I'm new around here so this is my first challenge too. My goals for July 4th are to get below 200 lbs. and to keep going with my daily cardio. Good luck to everyone!

Welcome to all of the new people!

1.0 lb loss today! I'm down to 113.4. If I keep going like this, I could be in the 112s when my DH comes home! Lots of errands to run today, hopefully, I get a workout in somewhere.

Awwwww, thank you! I agree, it's extreme, but not impossible. And, I think the challenge in it keeps me going. If I get bored with things, I tend to quit. But, I'm probably speaking on that topic a little early considering I'm only just over a 1/3 of the way in!

Yesterday, I stayed on plan at 1200 calories and did my walking very early in the morning because it was going to be 90. Good luck everyone!

No work out yesterday but i stayed OP with food. for once in like forever. Today is off to a rocky start but thanks to my protein shake and LOTS of water, i think i can take control! No more snacks today whether im bored at work or not! im hoping once i start a new day job that gives me more to do that i wont be thinking about eating constantly.

Phat and love: Best of luck to you ladies! I will definitely not forget you while I take a little mental break from strict CC. I took a break last summer and lost a little, so I'm pretty confident I can do it again (or at least not gain.) I'm naturally more active in the summer, so it's easier for me to eat "intuitively" and not gain. Still going to weigh in weekly to make sure I'm not getting off track. I know that means I will get to my final goal a little later, but right now, that's a tradeoff I'm willing to make.

Anyhoo...best of luck to all of you! I will pop in here and there and I won't be gone long Thanks to everyone for all of your support so far along this journey. Couldn't have come this far without you!!

love2b- Hi, nice to have you back!

It was in the 90's & humid today, still walked for 50min. I was drenched in sweat! Don't mind steamy weather at all, I love it. Calories are 1336, 136 over my limit, too much fruit. Gotta work on getting my calories down, having trouble with that. Been eating clean for 2 days, but the scale is going up. I think my age ( I'll be 43 in Aug.)is effecting my metabolism, which means I should be lowering my calories even more. I'm gonna try lowering them to 1000-1100 instead of 1100-1200. This will be difficult, getting old sucks!

SOOOOO...the beast that is known as "college finals" that swallowed me up? Yea, it finally spit me back out LOL and I gained 3 freakin' pounds!!!! Well, anyway, back on the wagon, and July 4th goals are pretty much as follows:

-Lose 8 lbs
-Count everything I put in my mouth
-At least 100 oz of water a day
-Continue at least some form of physical activity 5 times a week

I really missed you ladies and I am super excited to get my head out of the books and into my weight loss goals!!!

Yesterday was an ok day. I went over my 1300 calories by 30. Very frustrated, started my cycle yesterday so I feel swollen and tired today. I don't want to be at work and I'm thinking I may fall fast asleep at my desk. I will work hard to stay awake. Well that's all folks. Too tired and sleepy to do personals...Yea I know it's only 9am for me and I want to got to sleep right now.

Hi Lori Thanks for starting this Challenge! You are looking Awesome!

I'm having trouble staying on my food plan. Plus, I'm done working out with my personal trainer. I need to do more cardio. I'm hoping joining more challenges will help.

SW: 227.8
CW: 230.8 ( + 3) I was out of town weighed in on 7/5.
GW: 215

I feel fantastic today. Just finished my workout. I cheated and weight today- and got a very pleasant surprise! I'm down to 123.4, which would be the lowest weight I've been in probably 7 years.

Of course, I'm not counting this as my official weigh in, so we'll see what the scale says tomorrow. I weighed yesterday, too, at 125.4- but hadn't "voided" and so I think that's the reason for the change today. Let's hope it stays the same for tomorrow!

I've been doing really well tracking my calories/exercising for the past two weeks or so. My energy level is already ramped way up- it's amazing how quickly that can change.

Jiggle- So sorry to hear you're having a bad day! 30 calories isn't bad- whenever I go over, I tend to go over by at least 100. I hear you with the cycle thing- I always just want to crawl into bed in a fetal position. Hope you start feeling better soon!

Fit- Doesn't the end of the semester always feel so good? I'm taking a summer online course, but I just felt so relieved after spring was over! I think the relief is helping me focus on my goals, too.

Fruit- It was 90 here and humid yesterday- but today it's gone down to 60 as the high, go figure! You can keep your 90's though! I've never been a big fan of heat. Though, as I've lost weight I can tolerate it much better! I don't mean to overstep my bounds here, but have you spoken to a doctor about going lower with your cals? I've always heard you should get approval when going under 1200. Either way, good luck!!

Northern- We'll miss you! I took a break too, last summer (of course, you probably saw me just drop off in posting completely, ha) and did very well- it was good for me, mentally. We all need a break sometimes!

Dtermined- Good job staying OP!

Amber- I'm definitely one that needs variety, too! I've thought about P90x, but I really like my slim express vids- they do get a little monotonous at times, though. Maybe you'll inspire me to try it someday!

Anyone else I've missed- hope your day is going well! And welcome to all new joiners!

Fruitlady ~ I like steamy weather, too (for the most part). When I'm walking outside it makes my walk seem more intense and I like to think that I've burned more calories b/c it's so hot outside.

Fit4Lyfe ~ Don't worry about those 3 pounds ~ I'm sure they'll drop off in no time. It sounds like you are motivated and your goals are great!

Corrine ~ Congrats on the 123!

I hope everyone else has a great day ~ I need to step up my exercise. We did major yard work for four days straight last weekend (Fri-Mon) and now I have absolutely no energy to do anything active. I laid on the living room floor last night and watched TV for two hours...it felt really good, but I need to get back on track!

Fit - Welcome back! Congrats on the finals being over. You'll get back on track and be just fine.

Corrine - Congrats on all of the progress! You're a real inspiration. I'd like to do two solid weeks of counting and exercising. Two days down, lol. But, I can do it!

Nothing really to report, ladies. I was on target for calories yesterday and I"m just plugging along with my workouts.

One thing I'll say is that if it weren't for P90X, I wouldn't be moving around at all. I'm really bad about sitting at my desk job and never getting up. I need motivation to get up from my desk during the day. Any ideas?

I have a printer in my office, but sometimes I'll print something to a printer in a different room so I can get up and walk around. Can you print things out to a printer that is farther away from you?

Or sometimes I'll just stand at my desk and type out an email. At least it gives me a chance to stretch my legs.

Thank you!!! I am just going to keep on trucking, eventually it will all come off!!! You're such inspiration!!!

Yes! It felt sooooo amazing!!! I am glad it's over, I was going to take a summer course but this Spring just killed me, I need this 3-month break.

Sorry, I have been really sleepy as well... you will be fine and 30 calories is not bad, I've been going over by like 100 to 300 calories! A day!!! LOL

Ladies, I am slowly easing back in to the program but I can't make myself workout! LOL, I usually love working out, and I know once I get up and actually go, I will feel great, but the weather here has been yucky, the sky is white in the morning, like 100% albedo and then it rains and I'm depressed about it (well, not genuinely depressed...) and I just can't get up! I need help!!!! Or whether, I need motivation...I need something, I have to work out this summer, I just have to...