Knew I had a hair appointment today, but didn't realize it was at 9am! Oh well, that's done now...I'm cropped and wisped and a beautiful bordeaux color. I have the best stylist!

Was flipping through O magazine whilst the color cooked, but didn't get to read the parts I really wanted to! I'm going out shortly to the drugstore and will pick up a copy. All about accepting yourself and working toward being healthy...OOOH...and little motivational cards to tack up in a spot you'll see them.

I have come to the realization that diets do not work for me. I cannot deprive myself of certain foods. That's not realistic anyway, not for me. So for this challenge I am focusing on PORTION size, only eating as scheduled...3 meals, 2 snacks works for me...and not eating just because it's there or I'm bored. I know all the rules about what to eat, how much to eat, etc,etc. I'm going to work on realistically putting them to work for me.

I am going to work out every day, be it 30 minutes or two 30 minute sessions or whatever.

Now, I'm off to the drugstore to buy girlie stuff....new moisturizer, lipstick, etc...because I deserve to look my best and I AM WORTH IT!

Scooby, Happy Birthday on the 15th! Mine is the 7th! We are Leos, hear us ROAR!

Hi! I got up early this morning and did 30 minutes of Pilates. I love starting out like that, really sets me up for a good healthy day.
Now I'm going to walk 4 miles on the treadmill!

Hi all, It's 6 a.m. on Day 16 for me. Wednesday, top of the morning to everyone! I get to greet the new day before any of you so I'm getting off to the gym now and will set the energy right for success, then send it your way. I declare myself official positive energy adjuster over here. Amarantha, come up with some name and acronym for me!

** Amarantha, you got cyndy's name right typing blind! Awesome. Tell us about this exciting story development! On to Day 4 for you! Block-Twoer!! Say it loud and proud!!!

*** scoobysnacks, yes, it was you walking in the supermarket and in the rain. I remember that. You are something else! You are invincible!
Yeah, the no sugar thing is hard. I couldn't have done it if it wasn't that I'd done it for a year before. Also, I have a personality where it's easy (relatively speaking) to do an ALL or NOTHING routine. Moderation is NOT me! Do we see the roots of my overeating here?! But cutting down is good. The sugar is bad stuff. After a few days off the stuff my skin and complexion looks SOO much better. You will feel so much better in other ways too. The cravings disappear too. I also can drink and I used to be able to knock down one cold beer after the other. (Drinking is a very big part of the socializing scene in Tokyo). Now though, I can't even if I want to. But the thing is, I DON'T want to. It's amazing. And, my body shape changed over that year. Probably a lot was due to the fact that I was just eating less but I don't think it was just that. I used to have a ton of fat around my waist, talk about tires!, and they just melted away. Now, when I put on weight it tends to go all over.

*** All you vain, (and scared) Leos! cyndy, 30 is like, ah, . . .can't remember. wildfire, roaring feline with the sexy bordeaux mane, yes, Leoine pride will get us to OUR rightful place in the sun!! That's right, me too, the hamsterlike redballoon is actually one of those impossible Leos herself. Aug. 8, Friday is my birthday! I'm taking off work because I couldn't stand the thought of being caged on my day!!

*****Eydie, you are kicking butt. Pilates early in the morning. Gads! How do you do it? I want to get into that too but after getting some tapes and books it just looked so horribly boring and painful. But it's the best thing. I ride horses and the muscles needed for dressage are what Pilates can train and only Pilates or riding. I can only get to the stable twice a week. I'm really feeling it. Any tips on getting down and doing it!?!

OK, gotta run. I am late for my date with the machines!

Yo! Making my report early again ... don't feel terribly well ... too much sugar today chasing around, but had two of my low carb shakes for dinner and these balance things out nicely. Don't anticipate breaking the challenge tonight.

RB: The story wasn't really too exciting ... just a school board thing ... I get interested in spite of myself ... then when I get in this reporter mode running around, I tend to overeat from the convenience store ... BUT NOT TODAY BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO BREAK MY CHALLENGE! This 21-day thing is a great tool for me to use in my quest to make goal.

Eydie: on your great start to the day!!! Pilates is great. I need to get back into it. You're doing great!!!

Wildfire: Thy hair soundeth fantastic!!! IMO you're on the right track about not depriving yourself of any particular food. That's why calorie counting works best for me. I am trying to choose better foods but at the same time if I eat something unwise, I can still work it into my program. And portion size is all important ... I can't believe what people think of as a portion nowadays ... most restaurant portions would feed a family of six, with leftovers! Happy Birthday on the 7th!!!

Scooby!! Is thy birthday the 15th? I thought it was today! Anyway, your doing great.

To all challengers, mentioned and unmentioned, have a great evening ... I think this is going to be the most successful 21-day challenge group in the history of 21-day challenges!!! My report is below!

Day 3:

1) Eat no more than 1750 calories per day? Yes, calories: 1745!

2) Practice at least one good weight management lifestyle behavior (GWMLB) daily. Yes, GWMLBs: Walked briskly around gym parking lot for 10 minutes before gym opened. Parked farther away from grocery store than I really wanted to. Threw away 1/2 of an icy cold carb control shake tonight just so I could make this calorie goal and drank water instead.

