Participant Updates

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Replies

  • CarmenSantiago
    CarmenSantiago Posts: 681 Member
    Hi everybody!

    My name is Carmen. I've been on MFP for a long time and have done well. I'm excited about this challenge. I have no doubt I'll be here at the end. This is my first challenge and am happy to see there are a lot of participants. Support and accountability are always a good thing.


    Good Luck everyone!
  • caradae
    caradae Posts: 743 Member
    :happy: Hey, y'all! Wow! This is going to be one of the greatest challenges for me. I also hovered over the "join" button awhile and then said, "What have I got to lose?" Okay, I'm in, too. I know I can do this!

    I've been logging in everyday for like 90 days now, a little shakey on exercising EVERY day (usually only 5 or 6 days a week), and doing well at accounting for what I eat. I need to lose about 45 pounds to be a lot healthier and (hopefully) happier.

    I just have two questions . . .

    1). If my daily calorie goal is say, 1400 and my exercise adds more to that, would it be considered "going over calories" if I ate back some or all of those exercise calories? Or do I need to stay at 1400 and not eat back any or all of the calories earned from exercising.

    2). What about rest days? Are they acceptable? It doesn't sound like it to me. (I'm sure a 20 minute walk one day out of the week wouldn't hurt a regularly scheduled rest day. Just want your guidelines on this.)

    Thanks in advance. :flowerforyou:

    Hi, welcome to the group! :)

    1.) You can eat back your calories, or not. I leave that up to you.

    2.) Strictly speaking, there are no rest days. Every day, you have to set a calorie budget for yourself, stay within that calorie budget, exercise for 20+ minutes, keep track of everything you eat and drink, and check in.

    There are ways to get around some of these requirements, though. If you really want a day off from restricting your calories, set your calorie goal for the day high: 3,000 calories, say. If you want a day off from exercising, do light work around the house for 20 minutes. You don't have to bust your butt for this challenge; you just have to be mindful of your diet and activity all month.

    The only thing you really can't get around is keeping track of your calories and checking in. But those are easy.
  • caradae
    caradae Posts: 743 Member
    Hello everyone

    My name is Brad, I'm 41 and I live in South Florida

    I began my diet and exercise back in February and so far I've lost 107 lbs

    I was wearing 48'' jeans and tonight I bought a pair of 33'' jeans :) . after 1 yr and 7 months of being unemployed, I got a job a couple of weeks ago and I ride my bike 12 miles a day to work and back, plus the exercise I get from work, so things are looking even better for me now

    I want to wish everyone good luck in the next month- I'll be there at the end and I hope everyone else will be too

    Wow, Brad. Way to go! It's hard to lose weight when you're unemployed (I would know), so double-congratz on losing 107 lbs. while looking for a job. And congratz on getting a job!
  • caradae
    caradae Posts: 743 Member
    Hi everybody!

    My name is Carmen. I've been on MFP for a long time and have done well. I'm excited about this challenge. I have no doubt I'll be here at the end. This is my first challenge and am happy to see there are a lot of participants. Support and accountability are always a good thing.


    Good Luck everyone!

    Carmen, I love your ticker.
  • Jagreene62
    Jagreene62 Posts: 4,782 Member
    Hello Everyone from Fleming Island, Florida. This is my first time joining ANY challenge. I was a little hesitant to join at first. There doesn't seem to be a lot of activity with some of the groups, but I read each introduction and got really motivated. I've been a member of my local YMCA and have lost 60 pounds. I think my weight is okay now. However, I really need to tone....bad!! Hopefully, this will kick start my butt into working out these muscles everyday!! Thanks for putting this together for all of us!! :flowerforyou:
  • RaineyLaney
    RaineyLaney Posts: 605 Member
    Hello everyone. My name is Rainey. I am 55 (almost 56yrs young) and I am a night worker (3rd shift). So when I complete my daily diary, it is usually really late at night. I eat a few snacks and my dinner at work, so my food diary post will end up being one day behind all of yours (unless I can post it before heading to work. I eat what I put in my diary (I pre-plan). I saw in the rules, you couldn't post till you ate your meals. At this point I will post my day around 9-10pm, but consume what I have posted at work, It is already in my lunch bag when I post on MFP. I need to know if this will be ok to do still. If not, I will have to figure something out (other wise I am posting after the time slot for it to show on my main wall and I do like my friend's feed back)

    I am excited to do this challenge and glad you can count house work as 20min. workouts. I would burn out if I did cardio (regular exercising) for a month straight with no day off, so I can look at the days I clean house as my days off ha ha. I have lost 59 lbs so far and have another 90 to go (at least). I have been strong going since Jan 16th, 2013. I am a diabetic and I do eat (usually 6 times a day). 3 main meals and 3 snacks. I also am a waterholic, so I have no problem getting in my 8 glass's of water. I think somedays I drink way too much water to be honest.

    I wish everyone good luck on this challenge :flowerforyou:
  • Hi I'm Lisa,
    To date I have lost 7 lbs (was 10 but I have slipped a bit as of late) I am down to the last 10 pounds and I have to say they are a stubborn lot!!!! However, I am just as stubborn and they will come off....one pound at a time :)
    I am a busy mom of three, two girls and a boy. They are 18, 17 and 14 and they keep us hopping daily running to Dance, Volleyball, Hockey, etc. I am excited to do this challenge and I hope more than anything that I can stay on track and make this an amazing month. I like the format :) I am a fairly active person so I am hopeful that I should be able to squeeze in the activity everyday....glad to see that housework counts :)
    Good luck to everyone :)
  • carlsoda
    carlsoda Posts: 3,425 Member
    Hi everyone - I'm new here just found the group last night! I have lost a total of 15 lbs on WW, quit due to the price and have another 15 lbs to lose to hit my goal. I did injure my back in June of this summer - I was originally 5 lbs from goal but laying around for 3 months I ended up gaining weight. So I'm hoping by the end of this year I'll hit goal! I'm still limited on exercise, but I can walk and bike now so it will be easy to get my 20 minutes in every day!

    Here's to a great month for all of us!!!
  • caradae
    caradae Posts: 743 Member
    Welcome, everyone who signed up since last night.

    I'm so excited about this group. You guys sound like August's group--by far our biggest yield of winners.
  • lisamac62
    lisamac62 Posts: 305 Member
    Hi everyone,

    I am so glad to be apart of these challenges; this is my 2nd one. I didn't loose any weight in Sept but that is ok, eventually I WILL break this plateau :bigsmile: Just knowing that I have to log in everyday and be true to the group and myself keeps me going.
    Yesterday, my husband and I went to Blue Springs here in FL, we walked all the trails some of which had stairs and I felt good. A year ago I could NOT have done that much less walk the stairs the normal way. When I say "normal way" I mean on foot per step especially going down instead of 2 feet per step. After we left Blue Springs we went to DeLand to the Craft and Quilt fair and walked ALL the streets, my legs didn't hurt, my feet didn't hurt and I was NOT out of breath the whole day. Again a year ago I could NOT have done both much less one without having to cut the day short and been miserable the whole day and not slept that night without a LOT of IB for the pain.
    Good luck to everyone...
    if you are a new member...welcome
    if you are an old member....keep up the good work cause we ALL ROCK :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:
  • Jagreene62
    Jagreene62 Posts: 4,782 Member
    Getting ready for tomorrow's start date. So far so good.....logged breakfast.....logged one hour of Zumba.....now onto lunch!! Hope all are having a great Monday!! Get up and MOVE today!! :wink:
  • weca
    weca Posts: 7
    Ok, I'm in.Hello everyone,I'm Veca 33 yrs. Want to finish 15 years of yo-yo and crash dieting. Now I'm ready for lifetime changes. New member on MFP and I loss 3 kg already.
  • djess050
    djess050 Posts: 66 Member
    Hey, Im Jessica. I am a 23 years old studen in Omaha, Nebraska and this is actually my first time doing this king of challenge. I fluctuate in weight every year ( last winter I went down to 147...jumped back up to 167 during the summer). Im doing this challenge to add consistency to my health style so that I could stop my weight from going up and down 10 to 20 pounds every year.
    In mid july I was 167 and now im down to 158. I hope to get to 155 by the end of this challenge. Ultimate goal is 135...But im taking it slow.
  • Wiseinwellness
    Wiseinwellness Posts: 1,088 Member
    Hi everyone,

    What a great and motivating challenge - thanks for setting it up! I am excited!

    I am in Toronto (Canada) - and have lost about 20lbs this past year. I am on the last 10 pounds now, but have plateaued and even creep up. Yikes! All that hard work will not be sabotaged!!

    I am renewing my efforts to shed those fatty cell suckers for good, especially as I have winter to contend with (which slows my activity level down a bit).

    Good luck everyone. We can do this!
  • Kass0708
    Kass0708 Posts: 41 Member
    Just wanted to come and say I am wicked excited to start this challenge tomorrow. I know I can do it and know every other participant can as well. We are all strong people and we have a huge support system here. So lets say good bye to those pesky pounds! So get a good night's rest everyone and GOOD LUCK! :happy:
  • margieparkins
    margieparkins Posts: 591 Member
    good luck everyone, dont forget this is strict so make sure you are honest to yourself and to the group. stay focused and commited, you can do it!!!
  • Sarahkoolkatkitty
    Sarahkoolkatkitty Posts: 109 Member
    Hi everyone! I'm so excited about this group; thank you for having it! This is my first time doing this challenge. I am a busy mom of four, whom I homeschool, but I am learning to make time to keep healthy.

    I have lost 75 pounds since the end of October last year. I really would like to get to my goal weight by the end of the year which means losing about 7 pounds a month. It seems like a lot, but I think I can come close if I really just make my health a priority through the holidays-starting this month! Good luck everyone and feel free to add me!
  • Jagreene62
    Jagreene62 Posts: 4,782 Member
    Hi everyone! I'm so excited about this group; thank you for having it! This is my first time doing this challenge. I am a busy mom of four, whom I homeschool, but I am learning to make time to keep healthy.

    I have lost 75 pounds since the end of October last year. I really would like to get to my goal weight by the end of the year which means losing about 7 pounds a month. It seems like a lot, but I think I can come close if I really just make my health a priority through the holidays-starting this month! Good luck everyone and feel free to add me!



    WOW Sarahkoolkatk.....do I know what you have and are going through. I have a special needs son (age 24). I homeschooled for a while and then opened a private school for special needs children. After he graduated, it was time to pass the torch to a another family. My best friend is also a part of MFP and has a special needs son the same age. We will do anything for our boys. We HAVE to be here for them. You can do this!! It will be so worth everything sweat drop!!! :flowerforyou:
  • Pizazz16
    Pizazz16 Posts: 295 Member
    Ready for the beginning of tomorrow's challenge. My best to everyone in the group. :flowerforyou:
  • RaineyLaney
    RaineyLaney Posts: 605 Member
    Good Luck everyone. (I know we all can do this, it will be tough and we will want to throw in the towel, but remember, it isn't about this challenge at all. It is about YOU and this is a plan you told "YOU" that you would stick to, because you need to be accountable for.

    I can't wait for this challenge to start.. I may do some calf raises at work tonight if it is a slower night (work in ER at hospital)

    Bring it on.... OCT 1st :drinker:
  • caradae
    caradae Posts: 743 Member
    Welcome, all newcomers! You all sound like you're going to do great. I've posted the first sign-in thread, so, wherever you happen to be in the world, when it's the end of your day make sure to sign in. Good luck, everyone!
  • airangel59
    airangel59 Posts: 1,887 Member
    Hey all :flowerforyou:

    I'm Ellen, 54, from Arizona and this will be my 2nd challenge here on MFP. Just completed a beginner's challenge, 50 miles in Sept (my ticker was set to 80, did 100.5 miles) so I'm more than psyched for this one.

    I work from home and it's a challenge to not raid the pantry & fridge...thankfully my mindset has been where it needs to be on this journey. I'm tired of yo yo'ing...losing the pounds and gaining them and more back.

    Health issues are what brought me to MFP 480+ days ago. A Fitbit Flex in July got my exercise motivation going (before that I was a very happy recliner potato, sigh).

    Hoping I can figure out the check in. I dutifully logged my miles daily on the 50 mile challenge, but it had a ticker...

    Best of luck to everyone, hope to see you at the finish line :drinker:
  • juliabutler
    juliabutler Posts: 4 Member
    Hi my name is Julia and I will 66 the day after Christmas. I gained 12 pounds over the last three months with bad habits living in a vacation spot. I needed to get back on a program. I did game on before and it's a lot like this. I love the accountability and connection with others. Your stories are inspiring. Lets do it!
  • RaineyLaney
    RaineyLaney Posts: 605 Member
    Woo Hoo, I have 4 of my MFP friends in this challenge. melwa, airangel59, bebubble and LazerMum. We can do this :)
  • Via_14
    Via_14 Posts: 992 Member
    Day 1 over for me!

    Man I'm tired but it's because I've been out and on my feet all day.

    Can't wait for tomorrow to really pump some exercise and healthy eating into my day!!

    Have a good one guys!
  • lisamac62
    lisamac62 Posts: 305 Member
    Good morning everyone,
    Have a great 1st day!!!
    Remember:
    Temptations are everywhere .... visalize your success :flowerforyou:
  • juliabutler
    juliabutler Posts: 4 Member
    Hi everyone---i don't know how to get that little bar that says the amt. of weight you lost and also not sure where the "thread" is to reply. You can see I am not a computer person. Oh well.....anyone want to teach me these little things? J.
  • bradjneville
    bradjneville Posts: 83 Member
    Hello everyone

    My name is Brad, I'm 41 and I live in South Florida

    I began my diet and exercise back in February and so far I've lost 107 lbs

    I was wearing 48'' jeans and tonight I bought a pair of 33'' jeans :) . after 1 yr and 7 months of being unemployed, I got a job a couple of weeks ago and I ride my bike 12 miles a day to work and back, plus the exercise I get from work, so things are looking even better for me now

    I want to wish everyone good luck in the next month- I'll be there at the end and I hope everyone else will be too

    Wow, Brad. Way to go! It's hard to lose weight when you're unemployed (I would know), so double-congratz on losing 107 lbs. while looking for a job. And congratz on getting a job!
  • bradjneville
    bradjneville Posts: 83 Member
    tyvm- actually it was very easy for me to lose the weight while unemployed - I was going out for walks and bike rides a couple times a day, now I'm getting 12 miles on a bike 5 days a week for work and I'll be riding and walking on weekends

    this will be a great group for me- I'm working as a elementary school custodian, so I'm pushing a cart, bending, walking all over the school- exercise is guaranteed lol
  • Sandia_Sweetie
    Sandia_Sweetie Posts: 85 Member
    Happy October, so glad I found this group! My name is Rachel and I am from Albuquerque, NM. I joined MFP about a year ago, but didn't get serious until February. I started going to the gym over the summer, but now that my three kids are back in school (and have joined every possible activity/sport/scout group) I have been struggling. I hope this challenge will give me the kick in the pants I need to get going again. I will turn 40 on January 1st, and really want to be close to my goal weight.

    Good luck to everyone!