Hello Ladies!

First of all, (((HUGS))) to Sam & Jasmine Losing weight is so very hard, but when things aren't going your way, it can seem impossible. Everyone is different, but I can tell you what motivates me. I have a collection of pictures of clothes that I like- dresses that are simply stunning, shirts that are gorgeous, whatever...right now, I don't like clothes (ok, let me amend that by saying I *am* starting to ) I don't like them because the ones I like don't fit, and the ones that fit I don't like LOL So, I have a collection of these photos that I look at on occastion as a reminder of what I am working towards. I am working towards a me that will fit into those clothes and look great!

Welcome to edzard & eevey!!! There is plenty of time left in our challenge, so jump right in We are also having a mini challenge for the month of June, to see how many days in the month we can stay 100% on plan (which of course is different for us all ) Good luck, and I can't wait to get to know you better

helpmelose- Only a .5 pound gain after a family reunion is quite an accomplishment! I bet that will be gone before ya know it! Keep up the great work!

Barb! I am so glad to hear you are not quitting this time! Birthdays are rough, but they are a fact of life. Now that these are past, get back into your normal routine and do this thing!

yay dust! Congrats on the loss!

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Yesterday was a good day for me- 9 out of 11! And today is going great so far, and I fully plan to be 10/12. I've been getting my water in, being diligent about putting food into FitDay before eating, and getting in some exercise. I haven't worked out today yet, but will either go for a walk after the kids are in bed (if I have time before hubby has to leave for work) or I'll be popping in a workout tape after he leaves I did some housework today, but I don't think it was enough to count as a workout....my standards are being raised a bit

I was thinking about it, and another thing that keeps me motivated is making a list of why I am trying to lose weight. Here's my top 5 reasons today...

1. I am very self concious about meeting new people, mostly because I'm afraid of what they are going to think of me- because I don't really like me, why should they? Anyway, I'm hoping I will be happier with the way I look and then more able to meet new people. I know it isn't all about looks, but as a kid who was picked last for every sport because I was heavy, I just want a chance for people to decide if they like *me*....does that make sense? LOL

2. Right now, I am a "cool mom" to my son & his friends. Last year, one of the other "cool moms" took her son & a couple of his friends to an amusement park. I think that would be soooo much fun! I haven't been on a roller coaster since before my son was born! I would love to take him & some of his close friends- except I won't fit in all of the rides. If I could lose just a bit more, then maybe I can go with them the next time they go

3. I just saw the CUTEST top! I'd love to be able to wear it- but the largest size they make it in is a 14/16.... /sigh I wore that as a freshman in high school!

4. My health (LOL bet some of you were wondering if I was gunna mention that at all, huh? ) I already feel better than I did at the beginning of this whole thing. I used to go to stand up, and my back wouldn't straighten, and I had to hobble around the house for a few minutes. My feet used to ache just from having to support the rest of my body. Now, my feet are fine. I can stand up great. My posture is better. I have more energy. The other day, I played soccer with my daughter. Just passing the ball back and forth, but still!

5. To be a better role model for my kids ('specially the girls) I'm trying to get myself under control now, so that hopefully they will just remember me with a healthy attitude about food. There is nothing that I can't have- I just choose to make a healthier choice. (and sometimes that means having half of a big mac and some apple slices- I'm ok with that )


Well, it's a good thing Sno likes long posts! LOL I just tend to ramble

Yay Bridget: you have come back even better than before. Some of you who are struggling with motivation right now should read back some posts and see how other people have recovered from lack of motivation or just Overwhelm at how difficult this can be.

I know one thing that helped me when I was really struggling was to plan what I was going to eat the night before on Fitday with a calorie target--this way I had what I wanted just in certain portions. It helped me think about what I was eating.

Another thing that helped me was posting everyday. It is really hard when you are doing badly but it really helps you to confront the behaviors you dont like. PLus fab support from some amazing people!! And it helps us when we help others who are having motivation problems.

Third thing was posting about why I want to lose weight--like Bridget just did. It really helps. In fact I will do so now:

1. It is so uncomfortable to have my thighs rub together. I have not worn a dress in a long time because of this.
2. Scoping out the chairs in a restaurant I go to and hoping that I get the one without arms.
3. Movie theatres--when my pal wanted to go to Dreamgirls, the cinema where it was playing locally did not have the stadium seats. So I made her drive an hour away so that I could sit comfortably through the movie.

