Agreed. When you feel like you aren't doing your best is when you need to be here the most. Winning is great and all, but the real goal for all of us here is to stay commited to our plan. Staying commited doesn't mean never messing up; it means not letting your mistakes defeat you (I had cheesecake today, it was over my points [but delicious] and just a blip that I'm moving right past). So when things aren't going well, come here for the support and motivation to get yourself back where you need to be.


On another note, I went to the gym today, despite really really not feeling like it. The aforementioned cheesecake made a workout a bit more necessary than usual. I got there just in time to complete my 90 min before they closed. Feeling a little better now. Planning to have lots of veggies for dinner to help keep my points down.

Hello everyone! Guess who weighed in this morning? Not only did I lose the weight I gained last week, but I also lost an additional 4.5lbs! Woohoo!!!! I will come back later and fill you in on my inches lost. I was only hoping to show a loss back to where I was in week 3 (339.5), so I'm so happy I had big numbers this week. I hope I am absolutely on the right track to come back strong and finish this challenge and keep moving forward with my weight loss.

My week was good. I was on target with all food, water consumption, and just being in a generally great mood. My exercise wasn't as good as it could have been, but I wasn't lazy either.

I had a conversation with my mom last night that was a total wake up call. It's been hard on my mom with me being half way around the world. I would say we are fairly close and I know it hurts her that I am so far away. Well, she told me one of her co-workers has a 25 year old son (just like me 25), and that he is overweight and has sleep apnea (just like me). Anyways, she told me on Saturday night that he died in his sleep earlier this week. She told me though she hates me being so far away, she is proud of me for starting to shed this weight so something like that doesn't happen to me.

To go along with that, I noticed in the past 3 weeks or so here on this forum and in different threads there have been a few people who have passed away, and others given not great news about their health. It just goes to show how fragile life is. It's a reminder to me of what is important. Is it important that I calorie count to the "T" everyday. No. Is it important that I'm happy. Yes. What do I need to be happy? I need to take care of me. See how it all roles around?

Anyways, thanks for anyone who is still reading this. I know its a long post, but you get lonely here in SK with no English speakers to really talk to without having to explain every word you say.

I'll come back in a few hours and give you an update on measurements and do some personals.

Aclai4067: Well said regarding staying commited. I had a chocolate bar today for my pre-TOM treat, but cheesecake sounds really good. I wish they sold individual portions that were only 300 calories of cheescake...

Shan84: As I have said before you are a ROCK SUPER STAR !

TOM is about to start for me and I just started drinking my dandallion root tea mixture to combat water retention. I have gain 4 lbs but it is all water I am hopefully even though I started my tea mixture late I can still flush out all my water retention. My diet and exercise has been very good this week, so I should see a good loss if I can get rid of the water retention.

How perfect. Our WW assignment this week is to take care of ourselves! And congrats on an awesome loss this week. You've been doing so well!

1- I love my eyes; they're bright green
2- I want to be able to run a mile to start, and eventually a half-marathon. I'm a very determined person and I know I can reach my goals
3- Angela is so supportive and always coming up with awesome activities to keep the team going! I know this attitude will bring her success.

Angela: I am in!

I think we should each right something about ourselves that we love, physically. I love my feet and legs.

2. Then write something you want to strive for and obtain then write something positive about yourself that makes up your person that will help you to reach that goal. I would like to become a better manager of the resources God has given me and start a ministry/non-profit organization aimed at reducing the homeless population in first Los Angeles by 50% and then the US by 50%. I have a plan I wrote down and I believe one day I will make it happen. I am a good problem solver and I never give up when I want to do something.

3. Then write something positive and encouraging about the last person who posted...

I feel Angela (Cape Breton Chick) you are one of the most inspiring, positive, passionate and compassionate people I have met.

Because Ashley (Aclai4067) you posted as I was typing I feel I should include you too. I feel you are a very strong and determined person with a passion for justice that I admire and also have. Plus you come up with yummy chicken dishes!

I'm in. FYI- 3.5 inches lost also this week.

