boyfriend or guy friend or husband says it you think - up yours baldy. But since gay friend will (usually) never steal your man or be your man, it's safe territory and they can say things to you that you will listen to.

I'm doing well, my first weigh in since I started this challenge is tomorrow, so we'll see. I have been getting "better" calories, and drinking my water so all is good. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. We went hiking to day, I love been in the outdoors, and the weather is beautiful.

Weigh in....DOWN TWO POUNDS!!!! I guess water really does help with the bloat. I'm so happy! I hope everyone is doing well!

Congrats Diamond! I need to weigh in this afternoon. I have my fingers crossed.

Yeah Diamond Way to go girl!
You can do it
Virginia

Congrats on the loss Diamond!!

I know water is important and that may be part of my plateau problem - I havent been getting in my 4 bottles everyday since it isnt hot anymore - I just have to do it. Should be easier today - took a decongestant and they give me cotton mouth :p :lol:

Congrats to you too PJ!!! Sorry I missed your post this morning, I skim before I run off to school.
Dawn

ajandpj99
Thanks for the encouragement! I'm glad to hear I am not alone! I haven't gone back to the clinic yet but I weighed myself at home this morning and the scale says 185 so I must be on track! When I get to 184.4 I get a new lap top bag which I have ben dying to get

I wish I could keep all the junk out of the house but I can't because my DH is trying to GAIN weight!!!! He is SOOOOO skinny! Also we entertain alot. I try to make deserts that I don't like but sometimes even those are hard to resist.

As for the too beautiful part he was also an aerobics instructor so that may have helped! Anyways either way I'm here and he is in part the reason!

Lizziness I think you got the answer!!!

Good Morning people! 2B2BF, you should have supplements for your husband to help him gain weight. *its better for him to gain weight that way then junk food) Then you won't be tempeted. As for desserts, well I could say do lo-cal healthy dessserts, lol but **** that's not a dessert ;). Maybe just adjust your eating habits the day before and the day after so that the extra you have that day is okay. I allow myself one "fat" day that I still count my calories, but I don't worry how many. (Well, no that's a lie, I still wory, but I give myself that day) Thats usually our Dairy queen day :D.

Well, I am into day two , week two of my diet and it is driving me crazy not getting on the scales to see how I've done. I feel like I have lost some, just curious how much. They say not to weigh yourself until the end of phase One, which could be from 5 to eight weeks, according to how much weight you have to lose. I have a lot to lose so I will be eight weeks before I weigh myself. I do feel good though,so that is a bonus in itself. Hope you all have a great day! Hugz to all!
Virginia

Hello everyone - well I should have seen it coming - I mean when you exercise for a solid week and keep the calories low - you expect the scale to move - right? And then when it doesn't - you assume you must have screwed up somewhere, right? Or maybe, just maybe, if you took out the calendar and gave it a scan you would understand...I think you know what I am talking about - explains the fatigue and backache I had all weekend and the totally bloated feeling I had yesterday.

Ah well - I shall go for a long walk today at least 1.5 miles - didnt make it yesterday.

Been getting 1/2 my water in and yesterday was a very low calorie, fairly good calorie, eating day - but then I am not hungry when bloated - the choc cravings fade after the MV arrives.

Good luck and congrats to everyone plugging along.

Oh - 2b2bf - Tell hubby he will gain weight better by eating good healthy foods only in greater quantities - also - get him some protein powder - costco has it the cheapest or order on line from Allthewhey.com they are the best price online - I get the 100% Whey Protien Concentrate - unflavored - 5 lb - for $21.95 I think, I usuallly get 2 at a time to save on shipping and you get a small discount for getting 10lb. Anyway each scoop adds approx 120 calories mostly protein to any drink and it is unflavored. DH puts in breakfast shakes or makes smoothies - I have to add sweetner - but that is me. If lactose intolerent - dont get Whey, look for Soy instead.

Then you can add it to things like oatmeal - I have 1/4 scoop in 1/2 cup of oats, plus I dice up 10 almonds, add a tsp of vanilla, water - nuke it - add 3 pkts of splenda and 1/4 c of 1% milk plus I have 1/2 cup of ff cott chs on the side. It is balanced (zone) and has less than 400 calories - very filling to, lots of fiber and iron also.

The great thing about the prot pwdr is that it is really hard to get enough protien without adding tons of cal or fat - unless you want to eat nothing but tuna and egg whites. So you can make a strawberry smoothie and add a scoop of prot pwdr which helps to thicken and it goes with any thing that goes with milk. My hubby puts in Kerns fruit drinks too -but that is the vanilla flavored that we get at costco.

Good morning girls. I slid from the healthy eating track yesterday. Istarted out good, but then I NEEDED biskets and cheese, then I saw the DR had bought the boys candy bars (snack size) and I needed one....okay well two. Then I WANTED eggs and tator tots for dinner, sigh. At least I worked last night so no more eating after 5:30 pm.

I did do two miles on the treadmill, got my water and my abs routine, oh but those bad food choices.

ah well here's to another day.

So far so good! I'm down two pounds. But I need to start getting more water in....:(

It's so hard!

Well despite my mad cheating I lost 2 lbs this week! Today was my official weigh in day!

Ps As for my husband gaining weight I was goingt o do the protein powder thing but my blender is broken at the moment. Need to get a new one. I did buy him so oatmeal I thought that might help.

Wow, this thread is getting long :0)

Congrats to everyone who is doing well (and hugs to those who aren't-- you can do it!)

Today, I seem to have magically lost 5 lbs. I stepped on the scale yesterday and I dont recall this, unless I just wasnt paying attention. I havent eaten anythign yet today, which probably will add a couple lbs back, but still. I have been exercising faithfully, tho not as often as i promised myself, which was supposed to be cardio for at least an hour every day, plus weight training every other day. Instead Ive been holding myself to about an hour cardio every other day, ditto the weight training. Less than I wanted, but still not bad.

This past week Ive had NO appetite whatever, but Im trying to make sure im getting at least 1200 cals a day. Im pretty sure the appetite trouble is stress.. my life has kind of fallen apart here lately. But, even with all the trouble, loss of appetite for me is a GREAT upside. My usual way to relieve stress is comfort food, and if my usual stress-coping patterns hold true, my appetite my stay away another day or two and then it will be back, raging. BUt for now, Im using it to my advantage-- detoxing on sugar (though Ive been cheating by adding honey to my diet-- the few times i AM hungry I crave honey, for some reason), eating healthier foods, not exercising *every* day but still quite faithfully.

Hopefully I can use this rough time to make some permanent, positive changes. And hopefully that 5 lbs is gone for good :0)

Sorry, this was meant to be a BRIEF update and it turned into a rant :tape:

hope youre all well.

lilith

Lilith, as long as your exercising, your probably get more muscle (it weighs more than fat) so that a good thing

((((Angela))))) :0)

Thanks for the encouraging words! That goes ditto for everyone else who may have commented. I dont know if I'll get through all the posts. I need to go for a jog : )

Hope youre all enjoying the beautiful fall weather..

lilith

And Lilith - I am right there with you - I exercised - walked a lot this week and kept the calories down and the scale refused to budge. Starting tomorrow I am going back on the diary and will track my eating for a full week - making changes as needed, as I have been winging it - but I want to know if it isnt what I have been eating - calories and content - then why no loss?

I need to start doing that too! At the end of the day it seems like Im always going "oh yeah, I almost forgot that I ate that". It's been pretty easy for me to be good this week, and I think that helped. The challenge will be when things are back to "normal" and I have to actually stand my ground and use willpower. The truth is, I need to learn to hold myself accountable, and really expect more of myself. Im terrible about that when it comes to food.

On the upside, I HAVE made positive changes with the exercise.. and for me, that is a huge accomplishment. So Im heading in the right direction. If I can keep reminding myself of how much Im doing right, it helps to motivate me to keep going and reach higher goals.

AJ, you are so right.. no matter how long it takes, we are all going to do this. No backing out or giving up this time. :0)

HUGS Everyone! I'm doing okay. My life is stressful right now, but Iam still keeping up with my challenge. Alothough I think I've changed my prize. I think I want to get to get a tattoo, LOL Mid life crisis here I come. Once my stomach is flat enough, I want to get a tattoo around my bellybutton :D, or maybe a butt hat. ROFL They only thing stopping my is thinking of a grandma with a tattoo. Although at that point I won't be wearing things to show it!!