4. Sam you are right--we are killing ourselves with the overweight. I realized when I topped 260 that the chances of a cardiac event where much greater! And I am too young to go early!! Actually I am 48 and I want to have another 48 years at least!

I could go on but this post will then be longer than Bridget's and I dont want to make her mad!

to Sam and eevey!! I think we have 12 more weeks to go--did I get that wrong? Anyway, you are welcome to join. Monday is check in day and I will post the totals of weight loss so far by Thursday. Eevey, please let us know what your goal is for weight loss by Labor Day.

Hang in there everyone!

Sno
11/11 June Challenge!

Hello everyone!! I am new to this board and I would like to join in on the challenge!!! Mondays work great for me...keeps me sane over the weekends!!! haha...sooooo.. I need to drop about 50 lbs but I try to go with 5 lb increments...have gained 25 lbs over the winter so my first goal will be the 25 lbs....the forward .... I am 47 ...just got remarried on St Patricks day which hasnt helped the weight....different eating schedules and all....trying to adjust...so I really need this....I am looking forward to losing with everyone and Good Luck to all....

Welcome chelskell! This place has given me the most wonderful support and encouragement. You will love it!

Welcome everyone! Good luck with all of your goals in this challenge.

Realization for today. I am not drinking enough water. For a while I was going strong with drinking enough water everyday but I've completly slacked off. And I really think it is hurting me in the long run. Especially in this hot weather. So it's time to drink up!

Yesterday was my last dragonboat practice before the competition! I am so excited it is unbeleivealble. We will have three races and the races last about 2.30 each. Which is 7.30 of intense exercise. I seriouasly recommend this sport to everyone. You don't have to be too fit (if you join a novice team) but the workout and the adrenaline is amazing. My body has actually changed since starting this! The competition is on Saturday and I am so pumped for a win!

Hi Ladies

Thank you for your welcome.
I am a mother of 4, i live in Toronto Canada. I started to post on this site in May/2007 and soon joined a challenge in which i have lost 11 pounds. I will not reach my goal by the end of the challenge. I had no idea how long it takes to loose 30 pounds, but i am not going to give up. Five years ago was 226 , i got a gastric bypas and went down to 129 i so happy i fit in everything i liked , i love clothes. As you can see i have gained back weight and now i am trying to put a stop to it before it is back up to 226 again.

I am struggling but i am going to keep on trying ,although it is taking long the one thing i am happy about is the scale is going down not up.

I do not know what to aim for at the labor day challenge so i will still say my goal is to be 130.

Good luck ladies keep on track.

thanks for everyone's support and advice. today was a pretty good day. i drank my water faithfully and kept my diet on que.

i have put together some outfits i would like to get into by my birthday at the end of august. i hope looking at those everyday will encourage me to continue.

Hi There!

I'm new here and wonder if I could jump on board too? Like Snowbrocade, I'm staring my 50th birthday right in the face this July 25. Yikes.

My plan is to follow the Body for Life for Women program and I've been faithful to it for 5 whole days. It's a start. So Monday is Weigh in? That'd be great for me to keep me in line over the weekend. My main focus is to stick to the plan and see where it gets me in terms of weight loss. I'm hoping for at least a pound a week, we'll see. Put me down for a goal of 12 lbs. down by Labor Day. The program I'm on is 12 weeks long--that works! It's 6 weeks to my birthday and ANY progress at ALL would make me feel so much better!

Cuppa

Hello everyone!!! Thanks for the welcomes......So far so good this week..I am staying on track and I have been drinking more water but I know not nearly enough still...am trying to work on that....We are going to a wedding this sat and need to loose the bloated feeling so I can at least wear the outfit I want to wear....what a difference 20-25 lbs can make in how your clothes fit...UGH!!!!! WELL, MOVING FORWARD.....CANT LOOK BACK.... Good Luck everyone!!!!!!!!!!

hi n good morning
my period ended but i was so hungry during it n the cravings were killing me i felt as if im pregnant i mean when i was pregnant the cravings for certain foods haunted me for days until i ate that particular thing n yesterday i was craving for rice n i ate 2 full plates i.e. 4 cups of rice n gained 2 pounds
oh well my precious 4 pounds from last week just went down the drain n i dont even have time to cry coz the guests are coming n i have to get everything ready
hope u ppl are doing good

Hi all:

wow we have a whole bunch of new energy on the board--that is great. It will be fun getting to know you all and

Still 100% on plan--13/13--and feeling good. Last night I tripped and fell really hard--Id left a box of hangers outside the bathroom door and went barreling right over it. Fortunately I think my knee is okay, tho I did have a few twinges in my ankle but no swelling that I can see--another reason to lose weight--falling so hard is scary!

Straw: dont sweat it about the rice--that is probably just water weight from eating a bunch of carbs all at once. It will come right back off with all the stuff you are doing!

Well here is the list--and we have lost a collective 62 pounds. Please check your goal and make sure I got it right!

cuppa: will lose 12 lbs by Labor day
chelskell will lose 25 lbs by Labor day
Eevey will lose 17 lbs by Labor day
Edzard will lose 15 lbs by Labor day
Mesilla will lose 25 lbs by Labor day
Chunkybanana: will lose 18 lbs by Labor day
Jbaby: will lose 25 lbs by Labor Day
Flow: will lose 30 lbs by Labor Day
Sockmonkey: will lose 27 lbs by Labor day--2 down 25 to go
Jilly: will lose 30lbs by Labor Day
KT: will lose 17lbs by Labor Day--2 down, 15 to go
Lekiha: will lose 20lbs by Labor Day
Fitmom: will lose 40lbs by Labor Day
Jasmine: will lose 50lbs by Labor Day
Holly: will lose 35 lbs by Labor Day--6 down, 33 to go!
Catmint: will lose 35 by Labor Day--5 down, 30 to go!
Debbie: Will lose 32 lbs by Labor Day--5 down, 27 to go!
Dcapulet: will lose 20 lbs by Labor Da--2.5 lost 17.5 to go!
Strawberry: will lose 35 lbs by Labor day--13 down 22 to go!
Aimin: will lose 15 lbs by Labor Day
Dust: will lose 20 lbs by Labor Day--3 down 17 to go!
Nina: will lose 20 lbs by Labor Day--4 down 16 to go!
Abe: will 25 lbs by Labor Day
Dolly: will gain a max of 25lbs during pregnancy
Luxor: will lose 34 lbs by Labor Day--2 down 32 to go
Barb: will lose 32 lbs by Labor Day--8 down 24 to go!
Sno: will lose 34 lbs by Labor Day--12 down 22 to go!

Have a fantastic week everyone!

Hey There!

Checking in to stay on track. I worked the night shift and just got up--was able to stumble over to my exercise bike and put in a half hour before I was even really awake. So I'm starting my day on plan so far. Cool beans.

I have two "visions" of my upcoming birthday:

One has me sitting there with my husband and his family at the Chinese restaurant [we celebrate Everything at the Chinese restaurant...] and my pants are miserably tight even as I sit down. My buttons are pulling at my front across my chest, and I'll have to face becoming 50 as a failure to even have lost a measly 5 pounds. So then I throw in the towel and pork out on every dish within reach! Go home fatter, and cry. Big Bummer.

The other has me sailing in with that happy feeling I get when the pants went on easy, I have some room to move in my clothes, and I have some zippy energy because I've been working out faithfully. I have a plan for what and how much I'll eat, I stick to it, and go home STILL on track. Feeling pretty good about "Me--at 50".

Both these visions keep me going. One to avoid and one to achieve. The big "AHA!" came when I realized it's all up to me. I get to choose. Fat and fatigue do not just fall out of the sky and "happen" to me. It's my call.

So--just my 2 cents as I was biking....

cuppa

Yep you got mine right! I weighed myself this morning and it was 199.5 but its not official til monday because I need to only weigh in one day a week or I will drive myself nuts!! Here is hoping that is a real loss and not some weird water weight issue :P

Hi All!!!!! Just checking in tonight.....so far so good....altho I am just getting ready to eat dinner this late at night and for me thats a no-no....but, I am hungry and PIZZA is my downfall...oh well....I will not deprive myself of my favorite foods...just moderation.....WHAT EVER THAT IS HEHEHE.... But this board helps me stay focused and have to answer to myself...soooo.....moderation is the word tonight for me....
well, I will check in tomorrow night....good luck all

Greetings! I'm still here...still trucking along...I've lost 4 pounds this month so far....that leaves 16 more to go until labor day. My mini goal in between now and Labor day is to be close to 120 by the time my vacation rolls around on July 12th....8 pounds in 4 weeks? Hm....I wonder if I can do it? I'll be ectatic if I can be between 120 and 125....oh to be this weight again...

I hope I've learned my lesson and plan to always stay accountable...because in the end it's my health my confidence, my very own well being...

I'm so glad to have found 3fatchicks....and you ladies!