Burgundy- you are the shining star these days girl! Good job on another pound down. 203---hmmmm, its possible, just dont sabotage yourself by trying to go to low or overexerting yourself, thats what happens when you push yourself. But if youve been good all week and think that you are just retaining water, then its totally possible! GOOD JOB!!! 1 lb is awesome any which way.

Hi chicks,

Well with my sister pushing me - thank god for her, I actually made it out to exercise for an hour - I did some running, speed walking, tricep dips, push ups and sit-ups in the park. It was chilly but nice to clear my head with no smog!

Dance - there is a little snow here too and I miss it, but I know that won't last for long if I have to shovel although it's good cardio!

AJ: I eat more protein than carbs, most times about 70-30 - but sometimes 60-40 - that has been successful for me in the past but I need to monitor it more too.

Lindy - back on the workout wagon - woo hah!

Rayne - woo hoo the pound...are you so excited to get to onderland!!!

This weekend I am pretty much doing what I am now, relaxing, eating some good arse food - well maybe not great for my arse but very tasty and just smaller portions. Carve some pumpkins, play some games, freak out some kids, the usual lol. I am just on my way to get a pedicure with my sister - and I'm getting my toenails painted in Halloween style. I'm usually so anal like that but I got to get outside of my box once in awhile.

Today I had indian style (onion, cilantro, ginger, cumin) eggs with tomatoes with a piece of whole wheat toast and then back from working out a protein shake and banana so great so far! I love my sisters cooking!! She cooks healthy and it tastes so good!!!

Well I will check in later girls! Thanks for all the support

S

Lindy-yea its 2 lbs, its attainable but I have been losing slowly. I am ok with it if I dont get there, I have lost 18 lbs since the start of our challenge.

Staccie-your workout sounds nice in the park. I cant wait to go to Alabama, my sister is a great cook too. I just hope I dont gain when we go down. I need to do my nails for Halloween too, I usually do them but havent this year.

I NEED YOUR OPINION!!! I want my old hair back i think. What do you think? This is 3 years ago =(

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/6...1123211871.jpg

Lindy- Thank you. Cool site! And I eat good carbs just too many =) And if I could eat fruit all day I would. And I could polish a whole pineapple or I love watermelon!!

Dance- I am going to try that. Thank you. AND I am so jealous. I want a snow day. I might go up to flagstaff just to see snow =) Be careful with your back. Snow is so heavy and almost all hospital visit during storms are due to shoveling injuries... weird facts I know. I hope shopping goes well and I would love to decorate paper skulls. Very cool.

Rayne- You can do it!! You really are the queen of weight loss. One-derland is so close!!! I am cheering for you =) 18 lbs is truly unbelievable. Thats a toddler!!! How was lunch?

Staccie- You sound a lot more relaxed! I am so glad you are getting this break. And your eggs sound AMAZING! Send your sis my way when you are done =) Good for you getting out. When it is cold in Denver... I would go to the gym because I am a wuss. I bet its so beautiful there!

I started my day with no starch. I seem to be less hungry the rest of the day when I avoid morning carbs. As warm as it is here... the fruit is not good here. I miss Denver! Awesome fruits and veggies and they were not form Mexico. Anyways... I am going to focus on eating again today. Hope to go to the gym when Davey leaves.

aj - that's a really tough question as you look great all of the ways that I've seen you. Does your hubby have a strong preference? If not, I'd go for whichever look makes you feel like you never have a bad hair day and that you're rocking it everytime. Does that make sense at all? Good advice on the back injuries and shoveling - I'll be sure to be careful.

burgundy - wooohooo on 18lbs!!! saw your facebook post about being married - you've been married for a while though, haven't you? Is there a story behind the post? Just celebrating?

staccie - love the idea of your pedicure - what look specifically are you going with? Orange and black? Some designs? I haven't been for a proper pedicure in AGES as running often gives me some kind of blister that I'm always waiting to heal before going in. Am going to work on that and definitely fit one in before thanksgiving. Glad you're having a relaxing time and good for you on fitting in the workout!

Does anyone else find Valerie Bertinelli's weight loss inspiring? She was probably so far before most of your time but she was on tv the whole time I was a kid and I love the way she looks now - fit but not scary skinny. That's pretty much my ideal. Anyone else want to share their ideal body type? Who they'd like to look like when they're done?

AJ-I love your hair like that, I say do it.

Dance-FB just kicked my status that said I was married so I added it back. I have been married for about 7 1/2 years. I think Valerie looks great too. I dont really have any one in mind that I want to look like. I could probably come up with someone though.

Dance- Thanks and I think she is inspiring as well. I want the bodies from the 20's and 30's. I love Peggy Lee and the curvy pin up girl body. I don't like thin thin. I got thin thin once and my face looked sick. I really looked like death.

