Good morning all!
Catching up on replies here. A couple of important reminders:
Please PM Maureen (Octoberbride03) to join the challenge and PM your starting weight to Samantha (kollerbear), if you haven't already done so.
My goals for this challenge include:
-losing 20 pounds (that will take CONSISTENT effort from me)
-workouts: twice weekly weights and three cardio workouts per week
-staying active on this board
- make more home cooked real food meals
-stock my fridge and pantry with healthy options
Sounds like a great plan,
Melinda, and I will be seeing you in about 60 days at the Wine & Dine!
Hold your head Up High...Christopher!
I'm back too and failed the last 3 I started But Not This Time
We already had some success we're back!
Sorry guys I'm a day behind
So here is my Mini Intro
My name is Joy I'm a Nurse of 30+ years Mom of 3 adult daughters and 3 kitty cats I love all things Disney, enjoy knitting and sewing,
My weight wasn't too much of a problem when I was young
I'm short and always was about 10lb ish more than my girl friends
but still after my second daughter I was still size 7/8 petite
and very active camping and hiking with one baby on my back and running after the other
but after baby #3 I had some health issues that I'm still dealing with
(they haven't killed me yet) and the weight piled on.
Since then I've had many successful starts that are short lived only to end up either back at square one or worse
So Now I've had it! I have a Big Birthday Coming up in April
and the best birthday present that I can give myself is to get in shape and stay there.
Joy, so happy to see you again!

It's always nice to see old friends return.
QUOTD:
My goals:
1) To get to my goal weight. My goal weight (for now) is 137. That is exactly 120 pounds from my high of 257 almost three years ago. I currently weigh 154 so I need to lose 17 more. After that, I'll reevaluate.
2) To work out at least two hours a day. I generally get up and run before my family gets up, walk with my husband when he wakes up, and then try to get in another walk or bike ride later in the day.
3) To continue to make vegetarian choices but try to make better ones. I love Morningstar products but rely on them too much.
4) To not get complacent. This is the lowest I've been since about my wedding day 20 years ago and I definitely am having to find new ways to motivate myself.
How I'll achieve those goals:
1) I plan to run a 5K once a month. I ran my first one last weekend and loved it! I actually have one more next weekend (as a favor to a friend) and then my husband, daughter, and I are all doing the Happy Haunted one during TOT weekend at the end of the month. The races keep me motivated to work out.
2) Checking in here. I joined the challenge, the exercise challenge, and the runner's thread after being absent for quite awhile.
MB, you are in the home stretch now!

I've heard those last few pounds are stubborn but I have confidence that you can do it with your great plan!
I'm glad to see another vegetarian runner on here! Maybe we could share some menu/meal ideas and possibly some recipes. I never use any meat substitutes (but thinking maybe I should). I just never have tried them. I ear what my family eats, just without meat. My diet is way too carb heavy (cheese pizza, pasta). I rely too heavily, when dieting, on Lean Cuisines. Too much sodium. Because of running and working out (and for weight loss) I need more protein, but from WHERE? Thars my biggest concert right now.
I'm not a vegetarian but we do try to do more meatless meals at our house: tofu, beans, certain grains, and combinations of certain things can help with the protein. We're making a bean salad recipe for lunches this week. I will share it sometime this week-end.
Hey, I'm Carla Rae. I signed up for the summer session and I think I reported twice before I dropped out. My motivation was just shot. A friend of mine got into herbalife a few months back and lost 40 lbs over the summer (with only going to the gym twice a week!) So I figured I would give it a try. I am about 2 weeks into that program. Between monthly feminine issues and a severe allergic reaction to a swarm of mosquitos that put my on steroids for 2 weeks (still have a week to go ), I havent lost much. You always read about these types of weight-loss programs and see ads, but the fact that my friend looks soooo good, makes me believe that it is not just false advertising.
On other notes I am a c25k er. Today is W5D3 for me. Two more runs till the dreaded 20 minutes.
We are supposed to leave for WDW on thursday, but there are some work complications (we are both self employed) that might prevent that

. We are passholders, so although disappointing, its not like we aren't going to go back. I had a dream about pin trading last night that woke me up though, so dh and I need to solve our issues so we can go!
Nice to see you again,
Carla Rae! What a sad and stressful time you went through. :hugs: Sending you lots of

that you get to take your trip this week. That is a tough thing about being self-employed, you are the one who takes care of everything.

And I love your plan -- great goals and very achieveable mini-goals. Way to see yourself up for success!
Hi everyone! I'm Elle, I'm 27, and I live in Florida. I'm heading out to Disney World in just 20 days. Like some of my other fall Challenge mates, I'm running in the Tower of Terror 10 miler. This is my first race and has been a big motivator for me the past few months.
I started out at 175 pounds at the beginning of March. I started training very slowly then. I lost a few pounds that month and just kept going. Today I weighed in at 139.5 lbs.
For the fall challenge, my goal is to lose 9.5 pounds. That would take me all the way to goal. My modes of attack:
1. Diet. I've been eating a non-processed diet. I don't count calories, but every meal consists of a protein (fish) with veggies and fruits, nuts, etc. I cut out wheat and sugar completely. I don't even miss it. With those things out, weight has come off slowly and steadily. I still have a coffee with cream every morning, and no way I'm giving that up.
2. Exercise. In addition to my running schedule, I'm going to add some body weight resistance to the program on my non-running days. Push ups, sit ups, lunges and squats to begin. I've noticed that I still need to tone up. I also figure skate once or twice a week, but that's a very light calorie burning thing. But I'm certainly not quitting that. In fact, I want to stretch more regularly to get those advanced positions.
Some other things I've planned to tackle the dreaded "last ten pounds":
1. Brush and FLOSS teeth right after dinner every night. I am a late night snacker, but if I've put in the flossing effort then I won't want to ruin it. I've gotten on a health kick lately and with almost all sugar out of my diet now, I've been thinking about my poor teeth. So this will be a win-win for me, stopping the late night nibbles and better dental habits.
2. Keep hydrated. I am really bad at this. I am going to keep one of my running bottles filled with water or unsweetened ice tea with me at all times and drink from it. I think this will go a long way with both my fitness and weight.
I'm ready to start the challenge and I can't wait to track everyone's progress here. I hope it's a good motivator.
Wow! What great progress you've made this summer!

And you have a great plan to make your goal. I'm intrigued by your figure skating for exercise -- in our minds we all would glide gracefully across the ice, but in reality, for me at least, no so pretty.
There are enough folks doing the ToT that you may be able to have a little mini-meet before the WISH meet or at least take a group picture to share with us, please. We love to live vicariously through the Disney races of others!
I'm excited to start another challenge! My fall goals are
1. I'd love to move into Onederland, but I think that would be a bit too ambitious (32 pounds), so my goal is to get as close as possible. 15-20 pounds would be thrilling
2. I'm diabetic, so good blood glucose control is even more important than weightloss. I want to having FBG levels below 100
consistently. For the past week, I have had some morning swings up to 103-107. I know what i need to do (no snacking after 8, light exercise after every meal, low carb counts) and just need to be consistent.
3. Find a new form of exercise that I enjoy!! Since May, I have been using our pool almost every day (weather permitting) In PA, outdoor pool time is rapidly coming to an end and nothing else is nearly as appealing. Hopefully, once the weather is actually cooler, I'll discover a greater enjoyment for walking and the elliptical. I may also take a water class at the Y, although that would only be once a week. New classes start Sept 24, so I'll make a decision soon!
4. Add in strength/resistance training. Again, since May, I've been using water weights in the pool and have seen fab results. I'm going to have to break down and purchase something to build muscle over the fall/winter/spring. Maybe a set of hand weights or some resistance bands. I'd love to purchase a home gym, but just don't have the room or the $ for a big purchase. I'd also prefer not to have to travel to a gym in order to work out on a regular basis, so joining the Y is out.
5. Continue to utiliza MyFitnessPal to track eating. If I bite it - write it

If anyone else uses MFP, feel free to add me (KDIPIAZZ)
You have had such a great year,
KDIPIAZZ! All those great changes have added up to a true new lifestyle and some great health changes, I hope!

Is there an indoor pool near you? It's not a convenient at a backyard pool but I know how much you LOVE to exercise in the pool.
WOOHOO! On to the new challenge! I will be singing that Main Street USA song in my head all day! Anyhow....... My plan....hmmmm.... well, first of all, I PLAN to drop back into my maintenance range! I am a few pounds above it right now and not happy with that.
Sounds like a great plan,
Pamela. But then, of course, I know that you are our planner extraordinnaire.

I bet you will be back in maintainance range in no time.
I'm Maureen, your hostess for this go round

I don't know how many of these I've done, but like some of you, the last couple I have not made it through the whole challenge just dropping off for 1 reason or another. Though I had a good excuse for the summer drop off. I was setting this challenge up
Thank you so much for hostessing the challenge,
Maureen.

It is a big job!
so my plan as stated yesterday was to lose 10 lbs in this challenge to get there I will :
keep my WW journal again and stay in my points range! I am good at tracking but bad at going above my points ..
I will also drink more water to get to 64 oz daily.
I also will stick with my Zumba class twice a week --- Tues = Zumba and Thurs = Zumba Gold (supposed to be a beginner/slower paced class but I pushed myself last night and wore my WW pedometer and it said I took 7007 steps!!!! and earned 4 extra points! -- so worth it) however zumba is over before the challege so I don't know what will happen then.. I'll be thinking of a plan.
Wow! What a great burn and I bet you had a ton of fun, too!

Hopefully they will start another class right after this one ends or for sure after the start of the year. In the meantime, maybe look for some DVDs so you could do a Zumba workout or two at home. I bet some folks will chime in with ideas. Jillian Michaels doesn't have a Zumba work out as far as I know but her DVDs are very popular with this group.
And just a couple of notes for newcomers and people I have seen on the thread but not in my inbox. Officially joining means a PM in my box. Its easier for me to keep track of those than going through all the posts looking for new people, especially since this is the first time I am running it.
And weight posts go to
Kollerbear
She is our weight keeper this time. And I have no clue how to do that
So if you sent me your weight you need to redirect it
Please do what you can to make these ladies jobs easier!
Most Important Goal for this challenge is
To learn to set myself up for success not failure.
Excellent!

This is the most important one! You can do it,
Joy!
Somebody mentioned measurements and although I've only lost 20 pounds in these challenges I have lost almost that many inches and it is great! So do take the time to jot down your measurement from time to time.
Hi
Linda! So nice to see you again!

You make an excellent point about measurements and finding other ways to track your success besides the scale.
Ashley, so sorry about the fender bender. Glad that you are okay!

That is why you have insurance. It happens.
Well, my husband and I have purged the house of processed foods. We are trying to go low-carb by cutting out sweets, breads, cereals and pastas....my weaknesses!
I am also trying to get to the gym 4 days a week at the very least. I have been the past three mornings in a row, increasing my distance and speed each time! My ultimate goal is to run a 5K. Hopefully the WDW Marathon weekend 5K....we'll see about that though.
Nice job on the workouts!

Keep an eye on the registration numbers for Marathon Week-End 5K -- the other races just filled up and quite quickly.
BRB for some more replies!