Approaching the Finish Line Group: Only 20 pounds or LESS left until your goal!!!

Hello all! This is a group for those of us who have been living a healthy lifestyle for sometime now and have dropped a lot of weight. I know personally after a year of losing weight steadily, I'm finally seeing the finish line approaching. I started at 230 pounds now down to 179 with 19 pounds to go, and I'm thinking it would be nice to chat with other people nearing the end of the line. So if you're getting close to that wonderful phase of your life where you get to maintain, this group is for you! We'll encourage each other, track our progress, and congratulate each other as we meet and exceed our goals!

So go ahead... post your story including where you were, where you are, and where you will be soon!!!

Together I KNOW we can finish up strong!!!!

Better late than never! Congratulations for your progress EVEN WHILE ON VACATION! If you're able to stay in control on vacation, then you're able to stay in control ANYTIME! Whoohoo!

For me, I had a terrible weekend. I was at a youth group lock in surrounded by snacks for 12 hours straight. I ate a ton. Then I got sick this weekend and have been on the couch Saturday-Monday, doing basically nothing but eating and sitting. I have GOT to get back on track today, and I'm determined. I'm taking a cycling class today and I hope my healing body can handle it. I hate that I lost control like that this weekend.  Lately I've been having trouble getting motivated to do anything. I'm bored with all the healthy food I've been buying. I'm just in a health food, healthy lifestyle rut. Blah.

I just have to kick myself in the butt and stick with this. Only about 7-8 more pounds to go. I can do this!

i just wanted to pop in here and give us all props.  i keep looking around the boards and seeing all these challenges and motivational threads rallying people to lose 20, 25, 30, 50 or more pounds.  it feels so great to be able to look at those and think - "nope!  not me!" ;)  or even better: "if i lost that much, i'd be one of those skinny chicks everyone likes to kick around!"

we totally rock

Wooohooooo! So true. YAY FOR US!!!! I can see the finish line now...

I was just thinking as I was walking back from the gym, when I hit my goal, I think I'm going to have a CC graduation for myself in a forum here. You know, how online universities have graduations by scrolling the students names across the screen? I'm going to do the same, and have a slideshow posted of my journey. Can't wait until I graduate to maintenance!

Lauren

Thursday  Check In
Current Weight: 124.6
Progress This Week: Lost 5 lb

Hooray for Me: I'm actually measuring everything I eat again

Needs Improvement: For the last 2 days I ate abt 700 cal :( hubby told me he'll be on a business trip for a month starting next week and we've never been apart before. I spent 2 days crying and not eating. Needless to say now I'm back in full force to finish up wt my work stuff and everything else. Granted, once I eat enough again, I probably won't maintain the weight loss, although i'd love to

Cricket  - I know exactly how you feel. My live-in boyfriend went on a two week business trip this summer (immediately preceded by being with his family for a week).  I was so lonely, especially the first couple days.  But- on the bright side - I ate SO well while he was gone, because no one was tempting me with bad foods, and I worked out more because I was bored. So I was skinnier and cuter when he came home!

Anyway, down to business:

Thursday Check In:
Current Weight: 133
Progress this week: lost 1lb. Maybe. Still think this is part of my plateau and was just affected by my inability to finish my dinner last night (see below).

Hooray for me: Man, I have the worst of these: its been a rough week. But, the best thing is that I've finally been learnign to eat guacamole. I know avacados are good for me, but I've always hated them. Anyway, I had guacamole on some bean tacos yesterday and felt very healthy!

Needs Improvement: My job. I worked ALL weekend, and late nights all week. I didn't pig out but I didn't eat the best foods either.   I was so tired/frustrated last night that I picked at my dinner and didn't quite make 1200 calories.  Anyway, I'm not really sure how to change this, but I need to try and make working out fit in with work, which it's just not. Maybe join a gym near the office? I can't imagine getting gross and sweaty over lunch though.....

Original Post by kaleburn:

Cricket  - I know exactly how you feel. My live-in boyfriend went on a two week business trip this summer (immediately preceded by being with his family for a week).  I was so lonely, especially the first couple days.  But- on the bright side - I ate SO well while he was gone, because no one was tempting me with bad foods, and I worked out more because I was bored. So I was skinnier and cuter when he came home!

I've got my plate really full anyway so i doubt i'd get really lonely. Still, the idea of being apart is killing me. We can use video calls, send photos from our mobiles, talk on the phone...but still, you know very well what i talk abt.

I already eat healthy lol but you are right, he does tend to bring other stuff in the house and i only buy veggies, fruits and yogurt anyway..so i also plan to get slimmer and get a new hair cut...shhhhsssshhh :)

Thursday Check In:

Curent Weight:  137.2

Progress this week: instead, I'll say progress over two weeks, since that is my last official Thursday weigh-in:  -1.6 lbs, even on vacation!

Hooray for me:  I'm still happy that I made it through vacation and am not weighing +140, which was my goal, to come back under 140.  I came home, went right back to counting/logging and going to the gym. 

Needs Improvement:  have not been eating enough veggies.  I fell out of the habit of having double portions of veggies with dinner, plus adding some to both breakfast and lunch.  I'm keeping the calories within goal, but they're not as clean as they should be. 

Congrats to all you ladies, everyone is working hard, despite absent partners and over filled schedules.  Keep up all the hard work.

okay, something weird is going on.  i was in the 147s for four days, and thought (reasonably) that it was a pre-menstrual peak.  then i dropped to 145 and change for a day, and now i've been at 144.5 for three days.  but still no period.  i'm not complaining exactly, but it's weird.  anyway...

Thursday Check In
Current Weight: 144.5

Progress This Week: lost 2.8 (but right back where i was two weeks ago)

Hooray for Me: after last week's horrible 5k, i had a GREAT 5k on tuesday.  i don't have a time, because my running watch died, but it felt like under 28m.

Needs Improvement: like a_mckh, i haven't been eating enough veggies.  it's a question of making the shift from summer (raw veggies and salads) to fall (hot food!).

I went to my mom and dad's house last weekend to bow hunt and did not eat good at all. There were pies and strawberry short cake not to mention gravy with 2 meals. Now I know why I was over weight as a kid. I came home to see 159 on the scale. That scares the hell out of me.  Plus my cycle is all messed up. I use to be on a 25 day cycle but the last 5 months have been all off. I can go anywhere from 25 to 35 days. I am on day 34, I think, and just wish it would come already so I can see what the scale will say at the end of it. Anyway, here is my weigh in.

Current weight 154, up 2 from last week and up 4 from 2 weeks ago.

Hooray for me, I have been working out pretty good. Tae bo, lifting weights (which is, I'm hopeing, one of the reasons I am up. Building muscle. I am also taking my own food this weekend when I go. Hopefully that will help.

Needs Improvement the fact that I let myself get into this situation in the first place. I should know better.

It was my husbands birthday this week, so we went  out to eat two different times, once with my family and once with his.  I always try to eat moderatly healthy when going out, but I just don't think its possible to really know what you are eating.  I can always taste the fat in the "steamed" vegetables.  Hopefully I'll feel more on track next week.

Current weight: 135

Progress This Week:  lost 1 lb of bloat/water weight from ttom

Hooray for Me:  I made my husband an absolutly wonderful sugary calorie filled cake for his birthday as was his request.  I only at one half of a piece.  Its been sitting in the fridge, and I haven't touched it since his birthday.  Its a major breakthrough for me.  I can't control myself around the sweets.

Needs Improvement:  I need to start exercising in the morning if I know I'm going to miss my night workout because of scheduling.  I was busy a few days this week and missed my workout completely.  I'd really like to convince myself to get up early to do it. 

So this is my first time posting in any of the forums, but this totally describes me, plus I've already been doing my official weigh-in on Thursdays. So I am 20 and in college (live in a dorm, sleep less than I should, occasionally drink more than I should, and all of that). I've pretty much been overweight for most of my life, but at my heaviest (maybe a year and a half ago?), I was at 245, lost some weight and hung out around 215 for a while. Since January, I've lost 63 pounds and now weigh 152 (I'm 5'6, btw). I'd really like to be around 135 by December. And slightly more short-term, I'd like to be comfortably below 150 by my birthday in Mid-October So here is the short version:

Thursday Check In:

Starting weight: 215

Current weight: 152

Goal weight: 135

Progress this week: I'm down 2 lbs from my weigh-in last week, though sometimes I think my scale is unreliable, so I don't know how accurate that is.

Hooray for me: I really, really, REALLY wanted chocolate/junk food earlier. Instead I logged onto CC, and the craving is pretty much gone now.

Needs Improvement: Since school started, I've been really bad about going to the gym for my cardio and I haven't done any yoga/pilates, which I did a lot of over the summer. I've just started to come down with a cold, though, so I might need another week before I able to go to the gym as frequently as I'd like.

Welcome to the group halfawake - extra kudos for you, doing this while in college and living in the dorms.  You will find a great number of us who have been overweight most of our lives and are ready to make a major lifestyle change.  You have done a fine job of choosing realistic weight loss goals and timing for them.  I like the fact you chose your birthday as a goal date, like you are doing this for YOU, a gift to you.  Keep coming back to the site and to this challenge group, there is no shortage of answers and encouraging words!

Welcome!

a

halfawake, i agree with a_mckh - good for you for being so determined.  we see a lot of posts around here complaining that it's impossible to lose while in college (and especially while in the dorms); it's good to see someone prove them wrong! 

also, when you're a student, you always have a ready excuse not to work out and do other things that are good for you (i know; i'm in my third year of grad school).  you're showing real discipline!

i'm sure it's hard, with limited funds and cooking facilities, but you're proof that it's in your power to do it .

Halfawake, I have to commend you. The fact that you're trying to stay healthy and fit while in college is admirable, and very tough. That's when I (an many others) put on this weight I'm trying to lose. Good for you for doing this now, instead of years from now when it will be harder to lose! Welcome to CC and to the group!

My Thursday Weigh-In is late, but I thought I'd do it anyway...

Thursday Check In:

Starting weight: 230+
Current weight: 160
Goal weight: 153

Progress this week:  I maintained, maybe lost 0.25 pounds. I was sick from Saturday to Monday, so I didn't work out and I really didn't eat right. Even with all that, I STILL didn't gain, so I'm proud. I can't tell you how happy I'll be when I see the scale read in the 150's for the first time in over 6 years.

Hooray for me: I've finally buckled down to get rid of these last few pounds. I've stopped stuffing my face when I get home from work, and I'm not eating on the couch this week.

Needs Improvement: I really need to stop picking. I pick a piece off the top of a Panera Cobblestone Muffin, I pick up a piece or two of candy corn, etc. etc. etc. It may not seem like much, but I know it adds up!

I really hope I can keep this buckled down attitude going so I can get rid of these last 7 pounds!

A great way to get your veggies!!!!

I know some of you have been saying you're trying to eat more veggies. Here are two options that I really enjoy!!!

New V8 Soups
V8 Fusion

Thursday Check In:

Curent Weight:  135.6

Progress this week: -1.8 pounds

Hooray for me:  I began the Couch to 5K program this week.  I have never ever been a runner, but would really love to give it a try.  There has to be something to it, or there wouldn't be so many people doing it, right?! 

Needs Improvement:  I have been working hard at getting the vegetables added back into my diet, even added a full cup of raw spinach to my egg white omelettes every day this week.  I'm just not a good veggie eater, I don't like very many of them and I'm also not a big salad eater.  Thank you luckiest for the link, I have use my Mommy skills at sneaking vegetables into meals, even if they aren't obvious. 

I am now at my official half-way point, I have lost 16 1/2 pounds, want to lose 16 1/2 pounds.  When I get to 125 I am going to re-evaluate.  We have rented a beach house with a pool for Christmas, so my goal is 125 by then.  After we the Holidays I will decide if I"m going to keep losing or move to maintenance. 

Thursday  Check In
Current Weight: 122
Progress This Week: Lost 2.6 lb

Hooray for Me:I measure everything I eat

Needs Improvement: Exercise and Eating enough. 

Thursday weigh in

Current weight 153

Progress down 1 from last week but still up 3 from start.

Hooray for me have been doing pretty well with weight lifting about 70 minutes\week.

Needs improvement want to lift more, 90 minutes\week. Need to quite eating,snacking, when I am not hungry.

I have not counted calories at all this week. I really needed a break from the whole thing for a while. So I think I have been doing pretty well considering that. Also that darn aunt flow is still missing. I called the doc. and they said if it gets to be like day 40 and she still is missing to give them a call and they could run some test. Well, I think I have until like Saturday or Sunday (not sure right at this moment). SO this makes me wonder if this has a lot to do with the fact that my weight loss and really slowed down this last month. I just wish the whole thing was figured out already.  I am glad to see that people are making to toward their goals. That really helps keep me going.

Thursday Check In
Current Weight: 143.8

Progress This Week: lost 0.7.  not great, but it's been an up-and-down couple of weeks, so i'm glad to be back on the down-side of the hill!

Hooray for Me: i've kept up with the running and it just keeps getting better.  oh - and i invested in a HRM, so hopefully that will add a dimension to my workouts (although i'm not so sure it's working.  according to it, the exertion of brushing my teeth just pushed my HR up to 228).

Needs Improvement: still not eating enough veggies.

I first wanted to say congratulations to everyone on their progress this week thus far. This is no easy thing we're doing, and I'm proud of everyone for their hard work.

Second of all, I would like to celebrate a momentous occasion. I am now officially in the 150's!!!! As in the same weight brackett where my GOAL weight is located!!! As in, the weight brackett I was in in high school and college! I have been at the same weight or higher for a month now, due to bad choices and a monstrous plateau. BUT NOW I WEIGH 159 POUNDS!!! I am in the 150's baby!!!!

It feels amazing. I just can't even believe I've made it from 230 when I started this thing, or from 179 when I started this forum. This is a HUGE deal for me!!!!  So here are my official stats for the week: 

Thursday Check In
Current Weight: 159!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Progress This Week: lost 1.25 pounds. FINALLY!!!!!!!!

Hooray for Me: I was at a ladies' get together with my favorite dessert, and I didn't over do it! I also baked truffle brownies this week and didn't overindluge. I've actually only had 1.5 since I made them for a meeting! Hooray for WILLPOWER! I also took up tennis with my wonderful husband after breaking down in front of him and telling him how much easier this whole weight loss thing would be if I were single and not married to a man who eats horribly, doesn't like to work out, and snacks all the time in front of me but doesn't gain weight. He bought us tennis rackets and decided to be productive for me. I love this guy. A lot.

Needs Improvement: I need to fit more weight lifting/toning into my schedule. Even a yoga class possibly. I've been doing a lot of cardio.