Smile,

Hi girls
Just checking in to say hi and to tell you I cheated and actually weighed myself today. You see with the diet I am on, you are only supposed to weigh yourself at the first of Phase one and at the end, which for me would be 8 weeks later. However, on Monday it will be 2 weeks and so far I have lost 7.5 pounds. I was so excited. Maybe it will be ten by then. My friend and I are both going to get weighed on Monday and promised not to get weighed again until Phase one is over.
Feels good to be losing again instead of gaining.

Hugs to everyone!
Virginia

Hi girls
Just checking in to say hi and to tell you I cheated and actually weighed myself today. You see with the diet I am on, you are only supposed to weigh yourself at the first of Phase one and at the end, which for me would be 8 weeks later. However, on Monday it will be 2 weeks and so far I have lost 7.5 pounds. I was so excited. Maybe it will be ten by then. My friend and I are both going to get weighed on Monday and promised not to get weighed again until Phase one is over.
Feels good to be losing again instead of gaining.

Hugs to everyone!
Virginia

Congrats Virginia! What kind of diet are you on? And what type of exercises do you do?

Keep up the great work!

lilith

Congrats to all you lucky ladies that lost this week!! Be proud of your accomplishments!!

Well my scale still holds tight to 233 - it has to be because I really want to be under 230 and I am clenching or something. Of course I havent exactly been eating right - been having too much sugar lately and not enough water and not eating at regular interval - today for example I have been up since 5 and havent had bkfst yet and it is after 8 now.

The pressure is on since I really want to be 225 by Halloween.

Later

three pounds lost! :D :D :D I think (know) its the water. (6 16.9 oz a day)
Hugs,

Congrats Virginia! What kind of diet are you on? And what type of exercises do you do?

Keep up the great work!

lilith
Hi Lilith
I am on the Sunslim plan and I love it! It is not hard to follow, plenty to eat, and very healthy. For exercise I walk and do an aerobic workout DVD and soon I am going to start with weights again. I atcually have a home gym in my basement so there is no excuse for me not to. Everyone keep up the great work!
Virginia

Oh man, bad second half of the weeek. I went home to visit my parents and my mom has zero concept of healthy eating or supporting a dieter. And she's and Adkin's refuge who has never started eating sufficient fruits or vegetables again, but never quit eating lots of high-fat, high-protein stuff. Knowing that I am trying to lose weight, she would ask if I'd like lunch, and then offer to make me a plate of summer sausage and brie and crackers. When I turned that down as too heavy, she suggested caramel corn and cheese straws.

And I'm not even going to mention the breakfasts of cheesey eggs scrambled in butter and scrapple (a PA Dutch breakfast meat that's popular in the Delaware Valley and is pretty fattening).

I weighed myself this morning with much trepidation and it looks like I'm only up a pound, but I was doing so well that even that feels like a huge set back. I'm up at 7 AM tomorrow to hit the gym and try to get back on track.

After my Saturday's debauchery I was up a pound, but I weighed myself today and I'm down two. I'm not completely on target for my October goal, but I'm pretty close. I was really conscious of water Sunday and Monday and I think that was a huge factor. Plus I fought the urge all day yesterday to drink a Dr. Pepper. I could've fit it in, but I would've sacrificed my fiber for it.

Popping in here for a minute....I lost another pound so I'm down to 152!

That's fantastic!!!

Hannah, the fall challenge runs until October 31 so you still have a month to work on your goal. Congratulations on your 2 lb loss :cp:

and congratulations lateralus on your loss too! :cheer:

Oh I so know that I have bloat going on right now!!! Aunite flow is on her way...I can just feel her. Oh I so hope that I don't gain this week. The munchies have been terrilbe for me, and I don't feel like doing any exercise. ARGH, not happy!!!

Finally the scale hath movethed. :D Down to 230!! Ye Haw!! And it just proves that it isnt so much what you eat as the total calories in vs total calories out. And the water to keep things "moving".

Oh yeah and exercise. Gotta sweat, gotta breath hard, gotta get that heart rate up... :s:

later ladies!

I've been power working out...I hope that scales moves in the right direction tomorrow!

Well the power working out worked, down 4 pounds!!! Yippee!

