Lose 10 lbs in September Challenge

traci0620

MINI-CHALLENGE FOR WEEK 1:

In my opinion, there are three VERY important parts to successfully losing weight and keeping it off:

1. Nutrition (NOT diet - it must be a lifestyle CHANGE!)
2. Exercise
3. Psychological

This week's mini-challenge will involve all three aspects:

1. Drink AT LEAST 8 glasses of water EVERY DAY - our bodies are primarily water and WILL NOT FUNCTION without the proper amounts. 64oz is an absolute minimum daily intake just for your body to function - so how do you expect to lose weight if your body is dehydrated?? :drinker:

2. Try a new exercise that you don't normally do or haven't done in a really long time. For women this might be weight training - a lot of times we have AWESOME cardiovascular systems but no muscle whatsoever, but our muscle is the fat-burners in our bodies. Also, sometimes our bodies simply get used to what we are doing and thus the dreaded plateau. Try to confuse your body this week and report back with what you did and how you liked it.

3. Think about (and share if you feel comfortable) what got you to where you are today. Why did you let yourself go? What was your awakening moment when you knew something had to change? What situations trigger you to not make healthy decisions and how can you control those situations? Life happens, and sometimes we need to focus on what happens in life and how we react to those situations and be ready to deal with them when they arise.

I welcome ALL of you to the September challenge and look forward to seeing some AWESOME losses! MFP love!!

Let's see. I got to my current weight just by neglect, not making healthy choice and not taking time to take care of myself. I knw something had to change after my second child. Seeing the scale hit 190 was a real shocker for me. I tend to make bad decisions about eating if I am tired or bummed about something. Which since I have small children is often. I love to snack and am learning to curb it and make better decisions about what I snack on. I try to get a good nights sleep and relax when I can, but sometimes life just gives you a bad hand.

steffiejoe

I thought I joined this challenge but can find my post.
Anyway Im in it to win it. Please add me.




SW:150.5
GW:145.0
DW(dream weight):135.0

kbreezie922

MINI-CHALLENGE FOR WEEK 1:

In my opinion, there are three VERY important parts to successfully losing weight and keeping it off:

1. Nutrition (NOT diet - it must be a lifestyle CHANGE!)
2. Exercise
3. Psychological

This week's mini-challenge will involve all three aspects:

1. Drink AT LEAST 8 glasses of water EVERY DAY - our bodies are primarily water and WILL NOT FUNCTION without the proper amounts. 64oz is an absolute minimum daily intake just for your body to function - so how do you expect to lose weight if your body is dehydrated?? :drinker:

2. Try a new exercise that you don't normally do or haven't done in a really long time. For women this might be weight training - a lot of times we have AWESOME cardiovascular systems but no muscle whatsoever, but our muscle is the fat-burners in our bodies. Also, sometimes our bodies simply get used to what we are doing and thus the dreaded plateau. Try to confuse your body this week and report back with what you did and how you liked it.

3. Think about (and share if you feel comfortable) what got you to where you are today. Why did you let yourself go? What was your awakening moment when you knew something had to change? What situations trigger you to not make healthy decisions and how can you control those situations? Life happens, and sometimes we need to focus on what happens in life and how we react to those situations and be ready to deal with them when they arise.

I welcome ALL of you to the September challenge and look forward to seeing some AWESOME losses! MFP love!!

I was never skinny, but always a thicker girl (which I thought was fat at the time). In high school I had the same boyfriend all 4 years, and we dated into adult hood. After 7 years of dating, we broke up. Going through all the old pictures and then the new pictures, is when I realized how big I had actually gotten. I wasn't taking care of myself, always eating out with friends and of course I gained the "freshmen 15" my first year, and second year in college lol. After the break up I asked my younger brother's friend (he is very physically fit and athletic, as is my brother) if I were at a party would he try to talk/date me. And he said "you have a very pretty face, but I don't go for the bigger girls". That's what did it for me. So here I am, I have a new boyfriend (a better one I might add) and I'm on a mission to lead a better and happier lifestyle

Erica_theRedhead

So, new exercises galore with me. I had to switch trainers because mine left the gym and this new guy is totally different. A little scary because I have lost so much with my old trainer, but a new one brings new workouts and hopefully will make the scale start moving down a little quicker. The new bane of my existence is the TRX. He loves it, but I've barely ever used it, and stink at it...Oh well, what doesn't kill you right??

Water may be an issue. I don't really get bathroom breaks at work and once I get a bottle of water or coffee in me, it's all over. But I'm trying to be better. Maybe not 8 glasses, but have definately doubled my normal intake.

As far as what got me here...I was always bigger, but athletic too. I justified my weight because I thought that I was at least healthy on the inside. Once college came, I ate crap and drank a lot of alcohol (I was in a fraternity) and just packed on the pounds. Now I'm older and out of school and can't say I'm healthy, and the stress or partying excuse is not enough. So serious weight loss is my new obsession. I'm glad to have found all of you great people and let's all reach our goals together! :bigsmile:

sboo

3. Think about (and share if you feel comfortable) what got you to where you are today. Why did you let yourself go? What was your awakening moment when you knew something had to change? What situations trigger you to not make healthy decisions and how can you control those situations? Life happens, and sometimes we need to focus on what happens in life and how we react to those situations and be ready to deal with them when they arise.

What got me here... I was always a thick girl. But, I was blessed with TRIPLETS just 3years ago. That's not the actual trigger. Because, I lost weight while I was pregnant. I weighed less after delivery, then before I was pregnant. But, over the years I just did not take care of myself. I was taking care of everyone else. I took off work 2yrs, and then the pounds really starting adding up. Then one day I decided to go back to work, I had to go shopping. ): What a disappointment. It was sad. I realized I had to do something so I can be there for my babies. (:

acmcoc

bump

Amandalovesfood89

3. Think about (and share if you feel comfortable) what got you to where you are today. Why did you let yourself go? What was your awakening moment when you knew something had to change? What situations trigger you to not make healthy decisions and how can you control those situations? Life happens, and sometimes we need to focus on what happens in life and how we react to those situations and be ready to deal with them when they arise.

I'm originally for Florida, currently living in one of the fattest cities in the country... San Antonio,TX. I was always an overweight child, not extremely over weight but enough for the kids to make fun of me. When I hit 7th grade I started walking and riding my bike to school and was dropping weight like crazy. I gained a little bit of weight back between 9th and 10th grade. The summer before my junior year I went on an all salad diet, only ate meat when I had to and I dropped 30lbs in a month. Probably not the healthiest way to do it, but I was turning 16 that summer and was having my first co-ed pool party and was determined to look good. My family & I moved to Texas the middle of my junior year of high school and the weight started to pile on slowly but surely. When I started my freshman year at the university is when the weight really started to pile on. Lets just say the cafeteria did not serve the healthiest meals and I was there constantly binge eating. I gained about 50lbs in a matter of 6 months to a year. They thought I was sick because I was putting weight on so rapidly. I finally got tired of all the tests and just stopped going to the specialist so the weight continued to add up. And now here I am, went from 130lbs to 220lbs. I honestly HATE myself. And that's honestly an understatement about how I really feel. It makes me want to vomit when I look in the mirror, and yet I never do anything about it. I still binge eat until i'm sick to my stomach and no matter how hard I try I always fall back into the same habit. But not this time. I'm determined to succeed. And I will.

randylevy

his week's mini-challenge will involve all three aspects:

1. Drink AT LEAST 8 glasses of water EVERY DAY - our bodies are primarily water and WILL NOT FUNCTION without the proper amounts. 64oz is an absolute minimum daily intake just for your body to function - so how do you expect to lose weight if your body is dehydrated??

This is pretty difficult for me, but I am getting better. I'm actually up to 7 right now so I'm sure I'll hit 8. QUESTION: Does it count if I add Crystal Light.


2. Try a new exercise that you don't normally do or haven't done in a really long time. For women this might be weight training - a lot of times we have AWESOME cardiovascular systems but no muscle whatsoever, but our muscle is the fat-burners in our bodies. Also, sometimes our bodies simply get used to what we are doing and thus the dreaded plateau. Try to confuse your body this week and report back with what you did and how you liked it.

Well today I did do a little weight training with really light dumbbells, but hey I felt it. BUT, this uncoordinated no rhythm girl did a Beginner Belly dancing Video exercise. It was only 15 minutes but its something I haven't done ever and MFP gave me 80 extra calories for it.

3. Think about (and share if you feel comfortable) what got you to where you are today. Why did you let yourself go? What was your awakening moment when you knew something had to change? What situations trigger you to not make healthy decisions and how can you control those situations? Life happens, and sometimes we need to focus on what happens in life and how we react to those situations and be ready to deal with them when they arise.

This one I'll cover another time.

I welcome ALL of you to the September challenge and look forward to seeing some AWESOME losses! MFP love!!
Thank you Thank you Thank you for initiating this challenge.

PS. I could use some MFP buddies if you want to add me.

babygurl48

ii'm gonna have to leave this group.. i have another 3 groups i'm in and i'm starting to get all confused!!!...lol..good luck everyone!!

Nikkie_too

1. I very rarely drink less than 8 cups of water, and usually more. I've got this in the bag.
2. I tried a plank (abdominal bridge) today. Last time I did this was with a free personal-training session at my gym about a year ago. I could only hold it about 10-15 seconds. Today I was able to do 25, but rested a bit and did another 15 seconds. I'm not sure I actually *like* the exercise any better - but I did feel stronger, and was glad I did it. I think I'll add them into my workouts now and then.
3. Thanks for the push to think about why and how I got this heavy, and why it's such a struggle to take good care of my body.

Hope everyone has a great long weekend!

sherrillg

Mini Challenge Wk 1

1. Drink AT LEAST 8 glasses of water EVERY DAY - no problem there for me. Love water!

2. Try a new exercise - Today I RAN intervals, something I haven't done since June. I stopped running because it was just too much on my knees but I've been struggling to get under 160 and decided it was worth a shot. I walk at a very fast pace (actually faster than I "run") and we have a very short track at the Y (1/16mi) I ran 1/2 lap and walked the second 1/2 lap...for 2 miles.

3. How did I get here...Diagnosed at 26 with rheumatoid arthritis. Very quick and debilitating onset. 3 small kids and active duty hubby gone for 6mo out of every year meant that I had to be mobile. Steroids were the only thing that could touch the pain. I gained 30lbs in 6wks. Truly depressing and it didn't stop there although it slowed. The next 15 years were spent trying what seemed like every drug on the market with absolutely no improvement (add more depression). Finally in 2004 (225lbs) I was started on a biological drug that seriously gave me back my life. In 2005 I completed the breast cancer 3 day walk in Seattle in memory of my aunt. All this "exercising" (months of training)and yet I could not lose the weight. Not one single lb. In 2007, I started on Nutrisystem and lost 60lbs. Found out that one of my major issues was portion size and NS prepackaged foods helped me get used to that. I finished my first (and only) 1/2 marathon alongside both of my daughters (one who was 6 mo pregnant with my twin granddaughters). After the twins were born, life was very busy and while I only gained back 7lbs in 2 years it was a slide I didn't want to go down. That's when I found this site. I love the support and friendship.

NHLove88

1. Drink AT LEAST 8 glasses of water EVERY DAY:

oh boy is this a challenge for me; I`m not a fan of water & hardly ever drink it (I find it tastes funny, don't ask). But because of MFP I just bought a 20oz water bottle and it pretty much goes where I go. So far I refill it maybe 3x a day. That`s probably not enough, but I`m sure as the days go by I`ll get use to drinking more water.

2. Try a new exercise that you don't normally do or haven't done in a really long time:

I haven`t really exercised in a while, so everything I`m doing (Cardio DVDs, Cardio machines at the gym) are considered new to me. Strength Training however is going to be a challenge, since I`m unsure what exactly to do. So I`m avoiding them until I`m more comfortable.

3. What was your awakening moment when you knew something had to change?:

I started to dislike going shopping (sounds shallow but it really is true). I use to LOVE it, but as the years went by, I started to feel as if everything I tried on looked bad on me. I want to look and feel good again. Seeing the goals people have reached on this website has really pushed me to take action, I can do this... & it`s about time I commit to something.

tnmarie

Ok, Ok!! Here's the link to the spreadsheet! There are well over 700 of you, so it took me a bit to get everything set up. Please check to see that I have your screen name spelled correctly and that your starting weight is correct. If I don't have a starting weight in there for you - add it or send me a message and I can add it for you. I didn't create a column for tomorrow because I'm still missing a lot of starting weights - so the first official weigh in will be NEXT Friday! Let me know if you have any questions!!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApGWjN0Yz2hfdFhpSVlFYWNsdjR4N3lUNVNjTnhlVlE&hl=en_US

P.S. Mini-challenge coming soon!

Thanks for putting this together!!

amy29fan

This week's mini-challenge will involve all three aspects:

1. Drink AT LEAST 8 glasses of water EVERY DAY - our bodies are primarily water and WILL NOT FUNCTION without the proper amounts. 64oz is an absolute minimum daily intake just for your body to function - so how do you expect to lose weight if your body is dehydrated??

This challenge will not be that difficult to me. I already have been drinking at least 8 glasses. But I need to get rid of the diet coke as well.

2. Try a new exercise that you don't normally do or haven't done in a really long time. For women this might be weight training - a lot of times we have AWESOME cardiovascular systems but no muscle whatsoever, but our muscle is the fat-burners in our bodies. Also, sometimes our bodies simply get used to what we are doing and thus the dreaded plateau. Try to confuse your body this week and report back with what you did and how you liked it.

I don't think I will necessarily need to start a new exercise, I just need to ACTUALLY START EXERCISING again. I know that it worked last time, I just need to get off of this 3 month no exercise cycle.

3. Think about (and share if you feel comfortable) what got you to where you are today. Why did you let yourself go? What was your awakening moment when you knew something had to change? What situations trigger you to not make healthy decisions and how can you control those situations? Life happens, and sometimes we need to focus on what happens in life and how we react to those situations and be ready to deal with them when they arise.

I have nothing but excuses for the weight gain that I have experienced. I am 5'2, currently 156lbs and have size 38DD - 36DDD chest size. I have always been bigger chested female, however I have always been involved in many sports throughout high school and college. Then I graduated in 1998, got married in 2003, had my son in 2004, and the sports quit. My big weight gain journey began in December 2009. My 52 year old mother suddenly got sick with pneumonia and for the next 30 days straight I was living at the hospital. Unfortunately, she passed away in Jan 2010. And my emotional eating kicked into full gear. Then in May 2010, I saw some pictures of myself with my family, and ugh. It was bad! So on May 5 2010, I joined LoseIt.com and began tracking my food. This worked for a bit, but only lost about 15lbs. Then on what would have been my parents 31st anniversary on Jan 18, 2011, I went to the cemetery to visit my mom, and I promised her I would get healthier to take care of the family. And that day I joined MFP and have lost 30lbs, and I want to lose at least 20 more. I know that if I exercise it will come off easier than just recording my food intake. But I feel that I can do this and I will....

Seraph1120

3. Think about (and share if you feel comfortable) what got you to where you are today. Why did you let yourself go? What was your awakening moment when you knew something had to change? What situations trigger you to not make healthy decisions and how can you control those situations? Life happens, and sometimes we need to focus on what happens in life and how we react to those situations and be ready to deal with them when they arise.

Well...I know a bunch of people on here are trying to stay clear of diabetes. My hope is the same. My father passed away in 2003 of a blood clot, but if that didn't get him then it would have been one of his many diabetic episodes. This first of which was when his coworker dropped him off at our house with just me at home. A teenager not knowing what the heck was going on, but having to witness my father going through a rollercoaster...laughing hysterically, crying, throwing himself against chairs, running outside towards a busy street. Scared me witless. So there's my father, and then my mother found out she developed diabetes due to her weight. And out of 5 daughters, two already have diabetes, one is borderline, one doesn't have any symptoms and then there's me. I had a blood test done last year and the doctor was worried that I was heading down that track and wanted me to start dieting. It took me a few months before I found this site, but since then I've been challenging myself to keep up with exercise and watching my portions. These monthly and mini challenges are just what I need to get my butt off the couch. It's not only me depending on me, it's a team! I can use all the motivation I can get!

sherbertlemon72

Is it too late for me to join?

tnmarie

Thanks everyone for sharing your stories. Some were very touching! Glad we are all here to get healthy and motivate one another.


1. Drink AT LEAST 8 glasses of water EVERY DAY - our bodies are primarily water and WILL NOT FUNCTION without the proper amounts. 64oz is an absolute minimum daily intake just for your body to function - so how do you expect to lose weight if your body is dehydrated??

This is SO hard for me! Seems silly really, so simple. This is a great mini challenge for me. I never log water in my log because if I am really good I might drink 32oz!!!!! So I will start logging it and try to get my water in.


2. Try a new exercise that you don't normally do or haven't done in a really long time. For women this might be weight training - a lot of times we have AWESOME cardiovascular systems but no muscle whatsoever, but our muscle is the fat-burners in our bodies. Also, sometimes our bodies simply get used to what we are doing and thus the dreaded plateau. Try to confuse your body this week and report back with what you did and how you liked it.

I have been absent from the gym all summer. This morning I went to my 4th ZUMBA class and I have really been enjoying it. I have been to the gym 6 out of the last 7 days and I plan to keep it up. I recommend ZUMBA to anyone who thinks they might like it....you will! It's very fun!

3. Think about (and share if you feel comfortable) what got you to where you are today. Why did you let yourself go? What was your awakening moment when you knew something had to change? What situations trigger you to not make healthy decisions and how can you control those situations? Life happens, and sometimes we need to focus on what happens in life and how we react to those situations and be ready to deal with them when they arise.

I have struggled with Binge eating most of my life, I used to be a dancer/gymnast and would starve myself for a week and then binge. Now I am no longer a dancer/gymnast and therefore do not feel the need to starve but unfortunately the binge eating has stuck as a habit. I am also a night owl so when my family is asleep I am up doing things around the house and end up snacking late. My goal is to start being more active and waking up really early so that I am tired enough to go to bed earlier than I do now. That way I am not up late by myself snacking at night. I knew I needed to change when I took a trip with my husband this summer. We went on a trip to Costa Rica and our son stayed with my family. We had a great time at the beach ( I was a bit self conscious) but all in all it was a wonderful trip. However, it was our first alone trip in a long time and I was embarrassed to take pictures (I did though, knowing I would regret not having those photographs). I had to tell myself to enjoy the trip and live in the moment. I promised myself I would get healthy and in shape so that I can enjoy a full life with adventure and great times with my family in the future without worrying about feeling or looking fat.

I am READY!! I am the heaviest I have ever been....5lbs heavier than I was at 9 months pregnant. After my son was born I worked hard to get in the best shape of my life and I have since gained about 50 pounds (he is 4). I turn 30 in February and I plan to be back in great shape by then.

I just got home from ZUMBA and am enjoying some water on the porch. Have a great day everyone!

tiabirdie56

Hello!

1. I drink plenty of water everyday, so no problem with 64ozs daily.

2. Yay! new exercise. This was my plan for September anyway. I'll continue my strength training and add Turbo Jam in place of circuit training. I'll do treadmill incline intervals instead of elliptical intervals (I'll miss you elliptical) and try to get in a decent amount of walking each week.

3. Think about (and share if you feel comfortable) what got you to where you are today. Why did you let yourself go? What was your awakening moment when you knew something had to change? What situations trigger you to not make healthy decisions and how can you control those situations? Life happens, and sometimes we need to focus on what happens in life and how we react to those situations and be ready to deal with them when they arise.

Injuries, specifically, overuse injuries from exercise, initially caused me to gain weight. This started in 1998 with plantar faciitis. Horrible pain that cortisone couldn't help abate. I had to do a lot of stretching to be able to walk and had to reduce my walking from 6 miles a day to 3 and I was forcing that. I overcame that and then I developed metatarsalgia (ball of foot inflammation) I had to quit doing everything for a while because the pain was just too much. It felt like I was walking on my bare bones. Then I developed morton's neuroma which causes unbelieveably wicked painful nerve pain on the top of the foot. I have a lot of foot abnormalities. In 2004, I weighed 170 lbs, 180 lbs in 2008, then along comes menopause and other stressful events to increase my weight. 2008 thru 2010, more family stress and 2010 I didn't get much exercise or sleep because I was helping my niece take care of her little one. So I gained a lot of weight during that time and another little person to love and stress over :-)

So, for me, no regrets, no blame, I just need to do whatever it takes to get the weight off.

Tish

scooterboy2003

32 miles, hilly terrain, 13.4 average mph on my bicycle. I KNOW I can finish a 30 mile race next month now!
:glasses:

Athena413

32 miles, hilly terrain, 13.4 average mph on my bicycle. I KNOW I can finish a 30 mile race next month now!
:glasses:

What bike race are you doing? My husband and I are looking at doing the Route 66 Mother Road Bike Tour - I think he's wanting to do 30 miles, but I'll probably only do 12...