Karen- I like the idea of not weighing in until the next challenge starts. I don't know if that will work for me, but I am going to consider it.
As for my goals for the upcoming challenge, I am going to check myself then and state my goals.
Nice to meet all of you!

Hi all. I'm back in for another round.

One of my goals for this challenge are to keep my food log again. I was doing well until Memorial Day and then I let it get away from me. I think I need that accountability for myself. I'm trying not to focus to much on calories or percentages like I was last time. Instead I am going to focus on getting my fruits and veggies in with minimal whites.

My big challenge is going to be getting my exercise. I had rejoined the gym and was pleased with the 2-3 days of great workouts I was getting. I just found out today though that my kids will probably end up in the preschool in a different town and the only place there is a Curves. I refuse to sign another contract so that is out. Hopefully the weather will hold for a while and I can at least get some wogging done while the kids are in school. And before anyone asks, no I cannot come home to work out since it is a 45 mile round trip. Living in the woods sucks eggs sometimes.

As for starting challenge weight we will have to just wait and see. I am trying to break my scale habit and stay off it until the challenge starts.

Hi Ladies & Gents!

I'm officially back from India, and totally ready to rock this joint. Especially since I have this little wedding to attend in October >_> Just something to look forward to, and to work towards.

I went to WW tonight, because I HAD to, the desire was so overwhelming I went and got weighed in "early" because I hadn't been in so long.

The bad news? I'm up 5.8lbs from my previous weigh-in.

The good news? I'm not up 20 pounds!

I've got a lot of goals... mostly to get back to normal. And to shed these 5.8 lbs and finally join that 100lb club

I admit it... I'm psyched. And really glad to be back.

I really want to wait for a couple of weeks to weigh but I started counting calories this week and I know it's going to drive me crazy knowing if it's working or not...which will lead to me obsessing about it....which will lead to me weighing more often...which will stress me out and want to binge.....vicious cycle, isn't it? I guess that means I should really try it.

I've only ever done one major race before and I didn't really do a recovery period, I just quit running because I didn't have a post-race goal. So yeah, in that "recovery period" I gained 30 lbs.

This time around my recovery period will be 13 days (1 day for each mile) then I'll be back training for my 10-miler in October. I'm not expecting I'll lose much during those 13 days since I'll be going from running 30-40K each week to not running at all. I'm actually on my taper week (I haven't run since last Wednesday) and I'm trying to be careful with my eating to reflect the drop in my activity level.

I got the go-ahead from my clinic instructor to do 30 minutes of non-running activity today and tomorrow and I was very happy to get on the elliptical this evening. I've been getting antsy from not getting my exercise buzz so working up a good sweat was a relief!

This evening our clinic group went out for supper which was a really nice way to wrap up the 16 weeks, but I'm also sad that it's over. I've really been enjoying the 3 runs we do together each week and I'm worried I'll lose my momentum. To top it all of, my running buddy is moving to China in 10 days.

I guess I'll have to shift my focus a bit. DH is joining the TBL challenge and he's getting ready for his clinic in November so he'll be some good inspiration.

Has anyone else seen the LivPURE water bottle?? I just got an email from SparkPeople about another product made by Fit N Fresh and a coupon for the storage containers (for school lunches, etc) and was browsing their website.... here's the info (sent it to my mom too)

http://www.fit-fresh.com/products/livpure/ it would help cut down the cost we spend on bottled water each month (and year). It's a reuseable bottle with a filter in it that filters tap water as we drink it and the filter is good for 75 gallons of water. the bottle holds 20oz of water. It's only $12.98 for the bottle, and the 2pk refills (good for 150 GALLONS) is only $7.99....would be great at cutting our water bottle costs each month....Buying refills for this for a year would amount to what we spend a month on bottled water. WOW. Great way to go Green too
just thought I'd pass this on to you...

