Just a second to say hi! Didn't lose but didn't gain. Sry I couldn't help us more!

Dh has a ruptured ear drum bless his heart, and Emily has another ear infection we fear, taking her to doc tomorrow. What else is gonna happen???

Hugs to you all, Selina

If you were hurt by my blog post, then I apologize for that. But it must be noted that the things I post in my blog are my opinion, thusly they weren't posted here on the forum where people had no control whether or not to view those opinions. By clicking the link for my blog (or anyone elses for that matter) you are taking responsibility that you are going to see what is being said there.

With that said, I'm still unsure as to why you think that I'm calling you out personally in any of this. I haven't said anyone's names... I'm simply placing it as "people that don't participate." If you feel that you are being "called out" "judged" or "plotted against" in any way by me, please feel free to pm me or email me concerning the matter. I would hate to see you be a martyr for your cause and drag the team's morale down with it.

After this evening, I'd like for any personal thoughts on rules or complaints about non participation issues or concerns from anyone to be directed to my pm box. Its already hard enough to lose weight, Team mates don't need this drama week after week on top of that.

Dang it and I had so much to say too! LOL!! Okay so I agree save the drama, we've got more important things to talk about. But, I will say this. I love this challenge, I love the support and camaraderie that I get from my team and those not on my team. I come here DAILY to get and give support because I know that it is a huge key to successful weightloss. And yes, this statement is backed up with research, just google weight watchers success if you need more evidence of how much support leads to success. That being said, everyone here has a life, team leaders included. But, because it means so much to us we take a little bit extra time to keep track of our team stats for them. We do it every week. And I'm sorry but it chaps my hide when someone uses me as their bean counter. If you need a place to do nothing more than post your weight, find a blog. This forum is about being on a team, working with that team, supporting each other to achieve our goals. Sorry but participation is NOT new to this challenge. We've just not enforced it, everyone here is supposed to be grown up enough to realize the spirit without being babysat. Its always stated in the signups that we want you to PARTICIPATE, and if you cant then this isn't the challenge for you. I myself posted that in the very beginning. So I apologize, I don't feel sorry for non posters who wont be named BL because of it. They don't post to their team anyway so chances are they don't even know they might have been the BL, if it meant anything to them they'd participate with their team. How do you celebrate someone you dont even know? I've personally posted numberous QOTD and surveys to give everyone an opening to post. I know Blue team does it too.

Non posters do not lose more weight than posters. I've kept stats for this challenge for 3 rounds now so the proof is there that posters lose more.

Okay I didnt keep it to PMs! Sorry Chellez! And I apologize if this hurts anyones feelings. We really do want everyone to participate. We WANT to get to know everyone on our team. There is strength in numbers.

If you dont want to participate then dont, but dont expect me or any of the other team leaders to go out of our way to acknowledge you when you cant acknowledge the team. Its not fair to the support group or the spirit of the challenge.

All that rambling being said...Go RED team!! LOL!

So we are required to post now? I don't know how I feel about that, but if it's the rule...

There are reasons why I don't post. Basically, I can't keep up. I can't check this site at work, and when I come home, there are atleast three pages of posts (more at the beginning of this challenge). I have time to read them, but not time to post personals. It really doesn't seem fair for me to come and just complain about how I'm NOT losing weight, with out commenting on how everyone else is doing. Therefore, I say nothing.

But for those who are truly interested, I've been 170 +/- 2pounds for the last 7 months and I'm at my wits end. On January 1st, I cut back on the booze. Seriously, before, I was drinking to get 'tipsy' 3 and 4 nights a week (which took 3-4 drinks) and getting drunk 1 night a week. I've given that up and now I only have 1-2 glasses of wine a week. I also gave up dessert for lent, so I haven't had ANY sweets since February 6th. The rest of my eating is pretty much OP 80% of the time. I exercise atleast 3 days a week with cardio and weight lifting. I've signed up for a running clinic that is 90 minutes on Saturdays. And still... 170 +/-2 pounds and I simply don't know what else to do.

So that's my update.

Okay I'm butting in again but because Amber was my teamy last time! Not sure if you saw but we were calling that our "bumper number" that number you just cant seem to break. I wish I had a magic cure for those plateaus but I think the most important thing to do is to 1)reevaluate your goals and then 2) start journalling EVERYTHING! You've been doing this so long it is just natural to you now and maybe you are doing something whether it be eating to little or too much and the best way to see it is if you bite it you write it. Your body is very comfy at this number just dont give up on you, time to shake it up! It is possible you arent eating enough. And no, you are not required to post. Personally I'd rather you stop in and say hey..this is how I'm doing, because SOMEONE will relate to you. and it can spur a conversation that you just might get some ideas about. Like Sara on Red team. She just broke a plateau she should tell us all how she did it! LOL! Dont give up on you Amber!!

