1. Are you struggling? If so in what area? BIG TIME!!! Eating and exercise to be quite honest. Ever since coming back from vacation I've been bad! It's so hard to get myself back on track. I have walked 2 days now though and my eating is getting better...far from where it should be though. I'm hoping that next week I can pull exercise and eating together for a great week

2. What do you think would help you? A good kick in the arse!LOL! I have to say I thought seeing the scale go up as much as it did would help, but that must not of worked. I know I shouldn't rely on my SIL, but when her and I are on our exercise program together I always do great. She and I walk together and it seems like we just feed of each other...it's so weird when were doing good it's together and when we are doing bad it's together. The good thing is that both of us are ready to get our butts back into gear

3. Are you excelling at something? If so what area? I'm excelling in lounging around!LOL! I don't know this summer is just been very laid back to me. I've read so many books already, and I have to admit I like the laid back feel. I really can't think of anything I'm excelling at...that is sad

Hi
Its started raining today, so YAY! I get to catch up on all the posts!
Ive really enjoyed this challenge, and our red team......I am sorry If I havent been very supportive, but I definitely thinkof you guys, and have enjoyed reading your posts and trying to keep up!
And THANKS! to Melissa for being our fearless leader!
(And Roni for stepping in too! )

1. are you struggling?
YES. Stress, not feeling 'settled; yet at my home, and busy-ness have caused me to not get to the gym for over 2 weeks! But I have tried to get to more sports, and work harder when gardening.
2. What would help?
Getting to a computer more often, and keeping up with the challenge...and Im sure if i sat down and planned meals for the week would be very helpful.
3. Excelling?
I dont feel like im excelling at anything, but I guess, after this last week and how rough it's been, I am thankful I am still married, not back on drugs, and not fleeing to Mexico! Lol

Have a great 4 of july to you southern neighours!!


Lets do this Red team!

Hi Red Team!

Just popping in to cheer you on and wish you a happy 4th!

Hi Diva!!!!!!!!!!!!! We miss you!

1. Are you struggling? If so in what area?
Yes! I'm wierd because one week I'll struggle with food (and be perfect with exercise), another week I'll struggle with exercise (and be perfect with food) but then the next week will be perfect! LOL! This week I'm struggling with exercise. I've been really busy this week and I have some family drama going on right now with my sister and her kids and I just don't have the time.


2. What do you think would help you?
A babysitter....LOL!!!!!! A great big push from you guys would help . Ya know, monkey see monkey do

3. Are you excelling at something? If so what area?
Yes! Control over food. I've been doing great. It feels awesome when your in control.

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What is something in your life that you do on a regular basis that if you could never do it again, your life would feel incomplete?

Oh God! There's so many! I can't just pick one so I'm gonna make a list:
~Hug and kiss my kids
~See my Mom
~My pets
~ My computer
~ Driving
~Cleaning (Im a neat freak)
~Shower and brush my teeth...LOL!

Fat Chick B Gone~ Thanks for commenting on my post about the scale. I hope your fingers are still crossed for me ....YOUR AWESOME!

Lonnie, I agree that a lot of it is that a lot of the team never or rarely post. How can ya get to know someone or even care about their struggles when they are never here, or only use this thread to post their exercise? I do believe there is a forum (not to mention the side exercise challenges) dedicated to posting ones exercise. Not to tell anyone what to post, I am just saying....

I mean, it's nice to come in and say wooohooo, I did such and such today and I am hurting, or I feel great, but to post every single rep and what sized dumbell? I like to come in a brag too. I like to get and give a big High Five when we've ran a race for the first time or ran for x amount of minutes. That's totally cool. But some peeps ONLY post their exercise and that's it. No hey how are ya'll doing, KMA or anything....

As for us who have returned to these challenges not letting the newbies in or giving them a chance...I think that's BS. I think we try and try to get to know the newbies, make you feel welcome and encourage you to post. IMO that is just an excuse. I don't think we dwell on challenges past and blame the newbies for our short comings. It is NOT our fault that we've been here and have other challenges to compare this one to. I have been in at least 3 or 4, and I am sorry, but there is def something missing from this one. Chell is even feeling it. I think a lot of us are.

