25-35 Pounds By Christmas? ***GROUP CLOSED***

Christmas is approximately 22 weeks away, give or take a few days. I would like to lose a minimum of 28 pounds by then...but losing 35 pounds would be even more awesome!!! I think this is a healthy and realistic goal...25-35 pounds in about, let's call it 21 weeks, is the equivalent of losing 1.19-1.66 pounds a week.
Would anyone like to join me? I would like to find a group of committed people who can support one another and celebrate together all along the way. Is anyone with me? I find it easiest to weigh in on Fridays, but we can each weigh in whenever. Just check in and support one another at least twice a week!
I currently weigh 222.4...I am trying to get to 195 by Christmas and 188 would be downright awesome!

Age: 21

SW: 147 (pre-challenge)

GW: 120

1. AUGUST 1: 142.2 lbs
2. AUGUST 8: 141.4 lbs
3. AUGUST 15: 140.4 lbs
4. AUGUST 22: ???
5. AUGUST 29: 140.0 lbs
6. September 9: 140.0 lbs
7. September 12: 139.8 lbs
8. September 19
9. September 26
10. OCTOBER 3
11. OCTOBER 10
12. OCTOBER 17
13. OCTOBER 24
14. OCTOBER 31
15. November 7
16. November 14
17. November 21
18. November 28
19. DECEMBER 5
20. DECEMBER 12
21. DECEMBER 19
22. DECEMBER 26

Loss this week: 0.2

Total loss for the challenge: 2.4 lbs

YAY, it's not by much but hopefully I've left the 140's behind for good!!!!!

Sorry I am late checking in!  I am on vacation and find it difficult to get online!

My progress is non-existent at the moment, I am really going to have to buckle down to it in the next few months, if I am to make my goal. Congratulations to all of you who are doing so well!

Height: 5'7  SW 180  GW 150 

1. Aug 1     178.8 
2. Aug 8     177.2 
3. Aug 15   177
4. Aug 22   177
5. Aug 29   177
   
6. Sept 5    177
   
7. Sept 12  177 (I am guessing at this because I am on vacation and do not
8. Sept 19          have access to scales!)
9. Sept 26
10. Oct 3
11. Oct 10
12. Oct 17
13. Oct 24
14. Oct 31
15. Nov 7
16. Nov 14
17. Nov 21
18. Nov 28
19. Dec 5
20. Dec 12
21. Dec 19
22. Dec 26

AGE: 46

HT:  5'7

SW 254

Challenge SW 246.6

Christmas GW  202

Ultimate GW 143

1. AUGUST 1 --->       246.0
2. AUGUST 8 --->     & nbsp; 243.0
3. AUGUST 15 -->      242.0
4. AUGUST 22 -->      241.0
5. AUGUST 29 -->      239.0
6. September 5 ->    239.0
7. September 12-->  238.0
8. September 19
9. September 26
10. OCTOBER 3
11. OCTOBER 10
12. OCTOBER 17
13. OCTOBER 24
14. OCTOBER 31
15. November 7
16. November 14
17. November 21
18. November 28
19. DECEMBER 5
20. DECEMBER 12
21. DECEMBER 19
22. DECEMBER 26

Achievement of the week:  I staggered my calories for the week.  My dad surprised me by preparing a sirloin steak dinner for me with macaroni and cheese, greens, and a glass of PEPSI!  I didn't have the heart to tell him no, so I ate it, and to my surprise, I enjoyed it without feeling guilty.  I scored 1900 for that day, and averaged about 1400-1600 for the rest of the week.

What I am noticing in this particular thread is that although many of us are moving slowly or not at all, or at a steady pace, no one is gaining 5 and 10 pounds or other drastic gains in the wrong direction, so that is definitely a good sign. 

I am learning that it takes time to fully understand how YOUR body works especially when you have to balance it with how much you're moving through the day.  I am also realizing that there are lots of things that can affect your weight in addition to eating healthy.  Too much salt, not enough fiber, personal medical conditions, bm regularity, and amount of water consumed can affect how quickly (or slowly) we lose weight. 

I think those weight loss commercials are an absolute joke.  If you notice, they always show the people who lose 40-100 pounds and then put in small print **results may vary.**  They don't tell you that your chances of doing what they did (in the time that they did it) are the same as your chances of winning the lottery.  They also don't tell you that the people you see were working out in the gym like run-away slaves; and furthermore, why is it that you never see these people a year or two later to show that they maintained their weight?  This always bothered me because they make people feel like they can't achieve the same goal, and then they become filled with shattered hopes and broken dreams...no longer wanting to go for the healthy body they were intended to have... all in the name of money.

Yes it Sunday, and I felt like preaching!  The collection plate will be emailed to you shortly!

Seriously though, we are all beautiful and worthy of having a healthy beautiful body.  For each of us it starts will healthy eating and some exercise.... after that, we must tailor everything else to our own specific needs.  Like with raising children, there is no one size fits all method, but there are universal rules that just make sense.  Be encouraged because there is only one you, and you deserve the very best including that size, 2,4,6, 8, 10 12, or 14 outfit you always wanted to wear! 

