Team 20... Team Persistent Determination (closed group)

sonybalony

Welcome to TEAM Persistent Determination!!! My name is Sonia and I am your Team Captain for Gary's "Kick The @%!*# Out Of August Challenge!!! I will be posting a new forum each Sunday in August that way the posts never get too long. I am so psyched to start a month of fun and fitness with new friends!!! We are all here for motivation, encouragement, and positive support!!! Keep that in mind as we all strive for excellence in our own journey!!! I encourage all 20 of you to message one another, post on one another's pages, and do your best to be an insanely awesome teammate!

Here are the members of our team:

Team Captain sonybalony
1 Barbara_Wilson
2 ckarlovec
3 luv_lea
4 DaFrogRibbit
5 BCFossett
6 psychofied
7 Eplizzitiz
8 gemmaterry
9 miko412
10 kmcginley613
11 jessele1971
12 K1Teacher
13 jah1165
14 CookieGem
15 hadley0910
16 cshore54
17 nlynnm716
18 llbird
19 megansmom311
20 vcorish

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 all of you to post any before and after pictures, bios and any other info about yourself that you would like in order for us to get to know you better!

With Friendship and Warmth from Missouri!

Sonia

K1Teacher

Go Team Persistent Determination!! August is gonna be GREAT!!

:flowerforyou: Shanna

sonybalony

HI EVERYBODY!!!!

I still need info from a couple team members.

First Name
Loss so far at MFP
Start weight for august challenge
What is your goal weight for August 31
What is your goal for the challenge

Once I get an email from Gary I will post here what we'll need to be doing! :-)

In the meanwhile, let's get to know each other!!!!

Sonia

sonybalony

Hi All!

My name is Sonia. I have an awesome hubby, who retired recently from the Army. I have 2 teenage sons, 13 and 17. We currently live in Missouri. I am a full time student. I also work as a substitute teacher.

To join the Army 22 years ago I lost almost 42 pounds, not all of it in the healthiest of ways, I looked horrid and felt worse. Once in the Army I gained 12 pounds back almost immediately and felt human again! My healthiest weight was about 145-150. I looked H.O.T. lol and I felt awesome! I met and married my hubby, couldn't get pregnant, I gained about 20 pounds and nine months later my oldest came along! :-) 3 years after he was born I lost down to 170 again and as soon as I did I got pregnant with my youngest. (Apparently I am VERY fertile at 170 on Mother's Day!!!) I lost back down to 170 a year after he was born by massive amounts of exercise and no dieting, my hubby returned from Korea and we moved where there was not a gym and I got lazy... I can't blame the weight on the baby... he's 13!!! Between 180 and 235 I have always worn size 18 clothes (fit is different, but one size up and one size down don't fit at all) I have been a chubby chick for 12 years now with ONE year before we moved here where I lost 30 pounds with exercise alone (again) and once we moved here there was again no gym. And again I got lazy!

I have PCOS, insulin resistance, asthma and back issues from a car accident. I have lost 17 pounds through medical help, exercise AND diet this time and I can put on a size 16 pair of jeans at 215!! (they are NOT pretty and I can't breath, but.... I can ZIP them!) lol I think I have finally realized that I can't just eat ANYTHING and exercise and expect to lose weight at 40. I have found foods that I LIKE that are well within my caloric limits. :-) I have been on MFP for around a year but the diet didn't work so well. My doctor put me on Metformin and Adipex about 6 weeks ago and that, in combination with diet and exercise has finally kick started my weight loss.

I hope this tells you a bit about me and my weight loss journey!

With Friendship and Warmth from Missouri!

Sonia

sonybalony

AUGUST CHALLENGE WEEK 1
This is the week one team challenge. This should be done in addition to your normal workout routine.

This is a challenge and is not a replacement! If you need a beginner workout please contact your team captain for ideas.

Week One Daily Exercise Challenge

Each team member that completes their daily exercise challenge receives one point, if all team members complete each daily exercise for all 6 days the team is then awarded an additional 5 Bonus Points.

Day 1 Exercise Challenge - 100 Jumping Jacks*
Day 2 Exercise Challenge – Walk, Run or Jog 1 Mile (extra)
Day 3 Exercise Challenge – 50 Situps or Ab Crunches*
Day 4 Exercise Challenge – 40 UP and Downs *
Day 5 Exercise Challenge – 25 Pushups *
Day 6 Exercise Challenge – 25 Squat Lunges*
Day 7 Rest! You deserve it!

If you are uncertain on how to do an exercise get with your captains as they will have a weblink to each exercise.

Week One Weekly Team Challenge

Each team member in order to get the weekly team bonus points must all log every day and not go over their target calories and log at least 64 oz. of water each day. If each team member does this all 6 days your team will be awarded 5 Bonus Points.

*Feel free to do these exercises in sets if you are unable to do them all at one time. Please do your best as you are much stronger than you believe.

Please note each week the exercises will increase in difficulty. This will push each team member.

Modifications will be provided for those who unable to complete the exercise as intended.

sonybalony

I need everyone to weigh either Sunday night or Monday morning to give us official start weights, this is important because.....

This was posted by Gary...

So I was gonna wait but I can't keep secrets very well. The top 3 contestants who lose the most weight will be winning real life prizes. I will reveal those prizes the last week of the challenge! They are gonna be good! WOO HOO! Go Kick the Crap out of August!

Also as a team we gets points for EVERYONE participating DAILY! I really want you all to post here but please (so I don't miss something) message me with your info when you do the daily challenge/come in under your calorie goal and when you weigh in. This will just make it easier for me to track.

Here's is to Persistence and Determination!!!

With Friendship and Warmth from Missouri!

Sonia

hadley0910

AUGUST CHALLENGE WEEK 1
This is the week one team challenge. This should be done in addition to your normal workout routine.

This is a challenge and is not a replacement! If you need a beginner workout please contact your team captain for ideas.

Week One Daily Exercise Challenge

Each team member that completes their daily exercise challenge receives one point, if all team members complete each daily exercise for all 6 days the team is then awarded an additional 5 Bonus Points.

Day 1 Exercise Challenge - 100 Jumping Jacks*
Day 2 Exercise Challenge – Walk, Run or Jog 1 Mile (extra)
Day 3 Exercise Challenge – 50 Situps or Ab Crunches*
Day 4 Exercise Challenge – 40 UP and Downs *
Day 5 Exercise Challenge – 25 Pushups *
Day 6 Exercise Challenge – 25 Squat Lunges*
Day 7 Rest! You deserve it!

If you are uncertain on how to do an exercise get with your captains as they will have a weblink to each exercise.

Week One Weekly Team Challenge

Each team member in order to get the weekly team bonus points must all log every day and not go over their target calories and log at least 64 oz. of water each day. If each team member does this all 6 days your team will be awarded 5 Bonus Points.

*Feel free to do these exercises in sets if you are unable to do them all at one time. Please do your best as you are much stronger than you believe.

Please note each week the exercises will increase in difficulty. This will push each team member.

Modifications will be provided for those who unable to complete the exercise as intended.

So what day are we counting as day 1? I am super excited to get started and I am looking forward to the support we can give one another. I will weigh in and post stats this coming Sunday.

sonybalony

August 1 (Monday) is day 1. :-)

Sonia

sonybalony

some introductions are found here if you'd like to see :-)

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/303328-who-s-on-team-20?page=1#posts-4021297

llbird

Hi everyone on Team 20!
My name is Laura and I moved to British Columbia from Southern California to study when I was 17. Met my future husband and...stayed. We have one son, age 31 and a granddaughter who will be 2 come September 3rd.

I am an accountant, have worked in municipal government for over 28 years, and am now a manager with the Fire Department. Love my job!

