Summer Challenge!!
 

Hello all !

The Summer Challenge has begun! To remind everyone of the challenge, it is this :
10 pounds lost in 30 days starting July 12th! Granted, this is just a guideline, individual goals may vary. The important thing for everyone is to stay completly on track for the duration of 30 days and to strive to new limits, particularly with the dreaded exercise ;).

I am posting my personal goals and plan for the next 30 days below. I hope those of you wanting to join follow suit :hug: ...

Tonight I am preparing myself for 30 days of pure health!....I've been shopping and have the right foods in the house. I bought food for Wave 1 which I will do for 10 days, both to regain focus and to help boost weight loss. I have mentally been telling myself that I can do this, that it is in my power and that I will meet success! My gym is under construction but enough sections are open that I can still get a good workout. I am going to add several new routines to my workouts, namely yoga and power-walking. I have to go very early tomorrow because I have a full day planned. In the past this has stopped my from going but not this time around. I am commited to waking up early, getting there, and SWEATIN :woops: !!

I don't have a scale but I will weigh at the gym tomorrow to asses the damage. I know I've gained some weight back b/c I can feel it in my clothes, tomorrow will tell the truth though. After the day is done I will post the days results.

I can't wait to hear what everyone else is up to! We can do this!!! :carrot:

ok Angela thanks for kicking this off...

I too am in for a good month of health. I do take a road trip from VA home to MA at the end of the month and forsee some obstacles but I will find a way to overcome them. And at least by then I'll be out of wave 1 so I can have the social glass of wine when I see all my old friends.

I am cruising along at the gym, taking in careul though so my groin muscle doesn't completely tear. I am still training for my 8k and in general taking any scary class I can fin, lol.

Here's a great workout routine that I wrote down after one of my classes called Xtreme Xertion. I did this today b/c it was a little easier on the running than some of the other things I normally do...

1 min treadmill 10% incline -casual pace
1 min treadmill 15% incline -casual pace
10 wall push ups(feet up on wall or bench or something)
10 floor push ups
30 sec treadmill 10% incline -sprint
30 sec treadmill 15% incline -sprint
20 wall push ups
20 floor push ups
1 min treadmill 10% incline sprint
30 wall push ups
30 floor push ups
1 min treadmill 15% incline sprint

biceps(handweights) 20 reps
tricep dips w/bench 20 reps
biceps 20 reps
triceps 20 reps
pull ups-using assisted machine 2 sets of 30 reps

1 min precor resistance 20-just keep it moving
1 min arc trainer reisistance 100

sit ups on incline bench 50 pulse
chest press or just bar(45lbs) 20 reps
sit ups on incline bench 50 full
chest press or just bar(45lbs) 20 reps
sit ups on incline bench 50 pulse

2 sets of 50-50-50-50 [regular curnches, just lower half crunches, upper and lower half crunches, bicycles (50 ea side)]

1 min treadmill 10% incline -casual pace
1 min treadmill 15% incline -casual pace
10 wall push ups(feet up on wall or bench or something)
10 floor push ups
30 sec treadmill 10% incline -sprint
30 sec treadmill 15% incline -sprint
20 wall push ups
20 floor push ups
1 min treadmill 10% incline sprint
30 wall push ups
30 floor push ups
1 min treadmill 15% incline sprint

1 min Stepper(giant steps) sprint
1 min elliptical sprint

lunges 15 times across the long way in the gym/aerobics room

biceps 20 reps
tricep kickbacks 20 reps
front delt raises 20 reps
side delt raises 20 reps

if you haven't died yet-
2 sets of 50-50-50-50 [regular curnches, just lower half crunches, upper and lower half crunches, bicycles (50 ea side)]

Angela,thanks dearheart for bringing focus into the reality of why we are here.I did get on that scale and gained back 3 lbs. But yesterday is yesterday
and the new beginning has started. You go girl :carrot:

Batmomm.....Wow! That routine would kill me,but not if I was in my 20's!Go for it:carrot:

Okay today is the first day of Wave 1,my commit for the next 30 days is another shot at healthy lifestyle. My exercise will be on the Gazelle starting 10 minutes per day increasing as I go along. I will be able to get into the Intermediate part of this by next week,which is 20 minutes per day and certainly by the end of the 30 days I will be into the Advanced of 40 minute per day. Of course I will do 2-3 minutes of warm up and cool down. I will let you know what I can attain but that is my goal for (yuk) dreaded exercise:devil:

Here is the menu for today which I planned last night

B..........eggs,WG bread,PB and coffee
S..........veggie(cuke) with wedge of LF cheese
L...........cod,veggie,coffee
S...........radishes
D...........Sonoma Wrap
S............??????if I need it I will have some sort of extra veggie

Well,girls thats it. So onward and upward everyone. I am pump up and hope all of you will have great success in this challenge. Have a wonderful day;)

Today is day 2 for me. I had a good day yesterday. I felt great for it too.

I swam at 6am this morning with a friend. And I'm going back with the children this afternoon.

B- mushroom and egg wrap with coffee.
L- veggie burger-wwbun and salad
D- salmon and green beans and salad.
S- laughing cow triangle and celery stick

I am going to drink plenty of water. I actually had no soda yesterday. Yes it was a proud day!!!

Good luck to you ladies. Think fabulous.
Gina

nice job on no soda Gina!!

Day 1 is done and I'm still alive and kickin! It looks as if you all have been successful too - HOORAY!!! :carrot:

Batmomm - that sounds like such a challenging workout. I watch the circuit-training courses at the gym (looks similar to what you describe)(. I have yet to participate because I'm terrified of it. I am very admirable of your stamina and drive though and maybe someday it will rub off on me :)!

Sissy - Awesome job on the Gazelle! I can tell you are getting your groove back! WOO-HOO!

Britmum - Excellent job on the soda. It's tough, but your body will thank you for it. And also props for the 6AM swim!!! Wonderful!

I did the early morning gym thing as well. I kicked my butt on the eliptical by doing the 'hill climb' - something I never do. I nearly gave myself an asthma attack trying to get through it, but I used some of the yoga breathing techniques my sister taught me and they seemed to help. I walked for 40 minutes in the day also and did weights. Menu was good except that I missed my lunch because of a busy schedule. I grabbed a latte instead and had some almonds later.

Brk : Eggs with PB toast
Lunch: latte w/ skim milk
Snk: almonds
Dinner: roasted chicken w/ salad and steamed broc and cauliflower
Snk: celery stix

Guess what?!? Now we only have a 29 Day Challenge ahead! Great job everyone!!! :carrot:

Well I'm up for the challenge of 10 lbs in 30 days but have been a bit rubbish at sticking to it so far. I started Sonoma on Monday - went O.K. but Tuesday and Wednesday I ended up eating rubbish at the end of the day. Can anyone give me advice though - I've noticed that people have been snacking on nuts - I thought the only snacks you could have on Wave 1 were tier 1 vegetables and that was it. Am I wrong?

Well ladies going strong. I walked at 6am, 4 miles. Then I swam at 10am. I know, at this rate you'd think I'd be skinny. I am excited about dinner. I'm making the Tandori Chicken out of the book. I did not make the yogurt cheese, that just seemed like alot of work. Being English, we love a good curry. I'll let you know how it went.

Be strong and think fabulous
Gina

Hey gals - Good job to each of you!! We can do this!

Clutha - stick with it, things will come. I think you might be right about Wave 1 snacks, tier 1 veg should be the first choice. I had forgotten that!! I will have to refer to book to be sure. I know you have to count them as a fat serving, something I forgot in my initial stab at Wave 1! Oops!

Britmum - Great workout! You must be either feeling amazing or famished - or maybe it's both ;)! Where do you swim?? I love to swim but don't have a great place to do so......

My day 2 was even better than day 1 :). I sruggled this afternoon with hunger pains, but it's not because I'm starved, just getting used to not eating all the treats I want. I did 35 mins on eliptical with another 'hill climb' and did a 30 min walk. Tomorrow I will kick it up a notch with some new lifting moves my sis taught me. Menu's been yummy and satisfying:
Brk- egg whites w/ pepper, onion and smoked trout & toast w/ PB
Snk- celery stx
Lun- 1/2 pita cxn sand with salad
Snk- celery and caulifower
Din - Salmon with steamed veggies

I am sad to say that I weighed and had a big gain over my vacation and the birthdays. I am moving my ticker back up :( :( :(.....I didn't know I could gain 7 pounds in 10 days!! CRAZY! It hasn't been there long so I imagine it will come off quicker which will make my 10 pound victory more likely. I doubt it's all actual weight though...Er, at least I keep telling myself that! ;)

I tried to add the additional weight ticker for the challenge. I hope it works! If any of you want to add one but aren't sure how, it's pretty easy :) ~ just use the 'signature edit' on your personal page and follow directions. If you have a question feel free to ask :).

Cheers everyone on DAY 29 - GO US!!!

I was all pumped up to start this challenge too but now I have come down with a virus or something. Been flat in bed all day. So much for exercise.

Hope you feel better Kimmie!! Wish4fit - your exercise is going great! Peanuts are listed on Wave 1, but I think the vegetables are #1 choice. Sometimes not too satisfying. I have been hungry this afternoon and tonight. Hope everyone has a good day tomorrow! Vicki

well you all should just kick me out of the challenge now. good god the things I ate today, breakfast was fine, dinner was fine but I went to a playgroup today and lunch consisited of DEATH BY CHOCOLATE-a trifle of brownie, cool whip, chocolate pudding, choc chips, caramel sauce, and kissables...can you say :ink: ? Now I did get my butt up and to the gym this evening at 7:45 pm even when my good friend bailed on me so that's a point in my favor.

Ok now i'm serious...:dizzy:

Third day into challenge and feeling pretty rock solid:cool: Kimmie,hope you are on the mend.

This week end I will be adding time to my exercise routine so I've started to feel better about that too:carrot:

Looks like everyone is really getting into this challenge. Just keep up the good work as best you can. Whatever other goals you have for yourselves,at least you know you are heading in the right direction. So Hooray for all of you :carrot: Have a wonderful and successful week-end

Here is today's menu:

B.........wg cereal,milk,coffee
S.........HB egg
L.........shrimp,cauliflower,tomatoes, lettuce,coffee
S..........lf cheese wedge w celery
D..........Grilled cheese,salad
S..........popcorn sm amt

Good morning all. I've got my swim at 6am. I swim at the local YMCA. I live in a small midwest town, but at least we do have a Y.

Hope you feel better today Kimmie.

Batmomm- Good for you for going to the gym. At 7.45 pm I'm like an old person, desparate to get the kids in bed so I can collapse. I can't to be able to do that with a glass of wine!!!

I did pick my first tomato this morning, so guess what I'll be having for lunch, with some basil, garlic and olive oil.

The Tandoori chicken was fantastic. We cooked it on the grill.

Still going stron. Think fabulous ladies and I'll check in later.
Gina

morning, i'm back in the saddle. At least for all my indiscretions I didn't then just give in and eat crap all night. Today is leftover, what's left in the crisper day. I think i'll make some homemade tomato-sppinach soup and something with eggplant.

I'll check back later

Alright ladies ~ we have our groove on now!!!

Kimmie - hope you are better soon and can get into the challenge
Sissy - keep that excercise up, it's tough but you know it's good for ya :)!
Britmum - Another 6AM swim ~ i am in awe!
Batmom - A little death by chocolate won't be your demise, especially with those intense workouts you've been doing. I love the new picture of you ~ gorgeous legs :)!

I had a good day, all things considered. I went for a 3 hour trail hike and got a bout of hypoglycemia half way through which wasn't so good. I had forgotten that the last time I did Wave 1 I had the same issue on day 3 - guess my blood sugar gets too low and doesn't adjust to the cold-turkey-no sugar part of Wave 1 very well. My sister was with me and gave me an apple she had. Not the best, but it fixed me up enough that I could finish the hike, so I guess that was good. Rest of food today was superb.

I am getting up early to do the gym tomorrow with some girlfriends. We are going shopping too, all the summer sales are on so we will probably buy LOTS !

I see a few of you have added weight trackers ~ now lets see some movement :) :)!!

Brk : PB toast and veg saus
Snk: celery stx and peanuts
Lun: spicy shrimp salad
Snk: Apple
Din: cxn enchilda w/ salad

Thanks. I'm feeling a little bit better today. Bought some KILLER shoes that I had always wanted. At least I can buy shoes that fit.. hahaha.
Went grocery shopping and bought so much healthy food that it was kinda scary. I'm learning to cook foods I have never tried that are much better for me. I'm still very depressed over my weight but have a pretty active weekend planned that should whittle off alittle weight if all goes well.

