*Snowflakes to Sunshine Challenge* Week #10 Discussion 3.11.

Steph_135

Hey melted Snowflakes! I just wanted to share a tidbit of my yesterday with you! I have a jacket that is still a little too small for me, but I am wearing it because my other jacket is waaay too big. Because I can't do up the buttons on my little jacket, it was blowing open in the wind as I walked. And for the first time that I can remember, I wasn't self-conscious about holding it shut to cover my (very) wide hips! Getting to 177.5 and seeing the difference in my waist/hips since starting the Shred has REALLY boosted my confidence. I feel practically sexy! :bigsmile:

My friend and I are going to attempt making our own hula hoops this afternoon! I hope they work out, because I've wanted a hoop since last June, but I they are pretty expensive to buy. Then I can add hooping back to my workouts! :happy:

Steph_135

Me again... poking my nose into the forum to see what everyone is up to! If you aren't familiar with positive, present affirmations, I recommend doing some research! You might just change your whole way of thinking around!**
http://www.vitalaffirmations.com/affirmations.htm
http://www.successconsciousness.com/index_00000a.htm

A great quote from the second link: "Choose only positive words, describing what you really want. If you desire to lose weight, do not tell yourself "I am not fat" or "I am losing weight." These are negative statements, bringing into the mind mental images of what you do not want. Say instead, "I am getting slim" or "I have reached my right weight". Such words evoke positive images in the mind."

**Note: I'm sorry and deeply saddened if you think this is hokey. Please just ignore my posts if you do.
_________

forgiven4life... I love the idea to bringing your own lunch to work! I want to eat lowER carb as well. Woo! C25K! I'm supposed to run again today (but I might wait until tomorrow... It depends on when my family wakes up and I can prep to run... It's supposed to rain later, so I'd better get it in early if I wanna do it.)

I have REALLY got to get with the program! I need to up my water to at least 90 oz or more a day. I need to stay within my goals I've set. And I need to stop giving in to what I want to eat. I love healthy food so I just need to make it a priority to incorporate it into my meals daily.

Change that wording Brandy!! I wanna hear: "I AM getting with the program!! I've upped my water to at least 90 oz/day! I stay within the goals I've set. And I am choosing more healthy foods! Right now I THINK that I want to eat other things, but that is my years of habit talking. I am choosing to make healthy eating a habit, and I am enjoying the journey! I can allow myself a snack in moderation. I love healthy food, and I am making it a priority to incorporate it into my meals daily! Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better, YES!

I had them in the cabinet for almost 2 weeks, so I am so surprised that I waited that long to eat them. So I would say that's the one thing I need to improve on. To be more disciplined and stop eating things that are not conducive to my weight loss.

Leela... Great thinking to try new recipes!! Maybe adjust your thinking to be more like: "Those cookies were in the cabinet for 2 weeks, and I proved to myself that I was in control of what I put into my mouth. I am becoming more disciplined in my eating, and only eat things that are conducive to achieving my goals. Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better, YES!"

leandread... That C25K is gonna get you fit and fast in no time!! Let's do it! Running has helped me lose weight in the past for sure! I'm picking up that Beck Diet book from the library by the way!

teijei... Focus on that water intake! I know you'll bring it around. :drinker: I've had those gains in the past too! You'll figure it out!

menorato... Sounds like you have an excellent plan! Congrats of letting go of chocolate for now!

ltlhmom... Thank you! Great planning to pre-log food! I've been trying to stick to that as much as possible too! And pre-packing lunches! I have to do that tomorrow cause I'm going out for the day! YAY new clothes, shoes, and swim suit!!! I love my new runners! LaraBars are an excellent choice!! I would eat them ALL the time, but I'm sensitive to some of the nut ingredients. They are EVERYthing-free, but nut. :laugh:

Eyesee... Sorry to hear you are going through difficult times! This could be a character building time for you. Try and be as positive as you can. I'm glad you're staying motivated by the challenge and it's members, but YOU are the one keeping your eating in check and making healthy choices. I always think to myself, everyone on the Snowflakes board is working out, but they aren't going to do my workout for me, so I have to kick it in gear like the rest of them. :bigsmile: It feels like we're all working out together, but you have to give yourself the most credit, because you are the one making the calls in your own life - not us random people in cyberspace. If you keep moving forward, and keep demanding the best of yourself, you will always come out on top!

dkbstill... Congrats on your education decisions!! :drinker: Best of luck!!

leandread

For lack of a better word, I've been pretty glum for the past two weeks. I'm having problems at work & with my relationship and I barely left the house or did much of anything. (Sorry if that's TMI, I just haven't really talked about it much.)
I haven't been on the boards and I've been lax with spreadsheet updating, so I'm really sorry if I let anyone down.

I know I can work much harder than this, and, even though we're already almost half way there, I'm finally feeling about ready to step it up. Honestly you guys and this challenge only things that have kept me from crazy junk food binges.

Thank you guys for being random people in the world that can come on here and be so caring and motivating to people like me that you don't even know. I'm so impressed by so many of you-- the people that are dropping weight like water, and the people who are having a hard time and yet aren't giving up. I just wanted you guys to know that even if we don't always feel like we have much to say, there are people like me who read what you guys write and it means a lot-- even just the little things.

So thanks again, and I'm ready to get my butt into gear starting NOW! :drinker: (<~~ That's a water toast by the way... staying away from empty wine calories! lol)

Eyesee, we're here for you! Lean on us. You are going to have an awesome week next week---cheers :drinker: (a water toast right back at cha!)

Kkmama

I like Steph calling us Melting Snowflakes, 'cause we are!
This week I lost 1.1 lbs, bringing my total loss for this challenge to 17 lbs. Words can not express how much this group has meant to me, it keeps me motivated. I do have my eye on the prize of 40lbs by June 1, but know I will be setting myself up for failure and disappointment if that is my only way of measuring my success... so whatever loss I will have made is cause for celebration because I haven't felt this good or alive in years. Watch out June 1st, I'm- a - coming!!!!!
This week I am going to be out of routine a bit since it is March Break so I will be home with my daughter spending time together but the non-negotiables are exercise.
MON: 30 Day Shred and a power walk
TUES: 30 Day Shred and EA Sports Active 2
WED: 30 Day Shred, EA Active and Yin Yoga class
THURS: 30 Day Shred, EA Active
FRI: 30 Day Shred, Power walk.

My biggest hurdle is getting in my water. So that is something I want to get accomplished this week. And it is TOM this week!! Ugh!
Here's to another awesome week... don't forget to change your clocks tonight!

Val_Gets_Fit

First of all, congrats to everyone! Loss, gain, or maintain, we're sticking this out, doing our research, and finding out what works best for us. You are all doing so well! :flowerforyou:

As for me, I weighed in at 158.2 yesterday which is a 0.3 pound loss from last week. It's TOM, so I'm really not surprised. Honestly, I did really well this week. I've been burning about 500 cals a day with my workouts. I've been under my calories. My measurements went down a bit from two weeks ago, so I think that is validating for me.

I went and bought some organic cereal and coconut milk. I'm trying to slowly but surely bring "cleaner" foods into my house. My kids liked the cereal, which was a big relief. I liked the coconut milk! I've read that coconut can be helpful for people with hypothyroidism, so I figure, if that's true, added bonus.

I wish I had more time to respond to posts on the thread. I reply here and there when I can, but I wish I could reply to everyone's posts. I'm following all of your journeys and you are all inspirational. :flowerforyou:

punkrawkcutie

I love that everyone is starting to feel like they can be more honest with the group and is taking from it what they need!

Val- I totally agree, this journey should be providiing us with an education around what is going to work for us. We are lucky that Krystle gave us all a spot to come together and explore this with the support of each other.

