Red & Blue Make Purple
 

I'm not sure if the decision has been made to extend the challenge but I know it was also suggested that the teams combine threads. I thought it would be cool to start a thread to get to know all those that have stayed in the challenge..... WE ARE ALL WINNERS!!!

HI... My name is Cindy

I decided after a visit with my grandbaby last November that I needed to get healthy and make sure I was around to watch him grow up.

I eat @ 1500 calories a day (nothing off limits) and exercise 5-6 days a week. I use FitDay to log everything I eat, I take weekly pictures, and monthly measurements. I love the support that I have here on 3FC (especially the ladies over at 40-something) and my husband has been on this journey with me and has lost almost 40 lbs.

Hi Cindy- Glad you started this thread. the post have been scarce lately with only a few of us left.

My name is Mary. I am a 40-something mom of three, grandmom of 1 darling little girl, Olivia!

I started counted calories in January. 1500 per day I try to eat mostly whole foods but I usually have a few pieces of candy each day! I workout at least 4 times per week and I use a Sensewear to track my calories burned and consumed. Although I post all of my food online I still like to write it down on paper to keep myself honest. I have been overweight most of my adult life. I really just feel like this is my time. It's only my dh, 1 dd, and myself left at home and I finally have time to concentrate on me.

Have a great Sunday!

Hi ~I too count calories...I am at 1400 a day ~
I am so excited I learned to count calories because I had no money for special diets ect ect ect
I am a wife(for 16 years) & I am 33 year old mother with 3 kids~ages 15(will be 16 may 17th~my only girl)
a son age 11~Another son age 8 ~actually they have lost some weight also just because I changed to healthy snacks for them~Snack cakes ect are gone and yummy yogurts /jello/and Sugar free pudding~although they still enjoy cookies~But I never mention weight to them because There only kids once~ but I am trying to change there eating a bit since I take total responsibilty for feeding them bad since I buy the groceries and prepare there meals!!!
ANYWAYS~ I wasn't in the challenge~But Just wanted to say a big friendly hello to ya~I am from OHIO.Online most days~anyone ever needs to talk just type me a message.GOODLUCK EVERYONE & CONGRADS ON EVERYONES WEIGHT LOSS SO FAR THAT THEY HAVE ACHIEVED.

hi:wave:

i started doing south beach on january 1 and have been losing every since. i'm finally getting more exercise in and working on atleast 10,000 steps a day and trying to train myself to run, my boxer puppy (max) is helping me with that.

anyways, i live by myself but have have three girls...my youngest lives with her dad and 1 grand baby and one on the way....thats way to many for being 39.

:wave: To Everyone:

I'm the proud Mom to three, wife to one, I've been heavy most of my life, food has always been a constant struggle for me. My DH and I, have been, on WW since May of '07, and I have lost over 80lbs, he has lost just over 60lbs.

I do, try to exercise everyday, which I find is the only way I can manage this love/hate thing I have with food. I have tried to dig deep down to find out why I overeat, {it's not just that I Love Food} I do know that, this is going to be the last time I EVER have to lose this weight.

I also agree 3 fat chicks has helped me so very much, sometimes I find that answer without even asking a question, and the un-ending support is truly amazing.

Lori-Amazing weight loss! You look great. I am a guidance counselor at an elementary school and I am looking forward to being off this summer to be able to get that much exercise in! I love to workout but there just isn't enough time in the day. Keep up the hard work:bravo:

Morning everyone. I've been overweight my entire life. It is only in the last 5 years or so that I have really tried to lose some of my excess poundage. Having kids will do that to you I suppose. Speaking of kids, I am a stay at home mom to 4.5 year old twins. One boy and one girl. I've been married for 8 years next month and I will be 34 this summer.

I've tried Curves. I lost 20 pounds and got pregnant. I attempted WW 2 years ago but got tired of trying to figure out points and I was way to cheap to buy the materials. I then did calorie counting and was doing okay so I thought I would relax and be able to keep it under control. Not so much. I foolishly tried Atkins last summer. I know it works for some people but it is not my style. I lost 15 pounds immediately and gained nearly 30 back after eating a cookie.

Now I am back to calorie counting. A few fellow 3FC'ers mentioned a few books to read (Eat to Live and China Study) and a video to watch (Earthlings). I started cutting back my meat consumption immediately. Then around Christmas I decided to give it up completely. In 4 months I have eaten meat 4 times so I think I am doing okay. I try to stay under 2000 calories a day. It seems like a lot but I have lost 20 pounds this year and have not had to deprive myself at all.

