BATTLE OF THE BULGE SUMMER WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE!!! - Whose

I did really well today until leftovers from my favorite Schezwan restaurant. I only ate a couple bites of it but I'm sure even that put me over my calories.

awh, this is awesome! i definitely want to join!

Good Morning, everyone! Great challenge for today. I actually did take my before pictures in January when I first started thinking about trying to get healthier and happier for 2011. You can find it in my photos on my profile or at my blog in the About Me section at: www.fatmamatophatmama.blogspot.com .

Have you been in a rut before and got remotivated to lose weight? WHAT DO YOU DO TO STAY MOTIVATED?

Yes, I have been in a rut for a few months up until about two weeks ago. I don't get much support at home and it gets very frustrating at times. However, after much soul-searching, I realized that I don't need their support because I am doing this for me. (And them, but I have had to accept the fact that they just don't understand that) Around here, food has = love and I have been trying to re-teach the children and The Man that they can love me and show their love in other ways. It's been getting better.
As for how I STAY motivated now. The amazing people I've met here have helped immensely. When you surround yourself with people who have similar goals, it makes it easier to keep from feeling all alone in what you are trying to achieve. I also try not to set too lofty of goals and just take each day and do the best I can THAT day without worrying about tomorrow.

JeffsGirl4Life: Thanks! I was peeking at your page and you are very inspirational!

Isn't it true, though, that people who love you the most do the most to intentionally or unintentionally sabotage your efforts to become healthier in the guise of 'making you happy'? That's ok, though. I know that I can do this and I will keep plugging along one day at a time.

Damn you boyfriend, and damn you brownies!!

As far as water goes, I keep a 24 ounce bottle at my desk at work and strive to keep filling it and drinking it. I usually average 80 ounces a day. Weekeds are where I am not as vigilant with water intake, but I'm working to be more aware and change that.

As far as motivation goes, I draw strength and motivation from others here on MFP, and their success tends to also feed my motivation. However, ultimately, it's on me. I still have to WANT to keep going and I still have to do teh work and stay motivated. To that end, when I find myself being discouraged, I remind myself of how far I've come, how much I've overcome and the end goal - which is to be healthy and live longer.

would LOVE to get in on this if still able to...sending you my current weight

I have AMAZING MFP friends. They keep me very motivated. One thing I have also found very helpful is to keep sticky notes around my house, in the car, and at work. My sticky notes say things like "You can do it!! 160 by July 21,2012!!" Or some others have inspirational quotes. When I feel as though I'm too tired to exercise I sprint up a flight of stairs. This boosts my energy level so I'm able to keep going. I also tell some of my friends about my lifestyle change (NOT diet). Public accountability has kept me in check and motivated!

Love how on-task and inspired you keep us!! Looking forward to this challenge!

Yay! I want to join?
Do I just post my weight on Monday then? I don't have a weight for this week yet.

I took before pictures about a week ago and I can't wait to see the after's at the end of this challenge!

As far as motivation goes, when I'm feeling extremely unmotivated to work out I hop on the success stories section and look at all the awesome photos there. After that, I just force myself to get up and do it. In the end, the main motivator HAS to be yourself. You have to do this for yourself otherwise you're most likely not going to stick it out.

Some days are going to feel really crappy and you'll try to make a million excuses but that's the most important time to buckle down and do it. I really didn't want to work out last night but I had my fiance give me a pep talk. I ended up getting on that elliptical and working harder than I've worked since I started MFP.

Also, if you're having trouble getting your water in because you don't like the "taste", try to ease it in by having 1 bottle flavored and another unflavored. Slowly phase out the flavored water over time. This is how I increased my water intake and it took quite awhile but it worked. I used to easily drink 5 diet sodas a day and no water whatsoever. Now, I probably have a couple diet sodas a week and the rest of the time I drink water, sometimes flavored.

If you can't afford bottled water and your tap water is unfiltered, I suggest the Bobble water bottle; http://www.waterbobble.com/
I use this and it makes my water taste SO much better, it's much easier to get my required drinking in and I always go over the amount needed.

I wanna join! I failed at my last challenge after only a week :embarassed: Not this time! I've sent my friend request.

I'm in. Mon 16th SW=168