A Rewarding Challenge
 

Hello! :wave:

This thread is a new challenge that will start on December 1 and end on December 29. Anyone is welcome to join. Everybody on the challenge threads supports one another, and together we will succeed! :D

***
THE DETAILS

Put simply, in this challenge you will set goals for yourself, and then reward yourself for meeting those goals. We'll use a point system to keep track of our progress, but... this challenge is not a competition among members! It's about personal accountability, not earning more points than another person. :strong:

Step One: Choose three rewards. Let one of the rewards be small, one medium, and one big.

Step Two: Set an overall major goal that you would like to accomplish at the end of the four weeks. Make the major goal something that really would be a challenge.

Step Three: At the beginning of each week, set three goals for that week.

Step Four: At the end of each week, award yourself one point for each goal that you met.

Step Five: At the end of the challenge, add up all your points.

Step Six: Reward yourself!

If you earn at least four points, you will earn your small reward. :D

If you earn at least eight points, you will earn both your small and medium rewards. :carrot:

If you earn twelve points...
OR if you earn at least eight points AND meet your overall major goal that you set for yourself for the month...
you will earn all your rewards. :balloons:

***

If you join us after December 1, PM me and I'll do the math to see how many points you'll need to make your various goals.

I'll post an example. Anybody who has questions, PM me. It would be easier if each of you could keep track of your own points, but if you want, you can PM me at the end of each week and I'll keep track for you.

:goodluck:

An example based on my goals...


Step One:

Small reward -- Pedicure
Medium reward -- A nice new suit
Big Reward -- A new bike


Step Two:

Overall major goal -- Lose six pounds. Extremely challenging for me!


Step Three:

Three goals for the week starting December 1:
1. Drink four glasses of water per day.
2. Exercise four times.
3. Eat twenty-four servings of fruits/vegetables.


On December 7, I would award myself a point for each goal that I met. On December 8, I would start over with another list of three goals. I would do the same for December 15 and 22. On December 29, I would add up my points and reward myself.

Wishing success to all of us!

Step One:

Small reward -- New Book
Medium reward -- Pair of good joggers
Big Reward -- Exersize equipment


Step Two:

Overall major goal -- Lose six pounds. If I do that I will be at a new record.


Step Three:

Three goals for the week starting December 1:
1. Do 10 pushups and 30 crunches every second day.
2. Exercise Daily 30 mins.
3. Eat vegetarian/fish 6 days a week. Meat one day or less per week.


There are my goals.

Count me in! :D

Step One:

Small reward -- Try out a new NIA/Belly Dancing Class
Medium reward --Mix CD from a friend/other low-cost, high value gift
Big Reward -- Take a day off of work JUST FOR ME!


Step Two:

Overall major goal -- Lose 10 pounds.


Step Three:

Three goals for the week starting December 1:
1. Get more sleep.
2. Exercise every day and weight train at least 3 times this week.
3. Eat enough calories (stop restricting so much) and focus on getting more protein!

This sounds fun!

My rewards:

Small= a new sewing pattern
Medium= one of those nifty banana hangers
Large= a new book

My overall goal:

Lose 5 lbs and firmly establish a new healthy habit

Week 1 goals:

1. Log all meals and snacks on paper
2. Include some protein with all meals and snacks
3. No snacks after 9pm, unless it's fruits and/or vegetables

Step One:
Small reward -- Hair Cut
Medium reward -- Step (for step aerobics)
Big Reward -- Sirius radio receiver (granted I don't get one for Xmas :lol: )


Step Two:
Overall major goal -- Lose around 5 pounds/make it to or below 210 (I'm around 214.? right now)

Step Three:
Three goals for the week starting December 1:
1. Eat ONLY 1500-1600 calories per day.
2. Exercise 45+ minutes per session, 5 times per week.
3. Eat 1 fruit and 2 vegetables each day.

Welcome, Yogini and Forestdawn!

Betani and Elisha, good to see youse here. :D

Step One:

Small reward -- New sports bra
Medium reward -- New workout DVDs (dancing, maybe?)
Big Reward -- New pair of pants for my new job


Step Two:

Overall major goal -- Start and **maintain** a regular workin-out routine.


Step Three:

Three goals for the week starting December 1:
1. Pilates 5 out of 7 days.
2. Research/begin a weight training at home regimen.
3. Journal all of my food for 6 of 7 days.

PhysDom, Yogini, Forestdawn... :welcome2:

PhysDom-- creating and maintaining an exercise routine was my goal last month. It can be done!! I still struggle with the weekends, but that's another habit ;)

Elisha-- I'd love a step someday, but I'm afraid it would be uber-noisy in my upstairs apartment.

Yogini-- I'm with you at not being good at rewarding myself. Even if I stay on track, I feel like I was supposed to all along and don't deserve a reward for it. Money's tight for me too. $6 for a new paperback is a major reward for me!

Forestdawn-- A good pair of shoes can make all the difference. If I hadn't invested in a decent pair of cross-trainers, I wouldn't have been able to get myself to exercise at all!

TBJ-- Hey, are we allowed to repeat a goal multiple weeks? Since I want to make paper food logging my habit for the month, I'd like to make that goal a constant. I'll change the other two each week, though.

Yogini-
An idea: I happen to love mix CDs. So maybe one of your rewards would be getting someone to make and send you a CD? It means work for someone else, but I can't imagine that people would mind. If I still have computer CD/burner access when you reach your goals, remind me, and I'll make you one.
Emily.

I've definetly going to join. I need to think first. One thing at a time LOL

~Rosie~

Thanks for the welcome :) It's day one for me as I'm from Australia. I kept telling myself yesterday I wasn't going to splurge this time but after dinner I weakened and had some chocolate... oh well I'm fully motivated today! I've just been for a 10 min jog/walk So that's not a bad start to the day. With luck I'll have a perfect day today.

Good luck all

Dawn

Step One:

Small reward -- New Shoes
Medium reward -- New Pants and Shirt
Big Reward -- A new bike


Step Two:

Overall major goal -- Lose 10 pounds


Step Three:

Three goals for the week starting December 1:
1. Drink 8 glasses of water per day.
2. Exercise four times.
3. Check and post on this board for support when I am being tempted.

Those small goals may not seem like alot (the support) but, I really have a hard time accepting help and support from others. It is something I need to over come to do this.

Welcome, Mom2-Gillian-n-Alexan! Can we shorten your name when we respond to you? :) And your pictures are so cute! Congratulations on your weight loss so far.

All right Dawn, you're the first person up and running... Literally, since you've been jogging. :p

Emily, that was really nice of you to offer to make someone a mix CD. :) Welcome to the group.

Sure, Betani, you can repeat goals. You can repeat as many of them as often as you want. That would be a good way of forming a habit... and I've heard that it takes 28 days to form a habit, so this challenge would be perfect for that.

***

OK, recently, my eating habits have been poor as far as fruits and veggies are concerned. One of my goals for the first week is to eat more produce. Four servings a day will beat my goal.

Here's to a good start tomorrow. :D

Thanks for the warm welcome! Yeah, my name is Cristi, I will add that to my siggy soon hehe

Hi :wave: Don't start without me... I'm here.

Step One:
Small reward -- go to the pool for a steam bath
Medium reward -- new exercise dvd (or) new Santana cd
Big Reward -- Christmas outfit
Step Two:
Overall major goal: Lose TEN pounds.
Step Three:
Three goals for the week starting December 1:
1. Get to be by 10pm.
2. Exercise five times.
3. Stay under 1500 calories.
TOTAL Points to date
December 7:
December 14:
December 21:
December 29:

Morning chicks!

:welcome: to Cristi, Dawn, Emily, and Yogini! It's so nice to have you with us! Always love getting new people in our little group!

OK, well, I'm just going to jump right in here!
Today, I feel mentally better, but my body feels not so great. I think I'm getting sick. I hope I'm not getting what my mom had... she was sick as a dog for 2 whole weeks! I don't get sick very often, and when I do it's usually not that bad, but if I'm not feeling better by this afternoon, I'm heading home to curl up under my electric blanket with a cup of hot tea!

