Hi to everyone!
Gennel, I'm so happy for you! It must be such a huge weight off your shoulders after all the crud you've gone through. Thanks for keeping us posted.
Amy I wanted to say that I agree with Angie. I could almost feel the determination eminating from what you wrote. It's inspiring. I'm glad you're here to remind me of the many things I need to do to succeed!
I unloaded my pick-up at the dump today. It took about 20 minutes and it was a heck of a work-out. When I went to pay, I found out why. I unloaded 960 pounds of stuff. Wish it was that easy to unload the weight from my body!


Jen
238/233/140

Alright Gen!!! It is about time something went right for you and your dream house.Now you can get excited and start planning rooms and all that good stuff. I am really happy for you. I wish I could move into a bigger house, I really only need 1 more bedroom...2 if I want to put all my equipment out of the living room. LOL

Amy - just a quick cheese suggestion. I spent about twenty bucks trying low fat and fat-free cheeses out on BoxerBob and the only real good substitute we found for melting and flavor was the Cabot 50% Light Cheddar. It has half the fat grams of regular cheddar. It's similar in texture to a block of mozzarella. And re: cheese - I figure - heck, it's calcium so I just figure that the fat is part of my goal of 20 g of fat a day.

Speaking of PIZZA. Stupid me. Went to grab a movie to watch the other night - we're all settled down after a nice lean supper and without thinking I put in MYSTIC PIZZA. We got it at Walmart in the bargain bin a couple weeks ago and I never imagined it was going to be an exercise in willpower. Never mind here's Julia Roberts running around with a perfect butt and a 24" waistline - there are PIZZAS galore coming out of the kitchen - one after the other and all steaming hot and ready. Waah. BB and I were drooling about them after the first fifteen minutes. That movie should be rated XXX. LOL

My strict 1200 a day this week worked - I dropped two pounds this week after being plateaued since 12_12. The extras must have been just enough to maintain my weight. It feels GOOD!

Congratulations, Gen!

Gen that is great! I know that you are so releaved. ANgie is right now you get to do the fun stuff.

Jen that is alot of stuff to unload. I bet you are buff now.

Did someone say cheese? I make my hubby sick b/c I will cut a block of cheese and just sit down and eat it. I don't know why he grosses out on that.

Great job Rusty! I guess we never realize how much junk we eat during the holidays until we get back to recording everything that goes into our mouths.

I have a bit of good news, I have lost a total of 5 lbs so far. I jumped on the scale this morning knowing that IO had just did it yesterday but I was curiuos. I couldn't beleive it. It had moved down 2 lbs from yesterday. I don't know what is coming off and I don't care. I have been really good this week about recording my food and watching how much sugar I eat. I guess that is what I needed all along. Go me!

WAY TO GO KEMPY!!!! You are getting the hang of it. You must be feeling great.

Cheese...Now don't get me started on cheese. I have actually been snacking on cheese and low fat crackers all week. Has anyone tried the Cabot 50% reduced fat jalepeno pepper cheese? It is awesome. I have been considering it a lesson on self control. I eat only what I am allowed to then I make Jay eat the rest. HA HA

To Everyone else, HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!

You are doing it Kempy!
 

5 lbs!!?? WOW!!! Stick to it cause you can do it! Dont freak out if a plateau comes to visit. They are not permanent guests! lol
You said cheese? Well I love it also. I dont really buy those 16 oz type blocks but I did for Newy Year's party . Real cheese just tastes so damn good! I just hate that the serving size is one square inch! That's what kills me! I cut 1/3 of an inch ,wrapped it in super lowfat ham strips and instead of a toothpick to hold it , I used small pretzel sticks. It was a yummy treat and just that little bit of cheese gave it that extra taste that I like.

