CBETA--Thanks for the welcome and setting me straight with the rules. I promise I read them, but I just left out that one little detail. I'll go with level....1. Although I find it tough in general to lose weight, I find it easier when I have a specific plan, SO, 1 it is. Also, I live in the Clintonville area, where all the vegetarian hippies live, duh. (Disclaimer: I am not a hippie nor do I advocate such a relaxed, earth and animal-friendly lifestyle).

Red--WOW, what a welcome!! Does everyone get this treatment or do I have special rights as a vegetarian? Speaking of that, I'm not vegan, although I'm often mistaken as one, as I very rarely eat dairy/eggs. When I do eat eggs, I have to make sure they're free range, vegetarian fed, and so on. I only buy vegetarian cheese with microbial or vegetable rennet as opposed to straight-up calf stomach. Eww. Oh, and about the food porn--are you saying nobody is tempted by my delicious soy patties? MY vegetarian burgers taste just like,...Well, I can't say it--that would be participating in the forbidden "food porn." Anyway, it's pretty peaceful here on Zen Lane and I don't plan to stir up any misery. It's not my style. As for the piercings, I have some that hurt MUCH worse, I assure you. We'll save that for another day, though. Thanks again for making me feel so welcome. Catch you on yahoo?

Hi everyone,

thank you all for the kind words. I am feeling a little better today, but the 20-minute walk to the subway (I'm back in NY again) completly wiped me out. At least I know I will get another 20 minutes of walking in tonight when I go back to the apartment. Unless I take a cab . I think I'll just walk. It's good for me and i need some activity other than moping about at work wishing I felt better!

CBETA - you are doing so well with your challenges! I saw that you finished your first round a few days ago, and have started a new set of three - Congratulations! I hate to take meds also, but, sometimes they really help you (like my antibiotics!). I get really bad TOM for just one day, and then the remaining days are fine. So I usually don't take anything, but if your meds help you, then take them, silly!

Jolly girl - doesn't it feel good once you are done with your workout? I miss the gym. My goal is to start working out again by Friday.

Sushi - your running has really improved! Weren't you running only 3 and 4 minutes at a time a few months ago?

Carla - Wow, you have just been "spinning" away the pounds, haven't you? Keep it up, lady!

Red - let your knees rest up! I personally have more knee trouble when I run on a treadmill then when i can run outside, but if a treadmill is your best option, just try to take it easy for a little while.

Talk to you all later! And hello to everyone else I missed!

Actually, I've not yet finished all
A: Food (3-2) -Day 21 (Feb. 7) Done. CHALLENGE COMPLETED
B: H2O (3-2) - Day 21 (Feb. 7) Done. CHALLENGE COMPLETED
C: Gym (3-3) - Day 20 (Feb. 7) Done ONE more day and tonight it will ALL OVER!
So excited I thought I'd never make it. Though that weight 248, hm is another story, today it was 250 perhaps due to soy sauce salt. It must go down by Friday. To celebrate, I am making a few guys buy me flowers and, may be going up to Tahoe to ski... My ex did say that it looks like he can see some loss when he looks at my profile, but when anfas there is still a lot more work to do...Saturday I will start my new challenges I think. I think it will be 3 or 4. Meaning a repeat all of old 3 plus a no any sugar. I eat very little of it as it, but sometimes I do, so I will get rid of 1-2 teaspoons in my morning tea, and then random other ocasional white flour stuff. That will be hard, but at least water and food can become level 2 or may be even level 1.

Im Doneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Yeehaw Uh Huh Whos Ur Mommy Now... Um New Challenge 64 Oz Of Water A Day For 21 Days Level 1 ...yeehaw

Hi all. Congrats on challenges met. Fish, yes, I love it when I am done at the gym. Especially in the mornings. I feel so much better all day once I get that done. Evenings are tough, especially when work runs long (hence, no barn again today )

Day 5 for both challenges - met This was amazing, as again, work was a bit hectic - dealing with finances that didn't exactly match up. Then, I got home, and took the plunge. Asked a friend about setting me up with a friend of her husband. This was stressful, as I am not attractive, have no social skills, and the only dating skills I ever had (haven't dated in about a decade) was beer. at least I tried, yah? But, I stuck with the menu, enjoyed my dinner (between cleaning up after sick dog), and am getting ready to watch Lost.

Oh yeah, and am checking out a bike riding club. I like my bike.

have a great night all! YOu are all awesome.

CBETA! FREAKY!! TAY!!!
WE'VE GOT A HAT TRICK!!!


Bythe way, CBETA, you almost had me stumped with "anfas", but I think I've figured it out: from French "en face", or face-to-face/straight on? (As opposed to in profile?)

Yesterday I used up my second food challenge pause day; I don't think that one's going all the way to 21. But another no wine day under my belt today. Which makes either 9 or 10, gotta check.

This morning was the second boot camp class - not as much fun this time, as the (different) instructor didn't seem to realize she needed to dumb down some of the ab work for me to a level I could at least attempt. No grasp of the concept of walking before you try to run... But the early rising was still not too bad. Tomorrow night: spin, then Fri am boot camp again, followed by a bit of a break over the weekend (although I'll be working both days, so no sleeping in).

33 -

too tired to post more right now...

day 19

calories- 1280
exercise- 1 hr of circuit training

fingers are too tired to type... eyes are going shut... carla u made me sleepy just reading your schedule!!!!


fish hope u are feeling better....

As of now all of my challenges are completed.
I could not have done w/o your support and w/o support of my friends and family (that' my acceptance speech....)
Here is to more completed challenges in the future. Not sure I might start one tomorrow or friday.
I feel that beggining of this week due to TOM I did not work hard enough, so perhaps I shall look into doing more.
BTW, I never bought those flowers for 260 pounds(first they did not have the kind I wanted, second time when I stopped by, that kind was not very fresh and I did not want to be upset looking at them all droopy)... and now being right at 250 this eve and slightly below in the morning, i think I should, or at least I shall attempt to get one of my guy friends to buy me some, due to weight loss and upcomming valentine, even though I will not be going to Denver :-( because of work...

carla yes anfas is correct, I was not sure if this is an english word...though in my story I screwed up he did not like my "profile view" and did like my "anfas".
But yes you are correct on the translation.

Yes, my running has improved... makes me very happy. But I once ran 1.5 km in 2 min 10 sec. Wonder if I'll ever repeat that!

Today was Day 9 of my challenge and I did 14 minutes. I improved my time for one stretch of the dirt road (about 1.5 km) by a bit to 8 min 24 sec, but it was really tough... I get so awfully red in the face! It's embarassing when people stare at me from the passing cars... or when other runners stare - they're never red in the face! ops:

Good morning all. Wow, Carla - your workout routine sounds awesome. I know I have gotten complacent lately, and need to amp things up a bit with my workout. Have been doing weights regularly, but need to push the cardio more. My reward for hitting 200 is some personal trainer sessions. I also have figured out in advance my next few food goals, which is great. I have even planned in when to consult with a dietician if needed. I really feel like I have made some strides the last few days.

I also dodged a pause day bullet already this morning. For some reason, I woke up feeling really tired and kind of grumpy. I decided what I had planned for breakfast just wasn't going to work, and I was having something else. Now, what I was going to make was actually healthy, but then I realized - why waste a pause day on a healthy breakfast that I can easily put on the next menu rotation??? How silly is that? So I had the oatmeal that was on my menu (let me tell you, 33, once a week oatmeal is more than enough for me!), and am off to the gym as soon as I get done here.

And sorry, Red. I wasn't meaning to be down on myself, but I am not a pretty woman. Add to that a sarcastic sense of humor, a strong independence, and a protective shell - I am not exactly a man's fantasy. Ah well.

I am off to the gym and work. Have a great day all.

Hello everyone!!

I made it through Day 1 of the challenge. Jolly, I honestly LIKE oatmeal, so maybe that's the difference. And, I find it to be very filling and it's healthy, so I have no problem eating it!

Red, sorry about leaving so unexpectedly--I had surprise company. I will most definitely catch you later, though.

Sushi--I swear to you not ALL of us runners are so judgemental. I see people running all the time on the streets/trails/etc. and I'm just happy to see them out. Some are slower than me, some are faster, some are red, some look like they could go to work right after their run and nobody would notice. Honestly, rest assured that they just think you're working extra hard. I'm seriously just happy to see people out being active. Also, I don't know if you've experienced the "runner's high" thing yet, but when people are in that zone, they're not paying a bit of attention. Keep up the running!

Thanks everyone for the new inspiration. You've been great and I feel really good about everything right now. I've always been the "I can do it by myself" type, but the truth is--it's very encouraging to have people like all of you around. Okay, I'm going to stop before this turns into some sentimental breakdown and my reputation gets shot! LOL

~ZenLane

Hello everyone!!!

Guess what? I'm back at day 1 with all of my challenges, boohoo. I have completed WATP for the day. thirty3zenlane welcome to the group, I have been so absorbed in myself I didn't do it before. You are really in for a treat, these gals are great motivators. CBETA and the rest of you guys congrats on your completions, what's next. Redballoon, I'm still scooting along. I'll try to catch you on the messenger at some point today. I planned my menu last night so as long as I don't add anything, my journal is complete. I am on my 4th glass of water. Oh, I'll get that email to you today also. Have a great evening.

Carla, this boot-camp sounds like something I saw on a FITTV network show.....you PAY to be tortured & get up early???? I GET PAID to get up at 445AM for work...........


hmmmm? I'm sure you are going to get stronger and kick some A$$

Exercise is down the loo, I'm preparing to give my life to the TAX-MAN (insert old Beatles music)...HOWEVER......today I am wearing junior size 11 slacks from Mandees! I'd better get to exercising because the very last place I seem to lose is the torso! My buttisimo shrinks, my thighs, my wrists and my back-fat are leaving....Thankfully the girls are staying, but this WAIST ANNOYS ME!

(ok I'll stop ranting now)....

Congrats to all who are so motivated and complete things!