I used to be very fit in my teen years, was a competitive gymnast, but long hours on the job and an increasingly sedentary lifestyle have taken its toll. I lost 35 pounds on Atkins about 7 years ago but it was not sustainable. I have also tried Weight Watchers but I didn't mesh with the weekly meeting 'gab fest' or the program they were offering. Also didn't like the way their own products were being pushed but I understand that has changed now.

I have been a MFP member for just a few weeks (July 13th start) and have logged my food and exercise every day since! Can't wait to start the challenge and ramp up the fitness. Speaking of exercise, DH is patiently waiting for me to go to the gym. He is a great support and encouragement to me and is also losing weight and getting fit.

GO TEAM!!

K1Teacher

Hi Team Persistent Determination! My name is Shanna - wife for 20 years, mother to 2 (16 & 18) and I teach a K-1 combination class at a small Christian school in the San Diego area. I have struggled with my weight my whole life and even went as far as to have a lap band put in place about 5 years ago - lost a lot of weight quickly (about 70 lbs in 5 months) but then it slipped and needed to be removed. Long story short...gained it all back PLUS about 40 more. Ugh! Anyway...I'm in it for the long haul and I've lost about 89 lbs since January! I'm currently doing P90X plus additional cardio for exercise. August is going to be a GREAT month and I look forward to getting to know each of you!! GO TEAM!!

:flowerforyou: Shanna

Sonia - just making sure I "get" it...you want each of us to message you daily when everything for that day is complete?

sonybalony

that would be awesome (doesn't have to be elaborate, just a note saying above or below cal goal, did daily challenge or not, and weekly weight)

I know some people prefer to post only here but it would make it a LOT easier if I got it by msg :-)

Thanks,

Sonia

dottieb1974

I want in on this. how do I sign up???

sonybalony

I think they have already closed the teams, but Gary6030 is the guy who organized it, if you can't get on a team "officially" I am sure you could hang with a team doing all the stuff just not getting credit for it as part of the challenge. Still fun, still support, just not "Official"

Good Luck!

With Friendship and Warmth from Missouri!

Sonia

wilsonshome

Week One Weekly Team Challenge

Each team member in order to get the weekly team bonus points must all log every day and not go over their target calories and log at least 64 oz. of water each day. If each team member does this all 6 days your team will be awarded 5 Bonus Points.

I'm confused about not going over our target calories. I do this daily, this is how I am loosing weight. Is this really a requirement?

sonybalony

For example, I am not supposed to go UNDER 1200, but I was set at 1200... so either I was in a dangerous spot or I was over my calories... I just reset my calories a tiny bit higher and still will run at the same calories + or - 50 as I was, without messing myself up. And remember if you DO go over the calories, you can always exercise and "earn" some extra calories to eat! I hope that helped...

K1Teacher

Week One Weekly Team Challenge

Each team member in order to get the weekly team bonus points must all log every day and not go over their target calories and log at least 64 oz. of water each day. If each team member does this all 6 days your team will be awarded 5 Bonus Points.

I'm confused about not going over our target calories. I do this daily, this is how I am loosing weight. Is this really a requirement?

You could manually change your calorie goal to your specific needs...then you could be under. Just a thought...

GemmieNoWobbles

Hi Sonia

Do we message you each day to tell you we have done as we are supposed to or do we add an extra log for exercise to show we have done our daily challenge? Sorry if that sounds a daft question :flowerforyou:

GemmieNoWobbles

that would be awesome (doesn't have to be elaborate, just a note saying above or below cal goal, did daily challenge or not, and weekly weight)

I know some people prefer to post only here but it would make it a LOT easier if I got it by msg :-)

Thanks,

Sonia

Great Idea!! I will do this too!

