Kenya: I am a calorie counter and I'm really liking it. This FitDay has made it so much easier. I just type in what I eat and it tells me the calories and a running total for the day. The nice thing about it is I type in what I'm planning to eat and I know my totals before I start the day. This way I can have a goody at night and not be cheating! I applaud you on your schooling. I would love to go back to college. I dropped out before getting a degree. I guess I feel I'm too old.

Gail: You had me really laughing to my self over that poor girl and the chips! What a riot! You did make me feel better about having a difference when the new scale arrives. 2 or 3 pounds is so much better than 20!
I am knitting a sweater and I'm not nearly as fast a knitter as I crochet. If I don't get started in the summer, it won't be ready by winter.

Tina R: Glad you're back! Family time feeds the soul and doesn't have any calories, so consume as much as you can! As for the diet, maybe you can't see the forest through the trees. Step back and pick one thing. When you have mastered that one thing, add another. In the beginning, it's too overwhelming if you try to do everything that you think your body needs or doesn't need. Give yourself some time. You didn't put it on overnite. Learn to joy the journey!

Hello Elycia, Christi, Sara, Whitney, Amanda, Tina Marie, Mary Jane & Aleecia I hope I didn't leave anyone out.

You all have a super good day. Happy dieting!

Norma

I totally agree with Norma's idea about stepping back and concentrating on 1 thing, mastering it and adding another. I worked on a daily exercise habit first cause I just loved food too much to deal with it first.
as for the challenge: I really like the Daily Multivitamin and the Be kind to yourself Challenge because I'm really bad at both of those. Do you guys take the 'specially formulated weightloss vitamins' or just a regular one? Sorry I can't do a longer post, my puppy just had surgery today and wants to be held
see everyone tomorrow!
Amanda

good evening ladies.

just quickly checking in to see how everyone is doing, and your all doing fab of course .

ive had a little slip today (already ) but not done too badly as weve been decorating since midday its not far off midnight now and ive only just finished so i certainly got a lot of exercise in. we have some more work to do here tomorrow so im going to pick up a diet ready meal to have handy so im not tempted to stray again.

im looking forward to this challenge it should be a real motivator. i have to get to bed now and ill check in tomorow.

Hi girls! (I am still trying to get everyones names down ) Well,today I upped my tredmill time to 45 min at a 3%grade, I thought my legs were going to fall off after the first 20 minutes but pushed myself to finish I think it will be added to my daily routine now! On a good note my clothes are getting much looser even though the scale seems to be stuck for the moment. Well,I need to go read the rest of the post I missed today so,I will BBS

Tina,I live right outside of Wichits Falls

Okay, since everyone was pretty open to whatever challenge idea, I guess I will just pick. I got to thinking about it and I think that starting healthier habits starts with your mindset. Therefore, let's start with the mind.

Our first challenge will be:

BE KIND TO YOURSELF CHALLENGE

Now at first you may say, oh that is easy, but the challenge comes in because I'd like everyone to post their nice things each day. To type it and see it in print almosts cements it in your mind. Also, so often, we our the toughest critic on ourselves, so these are going to be five things each day in which we are not negatively critiquing ourselves. Especially in the beginning, it doesn't have to be very deep, just positive. No one is obligated to do it, but I think it is a good way to get us off to a very positive start. So, how does everyone feel about that? I plan to think of some nice things and we can get started tomorrow. I look forward to hearing the nice things we have to say about ourselves.

ETA:

Keep in mind that what may be positive to you may not be for someone else.

It's okay if your positive is the same as another persons. It is what is positive for you afterall.

Try not to duplicate your response from another day.

Try not to make this too hard. It's a challenge, but just post what comes first to your mind.

Ciao!

Elycia

Elycia: 5 things! I have trouble thinking about 1 good thing about me!
Oh well, it's 1 hr and 14 minutes until Wed. I'm going to post tonight since I won't be back until late tommorrow. Here goes.

1. Norma has a great sense of humor. (Don't they always say that fat people are jolly?)

2. Norma is a good Mother.

3. Norma is an even better Grand Mother.

4. Norma is fun to be around.

5. Norma is sentimental.

This may not be what you wanted, but I have a tough time thinking positive thoughts, when I mostly think of myself with negative thoughts.

Amanda: Hugs & Kisses to your poor puppy!

Hi Everyone:

Norma that was perfect. Very good and great to see that you were able to say those nice things about yourself. Doesn't that feel good? It will feel better as we continue to do this, I hope. Even though you may already know those things, this was a nice reminder.

Okay, my five things. This is a tough one for me as well. Okay:

1) I am an awesome mom to my daughters and wife to my husband.

2) I am a responsible parent and person overall.

3) I am a trustworthy person.

4) I am a strong woman, physically and emotionally.

5) I like being me.

Okay so those are mine. It took me awhile to think of those and as the days go by, I really don't know if it is going to become easier or harder. It might be easier because I am thinking more positive about myself and maybe positive thoughts will start to flow. It may be harder though if that doesn't happen and I can't think of anything else. This is going to be quite interesting.

Fluffy, I am sorry to hear about your puppy. I remember when our cat has CRF. We went through so many treatments and it was rough! Hang in there. I am looking forward to hearing your positive comments about yourself.

Tinamarie, good job on increasing in your speed and incline. That is a good way to keep that weight loss going and preventing plateaus. You are doing so good. Keep up the excellent job and posting how you are doing. That will keep us all pumped.

Well, Maryjane, if you slip, don't give in to it. Just "Dust Yourself Off and Try Again". Never feel that just because you slipped up it is okay to throw off the rest of the day or week. It is great that you moving. It's great that you realize that even though you may not be running outside or doing a video, you are still doing activity when you are working. You are doing awesome!

TinaR, I am so NOT a morning person either. Completely a night owl, but I tell ya, getting my workouts in in the morning is the best way for me. After you do it for awhile, it won't be a problem, but you do have to get over the first few times. Too many things happen or get in the way for me if I wait until the evening. If you have a chance, give it a try for like a week. You will know if it works for you or not. Some people it doesn't, but it will ensure that you get your workouts in. I workout most every morning and I will be here to try to get you motivated to do it as best as I can.

Hotmomma, great job on that water and working on portion control. Those are definitely excellent ways to get your weight loss going. Keep posting here and keeping us updated on how that is going.

Well, I have to go spend some time with my little ones. They are done with their bottles now. I look forward to reading everyones post when I get home this evening.

NOTE: I amended the Challenge post above with a few more ideas regarding the challenge.

Ciao!

Elycia

Good Morning Everyone,

WOW there a lot of posts. Still trying to catch up and read through them all.
Just wanted to check in and say Hello! I had a wonderful long weekend with my daughter and hubby. We had so much fun together. We really needed that.
Didn't get too out of control as far as eating but not a lot of exercise. But I'm back to work today and back to the grind.

Nice to meet all of you and I hope to be around a little more to get to know all of you.

Elycia-the challenge sounds great. I will have to think about 5 things and get back with you.

Well gotta run for now. Talk to you all later.

Hi Angel. So good to hear that you had a good long weekend with your family. That's so nice. Life keeps you so busy that sometimes it hard to get those type of memories in. Glad to hear that you are getting right back on track. Very positive way of thinking and doing. Look forward to hearing more from ya.

Ohhh, I just got finished working out. Calorie Killer. It was tough as well. I am working out so much and I tell ya, that scale is just not willing to budge. I don't know what is going on, but I'm not going to give up. I am going to lose this weight and be a healthy person and be a good example to my daughters. The thought of them eating the way I use to just sickens me. I have to get it under control NOW! So, I stick with it no matter what that darn scale says.

Well, I really better get going. See everyone later on and have a Wonderful Wednesday.

Ciao!

Elycia

Good morning gals! I'm with you, Elycia - I'm curious to see if this challenge becomes easier or harder as the week goes on. One one hand, we could start running out of positive things to say, but on the other hand, we could actually switch our mindsets to be more positive about ourselves.

Okay, my five positive affirmations for today.

1) I am a very independent person.
2) I am well read.
3) I can learn very easily in a variety of ways.
4) I am a good judge of character.
5) I can laugh at myself.

Hey, that wasn't *too* hard. Although, I worry about coming up with five things later on in the week.

I've been doing really well on my "diet". I've been sticking to my menu plans each day and not adding anything that I had not mapped out at the beginning of the week when I went to the grocery store. On top of my usual 1.5 mile walk in the afternoon, I did a bit of a workout yesterday during my lunch hour. I lifted some small weights and did some squats, crunches, leg lifts, and girly push-ups. I'm feeling it today, but I'm anxious to get back in there and try again. Any minor soreness is a small price to pay to get in shape. I've not been pushing myself too hard, so I'm sure this soreness will pass once my muscles get used to actually working. ;-)

Good morning ladies! I am back from the gym and feel great other than I am a tad bit sleepy Before starting my diet/excercise routine I would stay up til at least midnight when my hubby got home and now since starting (8/14)I go to bed with my kids at 9:00 so I will be ready to workout in the morning . Last night I made the mistake of staying up til 10:30 and now I am paying for it. Oh well,I will survive

5 positive things about me(well 3 things, I am still thinking )

#1- I am a great Mom
#2- I am a good wife to my hubby of 10 years!
#3-I am a very caring person and will help someone out without thinking twice.

Hey just wanted to check in after the long weekend. Things here are doing great. We went on a family camping trip for the holiday and wouldn't you know it I got sick.. Just a sinus infection, nothing major.. Good news is I have managed to lose 2lbs. So thats 2lbs towards my goal. Whoohoo!!

Ok well

1. I am a great mom
2. A wonderful wife
3. A super friend
4. A great student
5. A fantastic public speaker

Whew---ok that was not so bab.

I hope everyone is having a great day. I am super sleepy I think I need a nap!

5 positive things about myself... ok here it goes

1.) I am a great mom and wife
2.) I have a great personality
3.) I have a beautiful smile
4.) I have found the strength and motivation to take control over my life
5.) I have lost two pounds

ooh this is so hard here are my five things:


- i am a good mother and wife.
- i am a good daughter.
- i am a loyal and trustworthy friend.
- i am honest.
- i am very caring.

gosh that took a while. this is a great challenge as we get so caught up in the bad things about ourselves we seldom remember the good things.

i hope everyone had a good day today. gotta get to bed its late. night all