1. What do you prefer we call you? ceegee

2. What weightloss plan are you using? just watching what I eat, and controlling portions. Eating more whole grains and veggies.

3. What is your favorite exercise? running

4. What is one area that you struggle? when I hit a plateau, I get discouraged

5. What is one area of your weightloss journey that you excel at? I rock at exercising when I get into it!

6. What is your short term goal? Right now I am the thinnest I have been in 4 years - I am less than 2 pounds shy of my pre-pregnancy weight from my 3 year old. That was my short term goal, but once I hit that I am going to try to lose another 15 pounds.

7. What will you reward yourself with when you reach that goal? A whole new wardrobe!

8. Best weight loss tip? Exercise and portion control.

9. Bob or Jillian? Bob - I feel like I would get in a fight with Jillian.

10. Tell us about yourself! Married with two little guys (3 and 9 months). I feel great, and can't imagine how good I am going to feel when I lose even more weight! I am super psyched to be in this challenge!

Thank you all so much for the kind words of support an encouragement. They really touched my heart. I appreciate it so much. I agree with Nancy; I am working on coming up with something I can do for my lifetime. I weighed in today and was surprised by a loss; I had lost 3 lbs last week only to gain it back (probably water) and discovered it is gone again. So that in itself is encouraging. I think for me at this point in my journey it will be all about the baby steps, as ggmugsy said. My plan for today is to wait until my stomach tells me it's hungry before I eat.
Thank you all again and I hope you have a great day today.

Welp, we are missing about 9 ladies who have yet to do their weigh-in post on the weigh-in thread. If you have been posting here in the chat, and you haven't yet set up your weigh-in post, be sure to go and make your weigh-in post on the weigh-in thread for the BLACK team. And, for any of you who don't know - when you do weigh-in (on whatever day you normally weigh-in) - just edit your weigh-in post with the current weeks weight. The only post you make in that thread should be just the one single post with your weigh-ins. Make it a habit to come here and edit your weigh-in post on the day you weigh-in. For example, my weigh-ins are on Friday mornings. So as soon as I weigh-in, I come and update my weigh-in post instead of waiting until Monday to do it. That way, I know that it's DONE! After we get going, I'll put a post at the very end of the weigh-in thread with a count of everyone's "freebie" weeks. Remember you only get 2 "freebies" thru the entire challenge. Our little "mini" rule last challenge was even if you have to post a gain.... just post it! It's better to save those "freebies" for emergencies - such as if you go out of town or forget to post a weigh-in, etc. If your weigh-in is not posted by the deadline, you'll be put down as taking a "freebie". The deadlines are Monday's at MIDNIGHT! If there are any questions, just ask! Any of the ladies on here (myself included) will be SO glad to help!!!

Now that that is out of the way........ (ps, you'll find that I do a lot of my personal posts in blue and orange. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Florida Gator football, and just HAVE to show my support in some way...lol)

Tara - I agree with what a lot of these ladies have been telling you. Don't think of it as a "diet" it truly is a lifestyle change. I am on WW myself and that was one thing that drew me to it was that I could still have my "goodies" every now and then - I just had to work on portion control. One thing that my trainer has been trying to instill in me also is to eat every 2 hours or so. Instead of 3 big meals and a couple of snacks... do 6 small meals over the course of a day. And, eat some form of protein for each of those mini-meals. I find that I hardly ever get hungry anymore. It's been trial and error getting that to fit into my daily points, but I'm doing it.... slow and steady wins the race. My first week on WW, I GAINED 4 pounds. But, there was just something that "clicked" in me...that ticked me off about it and made me even more determined to get it off. 40 pounds into it, I'm too invested in it to go back. You will succeed. This whole website is a plethora of SUPPORT and knowledge! Use it!

SoulBliss - I am SORE too! I am sore in places that I never knew muscles existed!!! After a while though, that soreness kind of feels good, huh? It's like you know that you've worked something...lol. Good luck with the rest of your workout today!

Laurie - I want a spa day!!!!!!!!! That's sounds heavenly!!! What great motivation to get going!!

AHill1979 - CONGRATS on the decision to go back to school!!!! I just started my online classes on Monday! I'm nearly 28! I'm hoping to at least get an Associates Degree in Business. It's amazing, the longer I was away from school, the more I had a hunger to LEARN! I guess that was Gods way of sayin I wasn't done yet! lol

Misty - where in MO are you from? I spent 16 of my 28 years in Branson (before moving here last year). It's pretty much where I grew up. CONGRATS to you on graduating from Bible school! I know there are 3 (at least) great Bible colleges in Springfield (near Branson), so that's why I asked where you were at. That's so exciting and I can't wait to get there (graduating from school) myself!

