Thank you! I have been so positive lately and it's defenitely doing wonders in all aspects of my life!

Okay so being blue team runner up was some serious motivation! I couldn't believe it, we have all done amazing these few weeks! I wish I would have been able to participate in the team chats prior to this week.

Dora - I attended a funeral for a co-worker's infant daughter last week, and they read this poem. I hope it brings you some peace and comfort.

The Dash by Linda Ellis:

I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.



He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.



For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.



For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars....the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.



So think about this long and hard...
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left.
(You could be at "dash midrange.")



If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.



And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.



If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.



So, when your eulogy's being read
with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they
say about how you spend your dash?

OK, so congrats to all you big losers on the BLUE team!!!! We did great guys!!

I don't know what I've done over the weekend, but I'm sure glad I moved my weigh in day to Friday, lol. I was 158.0 on Friday morning, then I was 160.2 this morning. Yikes. I think some of it is water retention from working out, and I didn't eat that well over the weekend. Plus I think some of the stress from this crap is getting to me.

Dora - If she actually wanted to be a mother to her children, I would never consider taking away custody. However she sees them as a paycheck. She's had more than enough chances to step it up and be there, but she doesn't want to. DH and I provide everything for those kids because she refuses to. For the last year, she had them 2 days a week, and they would be dropped off at friend's houses for the entirety of the weekend. It's sad really. She flat out told me (at one of the kids b-day parties no less) that she never wanted to be a mother and she couldn't wait until they were 18 so she could go do whatever she wanted.

So, like I said, if she really wanted to be a mother, we'd be all for it. And you are right, it's the kids who suffer, but we keep on doing what we do and have a normal, stable, loving home for them to be at when they are here. And trust me, we certainly dont' have the money to be fighting for custody, but we're doing it anyway and we'll figure out how to pay for it later.

Mercy - How's my girl??? I've been rocking the weights for the last 3 days. I've even been doing that crazy contraption where you lean on your arms, and lift your knees for a crunch. Owwww!! Those hurt!

BabyGrant - Being positive is all we can strive for. Good on you for taking such a great approach! Thanks for spreading your positivity! I know it' s easy for me to get lost in the negative, so I appreciate it.

Diva - I miss you!

OK, running out of time. I'll try to catch up more tomorrow!! big to all!

babygrant - no I don't think it's possible to gain that much in 24 hrs it would just be the water retention it is just a little let down to see the higher #. That's great if it works for you but I think I might try just a couple times a week for now.

Dayoneagain - It's nice to know I'm not alone in my sillyness

Doragone - I hope you find comfort in your days if you fall into some old habits for awhile don't fret you need to do what is good for you at that particular moment.

ars - I hope that the calorie cycling does the trick for you and it's a good attitude to come to some sort of peace with the scale.

aphimira - your here now...chat away

Nella - If we all took time to live the dashes we would all be happier people. How sad the loss of your co - workers little one must be for her and her family.

Catsgetnhealthy - great goals for February

Just doing a check in before bed, have a great night everyone.

Hey Nixmom - you haven't checked in I hope all is well.

Good Morning lovely Blues! First congrats to our winner and runners up!!!!! You guys rock!!!!!!

I really didn't want to post yesterday or really even now as I am very frustrated and the thread is so very positive. I am hitting the wall I hit every time I have tried to re-lose the pounds I gained away from my once held goal. Every time over the last 4 years I hit this same wall. THIS IS WHERE I GIVE UP. I can't give up this time. I am doing every thing right for my plan. My blood sugar is excellent.

I hit 187.2 for our 2 week weigh in. Jumped up for week 3 and down a tad for week 4 (still not at week 2!). Stood at 187.8 for the last few days and now 189.2 UGH UGH UGH. I really don't care if the scale jumps up here and there as long as the trend is down. Well over the last 2 weeks the trend is up!!! I know patience patience!!!! GRRRRR

Dora the shoes were the Therashoes from k mart. I'm glad you found the book! Continued hugs and prayers

Angela I hope you feel 100% soon!!!! Be careful exercising. That darn really lays you out. I know it was a good 3 weeks until I felt great.

Dayone mini goals is an awesome idea!!!

Retiredone I am continually amazed you walk in the cold!!! WTG


Babygrant congrats on your 10 lbs and thanks for being so positive!!!!

Bigmid that is so awesome you have a friend coming over to work out

Echo I agree lets push and make it an awesome week!

Ars any chance you could share what zig zagging is?

Aphimira congrats! I'm glad your here to chat now

Nella that was beautiful!!!!

Mercy Babygrant inspired me too

Cathy great Feb goals!!!

WOOHOO! THANKS GIRLS! I kinda figured after gains the first 3 weeks the scale would have to drop!

Bigmid - I'm here!!!!! Got sidetracked yesterday on our check in! I am ready to run screaming from the building today. Just need a day off! But I'm here!

Okay girls... gotta go read the Week 5 thread and will be back with personals later!

