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

~~jyopchick..... what is your name?? i must have missed it cuz I have NO clue!~! I have been thinking about getting a HRM. I have heard so many people here talking aobut them and I think its time for me!~! I also think that will help keep me motivated trying to run when I am not in the gym. Is it something I can buy used or do I have to buy it new???? I heard that the good ones have chest straps and I shouldnt get one without it.. do you agree???? It makes sense to me, I just wanted to see what an avid user thought!~!

~~ Meag... again, you are crazy. Who knows that much?? lol . Im glad you are here!~! I know you LUVV icecream, do you have a healthy version that you could suggest as a replacement? German icecream is like icecream of the GoDs! I dont buy it but if we are walking around a town and they have a shop (alllllll the towns no matter how small have an icecream shop) I get icecream!~!~!~! just one scoop (sometimes 2 if we have been walking long) but I know I shouldnt do it. I feel that If I had a healthier alternative then I could eat that when I crave it instead of just trying to get the "good stuff" whenever it is available. Any suggestions?

~~Believe... it does take time... a few WIs in the begining were rough for me when I didnt loose anything but then I started to measure and I felt a little better. Just stick with it. It really does get fun after a while. I lost about 20 pounds so far and I am pretty happy where I am. I would like my legs to be half the size they are, lol, but I am ok with it. Now I am concentrating on toning while I loose the last couple. Its just nice to know that I can do it. You just wait, the feeling is AWESOME!~!

AFM..... Very torn emotionally today. Half of me wants to go skipping outside handing out balloons to people. But the other half of me wants to sit in the corner and cry. I just feel like I have soooo much going on that I cant take it. I just wish someone would take something away and do it for me........ I dont even think I can have this conversation with my husband and ask for his help. Know why????? Ill tell you.... IM INSANE!~! ALL THE STUFF i think I have to do, I am making myself do. I know I am putting all this presure on myself, but I dont know how to stop it. Everytime I turn around there is something else I can do!~! I had to drag myself away from group today cuz I wanted to volunteer to babysit for this guy thats having a hard time. I DONT HAVE TIME FOR THAT!~! But I was gonna do it anyway. Just to drive myself CRAZY.... uhh... ok..ok

I didnt workout yet today. Its already 1500. I was going to go to a meeting tonight but I might skip it and go to spin. If I dont go to spin I am at least going to the gym to run a little. I am trying to stick to a schedule. My legs hurt ALL last week so this week I am trying to run my heart out every other day, so I can rest my legs the next day. Then next week I am hoping to get in my runs and on oposite days just take a Looooong walk. I think last week I over did and thats why I was in so much pain. I tryed to make up for the days that I slacked off by killing myself the other days.... I see now that moderation and consistancy is the way to go. Its amazing.. I am pretty sure most of you have to me that before. And I am just getting it now..lol... told u i was crazy!~!

Have a grea day everyone!~!

i only have two seconds but wanted to reply quickly...

KanCrav - what is YOUR name? hehe - i don't know it either! mine is jennelle (i sign it at the end of every post if you ever forget!) and thanks for asking! i MUCH prefer to know people's REAL names! (so everyone should sign their names at the end of their posts!!) :bigsmile:

as to your question about the HRMs, ill tell you what i know and what i prefer :bigsmile:

a) although people suggest that the chest strap is really necessary for a good HRM, i have seen and experienced otherwise. first off, everyone raves about the bodybugg, which is a HRM and more... but has no chest strap at all. many others in this same family are also considered really great products, but they do not have a chest strap either. what i have learned is that what really matters is that whatever the product is, it needs to ask your gender, age, height, and weight and additionally check for what your PERSONAL resting heart rate is, before beginning to track heart rate and calories burned - this allows for the most accurate measurements possible!

