I started leaving my debit card at home too! I buy gift cards to subway at the beginning of each month so I have a predetermined amount of money to spend on healthier food than junk. It is also saving me money. :happy:

Hi, I want to lose 12 lbs. by August 26th. I have found that I can't go below the 1570 calories a day, which says that I will lose 1/2 pound a week, so I'm adding in as much cardio as I can. This is a challenge for me because I am disabled, so have to work up very slowly. I started a walking program 7 weeks ago and have lost 6 lbs. It will also be a challenge to keep this up over the summer because it gets to hot here, that I will have to get up 2 hours earlier than usual to beat the heat or get in the car and drive to the mall before coffee in order to walk before the stores. No coffee! Oh no! That will be a big sacrifice.

I want to lose 30 lbs this summer as well!! I've done Weight Watchers, counting calories, etc. I've lost 60 lbs at one time and then gained most of it back, then lost 40+ and gained it back. I need to lose probably a total of 70 AND KEEP IT OFF!!! I love the thought of encouraging each other even if we don't know each other. I'm excited to join!! :-)

I'm glad I saw this group! I've been a member of MFP since April. I've been actively trying to lose weight since the end of April, and have dropped 12 lbs and some inches since then. It helps me to know that I have someone to account to for my exercise and eating habits besides myself. I have over 30lbs to lose, I'm not looking at the big picture, but am taking my loss in 10lb increments, with rewards for myself as I reach them.

I accept your challenge, am happy to join this group, and would love to see 30 more pounds gone by the end of summer!!

Hi Tina, I have more than 45 pounds to lose, but I'm only putting in 20 pound increments to keep me motivated. If I put in the entire desired weight loss, my calories plument. I don't think I can eat those few calories a day. What kind of rewards are you giving yourself when you reach your short-term goals?

Melva

30 POUNDS would just be lovely, that would put me in ONDerland. I am looking forward to this challenge!

I am late in getting my entry in....but I would like to lose 30 pounds by my birthday, August 24th. We can do this.

Maribeth

Hi, my name is Edita, I would like to lose 30 lbs by the end of September. My biggest challenge is to stick to 1200 kcal per day. I would appreciate your support.

Hello, I'm Christina ! I'm excited to be part of this group . I'm lookin to loose 30 lbs by August. I officially started my weight loos journey again last week and lost 4 pounds , went from 170 lbs to 166lbs I'm lookin to get back down to 140 pounds.i would appreciate your support and feel free to add me .

WSBRI4: Have you tried a liver and colon cleanse? Sometimes that can stunt progress because your body isn't at it's maximum functioning level for getting rid of fat and waste. Just a thought.

Hello, I have 10-15 pounds remaining, and I want it gone by the end of August. I don't have an exact amount because it really depends more on my size and body toning. I am currently 155 and a size 10-12. I want to be a toned (not buff) 7-9. I want smaller arms, no more muffin top, and everything else to pick itself back up. I was 140-145 before my last child (who is now 4), and I want to be there again.

Aimee- That is a combination of all the information learned, a nutrition class I took, and heard over and over again. I did find some links that may help explain some of it. Figuring out the right amount of calories for yourself is a little complicated, it depends on your height, weight, activity level, etc. That's why using a food log like this is so great. I have tried a few different one's and they all put me at the about the same calorie amount. But here are some links:

Study on weight loss and calorie connection http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/05/cut-calories-weight-loss_n_1244990.html

Why it is important to get at least 1200 calories http://www.fitsugar.com/Why-1200-Calories-Day-Important-When-Dieting-13080864

Think about it like this: For basic body function you need energy and nutrients. Food contains nutrients the way people are meant to get them. Calories= energy. If your body doesn't get what it needs it won't run properly and go into starvation mode (thus the slowing of the metabolism thing). You need to eat enough to maintain all those functions. On the other hand Sugar (including carbs) and fat turn into fat storage and raise the blood sugar when we get more intake then we use (weight gain) Now we exert more that 1200 calories. Fat storage in the body is released to be used as energy when you go over what we have consumed that day (weight loss). I saw a really cool animation I'll keep looking for that show how it all works.

Now muscle burns more calories in rest that fat, and building muscles (not necessarily bulking up) also uses energy. And, of course, cardio uses a lot of energy, and it keeps your body burning more all day.
Here's an article on making your body burn more http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/calories/burning_calories/burn_more_calories.htm

Certain foods use more energy by raising body temperature
http://www.livestrong.com/article/333222-foods-with-high-thermogenic-effects/

That talks a little bit about why protein is so important, but it is so much more important than that. Proteins have been called the building blocks of the human body
http://biology.about.com/od/molecularbiology/a/aa101904a.htm

Here is a list of some of the foods that help with weight loss http://www.self.com/fooddiet/2010/03/20-superfoods-slideshow#slide=1

Fiber is important in digestive health, which is really important for weight loss and over all health.
Fiber and weight loss http://www.webmd.com/diet/fiber-health-benefits-11/fiber-weight-control

A big part of digestive health is a clean liver. Liver and weight connection http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/46574/lose_weight/your_liver__weight_loss__what_do_they_have_in_common.html

It all sounds like a lot but it's really not. Add the fiber to your food tracker to make sure your getting enough. Stay on track with what the food tracker laid out for you. Include good foods the best you can. Keep exercising, you should see progress in the definition of your body and in your fitness abilities if you are doing the right exercises. If not, change it up. I hope that helps!

Welcome. That's my husbands 30th birthday.

I would like to join this group. I know i am late but I am aiming to lose 30 pounds by September 20th.
CW:187
GW:155