2 week challenge

Well, Ram, your Sea Hawks certainly made our #1 Offense look pretty poor! It wasn't even that devestating because there wasn't any part of the game where we thought they might win:noway:

So I tried logging but couldn't. We didn't host, we went over to friends and so I tried, took a run, skipped breakfast, reasonable lunch...

Well, so star challenge starts today. It is really hard to stick to 1200 per day. And then we got tickets to the nuggets tonight. I decided I am going to have wine and dark chocolate Kind bar as my game snack.

I am not weighing til Wednesday and I drinking the detox tea!

I want to workout but I don't know which workout-maybe some HIIT...

Didn't do cardio last night....a car crashed into that particular side of the gym and the structural engineers aren't letting gym members into the studio (where Monday night cardio class is held). So, fine. Instead, I ate A LOT of popcorn.

Dumb.

Anyway, I actually had SUCH a smart and low-cal eating weekend, I'm p*ssed off that I blow it on a monday for no good reason.

Tres Dumb.

Shaking it off, though. Got 2 weeks before Mexico and I can totally lose any bloat and walk into that vacation with a flat tummy, and as much muscle as I've made over the last 2 years, lol.

No exercise, today.

abigail1977

I am so glad that the star challenge did not start until this week as last weekend I was way over. I have to stop going out & going to parties. I do pretty well during the week, but the weekends always get a little nuts & I am not as good about logging. I was a little over on my cals yesterday, but I planned accordingly today so it will even out. I ditched my Saturday morning yoga class because my daughter is starting Tae Kwon Do, but I also added a ballet class on Tuesdays, so now I dance four times a week, yay!

Amy - I just discovered Kind bars, love them, they are my new go to quick snack

Ram & kc - good goals & best of luck getting back into things

Beeps - bummer about Monday, but very exciting about Mexico - good luck getting prepped!

oh yeah, Beeps, you will be going to Mexico about the time I go to Costa Rica! so excited.

I didn't actually get a Kind bar, I got the munchies in the afternoon so no snacks, but I did have my two cups of wine at the basketball game, and it wasn't so bad. I drink red wine a lot slower and so it's better.

husband made fajitas for dinner and I had to kind of ballpark cals, I didn't ask him how much oil he used to cook!

I am going to do a crustless quiche tonight and that should keep it lower for me. I can probably keep cals down tomorrow, but then Thursday is a bday outing for me. Dinner with friends then a comedy show with 2 item minimum so I don't know if I will try the wine again or try to budget for beers...

I've done just okay this week. I've stayed within my cals for the most part. I had a couple wines last night. But I've only worked out once. My yoga class got canceled because of the ice. And I have a 1:00 meeting today so no lunch workout. I plan on running on my day off tomorrow and maybe try to squeeze a lift in too, but doubtful. I've got to wash sheets, and do laundry, and start thinking about what clothes to pull our for my trip next week because it will be in the 80's!!!! I also like to enjoy at least a little down time on my day off.

Last week I lifted 2x and got in 5 cardio sessions. Monday night I was in bed by 9. I think I was literally worn out so taking a rest day (or two) may be okay. I don't think I'll like the scale tomorrow though. I may go to bimonthly weigh ins once I return. I am really starting to dread Thursday mornings..... Maybe even monthly weigh ins along with measurements.

I need to establish a weight loss/incehs lost goal for the spring though. Babymaking is sort of on hold, and I'd really like to not go into a pregnancy with an extra 3-5 pounds. So maybe I'll make a Derby (1st Saturday in May) goal and buy myself a cute motivational outfit for our anual party. I can do a lot in 3 months.....

Better_Balance - I'd like to get to "monthly" weigh-ins, myself....by end of 2014, that's a FIRM goal of mine!

I've eaten like CRAP Mon/Tues. No excuses....not even sure why! And, W-A-Y over "maintenance" calories.

:sad:

Soooooooooo, I'm not going to let it de-rail the ENTIRE week! As I debated whether "enough is enough" or whatever, with myself, this morning, my radio played the song "I WANT IT ALL" by Queen. *kitten*, YEAH, I want it all! And I want it now!

So, BACK I go to INCREASed FOCUS and INCREASed vigilance.

I'm fasting today. I'm lifting today. And, I'm going to get BACK-ON-TRACK and not "LOSE" this week!!!

BOOM!

^^^ Here's what I look like when WELL-DRESSED!! Soooooooooooooooooooooo much MORE impressive then dumb bikini shots.

So, that is that! I was grazing 6'2" in this picture (AWESOME PURPLE HEELS!) and was channeling "Downton Abbey" for the hair and the jewelry.

I took this picture on Friday, January 31, 2014 before my formal gala. In my Vera Wang (sample!) size 8.

THAT, my dears, is NOTHING to get UPSET about! Sure, I need to lose these last 8- or 10- lbs....but, ain't nobody gonna notice, except me. THAT I KNOW.

So, sshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....I'm gonna do it, but I'm not expecting ANY accolades. For me, 8- or 10- lbs, at my height, just doesn't mean too much to the naked eye.

BOOM!

Beeps, you look lovely!

I continuously struggle with my efforts and these last pounds. Do I feel better 3-5 pounds lower than I am? Yes. Do I look better? To me, yes. My midsection is less fluffy. Does anyone else really notice? Doubt it. Is it hard to lose THOSE LAST POUNDS? YESSSS!!!!! I've been trying to lose those last pounds my whole life.....

Two of my good girlfriends both did paleo January. So no dairy, no sugar, no processed carbs, and no alcohol. Both saw great results and both I believe are keeping it up in a less restricted form. And it made me want to try something like that. Almost. And then I thought, I could just keep myself in check, up my protein some, lower my carb consumption some, drink less, move more, and I can still have results without an "extreme" (not that paleo is super extreme or super far from my "good days" diet) measures.

That's what I'm always walking.....is ALL THIS really worth those last few pounds? I do know I feel better when I work out regularly. Sometimes that is three workouts a week and sometimes (like last week) it is 8. I feel better when I eat healthy. I feel better when I don't drink like a fish. But I love chocoolate. And wine. And eating dinner out every now and again. And ordering pizza on Fridays. And those things make me happy too.

And somewhere I have to find my balance. I feel like I get closer year by year though, so that's good news.

Sorry for the lengthy reply. I've been thinking about this concept for a while and think I've posted something similar before, but Beeps, your post reminded me of it again. And maybe some of you feel the same way. :flowerforyou:

ramalem

@Better could not agree with you more. I've also been looking into Paleo, not necessarily for weight loss, but just for overall health and wellness. We'll see if I can work up the courage to do it

@Beeps AMAZING! That dress is so gorgeous

Well all of Seattle is officially losing their minds today. Our Seahawks are having their celebration parade today... Downtown is totally jammed, Macklemore blasting everywhere... ahhh LOVE IT!

Well all of Seattle is officially losing their minds today. Our Seahawks are having their celebration parade today... Downtown is totally jammed, Macklemore blasting everywhere... ahhh LOVE IT!

FUN!!!!!!!!!!!

I totally feel that way, Better_Balance.

Yesterday, I read somewhere when someone said "when I'm 80, I'll eat ice cream...."

....and this morning, I think to myself, "I'm going to eat ice cream when I'm 80, too!"

And then I thought, "what about 70?" "60?" "50?" I mean, 50 for me is 4.5 years away!!

Am I REALLY going to keep denying, denying, denying????? At some point, I think, FOR SURE I'm gonna say, "what the hell, NOW I'm gonna eat!!"

And then I think, "so what the hell am I doing ALL OF THIS FOR, right NOW?!??!?!?!"

Aaaaaghghhhgggghhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!

The roundy-roundy thoughts DRIVE ME NUTS!

For now, I KNOW that I want to look good, feel good, be good (on the 80/20 rule....not 100% perfection, but MOST of the time I'm trying to get in work-outs and eat fewer calories). But, WHEN do you FINALLY give up the ghost??

You babies are in your 20's and 30's....of COURSE you aren't gonna GIVE UP! But, MOST women around me, already HAVE.....and while I'm 100% sure I do NOT wanna "be them"....I'm wondering when I'm finally gonna say, "today, Beeps, and forevermore, you can eat what you want, when you want. Yep, you're still gonna be a gym rat, but EVERYTHING else - the scale, the tape measure, the camera - IS GOING BUH-BYE!!"

...where is everyone?? Did I scare you all away with my crazy-talk?!?!?!?!?!

Anyway, yesterday's fast went well and I ended at 900 calories for the day. So, I am doing yet another fast, today, following the same regimen....will hold off eating for as long as I can, will break my fast with 2 x 100g Astro zero superfruit yogurts (35 cals each) and will have a "normal" portion supper. If I need a bedtime snack, like I did last night, I will eat a banana and some peanut butter....it's a BOMB for calories, but it makes me feel full + I fall asleep easily.

THEN, tomorrow I do my scale-weight and, from tomorrow on, with "carb-cravings" FIRMLY out-of-my-system, I can return to 1,400 calorie days, populated by salads, chicken (with breading/fat on it!), and regular FOOD.

I'm also dropping my protein shakes prior to Mexico....someone said that might be affecting my weight-loss, don't know. I, out of habit, just down one (150 cals, 32g of protein) after every work-out. But, since I'm not building any muscle right now, I likely don't need that protein hit and it's an easy 150 cals to get rid of.

We shall see!!

Over the next 10 days, my body is just gonna be one big experiment....why not....I'm obviously bored-sh*tless.

abigail1977

Very bad day Tuesday + 2 Cadbury eggs = way over on cals for the 2nd day in a row - CRAP! I will have to make up for it the rest of the week. I have way over-scheduled myself this week & it is causing major stress. I have a massage scheduled for next Thurs & it cannot come soon enough. Rant over, back to work. I hope the star challenge is going well for everyone.

My *star* challenge is RIGHT BACK ON TRACK. Monday and Tuesday were abysmal....but, Wednesday and Thursday were ULTRA-low calories, so I've evened it all out. Now, to STAY ON TRACK for Friday, Saturday and Sunday....then, for sure, I'll have demonstrated a GREAT first week in the *star* challenge!

BOOM!

cutmd

ARGH, I never seem to find time to post and fall WAY behind. Seems like now I'm missing out on this star challenge thing. I am shooting for 1200 net a day and doing pretty well since I am doing IF. I may be a little over on some sedentary days but I'm usually under by a few hundred when I exercise. I fluctuate due to water weight but have lost at least a pound or 2.

Beeps - DAMN you look amazing in that dress! Doesn't look like you have a pound to lose! Great job getting back on track with the STAR thing

Abigail - lol on the cadbury eggs. I know it's cliche but I find exercise really does help with my stress

Better balance - I am totally torn sometimes on how lean I really need to be. Sometimes I feel like I'm dieting just to diet and people tell me I shouldn't lose anymore weight. But I was like 7lbs lighter a few months after I had my son so I guess I just want to get back to that just to be at my leanest. But I don't really have a good reason like a certain body part that bothers me - i don't know that I need a 6 pack. And now no one to look good for. So I dunno

sorry to just randomnly jump in. That's all I can see/remember

KellyBgetsfit

I feel frustrated. I don't know if I want to STOP eating or eat EVERYTHING. My eating is not perfect but not horrible, yet I am up 3 pounds. I am at my heaviest ever. Today is jean day at work and i have NO JEANS that fit. I know I could do better, but at this point, why bother. I am the muffin top girl. My pants are also wearing out on the inner thigh. I am mad at myself for gaining the weight back in the first place. I am even more mad that I am unable to lose it or even maintain it at this point. and it is not water weight or any of that other crap because I was up last week too but didn't want to admit.

Sorry for those of you who are having bad weeks. :flowerforyou:

I've done....just okay this week. Yesterday was a pretty high day, but I ran 3 miles, so had some wiggle room. Had dinner out and plenty of wine so was a little over. But I enjoyed it and did not feel bad about it. I ordered semi sensible (rotiserrie duc, didn't eat the skin,with greens) and didn't eat but maybe half the duck. The scale stood still yesterday for the second week in a row, and I was actually a little pleased. Once I'm back from AZ, I need to have a couple seriously good weeks to a) lose some bloat from my mini vaca and b) get back on the weight loss train and get motivated. I do think I'm going to really try to lose fat during February, March, and April. I'm not going to cut out all things yummy (i.e. wine and chocolate), but I do want to try to stick to something like an 80/20. I pulled out my New Years resolutions yesterday (they've been in teh bottom of my purse....oops) and one of mine was to have 3 cheat meals a week. I'm not sure how I fit my wine into that. :drinker: Anyways, I think I can lose about 3 pound relatively quickly, well sort of..... but after that is where it gets hard. I think below that is my "under comfrot weight". So we'll see. I just want to be happy. Part of that involves eating good food and drinking wine and part of that involves feeling good about my body. I feel pretty good about it now, but would feel better with a little less fluff around my middle.

Have a great weekend ladies!

cutmd - I am totally fine if you want into the *star* challenge - just message me, so that I know you have read this post, and I will add you in. (If you don't message me, I'm not gonna bother!)

kclynch - quite often I find myself REALLY wondering if it is *time* to just GIVE UP. But, that's USUALLY when I muster MORE self-motivation to JUST KEEP DOING THE THINGS THAT I'M DOING. Remember, you do NOT have to go LOW, LOW CALORIE. Even "maintenance" is a WIN. So, set your calories at maintenance - if you KNOW that number - and then STICK TO THAT. Anyday that you are BELOW that, is a WIN. Any day that you are AT maintenance, is a WIN. DO NOT permit yourself to go OVER that maintenance number - no way no how.....which is a matter of mental fortitude and decision-making. I totally know you can DO THIS. And, I really think you need NOT botch *star* challenge in week 1. keep stumbling forward....have more good days than bad days....that's REALLY all that matters!

BOOM!

Better_Balance - there's no need for "perfection". ever. I like your plan and I'm sure you can dump 3 lbs of bloat in a week, no problemo!

BOOM!

Beautiful dress beeps, the shoes are gorg too!

I had three low days in a row and it wasn't too bad, then last night was a splurge, went over by 800. You can see it doesn't take much.

Today is my birthday and I was going to try and keep it low til dinner but then people give me cake pops and chips and queso and I don't say no. Also, I will have to do my best to log dinner tonight, and a bottle of wine, and then go low tomorrow-maybe 900 with exercise.

I am still going to be over on the star challenge but things are fitting a little looser and I don't want to undo all my hard work on my birthday weekend...

Cutmd, when was your profile pic taken? I love your six-pack, not sure it will ever be a reality for me...

Happy birthday Amy!

Amy, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

BOOM!

I *finally* broke through my fatloss PLATEAU!

Geezuz....that took NEARLY a MONTH!

Anyway, was 143.2, today....I'm officially in the LOW-140's and so, maybe <140 *is* possible.

For sure, I haven't weighed <139 since age 18............FOR SURE. And, with all the muscle I have, WHOOEEEEEE, do I look DIFFERENT!

Anyway, I think I should be around 138 lbs by summer and, then I can see if I *still* need to go lower (hope not!).

I am in the last 5 lbs club, I think....

BOOM!

KellyBgetsfit

Amy- Happy Birthday!!!!

Beeps- That's awesome!!!!

I am exhausted! I want to go home and take a nap! That is all. Have a wonderful weekend, ladies!

abigail1977

Happy birthday Amy & that's great news about the clothes fitting looser!

Beeps - you look fantastic in that dress, very classy & congrats on the break in your plateau

I am very excited, I am signing up for a mudderella event with my sister & a group of friends. She found one in the Boston area so it's not too far. It's not until next fall, but I bet it will be a ton of fun. We are going to try getting together a couple of times a month for a run just to connect and keep each other motivated as we train. I think that this will be a good way to motivate me to get back into shape & shake things up a little.

Have a great weekend everyone!

cutmd

kclynch - Big hug, I know that feeling of frustration you have! But if you chose the "eat everything" option you'll be even madder at yourself a few weeks from now. This is a good time to go back to basics and make sure you aren't fudging your calories

Better_Balance - I think you have a great idea. I don't think you'd be happy at super low body fat cause you wouldn't be able to eat and live! so 80/20 sounds great!

Amy - happy birthday, consider the extra calories a boost to your metabolism and get back on plan tomorrow! The profile pic was maybe 2 weeks ago and "six pack" is a generous description but thank you! I had much better definition 7lbs ago....:ohwell:

Beeps - congrats on breaking your plateau!!!!:flowerforyou:

:drinker: :bigsmile: I will PM you about joining the STAR challenge, I've been casual about my diet but I think if I ramped it up a little bit I'd be pleased

abiail - mudderella sounds awesome! I could never seem to run without messing up my knees but I envy those that can do it! Enjoy!

Was pretty under in calories yesterday so I was super hungry today and might have oversnacked a bit but I did have a relatively light dinner an stayed in a 10 hour eating window and then burned almost 400 cals working out so I think i made up for it. On the weekends I often relax my fasting windows to do brunch, my favorite meal. Now if I could just find someone to go with other than my soon to be ex, the stress makes me overeat :grumble:

3 fasts this week. I'm doing just fine for *star* challenge!

Please report in, challengers, for week 1 - Monday through Sunday.

I got a *platinum*!