2008 Valentine's Day Challenge -- Join Us!

[xoxohart]

Hi everyone,

I'm going to go ahead and get this started!

My starting weight is 151 -- 11 pounds over goal.

Here are my goals:

Weigh every day
Weight training at least 2x/week
Journal 3-7 times per week
No potato chips or low-nutrient types of crunchy snacks

[girliepurple]

HURRAY!!

My goal is to get back to my WW goal weight of 145, then my personal goal of 143. Then, I want to maintain it within 4 lbs. of either goal...forever. ;D

How will I do this? Starting today....
I will watch portion control and eat Core 90% of the time.
I will cook and freeze Core meals.
I will keep Core snacks on hand at work.
I will get 4 APs 5/6x a week.
I will attend my WW meeting each week.
I will journal every week day.

[xoxohart]

Day three back on Core, three pounds down. I know it is water weight, but it reinforces the magic of Core. It just works, if you work it. I don't know why I've been having such a hard time.

[girliepurple]

3 lbs. in 3 days?? YAY water weight!! ;D Ah yes, Core magic. I gonna get me some too. I went to my meeting last night and I am maintaining my 7 lbs. over goal... time to get rid of it.

Hellllooooo.... everyone besides me and Coco....come baaaaaaccckkkk.... just let us know if you're lurking! Please?

[chicagobeth]

Hey ladies-

I have been lurking a bit. We have been gone for 2 weeks on a driving trip to Florida and we are on our way home, scheduled to arrive Saturday night. I would like to just get back in the game of eating right and exercising on a regular basis. We still have 2 weeks of special occasions when I get home to deal with but they will be over soon.

Hope everyone's holidays were great!

-Beth

[xoxohart]

Beth! Really good to "see" you.

Weight this morning: 148.5, up half a pound since yesterday. I don't care at all because I know my weight fluctuates as much as 3 pounds on any given day. What is important is the overall trend. Weighing myself every day is a way to keep on top of the trend and also to de-sensitize myself to "the number," which is not nearly as important as how my clothes fit and how I'm feeling physically and mentally!

I am a little bit sick but for some reason yesterday didn't drink enough water. Today's mini-goal is to push the water. Also, today my "no chips" rule will be tested as I will be alone in my classroom, where the chips are, writing a report and getting ready for the big return of children next week. I'm not going to stress over work, though. If I really feel the strong need to eat chips, I'm going to pack up the 'puter and bring my work home, away from temptation.

[geha]

Well, it has been a LONG time since I have done any sort of on program type of eating. Mom came in June and stayed for nearly six months. She is over 80, has chronic leukemia and needs an eagle eye on her more than I realized...or...perhaps the stress of her being here 24/7 for that period of time was my excuse? I took her back to my brother's in November, ate a lot for over a month getting my fixes of foods from the USA, ate some more here in Lebanon over the holidays and found I was in charge of a big luncheon for foreign ladies soon after my return.

With no further REAL excuses I believe it is time to buckle down and get back on program. I know it works and since hubby will be away for a few days this is a golden opportunity to get back to eating healthy again.

Will post when I can.

It is late here in Fih on my hilltop but...knowing I have a plan for tomorrow is one very positive thing that I have done today.

Cathy in Fih, Lebanon

[xoxohart]

I'm glad you're back, Cathy! I hear you about being off schedule and therefore off program. In fact, that was the topic of our WW meeting today. No more excuses for me, either!

Today I went to my first WW meeting since September. I received all new materials. Does anyone know when they reverted back to the original Core snack rules (basically being able to snack on any Core food)? I found that interesting, and also motivating. There's just something about being able to follow WW's current plan, as written, that motivates me more than feeling like I am "cheating" by eating an egg for a snack.

I also bought a new Franklin Covey planner today and am going to schedule exercise into my work week, just like I schedule everything else. My health is just as important as meetings, volunteer work, WORK, and driving carpool.

[chicagobeth]

Sounds like everyone is feeling strong and determined. I am going to weigh in this morning, get the number and move on. We went grocery shopping last night and bought lots of fresh produce. Tonight I am making a turkey breast, asparagus and couscous. My birthday is this week but I will try and keep the cake to just a few bites.

Yes - we are back to the old Core where there are no snack rules.

Onward and downward...thanks for being here!

-Beth

[xoxohart]

Today's challenge -- just being too busy. I need to make sure that I spend some time cooking and exercising (walking the dog). And as busy as today will be, Winter Break ends tomorrow morning at 7 a.m., so I'd better get used to it!

What are your special challenges today and this week?

[chicagobeth]

Went to the meeting this morning as planned - I am up 5 pounds over goal. Not happy. Not surprised either. This will not be a continuing trend - I'm getting my act together.

My challenge this week is my birthday. Why does eating always have to be a part of a special occasion? I guess that's what is part of society. But I am going to be good to myself this week by eating healthy and exercising.

It is 61 degrees here so I'm going to go for a walk - here in Chicago I need to take advantage of that temperature! I have a turkey breast bubbling away in the slow cooker for dinner.

Have a good week ladies!

-Beth

[geha]

My challenges?
-To get back on program mentally as well as physically.
-Not to look at the number of pounds to be lost but the healthier lifestyle to be acquired.
-To get back into exercising again.
-And...have a luncheon this Wednesday with the International Women that could be calorie abundant and not Core friendly.

Cathy

[chicagobeth]

Good morning all-

My dinner last night went well and there are plenty of leftovers for tonight. I went for a short 30 minute walk yesterday and I should be able to get in one today as well. I think the weather is still pretty warm today. Pretty amazing considering less than a week ago it was 2 degrees here in Chicago.

Plan for today: Following the 8 HGs and getting in water.

Beth

[xoxohart]

Back to work today. Today's challenge: Getting in some kind of exercise, preferably walking the poor dog. If it's not stormy, I will do that tonight at 6:00. Otherwise, I will pack my gym clothes and sneak over to the gym for a quick workout before I come home.

[girliepurple]

Hi, Cathy!! So glad to "see" you again! Hi, Beth and Coco!

Busy schedules causing us to get off program seems to be the norm around here. It is very hard when your schedule gets thrown off. But live and learn... I'm glad we are here to encourage each other and get back on WW!

They went back to the old Core snack rules on December 10. I'm so glad too, since I never changed over to the 6 snacks allowed anyway. ;D I figured a Core food is a Core food and if I want to snack on something, I'll make it Core and I didn't count the points. Not that I snack much anyway. My problem the past 6 months was less exercise and still eating the same portions, and not staying on program. No more!

In addition to exercing at home after work, I have decided to take advantage of the gym at work. We are in a new building temporarily until our new location is ready, probably by March 1. There will be an extensive gym in our new building too. But for now, this one has a few treadmills, an ellyptical, weights, stationary bikes, etc. I will go Tues. and Thurs. for 1/2 hr, I want to try the ellyptical (sp?). I need decent workout clothes though, lol at home I just wear 10 yr. old bike shorts and a sports bra...can't scare people at work that way! I will get some new clothes tonight!