Okay - I gotta admit that I took last night off of doing the Shred. I just couldn't summon the energy. Instead I spent some quality time with my hubby and went to bed early. Since I'd already done an hour of yoga that morning, I didn't feel TOO bad. But tonight I'm back on for day 5 of the Shred. That means I'm 1/6th of the way done, right? Currently I'm thinking that I'm going to do the Level 1 30 times and then Level 2 30 times and then Level 3 30 times. It's nice to be able to squeeze an extra 20 minutes of exercise into the day - even if it's at night. I put the dogs outside (they hate it - it's hot out and they want to be inside but if I let them in, they "help" by pouncing on my head while I do pushups), I put my dinner in the oven (I am usually baking chicken or something similar) and then I just go to town for 20 minutes.

I did day two of week one of the 100 pushup training program this morning - a total of 54 pushups all told. Tomorrow is day two of week one of the C25K - I think I will speed up my pace here. When I did it on Saturday, I walked at 3.5mph and jogged at 5mph. I sweated but I wasn't tired. In fact, I was shocked when I realized it was 20 minutes and my workout was over! So I think I'm going to speed up to walking at 3.7mph and jogging at 5.5mph. We'll see tomorrow morning!

Food-wise -- I'm tired of paying so much for produce and then having it all be gone within a week! I know it is good to eat and while I am usually eating all of it, it's shocking how much money goes into my belly! I'm working really hard this coming month (July) on keeping my caffeinated diet soda consumption down to ONE can a day. Sometimes, this is way harder than others! I'm hoping to eventually cut out all caffeinated diet soda and then eventually cut out all diet soda and only drink water or tea. We'll see though. That's a lifestyle change far more drastic for me than cutting back on portions or eating a lot of fruits, veggies and whole grains.

Are we doing a quote of the day this week? Or did we have something else to do?

I'm going to do a quote anyway, even if it's not quote of the day day. This is from my Weight Watchers leader (a 69 year old man who hikes the Grand Canyon - top to bottom and BACK in one day, at least twice a year!).

"Willpower - when the "want" to succeed is stronger than the "want" for immediate satisfaction!"

Do you find it harder or easier to lose weight in the summertime? Why? And do you have any solutions to help?

hhhmmm, I had to really think about this. LOL

I think for me, summertime is alot easier. During the colder months there are all those holidays with all that yummy food comfort food! Summertime around here it's pretty much hotter than hades so it's too hot to eat sometimes. lol Plus, you get all those yummy fresh fruits & veggies available to you for healthier eating!

My goal for the winter time is to make some of our fave holiday recipes just as they are (cuz some things just shouldn't be messed with!), and others I will look for ways to use healthier ingredients to substitute. Portion control and moderation! This has been non-exisistant for me for a long time, so this is the time when that will need to really come into play.

♥danielle

Do you find it harder or easier to lose weight in the summertime? Why? And do you have any solutions to help?

It is easier for me to lose weight in the summer, because in the winter there isn't anything to do but sit around and eat.

Do you find it harder or easier to lose weight in the summertime? Why? And do you have any solutions to help?

Not really any easier both summer and winter have issues. Winter sucks for sloshing through snow to get places, and my body doesn't take kindly to running in heat in summer. I don't think I eat any more or less in summer, but its easier to buy yummy fruits which helps I guess. So my suggestion would be make use of and enjoy those seasonal producee.

Only down 1 pound this week. My weight has been wacky with water weight the last week or two though, so I'm cool with 191 even though I was hoping to be in the 180s by July. I only have 2 weeks until my first Tri, so I'm going to buckle down and try and lose about 5 more before then. (Any little bit helps when you're running around)

I ran 100 minutes yesterday! Longest and farthest run thus far. One year ago I was 285... Lot has changed in exactly one year.

Hope everyone else is doing well and has a good holiday!!

Do you find it harder or easier to lose weight in the summertime? Why? And do you have any solutions to help?

i do find it harder to lose weight in the summer because of all of the lovely outdoor outings, weddings and all of my family and friends celebrate our birthdays between april and august. there is always a party lol! that is what makes it harder

on the contrary you can exercise outside and there are so many fruits and veggies we can eat in the summer. maybe every week we can say im going to focus on outdoor exercising this week or trying and eating more fresh fruits and veggies. also yuo can plan for the celebrations. eat very well all week so you can enjoy the celebration for that day and then get back to yr normal routine. if you plan to enjoy the food its still considered OP

Do you find it harder or easier to lose weight in the summertime? Why? And do you have any solutions to help?

I find it harder to lose weight in the summertime and I think it has to do with my addiction to sugar. I love ice cream!

I try to get around it by ordering a DQ misty drink but asking them to go really easy on the squirts. Really easy. Instead of the four squirts, I ask for half of one. It ends up looking pink instead of red and tastes practically the same.

Toni

Kellybones: Food-wise -- I'm tired of paying so much for produce and then having it all be gone within a week! I know it is good to eat and while I am usually eating all of it, it's shocking how much money goes into my belly!

I read this yesterday and thought casually, yeah, I understand that. Then I went grocery shopping. And it hit me hard! 10 bucks for cherries?! 7 for peaches?! The cashier kept giving me weird looks as I made him take half of my cart back to produce.

What does everyone think about canned fruit (in light syrup)?

Toni

YES!!!

You are doing amazing - such an inspiration! Good luck on your triathalon!

I really try to watch my sugar intake so I'll only buy canned fruit if it is packed in it's own juices (like pineapple) or all natural (like all natural apple sauce).