Weight Loss/Health Challenge

[Sunshine O'Brightly]

I've been reading several posts of people who are trying to lose weight. I was just wondering if anyone would like to join me in doing a weight loss challenge - kindof like they do on Weight Watchers.

For example - I set a challenge for myself today of losing 10 lbs by Sept. 18 - Tablerock Fantasy Faire date. It's a short term goal that I think I can do. Dr. says I need to lose 50 pounds, but hat's just a little bit more than I can get my mind around.

Someone else might set an excercise challenge like "exercise 3x/week. Or whatever. Maybe just stay on your chosen plan each day.

We could check in with each other every day and support each other's goals. Any takers? Oh by the way - I'm on WW and try to stay as low starch as possible.
Sunshine

[Will Tessa]

sure! you're on! I'll bite. I've been trying to drop the weight I put on. Since I can't get to the gym right now with the hours that I work, I just have to eat better.

[Sunshine O'Brightly]

sure! you're on! I'll bite. I've been trying to drop the weight I put on. Since I can't get to the gym right now with the hours that I work, I just have to eat better.

Excellent! Are you joining me in my challenge or do you have one specific to yourself?

[Absinthe d'Accalia]

Count me in, too! I've had some setbacks recently - gained back about 5 or 6 pounds and need to get my booty (and the rest of me) remotivated.

I think 10# in 6 weeks should be reasonable, don't you? And I'm going to add in doing yoga at least 2x a week.

Thank you for this suggestion Sunshine! :aok:

[Will Tessa]

Excellent! Are you joining me in my challenge or do you have one specific to yourself?[/quote]

I'll join you in yours. It's a goal for me to start with!

[Sunshine O'Brightly]

Count me in, too! I've had some setbacks recently - gained back about 5 or 6 pounds and need to get my booty (and the rest of me) remotivated.

I think 10# in 6 weeks should be reasonable, don't you? And I'm going to add in doing yoga at least 2x a week.

Thank you for this suggestion Sunshine! :aok:

Great idea about the yoga 2x/week. I'll add that to mine too. I really need to strengthen up. Glad you joined us Absinthe.

[emalia]

I joined a challenge at work that started July 27th for four weeks. It is a loose what you can and the greatest % lost wins the pot. Well at Tuesday's weigh in, I had lost 6 lbs.. ;) I am in 2nd place.

I too will join the challenge to loose. However, I will just keep doing what I have been doing. ;)

[Sunshine O'Brightly]

I joined a challenge at work that started July 27th for four weeks. It is a loose what you can and the greatest % lost wins the pot. Well at Tuesday's weigh in, I had lost 6 lbs.. ;) I am in 2nd place.

I too will join the challenge to loose. However, I will just keep doing what I have been doing. ;)

Wow - you go girl. I hope the pot is huge!

[Sunshine O'Brightly]

Hi everybody! Hope your weekends were great. Mine was a bit of a challenge - diet wise. But, I'm planning for a good week.

Just wanted to check in.
S.

[Absinthe d'Accalia]

Me too (re: challenging weekend) - it's PMS time, so my chocolate craving monster was at it. Lucy had a great suggestion about buying the sugar-free fudsicles to have during that time. But I've already downed two bottles of water, and had my Dannon Light-n-Fit smoothie, so it's a good start!

[Mistress Kristi]

Ok, so it is time to restart my diet and my exercise routine. I joined a new gym which in turn will help me restart my diet. My goal is 30 pounds by thanksgiving! I'm going to Daytona Beach with family (my cousin is 5'1" and 105 pounds) and I want to shock the heck out of them. I am now 185 pounds and I wear a size 14 (sometimes I can fit into a 12).

I guess what this means is I accept your challenge!

[emalia]

Kristi,
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.. You have re-affrimed that I am not far from my goal of size 12s.. ;)

I am 181 as of last week and a size 14 still.

As for check in...

Well being a shut in for two days does something for a diet.. BLOWS IT! I ate junk for 2 days this week! I bet that I completely blew my losing streak!

[Nevada]

a friend just tells herself that shes allergic to certain foods...and that way she avoids them...in a way she's right..if you are truly allergic to something you have a reaction that makes you ill....now if you eat foods that you shouldnt that cause you to gain weight, feel cruddy about yourself then it's kind of like having an allergy....might help some

[Sunshine O'Brightly]

Well, since Sunday I have had something really wrong with my knees - like they were swollen or somthing - but today was surprise TOM and I think maybe it was just water. Has anyone else had that happen - water in their knees due to tom water gain? It was new for me and kind of freaked me out!