b) that all being said, products like the bodybugg and fitbit and others are VERY expensive and also come with a "membership" to an online program for tracking stats, etc which adds more to the price (i think the first 6 months is usually free however). i know bodybuggs are usually over $200 (if you get the digital display so that you can actual see your heart rate and cals burned during a workout) and then you have to pay for a membership to the online program after the 6 months. i personally was not willing to spend the money, and i would have been more likely to do it for the one time fee of the actual unit, but i don't need ANOTHER program to track my fitness progress - MFP has got all that i need :bigsmile:

c) now THAT being said, i will tell you what i did instead! when i first wanted to try the whole HRM deal, i found a $60 pink and gray bowlfex watch that keeps track of heart rate and supposedly tracks calories burned. i used this for a LONG time, though i had a sneaking suscipion that is was not accurately measuring calories burned - as it never asked me my gender, age, weight, or height, and it often said i was burning over 800 cals in a short strength training workout so finally, just over a month ago probably, i started looking for something less pricey than a bodybugg but more accurate than the bowflex watch! this was also because my boyfriend really wanted to start tracking his cals too and the watch just wasn't cutting it! so, i did some research and i realize there are a ZILLION options out there, but i settled on the ePulse2! you wear it on our forearm, just below your elbow, it has no chest strap, but it has a digital display that tracks heart rate (current, highest, and lowest) as well as calories burned. it also specifically asks your gender, age, height, and weight beforehand when you first set up the device, and whenever you turn it on and it gets your heart rate, it already calibrates where your current heart rate falls from your normal resting heart rate! i find it to be SUPER accurate and really easy to use! it charges with a wall charger and the battery lasts at LEAST 9 hours (i wore it for my 20-mile Walk for Hunger and it still had at least a quarter battery power after the full 9-hour day was complete!). in truth, i have nothing bad to say about it :happy: i got mine on amazon and they happened to be having a sale, but it appears that on amazon the price has gone up - the cheapest place i found it just now is from the following site at $127

hhttp://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/e-pulse.html?productid=e-pulse&channelid=FROOG&utm_source=CSEs&utm_medium=GoogleShopping&utm_campaign=heartratemonitorsusa&gclid=CPe9spmY4KgCFYi8KgodPyVYBw

i don't know if you can get them used, i haven't seen any offered on amazon or other sites, but you could certainly look around! although this ePulse2 was over $100 (barely for me, it was like $102), i really REALLY feel like it was worth it - it was a one time fee for a really accurate product that offers great peace of mind as well

woah, i thought i was responding quickly? eeeek.... im never going to finish grad school at this rate! i clearly picked the wrong profession since i'd rather spend all day talking to all of you than work on my dissertation!!! :laugh:

oh and meag - i LOVE serving, i was a waitress for a long time and it was no joke, one of my FAVORITE things to do! i love meeting new people and telling them what is delicious, etc! it may not be your dream job, but it's definitely a great profession... and it gives you lots of time to still focus on YOU!!

ok ok im outta here....

Hello Everyone,

So I just wanted to pop in really quickly and say hello. Today is my second day back to work and I am swamped! I haven’t pulled out my hair yet so I should be fine but I definitely can’t wait for the weekend again!

So a little about my "vacation"... Well it wasn’t as relaxing as I had hoped. I did a lot of running around and although I did get some business done (mainly paying bills) I still didn’t find any time to reorganize my room as I had planned. So here I am now, broke and with a dirty room! I need to get back into the swing of things quick because I haven’t went to the gym in about 4 days and I don’t like it. Oh and did I mention I cheated! Oops! Honestly I don’t feel bad about it at all, I've been doing awesome for the last three months and decided what the hell. On the menu that day, sushi! Yumm. I've cut out rice, so eating it I was feeling mighty bad to the bone that day and I had a couple deep fried ones as well. That's right I'm bad! LOL .. And what do you know the scale didn’t move .. Woohoo .. It felt good to treat myself though and not worry about over eating and losing control.

As for my goals for the month, the days I have been in the gym I have been doing very well running so I am optimistic about reaching my goal at the end of the month. & Situps .. I'm working on it. My goal was to do 1k 3 times a week .. I’m usually pooped after 700-800 but I just got to keep on pushing. Well I think I am going to wrap this up for now...I plan on stopping by on Friday to comment on others posts ... Speak to you all soon

FYI- I feel I have to share this --- I write as I speak so I am a little of over the place and excuse the typos lol .. I seen another *kitten* kicker put a similar comment and thought it was too cute because I am exactly the same way .. So sorry in advance for my writing..

Meag- You are completely right. I know that I have gotten better in certain situations. But I do tend to go over the deep end when it comes to food and partying on occasion. It is a battle I will always have to deal with, It will take time and I will learn, eventually. I know that I can do this and I will, I appreciate what you said and I know that your right. Something has to change. If I can commit to only have 1 weekend out of the month where I have more than a small splurge that would be great(goal for next month?) I am training for another race right now. I truly do love the training, and I am going to commit to the weight loss because I really want this for me.

