***TEAM PERSEVERANCE - AUGUST CHALLENGE*** (Closed group)

Lori_menorahlover

Welcome to TEAM PERSEVERANCE!!! My name is Lori and I am honored to be your Team Captain for Gary's "Kick The @%!*# Out Of August Challenge! I will be posting a new forum each week in August that way it will not get too long. We will spend an entire month being FAMILY! That means we will come here to uplift, encourage and motivate one another on to VICTORY!

I strongly encourage all 20 of you to message one another, post positive memos on one another's pages, and do everything possible to be a superb out of this universe team mate!

I chose our team name to be perseverance because I want us to be the team that NEVER GIVES UP!

Here are the members of your team:


Team Captain Lori_menorahlover

1 juleseybaby
2 sherrisloan
3 JulesWatkins
4 bonniehoskins
5 NeuroticVirgo
6 arielle0489
7 1beachteacher
8 Jack_mc
9 emilyahsmommy
10 boosmama98
11 trimom63
12 fitnhealthyccthatsme
13 catanzca
14 sumjoy
15 Lizb01
16 AmandaR910
17 kjnicol
18 rjsewell
19 Trans4mations
20 tanya7712

I will post more info on the challenges as I get the info from Gary. I look forward to an incredible month with all of you and getting to know each of you better.

I encourage you to post any before and after pics, bios and any other info about yourself that you would like in order for us to get to know you more!

Have a blessed and amazing day!

Lori

Lori_menorahlover

A little info on myself. I am a single mother of 3 living in south central Missouri who has lost 110 lbs THE OLD FASHIONED WAY and on her way to losing 12 more to reach her final goal of 125. I know what it means to overcome obstacles. If you would like to read more about me and my weight loss journey you can read it here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/288403-before-and-after-pics-247-to-139-and-still-going

GO TEAM PERSEVERANCE!!!

Jack_mc

Whoop lets do this!!!

lol even though i really didn't read it i just signed up!!! time for fun!!!!

x

Lori_menorahlover

Hi Jack_mc!!! Glad you are excited! Looking forward to getting to know more about you!

AmandaR910

So excited!!!!

rj_knitnchick

Looking forward to the challenge. Also looking forward to meeting all of Team Perseverance and getting to know everyone. I hope I can be an encouragement. LET'S DO THIS!!!

gods_gal

I'm ready to go!!! Thanks for leading us, Lori!!

tanya7712

Can't wait to start! I am very excited and look forward to getting to know everyone

Lori_menorahlover

Wow Amanda! You are one busy Mama! Congrats on the newest bundle on the way!!!

You are most welcome Bonnie! It will be good for me and help me work on these last pounds I'm trying to lose.

Great attitude rjsewell! What's your first name if you don't mind me asking?

Me too Tanya! We will have a great time and I really want to encourage all of you to push yourselves next month!!

trimom63

Present and accounted for!! Happy to have a "reason" to push it to the next level this coming month!!

Lori_menorahlover

Lori_menorahlover

What's your first name trimom63? So glad you are here!!!!

rj_knitnchick

Hi Team - would like everyone to know my name. Please feel free to call me: Robbie

emilyahsmommy

Hello Team

My name is Tiffany and I am 21 years old and I have a 7 month old. My heaviest has been around 180lbs from taking the depo shot after a year of taking it, I stop using it I went down to about 158 by that time I got pregnant with my daughter and I had gained close to 30 pounds. 7 months postpartum and I am 163.8. My goal is to be at 130, it is going to take alot of motivation and hard word to get where I want to be. But it is time to be comfortable and healthy.

So let the challange begin, I am soooo ready

trimom63

And I'm Jill!!

fitnhealthyccthatsme

Hello everyone! I'm Cheryl, I'm a 43-year-YOUNG, single mom of a teenager. She's a tremendous blessing and keeps me on my toes! In May, as I approached my 43rd b-day I knew I had gained too much weight and yet didn't know what to do. I didn't own scales and I stopped in a local truck stop to use their 25-cent scales. I saw a number that I hadn't seen since I was pregnant.... 181lbs & that was eons ago (pregnancy that is)! I served in the Army for three years and I am well aware of how to train my body to eat right and to exercise, yet, I had become lazy and I actually think I had gotten to a point of not caring. I was disappointed and ashamed of myself. A friend of mine was already using MFP and suggested it to me. I figured it wouldn't hurt anything to try it. MFP has been another blessing. I am a firm believer in hard work and dedication because I have seen the results in my clothing and in the way others look at me with disbelief and shock when I tell them how much I've lost since mid-May. I like being accountable to my actions so that I stay on track and MFP is perfect for that! I'm very much looking forward to our challenge and working toward my goal of 145... or 140... or 135... :-) I'm currently at 166.8 and aiming for 166 by this weekend's weigh in. I'm in it to win it!

NeuroticVirgo

Thought this was fitting.

1beachteacher

Nice poster Virgo!!!! I think that says it all!

My name is Kari and I'm a teacher who has worked hard to lose about 30 lbs and has about 15 more to go. I've fallen off the wagon in the last couple of weeks but I'm ready to get back on and push through! Lori... lead the way!!! What a great team leader! We are so lucky!!

AmandaR910

Okay I have some time to post my intro now lol.

My name is Amanda, I'm newly 23 years old. I'm expecting #4. I used MFP during pregnancy #3 and postpartum (lost all baby weight plus 22lbs in 6 months! thanks MFP!)

My DR closely monitors my calories. I'm going to be honest here, I eat HORRIBLY without MFP. That's why I use it during pregnancy, to keep myself accountable, to keep the weight gain in check, etc. I usually keep my calories on maintenance but don't usually use all of them since I find myself filling up on more fruits and veggies versus candy...(I have a serious candy addiction). Today I decided to attempt to cut out Diet Coke, which is going to be very difficult for me.

I also work out through my whole pregnancy, I found it REALLY helped my energy level last time. Can't wait to get started guys!!

tanya7712

Hi Everyone! My name is Tanya and I have never had issues with my weight until I was 25 and then little by little it creeped up on me. I also never exercised until now. My heaviest has been at around 160 and I have been yoyoing back and forth for a while. I know this is a lifestyle change and I want to eat right and exercise and stick with it throughout my life beacause its not just to loose weight but to stay healthy too. So far I have lost 5 pounds by eating right and walking/ doing the wii Biggest Loser almost everyday. I hope to get down to 135 and then we shall see.

catanzca

Hey Team!! I'm so excited..

I'm 23 years old and am getting married on 9/17/11. I am currently 141 and hope to be down to 130 by the wedding. I joined MFP a few months ago but just started using in this week and I must say it is SUCH an inspirational site because of all the wonderful people. You guys are all so motivational and I can only hope that I can help to motivate you as well.

Can't wait to get to know you all better..

Lori, thanks for being our Captain.. you seem like you make a great one!

Now let's kick butt!!!!!

-Cat

Fit4_Life

Lori, How do I join? Is it to late?

Thanks,
Lori

Lori_menorahlover

Hi Tridrill, unfortunately it is too late to join this team BUT if you contact Gary6030 who started the challenge he might have some available slots still open on another team. We had to make the cut off limit 20 per team and this team filled up already.

Lori_menorahlover

Wow that was a blast to read!!! Went out to run at the track and come back to find all of you here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Right now Gary has requested Team Captains to submit challenge ideas to him. Then he will go over everything and report to the captains what the challenges will be each week. I will then post them here in our forum. This is also where we will all post our results that I will then turn into Gary each week.

A few things about me. I was born to a career Marine, adopted and raised by a Vietnam vet who served in the Air Force and who made me jump over a hurdle before he would let me land in the long jump pit, lol!

I'm highly competitive by nature. I'm a HUGE NFL fan and my team is the Kansas City Chiefs. I have a sense of humor.

Most of all I am a cheerleader. When you feel like throwing in the towel or like you just can't go any further I will be there to help you up and carry you across the finish line if I have to.

NeuroticVirgo

Well I guess if we are doing intros. lol My name is Christina, I've pretty much always been overweight since grade school. But it was never by a lot (maybe between 10-20lbs)...then around sophomore year of high school till now I really packed on the pounds! Finally at my highest of 272lbs, I got on MFP thanks to a friend of mine, and am almost down 50lbs. But I still have a long...LONG...ways to go. I'm really wanting to be under 200 by Christmas, so hoping this challenge will really help me gear up and get out the rut I seem to be in.

Lori_menorahlover

Virgo the poster is brilliant and exactly the type of thing I love to see posted!!!

LOVED getting to read about each of you and what your goals are!

Trans4mations

Hello everyone!! My name is Reesa and I'm 35 years old. I've been overweight my entire life. I'm currently 345 -- down 38 pounds, with 30 of those pounds coming off within the last 5 weeks... since joining MFP!!!!! Wooohoooo!!! I'm so excited about this challenge and I can't wait to get to know you all better.

Hugs to all! Now, let's do this!!!

★Go Team Perseveranceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!! ★

boosmama98

I think I shall join the bandwagon.

I am Jessica and I am 33 years old. I have always felt as though I was overweight, even though in reality, it was all in my head. It was not until my son was born when I was 20 that I reaaalllyyy started to gain weight. A failed marriage and 10 years in college have caused me to keep most of the weight and now I hang out at about 185. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes (which I had when I was pregnant as well and have a huge family history of). Oral Medication seemed to to the trick until about 6 weeks ago when the doctor gave me insulin. I was less than happy about that. Last year, I was doing really well and managed to get myself down to about 157, only to learn that is was because my thyroid was not working properly. The medication I was given gave me all my weight back and then some. It has been a real struggle this year, but I have been doing good so far this week.

My son is my biggest cheerleader. He was so happy when he saw me lose the weight last year, but I can see the disappointment in his eyes when we talk about it now. I really want to see that sparkle again.

And now I have got all these MFP cheerleaders...I think I may be ready to to this!

trimom63

Ok, I guess I'll take my turn here! I'm Jill, 48 yrs old, wife and mom from Colorado! My kids are teens and older now...17, 18, 20, and 21, so it was time to take a bit better care of myself. I had alot of travelling opportunities this summer, which is why I started my journey (again)...in January. I would say I'm a textbook "yo-yo'er" and I'm dying to find the secret to take it off and keep it off!! So, instead of doing any of the fad stuff, I decided to do this again...eat what I want, but in moderation. I did MFP some time ago, but started having neck issues, couldn't keep up with the exercising...yada, yada...you've all heard (and made!) excuses too, I'm sure! At any rate, when we planned all of these trips, I gave good incentive to do something about my weight. It's been a sort of frustrating journey so far as the weight is not coming off NEARLY as quickly as I'd like...I started in January at 194. I saw that number be SO close to the 200 mark and I knew I had to do something. I lost a few pounds the first few months, but it was SO slow. Finally, in April, I decided to come back here strictly for the logging/journalling so that I would have something hard -copy for my doctor to look at. I'd forgotten how wonderful the support is...I've met some really wonderful people that actually make this whole thing much more fun than it would be otherwise! So, where I was coming for the recordkeeping (which I'm still doing and have my Doc appt on the 11th!), I've so enjoyed the people and support! Oh...I guess I better put that my ultimate goal is 150 lbs.....I would love to get down to my younger weight, but I'm just being realistic here!

Lori....I, too, am a HUGE NFL fan....so glad the lockout is over!! My favorite team is the now-lowly Broncos, but we'll spend some time rebuilding!! I love the Rockies baseball too (no matter how bad they are this year!)....you'll see me post things about stadium food quite a bit!! Also a HUGE fan of College football....Buckeyes and Volunteers!!

Let's see....my personality....I love to laugh, can be a tad (well, maybe more than a tad) sarcastic...but am 100% behind everybody!! I just like to joke and have fun doing it!! So, if you see snide remarks from me, they are NEVER serious....ALWAYS meant in a fun way!!

I'm really excited to get going on this...I know we're going to do great!! Last chapter of my book....the END.....or, maybe, the BEGINNING!!!

PandaFit450

Hi Team Perseverance!!!

I'm Jules, I'm 45 and live in the UK with my husband and two teenage sons. I am a counsellor for school children (aged 10-16) but do not worry - I will be too busy to analyse everything you say!! lol

I have been 'big' since I can remember!! Yo-yo dieting throughout my life! Last summer my husband suffered a heart attack at the young age of 42 and it hit us hard - but it also made us realise just how our lifestyle was the cause and HAD to change. The frying pan went out in the trash that same day - as did all the unhealthy, convenience foods we had in the cupboards!! After all, children learn behaviour in which they live - there is no way I want my boy's health to suffer because of weight!

I have rediscovered my love for sports recently - I run 10k's for fun and regularly take part in 'Boot-camps' - both I love for different reasons.

So, I'm ready for this challenge!!

Bring it on

juleseybaby

Hi there everyone!!

My name is Julie - my friends call me Jules - I will answer to both, or even HEY YOU! I am 37, mom of 3, married for 15 years next month. I am fairly blunt and at times offer WAY TMI. I have been too big since I was around 10. I never knew what a healthy weight was really. I saw that I was bigger than the rest of the kids - but not as big as some. Then junior high happened. Being ostracized is never fun. Especially at that age when all most girls want is to fit in with everyone else. (I never got that 'I wanna be different and I don't care what people think' attitude.) Thanks to the 'twins', I figured out what group would not ostracize me all the time... boys. But most didn't really want to be my friend. Tough lessons.

I remember being called a hippo (thanks dad), a bubble butt ('tis true - and now thanks to JLo - I can keep that part and still be considered sexy), and having people stare. I remember that as a child I had to clean my plate or else. If I made a face or said 'yuck' about something, I was given a second helping. My parents were just doing what they had learned from their parents. Well - I am going to BREAK THE CYCLE.

I am taking steps to repair my self-esteem. I have stopped caring so much about what others think (sorry, sometimes - LOL). I want to be healthy for ME! I want to be an example to my kids. I want to stop shopping in the plus sized section/stores. I want to stop the back pain, the knee pain, the IBS, etc. I want to look better than I did in high school for my 20 year reunion next summer!! Then - when I go on a cruise next December - I want to be able to wear a bathing suit and not cringe at the sight of myself in the mirror!!

I am STOKED that we are doing this!! It is just the sort of thing I need to kick me in the booty and keep me honest and motivated over the weekends. You will probably see some 'yuck' food and alcohol in my diary. I am lazy and I absolutely HATE cooking. I do try to work it all off though when I know I am going over. I welcome constructive suggestions and I look forward to cheering all of you on!

Thanks so much to Gary for starting this and to Lori for being our team lead!

"Perseverance is a positive, active characteristic. It is not idly, passively waiting and hoping for some good thing to happen. It gives us hope by helping us realize that the righteous suffer no failure except in giving up and no longer trying. We must never give up, regardless of temptations, frustrations, disappointments, or discouragements." Joseph P. Wirthlin

PERSEVERANCE!!!