Day 4 - calories @ 2000 or less - 2 pauses left

Yep, gotta admit it, didn't make yesterday work. The whole Yellowstone trip took longer than expected and we ended up eating out for 2 meals! I made decent choices each time, but it was still more calories than expected. Not by much, but enough to blow today's challenge. As far as the exercise? Well, by the time we got home, unloaded, took care of kids, etc.....it just didn't happen. So, today is day 1 of my new exercise challenge.

Have a great day all!

Good Morning - TGIF!!

Day 17 (WOW - I can't believe it's already Day 17!)
Workout - Today's my day off, so nothing really to report - other than I sorta feel guilty for not working out this morning, so I'll probably do it when I go home anyway! (2 pauses left)
Diary Tracking - Done! (2 pauses left)

Day 1 - My new challenge: Weigh in ONLY on my designated day (Monday)!
I'm allowing myself 3 pauses because I know it'll be hard for me to do!

I got my Halloween costume last night (little bo peep)! It's SO cute and doesn't actually look bad on me. I'll have to take a picture for you guys!
So, last night I was looking through some old journals and came across one from 2 years ago. I forgot that I even had this...anyway, 2 years ago - I was 40 pounds heavier than I am now! I guess I've slowly been doing something right along the way. I suppose since it's been over a period of time and I hadn't been trying very hard, I never thought much about it.

Wow - you guys are hard to keep up with sometimes, but I'm trying!

Quiet Ballerina - You know what, I got the idea for prizes from the Body for Life book, the guy who wrote it bought himself a Lamborghini when he met his goals. I figure it's going to take me a while to get rid of 80+ pounds, so I give myself awards along the way. I also have a problem (unless it's shoes) spending much money on myself, so this is a good excuse for me to do something for me (besides getting healthy). AND - it's a lot of fun, exciting things that I keep putting off because of my weight. I guess I'm to the point now where I don't want my weight to be an excuse for anything anymore. Now...if I can just find someone to pay for all this stuff! LOL

Jollygirl - I've never been snorkeling, I LOVE the water...it's just something I haven't done yet, but I will. One of my rewards is SCUBA lessons, so I hope when I go on the cruise I'll be able to work that in. OMG - I know how tempting shoe shopping is, I'm addicted myself! Good for you for getting past to the gym!

Djstorey - Did you find out about the job in Boise yet? I don't know how you guys manage that, I think it would make me crazy! Are you stuck in the snow? I didn't make it to the beach - but, I have a good reason! My ex (not Mark, the ex before him) & I have been seeing each other. We're better friends now than we were when we were actually dating before. Funny how that works. Anyway (sorry for rambling), he came over to do some 'handyman' stuff for me. We had dinner, watched a movie...it's nice to have good male friends, especially when you know exactly where you stand and there's no expectations Did you figure out a way to exercise yesterday?

Shy Moment - A can of Mountain Dew is your snack! I'm so jealous of you! LOL I can't drink it, I'd be bouncing off the walls & trust me I don't need any help! You're on day 12? Good for you! It looks like you're doing well - yaaay!!

Apple Blossom - I forgot to tell you I love it that you have no beer in your challenge! It cracks me up! How are you doing with the coffee, are you still getting headaches? Look at all the challenges you have! I just added a third, I hope I can keep up with them all!

Redballoon - LOL - I love your posts! Good job improvising with your journal - I've had to do that too since my internet access is down at home. Never fear, I'm back in full force with a new novel! You guys really have to tell me if I'm getting too wordy, otherwise - I'll ramble on forever!! At least I'm entertaining!

Ok - I've run out of time, I hope I haven't missed anyone! Have a great day!

<-this little guy cracks me up!

Hey all. Real quick post. I couldn't get on before, but wanted to try one more time before bed. Didn't sleep that well last night with the puppy invalid, so i really need some tonight.

