Good Afternoon winning team!

I think it is so cool that our team won again. I hope one of these weeks I can be more helpful than half a pound.

I love, love, love my new heart rate monitor. I was concerned that I might have been overdoing it at times so now I can keep track of how I am doing during the entire workout and feel so much safer. Unfortunately, today on the treadmill I had to set the rate slightly lower then I had previously but it was still a good 30 minute workout and I was so much happier with my rate of recovery.

Karen-I am not sure if they call it body sculpting or something else now. I have been going to these classes off and on for years so it may have a new name. We use hand weights, bars and tubing and pretty much hit all the target areas during the hour-abs, glutes,abductors, biceps, triceps, quads, calves and whatever those muscles in the shoulders and back are called. I love to see the progress over time. Thanks so much for the information on cravings. I think I will try to use the no choice with conviction idea. I always told my teenagers to just say no so I guess I could do the same thing!

Okay, that cracked me up!

I have to wear two of them as well!

Hun
That is so terrible. I live in a small town and understand how hard the people work to get money for the kids to have things. It boggles the mind that someone would do something like that. Darn, sounds like they have a serious problem going on there. Hope they find out who is taking the things. You are doing so great. Keel proud and keep the cousins in tight lol.

Terapet
Oh I agree. I think the Pilate's I do really helps everything feel better.

Laura
That is great. To have everything right there were you need it. How terrific.

Jl
We do think about you when you aren't around.

Jel
Never look at it as ONLY 1lb. Add a few of those together and they make a lot. Look at it this way. I have less to lose today than I did last week

Chel
I have thought about this from time to time. Many times I have seen people say ( through out the threads I chat in ), " I haven't been around and have put a few lbs back on. " Or, " If I didn't come here to chat and stay involved with everyone there are days I wouldn't stay on track." I know for myself. I need everyone here. The story's, the advice and the encouragement are needed each and everyday. It can depend on why people aren't posting. Are they very busy with work, do they have a sick loved one they are taking care of so they don't have spar time? That would be understandable. I personally, don't think here is any reason ( other than something very important ) when a person joins a challenge that they shouldn't have to join in with the chatting at least a couple of times a week. This challenge isn't just about losing weight. It is about being here for each other. I think chatting, to an extent, should be mandatory. If you don't join in then you shouldn't be here.

spider
Sometimes the only way not to snack is to keep the stuff out of the house. Just take a deep breath and straighten yourself on that wagon seat. The horses, pretty much, know the way. You just need to guide them. We are happy for you to be here. Each and every one of us adds something different to our little group.

Kari
I understand that can be a downfall lol. I made these delicious XXXXX lol. We all had a serving and I tossed the rest in the trash under coffee grounds. I can't believe I did that, what a waste of money BUT I know me; I would have eaten more and it is my favorite not everyone else's.

cakes
You just keep with it and enjoy each and every 1lb lost. I remember not so very long ago I was 197. You wait and see. Won't be very long and you will say darn there was a time I was 197, look at me now.

Karen
Did I forget to tell you congrats. Sorry

Ksk
I am happy for you that you are doing so well. Could be a combination of things. For me, the exercise is not helping me lose weight. I am losing the same amount now as I was losing before I started doing all this exercise BUT the exercise is great for the body. I feel so much better. I am toning and getting in shape as I am losing weight. None of this can be bad lol. I happen to be at the docs office today so I did my weigh in a day early. I am going to do my measurements tomorrow. Can't wait to see if there is any difference. It is great you are sticking with it even when you don't want to. I have times like that to I JUST DO IT.

Tina
I don't know if this will help but here is what I have been doing. Fit day is great for me. I sit and plan out what I am going to eat the next day before I go to bed. Now this may change if I decide to make something different for dinner for one reason or another but I pretty much stick to what I have set for myself. If it isn't on the list it doesn't get eaten. Has just become a habit. Makes it much easier to know if it is something I want to allow myself to have for the day or not. I can exchange one thing for another as long as it has the same or less of fat and carbs and is in the same food group.


Andi
Nice going on the weight loss. I sure hope you feel better soon.

Shy~ you are too funny!!! And you should be so proud of yourself for throwing them out! I am going to send some of these goodies to work with DH.

Kari
Thank you. It was really hard for me. Growing up very poor I have never forgot about not wasting things. Even now when I can afford I don't spend lol.

Gotta a church meeting tonight, so this will be quick.

CONGRATULATIONS TEAM! I just KNEW we would do well this week! You guys are awesome!!!!

Karen - congrats - you are doing fantastic! Keep it up!!!!!

Hun, I was treasurer and president of our PTA for years. I KNOW how hard it is to raise that money. That is just disgusting!

I have Leslie's firming workout with the pink stretchie too! I love it and usually do it twice a week

OK, I feel better - I have to wear a bra and a sports bra too - and I don't even run! Leslie's boosted walking gets me every time!

QOTD - I love the challenge and the changes for this time around were good ones. I would like to see people that have not posted or weighed in the first week be removed from the team unless they PM their leader explaining their absence ( no Internet, vacation, business trip, etc.) It is disheartening to those working hard to have to count the results from someone that just signed up and has done nothing else.
It is also disappointing to see so few people participating in the exercise challenge thread. Considering it spans all 3 teams, I should NEVER see a post from myself on the same page.

I would be comfortable with making participation in the exercise challenge or chat thread required, but we do need to give consideration to those with hectic schedules. Posting once a week (unless you let your team know you will be gone, or have extenuating circumstances - weather, no Internet, etc.) is not too much to ask.

I like the rule now about not being able to win unless you are a "regular" in the chat thread.

Counting... Its so great to see your sunshine on the board, even if you are missing the sunshine!! We had those springlike temps today I think I'm over the below zero temps! Hope it was POP for you!

