So this is where you ladies are hanging out. I'll have to check out the other threads, since I'm in this for the long haul.

Snowbrocade, I'll be there for the New Year's thread for sure, 'cause that's when I plan to reach goal.

Sockmonkey, I'm glad you're still posting--we need your energy!

Lekhika, I'm trying to eat mindfully, too. I've tried counting calories and other things that worked for a while, but I gained the weight back later. Now I'm planning meals ahead of time and I really try think about the food when I'm eating.

Hey all how is everyone doing? Sockmonkey I just gotta say I love all the pictures you post, constantly changing! Gonna have to figure out how to do that someday.

Have a great end of week all.

LOL Thanks. I am kind of a picture junky. I get bored easily with images. If you want help let me know! I would be glad to assist!

Hi all:

Today I had a Gastro procedure where they stick a camera down your throat and look at the esophagus--I have acid reflux and they were checking for problems. I had to fast from midnight last night until they were done--no water either. They finished around 12 but I was still loopy from sedatives because they have to sedate you so that you dont gag when they put the thing down your throat. Anyway I finally was able to drink water. But what I wanted was a coke. It just sounded like something that would taste good after the weird chemicals they put in my mouth.

It was a good experience. I sipped it slowly and it was very soothing. Yes I went off the plan but I wont be over in calories because I still havent eaten much today due to my throat being sore and just not being hungry. What felt good about having the coke was that I didnt get all crazy about it and drink the whole thing--I just had the amount I wanted and then stopped.

Boy and I beat tho! I will catch up with everyone tomorrow!

Sno

Hi all!

I am still wrung out from my procedure yesterday. I got about 14 minutes of exercise so far and then got lightheaded. I will try again later.

The good news is I lost 2 lbs since monday--so I have done my weight loss for the week. Of course I am worried because I didnt eat much yesterday and sometimes the weight comes right back on when you lose it quick like that but anyway! I am almost at my halfway point and have re-set my Labor day goal to another 6 lbs. Maybe I cant do it but maybe I can?

After all we have 2.5 weeks left--we can do a lot in that time!

to seasoning--I like your bathing suit girl!

Lekhika: Thanks for the props! you are so close to your goal--maybe the reason you are not losing more is that this is in fact the weight you should be--maybe I am wrong but just throwing out there. The TV culture puts so much pressure on us to be perfect--and lets face it--women have some curves! And that is good. Not everyone is a size 2! The reason I am harping on this is that I think sometimes if you try to make a weight goal that is too hard, sometimes the body just rebells and then you have a hard time maintainng the weight loss. Just saying.

Mary: glad you are feeling better! Having the scale move is always a plus. Yah--I agree about your pics--it is fun!

Snow, thanks for the welcome. And go easy on the exercise after your procedure. Bodies take a while to get over those medical procedures.

I'm seeing good things on the scale these last few days. Sunday is the official weigh day, but I'm on track to make goal for August and for Labor Day. You ladies help a lot!

Hope you get to feeling better Sno!

And glad to see you over here seasoning!

Good morning ladies! How goes it? I am feeling good today but am finally ok with taking it easy and maintaining for a bit.....Next week we're back in full force.

I cleaned out my closets today and am heading over to Goodwill to o donate a bunch of stuff later on in the day. I have a busy evening planned after which I'll be going in to NYC to stay at my Mom's place over the weekend. I am super excited!

Sock- your hair looks amazing in that picture! I'm in love with it! You're so beautiful!

So TOM is still here (day numero 3) and I actually felt rather skinner this morning so I decided to step on the scale. down 2 pounds since monday? Yowsa! I'm crossing my fingers that on my real weigh in day (monday) i'll be down an additional 2 or so because of TOM. Here's to hoping. I hope everyone has a magnificent weekend!

Lekhika- have a great time in NYC at your moms. I'm headed there next spring for my cousins wedding, I can't wait, I've never been there!

Snow- I hope that you're feeling better, and it's good that you're staying positive. I was sick not too long ago and managed to keep the excess weight off, but in most instances i've found it's hard to. It's always nice to have reached your weekly goal early. Congrats!

Hi everyone--tomorrow will be two weeks until the end of this challenge--seems like we have a lot of people going strong!

We also have some people who have not posted in a while--I was thinking that maybe some of us could send encouraging private messages to some of the people who have not posted in a while. I think it is hard to post sometimes if you are not doing as well as you think you should. Anyway, it is just an idea!

It has been such a stressful week for me. First that medical procedure which was so draining. And then I had an all day meeting yesterday that was really stressful. And the fire continues to send us smoke and ash--nasty!

I look forward to a less stressful week next week. I am just gong to crash today.

Hope you all are doing well--thanks for the support!

Seasoning: you are so right--I have been amazingly tired since the procedure and kinda light headed. I guess it was all the weird drugs they gave me. Good to have you with us!

Lekhika: it is so great to clean out the closets--huh? Have you done any shopping yet or are you waiting?

Elegant: on the good scale news--it is amazing you are losing so fast so close to your goal--what is your secret?

Sno

Tomorrow is my weigh-in and i'm anxiously waiting as I feel like i'm finally beginning to look semi decent naked. YAY! I've got 12 pounds to go and I realise this last hump will probably take a lot longer than the rest.

Sno- no secret. Other than counting calories, most of my veggies being of the green kind, and thank god for lean cuisines! Having to do so much walking during work helps out too!

I went to go pick up my turbojam yesterday and the salesperson sold the one they'd put aside for me. Grrr. But I've decided to take it as a sign and simply order it online, as the package in stores comes with less dvds and without the weighted gloves. I'm finally content with the way I look clothed now, so i'm down to tightening up with strength training and also losing weight around my mid-section. My thighs and stomach always seem to be the last place to lose!

I had a few drinks on friday, and in my drunken stumbles home stopped by 7-11 and made the mistake of buying a bag of chips and munching those down. I'm hoping that the booze and chips don't hinder my progress. It would be nice to see the 130's tomorrow.

With the last two weeks coming up tomorrow i'm going to start my own personal bootcamp. Upping my strength training from 2/3 days a week to 4/5 and instead of taking sunday as a day of rest incorporating a little more cardio, even if its just a nice 45 minute walk.

Thanksgiving is under two months away (in Canada we celebrate earlier) and i've lucked out. My mother is out of town this year and all the siblings are going to their s.o's place. This means that I'll be making thanksgiving dinner for my boyfriend and I along with maybe a couple of friends who don't have family in town. With me doing the cooking i'm in charge of what is made, so i'm thinking that is a GOOD thing.

Seasoning- how'd todays weigh-in go? You're already so close to your August goal, so exciting! Can't wait to hear how you're doing!

As for everyone else, keep the posts coming, they're all so motivating. Hope you all had a terrific weekend!

Hey Elegant, I'm looking forward to when I like the way I look without clothes. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you tomorrow morning. I lost a pound on the scale this morning, in spite of messing up last night.

I was proud of myself today for not giving in to junk food. My brother's family often comes over on Sunday and they always fix pizza, chili, chicken nuggets, soda, etc. It's their blow-off day when they let the kids eat whatever. That's always been a big problem for me, since I want to eat everything they do. Today I just stayed out of the way and did chores and stuff.

Snow, sounds like you've had a bunch of un-fun things happening at the same time. I hope next week is more restful.

Good Morning!!! I hope everyone has a great weigh-in day!!!

I started low carb about 1 and 1/2 weeks ago and so far I am very pleased with the results!!! From last weeks weigh-in I am down about 5.5 pounds! Yeah I hope each week is like this but I know that won't happen. I have also been exercising like a mad woman. LOL I am really ready to get slim and healthy!!

So overall weight loss during Labor Day challenge has been 18.2 pounds!! I am close to the 140's hopefully next week that is where I will be!!!

139 this morning! I'm so happy that i've officially hit the 130's now. I'm 4 pounds shy of my labour day, goal which could be possible with lots of hard work. The thinnest i've ever been was at 132 around 5 years ago after a significant weight loss (i'd originally weighed 216) but found that after I started dating my ex the pounds started quickly piling back on. It would be nice to surpass that by the end of september!

Well, i've started this time around already having a boyfriend, so it was nice to have someone at my side being supportive and already knowing what it is that i've been trying to accomplish. Our 2 year anniversary is coming up on September 13th, and I'm looking forward to being able to wear a dress this time around that isn't in the double digits. I've also found that since i've taken up pilates my balance has improved and I'm not such a clumsy ox in high heels (I never wore them before and now i'm slowly but surely trying to add them more and more to my wardrobe) so I'm excited to look extremely delicious this year for my man.

Helpmelose- 5.5 pounds in a week is incredible! Is that based just on the lo-carb lifestyle or have you incorporated some workouts as well?

I hope everyone had a terrific weekend and for those of you that share the same weigh-in day as me, can't wait to hear what's happening on the scale front!

Good luck to everyone this coming week, we're approaching the final stretch!

Hey all quick check in, no progress still... my own fault I am sure. Hope to see more next week, have a good week all and I will check in more later.