Hi ladies, here's the new challenge:

April 5 - May 31st!

We can do Weigh ins on Mondays,

So
4/12
4/19
4/26
5/3
5/10
5/17
5/24
and
5/31

so 8 Weeks of Weigh Ins.

Please update your signatures.

Copied from last year: As for the theme of this challenge – “Reflections of The Way Life Used to Be”. I want all of you to think of one (just one) bad habit that they had at the beginning of the year that you’ve now broken… or a good habit that you’ve built. Also if there was any key component in doing so. Building good habits and breaking bad ones is the key of living a healthy lifestyle – and ALL of us are here in order to do that and to support and learn from one another… so help a fellow Chick Out!

My Additional Challenge for 2010 - pick a new habit you don't have worked out. Post how you're going to revamp that habit. Then lets give accountability for this challenge if we've revised a bad habit.

Alright, so a new challenge:

I'm setting two goals: Reasonable - 15 lbs in 8 weeks, SW 219 GW 204. My real goal is to loose 20 lbs and be 199! I know that it's not really to be expected, but I'm going to require myself to be on plan every day until I get to 199, even if it takes longer than Memorial day. So there will be no cheats for me until then. You ladies have to help me stay accountable.

Plan is 1600 calories on weekdays, 1800 on weekends. I'll also be aiming for exercise of at least 30 minutes 5 days per week (which I've suprisingly been getting lately). Running with my boss 3 days/week certainly helps.

Reflections:
A new habit I've been working on- learning new stress coping mechanisms. I'll say that wonderfully I've been exercising, taking a bubble bath, cleaning, playing with the dog have replaced my binge eating when I'm stressed out. Sometimes I just take the time and go ahead and cry. No more eating. I've been fighting a lot with my Mom lately, and have been testing this. So Victory!

A habit that needs changing- I need to spend time actually cooking healthy meals. I know as a calorie counter I can eat anything - but really... Me spending all morning waaaaaay on plan, i.e. oatmeal, vegetables, lean protein, whole grain bread, and leaving a huge chunk of calories for dinner so I can have taco bell for dinner is kinda dumb. I mean, every once in a while (like once a month) would be fine, but once or twice a week is a why I've not been losing for the past few weeks. I know I'm only cooking for myself, but I can cook all the weeks worth of food and keep it in the fridge for all my meals for the week.

How to fix it, I will plan 3 meals (with multiple servings for leftovers for dinners and lunches) and cook them tonight so that I will be all planned out for the rest of the week. I will do this same plan on Sundays when I'm instate over the weekend and on Mondays when I'm in TN for the weekend (so there is no excuses). I'll also pick up 2-3 frozen meals to keep for filling in holes.

Im in on this one.

Goal for this challenge: I want to be 145. Doesn't sound like much but the closer to goal I get the harder it is to loose weight fast. Sw153 GW145 = 8#

I will 1) eat less white foods except Cauliflower and beans :-) That means no white flour, rice, sugar, less salt, no white potatoes. cut back on starchy processed foods. 1a) eat raw fresh veggies and fruit.

2) drink more water 64 ounces a day

3) be faithful to my exercise. I fell off the wagon and rolled down the hill in Feb. Wasn't accountable. Accountability is utmost.

How to fix this: plan in advance by writing things down putting appointments and meetings in my phone scheduler so Im not caught surprised at the last minute. Then go off half cocked not prepared for the event. This way food is planned ahead. Exercise is allowed for. and $$ is set aside.

I did get finances in control. I am living within my budget.

Dixie- way to go on your good habit. Finances are super tough to take control of.

My daily update: Calories 1410, Exercise: 1hr15 min hard yardwork.

I didn't mean to be so far under 1600, just happened. I also got two of my 3 meals for the week cooked tonight: spicy shrimp and couscous and flank steak salad. I've got chicken spaghetti to make tomorrow night or Wednesday night, and a few more veggies to cook. I'm excited about being back on plan. My boss had an afternoon meeting so we didn't get to run, but at least the yardwork was some good exercise. Talk to you ladies tomorrow.

Sprkl~recipe for chicken spaghetti. Sounds so good would you mind sharing your recipe please pretty please :-)) I went for a 30 minute walk

Hi ladies...just finishing up some cleaning and heading off to bed! I'll see you all in the morning and update my signature then! I'm excited to get this one started.

good morning everyone. I am starting at 220 this time. don't know where I want to be by the end. All do know is i will be about 10 lbs lighter some time next month.

Hi Ladies.

I am in again. My goal for this challenge is to lose 12.9 pounds, and bring myself into ONEderland. It is probably more than I should expect, but I can't resist the challenge. My other goal for this time period is to be able to run for 30 minutes in a row before Memorial day. That will take a lot of work as well, since I am barely able to do 5 minutes right now.

I will be jetting off for vacation on May 30th so I will miss the last weigh in and the beginning of the next challenge, but at least I will be warm. And on my first vacation with my Sweetie in the 11 years we have been together.

I need to think about my reflections, so I will be back later.

I had to read your post 2x before I got it. cute! and you are sooo close


So many cool things going on-> I'd love to be able to run for 30 minutes, are you working on the C25k program? I'm also dying to get to 1-derland this challenge. I'm trying to be reasonable with myself and say that I might not be able to get there, but at least I'll be close.

Also, a vacation with your sweetie! How wonderful. I've got really fond memories of my first trip with DH. We'll forgive you for missing a couple WI's

Chicken Spaghetti Recipe: I basically make it like I make beef just sub in chicken instead
1 small can tomato paste
3-4 stalks celery
Garlic - 4 pieces
2 onions
1 8 oz can diced tomatoes
Noodles
Either ground chicken or chicken breasts
Basil, oregano, parsley, salt and pepper

I cook the chicken (boil breasts and shred, or cook the ground chicken like ground beef) with the onions, garlic, and celery.
Boil noodles according to package
Mix tomatoes, cooked chicken mix, and tomato paste with basil, oregano and parsley ( I use lots of these) and a little bit of salt and pepper. Add a little bit of water and simmer for about 15 minutes.

Notes:
*I use a lot of celery, garlic and onions, but I really like them, edit it to your taste.
*I also like to sub chicken or turkey in other foods like this, chili, tacos, etc. because I find that they are less greasy and I can make it spicier without getting heartburn.
*You could use a spaghetti seasoning packet instead of the spices, I just usually stray away from it b/c it has soooo much sodium.

Thanks Sprkl I will try this it sounds very yummmmo

Great thread ! I have a few good habits :

*10 days ago I started calorie counting for the first time in my 48 years !!! (I somehow thought it was impossible before).

*I also pretty much am over the cravings for buttered toast and pasta lunches, and just *don't go there* anymore.

* STill thinking of new little Bright Ideas I can do ~ one thought of yesterday of not bringing the food to the table, and DH and I dishing up at the stove. This way I am not staring at uneaten food while sitting at the table, in addition, I am sitting on DH's side of the table next to him, so I can look out at the hills from our sliding door windows, and this way I can instead, focus on the scenery outside.

*Also, not making enough for leftovers to eat the next day (exception is occasional pizzas, quiches, and lasagnas. But..I can FREEZE if I deliberately make more than enough ! THen I'm actually benefitting saving (instead of eating more at dinner, or next day for lunch) by not having to cook a night. See, I'm thinking of great ideas as I write this post ! :-)

I think the next habit for me to work out, as well as the calorie in/out counting, is to weigh in once a week, as suggested. Not that I think it makes any difference other than it allows me to stop focusing on results so often, and more on the process it takes to get there.

I sure am doing the C25K program. Today is week 1 day 2. I am currently running on the treadmill in the gym, but I expect to move outside when I can run up and down the hills around where I live.

I am so looking forward to being 1## again. I used to be. I have been in the past, but oh boy did I gain. It still shocks me how much I managed to gain. Sitting on my butt and eating chocolate. That'll do it every time.

I guess that is the habit I had to change to make this journey the one that is successful. I give myself no more than 30 minutes to sit at my computer when I get home from work and then I am off to exercise. Most days I don't even do that, but go straight to exercising before I check home email and all that nonsense.
The other thing I have had to change is relying on my BFF to motivate me to exercise. People always say "find someone to be accountable to," but for me that just means someone to allow me off the hook. One day I woke up and was willing to be accountable to myself. I have no idea how that worked, but it was just time, I guess.

My new good habit that I am trying to build is more fruit and vegetables in my diet. I love them, but sometime I just forget to eat them. No more. They are tasty and good for me and I will eat them.

Can I join this challenge? I just signed up for three others . . . I feel like Jan on The Brady Bunch. lol

Goal for this challenge is down 8-10 lbs. I can do this . . . .

I have a huge blister on my big toe big knuckle.It rubs on the inside of my new shoes.The son of a sea biscuit hurts. cant wear my shoe. I won't be walking this evening. it popped and is very sensitive. Hope tomorrow it will be better. Or can find some way to numb it. Going to do some yoga though not giving up on my exercise for the day :-))