Laura...oh Yay on your room!! I know how you wanted those the last time around!! You sure do travel alot! Do you like that aspect of your job?

Jen...that scale is nothing but a machine! Next week will be better just keep on doing what you know you gotta do!! The machine will have no choice but to reflect!

Emily...thanks for the encouragement!! I'm gonna try C25K Week 4 and see how it goes! Its good to know I've got a backup plan just in case I cant do it...gonna keep running!!

DK...not to sound like a BL episode but gum is really great for those cravings! Especially peppermint. The smell of peppermint too. Supposed to get rid of cravings.

Cat...WWOOOOOHOOO!!! Girl its just gonna melt off now!!! I'm so excited for you!! Keep up the amazing job!!

Kari...oh I'm so excited for you to get your Valentine! LOL! I love to bake too, but noone around here will eat it so I just dont. I made chocolate chip banana bread the other day and had to throw it away because it got moldy...oh it was good too!! Stinkers!

Melissa, my job requires travel Mon through Thurs every week, and then Fridays we're back in our home city. However, until now, I've been staffed on projects in NYC (where I live) so I didn't have to travel. I have to say though, I'm loving it! The only thing I miss is not being able to cook, but I've gotten to try lots of neat restaurants, and since I can expense things, I don't have to feel as bad about eating half an entree (which is what I usually do to keep it healthy). It's neat to get to see different places, and I always have an extra feeling of accomplishment when I can eat well AND exercise while I'm on the road.

Tina....ah sleeping in!! I'm so jealous! I love to sleep in, I find the older I get the less I'm able to though! Dont you just LOVE a quiet house!! My favorite time of day LOL! As long as every day takes you a step closer to success you are winning!

Jen...last time around I tried to implement a rule that you had to check in with your team once a week. But, it got me all stressed out. This time I figure hey, I'm not gonna beg you to participate. If someone doesnt want to play with the team, they are the one missing out. They wont know how much support helps in this journey so their loss (or gain as it tends to be).

Melissa73....did you see now we've got someone stealing teachers purses? Ugh! PTA has insurance that will cover the loss, teachers dont, the loss of ID alone is enough to drive a person mad! Just such a shame. I keep hoping it'll turn up somewhere.

Karen...thanks so much for the compliments. You guys are such an awesome team you really do make it easy for me! I consider myself lucky to have such a great support system. And my success reflects it! So thank YOU! I hope that exercise bug bites you!! It got me right in the tush! Its the weirdest thing.

SB... good to see you!!

Laura...it used to be that if you didnt weigh in you were out. And we had a few that got lost because of it and it was just a computer or timing issue. But when you make that rule you HAVE to stick to it. I like the addition of the freebie for those occasions. And I think you've got a good point on when to use them. I hadnt thought about that. I've got another mini challenge for our team, just a short one to start a healthy habit. I love little challenges too, just dont want anyone to get overwhelmed.

Andi...Yay she passed the bumper!! WOOHOO!! I hope you get to feeling better and find that voice again!! excellent job on the loss!

Terapet...so glad you are enjoying that heart monitor! Keep up the great job on those workouts!

Diva...feeling better? So glad I could make ya laugh! LOL!

Rennie...oh very well said RE: the challenge!! I saw on another team someone admitted that they just werent ready to commit and withdrew from the challenge. I thought that was very big of her to do. Its so true though, you see the ones that stop participating start struggling. I wish people could just realize the benefits of the support team.

Laura...restraunts would be so tough for me as those have always been "treats" but you seem to do pretty darn good! I'm really impressed with how focused you stay on yourself. Its gotta be a lifestyle and yours is to travel so you make it work! Good job!

Whew, you guys were chatty today I love it!! LOL!! Time to get dinner going! Enjoy the show everyone and dont forget that workout!!

Melissa! I was screaming your name (NOT LIKE THAT!) during these commercial breaks!

these challenges are killing me!

Yup Mel, my illness is all cleared up and besides a few sore muscles from working out, I feel fine physically. Emotionally is a whole diff story. Just under some stress here @ home with my teenager, and then after a few words in the black team, my car drove me to Wendy's and I ate something I shouldn't have, then tonight I partook in an alcoholic beverage. Now I feel guilty and will most likely kill myself in the GYM tomorrow. I totally see what Tina means by the food addiction thing. What a weird experience it was. I had JUST gone to Goodies and bought new running shoes, and then went back for work out clothes, was all set to come home, work out, eat a healthy lunch and that be that, next thing I know I am ordering a burger and large frie. How does this happen? OMG! Sooooooooooo tomorrow I will do day 2 of the c25k, 30 on the elliptical, and then the weight machines.

I miss y'all...sigh...

Congrats Team! You rocked the week!

Hun - The fact that I could light a fire under anyone is endlessly amusing to me but thanks! Yeah I can't run without the heavy duty armor either.

Ksk - When I started with the Jari DVD I didn't have a step either. You really don't need it to get started the use is limited and from what I remember I was able to do it all on the floor the only one I think you really need it for is Ripped 1000?

I was supposed to run today but we had a lot of snow. Snow on top of old packed ice/snow and a long walk in bitter weather just didn't appeal to me today, so I did 78 minutes on the bike while watching biggest loser. Boy was my butt numb though. Gotta me me one of those Gel seats.

Hi everyone,


I am sorry I havent posted in the last week but I have been sick and not on the computer much. I took a freebie week cause I havent gone to WI. Congrats to you all for winning the challenge this week. You all are doing awesome Kepp up the great work.

Take care and I will stop by tomorrow. Sweet dreams!

Cathy/Canada

Melissa, you are MEAN!

I just did chair pose for half a commercial break, and I might die.

Thanks!!