Apple - Thanks for the encouragement! I did get all my water in yesterday, despite my food breakdown. Today is a new day. Hey - for working out, you might see if there's a YMCA/YWCA near your home. Sometimes they are less expensive, but I can't say I found that to be true here in Indiana. Also, some churches in my town offer aerobics classes 2-3x/week for a very reasonable cost. That might also be an option for you. I must say I'm with u on the whole latte thing. My next challenge (starting Sunday) is going to be no coffee "fru-fru" drinks for 10 days. I'm especially addicted to one kind they have here at my workplace - a Reese Cup Frappicino. YIKES.

MNJ - It's so true about water! I was told many years ago that once you start drinking water regularly like this, your body begins to "crave" it more than it used to. Humans can survive much longer without food than they can without water.

Red - We've missed you! Sorry to hear about your computer. Glad to hear it's going well on D7 - 3 more to go!

Synn - That's great that you're enjoying your time at the gym. One reason I joined Curves is because it's all ladies who are struggling w/weight loss. Many members are plus-sz women, so it's makes for a more inviting workout!

Gab - Way to go! I get measured 1x/month at Curves, and next Saturday will be my next official measurements. I check my weight every Saturday, but hopefully I'll have some good news to report, too. You are doing great!

Graciesmom - The diet plan is the part I have most trouble with (as you can see from my post yesterday...). At some point, I will give myself a 10-day challenge on food, although right now I am eating Lean Cuisine for lunch and dinner nearly every day. That seems to be working for me. Keep drinking that water.

Lauren - How's the foot?

Be encouraged ladies! I certainly enjoy your posts and can't wait to be able to report another loss. Keep up the fantastic work.

Hello,

Well day 2 of the challenge came and went and I was able to follow my food plan and I was able to get all my water in. Today I jumped on the scale and I have lost 1.5 pounds! Whoo Hooo! When I finally lose ten pounds I am going to reward myself by buying a stamp set I have had my eyes on at Stampin Up!

Just reading the posts here has helped me stay on the wagon.

Becky

Just finished my dumb bells. Wa-hoo. I never liked weight lifting much. Not that what I'm doing is hard, it's very minimal. Next challenge I'm dropping it to every other day and adding sit-ups. But lets get through this one first.
I don't think I had a great day eating wise but when I added everything up I am only at 1200 cals. I must have missed something. I haven't felt hungry either...
I realized today that I have gained the same 5 pounds back 3 TIMES in the last 3 months or so. Ughh. I'd like to cut that out. I pulled a pair of pre-pregnancy jeans out and I can get them on but they are way too tight and uncomfortable. I'd like them to be roomy by the end of Oct. I should tape them to the fridge with duct tape....
Happy to say 4 days, 4 faces!!!

Round Two, Day Seven.....
Well, another day goes by. I was "on program" as well, but don't feel like I'm being as successful as I was last week. Wonder why?
Maybe my determination suffers?
Heather, I'd be right beside you eating those intoxicating chocolate doughnut hole things.... what is it about those that are just so inviting and hard to resist! Sounds like your next 10 day challenge, though, ought to be something related to planning ahead for those kind of slip ups and finding healthy food alternatives to bring to meetings and that kind of thing! I find eating out and going to meetings where my food is not in as much control of ME, the hardest part of this journey.
Lauren, be careful! Going right from crutches to an exercise routine sounds a bit scary to me. Take if VERY slow, please! If you push too soon, you could really set yourself back!
Gabrielle, great measuring victory! I should locate my measurements.... took them about two months (and about 5 pounds) ago. I know I would be happier with myself. Wonder what I did with them?
Red, sorry about your computer! Hope it gets fixed soon. Also, hope things are going better for you. I know you've had some rough times. We care, hope you can get back to us soon!
As for me, I will have a weekend challenge.... we are going away overnight and whenever we do this, it's a trigger for me to overeat and go into "vacation mode" of eating. Have to keep in control, but it's so hard.
Linda

Round One Day 5. I haven't actually excercised yet today but am going to as soon as I finish typing this. I had a long work out yesterday and am really starting to notice the difference because I wasn't as tired afterwards.

