Newleaf: those are great points. I changed my goal midway - some may see that as cheating- but I Knew I would get despondent about not making goal as I approached labor day and would just throw in the towel. I am not willing to do that. Whatever works for us to keep working on being healthy.

I too have a number that gives me grief - 172. Have not been able to get below that in years and I have been so close a few times. I set 172 as my goal for Halloween so I will be extra motivated to go below for the next challenge.

It is all about self discovery and compassion for oneself.

ICU: 20 lbs is a lot. What a great job you are doing. Have fun in the pool. And let us know what you decide about running. I love to run...but I have to wait a few more pounds before I start (its a mind game for me!).

have a great day!

I'm in. I would like to lose 5 pounds by then. My starting weight is 142

I like to take things slow..................

Sounds like everyone is very focused on their goals. I get lots of inspiration here and I truly appreciate the warm welcome I was given when I joined last month. I instantly felt a part of the group here and I commend everyone for being so supportive and positive and for sharing your personal stories and day to day triumphs and struggles.

Today I stayed on plan even with a work function where they had chips, cakes, ice cream, fritos and dip. Thankfully they had fresh fruit and I ate some delicious strawberries and allowed myself one small slice of vanilla coffee cake. I am not a big sweet eater so I should be good around the Halloween candy. I like the idea of buying candy that I don't like to hand out. I will do that. So no snickers or mary janes or caramel cremes in my house come next month.

I hope everyone has a good evening and a good Saturday! Where I live we only have a week or so left before cooler temps hit so I plan to be outside a lot this weekend.

Here's to a great week, everyone!! My TOM should be this week, and with that I usually see a loss (when I'm not in maintenance mode, that is) so hopefully that will bring good news. I would love to hit 163 this week. I was 164.5 on Friday, although 165.7 today, but I think it's doable. That's my goal.

Now to just motivate myself out of the chair and into the basement to work out...

Day 2 of TOM here. All bloated up and nowhere to go but up - I'm at 156.0 today. Blah. If Eve brought on all this crap just by eating a lousy apple despite being told not to, I'd like to go back in time and punch the ... in the mouth. Rant over. It was a small price to pay for self-awareness. The good news is that the irrational cravings are gone and I am seriously back to plan.

DS10 goes off to swim practice tonight. I'll get the pool schedule, and I am planning to walk while he's swimming. It's a start.

Ack, don't let the 3 lbs get you down; I'm sure they'll be gone in not time. Now, go drink a big glass of water!

I'd like to join this challenge. my goal is to be 145 for Hallowe'en. That's a 12 pound loss. Since the summer parties are pretty much over, i'm hoping this will be doable for me.

Well, newleaf123 I guess I dont have perseverance, this weekend went lousy, I'm up 2 pounds.
So I think I jumped the gun, I changed my goal to 7 pounds.
It's more like the "Eye of the Sloth"
Hydra-I wish I had your self control.
Well chickies, hope you all have a better turn out.

Actually, my perseverance comment was related to only weighing every 2 weeks; there is no way I could do that... But as for the weight goal, 7 pounds sounds like a doable goal and I wish you success!

First week in and I'm up half a pound for the week. I've been on plan. I'll give it another week before I decide if the problem is the plan. It's quite possible that it's other things.

Hang in there, GardenerJoy...

I'll join! I have been so out of control lately. Maybe this will help me to re-focus. I'm joining late however, so let me go with 5 lbs. That would be nice b/c that is what I think I have gained over the summer. It should be doable without causing me to stress eat over it. LOL

Swtgila nice to see you again!! You can do this... Look how much weight you have already lost... Just focus, and I'm sure that being back in control is yours to be had.

Wow, there are a lot of us joining in this Halloween challenge! I saw some Halloween decorations out at the store today and it reminded me of the challenge here and that we are all so motivated to succeed. I forgot to weigh this morning so I will wait until tomorrow morning and hopefully see a little loss. I also have a doctor's checkup and I am excited for my doc to see my weight loss. I am sure he will be pleased.

Good Day everyone! Hope all are doing well on their plan.

My negative: I can't mark any lost toward my Halloween Goal, cause I'm still working off the bday/labor day weekend gain which was 3 lbs. So hard to take off, so easy to put on.

My positive: Since that fiasco, I have lost 1.5 of the 3lbs! So close to being back on track.

I definitely need to relook at how I eat during family celebrations. Thankfully no more birthdays till 2010. Next big party won't be till Thanksgiving. So I've got time to prepare for that one in my head.

Everybody keep up the great work!