I just tried Spgetti squash this week for the first time and I really like it. I am having bake sfish , steamed broccoli and a small salad tonight and If I am good I will have 2 cups air popped popcorn ( no butter) while I watch my shows tonight.

Wow, you have lost 41 lbs since July 1st! Thats awesome Im so anxious for this challenge. What diet are you following?

Transforming-what does spaghetti squash taste like? I love buttenut, but am not a fan of summer squash....I'm a fairly picky eater, but anything that can mimic spaghetti in my recipes i'm all for!

I need to try spaghetti squash again. The last time I tried to cook it, it was kind of a disaster.

I'm still out here. I'm going to weigh on Mondays instead of daily if that's ok. No exercise, I have somehow managed to hurt my back so I just keep carefully stretching and trying to sneak in some walking so it will loosen up. I swear this is some new TOM torture because it seems to coincide far too often to be chance.

Kids are out of school tomorrow, going swimming one last time!

I have done an hour of walking every morning (in addition to walking to pick my son up from school in afternoon) and my weight is sticking in the same spot. I've heard at first it sometimes does that, and even goes up a little due to building muscles, but I'm still worried. Is this normal? I really should have lost something don't ya think? Today was my 5th day of doing this, I'm taking it easy on weekends or doing something different.

I just started counting calories and exercising Sept 12. I lost 7 lbs my first week. This week I had a gain of 2 lbs. I went over my calories one day that week by 600, but for the week the total was still under goal. It has to be muscle gain, or water weight. HAS TO BE.

Bottom line, don't get discouraged by the scale numbers. I'm in this for the long haul, not a short lived loss. I like to read the maintaining threads for motivation. It really is a change in lifestyle. I don't want to lose & then gain again. So, even though it's slow, I know I'm making the right choices.

'Morning from bonnie Scotland...

Is it ok to jump in on this Christmas Challenge still? I am *just* starting out, and was gonna set a goal for New Years.

Looking forward to getting to know you all... xo

Iwannabthin2, You are doing GREAT!

tz1024, Thank you! I am not following any particular plan. I am eating whole foods (meat, seafood, beans, grains, fruits, veggies, healthy fats, herbs and spices). Staying away from white starchy carbs, sugar, or salt. Consuming about 1,500 calories a day, and drinking at least 120 oz of water a day. I workout 6 days a week. Alternating days of cardio and weight training. What type of plan are you on?

Erin, spaghetti squash, has a slight sweet flavor, and the strands have a crunch to them (if not over cooked ) It is awesome with tomato sauce! You definitely need to try it. It is a staple in my home. So easy to make. The size will determine length of time to cook. I need to start weighing mine, so I can help give exact cooking times. My friend bought one, asked how to cook it, I didn't know what size she had, well it overcooked, but they still enjoyed it. Turns out, hers was half the size of mine. Things you don't think about, because when I buy mine, all of them are close in size, and we live in the same area. So now, I suggest, cooking it for 25 mins, and doing the fork insert test. Mine cook for 40 mins. Hers needed only 25. Let me know how you like it.

98DaysOfSummer, Yes try it again. Sorry to hear, it didn't go well last time. Everything is a learning process. I hope you feel better soon. Sorry to hear that!

CloudySky, Yes I think you should have lost something too. What is your food menu like? Can you give me a day or 2 of what you are eating, and how much water you are drinking?

rachaelm, I agree, it is water weight. I love your attitude! GREAT advice you gave to CloudySky. All we can do is keep moving forward, and stay on our new path.

As for me, I weighed in at 203! I can't wait to see 199.8!

I hope everyone has a GREAT weekend! Anyone have any plans? I am kidless, so hubby and I will have a nice quiet, and relaxing time.

Hello and welcome Scarlet Twilight! We are happy to have you.

I'm in. This is exactly what I need to get me motivated to shed some, OK lots, of pounds. I am a busy mom who works at a job where I sit most of the day. My goal is to lose 20 lbs by Christmas. Thanks for putting this challenge together.