Nevada - I like this idea of being allergic to something - I might try it.
Hi Mistriss Kristi - glad you joined us in the challenge. Good luch at the gym. The beach is a great goal.

Now as for my yoga goal - I'm not too good at yoga, so I'm going to start with my son's yoga video - just my speed!

Have a great day everybody.
S.

[emalia]

Well.. It's official.. I gained 2 lbs back.. =( I knew that the shut in was going to blow it.. But then again I am also due for my cycle next week sometime, and I am ret water like a mad woman. My hands are all swollen, I couldn't get my ring off so far today. I just put it on Friday.

[Susie Sweetz]

I'll join too! Here is my contribution: http://www.chartjungle.com/8glassesofwaterchart.html

A printable chart to keep everyone drinking 8 glasses of water a day!
Will we provide weight loss amounts in this group?

[Sunshine O'Brightly]

Emalia - have you tried any of the herbs that are supposed to help water retention. I just found tea that is supposed to help with that. I'll let y'all know if it's any good. I try to be careful about taking herbs - I like things that are gentle.

Thanks for the chart 3Dee! I hung it by my desk - everylittle bit helps. Glad you joined us.

I'm thinking that disclosure of weight and amount lost could be on an individual basis as folks feel comfortable.
S.

[Mistress Kristi]

Kristi,
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.. You have re-affrimed that I am not far from my goal of size 12s.. ;)

Go to New York & Co. You'll fit into a size 12 no problem. I can actually get myself into some of their 10's. They are cut large so I know it's not a REAL 10 but it is nice to put on a 10 again and it kinda keeps me going. 8)

[emalia]

Emalia - have you tried any of the herbs that are supposed to help water retention. I just found tea that is supposed to help with that. I'll let y'all know if it's any good. I try to be careful about taking herbs - I like things that are gentle.

Thanks for the chart 3Dee! I hung it by my desk - everylittle bit helps. Glad you joined us.

I'm thinking that disclosure of weight and amount lost could be on an individual basis as folks feel comfortable.
S.

I will see what the morning brings.. I have been "off my feed" as Mom puts it, in that we were holed up for the Hurrinevercame, and then no gym since last Wednesday.. I fell all sorts of off kilter. So I will see what happens. I am back on the program i was on tonight as classes at the Gym and my schedule have finally "normalized" I think that this will also cut out my cravings for JUNK..

As for the Chart.. there is no way in H-e double toothpicks that I will EVER drink 8 glasses of water using my normal cup. I am working on my third 32Oz cup for the day. I always drink lots, and I was short yesterday, so that could be part of my problem too.

[emalia]

Kristi,
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.. You have re-affrimed that I am not far from my goal of size 12s.. ;)

Go to New York & Co. You'll fit into a size 12 no problem. I can actually get myself into some of their 10's. They are cut large so I know it's not a REAL 10 but it is nice to put on a 10 again and it kinda keeps me going. 8)

I will try that.. Perhaps when I am feeling ab it down.. Even if I just go try on clothes and not get anything, it will make me feel better. ;)

[Susie Sweetz]

I'm thinking that disclosure of weight and amount lost could be on an individual basis as folks feel comfortable.

Good idea! Besides I don't have a scale yet. Well a working correctly one.

:)

My biggest worry is when school starts for myself & my kids. I snack WAY too much. that is my big problem.

Any suggestions on how to curb that?
Also how do I survive living with a thin forever hubby who can ( and does) eat anything?!

[emalia]

I'm thinking that disclosure of weight and amount lost could be on an individual basis as folks feel comfortable.

Good idea! Besides I don't have a scale yet. Well a working correctly one.

:)

My biggest worry is when school starts for myself & my kids. I snack WAY too much. that is my big problem.

Any suggestions on how to curb that?
Also how do I survive living with a thin forever hubby who can ( and does) eat anything?!

Chew Gum, drink water, Sugar free suckers, and buy healthy snacks.

[Absinthe d'Accalia]

Water, water, water - that definitely helps to keep the snacking at bay. When you catch yourself reaching for something to snack on, drink a glass of water. It usually does the trick.

But for hormonally-driven potato chip/chocolate cravings, I'm clueless as to what the solution is for nipping that in the bud...:::...thinking I have to get those fudgesicles that Lucy was talking about...::::...

[Sunshine O'Brightly]

OK - here's my problem that I could use some advice on.

I do OK in the mornings, I eat breakfast and bring a healthy snack. I can't seem to stay on track for Lunch. I get terrible cravings for Chinese food - then I seem to have NO discipline and just go pig out. Even if I bring my lunch, sometimes I leave it in the office or freezer and just go buy something yummy. Then I feel guilty.

What to do?

[MacKahlia]

alright ladies... I'll join you! I have been trying to lose the weight I gained in college - I've got a long haul in front of me... 70lbs!!! .... but I've gained weight by eating right and exercising... so, I could use the supportive environment!
Exercise three times a week and eat right... good goal... little at a time... good goal....

Here goes nothing... new start TODAY.... at 230lbs... size 20. :blech: :pfft: :oops: I'm hoping for a size 14 by next spring...Help?

[Sunshine O'Brightly]

Welcome to our challenge MacHalia, glad you are here with us. I understand those big goals (mine is 50 lbs total). That's why I broke it down into 10lb. increments. I just didn't think I could do that much.

Hang in there and just let us know how you are doing. Do you have a small goal to start with?
Sunshine

[Mistress Kristi]

One thing that REALLY helped me lose weight was keeping a food journal. If you write down EVERYTHING you eat (no cheating) you will eventually stop eating the junk because you don't want to see it written down. And my favorite weightloss saying is "Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels."

[emalia]

alright ladies... I'll join you! I have been trying to lose the weight I gained in college - I've got a long haul in front of me... 70lbs!!! .... but I've gained weight by eating right and exercising... so, I could use the supportive environment!
Exercise three times a week and eat right... good goal... little at a time... good goal....

Here goes nothing... new start TODAY.... at 230lbs... size 20. :blech: :pfft: :oops: I'm hoping for a size 14 by next spring...Help?


Congrats and welcome to the Club!!! HUGS!!! We can do it!! I just know we CAN!!

You are where I was last year, and I am a 14 today.. So it can be done!

[Sunshine O'Brightly]

You are so right. I need to journal. When I lost weight before that's exactly what I did. I will begin anew tomorrow with my journaling.

And tonight Yoga Kids! At least I know I can do that!

Onward! :arrow:

[MacKahlia]

ok ladies! I am just so glad to have encouragement and hope! I think my first goal is 10 lbs by the end of faire season. thats 10 weeks - 10lbs... small goal. and I think its very doable.

Food journal...ok, I'll try it.
Water - we'll see about it, this being a teacher and not getting bathroom breaks when you need them....
I truly truly beleive in the sugar free candy and popicles. it really really helps those cravings. I actually have been this size before and lost the weight... i just gained it back in college :roll: frat girl. :roll:

This supportive environment is gonna be a BIG HELP. I just know it. I guess I need to find someplace with a scale to keep tabs....

[Absinthe d'Accalia]

MacKahlia - does the school nurse have a scale? (you mentioned you were a teacher...)

[MacKahlia]

you know... the school nurse might just have one... but then I have to go find her :wink: I managed not to in a year already... hm... I think she's in the basement somewhere....
Sorry, its a REALLY big school. We have 4000 kids this year.... its not really good to be in the halls between classes... I'll have to try afterschool - but thanks for the tip, I wouldnt have thought of that!

[Sunshine O'Brightly]

Well, I made it through lunch - got some sushi, which in the Weight Watchers world is point friendly. AND I asked a friend of mine if I can call her if I am having a Chinese Food craving - like an AA emergency call. she said she'd give me some tough (but kind) love.
I think I'm going to have to take this almost hour by hour untill I see some results.

Picked up some oranges for a snack and will be in a training most of the afternoon - which will keep me buisy.

Everyone else doing OK?
S.

[Mistress Kristi]

Well, I made it through lunch - got some sushi, which in the Weight Watchers world is point friendly. AND I asked a friend of mine if I can call her if I am having a Chinese Food craving - like an AA emergency call. she said she'd give me some tough (but kind) love.
I think I'm going to have to take this almost hour by hour untill I see some results.

Just so you know, chicken and broccoli is like 2 points per cup. So you can indulge in your chinese and still be weight watchers friendly. I went grocery shopping today and got some fruit and frozen dinners (I'm not a big cooker). But I also got hershey kisses, they are chocolate but I don't like them enough that I'll binge. That's my update so far LOL

[MacKahlia]

Well, my good news is one whole day of eating right. :D My sister came to visit, so she is giving me support to!

well, its a start.

[Sunshine O'Brightly]

I think it's a wonderful start! :aok: I was able to eat right all day too. Just finished dinner.

Yea for us! :bananada:

[Absinthe d'Accalia]

I had a good day food-wise too. Although I did drink too much coffee today (but at least it was with Splenda & Land o' Lakes fat free half-n-half), but I also drank five bottles of water, so I'm thinking it evens out.

