We did this in the featherweights forum and it was fun. So I thought I'd post it here ... for more fun!

... here's a thread to add a little levity to the dark days of late winter.

1. Care to tell us your real first name?

2. Give us one tip about healthier eating.

3. Give us one tip about increasing activity.

4. Do you have just a few pounds to lose or are you almost at goal from a larger weight loss?

5. Have you purchased a book or magazine because a 3FCer recommended it? Tell us more.

6. One health gadget you have or one you'd like to have.

7. Do you lurk in the Maintainers' forum?

8. How many times per week do you read in the Goal! threads?

9. Are you guilty of not recognising your own acomplishments?

10. Something about you that not many people know.

Cut and paste and add your answers ... if you'd like.

Hmm alrighty then,

1. Care to tell us your real first name?
My real first name is Yasmine
2. Give us one tip about healthier eating.
Believe that your body deserves the best of good nutritious food.
3. Give us one tip about increasing activity.
You can increase activity in loads of different ways. even if its just as simple as getting up to change the channel on the tv instead of using the remote.
4. Do you have just a few pounds to lose or are you almost at goal from a larger weight loss?
I am no where near goal, but I'm still fighting the good fight.
5. Have you purchased a book or magazine because a 3FCer recommended it? Tell us more.
Ummm, I think I have but I can't remember which one it was... woops sorry.
6. One health gadget you have or one you'd like to have.
I have some super sensitive food scales that I just love!!
7. Do you lurk in the Maintainers' forum?
Nope.
8. How many times per week do you read in the Goal! threads?
Maybe once a fortnight
9. Are you guilty of not recognising your own acomplishments?
Incredibly so.
10. Something about you that not many people know.
Although I have a hard exterior, inside I'm all soft and gooey and quite sensitive.... I'm quite like a Magnum (not the gun by the way)

1. Care to tell us your real first name?
Jen
2. Give us one tip about healthier eating.
It's amazing what you can put spinach in. Throw some in your smoothies to get a serving of vegetables.
3. Give us one tip about increasing activity.
One of my absolutle favorite rules is, if you just aren't feeling like working out, put your workout clothes on. Then put your tennis shoes on. Then go to the gym (or outside, or start the tape...). Then, if after 10 minutes you just can't, then you can quit. I think I only have once or twice.
4. Do you have just a few pounds to lose or are you almost at goal from a larger weight loss? I have been losing or maintaining since March of 2004. I'm battling those STUBBORN 10 pounds.
5. Have you purchased a book or magazine because a 3FCer recommended it? Tell us more. Upon the reccomendation of the girls in the vegetarian section, I bought Eat To Live and The China Study- both really had an impact on my way of thinking.
6. One health gadget you have or one you'd like to have.I really need a pedometer. I just haven't gotten one yet.
7. Do you lurk in the Maintainers' forum?Yes, it keeps me sane. And I occassionally post.
8. How many times per week do you read in the Goal! threads?Usually when a new one pops up.
9. Are you guilty of not recognising your own acomplishments?We are our own worst enemies at times. I still struggle with body image issues.
10. Something about you that not many people know.My grocery shopping involves 3 or 4 stores and I'm addicted to tea. And I'm REALLY behind on wedding stuff. And I'm a hippy inside

1. Care to tell us your real first name? Karla

2. Give us one tip about healthier eating. Surround yourself with healthy options. Keep healthy foods at home and take them to work. Plan ahead.

3. Give us one tip about increasing activity. For those of us who have a lot to lose, start moving, even if you can only do a few minutes. Then increase gradually. Walking is safe and healthy and free.

4. Do you have just a few pounds to lose or are you almost at goal from a larger weight loss? I have a lot to lose.

5. Have you purchased a book or magazine because a 3FCer recommended it? Tell us more. I purchased my Omron HJ-112 pedometer based upon recommendations here at 3FC.

6. One health gadget you have or one you'd like to have. I have a good treadmill and now a good pedometer. When we move to our new home in June (hopefully it will be done then), we have a community center with full exercise equipment, indoor & outdoor pools, tennis courts & an indoor track. I can't wait to get to use those ammenities.

7. Do you lurk in the Maintainers' forum? No

8. How many times per week do you read in the Goal! threads? Maybe once a month. It is inspiring.

9. Are you guilty of not recognising your own acomplishments? I am becoming better at looking for NSV's.

10. Something about you that not many people know. I love to dance. My DH gave us Arthur Murray dance lessons for Christmas at my request. We have not started yet, first because I hurt my back in January--all better now, then his work has occupied ALL of his time for the past month. Hopefully we will start next week.

1. Care to tell us your real first name?

Char

2. Give us one tip about healthier eating.

Just do it!

3. Give us one tip about increasing activity.

Park farther from all doors. Pretty soon you get in the habit and you get in daily exercise without even trying.

4. Do you have just a few pounds to lose or are you almost at goal from a larger weight loss?

Been almost at goal for awhile now. LOL

5. Have you purchased a book or magazine because a 3FCer recommended it? Tell us more.

No. I read sci fi. Can't get into other types of books.

