Future Hot Mamas ~ Group 3

I was checking out and reading your thread and just ordered the book on ebay. Cant wait for it to get here.

I really don't want to do any kind of diet or anything, but if I ever want to lose this weight and be happy, then I have to try whatever it takes. I didnt do well today either, so tomorrow is my new day, fresh start. I am going to make my fiance be strict with me. Get him to make me walk, drink water, eat less or better choices. I will track everything on paper and also get my son to motivate me. I can do this. I can do this. I CAN DO THIS! I think it, so I have to put it into action.

Hey Jessie, I think the challenge ends on the 31st. As for your motivation, or lack thereof, I think you have already started your journey. You have decided you are sick of the way you look and feel and want to change it. Step one-done:) We have all been where you are at-it took me years to finally decide that enough was enough-I was just upping my "date of expiration" by not exercising regularly and putting crap foods in my mouth. I knew better, I am educated on good food for you and ways to treat your body-I just didn't consistently do well. I always used the age old excuse for people who are active-I can eat this, I will burn it off later. Well, age, two kids, eating crap, and not staying active caught up with me. Of course it didn't help being tall and being able to carry the weight well. I was the only one who really knew how I looked underneath the clothes-and I didn't like it.

Ugh, sorry. I guess what I am trying to say is that we all struggle. It took years to put the weight on, we can't expect it to come off in days. Literally one day at a time. It took me six weeks of getting through each day and telling myself I made it another day before all of a sudden-it just kind of came. I consistently make healthier choices (bag of peanut m&m's my hubby offered me this afternoon-still on the top of the fridge!!!) I gave up coke cold turkey, I didn't bake, I didn't eat out--I knew if I did, I would cave.
I committed to exercising, I measured my thighs, arms, bust, waist, around my belly button, and around the fattest part of my belly. I measured every Sunday and wrote it down. And after 8 weeks, I had lost 6 inches off the fattest part of my belly. I tell you this to try to motivate you to just take one day at a time. Make it a habit. You will see the results and feel so motivated.
You are also doing this so that your son will have a positive role model for when he grows up and starts dating and eventually married. What kind of women do you want him to see?

Will we screw up? Heck yes!!! I am so thankful I joined this challenge, you all are keeping me in line. With a husband who never has to watch what he eats and two active boys, it is hard to not cave to the cookies, camping food, concession snacks, etc... But I made a choice this past April. I hated not being able to wear what I wanted from my closet. I hated feeling fat when I walked by the mirror in the hallway at my job. I hated feeling tired and grumpy and sluggish. All because of my food choices and lack of exercise.

Wow...sorry I rambled forever. I don't have anyone to express these thought to and it is a lot easier expressing them to you guys. You understand the struggles we all have.

Jessie-you can do this! Check that: Jessie-YOU WILL DO THIS! It is a lifestyle change-it is not another diet. Keep checking in, we will help you. But you have to be responsible to yourself, first and foremost. You have chosen to do this-you will not quit:) We won't let you:) Tomorrow is the first day of your new, healthy life. Remember-day by day, meal by meal. It gets easier.

I thought the intermediate goal is the goal for the end of the year?!

I am takng what people say into consideration when I keep complaining about my weight. I keep hearing "well do something about it." So that is what I am going to do. I have to get serious and I know that I can do this. And I love that this site makes you more accountable for everything. My fiances mother is now dieting as well, or watching calories at least. She comes home from work every day telling me what she has ate and how many more calories she can have. It is like wow, I inspired her to do this, yet she is doing better than me. So in other words, I need to take charge and do this.

Someone please let me know about this whole goal date thing. I am very confused.

Since I've been working with all the groups, let me just tell you that there is a TON of confusion with intermediate goals and final goals. When Chari first set up the challenge, she didn't even give an end date! She eventually set up Dec. 31 as the end date, making 11-12 weeks from July 18 the "intermediate" goal, since it would be half-way through. But I also think Chari set this up based on what her final weight goal was -- lose 40 pounds by New Years. Now, for many members, it will be impossible to reach their final goal by New Years, since they have more than 40 pounds to lose. I also honestly don't think that anyone is even tracking "intermediate" goals, and to be frank, Chari hasn't even checked in for the past 10 days, which is why I jumped in to do group comparisons.

Here's what I recommend. This challenge ends on Dec. 31. Decide what your weight goal is for Dec. 31 and focus on that goal alone. If it helps, set up mini-goals (10 pounds by Sep 15, another 10 pounds by Nov 1, etc.), so that you can reach your target by Dec. 31. And once you reach that goal, if you still have more to lose, keep at it.

Hope that helps!

My Goal weight is 140, and I don't plan on being there by the end of the year. Which is why I put my intermediate as 175--I figured that was definitely doable. Really it isn't about how fast it comes off, but how permanant the change is. I want my change to last forever, so I am making sure I am learning exactly how to make it stick. I figured we could keep the board going into next year if we want, open up to new members or whatever after December. I think it is sad how many people fall off the wagon--but then I have been there too.

Helen, can you please update my GW?

Done!

Well, ladies, I'm working extra hard this week to squeeze in 3500 calories burned through exercise. I only had about 700 before yesterday's workout, so I burned almost 800 yesterday, bringing me to around 1500. Yikes! I gotta kick it into high gear today, Friday, and Saturday if I want to reach 3500 (Sunday is always my rest day). Hopefully this extra burn will help me on the weigh in on Monday!

Bike riding sounds like fun!! To have a hubby that would encourage exercise. That would be nice! I have gotten off track, not reading my book, not logging. Time to get back on the horse. When I woke up this morning I kept thinking I need to exercise,but it never happened either. I am just having a hard time moving my fanny. Hopefully all of you are more motivated than I am right now...

Get on it! Actually, maybe you need a rest day. Enjoy it and exercise tomorrow.