Well done everyone!!!

xoxo - S

dinareed

Hello ladies! Well I am down again this week, now I weigh exactly what I weighed the week before last,. I am looking forward to the 180's...I am so bored with seeing the 190's on that scale! Currently, I am working with a dietitian and she upped my calories to between 1600 and 1800 (total) each day. I'm a little worried about how that will play out but we will see. I have joined a new gym and so far I am loving it! I am lifting weights on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and then I am doing some form of cardio at least 5 days a week. I am starting to see some minor changes...my arms are not as flabby and even my legs are looking a bit more toned. I think my biggest accomplishment in the last couple of months has been to find out that I enjoy working out.

This challenge and all you ladies involved have made a huge difference in my life. Because of you guys I am inspired to stick with it and work out even when I don't always feel like it. I am normally pretty quiet on here, but I read everyone's post and have found great ideas, comfort, and motivation in everyone's post. It seems like when I need to hear something the most--someone will have said it on here. It's amazing how God can use friends that you've never even met to help you through those dark times.

Krys_T

It's amazing how God can use friends that you've never even met to help you through those dark times.

I just got goosebumps reading this! Because it is so true. I thank God everyday for all of you and for giving me the strength to "lead" When I first started this challenge, it was because I would see ones on here and almost miss the start date. When I did decide to do it, I thought I would have 20 people or so....and boy was I wrong! You guys responded like gangbusters! LOL I was overwhelmed at first and then I swear God told me, "Lead them, encourage them and it will be the best thing you can ever do!" And that is what I have been trying to do! I wake up everyday now knowing that I have all of you counting on me to give that extra push and motivaion to keep going everyday. My theory is that if we all do this together, it will be that much easier. So thank you all from the bottom of my heart for coming along this journey with me and not giving up. We are all so close! And even if there are some of us that don't hit the 40lbs, that is ok...we have learned so much, become stronger, lost inches, and gained hopefully life-long friends.

Plus I am thinking about another challenge we can do after this one

I love every single one of you and know that you can give even more...this is your 2nd wind, so give it your all. I am so proud of you!

simplyxaddicted

Bump!
I so agree with starting another challenge after this one

TeresaSavage

It's amazing how God can use friends that you've never even met to help you through those dark times.

I just got goosebumps reading this! Because it is so true. I thank God everyday for all of you and for giving me the strength to "lead" When I first started this challenge, it was because I would see ones on here and almost miss the start date. When I did decide to do it, I thought I would have 20 people or so....and boy was I wrong! You guys responded like gangbusters! LOL I was overwhelmed at first and then I swear God told me, "Lead them, encourage them and it will be the best thing you can ever do!" And that is what I have been trying to do! I wake up everyday now knowing that I have all of you counting on me to give that extra push and motivaion to keep going everyday. My theory is that if we all do this together, it will be that much easier. So thank you all from the bottom of my heart for coming along this journey with me and not giving up. We are all so close! And even if there are some of us that don't hit the 40lbs, that is ok...we have learned so much, become stronger, lost inches, and gained hopefully life-long friends.

Plus I am thinking about another challenge we can do after this one

I love every single one of you and know that you can give even more...this is your 2nd wind, so give it your all. I am so proud of you!

THANK YOU KRYSTLE for everything, I'm so thankful God spoke to you :bigsmile: Your Terrific!!! I love the idea of another challenge ;-)

mommy2two07

weight: 176.6

Krys_T

Ok so I wrote a blog last week about creating a calorie deficit in order to lose weight. I would really like everyone to check it out because it actually made a lot of sense. Sometimes we will say..."Well I was under my calories all week and didn't lose anything" but we haven't look to see if we are creating at least a 3500 calorie deficit between total calories burned (including rest) and calories consumed. It gives you an idea a formula you can use to figure this out. I have noticed by reading, the more intense your workouts are (in regards to calorie burns) the more you have to it.

