STARS 9 WEEK HOLIDAY CHALLENGE (CLOSED GROUP)

MONDAY 9/26/11 : Since we are all at different points in this weight loss process, what has helped you to be the most successful in weight loss, exercise, or staying within your calories so far?

I am still struggling with this. Last week was the first time I achieved my goal. I managed to go to the gym M-F and I stayed with-in my calories. Honestly, what I think that helped me stay motivated was MFP! I kept logging my food and exercises even if my choices of food were not the best choices. For example....last week I had a Mcdonalds vanilla milkshake and I logged it after I drank it not realizing that I had just consumed 540 calories. I definately did not make that mistake again! I also feel that making myself go to the gym helps me to stay focused and motivated and once I go; I feel so much better that I did. Working out helps me not to make bad choices with my food because I don't want to ruin the calories that I just burned from working out. Keep logging, keep posting and we will all succeed ladies! LET"S DO THIS!!!! Terri

MONDAY 9/26/11 : Since we are all at different points in this weight loss process, what has helped you to be the most successful in weight loss, exercise, or staying within your calories so far?

For me it would be my husband joining me in my weight loss journey. I'd be as motivated as I could be, but when I was sitting there eating a salad and he was making a pizza, the temptation to cheat on my diet was a problem. And on top of that, he would come home and plop himself down in front of the TV. How much fun is it for me to work out when I know he's upstairs watching something I wish I could be watching?

But he hit his own realization that he needed to change, too, when he put on his Packers t-shirt for the game two weeks ago (the same one he was wearing just last February) and it was too tight. We've started biking together, and he even spends time on the elliptical while I work out to my DVDs in the same room. We plan healthy grocery lists and stick to them, and don't eat out unless we know we're going somewhere we know we can make healthy choices. It's only been 2 weeks of this and I can already feel my motivation levels spiking!

MONDAY 9/26/11 : Since we are all at different points in this weight loss process, what has helped you to be the most successful in weight loss, exercise, or staying within your calories so far?

Well since I wanted to lose weight so I could keep up with my grandbaby (before he was even here) I think seeing his precious face most everyday keeps me going! I want to be a fun, active grandma and seeing him helps remind me of that plus just keeping up with him daily.
As for ecercise - we go for a walk everyday (M-F) either in the neighborhood or the mall and we love that time together.
I love MFP and I really love this challange - I hate to let others down so it keeps me motovated.

Since we are all at different points in this weight loss process, what has helped you to be the most successful in weight loss, exercise, or staying within your calories so far?

Staying within my calorie range particularly logging every morsal that passes these lips. It is just too easy for me to get really busy and not be aware of how quickly the calories can rack up. The mindless snacking is a killer to losing weight. I like knowing where I am during the day and can add in a little more exercise if need be.

First off, sorry everyone that I have not been on here in the last 4 days or more, I have been really sick but doing better now. Ready to start back over again! Its a new week! Now to my question and answer

Monday 9/26/11 : Since we are all at different points in this weight loss process, what has helped you to be the most successful in weight loss, exercise, and staying within your calories so far?

For me, many things have helped me be successful on this journey to my weightloss goals. The first thing I have accepted before I began this process is....TAKE IT SLOW. In the past I have always tried to do things the quick results way and then the weight comes right back on as quick as it came off. So the key for me is taking a slower approach, learning to lose the weight but also maintain the weight that has come off.

