Hello! I sure hope I can get in on this! Thanksgiving/Christmas is also my favorite time of the year. I just love the whole atmosphere! Here would be my goals:

cw: 256
gw for xmas: 210

thats at losing about 2lbs a week from now until then. Too bad I did not start this about a month ago I would have loved to have hit 199 for Christmas! Oh well, there is always my birthday in March!

For a better life, (love the name!!) Welcome! Come on in and tell us about yourself! 2# a week is a great goal!

Amanda, Congrats on the treadmill! In the winter, I love mine. I got the same kind of deal, bought it for $25 from a friend of a friend who didn't use it.
You can use it for timed goals (30 minutes of exercise a day), or maybe, depending of course on knees and cardio and all, start the C25K program (couch to 5k), you can find it at coolrunning.com.! Good luck either way!

Welcom - For a Better Life!

Mother Mavis - Thanks for the link. I am going to check that out this morning!

Anyway, I hope everyone stays on track this weekend. I am going to try my best! My weigh day is Monday.

-Amanda

Good Morning, I hope everyone is having a good Saturday.

Mother Mavis~You have done it again!! I checked out the cool running site. I am amazed!! I honestly think I can do the work out. I may not be able to do 30 min of jogging with these knees. But I really think I can do at least the first 4. I may take a lot longer to do the last 2, but hey I would be doing it. Thanks Mother Mavis for creating a dream, stretching possibilities, and helping us discover new things about ourselves. I wondered what muches were. Now, please tell me about the NMunches challenge, I am so curious!

I did 45 min of stepping and Jogging in place, about 1:30 am Then I did my push up challenge for a total of 44 wall push ups. Came home from my sister's totally not able to sleep. Found a baseball game on. Decided to exercise until the game was over. Got to bed a little after 3am. My ex woke me up a little after 9am pounding on the door. Here I am, I have errands to run and groceries to get. I will catch ya all later

Hi~Hope everyone is having a glorious Sunday. Where is everyone> I miss ya all. Yesterday I did my step/jog workout for an hour. I really tried to rev it up. I did a sneak peek wi. I am okay with that. I am so ready for Monday. I must get some chores done around here. Eny~How are the quilts coming along? Some one please post I am lonely. Pat

Dixie is right, where is everybody?

I'm back. Busy, busy weekend. Yesterday, was too busy all day & it was really hot and muggy here. Today is better, got up, went to church, helped one of the older lady's carry in a bunch of stuff for our annual auction which is in 2 weeks. Then came home, talked DH into taking me to this huge annual yard sale at one of the churches in another town. They always have a bag sale on Sunday. I got 3 pairs of slacks for work, 2 skirts, 2 dresses, 3 sweaters, a vest and a pair of sweats for $4 for all of it!

Dixiemae, I am glad you liked the C25K plan, I used it when I started running and I am actually using it again right now to get my mileage back up there and I want to get faster. I repeated weeks from time to time if I was not ready for the next level. MMunches was from the WEED challenge (which I loved, I was just getting challenged out, so now I only participate actively in 3 threads) but I digress, WEED you declare your exercise goal every day
W = water
E= Eats
E= Exercise
D= Devotional
and every day I do crunches, so I would always put my crunches in. Anywhere from 25-100 upper and lower crunches every day, so my friends on that thread started doings lots of crunches too and calling them the MMMunches-Mother Mavis Crunches and it developed into a challenge, kind up like the push-ups where you just kept trying to do more.

I loved that thread and I still lurk there, but it got where I was so busy trying to stay up on different threads, I was spending too much time on the computer and not enough actually moving!!

OK, have a test tomorrow night, so I have to go study and want to get my dishes and laundry all caught up. Have a great afternoon, I'll be back later!

I'm excited.

I'm excited about tomorrow's weigh-in. I'll "officially" (Since Mondays are my weigh-in) have hit 25 lbs., and I can tell such a difference in the way I feel. I'll be less than 15 lbs from my 100 lb lost mark. It's getting close.

I'm also excited about something, although there's a bit of fear, there, too. I received an advertisement about www.teamingtraining.org. They're a group that raises money for lymphoma and leukemia, and they do it in an awesome, awesome way, through marathons and half-marathons and century bike rides.

They provide a personal trainer for the event and you raise the money. I know that I wouldn't be able to run a marathon (hah!), but I think it may just be possible to walk a half-marathon. I think I might be able to do this with serious training. The next open event is in January. Even if I committed, and trained hard, the best case scenario for my weight would still be way, way, way over 200 lbs., but I'm trying to imagine the feeling of accomplishment. It would not only be weight loss but commitment, and knowing that I had done something at such a weight that most people can't do at half that. I've already thought about talking to my doctor about it, the girl at the gym, etc., but I'm just giddy at the thought of it although I know it will be hard, hard, hard work.

There's a meeting in my area in a couple of weeks, and I plan on going.

Am I crazy for thinking I could train to walk 13 miles? My family (dad, mostly) tells me it's impossible, that I'd never be able to do it. That of course makes me want to do it even more, but I wonder, am I crazy for this?

I think this would be good for me in so many ways, but am hoping to hear someone say, something. Once my dad was so negative, I'm starting to think it was foolish and impossible.

EarthShaker~I think you can do it. BUT talk to your doctor first. Then go from there. I think a person can do what ever they set their mind to doing. It would give you something sooooo positive to work for, such an achievement would really set the tone for your good health. Your heart is certainly in the right place. Talk to your doctor and keep us posted. Never be afraid to dream, reach for the stars, work for the betterment of man kind. Pat

hey everyone, hope you all had a good wknd, i worked all weekend so im pooped! im working mon tues to, oh well, no rest for the wicked!

considering buying a cross trainer but have no clue what im looking for in a good elliptical? anyone have any ideaS?

I'm sooo excited about this. I can't wait till tomorrow to call the doctor for an appointment.

The process of it involves so much, not just exercise and weight loss, but shedding my shyness as well to get people to sponsor me and such. If I am able to do this, I think I'll be blogging publicly, too, and that means pictures and numbers and ... blah blah blah.

I will definitely be updating on this.

I have no idea, sorry. Just started on one at the gym a few weeks ago, and I'm actually beginning to enjoy it.

I couldn't even tell you the brand name, though. Just that I call it the "Happy Torture Device."

EarthShaker~Lets see you could have a yard sale, a bake sale, dog set, walk neighbors dogs all kinds of things to earn money for sponsorship. Even sale lemonade, be creative, are you a craft minded person? Read books to neighborhood kids. You will think of something that is just you and earn money for the walk. You are off to a good start. Pat

Earth Shaker - I know you can do it. My goodness look at what you have already accomplished!!! Don't ever let ANYONE tell you different!!!!

Hi Everyone~Hope you all had a good weekend. I went for a 30 minute walk with the dog. I did 1 hour of stepping. Then I did a total of 40 wall push ups. The last 2 were hard to squeeze in. Catch ya all later. Pat

Amanda,

I wasn't able to reply to your message because I don't have 10 posts yet.

Slimmin Patty

Down 1 more pound :carrot: 14 more to go!

I'm still plugging along over here. Been sorta in hermit-mode trying to get myself mentally/emotionally prepared for today. It's my mom's 59th birthday today and the 5th one I've had to celebrate without her. I'm not really having an easy go of it but I know Tom will find some way to at least try to take my mind off things today. I hope he doesn't go too overboard, though, because he'll need to have something stocked up to distract me with on the 19th, too (the 5th anniversary of her passing).

Changed my weigh-in day back to Thursday nights so no update until then. I know I had a reason for doing it when I did but I can't for the life of me remember what it was.

Hopefully later I'll have it in me to backtrack with reading posts so I can see what's going on with all of you. I'll get out of the funk, I promise ... I'm just not going to promise that it's going to happen soon!

Karen, we are glad to have you back, hang in there. :hug:

Earthshaker, definitely check with your Dr, but I think what you said is key, you need to train to do it and of course you can. It's not like you are stepping out today to walk 13.2 miles, you will build up to it. Good for you!

