Hi Chicks,

Wow, again, AWOL, but soooo very proud of you all. I have peeked back at some comments and tickers the last few minutes. You guys ROCK. :carrot: It is sooo funny to me that I initiated this competition originially with Burgund to get her moving, because we were similar weights, and I felt it would also motivate me. I quit losing because of work and ALL of you, incuding Burgund kick my A**!! LOLOLOL...........well I am eating 'crow' now. ;)

I must admit I am proud and yes, envious at your success'. It is truly amazing to me to see how well you all have done. I wish I were there with you but work really has messed me up both with workouts and my eating. I have adjusted to work, except I still struggle with sore feet. It isn't as bad as it was, unless I work alot of hours and days in a row. I just can't seem to get enough energy to work out, because of the fatique I have after so many hours on my feet. My food isn't horrible and for the most part I am still eating very healthy. My weakness is getting in at night (when I work a later shift) and then eating. I am proud to say I haven't gained anything back and did keep off my original 5 pounds I lost when the competition started. I just know it would have been much more if my schedule would have stayed the same ;-( Oh well............it is what it is.

Wow, Tiff, good to see you up and around. :hug: I missed you being on here, and am sorry about the new home stressers. Take you time and have fun with the remodeling, as it will be your home for many years. My parents remodeled every so often as we grew up. The changes were messy, but fun to enjoy too when being done and then completed.

Well, again all of you.......AJ, Staccie, Lindy, Burgund, Neesy, Dance, Maddie.......should be highly commended for you commitment to each other and your health. I am sorry it seems BacktoBasics hasn't come back on in a couple of months, so I hope all is well with her.

I need to get ready for work.........again........but I will try to get on here tomorrow night and Monday. I then have a 10 hour day on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Thursday so may miss those days, plus Friday I am helping my daughter move here things to Georgia. Bye the way, she is doing great and getting an apartment, which is why she will be here to pack up her belongings. Her marriage is going well (as far as I know) and military life is **** sometimes......LOL. Unfortunately with my long work days, I don't get to speak to here hardly at all.......;-( see it's not just you all, even my family has felt my absense. I am sorry. I will try to do better with you, my good friends and my family. xoxoxo :hug:

AJ-they are my babies so I have to have parties for them. Bandit is turning 2 in 4 days and Lizzy will be 2 in March. Are your legs getting any better?

Dance-I hate those pumpkins and candy corn, plus we have no trick or treaters where we live so I didnt even buy any, except what I gave out at the festival but didnt have any.

Tiff-glad you are back on the wagon with us and hope you continue to post here. We've all become great friends and hope you stick it out with us. Good luck with all the remodeling, we rent from my husbands aunt and uncle so they take care of everything. We lucked out when they bought this place. Maybe things will work out with the promotion too, sounds like you would have it easier if you get it.

Neesy-I think you have a good chance of winning this challenge, we'll see how tomorrow goes.

Sandy-good to see you check in. Sounds like things at work are getting easier. What kind of shoes are you wearing? Maybe a new pair would help. Glad to hear your daughter is doing well. Check in with us when you have a minute here and there. Hope you join us in the next challenge.

Lindy-how did your breast cancer walk go today?

Had a nice day at home, got the house clean. My sister in law and niece and nephews came over for game night tonight. We got pizza for my husband and the kids. Me and SIL got chinese. I got princess chicken, it was just chicken and veggies in a light brown sauce. There was so much of it so I have some for lunch tomorrow.

I am hoping to at least stay at 204 for tomorrow. I cant believe its the end of the challenge already. I was hoping to lose 20 lbs by the end of it but at least I got close.

I really need to get some fruits and veggies, been out for a few days(I have canned veggies, but they just arent the same) Farm market is probably done here since its getting colder, my own garden has been done for a while. I miss it. I love being able to walk outside and get fresh veggies. Really wish I lived in a warmer state.

Hope everyone had a great halloween. Talk to you wonderful ladies tomorrow.

Hi everyone,

Well I definitely haven't been good - oops.

I am off to my mom's tomorrow and won't have access to the internet until the end of the week.

I'm a bit stressed but relaxed at the same time, lol it's a long story and it may take awhile to tell you about it when I get it figured out this week. It's a job offer after I'm done. Lots to think about. If I can find somewhere to log on this week I will tell you all, or I might just send you all a facebook message if I can't. I need an opinion from people that know me but are not afraid to say it like it is.

Everyone seems to be doing great and tomorrow is the challenge end!! I hope to see lots of amazing things when I log in again!