Hello! I just wanted to let you know that I finished my mini 10 day challenge successfully with a 4 pound loss!!!
I'm leaving for a weeks vacation tomorrow so I'll start a new 21 day bit when I get back. I'm sure I'll be catching up on a lot of good news next week!
Keep it up!!!

Apple Blossom,

Congratulations on your mini challenge success! Have fun on your vacation and yes, I'm looking forward to your next challenge. I should be second blocker by then, joining Amarantha for twice around.

See you in 7!

Yowza!!! Apple Blossom, on your 10 great days of success and have a great vacation!!!! Looking forward to your return and reading about your new challenge!!!

My data held for yesterday and I'm on the first lap of DAY FOUR!!! Heading for gym in a bit!

Yowza!!!



Beam me up, Scotty!!!

'Mornin Challengers!

Having a hard time getting going this morning. It's just so freakin humid here! No relief in site, either.

Started off the day with a bowl of oatmeal. Made low-fat carrot muffins.

Now I'm trying to convince myself to put on workout clothes and get on the treadmill. Then abs. And I've decided I'm going to do push ups every day, as many as I can. A la Demi Moore in GI Jane. What inspiration!

It's one of those I-have-so-much-to-do-I-can't-get-started kind of days.

But start I must!

Go, Jane, go!!!

Hello!

I'm going into work this afternoon and I had the morning off. I caught my brain trying to talk me out of working out! Things like 'you can make this your day off, you worked out hard yesterday, give yourself a break, etc.' [What? You mean you don't hear voices? ] Anyway, after almost being seduced into doing nothing, I got up and did a 30 min. step tape and a 30 min. upper body workout and 15 min of Pilates! I'm stronger than "the voice"!

DAY 9 for me. Tomorrow I'll be in the double digits!

Yay, Eydie!!! Double digits coming up!!!! Keep a'goin!!!!

My report is way early today as covering a school BORED meeting that is likely to go into the small hours. I've made a list of calories yet to be eaten and will stick to it, but if there be deviations, shall reporteth them tomorrow! Don't plan on coming back online again today. Feel in steady state with this thing now, almost the way I felt when I lost the 100 ... as if I could go on with this forever. Wandering in the hinterland today, which for me is the city where I live, as I work in the rural areas ... anyhow, noticing the mega millions of eating experiences flashing at me from every nook and cranny, every side street, every traffic light ... and realized that because of this long period of calorie counting, I was now able to enjoy thinking about the amazing variety of the thing but had no desire to stop and cram all the different tastes and sensations into my body. This challenge is really helping. And, so ...

Day 4:

1) Eat no more than 1750 calories per day? Yes, calories: 1690!

2) Practice at least one good weight management lifestyle behavior (GWMLB) daily? Yes, GWMLBs: Parked far from stores on two occasions. Bought one Krispy Kreme when I wanted two. Walked around mall instead of going home to lie on couch before meeting tonight. Bought no food in mall!!!!

On to Day 5!!!

Day two coming to a close. No eating after 7:30 here, too, and am stuffed from supper, so NOOOO PROBLEMO!

Did very well today!

redballoon, our birthdays are just a day apart! I have actually found my astrological twin on another message board...same birthday, same age, only an hour apart in birth time! Just amazing. What are you doing for your birthday?

Challengers! We're exercising and eating healthy...just look at us go!

Ended the day with 1390 calories! Stopped eating at 5:30 today because I had a yoga class this evening. Man, breakfast is going to be like really good tomorrow....!

Hello everyone. This is Day 17 and I'm fine so far. Will ride the bike later though I've already been riding (horseback) and walking. I just feel I have to do it to the book and that means either cycling or jogging. Yesterday I ran on the treadmill and did some weight training. Am feeling it today. Legs are sore! I can't believe I have only 5 more days to go! The sugar part is getting pretty easy but that's when it's easy to slack off and start in again. Actually last night I had a couple beers (I'm not counting them as sugar though I know alcohol is just as bad, but I felt I could separate the two as I rarely drink.) Well, I had these beers and was coming home late and hadn't eaten and as I passed the kiosk in the train station I saw a bag of those little Ritz cheese crackers and ALMOST bought them, even though I know they have sugar in them. But I resisted and when I got off the train I went into the convenience store and bought a little pack of chestnuts and a little pack of cashew nuts. So I was safe! Yeah!!

** Amarantha, very interesting post there about the temptations of the city . . .NOT!! and how this challenge has helped you. You're right, why do we want to cram these things into us anyhow. We can enjoy them on the outside and in our imagination if we really want. I mean it's not like I don't remember what a chocolate bar or vanilla ice cream cone tastes like!

I really wish you the continuing power to keep going. You lost 100 lbs??! Is that right? Unbelievable. I hadn't known that. Where are you now and what are your weight goals or other body goals? I'm curious.

** Wildfire, congrats on Day 2. I co-own a horse and am taking the day off and planning to go riding again and then give her a good bath and do her tail and mane with conditioner and everything. I thought it would be good to do something nice for her on my birthday. There's a typhoon on the way though so I may get rained out.

**Eydie, good for you. Keep it up!

Hmmm, interesting post about the temptations of the city NOT! ??? Didn't mean not to be interesting, RB, but I was sure you meant yep there are a lotta temptations out there ... happy to say I dodged them all and my report yesterday held and ...

I'M ON DAY FIVE!!!

to all for their great work yesterday!!! Yowza!!!

Running late but will be back!!!