I can only get mad at myself so much, and I am sure that it gets annoying to all of you and I am really sorry if it does. I guess I just figured this was a place to vent. I am frustrated with the new me fighting the old me and trying to find harmony. It is a life change and I just need to make it happen. I know I don't feel good after I party too hard I feel like *kitten* and guilty which sucks. I have to plan out my weeks and stay on track and only let the occasional slip up happen.

Thanks for all the kind words meag, I just need to get my head in the right place. I could give a million excuses as to why I did this or that but mainly I wasn't committing 100% to anything.

Moderation is a tough one, I have to say I lived my life being all or nothing all the time. I used to talk about that with my therapist and it was a strong issue with me. I am either being good or being bad, there doesn't seem to be an in between. But I can change that. I know what I have to do

Hello Everyone!

Geez it has been a while and a busy couple of weeks!

Meag- Love the dress, it's beautiful!!! Great job picking it out!

Aly- You definitely have to go with what you think is the best for you. I actually did WW for a while, but found myself just wasting the money I paid each week because I would get too busy or just not long my food. I tried MFP and it all changed, I started joining groups and just loving this place and have succeeded so far and plan to get to my GW. There is going to be struggles for you in which ever program you choose you just have to find out what works for you. Life happens and you have to continue to enjoy it, but try for moderation. You can do it!

Meg- congrats on almost 40lbs! Your doing awesome!

AFM: It has definitely been a while since I have been here, took me pages to catch up lol. Well I did not get to do my race this past week. I ended up pulling/tearing a muscle in my upper back, right by my left shoulder blade a couple weeks ago and it was not that bad, I took it easy, but then it got worse and started affecting work and just walking around in general. So I went to the doc and got meds and muscle relaxers. I just want to be able to go back to running and not hurt, but not for right now till it heals properly. So now all I can do is let it heal and strengthen my back. So anyone know of some good exercises that strengthen your back?? Any advice is great! I took some time off and now I can start exercising, but just in moderation of the exercise. YAY!
Other than that, summer is looking like it is finally here and I am so excited! Hope everyone is doing great!

-alexis

leela - the HRM will change your LIFE! i absolutely LOVE my current one the one i use now is the epulse2. i originally had a pink bowflex watch but i found it to be pretty inaccurate with the calorie burn as it didn't ask for my age, heigh, or weight - it always over estimated - but it was the least expensive one out there so i used it for over a year and it was still super useful. i finally splurged and got this $100 one less than a month ago but i couldn't be HAPPIER with it! my boyfriend and i both got one and we love to compare heart rate and calories burned when we are doing something active together - it brings out our inner 5-year-old "my heart rate is higher than yours!!" "oh yeah, well ive burned more calories than you, na na na na boo boo!" :laugh: but i digress... which one did you get??

I got the Polaris 7S or something like that. Idk my 'rents had a coupon for it so that works for me! I looks like a good one! I have a general idea of what my heart-rate is depending on my exhaustion rate, but I really want it more to track my calorie burn

has there been a QOTD? I realize it's late in the date for some of us, but i just replied to a thread that was titled "what do you LOVE about yourself" (with know "buts" allowed!). i really LOVED this idea, so im sharing my response below and want you all to do the same!!!! :bigsmile:

so... what do you LOVE about yourself??

physical: i love my arms & shoulders! ever since i started working out they have become defined and if i ever feel like ive had a bad food day or haven't worked out and im "back to where i started" (yes i like to be dramatic sometimes haha) - i can look at my arms and think OH NO chickie, you still got this

non-physical: my ability to be calm and rational and my ocd tendencies :happy: i grew up in a chaotic household with lots of constant changes and instability. as an adult, i have learned the importance of consistency and stability and how staying level headed can really be the key to personal happiness success and although at times im sure it drives others nuts, my love for organization, 90-degree angles, cleanliness, and overall pleasant/ matching aesthetics is a part of my self-concept that i both embrace and adore! we all have to love our crazies

Jennelle- I Love this quote too!! I kind of flaked on the QOTD- since I am in Cali it is hard for me to get a real morning question in haha.

physical: I have to say that I love my legs, When I wear a skirt or shorts they look pretty awesome. All the running really makes a difference.

non-psychical: My ability to make friends with almost everyone. I am really social and it is so much fun! I also just have a very strong committed drive that I never thought that I Would, so lets see that put into work shall we?

