A little intro...I am a 30yr old mum to one. My son is 12 and in the 8th grade. I have never been overweight, but always been at the "high end" of normal, and have been battling high cholesterol for about 8 years....THIS is the year I am determined to have a "normal" reading! I am too young to worry about having a major heart attack (my uncle was only a few years older than I am now...).

I have been a member of MFP for a while, but just started looking into the challenge groups. I have been going to the gym and working out hat home for a solid 2 months and only have a 5lb weight loss to show for it....but I am shrinking inches, so I won't complain yet!

If you have any advice, NEED any advice or have tips or meals to share...please use this thread. We can all support one another and get this!

This Friday is it a starting weight that we input?

Yes. We must input the weight every Friday to the designated thread. Anyone who doesn't get their weight in by 11:59am on Saturday will count as a missed weigh in. 2 missed weigh in's will mean that you are out.

MFP has been great for me to get my Macros adjusted.

Charli (LOVE the name!): Good luck on the tonsillectomy! You will feel so much better when they are out!
My son is leaving this Saturday for California to spend the rest of his summer with his Father...and I am a nervous wreak because he is flying alone...I have a feeling that the next 5 1/2 weeks are going to be great for my weight loss...too nervous and sad to eat, and killing time at the gym...

Ashley: 7lbs in 6 weeks is quite doable!

Kasi: I am always on the go as well. Not many choices that are truly healthy when eating on the run. I try and always have tons of water in my car and protein bars are always in my bag or I'd be hitting every burger joint...

I have only lost 5 lbs in the last 2 months..but I dropped from 31% body fat to 26%...so I know the rest will come off soon...just need to push harder!

Great gob to everyone who weighed in.

@Rezekiel...Travel is understandable. Just make sure that you weigh in to the new thread on Friday (or before 11:59 EST Saturday). If you miss two total, then they boot you out.

OK...for for the first mini Challenge:
How about we all make sure to get in 60 min. of body weight exercises. Part of building a healthy body is a balance of cardio AND strength training. Your body is your own personal gym, you don't NEED a fancy home gym or expensive gym membership to be healthy! Chair dips work your Triceps...Sit-ups, crunches, leg lifts all work your abs, squats and lunges for the legs and glutes...The best thing, is you can adapt for any fitness level! Cardio is needed for losing fat, but muscle needs to be built to keep you strong. You can break the 60 min down, don't feel you need to do it all in one day. If you are comfortable, use weights. Push yourself until you feel the burn...if you don't feel it, you CAN go harder!

Also, remember, unless you are a body builder or a fighter, you do NOT need to go bananas on the protein. Make sure that you are getting enough fiber in your diet. I won't go into the whole digestive thing, but lets just say, your weigh in can be UP a few lbs more than it HAS to be if you are not eating enough fiber...

Last night I had football practice with a bunch of FANTASTIC ladies...but that is the only "good" from yesterday. I allowed myself ONE LAST "Poor ME" food binge (leftover pizza for brunch and Motz sticks and french fries for a "dinner" after practice. Sucks that the post-practice sponsor is a bar...and I am sure the "Angry Balls" drink I had didn't help any (Angry Orchard and Fireball Whiskey....soooo good).

I just sent my son to California for the rest of the summer and I am one stressed mama already suffering "empty nest syndrome". This is the reason behind the "poor me" eating.

Back at the gym tonight! My official weigh in was 144.6...but this morning I was 146..so I am already behind the 8-ball....

Good luck Ya'll and feel free to send me a friend request on here....support is the biggest contributing factor to making a lifestyle change next to your own personal desire for change!

Sorry Ladies, I forgot to post last week, is there anyway I can get this on my phone?? gonna have to remember to get on the laptop once a week!.

If you have a smart phone, you can go to your phone's browser and to to the myfitnesspal's web page and do it that way.

I hear you on the toast issue. Why do they tell you to eat toast?! Might as well try swallowing sandpaper!

Monica: This month has been a killer for my scale number as well...hoping to break this plateau soon...I caved and ate Wendy's though...so going extra hard at the gym as "punishment"...although...the stomach ache from eating fast food is punishment enough...Reminds me WHY I haven't had a fast food burger in a year....pretty sure I may never eat another one again...