Spring Challenge, Rebirth!
 

Hi ladies :) Now that we have the holidays behind us, I feel it is a good time to look forward to spring and our new goals.

It is a perfect time to start our new pledges! For those of you that do not know me I am , or was, referred to FSA. Long story but what matters is that we are here and together!

We have 11 weeks until Spring! The challenge is to set a goal and work on it day by day until then. I t can be in monetary value (weight) or just eating more healthful and or changing habits, exercising more, a new clothing size, kicking a habit, or whatever the case may be.....we are here to support one another no matter our plight.

It is imperative that we respect one another and create a safe thread in the sense that there will be no judgement, we need to understand that different programs work with different people...with that in mind, we will also adhere to the chicks website philosophy!

My personal goal it to get back to my OP (on plan) food plan! Eating healthy and just being healthier. I also, hope to lose 15-20 lbs. by spring but honestly my main concern is to continue on a healthful track and staying OP and what will follow will follow! Do I want the numbers? Heck yes I do! but I also want the health more than anything now and just eating healthy and creating new habits so this is at the forefront for me.

I do hope to see some old faces and meet some new faces. Whatever happened Christmas week is over! It is our time now! Time to start our new year and our new us! Let's band together and support one another in our new plight!

This is great! I'd love to join the challenge. My goal is going to be to fit into a size 14 again by spring. I'm currently a 16-18. I am also hoping to be into onederland as well, but clothing size is the main goal. :)

Hi Pastrey :welcome2: Sounds great! :) It is nice to meet you and glad you joined!

Hi All :wave: I'm in! Although I am not past the holidays yet: Hanukah party with fam & then NY Eve party, finally the pity party because I would rather not work on NY's day :rofl: But there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel. My goals healthy eating, get into my usual wardrobe, & begin getting fit & stronger.

We can do it!

Sundove yayyy! big smile here :) Welcome to our spring challenge. I am not sure what we are doing New Years Eve but we plan to go into the nearby quaint town here which isn't a long drive, I am weighing in the morning of! lol We have a few more days until then.

Girls , I also want to begin exercising again and carry it through to "begin getting fit and stronger" too! I love that and yes! Let's do it!

Wishing us all a good day. Going to head out a bit and then make the baked haddock tonight.

Hi again, I had not mentioned my plan and wanted to come in and share some of my background with my recent journey.

I decided to stay put, it is pouring out but glad it's not snow!

I started the South Beach plan on Monday Nov. 14 and DH is also doing it, we were eating a lot of takeout and a lot of heavy foods and both started not feeling well. We have been strict with the food schedule until this past week with the holiday and gatherings. Christmas even and Christmas day went well and I passed up a lot of temptations and also had my share of indulgences, particularly on Mon. night and Tuesday. I am back OP as of yesterday and it feels good after those indulgences and tummy aches! lol

Thus far, I had lost 17.3 pounds prior to Christmas check in, hoping to have maintained that during this past week by Dec. 31 but will know more that day. I live near the NH border and we can get some cold weather and snow in January and February as well as get housebound if it's a bad winter. The goal is to stay OP, the South Beach has been working great for us in that we really are enjoying some delicious Op meals and it certainly can be a lifestyle, (which is what I aiming to make it) I find it suits my tastes and I am very happy with it.

Whatever plan you are all on or lifestyle etc. wishing you all a happy and successful day.

Thanks for creating the thread, Weekend Boater. This sounds fantastic!

My goal:

I would like to lose 20 lbs by March 20, 2017 (first day of spring). That will bring me down to 168, which is near my lowest weight since I was approx. 14 years old!

My plan:

Continue with the healthy eating habits taught to me when I was on a regimented diet plan last new year, as well as purchase a gym membership and go to the gym frequently.

My workout strategy for the month of January is 45 minutes of cardio at the gym, every single day. There's a girl I work with that will be meeting me at the same gym each morning to do the workouts.

