2 week challenge
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Welcome Jane.
The *star* challenge is pretty easy - you tell us what your calories are, for the week, and if you hit your calories, you get a PLATINUM star. If you go over by 1-500, you get a GOLD star. If you go over by 501-1,000, you get a SILVER star. If you go over by 1,001-1,500, you get a BRONZE star. No star if you eat 1,501+ too many calories (for the week).
The challenge runs Monday - Sunday, so let me know what your weekly calorie goals are, and I'll plot you into the *star* challenge.
PS - some of the posters here are pregnant, so you will see that there calorie-alottments are much higher than those of us trying to lose bodyfat.0 -
Beeps - glad to hear the surgery went well. Also, I share the same problem with squats. They only seem to work my quads which are already pretty good. I have a really hard time targeting my glutes, so I have to find alternate exercises to get the job done. My favorite is a single leg deadlift with a kettlebell. I did them Thursday and I was crazy sore in ballet class the next day, but at least I know it's working!
Welcome Jane! This is a great group, you will definitely get some motivation here.
Amy - glad you were at least able to get some running in, hopefully you can get some lifting in next week. I did twice this week, but it was not the plan I had. I had to work out at home Monday so I did not have equipment and I was really short on time Thursday so I barely got anything in. I did not get much cardio in except for waling the dog. I forgot to log the last couple of days, but am pretty sure I was under, which I have been every day this week so that is a success.
I hope everyone has a nice weekend.0 -
Abigail - yep, single-leg deadlifts are a main-stay in my workout routine!
On top of the *star* challenge (which will help me manage my calories in), I'm entering another 11-week challenge. So, I took my "before" photos and measurements, today. My hips/bum are UP....more than when I took that measurement last week. So, BOOOOOO, because I actually did MORE "damage" on vacation than I had anticipated. Plus, the lack of lifting is certainly sending my butt back to HUGE-land. Ugh.
Anyway, challenges couldn't have come at a better time....I'm totally going to KILL this thing when I can get back to t he gym. In the meantime, THANK YOU for the *star* challenge, because I really am monitoring my calories in consistently, now.0 -
Let's just make tomorrow a new week for the star challenge and Beeps, if you want to keep track, cool, if not, that's ok-I will keep track of myself.
This week= silver star for me (9100 goal, 9896 actual)
I will go for 9100 again
try to workout 4 times this week, too.0 -
Hey ladies!! I'm back from vaca and back into the star challenge!! I will be going in for 9500 again.. not sure what my total was last time, too much crazy food in Disney
Glad to see everyone is doing well!! Very happy that your surgery went well Beeps!!0 -
Hey chicks. I had a great weekend in St. Louis and didn't log a thing and don't really intend on it. I didn't eat a ton, but I know I was way over on calories due to rich foods and lots of wine. I'm exhausted as we got home and imediately had to leave to go to a bar and be in my brother in law's music video. We drank beer, split a burger, got home later than intended, had another beer and was up to late. I'm beat. 2 weekends in a row of traveling will do that. I am so looking forward to my Wednesday off.
That being said, I'm not gonig to go back and log the weekend. I am actually thinking about breaking from logging for a bit. My sister (she's on MFP too) just read Thinside Out and loved it and is going to quit logging and weighing for a bit. It sounds a little refreshing. I've been pretty bummed about my weight; I've not seen any significant loss all summer. Most of it is my diet and I know what I need to do to fix that. So I'll see. I still plan to fast most days till lunch and continue to try to watch the booze. (I have not done will with this lately). This weekend we have no plans, so I'm going to try to rest and not drink much and just have a good weekend. I'm going to continue with stronglifts 3x a week and get at least 2 runs in.
I'm ready to get back on a normal schedule! Have a great week ladies!0 -
Oh, I forgot to tell about my class I took my friend teaches: Dailey Method (similar to Pure Barre). It was a good class and my abs and hip flexors are still sore. Like under my ribs especially. Nothing else was really sore, and considering it really was a total body workout, I think that says a lot about areas that are lacking. So another of my goals is to focus on my core more than throwing in 100 cruncehs or some crocs at the end of strength training. Must. Do. Planks. Class also made me realize I do miss group fitness. And that I have lost a ton of flexibility. I may need to start doing some yoga again.0
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I did 9,817 calories this past week. I think I might have to adjust my "star" challenge calories to 9,800 - for the last 2 weeks, even with very strong diet control (i.e. no binges!), I don't seem to be able to slide under that.
Amy, I'll go back and see who's in the challenge and report results - no trouble!
Better - glad you had a great weekend. I'll scratch you *off* the challenge, even though I know you're with us in spirit!
Welcome back, shander! I'll make sure you're totals are in.0 -
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Morning ladies! Didn't quite do as well with the challenge as I would have liked - over by 810 calories giving me a gold star for the week. It's becoming painfully obvious that working out is the only way I will be able to keep my calories in check - I can't be trusted to eat less than 1,400 a day on my own The booze over the weekend just killed me, went out to a show with my friend on Friday night and drank WAY more than intended and did the same thing at a wedding on Saturday night.
Welcome back Shander! Hope you had a great vacation.
Better - I feel you on the dissapointment with weight. I know what I need to do, and I'm just not doing it. What is thinside out? Sounds interesting!
I just for some reason can't get motivated to workout or eat better, which is ridiculous! I'm hoping that since I don't have much going on this week after work and I have Friday off, it will give me the time to get back in the gym. I'm also contemplating doing South Beach phase one for the 2 weeks before my vacation - for some reason I do better in crunch time. The only thing that worries me is not being able to keep that "quick loss" off.
For this weeks star challenge I'm lowering my calories back to where they should be at 9,856. Even though we aren't necessarily doing a 2 week challenge with this thread, I'm wanting to at least get these goals written down so that I can feel accountable. I've decided that if do meet star challenge every week and meet the below goals I'm going to incentivize myself with this really cute lace top I found at Anthropologie (yes, I'm resorting to rewards for myself haha).
1. Lift 3 days, cardio 2 (or more) days
2. Water, water, water
3. Calories at or under 9,856
4. Walk the dog 30 minutes+ daily
Have a great day/week ladies!0 -
For those of you in the *star* challenge, please let me know what *STAR* you received in Week 1 (reporting in on Sept. 2).
Please let me know what *STAR* you received in Week 2 (reporting in on Sept. 9).
The weeks run Monday - Sunday, so we are now into Week 3 of the *star* challenge.
Note: I've changed up my calories to 9,800 (I did aim for 9,300 for the first 2 weeks of the challenge, but that didn't happen).0 -
Beeps I had bronze week 1 and gold week 20
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About the book; my sister says:
"So you may have noticed that I haven't logged any food in awhile. I promise I'm not totally going rogue, but I am taking a break. I just finished a book that you absolutely MUST READ! It is by Josie Spinardi and it is called "Thinside out. Have your cake and skinny jeans too." It is almost like she was in my brain when she was writing this book. Basically it is a look at binge eating, which doesn't completely apply to me but some of the concepts of negative food relationships due to dieting for DECADES (!!!) definitely do. She has a concept that she calls "gasping for food"--basically when you restrict certain foods, all you want are those foods. By opening yourself up to the idea of eating whatever you want as long as you're hungry and only eat till you are satisfied, the "gasping for food" goes away. She encourages true hunger directed eating like naturally thin people do--rather than eating just because you have calories left over, or eat more because you burned 900 calories running. etc."
I think I'm going to check that book out.0 -
Sounds really interesting, I might have to read it!0
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Week 1-platinum star
Week 2-silver star
I am going to stick with 9100 per week.
Ashley, that makes sense, I think, and when I was "naturally thin" I didn't count calories. I did eat what I wanted, when I wanted but I just didn't care about food and there wasn't all these dinners out and such-I worked nights and went to school and was hardly ever at home and always broke! I don't think I can go back to that, because when I don't log, I gain. Also, skinny fat looks better at 20 than at 30. Also, I can eat like I used to, I don't even want fast food everyday. So I just want to find some new happy relationship with food (and alcohol)!0 -
I totally want to move to "intuitive" eating, again, as well. But, while I'm trying to lose bodyfat, for me, I HAVE to count calories!