Patty good job on the pound down.

I have ballooned up this am, too much sodium for the weekend I guess, I am up 3.4 pounds, there is no way I ate that much, so I know it's water, but man...I worked so hard on the treadmill yesterday. It's hard not to be frustrated. I am trying to become a faster runner so I was sprinting at between 6.3 and 7 MPH, then walking for a minute to get my breath back, then doing it again, for 45 minutes. Maybe the weight is lactic acid? Either way, I will drink lots and lots of water and continue to work my butt off (literally)!!

Hey guys here I am checking in! I had a hard time on the 20th (I use dates rather than yesterday, today, etc because I work nights and my "today" is different than other peoples). I am having some personal issues and I went on a binge. I think I ate too much salt and now im holding water. Oh well, today is a new day! I will make the 21st binge free day 1.

whoopsee, sorry about your mom. I know how it is my mom died when she was 45 which was 5 years ago. She had obesity on her death certificate. Hang in there!

I'm down to 307.8 this week, a loss of 4.2. I'd love to take credit for all of it, but know that part of it is fluid. But just under 9 lbs to go for my Christmas goal...I will definitely have to change it. About 5 months till Christmas, I think I'll make my goal 45 lbs from 299. I just want to accomplish one goal before I make another.

I can't wait for my doctor's office to open this morning to make the appointment. I really hope he says it's okay. I can't imagine why he wouldn't, since I won't be doing anything unhealthy, but still. Thanks for all of the ideas. I will definitely keep them in mind once I start raising money for the event. After a month or two, I'm tempted to contact the local newspaper. Since I'm in Mississippi, "The Fattest State in the Nation," it may be a human interest story.

I think it's pretty newsworthy, but I may be a bit biased ;) Of course, that means all sorts of being real.

I am worried, though, that even if the doctor says yes, that the people with the organization will say no. Ugh. The meeting's on the fifth, and that seems a long time to wait now.

(Hugs) Whoopseedaisee. I can't imagine how tough that is. Take care of yourself.

Out of here for a while. Have a great Monday!

Earth - I think that's an AWESOME goal! and you can do it with hard work. i'm glad you're talking with your Dr. fist. But just start out walking as much as you can. You'd be suprised how far you can actually go. :) Then everyday push yourself to go just a little farther and farther. You have 6 months to train - you'll be at 13 miles in NO TIME! :)

whoopsee - :hug: I'm sorry that your going through a rough time. I can't imagine what that pain is like.

Pat - I weighed in this morning, and despite the bloating and cramping - I'm down to #188.4. TOM still isn't here - I have NO idea why though. *sigh* stress I'm sure is a HUGE factor!

My eating's on plan, but I need to get back into working out. I've been slacking BIG time!

This weekend was rough - Joe and I are having issues... I think i said a total of 20 words to him yesterday. It sucks! Hunter's off camping w/ my mom and step-dad until Thursday. It's going to be a rough week. I just need to be strong enough to walk outside when I'm upset rather then to the cupboard. :) wish me luck!

I everyone and good morning.

Whoopsie~You are in my thoughts and prayers. I lost my mom I lost my Mom 1yr and 8 months ago. It is hard. ((((HUGS))))

MM~It has to be water retension. Working out like that blasts the fat. Does the scale say your body fat % went down? Another thing all those beautiful lean muscles you are developing weigh more than fat could it be a jump in muscle weight? Are your clothes fitting and looking better on you?

EarthShaker~Let us know what the doctor says. I should think that the organization would have a nurses station along the walk/run trail. There should be NO reason they wouldn't let you join. Walk America and the March of Dimes walks both had a nurse on hand.

ForABeterLife~Way to go on being 21 days binge free!!

Eny~Sorry you and BF are having issues. You have a plan going on. Congrats on your weight. I need some help with this quilt thing!!.

Slimmin~Congrats on loosing a pound!!

To those I didn't mention Hi. Hope you are having a good start on the week.

Today is weigh in day. 187.0 even. I updated my ticker. I need to work hard, MM said I need to loose 1.2 pounds per week to reach my Christmas goal. I am going to add MMunchies to the workout. Working the upper and lower abs. I need to eat some breakfast and get some laundry done. I will catch you all later. Pat

http://www.3fatchicks.net/img/heartb.../198//187/.png

Hey Everyone check out the ticker!! It says I have 187 pounds to loose!! Did I every mess up my ticker!! I have 37 pounds to loose. I will fix it later, it gave me a good laugh.

It looks like rain here. A good day to get inside stuff done. I need to take Noelle for a potty walk. I will catch ya all later. Pat

url=http://www.3fatchicks.com/] http://www.3fatchicks.net/img/heartb...8/150/187/.png [/url]

Hi All! I hope everyone had a great weekend!

I only went down 1/2 a pound this week. However, I got the treadmill and a plan thanks to Mother Mavis! I have set some workout minute goals to try and get to by Christmas.

Patty - I am glad to hear you are down a pound! That is great! Anyway, let me know what you think when you get enough posts.

Whoopsee - I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My husband lost his mother 6 years ago and his father last year. It is a tough time of year when it rolls around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mother Mavis - Don't get discouraged! Water weight sucks - but I bet your clothes are fitting better!

I hope everyone has a good on plan week! I'll check back later!

-Amanda

Earthshaker!!! How fasinating!! I'm so excited that you are going to be signing up for a 13 mile walk!! I wish i could do something like that. That sounds so awesome for you!!! Good luck!!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!! Mine was busy busy busy. I don't really know how i did on my eating. I was too busy to count my calories or write down what i ate, but i'm sure it wasn't too bad. I made pretty good choices and watched most of my portions. Most of the time, the kids had to remind me that it was time to fix something to eat because i was too busy to remember it myself. lol. But...now i'm back on a schedule and hoping to do well this week. I refused to step on the scale this weekend. I wanted to but i didn't. I am trying to only step on it on fridays.

I also didn't get any miles in this weekend but i still think i kept active cleaning my house. But today, i am back on schedule with that too. Definately going to get a mile in at lunch and going to try to get 2 or 3 in after work when i get home. Going to try to incorporate some jogging in, if my knee allows it this time. We'll see!!!

i'm checking in late today but i di dmanage to get in 2 miles this morning.

Evening ladies...

How is everyone? I haven't been on the challenge for xmas for awhile, but still been on in the herbal magic gals. I've been going through alot of being sick with galbladder problems and waiting on my dr to see my ulra sound results which is finally tomorrow and been real sick on and off since my first galbladder attack with the flu and then a head cold and then strep throat and infected ears, but still on track with being a "loser", I've lost a total of 11.4 Lbs and 20 3/4 " so far.

Just found out that my hubby, 2 kids and my inlaws and myself might be taking a family vacation in April to Florida to Disney and other places there, so I HAVE to lose all my weight for that. We went to the dominican this past april fat and wasnt happy with myself. So I definately have to do this.

I came up with every 10 Lbs I lose I put 10 colored stones(that you put in the bottom of a clear vase around a bamboo plant, their oval shape) in a bottom of my vase to keep myself going and also every 10 Lbs loss I have a list of something I buy myself that I want.

Well better stop rambling on and get ready for bed so ttyl.

Isabel :carrot:

Thanks for all the good thoughts today. I know it helped! That and my little guy was even more willing than usual to spend lots of time snuggling today ... like he knew I needed it as soon as I walked in the door this morning from work. I didn't really pay too much attention to food today, but looking back I didn't do too bad. It helps that we don't keep a lot of junk in the house anymore and Tom made an excellent dinner that actually stayed pretty point friendly for me. I forgot to grab the container of leftovers on my way out the door so I really don't know yet what I'll eat for my middle-of-the-night work meal, but I'll figure out something that won't be too detrimental.

Morning all, not much time this AM, but happy to say, weight is tracking down although still more than I think it should be. Have to get to work.

Hope everyone is doing great, will try to get back for personals later!!

