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

QOTD #8: What's your workout plan this week? List it!
- I'm finally getting to trying new forms of exercise (outside of cycling everywhere)! I'm so excited! I set up an old calisthenics(SP?) routine that works for me and plan to do it on a daily basis. It takes about 25 minutes and works different parts of my body. I'll list what I can explain:
20 reps each of these abdominal exercises I learned about on some Japanese health show (lol)
10 push-ups
15 sit-ups
some weight lifting
2 min mild stretching
short bursts of circuit training...take a look at my exercise diary for more info..it's just weird to list everything!
I also started to power walk for cardio. I love it!

QOTD #9: How do you stay on track with diet and exercise in times of severe stress?
Exercise helps alleviate stress for me..diet is a lot harder. I'm working on it now, but I try to keep reminding myself that feeling guilty or crappy about junk food adds to stress, so its best to avoid it.

QOTD #10: How are you tracking your food right now? Do you pre-track or track as you go? Do you track everything you eat, or only certain foods? Do you eat your exercise calories or not? I wanna know everything, hahaha.
I track everything I eat and drink! Sometimes I pre-track, but I usually log my food as I eat it if I'm at home. If not, I'll write down or try to remember what I ate and track afterwards. If I pack a lunch for the following day, I will log it in advance. Occasionally I will not track things that are less than 100 cal and are too complicated to input, like a bite of okara croquette or something weird like that haha. I'll then compensate with some light cleaning . I eat my exercise calories (usually really want to) unless I burned way too much and I'm not hungry. This doesn't happen often. If I burn a lot of calories in a day...like on days I ride to school (which takes about 3 hours there and back) then I pack calorie-dense, but healthy food like PB&J.

I am not sure how but I have lost 4.2 pounds this week, Enjoying my new low weight!

QOTD #5: What do you do to keep yourself on track while traveling or on vacation?
When traveling or on vacation, it has become second nature to watch what I am eating. If I indulge in a desert, I don't over do it. I keep the desert serving about the size you would give a toddler. Just enough to take the edge of of my cravings. It seems to work and I don't fell deprived. Thinking about how I would feel if I gorge always helps me too! I take weekly pictures and I am always thinking about how my pictures will look if I just let myself go.

QOTD #6: What is your main motivation to get in shape right now?
I am getting my asthma under control. I hate the fact that when I was 189 I had a very hard time climbing the stairs to my home. I remember my sister asking me one day if I was pregnant because I was breathing so hard. That made me realize that although I was enjoying life, if I kept down that path, I would not enjoy living because I was putting myself at risk for major health issues.

QOTD #8: What's your workout plan this week?
This week I am adding heavier weights. I have been working my way back up to lifting like I used to. I am also going out of my way to get my fiance on board with me.

QOTD #9: How do you stay on track with diet and exercise in times of severe stress?
I run/walk. It helps me think things through and self evaluate, so that I can understand my part in the stressful situation.

QOTD #10: How are you tracking your food right now? Do you pre-track or track as you go? Do you track everything you eat, or only certain foods? Do you eat your exercise calories or not?
I track everything I eat, and I do mean everything. I track as I go. I usually don't have the energy to eat my exercise calories back.

Good work!

I have to catch up since I fell off the wagon last week


QOTD #8: What's your workout plan this week? List it!
I hardly worked out at all last week. I did do some walking, but not a lot.

QOTD #9: How do you stay on track with diet and exercise in times of severe stress?
Still haven't figured this out. Stress got the best of me last week and I gave in.

QOTD #10: How are you tracking your food right now? Do you pre-track or track as you go? Do you track everything you eat, or only certain foods? Do you eat your exercise calories or not? I wanna know everything, hahaha.
I do normally pretrack my breakfast and lunch since i have to pack it for work the night before, but I always always track everything, even if the outcome is bad. I do use some of my exercise calories but try not to use them all.

Just catching up... this weekend was tough for me with my friends 40th bday party, but ready to get back to reality.

Here's my answers:

QOTD #1: What is your favorite kind of exercise and why? Right now I’m loving Zumba!

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? A friend mentioned it and I love it. There is no comparison!

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’ve known for a long time, but my work started a competition and it got my butt in gear, but for me it’s not about winning the competition, it’s about winning my life back. This is just the beginning. 

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’ve just learned to be creative with my dishes and not to be afraid to try new things..

QOTD #5: What do you do to keep yourself on track while traveling or on vacation? Prepare meals/snacks carefully…

QOTD #6: What is your main motivation to get in shape right now? I’m not getting any younger…!

QOTD #7: Other than working out and losing weight, what have you done to improve your self esteem? I try and spend more time loving me. I’ve always made everything about my girls and husband, but not I try and delight in a little for myself.

QOTD #8: What's your workout plan this week? List it! I walk 3 miles every day at lunch and for the evenings. Tonight is Zumba, as for the rest I’m kind of a spur of the moment kind of girl on what exactly I’m going to do, but it will likely be walk, strength train and more cardio.

QOTD #9: How do you stay on track with diet and exercise in times of severe stress? I choose to walk it off rather than eat it out!

QOTD #10: How are you tracking your food right now? Do you pre-track or track as you go? Do you track everything you eat, or only certain foods? Do you eat your exercise calories or not? I wanna know everything, hahaha. I track as I go. I track everything. I haven’t been eating my exercise calories… it seems hard for me to get them in.

I am in one challenge....can I join this one too?

NAME: Mandy
AGE: 31
HEIGHT: 5'0
START WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 123.2
GOAL WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 115
START PANTS SIZE: 6/8 (US)
GOAL PANTS SIZE: 4 (US)
FOLLOW ANY SPECIAL DIET: I count calories. No red meat.
DIET GOALS: prepare more foods myself (less lean cuisines )
EXERCISE GOALS: work out 30 minutes everyday
OTHER GOALS: tame the muffin top
FUN FACT: Im a huge bookworm, I love to read!

I was eating well since January, though probably not moving as much as I could be as I have only lost 25 pounds in the last 8 1/2 months. However, I plateaued most of July and August with very little weight loss. I changed up how I ate last week, instead of oatmeal for breakfast and a sandwhich/leftovers for lunch. I had toasted waffles for breakfast and oatmeal for lunch for a week, now back to my regular diet and lost 6 pounds this week, I am not counting on losing this much a week again but, if you guys are finding yourselves in a weight loss rut, perhaps this tip will help you.

QOTD#11: Do you drink diet soda and/or other drinks with artificial sweetners? Why of why not?

Yes, I drink diet soda. I also drink water wtih artificial sweetened flavor packs.

So the reasons: 1. zero calories
2. Caffeine

QOTD#11: Do you drink diet soda and/or other drinks with artificial sweetners? Why of why not?

Usually only water. I don't really like soda so it has never been a problem to give it up. I love sweet iced tea, but had to stop drinking it because of all the sugar, i can't even keep it in the house. I will sometimes add crystal light to my water bottle just for a little bit of change.

Just thought of something to add. Also, I think I have found that drinking diet soda definitely makes me want to eat...salty kinds of things. So I try to limit my diet dew to when I'm eating a meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner...Yes, I sometimes drink it for breakfast if I am having eggs or something salty! I know...that's really bad isn't it?) If I pop open a can between meals, I'll want to eat something with it, even if I'm not hungry.

Hello everyone!! I am excited about this challenge I haven't done one yet.

NAME: Michelle
AGE: 22
HEIGHT: 5'5''
START WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 171
GOAL WEIGHT FOR CHALLENGE: 160
START PANTS SIZE: 12/14 (US)
GOAL PANTS SIZE: 10/12 (US)
FOLLOW ANY SPECIAL DIET: nothing specific. I watch my carbs and drink a lot of water
DIET GOALS: less craving for junk food, more fruits and veggies
EXERCISE GOALS: to be able to run 2 miles
OTHER GOALS: to just be more toned and less flabby
FUN FACT: I am a dog enthusiast

Hey! Been gone for a bit, but back again, so catching up...


QOTD #10: How are you tracking your food right now? Do you pre-track or track as you go? Do you track everything you eat, or only certain foods? Do you eat your exercise calories or not? I wanna know everything, hahaha.

I pre-track. I work nights, so during my downtime, I try to track the food I will be eating the following day. It helps me stick to my plan because I know exactly what I'm allowed. It's actually helping me to curb eating out of boredom. If I know I only get this amount, am I really hungry now, or can I wait? That kind of thing. I don't usually eat my exercise calories. Kinda on the fence about it. Right now I'm just not posting my exercise. I did one day though because I REALLY wanted chili cheese fries

QOTD #11: Do you drink diet soda and/or other drinks with artificial sweeteners? Why or why not?

Yes. Diet Coke is my favorite. I know it is terrible for me, so I've been cutting back. I drink it for the caffiene, I don't like coffee, and I'm so used to it that I hate regular sodas. I'm trying to save it for when I really need it though. Lately, I've been having one per week, so I don't feel as guilty as I did at one per day. Thankfully, I really like water a lot!

Wow...totally went off track for about 2 weeks! But now i'm back in the game!!!


QOTD #10: How are you tracking your food right now? Do you pre-track or track as you go? Do you track everything you eat, or only certain foods? Do you eat your exercise calories or not? I wanna know everything, hahaha.
I track as I go, basically after I finish eating I come upstairs and log it. I track EVERYTHING, didn't used to, to make myself feel better but I realized that it was hindering me rather than helping me. I try not to eat my exercise calories because to me that totally defeats the purpose of exercising!

QOTD #11: Do you drink diet soda and/or other drinks with artificial sweeteners? Why or why not?
I HATE diet soda! and refuse to drink it :laugh: I do drink a lot of Crystal Light...not sure if that counts or not? I can't drink regular water for some reason it makes me gag. :ohwell: So Crystal Light helps me get my water intake. I still count it in my log though! Didn't use to do that either. :laugh: