Troo - Where are you hiding?? lol!

Ceegee - Have fun today!!

Tara - My DH didn't get serious about losing weight with me until I'd dropped around 30 pounds. Finally, he started to look fat in comparison. lol. Congratulations on your loss. A loss is still a loss!!

Reda - I hear you on men & losing weight. My husband works out once a week and can drop 2 pounds overnight. It's nauseating!

Happy - Your smoothie sounds yummy!!

Angeline - Don't fret about the gain. We're all just glad you're still here!!

Cheree - Congrats on your 5k!! I want to run next time!! ;)

Jessica - Too funny about the poop!!

Staja - Those cupcake truffles look really cute!!

Theresia - I can't even imagine living in the Caribbean with no A/C.

Laurie & Barb - :hug: I'm glad you popped in to let us know how you're doing.

bethbeth - Happy anniversary!! Enjoy your day!

Oolong - Staying the same is perfectly acceptable and a normal part of any weight loss. Good luck with your tests!!

Misty & Purple - Great to see you guys!!

I'm going to pay bills as quickly as I can and then head out to my sister's. We are reading her novel out loud in anticipation of recording the book on tape. It also is a great way to find errors prior to printing.

It's a brand new week! Let's make it a great one!!

Howdy TEAM!!!

Congrats to our Black Team 3FC 5K finishers! GOOD JOB!!!!:carrot: The next sign ups are up...August 1-3 the Midsummersnight 3FC 5K. I have a link in my sig. Think about doing it...and then stop thinking and go add your name to the list! It's really inspiring joining all the other chicks here out there doing this! I have been bold and committed to jog 1/2 of the next one...ugh...hope I am not crazy! But I've been working up to it little by little...I AM feeling stronger and fitter. A 5K is ONLY 3.1 miles....and almost everyone who is exercising at all on a regular basis can do that!

DH and I went for an extra 50 minute walk last night up steep hills in the park. I had already walked 3 miles earlier in the day by myself and my behind was feelin' it! It would be so great to get in 2 sessions of movement a day but I only seem to be able to do that on vacation. This week I'm going to try to walk a little bit at lunchtime again...just to up the activity. I am up about a pound from vacation still so I've gotta keep working it! Back to FIBER today ;)

Happy nice looking apple-walnut smoothie, YUM

Reda congrats on the almost 20 lbs, that is fantastic!!

Smurf running with no knee pain? :carrot: Heck...running! You go girl!

Mugsy ditto for you! LOL the extension cord jump rope, now that is determination and team spirit! And yipee for the new bike and the awesome DH!

Angeline keep on keeping on! I have been right where you are for some of this challenge and it is a battle just to keep going...but DO keep going...it is worth it!
Cheeree YAY 5Ker!!!!!!!!:cp:

Beth YAY 5Ker!!!!!!!!:cp: and happy anniversary! Kiss that lucky man today;) and hey, a 2 pound "gain" actually means you've lost 2 since last week!! So, GOOD job!

Justkeepswimming YAY 5Ker!!!!!!!!:cp: and ACK on the BP...:p:lol:

theresia :dizzy: Critter adventures! Hope the toe is better soon!

Staja Cuuuute! What a nice sister you are!

Tara WTG on staying strong, bigger losses next week I'm sure

Chiquita hang in there, eventually you'll figure it out I'm sure!

Barb sorry things are rough for you! I'm glad you've found a little support here :hug: take care of you!

Purple I keep waiting for my number to come up...ugh, I'm sure it's inevitable...but I hope you know soon.

Misty You've inspired me...I've gotta move it this month too! For the challenge AND to be able to jog a mile and a half...time's a wastin'....good strength to you too!
Julia H YAY 5Ker!!!!!!!!:cp: I saw you over there;)

HAPPY MONDAY PEEPS....GO EXERCISE!!

Hello my beautiful ladies! Hope you all had a great weekend-sorry to hear some of you are in a funk you have helped me during my funks so let us help you in yours. Vent and complain all you want about your funks we are hear to listen!

