YAY, great job sticking to your goal, bodyisatemple! I'm kind of giggling at the thought of you sitting in class surrounded by people with donuts, and you munching away at your 100-calorie pack... It reminds me of a teacher I had last quarter who would occasionally make us come to class early for a film screening, and it order to "make up" for it, would bring us coffee and boxes upon boxes of donuts from Dunkin Donuts. It was always soooo hard to resist, especially when I'd see some of the other students eat like 3 donuts without batting an eye--the greedy 3-year-old in me would start whining, B-b-but *they're* having donuts; why can't *I*?!?! LOL! :p So I know what willpower it takes to do what you've accomplished so far... You're doing awesomely! Keep up the good work. :D

Good afternoon everyone!

How's everyone doing? So, I decided to twist my challenge a little bit for the weekend. They don't serve bagels/donuts on Saturdays and Sundays, but I'm going to be buried here in the basement working on my paper and studying for my last final. And guess who's right next to me? The vending machine!!!

So, challenge for today and tomorrow is NOT using the vending machine. If I want a snack, the awesome fruit vendor (my friend Mostafa) is open 24 hours and he is just 2 blocks away. I can go for a stretch and get some yummy strawberries, luscious blackberries, juicy grapes or apples, whatever I want!

Rowena, thanks for the info... Unlike you, I've been around this weight my whole life. I was about 155 all through high school. Freshman year of college I went up to my all time high of 165. My last year I got down to about 130, which has been the lowest weight of my life.

I stayed in the 140 range for a long time, then bounced back to 150s and then held at about 145-148 for the last few years. However, this semester, I packed the pounds on again.

I am determined to get to 125-130. I get way too complacent when I reach the 140s and just stop there, but that's still too big for my frame.

I'm counting calories, logging it all on calorieking. I'm eating 1300-1400 calories a day. It's amazing what logging it all in does. That's the part I've resisted all my life, but obviously, the thing you want to do least, is the thing that's going to make the most impact. So, I'm committed this time.

Stella, how are you doing?

Star, thanks a lot! I appreciate it!!!

Um, this no vending machine challenge is going to be harder than I thought. TEMPTATION EVERYWHERE!!! Back, beasts, back!!!!! I will slay you with my coffee flavored yogurt!

Send good vibes, people. They're much needed.

Good vibes are coming to you!! You are better than that vending machine. The most convenient food is usually the worst for you, unfortunately. Be strong! You'll be saving not only your body but your money!

Oh good luck bodyisatemple! The vending machine is my worst enemy sometimes. Thankfully, the one at work always has whole grain pretzels. That fruit stand sounds amazing though - I think that's a great idea. You get a walk, a healthy snack, and a chance to enjoy the outside as a respite from the basement.

I'm doing well - I overslept this morning - got up at 11:30. On the weekends I'm usually up at 7, so it was odd. Usually on Saturdays I work out in the mornings, then go get breakfast, but not today! I can't take any will power credit, I was just so tired from this past week that I slept through my craving :)

Hope you managed to stay away from that cursed vending machine yesterday, bodyisatemple! ;) And I agree, you are so lucky that you have access to your friend's fruit all the time! I was soooo craving an apple last night, but had no way of getting one... I had dinner early, so I was pretty darn hungry again by 9ish, and even had the tummy grumblies, but unfortunately I live in a dorm and can't really keep a lot of healthy snacks on hand--I have a stock of granola bars that I eat for breakfast, but those are a bit too high-cal for an evening snack, and I'm wary of keeping other things in my room because I know I'd be tempted to binge on them. :o So instead I had to go to bed hungry, which didn't feel too good... Blech. It would be so nice if I had someone I could hit up for an apple at any hour of the day! Hehe! :lol:

Anyways, good luck staying away from those bagels during the upcoming week, girly!! Make sure you keep checking in with us to celebrate your daily victories. :D

Hello awesome ladies.

So, vending machine was definitely a challenge yesterday. I didn't buy any snacks, but I did end up getting 2 lattes out of those coffee machines. No extra sugar or whitener, but still, can't be too healthy right?

So today, I brought my mug and my tea bags with me to the library. If I need a caffeine boost, it's gonna have to be a zero calorie one. And I'm sitting in a section far away from the vending machines.

I weighed in today, and I'm down two pounds. HOORAY!! Counting calories all last week and staying within the 1300-1400 range. I'm so happy.

The fruit stand is awesome. I live in downtown manhattan and they're pretty common. I've become friends with the guy that runs the one by my school and now he always gives me an extra piece of fruit or something for free. He's a sweetie.

Meredith, I checked out your progress pics - you look sooo beautiful! It's amazing how much younger you look. You have totally become an inspiration for me!

Stella - you don't even want to know what time I woke up...11:30, and that was super early for me. Finals makes me a crazy insomniac and waking up before noon was a major accomplishment for me. :) I can't wait to get back on a consistent sleeping schedule.

No coffee today! :) :)

I AM DYING FOR SOMETHING CHOCOLATEY!!!!! argh. I know I'm not hungry, I know it's just b/c I don't want to study. I know it!

Had to vent.

bodyisatemple, congrats on the great job yesterday. I'm sure you did great today too. You can beat those chocolate cravings!

stellarose, good job on the no coffee!

I am still dessert-free (four days now!). I had a slice of whole wheat toast with jelly as "dessert" today. It was delicious.

Keep it up everyone!

Aww shucks, thank you, bodyisatemple!! You are too kind. :D Glad I could inspire you, even though your starting weight is more like my goal weight, LOL! (Though to be fair, I have 5 inches on ya... ;))

And ooooh, chocolate cravings--now THAT'S a toughie! I'm pretty sure I could have written your last post myself, heh. I deffffinitely struggle a LOT with the whole "I know I'm not hungry, I know it's just because I don't want to study(/write this paper/do this reading/finish this assignment/etc)" thing. Any time I sit down to start working on something that stresses me out, it's like I instantly get the urge for some serious hand-to-mouth action! It really keeps me constantly on my toes with having to remind myself that there's a big difference between actually needing FOOD and just needing to eat... :rolleyes: I hope you managed to beat those chocolate cravings, but hey, you're not perfect--you're still donut/bagel-free and doing an awesome job on your challenge. :D

stellarosa27, great job staying away from the coffee! And sleeping until 11:30 actually sounds pretty good to me, LOL, though I just naturally seem to wake up around 9 every morning... I think my body's just tuned into waking up at that time, so the latest I ever really sleep in (I mean, if I've had a reeeeally late night the night before) is like 10:00, maybe 10:30. :p

Rowenna, awesome job maintaining your dessert "abstinence" (hehe) for four (now five?) days! That's spectacular! :yay: The toast and jelly sounds yummy--it's funny how quickly you can get used to healthier things functioning as "dessert," heh. I never would have thought I'd view my daily apple as a "treat," but I so do! :dizzy:

I am totally in. We just got an email about free Krispy Kreme donuts in the kitchen. Must...avoid...sugary goodness!

Don't do it fatpants!!!! Free??? Yeah right! They'll cost you at least an hour or so in the gym. At least!

Last night was really, really hard. But I drew up some willpower I didn't even know I had and refused to get anything from the vending machine.

I hate finals and I hate studying and I hate that I am such a procrastinator but I love that I have stuck to this goal for so many days now! How many days has it been? I don't even remember! But, Thursday is the end of the road for me. I won't be around donuts/bagels or vending machines after that.

How's everyone else doing?

I passed up some seriously caloric chocolate cake at dinner tonight, and I didn't even swipe a brownie. Score for me! We are all doing so well! Good work against the vending machine, bodyisatemple! And fatpants, you can resist those KrispyKremes. Think of some other food that you love just as much or more than them, which is much better for you and makes you feel better. Treat yourself to that instead!

Meredith - yes! Five days now, and I only had a little cereal for my "dessert" and I'm still under calories!

Yay, Rowenna!!!