Black Team Week #1 Challenge thread-

Nonibug

This is a "so far" collage...hopefully it wont be to big or to small:laugh:

Girlmom282109

Sorry about this, yes it is electronic and it does have a screen - otherwise I am at a lose! Will have to note the distance and see how it relates to the time I'm on the bike!

Thank you

I am the type of person that I just push the buttons until I find what I am looking for! hahaha that might help you!!!:laugh:

Girlmom282109

This is a "so far" collage...hopefully it wont be to big or to small:laugh:

Maybe we can see them if we look with a magnifying glass!!!!:bigsmile: :bigsmile:

Marla64

Roni-- I've seen your pictures before on your profile-- you're amazing-- wonderful, wonderful job.

I'd love to see the picture of you in your little, black dress a bit larger-- that one's not on your profile. You look wonderful.

Had a wee nap with Caleb when I put "him" down for a nap. He naps in Josh's bed in the afternoon, and I lay down with him for a bit and inevitably nap myself-- ahhhhhhh.

Think I'm gonna head down to turbo while the house is quiet-- only a small handful of kids home right now, and hubs just left for his home away from home-- "Home Depot."

Tri_Dad

Well with the Pats down 24 -0 in the fourth I bundled up and headed out in the frosty cold and got a 5 mile run in. Focused on form and paced myself slower (About a 10 min mile) Felt like I could have gone forever but I was out of day light.
Other good news is I stopped and got the battery in my HRM changed out so I finally have a grip on what I am burning.

Like I said earlier today I thought it might be a good idea to list some of the things that come in handy in a weight loss journey. We are all in different positions as far as the money we have to spend but I wanted to give the new folks a list of things that are helpful in the journey. Batman wouldnt fight crime without his utility belt. Well their are a few gadgets that are useful for weight loss.

Progress trackers-
Scale- Their are two major types- Analog and digital. Analog scales are the old "Dial" scales. While nostalgia might make you want to own one you should avoid them. These scales operate using a spring mechanism and over time this spring warps and losing i'ts "Springyness". As the spring warps the accuracy of the scale goes out the window. so you will weight less and less on a analog scale as time passes. Not because you are losing weight but because the scale is losing it's accuracy. that's why a change from an analog to a digital often makes it look like you gained weight. A digital scale uses electronic sensors that will not weaken over time. The cheaper digital scales (priced 9.99-29.99) usually use one of the electronic cells and can be effected by shifts in your weight from one foot to the other. even so they are very accurate and effective. More expensive scales may have "multi load cell" technology which simply means it uses several sensors throughout the face of the scale to help balance the weight evenly regardless of how you shift. Other features you can find include body fat % and water% readings. Scales have gotten pretty fancy so if any of you guys want more info on how any scale feature works just let me know and I'll beglad to share. For the most part a decent digital scale is enough for what most of us need.

Tape Measure- While we arent seamstresses of tailors I do recommend having a tape measure around. (not the hardware or construction retractable type) a fabric tailor's tape measure is perfect. One of the mistakes I made was not taking measurements to track progress. Their will be alot of times when the scale wont move down or may even move up yet your body will lose inches and go through MANY positive changes. You should definately take the time to measure your progress with more than a scale.

Food related gear-

Food scale- I honestly feel this is a must have item. Eye balling does not work. The key to logging your food is weighting and measuring everything you can for proper portion size. Same rules apply to these as body scales. The dial isnt the best and digital is what you should go for. But if you can't afford digital then a dial food scale is better than no food scale.

Measuring cups and spoons- Not only do I recommend having these I recommend having a couple of sets of each. Just hit your local dollar store. They almost always have them.

Fitness stuff-

Heart Rate Monitor- This is probably the priciest thing I am recommending you consider having. While I say that measuring your calories is so important it is equally important to accurately measure your calorie burn. A full awareness of calorie imput and output is the best way to succeed at what is really a very mathimatical game. Most will have a wrist watch as well as a strap that you wear around your chest. Using your height, weight, gender and age it will read your heart rate during your work out and provide you with an accurate number for calories burned. If I were to recommend a brand I would say "polar" is good. Two models to look at are the Polar F4 and the Polar F6. The difference between the F4 and the more expensive F6 is that the F6 has a coded chest strap that will help keep your monitor from getting readings from someone nearby that is wearing a heart rate monitor. If you dont tend to workout surround by others wearing hear rate monitors then the f4 can be perfect.