Angela you have just made my day!! I don't usually like pics of me but did like that one and it's nice to have someone else notice too.

And all in all, an apple is a great choice to get you back to life, plus it's full of fiber so it's not like you had oh I dunno...DEATH BY CHOCOLATE, lol

Hey there fellow Challengers :)

Thought I'd post early as I have a busy evening...It's about 4 o'clock here and the day has gone well. Had a Sonoma breakfast before going shopping and to the gym. Didn't work out as hard as I would have liked because I've not been feeling too well. At least I went though...Made a yummy lunch at home and have a chicken chili planned for dinner. I've been feeling like I need snacks this afternoon but have been taming the hunger with tea so far...If the beast takes over I have some cucumber in the fridge I can have.

Cheers to a completion of Day 27!
Keep going gals!!!

boy I wanted some cherries today as I was cutting them up for my son but I figure I can hold out a few more days, oooh and I cannot wait to take the boys blueberry picking...

good eating today, no gym exercise b/c Thursday and Fri were so hard and tomorrow's another killer class. I did however spend a couple hours zipping down waterslides, that's gotta burn off a couple calories...

Batmom - Ohhhh, I'm so jealous! I love waterparks!!! And you bet you got a workout doing all that swimming and stairclimbing getting to the tops of slides! I bet it felt pretty good to be in a swimuit too considering your successful weightloss - You gooo girl!!

I'm trying to stay positive but that not-feeling-so-well yesterday has turned into something more serious. My sister and I both have had really sore throats, headaches, tummy aches, and mild fevers ~ YUCK!!! I've experienced worse so I keep telling myself I can stay above water. I'm taking today off of the gym and depending on circumstances may take tomorrow off too. Eating on plan is always harder for me when I am sick, but so far I've handled it. This is a challenge right - I never thought it was going to be easy. I will remain committed!!!

Menu today:
Brk - scram eggs w/ salmon, onion, mushies and feta
Snk - cucumber slices
Lun - tuna salad
Din - Homemade soup of somekind to soothe the sore throat

yikes hope you get better soon before you get worse Angela. But those are the symptoms my 2 yr old had before throwing up for a day. Luckily no one else in the family caught it so maybe it he got it bad cuz he's so small.

The mushroom soup in the book looks like it might works, mostly broth and slippery 'shrooms.

As for me I have an actual loss!! I can't record it b/c it's only .5 lb but I know it's there.

batmom, you are to be commended for not going crazy cause you blew it once during the day. I did that too last night and today, but with drink, not food. I did swim a lot both yesterday and today so hopefully I didn't do too much damage. I will start walking at lunch, hopefully tomorrow.

Batmomm- CONGRATULATIONS!!! You are the first challenger with a loss!! What's with these tickers anyway, a half pound should totally count!!....

over52- I haaaate when drinks get in my way....I love going out once in awhile and having a few drinks with friends, its just a part of my social life and something I enjoy. I can go without, but there are some days where I really just want to let loose and have a good time!! Just keep up the exercise and good foods and you will be fine...:)

As for me....My sickness has gotten worse instead of better....bummer! The only positive is it seems to have taken my appetite with it so I've been okay. I was on plan all day yesterday and ate pretty small portions as I just wasn't up for eating much. The nasty stuff has moved into my lungs though so I'm going to have to avoid the gym yet another day...:(

I have loaded up on vitamins, zinc, echinacea, goldenseal, grapefruit seed extract - the WORKS! I really want to shake this and get back to the task at hand!

We are nearly done with week 1 of the challenge, today is Day 25. Go US!!!Let's get it together so we can all weigh in with a loss !!

Good Morning All,

Looks like everyone is well into the challenge. I tried to change my ticker this am but have a blocked symbol on the computer,will try again later.

I was delightfully surprised this morning when I stepped on the scale,which makes me nervous at times,because I don't like to use the scale as a guide to whats going on,because of the varibles. Well anyway I weigh 221.2. So I am delighted with this. Exercise is still a challenge,its kind of hit and miss.

Congrats to Batmomm for your loss also.
Angela........get well soon
Kimmie.........glad to see you are feeling better

Everyone have a successful day

sounds like we're all churning along. I hope everyone is getting healthy and strong out there. WTG Sissy!!! That ticker is certainly moving!