I am watching Rachel Ray right now and YUMMO it looks good!

gg and reda you can read about the drink here www.monavie.com my husband and I started drinking it a month or so ago and recently became distributors so we could get it cheaper. If you have any questions or want some let me know and I can get it for you. We both have noticed great changes in our overall health and well being-not too mention my knees don't grind anymore. I love that it is not a pill and is loaded with antioxidants and the new food rave acai berry

Manik good for you to comit-I will have to go check out your link. I am so anxious to race, but I am not quite ready to push myself as much as I tend to when I want to beat the girl in front of me-this way I will be racing against me and wont know who is in front of me.

To all the rest love ya! Gotta go feed the kids before they eat each other :)

Hello ladies!!!! We just got back from a rushed trip to missouri to do some engagement pictures. We are leaving EARLY (as in 4 am early) on Thursday morning to head to beautiful Montana to do a wedding. So, while in Missouri where my parents live we decided to go ahead and leave our kids there. I will be away from my kids for 10 days!!! I cried half the way home today and again once we got home and I realized how quiet it was. This will be the longest we've been away from them. Before this, the longest was 4 days. I know that they are having a BALL and didn't even bat and eye when we left today. So it'll be harder on me then them... which I'm glad for.

Anyway, all that to say that I will be MIA from Thursday July 10 - Thurs July 17. I'm doing my weigh-in before we leave on Thursday. I'm in the process of finding a "fill in" while I'll be gone to do the weigh-in day charts and results so that we won't be late on getting that in.

Thank you ladies for your support!! :hug: I do want to keep going. I'm inching closer to onederland, thanks to the challenge. I was frustrated with my pace of losing of late. Trouble is my food choices have hindered my losses - DUH! :o

I posted a +1 pound gain, which isn't as bad as it could've been AND, most importantly, I'm back on track!! :carrot::carrot: Ya know you ladies said exactly what I would've said to someone else but, when it came to me, I felt like I was letting the team down. Dumb - I know.

My workouts have been great. Today marks the end of week 3 of P90X. This coming week is my recovery week - so no weights.

Yesterday was a day full of healthy food choices. Today I'm on track for more of the same and I have dinner planned/groceries bought for tomorrow.

This morning I threw out the junk food left over from picnics this weekend. I cannot control portions of this stuff so after the holiday, it becomes garbage and should not be in my body. I threw it where garbage should go. :D

Here's to a good week everyone!!

Julz-ALL THE TIME-and I hate to say I judge them for it :) and I always assume that everyone is looking in my cart too so I am sure to load it with lots of healthy foods. I am so bad about caring what others think, that if we are buying "unhealthy" items-not necessarily the junk food kind but if my cart is not going to be packed with fresh fruit and veggies, whole grain this and that and lean meat-I make dh do it or make him at least push the cart. I am terrible!

QUTD: All The Time. Especially if the groceries are full of junks. One day I was waiting to pay and this one mom in front of me had about 20 kids tv dinner, about 10 adult tv dinner, and the only fruit in the basket was canned one with heavy syrup. She looked like a working mom, and I know there are many working moms out there, even right here at 3FC. It made me sad to see that because children don't have choice but to eat what the parents give ... and obviously her children are not getting good food. :(

I am posting 0.8 lb loss this week. My scale was little bit weird today. I was 189.2 and then right after that, 188.2. My daughter wanted to jump on the scale so I weighed again after that and I was at 191.2. I figured to give it some break and tried again and was 188.2. I am going to take it. :) I did notice while posting my weight that I see big loss for a couple weeks or so and then either gain or small loss for a couple weeks or so and then back to big ones. I wonder if it's my body adjusting to it.... I gained twice through this challenge so that's not that bad, I guess. :D

QOTD1: I would take the personal trainer! I go to the gym, but I know I don't push myself like they would.

QOTD2: YES! I often do, I think a lot of people do b/c I have seen people look at me and look at my cart in amazement. It's like they assume that b/c I am fat it will be loaded with Oreos, candy and regular soda! I actually have heard people whispering about my cart before. One time I said, "Yes, I am fat and I do eat healthy...IT HAPPENS!" LMAO! They were in shock! I find it interesting the amount of junk I see in the carts of healthy looking people. Just goes to show that not everyone that is thin eats right! My co-worker proves that daily! ;)

I have the same thing with carts. I look in and wonder why they are skinny then wonder how they can afford to eat like that.... how in the world do thier kids eat that..no wonder thier are allergies and behaviour issues. Do thier kids teachers comment on the lack of healthy food. My kids teachers remind them about "inappropriate sugary snacks" at school. Then people look at my cart and then give me the once over and my response it the same as the darling Blueeyedgirl stated above.

Hello Everyone I think there is only 2 people that have not updated their WI's so we are looking good!!!

QOTD: Well I do always look in others carts to see what they have in them but I guess I really have never judged because if you looked in my cart you would think it is free for all with every thing. I by healthy for me and I like fruits and vegetables but my boys who are skin and bones like things escpecially in the summer that are quick and easy which usually consists of hot pockets and frozen pizzas as they only get like a half hour for lunch break. And I don't just buy a few when they go onsale I buy like 20 of them along with my fruits and vegetables and HC or Smartone frozen dinners, see me in the store and figure that out??? :)

Taragettingthin that is so weird about your scale but at least you did get one number the same twice.

angeline I also have a hard time with picnic salads mostly so I never take left overs and if I make it to take and no one wants the left overs I throw them away before I get home because there is no stopping me sneaking a bite here and there.

LondonJulz have a great time in Montana and enjoy this time with DH without kids because they come far and few between and it is always nice to have some quality time with each other. ;)

Barb sorry about the issues at home I hope they get better for you and yes you can come here for all the support you need even if it is just to VENT

Manick now that you are talking about fiber again I found today an All Bran Fiber Drink Mix it comes in individual packets for 16.9 oz bottles of water and it is Pink Lemonade flavor I had one today and it is very good. It has no calories, no sugar, no fat, and 10g of fiber but it does have 12 carbs for those watching carbs but I thought a good way to get some fiber in each day. How much fiber should one get in a day?

Smurf I will look at the website once I get done here, thanks

BethBeth Happy Aniversay 1st one with many more to come. I am looking forward to my next one in January as it will be my 20th and trying to talk husband into renewing our vows in Cancun this year as we always go in January as well and a wedding on the beach with all of closest friends would be just SUPER, haven't gotten him talked into it yet but I still have hope.

Oolong congratulations on your good grades and you will ace the next two as well.

Purplefirefly jury duty is a daily check in here to if something is going on because the issue could be settled or postponed for some reason or another.

Well I did the 30 day Shred today and boy do I feel out of shape even though I exercise daily whether it is 30 minutes or 40 minutes but this kicked my butt today I will stick with it because I think I got more out of that then my 30 minute walk/jog per day. I am determined to lose a couple of inches around waist before vacation Aug 1st. Boy did I work up a sweat today and boy am I sore already tonight it is more my thighs that are sore but I will see in the morning I bet more will be sore :smug::(

So sorry if I missed someone I really do not mean to and boy I didn't realize how long this post got I will try to keep shorter next time

Well I will check back in later or in the morning. Good Night

I didn't have to report to jury duty :carrot: called tonight and they said we were all dismissed, so they must have found who they needed in the 50 that were required to report today. They can't call me again for two years...yay, it's over.

I came up with a grading system to grade myself daily. Today was day one and it's so fun, I got a B. Not awesome, but decent for the first day...and an extremely tired day because I had insomnia last night and could not sleep until after 3AM then had to get up at 9AM :(

My son has been staying with MIL since Saturday and I really miss him. He comes home tomorrow night and I can't wait.

I do look in other people's carts but I don't judge. I just find it interesting, and soon as I pass them I've already forgot what they had. I just do a quick glance, really don't look at every item they have. I usually have my kids and am focused on getting the heck out of there to worry about other people.

