Well, if get to the gym I will do my crunches. I have even been looking at my pilates books and considering...still just considering...what other ab exercises I can do. As my legs and hips are very heavy, I find anything for abs involving them, like leg raises and such very hard to do. They will have to wait until I lose more weight...forward-thinking there!
marble -- So good to see you!!
Heh, if getting up and dressing is not something you normally do or have to do, then it is most definitely challenge material! But, it doesn't sound like it's at all an emotional thing with you, it sounds like you are really raring to go, but physically just can't. You poor thing. How is your eating going? Can you prepare food at all? Doing anything must be very hard for you....Please get well soon and thanks for checking in to say heh. 
stagemom -- Excellent work on your no-soda and abs challenges!
Good luck on the no chocolate challenge. I like the way you put the challenge days at the top. Very efficient and clear. You're making great changes in your life. Keep it up!! 
Fish -- Moving right along!
Sushi -- Good on the crunches!
That's a shame with the dialup. I hope you can still come in and report. As you I'm sure are well aware, the dialup does NOT affect your challenge, just the posting part. Keep that persistence strong! 
derry -- Hello!
Yes, the energy is good again. Ebb and flow, that's the way of things. Ride the wave when it's there...that's the only way...regroup and await the next one when it's not. Yes, most definitely personal issues play a huge role in the choice of levels. We do have to deal with what life throws at us and I am a big advocate of always asking ourselves, "what can I do with what I'm faced" instead of whining and balking and getting all upset (that comes first though... ) What we perceive as stress changes as we get better at dealing with it too, until, voila! it's no longer what we even consider stress. Great going on your Day 1.
You've made an excellent start. What is done is done. I know the regrets and the shock at just what that "what" is, but think of it has your having learned to stop the gain early. Think, it could have been a 50-lb. gain instead of what it was. You could have started chain-smoking (I take it you're not..) or starting drinking heavily (no, right?) As for Level 4s, no, I decided to stop at 3. That's a day off each week. When you look at it like that, I think it's pretty fair. After all, the idea is to keep going, restarting and restarting as much as you have to. The important thing is to keep going, even more so than to complete a round of 21. Very little in life involves resting on our laurels. It's a continuous waltz. You gotta keep moving.
I am like you with the giving-up of desserts. I did no sugar for many months but I find I overeat simply because I want something sweet and feel deprived at the lack of an option. Oddly, allowing myself anything, means I often decide NOT to have it. Ah, the power of choice. Glad to hear about the portions. Yes, I love cheese and what is called a portion is ridiculous, isn't it?
Well on my way. This should actually be fairly simple for me. But this time of the year I seem to forget to do the basic of things. Just so much to do. I will also feel pretty good checking off something on this darn to do list. 
It's good to see you back with us and doing better. Since you can't exercise, and can't open wine, maybe you should carpe the old diem and do a no wine challenge? No?
Oh well, I'm sure tonight's fit of the blues will pass soon.
And you're all doing so well.
by my side. 