Since I hope to have my "transformation" complete by end of 2013, that then gives me the opportunity to move into/through maintenance while practicing induitive eating!
Thanks for the chart numbers, ramalem and Amy - I've inserted them into the STAR CHALLENGE chart and I will update, again, for Monday, Sept. 9th report-in, once more of the ladies have given me their stats!0 -
I did not do well with logging last week so I need to get back into it this week, however I am pretty sure I stayed within my calorie goals. I think that was because I did not go anywhere or do anything. Seriously when I shop I stick to my list and I don't keep crap in the house, but if I go to someone's house or to a party, out to eat, etc I absolutely lose it - no self control whatsoever.0
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I logged yesterday! I am 100% committed this week to counting and rockin the star challenge. I am in the longest slump ever and I fear I was never see the 120's again. I got T25 and did the first workout Sat and planned to hitting hard this week. I thought I would follow as is for a week or two and hopefully add some strength in. Then I didn't sleep Sun night or again last night. I know I sleep better when I workout yet I can't workout because I am sooooo tired. Like I'm talking 4 or 5 hours. Stupid stress. Lol.
beeps- your enthusiasm is awesome and totally motivating. I think you have already done wonders for your body and can't wait to see what you do next.
Abigail- I am addicted to chips. Anytime we go anywhere and there is chips, yikes!
Ashley- there have been times when I am in a better place mentally, workout regularly and can get away with not logging. I will throw in the occasional log, just to see, and I am doing ok. It just depends I guess. I do see the importance of taking breaks though. I know a lot of skin jimmy fat girls and your right, Amy, as they age, watch out. Especially in the lower half.
That's all I see, but I will check in more ( I know I keep saying that!) oh, one more thing. You know how people lose weight and lose boobs? I swear, 4 pounds heavier, my boobs have shrunk. I think it is the lack of upper body. The slump ends now!0 -
Well, I ended up logging all of yesterday. And I think I'll keep it up for now. And even try to log weekends except maybe when I am out of town or have other all weekend events in which I know logging will only dissapoint me. So that's that.
Ate well yesterday and lifted this morning. I swapped out squats for 1 legged deads, not with heavy weights, and only 4 sets of 8 each (instead of 5x5). That is a move I really struggle with so I think it will be good to incorporate it 1-2x a week. I also did some ball balances (per my old PT) and some planks. And now I'm hungry. Amy, I'm with you; lifting makes me hungry!
I'm off tomorrow. In addition to getting organized around the house, I'll be getting some workouts in. Can't wait.
Kelly, I haven't seen 120's since June I think.
Abigail, I'm with you. If I have a party, or at friends for the weekend, I just eat whatever. I mean I don't stuff myself till I can't move typically, but I eat things I normallly wouldn't. And drink a lot. I think that's okay sometimes. If we eat the same boring things all the time, we'll just binge at some point inevitably.
Beeps, I think I am the same. I really do need to see the number on paper. Many days if I don't do cardio, I REALLY have to keep it in check in order to stay within my calorie goal. Throw in the weekend, and I REALLY need to watch it during the week.
Amy, I hear you on logging. And the skinny fat too!
That's all I can see now. Well I feel like I have a little renewed motivation, so hopefully I'll have a good weekend. We have guests in town next weekend, but they're not coming till Saturday which means we can have a mellow night next Friday too. Then we're off to South Beach!0 -
Hi ladies!
Just a quick check in. I was 37 calories over my goal last week, so I'm taking a pregnancy-modified platinum star (I'm giving myself a platinum for coming within 100 calories, otherwise I get too tempted to go under my calories, which I'm trying not to do). Last week I had a gold star.
I'd also love to be able to control my weight without logging, but I feel like I've gotten so dependent on it that I don't know if I could do it anymore. For most of the day I just eat when I'm hungry, but at night--when I have a lot more options--I definitely tailor my dinner based on how many calories I have left rather than just hunger. I think I would do okay without logging if I avoided things like desserts and pizza (i.e., things I would eat even if I wasn't hungry because they taste so good), but it's too easy for me to overeat when I have stuff like that.0 -
Here's what I have for the STAR CHALLENGE, so far:
Please advise if you have data to add to the chart. Also, if I have anything recorded incorrectly, please advise and I will correct the chart for Monday, Sept. 16th check-in.
I'm fasting today!0 -
Sorry for the late check in, work is insanely busy....
But, for week 1 I had a silver star, I was over by about 800 cals for the week.
This week I did not log Saturday, but I had about 3000 leftover for the week and I know I did not go over that. So I will say gold just because I didn't log and I shouldn't get a Platinum if I didn't log every day.
I have alot of meals out this week, but I would really like to keep it as under control as possible. I think I am actually to the point in the pregnancy that I can't eat as much because I feel full all the time from the baby. So I'm not sure staying under cals will really be too much of a challenge. And my cravings are pretty much gone. I could probably live on ice cream though, but I don't call that a pregnancy craving because I have always been an ice cream freak!
Still keeping up with my walks although I have had to cut them down to 2 miles from 3 this week because my bladder cant make it that long. And I went to the doc yesterday and he said that he is sitting right on it, so that would explain that!0 -
Last night I thought it was going to be bad because I planned on rotisserie chicken but they were out so I got fried chicken instead but I didn't want stuffing with fried chicken so I just had a big salad so it worked out and I was under. I almost poured a drink but thought better of it, I'll save the cals for another night!
and a Chester Fried chicken breast is only 250 calories. I thought it had to be wrong but I went to their website and confirmed it. That's not too bad, really...
I finally brought my gym clothes and I am going to try the Female Fitness Bible workout tonight. I haven't lifted for so long!0 -
Hi Chloe!! Poop on baby-bumps sitting on bladders....mine NEVER recovered (bet you didn't wanna hear that!!)....I still have to go to the bathroom every 45 - 60 minutes!
Amy - nice choice to "save the calories" for another time. I bet you'll REALLY enjoy them when you indulge!
Brad Pilon's post today - GOSH this one REALLY SPOKE TO ME!
Because I deserve it
by Brad Pilon
217d1373051767 official i ve placed my stingray corvette order thread corvettestingray2014 Because I deserve it
I want this car. I read about it. I stare at pictures of it late at night. Every aspect of it is perfect in my eyes, but the simple truth is, I cannot afford this car.
That is the truth, and it is the only truth that matters.
Sure, we can debate all the reasons why I can’t afford this car – I don’t make enough, or I’m bad with money. Maybe it’ my parents fault. Maybe I already own 5 sports cars. We can theorize and try to find a deeper blame, but the simple, unemotional truth is – Right now, at this present time, I cannot afford this car.
But man… do I ever want this car.
I know what color I want (white), what interior I want (red), I even know what rims I want (black).
And, I can think of all the reasons I should have this car.
Most importantly – I deserve it – I work hard.
You’re only young once.
Why work so hard if you’re never going to treat yourself?
Why should other people have this car and I shouldn’t?
Interest rates are great now…
It’s a corvette, so it’ll probably be a collectors car and actually go up in value.
If I’m going to buy it I need to do it now, because at this point in time I can still out run Mrs Eat Stop Eat, a skill I will definitely need if that car shows up in the driveway icon wink Because I deserve it
When you look closely at all these reasons, you see that the underlying theme is that I deserve it… All the other reasons are really meant to reinforce the idea that I deserve it, which is supposed to be the great overriding factor that trumps the ‘I can’t afford it’ truth. ‘I deserve it’ is the emotional reasoning that (at times) can override the unemotional truth – ‘I can’t afford it’.
So why are we talking about cars ( other than the desperate idea that some bigwig at Chrysler will read this and send me a new Stingray)?… Because it’s not much different than food.
It’s the same battle. The simple logic of ‘I can’t afford to eat that’ battling the emotional reasoning of ‘I deserve to eat that’
The problem is the food decision is much quicker.
If, when I went to the car dealership the salesman simply said “You know what? Take the car, we’ll figure out the finances later” there would probably be a new car in my driveway. Luckily, cars don’t work that way, but food does – You can just take it. And, the results aren’t immediate – you don’t eat a dozen donuts, look down, and watch yourself gain fat. It’s a slow process… often times an unnoticeable process – as people say – it just sort of ‘creeps up on you’.
Because it’s so slow we often don’t perceive not being able to afford to eat a food. Instead, it becomes something much less concrete – ‘I shouldn’t eat that food’. But ‘shouldn’t’ doesn’t really imply a reason, and without a reason it is very simple for the ‘I deserve it’ argument to win out. The reason is still ‘you can’t afford it’ and it will always be a battle of knowing you can’t afford something vs the feeling that you deserve it.
The very first step in winning this battle is knowing what you can afford. Whether it’s food or money you need to have a basic idea of your budget. If you can afford it – then you can afford it. Buy two Stingrays, eat a dozen donuts, it’s no one’s business because you can afford it (sure, we’ll talk about you behind your back because your jealous, but still it’s not really our busines)
No matter how much you can afford, there will still be a budget… and you need the discipline to stay close to this budget.
If you want something, save up, cut costs in other places etc. Do what you have to do to make it fit, but make it fit.
This is why I fast once or twice a week. It’s how I balance my budget. It allows me to eat the amount of food I want on the day’s I’m eating because I did a bit of saving on the days I was fasting. It isn’t a cycle of fasting and feasting, instead it’s just the best way for me to management of what I can afford.
In the end this is what almost every diet is – calorie management – creative ways to stay within your budget. The diet that works for you is the one that is the most manageable way for you to stay within your budget. And, as your budget changes (exercise, job, changes in your body etc) so does you budget – so the diet that fit best years ago may not be the diet that fits best now.
But in the end, you need to know whether or not you can afford something, and then have the discipline to act on that truth, and not the “I deserve it” lie.
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Beeps--love that post! It's a great analogy.0
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Morning ladies!
Chloe - I can't imagine having a baby sitting on your bladder feels that great, but good for you for still walking!
Amy - good work on saving those cals. I'm trying really hard to do that this week too - saving up for the weekend. Trying REALLY hard to be at or under my calorie goal this week. Good going!
Beeps - awesome post. I really like how budgeting works so well with eating well. Just save up for something if you want it!
I feel really good this week and have been getting back into the groove. I'm nervous about the weekend, but I WILL have willpower I WILL have willpower... maybe if I just keep repeating myself it will actually happen I started stronglifts on Monday and really like it. Man am I sore! Day two will be tomorrow and I've been running on off days. Here's to hoping I can keep up this routine.
Happy hump day!0 -
That was a great post Beeps! thanks!!
I've been good so far this week, not staying as far under my goals as I would like though.. I need to save some calories for this weekend! This will definitely be a tough weekend for me.. Friday is my cousin's baby shower and she's sleeping over with me that night so we can have pancakes the next morning (her craving!) and then Saturday is pancakes, friend's baby's 1st bday party, and then my bf's family get together/Uncle's band's show (aka, lots of booze!) Then Sunday is of course football (although my Pat's are playing Thursday, so no big party Sunday!)
I will try to budget calories for the rest of the week to get through those!!0 -
I worked out this morning. YEAH!!!!! That is all. :-)0
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kclynch - I'm jealous.
shander - you are a PARTY-HOLIC, lol!! September sure is a "busy" time of year, isn't it??
ramalem - hopefully you're feeling back into "routine" and hitting your calorie-targets and your work-out targets.
Today is a 1,400 calorie day, for me. I planned it that way since I was having lunch out with a colleague! My lunch was VERY salty, so I can feel my belly swell as I type this. I'm grateful there isn't a scale around, because it will take me a few days to move off this bloat.
Tomorrow it's back to fasting and then Friday, again, I get the comfort of a 1,400 calorie day. Yay!
The weather is GORGEOUS, so I cancelled the "volunteer" activity I had this evening. I'm going to go for a nice long (leisurely!) walk!0 -
Quick check in!! So sorry I've been MIA...I am around, I am lifting 3x/week and eating is good. I am just busy as all get out and haven't been able to log or get on the website with my laptop. Reading/commenting on the Newsfeed is easier but I can hardly even do that!! I leave for Colorado at 6 tomorrow morning through Sunday. Will catch up with everyone when I get back!! Have a great weekend!!
:flowerforyou:0
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