Love ya all,

S

Sandy- Its so nice to see you! I hope that balancing every thing gets easier soon!! Miss you around here. Sad about backtobasics.

Burgundy- I know! Believe me I know! 204/205 is amazing. I am always taken back by your hard work. You have some serious discipline.

Stacie- Miss you and the giggles I get from you daily! Selfish... I know. I am so glad you get to relax. You can get back on it when you get home. !! Have fun.

I had an okay Halloween. I ate candy but what ever. I knew today was going to be bad. I have seen a naked painted girl (really), a banana, a hotdog, and a few cave men out my window. Our window looks onto a train station so bad thing: We hear it all night! Great thing: Our window is like a really interesting fish tank and every night its something different. =) Happy Halloween Ladies! Be Safe!!

Well, I am getting ready for work, but wanted to log in before hand and say hello. Congratulations Burgund :cp: :bravo: for your weightloss! You flew way ahead of me and I remember when I was two pounds ahead of you! Wow, you have done great.

AJ, you too have done great. :hug: :dancer: My goodness you have endured a lot these last months with family loss and moving. You deserve to be proud of your accomplishments and continuing to strive forward!!!!

Well, I will check in later to see you the winner is, and please let me know what we are doing for the new competition, which I assume starts today ;-)

Bye for now.

neesy - nice to see you around - I loved your post about making room for ice cream every night - not feeling deprived is such a smart way to do this! No wonder you've been crazy successful!

mygrits - we've missed you lots - glad you've been able to maintain the 5lb loss! I'm sure adjusting to working on your feet is TOUGH. What are you eating when you get home in the evenings? Would it help to make a big pot of something healthy (say, turkey chili) on your "weekend" (whenever that is) that you could have in different ways (over brown rice, as a taco salad) during the week to stay on plan? When I'm crazy busy, the only thing that works is making the healthy choices easier than the not healthy ones - which usually means not having anything unhealthy in the house. How is your hubby doing? Can't remember exactly but I thought he was losing weight with you. Whatever you do going forward, we'd love to have you around!

Staccie - we'll miss you while you're out of touch. Accessing 3fc on my bb is a total pain - I imagine it's the same for you. Very curious to hear about the new job offer - way to go!

aj - your halloween sounds far more interesting than mine. I loved your descriptions of the crazy outfits. I went for a walk around 5ish and saw a few kids out early but turned my porch light off as I didn't trust myself to have any candy around the house. love the new photo as always!

burgundy - I seriously laughed out loud reading your post. Just the way you said 'those pumpkins' cracked me up - too funny. Glad you've been staying away from the candy and I've got my fingers crossed for you with this morning's weigh-in. You've been doing great!!

Lindy - you're awfully quiet this weekend - hope you're having fun with your dad!

Okay, I'll start the official tally. Just copy this section, add your ending weight and percentage lost and paste it into your next post.

8/1-11/1 Weight Loss Buddies Challenge Results:

ajowens 166
LuckyLindy 186
Maddiesmom 247
Mygrits 219
Danceindenver 178: 160, 10.1% lost
Burgundyrayne 222
Tiff 292.2
BacktoBasics 263
Neesy 216

Can't wait to see the tally filling in. Once we've got a winner, the winner should PM the others with their email address (or if you're already linked on FB and can send email that way, no need). Then the rest of us can buy our $10 gift certificates on amazon and send them via email.

Quick gift card instructions:

Go to amazon.com, and do a search on gift card or select gift card from the options at the top of the screen.

Select email a giftcard

Fill out form and include the winner's email address. Follow instructions to purchase.

Hope this helps....

Wow cant believe it is November 1st already. Let me comment on everyone first.

Staccie-we will miss you while you are away but have fun with your mom. Cant wait to hear about the job offer.

AJ-your hmm a naked painted lady, out and about, I could never do that. Now halloween is over so hopefully all the candy goes away too. Thank you for the great compliment, sometimes I know I can work harder. Need to leave to push myself.

Sandy-thanks, you will get there too. You can catch me again. Cant wait to start another challenge. My husband was talking about eating a lot during the holidays and I told him I am gonna do my hardest to control it this year. Do not want to gain this holiday season. I am so close to onederland I can taste it.

Dance-we lost the same amount of weight, great job. You are getting close to your goal and you made it to 160, way to go. Thanks for the instructions on how to buy the gift card, I will buy mine once I know who the winner is.