Dream710 - Bob trained me for the last challenge...yeah...he's great at making a woman break a sweat, huh? lol.

AmyLou- Law school, huh? Wow. I have nothing but respect for you! I used to want to be a lawyer - but then I realized how MUCH school I'd need...OYE! I'll be a Photographer instead..... that's close to being a lawyer, right?

Candace - How many babies do you have? I have 2 myself... they're fun, huh? I do agree that we are going to kick some tail around here... just don't tell the other teams - we don't want them to feel so defeated quite yet.

Nancy - I LOVE those Jillian podcasts! Thanks for posting that link! Your screen name is hilarious!! We love strongbad and homestar!!!!!

Tatiana - I was a little discouraged when I was pregnant because I didn't feel like I "looked" pregnant. So, that's what I'm really looking forward to in my next pregnancy.... having the cute pregnant belly! You and Selina both seem to have similar personalities! I always look forward to reading her posts...and I find I'm the same way by you. You two are always SO positive...that's just awesome!!!

Spinymouse - I LOVE what you told Tara. I, also, have always been overweight, so I never knew what "skinny" or "weight loss" felt like. So, I didn't have anything that I was really pushing for. I just did it one day at a time... 5 months later I'm down 40 pounds. We went to the gym the other day and I picked up a 40 pound weight and carried it around. I couldn't believe that that is what I've taken off of my body!!! But you're so right about what you said.

Dea - I love scrapbooking too!! I haven't gotten to have a whole lot of extra time for it in a while. But it's so relaxing to me when I get the chance to.

Vanetta - WAY TO GO about the stairs!!! Holy cow!!! That, my friend, is determination!!!

ggmugsy - I hear ya about not watching the clock when exercising. I'm so glad our gym has little TVs for each treadmill. It makes time FLY by. Otherwise it just d......r......a......g.....s...... I loved watching Ellie Krieger on The Food Network. I'll have to check out some of her recipes.

hope4me - when I first read your post, I thought it said "I'm engaged to the financial services and insurance industry" and I thought... WOW, this girl is DEDICATED.... but, I NOW see what you really wrote and it sounds a lot better...lol. Nevertheless, welcome aboard!!!!

Caitbeans - I will try to keep quiet about OSU I am a diehard Florida Gator fan.... too bad this challenge was set for the fall - this thread could get really...... interesting? lol.

1. What do you prefer we call you? Michelle

2. What weightloss plan are you using? LAWL since Dec. 2007

3. What is your favorite exercise? Dancing, weights, elliptical

4. What is one area that you struggle? I need quick results. If I don't see it, I get upset and want to cheat. (But of course I never do that!)

5. What is one area of your weightloss journey that you excel at? I like to exercise when I make the time to do it.

6. What is your short term goal? To get to where I used to feel comfortable, even though I was overweight. I'm about 10 pounds away...

7. What will you reward yourself with when you reach that goal? When I reach my short term goal I will go out and dance!

8. Best weight loss tip? Water!

9. Bob or Jillian? Jillian... She is so tough, I think she would be good for me!

10. Tell us about yourself! I am 21 years old, I work full time and I have a wonderful BF. I go to school as well, making life a bit crazy. I want to lose weight because I don't want my busy schedule to be an excuse as to why I am overweight anymore. I am in control, so I am going to take it!

1. What do you prefer we call you? Jen

2. What weightloss plan are you using? nothing specific, using common sense, limiting myself to one portion at meals, eating more fruits and veg

3. What is your favorite exercise? walking, biking, exercise DVDs

4. What is one area that you struggle? snacking when I am bored

5. What is one area of your weightloss journey that you excel at? When I get into exercise I can keep up with it, I like exercising, I like the way I feel, it is just a matter of making it a habit

6. What is your short term goal? To lose a few lbs or stay where I am

7. What will you reward yourself with when you reach that goal? I will have a healthy pregnancy with a healthy baby at the end of it

8. Best weight loss tip? When I drink lots of water the weight really comes off easily

9. Bob or Jillian? I like both of them but I think with Jillian I wouldn't be able to see her as an inspiration, I'm at the point where seeing her really fit body would be too depressing

10. Tell us about yourself! I am 39 yrs old and working on my 2nd baby! It may seem weird to be in a weight loss challenge but seeing as I am over 100 lbs overweight I really have no need to gain weight with my pregnancy. If I can stay the weight I am now (which is where I was when I gave birth to my first) I would be very happy, or even to lose a little would be good.

well its day 4 of me being back on track, and I feel really good!
does anyone have the bad habit like me to get on the scale everyday???
I can't stop myself, If I see that I am losing then it keeps me motivated to continue on, I usually do my official weigh-ins on Friday morning.

today I did 30 minutes on the treadmill (weight-loss program level 3)

how is everyone else doing with there exercise today?

