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

First off - LOVE the new pic! You look great and so happy :bigsmile: Just beaming!

At 144lbs, I'd strongly urge you to consider the # on the scale as only a secondary measure of you progress. With so little weight left to lose (relative of course), work on your healthy and fitness goals and the rest will follow. That sort of progress begins RIGHT NOW and you should consider each occasion to push yourself and set new "personal bests" as a opportunity to make good on your goals and feel that same accomplishment we all get out of a healthy weight-loss on the scale.

Good luck! And if you're finding it to be too discouraging, nix the weigh-ins for a few weeks (I KNOW! it's tough) and gain some perspective on what's important - health, fitness, and feeling good about where you're at in your journey.

editing hotmama's

Jessyas - Incorporate strength training into my workouts in order to build more muscle while I'm burning the calories, keep learning new recipes and cooking for myself, get down to 133lbs or less!
atrayubrandy - to lose 7lbs, drink 64oz of water a day, cut down on sugar, and quit diet soda. I also want to build lean muscle mass.
lolahippie - to exercise at least 4 times a week, not binge, and to get below 134lbs!
froggytank3- lose 10lbs, cut down on sugar, and stay under cals without eating exercise calories.
Allie7383- get into the 140's, stay on schedule with TurboFire, get in at least 8 glasses of water/day, increase my running distance.
KanCrav-152 lbs-strength train 4 days a week-only 3 caffinated drinks a day-80 oz water a day.
Rachellynch83- Finish my 30day shred, be able to run 3 1/2 miles without stopping, try to eat the majority of my exercise calories, and stay below my calorie goals at least 29 days this month.
Toshiette - go 120km/75miles this month and get comfortably into the 140s.
mkingraham- lose 7lbs, run a 5k without stopping, strength train 3 days a week
meagalayne- maintain between 125lbs and 128lbs, complete weeks 8 and 9 of HH 1/2 Intermediate Training Program, YogaFit 1 time/week, strength train 2-3 times/week, and eliminate sweetener use by the end of the month (eeek!)
hizzle85- lose 8 pounds, complete the pushup and squat challenges, eat under/ right at my calorie limit, exercise at least 4 days a week, work on increasing my water intake, start the c25k program.
eleanoreb- Get below 135 pounds, eat more veggies and less chocolate/candy
Ngoat- lose 3 lbs, drink more water, cut down on my sugar intake and be sure to excercise at least one day of the weekend
NicNac86 - lose at least 4lbs (avg 1 a week), drink more water, more Wii, more dog walks
echoicmemories- down to 130lbs, lose 2" from waist and 1" from hips, continue workout plan with alternating days at least 4x week, increase elliptical to 15, begin C25K
cheralicia - Walk to or from work (or both) at least 4 days a week, track on MFP 90% of the month, yoga 2x/week, start to love running!
GuamGrly (Bethany) - continue to incorporate more fruits and veggies into my diet, drink my water, workout 3-4 times per week, and continue C25K training
kristinlough- lose 6 lbs, exercise 5 days a week, water and/or tea only, no more white carbs, 20 pushups a day 3 days a week, plank for 60 seconds
maggiemay131- stay on track with half marathon training, kick the Diet Coke habit, and reach comfortably into the 150's (162 current!)
Lostalykat- Work out 4-6 days a week with my training, Make 1 new recipe a week, Track everything that goes in my mouth, try 1 new yoga class.
shelsab-lose 5 lbs. Try 3 yoga classes. strength training 3x week. Try new clean eating recipes.
Sams111- Get into 220's, Spin 3x a week, gym 5x a week, and increase calories.
mamabearr- Lose 7-10 lbs. Try to work out at least 5 days a week (even if it's only for 20 minutes) and eat healthier.
brittfam- continue to work out 6x's a week, more stength training, goal weight loss for this month is 8lbs
emmarie1630- lose 4 pounds, at least 4x a week workout with strength training, lengthen gym time, tons of water- cut out diet soda, find wedding dress
Mary830- scale: lose 9lbs, jog/run 50 miles, track my food every day, and 64+ oz of water a day
edryer123 March Goal Weight is be under 140lbs and get to where I can run a full mile without stopping (almost there but still fighting weather outside)
CaptainJim157to lose around 7-10 lbs, if I can, get at least 30-60 min of exercise a day, that's my main thing! And try and only have a pop once a week, instead of like, everyday
Mary830- scale: lose 9lbs, jog/run 50 miles, track my food every day, and 64+ oz of water a day.
Meggonkgonk: Make strength training workouts more of a priority (30 min 2x/wk minimum); Eat 1 fruit and 3 different vegetables everyday; Try 3 new recipes (do not have to be “perfect” just delicious).
jnlynch- lose 5 pounds (be at 118 lbs), workout at least 4x a week; completing my 30 Day Shred & starting the 6 Week Six-Pack, & eat breakfast on weekdays.
rmarin18- scale: lose 5 lbs, non-scale: Drink at least 72oz of water a day & strength train 2x per week.
prila13-5 lbs weight loss, Drink at least 4 glasses of water per day. (I have only been able to reach 2 so far LOL), Be able to walk 3 miles per day by the end of March.
gofatties-make it to hand stands class 1x a week. and to cut down on late night emotional eating.
Huni3bee-lose 10lbs, drink 10 cups of water a day instead of 8, and when I walk home I'll take the long way home instead of the shortcut... I'm also going to try and cut back on sugar, I'm going to actually push my self when working out no matter how bad it burns.
Paigeb15: Drink at least 48 oz of water a day, Maintain 110-115 lbs, Make myself go walk at the park down the street on my lunch on nice days, less alcohol
wardiemelissa-continue to maintain between 120-125 lbs. ; continue to follow Hal Higdon 1/2 marathon training (starting week 9-race is on April 2nd); continue to find and try out new recipes for dinner at least 4 nights a week; make time for my family )
Finncmh- see a loss on the scale, continue lifting 2-4 times a week, run 1-2 times a week, walk to work at least 2 times a week, play outdoors more, keep eating clean! Be supportive on new people on here giving honest opinions and input.
JacciLatt5- Ive never done this before but here it goes. I want to do the 30 Shred Dvd this month; eat less processed foods; try atleast 2 new workouts; be down @least 4 lbs
kbellnurse - Get into the 140's! (lose at least 4lbs), workouts 4x/week (at least), school work on EVERY school day - make it to church for at least one Sunday.
NLG139-I would like to lose 4lbs in March, drink 64oz of water a day, and get in my long runs every weekend (I'm training for a half marthon in May).
Whitneysaenz - Lose 7 lbs (GW for March 31st: 160lb), drink at least 64oz of water a day, eat more vegetables, and exercise at least 4 days per week!
DowntimeDesings-Start and stick with insanity workouts
SexyInASizeSix-lose 15lbs, and drink 10 glasses of water per day
tjradd73-to lose 6lbs, drink 80ozs of water/day, 3 days of arms/week, and burn at least 5,000 calories/month
rivingtonst-I'm doing the 4x4, haha, In the next 4 weeks I will: lose 4lbs, workout 4x week, and make 4 new recipes.
stuartme123: Check in with this thread 3-4x a week.- 30 min of cardio 4x a week - Continue C25K - reach W4 by Spring Break! - Curb unhealthy snacking - - Add veggies - Try one new healthy recipe a week - Lose 1lb a week and maintain over Spring Break for a total of 3lbs. MarchSW = 155.4.
hilhall822: up the water intake- be better about precooking meals so I don't snack all day!
runteachrun-For the month, I want to lose 15 pounds!
peachyxoxoxo-stop bingeing. Work out 3-4 days a week. Track ALL foods every day.
crystalfaith - workout at LEAST 4 times a week! Lose 5 lbs. Start eating more veggies and fruits
mmahabee- get a fitness routine worked out so I can maintain my weight and tone my body
bstamps12- Lose 4 lbs, bike 60 minutes straight, bike 9 miles straight.
Sorry I am late! I wanted to do this challenge last month and lost track of it and haven't found it this month until now.
CurriedGrasshopper - (Jenn) - I'd like to lose 3lbs, continue with p90x, and focus on drinking more water and less diet coke.
gymgirl12- lose 5lbs (be at 145) Increase cardio time, starting working more core exercises, watching what I eat and limit snacking (especially chips).
weslfuss- to lose 10 pounds (though honestly I'll be happy if I can just make it to 5-7), Drink more water, work out at least 4 times a week. no drive-thrus or soda!
HotMamaof2Boys: I want to lose 5 lbs., stop getting any fast food or soda. I really, really want to try to workout every morning Mon. - Sat
nausicaa11: Lose 5 pounds and exercise 6 days a week.

Meag-just wanted to tell you that I had never heard of buttercup squash before (butternut, acorn and spaghetti-yes) and I actually found one at the store a few days ago...do you just bake it in the oven like a regular squash??? What would you pair with it? I was thinking couscous or quinoa and maybe either chicken or pork chops?

We really love buttercup squash because its SO creamy and delicious and so we tend not to use it in recipes - we just eat it oven-roasted either tossed with some curry paste thinned with water (weird but so delicious) or roasted as-is. I've used it in a few recipes before but the texture and taste gets lost amongst the other ingredients and it makes me a little sad, because it's so luscious and creamy. I know - it's squash - but seriously! I'd say either peel and cube it and toss it in the oven with whatever flavours you like (we like more Indian masalas) or just cut it into 8 or 10 large slices, scoop out the middle, and roast it skin down until it's soft (may want to microwave it on high for 5 mins to speed this up). Serve it along side whatever protein you're having that day. We've had it with BBQ chicken, roasted pork tenderloin, and even fish and it was always great. I'd typically not have a carb with it, because I'm somewhat carb-phobic and squash is a decent low-GI sub, but I am SURE i'd be really yummy with couscous or any other whole grain as well. I bet it would be amazing in a warm bulgur wheat, couscours or quinoa salad! :bigsmile:

The coolest thing? When you cut it open, notice that it smells strangely like a mix between pumpkin and watermelon. That's how you know it's good! So sweet, creamy and fabulous. Enjoy it :happy:

Meag-made the squash tonight. Just baked it in the oven...I put a little brown sugar on top of the girls' and they liked it ok...squash is the one veggie that they aren't the fondest of! Funny cuz they loved it as babies...too much of a good thing I guess :laugh: We had it with some salmon. It was by far the BEST salmon I've EVER had! He works with a guy that has a buddy that lives in Alaska and flew him some fresh Alaskan salmon-it was so pink-it was almost red...very tender and YUMMY!!! Squash went really well with it.

Oh...and I found the blueberry muffin mini wheats today at Wal-mart...excited to try them tonight as my snack

Glad you liked the squash Melissa! We never have ours baked sweet with brown sugar, but I bet it's yummy that way too :happy: As long as it's cooked long enough I find that it's just absolutely fabulous. And that salmon sounds incredible. We have some in our freezer that I should make this week... Any good recipes?

Hope you enjoyed the mini-wheats! I prefer mine with coffee and without any milk, but to each his own!

Good Morning Everyone!

Sorry was kind of MIA this weekend. I think after 2 solid months of non-stop logging and exercising I was starting to obsess over every little thing, and to me thats not a lifestyle change- so I took this weekend off from exercising (my body really needed the rest any ways) and did log food, but wasn't overall to concerned. Now I am back on track and feeling rejuvenated.

This morning I ran 1.5 miles, walked .25 miles, and ran another mile. I was suppose to be running 2.5 miles non stop, but I am really struggling with this distance. I still got a total of 2.5 miles of running in- which to me is just as important, so I am happy with that. I think I might stay on week 7 for two weeks, maybe more depending on how I am feeling. I think once I feel good about this distance I will move onto 2.75 miles.

Any ways- I have a busy day at work today, but I just wanted to drop in and say hi! I will work on replying to everyone throughout the day!

Megan