New Year's Challenge! 4 Week Challenge!
 

Ok,
Here I am again opening my doors to anyone that doesnt want to quit! My main goal is to keep off the 65 lbs that Ive lost since starting in Feb. I love the new me ,actually I've always been here just burried under 65 lbs of extra weight. Everyone that loses weight always says " If I can do it ,anyone can!" I believe those words. There was no one as lazy as I was when it came to exercise! I hated it . But today I'm willing to sacrifice 1 hour a day 5 days a week just to maintain my current weight of 129. It's either eat like a bird to maintain ,or eat like a normal person and exercise! I find ways to burn extra calories now. IF I dont go to the gym ,I'll mow the lawn. Of course I dont like mowing the lawn but I get a nice looking lawn and I burn calories too! And of course my husband totally loves this idea lol. If you'd like to join this challenge just post and let me know how many pounds you will try to go for in 4 weeks. This challenge ends Jan 25th. We weigh in every saturday. If we lose a pound,gain a pound or maintain our current weight just send me a message or post. I will do a weekly chart . Well I'll be the first to join and my goal is to maintain my current weight for yet another month!


Gen..Goal.. Maintain current weight

Jen519..Goal..8 lbs

grizzlyschick..Goal..10 lbs

AngieMe..Goal 8 lbs

Lidian..Goal 6 lbs

DipsNTwists..Goal..8 lbs

Kina..Goal 8 lbs

Choci..Goal..10 Lbs

Kempyd..Goal 7 lbs

Rusty..Goal 5 lbs

SuzyQ..Goal 10 lbs

MADCAT..Goal 7 lbs

Laney1733..Goal 5 lbs





Gen
194/129/maintain 4ever!

Hi everyone
 

Well time for another challenge, and a growing list of goals I want to set for myself this year. I hope everyone is having a nice holiday- mine has been wonderful. Hubby cooked dinner! An extra Christmas bonus for me:D Well Gennel I want to put myself down for another 10 lbs. With getting closer to my goal, I don't know if it will be as easy as it had been with earlier challenges, but I figure if I don't challenge myself for the 10 then I'll never get there. Well gotta go! Take care. Di

I'm in!!!
 

Put me down for another 8 pounds this month. I'll make it a challenge since I have been a bad girl for the last 2 days.I am sure I went up a little but I plan on sticking to it and hitting my goal by summer.

I'm in for the challenge too - ready to start looking ahead to January! I would like to lose 6 lbs by Jan 25 which would bring me to 138 (I have not been in the 130s since about 1990)

Thanks for starting this one up,Gennel!

Lidian

178/144/130?

I'm in!
 

I'm ready to get started again. Glad it's a whole new challenge! I'm going to shoot for 8 pounds again. Didn't make it last challenge or the one before, but I'm sure going to try again. Even though I haven't made my goals, I'm still down 7 pounds from where I started and that's 7 pounds closer to my ultimate goal. I'm going to start strong tomorrow morning by getting up to do WATP video.

Jen
238/231/140

Once Again it's on
 

Is it just me or does it seem as though every 4 weeks we start fresh.

Anyways, I'm gonna aim for 8 pounds this month. I lost my way during the holidays and now the cold weather is kicking my butt!
But summer will be here before I know it and i want to be ready!

Ciao

-Dips-

Gennel put me down for 8 lbs and it's coming off this time! I am working hard at it and although the scale is not moving I am not getting discouraged.

I just wanted to get in reall quick talk to you people later.
bye
kina

I'm in, I'm in! After the holidays I am up three pounds from my lowest weight on this journey, but still at my Christmas goal of 285. Gennel, I'd like to go for 10 more pounds during this challenge. I'd love to officially go for more than that, but I have to remember that this is not a race, and why set myself up for potential failure? I *know* I can do 10, so 10 it will be.

And besides ... slower loss is better in the long run... :):):)

I'm glad to be back. This challenge is so awesome, and I look forward to seeing what we all accomplish! Good luck ladies! Be strong like I know you can!

Officially: Start weight 285... goal 10 lbs.

Alright, I'll try this one too. Like Jenn I didn't make the last two challenges but I am not giving up. I am going to shoot for 7 lbs. That will get me back to 157. I am hopeing that the new year and the idea of summer coming will kick me in the butt.

Hello, Buddies! Here we are midway thru the holiday week and making plans for the future. Hooray for us!

Gen - thanks for getting us going again. Put me down for FIVE POUNDS - seems like I'm slowing the loss a bit now that I'm in the 150s but it'll go. Even a pound a week will get me where I want to be by short-sleeve weather!

Boy, did the holidays throw everything into bedlam - I couldn't even remember what day it was today - was thinking it was Monday. This is like having five weekends in two weeks... Hang in there - if we can maintain thru this, we can lose those pounds when life settles back into its routine!

I didn't drag my butt out of bed this morning until 6:30 so no excersize. Barely got to work on time! I'm starting out right otherwise, though. I think what I need to get on track again is to read and post often, especially today when it's looking like and extremely slow day at work. That's the kind of day that gets me heading to the junk food. Anyway, if I'm in here babbling every other post, bear with me please. I'm going to use my journal a bunch too.

Jen
238/231/140

Jen - I think you're right about posting and the other thing I find helpful is to read back thru the million diet posts and tips and articles here on the site. I absorb so much info that when decision time comes at the grocery store or a restaurant I can make good choices.

I also do searches on Yahoo for diet tips. Some excellent info scattered around if you stick to sensible weight loss sites.

This one is so NO-BS, I love it:

http://www.cspinet.org/nutrition/index.html

This one is a riot - funny and inforamtive - also NO-BS!

http://www.100-weight-loss-tips.com/

Rusty, I love those links! I've added them to my favorites already. The 100 Tips is particularly entertaining -- thanks for sharing!

I ended up finding great things to occupy my time at work, so it wasn't so bad after all. Thanks for the links and encouraging words. One of the "tips" I really liked from one of those sites was:

"Be patient...
Losing 2 pounds a week
adds up to 104 pounds a year.

Do you have a problem with
losing 104 pounds a year?"

No problem at all! That means that even at a "miserable, lousy" 2 pounds a week, I could reach my goal in a year. Of course, so far I haven't managed to lose a steady two pounds a week, but I'm averaging almost 1 pound a week. Even that will get me halfway to my goal and well under that 200 pound mark. The next tipwas don't let yourself get bored. For me, boredom is the number 1 reason I eat. Not that I don't have things to do...clean house, do laundry, etc. I just don't have anything I WANT to do! My living room still looks like the Santa Cyclone hit, so I'm going to tackle it when I'm done here. Subway for dinner. I'm planning on checking back in later too.

Jen
238/231/140

Rusty, I added the links to my favorites too - thanks! They are great!

I went to one of my favorite secondhand shops today and bought some summer clothes to remind myself that in a few months it will be warmer and I will be sorry if didn't keep up my fitness plan in the winter - here and now. That was good because it took my mind off the candy and nuts around here!

Jen, you're right - 1 or 2 lbs a week does add up over a year! I will remember that...

But I wish DH would finish up the trifle - it is lovely and I have had a spoonful or two and don't want to have any more spoonfuls. Unfortunately the kids don't like it so he is working on it alone and it will take a few more days for him to eat it up! (He only weighs 136, he can have it all now if he likes!!!)

Lidian

Hi Everyone!

Hope it's not too late for me to join in on the challenge. I'm really feeling the need for a bit of motivation... I'd like to aim for 7 lbs between now and the end.

Hi All! I forgot to add to my subscription that I wasn't getting emailed. I was like where is everyone and then I remembered. Okay so what are we doing to improve ourselves. I have decided that I am going to think positive and always look forward.

The new semester will be starting before I know it and I didn't even get to do half the things I wanted to do while I was on this break but I am going to have to figure something out.

Welcome Madcat and Lidian. We have a great group of motivators here and they are ready to support you.

Thank you so much for those wonderful web addresses that you suggested Rusty I am checking them out as I type, actually I am waiting til I get done here and then I am going to take a look at them. I have already added them to my exercise favs. Thanks again.

Okay well here's to another challenge. Let's get moving.
Kina

Just checking in this AM. Got really busy last night. My DD and I got gift cards for Xmas and decided to go out and get the thing we both wanted: A karaoke machine! We just got a small one, but it's the kind that will cut the main voice track out of any CD when you're singing into the mic. Then the two of us stayed up until almost 11:00 taking turns singing. (Silly girls!) I managed to do O.K. yesterday with my food. First time in a while. TOM is here so I'm just really hoping (maybe unrealistically) to maintain this week.
Welcome Madcat. Always room for one more.

