Biggest Loser--SUMMER 2011 Challenge for Losers & Maintainers!

[Zhoen]

QOTD Friday, June 3rd
Introduce yourself! Why are you here?[/COLOR]

Because everything can be fun if you come at it with the right attitude and have people to share it with. If it's time to lose the weight and do the healthy thing anyway, why not make it a game?

 

[Meetmeinmontauk]

QOTD Friday, June 3rd
Introduce yourself! Why are you here?

Hi everyone! My name is Mandy & I'm here because I need to get back into a healthy life style. I was always active & in good shape until I started college. Since college began, I've put on about 40 pounds in 4 years. I did manage to lose half of that, but I gained it all back by not continuing to eat healthy & workout. I'm hoping that with a big support system I will be able to stick to it more easily.

 

[KristiMc]

QOTD: My name is Kristi and I am 40 years old. My husband Steve and I have two wonderful boys Matt is 10 and Shawn is 7. We live in Twinsburg, OH which is a suburb of Cleveland. I am a SAHM and have been the PTO treasurer for the last two years at my younger boys school. I am giving that up this year and hope to do some subbing in the schools.

This will be my 3rd BL challenge. I started on WW last August and have lost 51 lbs. The last few months I have been pretty steady and I am doing the challenge again to help get me get the remaining 30 lbs. off.

 

[pjlla]

Wow so I've been on this thread for just a day and already i can see that you guys are all really nice! I'm really hoping I can find the motivation to really loose some weight!

I guess I should do a little introduction since I am new here! My name is Trina (well Katrina but i HATE going by that) and I'm 25. My whole life I've always been the "skinny girl" and have never had a problem with weight, but my parents are overweight so my mother has always told me it would catch up to me. Well it finally has. I've been gaining weight steadily for a few years now, going up a size every few months but never really seeing it as a problem untill now. I'm at a point in my life where I weigh the most i ever have and honestly, i find myself disgusting. It hurts to say this, because I've always been super proud of my self and really secure and now i just feel so lost. I even cry in the shower because i hate the sight of myself naked, and i just feel so uncomfortable all the time.

Another issue is that i dont necessarily look overweight. I'm 5'6" at 166 pounds and in normal loose fitting close i look fine, but i can feel it. I know what i look like and im not comfortable in my clothes they dont fit right and i'm so frustrated putting on yet another favorite shirt to find it no longer fits! My biggest issues is my stomach. I look down and just burst into tears. I've never actually hated myself before but i do right now.

Around christmas time i started trying to "diet", watch what i eat, count calories, work out more. It's been a struggle. I lost 5 pounds but gained it back just as quick. My big stuggles are
1)im hungry ALL THE TIME. I eat and then two hours later im starving again. Im working on portion control but i dont know how many portions i should be having and nothing seems to fill me up. Plus i work and go to school crazy hours so its hard to plan meals and stuff.
2) because of the crazy hours its hard for me to find the movtivation to workout. By the time I get home im just exhausted. I do have a gym membership and i love to go hiking/walking with the dogs. i'm trying to get back into running (thinking about doing couch to 5k)and i just started the 30 day shred this week but im in so much pain after just 2 days.

Basicially I need to loose weight for my mental well being but I just dont know how. I don't know what i should be doing and i dont think i have the best support system. Im sick of hating myself and wanting to do better but just not knowing what to do different!

You all seem like a great group of people so hopefully i can find the support here that i so desperatly need.

I feel like i should also mention that I have fibro myalgia, chronic insomnia, Chron's disease, and an extremem anxiety disorder. I would love to take classes at the gym like yoga or spinning but im terrified of not knowing what to do or being judged!

Well that's me..sorry so long!

You definitely need to do some research into healthier eating to lose weight. You need to be journaling your foods and counting SOMETHING... Points (like Weight Watchers), calories, or carbs (a la South Beach). The simplest and cheapest is probably just straight calorie counting. Get yourself a calorie book (Calorie King is pretty good), do some research online to find out how many calories a day you should be eating (try sparkpeople.com) and start weighing/measuring your portions and tracking your food.

And you know what.... you may still be hungry sometimes. Sure, all of the commercial diet plans (WW, SB, JC, NS) will tell you that you NEVER need to be hungry, but I find that to be a bit of BS. I've been doing WW for over 3 years now (with a bit of SB thrown in recently) and I am just HUNGRY sometimes and nothing much I can do about it (other than have another handful of baby carrots and try to distract myself until meal time!) Hunger is NOT an emergency! That said, DO NOT skip meals!! You should be eating three meals and at least 2 snacks a day.

Exercise needs to be SCHEDULED if you are that busy. Maybe you will have to do it first thing in the day in order to make sure it gets done.

With all of your health concerns, it wouldn't be a bad idea to check with your PCP before you get too far into this.

We've ALL been where you are now. Stick with us here and you will get through this and I PROMISE it won't seem quite so overwhelming 30 days from now.

Good morning Losers~!

I've just PM'ed my starting weight to Dona. I'm up 1.4 after yesterday. We had our last hike of the year yesterday with Wandren Club which was a doozy. Started off at 18% grade and ended with lots of mud, tree roots, steep drop-offs, slick rocks and crossing back and forth over creeks, etc. It was exhausting! I should be down after that but after the hike, we went to a barbeque with lots of delicious food and lots of BOOZE! Beer, wine, champagne, schnaps. Our host opened the champagne bottle with a sword, it was so cool. Only the 2nd time I've ever seen that. They are the type of hosts that refill your glass constantly. It's so hard to say no!

I have not had much time to DIS lately and I'm trying to catch up reading on this thread and the end of the Spring Challenge thread. I'm only up to page 6so far but will eventually get caught up. Yesterday was a German public holiday (Ascension day) and today most people take the day off to make it a long weekend (incl my DH). We have no plans for the weekend but will mostly be around the house trying to catch up. We might take a quick day trip to Switzerland - about 3 hours drive - but we need a 25 euro window decal to drive into there so we are debating...

Have a great day!

Shawn

Spend the $$ and go see Switzerland! How many other opportunities are you going to have to see Switzerland for that price? Heck, your SUITCASE can't even fly to Switzerland from U.S. for that price!!

Enjoy the last of your time in Europe.

I hope you have a fabulous time, and I'm glad you are not going to stress too much about the food! Hmmmm cupcakes. I think I might make a g-f cake this weekend. I have been craving cake! I'll send the leftovers with Mike to work on Monday! Oops you said cookies. Ok, I might make the cake anyhow! Obviously my brain is telling me it wants some cake!

Not a cake person, so I wish she was making cupcakes instead of cookies... I'd have NO problem resisting cupcakes. Actually,I think that the trail mix will be the biggest temptation.

Ok, caught up!

Good morning, and welcome to the first official day of the challenge.

Today (or sometime this weekend) please pm your weight to donac.
Example:
subject line: 6/3 139.8

If you are doing WIN (and I encourage everyone to do this) you will pm Connie96. There is a link on the first page of the thread to the WIN info.

Be sure to check out the Healthy Habit challenge for the week!

And now, the question you have been waiting for.

QOTD Friday, June 3rd
Introduce yourself! Why are you here?

No time to get into this now....sorry. I'll try to reply tomorrow! But I will say.... I'm here because this is where all of my best friends live!!

Organizational post
6/3 - 6/9
AM: make the bed
PM: wash all dishes and clean sink

Will post more later, I'm at school on my phone

Okay... dishes are done and sink is clean already (I try to never leave the house with dishes in the sink). I'm leaving here today about 3pm and not returning tonight, so that will be it for that.

Bed was still occupied when I left this morning....will hit it before I dash out again! Thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to do this for us!!

************
Okay.... tent and EZ Up canopy are in place at the Relay field...but I am praying they don't blow away before tonight! The wind is CRAZY! Thanks GOODNESS I had three other folks there with me or the tent would be in Vermont by now! We literally were holding it down like a runaway kite as we tried to set it up!!

I've gotta get a few last minute important things done in the next hour, so I'm gonna fly outta here! TTYL...................P

 

[mackeysmom]

QOTD: I am Laura, 41 years old. Since I was a kid, I was always chubby. By high school, I was close to 200 lbs. Joined Weight Watchers for the first time as a senior in HS and lost 30 pounds to fit into my size 13/14 prom dress.

I maintained it over the summer, but once college started I gained the Freshman 15, the Sophomore 15, the Junior 15 and the Senior 15. Stayed that way all throughout my 20’s. I would periodically re-join WW, lose 20 pounds and then quit. I always hovered around 240 or so.

I had a job in my 30’s which required me to travel 5 days a week. Stayed in a hotel with an expense account for breakfast, lunch and dinner – for two years. I was close to 280 by the time that assignment was over. Once again WW brought me down to around 240.

About 4 years ago, I decided enough was enough. I was a few years away from 40 and wanted to get on track before I hit the big 40. I rejoined WW and got myself down to 203 – it was lowest I’d been since I started college 20 years ago. But – life got in the way. My mother got sick and passed away suddenly. I was left in charge of the estate, dealing with her house, etc. And the weight crept back on.

So here we are today – back on WW – down 21 pounds – weighing in at 207. This time I am determined to make it a lifetime commitment. As I am growing out of clothes, I am donating them. No more “keeping them just in case”. I’ve started moving around a lot more, too (something I’ve never done on previous WW endeavors) and have been walking 3 miles, 5 days a week. I participated in the WW 5K Walk a few weeks ago, and would like to be able to run it next year. I also just started doing a Biggest Loser Boot Camp DVD a few times a week.

I’m trying very hard not to focus on the “number”, but to focus on the positive changes I am making. However, I have not seen the lower side of 200 since 1987 – and it is within my reach right now. I am single and responsible only for myself. It SHOULD be easy to shop for the healthy groceries and cook the healthy meals everyday – but SHOULD and actually DO are two separate things and I am trying very hard to work on that.

That’s my story – and I’m sticking to it.

- Laura

 

[tigger813]

Hi all,

Time for my formal introduction. My name is Tracey and I am 40 years old! This is my 5th challenge, I think LOL. I am a former 5th grade teacher and now a massage therapist, Mom, wife, church and school volunteer!

December 2008 was my life changing moment. We got a Wii for Christmas that year so I started working out like crazy and using my elliptical I had lost about 30 lbs when I joined the WISH boards. Since then I have lost 20 more lbs. The last 10 pounds are the hardest and I keep on reaching out to my goal and then gain a few back.

My husband (doconeill) is a computer geek and we have two beautiful energetic daughters. We bought DVC 3 years ago and our next trip is scheduled for PCC 3.0 next June. I CAN'T WAIT! We just need to save the money!

Welcome to all the new folks here! You will got to know all of us quickly and we will all be like old friends! Somedays you may hear TMI but we all have fun here!

TTFN

 

[JacksLilWench]

QOTD Friday, June 3rd
Introduce yourself! Why are you here?

HELLO!! My name is Kaiti, and I'm 25 years old. I am in the process of trying to become a pre-nursing student, and it's proving to be a little more frustrating than I thought!

I have always been a bigger girl, but it really started to hit a few years ago, when I was about 21. I was as big as I had ever been, and following in my mother's familys' footsteps. That was the last thing I wanted to do- so many people in my extended family died because of diet. No one ever passed away from cancer or old age- everyone dropped dead from heart disease, heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, etc. It was really like staring down the barrel of a gun and I knew it had to stop right then and there. I joined Curves on a summer membership and lost about 10 lbs. I didn't go as regularly as I should have because I didn't take it seriously. Then my sister started gaining weight and gaining and gaining, and all I could think is "That's NOT gonna be me." So I rejoined and started working out three times a week, I went through the nutritional class there, and started losing even more. At my lowest weight, I was 185, down from 215. I had to quit for financial reasons, and then because of that I gained a lot of the weight back. Then about a month ago, I said "Enough." I refuse to buy another Size 14 pair of jeans or shorts or Size Large shirts. I started working out with 2 DVD's I've used to collect dust over the last 4 years, started walking with a friend 3 times a week, and joined Dr. Oz's Move It And Lose It plan (it's awesome!) Since I started, I have lost a couple pounds, and am so excited to lose even more! And you ladies are just the group to lose with

 

[Worfiedoodles]

QOTD Friday, June 3rd
Introduce yourself! Why are you here?

Hello!

I am Maria and I am 42 (for a few more days!). I work full-time as a grants professional for a large homeless services agency. I have one ds13, and I've been married to my awesome (and ridiculously skinny ) dh for 18 years. I've stopped counting what number Challenge I'm on, let's just say enough I should get this already

I am a runner, I have completed 5 Half marathons (4 WDW Halfs and 1 Princess) with another one scheduled in August (Providence Rock 'n Roll!). I have a hard time balancing my nutrition for running and losing weight, but I get better all the time.

I have two degrees in history so I'm full of obscure trivia -- and having a ds13 means I'm also full of Star Wars factoids and I've heard way too many of Lady Gaga's lyrics.... Why does every song my ds wants to download feature Pitbull? And just who is "Mr. Worldwide"?

I'm here because I enjoy the Challenges, and heck, all my DIS buddies are pretty much on this thread

Maria

 

[satorifound]

My name is Sacha. I am a mom to four kiddos. I am 40 years old and finding this harder all the time. LOL

I'm here because I keep growing out of my pants. It really stinks. I got a job 3 years ago and had just finished losing 60 pounds. Well my job is rotating shift (night/day) 12 hour days. I just stopped going to the gym for lack of time and gained 40 of those pounds back by not caring what I ate anymore and doing NO exercise. I was really liking myself when I was thinner and I am starting to feel a little crappy about myself for allowing the weight gain. So last month I said enough and started watching what I eat again. I am a pretty obsessive calorie counter but don't find time for the gym. I am going to try harder...

 

[Rose&Mike]

I just sent in my weight and my inches! It was quite scary ! I'm leaving for the beach Sunday, so I won't be participating as much as normal this week. Good luck everyone!

Have fun at the beach!

Organizational post
6/3 - 6/9
AM: make the bed
PM: wash all dishes and clean sink

Will post more later, I'm at school on my phone

Thanks so much for doing this Buffy! I made my bed and there will be no dishes in the sink tonight!

I have always been the "fat girl" and weighed over 200 pounds (I'm 5'4") even in high school. In the fall of 2009, I starting run walking and making subtle diet changes, and have lost 25ish pounds since then. I've completed 4 half marathons, 1 10k, and more than 30 5k races. I'm training for my first full marathon in Chicago this fall.

However, I'm still a good 20 pounds heavy than I would like to be, soley due to poor eating choices. I would like to toe the start line for the marathon at 160 pounds - the same thing I weighed in 7th grade. I just need some support to get there. I also blog about my weigh loss and running, which helps. Nice to meet you all!

Wow, a full marathon! I can't wait to hear about it! In the back of my head I would love to do a full, but I have only been off gluten for a short period of time and feel like I need to take it a little easy on my body for a bit. So, I guess for now I will just stick with 13 miles.

25 minutes is a long time to run! But I did it. plod plod plod

Good for you! Someday that will seem like a short workout!

Hello, everyone. My name is Linda. I am 44 years old. I have two teen-age DDs, and a DH. I have lost 27 lbs. since January (with the help of the BL spring challenge) and I am hoping to lose 8 more to get to my goal. I am obsessive about counting calories, but not so good with exercise. To improve that, I bought a Leslie Sansone DVD and have been very good at doing it about 6 days a week - I do seem to be enjoying it. Good luck to everyone, and nice to meet you all.

Those WATP videos go by quick don't they! I'm going to do one this afternoon, since I skipped the gym this morning.

We moved to TX from MI 3 years ago and it's been a tough adjustment for me. I miss my friends terribly, but I have made some nice ones here. When we first moved we were going to give it 5 years and then re-evaluate our decision, but it now looks like we're going to be here for good or at least for a long time. MI's economy is still in the tank and jobs are still very scarce, at least in DH's line of work, and it doesn't look like moving back in 2 years will be realistic. Besides, our kids love it here and DD would be devastated to leave her school and friends.

I totally get what you are saying! We stayed here so DS would grow up in the same place--and it was a good thing for him since we don't have much extended family.

I've got three already this morning and I'm looking forward to hearing from *LOTS* more of you over the next couple days or so.

I need to bite the bullet and do my measurements. I have a feeling I am up. Glad to here folks are pm'ing you!

AAck. Kryptonite on the first day! (Soda is about all I drink (diet, caffeine free, but still, soda) Ok, I'll try. If I don't weigh in next week, you'll know I died!

This made me smile.

Ok, here's my little soda spiel for all you new folks. Feel free to ignore me.