1. I love my eyes and my heart .
2. I want to know that this year I spend here in SK is worth it and will be something I can look back on as a turning point in my life. I can do this by staying on track to a healthier and happier me, and staying strong in my faith.
3. IGetFit- I struggle to even find the words to describe what a wonderful person I think you are. I feel like I can't do you justice. Your extremely supportive, compassionate, and have a heart of gold. Your faith is inspiring. Your a go getter, and a great chearleader for our team. You keep me accountable and for that I know I will be forever greatful. Thank you for your heart and your support. You ROCK!

Hey team, again sorry about the delay in the weigh-in results, but I have completed week 4 and PMed dix.

There are quite a number of people who have used both their freebies and/or whom are now out or eliminated. Will post this info asap.

OK, here is where everyone stands with freebies and what have you...

Both freebies used:
blkbarbie25
bradleys mom
CakeBatter
MissVitality
mythreesons
zoochick777

One freebie used:
Aclai4067
Bettek
claura
ceegee
chiquita623
crcossel
ellgee
Engima27
JayTee
Ladybug2680
Losing4another
MrsVegan
Ms Perception
nbrown7384
Robot
shan84
shea5
SimpleRhythm
wfonseca3017

Eliminated:
caliyah
cheri1957
dandk0204
gottahlose
jayjay4444
Jen
Lizzyg
Primm
sharongracepjs
Timeforme
weightlosswanted

1. I love my body from the waist up. (glad I haven't lost all my boobs)
2. I am going through many changes in my life and am trying to figure out how to get the most out of it. I deserve so much and will figure out how to have it.
3. Everyone above me is great. You are the glue that keeps this team together. You are always here, posting and being supportive. I haven gotten very lax (and busy) and I am so glad someone has grabbed the ball and run with it. You girls are awesome.

I am having a very lonely yet eye opening kind of weekend. I have gotten very introspective and philisophical about my life. It is hard, but it is also neccessary.

MTiger: Mindy come hang out and you'll realize you aren't alone.

Shannon: I wish even though you are stepping aside as our team leader, that you would hang out for a while and a little share.

Shan84: That was very high praise indeed; I feel I have been SAINTED! Strangely, I have never mentioned to anyone on 3FC that I have a lot of faith but I do. Faith is the most important weapon in my spiritual arsenal; it can move mountains and does.

Cape Breton Chic: Thank you for those sweet words, what I wrote about you is what I see. I saw your birthday and did you know you were born the same day as my mother. I don't believe in the zodiac signs of course. I was just reflecting how they aren't even close, because my mom is very very reserved, the perfect southern lady and you are fiery, loyal to a fault, compassionate, a doer and a Canadian! LOL

I woke up last night and eat a bag of potoato chip and chocolate, I had bought them thinking I could restain my TOM craves with just a few, I was SADLEY wrong.... Who was I fooling not me because I eat them, but I did lose 1 of the 4 pounds I gained from TOM. I am waiting until tomorrow to post in the hopes I can break even.

Hi Ladies! Sorry I haven't been around this weekend, but I've been struggling with the flu.

I'm about to post the exercise challenge for next week. Because I was sick I didn't have a chance to come up with something totally innovated, but it should give us all something to shoot for.

ETA - Oh, and I will post a new chat thread for us Monday morning. I get in to work around 7am (central), so it should be up shortly after that.

1. My hair, it's taken me a long time to accept my hair as it is prone to becoming a frizzy mess. But it takes styling well, when I take the time to do it.
2. I want to be happy with my appearance. In my youth I desired the supermodel ideal that so many young girls are plagued with today. But these days I see the beauty in normal women, and I look forward to achieving a healthy (but still curvy) body.
3. Mindy- you have such dedication. Last week you said you mantra is "never quit" which, as we all know, sounds much easier than it is. You've made such great progress (2/3 of the way to your goal)!! And you set a great example to everyone else that we can push through the highs and lows to find success.

1. I think we should each write something about ourselves that we love, physically
2. Then write something you want to strive for and obtain then write something positive about yourself that makes up your person that will help you to reach that goal
3. Then write something positive and encouraging about the last person who posted

I love my lips. They are full and ready for any shade of daring red.

I want to run a 10K in december. Because I am so determined, I will train hard and I think I will make it!

Aclai - I admit, I don't know much about you. But I read your posts, and you seem to be very encouraging and motivational, not only to others, but to yourself. So I say kudos to you!!

I ran my first 5k today My time was 51:25, in the rain, snow, and shore winds. So not the best time ever, but I don't care!! It felt great to finish!!