(the prices I listed above are at their website, link above)...but also we can look at the following stores online and see if it's available for sale online yet
Thought I'd add where they say we can buy these (and other great products they have):

Buy online now or look for Fit & Fresh™ products at fine retailers nationwide, including:

Albertson's
Amazon.com
Bartell Drugs
Bed, Bath & Beyond
Bi-Mart
Bodybuilding.com
Boscov's
Bylane Home
Cub Foods
Dormbuys.com
Drugstore.com
Fred Meyer
Fry's Food
GNC.com
Hannaford
K-Mart
Kroger
Linens 'n Things
Long's Drug Stores
LuckyVitamin.com
MotherNature.com
MyVitanet.com
Quality Food Centers
Shaw's
Spartan Stores
Stop & Shop
Target
Wegman's

I was just looking at the mixers, they have portable mixer bottles, some powered. to mix and go with your favorite drinks and smoothies....i like that idea might have to add this to my wishlist as well
well, i'm going to bed before i find more health conscience items online that i want to buy...lol ( I NEVER thought i would get this excited about healthy stuff and Going Green items...i like this...it's easier that i thought..what was i so scared of before?!)
I'm off to bed (i hope) and will be up early (645am cst) for my workout and trying to get into school mode for the early waking up need to nail a routine down before hand so we're prepared...even going to bed at 1am last night I got up at 645am with the alarm (even though i didnt want to)...but i wanted to get a start on my workouts before kids woke up...and i still have lots of energy thanks to my workouts this morning (30 minutes pilates and 4 fast miles watp)
goodnight (i mean morning)! lol

Okay gang,(Kelly, Anjuli, Jaime, Enygirl, Chiquita, Julia) here are the pics (UGH!!!) Good reality check though because I'm one of those who get over confident. (Hate this bathing suit, but it's what I started with, so . . .)

So Enygirl - how'd your pics turn out? I'm in for before and after flicks, that's why I went ahead and posted these - as uncomfortable as it is. Anyone else?

Jaime - This is the perfect time to start another challenge, right at that turning point - no getting comfortable!!! Here's to the 180's - before the challenge???

Julia - thanks for reminding me about the NSV's. My pants are falling off, but I'm not quite comfortable in the next size either - but soon . . .

Chiquita - I know you understand what you think I said, but what you heard is not exactly what I meant. (Yeah, it came out right!)

Zinke - good to have you back.

Stayed OP, did 4 mile walk, and thanks to Jo (Tyler), I'm heading for another session after this note - Turbo Jam tonight. Eating a lot more of the nutritional yeast and the SF DaVinci flavored syrups are a tremendous help - adding them to soy shakes, morning tea, cereal - but my favorite is German Chocolate Cake (flavor) mixed with FF half and half over strawberries. Awesome.

What's your favorite OP treat???

Dora

Dora im exactly the same as you not much change from ther front view .. but a heap of difference from the side.. which is why my pics were side profile.. I can see a hug difference .. in your tum. bum tops of legs .. everywhere.. you look great ...

i might find some front pics of me to show you what i mean

here some pictures of the front view.. looks no different to me

these pictuire are january 2nd ( 280) and june 22 . ( 267) __ but look no different from the front now lol.. trust me on this one


ok here is the truth today.. lol the worst picture of me ever taken.. but my camera took this gorgeous shot and then ran out of batteries.. lol.. and it flashed before i thought it would and i didnt get time to smile oh and i have a bunch of tissues in my right pocket too.. but the point is .... lol see no difference in these but then look at the side and loads of change i think i look bigger today from the front then i did back in january lol.. and im 253 pounds now .. was 280 then.. go figure... ( yeah i know really really bad shot.. stupid camera


and the side again

first is jan 2nd the second side shot is taken august 6

Dora -- Wow girl! Yes, you can see the difference! The side shot REALLY shows it, but I can see it in the front shot too, particularly in the upper body and neck and shoulders! What a great job you did for the challenge, whoo hoo!

Hey Amy, CONGRATULATIONS on being Week 15's Blue Team Biggest Loser! Yee haw! A 6.6 pound loss, way to really ROCK that final weigh in! AWESOME! Your pics also show how much you lost, what a great challenge you had!

Kim, tapering for a race always makes me nutty. Hang in there! You're storing up the energy to have a killer race!

Dora- Oh my gosh how can you not see the difference!?! You look amazing!! Once I get home I will post some before and after pics. You inspired me!

Amy- Way to go on being this weeks biggest loser!!

Well I'm feeling better today so I'm going to get my butt back in gear and get back on the treadmill.