Thanks Melissa!!!

I've been very stubborn about not doing something in my weightloss phase that I wouldn't be able to do for ever. I don't think that's realistic any more and I'll have to switch to 95% OP instead of 80, I'll just have to buckle down and do it.

My bumper number sucks!

ANYWAY! I am just..can see both points.. both points are valid...
BUT BACK TO THE FUN STUFF....
Do you take vitamins or nutritional supplements? What do you take and why do you take it?
No I don't, I usually have a glass of milk and sometimes orange juice, and hope to get my vitamins from my food, however I DID BUY a women's multivitamin, haven't started taking it, but I would be taking it for the zinc to boost my immune system, and vitamin c because I smoke.
Rhonda- I am taking the U.S Customs Broker exam test on April 7th. It is very hard test with an incredibly low passing rate. But I am all about this. I have been doing at least 12 hours a week of studying.

AMEN!

I have a question related to Vit C...

My mom has been taking this stuff called Emergen - C and she said its been doing really well with fighting off nasty colds in her office.

Does anyone else take this stuff or knows someone that does? Any good coming from it?

Anna - How would I go about finding an east/west doctor in VA? Do they have special dietitians too?

I'm excited to report that the blister I got from my experimental run last week has finally healed enough that I can try it again tomorrow morning - with different shoes! I'll be trying the 1 min run followed by 4 min walks again at about 5.0 on the t-mill.

I have one of my middle toes on my foot that has been aching 50% of the mornings when I wake up over the last week. I wonder if I am bashing it into something in the middle of the nite when I get up to use the bathroom except, I don't remember doign anything - you'd think it would hurt, right? Is there something else that can cause the mystery sprained-toe feeling other than whacking it? So weird..........luckily, doesn't keep me from walking/running.

Hi team. QOTD - I take a multi every day (2 actually), and when I remember I take fish oil and CoQ10.
Chelle - I use emergen-C fairly regularly. High dosages of vit. C reduce muscle soreness after working out so I drink emergen-C whenever I run either further than normal or faster than normal. That said, I'm rarely sick so your mothers theory may be correct. It is full of healthy stuff beyond vitamin C, too, it isn't that expensive, and it tastes pretty good.

Hello Blue Team!
Ever have a day so bad that you would welcome a migraine just so would have an excuse to hide in a quiet, dark room? Work, blech! And that's all I've got to say about that place.

QOTD: I started taking a multivitamin today. My doctor has been mentioning that I should for the last 3 visits, so I'm finally giving in...geez!
Before today, I was taking a Viactiv caramel with Calcium and Vitamin D. I'm getting older, so I figured my bones could use the help since I don't drink milk and eat very little cheese (I'm lactose intolerant). Strangely though, Calcium supplements make me nauseous. Maybe it's not lactose I'm intolerant of, but calcium. And I'd been getting these weird muscle cramps 'though I wasn't doing anything strenuous. I stopped taking the Viactiv and by day 3, I was back to normal. Freaky!

Tee: Once we're on Scrabulous at the same time, we can add each other to our buddy lists. When are you usually playing?

Kelly / Nori: Thanks for the congrats on my 1lb loss. I haven't heard from my doctor yet, Nori, but I'll give her a buzz tomorrow to check on the blood test results. I'll have to tell her about what happened when I stopped taking the calcium since that was part of the reason I went to see her.

Rhonda: I'm sorry your numbers are bringing you down. When you stop to think about it, you didn't put your weight on in one fell swoop. We've all gradually gotten heavier in our lives, which is why we're here, trying to get healthier, not just thinner. Being active and eating as well as you can should be the goal. Gradually, you will see the results you're hoping for. Just be patient. Know that you are getting healthier even if the scale doesn't show it. By the way, did you ever take that belly dance class?

Selina: You're having it rough lately. And maybe it's just your smiling face in your signature, but I get the feeling you're going to pull through it just fine.


To the rest of the Bluesers:
I wish you all continued success on your journeys towards a healthier life.
If you're struggling, know that your will power and determination will get you past this point.
For those of you with family members who are sick, healing, looking for a new job, my thoughts are with you and l hope your loved ones are better soon.

With all of the negative and positive statements in the last few days, I wanted to share one of my favorite quotes.
Remember, one thought does not mean much. But thoughts that we think over and over are like drops of water: at first there are just a few; and then after awhile you've created a pool... then a lake... and then an ocean. - Unknown

-Sonja

Good morning, Bluesers!

