Do we sound bitter or what? :) It's true though, they're very intimidating! I've never been to the workout rooms at the gym, just the pool - somehow I'm okay in a bathing suit, but not on a treadmill - what is wrong with that one, huh? :D (I've always felt fairly comfortable in a bathing suit, always been a swimmer, so I guess that might explain that). I am trying to get used to working out in front of other people though. I go to the gym in my fiance's apt. complex with other people there sometimes and am getting more comfortable with that, so I just need to break down and do it - because it's the only gym that's going to be available to me (well, for free) once spring term is over. Argh! Maybe by then I'll feel much more normal weight-wise and I won't stick out like a sore thumb!

Fey & Jenicra (and all others who struggle with this): I know just how you feel. The only thing that got me over their *looks* and the ideas they had of me (which actually I had made up in my own mind--I don't really know if they felt this way about me) was to realize that I was there for my own good and if they were looking down on me because I'm not a 90 pound stick then they could go suck on something 'cause at least I was there doing good for MYSELF! I think it's that whole Jr. High/High School self-concious mentality--we notice every single little flaw about our selves, but do we notice every single little flaw that everyone else is hung up on theirselves about? Not really (at least I don't) Most likely, many of them don't even notice or care that you're there. But I do know how intimidating it is... Hang in there!

I know you're right Dee and every time I go in there it will get easier.

Whoo-hoo! I made it! I made it! I made it! And a whole week early too! When I first made that goal around Valentine's Day it sounded absolutely impossible - but I did it! I started off at 219 and I'm now 20 lbs. lighter! Gosh, I'm so excited, can you tell? ;) The challenge was about 6 wks. long, so that's an amazing 3.33 lbs./wk. loss. Probably a bit high but when you're on a roll, you're on a roll! (Actually heard a new point about the advice that you should lose only 1-2 lbs./wk. - a better way to judge it for yourself personally is that you should lose no more than about 1% of your total body weight per week, in case any one was interested.)

So I'm already thinking up a new challenge... anyone have any ideas? I think I kind of like the challenges that are a bit longer (like this one, 6 weeks or so) - what about everyone else? We're running out of holidays in May - maybe a Mother's Day Challenge? :) Who knows. I hope everyone else is feeling good about their April 1 goal - we can do it!

How 'bout a May Day (May 1st) challenge? That's one option. (-;

I like it - May Day sounds good to me. 4 weeks/30 days. Any objections?

Wow! 22 lbs. lost since mid-Feb and coming in at a final 197!

way to go jenicra! you smashed that goal!

i got to 181. 1 pound off my goal of 180. not bad. =) i re-lost 8 pounds in march!

Great job Holly! I know you've been working really hard to those regained lbs. off and you're nearly there!