I strongly encourage anyone who has hit a plateau to give up artificial sweeteners. I know some people (like my teeny, tiny neighbor) can consume lots and have no side effects. I credit giving up aspartame as one of the keys to my success this time. I CRAVED carbs with my diet soda. It was a physical craving--it was awful. I still like my carbs, and I still have those not so great days, but it's different. I have not had a diet soda since ~Dec 30 2009. I do occasionally drink a 1/2 a can of regular soda or unsweet tea. But I am mostly off caffeine as well. Anyhow, just some food for thought.

************
Okay.... tent and EZ Up canopy are in place at the Relay field...but I am praying they don't blow away before tonight! The wind is CRAZY! Thanks GOODNESS I had three other folks there with me or the tent would be in Vermont by now! We literally were holding it down like a runaway kite as we tried to set it up!!

I've gotta get a few last minute important things done in the next hour, so I'm gonna fly outta here! TTYL...................P

Have fun P! And I think we definitely need some pictures of the prom dress at 1am!

About 4 years ago, I decided enough was enough. I was a few years away from 40 and wanted to get on track before I hit the big 40. I rejoined WW and got myself down to 203 – it was lowest I’d been since I started college 20 years ago. But – life got in the way. My mother got sick and passed away suddenly. I was left in charge of the estate, dealing with her house, etc. And the weight crept back on.

So here we are today – back on WW – down 21 pounds – weighing in at 207. This time I am determined to make it a lifetime commitment. As I am growing out of clothes, I am donating them. No more “keeping them just in case”. I’ve started moving around a lot more, too (something I’ve never done on previous WW endeavors) and have been walking 3 miles, 5 days a week. I participated in the WW 5K Walk a few weeks ago, and would like to be able to run it next year. I also just started doing a Biggest Loser Boot Camp DVD a few times a week.

I’m trying very hard not to focus on the “number”, but to focus on the positive changes I am making. However, I have not seen the lower side of 200 since 1987 – and it is within my reach right now. I am single and responsible only for myself. It SHOULD be easy to shop for the healthy groceries and cook the healthy meals everyday – but SHOULD and actually DO are two separate things and I am trying very hard to work on that.

That’s my story – and I’m sticking to it.

- Laura

I think you have a great attitude, Laura! Hopefully we will be having a one-derland party for you soon. I was kind of the same way--when my only child went to college I really had NO excuses! None. And I didn't want to go through life feeling like I'd failed myself. You can do it!

Hello!

I am Maria and I am 42 (for a few more days!). I work full-time as a grants professional for a large homeless services agency. I have one ds13, and I've been married to my awesome (and ridiculously skinny ) dh for 18 years. I've stopped counting what number Challenge I'm on, let's just say enough I should get this already

I am a runner, I have completed 5 Half marathons (4 WDW Halfs and 1 Princess) with another one scheduled in August (Providence Rock 'n Roll!). I have a hard time balancing my nutrition for running and losing weight, but I get better all the time.

I have two degrees in history so I'm full of obscure trivia -- and having a ds13 means I'm also full of Star Wars factoids and I've heard way too many of Lady Gaga's lyrics.... Why does every song my ds wants to download feature Pitbull? And just who is "Mr. Worldwide"?

I'm here because I enjoy the Challenges, and heck, all my DIS buddies are pretty much on this thread

Maria

Hi Maria! I hear you on the skinny husband!

My name is Sacha. I am a mom to four kiddos. I am 40 years old and finding this harder all the time. LOL

I'm here because I keep growing out of my pants. It really stinks. I got a job 3 years ago and had just finished losing 60 pounds. Well my job is rotating shift (night/day) 12 hour days. I just stopped going to the gym for lack of time and gained 40 of those pounds back by not caring what I ate anymore and doing NO exercise. I was really liking myself when I was thinner and I am starting to feel a little crappy about myself for allowing the weight gain. So last month I said enough and started watching what I eat again. I am a pretty obsessive calorie counter but don't find time for the gym. I am going to try harder...

Hi Sacha! So do you have off days? Maybe just schedule some easy/doable exercise during the off days--walk in the neighborhood or a 30 minute dvd first thing in the morning. Sometimes I think the hardest thing about exercise is scheduling it and getting started.

I hope everyone is having a great Friday!

 

[RemembertheMagic98]

Phew! Finally caught up on the thread!!! Just a few shout out to start:

Pamela - wishing you all the best tonight at the walk and hope you sell TONS of trail mix!! I would hate for you to be tempted by the leftover

Bellebookworm - I wear DDD cups and I have 3 Lands End suits that push me in in the right places, hold me up in the other places, and overall hold the girls in place...now if they only made a suit to contain my thighs...