Exercise is pretty much non existent around here. I used to go to the gym 3 days a week but found I was eating back all my calories plus some. I was okay with that though because I know I was getting stronger. The kids started preschool though and my gym was 50 miles in the opposite direction. I am patiently waiting for spring to arrive in Northern Michigan so I can get outside and start riding my bike and wogging.

zinkemomx2-you can borrow max (my boxer puppy) he keeps me going on walks daily

Hi ladies! I am a calorie-counter. I was eating 1200 cal/day, but have recently upped that to 1300 per day. I also work out 5-6 days a week. Trying to up my workouts this week as I think losing weight is getting more difficult it seems now.

Shannon - I can relate to things slowing down. For me it is because I started eating more (nothing bad) and moving less. The pup ate my power cord to the treadmill last week. I found running on the street VERY different than on the treadmill AND difficult. I posted a 1.4 loss for the week but on Friday when I got back from Vegas I was down to 150.2. I'm trying not to get frustrated but truth be told I am.

You blue chicks are rocking it!!!

Hi everyone. I must say I enjoyed reading everyone's posts and had a few thoughts for you. Let's see if I can remember them.

Zinke- Made me laugh. I live near Lansing so I understand the need for better weather so we can get outside for a workout. By the way, I think we got around 5 inches of snow today. Belated April Fool's joke???

Cruise- Gotta tell you I just read in a magazine that doing your workouts on the treadmill will give you "treadmill butt". A flatter A$$. If you run or walk on the ground you will get a more shapely booty. Maybe i don't want a treadmill after all. :cool:

Now a little about me. My name is Mindy and I am almost 49. YIKES!! I have been fat, not heavy, since I got pregnant with my DD. (23 years ago) Jan. 2008 I decided it was time. I started counting calories, logging food and exercising everyday. In 2008 I lost about 50 pounds. It has been much harder in 2009. I still work out, even harder, and the losses are coming slower.

I think it may be that my hormones are out of whack. After doing some research, I started using progesterone cream a few weeks ago. I am waiting to see if that helps. I am really excited about Jillian's new book coming out tomorrow. It is all about hormones and metabolism.

I am a hard worker, I never quit and you will see me around all the time. It is nice to meet some new people and people who are sticking to their guns. Hopefully we can help each other out along the way.

One more thing. GO STATE!!! GREEN AND WHITE!!! Yep, I graduated from good ole MSU.

Hi Everyone!

I'm a calorie counter, currently at 1500 per day. For exercise I am currently doing intervals of running/walking on the treadmill, generall for 60-90 minutes. I'm not sure how much longer we are extending the challenge, but I would really, really like to get out of the 150s by the end.

Have a great day!

Hello!
My name is Becky. I'm 24, married for 5 years and have two wonderful boys (4 years old and 6 months old). I've been trying to lose the baby weight since my first. I've already gotten the second's off. I've tried a lot of different things including Slim Fast, Curves, calorie counting and just watching what I ate. I've always failed with these. Now I am doing WW and 30DS every day. I have an elliptical that I try to do every day but I only really have time to exercise when the baby is napping.
I am so thankful for 3FC and everybody here. So many people have helped me. I'm finally in ONEderland (for good!!). I'm actually seeing the 180's now! I haven't seen anything that low in 5 years! Anyway, good luck everybody with all of your journeys! Have a good day! :)

Hi I'm Cat, 29 and mommy to two boys ages 5 and 6 1/2. I spend most of my days carting them to and from stuff and I also work part-time at our local YMCA and go to school part time. I love to run and recently got a treadmill which hasn't been used nearly enough so I am needing to get back in a routine. I started my weight loss in July 2007 and have to date lost 45 pounds. I am recovering from a little gain in Feb/March but should be back where I was by the end of this month.

Hi, my name is Mandy, I am 33, wife to a US Sailor, mom to 3 ages 12, 6 and 5. I started my lifestyle change on Dec 2nd(calorie counting, portion control switching to whole grains, adding in more veggies and less dinning out) and have lost about 25lbs.

Hi All,
I'm Bette and I'm 49, I'm married and the mother of 2, a son whois 19 and in the Army, and a daughter who is 7. Right now I'm calorie counting, or at least keeping track of what I eat. I gave up sweets for lent, and hopefully will be able to keep away from them afterwards because it is really helping, now instead of craving chocolate I've been craving and eating lots of fruit.
Everyone have a great week
Bette K

Hey combined teams!!!

My name Dee, I'm 37, married for 7-1/2 years, one DSS, who is 12, with a chihuahua and a cat.

I started my weight loss effort in Dec 2006, and floundered on my own until Oct 2008. At that point it had taken me almost 2 years to lose less than 20 pounds, and 1 pants size. In Oct 2008 I replaced my daily walks with running intervals, and started weight training. In the last 5-1/2 months I've lost and additional 30+ pounds and reduced from a size 18 to a size 8. I'm currently following the Body for Life program of weight lifting and eating. (Although I do try to keep a general eye on calories and carbs because I have PCOS and that makes me processed carb sensitive.) I've become somewhat of a weight lifting zealot, so if you ask why you're not losing inches, you're going to get my weight lifting speech. :soap: Feel free to tell me to shut up and go back to the weight lifting thread. ;)

Hello Everyone!

I'm Emily...26 years old and a social worker. I was overweight all through childhood and hit 215 about 2 years out of highschool. At that point I joined WW and over the cours of 5 years got down to about 120 lbs and achieved lifetime status. Over the last 3 years or so I gained about 40 lbs and now I am back down to 146. I count calories also and try to stay within 1200-1500 depending on exercise. I am a big fan of hiking, cycling and running. My biggest challenge is emotional eating...I know if I don't get it under control I'll never be able to maintain weight loss.

Glad to meet you all!

I did Atkins 2 years ago for about 2 months lost about 15 lbs. but once i went back to eating carbs gained it right back and actually got fatter. I couldn't fit in things I had previously worn. It may work fast but it is so not for me!

Me too! Glad to see someone else feels this way. I think it has something to do with your body fighting gravity or something. I find it so much easier to run on the treadmill. When I run outside I can run for like three minutes then I need to walk. On the treadmill I am up to running 15 mins.


Oh No!!! lol!! My butts always been flat...I really don't think I have to worry I don't think it can get any flatter.

What is the name of Jillian's new book?

I love the 30DS. It is so hard. I still have a hard time on part 1! Do you like the elliptical. We bought one last year but I really can do only 10 minutes and it feels like torture.


Have a great day!:D

The name of Jillian's new book is "Master your Metabolism". It comes out today and I am going to get it. Being premenopausal, I know I have issues with my hormones. I have started using progesterone cream and waiting to see if it helps. They say it takes a few months to get things leveled out. We'll see.

Hello. I'm not on the challenge. I missed the weigh in dead line by about 2 minutes...sigh....but that was months ago. I was so disappointed I haven't come back to check on anything til now. Ha, ha. I'm over that now. I was wondering if there will be a new BL in the near future. I thought you guys would know. Thanks

Usually we start a new challenge when the new season of TBL starts.

Yeah, I went out in search of this book today, but everyone was charging cover price! So, I ended up doing what I should have done in the first place, order it online. I should have it by Friday. I wanted it today, but gonna have to wait.

Ah, ladies, I forgot to weigh-in this week and that means three strikes, I'm out. Whoops!

Anyways, it was a lot of fun! I lost 6.6 lbs in the last 13 weeks... slow but steady, story of my weight loss!

Good luck to the rest of you.

Hi I'm Rennie
46 years old and married all of my adult life. Children? Yes, I have two of them one now 18 and married and the other 22. The stories I tell you about them just can't be made up. Like the time my son tied my daughter to a tree in the front yard and put a free sign on her lol.

I put on about 80 pounds because of meads from being sick year after year. I was down to at least 144 at the end of our last challenge ( don't remember exactly what I was down to ) but was sick again this winter and it didn't take long for the meads to take me back up to 180. Got back down to 174 before this challenge started.

The weight loss has been slow but at least it is easy. I stay between 1200 and 1400 calories generally and 30 to 35 grams of fat and 180 to 210 carbs a day. I think the most important thing for me is making sure I eat all of the required amounts of each food group a day. I eat from the time I get up until I go to bed to get enough food in. Sometimes I am sick and tired of eating lol. Exercise is real important too. I do walking aerobic videos ( oh I LOVE Leslie Sansone ) and resistance training also.

The last couple of months I have had a hard time getting into the site and it as really made a difference for me. I need to chat with everyone and get everyones encouragement to keep me on track. You really did help me through the hard time of eating right and exercising and still putting the weight back on.

Cruise
I am so sorry to hear about the power cord. Running or walking outside is way different than at home. I love the walking aerobic videos but darn when I walk at the park I find it just isn't as fun. I do bet running or walking on the treadmill is way different than outside.

mtiger
Hi nice to see you again. The weather is crazy isn't it. I do remember as a kid we never knew if we were going to have a great day on easter and have an easter egg hunt or there was going to be snow on the ground.

