Great job Sue! Way to come back! :drinker:

My co-worker is gone for the week. Twice the work to do, for days that already lasted over 8 hours. Last night I was here for 13 hours... ugh. The aches in my body let me know that I am sorely missing my zumba and hiking. I've promised myself a half day once my co-worker comes back so I can catch up on all the things I've slacked off on for work. And one of those things is a hike with my brother. I can't wait!

When I logged in today, I was surprised to saw I lost 39 pounds. I knew at least 35, but 39? It's amazing to me that I weighed just about 40 pounds heavier 4 months ago. I still have a long way to go, but the encouragement here and with my family, plus these little surprises makes life so much happier.

For those of you who grump that you haven't lost anything in weeks, I say the glass is half-full, not empty. Just think; you could be heavier.

And for Sue, who has been on that plateau for a while, school is tough... especially when you have work on top of it. I strongly recommend making baggies of veggies and fruit during the weekend so you have easy snacks during the week. Carrots, snap peas, celery... even mushrooms are a great staple to have. I always needed something to munch during class, and I find these more satisfying than the vending machine food. And, most importantly, being honest with yourself. I hate going over in my calories, but I put reason behind it. A splurge here without balance may make the scale go higher, but at least you know what caused it.

National Geographic did a "thing" where bio-engineers tracked a cheetah in their calorie intake vs. exersion and it was so clear watching that how food affects our body. Whether it's those quick bursts or stored energy for a rainy day... the food we eat is the energy we need to survive. Eating more than we need gets stored as fat, eating less than we need starves the body and makes the body function below spec. I know these are things we know, but seeing it from a cheetah's POV was mind-blowing.

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone! Happy leap year! :bigsmile:

**Ravenclaw House Business**

Although sometimes we do very well with staying motivated and committed to entering weekly information on the spreadsheet or in our common room (yay!), I know that we've had some struggles keeping it updated and remembering to log in to enter weigh-ins and such due to various reasons (crazy life, getting in the way). Unfortunately, it takes quite a lot of time to send out 8+ messages each week for reminders, so we're setting a couple guidelines for it to help us out and help keep the spreadsheet clean so we can report accurately for our challenge.

So! Here's the plan (it's similar to what Sue had in place before):

1st weigh-in missed: Reminder by message will be sent; if no update is made: DETENTION
2nd weigh-in missed: Reminder sent with a message that member will be removed from the list if no updates are received; if no update is made: EXPULSION (with a "you'll be welcomed back" message because we still love you :flowerforyou:)

Also, I will send a reminder the first week that you do not weigh in, because we all know how easy it is to forget sometimes. If you forget for consecutive weeks, however, I may stop sending reminders. Part of the challenge is to stay focused and committed, and sending a reminder each week takes that piece away. I'll happily try to post reminders on my news feed, though (so add me if you want and you haven't already) or post on profiles if I've seen someone away for a bit when I can.

Also, don't forget - being removed from the list does NOT mean you cannot come back. You can always come back. Just hop right back in, let us know you'd like to restart, and we'll welcome you with open arms. Also, if you plan to be away for a period of time or not updating, let us know so that Lottee or I can put a reminder on the sheet and I won't bug you.

Everyone good with this?

Hey all! Excellent info from Kelly there, thanks for doing all that!

More house business...

Prefects this week are.... Matchamatcha and MomofJandA!!! Well done you two!!


As for me, still trying to have a good week, have met the exercise and food challenges every day this week but missed a post yeserday, so that's 11/12 for me so far! Pleased. Hoping for a success on the scale as well though!! Happy March, Ravenclaws!

ok . . . so I had a bit of a wake up call this morning. I gained weight after breaking the ankle (no exercise led to poor eating habits- its a vicious cycle for me), lost a ton of muscle too. I am starting back at work today and lo and behold had to wear my work pants which I haven't worn for 14 weeks- they were snug- I am still wearing them but with a smoothing undergarment to help the love handles. This is my reality- I can not maintain unless I am working out and eating right- I just can't. And I can't eat right unless I am logging everything. I would like to say I can and I have the will power, but I don't. So new month- new routine. I am back at work so the snacking should get better!

March goal: 130

today was a much better day. What other fruit besides apples are high in fiber?

I've been using this as a guide...

Avocado
Beans
Broccol
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Carrot
Chick Peas/Garbanzo Beans
Eggplant
Greens -- collards, kale, turnip greens
Lima beans
Mushrooms
Potato with skin
Pumpkin, canned
Peas -- black-eyed peas, green peas
Peppers
Rhubarb
Spinach
Sweet Potatoes

Highest Fiber Fruits
Apples
Avocado
Bananas
Berries -- Blueberies, Blackberries, Raspberries, etc.
Dried Fruits -- Figs, Raisins, Apricots, Dates, etc.
Guava
Kiwi
Orange
Pears
Prunes

They're ranked in order, so I'm aiming for one of the top three fruits every day (although so far it's been an apple every day)... Will check in again later, am at work, just killing time waiting for a parent to come in for a meeting (der der derrrr.... suspense type music... always get nervous when they want to see you... It's normally a complaint...)

Thanks for the list, lottee! I actually did pretty well this week with fiber food then! :bigsmile:

Today is FRIDAY!!! Which means the weekend is *just* around the corner, and I can't wait to not be at work. My boss agreed that I could take a couple of half days, so I am excited to spend one of those hiking with my brother.

TIME TO PARTY!!! :drinker: