Fit for Fall Challenge - 6/20 - 9/05

Everyone is doing so great so far! You are all helping keep me motivated for sure. I'm heading to Target after work today to pick up some ankle weights in the spirit of this weeks challenge and the advice to add some weights to walking while I'm taking a break from running. Its going to be tough though, I was really debating going running today but I'm going to take a walk on my lunch instead.

So I'm the question girl this week. I've been pretty stuck at the same weight for the last few weeks and now I've started to gain so I'm trying to figure out what is wrong. I've made no significant changes in my amount of exercise or general eating except I switched from regular milk to almond milk about a month ago-a glass a day with breakfast is my norm. So what do people think about the dairy tie in with weight loss? Could it be that I'm not getting enough dairy now and that's what's causing some of this? I have no issue with regular milk, just happened to keep getting coupons for the almond milk. I did find online that almond milk does not count as a dairy serving and I didn't think to add another dairy serving. I think I'll switch back and see what happens, but I'm curious if anyone else has had experience with this?

I'm really liking the 10 glasses a day challenge! The first day I did so well I drank even more no problem, the heat helps of course. I was pleasantly suprised w/myself. And I've put a lemon slice in my glass a few days and just used that glass throughout the evening, makes it delightful

Ellen, how is your water intake? I personally don't think the milk has anything to do with it, I'm not a big dairy drinker (like I have creamer in my coffee every morning and thats the extent of it...). I think if you're eating the same, exercising the same, then maybe your body is just used to the amount of calories in vs calories out and you need to change it up a bit. I'm a full believer that when you his a plateau you need to increase your caloric intake for a few days (I did 2000 calorie days for 3 or 4 days) then jumped right back into my routine and that finally did the trick.

You have to trick your body.

Hey all well this week has pretty much been hell for me lol . Dealing with alot of stress due to the fact that my husband got laid off... But he and I have been walking this week and i have been drinking about 5-6 glasses of water a day and have only had 1 diet dr pepper this week (the glasses of water were in 24 oz glass) gonna get my weights out today and start that too! this is a great group and jsut being with you all makes me feel motivated ! Now if i could just get over the damn stress lol

I'm sure those of you that I have been challenging with in the past are marveling at my lack of posting, I sure am. It's been a crazy week and I find myself today in Breckenridge, CO at a training. I was fearing weight gain from hotel/restaurant/training facility food. However, right now I am more concerned that I'm going to get enough food. The food so far has been TERRIBLE, I got a white bagel (whole wheat not an option) with cream cheese bracing myself for the high calorie hit, it was so aweful I couldn't stomach it after 3 bites. So I went for the scrambled eggs, bracining myself for the high fat of that made with butter, and managed just one bite. Oh woe is me I'm hungry and can't stomach the food!

But the bright side is that this is an NSV, I'm not just eating b/c food is there, I'm eating to meet my body's needs, and when my body says "this food is CRAP, don't eat it!" I know I've come a long way.

Anyway, on to this week's challenges:
water 3/7, no worries on this one, I'm a big water drinker
working out with weight: 2/7 wore a 8lb pack of stuff when I jogged to work Wed and did a gilad workout with weight on Tuesday. I'm probably going to be a little slack on this as I don't have access to weights at the traning facility. But I'm still planning good burns on fun machinesAs a side note, forgot my bathing suit and there's an awesome pool here. Might have to splurge and get a new one so I can do laps tonite. Undecided on that....

Ellen, how is your water intake? I personally don't think the milk has anything to do with it, I'm not a big dairy drinker (like I have creamer in my coffee every morning and thats the extent of it...). I think if you're eating the same, exercising the same, then maybe your body is just used to the amount of calories in vs calories out and you need to change it up a bit. I'm a full believer that when you his a plateau you need to increase your caloric intake for a few days (I did 2000 calorie days for 3 or 4 days) then jumped right back into my routine and that finally did the trick.

You have to trick your body.

Ellen, I also agree that it isn't the milk either. I've been drinking almonds milk for months. If anything, it should help with the weight loss, it's very low in calories.If you have been at a plateau for awhile, i definately think like Stacy, that you should change things up. I increased my calories over a month ago and I'm still having good results with that. Our bodies do get used to the same calories and the same exercise. If you are set to lose a lb a week, bring it down to 1/2 lb a week. That will shake things up. I love tricking my body lol.

Sounds like everyone is doing a fantastic job this week:) Keep up the good work!!

CW: 254

GW: 220

I want to start the 30DS soon, does anyone have tips (or want to join me. )

Hey all well this week has pretty much been hell for me lol . Dealing with alot of stress due to the fact that my husband got laid off... But he and I have been walking this week and i have been drinking about 5-6 glasses of water a day and have only had 1 diet dr pepper this week (the glasses of water were in 24 oz glass) gonna get my weights out today and start that too! this is a great group and jsut being with you all makes me feel motivated ! Now if i could just get over the damn stress lol

Michelle, sorry to hear about your hubbys lay off. Ive BTDT more times than I'd like to mention. (2009 was a REALLY rough year in my household). Just keep your head up and incorporate your exercise as a stress reliever (boxing does wonders for me in that department).

TOTALLY IN! New to MFP, have been doing it for 2 weeks now. Really like it. I am in transit, moving from Hawaii to Florida by way of CO and NC , so the weigh in part will be tough. I'll give it a go, though.

CW: 214
GW BY 9/5: 190
NSV: Run a 5k without stopping -- doesn't have to be a race persay, but the equivalent distance/keep calories below my net goal/exercise every day - do something daily!

Okay, here we go!

Monica Chandler-Potts