Montecristo
You are doing great. When you get down because the weight loss isn't going as fast as you would like. Just remember, you have less to lose today than you did yesterday.

aangel
Glad you see you are having results that make you smile. I can remember the days of little ones. You know what might work for you. Put the little on in a swing and give the older one a coloring book while you exercise. Or maybe, like I did, have the older one exercise with you. My kids thought it was great fun.

cakes
I know you are a busy lady. You make me smile. Sometimes we have to stop the world and tell everyone they just have to do a little less so we have time for ourselves.

Willow
You are doing terrific. Oh the years of the hubby in the service I remember them well. You be proud of how well you are doing and tell that hubby thank you from all of us for what he is doing.

Bette
Nice switch from chocolate to fruits.

dixied
Different things work for different people. I am happy for you that you found what works for you.

hungry4achange
Emotional eating, wow that is one of the hardest to do something about and I bet each and everyone of us do that. I still do that but I have changed what I eat when I just want to eat and eat to feel better. Can you say Jello LOL.

Maryshady
HI

retiredone
Nice to see you again.

zinkemomx2
HI

Rangerchic
Hope you are doing well.

joyra
Nice going on the weight loss. Hope to see you around next time.

Hello everyone!! We've merged...just like the show!!!! :cp:

I've been missing for the last week but have finally caught up on the posts...nice to meet everyone from the blue team.

I'm Tanya and I'm 45. My guy and I have been together for 23 years, but not married and no children. I am a nurse in a neonatal icu and I work nightshift. So I am on the opposite time schedule than most of the world but I have never been a morning person so I love my schedule. I started this weight loss journey April 30, 2008. As of today I hit 80 lbs. lost which is very exciting. I started with Jenny Craig, switched to WW (which I have done previously) and as of Jan 09 switched to straight calorie counting which I love the best. The first 2 programs worked well for me at the time, but we have to learn and grow and I think calorie counting is best for me now and for maintenance.
I belong to a gym and I work out at home sometimes. I have found I get the best results from HIIT and free weights.

I was stalled for the last 3 weeks of the challenge so my sis and I challenged each other to try 1200 calories for 2 weeks (I was doing 1500 and had been losing with that until I hit the plateau). I finally dropped...3 lbs, but unfortunately the 2 of the lbs fell of the day after weigh in! Oh well.

I actually sent an email to NBC tonight asking for the date of the BL finale. Has anyone found it yet?

JOYRA Please don't leave....keep chatting with us or we will miss you! Besides you have to let us know how Australia is when you get there!!

Tonight I found the Australian version of BL website and the full episodes were there to view. I was so excited to have more inspiration to watch but it wouldn't load on my computer :( I will try again later.

Well, this should make up for my lack of posts for the last week :^: Happy Wednesday!!

Dee - Love the new avatar. You look GREAT!!!!

I'm going to get Jillian's new book but will wait until it shows up on Half.com.

Good news, my power cords (2) have been mailed so I should be back on the treadmill before the end of the week. I guess I'll just have a flat butt because I really hate running/walking on the street.

Hope Cakses is OK.... maybe her computer is down again. I know she is busy so if we extend the challenge and she needs someone to step up just let us know.

Okay guys. Now that we have a combined chat thread, let's chat. TOM has left for a while and I am losing some poundage. I was 191 today, so close to the 180's I can smell it. I want that so bad I can hardly stand it. I have been in the 190's for months. I lose really slowly, so getting to a new decade is extremely exciting.

Cruise- Target had her book for $18. Still alot, but better.

Tsap- Remind me what HIIT is again.

:hug:AWEEEEEEEEEEE YOUR SO SWEET!
Thanks a bunch....I walk alot when I am on a phone calls~So Maybe you could fit that in at school sometimes.I always say if I talk I walk.But I am at home~So not sure if you could fit it in during school.I hope you have a great Summer~It's not much longer And school will be out.
AGAIN THANKS YOU MADE MY DAY!:D

Hi Purple People,

I'm Rhonda, soon to be 45, mother of two daughters (13 and 9) wife to Hubby of 15 years, full-time telecommuter for a health care administrator and 2 year resident of beautiful "Jaaawja." :D I love animals, decorating my home, reading racey romance books and watching TV. I'm not much of a fan of exercise, but I'm hoping to change that real soon.

I follow the eating habits I learned from Southbeach...lots of veggies, lean proteins, health fats, limited whole grains and limited fruits. I lost 30 pounds in 2007, but I've not accomplished much of anything in the health and weight loss arena since then. But, that is all about to change. As of today, I am 3 days back on-plan.

I'm looking forward to reconnecting with several of you and getting to know everyone.

Have a great on-plan day.

Hi purplies!

