Yay for all you 'challenge-ready' ladies!! I KNOW WE CAN ALL DO THIS - TOGETHER!!

asjerven, I don't know what "carb cycling" is - can you explain? And, I don't know what the "sexy female plan" is, either, but I call "BOGUS" on that, because we, already, are ALL SEXY FEMALES!!!

I did lower-body weight training today. I have now compared what I did today, to what I did on November 16th (my first lower-body weight training) and I really have become STRONGER! I will like THAT A LOT when it shows up on the scale or on my clothes. But, for now, just recognizing that I am lifting heavier and heavier weights every single time I train is enough motivation to keep me going.

I have changed mine to be drinking at least 8 glasses of water each day and getting in 30 minutes of pilates. I really need the toning.

My new 2 week challenge is going to be paying more attention to my protein/Carb/fat ratios. I just manually set MFP to 40/40/20 and I've learned really fast that it is hard to keep my carbs at 40% and get my protein up to 40%. Also, I decided to up my calorie intake from 1200 to my BMR, which is 1322. I don't like seeing the red, so I found that when I'm set at 1200, I eat less than that, which is just not healthy. So to make sure I am eating enough I set MFP to maintenance, and that will be my new "maximum," even though I plan to eat only 1322. Hopefully this will take away the guilty feeling if I go over 1322, because I'll know I won't gain since I'll still be under maintenance.... make sense? Lol, anyway, makes sense to me. Today is day 2.

Nadine, great idea about no sugar. It is highly addictive. The more you eat, the more you crave and nothing else tastes good but that. You need to "detox" from it. This is a tough time of year and I wish you the best.

Ascheif!! Awwwww, you HAVE had a bad week! Big hugs!

I think I have mfp set at 35/40/25. I'm scared to go look because everytime I do, it all of a sudden goes back to the "standard" mfp settings and then my food calendar is full of RED until I go back and correct it, again. Suffice it to say I'm trying to eat high protein, lower carb (and fat).

I've been in seminar the last 2 days. Which was AWFUL!! And, when I even TRIED to do a cardio work-out Wednesday evening, it was just a GONG SHOW. Worst. Work-out. Ever. (Well, for at least 3 or 4 months, anyway.) My legs were like lead. My lungs were on fire. It was a disaster and I just wanted to go home and cry.

So, yesterday, I didn't even attempt a work-out....took it as a "rest" day. And, that means I HAVE to find some time, today, to get an upper body work-out in.

I must say, I was out with the women (and families) who will be at the GALA on Monday, and those women ALL LOOK FABULOUS!! One just got back from Mexico (and has been on a 30-day fast), one just got back from Florida (and she lost 20 lbs. this fall on u-weight-loss) and one is a naturally wire-thin super-model. So, I actually felt PRETTY INTIMIDATED in that crowd. And, I REALLY wished I had done this weight-training starting way back in September....I'm not gonna look THAT buff in my gown, that's for sure.

Anyway, I am having my hair and make-up done on Monday and I do plan on looking super-fab....it's just funny that NONE of those chicks work out and, frankly, they all look better than me.

I was just "venting" a bit....because, in truth, these women are good friends and I'm GLAD we are all trying to be our "best selves" - so GOOD FOR ALL OF US!!

I ended up sounding "*****y" - and that isn't helping anybody, at all - so, sorry about that!

The truth is, I would NEVER give up all of my exercise for anything - I believe it keeps me sane, healthy and allows my best performance in all that I do (family/work/volunteering, etc.) So, the fact they don't exercise is totally their business.

Plus, I totally believe I'd rock a better tankini than any of 'em....and, if not now, give me 2 more months and I will!!

I am at the end of Day 14 of my 2 week challenge. No weight loss at all which I thought was surprising since even though I was over my goal in calories I was still below maintenance and I was great about excercise so I looked a lttle closer at my diet - too much sugar, white flour, etc ("tis the season).....SO New 2 week challenge.

Food - Net 1360 calories same as before but from healthier sources, low in carbs & sugar, high in protein and fiber, etc.
Excercise - 3 group fitness classes, 3 strength training days, dance classes and some outdoor running (weather permitting)

Take care everyone!

Beeps, I'm sure you are more healthy than your friends who lost so quickly. Can't wait to see pics of you rockin your dress!!

Abigail, it is so true what they say about nutrition being 75-80% of the equation. Glad you were able to look back at your diary and see what changes need to be made.

Amy, I think incorporating the no carbs in the evening to ease into the next phase is a great idea.

I got three workouts in this week, all with weights and I feel great!!! I think this is the beginning of me getting back into it. There was one exercise I started and right away, I could tell it was gonna pull on my abs too much, so I had to stop. But other than that, it was great. So this week, I'll get in 4 workouts (at least 3with weights), continue my cal/carb zig zag, it seems to be working for me. Since 11/28, I'm down 8 lbs, but I know some of that was water weight from Thanksgiving.

Hope all is well with you ladies!! Good luck this week!!

cute new pic, Jen!
I got my Day 15 workout in last night-legs. I am feeling it too. this time the routine called for lying leg curls, whereas last weeks it was seated leg curls.
DH said the seated leg curls were less likely to cause injury. Does anyone know anything about it?
Personally, I feel a little silly in the lying leg curls, so I would do the seated ones just for that reason...

Thanks Amy :happy: When you say lying leg curls, are you talking about prone position?? (face down) if so, the seated ones, leg extensions, are working your quads, where the prone ones work your hamstrings. If you're talking about a leg press or hip sled, then I prefer that kind to the leg extension because i can lift more and I feel I have better form. Did that make any sense at all, lol?!?! I personally don't like the leg ext unless you are truly using proper form. I think it puts a lot of stress on the knee if done incorrectly. Just my two cents

can you see the workout here:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jamie-eason-livefit-trainer-phase-1-day-15.html
It is the facedown, *kitten* up and DH said it is bad for hamstrings, he injured his hamstring that way and I think a physical therapist told him that it isn't a natural movement for the hamstring, not totally sure.
The leg press used to be on the lineup, but it wasn't this time.

oh yes!! ok. Well I'm not totally sure on the mechanics/kinesthesiology (sp) of it all, but there are seated hamstring leg curls if you feel more comfortable with those. For hammies, I prefer romanian deadlifts, good mornings and then the seated leg curls.