Can you LOSE 50+ pounds by July 1st? CHALLENGE!!!

I love this idea! Could definitely use the motivation and will absolutely do my best to keep up with the group.

Screen Name: ChristyLMeaker
Starting Weight (On January 1st 2011): 236
Goal by July 1st, 2011 (can be more than 50 lbs, whatever you wish for): 180
Why do you want to lose 50+ pounds?: To feel better and be healthier, much cuter clothes
What are your eating and exercise plans to lose 50+ pounds?: Eat 1400 calories/day, work out at least 5 times a week (swimming, weight lifting, Zumba classes)

I am up for this. Will give my stats Saturday.

What a great idea!!! I'm excited! :-)

Screen Name: Jewels1296
Starting Weight (On January 1st 2011): 236
Goal by July 1st, 2011 (can be more than 50 lbs, whatever you wish for): 180
Why do you want to lose 50+ pounds?: To be healthy, feel better, and fit back into my pre-nursing school/knee surgery clothes.
What are your eating and exercise plans to lose 50+ pounds?: Eating between 1300-1400 calories per day and watching my fat intake. I plan on exercising at 4-5 times per week if not more.

i want to join this one two, as i have joined your january one
dom300186
SW 208 lbs
GW 160 lbs = almost 40 lbs more if i can achieve
Why? because im fed up and want to get into a lovely wedding dress for next year.
calories per day allowed 1350 1 hr x 5-6 days a week kinect dance central 7 biggest loser
Breakfast: grilled Bacon, mushrooms, lettuce with chopped toms most days lunch mostly chopped toms or saghetti hoops on toast and tea time: plenty of grilled chicken and stir fried veg.

updated and ready to go!!!

Screen Name: crazytxmom
Starting Weight (On January 1st 2011): 190
Goal by July 1st, 2011: 140
Why do you want to lose 50+ pounds?: To stay healthy. I've seen many people I know acquire health problems that can be closely tied to the extra weight they carry - diabetes, heart issues, knee and feet pain. I don't want to take myself there. I'm approaching forty and want to get there and beyond at a healthy weight.
What are your eating and exercise plans to lose 50+ pounds?: I will log in daily to track what I eat. That has been helpful & enlightening to see how that adds up. I've been using Just Dance 2 and plan to buy EA Active 2 to workout while it's cold outside. I will also purchase jump ropes & hula hoops so I can challenge my kids to see who can go the longest. Once spring comes I will get back on my beloved bicycle and begin working on a C25K program. My biggest "excuse" is time. I work full time, lead 2 Girl Scout troops & my kids have homework and music lessons we run to. I plan to plan meals for the week and include my kids in my exercises to wipe out that excuse.

Good luck to all!!

ok, now i can offically weigh in

Screen Name: goobegone
Starting Weight (On January 1st 2011): 231.0
Goal by July 1st, 2011 (can be more than 50 lbs, whatever you wish for): 160
Why do you want to lose 50+ pounds?: i want 2 b physically fit & confident abt my body. i want 2 b able 2 fit anythin in there.
What are your eating and exercise plans to lose 50+ pounds?: jenny craig, trainin 4 half marathon, p90x/insanity/hip hop abs possibly

Stephanie, I like the way you think... you seem kind but driven, so I am in.

Screen Name: emmaleigh47
Starting Weight: Will have to update tomorrow (January 1, 2011)

Goal by July 1st, 2011 (can be more than 50 lbs, whatever you wish for): 50 pounds (although I dont in any way believe that I am capable of losing that much by that time, but I am willing to try. My ultimate goal weight is about 185 because that is the last weight I was at that I remember feeling good about myself and my body!

Why do you want to lose 50+ pounds?: I want to be under 200 pounds for the first time in 7 years.
I used to say I wanted to run to lose weight, but now I want to lose weight so that I can run more and run faster!

What are your eating and exercise plans to lose 50+ pounds?:
- following MFP and logging my calories and staying close to my goal calories
- running 3 days/week
- cross training at least one day per week (ideally 2 or 3)
- planning meals and grocery lists
- making home cooked meal 3x/week

Thanks for letting me into this challenge!

Unfortunately, I have to report that my starting weight is 250 lbs.
I am retaining alot of fluid from yesterday half marathon run .... so it will likely improve, but got to be honest!
Happy New Years to Everyone!

I need a challenge I can stick with.. I always seem to miss the timing, so am really glad to find one to stick with. I was doing great, working with a personal trainer and lost almost 40 lbs in 2009 and then 2010 kicked my butt and I am ready for a fresh start. If you'll have me, I'm ready!

Screen Name: marci_r2010
Starting Weight (On January 1st 2011): 303
Goal by July 1st, 2011 (can be more than 50 lbs, whatever you wish for): 253
Why do you want to lose 50+ pounds?: I have been extremely overweight for too long. It affects everything.
What are your eating and exercise plans to lose 50+ pounds?: No binge eating, calories in/calories out, tracking food and water intake, exercise 4-5x week.