Plus I mowed the back yard with our (non-self-propelled) push mower. I wonder how many activity points Weight Watchers says that is....

[Sunshine O'Brightly]

Plus I mowed the back yard with our (non-self-propelled) push mower. I wonder how many activity points Weight Watchers says that is....

I can check on-line and get back with you on the points.

Well, I just had a reality check! :shock:

I put on my bodice etc. Let's just say the girls were NOT happy. And when the girls ain't happy, ain't nobody happy - if you catch my drift.

I have got alot of work to do before Sept. 18. :workout:

I do not want the reason I buy a new bodice to be because I got FAT! :irked:
It WILL be because I would like to have a new piece of garb.

[Sunshine O'Brightly]

Plus I mowed the back yard with our (non-self-propelled) push mower. I wonder how many activity points Weight Watchers says that is....

I couldn't find mowing the lawn in the lists of activities on WW. But, if you want to pm me with 3 pieces of information, I can get a guestimate for you.

your weight, duration of activity and intensity level (low, mod. or high).

Another nice site is www.caloriesperhour.com

nite y'all. :zzz:

[Ysobelle]

Y'know, I still have my Weight Watchers Online account. If anyone wants to know Points for anything, ask me. It'll keep me going back to the site, and might give me some motivation.


And I need all of THAT I can get.

[Absinthe d'Accalia]

I bought that 8 Minutes in the Morning book by Jorge Cruise this past weekend. I'm reading through it - looks good.

One of the things he has you do is take 'before' pictures. I've learned a very big lesson this past weekend - DO NOT TAKE 'BEFORE' PICS WHEN YOU'RE PMS-ING & ARE HAVING A CASE OF THE 'UGLIES'!!! I had my hubby take the pics with the digital camera, I downloaded them, opened them up and proceeded to bawl. Gah, what was I thinking? I know in some rational part of my mind, it was saying - self, you might want to wait a week to take/view these pics...but no, I forged forth and did it anyway. Dontcha just love hormones?Oy. :grumpy:

On a brighter note - I bought another little book A Morning Cup of Tai Chi (I almost typed 'a morning cup of chai tea...yummmmm). It comes with a 15 minute audio CD - it's very cool. The author breaks down the movements into number shapes (1-10) and associates words (representing feeling/emotion/action) with each number. Definitely makes it easier to remember! The dogs were funny when I was doing the CD last night - Maisy kept putting her paw out to me and Smokey would come and lie down right where I was stepping to put my foot down. :roll:

[Isabella]

Here's some imput that I've used while loosing weight from my health food store here locally. It's the owners weight lost list of things to do.

From www.susansnaturalworld.com

I am not a doctor or dietician, so please use my suggestions wisely. Check with
your doctor and/or pharmacist if you are taking prescription drugs, especially
before using herbal products.


On the subject of natural weight control, I feel I can shed light on habits and helpers found in nature.

It is very important to adopt an attitude of eating to live rather than living to eat. We must eat
a variety of food groups and many colors and textures daily. In them, we find fibers,
pectins, enzymes and phytonutrients which support the functions of our metabolic systems.

Ten Things To Do:

Drink water (divide body weight in half, drink that many ounces daily).
Eat small, frequent meals to balance blood sugar and energy levels.
Eat a rainbow every day. The colors of the foods are vital. The darker the colors,
the more nutrients, as a rule.
Aid the digestion by eating living foods with naturally-occurring enzymes (yogurt, apples, papayas, pineapples, etc.).
Eat high-fiber foods, such as, grains, beans, seeds, nuts, berries, etc.
Eat a variety of organic fruits and vegetables daily, all colors.
Eat a variety of healthy fats, such as, avocados, nuts, seeds, flax, olive oil, and grapeseed. (Omega 3's are important fats to eat while dieting and not dieting. They help relubricate the human body "engine" and help us run better. They lubrcate between bones, and help us feel less "creeky". They also help us feel more "full". I take two a day. I buy them at CVS for 6.99 for 100 count. Cheap but effective!)
Eat high quality protein foods, such as grains, beans, seeds, nuts, organic eggs, organic (Almonds can be stored in Altoid Tins for a good diet high in protien and great for omega 3s and colon and for men prostate health! -Isabella)
dairy and soy cheeses, fish from deep, cold water (salmon, halibut, tuna).
Don't overeat fish. (High levels of mercury are harmful for women of child barring ages, so be careful of the types of fish you injest. -Isabella)
Drink teas that aid in digestion, such as, peppermint, red clover, burdock,
milk thistle, green tea.
Breathe deeply every day and find a form of exercise that you enjoy and do it
on a regular basis. I dance and walk while wearing light ankle and wrist weights.

