Posts by tatertotaggie

It didn't look like we were editing our original post, so here's the new one:

July 1st - 132

July 8th - 131.3 (not much, but I've been sick and haven't worked out so I'll take what I can get!)

July 15th -

July 22nd -

July 29th -

I don't know. It's really bizarre. I started off at a size 12/13. Now I wear usually a 4 or 6 in womens, and anywhere from a 5 to 7 in juniors. And yeah, sometimes if I order something online based on my measurements, the outfit ends up too big and I have to order something smaller? So, that is confusing as well. I never know what size I will wear until I've gotten the same brand a few times. I still don't understand all the variations.

kaetlynm, I went to Italy for a month a couple of years ago (back in my oversized t-shirt days even), and I know what you mean! I had some sleazy old man try to feel me up on a crowded bus. Italian men. Ugggh! I totally empathize with you.

And it is ridiculous that we should feel like we have to cover up our whole bodies just so we don't get those reactions, ESPECIALLY when not wearing anything bad. I have been wanting to take Krav Maga. I guess that could come in handy. It's just frustrating you know, that people can get away with that type of behavior. I'm tired of it. And like I said before, it's not the nice second glances or compliments that I have a problem with, but the nasty, grimy, 40 year old men in the grocery store type.

Let's see, at first, when I was overweight, it was to get fit and healthy and feel better and look better. Now that I am at a healthy weight and level, I still want to tone up more and look better and lose that last little belt of fat around my mid-section (I wonder if that desire to do more will ever go away? Do you ever stop feeling like you'll wake up one day only to find yourself overweight again? Do you ever feel like you FINALLY reached your goal?) But I watched the Terminator movies recently, and I seriously now just want to be tough and athletic like Linda Hamilton (how fun would it be to be a guerilla fighter against those robots!!! I so pretend in my head that I'm running after them, or from them, when I'm on the treadmill!), and yet I still also want to look feminine and sexy for my wedding and honeymoon, and afterward.

Come on TEAM 2!!!

Team: 2

Starting weight (May 4): 132 lbs

Goal weight: 125 lbs (by end), 131 lbs by this week

Week 1 (May 11) weigh in:

Week 1 Challenge points earned:

Challenge Deficit: 500 cals/day

Hi, and welcome. There are so many great people on this forum. It's a very encouraging place and there's no shortage of advice on everything from nutrition to workouts. My biggest tips:

1. Workout. Exercise. Find an activity that you really enjoy (because if you don't enjoy it you won't stick with it) and get active.

2. Calorie Deficit. If you burn 500 more calories a day than you eat, then over a week you should lose about a pound. A deficit of 3500 calories is equal to a one pound weight loss. (Sometimes it doesn't seem like it though.)

3. Do WHATEVER you have to do to keep at it. I made little posters with encouraging quotes like "Bikini Body" and "Vitory" and "You Can Do It!" and posted them on my front door so I could read them before I leave for the day. I'll do anything I can to help me stay on track.

These are pretty basic and vague, I know, but it really comes down to working out and watching what you eat and keeping with it. Of course, there's a lot more that can help you workout better and eat better, but you'll be able to find all that on these forums. Good luck!

Alrighty, I'm in. 

5'6", 23 years old, CW: 133 lbs, GW: 125 lbs

Actually, I'm more about my measurements than my weight now, and toning up, so I'm gonna post that as well. Current Waist: 28", Goal Waist: 26"

Also want to tone my abs/love handles.

LOL, yes, the tears! I'm always scared I'm going to drive my fiance insane when I start crying over overything and get ubersensitive, but he's so sweet and understanding, so I'm so lucky in that regards. I'm going to try the vitamin B thing. I've never been clinically diagnosed with depression (though I've never seen anyone about it), but I used to suffer from it so much. Now it's not too bad, but when it comes up, it's very strong. So, I'm going to give the vitamin B a chance. Oh, and the funny thing about being depressed is that no one would ever think it about me as I'm usually super spunky around people, even if I'm feeling so bad on the inside, lol.

You're right. It doesn't magically change. I do in general feel so much better about myself. I usually do realize how far I've come. And I actually do feel sexy at times. And then other times I feel like I'm the fat ugly girl who for a short period of time thought she had gotten fit and was pretty, only to realize that she was kidding herself. So, you're right, it is in the mind a lot. My fiance feels bad sometimes and blames himself when I feel like this. I told him last night that he has always been so supportive and encouraging to me that it is all in my head and nothing he has done. It's just a bad mental problem/pattern that I have to break.