GemmieNoWobbles

Hi everyone
I already said Hi on another post but thought I would say Hi on the "official thread". I'm Gemma, I'm 28 and live in the UK in Hove which is by the sea. I live with my gorgeous boyfriend of 10 years and our 2 ferrets. I work for Sony as an accountant which I hate, I have always been creative but somehow managed to get a very uncreative job! I love to crochet, sew, (quilting and dressmaking) and anything crafty, I'm not happy unless I have a good book on the go or learning something new and creative.

I have always been unhappy about my weight, I dont think I have ever been classed as overweight but I dont feel happy in my skin. I struggled with eating problems as a teen and have always loathed the way I look. So this is more of a journey to get a body I am happy with but more importantly learn to like myself. I had a little NSV yesterday where I was getting dressed and I thought to myself, yep, legs are looking not too shabby, for me this is AMAZING, my legs are the bit I hate the most and for me to realise they arent so bad is great! Might not last for long but at least I know I can find something redeeming about myself. My other half thinks I suffer from BDD (body dismorphic disorder) and I am waiting for a referral for counciling (which takes forever in the UK as the bloody NHS is rubbish), but I think I am doing ok by using MFP and having a plan and learning to accept myself. Its really helped having a community of such amazing people on here which I find invaluable. You are all really amazing people and couldnt have lost 10lbs without all the encouragement I get.

So here's to an amazing August! I cant wait. :flowerforyou:

psychofied

Hi! You can call me Chari! I'm a 16 yr. old college student and I've been fat all of my life. I've lost 10 lbs since I joined but I still can't see any difference. My GW for the last week of august is 150 lbs.

Go Team 20!!!!!

Also I'm not familiar with Ups and Downs. How do you do that?

wilsonshome

For example, I am not supposed to go UNDER 1200, but I was set at 1200... so either I was in a dangerous spot or I was over my calories... I just reset my calories a tiny bit higher and still will run at the same calories + or - 50 as I was, without messing myself up. And remember if you DO go over the calories, you can always exercise and "earn" some extra calories to eat! I hope that helped...

I see, I thought you meant I couldn't exceed my exercise calorie goals not my food calorie goal. I've got it now thanks, :happy:

jah1165

Hi I am Janet I am the mom of 4 and was in pretty good shape until my surprise bundles of joy came late in life, and at the age of 36 I had twins which loaded on a whopping 85 pounds to my 5 ft frame. I nover seemed to be able to lose this weight after the twins were born and 2 yesrs ago I joined weight watchers by myself and finally lost 45 pounds by changing the way I eat . I finally found MFP and I hope that the freindships here will help me stay in shape and keep me motivated to keep going to lose the last of the weight that wont budge. I love to read and run and long time ago had run a couple of marathons and am hoping this challange will pump me up to run longer miles and get back into it.

megansmom311

Hey Team!! My name is Julie. I started here at MFP on April 11 of this year, and I'm so glad I did! I've been struggling with my weight for about the last 11 years, I've tried and failed every diet out there...so my success using MFP has been such a blessing and surprise to myself. I didn't think I would stick with it, but my friends on here have given me such amazing support that's it's impossible to fail. I have a goal to be down to a weight of 200 by my 39th birthday at the end of September (only 14 more pounds to go!) and when I saw this challenge, I knew it was what I needed to help me kick things into high gear. My goal for the end of this challenge is to lose 10 pounds.
I've been married for 16 years to my best friend Michael, and together we have three beautiful kids, ages 11, 8, and 6. One of my biggest motivations for losing this weight is to be able to keep up with my kids, and to set a good example of a healthy lifestlye for them.
I'm so glad to be a part of this team!! :flowerforyou:

sonybalony

what in the world Up and Downs are!!!

http://www.youtube.com/user/sixpackshortcuts?v=bkD9LwDBWW0&feature=pyv&ad=7237549087&kw=exercise

time frame 1:45 to 2:00 will show you the basic exercise

they are basically squat thrusts with a jump after you stand back up...

Reminder: I need your official start weight either Sunday afternoon or Monday morning. (please message me your stats if you haven't already done so as well)

If you want to post before and after pictures you are more than welcome!

I hope everyone had a great day!!!

Sonia

psychofied

Hi! My CW is 155 lbs.

cshore54

Hello fellow team members. My name is Chris. I have two grown children and two grandchildren. Looks like I might be the old lady here, but I have plenty of fortitude and spunk:). I have fought a weight problem forever. My highest weight was about 280 pounds. In January of 2010 I decided, after much thought and prayer, that the only way to get the weight off was by having weight loss surgery. During the course of the intensive workup, I was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer with liver metastasis. My life was turned upside down. Then I realized that I do not have time to feel sorry for myself, so decided to really live. Losing the weight, eating healthy and staying strong became very important. I am currently in a study for my chemo and so far the tumors are all stable. So far on my journey, since last August, I have been able to lose 110 pounds, and it has not been easy! One area that I am really lacking in is strength and stamina. That is where this challenge comes in. I have a dream of completing the Princess 1/2 marathon in Disney World in February 2012. Problem is, I don't like physical activity. So here I am, part of a team and I will not let my team members down. Like it or not I will get physical and kick the crap out of August with all of you. Actually I started a running program about a month ago. One week into it I took a pretty bad fall and shattered the bones in my left hand. So right now I am sporting a lovely cast, but at least I can still run. It may sound like I have a dark cloud hanging over my head, but nothing could be further from the truth. I am so happy, excited and just grateful for each day. By profession, I am an RN, working as a supervisor on the night shift. I'm ready to join forces with each of you to make team Persistent Determination a reckoning force! It is wonderful to be part of this team.

hadley0910

My name is Ashley and so far I have lost 5 pounds at MFP. I am 5' tall and this morning I weighed in at 130.0. By the end of August I would like to weigh 127. That is my main goal, anything less would be great, but my body gets very comfy at 127 (or at least it used to!) I am a 3rd grade teacher and school starts back tomorrow. I think this challenge is going to be a blessing because typically when the summer is over and stress with school sits in, my exercise time disappears. So my goal for this challenge is to get down to 127 and continue to make time to workout for the entire month.

Good luck to everyone here! I know we can do it!!!

CookieGem

Hi Everybody

Sorry for the delayed reply but just managed to get on a computer. My names Gemma, im 5'9, I live in York (UK) and Im a website/graphic designer.

I have struggled with my weight since i was dianoised with two slipped discs in my back 5 years ago. I used to be a real gym bunny, I mean I pretty much lived there (mainly because if im absolutely honest I was very lonely and had nothing else to do). I wouldnt think twice about doing a 5k run, 45 min spin class then a hour boxercise class one after the other. After I hurt my back I was told to stop all exercise and as I continued to eat what I was eating before i stacked it on, I lost all motivation and confidence.

A few weeks ago I booked my first holiday with my lovely boyfriend and I knew in my current form I would be unhappy in my bikini so it was time to do something about. I was 171lbs when I joined and I am now 165lb I know its not a massive loss so far but my body has changed a lot so im trying to not be too disheartened. As my weight loss is very slow my target for the end of August is 159lbs.

Really looking forward to getting to know you all better.

GO GO TEAM PERSISTENT DETERMINATION

Love and light
Gemma

DaFrogRibbit

Found the correct page. I'll message you weight in morning.

vcorish

Hi all, my name is Vicky, I am a mother to 2 girls and a boy, ages are 17,13 and 8. I am 36 and i am only 5ft. i have yo yoed my weight for the last 17 years. This year i have been the heaviest ever, i have lost 4 lbs so far over the last couple of months, since joining MFP and doing the Couch 2 5k. I am enjoying keeping an eye on my calories and getting fitter.

I work in IT support in a call centre so i dont get to do much exercise there, myself and a friend try to get out each lunch time for a quick stroll.

I live in the southern end of Ireland. have been married for 2 years to my lovely husband, who is an architectural technician, an unemployed one at the moment, what with the recession here.