I recieved a letter from the builder who will be building our new home and I felt just like the picture on the letter! I wanted to cry. The loan consultant put an adorable pic of a baby sharpei puppy wearing sneakers on a lounge chair with a glass of ice tea. The pup was totally knocked out andit said: Should you be relaxing like this? Yes youshould with Holiday Builders! It has taken a tremendous amount of stress/pressure from us. For us to know that the contractor got the letter of approval to move forward and get permit tostart on the slab! Ahhhhh Iwill cry when I visit up there again and see all the water pipes connected and actually see construction happening on my land!!! My brother went after a month and all the water/sewer pipes were connected and the concrete slab, a week later the entire structure was up with blocks! We went back like 5 days later and the roof was done! OMG! From November it started and it will be ready to move in February!!! AHHHHH I already went to Home Depot and grabbed their Faux Finish paint samples and picked out the colors. I'm gonna get brave and not pick what I always did, offwhite,eggshell white,white ! Not! I'm going with earthy tones. The Ralph Lauren paints are amazing but will have tooooo many walls to paint so thats too $$$$ Each gallon sells for $27-$36 ! Plus for it to come out exactly as seen you MUST buy their brushes . I went to a friend's house who painted a few rooms with this paint and I swore it was wallpaper, it looked gorgeous.But it was a lot of work and it had to all be done with a big flat brush. Imagine? ugh I'm looking for those wood blinds and I've noticed that those are very expensive too :( Just window would cost at least $100. So I have to shop around. Well enough of all this fun talk!
I have to go to gym and get my room picked up! I show my house today for sale and I got an appt!
Tomorrow is weigh in!
ttyl,Gen

Hi everyone!
After a long break from 3FC and a 3 pound holiday weight gain, I've decided it's time to get back to my weight loss goals. Jumping in at the middle of the challenge, I'd like to lose 4 lbs, my longer-term goal is 10 lbs by March 1st. I'm 157 today. Ugh
Yesterday I went to Good Will and bought 2 pairs of jeans. I only have 2 pairs of pants in my wardrobe that fit. I refuse to buy size 12, and I don't want to spend any money on size 10 either. $6 for 2 pairs of jeans ain't to bad, and they're practically new! But one pair doesn't fit....
Anyway, it's a new low in weight gain and self-image for me and I really hope I can turn it around.
It's nice to catch up on how everyone else is doing!!

Hello Lovlies,

I'm back! I haven't read all the posts (cuz there's a ton and a half of them) and I am running around like a chicken with her head cut off today so I will post more later. Bubye!

~Sahvara

Glad that you have made it back Sah! How was the visit with your mom?

Hey, SAH'S BACK!!

Welcome back girly. It's nice to see your smiling face again.

Gen- didn't get a chance to say congrats on your new living space.

Okay, since my time zone is ahead of everyone else I am the first lucky one to enter weigh in. 3 pound loss this week. I feel fantastic!! I'm also tired. the gym kicked my butt last night so I'm going to bed.

Hi Apple Blossom! Never too late to join this group or rejoin. Good to have you.
Later GALS

WOW Dips That is great!!! You go girl!!

Sahvarah, I am glad your back. I was just wondering a few days ago when you are coming back. Did you have fun?

Hi Apple Blossom, Glad you are joining us.

Gen, Sounds like your mind is working overtime on your decorating scheme. I love to sponge paint. I did my kitchen and the kids rooms. It is so quick to do.

Hi everyone
 

I know tomorrow's weigh in, so I won't post my weight until then, but I am really happy with my loss this week! I made a promise to myself at the beginning of January to work extra hard this month just to see what I'm capable of. So besides doing the gym in the morning I've been doing cardio at night on my weight lifting days, and Pilates at night on my cardio days. This week it really paid off. I don't know if it's just been my bodies cycle, or if all the extra moving really kicked it in. I talked to the trainer at the gym and asked to get help changing my weight lifting routine. He's supposed to work with me next week. I told him I only have 20 some pounds to go until goal. He told me he thinks I should consider going down to 130 - 140. That's 20 - 30 pounds below my original goal! He said for me to get toned the way I want this is what I may have to do. I was a little disappointed to hear him say that, but know that if I don't look the way I want at 160, I'm going to have to keep going. UGH! This will add extra time to reach my goal. I guess I'll just have to see what I look like at 160.
Sahvara-:D So glad to see you back! I missed your witty posts!
Kempyd and Dips- Way to go on your losses!:cp:
Apple Blossom- Welcome back:)
Gen- I'm so happy things are going well for you:D Bet you can't wait to get decorating!
Well all gotta run! Can't wait to tell you my loss tomorrow. If I can stop patting myself on the back long enough to type:lol: Take care. Di

Hi everyone
 

:D Well it's morning and just did my weigh in Gennel put me down for a 7 lb loss! Yes, I said 7! I am truly amazed. Now I don't know if it was all due to my new exercise routine and my body is trying to get adjusted to it, or if some may have actually have been water. Either way 7 lbs is 7 lbs! So now 148 off and 22 to go to my original goal. I plan to do this new exercise routine this week to. Let's see how much that had to do with this weeks loss. I only worry that this crazy body of mine will now decide to not lose the rest of the month. I seem to go in cycles. 10 pounds comes off real fast and then I struggle through the next 10. Hopefully my body will keep cooperating me. Well I didn't mean to toot my own horn:cb:, but I am on :cloud9: knowing that I soon will actually be in the 170's! Woo Hoo! Well gotta go. Hope everyone has a great weigh in. :wave: Take care. Di

Wow Di! 148 pounds off. That's just amazing. You and the other great losers are what keeps me here. I'm having a struggle, but I'm not giving up. Sometimes it seems like 92 pounds is impossible to lose. It is impossible without work and commitment, but you guys are proof that once I get serious enough to do what I need to do and keep doing it, I can lose those pounds too.
I didn't lose anything this week, but I'm pretty much O.K. with that. I didn't watch what I was eating or excersize every day. I've been sick since Wednesday evening and am trying to rest my body, but at least part of my antiviral regime is eating nothing but good immune-boosting veggies and fruits. I'm feeling much better this morning. Just a little sinus congestion. Anyway, I'm pretty sure I won't make my 8 pound goal for this challenge, since currently I'm 1 pound up from where I started! I WILL show a loss by January 24th though. Even if it's only a pound or two. I think I finally get the fact that if it takes a year or two to lose this weight, it will still be gone. I don't have to be slim by my birthday, or summer, or vacation. This post is once again getting long. Sorry folks. I can't wait to see everyone's progress.
And welcome back Apple Blossom!

Jen
238/232/140

Hi everyone. I lost 2 pounds this week. I am now at 4.5 pounds lost for this month.

Congrats grizzlyschick!! I could tell how excited you were last night! Almost there.

I hope you all have good weigh ins today.

Di - we'll be looking for your Before and After pictures on the cover or People magazine next year! You are AMAZING, chick!

GEN - I lost 2 pounds since the challenge began. I seem to be losing slower the closer I get to the goal - but I am just over the halfway mark to my 50 pound weight loss goal. That's 26 pounds since September 14th. It's slow but steady - and it works when I keep my eyes on the prize!

Gennel - Congrats on the house. How exciting. As far as your final goal goes I figure you'll know when you are where you want to be. Let your body be the judge. You'll know. I'm wrestling with the same idea at the moment. Where should this end?

AngieMe - Oh man, i hear you about the equipment in the living room. I have a Yoga mat stashed behind a bookcase and my bedroom closet full of free weights. My dream home would have a room for equipment *sigh* Good going this week!

Rusty - Congrats on busting that plateau!

Kempy - Looks like you may have found your key! Way to go!

Jen - Hang in there. You'll do this.

Congrats to all the other losers this week. Me? I am down 2.8 lbs from last week. Just one of those weeks, I guess.

Everyone have a spiffy little weekend....

It sounds like everyone's having a good week, whether it is for weight loss or attitude and outlook! Awesome! Congrats to everyone -- we need more weeks like this, yes? YES!

I am pleased to say that I finally got back where I needed to be and feel confident that I'm going nowhere but down from here. Like I said, after last week's pizza fiasco, I am just not going there anymore. I want to continue to see a steady loss and not have to play catch up for a week just because I gave in to some imagined weakness for a particular food! How ridiculous does that sound now? Ha! NEVER AGAIN, cos I'M the one who's in control. I am the master! :D

That said, I am at an 8 lb. total loss for this challenge so far, down to 277. I'd really like to kick major butt this week and see myself over the 10 lb. goal I have for the month. I'm going to see what I am really made of. Can you tell I am revved up completely? ;) I am not sure what got into me this morning!

Again, ladies, BRAVO! These Gennel challenges are the best out there, and I look forward to losing the rest of my weight along with all of you. You're the best, truly. *hugs* to all.

Wow! Di, you have left me without words! You are so amazing!

I have no loss and no gain. I did manage to go and get my hair permed today. I had my little one with me and I promised that if she would sit still I would take her to get her nails done. She was a true trooper. We went and got her nails done in a bright flourescent pink. Very shabby!

