4th of July Challenge!! Please join me!

rjadams

I am not s muc an emotional eater as I am an emotional drinker. When I am stressed or sad I want a drink, when I am incredibly happy I like to celebrate with a drink. Now if it were only "a" drink it probably wouldn't be a problem. Before I started MFP I would go tthru a 1.75 litre bottle of vodka and several bottles of wine per week. since joining MFP and changing my life I only drink on Fridays and Saturdays (maybe champagne on sundays) and I measure how much and really keep in in tow. tonight is only half a bottle of wine. okay so I rambled. sorry. I hope you all have a great weekend.

Amalia - I think I may have been Greek in a past life. I hope to visit there someday.

dawnangell1

I am attending the same wedding as mltchel on July 4th. It would be great to be in tip top shape, but my biggest goal is to establish more healthy, sustainable living habits. Food is my main problem. I am pretty active, and stay relatively thin, but I tend to eat a lot of garbage. These foods make me feel sluggish, the processing & packaging are bad for our environment, and there are inevitable negative long term impacts of eating unhealthy foods, even though my age may disguise them now. I am going to be starting a very grueling work schedule in July that will last three years, and I am hoping to avoid the stress eating, and binging on junk when I am starving and exhausted that I tended to do when I had this type of schedule in the past. I also have three children that I hope to teach healthy habits to.

Nutritional Goals:
1) Drastically decrease processed food intake
2) Learn more about & incorporate sustainable eating (i.e. eating seasonally, choosing the right fish, etc.)
3) Find a repertoire of quick, easy, unprocessed, yummy meals
4) Track my food intake every day
5) Drink my water & take my vitamins every day

Fitness Goals:
1) Weight loss: ~5 pounds. all my clothes are just a wee bit too tight, and I will NOT buy bigger clothes!
2) Endurance: run half marathon with pace </= 9 min mi
3) Toning: Tighten up my belly & lose some extra thigh mass, so that when I move to California I feel comfortable in shorts & swim suits
4) Be able to attain and hold all poses in my bikram yoga class

Mental/Emotional Goals:
1) Lower stress with positive thinking and relaxation instead of food and anxiety
2) Regular bed time for me & my kids so we ALL are ready for each day
3) Re-discover my formerly very optimistic, cheerful self

(thanks sroseber for including mental/emotional goals- sooo important!)

Kalamitykate

Hi everyone! So I'm a few days late but I'm hoping there's room in the group for one more. I'd love a support group to share motivation with.

My stats:
SW - 185
CW - 161
Challenge GW - 145 (healthy BMI)
Ultimate GW - 130

I'll probably have to work on the 4th of July but the week before we're going rafting. I want to feel comfortable hanging out in a bathing suit all day.

Exercise
-I've been doing C25K and am up to running 1-2 miles without a break. My first goal is to finish the program and start improving my 5K time.
-I need to work on upper body, core strength and flexibility. I've been thinking about doing the 100 pushups/200 situps challenges but haven't started yet. Is anyone doing this or interested?

Nutrition
My goal is to keep up the diet changes I've made so far and keeping finding new recipes I love. My diet dilemma is chocolate. I love dark chocolate and have a small piece most days. I feel like allowing myself a little treat keeps me from freaking out and overindulging. I know there are lots of different opinions on this so I'm really torn between feeling like it's OK as long as I log it and feeling like I need to stop eating it.

weaklink109

Hi everyone! So I'm a few days late but I'm hoping there's room in the group for one more. I'd love a support group to share motivation with. .....


Exercise
-I've been doing C25K and am up to running 1-2 miles without a break. My first goal is to finish the program and start improving my 5K time.
-I need to work on upper body, core strength and flexibility. I've been thinking about doing the 100 pushups/200 situps challenges but haven't started yet. Is anyone doing this or interested?

Nutrition
My goal is to keep up the diet changes I've made so far and keeping finding new recipes I love. My diet dilemma is chocolate. I love dark chocolate and have a small piece most days. I feel like allowing myself a little treat keeps me from freaking out and overindulging. I know there are lots of different opinions on this so I'm really torn between feeling like it's OK as long as I log it and feeling like I need to stop eating it.

Hi Kate-

In regard to the pushups-- I will cheer you on in your endeavors, but at 56, I will leave the pushups to the younger crowd-- I wish you well.:flowerforyou:

As for the chocolate, as long as you factor it in to your calories and don't overdose on it, I see no reason to give it up. This is a LIFE you are building--it shouldn't be about constant deprivation. Besides, my 94 year old mother eats a square of dark chocolate everyday, and she is together enough to go on to her computer and search for a quinoa recipe and tell me about it later, and I am impressed, since she has only been on the interet since she was 88, and not very often at that.

Having that chocolate, and KNOWING you are going to have that chocolate can help you resist other temptations that otherwise might overwhelm you. Happy Chocolate!!!!

Barb

amasot

Another beautful day in sunny Greece and since it's May Day, hubby and I will be going out somewhere to find some nature and enjoy the spring a little later.
I'll admit that I haven't been too good this week. Although I kept my calories within my parameters, I haven't been eating as healthily as I should. Things like M&M's, potato chips and chocolate have squeezed past my defenses and found their way into my mouth! :sad: Tomorrow is my official weekly weigh-in day and I'm afraid the news won't be so good. I hereby resolve to do better next week!!

To answer my own question yesterday, I do seek comfort in food when I feel badly. I've tried to combat this and I believe I have been successful for the most part. What I have been unable to combat is eating when I'm bored! I can't fight this very well, because I believe I do it unconsiously. My hand will stray to the food and the food will be popped into my mouth before I realize what's happening! I now have a "no food at my desk" policy, which helps a bit. If I have to make the trip to get food, chances are that it wil sink in that I'm doing it. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't.

Kate, I'll happily cheer you on in your exercises but as I'm disabled, I'm afraid I can't join you. It's OK to have a piece of dark chocolate every day. Make sure it's the purest, best chocolate you can find. Dark chocolate has tons of antioxidants that are good for your body, plus, it's an antidepressive as it releases endophrines (the feel-good hormones) in the brain! The same is not true for milk chocolate, though, so watch out for it. Welcome to the group! :flowerforyou:

Barb, you are doing really well. WTG! :flowerforyou:

dawnangel, welcome! :flowerforyou: Adopting a healthy life style is what MFP is all about. The weight loss is only a part of the bigger picture. You seem to have thought a lot about your goals, just as sroseber did. Working in tandem, achievement of all these goals will certainly lead to a better quality of life.My only advice for you is take it one step at a time. Slow change is permanent change!

rjadams, I'm not qualified to address your drinking problem, however, recognizing that you do have a problem is an important first step. Are you also willing to solve this problem? If so, I'd suggest seeking immediate help, cause this problem is often not something you can resolve on your own. If I can provide a further incentive - did you know that alcohol actually STOPS weight loss? Even a glass of wine a day will slow down weight loss considerably. This happens because the liver can't process both alcohol and fat at the same time. It's priority is alcohol, becuse it's a toxin and must be cleaned out, so fat is put on hold until the body is clean. Think about it.

Kim, you said it yourself. Eating because you are upset doesn't solve anything anyway. What dies help is to identify the problems and situations that upset you and to take action to resolve them.

To the rest of you: Keep up the good work! Drop in and report your triumphs or your difficulties and touch base with us.

Since it's the weekend, I have a relevant question for you today: Do you find that you eat differently on the weekend than you eat on the weekdays?

Have a great day everyone!! :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

sandara

Since it's the weekend, I have a relevant question for you today: Do you find that you eat differently on the weekend than you eat on the weekdays?

