30 Day Challenge Part 2

Ultrawomanll

So crappy news for me, the scale I was using at home was way off and broken and my hubby and I just bought a new one yesterday. So all my numbers were wrong I don't know what I lost (if i did lose, im pretty sure I did but who knows) and I definitely don't know what my starting weight was. I know in Jan I was 172 but as far as when this challenge started I don't' know what it was. OH man~!! I'm still going to continue but we can't count my numbers I'm so disappointed. But im not going to let it bring me down. I'm just going to start from the new number and when this challenge ends I'll be able to start another one with the correct facts this time. lol
So January 172
So todays weight with the new scale 166.7
So if I can bring that down by one or two pounds by next week that'll make me happier. lol
goal weight for next week. 164
but on the positive side January -March I lost 5.3 lbs

kylakesgal

Ah so sorry to hear about your scale ultrawoman but that's ok. This challenge will end on Monday but we are going to continue with a "Spring into Fitness" challenge which will go on until St. Patty's Day. Still it has to be annoying to not know how much you have lost! Don't let it get you down though, just continue on:) Did you possibly get your measurements before the challenge started?

singer201

Spring into Fitness goes until Apr 24, 6 weeks. (St. Patrick's Day is Mar 17--next week Wednesday.)

ceejay000

Hi everyone!

I wanted to share a resource I learned about today with you all. I was in class, and we were learning about diabetes, and the doctor leading the discussion told us about this website that he uses with his patients when he's trying to work on portion control.

http://www.calorieking.com

It is a huge database of nutrition facts on almost any kind of food, and it has calorie and nutrition data for most chain restaurants as well. I think I'm going to use it more, especially if I'm going to eat out and I don't know what's in the meal I'm eating. Hopefully you find it helpful as well!

Edit: I tried to make the website a clickable link several times, but I can't figure out how to do it. If anyone has any advice, let me know.

oliviawink

my new food was a fiber one bar that angela (kylakesgal) had recommended to me a while back and a low cal and healthy sweet fix. it was fantastic! So glad I bought a 10 pack, but they're so good I have to restrain myself to only eat 1/day!

kylakesgal

Thanks ceejay for that link. I will check that out:) Oh Olivia on the fiber one bars, if you haven't found out already, they will possibly make you pass gas so I would eat those on an off day to see how they affect you. I was embarrassed when I first bought them because I was at work trying them for first time. I even was passing them out to other employees. Well anyway, I was a Curves fitness trainer at the time and I had to be on the circuit at all times. Whoa! My body was not used to all that fiber lol. Glad you like them though. Also the great value are great too. I have the oats and chocolate now.

kylakesgal

Something new I tried today~~ Ok just made a personal pan pizza for just 230 calories. I was amazed at the low calories when I added it to my food diary. I used Joseph's oat bran & stone ground whole wheat pita as the crust. (can be purchased at walmart in the deli), black olives, red onions, fresh mushrooms, and bell peppers. Only thing I won't use next time is the turkey pepperoni because of the high sodium. I thought I would share this:) Was very delicious and satisifed my hunger for pizza;)! Yeah!

Note: this brand of pita bread only has 60 calories for a whole one. I've been making sandwiches by cutting them in half and you have bread for just 30 calories

oliviawink

Something new I tried today~~ Ok just made a personal pan pizza for just 230 calories. I was amazed at the low calories when I added it to my food diary. I used Joseph's oat bran & stone ground whole wheat pita as the crust. (can be purchased at walmart in the deli), black olives, red onions, fresh mushrooms, and bell peppers. Only thing I won't use next time is the turkey pepperoni because of the high sodium. I thought I would share this:) Was very delicious and satisifed my hunger for pizza;)! Yeah!

Note: this brand of pita bread only has 60 calories for a whole one. I've been making sandwiches by cutting them in half and you have bread for just 30 calories

great idea - thanks for the tip! I've been avoiding sandwiches, but with that few cals, it's a great substitue!

kylakesgal

Your welcome Olivia and it has great protein too (7g for a whole pita) and 5 g of fiber. I think I'll try a grilled chicken pizza next time:)
Allright we are all dieting and it's really important to not skip ANY of the food groups. Our bodies need bread, fruits and veggies, fats (sparingly) meats or proteins and milk servings. I don't know about you but it is really hard to get all the needed amounts in daily! So I suggest multi-vitamins to fill in the gaps.
******Wednesdays Challenge******
If you aren't already taking a vitamin supplement, you may want to check into it. I was reading that someone working out needs more fuel and vitamins to function properly. Try taking one in the morning with food to help you work out longer and harder. Other great vitamins are Vitamin C which corrects damage done by stress to the body. Vitamin E which helps maintain the tissues in our bodies. Vitamin B2 B3 and B4 for proper functioning of the throid and also Vitamin B complex which plays an important role in how fast our body can digest food and turn it into energy.
Share with us what you think of taking food supplements and vitamins. If you are already taking them, share with us what you feel helps you.

kylakesgal

Wednesdays Challenge- Continued and edited:)

Ok I meant to change it up some but I had already edited so couldn't.
***The challenge is to make sure you get ALL of your food groups in your diet tomorrow.*** Supplements are just a great way to do this. I realized what I posted really wasn't that much of a challenge.....sorry for the confusion.

ceejay000

Great challenge! I started taking a multivitamin (One A Day Women's) right around the time I joined MFP. I don't drink a lot of milk, and I realized how little calcium and also iron I was getting in my diet. I can't say I've noticed a difference, but it feels good knowing I'm getting in all of my vitamins and minerals. I don't take any other supplements.

As far as the real challenge goes, I think I need to eat a few more veggies during the day. I've been eating a lot more fruits and vegetables over the last few weeks, but it never hurts to get a few more in.

Edit: I also wanted to add that I usually take my vitamin with dinner because in the morning I might want to have something caffeinated, and I think I've heard that caffeine and carbonation can decrease the absorption of some vitamins and minerals (specifically calcium). That's just something to think about.

jessicamarie81

I started taking the One A Day VitaCraves, you take two gummies a day, I like them because they are kinda like a little "candy" treat, lol.

singer201

I've been using Costco's Mature Multi-vitamin (just checked the other day and it doesn't have iron--may have to look into that), fish oil, cinnamon, and calcium. Also take glucosamine/chondroitin for ouchy knees. Just added biotin to see if it will improve the quality of my fingernails.

I learned about the benefits of cinnamon, glucosamine/chondroitin, Omega 3's, and biotin supplements from having horses. We were also very careful of what we fed them as older horses can become, and many ponies and thrifty horse breeds just naturally are, insulin resistant. It's easy to eat what's right if someone else has all the control, and the bad stuff just isn't available! As a human, I have to do that for myself.

kylakesgal

Good morning~ The challenge today is to get in ALL your food groups so I had to look at see what is recommended. For anyone else that would like to know, here it is:
2-3 servings of Milk, yogurt, cheese
3-5 Vegetables
2-4 Fruit
2-3 Meat, Fish, Poultry, Dry Beans, eggs, and nuts
6-11 Breat, cereal, rice & pasta

That is why I like taking a mulit-vitamin to ensure I'm getting what my body needs because on most days I know I'm not getting in all this. I also take extra calcium and take Omega 3 (fish oil) daily. So let's work towards this for today, at least getting in all food groups in although getting the recommended amount may not be possible. With dieting, you may be eliminating a food group that you think is fattening such as bread but there are healthy choices out there. Always choose whole wheat with your breads and crackers and even your pastas. They are so much better for you.

singer201

I just planned my meals for today. I'm eating the Primal Blueprint way, so I limit breads, grains, and starchy vegetables, and aim for 75-100g carbs per day and a 1200 net calorie goal.

This is one of my better primal days, since I didn't have my half bagel this morning.
69g carbs, 83g fat, 96g protein, sodium 1259mg, 7 calories under net goal

Meats 6 servings (eggs, salmon, bacon)
Veggies 11 servings (at least 7 different kinds)
Fats 3 servings (coconut oil, butter, salad dressing)
Fruit 2 servings (half pear, 1/2 cup blueberries)
Dairy 4 servings (yogurt, cheeses)

kylakesgal

Singer I'm not familiar with the primal blueprint but sounds interesting and I also avoid high starchy foods. I'm so glad for supplements since although I did get in all food groups, I wasn't able to eat enough of several. Here's mine for the day:
Bread - 1 serving
Dairy- 2
Veggies- 6
Fruit 2
Meat/nuts 4
.
How did everyone else do?

aab1

2-3 servings of Milk, yogurt, cheese
3-5 Vegetables
2-4 Fruit
2-3 Meat, Fish, Poultry, Dry Beans, eggs, and nuts
6-11 Breat, cereal, rice & pasta

Actual
2 - milk, yogurt
6 - veggie
1 - fruit (I watch my sugar & am disappointed with how high sugar is in fruit)
4 - fish, pork, nuts
1 - cereal (although I'm not doing the "Atkins Diet"; I've kept carbs to a very, very low amount

I tried Almond milk for the first time today. Not bad! 40Cal, 3.5gFat, 180mg Sodium, 180mg Postassium, 2gCarb, 1gDietary Fiber, 1g Protein. Less calories & carbs than skim milk

Any suggestions on low sugar fruit?

oliviawink

today was a survival of the fittest kind of day. Thank goodness I'm getting fit! Food plans went out the window when I was unexpectedly thrown into a classroom today to pick up the pieces of a very ill staff member. Had fun, but didn't eat quite the way I wanted to. Def got my carbs in, but that's about it. For dinner I am making up for it with homemade sweet potato oven fries, HUGE salad with mixed baby lettuce and red and yellow peppers and grilled salmon. Good lean protein with omega-3 fatty acid and TONS of veggies.

Been thinking about starting a vitamin supplement. I fell off the wagon right after I had my daughter (unbelievably almost a year ago!) and stopped taking pre-natal vitamins. Going to get a one-a-day kind of thing this weekend.

Now rush, rush, rush to make dinner, get kid bathed and bedded and WORKOUT cause I need to burn off some stress (and carb calories)!

tatiana_13

I did a sun-up to sun-down fast for lent...so, I had one, gigantic meal for dinner and a snack. So, just a tiny bit less than I would have had for a normal day...and today was a little starchier than usual...the popcorn was sort of a "treat" for fasting.

Starch: 3 (brown rice, popcorn)
Protein: 2 (salmon)
Dairy: 1 (yogurt)
Vegetables: 3 (cucumber, cabbage, zucchini)
Fruit: 1

I tend to feel fine without 6-11 servings of grains...especially since vegetables and fruit have tons of fiber. But grains certainly are yummy, aren't they? As I've become wheat intolerant, I've developed a special love affair with popcorn...and I'm really happy that even although its a "snack" food, it also counts as a whole grain! When you make your own (not in the microwave, pre-buttered bags), its not a bad treat...in moderation.

jessicamarie81

I tried to get all the food groups in today, tried to eat lots of veggies which I have always struggled with. I think I did pretty good, made another home made pizza for lunch and had salad for supper. Carbs never seem to be a problem for me!

Tomorrows challenge:
I'm all about the "mental" challenges. My challenge for you tomorrow is for you to tell us what gets you motivated when you feel less than motivated? Is it a certain visual image of where you'd like to be? Is it something you tell yourself like a quote or phrase? Is it a reward that you promised yourself when you reach a certain weight loss goal? To be honest, the last few days I've felt "de-motivated". My son has been sick and hasn't been sleeping well, so neither have I. Today though I kicked it into gear because I realized that there is no way I'm going to gain those ten pounds back that I've lost so far. All the hard work and diligence will not be done in vain! So what motivates me is realizing how easily I could slip up and go back to my old ways, it's important to not lose focus!

oliviawink

Sorry, I was a bit of a slacker yesterday and didn't post our losses. Then I was going to do it this morning, and my baby woke early, so my morning "me time" disappeared. Here are our latest losses:
lesleed 2
microem1 1.75
oliviawink -0.5
hoosteen84 -0.8
tatiana_13 -1
ceejay000 -1
jessicamarie81 -1.5
misserrint -1.6
swtchrypie -1.8
hnason -2
kylakesgal -2
julesnpdx -2
Melissaol -2.2
roselynsy -2.2
singer201 -2.8
abbylane35 -3
sheilabennett -4
nikki8marie -4
(ultrawoman is with us but had scale issues :grumble: )
I'm pretty sure I missed some people, so if I did, please speak up. I don't want to cut anyone short. Together this week (with 18 that I have as weighed-in) we have lost 28.65 lbs this week. Total we have lost 61.1 total lbs. It would be amazing if we hit 80 total lbs lost next week, wouldn't it. Keep up the great work everyone!

Challenge: THIS keeps me motivated. Knowing each week that when I "do the numbers" my loss helps all of us look and feel good. Also keep my spirits in check when I'm down-and-out be reminding myself how I feel like a totally different person when I'm healthy and how good it feels to know I look hot!

kylakesgal

Woohoo Olivia the weight loss looks great! Just think how much farther we have come as a group vs. doing it alone:)!! We are all getting closer to our goals a little bit at a time and by the time beach weather arrives, we will be ready to sport our bathing suits:) Nite everyone.....work tomorrow so heading to bed~

roselynsy

hmm this is a hard one as the last 3 days ive seem to of lost my motavation, so i guess one of my main motavations is this site as this is why im on here to try and pick myselp back up (it is also lady time of the month for me so thats not helping) i also look up illness that can be caused by being overweight and think of how much time i want to be here with my children. that helps me get back on track. today will be a good day

aab1

I'm pretty sure I missed some people, so if I did, please speak up.

@ Olivia - please add me! -1

aab1

Together this week (with 18 that I have as weighed-in) we have lost 28.65 lbs this week. Total we have lost 61.1 total lbs. It would be amazing if we hit 80 total lbs lost next week, wouldn't it. Keep up the great work everyone!

WE ARE KICKING *kitten*!!!!

jessicamarie81

WOW, what an amazing weight loss we've had combined. Now that makes me motivated!! I have a sore throat today and am not feeling very motivated but I'm gonna try and crunch something out anyways!

jessicamarie81

Woohoo Olivia the weight loss looks great! Just think how much farther we have come as a group vs. doing it alone:)!! We are all getting closer to our goals a little bit at a time and by the time beach weather arrives, we will be ready to sport our bathing suits:) Nite everyone.....work tomorrow so heading to bed~

Oh lordy, you had to say bathing suit, lol. It's funny you mention that though because that is one of the things that got me started in all this, just knowing my son will want to go swimming plenty this summer and I've gotta be looking somewhat decent!

kylakesgal

I knew you would love my mention of "bathing suit" Jessia! That is part of my motivation. I live only about 8 miles from Kentucky lakes and usually every year we go every weekend or at least every other but last year, I was so uncomfortable wearing a bathing suit that I only went one time!! I want to be able to wear a bathing suit again (not a bikini lol) and not feel self -conscious. I love the water and want to be able to go boating and swimming again. Gaining weight kinda sneaks up on you. I know last summer I was overweight but as the winter came on and progressed I was having to get a larger clothing size. I have a limit on my clothing size and once that size gets tight, it's time to do something different. Thanks to my cousin Jessica who told me about mfp and the awesome inspiring people on here, I am headed toward reaching my goal:)

singer201

My motivation is being ready for retirement in much better shape than I am right now. I want to be able to ride my horse without overtaxing him with my extra weight. I want to be healthier and not physically limited. There is also this cute riding jacket that I bought a long time ago that I'd like to fit into eventually.

MFP and this challenge is keeping the road interesting, and I feel that I'm finally changing my eating habits to something that I can sustain the rest of my life.

walkforever

Hey all of you fine and fabulous folk!

I committed to this 30 day challenge at the beginning of march, but over the first week of march I had a setback, and although I am back on track I don't think that I can keep my original goal. I still want to try, but I also don't want to fail and then get discouraged...

(I hate setbacks! I always do so well for a while but then ill see something like a glazed coffee roll or a reeses peanut butter cup and I will think ok Ill just have a little, and ill fit it into my calorie goal, but then something just goes crazy in my head and i cant stop myself... or at least I dont stop myself. I have to change my mindset to think - yes I CAN stop myself, and more importantly ONLY I can stop myself. - whew rant over, thanks!)

Anywho - my stats for this challenge are as follows:

Current weight: 164
Goal Weight by April 1: 158!

So that is three weeks, six pounds totally doable.

More importantly, other goals:

- track every bite every day... no excuses
- exercise at least 3 times per week, but preferably 4-5.


THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT and GOOD LUCK TO ALL