Ten Things Not To Do:

Avoid hydrogenated and partially-hydrogenated fats, ALL OF THEM.
Avoid all soft drinks, bad for bone density.
Avoid all white flour (breads, crackers, cookies, etc.).
Avoid all refined sugar. Use raw honey, maple syrup, molasses. (I use steeva, it's from South America and wonderful as a sugar replacer. -Isabella)
Avoid processed meats, such as, bacon, luncheon meats, hot dogs. The preservatives are carcinogenic.
Avoid all "fake foods" (artificial sweeteners, flavorings, colors).
Avoid processed fruit juice drinks. (Fruit drinks are high in sugars that can cause in some women an accessive bloat in their large intestion leading to the colon. It can be uncomfterable and cause problems with all sorts of digestion. -Isabella)
Avoid excessive saturated fat. Eat a variety of good fats.
Avoid canned foods loaded with too much salt.
Avoid eating out frequently. You can't control the quality of ingredients.

Susan's (the owner) Favorite Weight Control Helpers

Spirulina - controls appetite, balances blood sugar.
Green tea extract - helps liver to cleanse toxins, hormones, and fat.
L-carnitine - fat-burning amino acid, use on empty stomach.
Enteric-coated acidolphilus - I use Pearls by Enzymatic Therapy.
Calcium pyruvate - fat-absorbing fiber from apples.
Digestive enzymes with major meals.
Calcium, magnesium formula - take at bedtime.
Holy Basil - balances sugar and controls stress.
Chromium picolinate - balances blood sugars and metabolizes fats.
Relora - for overeating caused by anxiety.


Also if your going to eat box TV dinners, check that they don't have more than 42grams of Carbohydrates a serving. Too many accessive carbs and the more water you'll have to consume.

I do the half my weight in water a day. It is a struggle, but when I get it ALL in, it's fantastic. If you worry about not getting it all, I carry bottles of water in rubbermaid drinking containers with me EVERYWHERE. I've got water bottle hand! If you have issues with water, try adding two drops of orange essencial oils or lemon essencial oil to your water to taste. It's very strong so for a gallon work with how many drops, between 3 to 7 should do the trick. Makes drinking all that water fun too!

Changing eatting habits over night is rough, but if it's slow and introduced over right it'll work out great, and you'll feel fantastic! I promise! I lost 10lbs with drinking half my weight in water, realize that the insentive is that when you loose weight, you are going down in Ounces of water a day, so it's not like you'll consume gallons after gallon once you've started loosing. I'm getting back onto the water kick, so I'm starting at square one too. I drink tap and spring water (if I'm out and run out of water) so either doesn't matter, it's just that you GET your water. ;)

Isabella

[Isabella]

[quote="Absinthe d'Accalia"]I bought that 8 Minutes in the Morning book by Jorge Cruise this past weekend. I'm reading through it - looks good.

I LOVE this book! It's fantastic for it's wealth of information about eatting! It's where I got into my Omega 3 kick. ;)

OOoo Good Butter guys is Bremmel and Brown's Butter, made with Soy and Yogert. No Transfats and it's wonderful! ;)

[Sunshine O'Brightly]

Official Friday Weigh-In

I lost a pound this week! Yeh for me! :bananada:
Thanks for all the suggestions Isabella!

Y'all have a great day.
Sunshine

[Isabella]

If my bloat wasn't too bad looks like I went down a lb. and a quarter. ;) Woot!

No problem Sunshine. ;) Glad to offer them up. :)

[Sunshine O'Brightly]

Isabella - you go girl.

Say ladies - my computer got zapped by the storm. I'm sitting at the library catching up a bit - but it looks like I'll be out till Monday and I can get back to work.

Have a great weekend.
Sunshine

[Isabella]

Aww, zapped? Is it gonna recover?

[Sunshine O'Brightly]

Well after an amazingly good phone call with Dell India, we discovered that it is only the modem card. I just ordered a new one.

I was really afraid of getting a service person from India - in that I didn't know if we would be able to communicate well. But, he was very patient with me (it took over an hour to crack open and trouble shoot the computer) and we had some good laughs.

He said his name was "Carl". I asked him if that was his real name and he said 'that is my official name'. He spelled out his real name and I tried to say it (too funny). He had a good sense of humor. We discussed the weather in India and it was 3 in the morning there.

So, I hope other people have good experiences with service folks in India - the person I got really tried hard and knew his "stuff".

He is supposed to call me back on Saturday for a follow-up phone call to make sure I get may card and it get's set up properly - amazing.