I did get in my 30 minutes of Yourself!Fitness last night, even though I *really* didn't want to. I also reset my workout schedule so all of my workouts are 45 minutes. Tonight will be 45 minutes, then tomorrow is my scheduled day off.
If I have time today I am going to make out a calendar and count up all my exercise minutes for the month and incorporate that into my monthy goals. I was doing so very well with exercise the entire month of November, then there at the end I felt myself starting to slip. I WILL NOT let that happen! I've made so much progress in that area and I am NOT going to backtrack! Period.

I didn't weigh this morning. Mostly because food was terrible yesterday, about 1900 calories terrible, and it was all junk. I just could not stop eating. I got hit by the urge to eat something crunchy... there's this big jar of pretzels in our office, and I made about a zillion trips over there, getting only a couple at a time, telling myself that this was my last one. Then I go home... I was half right... Mom didn't get anything out for dinner. I started to make myself a turkey burger and she come into the kitchen and asks if we can cook dinner together. Yeah, ok. Cooking dinner together entails her watching me and maybe getting out the can opener or a spoon or something while I cook. She wants to make chicken enchiladas. Enchiladas take a while to make, and I was hungry before I got home, so she mixes up some salsa con quesa and we have some tortilla chips while we're cooking. Luckily there wasn't much cheese, so it could have been worse.
But it was ok. I didn't finish my enchiladas. We also made some veggies to go with them, so that was good too.

Anyway, ramble ramble ramble...

So I got in my required 30 minutes of exercise, but I still didn't get enough sleep.

Today... eh. Calories should be ok. I planned for the crunchy craving and brough some reduced-fat whole grain Triscuits and a slice of FF cheese. Lunch is roast turkey and veggies (frozen dinner, of course of course).

Oh, and I finally paid some bills and balanced my checkbook, and I have more money than I thought I did, so I may be able to get a couple things at the store, namely fruit. Or I may just have Steve pick some things up for me. Mmm... I want a big crunchy apple. And some tomatoes and cucumbers. Yum.

OK, more rambling. I need to be doing work. Have a good day, chicks!
~Elisha

Not off to a very good start today. Started my workout, but had to quit half way through because of bad side and stomach cramps. Then had to drop everything to get to work in time when I found out it was snowing. Got to work to find everyone unloading extra Christmas cookies in our department. (People must think we don't eat or something...)

Anyway, I did at least get 15 minutes of my workout DVD done, and I logged my breakfast so far, and all I had when I got to work was a cup of decaf with a little bit of creamer. I'm about to go have my morning snack of a grapefruit, a handful of almonds, and a bottle of water.

I hope to be back later for comments. I've had a meeting that lasted longer than I'd thought, so I've got a lot of catch-up work to do!

Today has been okay, I actually had a bowl of cereal for bfast this morning, I think that may be one of my future goals, I dont eat well in the mornings, then in the eves I totally make up for it. So far I have had about half a 32 oz cup of water. YAY!

I was going to go for a walk today, but well 7 inches of that white cold crap in my driveway makes that impossible. I will do my Walk away the pounds dvd when the kids nap.

Ooo, I have a giant buise on my arm! Jujitsu class last night. I flopped around the floor again when doing matwork. But I dug the joint locks. Thus the bruise. :)

So far today I've had one glass of water and one class of fruit juice. If it's hot right now, I might go swimming. Plus I should practice some rolls, at least a little.

***

Julie -- Here's a tazer to make you go to the doctor: TAZE!!! Thanks for the compliments on jujitsu. :) I can't see myself flipping gracefully yet, but I sure can see myself flopping around like a snake trying to stand up... just like what happened last night! :lol: I'm taking my bike into the shop today. My plan is to bike on the four days of the week that I don't do jujitsu.

MsRD -- Don't worry about December. Do the best you can. :)

Joy -- Welcome! Glad you made it here! Ooo, steam bath, that sounds relaxing.

Elisha -- Ooo, the calendar sounds interesting. Mind if I copy your idea?

Betani -- Christmas cookies... maybe they'll be the bad dry kind instead of the good gooey kind? One can always hope... :D

Cristi -- Sounds like you have a good start to your day.

***

Last night I was high on endorphins with the pain from class. So I went to the grocery store to do my shopping for this weeks challenge, and I bought fruits and veggies. But people were staring at me in the store.

Picture this: A woman with many tattoos walks into the store, and she's wearing all black. Her shirt advertises a tattoo shop in Minnesota. She's covered in sweat, and she doesn't smell particularly like roses. She has a big red blotch halfway up the forearm. And she looks a little high.

:lol3:

Anyway, I went home bone-tired and slept for a good nine hours.

Happy day to you all!

Well yesterday was ok. I did my 30 mins of exersize and ate vegetarian. I did eat too much but at least it's a start. I put of my crunches so today I made sure I've done them. Haven't been for a walk/jog yet as it's raining but will see if I can't fit that in later.




Cristi - My what beautiful children you have :)

Miss Elisha - Hope your feeling better today, so hard to diet when you're sick, although you don't feel as hungry.


Betini - How did the rest of your day go? Getting 15 mins of workout video done is much better then none.

Originally Posted by PhysDom:
Yogini-
An idea: I happen to love mix CDs. So maybe one of your rewards would be getting someone to make and send you a CD? It means work for someone else, but I can't imagine that people would mind. If I still have computer CD/burner access when you reach your goals, remind me, and I'll make you one.
Emily.

Emily, you know...that is a GREAT idea and VERY sweet of you to offer! If you are able to do it when the time comes, that would be cool! If not, the offer warmed my heart all the same :hug:

Betani, I relate! A $6 book is a big reward at this point to me too! I am working on getting better about taking time for and pampering myself. I am working through feeling the same as you describe...that I SHOULD be doing the best I can ANYWAY so a "reward" isn't necessary...BUT I'M WRONG! We all deserve rewards! I'm going to fill in the reward blanks with nice and nurturing (health-related) things that won't cost lots of $$$ right now :)

STEP ONE:
Small reward: earrings
Medium reward: tanita body scale
Big reward: hair straightening

STEP TWO:
Goal: 7 lbs lost

STEP THREE:
Week one goal:
1. exercise 5 times this week
2. walk dog twice this week
3. keep track of calorie intake

Hello All!

I just finished a long beautiful post, only to have it blasted out into the outer limits of cyberspace......this is getting to be an irritating habit!

But I'm here, and ready for this challenge.
Small reward - earrings
medium reward - new shoes
large reward - new outfit

Major goal - down 5lbs by month end..
Goals for week 1:
1. calories under 1600 every day
2. 180 minutes of exercise per week
3. journal every day

TBJ.....thank you for setting this challenge up for us! I was dreading trying to stay OP this holiday season, and this really makes it fun!

Dawn....Welcome! You are off to a good start already....wow!

Yogini....It is so important to take care of ourselves, and a little pampering never hurt either....even if it is a cup of tea and 15 minutes to ourselves.

betani....This Christmas cookies have started already? My dear coworker brought in cheesecake this AM, but mercifully cut it in very very small pieces so we could enjoy with only minimum guilt

elisha....hope you are feeling better, chickie! This is not the time of year to get sick! do you take any vitamins?

Emily....Welcome! It is so good to see new faces!

Rosie....you are all checked in...have you got your goals set?

Cristi....You children are beautiful! Don't apologize for 'small goals' because those are the ones that make the big goals happen!

Joy....We are both down for a new outfit at the end of this challenge! You and I will be stylin!

Honey....so glad you are here! And, by the way, what is a tanita body scale?

Christmas is less than 3 weeks away (we are celebrating dec 18)....so I better go take the turkeys and jack o lanterns off the fireplace mantel!

P$$$ poor start
 

Hi everybody :wave:

I'm so proud of your efforts WTG

.... me .........I'm off to a P$$$ poor start GRRR... Got 3/4 through a giant cinnamon bun with cream cheese icing for breakfast before I remembered I was going to be counting calories starting again today

Tomorrow will be better. :halffull:

Hi guys

Mind another member!

I might have to think mine out
lets see!

Small reward: ?
Medium Reward: New joggers (properly fitting!)
Big Reward: ?? i really want a proper gym rowing machine, but cannot afford it? maybe being able to put some money away for one?
Biggest reward (reaching my fitness/weight goals!): being able to proceed my application for a job, that requires a strict fitness guidline......... this is my ultimate goal that i must keep in my mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN DO IT!!!!!!
?
Big goal : get to 182 pounds (5 pounds off) AND maintain a fitness reguime!

This weeks goals:
1 - 2 cardio workouts, 1 weights workouts ( cardio 1 done!!, weights 1 done!))
2 - calories between 1700-1900 (lately i have been going too low)
3 - drink 4 glasses of water each day!

I am running short of time. i will be back to complete the rewards after i think about it (for a person who is happy with what she has, and wanting for nothing , that is a challange!!!!!!!!)

Sonja

Fun, I wanna join too!
 

Step One:

Small reward -- Magazine subscription
Medium reward -- A new outfit
Big Reward -- A personal trainer


Step Two:

Overall major goal -- Lose 5 pounds. Gain 2lbs muscle


Step Three:

Three goals for the week starting December 1:
1. Drink four bottles of water per day.
2. Cardio four times. Weights 3 times
3. Eat clean-no "treats"

A day late...
 

but here none the less!
Hi everyone! You don't think you could have dumped me that fast, do you???? LOL!

I need to get with the program. As usual, it has been a super busy week for me...end of month which means the always dreaded extra work brought home and then work is busier than usual with Christmas right around the corner! Last night...we went to visitation of a friend of ours who just passed away. Tonight, there's more socializing and out! It's just crazy, I tell you...

BUT...I am holding my own and NOT giving up! I have been logging all my food since Sunday, and Ihave stayed between 1000-1500 every day!!!! (I peeked and got on the scale...I'm back down to 177 which is now my starting point thankfully) Wooo HOOO!

So...Here's my goals for this challenge!

Step One:
Small reward -- some scrapbooking supplies
Medium reward -- new exercise dvd (something for the bike...any ideas?)
Big Reward -- Manicure & Pedicure

Step Two:
Overall major goal: Lose TEN pounds (this is HUGE for me!)

Step Three:
Three goals for the week starting December 1:
1. E-bike 30 minutes 3 times a week and 40 minutes once.
2. Pack my lunches & plan my dinners the night before.
3. Journal every bite & Stay under 1500 calories.

TOTAL Points to date (You'll have to refresh me as to how this works)
December 7:
December 14:
December 21:
December 29:

Welcome!
 

A big welcome to all the "new" faces that we have not seen before on this challenge board! It's great to have new "blood"! I'll get back to comment sometime this weekend...I promise!

Rewarding Challenge Newbie
 

Hey everyone! I am new to this board but would love to participate with this challenge!

Step One-
Sm Reward- girls night movie, no boys!
Med Reward- Refill's for my Scrapbooks
Large Reward- New Perfume

Step Two-

Overall goal- Get up with my Husband in the morning and work out before the girls get up! I have never been a morning person! He keeps telling me how wonderful and peaceful the mornings are!

Step Three-
3 goals for the week-
1. Work out 5 of 7 days, days off will be when Payton has to be to school early
2. Journel food everyday and only one Diet Pepsi, if even any
3. No eating after 7:30pm

So far this is working for me! We have been blanketed by snow, so today's cardio will be sledding with the girls! I think that I will have more fun! :dance:

Ok, here's the deal:
I decided to join 3 challenges in one day!!

I have barely even started and I realize that I can't have poor results in all three right away and still feel good.

So I'm dropping this one for the 21-day Challenge (it lets me start over, a bit more forgiving!) and a Dec. Challenge on the 20-somethings forum that counts minutes of exercise during the month (so that I still have plenty of time to catch up!)

I've been focusing so hard on eating, I don't know that I can manage this all, too!

But expect me to be back for the next one, oh yes...

The First In Review
 

I weighed in at 154 in the morning, so that makes my goal for the month to get down to 149, which is where I was at before I started gaining weight again.

Food Intake:
Breakfast= oatmeal, skim milk, black tea, water
AM Snack= grapefruit, almonds, water
Lunch= mixed greens salad, low-fat string cheese stick, kiwifruit, 1 girl scout cookie, green tea
PM Snack= apple, 2 bite-size reduced fat girl scout cookies, almonds, water
Dinner= pork chop, smashed potatoes
Nighttime Grazing= 2 bowls Kashi Go-Lean, reduced fat peanut butter sandwich, low-fat string cheese stick

Well, I didn't eat after 9, but I did graze too much in the evening. From 5-10pm is my worst time for mindless eating. I'm so tempted to try an over-the-counter appetite supressant. I've struggled with this for as long as I can remember.