Sometimes it's easier to get past it than others. As far as what has worked for me in the past, since we're sharing how to get over those days, are...

Like you mentioned, looking at old pictures of yourself. Also, I have a sheet that shows my progress since last year when I weighed 167lbs and all of my previous measurements, so that helps. It's lso nice when my fiance really shows me how attracted he is to me when I feel this way. Other times, I just get more determined and exercise. I don't really have too much else, as this is one of my biggest struggles, and it can really leave you so depressed. So, anyone else, please share. This is for everyone who struggles no matter how far they've come.

I just bought an Omron Fat Loss Monitor at Academy yesterday for $30. Tells you your BMI and Fat percentage using the electrical pulse thing (can't remember what it's called right now). Works very well. I know many doctors and gyms use this even in place of a caliper test. This is not on a scale, and the readings for me only change by .2%, so pretty accurate and stable.

Have been SUPER busy lately, but I just finished my day 6/30. I started level 2 yesterday, which was a great change, and while I feel like I'm going to die at first, I feel so good afterward (exhausted in a good way), and I still feel like I am going to make my goal. I have lost 6 pounds in the past 5 weeks. I'm super excited! Keep going everyone!

You bet you can join! It's a great workout!

I'll be doing my day 3 today. Yesterday I rested because the day before I did so much working out, and well, I also had work and class and didn't have time yesterday. But today I'm gonna do it! I feel great, and super strong. You really feel energized afterwards! And since I've been sticking to the eating guidelines as best as I can, I really feel healthier too! So, I'm super excited and super excited for all of you! Have a great day everyone!

Yeah, the sodium thing is really difficult. And it's been a bit difficult getting my ratios correct. I guess it takes learning and experiementing. Just remember though everyone, if something is working for you the way you want it to, then stick with that. I had plateaued a month ago, so I really needed a change, and I figured I'd give this a try. So far it is working me like crazy, and I've been really good at giving up junk food and really keeping to portions. And I'm actually satisfied with what I'm eating, so it's great. Yes, keep up the good work everyone! We're going to see results in a matter of weeks!

Okay...here I go. This is from Jillian's book Making The Cut which is focusing on helping people who need to lose the last 10 pounds or so. So, this is different from losing tons of weight by drastically cutting your calorie intake. In chapter 2 of the book she gives the Rules, so I'll lay them out for you:

1) Eat your Basal Metabolic Rate. She uses the following formulas:

Women: BMR = 655 + (4.35 x weight in pounds) + (4.7 x height in inches) - (4.7 x age in years)

So, whatever rate you calculate from that, try to stick to about that many calories a day.

2) Eat for your metabolic type. This is where you would probably need the book as it has a quiz to find which type you are out of three possible ones: Slow, Balanced, or Fast Oxidizer. If you are a slow oxidizer, you want to balance your eating to about 60% carbs, 25% protein, and 15% fat. If you are balanced, you want it at 40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat. And fast oxidizers need 30% carbs, 40% protein, and 30% fat.

3) Eat Every Four Hours - pretty obvious

4) No Processed or Junk Foods - Period! - her words, not mine. That means throw out what you KNOW is bad.

5) Eat Less Sodium (she recommends about 1000mg a day or less) and drink more water.

6) No Alcohol

Also, she receommends recording your food intake (hey, this site is PERFECT for that!)

As far as what foods everyone should eat on this plan, it depends on your type. It would take forever to write them all down, but I would suggest just finding what foods are healthy and conglomerating them to fit your macronutrient ratio. I believe you can take the quiz on her website (I thought someone posted that), but that is her advice from that particular book.

Of course you can join. Anyone is welcome. This is just a place for those who want to take the 30 Day Shred challenge. The more the merrier!

I did 1 of 30 yesteday, workout 1. I've also kept tags on my eating with Jillian's book.

This I'll do day 2. This morning I went to the Y and did about 40 minutes of strength training and 20 mins on the eliptical. Watching what I'm eating still and documenting everything. It's all coming along great. I feel so good. And I know for sure that I will be able to do this for 30 days.

If any of you doubt that you can make it through to the end, just focus on victory. Tell yourself that you WILL succeed at your goals. Picture it. Make it the truth. Once you've made it truth in your mind, you will reach them! Good job everyone, and keep going!