So please subscribe to the blog, if you can. I am actually wanting to write a book in the next couple of years and would love feedback and support. Thanks guys!

www.krystlesweightloss.blogspot.com

rjlam

Hi everyone! Sorry for not writing sooner but I'm in a similar predicament as Eyesee. This past week has been extremely stressful at work. I'm also dealing with my mother-in-laws illnesses. I was at the hospital yesterday with her as she had water on her lungs. She is a dialysis patient plus is going through radiation treatment for her cervical cancer. Too add more to the pot, my middle son has cyst under his left arm pit which will need surgery. So needles to say I've not had much time or the motivation to take care of me. The one thing that I am thankful for is that I have not had the urge to have any sugar. I'm still being careful as to what I'm eating but not exercising as much as I should.

I would like to thank you Krystle for your motivation as well as all of you. I've not loss nor gained this week. I stayed the same. I will be dedicating to doing my treadmill five times this week and also getting back at doing my weight training. Well sorry for ranting but it feels good to get this off my chest. Once again, thanks for the support.

Liliane

punkrawkcutie

Ok so I wrote a blog last week about creating a calorie deficit in order to lose weight. I would really like everyone to check it out because it actually made a lot of sense. Sometimes we will say..."Well I was under my calories all week and didn't lose anything" but we haven't look to see if we are creating at least a 3500 calorie deficit between total calories burned (including rest) and calories consumed. It gives you an idea a formula you can use to figure this out. I have noticed by reading, the more intense your workouts are (in regards to calorie burns) the more you have to it.

So please subscribe to the blog, if you can. I am actually wanting to write a book in the next couple of years and would love feedback and support. Thanks guys!

www.krystlesweightloss.blogspot.com

Already started following you my dear!!!

And yes a new challenge come June would be awesome (especially since i won't be any where near the 40lbs or goal weight mark by then!) Plus i love the support from everyoen and making awesome MFP friends to hold me accountable

xoxo-S

Steph_135

Plus I am thinking about another challenge we can do after this one

I love it!! Just please don't call it Sunshine to Snowflakes. :laugh: I really hope you do, because I will miss everyone here too much after June!

I love every single one of you and know that you can give even more...this is your 2nd wind, so give it your all. I am so proud of you!

Aww... We love you too Krystle!! :smooched:

rjlam... Best wishes to you and your family.

Krys_T

Hi everyone! Sorry for not writing sooner but I'm in a similar predicament as Eyesee. This past week has been extremely stressful at work. I'm also dealing with my mother-in-laws illnesses. I was at the hospital yesterday with her as she had water on her lungs. She is a dialysis patient plus is going through radiation treatment for her cervical cancer. Too add more to the pot, my middle son has cyst under his left arm pit which will need surgery. So needles to say I've not had much time or the motivation to take care of me. The one thing that I am thankful for is that I have not had the urge to have any sugar. I'm still being careful as to what I'm eating but not exercising as much as I should.

I would like to thank you Krystle for your motivation as well as all of you. I've not loss nor gained this week. I stayed the same. I will be dedicating to doing my treadmill five times this week and also getting back at doing my weight training. Well sorry for ranting but it feels good to get this off my chest. Once again, thanks for the support.

Liliane

Totally understand! Take care of your family, they need you and as soon as that is squared away you can get back to working off those pounds!

Krys_T

I love it!! Just please don't call it Sunshine to Snowflakes.  I really hope you do, because I will miss everyone here too much after June!

I was actually thinking "Sunshine Kisses to Winter Wishes". It actually just popped in my head 10 seconds ago lol

Suzeesmu

A few days ago I had a low(er) carb day, thanks to another challenge. It was really hard for me to eat less carbs, but I would like to try it a couple days again this week, because it made me eat more veggies.

I anyone else doing low-carb? I would love if you would share your food diary with me, or to hear your suggestions/advice!

[/quote]

I've done low carb in the past (Protein Power by the Drs. Eades). It worked wonders for me in the past, and although I'm not going at it as hard as I did (limited to 30 gr of carbs per day), I am really trying to cut back drastically. Feel free to friend me and you can see my diary. This week wasn't maybe the best example (had 2 chocolate chip cookies last night!), but I am trying to keep it to around 45 g carbs/day. Just cutting out all the breads, potatoes, rice, chips (the yummy stuff!) makes a big difference. I'm hoping it will make a bigger difference for me now, too.

Suzeesmu

Well, it was only a .5 lb loss for me this week. Again, I'll take it. I have been much higher on the sodium than I like to be due to a recipe that I made (very yummy), will DEFINITELY use low sodium soups next time (just had the regular in the pantry).

I am making a concerted effort to do "real" exercise (gym, workout dvds) as opposed to the extra cleaning and food prep I do above and beyond what happens in a regular day. New HRM is helping me there - yea! Can track how many calories I'm burning if I'm not in front of a machine at the gym. I realize I really need to exercise so I'm hoping that will get my metabolism going.

I know there are lots of discussions out there about eating back your at least some of your exercise calories, but I really haven't done that. I see with some people's diarys they don't eat them, and some do (and both sides are losing). I really haven't been eating them, and my daily net calories are ranging from 650 - 1000, averaging around 800, but I am very slowly dropping. Am I putting myself in a stall? I hate the idea of eating more calories, and sometimes I honestly really don't feel like eating anything more.

I'm going back to limiting my carbs, but not as strictly as I have in the past, to see if that can help (was amazing before, but that was over 10 yrs ago).

Any ideas/input are very welcome!

leandread

I love it!! Just please don't call it Sunshine to Snowflakes.  I really hope you do, because I will miss everyone here too much after June!

I was actually thinking "Sunshine Kisses to Winter Wishes". It actually just popped in my head 10 seconds ago lol

Krystle-- love Sunshine kisses to Winter Wishes.....That will keep us all together through the entire year. Am I a stalker much? I love this group so much and I will hug you and squeeze you and never let you go *cue scary music now*.

Ignore me, I'm in such a silly mood today...Happy Sunday

Suzeesmu

Ok so I wrote a blog last week about creating a calorie deficit in order to lose weight. I would really like everyone to check it out because it actually made a lot of sense. Sometimes we will say..."Well I was under my calories all week and didn't lose anything" but we haven't look to see if we are creating at least a 3500 calorie deficit between total calories burned (including rest) and calories consumed. It gives you an idea a formula you can use to figure this out. I have noticed by reading, the more intense your workouts are (in regards to calorie burns) the more you have to it.

Plus I am thinking about another challenge we can do after this one

I think I get that, Krystle, and If I figured correctly, I should be eating more calories than I have been.... I think.....

And it would be awesome to have another challenge! I was thinking how sad I'll be when this is over (and I'm not sure I'll make the goal - but won't be giving up!) Count me in - don't want to lose any of you guys!!

Suzeesmu

I love it!! Just please don't call it Sunshine to Snowflakes.  I really hope you do, because I will miss everyone here too much after June!

I was actually thinking "Sunshine Kisses to Winter Wishes". It actually just popped in my head 10 seconds ago lol

Krystle-- love Sunshine kisses to Winter Wishes.....That will keep us all together through the entire year. Am I a stalker much? I love this group so much and I will hug you and squeeze you and never let you go *cue scary music now*.

Ignore me, I'm in such a silly mood today...Happy Sunday

Ditto all the above and Leandread - you are a HOOT!

Suzeesmu

Could someone recommend a scale that they absolutely love? I have a healthometer scale and I'm not sure if it's accurate enough (I hope so) this morning I was 198, 195, than 194. I weighed myself at least 15 times in different parts of my house until I kept getting the same number.

I have really found the Weight Watchers digital scale to be very (unfortunately sometimes) accurate no matter where I put it. I had the same problem as you and this is the first scale that stays the same. It also is the first scale that weighed me the same as the Dr.s office, which always weighed me heavier than my home scale. I guess that's a good thing (no cringing at the Dr).

I found it at Costco and I really like it. Measures to the .10 pound. No fancy bells and whistles (bmi, talking...), just accurate numbers. It's the second one I've owned only because the first one broke when someone accidentally dropped it (it's glass, didn't shatter into a million pieces, the digital part stopped working if I remember correctly).

Christine1110

I lost .8 this week....and that is ok. I'm worried because I hurt my shoulder/back, so I can't really workout..... It even hurts when I breathe. I might try and walk on the treadmill later today. I don't want to have a set back....since I have taken it easy for the last couple of days.

I usually do the Shred in the morning, and the treadmill & Elliptical in the afternoon. I hope I have a weightloss next weigh in.

TATennis

:bigsmile:

Krystle, I Love it! "Sunshine kisses to winter wishes" . Im so curious to know what the next challenge plan will be I don't think another 40 lbs LOL :laugh: , since you look pretty much at your goal now. YOUR Looking AWESOME!! I LOVE YOUR NEW PICTURE.

I love this Group and would hate to see it end.

whittrusty

Hey everyone!! I'm back from Mexico! Glad to be able to track my food again and prepare it myself!

I logged my weight for this week as maintaining 193; we'll see where I'm at on Friday when I've gotten back to normal.

whittrusty

For lack of a better word, I've been pretty glum for the past two weeks. I'm having problems at work & with my relationship and I barely left the house or did much of anything. (Sorry if that's TMI, I just haven't really talked about it much.)
I haven't been on the boards and I've been lax with spreadsheet updating, so I'm really sorry if I let anyone down.

I know I can work much harder than this, and, even though we're already almost half way there, I'm finally feeling about ready to step it up. Honestly you guys and this challenge only things that have kept me from crazy junk food binges.

Thank you guys for being random people in the world that can come on here and be so caring and motivating to people like me that you don't even know. I'm so impressed by so many of you-- the people that are dropping weight like water, and the people who are having a hard time and yet aren't giving up. I just wanted you guys to know that even if we don't always feel like we have much to say, there are people like me who read what you guys write and it means a lot-- even just the little things.

So thanks again, and I'm ready to get my butt into gear starting NOW! :drinker: (<~~ That's a water toast by the way... staying away from empty wine calories! lol)

Awww Aislin, you gotta tell us this stuff! But I'm glad that you are letting us know now. Sometimes life pulls away from this journey. But girl don't worry about the spreadsheet being delayed. You have done such a WONDERFUL job in just creating it that if it is delayed...so what! LOL! I hope everything turns around for you, be strong!

Ditto! Hope you start feeling better about stuff and take it one day at a time. You can do it! And we're all here to help!

whittrusty

I love it!! Just please don't call it Sunshine to Snowflakes.  I really hope you do, because I will miss everyone here too much after June!

I was actually thinking "Sunshine Kisses to Winter Wishes". It actually just popped in my head 10 seconds ago lol

Krystle-- love Sunshine kisses to Winter Wishes.....That will keep us all together through the entire year. Am I a stalker much? I love this group so much and I will hug you and squeeze you and never let you go *cue scary music now*.

Ignore me, I'm in such a silly mood today...Happy Sunday

LOL!!!!

Steph_135

I love it!! Just please don't call it Sunshine to Snowflakes.  I really hope you do, because I will miss everyone here too much after June!

I was actually thinking "Sunshine Kisses to Winter Wishes". It actually just popped in my head 10 seconds ago lol

Phew! That's a great name!

I've done low carb in the past (Protein Power by the Drs. Eades). It worked wonders for me in the past, and although I'm not going at it as hard as I did (limited to 30 gr of carbs per day), I am really trying to cut back drastically. Feel free to friend me and you can see my diary. This week wasn't maybe the best example (had 2 chocolate chip cookies last night!), but I am trying to keep it to around 45 g carbs/day. Just cutting out all the breads, potatoes, rice, chips (the yummy stuff!) makes a big difference. I'm hoping it will make a bigger difference for me now, too.

Thanks for sharing! That IS low carb! I love carbs so much...

I love this group so much and I will hug you and squeeze you and never let you go *cue scary music now*.

:laugh: :huh:

Awesome plan Christine1110!!

Krys_T

Ok I have another exercise for us...

I know sometimes we get down on ourselves if we have a bad day or week...so in preparation for next week I want us to say 3 things we like about ourselves, it can physical or personality traits...whatever you want! So ready, set...GO!