Jen
238/231/140

Hi everyone
 

Good morning ladies- I'm on my way to work. Welcome to the challenge Madcat and Lidian. Gennel I didn't know if you were doing the weigh in today or not, but if so I just maintained. I'm a little discouraged because I got in extra cardio this week, because I had a couple days off and thought it would make a difference in the scale but it didn't. My eating's been right on to, so I can only assume my body is once again on a little plateau. If these 3 pounds don't move before Wednesday, then I won't hit the goal I had set for myself in December. I guess I should be and I guess I really am happy that I lost what I lost this month. I know that the closer you get to your goal, the harder it's supposed to be to lose, so I think I just need to accept the fact that it might not just fly off every week, no matter how good my eating or how much I exercise. UGH! I just can't wait to hit my goal! I hope everyone has a great day! Excuse my whining- I'm done now. Take care. Di

Hi everyone --

I have maintained at 144, but I am aiming to take off 1-2 lbs by next Saturday...no more chocolate! And I had better start exercising a little more.

Thanks Gennel for starting this up - and thanks to everyone for joining together to help motivate each other. I could sure use the motivation!

Lidian

I showed a 2.5 lb loss since Wednesday. All I can say is, it's about time my work payed off again! ;) I'm looking forward to this coming week -- I really want to get under 280 and never see the 280s again! I'm sick of 'em!

Hello All! I've been busy busy as usual. I've spent the entire last two days trying to get my house back in order. It is complete chaos. Today swe went through the kids rooms and cleaned from top to bottom. We hauled out bags and bags of stuff for Goodwill and the garbage. I'm up two pounds but I think its just water and stuff. I've still been working out but my eating has been pretty bad. I'm still biding my time till New Years Day when I really plan to crack down. I want to lose about 25 more pounds by June 1. That is my ultimate, long term plan. I'm glad to hear about everyones holiday. Good luck with your house Gen, I can imagine your stress. I really don't think I'm ready to go back there yet! Right now ,my dh is working on a new bathroom he's building for me for my birthday, Feb 2. We have 8 peopkle using one bathroom, it sucks! My sis is waiting for me to go to the store now so TTFN,

Di~~~Don't discourage yourself girl! You have done an amazing job and look at you only 3 lbs away from our goal! Wow! If only I could report the same. I am still stuck at 4.5 lbs away. But I guess that has to do with the fact that I have not exercised as faithfully as I had been. I think I better get cracking. I go back to work on the 8th and first day of classes will be the 13th...I will be happy to be in the 80s when I go back. Big dreams for this little one.

FOCUS...everyone the new year is around the corner and we have much to be proud of! Above everything don't forget the little things because without the little things we cannot attain the bigger things! That is a fact!

Hello to all of you and welcome back Laney. Keep trying that is all we can do. As long as we take the step forward it will be one more step to our goals. Is that so true!

Wow! I am full of these wonderul messages. Confuscious says: You must first learn to accept that we all are unique and wonderful in our own special way before you begin to understand yourself. Ah-hah...I made that one up myself...would you believe just off the top of my head! woohoo!

Okay I am out of here...it's obvious I am tired and my mind is controlling the keyboard. bye.
Kina

Congrats Choci!!!! I have eaten everything in sight for the last 5 days so I am more than ready to start fresh and get to my goal. I am so proud of you!!!!!!!!

Got a question
 

Hi everyone- 1st off Choci- I am so jealous! You go girl! Ok my question. Maybe you know the answer Rusty. Does Crystal Light count as water? I noticed it has no sodium and only a couple calories a serving and I tried the Strawberry Kiwi today and oh my God it is soooo good! If this counts as drinking water I think I may be hooked. Oh and Rusty didn't you put on a recipe once for popsicles? Would you mind doing it again? I couldn't find the other one. Well gotta get my plateau butt on the exercise bike for a few miles! Take care everyone- Di:D

Ciao Ladies

Choci, you are on a roll, girly.

Just like Laney, I'm kinda holding off until new years to really get serious again. There have been so many functions for the soldiers over the holidays and everywhere I turned it was cookies, cake and more cookies.

At any rate, my boyfriend offered me a victory gift of $150 to reach my summer goal. Nothing like money to get you motivated.

Later Girls.

I have begun the short fall off the wagon. I want to join in for the 4 week challenge. I have lost and kept off 85 lbs. for 2 years. In 3 short months I have put on 10 lbs. Going to try and go for 10 lbs. i love to walk but cannot get motivated. Any suggestions?

Hey, I realized I forgot to put in my starting weight which was 159.0. I usually weigh on Wednesdays so I'll have to find a way to work around the Saturday reporting date. My big goal is going try to do 1,000 calories worth of exercise each week as long as this thingie lasts.

Good luck to everyone!

I'm trying to think of a good, non-food reward if I come through this coming month the right way. Anyone have any suggestions??

What do you all do as a prezzie to yourself for this kind of thing?