The connections, caring and support just isn't here. There are a few, but not many. We have put up surveys, questioneers, done personals, all kinds of stuff to bring you in and welcome you, but so many just completely ignore the ones who are returnies and only talk to each other. How is that our fault? I am sorry if some of you think I am Mrs.Popular here and what not. But I don't feel that way about myself, and just because I've been here before and seem to be "known"is NO reason to completely ignore me. I have posted struggles here and come and hope to see someone say something in support or advice, and I 'll see post to everyone else and none to me and um yeah <insert whinning, complaning voice>, it's hurts my feelers and makes me feel invisible.

Jillian Micheals even knows the importance of online, message board connections and support and has even posted in her emails about it. THIS is some peoples programs. If were paying for this, I'd cancel my membership, seriously.

The ONLY reason I am still around is because of Melissa.

Anyways, nuff of my whinning. I am gonna go enjoy my 4th of July!

I agree with you 100%! I respect your opinion and your feelings. I hope you feel I've supported you and gave you my "internet shoulder" to lean on when you needed it.

You say the only reason why your still here is because of Melissa. I think you might hurt some people's feelings. Especially those people who feel they've made a connection with you even if you didn't. Don't ya think??

Good Morning Lovelies!!! Happy 4th to you all!!!

So I'm thinking most of us have picnics and BBQs and camping going on? Right? And I'm here to tell you...you can enjoy and not blow your goals!! Its okay to have a little taste but not the whole darn plate! Give yourself some independence from being overweight Red team!! We can do this!! Most of all I want everyone to have a great time! How did our Canadian friends fair with their festivities??

I'm headed out to the lake with my girls then we are coming home this afternoon and heading over to the mall to watch fireworks. I got them some 3D glasses to watch with this year. Should be fun! Hopefully the skeeters dont eat me alive...they are just rabid monsters this year!

Have a wonderful 4th everyone!!

Okay...gotta put my 2 cents in. I've seen several people make comments about how they havent felt welcome, or they havent felt like they fit in because there are a few of us that know each other from past challenges. I guess I have a big issue with that because I feel that I've bent over backwards begging people to participate. So if we have issues with not being welcome I really dont know what I can do differently to change that. I love chatting with everyone on here and making new friends. But, I cant force you to be my friend. I love that people are finally sharing their feelings and opinions! Noone should ever apologize for their feelings and viewpoints, you have just as much right to them and I do mine.

We have some people on our team that are just fantastic with doing personals and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the time and effort they take. Some people just dont have the time. But, its unacceptable to me to see someone post that they are struggling and no one responds to it. Or if someone says they lost a little bit or a lot and we all dont jump all over them with congrats.

Anyway I'm not gonna platter on because I feel like we've made some great strides...a few of us are actually posting again! WOOHOO! LOL! Share your journey with us Red Team, thats where the connections are made, and thats where the support is given and received.

LONNIE...love the red white and blue today! LOL!

Just wanted to pop in and say happy 4th to everyone! This is one of my favorite holidays! I'm hoping everything goes smooth at my moms today...I'm gonna go in with a good attitude though. I'm not a person to hold grudges long at all, so if she is over it then I'm willing to move on also! I'm just gonna really quick give my opinion on the whole disconnected challenge topic. I've done I believe all the challenges and this one is hard for me. I'm not sure if it's the summer or what. I know for me personally though I've not been as dedicated as I usually am to doing personals and reading all the posts. I did really good in the beginning and I try to pop in daily or every other day to check in. I don't like when people start feeling left out though or disconnected....makes me sad! So for my part I'm gonna really try to end this challenge how I started it....dedicated!!!! I hope we can pull together as a team and rock the end of this challenge!

Diva- I love love love that hair cut! I cut my hair short for the ponytail reason. When I had long hair I never did it! Now that I have short hair I have to do it or it looks really bad! Have a great 4th girlie~ Ps...thanks for the cutie comment...I try!LOL!

Mel- Have fun at the lake...if the weather is anything like here it should be a great day for it! How cool to watch fireworks with 3d glasses...that would be a trip!

Lonnie- Have a great 4th girl!

Everyone else...I hope your weekend is fantastic! Have a safe 4th!

Karla- I would say that is something to excel towards Although the thought of fleeing to Mexico sometimes does sound nice!LOL! Have a great day girl~

Tina, you look so beautiful in your new pic!

Exactly! I can't figure out why I can't do well with exercise and food on the same week.....it seems to be one or the other a good part of the time when I'm struggling.