6. One health gadget you have or one you'd like to have.

I would LOVE to have a really good treadmill. One of these days. ::sigh::

7. Do you lurk in the Maintainers' forum?

No. I quickly browse 3 forums: General, Support & Exercise. I barely have time for those.

8. How many times per week do you read in the Goal! threads?

I don't.

9. Are you guilty of not recognising your own acomplishments?

Not me. I actually thrive on them.

10. Something about you that not many people know.

I cry easily at sad movies. I just wipe it away and hide it quickly.

1. Care to tell us your real first name?
~Rebecca, I go by Becky or Becca, all depends on who's talking to me

2. Give us one tip about healthier eating.
~I carry something healthy with me at all times, whether it be trail mix or a granola bar or whatever in case I get hungry. I have a tote bag that I take with me to work and make sure those items are in there so I can have a snack before lunch. I also have stuff in my car and everything that way I won't get to the point that I just stop somewhere and pick up junk food. It really helps.

3. Give us one tip about increasing activity.
~Find something you love. For me, it's doing silly random stuff like dancing or doing squats while watching TV. I do this all throughout the day and while it may not be conventional it works for me.

4. Do you have just a few pounds to lose or are you almost at goal from a larger weight loss?
Nope, 40 lbs to go.

5. Have you purchased a book or magazine because a 3FCer recommended it? Tell us more.
No, I have avoided books b/c other people advised against them.

6. One health gadget you have or one you'd like to have.
I'd like to have one of those expensive scales that could record everything and tell me my body fat and all that. I have a cheapy one now

7. Do you lurk in the Maintainers' forum?
No, I haven't earned the maintainers' forum

8. How many times per week do you read in the Goal! threads?
All the time! Mainly when I am feeling like I will never see a loss or when I have zero motivation to do anything.

9. Are you guilty of not recognising your own acomplishments?
Yes, I had lost 40 lbs before and was at 150 and I took it for granted, I still felt huge and not pretty, but looking back I was and I should've realized that, but it took gaining the weight back to really see what I had done.

10. Something about you that not many people know.
When people aren't around I drink tons and tons of tea. My boyfriend thinks it's crazy how much I drink in one day so I kinda hide it I get the Lipton Diet Green Tea Liters and can drink 3 or more in a day. Easier not to let people in on that one

1. Care to tell us your real first name? Tonia

2. Give us one tip about healthier eating. Anything in moderation. I live by this 'cause as soon as I am told I cannot have it, I want it!

3. Give us one tip about increasing activity. Start slow and increase regularly. Push yourself to places you never thought you would go - then go farther!

4. Do you have just a few pounds to lose or are you almost at goal from a larger weight loss? I have lost about a third of what I would like to lose....so, I have a lot left to lose.

5. Have you purchased a book or magazine because a 3FCer recommended it? Tell us more. TBL Calorie book - love it!

6. One health gadget you have or one you'd like to have. A heart rate monitor. I am not convinced the ones on the machines at the gym work.

7. Do you lurk in the Maintainers' forum? Yep.

8. How many times per week do you read in the Goal! threads? Goodness. Regularly as it is soooo motivational!

9. Are you guilty of not recognising your own acomplishments? Absolutely. Like I said I have lost about a third of what I would like to lose (30 pounds) and yet I don't FEEL any smaller. I have more energy and I fit into clothes I couldn't fit into before but I don't feel smaller.

10. Something about you that not many people know. Hmmm...I feel funny saying this () but I love tea. There is nothing better than an iced vanilla chai or just plain ole' black tea. Can I count it as water?

We did this in the featherweights forum and it was fun. So I thought I'd post it here ... for more fun!

... here's a thread to add a little levity to the dark days of late winter.

1. Care to tell us your real first name?
starts with a "K"

2. Give us one tip about healthier eating.
Plan, plan, plan

3. Give us one tip about increasing activity.
Park further away.

4. Do you have just a few pounds to lose or are you almost at goal from a larger weight loss?
Plenty to lose.

5. Have you purchased a book or magazine because a 3FCer recommended it? Tell us more.
I've checked "South Beach Diet Good Fats, Good Carbs" guide out of the library and will probably buy it when the new version comes out.

6. One health gadget you have or one you'd like to have.
Hand weights and bench (would like)

7. Do you lurk in the Maintainers' forum?
Yes

8. How many times per week do you read in the Goal! threads?
Whenever it looks like there's a new goal achieved.

9. Are you guilty of not recognising your own acomplishments?
Sometimes.

10. Something about you that not many people know.
I didn't discover coffee until I was 52. And then it wasn't coffee but espresso. (ok, I didn't discover coffee, I've never liked coffee. I was very surprised to learn I like espresso.)

1. Care to tell us your real first name?
Allison (see signature)

2. Give us one tip about healthier eating.
I follow the principles of the Superfoods Rx diet for the most part, but basically I'm all for low cal, low fat and whole grain.

3. Give us one tip about increasing activity.
Running is fun! Who knew that at age 44 I'd start running!

4. Do you have just a few pounds to lose or are you almost at goal from a larger weight loss?
Just a few more, which seem to be the hardest to lose.

5. Have you purchased a book or magazine because a 3FCer recommended it? Tell us more.

6. One health gadget you have or one you'd like to have.
I love good pots--I need a few more in the right sizes, but feel like they're too much of an extravagance. All that from someone who bought a chafing dish that gets used only once a year.

7. Do you lurk in the Maintainers' forum?
Nope. I post there regularly!

8. How many times per week do you read in the Goal! threads?
Rarely. I think I've read all the old ones and I do read the new ones if I "know" the poster.

9. Are you guilty of not recognising your own acomplishments?
Probably to a point.

10. Something about you that not many people know.
I used to be a ski instructor. And now I haven't skied for over 20 years. How sad is that? But I just got back from a week in SLC in the snow and I really don't miss that cold, dreary winter--I much prefer the southern California desert!

I named my daughter this, thinking it was a unique spelling. This is the first time I've ever seen anyone else with it spelled like this. I also added an E on the end of Lynne to make it unique too. LOL

1. Care to tell us your real first name? ~Teresa

2. Give us one tip about healthier eating. ~Cook from a list of fresh ingredients as much as possible and avoid eating out as much as possible.

3. Give us one tip about increasing activity. ~Put one foot in front of the other and soon you will be walking out the door!

4. Do you have just a few pounds to lose or are you almost at goal from a larger weight loss? ~A LONG way to go!

5. Have you purchased a book or magazine because a 3FCer recommended it? Tell us more. ~I bought the YOU are on a diet book after joining this board. I liked it a lot.

6. One health gadget you have or one you'd like to have. ~I would love to have my own elliptical and would use it in the evenings.

7. Do you lurk in the Maintainers' forum? ~I used to a lot and really should start doing so again.

8. How many times per week do you read in the Goal! threads? ~once or twice.

9. Are you guilty of not recognising your own accomplishments? ~Yes

10. Something about you that not many people know. ~I'm about to finish college and go back into the workforce and I am scared no one will take me seriously and give me a job where I can excel and advance in.

1. Care to tell us your real first name?
Amy, Ames Jo, or Ambriehl. Depends on who you talk to.

2. Give us one tip about healthier eating.
Try to think about the nutritional value of the food, and what it can do for your body. Just because something is low calorie or fat free, does not mean that it is healthy.

3. Give us one tip about increasing activity.
Move. Move. Move. Activity doesn't always mean weights, jogging, etc. Park in a space further out from the store. Play outside with your kids. Take your children to the zoo and walk around all afternoon, instead of going to the movies and sitting for two hours.

4. Do you have just a few pounds to lose or are you almost at goal from a larger weight loss?
my weight loss has been like so:
Have child-gain weight-lose the weight-maintain.

Get pregnant with second child-gain weight-lose the weight...

Get pregnant with third child-gain weight...and now I am losing from my third and last child. After this I will go into maintenance, because I am not having any more kiddos.

5. Have you purchased a book or magazine because a 3FCer recommended it? Tell us more.
Yes. I have purchased many products, books, clothing items, food items, etc. based on recommendations here.

6. One health gadget you have or one you'd like to have.
My favorite new gadget is my scale. It does not only weight, but body fat percentage AND body fat in pounds. It also gives you your BMI, checks your water hydration, and your bone mass. LOVE this thing.

7. Do you lurk in the Maintainers' forum?
I don't lurk...I post now and then.

8. How many times per week do you read in the Goal! threads?
I only read there about once a month.

9. Are you guilty of not recognising your own acomplishments?
At times...

10. Something about you that not many people know.
I am a wine lover, and I go to wineries and do tastings, etc. and I keep a wine journal.

Care to tell us your real first name?
Charise

Give us one tip about healthier eating.
Try to eat food that is as close to the original food source as possible (i.e. eat an orange versus juice, brown rice versus white rice.) I know this isn't always possible, but you get more nutrients from food that isn't overly processed.

Give us one tip about increasing activity.
Go out of your way to be inefficient. Don't try to unload everything from the car at once, take lots of trips back and forth, park your car far from the store, use stairs not elevators, etc. I walk for exercise and whenever possible I leave my car at home and walk to my destination.

Do you have just a few pounds to lose or are you almost at goal from a larger weight loss?
I've been maintaining a 60+ lb weight loss for about 6 months now, but lately I've been thinking of losing another 10 lbs. I'm still trying to decide.

Have you purchased a book or magazine because a 3FCer recommended it? Tell us more.
Just the Women's Day that Glory was in. I also found 3fatchicks from the 3fc's book that I picked up at the library.

One health gadget you have or one you'd like to have.
I <3 my food scale!

Do you lurk in the Maintainers' forum?
Yes and sometimes I even post!

Are you guilty of not recognising your own acomplishments?
Aren't we all at times?

Charise! Your name is Charise!? I never knew that. It's very nice name. Much nicer than zenor