Congtaulations on your pregnancy Jen!!!!!

Hey everyone! Hope you're all having a good day! I'm about to put DD down for a nap and do some TaeBo. Don't want to, cuz I'm super sore from the past 2 days, but I'm taking one for the team! lol This challenge is really helping me, because I want to make sure I lose a lot to help the Black team!


Diva - What a great post about the our toxic living! Thanks!

Tara - Starting is definitely the hardest part! Maybe you should try to read success stories and just surround yourself with as many supportive people as possible - or spend lots of time here! I have been overewight my whole life as well, so I understand what you're going through. I think more than anything it's fear. Fear of the unknown. Fat is a good way to shield ourselves and remain invisible and use food as a drug or good friend. People are going to treat us differently when we lose, relationships are going to change, etc. Change is scary! But you CAN do this! Anyone can lose weight if they really set there mind to it, so just decide if this is what you want and fight tooth and nail to do it. Remember that you are literally fighting for your life! Stay positive and read as many success stories and positive stories as you can to help motivate you. Also, I am going to start doing to read about the emotional aspects of weight loss, why I eat, etc. And books about maintaining, because let's face it, we can all lose, but we don't all maintain that loss! I'm sending you a big cyber hug right now!!!! Hang in there and feel free to pm me anytime.

Nancy - OMG! Thanks so much!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Jillian and can't wait to listen!

Candace - Welcome!

Julz - Aww, thank you! Selina told me to start talking to you. because she said you're very upbeat and chatty like we tend to be! lol She said you were great support last challenge. And oh my goodness, THANK YOU for the restaurant tip! I love Mexican food but never want it when I'm trying to lose, cuz I can't control myself with the chips. That is such a great idea that I never thought of! That'll help me a lot.

That's it for now. Will try to post my measurement & pics today & check back later tonight. Everyone stay strong and stay healthy!!!

Hi everybody,

Julz, I too bring my own chips when I eat Mexican. I have to b/c we eat it several times a week and it can sure pack on the pounds!

So far, so good, this week on the eating much to my surprise! I haven't been able to get a grip for over a year now. That is one reason I signed up for the challenge in hopes that the competition would be good for me. The exercise hasn't happened yet but we are making our spare room into a mini gym and got a new flat screen tv for it last night. No excuses now! Weigh in tomorrow!

I think this thread needs a fun question:

If you were given a million dollars and 24 hours to spend it in, (no depositing it in the bank or investing it) what would you buy?

Ohh, good question!

Well first and foremost I would buy a car... or rather... A Jeep... I have wanted one since I was old enough to play MASH (lol if anyone remembers this game!).

I would go all out on shoes and bags, because these can last and mix and match with many different outfits, and will be useful even after I lose weight!

I would also get a new hairstyle at an upscale salon. I have really crazy naturally curly hair and I never know what to do for it. So I would go to an expert who would help me manage it and do some coloring too.

I would pay off my student loans, and I would buy a house.

Now that only gets me up to... like... well not a million. So I don't know what I'd do with the rest!

I came back to answer my own question

I would join you, Christine, in the purchasing of a Jeep. I had a Cherokee that I L-O-V-E-D, but sold it to have a downpayment on our house So, I would get myself a Wrangler and go get it all sorts of decked out. I'd also buy my hubby a new Truck and buy us a new minivan (wow with the cars!!!! lol)

I would buy us our dream home. But after the million was gone, there'd be NO way we could afford the electric bill, that's for sure.

I'd also take a vacay to Florida to watch Tim Tebow and the Gators play

I'd give myself a spa day, buy the kids some new clothes and toys, get the hubby some new duds....then we'd all go to Chuck-E-Cheese and spend whatever was left on games! WOOHOO!!!

That is awesome!!!! I LOVE Chuck E Cheese!!!!!!

Me either. Hey, since our thread is getting so long, maybe we should invade? Just kidding Julz! I miss my former black team, but I did keep Amber.

Yeah, I noticed that Amber is being quite talkative over in the Blue Team thread.... wonder what it is about being a bluzer that makes you so chatty? (haha!!! Just kidding, Amber). I miss my former Black Team too... but the Black Team this time around is just as awesome!!!! I'll be checking in on all of you girls to see how you're doin!