Tracey - you and your family are always in my thoughts and prayers...sending you lots of love and

CC - thanks for being the HH Princess!! I conquered the no soda piece but still working on the water!

BronxNancy - I am jealous of your beach!! I hope that herbalife will be a good choice for you!

Rose - Thanks for be such an inspiration for me! G-F is tough but I am trying!! I love the new pic in your signature btw

Kathy - I love the positive attitude! I think it's contagious!

Trina - I always try to eat little meals throughout the day but it does take planning. I wish I was a planned eater instead of just grabbing what ever is around. I'm beginning to plan ahead and the pounds are coming off!

Shawn - Get thee to Switzerland! I hope you are not near the e.coli outbreak!

Hugs and kisses to all - Dona, Cam, Lindsay, Deb, Kristina, Sue, Dave, Linda, Lisa, Lisa, all the Nancies, Buffy, Maria, and all the new friends I have yet to hear about

********
Bittersweet today my lovelies! The seniors here said their final goodbyes (they graduate on Sunday) with something called Step Sing. Each grade sings a parting song to the senior class with made up lyrics to popular songs. They each do a fast song and then a slow song. We (as faculty) do 2 songs as well and I have to say that we were very good! The most touching moments are during the slow songs. As each class sings, the girls in the class who have a sister in the senior class goes up and gives their sister a bouquet of flowers. It was so sweet...yes, I was all misty

The day has just flown by since Step Sing so I am outta here in an hour. I'm doing some digi scrapbooking tonight with my peeps and then a relaxing weekend by the pool

Food/exercise has been odd this week. I am off the cleanse and have just been eating sensibly minus the gluten. I will try to stay off gluten for about 2 weeks and see how it goes. I'm still off caffeine and will be cutting back on sugar too. I went to my trainer this week but I have been a bit stagnant otherwise I wanted to go last night for a run but my hair really needed a cut and color before graduation and my trip to the shore. I'm hoping for a run tonight but definitely tomorrow. Just keep swimming!!!

I'll introduce myself in a separate post...
Make great choices!!

 

[RemembertheMagic98]

QOTD

Hi! My name is Karen and I am 37 years old. I live in New Jersey (about 30 miles from NYC) and work as a college counselor in an independent high school that happens to be all girls...talk about DRAMA everyday! I'm still looking for Prince Charming but will settle for one of the seven dwarves at this point. I will talk about Brian in my posts - he is my roommate and best friend but not boyfriend/husband/friend with benefits - I love him dearly but can be difficult. I will also talk about Brady - my 4 year old nephew who is the light of my life - and my sister who is due in October with "nugget" (we'll know on June 10th if it is a girl nugget or boy nugget!)

I love to read (I'm in 3 book clubs), scrapbooking, the beach, decorating my house and traveling (although when I changed jobs last year I took a major pay cut and will be doing zero travel for a while )

I am here because I have been heavy for most of my life. I am ready to take control of my weight. I broke my leg and ankle in June of 2009 and had surgery on July 2nd 2009 (I have one long rod 24 pins and a plate over my ankle). I was in PT for over a year and just went back for a month this past spring for more therapy. I want to run. But the pain is still there from the surgery. I have been working with a trainer for over a year (only once per week) to get my balance back and my strength. This April I turned a corner and have done 2 5Ks (next one June 11th!). My goal is the Princess Half marathon in 2013. Recently my doctor suggested that I may have a gluten intolerance so I am trying to keep gluten out of my diet to see how I feel. I also eliminated caffeine and cut out the Splenda. I'll be updating you all with my progress

That's me in a nutshell! Oh, and if you know of a single Prince Charming (or one of the seven dwarves!) looking for a Princess, I am willing to meet him (cyber or otherwise!)....just remember, he MUST love Disney!

 

[Zhoen]

[QUOTE This April I turned a corner and have done 2 5Ks (next one June 11th!). [/QUOTE]

You're running again? That is so awesome!!! I broke my leg/ankle January 27th of this year, and I love to go Volksmarching on the weekends, but even the 3m/5k walks are still troubling me at this point. Ferris Bueller, you're my hero!

 

[rhonda_2003]

Hi, everyone. My name is Rhonda. I am 32 years old and I have 3 children (1 in heaven, 2 on earth). During the school year, I teach business tech to high school students, mostly freshman (heaven help me!). I am also an independent consultant for Thirty-One Gifts year-round. My hubby of 8 years tends to be a Grumpy when it comes to Disney but I LOVE it, along with my children.

I am here for several reasons, first and foremost for myself. I am not happy with what I see when I look in the mirror and I am not happy with how I feel. I can only run around with my kids for short periods of time and I want to change that! I want to be the fun mom that can keep on going as long as the kids can When my four year old looked at me and said, "Mom, you have a big belly", I cried and vowed to get rid of it!

I truly need to lose over 100 pounds, but I am setting my first goal at 10% of my current weight.

 

[satorifound]

Hi Sacha! So do you have off days? Maybe just schedule some easy/doable exercise during the off days--walk in the neighborhood or a 30 minute dvd first thing in the morning. Sometimes I think the hardest thing about exercise is scheduling it and getting started.

I hope everyone is having a great Friday!

I do have days off, I am just lazy on my days off. I was doing the gym again, but I got sick and it threw me off because I couldn't breathe and so didn't want to get on the treadmill. I had gotten almost to week 4 of couch to 5K. I will have to start again.

 

[trinaweena]

hugs trina. welcome to the challenge. you'll find alot of support here! and no judgement

Thank you very much! So far it seems a very welcoming place!

Hi! I was you in college--without the health stuff. And then I started gaining. Don't hate yourself. I understand the frustration, but you need to love yourself enough to take care of your body. You can do it. We will be your cheerleaders. And I was terrified about taking classes too, but I have found the majority of people taking classes and the instructors to be really kind and helpful. And if they aren't--I just try a different class.

i am slowly working up the courage to try a class. I think maybe if I start working out on a daily basis i wont feel so out of shape and it might be easier to do a group class. I think ive finally reached a point where i just know i need to change in order to feel better

You definitely need to do some research into healthier eating to lose weight. You need to be journaling your foods and counting SOMETHING... Points (like Weight Watchers), calories, or carbs (a la South Beach). The simplest and cheapest is probably just straight calorie counting. Get yourself a calorie book (Calorie King is pretty good), do some research online to find out how many calories a day you should be eating (try sparkpeople.com) and start weighing/measuring your portions and tracking your food.

And you know what.... you may still be hungry sometimes. Sure, all of the commercial diet plans (WW, SB, JC, NS) will tell you that you NEVER need to be hungry, but I find that to be a bit of BS. I've been doing WW for over 3 years now (with a bit of SB thrown in recently) and I am just HUNGRY sometimes and nothing much I can do about it (other than have another handful of baby carrots and try to distract myself until meal time!) Hunger is NOT an emergency! That said, DO NOT skip meals!! You should be eating three meals and at least 2 snacks a day.

Exercise needs to be SCHEDULED if you are that busy. Maybe you will have to do it first thing in the day in order to make sure it gets done.

With all of your health concerns, it wouldn't be a bad idea to check with your PCP before you get too far into this.

We've ALL been where you are now. Stick with us here and you will get through this and I PROMISE it won't seem quite so overwhelming 30 days from now.

Thanks for the advice. I have done some research and have started counting calories as well, i have an app for my phone that works really well for that. And im working on portion control and measuring. I have talked to my doctor and he's honestly the least helpful person ever, so im kind of learning on my own and figuring out whats best for me in terms of my health problems. Im trying to make healthier meal choices and snack choices but when i look at myself i just feel so discouraged.

Believe it or not i do schedule excersice time, its the follow through that gets me. Getting up early is a nice idea but i only get about 4 hours of sleep a night, so when you dont fall asleep till 6am you sure dont want to get up early haha!

Trina - I always try to eat little meals throughout the day but it does take planning. I wish I was a planned eater instead of just grabbing what ever is around. I'm beginning to plan ahead and the pounds are coming off!

im trying to get better at planning, at least a day before think about what i should eat. ugh i would really like to see some pounds come off. or even better my fat stomach start to dissapear!

*************

I had a bit of a milestone today that i wanted to share. I did my first day of couch to 5k today! That makes 4 days in a row that ive done at least 20 minutes of excersice (plus all the walking i do at work). I was def tired by the end and i have a bit of a headache now but i did it and i made it through! My workout buddy is one of my dogs and she's taking a well deserved nap now (at only 7lbs she was hurting by the end).

Im also trying to make a conscious effort to eat better and make better meal decisions. I actually ate breakfast today (2 spoonfuls of plain yogurt and 1/2 cup of special K) had snacks throughout the day, a healthy choice meal for lunch and a big salad with a frozen chicken breast on top which im hoping holds me over untill the end of my 4 hour philosophy class.

This is going to be a long hard road, i know. Even as good as i felt after my run today when i looked in the mirror i felt defeated once again. I really hope i can see some improvement, especially in my midsection/stomach area! Im sick of my mother telling me i look pregnant (and then getting paranoid that i might be! haha)

Hope everyone had a good first day of the challenge!

 

[mackeysmom]

I think you have a great attitude, Laura! Hopefully we will be having a one-derland party for you soon. I was kind of the same way--when my only child went to college I really had NO excuses! None. And I didn't want to go through life feeling like I'd failed myself. You can do it!

Thanks for the kind words .

I love how supportive everybody on this thread is - the journey is easier when you know there are people rooting you on.

- Laura

 

[Disneywedding2010]

QOTD Friday, June 3rd
Introduce yourself! Why are you here?

Hi everyone!

My name is Kristina and I'm 27 years old. My husband and daughter were killed in 2008 when we were hit head on by a drunk driver. These past 3 years have been an emotional/phyiscal/mental rollercoaster but somehow throughout it all I've managed. I'm in a new relationship with a man that has helped me through the darkest days of my life. I honestly don't know where I would be without Alan (or my best friends) in my life.

I participated in the Spring Challenge and started off very well. Toward the end I slacked off and lost momentum. I only lost 5 pounds that challenge. I want to lose 20 during this challenge. I'm hoping I do better this time because its the summer and I love to swim this time of year. Its the best way to keep cool in this crazy Texas heat. However, if everything goes as planned next year will be my last Texas summer.

I finished my Bachelors in Hospitality Managment last month. We spent 9 nights at Disney just kicking back relaxing. We are looking at houses and/or building one near Disney and relocating to FL. I have a better chance of finding a job down there then I do here in Texas. Plus, I feel its time to move away from Texas. I swore I'd never leave after they passed away but I need a change of scenery. I need my new beginning. I need to do things for me now and not what everyone else thinks I should do.

Good luck everyone with the challenge!

 

[lisah0711]

Happy Friday all!

Hello to all my old BL friends and to all the new ones! I always love the beginning of a new challenge. It is so full of fun and excitement and optimism!

I'm Lisa. I have a wonderful DH and a DS who is 11. I live in beautiful Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and am a real estate attorney.

I hit the big 5-0 last year and took up running for the first time in my life. I had an absolutely wonderful time with my BL friends at the Princess in February and just finished my first half marathon. I'll be doing the inaugural Tinker Bell Half in January.

I've done several BL challenges. The challenges have made all the difference to me. For the first time in years, I've finished each year weighing less than I did when I started. I'm in better shape physically than ever. My BMI went from over 42 to 35 in two years. I've accepted that this weight took years to get on and will take years to get off. Every day that things get better is a good day in my book. So I still have a long ways to go and I couldn't do it without all of you!

I really encourage you to give the Healthy Habits (HH) and WIN! (Whittle Inches Now!) a try. There were many times the scale was stuck but the inches went down. It really helps to have another way to track your success!

Rose, thank you so much for getting up and running and keeping us organized! Thanks also to Dona, CC, Connie96 and Buffy!

I wasn't too happy with the numbers that I sent in today but there is lots of room for improvement!

Pamela, good luck with your Relay for Life!

Have a wonderful evening all!

 

[Disneywedding2010]

Afternoon everyone!

Its been a crazy last few days. I'm fighting with one of my student loan lenders because they just don't have their heads on straight at all. I'm spent half the day cleaning and trying to get this house back in order. I was suppose to go to a training session today but I'm still so freaking sore from yesterday. I'm hoping over the weekend I'll recoop and can kick start next week off with a bang!

I need to make a meal plan and grocery list for next week. Everyone have a great weekend! I'm off to send my weigh in information into Donac.