Today I am going to keep it light with some easy weight lifting and stretching and try to get rested for the week. I don't want to get over tired and sick because it is so frustrastrating to just be starting and have to stop.

Gabwill and Graciesmom: Congrats!

Apple Blossom: Don't get discouraged. At least you have maintained your weight and not increased it over the past three months.

DerryDaughter: Good luck over the weekend. Stay strong. I know I have a weigh in coming Monday morning. That definitely helps keep me in check.

SJ

I am really really tired
I also feel wierd about reporting on a successful day 5. I met all my goals, but I ate alot. I think my next challenge has to involve more diet rules. I feel very bloated right now. Yuck. If I'm careful tomorrow, keep cals low, I should make up for today. I can do that fairly easy. No ice cream: that will be part of the challenge. But like I said yesterday, lets get through this one first.
5 days, 5 smiles!!

I've just joined. This is my R1D1. In the first 10-day challenge I'll try to exclude sugar from my diet, and to introduce 30' cardio every 2 days.
I feel very positive, let's see how I will do at the end of this round

D2F

Wow. I guess everyone else has a real life.....
I took the kids to a pumpkin patch today. I figured it would be less crowded this early in the season and I was right. (I don't like crowds much)
Ate OK. Drank some soda
But I met my goals!!!
6 days, six faces!

Well, round two day 8 was a "bust". So was Day 1, round three. So, here I am round 4 Day 1. I was a "bad girl" over the weekend and am beginning anew today.
Hope I didn't blow it all so much that my weigh in at my ww meeting tomorrow will be a gain. But, if so, I am to blame.
Linda

Hi everyone...well, yesterday was supposed to be R2/D1, but I thought it was today. So I will make this R2/D1. The next 10 days, I am going to keep drinking 64 oz water/day, have no coffee "fru-fru" drinks, and stay away from sweets (that includes those nasty donut holes, Linda!). I also exercise 4x/week, but have not been able to increase that to daily yet. Maybe that will be the R3 challenge.

Dragon2fly - Welcome! We're glad to have you with us. Just keep checking in and let us know how things are going. We are basically giving ourselves some kind of challenge for 10 days, then creating a new 10-day challenge when that one is done. We're here for you!

Apple - How fun to go to a pumpkin patch! I don't think I've ever been to one; the closest is probably the apple orchard. Congrats on 6 days! No ice cream is probably a challenge I need to think about. Right now I'm trying some of the low-carb ice cream treats, but most are not that good. A good sign I should probably cut it out completely, huh?

Keri - I hope you find a good alternative to the gym. I know several people like the "Walk Away the Pounds" tapes. Have you tried them? I like them, but prefer to go somewhere with others who can encourage me. You might find those tapes helpful, especially since you don't drive.

Skinny - Sounds like those workouts are making a difference! I'm getting a little discouraged with mine; doesn't seem like it's making much of a difference. But I suppose that's another reason for me to consider daily exercise rather than 4x/week.

Graciesmom - Way to go on the 1.5 lbs!! You're the bomb!

Keep up the great work everyone. It WILL pay off in the end.

This sounds like a great idea - I think it is going to really get me motivated. I am going to do 20mins on my cross trainer for the next 10 days. (Doesn't sound like much but I'll be lucky to find it underneath its coating of dust KWIM). Good luck everyone, looking forward to getting to know you all better.

Lee

restarting rd 3

well I am restarting rd 3 since I decided to take the weekend off. Have not been feeling too energized lately so figured that that would be the best thing to do. I did my workout for the day so that is good (about 40 min of exercise so far) and plan on going for a walk tonight so that should cover my day 1 rd 3!!!

Looks like week-ends are tough, eh? Lets try extra motivation on Fridays, OK? Probably the main reason I made it through is that DH is away. Other-wise the beer may have been flowing.
I'm getting excited! Day 7 successful! I even had a good eating day. I might be pleased with a weigh in tomorrow
7 days, 7 faces!!!!