Good luck everyone! :carrot:

Rusty Hi, I am so glad! :) Welcome as well to our spring challenge :welcome2: So glad you gals are here! I am excited, I really am! Rusty, that sounds excellent! Me too, I decided to shoot for 20 by March 20th! I was looking at the calendar again and we have a whole 11 weeks! :carrot:

What a great plan! You go girl! :) That is so nice that you have a girl at work that is going with you too!

Oh my gosh, it's already dark out! I want to find a good movie tonight! I hope you all have a great night

:broc:Hello everyone. I would like to join this challenge. I am going to cut the amount of calories I eat every day and keep counting. Good luck to everyone.:carrot:

I will join in, as well. :wave: I just came back to 3FC day before yesterday after realizing that I am dangerously close to hitting 300 lbs...so, starting a challenge sounds like a good way to get myself going again! Might as well jump in right away before I put coming back here out of sight and out of mind again.

I think I'm going to set my goals as:

1. Getting back into the habit of noticing what I eat and tracking it.
2. Drinking more water -- or even mostly/only water, if I can manage it.
3. Starting to do some kind of exercise again.
4. And, the main goal being to hit 270 lbs, so to lose 27 lbs by March 20th.

Good luck, everyone!

Hello All! Thanks Weekend Boater for making this thread. I would love to join the challenge. My goal is to lose 25lbs total but I would love to hit the 20lb mark by March 20th also. My approach will be to eat less and move more. Track my eating and make better food choices. Hopefully, the siren song of the sugary products in my kitchen will fade away!

Thank you for starting this challenge, just what I've been looking for!!

I'm aiming to lose 28lbs during the challenge. That sounds like a lot but my situation is this:
June 2015- Easter 2016: Lost 79lbs
Easter - Christmas: Regained 52lbs (Long story I won't bore you with)

End of May 2017 will be in Germany for the opera, really want to have lost the regained 52lbs + 1 more by then, so I divided the 53 by the 21 weeks to go to that, multiplied it by the 11 weeks of the challenge = 27.76lb.

Good luck, everyone :carrot:

I am in!

Plan:
1500 cals - only veg/fruit carbs moderate protein full good fats
10k steps on new Fitbit!
Yoga and strength daily

Goals:
16 pounds down will get me to under 150 lbs
Get resting heart rate lower (reason I got this Fitbit)
Get more flexible and strong!

Where is my ticker

Ooooooh there it is!

Good morning ladies and Happy Friday :) hope everyone had a great night last night. Nice to wake up to the sunshine today, there is soft powdery snow on the ground but it looks pretty! As long as it doesn't impede my getting out, I don't mind!

Muse17, Opheliapheonix, HoneyBadger, Rosinante, and Kris2008 :welcome2: Welcome aboard to our, all of our, Spring Challenge! The goals look great, looking forward to our new year:carrot:

Good Morning Ladies, and I'd love to join the challenge! Lots going on in the spring so I'd like to lose 20 or more pounds by then and lower my blood pressure. I need to re-commit to a very low carb lifestyle, as that's the only thing that has worked for me in the past. Also, I need to exercise some every day and drink a lot more water. Good luck to us all!

Nutrition Plan: Protein, Protein, vegetables and healthy fat!

Andi

Webwoman :welcome2: I have a lot going on in the spring too and want to be stronger. Regarding the carbs, same with me! Nice to meet you Andi :) I love that pic! Is that a hamster? It resembles a chipmunk, an adorable pic!

I am logging to get my tail outdoors a bit ladies, I will check in before then but Happy New Year from now to all of you! Health , happiness, and success to us in the New Year!

Oh Hello Weekend :D

I'm in!!

My challenge will be to measure in size 26.5" thighs and 13.5" arms by the end of this Spring Challenge.

Just now My thighs are 27.5 and arms are 14.5.

So I need to lose 1 full inch off each leg and each arm by spring. I will do that by upping my squats and weights for the first 11 weeks of 2017 in order to tone and shape my body :D.

I do use Palmers coco butter firming lotion once a day to help add hydration to my skin on these areas specifically.

So fingers crossed :D

I'm glad I found this. I lost my support group when I moved, I also gained about 40 pounds and need to get back on track. My goals are to lose 20 pounds by spring, eat meals at the table instead of eating at the counter while I do dishes or go through the mail, I will give up sugar and all dairy (I am lastose intolerant), and exercise at least 30 minutes per day six day per week. Good luck to you all and I can't wait to see your success.

Kay, Scotsgal, and HazelH :welcome2:

Kay thanks for reminding me to be sure and start logging in my journal daily again! It really helps me, I already got my 2017 planner ready to go! : )

Scotsgal hi you! :) That palmers coco butter is good stuff! I remember using that at one point. I have been using the Vaseline intensive care, my skin gets dry this time of year. You know what I found to be really good? Hawaiin Tropic oil! I use it in summer, I actually thought about dousing myself now for the effects but I don't because I don't want to get it on my kitties..well and on other stuff! lol Wishing you a great night tonight.

Hazel Thank you! I can't wait to see your successes too, it is exciting. I stopped drinking milk, it really does not agree with me now.

Sundove Thinking of you! I hope you have a wonderful time at the party tonight! Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year! Are you getting decked out? smile....

A big hello to all of you and whatever you do this evening and tomorrow wishing you all a great night and Happy New Year!

From this Monday, we have exactly 11 weeks which brings us right to spring on Monday March 20th. Getting mentally prepared with my goals. Oh , I wanted to mention as well that if any of you see this challenge after Monday or anytime thereafter, please do not feel it is too late to join. It is never to late to join!

Hello count me in!!!
 

My goal is to be 168 lbs by March 20th, 2017. This would be a loss of 22 lbs total from my current 190lbs. Lets do it!!!!

BslopeO :welcome2: to our Spring Challenge! Yes, let's do it! :) Sounds great! :carrot: Happy New Year!

Hi Girls. I'm so happy to have found this group! I've been looking for a bunch of strong women in the same boat as me. This journey has been long and hard, so the support and camaraderie will be much appreciated.
My goals for 2017 are....
1. Lose weight. I don't like what I see in the mirror and want to change that. I don't have grand expectations, but I want to be comfortable in my own skin (not to mention my clothes) and I want to feel better about myself.
2. Eat healthy. I want to lower my cholesterol and triglycerides. I want to get sick less often, breathe more easily, and be alive a long, long time.
3. Have more energy. I have 4 children and want to be able to keep up with them. I want to be more active and not get tired so easily.
Here's to us and a lighter 2017!!

Hi everyone! I'd like to join. My baby is 6 weeks old, will be 7 weeks on the 2nd, so it's time to get started again.
My goals for the next 11 weeks are:
-Lose 15 lbs.
-Track my water intake. I do pretty well, but want to track it to encourage myself to drink more.
-Track calories.
-Exercise- 1-3 x/week to start off.

GrannyPutt and ClweverName :welcome2:

I am loving all of our goals here for our New Year and New us!

I hope you are all having a fabulous night! I went out last night with DH (dear husband) and it was really nice! He did offer to take me out again but I passed! It was really nice to just hang in tonight, we got a crank call from my brother and boy he got me started! LOL We called a few friends, and not sure what they thought, but it was fun! It's all my brothers fault! LOL :)

I am getting so geared up for our journey and look forward to it! I had started exercising but after attaining a sprain (and yes I feel a psychological block as well) I stopped! One of my major goals, in addition to eating OP (on plan) is to put formal exercise in place. I will join the January exercise challenge again and I highly recommend it, just be sure to make your goals attainable. It is a super incentive, so here we go ladies!

My goal is to start Jan. 2! Although I am Op now minus the new years libations, I am planning the exercise for jan 2! I could be slow tomorrow and it's just not a feasible day to start for me, I know myself well!

I am wishing you all a very healthy and happy New Years Eve!