I usually only have one meal a day and that's dinner. Other than that it's just little stuff here and there. Yogurt, fruit, crackers with tzatziki (if you never tried that you should!), string cheese, and things like that. Nothing too bad or in excess. Yesterday for dinner we had salmon, broccoli, and pasta with artichoke hearts and lemon sauce. Our meals are pretty balanced. I am sure my calories are not out of control. Maybe my metabolism is confused since I quit drinking coffee the same day I started exercising (because the time I normally have coffee was replaced with walking, lol). Or maybe since it has been SO long since I exercised, it really could be the muscle vs. fat battle going on. I will give it another week or two before freaking out over it. On the bright side, my body actually feels stronger and overall better and I'm looking forward to next week.

Also, does anyone else have this pregnant belly thing going on? Even if the fat goes away, I don't see how my belly won't stick out a mile. What is this and how do you get rid of it? Can you get rid of it? I want my boobs to stick out further than my belly again someday!

tz1024, That is awesome! You are doing GREAT! Yes, you will lose more in the beginning. Usually water. Water or fat, 6 lbs off of your body, makes you feel GREAT!

fittby40, Hi and welcome! 20 lbs is doable. You will do great!

CloudySky, Your dinner looks great, but you really need to eat breakfast and lunch. Your yogurt, fruit, crackers and cheese, are good for snacks inbetween. I eat 5 times a day, breakfast, lunch, dinner and 2 snacks. If you do not see a change in what you are doing, you may want to give it a try. As far as your belly, it will go down eventually. You can not spot reduce a certain area, it will go down. I have lost 42 lbs and my belly is still past my boobs, but very little. When I started it was a big difference. Keep working it girl, your waist will slim down.

I did a sneak peek on the scale and I was down a few - yay! Then we had Chinese food - oops. I am pretty careful about what I order but there is something about Chinese food (um, salt perhaps?) that makes me retain that fluid. I know it will be gone in a day or two but still! How can broccoli be so dastardly!?!

My back seems to be on the mend so I'm going to try doing Walk Away The Pounds after I drop my daughter off at school in the morning. We live FAR to far away to walk and that's an extra long way with her using a walker so we can't sneak exercise in that way. I have the WATP DVDs and I love them.

The weather finally cooled off a bit here and our kids had Friday off so we spent the last two days at the lake and hitting the parks. It's nice to be outside and not swelter in the heat!

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. We're doing family stuff today. Wish me luck, I'm in a family of food pushers!

it's the MSG in the sauces!!! Or, if there's no MSG, whatever they use as a substitute ... I swear, I gain every time I eat it and need a few days for it to go away.

That and alcohol are total kryptonite for me.

Here's another recipe -- I'm making this tomorrow. Back story: my incredible MIL lost about 80 lbs. She's five feet tall, making the number seem even bigger than it is. At nearly 30 years older than me, she can do one-handed pushups.

Consequently, I make everything the way she makes it.

MIL Spinach Lasagna
10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and drained
15 oz (1 container, it's OK if it's 14 or 16 oz) ricotta cheese -- I
use fat free, but you can use whole milk or part skim
1/4 cup diced onion
1 cup and 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, divided into those quantities
2 eggs, beaten, *or* 1/4 cup Eggbeaters
2 jars (15.5 oz each) or one large jar (30 oz) spaghetti sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon each: oregano, basil, garlic powder
pinch black pepper
1/2 package lasagna noodles (8 oz), uncooked -- I use 3 noodles per layer
1 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, mix ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, egg, spinach, onion,
salt, other spices.

In a greased 13x9" pan (or whatever baking dish you have around),
layer 1/2 cup sauce, then at least 3 noodles, then
half of the cheese mix.

Repeat.

Top with remaining noodles, then remaining sauce.

Sprinkle with 1/2 cup mozzarella.

Pour water around the edges. Cover tightly with foil.

Bake 1hr 15 mins, or until bubbling. Let stand 15 min.