I haven't been sleeping well for some reason the past week or so, and this morning it caught up with me. I called off sick today to recover. I slept 5 extra hours, and I'm feeling better already. Praise God for paid sick days and an understanding boss!

***

Yogini-- By chance, have you heard of Flylady.net? Joy told me about it a couple challanges ago, and it's really helped me not be so hard on myself. She helps develope a new habit each month, and this month's habit is learning how to pamper yourself. Flylady's not really about weight loss, but she's a queen about household sanity.

PhysDom-- Wow, 3 challanges at once is a lot to juggle! You're certainly welcome to visit us and get to know everyone, though!

malpay-- :welcome2: I was never a morning person either, but just for the heck of it I tried getting up way earlier to do my exercise DVD when no one could see me (I'm very self-concious). I was amazed how easy it is as long as I get to bed by 10pm. Now, from 5-7am is my most productive time of day!

Hikein-- End of month work. Ugh. For me, the Tuesday after the second Wednesday of each month is busiest. That's budget cut-off before the board meeting, and lots of stuff has to be done and ready to be paid off, because checks only get cut once a month. Great job staying in your calorie range!

Fitgal-- :welcome2: Gaining muscle is a great goal. I really need to focus on that, but that's a few baby steps away for me. :)

Sonja-- :welcome2: A reward doesn't have to be an object. You could treat yourself to a day trip somewhere you don't usually get to go, or go see a new show, or find a local class to learn a new hobby. You could really get creative with this. :)

Joy-- Don't worry about the cinnamon bun, and you don't have to wait until tomorrow. Remember, your next healthy meal is only 2 hours away!

MsRD-- Remember, the Clipboard is your friend. It's not easy, but if you get into the habit of highlighting and copying what you have every few minutes, you haven't lost much because it's still on your clipboard, and you can easily paste what you already have when you start over.

Honey-dipped--:welcome2: Ohh, I covet that scale. I've heard nothing but good reviews from people who have it. It's on my Christmas wish list.

Forestdawn-- The way I see it, eating too much on a veggie day isn't bad at all because the benefits from the healthier food outweigh the extra calories. The only way it could possibly be bad is if you don't exercise at all, or if it is a permanent habit.

TBJ-- I have to admit that I would be curious seeing you in a store without knowing you at all, but I've worked with the public long enough to know not to make assumptions. I admire you. I would love to take a class like that!

Christi-- :welcome2: Your children are beautiful! Leslie Sansone has been a life saver for me, but my body has gotten too used to her workouts, so I've changed DVDs for a while. I'm currently doing "Crunch Cardio Salsa" for a while, then I'll rotate to something else when my body gets too used to that. I miss exercising outside, but I work out so early that it's way too dark to see my watch, and I don't have any other kind of timer I can use. I'd walk forever if there wasn't anything to stop me!

How is everyone going on the challenge? I managed to get my exersize in yesterday. Ate vegetarian but had a little too much cheese with my baked potatoes. I'm feeling good, If not low enough calorie at least I'm eating super healthy so it's a start.

Hello, everybody.

The less-junk-food strategy did not work. I tried it for a month, but I gained two pounds. Most likely, I overate in order to compensate. Now I need to think of a different strategy. I am going to go back to calorie counting, because I know that works, and then think up another idea.

So, now I have 8 pounds to lose for my "big goal." Um, that's really a challenge... I might just have to settle for the weekly successes. Although I do like having a goal weight.

***
Malpay -- :welcome:

Julie -- WTG on logging your food! I get my bike back today, so I'm starting biking tomorrow. Maybe next week I'll have one of my goals be the bike training.

Fitgal -- :welcome:

Sonja -- :welcome: What kind of job are you hoping to get? Sounds like good motivation.

Joy -- At least you only went 3/4 of the way...

MsRD -- Hey, I'm going for a new outfit, too, even if that new outfit is a conservative suit. :)

Honey-Dipped -- :welcome:

***

Yesterday was fine. I ate my f/v, exercised for 25 minutes (practiced those darn jujitsu rolls...), and drank water.

Like I said, I'm going to have to go back to counting calories. But I'll wait for next week to make that a formal goal, even though I'm starting again today.

Waaaa! :( I wanted to hit the 30 lbs. lost mark today... *sniffle*

Anyway, happy weekend, everybody.

:) Hi to all you Challenging Chicks,

Welcome to Cristi. Real happy to have you join us.

I'm feeling a bit down today. Had my JC weigh in last night and had gained 1.1. So I'm back to my stinkin' thinkin'...I'm a failure etc. etc. ....

So I have to get that ole postive attitude going.
:sunny:

1. Wow! total loss 12.1 lbs.
2. I have a great smile
3. I am doing something about 'the weight problem"
4. I love myself for who I am right now.
5. I have started posting instead of isolating.

Thanks ...it's so great knowing I'm not alone.

So...yes I'm in the Dec Challenge.

Need to work out my goals and rewards.
I'll get to you all on the details.

Do know that keeping a food and exercise journal has to be part of it. I'm sure that is where I went wrong last week.

Thanks for being there.

Love ya,

Babs

Happy Friday!
We took our physical inventory at work on Wednesday and now are knee-deep in data entry. It is a mind-numbing venture, but once my eyes cross and my brain turns to oatmeal, I will be fine. :dizzy:

Joy...Those cinnamon rolls are soooo good. But I think you get a gold star for stopping halfway through!:)

Sonja....Welcome! Thinking of rewards was hard for me too! :headache: But I think they are important....some tangible something that reminds us of our success!

Fitgal....You have some great goals there! :high: what magazine are you hoping to subscribe to?

Julie....I wondered where you were..:?: ..maybe under a snowbank somewhere? Hooray for the good scales! Now you are on your way!

Malpay.....Mornings are wonderful, but only if I can linger a bit over a cup of tea and ease myself into the day.....I'm not the hit the ground running type of gal. ;)

PhysDom....Three challenges! Wow! You are really motivated! Stop by and visit anytime..:sunny:...you are always welcome!

TBJ....It is so frustrating to work hard and do positive things and not have it show up on the scale! Hang in there, chickie! :hug:

Babs....I loved your good positive attitude self talk! :) We all need to remind ourselves of everything wonderful about us and not just the areas that still need work.

So far, so good on the challenge.....calories have been under 1600 both days (less than 1200 today, though a healthy snack might be in order later on)....have journalled faithfully.....and I have 60/180 minutes of exercise going! Woohoo! I might have to stop by the jewelry store and do some window shopping for those earrings! :lol:

Hi

I am looking for a job in the police force, and here in oz, there is a killer fitness test to pass! and not to mention me being 30 and most who join are 18-23!! but i am determined!
Last year i kinda woke up and said "what the **** are you doing with your life! i was 280 pound and MORE! lazy , no motivation, no nothing!!!!!!
So i had a long hard think on what i want to do, i have 2 DD, so i have had the family and do not plan any more kids, now it is time to do something for me!!!!!!!
So here i am now! (i even updated my avator, photo taken today!)
my goals are getting to the point when they are no longer really about weight! (if i stayed where i was now for the rest of my life i would be happy!)
but i need to increase the fitness ! (any more i lose is icing on the cake, and i know with what fitness i need to do , i will get down to 170! i just am not focussing on it, turning my motivation to fitness means, that when i get to my goal weight i still have a focus, usually i will get to my goal and just go Cr*p what do i do now, then you have no more goals?? so my goals are going to turn to being fitness based!)
So i am still here, still joining in on the forum, i need accountability!!

Just still have to think up some rewards!
(my biggest goal is of being able to continue my application, without being concerned about passing the fitness test!!! and that is becoming my main focus! i don't crave material things! and i realise there are other goals, but really my lifestyle at the moment is a huge reward!! kayaking, being able to hit the beach without thinking of my weight!, so it is soooo hard to think of anything i want or want to do????) I have set my biggest goal date though!!!!!! end of march, is when i finalize my application!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hopefully to get into the next september intake.

Babs - try not to take it to heart you had a little gain! you are here, and you want to help yourself get healthier! stick with it, and make sure you journal! that has been my lifesaver, though DH looks at me strange when i write out all i eat!

Saturday MOrning
 

I just typed this REALLY HUGE POST and submitted it and this stupid computer tells me I am not logged in!!!! HOW CAN THAT BEEEEEEEEE???? I TYPED THE STUPID POST, SO I MUST HAVE BEEN LOGGED IN!!! I am soooo mad! I had comments for everyone...I just don't have time to retype it all, so know that I am thinking of all of you and going to do my biking today! Calories were wayy over yesterday with going out to dinner last night!
Hugs to all of you!!!!

Day Two in Review
 

After lots of extra sleep, I no longer feel like I've been run over by a truck. I still didn't feel like doing a whole workout DVD, so I did three 5-minute bouts of aerobics moves. minimal, I know, but at least I got moving.

Food intake:

Breakfast= oatmeal, 3 reduced fat Oreos, skim milk, bottle of water, black tea, coffee w/ 1T. eggnog creamer (yum!)

AM Snack= 2 slices whole wheat toast w/ reduced fat peanut butter, clementine, black tea

Lunch= bowl of Kashi GoLean, clementine, bottle of water

Unexpected hubby gift= mint Kit Kat

Dinner= Noodles Warsaw without the noodles (basically turkey sausage and coleslaw mix cooked together in an electric skillet with salt and pepper), diet RC

PM Grazing= 3 reduced fat Oreos, skim milk, coffee filter full of chips, reduced fat peanut butter sandwich, raisins, green tea, bottle of water

Hubby got excited because he'd never seen mint Kit Kats before. It wouldn't have been so bad if he hadn't gotten the Oreos too!

The snack curfew was kept again, much to my surprise. I take a bubble bath every night, and there must be some kind of psychological trigger that tells my stomach that, even though I'm very hungry, this is it. No more. Too bad it doesn't get rid of the hungry feeling, though.

***

Hikein-- When I used to post on Open Diary, that happened to me ALL THE TIME. I'd gotten to the point where I'd have to write my entry in Note Pad and paste it onto the site so it would never have a chance to time out on me. I've never had 3FC time out, but I've gone through buggy times and plain ole human error enough to share your pain!

Sonja-- You are doing awsome! They should hire you for your determination alone! Seriously, it sounds like you really have what it takes.

MsRD-- Ohh, earrings! Get the pretty, sparkly, dangly ones! I miss earrings. I have my ears double pierced, but all 4 holes are crooked, and anything less than 18k gold infects my ears, so I let them close up. I'll still wear magnetic clips for very special occasions, though.

Babs-- One pound is a pretty normal fluctuation. Nothing to worry over. Now my SIX pounds on the other hand... Well, at least I know why. Seriously, though, listing out the positive things about yourself like that is a great idea. I wish I could do that, but when I get down, I can't bring myself to think positively at ALL. I am starting to connect going for a walk with getting out of a funk, though. Must be those endorphins.

TBJ-- Well, this is how we learn, right? Maybe if you combined the junk-food strategy with calorie counting you'll zoom through your goals. Calorie creep and portion creep have taught me many a hard lesson about eyeballing and estimating.

Forestdawn-- Cheese is easy to overdo. But, healthier foods is the first step in all this. A baked potato is a much greater choice than, say, french fries or the like. Good job!

Hi

I thought I'd posted my goals etc. for this challenge...
Oooops must have posted somewhere else. See,,just using the computer is a challenge for me.

By the by ... thanks for the help on getting me up the stuff on how to find this challenge and about names. I'll be fearless! I'll keep reading and posting even though I make a lot of goofs. It's soooo great to have a place to share!

Here's my commitment;

Overall Goal: lose 4 pounds and establish better habbits

Rewards: Still thinking about this.

1st week goals:

1. exercise 3/7
2. Really, really, record food intake
3. drink 6 glasses of water every day in addition to other liquids

I don't have a computer at home. I use work computer or public library.
So I won't be able to check in again until Mon. Hope all goes well for all of you great people.

Babs