Red, thank you! It feels amazing to wear smaller clothes and have them fit. I still don't really see all that much of a difference in my body - I see more definition at my collarbones and my neck and arms are noticeably thinner and more toned, but other than that I feel like I look exactly the same. It helps to know that's NOT the case. Well done with day 4 and 5! You are doing so well.
jkg, Congratulations on getting through your last day!
dkkrf, you're doing great. This summer has been SO hot, getting the water in is so important. I live in the desert anyway so I drink water like it's going out of style, but it's been hot everywhere this year and it is just so crucial. You should be proud of yourself, it's so important to your health to get enough water.
Apple Blossom, I have a couple of old favorite shirts that I can't wait to wear again, too. I'm sorry you had to start over on day 1. Onward and downward .
Curlylocks, hang in there. The water is SO important, and it's so good for you! Your body will get used to the extra water really soon, and you'll stop living in the lady's room. Just think of all the retained water you're getting rid of!
carla, I'm glad you're still on track and that you inspired your friend to do a challenge of his own, too. I hope you can keep each other committed. Hasn't the heat been awful this summer? At least I'm in an area with a very dry heat, but it's still just intense this year.
Caro, I'm glad day 1 went well! Keep it up.
Way to go. LB!
Mezmerize, he is adorable. Congrats on getting through day 2!
1ceagain, I'm glad you got through day 10. SBD sounds so hard to me, really. I think I'd have a meltdown doing phase 1, without my carbs. I'm glad you're sticking with it.
mscat, well done on getting through day 1. I hope that your weight really is down for you.
Sorry I didn't check in yesterday. Day 6 (yesterday the 2nd) and Day 7 (today!) DONE! I came so close yesterday though. My hubby worked late, and so we had dinner late, and I didn't plan well so I was STARVING and almost had a snack which would have put me over 1600. But I resisted, and stayed at 1560. I was still at 210 this morning but that's okay. I gave myself more than a month this time to lose my 11 pounds and get to 199. I know my weight loss has slowed down now, so I have got to make sure my goals are more realistic. I have worn my "new" clothes for the past two days and I'm getting so many compliments on my weight loss. It feels wonderful. I still have a long way to go, but it's great motivation to know that my hard work is paying off.
I also wanted to say that I LOVE the idea of a smilie in the signature for each challenge completed. I am looking forward to earning my first one.
Hi there. Halfway through Day 6. Contemplating going to the gym. .... Oh, just get your butt in gear! .... My challenge is cleaning and sugar but I am trying so hard to burn off the fat. I should enjoy the journey, but am finding it so frustrating. Don't ever try to chill watermelon by putting it in the freezer. I just ruined a bowl of it...Ugh!!
gray eyed girl -- You're getting there! Don't fall victim to what you feel like, unless you're feeling absolutely wonderful about your new you. I mean, listen to you, you're getting compliments, wearing new clothes. Obviously you look different, you feel different. Enjoy it! Take pleasure in these things. So often we get a little kick out of feeling better, seeing some effort pay off and then before you know it we're looking at the negative and moaning about the work ahead of yes. Yes, you have a lot of work ahead of you but think of how many more times you'll be able to feel proud of yourself. Think of how many more times you'll get compliments. Think of all the new and wonderful clothes you'll be able to see yourself in. You're doing great! And I find you simply inspiring! If you can do it so can I? I can. I can! I'm gonna get me some of those good feelings too, you bet!
mscat -- Good to see you again! What a great day you had. You're getting it ALL together, aren't you? And that IS what it's all about, getting it together. I mean, ****, anyone can starve themselves, smoke themselves thin, but you, you're eating heathily, drinking water, moving that bod! Great stuff!
carla -- A full ten down! Hurrah for you! Well, you should be looking forward to that crisp white wine. But just make sure it keeps looking forward to you! I know what you mean about the bottled water. I'll buy some Italian sparkling and just love it. Makes me feel so decadent, so wildly wealthy, so nuts!! Too hot to chat?! Well, I can relate...she says, the sweat running in rivulets over the hills and dales of her body, pooling at her feet....oops, better save the descriptive writing for elsewhere.... Thanks for asking, I'm doing A-OK on the challenge, it's the rest of life I'm not doing so great on. God, I want to have this super body NOW!! Doesn't help that there have been Marilyn Monroe movies on TV yesterday and today. Carla, keep up the good work!
curly -- Okay, freebie, awful early in the game, no?! Oh, but wait a minute!!! this curly here, she's got herself THREE whole free days. "I think I'll take a free day," she says lounging on the side of her swimming pool, barely having started her third round, but already sitting back to chill with a cold one in one hand, a novel in the other. ...uh, ok, life is tough... Just kidding, curl. You rock!!
jkg -- is nosing over the wire!! See you in the winner's circle, kid!
dkkrf -- Well, you're about to get a smiley for your signature! Way to go!! Day 15 done and gone! I can't believe you, can't even keep your pants on without unbuttoning them....Yowzah! I mean, that's like the complete opposite of me, trying on my "thin" jeans, dancing and jiggling, shooting my heartrate up to the training zone, wondering if it'll count as my gym workout.....oh, you are making me jealous!! I love it!! You are mega awesome!
Just got ome from the gym and only have rivulets and hills. The dales will return if I keep it up. Day 11 on SBD is winding down and I have my dinner planned already. Only 3 more days till carbs! I get 1 fruit and one other startch each day. Oh the possibilities are endless!
Ok, through Day 6 here...well, as soon as I do a bit of cleaning. But I will do it and if I don't I'll take a freebie. Let you know in the morning. I want to get this out.
Well, I had an excellent day as far as diet and exercise went. Really kicked butt, even the gym trainer (super bodybuilder here) was proud of me. I ate superbly. Have been trying to do this six small meals of protein at each with complex carbs, and spacing it so I still have energy from the carbs so I can do the heavy weight training and by the end of that enough of the carbs should be depleted that I can start doing the cardio and fat burning!! Actually, I jogged, 5 K, so that coupled with riding this morning, and a lot of bike riding getting to and from places really adds up to a great day! Wow! If I could just do this consistently, I could burn this fat off in no time!!
1nceagain -- on getting through Day 11. I am sure you will! And kudos for the gym workout! I am amazed you are working out while doing SBD Phase 1! Wow. I sure couldn't. I tried but had no energy, would have dropped the weights on my head! You have more sticktoitness than I do! Oh, the wonderful carbs are on the way. Think of all the luscious fruits you can pick from. Yum!
Okay, rule amendment here! Because curly has me thinking.... We can't have too many free days or it'd be like...."Day 1 done here...that was a good challenge!" So, I'm setting the maximum free days at FIVE. So after five challenge rounds you get five free days total, NO MORE!! Okay, just wanted to set that in writing.
OK, guys, pass it on!!
Do you think anyone is going to stick around here long enough to do more than five rounds?! Well, I hope so. I'm enjoying this!
Last edited by redballoon; 08-04-2005 at 08:10 AM.
::GASP:: I didn't get ANY fruits in yesterday and only a few peas at dinner time! Can you believe making it to day 21 and THIS! Well, I had a second indulgance day, so I will use it and make today my day 21. Today I WILL eat some more fruits & veggies and get this round completed!
Day 11 was good although I'd planned on going to the gym for an hour of exercise, but I only ended up with 30 mnutes of walking with hubby... it was a long, emotional day with some family issues... so hopefully I can finish out the challange, only 10 days to go, more than half way done!
Hump day (day 11) today. Woke up with an excruciating headache - must be chocolate withdrawal. It's going to be another stinker today. The weather channel was talking about 43C humidex!!! (That's a whole bunch of Fahreheit...) And I'm feeling really mad at myself. There are nice cold lakes with public beaches about 20 min drive from here, and I've managed to be too busy finding excuses to stay in town to realize that really just I'm afraid to be seen in my gigantic black swimsuit. I'm such a schmuck. Maybe later today I'll be brave and head out for a long early evening swim.
Red, I love your description of rivulets etc. Suffice to say that I feel your pain... I'm impressed with all the biking and jogging and working out you do. You must be SO fit! I mainly exercise the part of my brain that manufactures plausible excuses.
How does someone get 5 free days? Are they carried over, or do you get 2 on round 2, 3 on round 3 etc? (I'm hoarding my measly one free day, just like I used to first eat all the bits I liked least so I could save the best for last.