I cleared out my closet yesterday, I am ebaying like a wild woman, never again will I wear the FAT pants...

Sissy - wonderful job on getting the weight off. See, it can be done and WE ARE DOING IT!!!

Batmom - get RID of those pants, honey!!! It's so liberating!! :) I still can't get over those beautiful legs ~ my personal opinion is that you should replace all your "fat" pants with skirts and shorts :)......I don't have any of what I would call "fat" pants left in my closet, but I have a whole lot of "medium" pants, and I'm still clinging on to my "thin" clothes too. For years I had 3 wardrobes, at least now I've narrowed it to just 2 I suppose....:)

The sickness got me a little yesterday. I had a popsicle which was so nice on the sore throat and especially in this conspicuously hot weather we've been having. I snacked on popcorn too.....I'd like to make excuses that I've been sick, but I know those are just excuses. I am mentally feeling good about things still and my heart is still in the challenge - sickness or otherwise!
I can't wait to be on Wave 2 though, I am missing fruit bigtime. :(

Havn't weighed yet as I havn't been to the gym but think I've lost a little, I have my fingers crossed!

Have a great day friends!!

Feel better Angela! Yes, we are all doing it very well! Support from each other and knowing someone else is in the same boat with you is very helpful!So many people who have never had a weight problem or I will say concern just don't know where we are coming from. I like to use the word concern because problem seems negative at least thats how I was trained when I work in the weight loss industry. Have a wonderful and successful day !

Sissy and Batmomm ~ Thanks for sticking this challenge out with me. You two are the best :hug:. I have got my heart in this and know that I can make my goal. It really helps to have you here though :).

I am STILL sick and getting very tired of the whole thing. I think the sickness has leveled off though and I am bound to get better soon. It's settled into my lungs so I havn't been able to work out and it's really making me sad. Yesterday I finally got out and walked into town. I was famished by the time I got there so took the bus back, but it was a nice baby step and the reality of it is I just didn't have the stamina or energy to do more. I'm going to do another walk today and will hit the gym as soon as I feel I am able.

Other than my little popsicle/popcorn slip I have been excellent with my menus. Fruit is looking mighty good these days so it's been hard to ward off, but I've managed thus far. Only 2 more days til Wave 2, I can't wait!

I know my ticker is going to come down, just have to get to the gym to see how much. I suppose I could buy a scale, but I hate those damned things!! Sometimes we just know when we've lost though and I feel a bit smaller in the tummy so that is good, regardless of the scale.

Hope I am better soon and can really get my workout groove on :)!

Take care ladies :hug:

Angela,hope you get on the mend real quick! I agree about the scale,I think its the downfall for many people because so many varibles are there. I too like to judge weightloss by how my clothes are feeling. But I sometimes do get a little curious about the numbers:devil: I won't weigh again until our challenge is complete. Looking foward to the next one;) I would have like the falafel better I'm sure if I didn't overbake it!Or better yet fried in grease OMG I should bite my tongue. I will try it again,but this time pay attention to the time.I'm always with you on any challenge you take:hug:

Sticking pretty well to program,however yesterday was a bust at that resturant with my red hat sisters. Even the salad looked like the pits:mad: No one finished the food except 2 gals, so we chalked off that place My grilled cheese sandwich left much to be desire:mad:

Continue success to you and Batmomm as will go forth with this challenge;)

afternoon girls!! Angela I know what a bummer it is to actually want to workout but too sick too, what a cruel joke huh?! Take it easy though when you do head back, you might want to keep up those baby steps a little longer. I for one am loving your challenge. It hasn't necessarily kept me from cheating but it makes me honest aobut my cheats so that I can't pretend they aren't happening.

Sissy-you are doing so well!! I love to see your ticker moving down.

Sadly my girls night out seems to have left a bit of junk on me, I'm still hoping somehow those beers will work their way off soon but right now now numbers dropping. Now today I went to hte movies with my kids and somehow or another a good handful of milk duds snuck past my lips, with a couple swedish fish chasing them...I don't know why???

So at meal time I'm awesome but the unexpected treats keep cropping up. Maybe i need one of those Hannibla Lecter masks...