I think an excellent reward would be something that makes you feel good. A new nightie, or some Bath and Body works would be great, I am now in love with the Red Currant and Thyme Tea body wash and body cream. Yummy, it makes showering a whole new experience!!:D Those stores are everywhere aren't they? I'm not sure. Or a jamming cd you've been wanting.
I had an excellent work out today. I put on my smallest bra and I walked for an hour, jogging for several intervals. The longest being 5 minutes. Five whole minutes of jogging!! I am so thrilled. Of course, my legs are already sore so I can imagine what I'll feel like tomorrow.:( I haven't snacked today and I'm drinking like a fish, I'm having a very good day. Tomorrow we are going to buy the shower stall for my new bathroom. The one that I want has the little seat built right in so you can sit down to shave. My dh wants me to look for a cheaper on though, so we'll see. The one I want is only $399. I don't think that that is out of line, do you all? I mean the thing is going to be a permanent part of our home for the next 20 years or so, right?? I'll let you guys know how it goes.;)
SuzzieQ, 85 pounds!! My goodness, you must feel so good about yourself! I can imagine how scary it would be to put on 10 after all that hard work. Just try to remember what you felt like then and what you felt like at your goal. I too have lost and regained, nothing like 85 pounds, but I know how it feels. I remember feeling out of control but not really even caring that I was out of control, I was in denial. Just try to nip it right now, which you obviously are, just by being here, it shows that at least you are aware and facing the problem, I wasn't and I didn't until two years later when I was back where I started from. It is so frustrating!!! But, stick around, I'm sure you'll find some support here!
Oh, Gennel, write me down for 5 pounds this challenge, I'm going to do it this time, darn it!!!! TTFN,

Everyone, thank you so much for the kudos! *takes a bow* I actually hit my 30 pound mark this morning, so I am extra psyched.

Grizzlys -- I, too, love Crystal Light and have been treating it as my water the whole time... it hasn't been hurting at all, so I'd say, yep, count it as water! :) My favorite is the lemonade. The only thing I don't like about it is the cost -- $5.00 for a large canister! So, today at the supermarket, I dared try the comparable store brand, which is 2 dollars cheaper -- and it tastes just as good!

SuzzieQ -- 85 pounds! Wow! Don't get too down on yourself about the 10 pounds. I mean, you're here and ready to do something about it! As far as motivation, I think that just forcing yourself the first time might be enough to remind you how good it feels to get your body moving. How about making a date with yourself to walk? You wouldn't want to stand yourself up now, would you? ;)

I'm so happy to be among such a fine group of gals. You are all so inspiring and just plain awesome. I might say it too much, but what the heck: I don't know what I would do without each of you!

MadCat! I'm right at 156 (I'm 5'4") right now. We're heading in the same direction. Good luck with yours!

Di - I agree that the very best *second best* I can think of for water would be Crystal Light. It does have the nutrasweet - but if you drink the fluid you're doing your body a favor. Water can tend to get booooring.

What I do all day with the water is keep rotating full water bottles into the freezer and as soon as I finish drinking one I take another partially frozen bottle out of the freezer - bang it on the counter to break up the ice - and put another bottle of water in to take its place. An hour or two makes the water icy cold and the ice usually lasts to the bottom of the bottle. Travels good, too, when you go out for a ride.

Why does water taste so much better cold - like cheap wine? LOL

Here's what I've been doing with the Crystal Light. I've been using Lemonade, Pink Lemonade and Grapefruit flavors. I dump a mixed quart into the blender and toss in orange/lemon/grapefruit sections and blend the heck out of it. Then I put the blender jug into the freezer for an hour and then blend it again. I toss in a couple ice cubes, puree, and then pour it into yogurt cups and freeze them.

These turn out as hard ices - you need a cup of sugar (770 calories) for soft ices - but I pop them into the microwave for 30 seconds when I want one and they are spoonable and very satisfying. One hint I read calls for 1 Tbsp of vodka for each quart to make the texture less icy. It lowers the freezing temperature and you can't taste the vodka.

I also make Creamsicle ices this way - with 6 oz frozen OJ concentrate, 8 oz of non-fat milk, 8 oz of water, 1 Tsp of vanilla and 8-9 ice cubes. Blend and pour. Freeze or eat. Awesome.

(I use 1/3 C of dry nonfat milk and 7 oz of water for the non-fat in the recipe.) I get a half-dozen 6 oz cups out of this recipe and it works doubled, too. I think it's about 58 calories per serving.

Good morning all. I ahvn't given up yet. I have just been dealing with an eating issue of mine. I am still reading all of the posts but I feel a little wierd telling everyone who is doing so good how aweful I am doing. I amd going to talk with the hubby about helping me but of course he didn't come home from hunting in time for the big talk. Now I have to reschedule it for tonight. I guess it is still ok b/c I still have no idea what to say to him.