Thinnerbyjuly - I think it's most important to post when you feel like that. Once you can get these thoughts out of your head you can start making the right choices and get that motivation back! I think that often it's letting those thoughts brew in your head that holds you back. Reading others frustrations is also a great help to me. Sometimes when everyone is so motivated I feel like my own struggles are unfair and that I must be doing something wrong.

I am really annoyed with myself that it's February and I'm at 194. I was hoping to have made more progress than this (my official start weight for this challenge was 197, although holidays took me up to 202). If I'm honest, my weight is probably a bit above 194 at the moment on average.

So don't ever not post! The forum is for support and when we're down is when we need it most! Hope you feel less frustrated soon and we'll get those numbers moving down the scale.

I'm just going to pretend I'm motivated and force myself to the gym tonight, which will hopefully find me some real motivation.

Another freezing day out there. Not fit for a penguin. No snow but freezing. Angela, we've got the same windchill factor today. And to top it all off the groundhog saw his shadow so 16 more weeks of winter. No, no, I mean 6 more weeks of winter. It's always more than 6 weeks of winter here on Feb. 2. Anyhoo, HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!!!

Thinnerbyjuly, don't give up this time. That wall has a hole in it just for you to crawl through. I couldn't seem to get past 160 for years. I'd drop weight but couldn't get past that magical number but I found that little hole and I'm almost at goal. Keep going and don't lose sight of what you really want.

aphimira, come and chat this week.

Nella, you are a good mother. The children are so fortunate they aren't little Cinderellas.

Cat, it's good to get back on track, isn't it. You'll do great this month.

Dayoneagain, just look at your name. Every day is a new one and 3 pounds is quite a lot of fat. Just look at 3 pounds of butter.

And a big wave to everyone else today. Make it a good one and if not plan for tomorrow.

Blue Power!

Congrats aphimira and Gracie789! Parade wave from the podium…..

Holy Cow! Down to 48 already? Okay you other 47… NO QUITING NO MATTER WHAT!

Dayone – that’s the spirit! How did the no distraction day go?

Babygrant – I am the master of gaining 2+ lbs overnight. Seriously, if I deviate 1 meal from what I should eat, or skip a meal and eat a bigger one later, I swell up like a water retaining sea cow. It will drop just as fast… keep on it!

Dora – Just sending you hugs. Just because.

Thinner – This is where you give up. Change the reaction to this wall, change the outcome. Stick to your guns (not the ones shooting the scale!) and you will break through. I weighed in WAY high this morning too and will be battling all week I’m sure to get back to my weigh in weight from this week. Just focus. No defeat, just opportunity!

Bigmid – Again, I’m here. How did the workout with the buddy go?

Okay chicks, this is day 3 smoke free. Getting easier, but fighting those sweet cravings. Gonna go get more coffee and wait for my protein bar snack at 9:30.

Take care of each other and be good!

retiredone - That's the problem. I have issues with thinking long-term. Like everyone, I just want to wake up 50 pounds lighter!!! I keep having to tell my mind that it doesn't work that way haha, if only!

nixmom - no distractions meant I made time for the gym, but I haven't quite sorted my calorie intake since my off-plan weekend. I'm taking in less than 2000 calories, but know I can do better. Perhaps coffee is the answer... actually I have really cut down on diet soda lately which I used to use instead of snacking. Maybe that's the answer for now.


You guys are all fantastic. I know this year is going to have some great results because I now have this ongoing support and a place where I can openly talk about my weight and diet. Thanks so much for having me

Good Morning Blue Team

I just wanted to pop in and say a quick hello as my friend should be here in about 5 min. then I work out and then I donate and then shop. Not bad for a day off. The sun is shining here today and were at 0 for temp so should be a great day.

Angela - I'm glad your feeling better but make sure to go slow with the exercise you don't want to get sick again. Is that all your eating is 3 - 400 cal meals isn't that low and even lower on the 300 days? Stay warm.

thinnerbyjuly - I think I could be a poster child for frustrated but I feel better when I come on here and read both the good and the bad as I know I'm not alone in the battle. Post away let it all out that's what were all here for.

Nixmom Wouldn't it be funny to see everyones reaction if you actually went running from the building lol: Congratulations on the 3 days of being smoke free.

dayoneagain - WTG on the decision to go to the gym tonight anytime you need to talk or just for support were here.

retiredone - good thing you change it to 6 weeks, I don't think I could handle 16 more week of winter. Stay warm out there.

I'm here. I'm OP. Hugs! Try to come back later. Dad's on the phone. He saw a new doc there today so he's telling me what they said. My weight is still up a few lbs but, just like babygrant, it does that! I hate it too. It changes daily for me. I do weigh every day but I just try to see it as an experiment. What will it say today? I weigh when I get up and when I go to bed. Do that for a while and mark it on a calendar in your bathroom. You can't gain lbs like that in one day. It's just fluid, etc. So do it for a month and you will see things like I do, like how I've gained 7 lbs in a few days because of my period and it goes away after it. That will give you insight how your own body works, etc. Helps you deal with fluctuations in the future. You'll see that they don't matter. Just use your lowest weight in the week for that weigh in.

Ok, big hugs to each of you bluezers... bbl!

Selina