AFM- I am feeling really good today after all my venting and talking (mainly to meag thanks!), I am ready to take on the world and have fun while I am doing it.

Thank you for the advice. You're right, sometimes I stay too focused on the scale instead of how I feel and how my body has changed. I'm just going to focus on being healthy

Hello ladies!

I cant believe I never saw this thread until now!! This seems like a pretty good place that I could fit in! I love motivating and of course getting support when I`m falling off the wagon And as I could see by reading all of your posts (Oh yes I did read almost all of this from the begining... so I already somewhat "know" some of you`s! hihi..) the positive feedback

I must admit that I found this post since I was looking for motivation the last two days have been aweful! I`m hoping it`s just because it`s the time of the month.. but i`ve been craving and giving in to bad food and yesterday for the first day in like more then 3 weeks.. I did not do any excercise! I dint even walk the dog.. poor little man! But atleast today I got back on my two feet and spent an hour and half at the gym. And plan on getting back on track tomorrow!


meagalayne - Is the wedding this weekend? I have a wedding this weekend.. I`ll try to post a pic on Sunday or Monday to show you gals! I must admit thow that shopping was fun! I was able to fit into any dress I tried on in all of the normal stores..I am NEVER going back to a PLUS size store ever..

So my goals for the rest of the month are...

dodier01 - Start 30DS, loose 8lbs by the end of the month, Complete Week 4 and start week 5 of C25K and drink lots of water!

I`ll start from here for this month...

Take care ladies and keep on smilin! :happy:


Leela30: comment more on this month's challenge; eat at least 80g of protein a day
Believeinmagic: To lose 13 pounds; eat more vegetables and do more strength training
Meggonkgonk: To reach 133lbs; to run my 10k course at least 1x, Run my 4m run at 9:30
Allie7383:get out of the 150's finally, continue with the 30 Day Shred, work on increasing my running distance, and overall feeling good about myself!
SpaceCoconaut: To lose 2-3 lbs a week and stick to my experiment.
Shannonaufman: lose 4 pounds to hit 169. Drink 64+ ounces of water 25/30 days. Finish C25K. Start One Hour Runner. Stick with 30DS.
~KanCrav~ Reach 143, Jog at least 3 times outside,follow WO schedule, incorporate Low GI foods into my diet.
rai8759: GW 160.4, One day off per week (tracking food), WI on Friday, JM should kick my *kitten* 5-6 days a week, Cardio 3-5 days a week x 20-30 min., Tracking every day except day off, Eat less processed sugar
wardiemelissa (Melissa)-continue to maintain weight between 120-125 lbs; exercise routine 5 days running, 2 days strength, 1 day rest (long run 10+miles on Sundays), continue to test out new recipes (including new fruits and veggies), and making more time for my family, AND try to post at least ONCE a day!!!
pixycats: lose 5 pounds, continue C210K at least 3/week, stay under calorie goal 6/week, rest one day/week
finncmh- not focus on the scale loss! keep working on running plan that I came up with for the 5k in June. Start the push-up and squat 6 week challenge
lostalykat- To get back to 169 by June 1st. Work on headache prevention and be mindful of what I am doing and eating. Focus on my new training plan and enjoy life. Stress less, yoga more!
WannabRN10- get out of the 160's!!! Work out at least 3 days a week (piloxing class, hot yoga class, and weights class). Eat Dairy Queen only twice (it is my fav!). Stay in a positive mind set and not get over-stressed with school.
alwhisler-Increase my run to 45 minutes non-stop, get down to that lower pant size instead of being in-between
sarahmay25- Complete an ab circuit every day of the week except rest day, and decrease my finish time of a mile by the end of every week.
mkingraham (Megan)- get down to 208, strength train at least 2 times a week, run 3 times a week
eleanoreb (Eleanore or El) - improve 10k run time, stay in bottom part of weight range, face food head on and not give in to temptations (rather than just avoid)
MamaMango: Lose 7 pounds,keep my portions under control, do HIIT 3 times a week,strength train moderate-heavy 5 times a week,do some form of low to moderate cardio every other day,eat more fresh greens and less starch and grains!
jyopchick: get back to 130lbs, only allowed one day to go over cals (and within reason), and MORE WATER!!
crystalfaith: continue to workout at least 4 times a week, drink tons of water, finish the C25k program, and break into the 140s
LisaRid - lose 10 lbs, drink 8 glasses of water each day, exercise 4x per week, and curb my dessert eating. May is the month!!!
emmarie- do the best I can!
shelsab-keep up my 10k running schedule, lose 5lbs, strength training 2x week, 3 yoga classes.
k_ewilliams - log in everyday and keep out of the red, lose at least 5 pounds, run 3x a week
spellbinder25: (1) Lose 4lbs to reach 133.5, (2) Do 30 Day Shred 5 times/week, (3) Count calories everyday, (4) Update on this thread at least twice a week.
meagalayne - get back into my maintenance range and stay there, log food no more than 5 days/week, complete weeks 2 and 3 of the push-up challenge, make it to 4 spin classes, increase H2O consumption, and find ways make each day great!
nausicaa11-lose 6 pounds and try to reach the 8km/h mark on the treadmill.
McBody- actually rest on rest days; incorporate yoga; get back on a running schedule for race
carro585-workout 4x/week, average less than 200 beverage cal./day, don't fall too far off the wagon while on vacation
yvalcaraz-(Yolanda)- Run for 3 miles w/o stopping, lose 8lbs, 1000 sit-ups 3x wk, post at least once a week to the group
tjradd73(Tara)- to lose -5.4lbs to put me at 100lbs lost total, 8 cups H20/day, 3 days of my strength plan, 3 days of cardio, no more than 4 days over on my cals, and >20 under on my sodium.
stuartme123- finishing and passing my thesis, and cooking dinner more often
maddyguru - Build up endurace at the the gym and go at least 4-5x a wk, lose at least 5-6 lbs
Adrianamdelacruz(Adriana) - lose 5lbs., workout atleast 30mins.3 x/day and drink atleast 8 glasses of water a day
aoifebr - run 5k be under 85kg
noobiegotbass- lose 12 lbs, drink at least 5 glasses of water daily, walk 3x/wk, begin my first round of p90x, increase protein intake
dodier01 - Start 30DS, loose 8lbs by the end of the month, Complete Week 4 and start week 5 of C25K and drink lots of water!

hey guys, just quickly posting to join Tara on the no-scale challenge!! my last WI was very disappointing, as i went from 150.5 last week to 153.5 this week... no way did i gain that all from eating.. i'm hoping this is water weight due to the 30 Day Shred.. i need to avoid the scale like it's my job! here goes!
been reading through the posts, so much to respond to! hope everyone keeps kicking *kitten*!

QOTD... what do I love about myself????

Physical... I love that I have a stomach that WANTS to have abs. Those little lines on the side show real potential. I also love my BUTT. I cant really tell you why, but I love it! And I like that I am short. I can't imagine being tall and being short has ALOT of down sides but I think it also makes me a little different. (and i think short things are cute, so some days I think Im cute.) Most of all, I LOVE that I look like my mom. I think she is beautiful and I am happy that I can share her. More importantly, I love that people can see her in me, I kind of feel like I am helping her live on and be rememebered.

NoT Physical.... hmmmm, I have a VERY unique laugh (when I am comfortable enough to let it out). I dont give myself credit for it much, but I am pretty strong. If I dont feel it, the evidence is there. I have been through A LOT and I am still standing and still growing, so I guess I am stronger that I want to notice. I can do 5 things at once. I am pretty artistic. I work very well under pressure. If something needs to be done, I can make it happen. If a team needs leading, I can lead them. (just dont ask me to spell anything) I will go out of my way to help anyone, anywhere, anytime. I have a good sense of humor, well, I have MY OWN sense of humor. I like to laugh and giggle. I think the thing I love the most is that I can find pleasure in the simplest of things. I never really had a childhood, so in some ways I am still a five year old. So hand me a bottle of bubbles and I will laugh for an hour. Hand me a kid and some chalk and we will go on an adventure. ANd you know what.... I think Im going to be a pretty good mom.


....................... I really think I needed this today. Thank you (i cant rememeber who asked it) As some of you know, I can be a little hard on myself sometimes. (understatement??) Its hard to rememeber little things that make me smile when things are going crazy. Writing this reminded me of my Graditude list I was working on with my sponsor. I think I will pull that back out. Thank You!~!