Kicking *kitten* In Our Twenties - January Challenge!!

Angels, congratulations on the awesome loss so far! I understand the thinking behind ambitious goals - but I think it's good that you've adjusted your weight goals a little bit for this month. You'll do fantastic regardless! It's great that you found this topic and some of the ladies here were able to answer your questions, this site can be a little confusing at first. I also agree that planning a break meal once in a while is a better idea then an entire break day. Everything in moderation - even cheating. In any case, welcome!

Nadine, welcome as well!! You read us pretty well, this thread is remarkably supportive! I totally get the loss of motivation at night: that's something that I'm struggling with now, but at least the days are getting longer now and the sun is setting later in the day.

Meag, I feel like I say this a lot, but your attempts in the kitchen always seem so delicious to me. That blog where you found the bread recipe looks really cool - I love how the ingredients are all priced out. Good luck with all your upcoming cooking adventures!

AFM: I did make it to the gym last night - and had a nice burn on the elliptical. Then I got on two of the weight machines (arms - I tend to baby my legs because if they're sore, then I won't want to do cardio the next day). I know the importance of weight training while losing weight, but I am at quite a loss of how to go about doing it. So when I'm at the gym, I'll do some weight machines, but it's kinda haphazard, and I'm never sure if I'm doing them right. Do you ladies and gentlemen have any advice for resources where I can read up on weight training? I also went to the bar last night (a friend's band was playing): didn't drink too much, and I think I burned off about half of what I drank anyway from dancing. It was a lot of fun

I planned to do D2 of c25k before lunch today - but I woke up and there was snow on the ground! Did not expect that... I'm hoping that the paths through campus have been cleared because the sidewalks around my apartment certainly haven't. I've also got tons of bad food temptations planned out for today - yikes! I'm meeting a friend for lunch and my university's football team is playing in the championship game tonight (not going to the game, as it's in Texas, but am planning on getting together with some friends to watch it - complete with chips, dip, wings, pizza, beer, etc...). Also, started looking through the menu for Cosi (where I'm meeting my friend for lunch). How are salads 700 cals/ 500 from fat???? Please tell me most of that is from the dressing...

Cheers
:happy: Meredith

lost 2 lbs this week- wooo! back on track & it feels good! i'm going to san diego next thursday night so i'm going to weigh in early. here's to another good week! 6lbs to go for my january goal!

have a great weekend!


skiptomylou32--scale goal: 125, non-scale goal: stop waiting till tomorrow, making excuses, and being complacent with my fitness goals
Lauratx22-to lose 7 pounds! Weighing 163!
Roobean33 - cardio 5X/week, lifting 3X/week, try out CrossFit, lose 2lbs, H20 guzzle, take measurements.
kvr414- 1 hr cardio 3x a week, try 3 new recipes, 12 cups water/day, lose 6 lbs.
meagalayne- curb late-night snacking and emotional eating, limit carbohydrate consumption after 4pm and experiment with new Low-GI recipes once a week, maintain under 130lbs, and complete first 4 weeks of Hal Higdon's Half Marathon Training (Novice)
emmarie1630- lose 4 pounds, 4x a week workout, use wii fitness games a ton, MORE WATER!
wardiemelissa-continue to maintain between 120-125lbs; plan healthy family meals at least 5 nights a week; begin training for half marathon (just need to find one in May or June)
tjradd73-lose 8lbs, 80oz H20 per day, and cardio 3x per week.
Mike (CaptainJim) lose 5-8 lbs, 3x (30-60 min) cardio per week, fit into size 32 jeans (I'm 34's right now)
Finncmh- see a loss on the scale, continue strength training 2x's a week and update the routine at the end of Jan, continue running training- increase to 5 min running intervals, 1 new healthy recipe a week, and get back in to yoga/stretching routine in the am and/or pm
briar_rose: lose 5 pounds, exercise 3x/week, no potato chips
mkingraham: lose 15 pounds by Feb 1., exercise 5/6 x a week with 3/4 days of strength training, eat breakfast everyday (a healthy one), two servings of fruit a day.
GuamGrly (Bethany) - DO NOT focus on the scale. Focus on changing my lifestyle by incorporating fruits and vegetables in my diet more, drinking my water everyday, planning my meals, working out 120 minutes per week, and getting back to C25k traning.
LostAlyKat (Aly) : Be under 170lbs for the end of the month. Do weight lifting or strength 3 times a week, be active in some way every day. Get back into doing Yoga do a class at least 1 time this month. Write down my feelings more often.
Stuartme123: JanSW = 156. Check-in with this thread 3-4x/week, 30 min of cardio 3x a week, Restart and keep up with 100 push-up challenge and C25K, Keep unhealthy snacking to under 200 calories/day, Add veggies that wouldn't normally be there to at least one meal a day, Try one new healthy recipe a week, Lose 1lb a week for a total of 4lbs.
seripha - exercise 5x a week for at least 30 minutes each. Try to eat at least 1 cup of dark green food every day and only 1 sweet thing per day.
miss_amy: to lose 8lbs (38 total lbs), work out 5x a week for an hour & log EVERYTHING!- UPDATE (1/7): 2lbs down, 6 to go!
Ngoat (nancy): Lose 5lbs, Drink more water, and eat healthier dinners!
rai8759: lose at least 4 lbs (164 by 1/31/11); work out 3x a week idevelop a consistent weight training regiment and work my way up to 2x a week weight training; drink 8-10 cups of water per day; eat more veggies; track everything in my food diary!!
Dteg: Scale to lose 5 LBs making under 140 for the first time in 5 years!!!! non scale: to eat more fresh food, eat in more often not going out as much anymore, excerise three times a week
Allie7383- be at or under 155, eat more fruits/veggies, and drink at least 8 glasses of water per day.
katecampbell03- Lose 5lbs this month and make time to fit in a work-out before/during/after work
pags221 - weigh 1.31.11 @ 123lbs / make it to the gym 21 days this month
Allislefttogain - Stay below 120; run 70 miles; 64 ounces of (straight!) water daily; complete weeks 2-4 of Turbo Fire; try kale & brussel sprouts; strength train 3x a week
tai_88 - drink at least 8 cups of water a day. I must drink at least 4 cups before i can have tea or my sprite zero; stop mindless/emotional eating; work out at least 4 times a week; log every day; continue the push up challenge; lose 4 lbs.
spellbinder25 - (1) Continue with C25K, (2) Cook twice a week, (3) Have a serving of fruit everyday, (4) Do strength training thrice a week, (5) Reach 142lbs by the end of Jan.
KanCrav - I want to loose 5lbs by the end of January
angels and wolves-scale goal: 169 by feb 1st; non-scale goals: continue 30DS everyday, drop a pnt size by feb 1st, give up soda and caffeine, and be able to run a mile.
Nadine - Scale goals: 125lbs by my next half marathon in March. Non scale goals - successfully check off every scheduled run on my 1/2 marathon training program, thats 4 runs a week. Committ to practicing yoga at least twice a week (running injury preventer!!) Weight train twice a week. Cut fast food, make my own lunches and eating smartly - feeding my body what it needs to perform and feel its best, not foods that taste good but make me tired. My running time goals are in my signature

Really like your new signature by the way - Sooo bling :laugh:

Ha ha thanks Meag! I was getting sick of the signature being all green, so I went in search of some animated letters...wish they were a bit smaller but whatcha gonna do? Thanks for the recipe! Do you think it's something I could make in advance and bring to work (possibly eat it cold as well) and have it taste good?! Sorry I wasn't any help with your races :ohwell:

Cait - nice job with the run!!

Bethany - just get back on the horse today! As you know you can't spot reduce, so just lots of cardio and make sure you do strength training for those areas (as well as every other muscle group in your body). It'll come off pretty slowly, but it'll come off! Kickboxing is amazing - I used to take a cardio kickboxing class at a martial arts center in DC and LOVED it! I think that's why I like Turbo Fire so much...love punching and kicking as it helps me de-stress AND get out my aggression/anger!

Aly - good glad you're going to see someone. It's always better knowing, especially since it'll improve your quality of life to know what it is! Nice job eating well and getting your workouts in!! What kind of HRM do you have?

Laura - congrats on hitting the 160s!

Spellbinder - awesome on your run! Congrats! I know you must feel like a million bucks now!

Skip - interview went quite well, thanks for asking! I don't expect to hear anything soon as they're in the preliminary round of in-persons but I did send follow-up thank you notes to reaffirm my interest and point out why I'm the best fit for the position, of course Maybe you should wait to hit your goal and evaluate from there? When I hit my goal, I set a maintenance range (that I keep lowering as I can't stay in my range for long) and now focus on toning and running instead of weight! Well done on your run!