I'm sure the rest of the team has stuff they find helpful in their journey and might make some recommendations but these are the things that I think everyone should own. Everyone's different and has different needs.

:drinker:

Nonibug

Roni-- I've seen your pictures before on your profile-- you're amazing-- wonderful, wonderful job.

I'd love to see the picture of you in your little, black dress a bit larger-- that one's not on your profile. You look wonderful.

Had a wee nap with Caleb when I put "him" down for a nap. He naps in Josh's bed in the afternoon, and I lay down with him for a bit and inevitably nap myself-- ahhhhhhh.

Think I'm gonna head down to turbo while the house is quiet-- only a small handful of kids home right now, and hubs just left for his home away from home-- "Home Depot."

Thanks Marla:flowerforyou: I will work on getting that one posted...it should be easy to add to my profile pics...not so easy for me to put in a post thats not King Kong sized or mini-me sized:laugh:

I have decided that I want to do the 1000 mile challenge too. So Im reporting my miles "wogged" since Jan 4th (My first day back to the gym in 2010 )

Nonibug

This is a "so far" collage...hopefully it wont be to big or to small:laugh:

Maybe we can see them if we look with a magnifying glass!!!!:bigsmile: :bigsmile:

I know Sam, I should have passed out magnifying glasses with that post like they do 3-D glasses at the movies!:laugh: :laugh:

arewethereyet

Andrew..........you forgot the most important thing.....SUPPORT and I aint referring to a good sports bra(although, that should be on the list too!)!! :laugh:

Like today........I was reaching for the soda or iced tea when I thought OH no......water!! I still have 16 oz to drink!! ^slaps forhead^

So I now have a lovely bottle of perrier to sip on with my gnocchi.

I have been eating clean and drinking my water ONLY because of the support from this team.

:glasses:

Marla64

Roni-- I've seen your pictures before on your profile-- you're amazing-- wonderful, wonderful job.

I'd love to see the picture of you in your little, black dress a bit larger-- that one's not on your profile. You look wonderful.

Had a wee nap with Caleb when I put "him" down for a nap. He naps in Josh's bed in the afternoon, and I lay down with him for a bit and inevitably nap myself-- ahhhhhhh.

Think I'm gonna head down to turbo while the house is quiet-- only a small handful of kids home right now, and hubs just left for his home away from home-- "Home Depot."

Thanks Marla:flowerforyou: I will work on getting that one posted...it should be easy to add to my profile pics...not so easy for me to put in a post thats not King Kong sized or mini-me sized:laugh:

I have decided that I want to do the 1000 mile challenge too. So Im reporting my miles "wogged" since Jan 4th (My first day back to the gym in 2010 )

Beautiful picture, Roni-- oh em gee-- what a difference--

arewethereyet

Roni you look so TINY..............bwhahahahahahaha..........I am so funny...........I just kill myself

Marla64

Andrew..........you forgot the most important thing.....SUPPORT and I aint referring to a good sports bra(although, that should be on the list too!)!! :laugh:

Like today........I was reaching for the soda or iced tea when I thought OH no......water!! I still have 16 oz to drink!! ^slaps forhead^

So I now have a lovely bottle of perrier to sip on with my gnocchi.

I have been eating clean and drinking my water ONLY because of the support from this team.

:glasses:

Indeed-- I'm baking pizza (little frozen, crapola kinds from Aldi) right now for the family-- and just don't need the crap in 'em, but would probably have eaten it anyway--

Instead I think I'll have some cereal w/raisins-- or sumpin-- and then head down to workout. I never got there before-- relaxation in the quiet house proved too nice.

retrobaby

Today is "my last day workout" since I weigh in on Monday mornings. I ran 4 miles and managed to burn 600 calories. I'm training for a 10K in the Spring and hope to be down 30 lbs by then. Boy its hard to run alone, but thought of Black Team while on Treadmill. Go Team!

Marla64

Today is "my last day workout" since I weigh in on Monday mornings. I ran 4 miles and managed to burn 600 calories. I'm training for a 10K in the Spring and hope to be down 30 lbs by then. Boy its hard to run alone, but thought of Black Team while on Treadmill. Go Team!

Isn't that so true-- we're never alone, "WE'RE" always with us-- I think of this team always when I'm running.

Way to go-- 4 miles is terrific.

arewethereyet

Today is "my last day workout" since I weigh in on Monday mornings. I ran 4 miles and managed to burn 600 calories. I'm training for a 10K in the Spring and hope to be down 30 lbs by then. Boy its hard to run alone, but thought of Black Team while on Treadmill. Go Team!

Ok....do NOT laugh........but I wore a black tshirt and pants to my first workout in over a month. I could not wait to post that I worked out. Today my muscles are sore and I feel great!

WOW! What a run! Girl I strive to get to 1 mile of straight out running. Marla showed me I can, and Beth showed me everyone starts somewhere. Now I have you to look up to!

Jeannie

retrobaby

This is a "so far" collage...hopefully it wont be to big or to small:laugh:

Wow, You look great. What an accomplishment. How long has it taken you to lose your weight?

~Jan

retrobaby

Today is "my last day workout" since I weigh in on Monday mornings. I ran 4 miles and managed to burn 600 calories. I'm training for a 10K in the Spring and hope to be down 30 lbs by then. Boy its hard to run alone, but thought of Black Team while on Treadmill. Go Team!

Ok....do NOT laugh........but I wore a black tshirt and pants to my first workout in over a month. I could not wait to post that I worked out. Today my muscles are sore and I feel great!

WOW! What a run! Girl I strive to get to 1 mile of straight out running. Marla showed me I can, and Beth showed me everyone starts somewhere. Now I have you to look up to!

Jeannie

Jeannie,

I'm glad you worked out and for me it helps to hear others working out too, so thanks for posting.

You can run a mile believe me. Marla's so right everyone starts somewhere. I could remember my first mile and how great I felt afterwards. For me it did not matter how long it took me, what mattered was that I actually did it without stopping. I can't wait to hear when you accomplish that goal.

~Jan

retrobaby

Today is "my last day workout" since I weigh in on Monday mornings. I ran 4 miles and managed to burn 600 calories. I'm training for a 10K in the Spring and hope to be down 30 lbs by then. Boy its hard to run alone, but thought of Black Team while on Treadmill. Go Team!

Isn't that so true-- we're never alone, "WE'RE" always with us-- I think of this team always when I'm running.

Way to go-- 4 miles is terrific.

Thanks Marla,

I used to have "physical" running partners, but it's so nice to have my "online" Black Team. I'm so inspired by all of your stories that it really helps to just finish those long runs.

Thanks again,
~Jan

Nonibug

Roni you look so TINY..............bwhahahahahahaha..........I am so funny...........I just kill myself

Very funny Jeannie:grumble: :laugh: :laugh: But that was a good one:drinker:

Ok off to try to redeem myself with the pic posting:blushing:

Nonibug

Roni-- I've seen your pictures before on your profile-- you're amazing-- wonderful, wonderful job.

I'd love to see the picture of you in your little, black dress a bit larger-- that one's not on your profile. You look wonderful.

Had a wee nap with Caleb when I put "him" down for a nap. He naps in Josh's bed in the afternoon, and I lay down with him for a bit and inevitably nap myself-- ahhhhhhh.

Think I'm gonna head down to turbo while the house is quiet-- only a small handful of kids home right now, and hubs just left for his home away from home-- "Home Depot."

Thanks Marla:flowerforyou: I will work on getting that one posted...it should be easy to add to my profile pics...not so easy for me to put in a post thats not King Kong sized or mini-me sized:laugh:

I have decided that I want to do the 1000 mile challenge too. So Im reporting my miles "wogged" since Jan 4th (My first day back to the gym in 2010 )

Beautiful picture, Roni-- oh em gee-- what a difference--

Thanks Marla:flowerforyou: I was really kind of shy about posting it because I had no makeup on in the pic:blushing: Who really cares?! Right?

Nonibug

Ok I think this is a before pic that not even my "old friends" on here have seen. This is me at 335 lbs with my best friend. (Ignore her black eye...I didnt do it! lol)



And this one is me in Nov 09 with 135 lbs gone (I know, I gained a few back since then:ohwell: lol)

Nonibug

Hey!! I did it!! I got 2 pics posted without taking over a whole page:laugh: (Thanks Lori )

Jan- It was 1 year for me on this journey on Sept 25, 2009. So its been about 15 mos so far. I still have somewhere around 25 lbs left to lose and Im hanging on to the Black Team for dear life

tamelab

Roni...What amazing pictures. You look fabulous!! Thanks for sharing.

AmandaJ

Hey!! I did it!! I got 2 pics posted without taking over a whole page:laugh: (Thanks Lori )

Jan- It was 1 year for me on this journey on Sept 25, 2009. So its been about 15 mos so far. I still have somewhere around 25 lbs left to lose and Im hanging on to the Black Team for dear life

Talk about inspiring, you look fabulous! What a difference~thanks for sharing those with us.

arewethereyet

Hey!! I did it!! I got 2 pics posted without taking over a whole page:laugh: (Thanks Lori )

Jan- It was 1 year for me on this journey on Sept 25, 2009. So its been about 15 mos so far. I still have somewhere around 25 lbs left to lose and Im hanging on to the Black Team for dear life

I am so proud of you Roni. You have overcome some horrible things and yet you are a postive and uplifting person!

Look at you! WOW!! So healthy! God Bless you my dear!:flowerforyou:

Jeannie

72lori

Roni! I really wouldn't recognize you in your before picture. LOOK how far you have come! So proud of you. I hope you have measurements! I bet they are mind boggling.

Great job, pics I can see. :bigsmile:

72lori

Isn't it great to have the support..... or nagging thought that you have to fess up to what you did.... either way of a team!

I ate a McDonalds ice cream cone for snack this afternoon. :noway: Yup. It was good. I liked it. I didn't feel bad. I'm working on the sweets in moderation thing, so it's all good.

I went over my calories a little today too. It's so much harder to stay in my number when I dont' work out. I thought about jumping on the elliptical to make up for it, but it's less than 50, it's my day off and once again, not feeling bad about it.

I had a salad as my vege with dinner. That is not a low calorie thing for me. I like egg on it, I like cheese on it, I like croutons on it, I like ranch dressing (and not the low fat or fat free stuff) on it. I'm better to stay away from salads! It did tast yummy though.

Tomorrow is to the gym, work hard, I enjoyed my relaxing weekend.

SatelliteCrush80

Hey!! I did it!! I got 2 pics posted without taking over a whole page:laugh: (Thanks Lori )

Jan- It was 1 year for me on this journey on Sept 25, 2009. So its been about 15 mos so far. I still have somewhere around 25 lbs left to lose and Im hanging on to the Black Team for dear life

You look amazing...I am sooooooooooo proud of you!!!

richardsrm

thanks for the advice I will get a new scale monday.........hate to cause I am afraid bud what the hell ...I need to get real

SatelliteCrush80

Just finished logging for today...I'm under, but too full to eat more. Oh well. Didn't work out, so no harm no foul. Feeling a little better, so I'm hoping to get back to running tomorrow. Even if I can't run, I will get some kind of workout in. I need to sweat out some of this sodium. I know soup makes me feel better, but the salt is a killer (yes, I was too lazy to make my own. Oh well.). Been pounding the water, so that should help too.

At first I wasn't so crazy about the idea of opening up my food diary...but now I think I like the accountability factor. I don't know if anyone actually is looking, but just the realization that people could is forcing me to actually be consistent in logging so that is a win.

Tri_Dad

Evening all-

Roni- you look amazing dear!

Shuntae-Glad your feeling better!

For all my running friends. I am thrilled that I feel like a better runner. Since I started running last year my biggest issue was being able to pace myself. I have been more of a sprinter. Glad to be running a 7 and a half minuete mile and usually pretty dead after my 5k runs. Well I finally learned some runnig form from a book I am reading and when I ran today I focused on my form and an amazing thing happend. I managed to slow down! I know slowing down might not sound like a good thing but I ran much farther than ussual and felt like I could have run forever. I finally feel like I am learning something. Can't wait to go even further this week.

I hope everyone had a great weekend! Week one is almost at an end and everyone is doing so well!

Woohoo go black team!
:drinker: