Carla, you're goal sounds just fine!! I almost died when I gave up wine and chocolate!! (I am a HUGE fan of both, and used to enjoy them almost daily!) So don't worry about "easy sounding" goals! We all have our own hills to climb!

It's Day 3 of something....
 

dang turtle!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that makes me tired just readin it... 5 miles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 1 was a success. :)
Day 2 is a 50% success already, now I just need to get to bed in time :lol: (any tips for falling asleep?)

Red, you asked what's with the sushi.... well, me loves my sushi :lol: ...and penguins as well :) :D

It's so cool to read what everyone else's challenges are - very inspiring and motivating. :) Keep up the good work!

Hump day for me. . .
 

Still on track! Not one deviation from the SBD. :smug: I couldn't get to the gym yet. I had to get up early to call a realtor. The later in the day, the harder it will be to drag my butt there. :( I think I will wait until 2pm now so I can catch Opra. English tv is a good incentive! ;)

Sushi-if you can make yourself get to bed, try this. . .
Starting with your feet and working your way up to your face, tense and hold each muscle group for 5 seconds, then go through again and stretch each area, It doesn't always work, but sometimes it helps me find those little areas of tension that are keeping me awake. :sp:

I will check back in after my workout! :dance:

Sigh....
 

Well gals, I waited too long to address you all individually. All topics would be outdated now.... that's what I get for spending so much time reading about the South Beach Diet. I bought the book, but found more info here at our very own 3FC. I'm going to give it the benefit of the doubt and not decide until I've read the whole book, but it's looking way too hard and complicated for me. I don't cook and so many of those foods are way too fancy for me. But like I said, I'll give it an honest shake.

Soooo since I missed my opportunity to say hello to you all and address your posts... I'l just say hello to

Redballoon :wave:
Mscat816:wave:
LegallyBrunette:wave:
gray eyed girl:wave:
happy2bme:wave:
1nceagain:wave:
jkg0679:wave:
Trixi:wave:
dona:wave:
Sushi Penguin:wave:
Curlylocks:wave:
and
Caro30:wave:

day 17 all done :cheer:

Red and Legal, I am thoroughly chastised and will stop putting myself down. (A bad habit I really should break.) Repeat after me: My goals are good. My goals are good. Chocolate and wine are temporarily bad, but my goals are good.

Okay, I feel stronger now. And this is day 3 of challenge success!

Good night from Carla (and beautiful Lily-kitty who tried to help with the typing)

My edit in red. Chocs and wine are NOT bad. Just off my list for now. No foods are all bad.

Daily Report
 

It's Wednesday - Day 3 for me! Tracked, water done, and points over by one but balanced off with activity points! Thank goodness for my bonus goal - 25 minutes on treadmill!

curly :cp: for day 17!

Java - have you tried weight watches flex points on-line?

carla - remember the inspirational message I posted on the weekly challenge this week about progress - doing something is always 10 times better than doing nothing!

Night all!

1ceagain, I break up my long workouts. Yesterday I did a 25 minute pilates video while my kids were napping, and then I did another 50 minutes at the gym - weights and elliptical. If I'm at the gym for, say, 90 minutes, I'll typically do 2 30-minute sessions on the elliptical with a 5 minute break in between, and then 30 minutes of weights. I do weights every other gym session and I'm noticing a big difference in my muscle tone. I also made a goal on the 1st of July to work out 1500 minutes this month. I'm at 1300 after my workout tonight.

I have good news today, and I have bad news.

The good news is that I weighed in this morning and am at 212 - my July goal! I'm really excited that I lost it all this month. It feels like ONEderland is really within reach for me within the next month or two, which is a really big thrill. I haven't been under 199 in 5 years.

The other good news is that I did another 75 minutes at the gym tonight and I think I'm going to meet my exercise goal for July, too :).

The BAD news is that I fell off the challenge wagon big time today. I started off fine, but found myself exposed to donuts this morning at the office where I do a little office work. Donuts. I've rid my house of them because if there is one thing I can never resist, it's donuts. We do not buy donuts, we do not go near the donuts in the bakery at the store. Donuts are strictly forbidden. But nope, there they were today because not everyone I encounter knows that I am on a diet that necessitates NEVER being exposed to donuts. First, I ignored them. When that didn't work, I tried to guilt myself out of having one. When that didn't work, I decided I could have JUST ONE if I was extremely careful for the rest of the day. So I had one delicious donut. And then another. And then, just to make sure that I was completely off the wagon and in the ditch on the side of the road today, I had one more. Three donuts. Horrors.

So, tomorrow is day one again for me. Less than 1600 calories a day. AND NO DONUTS!

