Looking for a group, so decided to start my own

CaptObvious

July 12:
Food:
1) 1200/day ... under
2) Recipes ... I'll find another soon (still ).

Exercise:
1) 257/360 minutes
2) 300/500 crunches

WTG with challenges this week, everyone! You guys are awesome!

TeamLeela

Hey, I know it's a little late to be joining this group, but I still struggling with those last 5-6 lbs.
I also have celiac's disease so it makes my food choices very limited. I'm just starting to get frustrated and finally decided I could use some support.

hey ally, welcome! We def. won't turn you away! Thanks for checking us out!

CaptObvious

Hey, I know it's a little late to be joining this group, but I still struggling with those last 5-6 lbs.
I also have celiac's disease so it makes my food choices very limited. I'm just starting to get frustrated and finally decided I could use some support.

hey ally, welcome! We def. won't turn you away! Thanks for checking us out!

Welcome, Ally. Feel free to jump right in.

TeamLeela

Good afternoon everyone!
Things are going good today. no real complaints. but what good does complaining do anyway? How is everyone doing? We're about half way through the month, does everything think they are on track to meet their fitness goals or weight loss for the month of June. Weigh in is coming up really soon. I'm really hoping to see a loss and have a good turn around from the first part of the month.

TeamLeela

Have you seen this site: http://www.twohundredsitups.com/ ? Situps = crunches in their program. We could take on that challenge as a group? They also have a plan for pullups, pushups, dips and squats.

I really like the group challenge. If we have about 7 people. 40 squats a day. (2 sets of 20, 4 sets of 10) We could shoot for an average of 250 per day (a little below average) or 1750 for the week. I think that's do-able. what do you guys think?

I also thought it would be a good idea to pick a day that would have been your rest day and so something fun like playing a sport or jumping rope, hula hooping, hiking or biking with the family, throwing the frisbee. Any active that would get your heart pumping. You pick the active, the duration of time, and the day that you want to do it.

I wanted to take a vote on next week's challenges:

Food challenge ideas:
no sweets for a week
no fast food for a week (that's not really a challenge for me, but it may be for others??)
no late night snacking (close the kitchen at a specific time each night)
try a new fruit or vegetable (an idea from last week)

For exercise:
Pushups
Crunches
Lunges
Squats
Workout during commercials
Walk after dinner
Workout 10% more this week

Or if you have another idea to add, please feel free to mention it!

TeamLeela

Hey everyone! Sorry I missed last week's weigh in. I was hoping everyone could use this format for this Friday's weigh in. It will make it easier to see everyone's progress.

Start weight: ###
July goal wt: ###
July 1: ### (+/- previous week)
July 8: ### (+/- previous week)
July 15: TBA (+/- previous week)
July 22: TBA (+/- previous week)
July 29: TBA (+/- previous week)

PhiliciousCurves

I don't know if you're still selecting members for your group, but I would like to join. I just recently became a member of MFP and I'm still maneuvering through the site, plus I'm also working on losing 5lbs for the month of July. My goal is to be down by 15lbs by Labor Day!

I've been telling my family members that I've been losing some weight and when they see me at our family's annual Labor Day Bash, I'll be much smaller than I was last year. So far, I've lost approximately 20lbs since February (I recorded my present weight when I joined MFP) and my goal is to lose an additional 25+/-lbs by February 2012 (one year from starting).

I do weigh myself weekly, preferably on Sunday, which is my rest day; I try to get in at least 3 to 4 days of working out for approximately 60 minutes per day, which the majority consists of cardio.

So again, if the group is still open, let me know. In the meantime, I'm recording my information as follows:

Start Weight: 167lbs as of Sunday, July 10th
July Goal Weight: 160lbs

garrettnicole92

Leela - I'm going to put the weigh in format in my signature.... does that sound like a good plan? That way I don't have to keep looking back through the thread for it. (: Same with my challenges. Too bad we don't have a group name. :P

CaptObvious

So again, if the group is still open, let me know. In the meantime, I'm recording my information as follows:

Start Weight: 167lbs as of Sunday, July 10th
July Goal Weight: 160lbs

You are doing great with your goals! I bet your family is going to be so surprised to see how much you've changed.

We still have room for a few more. Feel free to jump right in. You found us at just the right time. We'll be starting a new set of challenges on Friday. Friday is our group weigh-in day. I'm glad you're joining us! I've sent a friend request to you.

TeamLeela

Leela - I'm going to put the weigh in format in my signature.... does that sound like a good plan? That way I don't have to keep looking back through the thread for it. (: Same with my challenges. Too bad we don't have a group name. :P

that's an awesome idea, I just personally don't want it in my sig as I don't want everyone to see it...lol Do you have any ideas for a good group name? suzzanne and I collectively couldn't put a thought together...LOL j/k

TeamLeela

So again, if the group is still open, let me know. In the meantime, I'm recording my information as follows:

Start Weight: 167lbs as of Sunday, July 10th
July Goal Weight: 160lbs

Yes, but we are really looking for serious members who are going to participate on a regular basis. If that's you, absolutely. You're more than welcome to join!

TeamLeela

Hey, how's everyone coming with the new recipe challenge?? We only have a few more days before we start new challenges! I would love some new lunch/dinner ideas or even a snack idea.
I made something last night, I would exactly call a recipe, but it was good (roughly 150 calories, it varies depending on how many almonds you use)

A chocolate sugar free hunt's pudding with a dollop of lite cool whip and a few blue diamond lightly salted almonds.
I stirred the pudding and cool whip and it was like a mousse consistency and added the almonds on top for a nice salty contrast and crunch.

TeamLeela

July 13:
Food:
1) my calorie goal is 1390/day. still have mucho calories left for dinner because of my 1000 burn workout!
2) see above for a cool, low cal treat!
Exercise:
1) 194/480 minutes/wk *60 mins zumba, 30 mins training. I need to go back and refigure this!
2) 250/700 crunches. *100 today. ughh I don't think I'm going to get to 700 as I didn't start the challenge last Friday, but I will do my best.
*I love the crunches challenge and doing them with the medicine ball. I'm going to shoot for 100 daily/ 700 for the week.

TeamLeela

just curious: do you eat your exercise calories or save them? use them as needed? only if you're hungry? do tell!

CaptObvious

Breakfast recipe..... I make this a lot because it's quick and easy. It fills me up and the caffeine gives me a little kick before I workout.

Mocha smoothie - 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup nonfat milk, 1 cup ice cubes, instant coffee and sugar-free chocolate syrup to taste; dump it all in a blender and blend to desired consistency.

I usually eat a piece of fruit with it, too. Sometimes, I'll dump it in the mix (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries) and sometimes, I just eat it separately. I'm not brave enough to try an apple or a peach in there yet.

CaptObvious

just curious: do you eat your exercise calories or save them? use them as needed? only if you're hungry? do tell!

Funny! We're on the same wavelength tonight. I was going to ask the same question. I'm consistently under in my calories by about 400 ... and that doesn't include my exercise calories. Research shows that most people under-report their calories so I figure I've got a little buffer there. I have a hard enough time getting my suggested 1200 calories so, for right now, I am not making a conscious effort to eat the exercise calories. I'm still losing weight, I'm not hungry, and I have enough energy to complete 60 minute workouts. If any of those things change, then I'll have to re-evaluate what I'm doing. I feel like I'm eating a ton of food but it's hard to get the calories when I eat mostly veggies and very little carbs. I am almost always over on protein, though, but I know I need that extra protein to feel okay.

garrettnicole92

As far as my exercise calories go ... it depends on the day. I'm usually under my calories by about 200, usually most of those are exercise calories. Like Capt said, I'm kind of nervous about under-reporting my calories, so I usually figure that that 200 I've actually probably eaten over the course of the day - since I'm usually estimating my serving sizes.

The only time I make a point to eat my calories back is if I notice that I'm not feeling full or staying hungry. I feel like that's my body trying to tell me something. Haha.

I really wish I could come up with a good recipe! Dorm living has really not helped me in the cooking department! But I'm thinking hard on it.

TeamLeela

I think I have a group name:
Class, Sass, and Bad *kitten*! Does that name offend anyone? I thought it was kinda catchy. is there another group out there with that name? I haven't seen it.
Just a thought. if someone has a better one, please share.

garrettnicole92

Leela - I love it!