No Weigh In for Saturday
 

Good Morning everyone, I havent been able to get in here and read all yourposts until this morning! We have been painting the inside of this house and fixing minor things here and there to get it ready for Open House. There is also a couple very interested in the house and they've only seen the outside! I am beyond tired, I am in pain from my neck to my calves. I mean everything feels soooooooooo soar! SO no gym for me today! We're also getting ready for a big New Year's eve party at my house. We are roasting a 36 lb pig the old fashioned way! Outside ! So this should be interesting lol. Those of youthat posted any weightloss...congrats! Please save those totals until next Saturday. I will add SuzQ,MADCAT, and Laney1733 to the challenge! Welcome!


ttyl,
Gen


194/129/Goal...maintain forever!

Hi everyone. I sure had a lot of catching up to do this morning. Kempy, I'm so glad you popped in. I know how weird it feels to come in and say I'm eating too much, I'm excersizing too little, etc... All I can say is, most, if not all, of us have been there. My food was totally out of control for the week leading up to Xmas and beyond. Finally I had a decent day yesterday. I can't seem to drag myself out of bed to excersize, though. I figure I'm going to try in the evening again. That's what got me into getting up in the mornings before. I just need to get started again.
Last summer, after losing 12 pounds, my eating go nutty and I quit walking everyday. I ended up feeling so ashamed, I quit posting and eventually quit showing up at all. Naturally, I gained back 10 pounds. Whatever else happens, I need the support I get here even when I'm not doing well at all. I sometimes feel envious of those who are continuing to lose or have lost so much, but I know I can do it to if I work just as hard and stay just as committed as they have. That's called inspiration, I guess!

Jen
238/231/140

Hi guys!

Yeah, Kempy, I know how you feel too. I think when stuff like this happens is the time we should all make a bigger effort to post here. This is the one place where none of us have to feel any shame for having a slip-up. Or even a prolonged slide. Who better than the women here know what THAT is all about :) ?

I've had a couple of rough days lately and I'm just as happy to be back at work and back into a "routine". I've had worse years than this one.

But as we come up to a new year, it's a good time for a fresh start!

Thanks guys! I really needed to know that I am not alone. I feel like I am alone while I am sitting at home eating everything that doesn't move. I really noticed it Thursday. I know better than what I am doing but I really didn't think I had a problem until I was standing over the sink shoving cakes and cookies into my mouth for no reason. It just hit me that that I am doing something terrible to my body.

Hi, this is my first time doing this quick reply so bear with me. I'm taking the challenge. I think I'll go for 5 lbs. Actually, I'll be happy with anything because the reason I'm here is that my weight has been creeping up instead of going down but it's my own fault. Now I'll get real with myself. Love ya! ...Musicgal

Glad you could join us Musicgal! You will get all of the motivation that you need here.

Hi everyone
 

Rusty- thanks for the recipes can't wait to try them!:T
Choci- I'm glad you liked the other brand, I saw that at our local grocery store Wylers is almost 1/2 the price with all the same ingredients, so I'm thinking of giving it a try:D
Kempyd- I guess a lot of us have been where you are. It's strange to look in your hands and realize what you've just done. It's like waking from a bad dream. The good thing is you realized it and you wanted to do something about it. It sucks that sometimes food can just control us without us even realizing it. I hope your talk with your husband goes well. Remember you have everyones support here:)
Musicgal- Welcome to the group:)
Well I hope everyone has a great holiday:hat: Gennel hope your soreness goes away before your party! Take care all and have a safe New Year's Eve. Di:)

Hi everyone!

Rusty, those recipes sound excellent, I can't wait to try them.

Kempyd, you are definitely not alone. I have hardly exercised and have eaten more chocolate than I like to admit...and ladyfingers (the really big, soft kind, sort of cakey) and and and - well, plenty more really. And I know I need to go pop in a Firm tape or something but...not yet. Next week, I promise! The holidays are tough. And when I went shopping today all the candy was on sale - looking very good too!


Gennel, have a great party! Where are you roasting this pig - outdoors I guess? On a spit, or what? It sounds amazing...

Hi Musicgal, and welcome!

Hi Jen, I could totally relate to what you said - after I lost about 10 lbs last spring, I thought I was pretty clever and just stopped my food diary and of course I gained some of it back, but it wasn't until August that I weighed myself again. I would feel scared about it and then push the thought out of my mind. Now I weigh every day so that I don't get scared and out of the habit again...

Lidian