Let me tell you, it's a LOT!! And then, to top it off, after packing in say 5,000 calories, I moan about not losing weight...So, I'm calling the no-sugar, no white-flour, journaling thing my "CRAC" (Cut-the-RAunch Challenge) and the calorie limit one (1500 plus exercise allotments, minus veggies and fruit) "SMAC," or (Slim-My-A$$ Challenge). So, I will report like this....Day 3 on CRAC, Day 2 on SMAC and everyone will think I'm a friggin' dope fiend!! I'll probably get kicked off the site.
Okay, moving right along.....Apple -- you see what you did to me, got me onto smack and crack. Oh well, whatever it takes! You were right, no need to put them all together. That would be just setting myself for too much perfectionism and we know where that leads! I think all kinds of draft horses are beautiful and they are so gentle. Lucky you to be able to drive past a bunch of 'em, babies too!!
Love the name of that race. Well, you too...splitting the challenges. How about giving us a number on each when you post (well, like once a day). That will help keep you accountable. One reason I like to keep my challenges hard is because for some reason I just don't take things seriously unless it's hard. I've been that way since I was a kid. My mother used to say, "Why do you always have to do everything the hard way?!" I think it just gets my competitive spirit up and that's one of the few things that motivates me. Well, hope you had a good sleep!!marble -- Calling marble!!
Nothing yet....hmmm... Well, it's not been that long. You posted two days ago but carla, your long-lost coach is worried. Maybe she's feeling a wee bit guilty or something.... I'm not worried yet but I would like to see you in here! Come on DOWN!! 
carla -- I think marble is fine. Like I said, I went back and checked and it was only a couple days since she last posted. AND, she has not defected. I checked that out too. Dropping that coffee habit sounds good. All that cream surely adds up and sugar too. It's easy to get into. I always just put a bit of milk in my coffee or tea but on the days I was eating (bingeingn) on sugar between challenges I started putting in sugar just because I could! and I can see how I could get a taste for that. It is good, but so bad for you. I hear that a cup of coffee before you exercise helps the body break down fat, but all that is canceled out if you put any cream or sugar in it. 7,000 sounds great. Where all are you walking? If you're sore from the gazelle, pop an aspirin...the crack head says...no really, stretching through the pain will help it go away faster but if it's too painful to do that just dull the pain and do it. Of course, be careful to just do GENTLE stretching or you'll really injure yourself. I am coming down with something. Couldn't breathe this morning and needed to sleep! Got to ride Heidi but it was exhausting. I hope I won't get a bad bout of asthma tonight from overdoing it today. My teacher asked how I was and when I told her I could breathe but was really tired, she chided me saying, "why do you come out to ride." and I told her "even if I'm tired I want to ride." Riding and being with the horses just puts me back in balance. I get out in the countryside, walk through tea fields and over vegetable fields. It's just so good to be away from the **** that is Tokyo.
...and for the all-too-approximate carla....a tempest in a teapot...
"...We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep..."
you see, you're ALREADY all you need...the dreams are made on us, not winning the lottery...course it would be nice...good luck!
mez -- You really mustn't always be apologizing about writing long. Your little posts are nothing compared to some of mine, or carla's
And you express JUST FINE! What did I tell you about that kind of stuff!? 
We're going to get the strait-jacket out again! 
You see, listen to your little boy! Well, thanks for joining up with me! With the time difference, it's hard to tell what day is what but we're close enough. Yours sounds like a great challenge, a threeway challenge -- exercise -- no weigh-in -- staying on plan. That's a doozie! Good luck! 
I was wondering about him. Which one was it? Does he look okay? Okay, lots of us just starting out so you'll have company! 
I was thinking she was between challenges but then I remembered she started on that super exercise challenge...Chaps!!! You out there?! Come back and talk to us!!! 
is calling! Be warned: if you don't come back soon there may be more song lyrics posted here any minute...
But let's all make the most of this weekend to be good to ourselves!
I hope you all had a good time together. I love hanging out with my sister. We talk on the phone almost every day, and try to do something together at least once a month.
Fish I’m sure you do look great and these sound wonderful true friends. They are being honest and talking to you. I bet what you said to them made them think about themselves. 
Counting cals has always been the most successful way to lose weight. And I'm running out of time....I was hoping to have made quite a bit of progress by Thanksgiving. anyway, I admire your will power!!!
Have fun!!!