Hi Ladies,
I am in the challenge, just a little slow getting on here. My first 5 days went well and then I failed over the weekend abit. The good news is I'm back on the straight and narrow (well mostly :) ), just need to up my excersice more. I work full time and by time I get home, shop, chop and cook it is bedtime! Do you guys find it takes alot of time to prep these meals? Oh, and all 4 of the broccoli recipes stink IHO. If it's going to be a "power food", make it taste better :barf:

Do you think pickles and pickled veggies are fine, vegetable right? Can eat all I want? Please give your opinion on that, thx.

Here's hoping all your weight doohickies move to the right today!

Jan

Angela, I sure hope you are feeling better soon. Sissym - one meal won't hurt I am sure! Keep up the good work, you are over half way there!!!!

Hi Janpan - good to have you here :)

Thanks for all the 'feel betters' everyone - i think they are working!! :)
I have been out and about today, walking alot and carrying a huge bag of books. Even though it's not the gym, I'm getting there.

I have been so excellent with food and I'm nearly done with Wave 1 - YIPPEE! I will be astonished if I havn't lost anything when I get on the scale. Today is day 9 of the challenge - only 21 days to go!.....On a similar note I have less than 60 days til my wedding - YIKES! Now that's motivation to keep going!

Hope you are all are feeling great. Have a wonderful day!

wow Angela I think i knew that about your wedding but kinda forgot. 60 days isn't long girl so don't go dropping too much or your dress will hang off you, lol. Great job on your eating habits!!

Kicked my own butt working out today. I did one of the Xtreme workouts that I copied down from class but it's a lot less fun by yourself...Been eating very well today so I just need to keep it up.

Hey girls, just a quick progress post....

Had a bumpy morning today because I slept in and had to be at an early appointment. Made it to the appointment but didn't get my normal sonoma breakfast in and found myself on the road. I grabbed a high-fibre bran muffin (ate only half) and some peanuts. It's sort of a carb/protein combo so I'm hoping no damage is done. Missed my bus too so walked briskly about 25 minutes and got a little exercise in already. Lunch is salad and dinner is probably going to be turkey burgers.

I am so behind with everything right now - the wedding plans, the dissertation, finding a job....it's making me crazy! Alot of times stress makes me want to eat, so I am proud for sticking to this.

Tomorrow is weigh-in day and I'll post my progress. Last day of Wave 1 for me too!

Good luck gals :)

Tomorrow,fruit! Dropped another 1/2 but not changing ticker till the end. I promised myself not to weigh but clothes or looser and felt like it had been more,not disappointed I'll take it all. Doing well with program but must admit had a popicle yesterday made with splenda. Didn't trigger anything so I'm happy about that. I started off with wg toast w PB this am .Lunch and dinner will be chicken tenders and veggies of course. Looking forward to fruit tomorrow.

Angela you sound super busy,hooray for you keeping your eating in tow while getting and preparing for so much that is going on in your life right now.I know you did great when you weigh in tomorrow.

Everyone have a great weekend.Yes, I am still delinquent where exercise is concerned. My doc would have a fast fit if he knew I wasn't doing the 10,000 steps they want me to do per day. I haven't even come close:(

Dear challengers -

There is a concensus that there are too many threads going for a small number of active posters. To keep us more integrated I opted to 'close' this thread and we can post our challenge successes on the food thread instead.
I hope this doesn't bum anyone out. The challenge is still on though so don't make this an excuse to let yourself out. Today is day 11 of the challenge so that means only 19 more days to go. How are we all doing??? I hope progress is coming our way! I'm feeling pretty confident that I'll reach my goal of 10 pounds - amazingly, as I don't think I've ever done that before! You wouldn't know by lookin at my ticker but I'll post my losses as soon as I get on that scale, still just been putting it off.

Thanks for being my challenge buddies everyone. Lets have a good weekend and lose some of this weight!! :)

Hey everyone. Sorry to have not been logged in much. Been pretty ill now for the past week. I'm having a nasty bout of bronchitus and issues with my thyroid. Going back to the doctor for follow up and hanging in there. I have lost a couple of pounds. Now down to 228. I have three pounds to my first mini goal.

Kimmie - Congrats on the loss! That's amazing, especially while you've been sick! I hope you get feeling better soon. You are almost to your first goal, you can do it!!!

We "challengers" have started just posting on the food thread so you can check us out there. Everyone's been successful thus far! Glad to hear you have been too :).