The second thing I decided to do which was different from before was to change my eating habits and lifestyle first. And although My Fitness Pal has been a great tracker, I try not to get too hung up on the calories, and more so focusing on the amount of carbs, fat, protein, sugar I intake than calories. If the food is coming from mother nature you shouldnt have to count your calories. I have done and continue to do alot of research through reading books, magazines and just talking to people about what works for them. The biggest thing I have also learned is what may work for one person, may not work for you. Everyones body is different. I try to eat every 2-3 hours to keep my metabolism moving. I also typically only eat organically grown, all natural, no chemicals or pesticides produce, meat and grains. That makes a huge difference as well. The biggest food that has helped aide me in my weight loss are my green protein shakes. I use an all natural whey protein with organic bananas, home grown kale, organic spinach and water. Honestly theres all kinds fun smoothies-shakes you can make and they are extremely healthy for you. Foods I typically eat are low fat cottage cheese, larabars, blueberries (in the morning only), apples, strawberries, ezekiel bread, white albacore tuna (from costco), organic chicken breasts, tilapia, salmon, egg whites, red peppers, spinach, tomatoes, spicy black bean boca burgers...those are just some examples of foods I eat. I do not eat alot of fruit though because fruit has alot of natural sugars. And if I do eat fruit I try to only eat it in the mornings or lunch. I also write down what I eat in a journal, the amount of carbs, sugars, protein, SODIUM, and fat in the food I eat as well.

The third thing that has helped me with my weight loss that I am going to be doing more of is exercise, specifically weight lifting and strength training. I find that doing a HIT workout for 30 minutes or less is more effective for me than doing 30 minutes of cardio on the elliptical or treadmill, unless I am doing intense interval training. I have been reading alot of oxygen, muscle and fitness hers, self, shape magazines for tips, techniques, and exercise routines as well. I created a fitness binder by cutting out pages from those magazines. My binder consists all kinds of workouts that train certain muscle groups that I can take with me to the gym or use at home. That has been extremely motivating and encouraging for me as well. A DVD that I always tell people about is the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred, its very challenging and very effective! Its not easy at all but it wil deliver results! I am starting that for the second time this week so wish me luck!

Hope this helps anyone!

Monday 9/26/11 : Since we are all at different points in this weight loss process, what has helped you to be the most successful in weight loss, exercise, and staying within your calories so far?


logging and daily workouts seem to be doing the trick, although I had TWO rest days this week because my knee has been hurting and I think tis the jogging. and now my HEEL hurts and I have no idea how I did that. Gah.

For staying within my calories I don't do anything special - I pretty much just cut out 'treats' from my life. I used to have a LOT of treats ...such that they weren't really treats. I used to get a pastry or dessert or a fried side dish probably 7 times a week. Or more. I just used to eat a LOT more and I've cut back on that. I don't have problems stopping myself from eating for the most part though. I've just learned that I cant' have a treat every single day - I have to make it a rare-r occassion, and I needed to stop overeating altogether.

MONDAY 9/26/11 : Since we are all at different points in this weight loss process, what has helped you to be the most successful in weight loss, exercise, or staying within your calories so far?

In the past it has been very hard to be successful with all of the above. In the past week I just have been reminding myself that whatever it is I'm craving is not worth it. So far so good, but it has only been a week. I am hoping that joining this challenge will help me stick with it this time. I'm hoping I see some real results by the end of this 9 weeks so that I will be able to stay motivated to continue. At this point, I am just really hoping that the accountability of joining this challenge and not wanting to let my team down will lead me to success

See the next post. Oops.

I have to catchup on my QOD's
Sunday's What downfalls have you encountered with your weight loss?
I would have to say that the intense lack of support that I recieved at first was terrible.I still don't get the support I need sometimes and it makes me sad. Another downfall is the lack of success in the other areas of my life. It makes me think I might be putting too much emphasis on this sometimes. I M PLnning on keeping optimistic by doing other things in my life so I don't make this my entire life, no matter how much I love it.

Monday's
What has helped me stay on track?
I found that no matter how much I work out if I don't learn to eat the right way, it won't matter. And I have also learned to eat more and be more active. Not really excercise more but be active where I wasn't before.

QOTD Tuesday: What are your top 3 reasons for losing weight and what is one thing you are going to do once you lose it?

Love the question!
1. To feel better about myself.
2. To be able to wear my pants without the fear of taking someones eye out if my button flies off!!!!!
3. Just to look better gosh darn it!
Once I lose my weight I'm going to get off my wallet and buy a pair of LuLu Lemon pants! My *kitten* will deserve it!!!