I definitely eat differently on the weekends. I'm usually running errands and doing things I dont have time for during the week. Sometimes I end up grabbing fast food but try to keep it in my limits. Like a small hamburger, no fries or a regular arby's roast beef sandwich, or salad from chic filet. And I"m bad about skipping breakfast on the weekends too. This weekend is different so we're taking it easy. Had a late brunch with all the stuff I haven't been eating. Eggs, englilsh muffin & ham but still stayed around 400 calories so not really that bad.

I also tend to exercise a little more on the weekends since I have more time in the afternoons.

rjadams

I eat a little differently on the weekends because I don't plan as much since I don't know what DH wants to do.

Amalia - I have my drinking under control. I have proven that. It is no longer a problem. I have gone thru some very stressful things even in the past week and I didn't reach for alcohol. I don't need help and I like wine. I will continue to enjoy it in moderation. In fact it has health benefits. and yes it gets processed before fat loss but I have steadily lost 1.5 pounds per week since Febrary so I am happy with that. :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

amasot

I eat a little differently on the weekends because I don't plan as much since I don't know what DH wants to do.

Amalia - I have my drinking under control. I have proven that. It is no longer a problem. I have gone thru some very stressful things even in the past week and I didn't reach for alcohol. I don't need help and I like wine. I will continue to enjoy it in moderation. In fact it has health benefits. and yes it gets processed before fat loss but I have steadily lost 1.5 pounds per week since Febrary so I am happy with that. :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

rjadams, if I offended with my post, I apologize. I didn't mean to be critical, I thought you were asking for help and I was only trying to do that (perhaps wrongly so). Best of luck with your weight loss efforts.

Amalia

sandara

Here's my first weekly check in. I lost 3 lbs this week. My official weigh-in day is Friday so I'll be posting my weight loss from Friday.

I did check my measurements yesterday as it had been one month and was very happy with the results.
I lost 1 inch each from my arms, chest and waist.
1 1/2 inches each from my hips and thighs.

I did good with the calories this week and managed to get in 17 total miles of the WATP workouts.


Starting weight: 211
Current weight: 188
Goal weight: 150

Fancy_Nancy2

In the month of April I lost 10.6 lb got past week four in my c25k about to start week 5. How did every one else do in April?

blockeramanda

I lost a total of 13 in april...i'm need to get back on track...I'm visitng my fiance before he goes further away for his training...so this weekend I didn't eat all the right, but I made some good choices too...instead of eating at Olive Garden I decided to go to subway...and when we ate at Ruby Tuesday I ate something sensible instead of pasta like I usually eat!! So I'm trying..today though while traveling down the back country road the only food choice was McDonald's so I asked him to order for me since I had to use the bathroom like mad!!! And he ordered me something bad...but he made up for it by getting me a orange juice...lol.

Good Luck Ladies...I'll be off here for a few days, but I'm gonna try to manually write down everything I eat and do and add it when I get back home this weekend!

Manda B!

Sebastiansmommy

Hey everyone, hope you all had an excellent week:bigsmile:
In April I lost 6lbs, I average about 5 to 6 per month.

Heres my progress for week 1:
4/25~145
5/2~ 144
July 4th goal~ 135
Actual goal ~123

Yay! 1 pound loss, but no push up yet. AND EXCELLENT JOB SANDRA:drinker:!!!!!
Good luck to everyone in week 2:flowerforyou:

~ Jessica

Sebastiansmommy

bump:bigsmile:

amasot

Congratulations to all the "losers"!! For those of us that are a little behind, this is a brand new week and it's up to us to make it work! This was a hard week for me, because I realized I'm a carb addict (and not good carbs either!) I'm going on a carb "detox" for the next few days and swear neve to let any "bad" carbs enter my house again.

Kalamitykate

Good morning everyone, hope you're all having a good start to the week. :flowerforyou:

I lost 9.5 pounds in April and weighed in today at 160.

Amalia (what a pretty name) good luck with your carb detox. Bet you have way more energy when you finish.

sroseber

I only started at the end of April but in my first week I was down 3 lbs. (SW: 174.4 CW: 171.4)

Hoping I continue this progress so I can reach my goals by July!

weaklink109

I have been on MFP since April 2009. ....

1) Lose 25 lbs.
2) BMI in "overweight" category/out of "obese" FOREVER;
3) Maintain healthy eating habits/focus on fresh and minimally processed food options; avoid HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup);
4) Fit in to size 12 Jeans purchased in January;
5) Use new strength training equipment 3 times per week and cardio the other three days;
6) Take measurements on Monday May 3rd; Friday June 4th; and Sunday July 4th;

I will post all my weight statistics after my weigh in this coming Monday. I started MFP at 245 on April 13th, 2009.

Barb

Well, I did the weigh in this morning, and the news was NOT good.I finally have to face the music for April, and it is not a song I want to play in the future. On April 4th I weighed 5.5 lbs. LESS than I did this morning!:mad: :mad: :mad: :sad: :sad: :sad: I did it to myself. Over the past week, there have been too many "MayaSWELLS" & as we know, the scale doesn't lie.:grumble: So I need to get back on the horse-- Also, get my rug shampooing done and get that Total Gym set up. It has been languishing in the garage for 3 weeks, still in the box, and as we all know, it isn't doing me any good there!!!

So my goals for May are, 1) to get my ticker moved to 60 lbs. down by the end of May, which would mean losing about 12 lbs. The first 3 should be pretty quick as it is probably water due to some high sodium days on Saturday and Sunday;2) exercise 6 days per week, using the TG 3 x's per week; 3) refocus on the things I had done in the past that worked--IE "just say no" more often!!!

Based on the current numbers, if I meet my 25 lb. loss, which means moving my ticker to 78 lbs. down, I would be out of the "obese" BMI and into "overweight" territory--a better place to be. I would also weigh 2 lbs. less than I did at my lowest in 1989--talk about turning back the clock!!

EDIT: OOPS!! Forgot to put the rest of the info in. Weight today 197.5; lowest was back in January 191.5; Was at 192 on April 4th. I forgot to do my measurements this morning before eating, so will try to take care of that tomorrow. Here I go again.

Good luck to all. Amalia, good for you in identifying your carb issues. I have similar problems, and I need to keep temptation out of my house in order to stay on track.

Got to get a move on or the day will be over.

Barb

tatiana_13

I'm in! My goals are:

1. To have lost 13 lbs.
2. To have improved my daily nutrition to at least: 1 green veg, 1 other veg, and 2 fruits.
3. To have increased my daily water to: 6 cups a day.
4. To figure out a way to not be borderline anemic without slamming hamburgers.
5. To have added 3 days of cardio to my interval weight training.

sslopez24

I am up for this chanllenge! I have planned to go to Palm Spings around July 12th and need to lose some weight! I bet my daughter I would be weighing at 135lbs by that time. This is one way of getting my children and myself more active and eating healthier. I started this mid March and I have hit a plateau for the last 2 weeks. I guess it's time to change my foods and exercise some more. Oh and start drinking at least the 64 oz recommended. I only get about 16-24oz a day. I am now on a mission!!! :grumble:

SW: 167
CW:160
GW: 135 (by July 12th)


Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Weight Loss Tools

weaklink109

sslopez24

"glug glug" Bottom's up!!!!:drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

KristyO

My birthday is on the 4th of July so I am with you all! I like the idea of drinking only once week, so I'm going to steal that goal

drink alcohol only once per week
go to the gym at least 4 times per week
do an "outside activity" at least 2 times per week
I won't use vacation as an excuse to over-eat when I go visit family at the end of this month
USE MFP EVERY DAY!!!

fitnessgal13

Good work everyone and keep sticking to your goals! The timing of this challange really works for me. Here are my goals:
1. Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day.
2. Log all my calories into MFP, and even if I go over, don't get discouraged and keep at it
3. Continue exercising 4-6 times a week
4. Allow myself one snack after dinner (fruit or veg)
5. Eat a CLEAN diet so no artificial JUNK, when I'm eating out choose the option that will make me happy after I eat it, not only while I'm eating it
6. Weigh in weekly and see what happens!