Reda I believe 25 to 30 grams a day is optimal for weight loss, but I did some looking...the Mayo clinic recommends slightly less for good health benefits. HERE is the link.

HERE is another article about the benefits of dietary fiber for weight loss

As for the QOTD--I sometimes look, tho I often am spaced out and only focused on what I am buying. 2 places I definitely look are Costco (usually with amazement or envy) and Trader Joes to see stuff that I might want to try next time. I make judgments based upon what I see I am sure, but it is all so rapid and subtle I hardly notice it. Just part of my brain's daily data intake and filing into categories. One thing 3FC has done for me however, is to encourage me to believe the best about others! I now will often see people as "trying" to be healthier...which is a good thing!

Does anyone else watch the show X-Weighted? I have my DVR set to record all the reruns and I am loving it...it is motivating me just as much as BL does, and tonight it inspired me to set a goal. I have been going for 206, which is my 20% lost mark, but it's been months since I set a concrete goal with an actual date. It's time! I want to get to that 206 mark by the end of this challenge. That is a bit under 2 lb. loss each of the remaining weeks, and I know I can do that if I just get serious with my exericse again. I need to go beyond the half hour morning walks to lose, and I know that.

I guess I have a couple NSVs as well. I went into the grocery store the other night, hubby and kids waited in car, and there was this man coming in the opposite direction of the cereal aisle. I paid him no attention, looking for honey bunches of oats for hubby, and he says hello, I said hey without even looking at him, and he goes "damn you're beautiful." It took me off guard and I did look up at him at that point, shocked, and he said over his shoulder "married?" and I snapped out of it immediately and said "yes" and went back to the cereal. He is lucky hubby was in the van because he's the jealous type...it felt good and made me want to eat a dozen donuts all at once. I didn't though, got my cereal, made sure not get behind him in the line, and hurried back to hubby.

Then at the fireworks Thursday, after working the stand, I ran into someone I haven't seen since school let out, the mother of my kid's friend, and she said "how much weight have you lost? You are looking so good!" She has lost 20 lbs so we talked for a few minutes about how much better it feels even to take off a small amount. It was a nice acknowledgement that made me NOT want to eat a dozen donuts :D guess my problems are with men, not women, noticing.

Manick--Do you know if certain types of cucumbers have more fiber than others? We have 3 different types growing in our garden, have no idea the names we threw out seed packs, but this one type, I swear everytime I eat one that night or the next afternoon I have to stay near the bathroom for a couple hours, maybe TMI but it starts out loose, then gets like wate running out of me every 5-10 minutes for a few hours, then I am fine...feel extremely cleaned out and skinny afterwards, too, I feel good after!

But, I have done some testing and figured out it is these one type of cucumbers...they are really dark green, smooth and they get longer and not as big as the ones you buy in the store. Anyway, is it possible they have a lot more fiber than the others? Or am I just crazy? I fed one to hubby last night and he called today to tell me he had to stop at a truck stop and hang out around the bathroom for a couple hours, now he'll have to drive all night...so, I am convinced now it's not just me!

Beth: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!

Hello everyone else. I am way behind on the posts, I have been really busy and I also gained weight so I have been hiding out, ashamed of myself. I, like some of the other teammates, seem to gain and lose the same 3 lbs. I hope next week will be on the losing side. I've tried to plan the food out really well this week, taking into account the weather and what I have to get done. Hopefully that will leave me with no excuses as to why I can't cook dinner.

I hope everyone is well...I'll try to catch up, or atleast stay current, from here on out.

BTW, as far as the question of the day for yesterday, I would like a personal trainer because I can cook pretty much anything, it's the kick in the pants when it comes to exercising that I need! As for today's question, I am always looking in people's carts...whether I be at the grocery store or Target or something. When I see skinny little college students with fattening things in their carts, I can't help but think to myself "we'll see how skinny you are in 10 years!" haha evil I know.

Good night everyone!