90 Day Fitness & Food Challenge

Rinde99

Well, life has altered this afternoon. I'm evacuating tomorrow morning from SC and heading to Charlotte to my girlfriend's house. Should be interesting transporting my mom and setting up hospice for her. Just gotta go with it. I will try to stay in touch.

aliem

So my cold hit me in the face today. No workout. I have gotten some walking in, but I am so exhausted. Calories are a bit high today, but oh well. My BF had lunch delivered to me . Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Great job Becs!

Stay safe Rinde! That's the only thing that is important. Good luck transporting your mom.

aliem

Still sick today. I have been doing some walking and will get in my 10k steps for the day (hopefully more like 15k). I do feel a bit better, so maybe I will do some form of workout this evening. Food is all over the place, but at least within maintenance. My check in is on Friday, and I am pretty sure I will just be where I was last week. Also, the Seattle trip is back on. I am excited to go, but it certainly won't help my phase three progress....

Hope you are safe and headed to Charlotte today Rinde!

becs3578

Rinde- please be safe. I hope you and your mother can return home soon!

I had a rest day today, another birthday dinner out (sent my leftovers home with my mom so I wouldn't keep eating badly), and back at the gym tomorrow for combat!

Not weighing this week (Thursday usually my day) because it would be depressing after two big nights out.

Aliem- being sick stinks but rest and take care of yourself and you will be 100% soon!

aliem

Feeling a lot better today. Done my walking today. Will be doing a workout tonight. Not sure if I am going to do just cardio (probably dancing) or do a 20-30 minute circuit workout too. Hopefully I do both. Not super excited for my Phase 2 check in (it is actually Saturday, but I will be in Seattle so I moved it up a day). Should have just done it last week with you guys. The sickness and the weekend festivities have me about where I was last week, maybe even up a bit. Oh! And it has been that time of the month (TMI I know), but I totally walked to the store late last night and bought a bag of cheddar popcorn which, is gone as of today (mostly consumed last night.) Whoops! I will say it is a victory that when I went (cravings in full swing) I did notice the ice cream I like (well I guess its gelato) was on sale. I looked through the flavors and while there were some that I did like, I passed on it. So that is a small victory, even though I don't have a huge sweet tooth to begin with. On the good news, the next two weeks should be some prime weight loss weeks. So hopefully I will not do too badly in Seattle and be good to go next week. It's not a birthday party of someone I know, so being guilted into splurges will be harder. Though I do hear they are pretty experienced at throwing spectacular parties, so who knows.

Hope everyone's days went well! I am right there with you Becs. The last few weeks have been rough, diet wise.

aliem

Phase 2 done (well technically tomorrow, but close enough)

Starting weight: 144.6
Goal Weight for phase 1: 135.1 pounds
Goal Weight for phase 2: 127.6 pounds
Phase 1 End Weight: 138.6 (Down 6 pounds!)
Phase 2 End Weight: 132.8 (Down 5.8 pounds, 11.8 in total!) Looks like I am pretty consistent. I definitely tried harder this phase, but I also had a pretty busy schedule. I am still shooting for the 127 by the end of the month, but its going to be harder since we are a week in and I am going to Seattle this weekend! I'll end the challenge with you guys.

Measurements (waist was done day one, all others done two weeks ago):
Waist: 28.5 / 27 / 25.5- down 3 inches
Chest: 38 / 38 / 37- down 1 inch
Hips: 39.5 / 39.25 / 38.5- down 1 inches
Thighs: 24 / 23.75 /22.75- down 1.25 inches (2.5 total)
Calf: 15 / 15 /14.5 - down .5 inches (1 total)
Arm: 12.5 / 12.25 / 12- down .5 inches (1 total)

That is 2.75 inches in phase 1 and 9.5 total in phase 2! That's 6.75 in phase 2! That is double phase 1, even with the same pound loss. I will take that as a win. I think I have maybe another 2 inches in the waist I can lose (when I was fit I was 23-24 in) and maybe a little bit in the chest and hips. I think I am done in the calf department. Some more should come off of my arms and thighs. Most of my fat is in the thighs and arms and at my lower stomach and bust line. But my cellulite is pretty much gone when I squeeze my booty so I am pretty happy about that!

Last night I did both cardio and circuits. I am done with the walking for today. Will definitely get some circuits in, but I was pretty excited to share my results! Eating should be good today. I'll be logging this weekend, so I hope to stay around maintenance, which for me is a paltry 1,500 calories with no exercise because I am pretty short (not quite 5' 2''). I better get some steps in to get that up a bit!

becs3578

Sorry my absence this week. LIFE WAS INSANE... I am doing a reboot and will be back at the gym and healthy eating monday. Dinners out for birthdays and events Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Gym Monday, Tuesday, Thursday only. I feel gross. But Back at it Monday. And tomorrow (at some point) I am prepping a ton of chicken soup (with veggies and wheat pasta) and put up in individual servings so I have healthy dinners for a few weeks set and ready!

ALIEM - You have had a crazy schedule and still losing. That is AMAZING!!! I think your phase 2 results are killer!!!! and look at all the inches!!!!

RINDE _ Just wanted to check in and see how you are your mom are doing. Please let me know when you can.

Rinde99

Sorry I havent checked in before this. Safe and sound in Charlotte but busy. Took Wed off after drive up here but have exercised since. Its been difficult staying on track with food though. Trying, however.

Talked to my neighbor about my house. Trees down in yard and on my roof but no real damage except for torn porch screen. Lots of debris that needs to be cleaned up. Hope to go home on Monday but that's dependent on road accessibility and whether there's power by then. 95 is closed due to flooding and many trees down on roads with cleanup set to start on Sunday. Power lines are down all over the county and of course, no power. Can't transport my mom back until these things are rectified. So it's just a wait and see for the time being.

becs3578

Rinde- So glad to hear from you...and with all you got going on... the challenge can wait! I lived through Katrina and the aftermath. 19 days with no power it was a mess. So you are right to stay in Charlotte with your mom. So glad the house is ok. It is scary when you dont know about damage. Keep us updated and again.. thinking of you!

aliem

Rinde- so glad to hear you are okay. Hope you get to make the trip back tomorrow and get your life back in order. Stay safe and good luck with the trip back. At least there is not too much damage!

This weekend has been super hectic with all of the traveling. Today I am definitely over calories but was able to keep yeaterday on track. Did some laps at my layover in Vegas but that's not enough! Will be back to normal tomorrow. Hopefully I didn't gain too much!

Becs - way to get back at it. Soup sounds yummy!!!!

Rinde99

Quick update: Still no power at my house so can't take my mom back home yet. Staying on track with food has been a problem, but am getting in my hour of exercise.

Rinde99

Just found out I now have power. Will be driving home tomorrow morning and should be back in house by the afternoon.

aliem

Rinde - Great to hear! Good luck with the travels! Glad everything is working out.

Did my first workout of the day (40 minutes of circuits). I can now see my muscles move when I flex my arms (still no real definition yet, but I am sure it's only a few pounds away!) I am only up .6 pounds from my trip and I am sure almost all relates to a late night popcorn binge. I got home sooo late (after midnight) and was just starving, because dinner at 6 pm did not cut it and the airline lost my bag so I was a bit stressed out (the bag was found and they have already dropped it off, so no harm, no foul.) I am pretty excited though. Before the trip, I decided if I hit my goal of 132.6 by tomorrow (since my real weigh in was supposed to be Saturday and not Friday and I was so close and wanted to give myself one day for any water weight from the eating out salt bombs of the trip), I will still give myself the landmark prize (not as big as if I hit my real goal of 127, but it was still a landmark number). So fingers crossed, I will hit it. I think it is looking good, since I was only up .6!