I am late to join this thread, haven't been too talkative lately.
I guess I should introduce myself then. I am 34, married, no kids yet. One of my motivations to lose the weight is to be able to have a healthy pregnancy sometime in the not so far future, the other is just to be healthy and to actually not be overweight for the first time in my life.

I am using Nutrisytem this time around and it's working great for me, although I do have to say I miss cooking sometimes LOL. My biggest issue is the exercise, I have never enjoyed it, I have tolerated it at best. I have been able to motivate myself to do it regularly in the past, but then I get derailed and again I am having a very hard time to get back into it.

Anyway, I look forward to getting to know all of you and chatting some more.

Hey Dixied- I read that you are a moderator now. Is there any way you could clean up our Red weigh-in thread?

Done. :D

It makes me sad to delete folks. As I'm deleting I'm reading their signature lines, and some had great inspiring quotes, and I find myself wondering why some of us stick with it and ssome drop out. Well, not the two that were expecting, I can kinda figure that out on my own.

So, QOTD (multi-part, graded on a curve ;)):

1. What the one thing (or things) that has made you sucessfully complete 13 weeks of this challenge?

2. What are you going to do differently next challenge?

3. What advice would you give to someone looking to join the challenge for the first time, next season?

I'm sorta glad the challenge got extended again. It gives me more incentive to get off a few more pounds.

Happy Friday Everyone!! I'm so glad we are continuing the challenge!!!

I took a Boot Camp class Weds night and it was the hardest I have ever worked out in my life!!!! About 5 mins into the class (as we were running flights of stairs) the instructor came up and asked if I was ok. I thought possibly I looked bad but he said no, he was just cautious as last week a new student threw up and passed out in the bathroom!! I'm happy to say I made it through the class with neither of those complications!

mtiger HIIT is high intensity interval training


1. What the one thing (or things) that has made you sucessfully complete 13 weeks of this challenge? I have stuck with the challenge because of all the activity and support on the message boards. Its been great getting to know everyone and having accountability each week.

2. What are you going to do differently next challenge? do more of the exercise challenges

3. What advice would you give to someone looking to join the challenge for the first time, next season? be active on the boards, its the best way to feel involved. Weighing in with people who are following your progress helps keep you motivated

Dixie- Thank You. It is really sad that so many good people dropped out. I love your questions of the day. Maybe those of us who stuck around can inspire others to do the same.

Le tme spout my good news of the day. 1. I was 190.2 on the scale today. Almost to that new, lovely decade. I hope to see it tomorrow. 2. I ran 2.2 miles straight yesterday, no walking. And my time was 26 min. Not bad.

1. What the one thing (or things) that has made you sucessfully complete 13 weeks of this challenge? I just never quit. My mind is set on this and I see myself as the energizer bunny.

2. What are you going to do differently next challenge? Probably nothing. There isn't much more I can do or change at this point. I eat 1300-1400 calories a day and workout everyday. I miss ocassionally, but not often.

3. What advice would you give to someone looking to join the challenge for the first time, next season? Come with your mindset right. You have to be ready to commit to this 100%. Doesn't mean we don't slip up, but give it your all, all the time.
Yesterday 04:42 PM

1. What has made you successfully complete 13 weeks of this challenge?

The bottom line was I was ready for a life style change. Daily posting here, weekly pictures, and monthly measurements have all been useful tools.

2. What are you going to do differently next challenge?

Nothing

3. What advice would you give to someone looking to join the challenge for the first time, next season?

Don't go on a "diet" make the decision to change your life.

Good morning, Purple People.

I thorougly enjoyed the jewelry party last evening. I hadn't seen some of my friends for the last couple of months and it was fun to catch up. Plus, I bought a couple of necklaces that will look lovely with some new smaller outfits for our upcoming trip in June.

Before leaving for the party, I got on the treadmill for the first time in over 2 months and did day 1 of my modified 25K program and I ate a healthy dinner. At the party, I sipped on some ice water and bypassed all of the yummy snacks and treats. This was a huge success for me! Today, I'll be back on the treadmill for an hour of walking.

Greetings Everyone!
I'm at work right now and bored out of my mind! Only 5 hours left to go...1.

1.What is the one thing (or things) that has made you sucessfully complete 13 weeks of this challenge?
I think probably not giving up even though I was loser slower than I expected. In the past I have set ambitious goals and failed to achieve them and just quit altogether.

2. What are you going to do differently next challenge?
I am planning more for each day, and also being forgiving with myself if things don't go as planned.

3. What advice would you give to someone looking to join the challenge for the first time, next season?
Aim for consistency, that is the best way to build long-term habits and it also makes it seem easier to stick to plan.