I guess I just needed a pick me up. Well I am out of here. School begins Monday but I already have homework due for my online class. Aaaargh! Talk to you all later.
Kina

Hi everyone
 

:) Hi everyone. Thank you for the encouragement and congrats. I realize that I may have sounded like I was bragging earlier and I apologize if it came out that way. I just got a little overly excited.
Kina- I bet your hair looks fabulous!:)
Congrats to all the losers this week:high:
Well I should run. Hope you all have a fabulous weekend. Take care. Di

hey guys! i was gone most of the week. my dd was hospitalized for a staph infection since thurs morning. i only got home for about 45 mins since then to shower. i am exhausted, those nurses make it impossible to get any sleep. we are very glad to be home and sarah is doing very well. needless to day, my diet and exercise was shot. i haven't exercised since Wed and ate whatever people brought me. I'm going to go by my weight Thurs morning for my weigh in since I haven't been able to weigh since then. 178, for a two pound loss this week! I am so excited to be in the 170's!!!! i'm going to go lay down now, it sounds like everyone had a great week, i'm sooo happy for all of you, congrats:) TTFN

Serina, Congrats on the 2 pound loss!! That is great!!! I hope your daughter is feeling better soon.

You know guys I'm going to get my butt moving. I have slacked enough and I have made exhausted all the excuses created. Tomorrow my family's weight challenge begins and I plan to get some sort of exercise in daily. Whether it is as simple as doing stomache crunches or push ups...it's gonna get done. This past week I have not done a thing. I guess trying to get into the swing of going back to work. I am going to try and get a pic of my permed hair and put it up on my avatar box. Hold on let me go and try to do that.

I'll be right back.
Kina

Look at me with my brainiac glasses. Woohoo! Looks like I am ready to hit the books. It took awhile to get the right look. Some of the pics made me look older than I really am. You can't really tell that I got a perm since my hair is so dark...maybe tomorrow if the sun in shining outside I will take another pic.

Okay back to the old drawing board. I plan to lose atleast 2 lbs of the 8 lbs I had committed to this challenge. I'm going to do it!

I better get going. Just wanted to sport my new hairdo!. bye
Kina

That's a great pic, Kina!

Hi everyone
 

:) Kina with the new hair and glasses, I didn't recognize you! It looks great!
Serina I'm glad you're daughters feeling better. Congrats on the 2 lb loss. Hopefully soon I will be joining you in the 170's!
Angie- I don't think I said congrats on your loss this week:o I'm sorry for that. You're always so supportive of us all so I wanted to say congrats and thanks for always knowing the right things to say:flow1:.
Well gotta run. Take care everyone. Di

Weigh In Chart!
 

Seems like I missed a lot of posts! I didnt have time to pop in here yesterday with all the stuff going on ,sorry! I am so happy to see all the losses!!!!!!!! Yeah!!!!!!!! For me I maintained at 130 :( but I wont cry for long lol. Grizzly once you get to 170 or 165 you might get a feel how 160 will look and you can decide then. For myself I thought that 145 was a great goal until I got to 150 and wasnt happy how it looked. It's up to you and you only. I know it bothers to hear someone else tell you that you will look better at a lower weight! After losing sooooo much weight I think I would have secretly wanted to knock that guy out lol . I think two of you listed might have lost more weight so please just PM me so I can edit the chart.

Anyway here goes the chart!

Gen..Goal.. Maintain current weight

Jen519..Goal..8 lbs

grizzlyschick..Goal..10 lbs..Loss 11 lbs

AngieMe..Goal 8 lbs..Loss 4.5

Lidian..Goal 6 lbs

DipsNTwists..Goal..8 lbs..Loss 3lbs

Kina..Goal 8 lbs

Choci..Goal..10 Lbs..Loss 8 lbs

Kempyd..Goal 7 lbs..Loss5 lbs

Rusty..Goal 5 lbs..Loss 2 lbs

SuzyQ..Goal 10 lbs

MADCAT..Goal 7 lbs..2.8 lbs

Laney1733..Goal 5 lbs..Loss 2 lbs

Guinever..Goal 10 lbs

Clarita ..Goal..5 lbs..Loss 2 lbs

Di - how tall are you? I'm 5'4" and medium build and at 154 right now I have no muscular definition. I still have a coating of fat covering up whatever lies beneath. I've been working my triceps while I sit here at the PC and been doing some crunches but there's no way to see results. I can feel the muscles underneath hardening up so I hope that when I get down to 130 I'll be pleasantly surprised.