Good morning everyone and Happy New Year! :)

Hope you are all well and have a great day. I made a batch of h.b eggs and need to make my snack packs today. I make eggs, celery sticks with w.w cream cheese, and sliced cucumber and put them serving sizes in ziplock baggies and have them in the fridge. I also bag grape tomatoes. My goal has been to never let those run out! I also slice some grilled chicken and put them in the bags. DH grabs the eggs for breakfast and some baggies for work and of course they are so helpful here at home.

I also need to plan my meal menu for the next 2-3 days in advance and have the ingredients on hand, it really helps me so much. Aside from this, I am itching for those delicious cappuccino's at this cool café in a nearby town, if they are open!

I will check back soon ladies, whatever you do have a fun and happy day

My goal will be to lose 12 pounds by spring.
That will put me at 125 on my scale (which is kinder to me than the one at the doctor's office).

Jan 1: 137

My goal is to lose 12 pounds by March 20. (25.6 BMI) That is 11 weeks from today. So, about a pound a week/ 500 calorie deficit per day. Totally doable! My plan is a combination of alcohol and calorie reduction. We now eat mostly proteins, yogurt, veggies, nuts, and fruits. Exercise plan is to average of 5 hours a week.

Good luck all !!!!
Start January 1, 2017 152.4
January 31 Goal - 148 Met ? NO!!! Wahhh. 149.4 arrrggggg
February 28 Goal - 144 Met ? ..2/15 146.6..might make it
March 20 Goal 140 Met ?

I weighed myself this morning. :no: We are going out to an Italian restaurant tonight for a family party.... a little scary. My goal is to lose 20-25 by Spring. Here we go!

I like these challenges. Great for accountability!

I'll be finishing week 5 of Medifast on Tuesday (01/03), and I already lost 20 lbs since 11/30.

Mini goals are in my ticker, but let's say goal for this particular challenge will be 197 by March 20 (week 16). I haven't been below 200 for at least 5 years, so that would be a BIG victory for me.

Here's to all of us losing weight and being healthier by SPRING!

Hi ladies, hope your day is going well.

Tabbycat, Nightowlrn, and TWINCA :welcome2:
and Happy New Year!

Grannyputtputt I hope you have a nice time with your family at the Italian restaurant.

Today I focused on meal planning and planning in general, I am tired now but I am happy that I did what I had to do! I put top priority on having my meals planned and having the ingredients so I went to the grocery store and got the stuff. It was nice and quiet, walked around another store a bit as I had some returns. I have my meals planned for the next 3 days.

So tonight for me ladies, the menu is roast chicken and broccoli. The next 2 nights will consist of extra lean beef night and brunch night.

I plan to exercise tomorrow! DH helped me set up the equipment in the basement...the treadmill is just so heavy and instead of having him bring it up I decided to do it down there! It's not the most pleasant environment but I have to start and am fortunate to have the stuff, I always loved my treadmill. I am thinking to make a collage of sorts, maybe with a pic of a beach on it and some other inspirational things so I can stare at that when I walk instead of the cement wall and oil cans, lol :)

Hope you all have a great night.

TWINCA congratulations on your 20 lb. loss! :cheer2::cheer2: That is awesome! :) I remember looking up the medifast once, glad to hear it is working so well. Congrats on the 5 wks. on program :carrot:

Weekend - Do you have wireless and an Ipad? How about music to play loud and proud? So you can listen to or watch something while you treadmill? There is NO WAY I could do that without some sort of distraction

Roast chicken is our favorite! I don't know why people buy those chickens roasted in the store when it is so easy and so much better for you (nothing injected!) done at home. After dinner, I pop what is left - bones and all - in water and simmer for a few hours with an onion, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper. Then drain and save the broth and pick off all the meat and put that in the broth. Chop some carrots, celery, onion, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, maybe wild rice if I feel like it and simmer again until done. YUM and hardly any calories.

Hey all! I'd love to join in! I'm going for (Hopefully) 2 lbs per week so that would be 22lbs down in 11 weeks!

Main goals are 1. weight loss (22 lbs) 2. Drink 1 Gal of water every day and 3. walk 3 miles per day (tracked on my fitbit) Lets do this!!