Diamond Girl, woohoo! :D

September was a good month for me too. I lost another 1/2 inch on each calf, w00t.

I'm down to 150! Only 1 more pound before I reach my Halloween goal!!! :D

Congrats to everyone!! You're all doing so well! Hopefully next weigh in I'll join in on the celebration. Send me some good energy to help keep me motivated. I have been getting up at 3:30 am the last 2 mornings (and will continue to do so) to walk a little over a mile. I have to get my walk in before hubby goes to work or I can't seem to get one in. I go from around 3:30 to around 4:00. DH goes from 4:00 to 4:30 and then goes to work. I also have done 15-20 min on my stationary bike everyday this week so I am doing good as far as that goes. Now if only I could get all of my water in everyday I'd be doin' good. :D Talk to ya'll later and congrats to ya'll again!

WI this morning - holding at 230 but the scale wanted to move down - it started at 227 then 229 then 230 then 229 so I am hopeful for next week.

Congrats to all that are doing so well.

Hey...Where'd everybody go? I'm still here. Today is the last day of antibodic drops for my eyes (Lasik) so tomorrow I'm gonna start working out again!!!
Hugs

I have been checking the board for new messages all week - I have posted a couple here and there but it is like everyone fell off the planet.

Check in again later.

I know what you mean, where's all the peeps?

I've been sick for a couple of weeks. People are dropping like flies around here. At least 1/3 of my co-workers are sick or just over it. I'm finally feeling better though and heading back to the pool tonight. I walked a couple miles yesterday and it didn't kill me so that was encouraging :)

I hope your feeling better this am Tani!

Thanks Diamond Girl :)

I got in my hour at the pool yesterday and biked to work this morning. It feels sooooo good to be back to my old routine! I'm always worried that something like this will throw me for a loop and I'll wind up sitting on my butt for months being lazy.

Hey guys, glad to see some people posting on here again. I keep checking to see if anyone has posted, but it's been so quiet.
Tani-glad that you're feeling better.
Aunti Flow has me down for the count right now. With the ovarian cysts it makes life miserable for me, but I start birth control, even though I'm fixed, on Monday to shrink the cysts, so hopefully I'll feel better soon. I hope everyone is well. I'll check back later to see if anyone has been here. TTFN

Heather
Sure hope you are back to feeling normal soon and everything works out well for you.
Virginia

Hi Everyone!

Glad to see everyone still on the planet. Tani - glad you are feeling better - I know what you mean - seems like a good bout with a cold is the ruination of many a diet, so happy for you that you missed the exercise - that is awesome!

Heather - hope all works out for you - keep us posted

- your mention of AF sent her my way today. Explains why I was in total funk all weekend - man the month flew by.

Best to all - later

good morning ladies, I've amintained these week. those last five pounds are gonna be the death of me I swear!!!!

GM everyone. Angela- hang in there those last 5 pounds will soon be gone. I wish I could get rid of the 1st 5 lbs. :lol: I weighted in this morning. No loss again this week. Don't know what I'm doing wrong. I am keeping my cal. between 1200-1600 fat at 30% or less and exercising at least 3 days a week(even if it's only for 15-20 min.). Oh well all I can do is keep trying and hopefully I'll see some results soon. Well I'm off to feed DD#2 and DS. I already took DD#1 to school. Had to drop her off at 7:30 so they could leave for a field trip at 7:45. I'll check back later.

Well my Sat WI showed no movement but then I weighed on Sun and the scale really wants to go down I can tell - I may make my goal yet - next WI is Monday!

I know I am losing inches - since clothes are looser and my tummy is getting flatter and best of all my back flab is shrinking so that when I scrunch my shoulder blades together I can barely grab and inch (it was way more before) :carrot:

So I must be doing something right (like barely eating and getting way more exercise that usually) I dont "workout" but I go for hike in the woods and chores and housework is all the "workout" I have time for.

Later and good luck everyone - Monday is the big day. :lol:

Yeah! I am down to 226! 1 lb to go by Monday... I may not get it but this is the closest I have come to meeting a goal!

Last WI on Monday and then measurments.

Good Luck all!

:carrot:

Just started the holiday challenge but I will leave this thread up until Friday for anyone who wants to catch up or post their results. :)