July 13th Challenges:

food:
1) 1183net/1300 cals/day

exercise:
1) 85/210 minutes/wk
2) 240/500 crunches/wk

TeamLeela

found this great salmon recipe that I plan on trying for lunch tomorrow:

1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets
lemon pepper to taste
garlic powder to taste
salt to taste
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup vegetable oil


Directions
1. Season salmon fillets with lemon pepper, garlic powder, and salt.
2. In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, brown sugar, water, and vegetable oil until sugar is dissolved. Place fish in a large resealable plastic bag with the soy sauce mixture, seal, and turn to coat. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
3. Preheat grill for medium heat.
4. Lightly oil grill grate. Place salmon on the preheated grill, and discard marinade. Cook salmon for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork

CaptObvious

Leela - I'm going to put the weigh in format in my signature.... does that sound like a good plan? That way I don't have to keep looking back through the thread for it. (: Same with my challenges. Too bad we don't have a group name. :P

Good idea, Garrett! I will do the same.

CaptObvious

Challenges - 7/13
1200/day .... under
Recipes.... posted a couple, will look for another for tomorrow
317/360 exercise minutes
300/500 crunches

allynator

Hey all! Had a rough day calorie-wise. Anyone have any tips about what to eat when eating out? Since I have celiac, I have to avoid wheat, barley, rye & oats (everything has to be gluten- free).

For exercise today, Imdid some yoga. I always feel like I should have burned more calories after, but I guess it's not much. I've been doing p90x as my exercise since January. I noticed somebody changes, but not all the weight has come off. Last stubborn 5 pounds!

garrettnicole92

When I go out to eat, I always just ask for nutritional information (or pull it up on my phone/iPod).
I'm not very familiar with a gluten free diet, but I always try to stay away from bread (anything with a bun!), substitute a veggie for your side of fries, or even just opt for a salad.

TeamLeela

Since its almost Friday and I didnt get any feedback for challenges, this is what I've come up with:
Exercise challenges:
1. Increase time: Workout 10% more this week
2. Squats: We can do it as a group, but individually we'll shoot for 40 a day (2 sets of 20, 4 sets of 10)
3. Have fun: Do a fun cardio driven activity on one of your rest days.

Food challenges:
1. Have discipline: no late night snacking (close the kitchen at a specific time each night)
2. Think outside the box: try a new fruit or vegetable (an idea from last week)

CaptObvious

Since its almost Friday and I didnt get any feedback for challenges, this is what I've come up with:
Exercise challenges:
1. Increase time: Workout 10% more this week
2. Squats: We can do it as a group, but individually we'll shoot for 40 a day (2 sets of 20, 4 sets of 10)
3. Have fun: Do a fun cardio driven activity on one of your rest days.

Food challenges:
1. Have discipline: no late night snacking (close the kitchen at a specific time each night)
2. Think outside the box: try a new fruit or vegetable (an idea from last week)

Sounds good! If anyone has any ideas about new fruits and vegetables, please post them. I've eaten everything from kumquats to cactus and I'm not sure I can find anything new. You might be able to help me think of something.

allynator

I'm going to hit up the farmer's market this weekend to look for new fruits & veggies to try.

I can't wait for the square challenge!

allynator

I'm going to hit up the farmer's market this weekend to look for new fruits & veggies to try.

I can't wait for the square challenge!

I meant squats. Stupid auto-correct!

TeamLeela

Weigh in day!!

Start weight: 166.2
July goal wt: 160.0
July 1: 166.2
July 8: 167.0 (+/0.8) (ouch!!)
July 15: 167.0 (no change) unbelievable!!!
July 22: TBA (+/- previous week)
July 29: TBA (+/- previous week)

I really hope the last two weeks are better than the first two!

CaptObvious

Start weight: 122.2
July goal wt: 115
July 1: 122.2
July 8: 121.1 (-1.1)
July 15: 121.0 (-.1)
July 22: TBA (+/- previous week)
July 29: TBA (+/- previous week)

Insignificant change for me this week. That's okay, though. It's TOM for me and that usually makes anywhere from 2-5 lbs gain. I'm looking forward to a bigger change next week. I know that I'm losing, though .... my junior size 3 shorts are fitting looser now and no spilling over the top. Yay! I'll measure inches later today and see if there is any change there.

I'm looking forward to having fun with the challenges this week. The food challenges will be easy because I'm not a snacker and I eat every vegetable/fruit I can get my hands on. The exercise challenges will be a little more difficult. I usually do a minimum of 60 min/day 6 days a week so 10% more is a little more than a half an hour more. Squats are easy for me so I'll add 30 lbs of weight and double them to 80. Cardio fun .... I'll have to think about that. My favorite fun "exercises" are gardening and running. Our pool temperature is almost like a bath right now ... maybe I'll think of a pool game to play with my teens.