I did the fitness test before but I left the group once the challenge was over. Does anyone happen to have the link still so I can go back and see my progress?

This is my second go round at mfp, but this time I'm approaching it in a different way.
I'm being kinder to myself.
My routine is very simple but I think that it's what I need to keep on a healthy road to my goals so I'm pretty happy about that:)
For me making sure I don't wait to long to eat is super important because otherwise I just turn into an eating machine and it's just bad so...
First thing I do when I get up
Breakfast:)
I didn't eat in the morning before so this was a challenge.
Usually it's a banana yogurt spinach vega one veggi shake.

-Work 8-5 with a 45 min lunch
( I prep lunches Sunday... Usually I premake salads in mason jars and make a big soup and freeze half .

-after work I go to 1 class at the gym and in whatever class it is I work as hard as I can:) I am very lucky that my partner is so supportive and goes right home to deal with kids and dog and all.

-Home I make dinner, do laundry, reports for work etc

-And for me bed at ten is a must. I wouldn't trade 9 hours of sleep for tv or anything else

-Every other Saturday Sunday I don't work (9-5different job) and I do a spin class, yoga, and try to get outside and hike.

The biggest thing other than the eating enough and plenty of sleep is if I miss anything I don't lose it on myself, life happens but I don't make excuses anymore I just continue on.

I don't have any motivational links but I do use Pinterest and food gawker a ton for interesting meal prep ideas.

Off to start my day...enjoy yours all.

@Cindyinpg I wrote that wrong I choose to be your apprentice!
That's what I should have typed:)

1. I'd have to say my saving grace is my "Quitting is not an option" mentality. I really feel like I'll never be thin and healthy. I've tried every diet, every pill, every program, and I'm lucky to maintain. But I keep on keeping on. I mainly stick to calorie counting. When all else fails, there's always math.
2. I would love to be someone's apprentice and learn how to run properly. I am 215 pounds, big boobs, emphysema, and have short legs. I can't get any faster than a 3.8 and that's at my full speed. I need a personal trainer bad. This week I am going to apprentice the 5:2 people. I found a diabetic version called 3:1:2:1. I'm trying that from Nov 1 - Thanksgiving to see how it makes me feel.
3. I'm great at knowledge. I think I pretty much have every diet memorized and I'm quick with calories, protein, sodium, etc.. like how much people should have and estimates and which foods are high in this and low in that. I think I could pursue a career as a nutritionist, but I wouldn't have any clients because they'd see that I'm fat and assume that it's my knowledge that is wrong. Actually it's my willpower! lol
4. I don't know if anyone else has a smart TV in their home, but I am trying to learn how to use mine. So far I've found 2 free fitness shows on there. My all time favorite free workouts though are Fitness Blender.

Team Carol/Daryl
1- Motivation: what keeps me going is seeing that my calendar has upcoming races/events that keep me moving (ie: last weekend was the Halloween Half, this weekend is the Savannah RocknRoll Half,etc) Knowing that I must complete a task makes me accountable to myself and the team of ladies that I run with.
2- Favorite tools/resources: My gal pals running team keeps me moving! We support each other in every way possible and just this past January helped each other complete a 48.6 mile/4 day event. I also love the MFP app & finally started getting involved in activities such as this one. (Thank you!) Third, there are several books that have really helped. (see below)



3-Apprentice- I would like to try @wpwarrior88 's tools and maybe gather some of the energy this person has! LOL! 20+ miles and then YOGA! Wowza!

@ToughHippieChick - I totally admire your "Quitting is not an option", you will reach your goals with this as your mantra!

@tat2cookie - I completely admire your ability to pre-plan your meals to the degree you do!! I have a heavy bag in my "gym" and will give your boxing workout a go! I would like to be your apprentice, I do pre-plan our meals for the week (I used to do it by the month, but my work has been very hectic this year and I just don't make the time for it.)

@NezyRumRunner - Thank you! I am here to cheer you on, let me know what you try and what you think of it!

1. What keeps me motivated - I think this is a hard question for me to answer at the moment. I have been seeing the scale moving in the wrong direction for a couple months now and all the things I was doing dont appear to be working. I cant seem to keep on track.

I get up each day with the intentions of following all the core things I was told to do: drink 96 oz of water, eat protein (2/3 protein, 1/3 fat/carbs), take all my vitamins, exercise moderately. If i get to the end of the day and I have gotten 64 oz of water, thats a win for me. If I took all but one vitamin, thats a win for me. If I was on the treadmill or moved boxes or painted a room or cleaned the house, thats a win for me. If i didnt get even remotely that close to all of my goals, I try to tell myself its ok, I can try again and do better tomorrow. Being hard on myself just causes stress and stress causes eating. Thats not helpful.

But Im thinking I might need to be a little harder on myself and force myself to deal with the stress better.

2. I am going to apprentice my nutritionist this week. Try to do what she does: plan meals, including snacks and drinks. Dont be afraid to change the plan if your plans change, but make good choices if you do. Walk alot, even little breaks during the day are helpful.

She doesnt have a specific exercise routine, so i will keep to my goals for that. But food-wise, her plan appears to be much better than mine.

Team Daryl/Carol
1. What keeps me motived...that's really hard right now. My work schedule turned super crazy and I am having a really hard time adjusting to it. I count the 14 hours that I am at work, as my walking, as I put in anywhere from 12K - 18K steps in a day. And I tend to double up on my strength on my shorter days or days off. I keep telling myself that I can't quit now, I've got to keep going. My favorite tool is MyfitnessPal and FitnessBlender.
2. I am going to apprentice one of my great friends. She has switched up her diet and exercise routine and has had some great results. I am going to attempt to do what she has been doing. It is pretty much a high protein, low carb/fat diet, with a specific routine for workouts. It's a 5 week stretch and she's amazing results in her 5 weeks, so I thought that I could try it out too.

Daryl and Carol

Part 1) What drives me is wanting to be healthy and active for a longer life. What keeps me going and motivates me is the fear that if something were to ever happen to me who would take care of my animals?!
I started u journey at 339.9 on March 3rd. As of yesterday I am down to 233.2. I made massive use of Leslie Sansone walk videos in the beginning. I love the variety of Darebee workouts offered as well. I've also done T25 and 21 Day Fix videos. It's not that I need them as much as it gives you three months to not have to think about what you're going to do. My goal to be more active has been a complete success. I add something to everything nowadays. Just sat on my sofa for the first time in two weeks about two days ago. I did crunches in the car while driving from Vegas to Tucson last night. I add stretch exercises to various activities throughout the week and have been averaging 20,000 steps a day lately. I think the most important thing is to stay active. Add an exercise, even a short one, to ever activity you do. Even if it's watching tv. Do something strenuous or heart rate unceasing during the commercials. Just don't remain sedentary. Much luck my MFP Friends!
P.s. Besides, if you don't keep moving you'll get bit.
P.s.s. For food I eat clean. On the rare occasion I slide a little (and without dancing and walking for hours on end) I do a three day cleanse. Basically eating Super Clean cutting out carbs and sugar. Works like a charm!

2) for the apprenticeship I went with prepping my meals for this trip. I got the supplies for most of my meals for a few days. They're not in individual packages because it was easier to pack in the car in bulk but I have several ready to go. Wish me luck to not put in too much from the other outings going on while I'm here. I don't want to look like a zombie buffet when I return home.

Team Daryl & Carol
1. I am constantly challenging myself...My MFP journey began when my physical therapist suggested it to me. I had a shredded meniscus and an ACL sprain that I had surgery for back in May. For 2 months I was on crutches and not allowed to do anything. I became very depressed and felt like life was over for me. I have always been athletic and was a long distance runner. The drs said I wouldn't run again,.I had a lot of complications including losing the muscle in my rt quad.I began physical therapy and something clicked in me. I was constantly asking them for more to do. They believe I might be able to run again if I stayed as stubborn and determined as I started out. Well now I am running again and am up to 6 mile runs! And I bike daily to keep quad engaged. Knowing I can do whatever I set my mind to motivates me....plus proving the drs wrong!! I have decidwd to set a goal for myself: I want to train for a Triathalon!

2. I too need to work on meal planning so that will be my apprentice!! I am good bringing lunches but dinner and breakfast are terrible for me.

A big part of my motivation lately was to lose the baby weight from #1 before trying for #3, plus I'm taking two gym classes this semester that force me to make time for exercise (not easy with two small children, work, and going to school full time!) I'm not counting calories currently, though, because I'm nursing and don't know exactly how many we need, but cutting out nearly all added sugars has helped immensely! I did just hit the baby-weight goal this week (a good bit sooner than expected), so now I'm shooting for a healthy BMI.

I'm not sure why this didn't post.....

I'm way late :-/ I'm sorry if I have to cross over I will. Sorry team it's been a long painful week.

1. My motivation currently comes from the fact that I'm going to be showing my dog and if we place we will have to take winner photos O_O !! I have to keep working at this because the thought of having pics taken at the weight I am now horrifies me!!! I'm currently trying to stay at 1200 calories and stay within my macros.


2. I decided to be Scarletdawn's apprentice: I created a wall chart & a goal/reward list. I think this will be helpful as I too am a visual person and seeing my progress and how much I still need to lose along with seeing my goals & upcoming rewards will help motivate me and keep me on track. I'm looking forward to utilizing this tool!