I take sticky notes and put up my goals on the inside door of my closet. One sticky for each pound. Each row is 5 pounds. It is pretty encouraging to see the 120s in the next row (with the only one in my current row being the 132.6!) My rows were running low, so I added my through December 31st goal and now I have numbers that are in the 110s on my door! Since I am going to turn to body fat % once I am around 115-120, I put up those goals as well (in increments of .5, will only look at this weekly because handheld monitors are not perfect and it definitely fluxes greatly during the month based on when I retain water.) It is so motivating to know that I have made it far enough that I needed to put those goals up as well. Can't wait to hit these goals! I have a feeling that in about 10 pounds, I will need to start working with my trainer again. I am starting to outgrow my weights, so will definitely need to grow my collection a little bit very soon!

becs3578

Rinde - HOORAY FOR POWER... I am so glad you can go home. I cant imagine how hard it was to be away with your mom!

Aliem - YOu are killin it. I am so proud of you. I am worried about hitting 127 too.. I dont think it is gonna happen.. but I am going to try to get my butt in gear part of the way this week (still a bunch of things going on ) and then 100% there by next week. I LOVE the stick note idea. Can I put them on my FRIG!


So I wont lie.. I ate badly over the weekend. Feeling very overwhelmed, frustrated with all the "activities" and "events" going on in my life. My family doesnt think my workouts are important... but they are sooo important to me. My workout scene keeps me sane and on the right track. Getting off it last week and again this week have put me in a bad place where I make bad eating decisions and my workouts suffer too.. I need to be better.

aliem

Becs - Great idea putting them on your fridge. I just wanted a place I could have them where everybody would not see it if I had guests over, but I bet on your fridge would be way more motivating to not over eat! It is so satisfying pulling the next one down and even better clearing rows. I make little rewards for each row cleared! Now that I am getting lower, my next two months (October and November) are clearing a row each! It's okay to have a bad week. We have all been there. Especially because both Rinde and I know how on top of it you have been since mid August! It's been about 2 months! Having slip ups here and there are totally okay! Good luck this week!

aliem

So I wanted to do something different today. I realized exactly 3 months ago I took some progress pictures (this was supposed to be my day 1, but fell off the tracks until mid August). So I took some today and wanted to share! Still more to go!





P.S. Hit my milestone I was hoping to hit today! Did my circuits and eating well. Will do a second workout today. Will probably run tonight!

Rinde99

Yay, I'm home with my mom and kitties! My yard man cleaned up all the trees and debris so I had no problems getting in my home. Already emptied my fridge and freezer. Just have to unpack now.

I will get back in the swing of things tomorrow. Will read your entries and catch up!

Aliem, those photos are fantastic! All your hard work has really, really paid off! You look awesome!

aliem

Did my circuits this morning. Only 30 minutes. Did some walking. Plan on doing some running after work near my client. I have a long commute again for the next 4 work days. Last night upped my running to a little bit of interval running, a short stair work out and some running in the sand. Hoping to keep this doubled up workout going. Food is good today. Definitely tired. It is so hard to go from working from home to four hours in the car a day!

Rinde - Great to hear you are back and that your house is fine. Looking forward to your response after your week long evacuation! Great job getting back at it!

Rinde99

Back in the swing of things today. Did my C25k, Week 4, Day 2 run/walk (32 minutes) this morning while hospice CNA and RN were at my house. Two rounds of 3 minute and 5 minute runs so I feel like I'm getting somewhere now. Not sure how I'm gonna manage next Friday's 20 minute run but I'll just stick with the program and hope for the best. Also did 30 Day Fitness Challenge abs and arms for 11 minutes total. Finished with 20 minutes of yoga. Weighed myself this morning and gained a pound which is better than Sunday's weight of 3.5 lbs up. Oh well... October's goal of losing 6 is starting to look bleak.

On the homefront ... Huge tree fell directly across the street from me so I'm feeling very lucky indeed. Although my house is good compared to the smashed ones around town, my yardman just threw downed trees and limbs on my property over the fence to unoccupied house next door. That's not right! Gonna have to get him to come back and rectify the situation. My best friend's backyard is totally filled with debris and a tree is leaning on her house. She can't tell if roof sustained any damage and her landscape guy won't remove it due to liability so she has to wait for professional tree removers to do the job. Estimate of 2 weeks till they can get to her. Again, I'm feeling really blessed with only a torn screen and spoiled food.

Becs: sorry to hear you've been struggling with food and finding the time to exercise. I know it's so difficult to stay with the program when you're spending your evenings out. Hope this week is going better for you.

Alien: you're really rocking it with your workouts! Way to go! And again, I can't believe how different you look minus the 16 lbs. Fantabulous!

Rinde99

Completed my hour workout: 10 minutes of HIIT, 30 minutes of body resistance, and 20 minutes of yoga. Eating back on track. Have weigh-in tomorrow and hope I'm close to the 148 I was a week and a half ago.

aliem

Done with my circuits (30 minutes). I am sooooo sore from the last two days. Did some walking (30 minutes). Will do more later today. Food will be good again today. Weigh in is today. 131.8! That is 3 pounds less than last Thursday and 1 pound less than last Friday. Pretty good for going to Washington over the weekend. I need to step it up though if I want to hit 127 by the 30th! It will probably be a stretch. I have about 1 more week in my cycle where hopefully the pounds melt off, but then the rest of the month will be rough.

Rinde - Great to know that you are all set up and back on track. Hope you and your mom have adjusted back to life. Don't worry about not hitting your 6 pound goal! It happens to all of us. Plus Becs and I need to catch up with you. You have been killing it!

Rinde99

Aliem: you're rocking the weight loss! Wow! If it continues, you should be close to your goal in 2 weeks.

I'm feeling good about my Charlotte weight coming off but on the other hand I've only lost 2 lbs so far this month. AM weight was 147.2. Hoping the next 2 weeks will see the scale move a little more. Also, just .2 till I hit the 30 lb mark. I can't believe I've lost that much weight! Twelve to go! I'm definitely weighing myself tomorrow to see if I hit that mark.

Workout today was 81 minutes: 32 minutes C25k, 29 minutes body resistance, and 20 minutes yoga. Felt good!

aliem

Sooooo tired this morning. This commute is really starting to get to me. I used to do it all the time, but I just have not acclimated to the reduced sleep. At least it is almost the weekend. As a result, I have not done my circuits today. My legs are still sore from the back to back stair/sand workout and the run. Did get in some walking today, but even that was hard to do. Going to run some errands after work, near the client to hopefully lessen the traffic. Also, I am pretty sure I am going to pick up In N Out for dinner. I have been really craving it. Won't go over calories though. Hopefully I get home before 9. If I do, I think I will try to get a workout in. Otherwise, it might just be a rest day.

Rinde - That still is great! As you get closer to your goal weight, it gets harder. Hopefully you will get your 30 pounds this weekend! That is so amazing. I was debating about whether I might try C25K. I need to step up my running intervals more, and most of them have intervals in the beginning. My only worry is that I have really bad knees. Running 10-12 miles a week consistently, generally my knee goes out and I am out of commission for any knee related exercises for about a month. My fear is that if I start it, they usually have you going about 3-4 times a week and as you work your way through the plan, they miles increase to about 9 miles a week, which is kinda cutting it close. Also it is committing to running more, which sounds awful! It's just hard to self motivate to increase the running part of my intervals more. I have been doing it, but probably not at the rate I should be!

Rinde99

I'm joining you, Aliem with feeling tired. Coffee didn't help whatsoever, but I pushed through the feeling and completed my workout anyway. Did a 25 minute barre routine, 15 minute Body by You, 12 minute Fitness Marshall, and 20 minutes of yoga for 72 minutes total. Done!

Weighed myself this morning but scale went in opposite direction so I'm not recording it. Maybe tomorrow or Monday for my 30 lb loss.

Aliem: sorry to hear of your knee problems. Do you have good shoes? Run on a soft surface? Increase mileage gradually? Have your gait checked? Sometimes people have uneven hips which results in knee problems as well. The good news is the weight keeps dropping off of you. Saw your post this morning. Wow!

aliem

Did my 30 minutes of circuits today. Dropped my car off to get serviced this morning and instead of watching tv or bringing my laptop along, I went for a two hour walk! Tonight I am going to dinner and a concert, so hopefully I don't do too badly. I've been pretty good staying within calories and besides last night was good with food in general.

Rinde- great job. It's okay if it goes up and down. That happens all the time. I'm on a weight loss slide right now so it's always good, but I am sure that in a week it will be hard again. As for my knee, I've gotten multiple x rays done on them. It's supposedly cause of how my knee caps are attached which have created "under developed muscles". I put that in quotes because when most people hear that and look at my legs there is a huge eye roll. I did PT for it the first time I had issues and it was pretty useless. It was doing like 10 of things like leg lifts and such that I was previously doing like 100 of them. It's not bad enough for surgery. That would probably cause more issues down the road than I have now. I just have an excuse to not run now! I've got great shoes so I do what I can to not make it worse. And thank you for the praise! Less than one pound until I break into the 120s! (It's still like .9 pounds, but whatever) you are doing a great job too!!!!

becs3578

Let life get in the way this week and only got to the gym monday... and didnt eat well. So phase 3 isnt gonna be good. But I am cooking tomorrow (healthy food to put in my frig and freezer) and back at the gym Monday.

Oct-December are really hard for me with work and I have not been handling well. Can't wait to read all your post tomorrow went I am not at work and crazy.

Rinde99

Becs: Good to hear from you and hope you get some more workouts in this week. I know it's your busiest season and it must be tough.

Aliem: You do have some funky knees! Keep going on the food; you're doing so wonderful.

Sunday workout: 30 minutes cardio dance, 11 minutes body resistance, and 20 minutes yoga. Forgot to weigh in 1st thing this morning so by the time I remembered I'd already had a quart of water. And tonight is dinner over at my daughter's house so the 30lb mark seems to be elusive. Hopefully by Tuesday!

aliem

Rest day today. Food was pretty good and my weight isn't up from last nights dinner out and drinks. I did feel a bit left out cause I had 3 drinks (over 8 hours) vs everyone else having double that. But it was a good time. And I didn't weigh more this morning so it means I didn't over do it! Hoping this week will be a good one. Monday will be a crazy commute but the rest of the week should be less bad. Food is prepped for the week. Ready to rock it!

Rinde - Great job getting your workout in! Hope your dinner went well. Fingers crossed for Tuesday!

Becs- no worries. Hope food prep went well. I know it's hard when life gets in the way. End of January through March is the crazy time at work for me. Most years I've gained sufficient weight during it, but the year before last I was able to not only not gain weight, but lose a bunch! It was really hard and took a ton of planning but I made it work. This last year not only was it a crazy time but I had medical issues so it didn't go as planned. Hopefully I can do a repeat of the year before last this next time! I have faith that once you get back on track, you will succeed!

Rinde99

Woo-hoo! I did it! Weighed myself this morning and I'm past the 30lb point with 30.8 total! Only 11.8 to go!

aliem

Great job Rinde! Way to go!

I was hoping to be in the 120s by today, but I am stuck at 130.8. I mean it's only been 3 days and two of them were the weekend, when I am less regimented. That doesn't mean I did not want to keep losing at a rapid rate! I hope by the weigh in on Thursday I will be below 130! Still want to hit 127! Done with circuits today. Did a bit of walking this morning, but cut short due to the long commute and the first rain of the season. Drivers are crazy when it rains here. Will do running intervals after work, assuming it is not raining. Don't want to do run in both darkness and rain. Especially since I will not be running near home. Hope everyone's day goes well!