I got my LSAT scores. Didn't tank, but I don't think I did well enough. I am friends with an attorney at work, and she still thinks I will, but I need to think about it

Day 4 - posted, logged, worked out, and did abs. I almost paused on the working out, due to time constraints, but i made it.

everyone, have a good night

Hey all. Just need to write a bit. Those who have seen me in before know I have talked about how I struggle with never feeling quite good enough. Goes back to a childhood incident, but that I always feel like I have to be perfect, as the only way to make sure I am "good enough" and therefore ok. I am struggling right now. I want to get into law school. I knew my undergrad grads from 12 years ago were not great, and quite a bit below the average the schools accept. I was hoping my LSAT score would rock to balance it out. Now I am sitting here with both scores below the average. My friend says due to my age and work experiences that I am what law schools are looking for, despite the scores. I am looking at it by the numbers, and not only am I far from "perfect" I am below average. Who would possibly want me? That is the overriding voice I am hearing right now. "Not good enough, not wanted." Though there is a small voice saying "If you want it, go for it, and convince them you ARE what they are looking for." I just don't know what to do.

Sorry to ramble so long on stuff that isn't relevant. I just needed to put down what i was feeling (before I stuffed it down with food), and maybe get some words of wisdom.

Have a good day all

Day 5 - calories @ 2000 or less - 2 pauses left
Day 1 - exercise - 3 pauses left

Jolly - I agree with Shy! Besides, you're currently in some form of management right? What kind of person would you rather have work for you? Someone who has pulled high grades or someone who, like you, has the right exerperiences and right attitude for the job? I know who I would want working for me! Go for it!!!

Gotta run! Busy weekend.

Thanks guys. I needed that. You are right. I need to decide if I am going to listen to the voice of the low self esteem baggage I have been carrying around for 28 years, or pick up my power and go for it.

A NSV - despite feeling down about all of this, I did make it to the gym, and did say no to some food porn.

By the way, Day 6 - worked out, did abs, posted here, and logged food. Have a great night all.

Sorry gang. Have been busy and haven't had a chance to post. and I've felt really yucky yesterday and today, so I've had to spend a chunk of my free time resting.

Nikki: What a cute Halloween costume! And that's so cool that you and your ex are hanging out again.

Shy: It cracks me up that you have "mountain dew time"

Jollygirl: I must have missed it, what's wrong with your puppy? I'm sorry you're disappointed by your scores. I'm afraid I don't have much advice, but I think shy and djstorey gave some great words of wisdom. :

Day 8
water: completed
exercise: completed, 2 pauses left
crunches: pause, 2 pauses left

Good morning!

Day 19 (Today) Nothing to report yet
Day 3 (Today) Nothing to report yet

Day 18 (Yesterday)
Workout - Done
Diary Tracking - Done

Day 2 (Yesterday)
Avoiding the scale - I screwed this one up! 1 pause down - 2 left! This is hard for me, it's like an automatic response when I get up in the morning!

I went to the mall & had my hair done yesterday. It's now about 3 inches shorter (rests just below my shoulders) & is dark auburn. I like it, I needed a change! Being at the mall was a challenge! I had to walk through the food court to get to my destination. Uggh. I came close to stopping and getting food. I actually went from place to place looking for something I could eat before I finally gave up and left! Auntie Anne's pretzels (which are one of my fav's) almost got me!!
My workouts seem to be easy to me now, so I think I'm going to switch it up a bit. My roommate has Yoga Booty Ballet, so I'm considering that or Kathy Smith's: Project You. I'll be looking at both today.
I FINALLY got internet access back at home (woohoo!), which is why I'm actually able to check in today! School starts up again this week, I've got a grant writing & ethics class this go around. Hopefully neither will be too difficult!

Jollygirl - I'm sorry your LSAT scores weren't what you expected. I agree with your friend though, it's not always about scores. You have more to offer than just numbers on a paper, you just have to decide if it's really what you want and fight for it. I hope you do, this sounds like something you want & YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH!

redballoon - Hey, what's going on? Do you feel better today? I think we all have our moments and go through this, the important thing is to remember to jump back on the horse and keep going. I hope today's a better day for you.

djstorey - How's the new exercise challenge going?

Shy Moment I know, it's so great to see that I've actually made progress over the past couple of years! Mountain Dew time, that really does crack me up!

Quiet Ballerina - Are you feeling any better? Yeah, it's kind of cool to hang out with Russ...strange that the best thing to come from my breakup with Mark, was gaining a great friendship with Russ! Oh, my costume is great! I'm a little worried because two accessories I ordered aren't with it, one is the crinolin - it's short, I don't know if it's something I can just run out and pick up locally. I hope it gets here this week!

Obsidianbbw - Hi! How're your challenges going?

Have a great Sunday everyone!!

Hey all. Nikki - cool on the hair. I like changing it up now and again myself.
Ballerina, nothing major with my dog. I just got the young girl spayed.

Day 6 - posting, logging food, and abs.
Day 5 - workout. I was up most of last night with acid reflux, and was at my folks today for birthday. I am so exhausted and still breathing funny from last night, so I did not work out. Will get back to it tomorrow.

have a good one all.

A quick check in for the end of the day:

Day 19
Workout - Done (2 pauses left)
Diary Tracking - Done (2 pauses left)
Day 3
Scale Avoidance - Done! (2 pauses left)

Jolly - I see you added in rewards - good for you!!

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Tomorrow is my weigh in day & beginning of a new workout plan! I'm hoping for a good start to my week!

Hey all. Just keeping up on my challenge. Day 15 is done. Things aren't much better with the overeating, although I have started to tally the calories. It's not yet part of my challenges, but will be soon. I just have to make more time for myself. I HAVE started to cut back on coffee and am hoping that will help the fatigue and rashes I have all over my body. Anyhow, hope you're all moving along and gaining some good habits, or at least the beginnings of some, from your challenges. Later!

Jollygirl: aww! poor thing. After we got my dog neutered, he became horribly afraid of thunderstorms. Now everytime it rains here, he hides in this pile of rags we have in the laundry room (and sometimes accidentally closes the door in the process, trapping himself inside). Poor little guy.

Red: I'm not a huge coffee drinker so I might not be much help, but just try to slowly cut back. If you normally drink 4 cups a day (just making up a number here) cut it down to 3 and a half. Stick with that for a few days, then cut it down to 3 cups for a few days. keep at it until you're drinking the amount you want to be drinking.

Nikki: Hope you get the items you need for your costume in time. I'm feeling a little bit better today, but it's frustrating because I wanted to get some stuff done on my day off, and I spent most of it resting instead.

On a better note: I refused to have to take another pause so early in the game on this challenge, so I forced myself to do my workout and pushups. I'm excited cause I finally got my hip hop abs DVD yesterday, and I tried out the 'Fat burning cardio' portion of it today. I might have looked like a spaz doing it, but it was fun and I feel like it was doing something.

How is it going for everyone else? Shy? Apple? Obie? djstorey? Anyone else i'm missing?

Day 9:
water, completed
pushups, completed, 2 pauses left
exercise, completed, 2 pauses left

Hi all. Will do a real post tonight, but just had to say I did not turn one bad choice into a run of bad choices. I did go to the gym this morning first thing and worked out. Yeah.

Have a great day all

Day 6 & 7 - calories @ 2000 or less - 2 pauses left
Day 2 & 3 - exercise - 3 pauses left

Well, made it through the weekend. Calories came awful close though and I might not have kept my average calorie count for the week at what I wanted. I'll have to do the math and see.

Nikki - Let me know what you think about Project You if you get it. That's one that I have thought of myself.

Jolly - Good going on the gym!

Shy - 8 hours of walking around the zoo definitely works! Fun too!

Quiet - Glad to hear you liked your new workout! If you can find something you actually like, that's great.

Red - You're getting there. A little at a time will add up!

Gotta run. Kids are off to school and I finally get a shower!