It is 1:41 am and I'm still awake... I was good and did go to bed at 10:30 pm, hoping that maybe maybe maybe I would manage to fall asleep... but nope... :( Couldn't take it any longer and got up 10 minutes ago, will try to tire myself out somehow...

Alas, that means I'm back to Day 1 tomorrow... :(

Is it too late for me to join in? I started exercising on July 18th and have been ever since my only day off was Sunday.
OK, for 6 days out of the week I have been walking 45 minutes in the morning (3 miles) along with Tae Bo (46 minutes). So if we were to cout from there Today (wednesday) would be day 10 (I think). But we can start tomarrow at #1 if you would like. I would just like the accountability and team work.

Mornin Chiickas!
 

Guess you are all just starting your day (except for Red) :cool:
Evening here and another perfect SBD dah day! It's 8:15pm and I still get to have a sugar free popcicle for dessert! :cp: It's the little things in life-right! I also got in another 65min. of elliptical done. :tread: Who knows-maybe that will turn into a 21 day commitment-but I doubt it ;) Maybe I can add water to my challenge. I haven't gone a day w/o drinking 2liters. Ok-I'm getting cocky now. It's just that I had a great day. It was my birthday today! Happy birthday to me! :hat:

Rakkoon-I would love to see you join us! :wave: Looks like you have done a fantastic job so far-any helpful hints?

Sushi-I am so sorry you are having a hard time sleeping. That is the worst. Is there anything you can change? Are you exercizing too late at night? Too much caffiene? Stress? I hope you get back to normal soon. I don't think you should go back to day 1. Sleep is not totally under your control. If you didn't "try" to go to bed, then I can see it. But you did try! :)

Gray-man, I know how that is-but it's over! Time for another round-lets go!! :sumo: I like the way you break up your work out. The 65min gets old some days. Next time I'm draggin-I will give that a try!

Have a great day everybody! :flow2:

:hb: :hb: Happy Birthday 1nceagain - May you have a delightful day! :woo: :woo:

Day 3 down pat for me. It was a better day than day 2 but still had some residual aggrivation. Yep, it's always something, isn't it? :yes: We just have to learn to deal with it.

I even went for a late night swim as I didn't get home until late and everything else got pushed back. A cool front is coming in and the water was way warmer than the air. Quite unusual. But with the pool lights on and the night skies ahead it was quite nice. Started for 30 minutes, did an hour.

Gotta run and shower now, the morning has gotten ahead of me already. Have a good day everyone.

Happy Birthday!!!
 

wrapping up Day 3....
 

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthda dear 1nceagain
Happy birthday to you!
:gift: :woo: :balloons:

I don't know how you all keep up with so many posts and all of our names! i must say I am impressed! :)

Everyone is doing grrrrrrrreat!

I am through day 14....2 weeks down! 1 to go and still one day to indulge left!

Thanks!
 

You guys are great!
Thanks for all the wonderful birthday wishes!
I had my popsicle and am headed to bed.
Have a wonderful-succesful day!
:grouphug:

Ok Hello there everyone.
I just did my 3 ml walk and my Tae Bo. I didn't know it had to be 7 days a week but I'm down for that.

woohoo Day 4 done with no problem!!! I did an hour of cardio at the gym :) I'd really like to add weights, but I just don't feel ready to yet... so I suppose I'll wait! I don't want to push my body to hard too fast!

Day 4 1/2 hour Treadmill (ON MY LUNCHBREAK!!) I'm so proud~ Calories still in range!

At work
 

At work and not feeling well. This may be another "oops I lost it" day. But I'm not giving up yet. I nearly called off, but sucked it up and came in. Won't feel much better at home and I have AC HERE. LOL

Looking back over the last few posts, you guys are doing GREAT :grouphug: :woo: :balloons: :encore: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

Hmmm... I don't know... either I'm on Day 3 or back to Day 1...

As I posted last night, did go to bed by 10:30 pm, but couldn't fall asleep and ended up getting up around 1 am. In the end I went back to bed around 3 am and it still took me a bit to fall asleep.

It's my own fault - I took a nap in the afternoon!!! :devil: And I knew I'll end up having problems getting to sleep in the evening if I sleep during the day. But I was really tired (the previous day I only got 4 hrs of sleep, just woke up for no reason...). My boyfriend promised to wake me up after 45 mins, and he did, and apparently I said something to him, but I have no recollection of us having a conversation... so I ended up sleeping a few hours. I hoped I'd be ok in the evening because I was still tired... but no. :(

So that's why I don't know what to do - while not being able to sleep isn't my fault, it's my fault for making myself unable to sleep by napping... :?:

starting Day 4....
 