Hang in there. This is the fun part - revealing the inner you!

Me again
 

Gen- thanks for the advice. I was tempted to smack him, but I realized since I was asking his honest opinion about how to tone certain areas, that what he was saying was probably right. I think he was under the impression that I have extra skin. I told him I don't, because I don't. Since I've exercised since the beginning of this more or less, I either have muscle or flab. So that's a good thing for me I think. I think people just always assume that if you're a woman and you're losing weight you want to be super thin. I don't. I want to have muscle, I want to be toned. I think next week I will again make that clear to him. I don't want him giving me some fluff weight routine. He told me last week that I'm already stronger than the other women he's trained, so I think he thinks that's good enough for me so I don't have to try to get any stronger. I disagree. I like lifting weights. I like having visible muscles in my arms and legs. I guess I'll just have to make it clear again that my goal is not to be a twig!

Rusty- Hi there. I laughed at the People magazine comment:lol: You know I live on those Crystal Light pops now. I've been making them in a kiddie popsicle mold. I use the crystal light all but an inche from the top and then add fat free cool whip. I've found if I eat one before I eat dinner, it really helps cut down on cravings. My worst craving is nuts and raisins. I used to add them to my yogurt, just a tsp so I was adding a little protein. I found though a tsp led to 2 and then the salt had me retaining water and of course the calories added up, so I spent all day beating myself up. So trying to stay away from the nuts. Especially walnuts, I love them! Anyway your question- I'm just under 5'7. I always thought I had a large frame, but people keep telling me I have a medium frame. How do you know for sure? Oh well gotta go. Trying to get motivated to do Pilates. I swore to myself that I will not do cardio today. My thigh muscles are screaming for a break:lol: Well talk to you later. Di

Di - it's got something to do with wrapping your fingers around your other wrist - if the fingers overlap - you're small frame - if they just touch - you're medium and if you can't reach fingetips to fingertips you're large build. I just can't remember if it's the index finger or the finger for stupid drivers! LOL

Thanks Rusty
 

Thanks Rusty. With the index finger they definitely don't touch! If I squeeze real hard the other finger does. So should I fib to myself and say I'm a medium frame or just admit that I know I'm large frame? Hey that means I can weigh more because of being large frame right? :) If not just let me believe it ok then the goal won't seem quite as far away! Take care- Di

Here's How to Find out your Correct Size/Frame
 

I found this in google search. IT says its the most accurate way to measure your body frame. According to this I'm a Medium Frame. My wrist measured exactly 5.75 inches. And when I measured wrapping my thumb and index finger they didnt \touch! I usually wrapped my thumb and middle finger and they overlap.
So doing it with your fingers is not as accurate.When buying clothes in small,medium or large I always wear the small now.So it depends I guess! lol


SMALL FRAME:

Women:
• Height is less 5' 2" and your wrist size is less than 5.5"
• Height is 5' 2" to 5' 5" and your wrist size is less than 6"
• Height is greater than 5' 5" and your wrist size is less than 6.25"

Men:
• Height is greater than 5' 5" and your wrist size 5.5" to 6.5"

MEDIUM FRAME:

Women:
• Height is less 5' 2" and your wrist size is 5.5" to 5.75"
• Height is 5' 2" to 5' 5" and your wrist size is 6" to 6.25"
• Height is greater than 5' 5" and your wrist size is 6.25" to 6.5"

Men:
• Height is greater than 5' 5" and your wrist size is 6.5" to 7.5"

LARGE FRAME:

Women:
• Height is less 5' 2" and your wrist size is greater than 5.75"
• Height is 5' 2" to 5' 5" and your wrist size is greater than 6.25"
• Height is greater than 5' 5" and your wrist size is greater than 6.5"

Thanks Gennel
 

Thanks Gennel- I measured my wrist and it's 6 3/4 inches. So I guess I just made it to a large frame. Now I can tell all the people who tell me what weight I should be at that they were wrong! Thanks- that's gonna feel good:D Take care- Di

OOPS I missed weigh-in. I posted a 2lb loss for this week which makes me very happy. I think all the extra exercise paid off. The weather was super sunny during the week up here in seattle so that I took several lunchtime walks in addition to my nightly gym workouts. When does this challenge end? Is it the end of January?
I am so proud of everyone's achievements this week! The information about frame size is really interesting. Unfortunately, I have a small frame :( Darn those bony wrists...

