This is actually tougher then I thought it would be. But its an interesting exercise in self-control and self-knowledge. Thank you for letting me stay for the duration even though I had a sick kid on 11/5. I kept thinking of this challenge all day. I did some squats, I did shadow boxing, I ran in place, I did crunches on the ball but I couldn't go outside to run like I would normally do on Tuesdays and I didn't want to be making a lot of noise while he was feeling so bad. At the end of the day, my BodyMedia Armband said I had not exercised for a full 30 minutes. I felt compelled to be honest and execuse myself from the challenge. Thank you for letting me stay.

I am so happy that you started this group!! I don't think I have ever exercised EVERYDAY in my life!! I complete the first month (October) and it is also helping to win a local challenge at the Y.....Two for the price of one!! :bigsmile:

I lost 4 pounds during October and hope to at least maintain in November. Not sure how Thanksgiving is going to go yet, but I am so looking forward to it for the first time in my life!! :flowerforyou:

I know it seems weird to do something like this challenge. Knowing that we can all "CHEAT" and say we did when we didn't. But, I felt like that would be just one more time that I cheated myself. Done with that old me and loving the new me!!

It is so good to see all of us working at this NEW ME together!! I appreciate all of you....even though I don't know any of you!! Even if you don't think you've done anything, believe me you have!! You are all special to me!! THANK YOU!!! :drinker:

Great! This has really helped me stick to exercising everyday! When it was warm outside I had no problem going on walks everyday but now that it is getting colder outside I don't want to take my baby out so this has helped push me to get my treadmill out and walk when I can't go outside and walk. I know I can do this challenge and succeed at it. I have really good determination when I set my mind to eating right and exercising. This has really helped me stay even more determined to succeed.The only day I am worried about is Thanksgiving. I plan on doing this challenge again in December. I want to see my name in the winner's circle especially through the holidays! I want to reach my goal weight and lose 19 more pounds by my son's first birthday January 8.

Yeap worried about Thanksgiving too, but we just need to mindful of what goes in so that we can do what we need to do to get it out!! LOL!! A walk on Thanksgiving Day isn't unheard of, right???

Doing really good over here! This challenge is helping me keep myself accountable for my day. It's also helped me stay on track with exercise as well as nutrition. Hope everyone else is having success!

This has been great so far! I seriously carve out time now to exercise even if it is just a walk around the neighborhood!

Feeling great and am amazed at how I am more conscientious about my caloric intake and making sure I absolutely stay under budget!

Let's go team! Keep strong!

BTW for those of you nervous about Thanksgiving, Caradae posted the below questions/answer in the "how to make this challenge work for you" post. I am planning on upping my calories on Thanksgiving and then again Friday-Sunday the following week (we are going on an annual trip to St. Augustine). Even though I am planning on eating more calories those days, I think knowing that I still need to log everything will help me make better decisions (I am lazy and don't want to have to try to figure out the calories for really complex dishes..lol). Also, on that three day weekend I will be doing ALOT of walking. Because of the below rules, I will be able to participate in the challenge in December.


Q: "I want to do this challenge, but I like having a day every week when I can eat whatever I want."
A: I do too. That's why, once a week, I make my calorie budget something ridiculously high. That way, I'll stay within my budget and remain in the challenge, but I'll have a day off too.

Q: "My birthday is this month and I really want to celebrate it."
A: Simply adjust your calorie goal that day. Make it something high. You will still have to exercise for 20 minutes, but cleaning up after the party for 20 minutes counts.

Pretty good thanks Caradae. This is a great challenge. I'm starting to feel a bit of fatigue and I'm noticing myself rebelling a bit. The "inner worm" doesn't want to exercise everyday and is trying to weasel out but I'm hanging in there. After investing so many days into the challenge I don't want to fall off now and let the team down!

So far so good! BTW you did a great job matching up buddies. My buddy and I are pretty much on the same path so it's been super easy to talk to her! Thank you!!

SOOOOO...in one month from today is the big big Christmas Party at work. We get to bring our spouses and go to a country club, drink cocktails and have a nice dinner together. So I'm really focusing on looking great for this event. And we get to dress up - which is the only time in the year for me. 4 weeks should equal 4 lbs which would be amazing. So I'm super motivated!! The only day I'm planning to "take off" is Thanksgiving. We never really overdo it anyhow, but I want to enjoy time with family and not worry about calories

Hope everyone else is doing well!!!

I have been doing well until last night. I did not adjust my calories for dinner with the Church ladies. I also did not get my 20 minutes in. So, I am bowing out of the competition for now. I know that with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up that I will not be as vigilant as I need to be so I will rejoin you all in January. I have been doing the WII fit every night for 20-30 minutes and it has got my daughter excited about fitness as well. We are working on all aspects of leading a healthier lifestyle and I know that slip-ups are going to happen. That is a part of life, but this is a pretty strict challenge and I slipped for a day. I am thankful for the push to get us up off of the couch. Good luck to you all! Have a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas! BUT, watch out in January, I'll be back, lol.

So glad to hear this has become a "family event". Sounds like you have a great plan!! See ya next year!! :flowerforyou:

I actually think this challenge is the thing I needed to get my off my plateau! Thank you!

Felt myself wavering the last couple days, but it stuck with it! I've been in a blah mood, and I always turn to snacking. Really trying to stick with this though! I've lost several pounds already and that is a huge motivator. Determined to finish out the month and keep going! Even started the squat challenge, which even day 1 is more than I'm used to doing, I usually don't exercise like that. We roller skate or go for walks, or clean house, but I really don't dedicate exercise time, and I need to! I think this will be a good start.

I was reading one of the comments and someone said you did a good job matching up buddies? Did I miss something?

Doing Great.:happy:

I'm doing awesome, finally beat my pleateau in the butt and lost a pound! But I also learned this week I was eating too little calories all along and I really need 400 more a day!

I have learned sooooo much for these past couple of years!! It's amazing how we live day to day and not realizing ALL the stuff we do to ourselves!! Good for you for figuring this out now and not when it's too late!! :drinker: