I ran my half marathon this weekend. It was great....but I still managed to gain weight! And it's not muscle, I really do eat much more than I should. Anyways, since that is out of the way, I am looking forward to these challenges this week. I will do my best to get as close as possible to completing them.

I was curious to know what people are doing to log food. Are you using the food diary on MFP, or following something else?

A marathon! I hope to run one in the future. I log my food with MFP.

I stopped using MFP diary as it was fusturating me when they would say in 5 weeks if you ate like this everyday you would lose this amount of weight and well you know what I dont as I had been on MFP for 2 1/2 months and I am still in the same spot. I am still eating the same but just not logging, that way I dont get my hopes up. I also have challenged my self not to weigh my self everyday (yes I know that is bad) but it is a hard habit to break.

@mbtgrl If you wouldn't mind, could you tell me about your training schedule? I want to participate in a series of three races (5K, 8 mile, then half marathon). I want to make sure that I'm prepared.

I did complete the challenges the first week! I had to do almost all of the jumping jacks and squats in two days, but I did it. Last week, I completely fell apart except for the two 45 min workouts. I want to do the challenges and still maintain my regular workout schedule, which takes some work...I usually do 30 min every morning (either 30 DS or Hip Hop Abs or Leslie Sansone).

I feel like this group is helping me stay on track. Thank you, everyone!

It won't be me.. i hate planks and I know I will not be doing 10 minutes of them. I hate them hate them. Like really hate them. I guess it's because they are difficult for me. Idk.. more reason to try to "challenge" myself I suppose. Meh. Other than that, Going well... not seeing any loss, but hey, I am also eating what I want and when I want too...again. It's good to be more active again either way, and it has gotten me out walking a few times a week again too!

@mbtgrl If you wouldn't mind, could you tell me about your training schedule? I want to participate in a series of three races (5K, 8 mile, then half marathon). I want to make sure that I'm prepared.

I did complete the challenges the first week! I had to do almost all of the jumping jacks and squats in two days, but I did it. Last week, I completely fell apart except for the two 45 min workouts. I want to do the challenges and still maintain my regular workout schedule, which takes some work...I usually do 30 min every morning (either 30 DS or Hip Hop Abs or Leslie Sansone).

I feel like this group is helping me stay on track. Thank you, everyone!

I know you didn't ask me, ha! But I thought I would share with you what I used to train my last two half marathons, and my current training schedule for next month's 1/2....Google Hal Higdon. LOVE LOVE LOVE his schedules for training. VERY doable for busy people!

I am going to be completely transparent. I am FRUSTRATED, IRRITATED at myself, at this calorie counting, at the world!
Two weeks ago, I logged 9 miles, did 3 Jillian Michael workouts, and stayed pretty close in calories (all in one week)--lost .2 lbs.--not even a half a pound...UGH! So then next week, I go on vacation. I cut down on my exercise because I am visiting with family. I go over calories some--maybe 10% and GAIN 3.6 pounds--that is almost FOUR freaking pounds.

What infuriates me, is not gaining, I know I didn't do the best, so I didn't expect to lose and I honestly expected to maybe gain 1. BUT almost FOUR? And on the weeks I work my butt off I am not even losing HALF a pound?!

My attitude this past Sunday was to give up. After all, I have always been chunky, that's what I am, right? Well the slimmer girl in me is disappointed. She remembers, how good she felt last year at this time 17 lbs lighter. So, yesterday Monday, was a new day, a new week. Going at it again, but angry about it.

I have been there! Seriously know that feel. That is why I get close to my dream goal then gain 10-30 pounds, then do it again...I do it practically every year! It's horrible! This time feels different because I have committed to eating HEALTHY. I want to eat the way that I am eating right now FOREVER. So that makes me feel more settled when the scale doesn't budge. I know that I am eating whole, nutritious foods right now and exercising frequently. I feel good. That helps.

I still feel a little uncertain about how MUCH I should be eating of my healthy food...MFP calorie goals vs. the TDEE-20% method...but I am not hungry, so I am happy for now. I may try to alter my intake (higher or lower) to see if I can shake things up at some point... The other thing is that since I'm a girl (yay for girls!), I have to deal with monthly fluctuations, so I try to think, well, let's see after another week...maybe I'm retaining water or something. I'm trying to relax a bit more this time with the weight loss...although I still obsessively watch nutrition documentaries and stalk the MFP message boards...so I am probably a little off balance with my life right now, but I'm hoping it will even out soon.

The good news...we're in this together!

For me, I have cut out almost all processed foods, which I feel GREAT about. I'm not perfect, but my diary is open to anyone...and if anyone has any constructive advice, then I would love that too!

Hang in there

I have been there! Seriously know that feel. That is why I get close to my dream goal then gain 10-30 pounds, then do it again...I do it practically every year! It's horrible! This time feels different because I have committed to eating HEALTHY. I want to eat the way that I am eating right now FOREVER. So that makes me feel more settled when the scale doesn't budge. I know that I am eating whole, nutritious foods right now and exercising frequently. I feel good. That helps.

I still feel a little uncertain about how MUCH I should be eating of my healthy food...MFP calorie goals vs. the TDEE-20% method...but I am not hungry, so I am happy for now. I may try to alter my intake (higher or lower) to see if I can shake things up at some point... The other thing is that since I'm a girl (yay for girls!), I have to deal with monthly fluctuations, so I try to think, well, let's see after another week...maybe I'm retaining water or something. I'm trying to relax a bit more this time with the weight loss...although I still obsessively watch nutrition documentaries and stalk the MFP message boards...so I am probably a little off balance with my life right now, but I'm hoping it will even out soon.

The good news...we're in this together!

For me, I have cut out almost all processed foods, which I feel GREAT about. I'm not perfect, but my diary is open to anyone...and if anyone has any constructive advice, then I would love that too!

Thank you so much for your encouragement! I do need to get rid of some processed foods in our home. I am not going totally processed food-free, but do need to cut back for sure! I need to take a deep breath when I jump on the scale and don't see it move, it is more than a scale. It is a healthier me. I am about to turn 40 and I think that it scares the crap out of me to think that I can't loose weight!

As for the marathon training, I think Hal's training is for 12 weeks. I always tried to start about 14-15 weeks before because it never fails that things/life happens! I am five weeks out and doing 8 miles this weekend. You can do this!!!