Tara - thanks! I will keep doing what's best for me! Not sure what that is really at the moment, but I do know that eating well and working out is what it takes to get there!

Angels - welcome! I agree with Gonks and Meag! More manageable goals are better for your health - both mental and physical. You won't give up easy and you're not depriving your body of what it needs. I suggest netting between 1200-1400 calories a day to get the best results. Dropping weight fast will give you extra skin and all the other stuff you don't want to happen

Nadine - welcome!

Meredith - the calories definitely come from the dressing. So salads aren't always the best option, funny because most people don't think about that and just assume they are! Get a balsamic vinagriette or a clear vinargriette on the side, use 1/2 of it and you're golden for a good meal!

QOTD: Favourite months are May and October. May slightly wins out as the days are getting longer and not shorter like October

Good morning everyone! So much to catch up on lets get started

Nadine- Welcome! I love your goals, I really need to get back into yoga. It is hard to fit everything in. I currently train 6 days a week for triathlons, and try to get 3 days of strength in. But get at it girl!

Meag- your meals for next week sound awesome! I really want to make something good this weekend sometime if I can fit it in. I have training both days as usual and we have some plans with people but we shall see.

Meredith- there are so many online sources for lifting, it all depends what you want to start with. I currently have been doing weights at home with videos because that seems to be the only time I can fit it in. I am sure some peeps on here can give you some good tips tho

Amy- Great job on the loss! starting off the new year right!!

On the topic of MFP or WL talk- I acutally am very open with my friends and family when it comes to my healthy lifestyle and losing weight and using this site. I find it helps me stay accountable knowing everyone else knows that I am trying to lose weight and eating healthy. I also can't shut up about it because it a huge part of my life and i have been at this for over 2 years now hehe.

Jill- I have a garmin 305 Forerunner I love it and I have only used it 2 times since I got it. I am still figuring out all the fun things I can do with it.


AFM- I felt very strange yesterday, I think with the run in the morning combined with coffee, and really light foods all day made my body just feel off. I was dizzy and strange feeling. I should have just had a damn sandwich. So I ate a fairly large dinner with my family and it made me lose an extra .5 lbs from yesterday morning. I think I need to be better about how much I eat when I workout so much. It is really hard to find a balance. So today I am quitting coffee for at least a full week maybe a month, and I am going to call my insurance company to see what doctor I can go to about the dizzyness and headaches. I am debating about swimming tonight but it is 35 degrees outside and I have a bike/run in the morning and sunday I have a swim/run scheduled. I will see how I feel. So far feeling pretty good. I am glad I lost 1.2 lbs I was expecting more because the scale was doing 2lbs somewhere this week, but I know that weight goes away slower than it comes on. I was hoping the extra weight was faux weight but that is not the case.... O well I am going to have a strong weekend and check in with you guys! I usually go MIA during the weekends off this whole site, but this weekend I promise to check in! Minigoal of the week!

Laura - great job reaching that milestone!! Looks like you are on the downward slope toward reaching your goal!! Keep up the great work girly!!

Spellbinder - great job with your C25K training! A friend of mine from high school has decided to do a 5K this year and I told her that I would do it with her. So I definitely need to get serious about my training.

Meag - if we lived closer, I would give you free reign to my kitchen at all times. I wish I had the time, energy, and money to spend time in the kitchen like that. Hope you are feeling better today!

Skip - great job with losing the holiday weight and hitting your monthly goal!! I am sure it was nice that the holiday weight was shed so easily.

Tara - I'm headed to Vegas in March for my bestie's 30th birthday!! I am hoping to have shed some poundage by then so that if the weather permits, I won't feel bad hopping into a bathing suit.

Meredith - Hope you still managed to have a good time at lunch with your friend and celebrating your school's football game!!

Jill - hope everything works out for the job!!

AFM...never made it to the gym last night. I spent time with my mom and the kids. My plans for tonight got cancelled but I am hoping that I will have the control to make it to the gym tonight. My original plans were to go line dancing and I definitely would have burned some calories doing that. My stomach isn't feeling so hot this morning though. I think it was dinner last night though cause my daughter was complaining of an upset stomach this morning too. Tomorrow I get to head to San Diego with the boy for his cousin's wedding which I am soooo super excited about. I haven't seen him since last Saturday and I need my fix.

Hope everyone has a great Friday!!

Hey everyone!

stuart- I saw on Amazon the women's health big book of exercises. It has almost 500 pages of different types of moves that you can do to target and work on certain problem areas with diagrams showing you how to perform these moves. It said that it also has workout plans in the book to better help. I am looking into getting it that way when I get bored with my routine I have something new to turn to without just giving up. Another thing that helps me with weight training is writing down what exercises I need to do to work certain muscles and bring that paper with me to the gym so that I can track the weight that I am lifting and so I don't forget to do a particular exercise. It may seem silly at first, but for me having those pieces of paper everyday really helps.

Angels, Nadine- Welcome! I just joined this group at the beginning of this month and everyone is very supportive with some really great adivce. Its also a great place to release that stress with a good vent!

AFM-I was super tired this morning so it was very difficult to get out of bed since the hubs had today off and could just snooze away. But I got my butt out of bed and cooked up my breakfast then headed into work and hit the gym. After I was still pretty tired but this was more of an exhausted tired rather than a sleepy tired- so the workout was totally worthy it. I weigh in on Monday and am excited to see what has happened this week.

Also I was wondering, I took measurements at the beginning of the month, how frequently do those of you who measure, measure? I was thinking at the beginning of every month unlike my weekly weigh-ins. Thoughts/Ideas?

I hope everyone has a wonderful day. Oh and its Friday YIPPPEE!!!

Megan

Doing a lot of replying here! Bear with me...

Skip - You can always host a clothing exchange. It really takes no effort at all. Just go through your clothing, shoes, and accessories and pull out all the stuff that you haven't worn for 1+ years or things that don't fit properly anymore. But don't put anything in there that is bad quality or ruined. Then invite a bunch of your gfs over asking them to do the same.

We usually do a free for all with a walk-off if there's more than one person who wants a certain item and the vote goes to the group. If people participate in a walk off they must agree to go by the decision of the group at large. But it can be done other ways like by number pulled ala secret santa. However you think it will be best for your group.

Angels&wolves - welcome to the group. It's really tough sorting through the rumours, myths, and truths about healthy living and weightloss. I feel like they change every week. One of the big things I've seen that successfull weightloss / healthy lifestyle change people have done is to listen to their bodies and being able to understand when your body is just whining and when it is genuinely needing more calories, rest, etc. I hope you find lots of support here

Roo - It's a good goal to want to be able to feel comfortable in a bikini! I have to say though, I know a lot of very skinny fit people who don't feel good in their bikinis even though they look great. I think part of feeling great in a bikini is being proud of yourself and confident - which I think you have BTW if you want to get a goal bikini, something you feel like working towards wearing this summer Victoria Secret is having a HUGE sale right now on their online bikini catalogue. They have a really good return policy too if you feel like it just doesn't fit you right

Nadine - Welcome to our group! I Love the bailey's too! I like to treat myself to a warm cup of skim milk with a hint of bailey's in it when I've been good with my eating during the day. Hopefully you can get the support you need here

Miss amy - congratulations on your loss this week! I'm so glad you're making progress

An update for me:

I've decided to enter a running race per month (if there is one available) until July. After July, well I don't know. I don't sweat so it makes the hot summer months very difficult for me to cool down when I exercise unless it's in a pool (thus the long swimming career) or in an A/C'd environment. Here's the races I'm going for:

# Jan 22 - Discover Running Fun Run
# March 12 - BMO St. Patrick's Day 5K
# April 17 - Sun Run 10K
# May 1 - BMO Vancouver Marathon 8K
# June 17 - Longest Day Road Race 10K

I'd love to do more than 10K but I have a sprinter's body and I never run for more than an hour and change so I think a half marathon is something I'd have to go for in 2012. Not quite there yet But still, I'm pretty stoked about them and I'm trying to convince my boyfriend to do them with me as nice things we can do together.

In the meantime I need to get over this cold. I haven't been able to enjoy my food for three days now - I think today is the pinnacle of the cold... it must only get better after this.... right?

As for the net calories, they should be 1200-1500 AFTER exercising? I'm sure this was explained, but I want to be sure I am understanding this!!

Hey Angels,

Here's my breakdown of your cals- MFP does the work of calculating for you so you just need to follow the #'s:

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bydosh5tyEi5YzdkZGYxMTUtNGFkNS00MjRkLTg5YWUtODdlMjBhNGE2YTI0&hl=en

I find that after a work out I can get my extra calories in and not over eat if I have a glass of chocolate skim milk or a piece of toast with a tbsp low fat peanut butter on it.