Starting weight - 165lbs

blockeramanda

Girls!!! I had the WORST day yesterday....ok so my weekend way amazing James(my marine) came up to stay with me and on sunday we drove down to his unit for family day....So on monday(the day he left for training) my car broke down!!!!! I couldn't figure out what was wrong..the worst of it was that his whole UNIT!!! passed me while I was on the side of the road(talk about embarrassing) so luckily God was on my side because things worked out for well for me..I could have left the base and broke down...then I wouldn't have been able to get back on base because I don't have a military Id...or i could have been on the side of the highway!!! So the Marines in his unit did everything they could for me and one helped me find a great mechanic shop!!! So needless to say yesterday I did not eat well at all...

I woke up at 5:30 and got BK breakfast with him(which I planned to work off when I got home!) since my car decided to die I luckily got to eat wal-mart chicken and potato salad(that the mechanic people so kindly let me eat) and then for dinner I had BK again with a COKE!!! So yesterday was all around sucky!!! I haven't weighed in and probably won't until next week....but I thought I'd share how bad my day was....

http://www.wtoc.com/Global/story.asp?S=12416279 If you click on the video link above the picture you can see me boo...he's wearing a green, blue and white golf shirt..he's short and is standing to the left of his friend who's wearing a purple polo shirt!

myohana4

I am soooo in!!! This is just what I need. Thanks for posting this challenge.

I will post my goals later. : )

Sebastiansmommy

Mandab, sounds like God was on your side. Just look ahead, thats in the past. Today is a new day:flowerforyou: , so make the most of it! You can do it! We all can!:bigsmile:

~Jessica

myohana4

I am sooo in!

Here are my goals:
1. Put myself first. I deserve to be fit and healthy and I need to start taking better care of myself.
2. Find healthy recipes that my kids will enjoy. (cook less pasta!)
3. Drink 10 glasses of water a day.
4. Exercise every day...even if it is just a 15 minute walk.
5. Log my food every day.
6. No snacking after 8pm.

Good Luck, everyone! We Can Do It!!!

Kalamitykate

Manda, that sounds like a frustrating day. At least you were blessed with helpful Marines and a good mechanic. Don't stress about the food just have a better day today and drink lots of water.

Your guy is cute. There's something about a man in a uniform. :blushing:

-Katie

rjadams

Manda, we all end up with days that are completely out of our control. We will just have to recognize it for what it is and attack the next day with vigor. Never beat yourself up. this is for the long haul and we can't avoid days like that so don't worry about it. I am glad that you were safe and had trustworthy people to help you.

I am having an awesome week so far. I am down 1.6 pounds since Friday and feeling good. I have had awesome food all week and have great meals planned for the rest of the week. I am just really happy right now.

good luck and make great choices.

DreamRose

I'd like to join this challenge if you'll have meI am trying to lose 20lb by 4th July and 39 in total so here goes! My weigh day is a Monday so will post back then, motivation is my excuse, I lack it! :blushing:

SW: 179lb
GW: 140lb

sroseber

Don't stress too much about it Manda, it was one day and one day does not make or break this journey we're on. I don't know about you but I don't have a set number for my calorie goal (I do on here because I have to but it's midway) I have a calorie range. So if I have a bad day I'm near the top (or occasionally even over) the top end of my calorie range. If that happens then I just try to eat extra healthy (more fruits, veggies, and water) the next day or two and try to stay at the lower end of my calorie range. It all balances out in the end and you will be fine. Just don't stress over one bad day, stress just makes losing weight harder. Just accept that it happened, it was out of your control and make an agreement with yourself to make up for it the next day or two, either by eating to the lower end of your calorie goals and make healthier choices or by getting in some extra exercise, whatever is easier for you. I'm not good with the exercise so I try to do it with the food but if I can't resist on the food then I make time for the exercise. Good luck and hang in there. I've been sick (allergies) the last couple days and haven't done great either so I'm right there with you trying to make up for it.