Mscat, how was your encounter with the scale this am? Mine was inconclusive - different weight depending on scale location, but none higher than 204. Some spots said 202...
Sushi, where are you, sleeping beauty? Will post later when my day's results are in.
I am ready to start over, tomorrow (August 2nd) will be Day 1.
I am going to make a slight change to my challenge though. Initially it was to eat my veggies and get to bed by 10:30 pm at the latest.
My re-designed 21 Day Challenge will be:
1) veggies: eat a salad or a bowl of greens or an average-sized vegetable each day (carrots don't count, as it's a lunch staple) 2) herbal tea: brew and drink the (unbelievably disgusting) cleansing/weight-loss-aiding tea 3) improve my sleep schedule on an ongoing basis and aim to achieve a set, routine schedule
Thinking about the herbal tea makes me cringe and shudder, so wish me luck! Eeek!
Siiiigh.....
I started on Tuesday and Day 1 was a success, but yesterday I got screwed up by a power outage - it went out while I was waiting for the water to boil, so I didn't manage to have the herbal tea...
Still going strong! Working on day 17, and so far so good. I WI today, and down another 2 pounds! For a total of 21 so far - imagine where I would be if I would have been this serious about it 5 months ago when I actually started this process! Oh well, no looking back - it's all about looking forward.
I'm trying to remember whose signature says I can't lose 100 pounds, but I can lose 10 pounds 10 times - that has been such a motivator for me - I like that way of thinking - and I have already lost 10 pounds 2 times!
gray-eyed-girl - that is awesome that you are getting comments already on the weight you have lost! It's always great when someone else notices your progress .
Ok, have more I want to post, but apparently have a crisis in the shelter upstairs so need to. bbl
the reason i took my free day was cuz my heel spur is acting up and my dang deductible on my medical insurance is $600 so i cant go get another shot in the foot unless i pay myself... so i decided that since my heel was hurting and i was so tired to cash in the freebie and be ready to roll to today ...
Good morning. Sooo hot here, can't sleep at night. Lie there, my bed soaking up the sweat. But, the feeling that I got something accomplished yesterday, that I really did well with eating and exercise makes me feel so much better. You know, I wonder if a large part of not wanting to get up in the morning when you're older is due to simply not being happy with what you've been doing, not so much what you have to look forward to or not look forward to. Oh, I want to keep this up. There's a new moon tonight and the waxing phase starts. This always puts stability and resolve into things... a time for bringing in those things you want into your life!
Oh, and I didn't take a free day yesterday. Cleaned out the freezer and went to bed. Good for me!
jkg -- Only a few peas at dinner! What are you doing, girl?! Well, I'm sure glad you could use your free day! You know, your post has got me thinking of further revising the challenge rules. Until now, I have been considering a free day something to REPLACE a day and then you just keep counting, including that day. Of course, this makes the actual length of the challenge shorter, thus my last post about limiting the free days. Now, I am thinking I may change the way it's set up, to say that a free day just causes a pause in the challenge and you RESUME counting from the following day. This way, we could allow as many free days as you complete rounds. Maybe this is how some people had interpreted them anyhow. What do you think?
Brunette -- I'm so sorry to hear about the troubles you're having. Certainly hope things work themselves out. Please try to stick to your challenge in some way. It may make you feel better. Take care and congratulations for getting through Day 11!
carla -- Sorry to hear about the headache. Chocolate withdrawal...hmmm, after 11 days...could be, but I'd say it's something else. Do take care. Are you drinking enough water? I never heard of the humidex but I'd say we are also well into the 40s here. I am tired of sopping up sweat! I hear you on the swimsuit but you really should try not to care. Realize that you are but a tiny blip on the radar screen of others when it comes to them checking you out in your suit. However, I know how things like that can really get you down. The other day in the gym I couldn't get pysched for my workout because my new exercise pants looked awful. Well, I thought they did. It has motivated me to get back one of my better butts! carla, read jkg's part of my post where I talk about free days. And look at you, kiddo, you're almost in onederland! Get excited about it. I am more and more convinced that people take this weight loss thing all too seriously and just need to lighten up. I hope you are and hope you are enjoying the thrill of anticipation of getting slimmer. You are going to be like a butterfly coming out of her cocoon!
Sushi -- Wow, talk about excuses! That was a good one! So sorry...still, you had only just started so it's better to start over than take your free day. I love your determination! Keep it up!
dkkrf -- Congrats on all your work. You are sooo close. And wow, another two pounds off!! Hurrah, hurrah!!! It's mezmerize's signature with the 10 x 10. Yes, good, isn't it? You're doing great. Keep it up! I'm rooting for you.
mez -- on Day 3!! And how can that be?!?! Little Phoenix is getting EVEN cuter!!!! Adorable!
curly -- Ouch! Hope your foot feels better. You know I was just joking about your lounging around! Okay, you're going to be our challenge pioneer, going for five or more rounds, going where no one has gone before! Good luck!!
Last edited by redballoon; 08-04-2005 at 05:53 PM.
Ahhh...Red! I had no idea this thread was still movin'! How have you been?
I would really like to join this little challenge (again) but it is more about health rather than weight.
My challenge is to NOT smoke. I made a vow to myself to quit. I have come to realize that I've had enough. Today is my first day of no cigarettes and so far, no craving for it. So if I can get through all 21days, well heck, I think I've got it licked!
Marti!!! -- So glad to see you!! Well, the old challenge thread ended long ago and there was nothing for a long while, but then I started it up again, with some revisions and some more in the making. We've got a great crowd here now. Soooo glad you're going to come aboard. I missed you. I even went over to Jaded Ladies to see if you were still there and you were, but I didn't post because I'm just too busy here. Well, giving up smoking is no easy thing and for me having one or two just started the ball rolling again. Then, one day, about 15 years ago, I went cold turkey and never had another! So, I did it. You can too!! Good luck. The physical cravings will go fully away in three weeks, so yes, you'll be clear by then. It's the psychological ones that can sneak up on you. But you can ignore them! You're strong and being healthy is THE most important thing! Good luck!!!
.
working through Day 6....
I'm gonna get me some of those good feelings too, you bet! 
A full ten down! Hurrah for you! Well, you should be looking forward to that crisp white wine. But just make sure it keeps looking forward to you! 
Just kidding, curl. You rock!!
I can't believe you, can't even keep your pants on without unbuttoning them....Yowzah! I mean, that's like the complete opposite of me, trying on my "thin" jeans, dancing and jiggling, shooting my heartrate up to the training zone, wondering if it'll count as my gym workout.....oh, you are making me jealous!! I love it!! You are mega awesome! 
rivulets, hills and dales . . . oh my!
The dales will return if I keep it up. Day 11 on SBD is winding down and I have my dinner planned already. Only 3 more days till carbs! I get 1 fruit and one other startch each day. Oh the possibilities are endless! 
Day 6 in the bag!!
and by the end of that enough of the carbs should be depleted that I can start doing the cardio and fat burning!! 
Actually, I jogged, 5 K, so that coupled with riding this morning, and a lot of bike riding getting to and from places really adds up to a great day! Wow! If I could just do this consistently, I could burn this fat off in no time!! 
Challenge amendment...limit on free days!
Because curly has me thinking.... We can't have too many free days or it'd be like...."Day 1 done here...that was a good challenge!" So, I'm setting the maximum free days at FIVE. So after five challenge rounds you get five free days total, NO MORE!! Okay, just wanted to set that in writing. 
although I'd planned on going to the gym for an hour of exercise, but I only ended up with 30 mnutes of walking with hubby... it was a long, emotional day with some family issues... so hopefully I can finish out the challange, only 10 days to go, more than half way done!
I think this is Day 7.....
Well, I'm sure glad you could use your free day! You know, your post has got me thinking of further revising the challenge rules. Until now, I have been considering a free day something to REPLACE a day and then you just keep counting, including that day. Of course, this makes the actual length of the challenge shorter, thus my last post about limiting the free days. Now, I am thinking I may change the way it's set up, to say that a free day just causes a pause in the challenge and you RESUME counting from the following day. This way, we could allow as many free days as you complete rounds. Maybe this is how some people had interpreted them anyhow. What do you think?
Little Phoenix is getting EVEN cuter!!!! Adorable! 
