Good luck all the weigh in days coming up. I think I might get in to this weights stuff. I do some pull ups in the gym but not had chance for much lately, however you are all inspiring me.

My under 100 canaries from daily target not going so great. Must try harder.

I really have to log at the moment as only few weeksv in , how long have you all been logging?

My anniversary is in 3 weeks, so I'm late to the game but up for a 2 week challenge.

I have the last 7 lbs to go, and hoping to lose at least half of it by then, so....

I'm hoping to do:
Twice the cardio I was doing. I gain muscle and bulk up pretty fast so I can keep the same amount of time I do strength training (about 2-3 hours a week).
Do some running every day, even if it's only for 10 minutes jogging in place on my lunch break.
100 crunches, 20 push ups, 20 squats, and 60 second planks, each time I work out.

Scale was up 2 pounds from last week. Granted some may be from salt in the 2,000 pretzels I ate last night. See, that's what happens when I don't log. I just eat salty snacks freely. I think Monday I'll start back to my 10,000 calories per week, then maybe taper off to 9,500 and then back up to 10,000 or more. Just to switch it up. My next "challenge" is 6 weeks so I need some goals. I'll be thinking about them this weekend. Yeah, I knew the "eating more" was too good to be true. I just don't see how some people are able to do that.... Lucky b*tches.

Zobo, I would recomend incorporating some total body strength training if you aren't already. You don't have to spend a lot of time in the weight room. I was doing 3 days of about 30 minutes, typically 4 sets (15, 8, 8, 6) of 4 moves lifting heavy. Not a big calorie burn, so I truly think lifting has changed my body. I run a couple times a week in addition to some walks with the fam. Good luck!

I think that i missed the two week challenge. When is the next one?

Zobo - totally agree with Better. I just started New Rules of Lifting for Women and with that I weight train 3 days per week. On my lifting days I usually run about a mile on the treadmill to warm up. I try and incorporate running at least 2 off days as well in additional to the morning 2ish mile walks I take with my dog. Hope that helps, you'll find something that works for you! I haven't started REALLY paying attention to my macros aside from protein, as I'm not really looking to lose weight, just gain muscle.

Better - when I said I ate more and lost, I ate like 100 calories more so it's not like I have THAT much more to eat. I was just getting really cranky, hungry and tired so I upped it slightly. Totally did the trick. And to those aholes (like my 100 lb sister who can eat McDonald's twice a week and never gain a pound) it's just NOT FAIR.

Have a good Thursday ladies!

Well seeing as how I'm only on stage one, I'm not sure this will help much BUT it really seems like the most necessary equipment so far is dumbbells and barbells. A swiss ball would be nice to have as well, but you can substitute other workouts (planks etc) for the workouts on the ball. A bench would be helpful too.

Zobo, just Google "compound strength movements" and you'll find some. You can always Youtube if you don't know how to do the moves. Squats and lunges of many varieties, yes. Deadlifts are good too. Curls don't work multiple muscles like say a bench press would. Pushups, rows, presses..... Following a program like NRLOW may be helpful, even just looking at some of the material.

Chloe I have not done NROLW, but have looked at it several times. I seem to remember a pull-up bar being helpful? You'll love having a home gym. When I was on maternity leave and Daphne eventually got into a somewhat normal routine, I would get a quick workout some mornings during nap time - videos, strength, etc. and then we'd run/walk later in the day. It makes it so much easier when it's in the basement. Good planning for you! How's the rest of the baby planning coming?

Ramalem - I see on the calorie uppage. What my plan for 6 weeks is going to be a cycle using TDEE and doing a deficeit that theoretically would have me lose 0.25 pound, then a week losing 0.5 pound, then a week losing 0.75 pound and then repeat. Not that I would know about these losses since my scale weighs to the half pound only. (I refuse to buy a new one. I got a 0.1 scale and it weighed me 2 pounds higher. I sold it on Craigs list. I've had the same scale since college....so......)

My break has been nice, but I'm ready to get back to logging and consistent workouts. I have a running date with my bestie Saturday morning. I'm excited.

Man, I'm TOTALLY interested in doing an unassisted pull-up/chin-up. Can't. But, when I get there, I'll FINALLY feel like I have SOME upper-body strength....so then, when I'm 80, I WON'T be that little ol' lady saying "I've fallen and I CAN'T GET UP!!"

Totally paranoid about that.

I count calories, in my head, even when I'm not logging. Never used to. But, now I do. Wonder if that will EVER fade???!!!!!????

Amy - I think "getting more reps" would be EXACTLY how to challenge yourself to improve cardio-vascular fitness. (Just like, for runners, it might be running "faster" or it might be running "longer".)

Yea I was looking on ebay, but I will have to check out craigslist also and maybe find somebody local. When I was talking to Mike about my ideas he said he would like to get a new bar also, bc ours is pretty light. So I may look into that also.

Today, I lift!

I went running this morning!!! I ran just over 2 miles in 23 minutes, 3 of those minutes were walking. I actually enjoyed and wish I hadn't put it off for so long. I think I may have to sign up for another 5K, just to see!

Beeps- I always count in my head. However, I think it is WAY more accurate when you log. Especially with macros.

Amy- I should look up that Spartacus workout. Do you still have the link?

Chloe- how exciting, setting up the baby's room. My husband hand painted a flower border and her name. I love it, but I know she'll want to paint over it in a few years. :-(

Abigail- I have no, no foods in my house- mostly salty snack foods. My kids hate it but I've decided it's better for them anyway.

Happy Friday!

Chloe – I’m like you, I like to have it planned out and done. Are you far enough along to know what you’re having, sorry, I haven't caught up and I’ve only read this page!

Beeps – You go girl with all your strength!! I have no doubts you will get those unassisted pull ups!!

Amy – Great goal! And the plan for measuring is right on. I am with you! I just can’t bring myself to log. Been doing decent without it, but am much happier not worrying about counting and measuring. Just eyeballing and being conscious.

Better – Lol, nice rack Been watching you on the newsfeed and youa re killing it! Keep it up, lady!

Abigail – Nutella is like crack!!! I do keep it in the house. I like to mix a little with my greek yogurt and strawberries The dinner/dance cruise sounds like fun!!! Enjoy!

KC – Great job on the run! It’s even better when you enjoy it! Yup get signed up for another run and have fun!! I have 2 runs on the horizon, the Glow Run and the Mudzilla. Cant wait!!!

My pic is from earlier this week. I have not logged and put some pounds back on, but I have kept up with cardio workouts. I am actually happier not logging but need a steady weight routine again. I started taking a body pump class, which surprisingly I am enjoying. It focuses more on muscular endurance than strength. I already see improvements and have friends in the class so it makes it even more fun So for now, I am focusing on getting the weights back in 3 times a week. 2 down this week, am planning to go again in the morning to lift on my own, but this time, I go HEAVY :happy:

Keep up the great work ladies and have a fabulous weekend!

I had a good work-out today. Am feeling too hungry, though - trying to cut that off at the pass. (Decided to have chicken strips with my salad, rather than grilled chicken - hoping the fat will provide some satiation.)

One week until photos/measurements - and GAWD KNOWS, I want these challenges to END - and they ALL do next weekend! YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

I have been in one contest, or another, and more than one, for 18 months SOLID. Gack. I need a B-R-E-A-K (from contests).