(NEW) OPEN CHALLENGE: FIT BY OCTOBER!!!

Apeppwrs

NAME: Amber
AGE: 23
HEIGHT: 5'3''
START WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 132
GOAL WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 117
START PANTS SIZE: 7/9 (US)
GOAL PANTS SIZE: 3/5 (US)
FOLLOW ANY SPECIAL DIET: anything in moderation, count calories
DIET GOALS: no eating out/junk food
EXERCISE GOALS: get back to being able to do 1 hour on the elliptical
OTHER GOALS: more firm and toned everywhere

leeka77

I am OPEN to this challenge...
NAME: Maleka
AGE: 34
HEIGHT: 5'4"
START WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 195
GOAL WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 180
START PANTS SIZE: 16 (US)
GOAL PANTS SIZE: 14 (US)
FOLLOW ANY SPECIAL DIET: Anything portion control
DIET GOALS: To stop the snacking and eat complete healthy meals
EXERCISE GOALS: Starting 30day shred on 9/5
OTHER GOALS: To feel healthy and comfortable

Camey44

I am OPEN to this challenge...
NAME: Camey
AGE: 34
HEIGHT: 5'5"
START WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: Not ready to reveal
GOAL WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: Lose 15lbs
START PANTS SIZE: 16/18 (US)
GOAL PANTS SIZE: 14 (US)
FOLLOW ANY SPECIAL DIET: Calorie Counting
DIET GOALS: Increase activity level, reduce food consumption, extract my damn sweet-tooth
EXERCISE GOALS: Starting 30day shred on 8/29
OTHER GOALS: Gotta fit into my Carnival costume by October 9th.

prettyone822

This week just has not been the best week for me =/ no gym.... havent been eating 100% as i want to.... SLACKING!! But not being TERRIBLE TERRIBLE either.... cant wait to go food shopping this weekend to be 100% back on board!!!

I'm very proud of all you ladies!! Keep up the good work...

I weigh in tomorrow...let's seen if i've done terrible damage...hopefully not!!

Sheeshy

QOTD #9: How do you stay on track with diet and exercise in times of severe stress?

Still trying to figure this one out. Actually, it's been a rough week and this is the first day I've logged on at all since Monday. Coming out of my funk now though!

julidav

I am really behind on QOTD so we will answer these to catch up:

QOTD#1: I like Zumba for Wii because it doesn't matter what the weather is outside you can still do it.

QOTD#2: I found MFP through my physician. I like it because you can track everthing.

QOTD#3: My true a-ha moment was seeing pictures of myself.. I'm usually the one taking pictures..I don't have mine taken very often.

QOTD#4: No

QOTD#5: Moderation

QOTD#6: My motivation is my daughter.

QOTD#7: Nothing

QOYD#8: Try to do 30 minutes of exercise a day.

QOTD#9: When I'm in a really stressful situation I tend not to eat.

cclark1203

NAME: Cindy
AGE:52
HEIGHT: 5'6''
START WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 198
GOAL WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 190
START PANTS SIZE: 18
GOAL PANTS SIZE: 16
FOLLOW ANY SPECIAL DIET: eat everything in moderation
DIET GOALS: more whole foods, less junk foods
EXERCISE GOALS: continue working with my trainer and progressing in weights, jog 2 miles
OTHER GOALS: just feel fit, more flexible

emi_esp

NAME: Leah
It's time I joined a group and I'm glad one is open!

AGE: 22
HEIGHT: 5'7''
START WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 163
GOAL WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 150
START PANTS SIZE: 10/12 (US)
GOAL PANTS SIZE: 8/10 (US)
FOLLOW ANY SPECIAL DIET: just vegetarian and trying to cut down on sweets
DIET GOALS: to stop binging and start enjoying some foods in moderation
EXERCISE GOALS: more muscle tone
OTHER GOALS: fitter look!

Topsking2010

NAME: TOP
AGE: 48
HEIGHT: 6"0
START WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 183
GOAL WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 176
START PANTS SIZE: 34
GOAL PANTS SIZE: 32
FOLLOW ANY SPECIAL DIET: No
DIET GOALS: more whole foods, less desire for junk foods
EXERCISE GOALS: Get fit enough to run a half marathon on October 15
OTHER GOALS: Get a 1 pack. Too old for a 6 pack
FUN FACT: I love the outdoors

jennlaurin80

Yaay, an open group !!

NAME: Jennifer
AGE: 31
HEIGHT: 5"6
START WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 196
GOAL WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 175
START PANTS SIZE: 16 (US)
GOAL PANTS SIZE: 12 (US)
FOLLOW ANY SPECIAL DIET: Counting calories on MFP
DIET GOALS: To count everything i eat. EXERCISE !
FUN FACT : I use my twins as weights when i exercise. Lifting them over my head. One set with one twin, next set with the other twin. They seem to love it it really is good exercise

Riebop

This week just has not been the best week for me =/ no gym.... havent been eating 100% as i want to.... SLACKING!! But not being TERRIBLE TERRIBLE either.... cant wait to go food shopping this weekend to be 100% back on board!!!

I'm very proud of all you ladies!! Keep up the good work...

I weigh in tomorrow...let's seen if i've done terrible damage...hopefully not!!

Not my best week either, but nowhere near the worst. Hang in there! Just pick yourself up, and make your next decision better than the last.

VeganGal84

Welcome to all the new challengers! Glad to have you here. :flowerforyou:

Time for another QOTD. I will always post the most recent 10 QOTD's for anyone wanting to play catch up! I'm loving reading all of your answers.

Good luck to all the weekend weigh-ers! My weigh-in is tomorrow, and I think that I did pretty darn well this week, but I never know what the scale will tell me. I just know that this was a great week (food and exercise-wise) and I don't need the scale to confirm that, but... it would be nice. :bigsmile:

QOTD #1: What is your favorite kind of exercise and why?

QOTD #2: How did you find MFP, and how do you like it compared to other programs/sites/diets/etc you've tried in the past?

QOTD #3: What was your "a-ha" moment, meaning was there a specific moment that made you decide that it was time to lose the weight?

QOTD #4: Have you "discovered" any new foods since you started eating healthier? Or realized that you DO like some foods that you used to claim to not like?

QOTD #5: What do you do to keep yourself on track while traveling or on vacation?

QOTD #6: What is your main motivation to get in shape right now?

QOTD #7: Other than working out and losing weight, what have you done to improve your self esteem?

QOTD #8: What's your workout plan this week? List it!

QOTD #9: How do you stay on track with diet and exercise in times of severe stress?

QOTD #10: How are you tracking your food right now? Do you pre-track or track as you go? Do you track everything you eat, or only certain foods? Do you eat your exercise calories or not? I wanna know everything, hahaha.

prettyone822

This week just has not been the best week for me =/ no gym.... havent been eating 100% as i want to.... SLACKING!! But not being TERRIBLE TERRIBLE either.... cant wait to go food shopping this weekend to be 100% back on board!!!

I'm very proud of all you ladies!! Keep up the good work...

I weigh in tomorrow...let's seen if i've done terrible damage...hopefully not!!

Not my best week either, but nowhere near the worst. Hang in there! Just pick yourself up, and make your next decision better than the last.

actually down 2lbs!!! whooohoo!!! :bigsmile:

smurfette75

QOTD #10: How are you tracking your food right now? Do you pre-track or track as you go? Do you track everything you eat, or only certain foods? Do you eat your exercise calories or not? I wanna know everything, hahaha.

I usually have the same thing for breakfast and lunch for a week. So I enter as I eat. Then I decide what I want to eat for dinner before hand so I can see how many calories it will be. I try to track everything. The other day I actually entered a piece of gum!! For the most part I eat maybe half of my exercise calories. It just depends on how I feel that day and what I ate.

VeganGal84

QOTD #9: How do you stay on track with diet and exercise in times of severe stress?

Drinking tons of water helped me this week. And tons of water-like substances such as Diet Sprite and water mixed with Mio. And giving myself a little bit (but not too much) slack when it came to nutrition. In general, this is something that I struggle with, so I was happy to get all of the ideas from you guys this week!

QOTD #10: How are you tracking your food right now? Do you pre-track or track as you go? Do you track everything you eat, or only certain foods? Do you eat your exercise calories or not? I wanna know everything, hahaha.

Right now, I'm tracking as I go. And I'm following my own plan, which allows me to eat many foods to satisfaction without having to count for them, but I am still tracking what I eat every day in the "notes" section of my dairy here. I am pretty sure that I do eat my execise calories, but right now I'm not really tracking calories. I'm learning to listen to my hunger signals, which is tough!

Riebop

Alright, this will probably be the last time I check in for a couple weeks. I'm going on a 9 day Euro trip and will have limited time and limited access to the internet. I'm leaving Monday and won't be back until the 9th. Woot! I have alot of stuff to do before then... Laundry... Playing "Tetris" trying to fit everything in my suitcase just right. I have to fit everything in a small suitcase. GASP! But first I have to get through the hurricane. I'm in PA... 30-40 miles west of Philly. So, I'm hoping just alot of rain and that my basement gets through the storm unflooded.

QOTD #10: How are you tracking your food right now? Do you pre-track or track as you go? Do you track everything you eat, or only certain foods? Do you eat your exercise calories or not? I wanna know everything, hahaha.

This week has been pretty bad tracking... Normally, it's as I go unless I know exactly what I'm going to eat that day. I track everything when I track. I always eat most of my exercise calories. I'm more hungry on the days that I workout... well... except this week. Between the earthquake, the hurricane and vacation, I've been very excited and a little frazzled and have seemed to have lost my appetite.

sp53

I tend to eat the same things over and over, so my numbers are predictable, but I track as I go or at the end of the day. At first I only entered protein, fat, sweeteners, but now I enter fruits and veggies. My initial thought was that no one gets fat from eating produce, but then it became reinforcing to see how many veg you can eat for so few calories. I'm not feeling deprived AT ALL--so nice.

Beeps2011

QOTD #10: How are you tracking your food right now? Do you pre-track or track as you go? Do you track everything you eat, or only certain foods? Do you eat your exercise calories or not?

I track as I eat throughout the day. And, sometimes I track in advance, particularly if I want to see what I SHOULD eat for supper (based on how many calories I have left!). I DO track my exercise calories and I DO eat them back!

homeslice614

NAME: Homeslice614
AGE: 42
HEIGHT: 5'4''
START WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 170
GOAL WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 150
START PANTS SIZE: 14 (US)
GOAL PANTS SIZE: COMFORTABLY 12 (US)
FOLLOW ANY SPECIAL DIET: 6 small means (~338 calories) per day with specific goals for simple carbs/comp. carbs/ proteins/fats
DIET GOALS: I eat very healthy now, it's adjusting to eating 6 times a day that is challenging me.
EXERCISE GOALS: To get up to a full 60-minutes 6 days a week. I do 3 days with a trainer now, and am working on the other days on my own.
OTHER GOALS: Healthy and strong. And to see myself as beautiful and sexy no matter what my weight says.
FUN FACT: I'm a backup singer in a blues/southern rock band

homeslice614

Love the "1 pack" goal! You have a great attitude, you will do it

emi_esp

Catching up on some of the daily questions~


QOTD #1: What is your favorite kind of exercise and why?

I don't know if I have a favorite type of exercise, I like to mix it up a lot. Probably my favorite workout would be to play badminton though

QOTD #2: How did you find MFP, and how do you like it compared to other programs/sites/diets/etc you've tried in the past?

MFP is the first website I've used in my weight loss journey. Before I was keeping track of my calories in a book, but MFP is just so much easier and that database is simple to use.

QOTD #3: What was your "a-ha" moment, meaning was there a specific moment that made you decide that it was time to lose the weight?

When I hit my highest weight during Winter Break AFTER I thought I was trying to lose weight. I had no idea what sort of calories I was consuming unthinkingly and I just wasn't pushing myself physically either. I had to realize that I was in denial and that I wasn't really being consistent or eating healthy. Since then I've stopped a lot of the binging and high sugar/high fat snacks

QOTD #4: Have you "discovered" any new foods since you started eating healthier? Or realized that you DO like some foods that you used to claim to not like?

I used to think that I hated tomatoes unless they were cooked in something, but now I LOVE tomatoes raw-in a caprese salad, or just on any salad, sometimes all alone. I also like mustard and brussel sprouts now apparently

lyyzza

I'm in... I'm new to the board and would love to some friendly support.

NAME: Lisa
AGE: 40
HEIGHT: 5'5''
START WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 274
GOAL WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 254
START PANTS SIZE: 22/24 (US)
GOAL PANTS SIZE: 20 (US)
FOLLOW ANY SPECIAL DIET: I just try to eat healthy, watch my calorie intake and purposely eat items that are better for me.
DIET GOALS: experiment more with foods I'm "scared" to try.
EXERCISE GOALS: Increase!
OTHER GOALS: to continue on the healthy path and feel better about me!
FUN FACT: I love karaoke.

someonelikemyself

OH MY GOD. You life saverr!! i'm feeling HORRIBLE right now because i committed a sugary crime
this is what i need... I WILL BEHAVEE may God help me!! ughh ugly cravings and dumb choices..


AGE: 18
HEIGHT: 5'4
START WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 147
GOAL WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 141
START PANTS SIZE: 8/6 (US)
GOAL PANTS SIZE: 4/ 6 (US) maximum 6
FOLLOW ANY SPECIAL DIET: i try to be healthy moderate in my choices and i like the blood type diet ideas + i count calories.
DIET GOALS: more natural foods,stopping binge eating whenever../avoiding carbs/and drinking more water and less of other drinks.
EXERCISE GOALS: to be able to do 50 pushups in a day WITH ease like i used to ... and exercise vigorously whenever i can i want biceps and stronger abs with less back fat. lol
OTHER GOALS: toning the butt,thighs, and abs

brandinecole

Ok sounds good, I have been w MFP for about a year but this is my first time on the message boards
Good luck everyone and keep up all the good work :flowerforyou:

NAME: Brandi
AGE: 31
HEIGHT: 5'5''
START WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 138
GOAL WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 128
START PANTS SIZE: 8 (US)
GOAL PANTS SIZE: 6 (US)
FOLLOW ANY SPECIAL DIET: I do not eat Pork/Beef/Lamb etc more of an earth friendly animal friendly thing
DIET GOALS: more vegetables,fruit, and water
EXERCISE GOALS: to be able to maybe actually run either around the block or on the treadmill without being winded
OTHER GOALS: more firm and toned everywhere

MLStoMLK

Hello Everyone!

QOTD #10: How are you tracking your food right now? Do you pre-track or track as you go? Do you track everything you eat, or only certain foods? Do you eat your exercise calories or not?

I just started MFP about 4 weeks ago and I have been obsessive compulsive about tracking everything (even when I screw up, binge on sweets and go way over!). I usually track as I go, but sometimes by dinner time I'll pre-track and figure out how much I can eat to stay within the guidelines. Then for a night time snack I'll definitely pre-track to see what I should eat. I definitely eat all of my exercise calories and some days I'll even exercise just so I can eat more! I know it's probably not supposed to be that way. But it seems like I'm feeling hungry every 2 hours after a meal! Eek! 1200 calories seems pretty low, but that's what MFP recommended for me and I am happy with the results thus far.

mzjessicab

Hi Leah, Thanks for starting this! I too started to get a little discouraged by all of the CLOSED groups!!

NAME: Jessica
AGE: 29
HEIGHT: 5'9"
START WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 193
GOAL WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 188
FOLLOW ANY SPECIAL DIET: counting calories and not eating after 8:30pm
DIET GOALS: To eat more smaller meals and more raw food
EXERCISE GOALS: To walk briskly 30- 45 min at least 4 times weekly and interval training the other 2 days
OTHER GOALS: Toned tummy and arms
FUN FACT: I play drums and piano and in my spare time I mime at events!

mzjessicab

Catching up on my QOTD's!!!

QOTD #1: What is your favorite kind of exercise and why? My favorite excercise is jumping rope or jumping jacks... I guess I like to jump! LOL

QOTD #2: How did you find MFP, and how do you like it compared to other programs/sites/diets/etc you've tried in the past? My husband and cousins got me started here and I became totally hooked!

QOTD #3: What was your "a-ha" moment, meaning was there a specific moment that made you decide that it was time to lose the weight? When I went to put on my pregnancy pants for work and they totally fit as if I were still pregnant...

QOTD #4: Have you "discovered" any new foods since you started eating healthier? Or realized that you DO like some foods that you used to claim to not like? I realized that I actually do like Rice Cakes! SO I much on them if I get a little 'snacky' between lunch and dinner.

QOTD #5: What do you do to keep yourself on track while traveling or on vacation? I buy varieties of different things so that I don't feel let out... So if my fam gets icecream, I'll eat frozen yogurt!

QOTD #6: What is your main motivation to get in shape right now? Right now, I have a closet full of fabulous clothes that I cannot wear! I need to be able to wear them! So my new wardrobe is my motivation!

QOTD #7: Other than working out and losing weight, what have you done to improve your self esteem? I have spent a little more time in the beauty parlor to get my hair done!

QOTD #8: What's your workout plan this week? List it! This week I will be doing weigth training, brisk walking and jumprope.... mixed with interval training on 3 out of the 5 day week...

QOTD #9: How do you stay on track with diet and exercise in times of severe stress? The excercise actually helps me to destress. I also have found alternatives of my favorite foods to eat, when I am stressing out.

QOTD #10: How are you tracking your food right now? Do you pre-track or track as you go? Do you track everything you eat, or only certain foods? Do you eat your exercise calories or not? I wanna know everything, hahaha. I sometimes pre-track or track as I go, depending on how much time in the morning I have to prepare.

julidav

QOTD #10: How are you tracking your food right now? Do you pre-track or track as you go? Do you track everything you eat, or only certain foods? Do you eat your exercise calories or not? I wanna know everything, hahaha.

I track my food as I go. I track everthing I eat. Sometimes I just use the quick tool to add the calories. Sometimes I eat my calories back,sometimes just part of them and then at other times I eat them all.

healermoon

Leah, I think it is awesome that you are making this open group! Thanks so much!

NAME: Kendra
AGE: 37
HEIGHT: 5'2"
START WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 186.2
GOAL WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 172
START PANTS SIZE: 16 (US)
GOAL PANTS SIZE: 14 (US)
FOLLOW ANY SPECIAL DIET: nope
DIET GOALS: keep track of my calories as I have been pretty lazy about that
EXERCISE GOALS: complete homework assigned by trainer daily, been lazy about that
OTHER GOALS: flatten the belly
FUN FACT: I like to play video games, and guitar equally

healermoon

QOTD #1: What is your favorite kind of exercise and why?

My favorite exercise is treading water, I am not big on swimming and really not crazy about water, but for some reason, I love to be in 5 feet of water and tread. I feel like I can feel my body toning up, when I work out in the water. I try for 45 minutes at a time. I now have to think about something to do when the winter sets in the pools are no longer heated. Any Suggestions?

QOTD #2: How did you find MFP, and how do you like it compared to other programs/sites/diets/etc you've tried in the past?

I love MFP because it is free, and it has the application for my phone and IPad. Then it is easier to keep up on. This site has the best support and the friendliest members.

QOTD #3: What was your "a-ha" moment, meaning was there a specific moment that made you decide that it was time to lose the weight?

My a-ha moment was when I stepped on the scale in January and realized I weighed more than I did when I was 9 months pregnant with my son. I felt so awful it occurred to me that I had really let myself go. My goal right now is to make it back to the weight I was when my husband and I started dating before his birthday (end of October). My next goal will be by the end of the year I think.

QOTD #4: Have you "discovered" any new foods since you started eating healthier? Or realized that you DO like some foods that you used to claim to not like?

I am eating more onions, and salads...I am finding that I really like Lentils and Kidney/Red beans and I enjoy substituting them for meat in soup recipes. I used to dread red beans in my food.

QOTD #5: What do you do to keep yourself on track while traveling or on vacation?
I try to walk more on vacations and not just sit, and try not to eat to much of the great foods at the Vegas Buffets (where I go on vacation the most)