YEAH Clarita!!!!Way to go!!!! I wished it would warm up here. I am so ready for spring again.

Thanks Angie and congratulations yourself!:D I am just barely a small frame, that is rather depressing!!:mad: That's all the farther I have to go. AH well, I kind of already figured it anyway. I got back to my eating plan today and tomorrow I'll hit the treadmill, I'm hoping my three day hiatus hasn't damaged my progress too much. I'm glad to hear that everything is working out with your house Gennel. You must be floating on a cloud! My bathroom is coming along, SLOWLY! But I do have plumbing, electric, and a floor!! The next step is walls, I'm hoping to have those by tomorrow night. Poor dh has been working in there all day, such a good guy.:) I bought towels last week and today I got some Bath and Body Works stuff to help me break it inwhen it's ready. It has been a very long day with a very grumpy baby so, goodnight to all, TTFN

Yikes!

There's like a dozen people here that I don't know. I'll just have to catch up in the coming days. I still don't have a scale but I'm eating fine so i should be doing okay. I had a grilled chicken salad today. It was yummy! :D I have and appointment at the gym tomorrow morning. I hope I can pump myself up to be happy about it by the time I have to leave. By the way, I hate the economy. Why do we have to pay everything with money? why not bottlecaps or plastic? I swear, money is ruining my life. :(

However, I still have no scale and I will now go by clothing and fit. Because the only time I recall losing a lot of fat was when I didn't have a scale and just did what I had to do. So we'll see.

Much love and luck to all of you.

~Sahvara

By the way, that wristy thing says i'm a medium build. :( I was so shooting for large but I only have a 6 1/4" wrist. Oh well.... it could be worse. *shrug

The good news is I had a salad for dinner, the bad news is I made sugar(butter) cookies with my kids plus I ate about 400 calories worth of potato chips. I did some gardening, but my husband is away so I couldn't go for a jog. I hope to do some stepping after the kids go to bed. Can anyone recomend a good step aerobics video? I don't care for the one I have.
My weight is effecting my sex life and that in turn is effecting my marrige. I am uncomfortable being touched on the parts of me that are especially plump, mainly my hips and tummy. And I just don't feel sexy. So I really need to succeed!!!
It's encouraging to hear how well everyone else is doing!!!!
Sahvara, I know what you mean about money, I'm trying to stick to a budget for the next few months and it's HARD!! If we had a little more $$ maybe I could join a gym. I'd love that. Oh well.
Laney, are you remodeling or is your bath new? We are remodeling one this summer, any tips?

I guess it is mostly a remodel. I mean the bathroom was there, but it hadn't been used in 15 years. The previous owners didn't feel like fixing it so they just closed the door and forgot it. We gutted it down to the studs. It had to be completely re-plumbed, re-wired and everything. Itis probly the smallest bathroom on te planet so that has been our biggest challenge. I guess my only tip would be to decide what is most important to you and make those asapects work, everything else being a compromise. I wanted a big shower and a pedastle sink. So my dh basically built the floorplan around the shower. It is costing way more than we had planned, that is my word of caution!;) Otherwise, good luck! I am so excited!!
I had my oatmeal, toast, and milk breakfast and will meet the treadmill early this afternoon. I hate it when I make appointments in the morning because it throws off my entire day! ARGH:mad:
Have a great one everybody! TTFN,

Apple I like anything by Kathy Smith. I have a few of her tapes and use them when I can't make it to the gym.

Everyone sounds like they are trudging along. I had a blah weekend. It was over cast and cold so we stayed inside one the sofa and watched tv all weekend long. I did good with my eating though. I thought I really blew it yesterday but I recorded everything and I was still under 1800. That is more than i usually eat but I could have eaten way worse.

So, I am still down just the 5.5 lbs but I still have a few weeks until the end of the challenge. The real test is the week. This is the week before TOM and I usually hold lots of water then. I hope these new birth control pills do there job. They have a mild diuretic in them so we will see.