Okay, people. It's Friday morning here. Getting ready to get to the gym (50-min walk), then jog or do some weights, not much time but it's better than nothing. Stayed up too late watching a flick on TV and then decided not to see it through to the end anyhow..

Okay, I'm declaring my challenge. It'll be a double. One is no sugar, no processed or added sugar. And the other is a behavioral thing that is a part of the procrastination that affects my weight, eating habits, exercise habits etc. That is cleaning my room, taking one bit of it, however small and working on it, whether it's getting rid of junk, cleaning or rearranging or reorganizing. My room has never been a priority, in fact, it's never even been on the list. So, here we go, I've been doing it for the past three days, as well as the sugar. Also, a bonus goal is to try to stick to the 6 small meals a day, each of which include protein and complex carbs and are about 300 calories each. I've been doing this and it feels great and I think I'm seeing positive results!! Onward march!

jkg -- Congrats on getting through Day 15. You're in the final turn!! Hang in there!

1nceagain -- Excellent! Glad you liked the birthday wishes! :)

Rakkoon -- You're really hitting the exercise, aren't you? Awesome! Yes, this challenge is for forming new habits and to keep it simple and easy for others to see just where you are and how well you're doing. Good luck! :spin:

Brunette -- Another hour of cardio! Wow! :woo: You're doing fantastic!! :yes:

dona -- There you are. Was starting to wonder! Excellent, excellent!! Thinking of ways to get the exercise in...I'm proud too!! :smug:

Java -- What's this. Turtle still feeling blue? Oh, no! :eek: Come on, kid, all that exercise is bound to cause a little havoc with your system. It's not all endorphins, you know. When I used to knock myself out with a day of strenuous exercise, I'd be in a black fog the next day. Realize that sometimes the downs are part of the ups! Hang in there and just ease back on your down days. When you feel you can't do any more, reach down deep and find that place that says you CAN!! :sunny:

Sushi -- That's a hard call. You have to decide on the parameters of your challenge. I understand your not liking having slept early on in the day, but I still think you're being too picky about things. Come on, make it simple! And what was the other part of your challenge? I think, if I remember right, that that was more weight-loss oriented, no? In any case, make it simple and come back in here and tell us what you've decided! :dancer:


:df:

day 18! i might just make it thru my 2nd 21 days!! :wave: :woo:

Day 4 is looking good. I almost tricked myself into a glass of wine this afternoon on the grounds it would be rude to say no... But I had a moment to think, and thank goodness there was no cold white, so I was able to backtrack and say I'd really prefer some cold water anyway. I guess my goals aren't as easy as I thought. (I had a headache while shopping, and didn't succumb to the very good choc bars by the cash. I'm eating cherries instead, and will treat myself to a DQ FF Fudge bar later.)

With all the money I'm not spending on wine, I may be able to pay for my cats and their vet and all their toys. They are going to be VERY spoiled cats. :)

to DO or not to DO, there is NO question....
 

curly -- you "might" make it through your second 21?! I'd say it's looking VERY likely! Great going!! :woo:

carla -- sounds good. There's no "tricking" on this challenge. It's a clearcut "yes" or "no." That's what's so good about it. For you now, for the next 20 days or so (16) wine is simply NOT AN OPTION. And neither are chocolate bars. Look for what IS an option! I'm doing the no sugar thing again and that's how I deal with it. I simply tell people, I'm OFF sugar right now. They know me know and that I do this periodically, sometimes for a year or so, sometimes only for a few weeks, but OFF means OFF and there's no question of if, maybe, well, kind of -- it's just a rule. :drill: I'm good at rules. It's the sports lover in me! Course, that doesn't make it easy.... ;)

Well, good luck. You're doing fantastic! :sunny:


:snail:

Thanks Red! You're so right.

Thursday Report
 

It's Thursday evening and Day 4 for me!

curlylocks - concrats on day 18 :cheer: 21 is just around the corner!
carla - :cheer: Day 4 for you too! :woo:

Red - Day 3 was a success for me - I flexed out my overage with extra activity. So I am still on the wagon. It's a good thing that I am maintaining my bonus goal of exercise because without it - I would be over my points more than once already - I love WW flex system!

Inceagain - Happy Birthday to a sister Leo!

I hope everyone has a great Friday!

i have to agree with Red there... thats the way it is 4 me also... all or nothing... and people are always telling me well 1 ( cookie, candy cake etc) wont hurt... ummmm yes it will...

when ya start bending your rules it can become much to easy to keep making excuses to bend them again and thats how i lost 120 lbs... and said o ive done so well 1 treat wont hurt me

well it did... cuz i kept treatin myself and put back all but 40 of those 120 lbs....... well the X had a little to do with it .. but he didnt force feed me lmao...

"got my eye on a sweet southern prize" wooooooooo hoooo!

grrrrr..........
 

