20 pounds down by Christmas!

How are we all doing this weekend? Our board seems kind of silent, I wonder if that's a good thing or a bad thing?

If you're having a bad week, or you're frustrated with your weigh-ins, it's ok! You're more than welcome to vent your frustrations here. I'm going to be making a group when this challenge is over so that we can all stay connected as we work through the new year (I intend on making another challenge at the end of December that will go through Valentines day) and I want you all to be a part of it. I'll keep you updated.

I'm about to vent:

So, this week nearly kicked my *kitten*... I got the flu a few days ago while I was at Zumba, literally WHILE I was there, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I've never ever had the flu before, I wasn't sure what was going on, I thought I was just really exhausted. I couldn't keep up, (and if you know me, you know anything I do-- I do very strong) I was confused, I was off balance, it was bad. At the end of class my instructor came to ask me if I was ok (I guess it was noticeable--oops!) and she felt my arm, apparently I was really cold? Which is odd because my HRM told me I just burned a thousand some calories... *skeptical*. Anyway, as I was driving home I felt it coming, the chills, the hallucinations... great. So I came home and slept for a good 12 hours, and when I woke up I felt like I was 96 years old! I couldn't move my body without everything hurting, and I was wearing a sweatshirt, and two winter time comforters on my bed (still cold!). My thermometer told me I was peaking at about 101 degrees, which is high for someone like me who carries a normal body temp around 96.5. Any who, the fever *finally* broke yesterday, thank god, now I just have to deal with this feeling of congestion in my head, my ears, and my throat. Can't wait until this is over! Oh, and to top it ALL off, TOM showed up yesterday too. Awesome! I'm just having a superb week...

//End vent

Let me ask you all a question: who is your role model? It could be an everyday person, a celebrity, anyone!

Mine would have to be Jennifer Lopez (I aspire to be latina someday, LOL!)

I love her because she's strong, beautiful, and most importantly CURVY! There are so many celebrities that want to be these stick thin women, and if you want to look sickly thin like that, go for it. But I am more interested in being tone, and strong.. and beautiful! What about you guys?

How's that challenge going to? Please update me! (as I also have nothing better to do than sit on my computer and wait for these responses to come... nerddd)

Hey Ladies!

I took the time below to respond to you individually as I don't really feel like I do that enough. I just posted back to the few who have posted since my last one. I'm listening to some Carter Burwell (if you're not familiar with him, it means you don't like classical music as much as I do (or the Twilight saga)..lol). Anywho-- I just wanted to add this; even though this is a weight-loss site, if there is something that is affecting you other than the food on your plate or hours of your gym, you can share that. We all have issues in our life that prevent us from being on our A game. Please, ANYONE, feel free to PM me if you need an ear/eyes (you know what I mean..)

As for me- I just signed up for my FIRST 5K on Thanksgiving :-O! ME?! Run a 5k?! I'm so nervous.. haha, I'll let you know how it goes. It's called the Gobble Wobble! I'll post some pictures of me as I slowly cross the finish line :P!

@genene: Wow, that sounds really cool. My whole family is from Buffalo, NY- and they're all in to those winter sports like snowboarding and skiing... ya, tried it once. NEVER again. My dad took me on some mountain that had jumps and crazy trees all over the place for my FIRST downhill skii- EVER. Ya. Needless to say I cried and slid down on my butt the whole mountain. Let's not get into the bruises I had EVERYWHERE. ugh. Your aunt sounds like quite the lady. I admirer people who have stood bravely against cancer, I don't think I'd have the ability to stay positive in a situation like that. I truly applaud strong women, that's why I am as strong as I am. It's awesome to take the time to look at your life and really see how much you DO have, you know? That old saying "you don't know what you've got til' it's gone" isn't true for me. I know how luck I am every single day, and I appreciate the beauty and simple things! I couldn't imagine living the way I used to, unhappy and afraid. Really cool insight. Thanks for sharing

@hbr: I agree with you 600%, I am just so envious of my Zumba instructor as well. I have gotten to know her on more of a personal level, and she's even more of an inspiration to me then she was before. I have truly gotten to know myself better because of her motivation and her confidence within her self. She's the most non-judgmental, patient person I've ever had the pleasure of meeting and working with. (I am seriously jealous of her *kitten* though, I will say that... some of us white people.. just don't have it) haha. But I guess it's all in how you move it The most beautiful thing about this journey we are on is figuring out who we are. I truly do not believe this is simply a weight-loss journey, this is something more. We are finding ourselves, our confidence, and our lives. It's empowering, and I love being surrounded by women who inspire me like she does. Very good observation!

@catbrand: As one of my original MFP friends I think we've watched each other struggle through some ups and downs and you have done an amazing job so far. I think you're one of those women who aren't afraid to take a challenge and make yourself push for higher achievement. You're a lot like me, you don't settle and you don't let much break your stride. I admire that, and I know we're going to keep going together I hope your weigh-in gives you the results you are looking for tomorrow!

@peaceluvveggies: I've been watching you on MFP- I see those awesome burns over there, don't worry about the challenge. Sometimes we plum forget about things. You're doing pretty great hear, and I know you've been discouraged lately via your status updates, but it will turn around. This week is YOUR week and I want to see the biggest loss out of YOU. So give me -5 this week!

@MrsFelton: There is nothing wrong with measuring your success in inches. I did that for a while and I lost quite a lot. It's very noticeable now, and I am very happy with what I've lost. How about you? I hope that new scale you bought treats you nicely! And don't worry, I don't hate on the spelling and grammar- but I have an android as well. How are you able to post in a forum on the MFP app? YOU MUST TELL ME !

@Doingitin2011: If it makes you feel any better, I got TOM on Thursday (same day I got the flu and almost passed out at Zumba) so I am very run down and craving chocolate like it's my job. You don't even want to know the sweets I shoved down my throat today, it's embarrassing. But I'm glad you are able to see that the behavior isn't okay. One day of spiking your calories won't kill you or even ruin your good choices. I know you're frustrated, but you can just as easily change your frame of mind and get back on track. I believe in you! So do all your fellow LIBC Sisters! (Ya, I went there... gonna make some greek letters soon! haha) Don't be so hard on yourself girl! I hit small numbers 2 weeks out of the month, but when I'm really pushing I see results. I MAKE the scale give me what I'm looking for. Maybe look at it that way, like you have something to prove to that scale and yourself. You'll get there, and we'll help you. Anytime you need to vent about food or weight loss, or private matters- please message me! I'm here for you all.

I mean what I said above to each of you. We're going to lose the weight. It just takes patience, time, and understanding.

DON’T QUIT

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and debts are high
And you want to smile and you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but just don’t quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns.
And many a failure turns about,
When you might have won, had you stuck it out.

Don’t give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the cloud of doubt,
And you never know how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,
It’s when things seem worst, that you must not quit!

GOOD LUCK ON WEIGH-INS TOMORROW GIRLS!