I apologize if I haven't addressed people more personally, so here is my attempt to write to everyone as a general message.
I have been reading all of the posts here, and I do notice and empathize for some people that have been struggling. I personally have been struggling myself in this 12 week challenge...but let me tell you that this challenge does not have to be the end of your weight loss journey.
Your journey will continue beyond the 12th week, regardless if you made it to your goal, or past your goal.
The goal for everyone here is to establish and maintain healthy eating habits, exercise habits, and to learn how to enjoy YOUR life and make this healthy way of living sustainable forever and for your loved ones.
The pounds that you lose will just be a result of this goal.
If you continue on this path of healthy living, you WILL lose the pounds. That is just how nature works. It may take time. It may take A LOT of time (look at me and my weight loss journey starting date of January 1, 2011 this year, and actually I started at 151.0 lbs as my "high weight", added 5 more pounds through frustration from dieting/fad dieting/crash dieting/binging, and I'm back to that weight right now, 151.0).
Have some patience. Your metabolism needs to get "used" to what changes you are making to your body with the types of foods you're eating and the exercise and calorie expenditure that you are putting it through. Sometimes this may take a month before a solid 1-2 pounds are off for good.
But even though it takes a whole month for those 1-2 pounds to come OFF for good, and never to come back, wouldn't you rather have THIS or would you rather have the 1-2 pounds come off in 1 week, and the very next week it comes right BACK? If you were exercising the whole month, you KNOW it's real weight that you lost, not water.
The truth is, weight loss is a struggle for everyone, and there is no secret formula for it. Everyone is different and has different metabolisms, preferences, schedules, levels of activity. The KEY to weight loss is really a personal thing....you must find what works for you, and keep trying to find that groove. I did this many times, and came up with my own meal plans and exercises that I like and routine that I can live with for the rest of my life. The way I eat and exercise now is not a diet, it's what I plan to do for pretty much as long as I can with no end in sight.
Beila, Well said. It's hard to see the scale not budge, but we've got to stick with it. If you're losing continue doing what's working for you. If you're not, reconsider the plan that your on. I've been dieting on and off for the last ten years and I've just figured out what works for me.
Hopefully, it won't take everyone that long, but you will figure it out. When you need some encouragement, we're here for you. Just don't get discouraged and think that a few weeks without a loss means the worst. Keep at it and the weight will come off.
OMG, I just realized today that I forgot to post last week. Work has been so crazy the past few weeks, that it totally slipped my mind! If its not to late, I'll post current weight and what I was last week. So sorry about that, I hope it doesn't make things hard for you Scarlett D:
skinnyelle39: Congrats! Oh how I wished I was at your weight right now. Bikini time is two days away
Have fun girls
Thanks... You will get there! I remember weighing the same as you do and thinking Id always weigh 140 something.. But you will get there I promise!
Scarlett Congrats! The initial 2 weeks on SB is a challenge but soo worth it. Had I not bitten that bullet so many months ago I never wouldve been able to shed almost 30lbs! Keep it up!
milesawaygirl Do whatever you need to do to snap out of it. Tomorrow is a brand new day! Just go for it, full force!
SW: 237
Week 1: 233.7
Week 2: 231.7
Week 3: 233
Week 4: 231
Week 5: 230
Week 6: 238
Week 7: 233
Week 8: 232.5 - Would have liked to see the number if TOM hadn't started today!
I'm so happy girls. I did it! I'm at 66kg/145.7lbs this morning!!
This is so motivational! I will not let go on my vacation, I'll have fun but I won't eat crap because these little victories just feel too good! Sun, swimming, lots of water and fresh fruit and veggies here I come!!
blah. That's up 1lb. I'm soooo sorry I didn't post my weight yesterday. I know you have better things to do than wait on me!
I'm really glad that I posted when I did though. It was helpful to read the motivating posts this wk. Beila You are just a fount of wisdom
Thanks for the posts, they weren't intended for me specifically but they helped my mindset this a.m.
Khat
Awesome job! You must not live in the south back home if 100 is hot! Jk. I've been complaining of the heat all wk. We're in a heat advisory or something. I thought I was going to fall out on my jogs this wk and came home with a face the color of a tomato! Have fun on your vacay!!!
Cat Eyes and Skinnyelle
Congrats on your weight loss!!!
Congrats to everyone else who's OP and losing weight! Great job girls!!
GREAT JOB!! The 20 of us that weighed in are collectively down 186.8 pounds!! That’s by far the highest this number has ever been. I wish I could find a pic of 186.8 pounds of chicken fat. I'm sure it'd be gross.
Also I really hate to lose people at this point in the challenge. I'm going to send out some PMs and I'd like you guys to as well. Let's encourage the lost girls to come back by sending out a friendly nudge. People who haven't weighed in the past 2 weeks or longer include
Brianalee123 - our rockstar. I know she went to a 4th of July party at a lake house. I really hope she didn't fall off the wagon.
Quote of the Week "Mastery is not persistence when you see a light at the end of the tunnel. True mastery is persistence when you don't yet see the light. - James Arthur Ray
Biggest Loser = FassGal
Honorable Mention = cat eyes & Buttercup85
Dean's List FassGal
cat eyes
Buttercup85
Scarlet
SuaSponte
skinnyelle39
Hey Guys, I've been having a great week so far. I recently restarted south beach phase 1 (very clean eating). Today is day 5. This is HARD but I'm already down 3.6 pounds .
Today my energy is starting to come back (I've been feeling sluggish due to sugar withdrawal) and I'm going to attempt to run again. I am trying to keep my expectations low because when I lose, my running seems to suffer. I also registered for my next 5k on 8/7, it feels great to have a race to train for.
I've been looking around the forums at similar plans, ie carb counters, sugar busters etc. A common theme is trying to combat INSANE sugar cravings. I have PCOS so the hormone driven sugar cravings have haunted me. The common answer is to cut out sweeteners, sugars, simple carbs and eat lots of protein. I've cut my splenda total to 2 a day and have loaded up on veggies and protein. I'm going to have to eat this way long term in order to lose and maintain. I just can't handle sugar
This is TMI but this morning I "went" for the first time in a few days and it put me in a great mood.
Yesterday I survived a big BBQ at the house and I've just accepted that I can't eat the leftovers.
I also made a new sig and ticker, with a new short term goal because I'm now solidly in ONEderland.
When you need some encouragement, we're here for you. Just don't get discouraged and think that a few weeks without a loss means the worst. Keep at it and the weight will come off. 
