Hi Cindy! It's good to see you here again! And Miss Elisha, see? There's good things for you right there! A work compliment -- isn't it great when others take notice??

We have just a few days left in this challenge -- it's supposed to end March 4. Do you want to continue in some way? Or look into joining other groups in progress and hopefully meet up there? I know I'm sorta looking forward to weighing in, which I haven't done in a while. At the very least, this month has remotivated me and kept me daily aware of my goals.

See you tomorrow!
Laura

I was thinking about that too, about maybe starting a new challenge and seeing if we can't get some other people to join (not that you're not wonderfully motivational in and of yourself!). I, too, am looking forward to the weighing-in on Monday, but since I've weighed myself every Monday, I'm more looking forward to the measuring-in. I've noticed my pants are looser, I just want to see some numbers, have something solid.
I haven't made it to the treadmill yet today, but I will. 35 minutes today. I'm going to a big job fair this afternoon, and hopefully something will come of it. Wish me luck!
~E

Not sure if you're familiar with Body For Life, but it's actually a 12-week program. I'll be starting again on Monday the 5th, and then I take measurements and photos every four weeks. That will sort of coincide with your monthly challenges.

I had great cardio yesterday on the Spinning bike, and then did weight-lifting today - back, triceps and biceps. I feel like my upper body is looking smaller again, which is exciting! I'll be taking progress photos this weekend, and will share the link to them with your guys when I do.
TGIF!
Cindy

Ok, just got off the treadmill.... 2.33 miles in 35 minutes exactly, so that means I kept my speed at 4.0mph. I just hope I can keep it up.
Eating was crappy today... my brother and I ran around town all day, because the job fair was incredibly sucky, unless you were looking for a nursing job or the armed services, which I'm not. But we ended up eating out twice. Once wasn't too bad, just one hot dog, but at dinner I ended up with a philly cheesesteak wrap. I swear I don't know how it ended up in front of me.
We did a little shopping (very little, since I work retail), and I got my monthly reward for meeting my 5-pound goal: a new workout shirt. I wanted to get some new shorts or capris too, but the only ones I liked were too pricey for my budget. Next paycheck should be pretty good though, so I'm going to invest in some new gear--shoes, shorts, and a sweatband if I can find one.
And when I got home a little while ago, for some unapparent reason I just felt like crap. I felt like just sitting down and crying. Instead I got on the treadmill, and it helped. I don't know what came over me. Sometimes it just hits me how much I don't like my life right now. The worst part is that I feel like I'm doing everything I possibly can and it's not getting any better. Losing weight is making me feel better about myself, but that's only one part of it. There's so much more I want to change and feel like I can't.
On a lighter note, I went to the mall the other day. I was dressed fairly nicely--black pants, my nice pair of black heels, a rather low-cut pink wrap shirt. I actually saw guys looking at me. That's why I love wearing heels, everyone turns to look. But the best part was, the guys kept looking. I've never really had that before. It feels so good to be noticed. And I thought, "if losing 10 pounds makes this much of a difference, think what it will be like when I lose the next 65."

Ok, time to watch a movie with the brother. Hope everyone had a good day!
~E

What good days! Cindy, Body for Life begins a new cycle on the 5th? Is it a set diet/exercise plan like Atkins or South Beach or more generally about becoming more healthy? I agree with Elisha that while we've done wonderful things keeping motivated these 21 days, a larger group could be nice to find for the Next 21 days and 21 days after that and ... lol.

Miss Elisha, your energy is inspiring! I love hearing about your rewards for meeting your challenges. I could use some new workout clothes and Definitely new athletic shoes. Unfortunately, this isn't the month to do it -- I'm going to a bluegrass festival at the end of the month with my little bit-o-expendable money. On the other hand, I AM going to be seeing the first boy-man I ever kissed some 18 years ago, so this could require new exercise gear and increased attentions to my fitness regimen.

I had a very good day, both a walk with m'dog and a ramble in Monterey. The aquarium has a new exhibit so they held a members night. The new shark display was nice, but I loved the chance to be in the aquarium with only a fraction of the people who are normally there. My mom and I had jumbo prawns with salad for dinner, then did a walkabout on Cannery Row before touring the aquarium. It was a nice evening. Mainly I ate right, except for the cinamon roll for dessert. And I WILL start getting 64 oz in by the end of the next challenge!

Hope everyone had a great day :)
~Shimmers

Elisha - the thing you mentioned about guys looking is so true - I told another forum once that I never knew I had become "invisible" until I lost some weight and men started looking again. And I'm with you on the heels thing - I love the noise!

Shimmers - I love to go to aquariums, but only get to do so when I travel to a city that has one. I take it you're in San Fran?

About Body for Life - it's a combination food/exercise plan. The main goal of the program is to transform your body by building muscle, so the food plan is pretty high protein to support that. You eat 6 meals a day, balanced portions of protein and carbs, with relatively low fat. It's really a 40/40/20 P/C/F plan.
Then the workouts are 6 days a week, although it's only 4 hours per week. 3 days of weight lifting, and 3 days of 20 -minute cardio.

I love this plan, and thus have been able to stay on it for a year! This next plan I'm going to try upping my cardio because I'd really like to get rid of my last 20# in this 12 weeks, so I'm going to really give it my all!

I did get yesterday's lifting in, although I over slept a bit, so had to shorten my back and triceps workouts a bit.

This weekend is all about Spring cleaning - I've got some new furniture being delivered on Monday, and have to make room for it!
You all have a good one!
Cindy

Cindy,
The program sounds interesting, especially the focus on exercise and building muscle. I'm not sure I have the rigor to maintain a strict regimen, but I'd like to see what it's about. Where does the group post? Has a thread already been created?

I didn't get in a walk or the gym, but does it count that I spent a good five hours working on my garage, steadily cleaning, moving, sorting, discarding and such? I think I'm gonna count it anywayt :P When I combine that with a little gardening this morning, by afternoon my alergies were in Fine form. ugh. Feel all fuzzy and scratchy now. But I'm looking forward to tomorrow and celebrating 21 days!

see you tomorrow.
~S

Shimmers,
We don't specifically have a BFL forum here at 3FC - instead there is a separate forum under food plans for the Eating for Life food plan (there's a new cookbook out), and for workouts I post at the Ladies Who Lift forum, where some other BFLers post as well. Gals there all lift weights, but follow many different plans.

I didn't think I'd have the perserverence to follow the program either, but here I am a year later, still going strong, and loving what it's done for my body!

I hear you on the cleaning - I'm getting some new furniture delivered Monday am, and needed to move a bunch of stuff around to accomodate it. First on the list was to clean out the garage, so I could move some stuff out there. I've got way too much furniture in my house, and am planning on having a garage sale in May to pare down. So, I think it's a workout!

More of the same today for me. Have a great Sunday everyone!
Cindy

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to pop in and say hi. I am 36 single (and hating it) never married, no kids (1 dog). I was reading thru your posts and you all seem to be doing really well with eating/exercise! I am participating in an April challange on another board. My goal is a 6-8 lb loss. I don't seem to do well with my eating so a week ago a started Slimfast (I know most people here are not crazy about it) but I did lose a few pounds since I started. It just hate dealing with food. I do go to the gym (usually 30 min on the treadmill then 15-20 of machines) so I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can make my goal.

Well, just wanted to say hi. Good luck to you all!

Lynn :)

Ugh.... I stepped on the scale this morning, even though my usual weigh-in is Monday (I can't help myself, I'm addicted to weighing myself!), and I've gained back a pound I've lost. Which puts me at only 4 pounds this month. I guess it could be water, but I attribute it more to the fact that I've eaten out 4 times in the past 3 days. Not good for my diet. At least I've been getting my exercise in.
Yesterday morning I had my alarm set for 9am, planning to get up and get on the treadmill. At about 5 minutes before 9, I was woken up--by my mom starting up the treadmill. I was almost irritated that I was going to have to wait, but I'm really glad she's exercising. She came into my room a few minutes ago, and I told her I had gained back a pound, and she tried to encourage me. She said that I'm inspiring her to do better. I'm so glad. I could use a little help.
Anyway, I'm going to try desperately to get back on track today. 35 minutes on the treadmill and the UB circuit that I missed yesterday (a friend came over and we watched a movie). I've got to work for a few hours (covering half of someone else's shift), so at least I won't sit around snacking all day.
Ok, speaking of work, I've got to go get ready. Happy time change everyone!
~E

It's 4/4 and we made it 21 days! Woo hooooo!

That right there is a huge accomplishment for me. I've been so unfocused for so many months, this has been great for recentering. I'm afraid I didn't lose any weight this month. The two pounds I thought I'd taken off early on reattached themselves to me. My waist, though, seems a bit trimmer, and I Know my energy and motivation are up, overall. Miss Elisha, congratulations on 4 pounds!! Count me with your mom -- you have inspired, me, as well. I'm not ready for a 'break' yet, considering I sort of "waded" into my challenge this month, so I'm looking as of today to "get serious" this month and push myself to be truly honest about my morning scone habit and my nightly eating. And all the other little self-sabotaging gestures.

I think today brings a close to this challenge thread, yes? Thank You for being great thread-mates!
~Laura