So I needed to work on how much Diet Coke I drank, increase my water intake and continue to track daily. I have definitely been getting in my water and have been tracing. The diet thing is an ongoing battle. What I have accomplished is how strong and fit I have become. Just last night I was joking with my husband about the muscles I can now flex and show off. I never could do that before. And believe me I still have a long way to go but it feels good to start seeing the definition form

I really thought at one time, that I could exercise out any thing I ate...What I've realized through this challenge, that if I truly want to look and feel my best, I have to give up the white processed foods and added table sugar. Next to giving up caffeine, it has been the most rewarding! I've broken through a long time plateau and feel way better with more energy.

Another goal was to find more subs for things I like. Greek yogurt satisfies my sweet tooth. And raw nuts help with hunger.. I found a pizza recipe using low carb high fiber tortilla, light mozzerella, homemade pizza sauce, using cast iron pan will make it crispy and for 200 calories. Give or take added veggies..I can eat pizza with my family again.

Getting more water in but it's getting warmer so it's easier now.

when I first started this challenge my goal was to eat healthier. Less crap and more raw vegetables, fruit and water. Although I am still a work in progress, I am eating healthier. I am discovering that when I eat healthy I feel better and even my complexion looks better. My other goal was to work out more and not slack off on weekends. I have been working out more and even though I usually take a break on Sundays, I dont spend the day setting on the couch snacking. I still have a long way to go, but I am heading in the right direction.

@mswanger09 thanks for posting that link, I was having a hard time remembering!!

However I am a little bummed because I didn’t accomplish either of mine…I wanted to lose 5 more pounds, which really right now with TOM and water weight I’m up 3 pounds. I know that’s not accurate, but seeing it bugs me.
My other one was that I wanted to be more strict with my night time workouts. I have done better with them, but there’s still some nights I decide I’d just rather go to sleep. Honestly though, I think that’s a good thing when I can realize that I’m just too tired. I get up at 4:15 am to hit the gym before work, so if I don’t get my sleep, I either sleep through my alarm or decide not to go to the gym because I didn’t’ sleep long enough. So there’s good and bad to that I guess. But I have started a new system, any night workouts I miss during the week, I make them up on Fridays or throughout the weekend. They’re usually anywhere form 15-30 minutes long so catching up isn’t too hard.

Nutritionally this challenge I’ve really learned a lot about empty calories. Yes, a calorie is a calorie, but 50 calories of a banana is a whole lot more than 50 calories of potato chips!

So, here's what I wrote -

1. Taking my workouts outdoors and away from the gym

I've been a little better about this - although I like to take the dogs with me when I walk at the park and they slow me down. I am still getting the minutes and distance in, but it isn't helping me speed up my pace. We have a short window, maybe a couple of more weeks, when the weather is conducive to outdoor exercise, then it gets too hot and humid and I'll be back in the gym. I've also gotten some pretty good workouts in doing yard work - so not all is lost!

2. Be able to comfortably walk a 10K at a decent pace by end of June. (Working up to the half marathon distance for October!)

This is an ongoing challenge - hoping to put in a good 6 mile walk this weekend and see where I am - without the dogs.

I did manage to make my weight goal for this challenge. I got on the scale this morning, the readout said 220, I didn't ask any questions and didn't give it a second chance to change its mind.

I think the biggest thing I have learned nutritionally is how careful you have to be when it comes to food choices if you are wanting to try to live a healthier lifestyle. The sugar challenge is what really opened my eyes. Focus currently is more on weight loss but I hope that over the coming years I can take baby steps towards being healthier in my eating habits on a more consistent basis.
As for the accountability piece, the first part was to push at getting the bonus points for the nutritional piece because I had been lacking there and I have done that successfully each week since. The second piece was to try to add more fruits and vegetables to my diet. On this, I have been more successful at adding in fruits it seems but I have been trying to add some more vegetables. I definitely have to make a concerted effort to add these into my diet since it is not something I naturally gravitate towards. Eating these things will also help me to better control my sodium intake which is another thing that needs to be controlled way better.

one thing that this challenge has helped me is to be more confident and have a "you can do it" attitude. The squat challenge was awesome and i plan on continuing with it. I know it will help me with my buns in the long run. I didn't think that i could do it, but now, I'm on it!!

Nutritionally, i am now more interested in trying different flavors, spices and food. I plan on eating more Mediterranean food going forward and trying different spices to make my food less boring ( i tend to eat the same thing every time).

Thank you for all the hard work in putting together these challenges. It's great!

Nutritionally, I have given up caffeine in the last week or so and have instead been drinking what feels to me like A LOT of water! I have already noticed a difference in my sleep and am generally feeling less tired through the day so looks like it is working!

My goals were:

1. Try harder to accomplish the roadblocks/additional challenges, rather than just getting in the minutes
2. Less snacking in the afternoon/evening. Perhaps try drinking water instead.


Unfortunately I didn't do too brilliantly on either of them, although slight improvements on each. Definitely something to work on - adding more variety to my workouts, maybe even trying a workout in front of the TV rather than snacking in the evening to hit both at once.

Nutritionally, I have done better with variety-- thanks to the roadblocks. Who knew I liked Okra! I am a regular blood donor and I have to watch my iron. My number was great this last time. I am watching my caffeine again and have done better with the water.

I made my goal weight. Losing the last 7 pounds. I am stonger. It is April and I have done a couple of 20 mile hilly bike rides that I don't usually do until June. I committed to a 40 mile ride in June. I have not done that distance since before kids. -- 23 years ago!

I have to say my life became extremely difficult right after we posted our goals. Not only haven't I taken more control over my diet, but I haven't had a good workout in 3 weeks either. I'm still here though. I can be proud of that.