(NEW) OPEN CHALLENGE: FIT BY OCTOBER!!!

This is just what I need. I weighed myself this morning for the first time in a couple of months and I'm up 4 pounds from my "okay" weight... 7 pounds from where I'd like to be. So here I go!! Thanks for starting this group.

NAME: Liisa
AGE: 38
HEIGHT: 5'7''
START WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 137
GOAL WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 130
START PANTS SIZE: 6 (US)
GOAL PANTS SIZE: 4 (US)
FOLLOW ANY SPECIAL DIET: vegetarian (mostly vegan)
DIET GOALS: getting enough protein and the right carbs in the right time to fuel my running training
EXERCISE GOALS: half-marathon PB on sep 18
OTHER GOALS: avoid obsession
FUN FACT: I love raisins

Getting caught up after being away all weekend. Went to the shore this weekend and it was awesome! I didn't go to the beach though. I opted to go shopping since there were a few craft shows in the area. My mom and I went to this little tea room for lunch. I love those kinds of places. They're such sweet quaint places. The owner was such a sweetie!

QOTD #3: What was your "a-ha" moment, meaning was there a specific moment that made you decide that it was time to lose the weight?

Hmm.... which time? LOL!! This past time there wasn't an "a-ha" moment. I had just left a toxic, stressful work environment. I was happy again and knew that it was time to get my weight back under control.

QOTD #4: Have you "discovered" any new foods since you started eating healthier? Or realized that you DO like some foods that you used to claim to not like?

There are some veggies that I would never consider eating that I eat now. Red peppers, onions and tomatoes are among them. Mixing pumpkin puree with sugar-free vanilla pudding with cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg and a sprinkle of splenda is like a crustless pumpkin pie.

QOTD #3: What was your "a-ha" moment, meaning was there a specific moment that made you decide that it was time to lose the weight?

The moment was definitely at 7:54 am this morning when I stepped on the scale and saw a number I haven't seen since just after my second son was born... almost 4 years ago. Plus, we just decided to move (at least temporarily) to Costa Rica so I need to feel comfortable wearing a bikini daily very soon!

QOTD #4: Have you "discovered" any new foods since you started eating healthier? Or realized that you DO like some foods that you used to claim to not like?

*Discovered shirataki noodles...haven't tried them yet.
*Love all the different flavors of almonds...Wasabi soy, Buffalo wing and butter toffee.

Week 3 of p90x ends tommorow for me!!!! That means I only have a little over 2 months left!!! I am already being able to tell a difference!! I can't wait till October and have reached my goals!!

QOTD #4: Have you "discovered" any new foods since you started eating healthier? Or realized that you DO like some foods that you used to claim to not like?

I have been introduced to Jicama. If you have not tried it you should. It is the perfect amount of sweetness when craving something sweet, the right crunchiness also. I also love roma tomatoes. Even when I put salsa on my turkey tacos I add extra roma tomatoes, they are sooooooooo gooood! I never thought that I would eat steel cut oatmeal, but I found that I love them more than regular oats. I love onions now and I used to hate them. Shallots, I find are better than a regular onions, but I love red, yellow and white onions on everything.

Enough rambling for the day. I'm off to workout:)

QOTD #4: Have you "discovered" any new foods since you started eating healthier? Or realized that you DO like some foods that you used to claim to not like?

I used to HATE chickpeas and as a result wouldn't try hummus. Now I love hummus and like chickpeas. I also didn't like sweet potatoes except with a ton of sugar and butter, but now like them other ways. I have also discovered so many foods on this journey so far. Here are a few I eat now that I never did before:

* Tofu
* Tempeh
* Chickpeas
* I eat any vegetable except for olives and brussel sprouts now.
* Whole grain versions to tortillas and grains such as rice and pasta.
* Sweet potatoes

There are so many, I cannot remember them all. This journey of getting healthier and losing weight I have been on for a long time has changed my way of eating most of the time.

QOTD #4: Have you "discovered" any new foods since you started eating healthier? Or realized that you DO like some foods that you used to claim to not like?

New food- Kellog's Special k cereals
Used to hate apples and raw carrots...now love to munch of them!!
And I can drink milk without sugar...it is not that bad!!!
I am liking raw foods more now I have mostly always had home cooked meals but which comprised mainly of carbs. Now moving away from carbs. The less I have them the less I crave them

I enjoy challenges but I also find them after they're closed! This is a great idea

NAME: Megan
AGE: 23
HEIGHT: 5'6''
START WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 168
GOAL WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 155
START PANTS SIZE: 8 (US)
GOAL PANTS SIZE: 6 (US)
FOLLOW ANY SPECIAL DIET: I try to eat more veggies and fish instead of red meats.
DIET GOALS: Not eating out all the time (Save $$ and Waist-line!)
EXERCISE GOALS: To be able to run a mile without stoppin.
OTHER GOALS: Firm up, I've lost about 25 pounds and feel I look sloppy because I have not been exercising or toning up!

QOTD #5: What do you do to keep yourself on track while traveling or on vacation?

Oh gee! Nothing? LOL!! I just try to make the healthiest choices possible and enjoy myself. However, I'm going on a 11 day vacation in two weeks so any tips from everyone else will be greatly appreciated.

QOTD #1: What is your favorite kind of exercise and why? I think it would be running. I used to HATE running but would do it anyways but now I prefer to run over doing anything else. I just turn on my Ipod and I'm good to go

QOTD #2: How did you find MFP, and how do you like it compared to other programs/sites/diets/etc you've tried in the past? I dont remember how I found it lol but I like it a lot better than other sites I've tried. I've tried Sparkpeople.com and it just had way to much going on and was overwhelming. I've tried WW but didnt wanna keep paying the $ for it. Also I didnt have the support/motivation on those sites that I have on MFP

QOTD #3: What was your "a-ha" moment, meaning was there a specific moment that made you decide that it was time to lose the weight? I dont think I really had an "a-ha" moment per say. I turned 27 on July 18th and about a week before that I was like ya know what, I'm gonna do this! I'm for real this time!! And I have been since and it feels great and its not like a drag to have to keep watching everything, I actually feel good about it. I was one of those people who always said "Ok I'll start Monday" and I did that for probably almost a year! So its like I woke up one day and was like I'm doin this and here I am

QOTD #4: Have you "discovered" any new foods since you started eating healthier? Or realized that you DO like some foods that you used to claim to not like? I havent really discovered any new foods yet but thats one of my goals

QOTD #5: What do you do to keep yourself on track while traveling or on vacation? I havent been on vacation since I started this but I'm going on one next month and I'm hoping to have a hotel with a gym in it and we'll be around family so it will be tough but I'm just going to try my best to eat as good as possible and not drink a whole lot! My brother in law is taking us to Atlantic City so we'll see lol

NAME: Sarah
AGE: 29
HEIGHT: 5'8''
START WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 187
GOAL WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 165
START PANTS SIZE: 12/14/16 (US) (depends on brand and color)
GOAL PANTS SIZE: 10/12 (US)
FOLLOW ANY SPECIAL DIET: healthy diet, lower calories, different foods
DIET GOALS: more whole foods, fruits and veggies, less desire for junk foods
EXERCISE GOALS: stick to my goals that I make for me: 2 mile walk in the morning, Turbo Jam in the afternoons
OTHER GOALS: get rid of this awful stomach I have; thinner and toned over all
FUN FACT: I play the flute.

I guess it's time for me to catch up!

QOTD #1: What is your favorite kind of exercise and why?
I love all types of exercise.. anything that works the leg muscles are probably my favourite. I also love bench press and sport-specific exercises, especially those related to soccer or rugby!

QOTD #2: How did you find MFP, and how do you like it compared to other programs/sites/diets/etc you've tried in the past?
I honestly don't remember how I found MFP.. I think my mom may have left it open one day on the computer and I loved what I saw!

QOTD #3: What was your "a-ha" moment, meaning was there a specific moment that made you decide that it was time to lose the weight?
My "a-ha" moment was probably the realization that I was eating fast food more than I was eating home-cooked meals. Gross!

QOTD #4: Have you "discovered" any new foods since you started eating healthier? Or realized that you DO like some foods that you used to claim to not like?
I used to swear off all veggies, but since I started eating healthier I love bell peppers, broccoli, carrots and peas. I also LOVE quinoa!

QOTD #5: What do you do to keep yourself on track while traveling or on vacation?
I haven't been on vacation since I've started, but I'm going soon so I'll see how that pans out!

QOTD #4: Have you "discovered" any new foods since you started eating healthier? Or realized that you DO like some foods that you used to claim to not like?
I haven't really discovered any new foods, but I have found alot of healthier ways to cook the foods that I do eat!

QOTD #5: What do you do to keep yourself on track while traveling or on vacation?
I like site seeing anyways when I am on vacation, so I think I walk quite a bit more than normal and that helps! Plus I usually only eat 2 meals cause I sleep in and eat more of a brunch then I eat an early dinner.

Pushups here we come!! My goal is to do 25 regular pushups at one time this evening!

I'm in!

NAME: Mandi
AGE: 25
HEIGHT: 5'6''
START WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 142
GOAL WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 139
START PANTS SIZE: 6/8 (US)
GOAL PANTS SIZE: Comfortable/loose 6 (US)
FOLLOW ANY SPECIAL DIET: Nope
DIET GOALS: Eat at least 4 servings of fruits/veggies, 5 days per week
EXERCISE GOALS: finish C25K
OTHER GOALS: Strength train 2-3x per week
FUN FACT: This is my first post!