Good morning girls! Today is MUCH better! Joe and I talked some last night - which helped. There are still some issues that I want to talk to him about, but I needed the walls to come down a bit.

The scale is moving in the right direction - which makes me happy. My Christmas goal is getting closer and closer... I realized today that I'm 26% of the way there! :cheer: :santa: better bring me some new clothes this year! I'm already shrinking out of my 16s again, but the 14s are still a little snug. Who knows what size I'll be at #163.6 (official "overweight"/Christmas goal) But I'll be HAPPY AS A CLAM when I get there!!! I can't wiat to see single digit clothes! It'll be the first time EVER!!!!

sexyness - :getwell: Gull bladder ailments are AWFUL! Keep us posted on how you're feeling.

Whoopsie - I hope that you got a lot of snuggle time in with your little man. Sometimes kids just know. :) How's the Christmas goal coming along? Just kepp pushing in the right direction... you don't always have to be full steam ahead - but do your best not to back slide. :hug:

blue - check in more often! It keeps you honest! :D

oh i broke my promise to myself and stepped on the scale this morning. How disappointing. It was UP!!! And i'm sure it's due to excersize and possibly water retention. I know i didn't gain 3 pounds since friday. So...not letting it stress me. Just going to keep going and counting my calories and getting my excersize in and trying to make sure i drink enough water.

I am going to make my christmas goal!!! I just know it. I just have to stay focused and maybe off the scales, except on fridays.

I did get 3 miles in yesterday. Half a mile at lunch (would have been a mile but this dang mocking bird kept attacking me. Apparently she had a nest up in a tree i had to keep going past and she didn't appreciate it. lol. But it was funny, me out there screaming every time she dive bombed me!!!) Then i went home and got 2 1.2 miles in with my kids. I even had them jogging with me.

will do. ;)

this morning i did another 2 miles. i went through a period this weekend where it seemed like my goal was impossible. i'm back on the right track now.

i am back with a question about holiday treats. for you all that may have been doing this for awhile now, how do you manage around the holidays? the two that usually di me in are thanksgiving and christmas. i used to overindulge really bad around this time of year but last year i managed to maintain my weight.

i feel that i'm on the right track this time. i have managed to make my exercise a regular part of my day and i try to avoid junk food.

Blue Mommy,
you have lots of time to start looking for recipes you can adapt to your eating plan. Minimize the damage for those things you can and build the rest into your plan. Everything in moderation.
Me, I don't eat crap just because it's there (crappy cookies) but I love frosted sugar cookies and I have a couple, same with pie/cake, I can do without most, but if there is home made cheesecake, I am there.

It's like when DH and I go to dinner, I can have bread or wine or dessert, but not all three!

Lumi- I am with you, stupid scale....

Eny, look at you getting into those smaller sizes. :carrot::carrot:

Whoopsee, It's so good to see you again, we are here!!

Amanda & Pat, have you started the C25K? Don't be afraid to repeat days and weeks if you aren't ready to move on, but it's a great plan. Be kind to your knees though!

Pat, my scale doesn't measure body fat, but I hope you are right and yes, my clothes are getting better and better!!

MM~I have added some light jogging. I will officially start the couch c25k tomorrow. I wanted to try it first to see how the old knees would take to it. So far no prob. I can jog in place for 1-1 1/2 minutes with out any pain or soreness. I am grinning from ear to ear on this. I am good to go for the glory! I am going to start doing crunches too. I have been thinking about this for several days. If I am going to step, walk/jog, and weight train for this black dress. Do I really want a tummy bulge ruining the whole glamour of the dress?? Heavens NO NO NO NO NO. So an ab workout is in the schedule. Does any one have a munchies challenge? I work better if I am accountable for what I do. Years ago I had a vhs it was in the Buns of Steel series called Abs of Steel platinum 2000. I wore the tape out, it got stuck in the player. The only way we could get it out was break the tape. I can't find another copy. Tammie and Tracey really had my abs in good shape after a 9#8oz baby. If I could find a copy of that tape I would snatch it in a heart beat. Does any one know of a good ab work out dvd or book? Any hooo I am ready to give the c25k a run (haha) for the roses. You might have to keep me honest when I have questions or a doubt or 2.

Bluemommy~It helps me to have a plan before I go to a holiday afair. I make sure there is something I can eat. I take a dish I know is "legal". I take a bottle of water too. Also it helps if I eat op before I go. That way I am not tempted to nibble on goodies. If I don't think I can handle eating something yummy I don't touch it. If I know I can eat just one or just a bite I go ahead and eat it. At different times different goodies will talk to me. The biggest help for me was this group. The 4th of July would have been a bust if not for this group and being accountable. As MM suggested there are tons of op recipes out there. Your guests and friends don't need to know the dish they are enjoying is a healthy one. You don't have to tell them unless they ask for your recipe.

Eny~Glad to hear that things are better between you and BF. Ex wants me to dog sit MY dog while he goes on vacy to celebrate our would be 36th. It hurts. That is what he wants to do. That is why the black dress has such a charm. It will give back a part of me that he took away. I turned to food after we split. I gained all the weight in that time span. Issues I didn't deal with. Am dealing with now. Don't do that to yourself.

Earthshaker~What is going on with you? Did you make a doctors appointment?

Everyone have a wonderful evening. Pat

I was going to wait until I got the official clearance from my doctor to say "All lights, go," but I can't. I'm too excited.

Tomorrow's my doctor appointment. I worked out this morning and came back to the treadmill (which I detest, Oh how I hate it!) to get a baseline for one hour's walk. It sure beats the heat, though.

60 minutes and 3.04 miles for my first day training. I plan to bump it up 15 minutes every time, and do it twice a week. More maintenance if I can use my mother's treadmill.

I want this, I want this, I want this.

Good morning,

I signed up for WW at work. I'm on South Beach now and have had good luck. I think it will be good to have meetings to go to so I have people that I'm accountable to.

My weight has held steady this week... no gain and no loss. :?:

Have a great day!!

Patty

Hello All! I hope everyone is doing well today!

Bluemommy - The best tip I have ever gotten was to chew lots of gum! I am a big time muncher, even when I have set my limit as to how much I am going to eat. For instance, when I go out to eat I usually try and just eat half my entree. I stop, put my napkin in my plate, or get a to go box. BUT it seems like I always end up munching on chips or the rest of my meal until it ends up gone. I started taking a pack of gum with me and as soon as I say enough is enough I pop a piece in. That way I CAN"T eat anymore. I am sure you could incorporate that into holiday parties, etc.

Eny - Way to go on getting into smaller clothes!!! Congrats!

MM - I have started the C25K program. However, I am going to have to take it slow. I have RA and that makes it a challenge sometime when I am having a flare up. But the exercise is good for the joints! So I am going to keep on moving!!! Thanks for checking in!

Earthshaker - I can't wait to hear what the doctor has to say. Keep up the awesome attitude!!!

Pat - Isn't funny how rubbing it in someone’s face is such a great motivator! I dated a guy about 9 years ago (when I was skinny) that is still friends with one of my friends. Anyway, he saw a picture of me after I had my first son and he made a comment to her that I used to have POTENTIAL! Even though I am happily married, that still hurt my feelings! So now I have that word on a piece of paper taped to my computer! Because he is right - I DO HAVE POTIENTIAL - To do anything I put my mind too! So, cheers to the little black dress!

Everyone I didn't mention - keep up the good work! Christmas will be here before we know it!

-Amanda

Amanda,

I would say that you showed very good taste by choosing your husband rather that this jerk who said that you did have potential. Hold your head high!!

By the way, this makes my 10th post so I'll see if I can reply now.

I'm going to start WW at work and am excited to get started. I've never had the chance to get into a group of people that I can relate to when it comes to weight loss. It will be a 12 week program. They sound optomistic that they'll have enough people.

Hi. Today is my 2nd day with 3FC and I am looking to start a Christmas Challenge. I was hoping to join in with this current one, but was wondering if I should start a new thread.
What do you guys suggest?