Thinner for Thanksgiving! 7 week challenge

Balanced_Life

I'm really motivated too! I'm definitely up for the mini-challenge -- I've already been doing 15 - 30 push-ups ~4 times a week, but I'll do at least 20 push-ups every day this week!

henney16

20 Real pushups today done. Good form until I got to about number 12....After that I struggled a bit. Hopfully as the week goes on it will get a little easier! Thanks for the mini challenge Mandy!!

Dave

kmvp08

Hi,

Can you add one more highly motivated, positive, actively supportive of my mfp friends AND wants to be thinner for Thanksgiving, person to your group please?

My name is Kelly and I’m married living in Southern California. I joined MFP almost 3 months ago and have lost 43 pounds since focusing on my health last May. I love the support of MFP and am grateful for the support of my MFP friends along with husband who is also an active MFP member.

This is the second time in the last 6 years I’ve lost this amount of weight and I’ve just passed the point where I usually end up gaining it back so I need to make sure I dig in and stay focused.

I’m an active member of my CrossFit gym and much like MFP it’s a great community full of encouragement. I also run and am preparing for the Disneyland Tinker Bell ½ Marathon in January 2012.

This is actually the first time I’ve shared my weight in public so here goes…

I’m currently 163 and would be happy to lose 10lbs by the end of the challenge (152). My goal weight is 135 and my plan is to achieve that in the month of February 2012.

PS - I did my 20 push ups, yay

kyodi

I worked chest and triceps today at the gym, so I'll pound out today's push ups tomorrow... as long as my arms are rested. Went a little "hulk" in the weight room :-)

Balanced_Life

I tried a decline push-up today -- not ready for that yet! I substituted a couple of regular push-ups for my usual bent knee push-ups and was pleasantly surprised that I could do those OK now. I did the rest of the 20 push-ups as bent knee push-ups, and did 2 more sets of 15 bent knee push-ups.

So my goal this week is to replace 1 additional bent knee push-up with a regular push-up each day.

Great mini-challenge, Mandy!

mobskee

Just got the push ups out of the way. Was able to do 11 before I buckled today...I feel like I was able to keep a better form this time. I've only done a couple of push ups in my whole life so this is a great challenge. I'm not the type to say "I can't do it" so this is a great push for me. Thanx Mandy!

henney16

Awesome job on the pushups ladies! I'm at work tonight till 8 so I'll get mine in when I get home. Long day today so no formal workout for Dave! Two days in a row with now exercise, I may go through withdrawals - lol! Keep up the good work everyone!

Dave

kmvp08

So my goal this week is to replace 1 additional bent knee push-up with a regular push-up each day.

That's a great idea!

kmvp08

Just did my push ups, half plank style, half kneeling. My goal this week (besides the push ups) is to work out everyday with a calorie burn of at least 300, hopefully more.

MarineWifey09

Way to go everyone!! This is great! I woke up today with a TERRIBLE migraine and almost thought of cancelling my plans to go walking and stay in bed instead. Well I got my butt up, took soom aspirine and got moving! Did my 20 pushups and power walked for 62 minutes! Have a great weekend!

Mandalicious

Worked in my garden this morning - harvested green beans, peppers, cilantro, squash, kale, chard, tomatoes. Good eats for the week! Weeded, moved bricks around so my husband could put up his greenhouse -- my hammies are already feeling it!

Dinner tonight was maple syrup/mustard glazed salmon, brown rice, steamed green beans, and roasted delicata and acorn squashes. So yummy! Best part about eating at home - easier to stay low on calories!

Got my 20 push-ups in today - triceps are sore from yesterday! Getting it done, though! Love seeing everyone's efforts!

mobskee

Way to go everyone!! This is great! I woke up today with a TERRIBLE migraine and almost thought of cancelling my plans to go walking and stay in bed instead. Well I got my butt up, took soom aspirine and got moving! Did my 20 pushups and power walked for 62 minutes! Have a great weekend!

Wow! You're pretty tough! I turn into the biggest baby ever when I get a migraine....I don't care about anything buy making the pain go away.

Keisha604

The one thing I love about push ups is that you notice improvement every time you do them. I did 10 bent knee push ups and 10 regular push ups! Hoping to bust out 20 regular push ups by the end of the week.

henney16

The one thing I love about push ups is that you notice improvement every time you do them. I did 10 bent knee push ups and 10 regular push ups! Hoping to bust out 20 regular push ups by the end of the week.

Keisha - I thought it was harder the 2nd day! For our mini challenge I've been doing regular pushups, but when I do 30DS I do the bent knee and normally get about 20 in each time you do them. Glad I'm pushing myself to do the regular ones. Thanks Mandy!

kmvp08

YES!! 20 regular push ups!! Woot! :happy:

kmvp08

Worked in my garden this morning - harvested green beans, peppers, cilantro, squash, kale, chard, tomatoes. Good eats for the week! Weeded, moved bricks around so my husband could put up his greenhouse -- my hammies are already feeling it!

Dinner tonight was maple syrup/mustard glazed salmon, brown rice, steamed green beans, and roasted delicata and acorn squashes. So yummy! Best part about eating at home - easier to stay low on calories!

Got my 20 push-ups in today - triceps are sore from yesterday! Getting it done, though! Love seeing everyone's efforts!

Yum, that sounds good. I've wanted to start a garden for the last year. I could probably grow something all year round with our temperate climate, but I'd have to grow in containers of some sort as we dont' have that much real yard/grass.

When you have time to share let me know how you started and what you do for pest/weed control. Thanks!

henney16

YES!! 20 regular push ups!! Woot! :happy:

Nice job Kelly! I've yet to do mine tonight, hopefully I can manage. Did a little weight lifting at the gym tonight to get acclomated with the machines there so I can start a strength training routine. I'll get my 20 in tonight, not sure if they will be at the same time start to finish though!

Dave

MarineWifey09

Worked in my garden this morning - harvested green beans, peppers, cilantro, squash, kale, chard, tomatoes. Good eats for the week! Weeded, moved bricks around so my husband could put up his greenhouse -- my hammies are already feeling it!

Dinner tonight was maple syrup/mustard glazed salmon, brown rice, steamed green beans, and roasted delicata and acorn squashes. So yummy! Best part about eating at home - easier to stay low on calories!

Got my 20 push-ups in today - triceps are sore from yesterday! Getting it done, though! Love seeing everyone's efforts!

That sounds amazing!!!! I will be doing my 20 soon. I took today off although we swam around a bit at the beach and walked the mall. I am way under my cals so it's okay to take today off

kmvp08

Thanks Henney!

I need work on my Ticker I guess...oopsie

momof2_0710

Hey everyone...so friday and saturday were not so great, but i'm already back to what I should and need to be doing to get where I want to be. As for the mini challenge I have been doing the pushups. I'm trying to push out 20 regular pushups without getting on the knees, and man its hard. The last few I have to because my arms are wobbly by then. Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Jennifer

henney16

Hey everyone...so friday and saturday were not so great, but i'm already back to what I should and need to be doing to get where I want to be. As for the mini challenge I have been doing the pushups. I'm trying to push out 20 regular pushups without getting on the knees, and man its hard. The last few I have to because my arms are wobbly by then. Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Jennifer

We are here for you Jennifer. Lets do this! Hope your weekend was good also. I normally do better on the weekends because I work long days on Saturdays and 8 or 9 hours on Sundays, so I make sure to plan and bring food, or pick takeout food that will go along with my needs. My trouble days are Mondays and Wednesdays when I'm home and around all of my wife's Pregnancy food! LOL.

Dave

Mandalicious

Jennifer - Sorry you had a hard weekend. Hopefully that interview rocks today! Hang in there, just do your best! And good for you for keeping up with the push-ups. Every morning is a new start - make it a great day!

bkhottiema

I'M HERE AND READY, BUT YOU HAVE A LIMIT AM I TOO LATE. I'M NEW HERE AND I NEED FRIENDS SO ADD ME IF YOU WISH.

bkhottiema

SO DO I NEED TO DO A TICKER? I'M AT WORK NOW SO i'LL BE IN AND OUT, BUT DID i JOIN THIS GROUP, I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED? HELPPPPPP!!!:blushing: :huh:

henney16

SO DO I NEED TO DO A TICKER? I'M AT WORK NOW SO i'LL BE IN AND OUT, BUT DID i JOIN THIS GROUP, I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED? HELPPPPPP!!!:blushing: :huh:

bkhottiema - send a message to 'mandalicous' (she has several posts in this thread) to see if she can add you.

kmvp08

Hey everyone...so friday and saturday were not so great, but i'm already back to what I should and need to be doing to get where I want to be. As for the mini challenge I have been doing the pushups. I'm trying to push out 20 regular pushups without getting on the knees, and man its hard. The last few I have to because my arms are wobbly by then. Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Jennifer

No worries, it's a new week and we'll all help each other. Mandalicous mentioned an interview for you - good luck, impress them!

henney16

So, on days where I can't get out for a ride (now with the weather and it getting darker early I haven't been on my actual bike in weeks) I either go to the gym and ride there or do the 30 Day Shred at my house. I've probably done level 1 about a dozen times (maybe more) and was getting comfortable with it (not supper comfortable, but I knew what comes next and how long i have left with a certain move based on what she's talking about) so today I decided to jump up to level 2. Holy cow did it kick my *kitten*! - but in a good way. I burned 358 calories in that time from (level 1 i do about 300 to 330 on days I 'm really pushing it). I thought today's burn was great considering the extra pushups I've been doing plus doing a little lifting yesterday at the gym. Anyway, i'm pooped, my arms are mush (in a good way) and I've got my 20 push ups for our mini challenge out of the way and then some. Hopefully you are all pluggin along.

I want to hear how you are all doing. Communication and motiviating each other will help us along the way!

Dave

momof2_0710

I think some of you have me confused with the other Jennifer on here. lol I was like what interview are yall talking about. Then I realized there is another Jennifer on here. So not to confuse everyone I'll sign my name from now on as Jay. That is what my family calls me anyways. So today I went for a 30 min walk with the kids. I could only get 30 mins in due to it getting darker earlier. Came home and did Insanity and after did 30 DS Lvl 1. I've already completed the 30 DS but I decided I'll do another round of it. I also did my pushups even though I had to do them in the 30 day shred.

Dave - way to go doing level 2! I know exactly what you mean about it kicking your *kitten*. It was a big difference for me as well. Just wait til you get to level 3. Do you have an HRM that counts your calories? If so may I ask what kind you have? I've been looking into them but there are so many choices to chose from. I'll be getting one as soon as it can fit in my budget (hopefully soon).

Well hope everyone had a wonderful day!

Jay

henney16

I think some of you have me confused with the other Jennifer on here. lol I was like what interview are yall talking about. Then I realized there is another Jennifer on here. So not to confuse everyone I'll sign my name from now on as Jay. That is what my family calls me anyways. So today I went for a 30 min walk with the kids. I could only get 30 mins in due to it getting darker earlier. Came home and did Insanity and after did 30 DS Lvl 1. I've already completed the 30 DS but I decided I'll do another round of it. I also did my pushups even though I had to do them in the 30 day shred.

Dave - way to go doing level 2! I know exactly what you mean about it kicking your *kitten*. It was a big difference for me as well. Just wait til you get to level 3. Do you have an HRM that counts your calories? If so may I ask what kind you have? I've been looking into them but there are so many choices to chose from. I'll be getting one as soon as it can fit in my budget (hopefully soon).

Well hope everyone had a wonderful day!

Jay

Jay - I just looked at my HRM and it doesn't have a brand on it, lol! I looked at the chest strap that goes with it and it says "Pulse Sonic" on it. I spent about $40 and got it from Amazon. I was on a budget too, and honestly wasn't sure how long I'd stick with the lifestyle change. At the same time, I don't eat my exercise calories back. I set my daily intake to 2000 calories. On days I don't exercise I usually come in at 1800, on days that I do exercise, I usually eat 2200 to 2500 calories and just listen to my body. It has worked for me so far, I eat all the time it feels like, but not to the point where I'm stuffed and unable to move (which I still plan on doing Thanksgiving - sorry everyone! haha!).

I hear a lot about POLAR HRM's being really good, but they are a little pricy. I will probably upgrade here pretty soon, but like I said, I'm not super particular about that as I don't eat my calories back, as we all know that calculating burned calories is an estimate anyways. If my current method stops working for me, I'll change things up and try new things, but until then, I'm doing great, look great (ok better than I did) and have a better outlook on life! Ok, I'm doing talking!

Dave

Balanced_Life

Glad to see that everyone's been making progress!

Day 4 went according to plan. I did 4 regular push-ups and 16 bent knee push-ups...tomorrow I'll continue to replace one additional bent knee push-up with a regular push-up. Its great that this mini-challenge gave me the incentive to push myself a bit and start doing regular push-ups!

Last weekend was very busy. Aside spending a few hours finishing work stuff and doing my usual ~7 hrs of cooking (I cook all of my food for the week on the weekend, since I don't have time on the weekdays), I had to sand the front door so that I can re-stain it next weekend. I had no clue how to do it, so researching the method, getting supplies, and doing the sanding took a lot of time. But I was happy that I stuck to my exercise and eating plans all weekend! Doing this challenge made me feel super motivated! :happy:

@ Dave (henney16) - wow, you work a lot of hours on the weekend. Great job on planning all of your food -- and on doing 20 regular push-ups! And sounds like you're getting some really good workouts in!

@ Maria (mobskee) -- great job on doing the push-ups! They're pretty hard when you're doing it for the first time.

@ Kelly (kmvp08) -- thanks! I increased by 1 according to plan today. Your workout goal sounds great! And its fantastic that you were able to do 20 regular push-ups!

@ Wimberly (MarineWifey09) - wow, you're really tough... I don't think I could have done that. Its great that you persevered despite the migraine. :flowerforyou:

@ Mandy (Mandalicious) - its fantastic that you're growing your own veggies! Your dinner sounds delicious and very healthy. And I agree, its definitely much easier to eat healthy when you cook your own food. I usually cook all of the food that I eat during the week and only eat out very occasionally.

@ Keisha (Keisha604) - getting to 20 regular push-ups by the end of the week is a great goal!

@ Jennifer (jenniferkaye3306) - how did your interview go?

@ Jay (momof2_0710) - glad you're back on track -- just take it one day at a time. WTG on the push-ups! And great job on the workout. By the way, I've been thinking about getting an HRM too. But like Dave said, the calorie measurement is just an estimate so I'm on the fence about whether to get one. Which HRM do you like best so far?