Lekhika- let me know how the veggie and fruit fast goes, i've been pondering trying that out myself. Are you following a specific plan as far as quantities and certain fruits/veggies go? Or are you just making it up as you go along. I'd love to know your results. How long do you plan on doing it for?

I myself still have 4 pounds to lose by the end of the month which is looking unlikely. I'm actually okay if that happens though as I realise as one becomes closer to their goal weight it becomes a much more slower and tougher process. I figure i'll up my exercise and see where that takes me. Does anyone here run up flights of stairs for exercise? I've heard it burns 86 calories every 10 minutes and I know its good for the butt and thighs (the part of me that seems to have difficulty losing/toning) so i'm thinking of trying it. 10 minutes to start adding 2 minutes every 3-4 days. I'm wondering how winded or sore I may feel the next day and if anyone finds it a great way to exercise.
Hope everyone has an excellent tuesday, looks like rains headed my way!

Elegant - about 10 years ago I got in shape for a backpacking trip by climbing up and down the steps of a stadium at a local university. I went all the way to the top of the upper deck and then down--over and over. I started with a little and worked up to an hour at a time. Man, did I lose weight! I've thought about doing that again, but I can't find any tall public stairs where I live now. The stadiums and such are all locked up, liability issues I suppose. I could use a stairstepper, but outdoors is more fun. If you can find a place to do it, you'll lose weight for sure.

Hi girls,

This is going to be a quickie as I am running late. Nice to hear everyones news. Things are ok here, I am making progress daily and feeling better and better with each day. I want and am focusing on being completely on plan and in control by months end so that I can start Sep. fresh and with full gusto. I went to the market yesterday and got all of my healthy ingredients so that I am set for the week. Keep on trucking everyone, we still have a week and a half left to our month. Take care, talk to you all soon. Have a great day.

Elegant...

No plan as such...I try to stick to high fiber fruits...berries, apples....but don't really limit myself from any fruit or veggie other than avocado and olives. I allow myself 2 tbsp olive oil per day (which works out for salad dressing 2x).

Oh and if I'm totally craving protein...I do allow myself roasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds on my salad or 1/4 cup of black eyed peas (Goya)

I do the fast for three days...works well for my system. It's really easy to do if you're not a total carnivore. In that case it's most difficult! My brother could never do it!

I'm with you on the High Fiber diet... i usually try to look for foods high in fiber and low in fat... cause if it meets those it's usually all the good carbs anyway and nutritious... then just lean proteins and as much veggies as i want!!!

Today was my weigh in... down 1 lb. Not really a crazy big loss, but a loss is a loss. I feel as though i've slowed down and i'm not going to have any big breakthrough weeks anymore... but i don't think there's anything wrong with that... at the end of the day, weight loss is a secondary, it's about feeling better, being healthier and having tons of energy! And those things are definetely there

Yesterday was 1 week since I first went out with the boy i guess i am dating... it's always weird when you are at the beginning and you don't know what to call each other... Anyway, he works at the same company i do but in a totally different department. I never actually even saw him at work before we went on a date... we met on a softball team someone i knew put together with people from work. I think it is a good sign that he only saw me in workout clothes playing softball out in the humid nastiness sweating and getting eaten by mosquitos AND wanted to go on a date with me. The first time he saw my normally dressed was on our little movie date and he was like "woah, you look GREAT" it was kind of funny. Either way, he's cute and our personalities match well so we will see what happens...

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

nosnah...dating sounds like a terrifying ordeal to me but it sounds like you're really enjoying yourself! Go yoU!

Lekhika- with so much fiber and little protein do you work out during the fast? It sounds like there might be some difficulty energy wise during that time to work out, especially strength training. I'm just so curious because i'm tempted to try the fast out, but don't want to risk 3 days of no aerobics/strength. I'm a huge carnivore but I can last 3 days without it i'm sure. Plus I really only do the seafood thing with the occasional chicken here and there. Let me know your results when the 3 days are up!

10 days left, including today until the end of the month. It's nice to know everyone is doing so well! I'm 15 days shy of my 6month anniversary of this new healthy lifestyle. I've lost the weight slighty slower than I had originally planned, but in all honesty I feel better than ever. I've done 'diet's before and lost the weight in a faster (my lowest has been 132/134) amount of time but with just diet and aerobics. The strength training i've done this time around has really made a difference! Last time I hated the way i looked, especially naked even at 132. Now i'm still 7 pounds heavier than that and I look slimmer and i'm definitely well toned. My b/f and I were watching an old episode of lost and Evangeline Lilly was on the screen. He turned to me and said "You know you and her have the same body now, except your boobs are bigger" I was so happy to hear that compliment, it made my day, or probably even my week. I do alot of walking at work, and i've noticed the more confident I am the more I stand up straight, which is always a nice slimming effect as well.
I hope everyone has a nice humpday, the sun is back in effect today so i'm looking forward to work again. Keep them posts coming!

I do work out but tend to take it easy on my body by cutting my cardio from one hour to half an hour...as of late my entire routine is half an hour so I haven't been really feeling any negative effects energy wise..

hi ladies! havent posted in a couple of days, seem to have nasty cold that i cant shake off. I dont think im particulary run down or anything as my nails are long ( ok i tend to judge my well being on the whiteness of my eyes, dark circles and my nails! lol)

So today im feeling focused, eating has been great!! Have a yummy chicken crockpot creation waiting at home -going for a brisk power walk tonight with my friend. Im desperate to get to 209, to get this stone gone!! Onewonderland is looking lip smacking close, thats going to be my next goal!!

More focus and motivation for tomorrow i hope!! Im gettng up at 6 am for aerobics as Im having a wisdom tooth out tomorrow afternoon, and apparently you feel pretty poorly afterwards, so i will take tomorrow afternoon easy.

Well, I wound up putting in the entire hour tonight and boy was I tired. But I got through the wall...and I feel like a rock star now.

I think I'm going to try and keep this high...I'll try to do the same tomorrow, I really miss the weight melting away and am back on the exercise wagon hardcore....

Woohoo!! down 2 more pounds...met my goal a week early!!
Okay, that's what I wanted to post, but I can't because I didn't loose a thing!!! I was doing really well all week, but then I know I blew it at a dinner/theatre buffet on the weekend. I ate way too much the first time around, then had more dessert then I should have. I felt so sick for the next two days!! Lesson learned!!
I start back to work (school) starting on Monday, so my routine will change somewhat...but I am looking forward to it. The kids head back the week after, so that will be really great!
Have a good weekend everyone. I am going to my mom's for the weekend with my two youngest. My mom doesn't cook very much....so we may be hitting a few restaurants...and I have promised myself to order healthy...I want to reach my goal for the month!!
Have a great weekend everyone!! Keep up the great work!

Dea

Ha ha ha, I read that and was so happy for you and a little jealous too...but in the end it's still ok no? Because it seemed like you were ok with the non loss and the maintaining!

And on a hey what's going on note...where is everyone? Is it because the end of summer is near that no one is posting? Am I the only one addicted to this thread? Come out girls I miss you and our banter.

Lekhika- I was noticing it seems that the majority of the last couple mosts are from you and me. I wonder where everyone is!

A week is left for the August challenge and 10 days until the labour day one (for those of you that are a part of that one as well). I weighed myself in curiousity to see where i'm at and it seems i'm 137! 2lbs shy of my labour day goal which has me pretty excited. I started running the stairs yesterday and man were my calves sore this morning. I ALMOST decided to give them a days rest but pushed on through another day of it anyways, especially since I'm spending the night at my mothers this evening.

Dea- While it sucks taht you didn't lose anything, I always consider it gratifying when I slip and don't end up gaining anything. I also actually like the fact that after I cheat I sometimes feel ill the next day. It makes me realise just how beneficial it is to be living a healthy lifestyle, and while these slipups may happen on occasion, feeling gross the next day only helps us push on with good choices!

As for all the rest of you, start posting! It's the last stretch and it would be great to hear how everyone is doing! I hope everyone has an excellent weekend and i'll see you on the boards tomorrow!

Morning everyone! Happy Friday!

Elegant and I will surely hold down teh fort with JasonsLea and Dea....where are the rest yo?

I am holding strong at 115.5....I just feel so lazy and lax lately that I can't seem to get on the ball and do anything more than yoga daily. I suppose that's better than nothing but....hm.