My youngest DD woke me at 5:00 this morning…bad dream. I had trouble falling back to sleep as my brain decided that it was time to do some deep thinking! The main thing on my mind was the struggle I’ve been having lately with staying on-plan. Last week, I was struggling to get my project completed by Friday and I found myself constantly going into the kitchen and looking through the cabinets and the refrigerator…and sometimes grabbing something to eat when I wasn’t hungry and it wasn’t meal or snack time. Then, I crashed and burned over the weekend and went on a binge. Yesterday was another off-plan day. During my early morning think session, I realized that I’ve allowed myself to forget the main reasons why I’m doing this. Yes, I want to look better…who wouldn’t? But, I also want to be a healthy active person for the remainder of my life. No more sitting on the sidelines and allowing my weight to hold me back. I don’t want to let life pass me by. I want to travel, to enjoy life, to be independent for as long as possible. I want to be like my Dad! I had lost my focus, but, for the first time in a while, I’m feeling 100% optimistic and determined to get this weight off, to develop a daily exercise habit and to eat the foods that benefit my body the most! Today, I’m having one of my 1200 calorie days and will do 60 minutes of walk/run on the treadmill. I’ve found my mojo!


Zinke – Steel cut oats are awesome! Last week, I kept forgetting to set up my crock-pot to make my oats, so I was settling for a bowl of raisin bran or low sugar instant oatmeal that I had in the pantry. This may sound strange, but I really think these substitutes were bringing on some cravings! When I begin my day with a cup of the steelcut oats, I don’t get hungry for 3-4 hours and I seem to have more energy.
Dee – So sorry you’re not feeling well. Pamper yourself! Hope you get well quickly.
Bev- I always forget to take my vitamin and my supplements. Its like a mental block or something. My plan is to take my calcium supplements twice a day as I have the very earliest stages of bone degeneration. I also want to take Osteo Biflex for my joints as my knees hurt sometimes. As soon as I finish posting here, I’m going to bring my vitamins and supplements into the office and put them in my line-of-sight on my desk.
Purple – Weekend eating is sabotaging my weight loss efforts, too. I must begin planning for these times. No more unscheduled restaurant stops for me!
Cristina – Food journaling sounds like a great plan. But, 6 pounds just has to be water weight…especially since you’ve been on-plan. Hope that water disappears quickly for you.
Missing – Congratulations on your 2.4 pound loss!
Anna – Just curious. I’ve heard mixed messages about aspirin for women. Why did our doctor prescribe this for you? Is it for the inflammation? BTW, its so exciting that you’re writing again!
Ginger – We’re proud of your 11 pounds loss in 7 weeks! Congratulations!
Victoria – Hope you start getting some sleep. I know how hard it can be with school and everything, but you will feel so much better. Plus, they say that lack of sleep prevents your body from releasing the fat.
Chellez- Calorie counting is great…but, only when I actually take the time to follow through with it. Yep, I’m recommitted. Every single bite will get tracked!
Dionne – Congratulations on fitting into smaller jeans!
Selina – Hugs to you, too!
AmberD – I’m glad you did come and share with us. Hope you can find away around that stinkin bumper number.
Vixjean – 12 hours a week….that is dedication. I’m sure you will do very well on the test.
Fran – So glad your blister has healed. Hope you enjoy your workouts again.
Sonja – Thanks for such an uplifting post. I’m now working on creating my ocean.

Hope everyone has found their mojo and has a great on-plan day. GO BLUE!

Tuesday's Question of the Day:

Do you get enough sleep? How much sleep do you average each night? Do you think your sleep habits impact your weight loss efforts?

I typically get about 6 hours of sleep a night. I don't think thats enough as I'm always very tired in the morning. I have noticed that lack of sleep makes me crave sugary carbs. Also, when I'm tired, I'm more likely to skip exercise.

Just wanted to copy this list over to our thread so people can get some recognition around here!


Hope this motivates you to keep up the good work!

Oh jazz... I just realized I didn't put my rings back on last night.

Anyway... this picture describes how I'm feeling today... sorta



My plan was to come into work, post results, finish invoicing by 9 and get started on 2 of the 4 chapters I have due by tonight. Well its 10 now and thats not happening. Ooo Ooo! I'm going to roll the QOTD into this! I ended up going to bed at 2 am last night and really only got about 3 hours of solid sleep. I'm getting droopy lidded already! Normally I'll get about 6 on the weekdays and I'm passed out the majority of the weekend. How was that for a status update / QOTD answer all rolled in one?

Good news is I resisted a temptation to go to this morning since I was running short on time. I instead took 5 mins out of my drive time to stop and eat some Special K. for an improvement! I brought my lunch today since we had left overs from last night. It's not 100% what I should be eating, but its a million and a half times better than (baked chicken with cracker crust and small portion of pasta)

So tonight I go back to class for the first time in a week and a half. I'm thinking I'll probably be passing out about 8 pm since I had such a huge lack of sleep. Maybe if she didn't make us read the chapters in class it wouldn't be so bad... I mean thats stuff I can do at home.

Well I better run. I really need to get this stuff done!