Hi ladies, good morning! : ) It's the official day from today for our 11 weeks until spring. Wishing us all a great new day. Cntrygrl :welcome2:

I am ready for today. I try and just take things one day at a time (though I plan my meals 2-3 nights in advance) in the sense of putting all of my energy and focus into that day! It has been working for me, sometimes if I think too far in advance I get overwhelmed so It's now going to be to focus on having a good OP day today.

I also don't weigh myself like I used to in the past (I did monitor more closely over the holidays) because it just worked against me. That's just me of course, works great for some people. It helps my DH. It's really been working out so far but I need to remind myself now that the holidays are over I just focus on each day again and not go on scale.....I know the plan works for me so I don't need to guage so closely right now.

I put a star on the calendar for every day and change the colors every week.

Nightowl I am one of those people! lol :) I used to cook chickens in the oven a lot in the past but love the chickens they cook on the rotisserie at Market basket. They don't inject them with anything at all and only rub some spices on the skin, which I don't eat. They are small and cooked well and DH and I love them! Your chicken and soup of course sound delicious and it makes me think of the chicken vegetable soup ma used to make for me when I was growing up, she still makes it! :)

Regarding the treadmill, thanks for the idea!! :) I really appreciate it, somehow I did not even think to bring my radio down there! That will definitely help. Hope you have a great day.

GOAL for today- EXERCISE! Drink plenty of water tonight and follow my meal plan.

HOpe you all have a great day ladies and I look forward to hearing how your plans are going and sharing ideas and tips, I have learned a lot from the ladies here and we get ideas from each other......:dust: for us all today and our first new day of our first week!

Hi Ladies!

I'm in need of some serious accountability and motivation so i hope you don't mind me joining in.I'm hoping to lose 12lbs at the end of the 11 weeks and land at 135 lbs. Exercising isn't a problem for me as I do it 6x/week. It's eating that's my problem (just had doughnuts at chips and it's barely 8am). I'm slowly trying to clean up my diet and hopefully everything will fall into place. Have a great day ladies!

chub No of course not, the more the merrier! :welcome2: congrats on your exercising, I think that is fantastic! Hope you have a great day too!


As for me ladies, I did that planned workout! Happy! It really felt good. As I already had my meal plan in place, I put the highest priority on doing exercise today.
The dishes and everything else I have to do was put on the backburner and with that being said, I hear the sink calling my name! lol

A big hello to everyone and don't forget girls, it's never too late to join in.

Weekend Boater,
How about creating a dream board for yourself? You could put it up on the wall in front of your treadmill. That way you look at your dreams and goals while you work out.

Night Owl,
Thanks for the great idea with the roasted chicken!

The family dinner at the Italian restaurant was lovely, but as I feared, I ate too much. But that's okay, I'm already working it off. Another one of my resolutions this year is to stop feeling guilty all the time. I look to please others way too much. I need to stop caring what others think more than I care what I think.

GrannyPuttPutt A dreamboard! I love it! Thanks so much for that cool idea :hug: I actually just called DH to see if we had a big memo board over there. I can put pics (miss the old camera's when everything was printed out) and magazine clips, etc. It will be a great fun little project too and I can add things.....ty again! :hug:

I am glad that you had a nice time at the Italian place and that today your getting off to a good start. Not feeling guilty is also a goal of mine this journey. It just never did me any good, takes a lot of energy and made it so difficult for me to put my energy and focus into my goals (in regards to foodwise and in general). Hope you have a great day and thanks again! :)

Winter planning
 

I'm a North Dakota girl and we are currently experiencing our third major blizzard of the year and have a crazy a amount of snow. I live in the middle of nowhere and my roads are blown shut for the third day. But I planned ahead and have the fridge stocked with fruits and veggies. The freezers are full of homegrown meat and I still have electricity. Last week we were out of electricity for not quit two days. This craziness at least allows me plenty of time to focus on clean eating and working out. Maybe I will order some snow shoes and go on an outdoor adventure....that is if UPS can ever get here to deliver them!! Haha!