Welcome lifechange!
WTG retiredone! Lovelovelove calorie counting myself.
Congrats Sumu! You must feel fabulous!
Yay Jammy-Jam! You are in the 1's! Wow! Save some room for me, 'k? You rock!
Yoyoma- I, like Jammy use the lowest hits for my tracker. Eliminates any confusion.
Yay Layri! Dontcha love the sudden drop after cycles? You're on your way to your next cool reward!
Good job Sgirl!

As for me, I'm cycling like a fool, walking the dog like a girl possessed. On Monday, for the first time in years I shopped cute tops in the normal section of the store. I was confused, bedazzled and dazed. I think I wandered for 2 hours looking at everything. I also think I made the clerks suspicious. AND I signed up with a personal trainer at the local steroid guy gym. I'm going rock my body by this time next year, just watch!

well done people on your success so far
i have had a tough week, working out, and eatn well, but emotionally and physically and mentaly its been a struggle. i have exams and revision this week. but in 24 hours i will be on my way to my 2 last exams.there is only so much more i can do now.
my body hated me running yesterday, its like its had enough strain on it, and just wants to relax for a bit. so im gonna give it the weekend off, and eat some bbq food and just chill. then next week i can get back on it!
other then that i had a NSV with half my wardrobe notfitting and going onto ebay to be sold for a few pennies, if it dont sell it will end up in a charity shop.
i have an official weigh in next tuesday so im hoping to be 12 5 then, im guessing im only 12 7 at the mo, so need to loose 2lbs before then....eep!

Freethetoys: Good luck on your exams!! It's always such a stressful time of year full of late night eating...I do not miss those days! Good for you for sticking to it for the most part during exams!
FB: Have fun at the local steroid gym! Those guys are way more helpful that 1st thought.

I came on here to report my progress earlier and the site was down, came back later and wow- so many of our posts gone!! :eek:

Anyway, what I was going to report is that I've (finally) lost another pound which puts me at 6/10 lbs lost for Canada Day goal.

Just to update since the crash. I have lost 3.5 pounds and have 3.5 pounds to go towards the Canada Day Challenge. Weigh in tomorrow. Hope I have another loss.

My goal for Canada Day (3.4 weeks away): 7 pounds. (200.5 - 193.5)

I weighed in this morning and lost one more pound. 4.5 pounds lost 2.5 pounds to go until Canada Day.

Wow, I had no idea the site had crashed. Bummer about the lost posts, but at least we're back! I'm still floating in the 198/199 range, nothing new to report yet on the scale. I have started lifting again, still jogging, and the knee is still feeling pretty good, so hopefully I can keep on with what I'm doing. Glad to see folks reporting in. I've been wondering how all our challengers are doing. Vikki, welcome and good luck!

Really screwed up yesterday, and I'm up 2.5 pounds.

9.5 to go.

ETA

Pardon my manners - thank you, jamsk8r

Vikki, I have my "crash and burn" days, too. You know that's just water retention, right? Drinking water helps flush it back out. :hug:

Today is my rest day. The plan is to make sure I have clean clothes for working out this week, pack the new gym bag, somehow get shampoo and conditioner into those tiny travel bottles, and otherwise make sure I have no excuses for not heading straight out the door (to the Y) in the morning. I love working out, but I'm still a bit intimidated by the idea of working out with other people around, especially in the weight room.

Yay for e-hugs! I know, it's just hard to see that *number*. But I didn't let myself pout this morning. I had a healthy breakfast and then I worked out for 30 hard minutes on the bike.

As for working out in front of others, honestly if you have to work out with a ton of gym bunnies, they are more likely to be thinking, "Good for her!" instead of "Why does she even bother?"

If they are genuinely into fitness, there's no way they'll frown on someone trying to get in shape. It's hard when you're comparing yourself to those perfect bodies who are just maintaining, but we're all trying to achieve the same thing in the end.

Hello fellow Canada Day challengers!

As I mentioned before the crash, I started with a personal trainer. She was concerned I was overtraining with cycling and suggested cutting back a bit. The reasons for suspecting that was the short stall with weight loss, fatigue and sleep disturbances. I just thought it was the heat and hormones!

Starting Monday of last week I followed her advice and cut back a bit on the intensity and frequency of my rides. Sure enough, my energy is back and I lost 7 pounds by working out less and eating more.

Crazy!

But I just got a cadence and gps sesnsor for the bike, so I don't know if I'll be able to stay away much this week! I lovelovelove bicycling!

Vikki- hugs to you too! It's not a 'real' gain although I know it feels like one.

Jammy- you're intimidated by working out with other people? YOU the Renaissance Woman? From what I've observed you seem like such a confident person. Jamskating, dog scootering and deck building would intimidate me more than the weights! Could the Y provide a personal trainer for one session to ensure your form and reps are correct to bolster your confidence?

Yay Layri! Can't wait to see your next reward!

Retiredone- you are halfway there! :D Yay! You'll totally make it!

Layri, I love your rewards system, and it seems to be working great for you! WTG on the weight loss, and I hope you can get your pendant soon!

FB, I am, as always, blown away by your weight loss! Your PT sounds like she knows her stuff!

Vikki and FB, it's less about the obesity issue, and more feeling totally out of my league. I know how to use dumbbells, and the last time I picked up a barbell was over 20 years ago, but it's not rocket science. However, his "free weight" room (at the Y) has so many machines, benches and contraptions, I have no idea how to use most of them, or even what half of it is for. Tonight, I found what I'm looking for in the Y's program brochure: free equipment orientation, and also a free PT evaluation/session, which can be used once every 4 months. Tomorrow, I'll see if I can sign up for one or both of those! That should help!

Today, I made it to the Y, and got in my run, then some elliptical intervals after that. Man, the compression shorts I bought are slick as all get-out! They made my jeans slide all over the place on the way to the gym, then the running shorts I put over them shot up into my butt-crack and pretty much stayed there the whole time I was running. THAT was special! After half a mile, I gave up trying to straighten things out, and just pretended it was all part of my plan.

Oh Jammy - I didn't think it was about the obesity issue - that never crossed my mind, as I don't consider you obese. I just figured it was what you said - feeling out of your league with complicated equipment. That's why I asked about someone running through it with you to ensure your form is correct.

The steroid guys at the gym pay no attention to me. I heft my 10 pound dumbbells while they're grunting, groaning and rocking out to Fishbone. I know what you're saying though, I would have never walked into that place if not for the next door neighbor trainer. I still have no clue what many of the machines are for, they look like torture machines to me.

What are compression shorts?

Layri- you SO deserve your pendant, I too hope you can get it soon! You work so hard.

Congrats to how well everyone is doing. I am on TOM right now, so I am back up to 235, I know it is just water, but I am having cravings like mad! I ate two bowls of cereal before bed last night putting me 400 calories over! I know it's only a little slip and I could have done way worse than cereal. Just gotta keep on truckin I guess! LOL.

FB, the compression shorts I got are thin spandex/lycra type affairs. They fit like a cycling short, but minus the extra bike seat padding. The UnderArmor (sp?) brand seems most popular, but those are seriously expensive, like $40 and up, as far as I've seen, for one piece! I got some cheaper $10 ones at Walmart. I just wanted a longer, snug pair of shorts to go under a normal pair of gym shorts, because I have a hard time finding gym shorts that are long enough for my taste, without being too huge around the legs, and I'm not a fan of capri pants.

Today I'm lifting, so even if I look like a dork, I think I'll wear my long cottony spandex type running pants, so I don't scrape my legs up doing deadlifts. I've decided that even if I can't get the equipment orientation this morning, I'm going to brave the weight room and use what I know how to use to complete my workout. I'm starting the NROL program this time, and the first stage of workouts are pretty short and simple, just 5 exercises each workout.

Sgirl, you are doing great...hang in there! :hug: I struggle with cravings when I'm weight lifting. I started using protein powder this time, and even though it tastes disgusting, it really helps keep me from feeling hungry...I was totally amazed the first morning I tried it, but the high protein really does stem the cravings for me. Maybe if you try to have some fish or other high-protein source with dinner, that might help?

Jammy -- way to go, getting started at the gym! I have been too intimidated to join a gym with free weights myself. That's why I ended up joining Curves. Curves is a good re-introduction to the world of workouts for me, but at some point I will need to find a way to add free weights for strength and muscle building.

FB -- congrats on getting involved with a personal trainer -- it really paid off for you! It's hard to believe that eating more and working out less can help punch through a plateau, but many folks have reported it works.

Layri -- Congrats on those 2 pounds down! It's so exciting when the scale finally decides to acknowledge all the hard you've been putting into losing weight :) .


Vikki -- big kudos to you for not letting a slip up with an ornery scale get the best of you -- you got right back on track! I've had real difficulty (read: failure) doing that myself. But I have added new weapons to my arsenal and I hope that the next time I go off plan, I will be able to get right back on again.

Sgirl -- kudos to you too! TOM is such a struggle for me :( . Seeing the scale go up is hard to take in stride, and then the carb cravings to boot! You did a good job limiting how far you went overbudget and it looks like you are ready to get right back on track!

So far, I have been staying OP, and I've been seeing some good numbers on the scale. I don't have a weight goal in mind for this challenge, but if I continue to stay OP, it looks like I will be pleased with the result :) .

Jammy thank you so much for that idea! I weight train too and find I have been getting cravings because of it. I will definitely try the powder. I also go to the Y in my town, the equipment orientation was very helpful and the machines are not as complicated when they show you how they work! Good luck and have fun!

Yoyoma also thank you for the kudos! It's keeping me on track!

Vikkivma welcome and all the best!

Layri, congrats on the two pounds and I hope you win the funds to get your wolf pendant. You TOTALLY deserve.

Anyone else I did not mention...great job!

A lot of the time, those machines will come with little instructions on the side. Or, as my friend likes to do, she just waits to spy on someone else using it. lol.

Well, I finally got rid of that nasty water weight bump, and I'm down to 201.5 as of this morning, so not too bad. I'm 8 pounds off of my goal, which is going to be tough, but it's a whole lot better than being 10.5 pounds off my goal.

Thanks to everyone for the welcome!

I did it! I braved the free weight room at the Y today. :carrot: I was feeling a bit lost and really self-conscious, like I was the only newb on the planet, but I figured out enough to get my NROL workout done, then figured out the Gravitron and did some pull-ups and dips there, did some back extensions, and finished with some sprints, push-ups and air squats on the indoor track. I felt much better by the end of my lifting workout, and not so out of place.

I signed up for an equipment orientation, though they said it doesn't normally cover the free weight room (I guess I was the first to ask for that). Anyway, my appt is for Monday morning, so cross your fingers that the tour guide will have a clue how to work the squat cage, lol. I'm a little disappointed with the lack of any instructional opportunities for the free weight room...no classes or even a standard orientation or anything. They have a class for pre-teens, but nothing for anyone over the age of 14. :?:

Yoyoma, thanks for the encouragement! Sounds like you're doing great, yourself!

Sgirl, I hope it helps! Last time, I lifted without the protein powder, and was always starving. Wish I'd known then that all I had to do was drink the shake to feel full for hours! Live and learn, right? ;)

Vikki, I did see that some of the machines have instructions on them, and was able to figure out the one machine I used today for pull-ups. Hopefully the orientation will help me figure out the rest of what I need.

jamsk8r! Way to brave the weight room! It is really daunting the first time. It's too bad there is no orientation for adults. I found the random muscular guys were so eager to help me with the free weights though...they really loved "imparting" their knowledge on me and have been so helpful. I come to think of them as free personal trainers...there are the 'roid guys who won't give me the time of day, but I'm sure you'll befriend people who will be more than happy to help you out!

Yay! At a new low - 200 pounds.

My goal for Canada Day (2.5 weeks away): 6.5 pounds. (200 - 193.5)

Oh- the protein powder is great! I just got some today at my steroid guy gym and it REALLY does help stem cravings and hunger. Mine doesn't taste bad at all. It's Myo Lean Banana Creme Pie. Yum. I've been doing 1/2 servings at a time today and plan on adding some to my smoothies.

~Cool on you Jammy for the weight room!
~WTG vikkivma! So close to the '1' in front! You'll be there in absolutely no time! That will be a HUGE day for me - some days I honestly feel as though I'll never get there.
~Great job staying OP yoyo!

WTG Vikki on the new low!

Won't be typing much for a few days. I cut my index finger right across the knuckle, pretty deep. No stitches but it will put me off hard workouts till I'm sure it's not going to open up again, and trying to type with a splint on is annoying! I'll still be reading up on everyone's progress, though. :)

Weighed in this morning and lost 1.5 pounds. That's 6 pounds lost and 1 more to go. I think I'll make it so I'm going to up my goal from 7 pounds to 8 pounds so that means 2 more pounds to go.

Isabella BIG congrats on the 1.5 lbs! You are doing AWESOME!

Layri, I 2nd that Boo on the water retention! BOOOO!

No weight loss this week, but I am hoping for a Wednesday surge in the weight loss since I just got over the Boo worthy TOM. I have 2 weeks to lose 6 lbs, and I highly doubt I can do that unless some of it is still water retention. I am going to weigh myself on the super scale at the gym that measures fat, water, and muscle. I will feel like I achieved my goal if I lose 10 lbs of fat by Canada day and not necessarily on the bathroom scale.

Jamsk8r sorry to here about your index finger. I would ask you how it happened and how you are feeling, but I'm sure it would hurt your finger to type up some answers :) I hope the experience wasn't too traumatic and that you are feeling better.

Great job to everyone else too!

Hey all. The finger is healing up well. Think I will still be off weight lifting for a week or so, at least with that hand, due to gripping/bending issues, but, fingers crossed, I should be able to do some cardio in a few days without mucking things up.

I hit 198.0 for the second time this week, and I can see my weekly average is going down, but it still seems that my weight loss is so s-l-o-w lately. Eating is OP, just really, really missing my workouts! Thinking I might ramp those up a bit when I do start back, to see if that kicks the fat loss back into gear.

Isabella, congrats on the weight loss this week! :carrot: You are doing great on this challenge!

Rina, (so glad to learn your name :)) I know what you mean about the water retention...frustrating! Hopefully, that will mean a bigger number in a few days. :hug:

I don't post here much, just to update my weight loss, but I read the posts. Just wanted to throw my congratulations and encouragement to everyone on this challenge. I do appreciate the nice comments given me over the last few weeks. I have a lot going on with my mom, who is in my care, and it gets hectic around here at times so usually I read and don't comment just to keep my life a little more simple. :hug: to everyone.

Jammy -- Ouch on the cut! On top of the owie, it must be so frustrating to have your workouts side tracked :( .

Isabella-- It sounds like you have a lot on your plate; good luck with your hectic home life :hugs: .

Sgirl -- good luck on the super scale... you are so right that losing fat is way more important than losing weight!

Rina -- Because of fluctuations, I pretty much have a hate-hate relationship with the scale. When the numbers are good, I'm sure it's a fluke. When they're bad, I still get disheartened. Hope you make up for your lost beach day!

Vikki -- :congratulations: on your loss... you must be so excited!

So far I'm doing well with staying on program. I am using a weekly weigh-in as my official weight, and so I have now officially lost 10% of my starting weight (whoot!). I was hoping to get this far by Canada Day, but sometimes the weight comes off so slowly that I don't like to shoot for a number on the scale. Still, I wouldn't mind seeing lower numbers!

Yoyoma, 10% is an awesome milestone! That deserves the coveted Flamey Award: :flame:

Isabella, I think we've all been there, just as far as having life get too busy to be spending a lot of time on the computer. Take care of yourself and your mom. I know that's a full time job right there, but worthwhile. :hug:

I finally got a new low on the scale today: 197.8. Not much, but it's still heading the right direction, at least!

Today I was looking at my weight loss calendar, where I record my daily weigh-ins and exercise, trying to figure what happened/caused my weight loss to slow. Looks like it started slowing when I had to take time off for my sore knee, namely taking time off skating, which accounted for 6-8 hours a week of exercise.

I might try skating again at home today, and if the knee seems good with it, I could get back to the regular rink sessions. If not, then I'll have to figure other things to do, to sub for it. At any rate, it gives me hope that it's a problem I can fix, and not some mysterious "plateau" that defies explanation.

Hello everybody!

-Jammyjam- Hope that finger heals quickly!
-WTG retiredone- I've had to up my goal before, isn't it wonderful?
-Layri/Rina- LOVE your name! I love storms and chinese food too- are we long lost twins? :)
-Sgirl- I'm in the same position, with 6 pounds to lose in two weeks. Who knows? It may happen! Either way we'll be healthier trying. I thrive on a challenge and am still hoping I make it.
-yoyoma- Wow on your 10%! Yay you!
-Jammyjam- was the skating your primary form of cardio? I seem to recall you walking your two dogs a lot. That makes perfect sense about a slower loss without the rigorous skating. 6-8 hours was a TON. Take care of that knee too!

As for me, I'm still trucking along. A minuscule loss last week, I'm just over a wicked cycle too and am hoping for a Hail Mary loss in the next two weeks. I can do it!

Hey! Where's our buddy Daffy? Having a good time at her cottage I hope.

Well, it looks like everyone is doing well here, while I was 'away'.

This spring allergy season keeps trying to cycle me into sinus troubles, and 'new boss' is increasing my stress levels, so I've been feeling just exhausted all the time. I haven't been responding by grazing, but I haven't been keeping track or exercising either. I've been reasonable, though, and this morning the scales showed me up a mere 1 lb from my ticker.

I'm back to keeping track, but I may as well toss my original Cda Day goals out the window. I'll settle for being back at ticker weight by the time we next head to the cottage on Tuesday coming, and completing 3 brisk walks of minimum 30 minutes.

FB, I didn't think of it as cardio, just fun to do, but looking at the numbers, it really did seem to make a difference. Hopefully I can get back to it soon.

Daffy, glad to hear from you! Good luck with your revised goal. I don't think I'll make my original Canada Day goal, but I'll leave it there for now.

I did change my long-term goal, because I think my original one would be thinner than I want, plus if I can quit injuring myself, I plan to be buff, so I added a few pounds to allow for all the musk-les! ;) Okay, in reality, I just think that in my old age, I can't get that thin any more.

On the C-day goal, I did get another pound off for the ticker today, down to 197.0! :carrot: No idea why, but it's been creeping down the last 3 days, and I'll take what I can get!

Daffy! There you are! I hope everything settles onto an even keel with stress and your job. I think it's wonderful that you've basically maintained under such pressure. Hope your cottage visit is wonderful.

Go Jammy! Don't you love mysterious downward creeps?

I think I'm going to make this challenge or come really close. Since the weather is warming up and I'm a cheapskate who won't turn on the A/C the weight seems to be coming off again. A warm house does a stellar job of appetite suppressing.

My son gets his cast off today, FINALLY, so we're going to have fun with swimming and bumper boats.

I just weighed in and have lost the last 2 pounds on this challenge-8/8. I'm going to try for 1 more pound before Canada Day and make it 9 pounds in total.

Rina and Isabella, congrats on making your Canada Day goals! :celebrate:

For the next challenge, Labor Day looks like a good option, almost 9 weeks after this goal is done, which would leave us 8-1/2 weeks for a Halloween goal.

I'm staying OP with my eating, and will start back with the regular exercise on Monday. My (cut) finger is healing up nicely...hopefully will be back to normal in a week, but meantime it's good enough I can work out again.

Hoping to make a late comeback and get at least part of my remaining 3 lbs for this challenge. If I don't, that's okay, because I could make my next goal 191 lbs, which will put me into the "overweight" BMI range, and out of "obese" status...how cool will THAT be?

Daffy -- Sounds like you are dealing well with a tough time. Congrats for stting reasonable goals and getting back on track!

FB -- I'm rooting for you! Whether you make it or come close, you are still a winner :) !

Congrats Rina and Isabella! That's super news!

Jammy - Glad to hear your cut is better. Setbacks like that are when it's most important to hang in there and do what you can. It's great that you made progress this challenge and are already planning for the next!

Since my self-challenge was to stay OP, I can't claim victory until the end, but so far so good. And I'm already pleased with how far the scale has moved. Adding more exercise really helped speed things up!