Thanks, guys, for the solidarity! :lol: Like curly said, the little bit starts snowballing. This is why I do these periodic NO sugar stints. Heh, curly, tell us more about that "southern prize!" ;) Mscat -- I'm a Leo too! We've got a pride here. :smug:


:bubbles:

Day 5 count down. . .
 

Hello ladies,

So far so good. Still on track with SBD. My only problem tonight is I don't want dinner. I had this ricotta cheese chocolate shake thingy for my snack around 2:30-man, tasty-but that thing really sticks with you! I just can't bring myself to make dinner. Maybe I will make some edamame in a bit. That will kill 2 birds . . . protein and veggie. I am trying to decide if I will get on the scale Monday. That will make a week. It is calling me. I may try to wait the whole 21 days because if I don't see that 6lb loss like I am trying for, someone is gonna have to talk me down off the ledge! :fr:

Day 15 done! :)

1ceagain and redballoon, thanks for the support. I was pretty disappointed in myself. But, gotta move on.

Yesterday was Day 1 for me, again, and I did great! Even indulged in a 3 musketeers :o and stayed at 1450 calories for the day anyway. I am going to go to the gym this afternoon and get in about 90 minutes, and as soon as I post here I'm going to try to get through my pilates video before my kids wake up. I'm so close to meeting my exercise goal, I can practically taste it. I weighed in this morning even though I try to wait and only do it Wednesdays and Saturdays, and I am down another pound. I can't wait to see the 100s again!

Oh, and happy belated birthday, 1ceagain! :woo:

Ever seen a blue turtle?
 

I'm having some health and "mood" issues, but I'm still hanging in there. Day four turned out to be quite difficult and I could NOT force myself to the track last night :censored:
. So when I got home, I actually set my Flylady timer and FORCED myself to do twenty minutes of WATP moves while standing at my computer (actually, I moved around the house a bit). I forget who's motto DIA & DIN are, but bless you. I've made it to day #5 using that motto. :thanks: Now this activity was the bare minimum I'll allow on my goals, but it was all I could do and keep my challenge rolling.
I wish the best of luck to all chicks who roost here. Have a great day (or evening). :)

Hotcup - you are an inspiration! I wish I had that much go to excersize on bad days! I admit, if that were MY challnge, I'de prob never make it past day 1...BUT YOU CAN DO IT! :)

Hey Ladies, I promise one of these days I'll get a chance to read everyones posts and comment! (Hopefully tomorrow!) But I'm so darn busy at work lately!

Today was day 6 of my challange and I did fabulous!! I did an hour an eight minute of cardio! :lol:

Tgis!
 

:wave: Hey Chiickas!

Saturday Morning here and I made it through my 1 week (M-F) challenge on another thread. Worked out eveyday for 65 minutes! Feels goooooooooooood.

Also amazingly still on track with SBD. You are right Red, the combo is a killer. But thanks to the support here, I'm doing it! :grouphug:

Curly-Wrapping up day 19-yes? You will make it to 21. Only two more to go. You are an inspiration. :angel:

Carla- You are doing great! You may have stumbled on a tool that works. You said you had a moment to back track and you decided to not drink the wine. Maybe you can incorporate that, at least at home. Maybe don't routinely keep your wine chilled. That way you will have to wait a bit and that may be just enough buffer to help with some of the impulse drinking. I think I will try it myself! I do enjoy my evening wine. Problem is I enjoy a couple glasses every night. Since on SBD Phase I, I can't have it. But come Phase II I can so maybe from now on, it will be a treat, not the norm. I will use it to celebrate, not to unwind. Maybe it will be on my next 21day challenge! :hat:

Mscat-Goin strong! I was curios about the "flex" system. So it is a balance of calories and exercise? Sounds interesting. How long have you been doing it? :chin:

Gray, Curly & Red-I hear ya. I can not have just one. Portion control is a definate problem for me. I am really working on it though. One thing I am doing is using different dishes. I have these pretty little bowls that I bought at the 100yen/dollar store. They are a perfect 1/2 cup size. I hate to stop and measure anything so I use these a lot! Makes me feel like I have plenty because I can fill them to the top. :eating2:

Red-OK! NO sugar and clean. A good combo. Do you like sweets? If so, what is going to be your strategy, your treat? :chockiss:

Jacky-In to week 3!!! Awesome. ahhhh to be a newlywed again. So wonderful to get healthy before the big day. :cheers:

Java-Way to push through it ! As flylady says...you can do anything for 15 (or 20) minutes! :strong:

LB-Day 6! I am right behind you-keep going! If you can do it, I can do it!:bike:

Again-Thanks for the birthday wishes girls. It made it a happier day. :thanks: