STARS 9 WEEK HOLIDAY CHALLENGE (CLOSED GROUP)

MFPSTARSCHALLENGE

Hello Ladies!

Welcome to Round 1 of the MFP STARS 9 Week Holiday challenge. I'm so excited to get started, and I know that you guys are excited too ! If you haven't already done so, please check the “About Me” section of our Challenge page. Here you will find links to our Rules and FAQ, our weigh-in form and Team list.

Since today is day one I am going to start off by posted in out first Question of the Day (QOTD). I ask that everyone in the challenge participate by answering the question. This is a very important part of encouraging each other and also getting know other players. Please be sure to check here daily, including on weekends to answer the QOTD!

PLEASE “CC” THE QUESTION OF THE DAY IN YOUR RESPONSE and the DATE. It helps us to keep track of it! Below is the first questions. Just following my lead and if you have any questions.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO REACH OUT TO YOUR PARTNER AND FRIEND THEM AT THIS TIME. Do a introduction, be nice and supportive. This will be your right hand woman for the next week. Remember Supportive people are Successful people.

TEAM LINK: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccckey=0AgNS3auawXxwdE5Db0lDVHNGSm56VTZCc3ZxNnM3WWc&hl=en_US

These forum threads will also be were I post weekly individual winners, partner winners and team winners. Also, I will be starting a new Forum Thread weekly. So please check the challenge page for the new thread.

One last thing: If you have any comments questions or concern. Please feel free to inbox me at

Alright ladies just think 9 weeks from now we will all be better, healthier version of ourselves. Let get it started


Weekly winner can post the Winner Trophy

Stars trophy winner by starsnyc21, on Flickr

---

QOTD- Saturday: What made you decide that now was the time to start your weight loss journey?”

My response: Well ladies this has been a life long struggle for me but I'm now determine to win. I lost 30 lbs eariler this year but I had some unexpected events in my life that cause things to get really stressful and overeat. I gained back 12 lbs. I decided now is the time to get back on track. I worked really hard too lose that weight and I don't want to give up on myself or my goals. I think hosting this challenge will help me with my own personal goals and encourage others to do the same.

getitamb

09/24/2011

I started my weight loss journey because I mistakenly thought if I lost weight I would start getting more dates and things but then I realized it was bc of my attitude I was reppelling people. The thing I learned is that the more weight I lose the more confident I am. And it started to become about motivating other people around me to do better, by motivating myself. I love te idea of being able to wear whatever I want and go wherever I want. I love being an inspiration.

sboo

9/24/2011


I decided to start being serious about losing weight, because it is no longer fun to go clothes shopping. I was blaming my weight gain on my pregnancy. When in fact I lost weight during and afterwards. I was smaller after I had my babies then before I got pregnant. I lacked motivation and support. So, with that said, I hope I can get the support and motivation I need to jump start my weight loss with this forum.

starsnyc21

I forgot to mention is would show team spirit is you change your profile picture to your team color star for the challenge. I will leave that up to you. My pic is an example. Just google your color star as a image and save as a pic, add to your file back.

tartz66

9/24/2011 QOTD- Saturday: What made you decide that now was the time to start your weight loss journey?”

I decided to finally lose the weight because I honestly think that everyone in my family was tired of hearing my excuses including me. I realize that only me can make the change and all of the excuses in the world will not make me feel better. I want to feel comfortable in my own skin and I am tired of always having to try to find something to wear to hide my faults. I want to be a better example for my children and help them understand that our body is precious and we need to treat it with respect. I am ready to make this happen once and for all! Terri

RhondaLeeRoss

QOTD- Saturday: What made you decide that now was the time to start your weight loss journey?”

There really was no reason I decided now was the time. It was more of a feeling. I've always been a woman that likes to "start fresh"! Well that wasn't working for me. I seen an infomercial on tv advertising Turbo Fire and it looked like so much fun. So while I was sitting on the couch eating a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup I decided to order it. (through Kijiji because it was a lot cheaper!) I am now in week 9 and love love love it! Between it and MFP I feel, no wait, I know I can do it this time. I am so thankful this challenge group is here. With us supporting each other maybe now I can get the eating healthy on track! I've never been a healthy eater so I will need a lot of support and encouragement. Thanks everyone! LET'S GO BLUE!!!

NaomiLyn15

QOTD- Saturday (9/24): What made you decide that now was the time to start your weight loss journey?”

I actually started this journey in September of 2009, but it was a complete failure. I was in a wedding at the end of September that year, and when the dress came in, it was too small. I crash dieted for three weeks, and was able to fit in the dress, but it all came back right away. I started to work out every day at that point, but my weight wouldn't budge. I bought an elliptical, and spent 45-60 min a day on it. I started to count calories, and still nothing. I was eating 1200 calories a day, and working out at least an hour a day, but nothing changed. Finally, in February of last year, I went to the doctor and found out that I have PCOS. She explained to me that my body doesn't know what to do with processed carbs, so they basically just turn into fat. She suggested that I cut out processed foods, and eat a more natural diet. I made these changes in February of last year, and immediately started to lose weight. By May of 2010 I was down to 180 from 214. Then we moved, and I "fell off the wagon". I still watched the processed carbs, but I stopped exercising and I stopped counting calories. I gained back 7 lbs from June 2010 to June 2011.

This June I decided that I wanted to finish what I started the year before. So, I got back on Myfitnesspal, and have been counting calories and working out ever since. I am now down to 173, my lowest since I got married, and continue to lose (although it is slow because I am at the end of the journey). My goal is 165, but I think that I want to push past 165, and get to 160 so I am in the healthy BMI range. I am so excited about this challenge, I am happy that it is so intensive, and expects alot from us. That is the best way to stay motivated!

mummy_gerdes

why i started my weight loss: i had tried every diet going you name it i tried it! nothing seemed to work and everytime i stopped even if i had lost weight it went back on and then some! i had my son a year ago now and craved fruit and veg with him - my bodys way of saying "YOU NEED THIS!" I guess. it went from there - i got really into juicing and have one each morning. i am really self consious about my body and my weight and want to be healthy for my son and his little brother or sister hopefully! i was tired of making excuses.

starsnyc21

QOTD- Saturday: What made you decide that now was the time to start your weight loss journey?”

There really was no reason I decided now was the time. It was more of a feeling. I've always been a woman that likes to "start fresh"! Well that wasn't working for me. I seen an infomercial on tv advertising Turbo Fire and it looked like so much fun. So while I was sitting on the couch eating a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup I decided to order it. (through Kijiji because it was a lot cheaper!) I am now in week 9 and love love love it! Between it and MFP I feel, no wait, I know I can do it this time. I am so thankful this challenge group is here. With us supporting each other maybe now I can get the eating healthy on track! I've never been a healthy eater so I will need a lot of support and encouragement. Thanks everyone! LET'S GO BLUE!!!

Sounds like me eating chocolate and peanut butter watching exercise informercial..lol.

starsnyc21

QOTD- Saturday (9/24): What made you decide that now was the time to start your weight loss journey?”

I actually started this journey in September of 2009, but it was a complete failure. I was in a wedding at the end of September that year, and when the dress came in, it was too small. I crash dieted for three weeks, and was able to fit in the dress, but it all came back right away. I started to work out every day at that point, but my weight wouldn't budge. I bought an elliptical, and spent 45-60 min a day on it. I started to count calories, and still nothing. I was eating 1200 calories a day, and working out at least an hour a day, but nothing changed. Finally, in February of last year, I went to the doctor and found out that I have PCOS. She explained to me that my body doesn't know what to do with processed carbs, so they basically just turn into fat. She suggested that I cut out processed foods, and eat a more natural diet. I made these changes in February of last year, and immediately started to lose weight. By May of 2010 I was down to 180 from 214. Then we moved, and I "fell off the wagon". I still watched the processed carbs, but I stopped exercising and I stopped counting calories. I gained back 7 lbs from June 2010 to June 2011.

This June I decided that I wanted to finish what I started the year before. So, I got back on Myfitnesspal, and have been counting calories and working out ever since. I am now down to 173, my lowest since I got married, and continue to lose (although it is slow because I am at the end of the journey). My goal is 165, but I think that I want to push past 165, and get to 160 so I am in the healthy BMI range. I am so excited about this challenge, I am happy that it is so intensive, and expects alot from us. That is the best way to stay motivated!

Awesome. Welcome and thanks for joining

6eighteen11

9/24/11 QOTD: What made you decide that now was the time to start your weight loss journey?

My wedding was a huge factor. I was at my highest weight at my wedding 3 months ago, more than 60 pounds higher than the last time I had seen a lot of my friends and family. I was so worried about what people were going to think that instead of enjoying the morning leading up to the wedding I was stressing out about seeing everybody again (don't worry, after a few glasses of wine to calm my nerves I forgot all about that and had a great day). Once I got my pictures back, I barely recognized myself. I think that was when I realized something needed to change. Just 2 years ago I was wearing a size 6 and felt confident about myself. Now I'm very self-conscious and critical of myself. 2 years of gaining weight is enough, I'm ready to get back to the old me!

shydaisi

QOTD- Saturday: What made you decide that now was the time to start your weight loss journey?

I made a partial lifestyle change back in 2005 and lost 88 pounds in about 8 months going from a size 20/22 to a size 6. While I was eating healthy, I was still smoking and not exercising (doctor's orders -- the non-exercise, not the smoking...lol). I kept the weight off for about a year before I got pregnant. Luckily I had decided to quit smoking about a week before I found out I was pregnant, however this partially contributed to gaining all of the weight I had previously lost back within the 9 months. There were other contributing factors of course - I was very depressed (I knew I would be a single, solo parent - no judgments please, I am hard enough on myself...) and I did not have a very strong support network (some of my friends actually stopped being so)...so I turned to food. Before getting pregnant, I was VERY strict about the number of calories I ate. After getting pregnant, I was worried I wasn't going to be eating enough for the baby, had no idea how many extra calories to consume, and basically threw everything I knew out the window...Not the proudest moment of my life.

For the last 4.5 years, my life has been all about taking care of my son and very little about taking care of me. Micah is a very strong-willed, spirited child who literally cried from 2 weeks to a year 80 to 90% of his awake time. He is very attached to me (which is kind of understandable as I am all he has). I tried several times to revert my lifestyle again, but I was not successful. I would do okay for a few days or a week, but then I would be overcome with the desire for food and binge, gaining back all I had lost in the previous days plus an additional 5 pounds or so. After gaining 35 pounds like that, I decided to put those changes on hold until I could get into the right frame of mind. I held steady at 240 to 250 pounds for about a year. I got a new job in February, which, after a probationary period, offers to pay for a membership to the local YMCA. At the end of May, I signed up to join because I would receive a discount on the cost of Micah's soccer if we were a member. I started dabbling in working out a little, using the elliptical machine a couple of times, but didn't really change my eating habits yet. A week or so in, I noticed the Zumba class which took place at the same time or just after Micah's soccer game each week. I decided to try it out, thought I was going to die before the class was over, but absolutely loved it! On June 17, 2011, I began my full lifestyle change. I started going to a Zumba class 3 to 4 times per week, and on August 15, 2011 I began the C25K running program. I started counting my calories and within the week re-found MFP (I had actually signed up during one failed attempt at losing weight in 2010 but never utilized the website). Since that time I have lost 41.6 pounds and am looking to lose at least another 68.4, with 18.0 pounds being during this challenge.

I guess the short answer is: I decided after 4.5 years, it was time to put me first for a change!

MamaDee2

Sat 09/24/11 QOTD- Saturday: What made you decide that now was the time to start your weight loss journey?

My daughter was getting married and I realized (and HOPED) that one day I would be a grandma and i wanted to be a grandma that had the energy to play with my grandchild. I wanted to be a grandma that would be active in their life for a long time. So my journey began (but I have been over weight my entire life and have tried EVERY diet known to man). I lost 155 lbs but some things got in my way and detrailed my process and I have gained 50 lbs back and I need to get them OFF! I now have that precious grandbaby and I can't go back!

ChatSournois

QOTD- Saturday: What made you decide that now was the time to start your weight loss journey?

I suppose I noticed the weight creeping on the year before my 30th birthday. When I did start to notice, I used to blame my metabolism & say it was slowing down but actually it was me slowing right down. I used to be able to eat what I want and stay slim..but I also walked everywhere and had jobs where I was on my feet for long shifts. As soon as I started working in an office, I was out for lunch every day with my friends and ordering hot chocolates & melt paninis (yum!). Then I got pregnant and literally started to stuff my face!!. I remember when I was about eight months pregnant and I just wanted to be able to move around more, I was huge..and I used to dream about running marathons. I promised myself that I would get fit when my son was born. I was so sure that my stomach would flatten out a few weeks after the birth...ha!. I felt huge and bloated for the first few months and was really just too tired to exercise. The sheer exhaustion would mean that it would get to dinner time and I would just order a takeaway or stick a frozen pizza in the oven. Eventually, I joined Weight Watchers and I did really well & lost 28 pounds. I went on a holiday and stopped counting points..then never went back to the meetings and of course, piled a lot of the weight back on.
It was my holiday this year that spurred me on to start trying to lose weight and my sister told me about MFP. I was coasting along this Summer though and went up & down in weight. I lost a bit before my holiday and have now gained 7 back...eek.
Since I got back earlier this week, I am like a woman possessed and I am on a serious misson. I want to lose 15 pounds for 01 December..this is my birthday and hopefully I can go away for a weekend with my partner (and not worry about holding my stomach in!). I'm delighted that this challenge started and I'm looking forward to chatting to you all!.

nenabug

Response to QOTD #1:

I have always struggled with weight and having a healthy relationship with food. When I started looking to God for my worth, not the outside world, is when things started changing.

I've had a lot of road blocks, but I'm making progress. I feel like this is my year to make the most headway. Food is my last hurdle and once I get over it, I will finally change this weakness to a strength.

This Challenge is a blessing! I need outside support and have been struggling to find it. I'm so excited for the help these next 9 weeks. Hopefully as I focus on my health all my other goals will be a secondary result.

jnell82

QOTD- Saturday (9/24): What made you decide that now was the time to start your weight loss journey?”

I decided to start my weight loss journey because I am tired of feeling uncomfortable in my own skin. I also think about my children about how I don't have the energy that I should to play with them as much as I would like to. I also want to look good for them. My oldest is in elementary school. I am they type of Mom that likes to volunteer and help in the classroom and I don't want my daughters to be embarrassed by me. The final straw from me was seeing pictures of myself from a family cook out 2 weeks ago. I have been on and off this journey for a while, but after seeing those pictures. I can't stop. This weight MUST come off! Good luck everyone!!!!!

MFPSTARSCHALLENGE

I am loving the pictures ladies. GO STARS:laugh:

prizmaa

QOTD- Saturday (9/24): What made you decide that now was the time to start your weight loss journey?”

I decided that now was the time for my weight loss journey because I'm tired of feeling unattractive, fat and tired all the time. I was in a wedding this past spring and I was close to a panic attack after seeing the kind of dress the bride wanted me to wear. I wore the dress but felt self conscious the whole day. I don't want to feel like that anymore. I want to feel confident!
I also have a daughter and I want to set a healthy example for her and pray she never goes through this struggle.

Eatone1

Saturday: What made you decide that now was the time to start your weight loss journey?” 9/24/2011

I've battled with my weight for about ten years now. Up, down, up, down, up again....I'm really really tired of staring into my closet dreading getting ready for work every morning because all my pants are too tight. I feel fat in everything, and I'm sick of buying bigger clothes just to have something to wear. So that's it. I need to make a change....NOW.....before I have to spend money to buy new pants.

getitamb

That's a very inspiring story.

starsnyc21

You ladies are awesome. The stories here are really touching. Great job so far. I hope everyone is enjoying their day. Sorry for all the grammar oops. I think my mind is racing faster than my typing. :blushing:

tessacope2

Saturday: What made you decide that now was the time to start your weight loss journey?” 9/24/2011

My journey didn't start today....I've been on it for my whole life! I was never a petite girl, but in high school, I was athletic and strong. I weighed 155 pounds when I graduated from high school. Fast forward 14 years, and I've packed on another 50 pounds. It didn't happen all a once, but I gained the majority of it in my late twenties. I've yo-yo'd between 180 and 205 for the past 3 years. Once I get to the 180s, I feel great and my clothes fit and life is good. And then for some reason, I start gaining them back. I get lazy, I give up and then I start again when none of my pants fit. That's where I am now. Back to 202 and frustrated!! I've gotten back in the routine of going to the gym and now I need to focus on my eating. I love MFP because it holds me accountable and I can see where I can make changes in my habits. I hope that ALL of us lose weight with this challenge! Nothing beats feeling healthy and happy!!!

SarahMorganP

QOTD- Saturday: What made you decide that now was the time to start your weight loss journey?”

Honestly since turning 30 (I am now 31) I have been thinking about death often. Sorry, I know that is morbid but it's true, the thought is on my mind daily. My mom died when she was 52 from cancer, just one of the many cancers she had in her adult life. I think that has a lot to do with it. I really really really don't want to die young. I want to see my kids grown and married with kids of their own, if that is what they choose of course. So I need to get healthier.

I also have hated how I look for the past 10 years as that is when my thyroid stopped working, I got PCOS, and I gained a ton of weight. I decided I do not want to be my Grandma who has always been severely obese.

Sarah

tameko2

Hi folks! I'm so excited to join and I'm more or less on time. I love this format as a 9 week challenge - I participate in the diamond challenge (as Valerie knows) but thats only 4 weeks and I think 9 is a better format. I'm here to support anyone that needs it so add me if you would like.

QOTD- Saturday: What made you decide that now was the time to start your weight loss journey?

Its sort of posted on my profile but I've gone through changes. I would say I never "decided" to start a "journey" -- I just found myself on one at some point.

Basically I had a few weeks where I was trying to be a LITTLE less of a piggy - I'd just gotten SO big, my clothes were so super tight and I'd already taken that first step of moving into lane bryant pants for work (size 1 but I probably should have been as size or 2 up, I was SQUEEZING into them at the end there). I wasn't doing much that I recall, just trying to eat a little less -- I had to go to a 3 day conference and I remember thinking to myself "eat right, this food isn't even yummy so why stuff your face with it" and I was doing really good there.

I don't remember why I started doing that really, or how long it was, but I do distinctly remember doing it during that conference and the weekend afterwards.

Then I got home and got a really bad flu - sick for like 10 days, I literally took 6 full days off from work. I felt awful and I just couldn't eat for hte first 3-4 days, then after that my throat was so sore and swollen and torn up from coughing that drinking anything but icy cold water was agonizing. So I probably had just a few bites of food during that time plus I was drinking tons of cold water constantly for the soothing effect.

Got on the scale after all this and I dont' know what my official start weight had been although on a much earlier doctors visit the scale had said 215 (I'm 5'6") but I was 205 and I could feel a significant weight loss.

It was AWESOME and I thought "dang, I better keep going til I can't go no more". So I did.

And then I started going for walks.

And then I started logging my food.

and then I lost another 10 pounds. That was ALSO awesome.

So I really went for it. Currently I am weighing in at 177 and its been total I guess about 4 months.

So I just want to keep it going - I'm going to be a lifelong success story.

KatrinaG2012

QOTD- Saturday: What made you decide that now was the time to start your weight loss journey?”

My mom was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer the first of the year. I have been doing my job, and hers, helping she and my dad at their home. I realized if I didn't get it together I wouldn't be able to keep up this pace much longer. I have the closet full of clothes that don't fit and all that stuff too but it took her illness for me to make the importance of my own health a priority.

KatrinaG2012

*relize the importance*

Gazer362

QOTD- Saturday: What made you decide that now was the time to start your weight loss journey?”

I've finally doing this because I've acknowledged that my weight has taken over my life in a very negative way. I'm finally admitting that I am the only one responsible for what I eat and how I look as a result. I currently avoid attending any social activities that I possibly can, I postpone trips to visit family members 1000 miles away because I am ashamed of how I look, and I dress in boring basic (usually dark) clothes so I don't get noticed. This all creates much stress between my husband and I. He's much more outgoing - which I used to be, but not anymore, thanks to my weight. I have less than 2 years before I turn 50 and I believe that if I don't succeed now - that I never will. So I will succeed, I will not give up. Thanks for letting m be a part of this challenge.

starsnyc21

QOTD- Saturday: What made you decide that now was the time to start your weight loss journey?”

My mom was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer the first of the year. I have been doing my job, and hers, helping she and my dad at their home. I realized if I didn't get it together I wouldn't be able to keep up this pace much longer. I have the closet full of clothes that don't fit and all that stuff too but it took her illness for me to make the importance of my own health a priority.

Sorry to hear about your mom. I know it must be a very difficult time for you. I am here to support you any way I can. I recently experience the loss of my younger sister to a similar situation. Stay encouraged:)

shydaisi

QOTD- Saturday: What made you decide that now was the time to start your weight loss journey?”

I've finally doing this because I've acknowledged that my weight has taken over my life in a very negative way. I'm finally admitting that I am the only one responsible for what I eat and how I look as a result. I currently avoid attending any social activities that I possibly can, I postpone trips to visit family members 1000 miles away because I am ashamed of how I look, and I dress in boring basic (usually dark) clothes so I don't get noticed. This all creates much stress between my husband and I. He's much more outgoing - which I used to be, but not anymore, thanks to my weight. I have less than 2 years before I turn 50 and I believe that if I don't succeed now - that I never will. So I will succeed, I will not give up. Thanks for letting m be a part of this challenge.

You can do this! I totally understand the keeping to yourself because you are embarrassed to be seen by others. When I go out in public, I pray I don't see anyone I know! You have taken the first steps to get started. Twelve pounds is a huge accomplishment. We will help to see you through this!

tameko2

Sat 09/24/11 QOTD- Saturday: What made you decide that now was the time to start your weight loss journey?

My daughter was getting married and I realized (and HOPED) that one day I would be a grandma and i wanted to be a grandma that had the energy to play with my grandchild. I wanted to be a grandma that would be active in their life for a long time. So my journey began (but I have been over weight my entire life and have tried EVERY diet known to man). I lost 155 lbs but some things got in my way and detrailed my process and I have gained 50 lbs back and I need to get them OFF! I now have that precious grandbaby and I can't go back!

you lost 155 lbs, that's amazing! You can re-lose that 50 no problem!

ChatSournois

Hello everyone!. It's my turn today for the question of the day so I hope I'm posting in the right place.

QOTD-SUNDAY: Can you identify any weight loss 'downfalls' that you are prone to and if so, what can you do to curb them over the next nine weeks?

My answer: I can split mine between exercise and food. With the exercise, I'm great for getting stuck in at the start of the week but I know by the end of the week, I can come up with all sorts of excuses as to why I'm 'too tired' and need to rest. The fact is that exercise perks you up and makes you feel a lot better. Each week on this challenge, I'm going to participate in a mini-challenge. Next week, it's doing the 2 mile Leslie Sansone workout each day, mon-fri...that's 10 miles next week alone!
With food- I don't want to cut out anything but I do know that cheese, breads and wine are my weaknesses. So lately I'm switching buying blocks of cheese for the thin slices (stops me cutting big chunks off for myself). I'm trying to limit my bread intake as I used to have it with every meal, so now I have two brown wholegrain slices for breakfast and then a pitta for lunch..I'd love to be able to cut it out completely for lunch but I can never come up with 7 lunch ideas without it?. And finally the wine..it's my little treat at the end of week and even though I'm trying to lose weight, I still want to enjoy life. So my solution is using a smaller glass.