8/1-11/1 Weight Loss Buddies Challenge Results:

ajowens 166
LuckyLindy 186
Maddiesmom 247
Mygrits 219
Danceindenver 178: 160, 10.1% lost
Burgundyrayne 222: 204, 8.1% lost
Tiff 292.2
BacktoBasics 263
Neesy 216

Ready to see everyone elses weigh ins. I am happy with mine, maintained at 204 this week, gotta kick it up a notch. Didnt workout yesterday, had company most of the day. I will today!!! Ok I will check in later, cant wait.

Burgundy - 5 more lbs to wonderland - no pumpkin pie will taste as good as that feels, right? Way to go!

Ok, I took pics this morning. So here they are. Still not happy with them but there is definitely a difference.

Befores 8/1/09(222 lbs)
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/DSCF2718.jpghttp://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/DSCF2716.jpghttp://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/DSCF2717.jpg

Afters 11/1/09(204 lbs)
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...oss/111092.jpghttp://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...oss/111094.jpghttp://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...loss/11109.jpg

And I want to add from the very beginning
May 2008(236 lbs)
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/DSCF1336.jpg

Last night(halloween 2009)(204lbs)
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/DSCF3261.jpg

Sorry so many big pics, I dont know how to add them as attachments, it never works for me.

Good morning ladies! You have all done so well!
Dance- You are gonna pass me like a marathon runner =) You kicked butt at staying on track.

Rayne- You look great. I know sometimes its hard to see the progress on your self but I can see a ton and you look really good. Before you know it you will be in one-derland wondering where it all went!? lol.

I did well this week. Not sure how but with TOM gone I guess I got to see my true weight.

ajowens 166: 155, 7%
LuckyLindy 186
Maddiesmom 247
Mygrits 219
Danceindenver 178: 160, 10.1% lost
Burgundyrayne 222: 204, 8.1% lost
Tiff 292.2
BacktoBasics 263
Neesy 216

burgundy - you are looking so much slimmer! Wow - so fun to see the difference!!

aj - you are doing great, chica! I know it's easier to lose when you start at a higher weight - you started so much lower. I'm expecting to have things slow down - they always say it's harder right at the end.

Hi Ladies, well, I'm down another pound from last week, so that's 225 now. Not too shabby...22 pounds in 12 weeks. Are we going to start a new challenge? Just curious. I'm game if you guys are. Should we do 11/1 to 1/1? Jingle away the jiggle?

ajowens 166: 155, 7%
LuckyLindy 186
Maddiesmom 247: 225, 9% lost
Mygrits 219
Danceindenver 178: 160, 10.1% lost
Burgundyrayne 222: 204, 8.1% lost
Tiff 292.2
BacktoBasics 263
Neesy 216

Lindy: to answer your question, things are great with the personal trainer. He gave me a killer workout and I can tell he actually cares about his clients. I was talking to him about purchasing more sessions and he told me to wait, as there would be a promo coming up soon where I can get them discounted.

Also, he's really helping me from plateauing, as I'm losing every week. The only week I didn't lose was the week I was sick, but that's because I wasn't working out at all and eating whatever I wanted. The workout yesterday was brutal, but he also takes into account that I have a bad knee and I've thrown my back out before, so he's working those areas to help with the pain. Of course he's cute too, which doesn't hurt!!

Halloween was ok. I ate candy, oh well, it's done. AJ: at least you had people dressing up! I had teens at my door in their street clothes trick or treating. Couldn't believe it. I took Maddie out and went to about 10 houses, it was in the mid-40's here, so I didn't want her to freeze, plus she rarely eats candy, so I try to stay away from it. Milky Ways are my downfall.

Hope everyone else is doing well. We'll have to see who the winner is...I'm guessing Lindy or Neesy.

Forgot to mention: TIFF WELCOME BACK!!! We're not here to judge you, so whatever is needed to help you lose weight, we will support you. Just be careful. Hope all goes well with the promotion and the remodel.

Sandy: Great to hear from you. Glad things are getting into more of a routine.

Well I weighed in at 294.8 this morning. So here is my addition:

ajowens 166: 155, 7%
LuckyLindy 186
Maddiesmom 247: 225, 9% lost
Mygrits 219
Danceindenver 178: 160, 10.1% lost
Burgundyrayne 222: 204, 8.1% lost
Tiff 292.2: 294.8, .8% gained
BacktoBasics 263
Neesy 216

I am totally in for another challenge, 11/1-1/1. Maybe I can actually redeem myself in this one. Congrats to those who have posted so far.

tifftiff - welcome to the 11/1-1/1 challenge!!

maddiesmom - :dance: That's a big giant happy dance for 22 pounds!!!

can't wait to see the rest!