Screen Name: hessond
Starting Weight (On January 1st 2011): 200
Goal by July 1st, 2011 (can be more than 50 lbs, whatever you wish for): I am not sure that 50 lbs is a realistic goal for me; however, I am going to shoot for 50 and see how the first couple of months go. I may need to modify my goal at a later date.
Why do you want to lose 50+ pounds?: It would put me near my goal weight, which I haven’t been at since a teenager, and I would be near my ideal body weight. I really just want to be a healthier individual and have the energy I need to perform my job, and have fun with my family
What are your eating and exercise plans to lose 50+ pounds?: My goal is to begin training for a ½ and then a full marathon. I have experienced some knee problems during this 6 months, so I am going to be starting from scratch. I plan to exercise at least 30 minutes everyday, and my goal is to get at least 6-8 hours of exercise in per week. I plan on doing a combination of running, walking, and aerobic along with 2-3 days of strength training. For my diet, I plan on trying to stay around 1500 net calories per day.

Screen Name: Thomasvision

Starting Weight (On January 1st 2011): 252.4

Goal by July 1st, 2011 : My Goal is to be under 190 lbs by July so that will be a 62 lb + weight loss

Why do you want to lose 50+ pounds?: I want to be healthy. I am tired of yoyoing. I want to feel good in my clothes again. In the past 10 years I have not been able to get under 200 lbs "when" I lose this 50+ lbs 200 will be just a memory!

What are your eating and exercise plans to lose 50+ pounds?:
-FOOD- My wife and I are fishatarian's (meaning we are almost a vegetarians except we eat no red meat or poultry). Have cut down on breads. I eat whole grain and wheat breads only, and only eat that once or twice a week and keep it to one slice. Lots of Water. Lastly, I always have a Protein shakes after workouts.
-EXERCISE- I have been been doing two a days of Jillian Michaels & Slim in 6 workouts for the past week and will continue that until January 16th which is when my wife and I will start P90X and Insanity. My wife and I will also be running a 10K in the spring.

Happy New Year and God Bless you all in your Fitness journey.

I would definitely love to join this group. This is just what I need for that extra nudge of motivation.

Screen Name: shanellereena
Starting Weight (On January 1st 2011):210
Goal by July 1st, 2011 (can be more than 50 lbs, whatever you wish for): 60 lbs
Why do you want to lose 50+ pounds?: I want to get back healthy and not follow my family's footsteps of being overweight into my adult years
What are your eating and exercise plans to lose 50+ pounds?: eating 1200 calories/ day and continuing to exercise daily for 30 min.- an hour.

I would love to join this challenge!! I have been looking for a group challenge like this!!! Thank you so much for posting it! I need to be accoutable to more than just myself. I am scared to death to start this goal but I know that I have to do it for my health and myself, as well as my family. Looking forward to the challenge!!

Screen Name: sgtlordswife

Starting Weight (On January 1st 2011): 313 lbs as of this morning!!! I was floored!

Goal by July 1st, 2011 (can be more than 50 lbs, whatever you wish for): to lose 60+ lbs (250 lbs)

Why do you want to lose 50+ pounds?: I don't only want to, I need to! I have hypothroidism and am having a very hard time with it. I am unable to function, like I used to, because of all the weight that I have put on. I need to lose this weight for myself and my family. I want to be around to watch my little boy grow into a wonderful man and darn it, I want to be around to play with my grandchildren when the time comes.

What are your eating and exercise plans to lose 50+ pounds?: I live on an Army post in Southern Germany and once the snow abates a bit, i will be walking, A LOT! As a matter a fact I have to walk to my bank tomorrow and that is over a mile up and back. Also, I am working on cutting out most of my carbs and refined sugars. I eat oatmeal almost everyday and plan on eating high protein, low carb foods from now on. No more sodas for me!!!!

This is going to be a great challenge!!

All right, here we go!

Screen Name: Kayla2284
Starting Weight (On January 1st 2011): 191
Goal by July 1st, 2011 (can be more than 50 lbs, whatever you wish for): 140
Why do you want to lose 50+ pounds?: So I can be a healthier me for myself and my family
What are your eating and exercise plans to lose 50+ pounds?: I am going to log my food every day and keep a regular exercising schedule.

Good Luck Everyone!

Screen Name: Chirron
Starting Weight (On January 1st 2011): 193.4
Goal by July 1st, 2011 (can be more than 50 lbs, whatever you wish for): 143.4
Why do you want to lose 50+ pounds?: I'm tired of gaining and losing 5-15lbs. I want to get to my ideal weight and maintain.
What are your eating and exercise plans to lose 50+ pounds?: I will have to start slow for exercise because I am pretty weak and I am still being treated for a neck injury but I plan to do as much as I can. I plan to count calories and stay within 1300 calories. I think I have some food allergies/intolerances so I will be going to get tested soon and then I will avoid those foods.