Rayne- Thanks so much. I really want to but I am nervous. Its different and hard to reverse.

AJ- I loved the hair. I agree. I think you should do it. Very cute!
Oh and about the pinup girl thing.. I was thinking about going to a pinup/budoir photographer once I hit my goal.. or maybe even as a christmas present for my husband.

So... I have had the munchies ALOT lately. I have still kept my calories around 1500.. which is more than usual. But.. I just can't help it. I go back to work tomorrow which will begin the first of 5- 12hr shifts in a row. ugh. But I know this will keep me from eating constantly! I am scared to death of regaining. I do not want that. I will not! I just can't get to relaxed about it. I still have a way to go.

What is your usual daily caloric intake?

Oh in other news. I bought plane tickets for my husband to come home for thanksgiving and christmas! YAY! That is too exciting. I'll try and check in.. but I know I will be really busy the next few days. I will definitely weight in on sunday. I will be happy with maintaining.. but a loss would be fantastic. I doubt it though..

burgundy - gotcha - now I get it :)

aj - never having been crazy thin (I think 125ish was my lowest adult weight), I don't know what I would look like that way and am pretty sure I won't be finding out! I like your idea of the pinup girls too - slim but with curves. Keep us posted on what you decide with your hair!

Okay, all I've done for exercise so far today is shovel - am heading to workout now...

neesy - just saw your post. I'd say I'm around 1400 when I'm doing well and losing. Good idea on the photos - I bet your hubby would love them!

Neesy!- I love that idea. And I hope that you and your hubby feel close again. It broke my heart reading about graduation day. I remember that with my brothers and leaping into their arms and them being like stone. I hope it is wonderful now!! And the holidays will be too.

Dance- I was 110 which for my height doesn't sound that thin but it really was. WAY to thin. I look best at 125-130. You just start to lose the fat in your face and other places that keep you looking young.

I had a blah day. Not food. I am super sore but I have not worked out. I called the Dr. and they said its potassium or calcium but I can barely move. Now I am doped up and still can't walk. I know this is diet related I just wish I could pin point what I am missing so that I can make the pain go away with out oxycodone. I will probably sleep until tomorrow afternoon now so I will catch up then. <3

aj - that sounds awful - you poor thing! Maybe you need to add a multivitamin in case you're missing something. There's lots of potassium (the lack of which causes muscle cramps) in bananas - maybe adding one to your cereal or yogurt would help. what a bummer!

Happy Friday, all! Just two more days until our last weigh-in for this challenge! I have one pound to go to reach my original goal - not sure if it will happen but I'm going to keep trying. Not looking forward to a cold and icy drive to work this morning - looking forward to warmer Orlando in a few weeks! Couldn't fall asleep last night so I'm totally groggy this morning - looks like a day that will require a lot of caffeine. Hope you all are doing well....

Hi Ladies,

Well, I totally need an intervention. Halloween candy is calling my name. I did so well not having sweets and it got to the point that I didn't even crave it anymore. Well, those days are long gone! There is candy in the office everywhere and it's hard to avoid when they are passing it out to everyone. I even bought Halloween candy at home that I don't like so I wouldn't be tempted, but there were tootsie rolls in there, so now I'm getting into them, which I shouldn't do. My eating hasn't been too horrible, but it hasn't been great either.

AJ: So sorry you are not feeling well, it's horrible when you are in pain. Perhaps adding a small glass of o.j. and a banana at breakfast would help? That way you are getting potassium and calcium. I agree with Dance, are you taking a multivitamin? Has the doctor perhaps suggested a blood test to see what you are missing? Feel better!

I'm hoping to be down another pound before the end of the challenge. I'm working out tonight on my own and then with the trainer tomorrow morning. good way to start the day...cute trainer and exercise!

Dance: Can't believe how much snow you guys have gotten. It's cold in Chicago, but I'm hoping and praying for a mild winter. I haven't had to drive to work in the snow for over two years (maternity leave in 2007, laid off in 2008). Should be fun!

Well, that's all for now. I'm going to try and stick with it, but MIlk duds are calling my name........aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

maddiesmom - got two tactics for you - herbal tea and sugarless gum - very hard to eat milk duds if you're already distracted by one or the other. I'm going to get myself a big cup of green tea for similar reasons! You can do it - just say NO to that candy bowl!

Dance: Thanks for the suggestion. Of course, I already had 4 milk duds (that's 4 of the duds themselves, not 4 boxes!) :) I put some projects in front of the candy drawer so I have to move a lot of things before I can get to the candy, so I had a lite yogurt. I'll make it work...I have to!