MadamB-I'm not sure if my ticker is quite accurate. I haven't weighed in since the beginning of December...and I had decided to go off plan for the holidays before I went on my trip and decided not to weigh again until this challenge ends for V-Day. I am prolly pretty close to what it says, but it could be plus or minus. BUT...thank you for the compliment. And for now I'll take those 200 sticks of butter ;-) Crossing my fingers to be under 190 for the end of the challenge! Might get surprised and it will be even lower...

Eating perfectly as usual. Still haven't done my exercise, but the day isn't over yet. Yikes!

OMG, 200 sticks of butter, isn't that just AMAZING!!!

A friend of mine used to measure her weight loss in sticks of butter, but she said it helped her if she only lost 1 lb, because 1 lb is 4 sticks of butter, and that's a lot of butter . . . just keep going and MELT THAT BUTTER AWAY!!!

I LOVE LOSING BUTTER!!!!

Today was a double whammy in the workout department. I came home, did day 9 of L1 of the 30 day shred (finally changed to 10 pound weights on the chest flies - don't know why I didn't earlier as I thought the 5 lbs would fly out of my hands at one point!), then had a vb game where we were only 5 and I had to set for all 4 games - I was sweating!

Good news is that my wii told me I've lost 3 pounds - and it's only been 1 week.

I'm feeling good mentally and physically - all because of everyone here in this group. It helps knowing that we're all pushing ourselves in this challenge, being motivated by each other makes all the difference.

Gracias chicas bonitas! (just practicing my espagnol...got back from Punta Cana at Christmas and going to Cuba in March)...which leads to my next goal of wearing a bikini for the first time as an adult. Bought it already so no going back now!!!

Otown..nothing is more motivating then knowing you need to get into a bikini.

I'm back in the saddle after that horrendous weekend of eating...slowly getting it off.

Major neck pain, seeing chiro today..so there won't be any workouts other than my two scheduled classes today...

We are expecting snow again...hope it is enough to give the kids a day off of school but DH can get to work. He has been home way too much and is constantly in the kitchen cooking trigger foods. Everyone thinks I'm so lucky to have a husband that cooks but I hate it!

have a good day everyone...

Monday: Calories, 1170. Exercise: 40 minutes on the elliptical(247 cal burned) and anbout 15 minutes of upper body weight machines.

Planning on higher calories today. Will probably have to do a workout DVD tonight and possibly tomorrow since that snow's a-coming to NY!

zumbachica, hope it goes well at the chiro and that you feel better soon. Amazing how neck pain affects your whole body.

otown, congrats on the 3 lbs!

madamb, I am so impressed you got the exercise in with that work schedule!!

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't updated in a few days. I actually went off my exercise schedule for a few days...stayed on my diet plan though. I'm back on track now and hoping not to fall off again.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day!

Hello all :)

Madame, I always used to do 100 pushups prior to injury. I just restarted doing them again January 1, right now I am able to do 4 sets of 25 at a time & as long as my arms don't give me pain, I will continue to do them daily unless my body tells me not to! :) As far as the soup, I am not a recipe kinda gal, more like a dump it in the pot kinda gal! :) No real measurements, but I used 2 big scoops of low sodium chicken stock & a large soup pot 3/4 filled with water, for barley I used the quick cook type & threw in about 3/4 cup, (use more or less how soupy or stewpy you like your soup ;) ) & 1 can of just plain ole pumpkin stirred in. I am sure whatever you add or don't add it will still taste good! Gosh, its homemade soup, anything goes really...
Way to get those workouts in!

dcaplet- hope you ace that test & nice working out with your partner, oh & happy shoveling today! :)

Caprice- good job on eating & exercise & I love me some chicken anytime of day!

way to go otown on the loss & going full throttle, so your a setter eh? You can set me up anytime girl- eh gawds I suck at setting, I'm a hitter & my jump serve is pretty wicked too! ;) We pretty much play with 4 players most weeks, as that is our norm, so we are always moving all over the court, being we play 3 in the front line to hit & 1 back row player..

Barb- I think you will enjoy snowshoeing, being you like to walk, this will be easy breezy for ya! Continue on, keepin on...

Nat- continue on & happy shoveling!

zumba- hope after a re-ajustment you feel more like you.

annah, welcome back :)

Well day 11 is COMPLETE, so far so good ladies on my upperbody workout plan! :) Pedaled my exercise bike today for an hr & literally went nowheres! ha ha ha ;) Although I am having a hungry hungry day today, as usual ovulation time gets me every month when the hormonal hungries hit, so I listened to my tummy & I fed it more fuel, had 2 bowls of soup, a chicken sandwich & a yogurt for lunch! Additional protein normally stops the hunger it in its tracks, so lets hope I don't literally want chew my arm off today with hormones from HELLO on the surface! :( Anybody else become a starvin marven when you ovulate?

Have a great eating & workout kinda day everyone! :)

Well got all of my WW supplies. Meeting scheduled for tomorrow AM. Went grocery shopping. My fridge is probably in shock with all the veggies and fruit and no beer!

Evil-thanks for the advice. That is a great way to look at exercise, to exercise for the body you want not the one you have.
Zumba-feel better gal! Im sure after a neck-crackin you will be good to go.
Otown-atta girl on the 3lbs!

Question for all: Are there any runners on here? I'm sure it's hard for you ladies up north but I have this urge to run but 222lbs on my short butt is alot of weight to be pounding on the knees and feet. Any advice?

Evening, did my six week six pack abs (almost did all of the side planks!!, soon)

otown: a double workout, always feels good when you're done, (at least for me) and 12 stick of butter MELTED away!!! I love melting butter

nata: you are rockin out the workouts!!! My schedule fluctuates all the time, as soon as I think it's stable something happens, but I wasn't as tired tonight and I am off tomorrow, (at least that's the plan right now, *shaking my head*)

Zumba: glad you're back on track . . . I hate it when I'm hurting . . . Grrrrrrrrr

Annah: welcome back and glad you're back on track

Evil woman: thanks, I just throw things in too, but I've never cooked barley so I wanted a general idea, THANKS, will be making this weekend as I am off the whole weekend, at least right now, (schedules, UGH!!!) You are rockin those workouts. I may try some pushups tonight

dcaplet: I shoveled tonight too, not too much snow 2" but the plow came by and the snow was wet and heavy, (what I call east coast snow). Now they say snow Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun . . .

Bama: You crack me up . . . your fridge is in shock . . . toooooooooo funny

Angelskeep: did you get that workout in????

Keep melting that butter ladies . . . I'm kind of excited anticipating how many pounds we all drop together and then converting to butter melted away . . . . I bet it's going to be a lota butta!!

Zumba – I made a commitment to myself before New Years that I would practice yoga every single day this year in order to being preparation to train to be a yoga teacher. (Certified) I’ve been practicing on my own on and off for six years now, and it’s time for me to get serious!

Angel – finding motivation to work out has always been a struggle for me. Got any good tips?

Evil – thanks for the good wishes! I actually think it went well – hopefully will know soon! I actually look forward to a little shoveling – it’s a good workout ☺

Madam – I don’t think we in NY get snow anywhere NEAR like you guys get out there! 2 inches isn’t bad – I think of that as “city snow”; but last night we got about 8 inches, and everything’s closed. Sounds like a hot coffee/work from home day ☺

As I was typing this up, I had a realization – I have trouble committing. For years, I have made it a point of pride to keep my word to other people – I would make a nearly unbreakable commitment to them, and move heaven and earth to fulfill it. To everyone – except me. Since December, I have been committed to my own goals – first yoga, then aerobics/weight, now diet. I was wondering why I was changing, what about this time would be different – I thought I was just getting off my lazy and getting it done. But that’s not it – I’m moving heaven and earth to keep my promise to myself.

Who knew I was such an important person to me ?

Tuesday: Calories, 1580. Exercise: Jillian 30DS video

DH had band practice last night(he's 50 - I call it his old man band) so I couldn't get to the gym, but I changed into my workout clothes as soon as I got home from work and did the video. Amazing how tough 20 minutes can be! I do hour-long classes at the gym all the time, but last night was a challenge.

It is STILL snowing here on Long Island - I think we've got about 15" already and it's still coming down. My office has a delayed opening, but luckily I can work from home. DH has agreed not to try to shovel and go to work, so his friend will come plow us out whenever he can get here. I'm going to use the time to make a big batch of oatmeal bake, and DH is going to make jambalaya. Hopefully by tonight I'll be able to get out to the gym.

dcap: great comments about committing to yourself!

madamb: we have to make sure to add up how much weight we all lose during this challenge! how exciting!!

bama: let us know how your meeting goes! getting the right food in the house is half the battle.

annah: how's it going today? good to see you!

DCAP: What tremendous personal growth you are going through! Yes, we often make committments to other people but let ourselves down! Thank you for that reminder. We aren't selfish for putting ourselves first depending on how we do that...taking care of ourselves is important and then we can give more of ourselves to others. I love yoga instructors, they are in a class by themselves in the fitness industry. NOONE knows muscles better than they do!

Madam: GREAT on the six pack abs. I noticed that JM has a new DVD , Shred with Weights. You need a kettlebell to do it. I'm afraid to buy another DVD that I don't use.

Bama: LOL re: frig in shock. You're going to do great with WW, Ih ear the new program is healthier.

Annah, I'm back on track too! Thank goodness!!

Evil, I think I"m going to follow your lead and do some push ups...that is if my bad neck and shoulders can handle it.

Angels..YOU CAN DO IT GURLLL!

Natamars, whats the name of your husbands old man band? 50 is NOT old..the older I get the more I realize that!!!!!!!!

WELL, I am DEFINITELY SNOWED IN TODAY... a little miffed because I was looking forward to my once a week toning class. I haven't seen snow like this in a long time!!!! DH is outside with the snowblower now so that we can hopefully get out tomorrow....atleast my kids are home and we can have some fun today together....a snow storm forces us to slow down. Nothing makes a little boys happier than a snow day!! (and no violin lesson after school either..LOL).

GOOD NEWS! Scale finally went down again...whew! I was getting worried. This gives me incentive to keep going. I think I can do this!!

Madam- you should have seen my fiance's face when he saw no beer. More shock than the fridge!

Natamars- meeting went well, it was a great mix of some lifetime members and newbies (or restarts from years ago like me). The new program seems very do-able!

Zumba-don't go stir crazy cause of the snow and atta girl on the scale going down again.

Dcapulet-OMG are you in my head right now? Geez. That too is my biggest obstacle, keeping the commitments to myself. Reading your post set off that "ahhh" reaction. I've been thinking about it alot. Wondering why I could lose 50+ lbs after both of my divorces but now that I am happy with my honey and my job, I am stuck. If I put as much effort and commitment into my well-being and fitness as I do in my job and my relationships I would be a beast! (a fitness beast). Thanks for sharing. You never know how words can touch someone else. You are an inspiration by just keeping your commitments to yourself. I'll be watching and rooting for ya girl!

Oh, you all crack me up . . . Bama, I can just imagine your BF's face when he saw no beer, and as far as being stuck in the house, I'm right there with you, I don't mind if it snows (which it does a lot here) what I hate is the frigid cold, I think next week we are suppose to have a day where the high is -9, (Ugh and Oh No!!!)

dcapulet: I'm so jealous, (in a good way) I'll have to work on taking care of ME and making ME a priority . . .

My knee is KILLING me today (I just have one bad knee, actually that's how I gained my weight, but that is a story for another day) ended up doing Leslie Sansone 5 mile walk, I was sweating so that's good and was easy on the knee

Zumba: Glad the scales are smiling at you, mine went up this AM but that usually means it's getting ready to drop again in a few days (at least that's been the pattern so far . . . time will tell

OK, my chicken wild rice soup needs a little attention (pepper and more pepper) to finish it up and then I'm off to the store for a few things