^^^Truthiness. I these as snacks for nights when I still have a good amount of cals left. Sometimes I will just eat a measured tbsp of pb (though I confess, my pb is still full fat. Reduced fat pb makes me cranky, in that it doesn't taste as yummy and so I get mad at it.).

Full fat is the way to go with the butters as only 2g of the 16g of fat in 2 tbsp is saturated and the rest are poly and mono fats which are SO SO SO GOOD for you. Plus in order to remove the fat, they have to process it more:grumble: And during the process antioxidants are removed as a result. I am certainly not on the PB2 or powdered anything train. Love my full fat natural unsalted peanut and almond butters

Crap, now I wish I hadn't finish the jar of peanut butter that I keep in my desk :noway:

Jill--I'm glad your interview went well. I hope you get the job because I really hate your boss! Sounds like you have a lot of options which is nice! Seems like interviews always come in clumps....feast or famine.

Guam--Hope you have so much fun this weekend on your trip!

Meag--I honestly think your body just isn't done losing weight, and there is nothing wrong with that! I wouldn't stress about it. You work out a TON, and you eat healthy, so it's not like you're starving yourself! Just keep doing what you're doing and when you body is at the place it wants to be you will settle at whatever number that is and then you will know where you should strive to maintain.

mkingraham--I so hear you about your hubby having a day off totally throwing you off your routine! I'm not working at the moment, but I do remember facing that exact dilemma and it would drive me crazy! I'm glad you powered through and got your workout in.

Seripha--I should definitely look into hosting one some time. Right now I am trying to sell a bunch of clothes on ebay and apparently I am getting rid of them for a reason because no one is bidding! I'm impressed with all the races you have lined up! Feel better soon!

Nadine--Geez I can't believe what that girl said to you about not eating a slice of pizza! I can't imagine not caring about my health, but I suppose there are people out there just the opposite. And yes, you're right, some people are just jealous and say mean things to make themselves feel better.

TONS of great stuff on here today ladies and gents!!! I swore I would post to everyone today before I left for work but looks like I am closing the shop early- road are getting really nasty. Im going home!!!

So just a semi-quick selfish post! Took tomorrow off so that the ladies and I can go check out bridesmaid dresses for the wedding. Hopefully the snow stops by the am so we can get there. Its kind of early to be doing this for an October wedding but my cousin lives about 5 hours away and this is the one window where she can get down here and everyone else is available for a few months. I am just looking forward to hanging out and having fun with everyone. It is going to be SOOOO great

Didnt get a chance to run last night Stinks when real life gets in the way. Oh well. Not going to beat myself up over it. Going to enjoy some quality girl time with the cousin tonight and then have a rocking good time tomorrow! Probably will only be on to log food tomorrow.

Have a great weekend everyone and keep kicking *kitten*!!!!!!

Meag-dark chocolate is good for ya!! and i most def feel ya on that skin issue...sucks!!!

stuart-i dont know what your gym offers...but i would def consider getting a trainer just for 1 or 2 sessions to help you learn the appropriate way to do each exercise and what machines to stay away from!!

amy-great job on the loss!

Lou-great job on reaching your goal already...and way to take a chance and up it!! you are going to do great!

Jill-you will know when you get there and congrats in interview and good luck!!

aly-way to quit coffee!! i drink like 3 cups a week and have stopped drinking any soda all togethor!! and i feel much better with headaches and stuff so its well worth it!

Guam-that is so cool!!! my 30th is in May and I cant wait! you guys are gonna have a great time, although its kinda cold in March so you'll have to run in and out of the pools! lol you'll have to let me know when you are coming...maybe we could meet up for a drink

mkingraham-WTG on getting to the gym! and good luck on Monday! and i would suggest measuring once a month!

angel-i get 1200 calories per day, today i burned 360 calories on my workout, which put me up to 1560 calories that I may consume for the day...since I don't like burning the calories just to eat them and put them right back into my body...I will probably eat between 1200-1350 calories for the day you will find what works best for you as you go!

spellbinder-dont worry bout the logging for one day!! you are really doing great this month so no worries!

QOTD-my old fave food is and will always be Italian! my new fave food in Lebanese...gotta love hummus and pita, and dont forget the baba ganoush! YUM!!

AFM- well stats for week 1 of January: 3/3 done on workouts, 1/8lbs loss so far, and 6/7 on 80oz of water (7/7 after i finish todays...which i will!)

Oh & QOTD: My all time favorite --- Italian!!