oOPeanutOo - I'm gonna be gone until November 7th. I'm planing on workout while I'm there, so we will see how that goes haha

KimL1214 - Its my gf's wedding and I'm visiting family while I'm down.

Kim - You can go anywhere from 3x-6x a week for an hour. I go 5x a week. I LOVE the trainer. He started it 2 years ago and it is for only women! I love the girls I've met and it's really a strong reason why I joined =) a great way to meet other women with similar goals in your city!

KimL: I know you felt sick after eating the dessert, but what a great friend you are! I hope that working out tomorrow goes well. Go for it!

I don't really have an answer for today's question because I really don't like Halloween very much. This year my boyfriend an I are going as "Hawaiian punch" : he's wearing a hula skirt and Hawaiian shirt (to be funny) and I'm dressing up as a boxer....haha get it? It would be nice though if I couldve been the Hawaiian one. But sadly I can't pull that look off yet.

On a side note, I had two small victories today. One, my scale read 169 this morning, which means I'm only 10 lbs overweight now. That was exciting. secondly, it's been really hot here lately so I've been wearing shorts, which have been big on me for a while now. I got cold in my dorm room so I pulled out my jeans and slipped them on. Yes, slipped, as opposed to doing the "tight jeans dance", wriggling and jumping to get them over my huge thighs and buttoned. Which means that next time I wear them in public I'll have to wear a belt because they get super loose when worn for a while.

KimL1214 – The medical problems are a huge motivator. I don’t think any of them individually would have given me the kick in the butt I needed but it would be nice to get off some of the medications and feel semi “normal”.
That’s pretty cool that your school is running a competition. Hopefully that 3lb lost on their scale keeps you motivated for the week.
It was really nice of you to drop everything for your friend. By the sounds of it you had an extremely busy & stressful night looking after everyone else.

zephyr524 –Your 40lb loss is awesome. Well done!

Krizstyling – I love it when those extra motivators to lose weight come into play. I’m glad meeting Obama was a good experience for you. Sorry to read about your Dad though.

toastedsmoke – Whoa!! a 15lb tumour. I’m glad they caught that and you’re okay. Good work getting in your gym session too.

ferretgirl – Wow, you look amazing!

princessdi86 – 2miles non-stop is fantastic. Are you doing the half marathon by yourself or with friends?

stacylambert – Awesome job on those NSV’s. I’m going to guess that Lucky Charms are some kind of sugary cereal so switching that up is great work!

JennieLovesKisses – It’s great that you have a plan for your trip. Be sure to post a pic from the wedding when you get back.

katybelle – Congrats on the 169 & being able to slip on those jeans.

Today’s Question... We don’t celebrate Halloween over here so there hasn’t been a need for me to come up with a costume. I guess that takes away a lot of pressure! I can only imagine that the ‘less is more’ concept would be high on people’s lists for next year.

I hope everyone is having a good week!!

Today's Question: Every year the husband and I do our Rocky Horror thing =) it's our little tradition, and they perform it at a theater downtown and we are allowed to dress up. The first year we went, I did dress up, despite my size, but last year I just felt too self-conscious and enormous. So, my dream "Halloween costume" is to be able to pull off my Rocky ensemble once again and feel GOOD about myself, and not like everyone is staring at me thinking "Man, that big girl needs to not dress like that!" ugh D=

@Kim: It's a really terrible blow to the ego. I've convinced myself that I'm not attractive enough to be with him, and I want to be more confident in my relationship. Besides, I feel like if I'm thinner I won't hold back as much around him, and we could do more things together, I could act crazier, just be overall less self-conscious.

@katbelle: AWESOME achievement! That's great! You're so close, keep on chuggin! I wish I could say the same about myself =)

I thought today was pretty productive. I got through all three of my workouts. I do a combination of 30 Day Shred, Turbo Jam, and Bellydance. Also had bunches of homework for Play Writing, and I'm getting pretty stressed. Really looking forward to the weekend!

KimL1214: never mind you'll get your work out on today, I'm sure. And your reasons for missing yesterday are soooo sweet, that u definitely deserve the most good work out/weight loss karma the rest of this week!

katybelle: I ADORE you and your husband's costume. "Hawaiian Punch" I think that's soooo clever. I actually laughed out loud in the middle of my office and got a few stares and then had to explain an everyone loved it!!! Very cute!

Jelbelle: I definitely understand where you're coming from. There's this guy (a friend of a friend) who i've never met in person but we've talked online for 2years and I really really like him and I think he really likes me too. And I may have mentioned I'm chubby but I don't think he knows quite how chubby. And he's actually working in a nearby city in the same country now (randomly) and always wants to get together and I keep saying no because he's really fit and goodlooking and I feel like i could never be confident with him as I am now. And I'd never want that. I guess I'm thinking maybe if he saw how chubby i was he wouldn't want to be with me or even if he didn't mind, I would never feel confident. Very sad I know! I used to be such a confident person even being obese and a lot of my realization that I had to do something about my weight came because I no longer had that confidence in myself and if you don't have that, then life will really suck! So I totally understand this weight inhibiting you from like your full relationhip potential. I suppose this weightloss thing is not just an outward journey to hotness but also an internal journey to confidence and self-respect.

stacylambert: Congrats on ur NSVs!!! I can identify. I know how hard it is to stop post-dinner snacking and also to start eating breakfast. Right now I'm still on cornflakes but hopefully soon I'll work my tastebuds up to something healthier like oatmeal!

Ok team Phoenix, I have a question I hope you all can help me with. I'm thinking this year for Christmas I should ask for workout videos and/or motivational weight loss stuff I would normally put off buying for myself. So what I was wondering was what are your favourite/ most effective / toughest workout DVDs??? What do you recommend as maybe your 3 workout DVD essentials??? And also has anyone tried the Beto Zumba DVD, how is it?


Today's Question: To be honest i've never really been big into Halloween. I think I've only ever dressed up twice. In sophomore year of college as a (fat) "madam" (pimp) and in 2nd year grad school as a (fat) beetlejuice. I don't know when if I'll ever dress up for Halloween again but if I do, I'd be glad to be anything really without the "(fat)" part in it.

Kim - Not sure where in Vermont you are but I found a boot camp in Burlington ! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vermon...5349654?v=info

That is the facebook page =)

I LOVE Beto's Zumba dvds. My favorites are Zumba "Cardio Party" and Zumba "20-Minute Express".

Two more favorite workout dvds are Jeff Costa's "Cardio Striptease" and Keli Roberts' "10-Minute Solution Kickbox Bootcamp".

You'll work up a sweat with any of these dvds and the zumba and cardio striptease are very fun. The zumba workouts are part of a bundle on zumba's official website or you can try to buy them individually on ebay. On youtube, you can see lots of other people doing those same songs/dance routines (medium intensity cardio, but beginners can do it and build their way up). The cardio striptease are fun, cardio dance workouts. The box set includes 2 main workouts (beginner and intermediate, 25 and 35 mins), as well as 2 shorter workouts (abs and a "fantasy" routine), or you can look for Workout 1 and 2 individually on amazon. Cardio Striptease Workout 1 is easier than Zumba (for beginners) and you can do Workout 2 for more of a challenge. Both Zumba and Cardio Striptease have male instructors and backup dancers, but they explain very well and make you enjoy the workout (both I'd consider a 'cardio party').

The Kickbox Bootcamp has five 10-minute workouts: Basic Training (great place to start), Buns & Thighs, Arms & Shoulders, Abs, and Fat Burning Blast (fun, intense challenge). Keli Roberts is also a great instructor and you will sweat and work your muscles. This dvd is great, because any time you have 10 minutes, you can do a mini-workout.. then try to squeeze in 3+ segments a day. Start with Basic Training until you can do it all, then add another segment. I like the 10-Minute Solution dvds, because they'll let you build the workout (make a playlist of which segments you want to do). Oh, and you actually use small handweights in the Arms segment.

I'd list those dvds as my must-haves. Nice to switch them out to prevent plateaus and all of these dvds will make you sweat

I'm also interested to see what everyone else lists as their fav dvd workouts

JelBelle: I think your dress looks very 80's and can be rocked out as such

KimL: Congrats on your scale reading, also good your school does challenges- I bet that helps a lot of people, so no one has to do it alone You sure are a caring person, to care for your family and friends the way you do... glad they all have a good person like you in their lives. Hope you get some "YOU" time/workout time in today. haha.. I think my workout time IS my only "me" time

Krizstyling: Kudos to you for losing weight "the right way". Its the only way that's healthy and the only way we'll keep it off. You've come a long way... congrats and keep it up And I think its cute that you were cute for Obama Good for you going to/sticking with the boot camp! Glad y'all have something like that (group setting with similar goals).

toastedsmoke: Really good and determined of you to stick with your workout plans, even if you don't feel like it. That strong determination to "get it done" will help you reach your goals. A tangly situation with the guy you like.. I wrote at bottom of my post about our inner feelings, like how you mentioned. I know that's a big part of it. All I can say is follow your heart (it will usually steer you right) and maybe be honest with him or consider how long it will take before you're willing to meet him. Weigh the pros/cons both ways. Having been friends online for 2 years, I'd think that'd be more important than looks. We're here to listen if you need to think more on it. Good luck!

stacy: Good job on eating right and staying away from food at night. I also have that nighttime eating problem (eating cause I stay up late or even eating to try to stay awake). Food is a big part of it, so kudos and keep it up!

princessdi: I'm happy for your NSV Very sweet of your boyfriend to encourage you. Its harder for those who see us every day to notice gradual changes, so you know its noticeable since he picked up on it. yay! *hugs* Love positive comments.

katybelle: Congrats on your clothing NSVs You should reward yourself with something new and better-fitting soon (at what goal weight?)

Thanks everyone, for the progress pic comments. I wish everyone had the opportunity to workout in a supportive group setting like that.. I guess there's the misconception that pole/exotic dance classes are targetted towards pleasing men... but its NOT. The classes (at this studio anyway) are targetted towards women and they encourage and discuss loving yourself and your body.. their motto is "feel internally transformed" (F.I.T.) and I think that's the goal when we work out. It true though, after really sticking with a workout (3+ times a week) and seeing some results (lbs or inches lost, clothes fitting better) leads to the inner transformation (feeling better/self-confident).

And for today's question: ah, Halloween... I love it. I would love to be dressed as a sexy kitty, vampire, World of Warcraft Night Elf or Succubus, Bettie Page, or Rogue ('90s X-Men cartoon) or Harley Quinn ('90s Batman cartoon; Joker's cute accomplice) I have the night elf ears, but would love to wear a slinky (skin-baring) outfit


(Spooky Fest at Kiddo's school last Saturday- you can see my ears! LOL)


(A more accurate outfit for a Night Elf / One I'd like to be able to wear and feel/look good in)

Hope everyone's staying on track. Keep us posted