Go for it!  Take your time with it, encourage others, be encouraged, and lets do this!

Have a fabulous week!

PS: v_avila, a_mckh, you are all that, and a bag of LAY's potato chips with no calories!  Thanks for keeping us encouraged!

Betsy, we miss you!

1. AUGUST 1 : 158.8
2. AUGUST 8 :160 
3. AUGUST 15 : 158.8
4. AUGUST 22 : 155.4
5. AUGUST 29 : 156 (AUG 30)  OK just kick me out...still struggling
6. September 5 : 156.2  (Sept 6)
7. September 14 157.6
8. September 19
9. September 26
10. OCTOBER 3
11. OCTOBER 10
12. OCTOBER 17
13. OCTOBER 24
14. OCTOBER 31
15. November 7
16. November 14
17. November 21
18. November 28
19. DECEMBER 5
20. DECEMBER 12
21. DECEMBER 19
22. DECEMBER 26

a_mckh thanks for asking about how I am feeling :)  I am finally over the flu!  Got some emotional issues currently but I will be alright

You are really kicking but on the weight loss!

SW 212

Challenge SW 180

Current W       171

Christmas GW  155

Ultimate GW 135

1 lbs lost this week, 9 lbs total for the challenge.

1. AUGUST 1 --->    179
2. AUGUST 8 --->    176
   
3. AUGUST 15--->   176
   
4. AUGUST 22--->   175
   
5. AUGUST 29--->   174 -af
   
6. September 5-->  172 - My first Goal Achieved
   
7. September 12-->171
8. September 19
9. September 26
10. OCTOBER 3
11. OCTOBER 10
12. OCTOBER 17
13. OCTOBER 24
14. OCTOBER 31
15. November 7
16. November 14
17. November 21
18. November 28
19. DECEMBER 5
20. DECEMBER 12
21. DECEMBER 19

Have no achievement for the week. Going through some hard times with my sons health. Sorry for the late post.

 GSW 234.8

1. AUGUST 1- 233.0
2. AUGUST 8- 230.8
3. AUGUST 15- 229.6 
4. AUGUST 22- 228.0
5. AUGUST 29- 226.0
6. September 5- 224.8 
   
7. September 12- 221.8
8. September 19- 220.4
   
9. September 26
10. OCTOBER 3
11. OCTOBER 10
12. OCTOBER 17
13. OCTOBER 24
14. OCTOBER 31
15. November 7
16. November 14
17. November 21
18. November 28
19. DECEMBER 5
20. DECEMBER 12
21. DECEMBER 19
22. DECEMBER 26

Oh wow guys....this week has not been that good! I lost but I didnt do very well with exercise or eating. One positive is that I have lost 20 pounds from my original SW! That is big news to me. My #'s to lose has dropped from 80 to 60 and that is exciting! I need help eating better.....and exercising! Hope ya'lls week were cleaner and more active!

SW 212

Challenge SW 180

Current W     169

Christmas GW  155

Ultimate GW 135

2 lbs lost this week, 11 lbs total for the challenge.

1. AUGUST 1 --->    179
2. AUGUST 8 --->    176
   
3. AUGUST 15--->   176
   
4. AUGUST 22--->   175
   
5. AUGUST 29--->   174 -af
   
6. September 5-->  172 - My first Goal Achieved
   
7. September 12-->171
8. September 19-->169 -af
   
9. September 26
10. OCTOBER 3
11. OCTOBER 10
12. OCTOBER 17
13. OCTOBER 24
14. OCTOBER 31
15. November 7
16. November 14
17. November 21
18. November 28
19. DECEMBER 5
20. DECEMBER 12
21. DECEMBER 19

Hit the 160's, AF is due to visit.

This is not cool.. I don't normally ask for help in the eating department because I can figure things out pretty much on my own ~ it's all about trial and error ~ but this is the third week at 161 (really fluctuating between 160 - 161) and I don't know what's going on.. So here it goes - can we try and figure this out?

Up until 3 weeks ago, I was eating between 1300 - 1500 a day (August daily average was 1553 cals per day). I was walking 3 miles 3 times per week and doing some free weights (really minimal). The deficit wasn't great and was losing about .5 - 1 lbs per week. On September 1st, I started swimming and have been eating between 1350 - 1550 a day (September daily monthly average so far is 1498 cals per day). The very first week of swimming I lost 2 lbs and nothing since then. I still walk on days when I don't swim and lift weights (still minimal).

I always have a deficit - anywhere from 400 - 800 calories depending on the day. I also cook all my meals from scratch so I can really measure and keep an eye on things. My averages are 50/25/25 (carbs, protein, fat) and I get an A or A- consistently.

I first thought it was water retention due to my muscles healing themselves, then my period this week... I still think it could be water retention but 3 weeks of water retention? Am I building muscle? I measured at the beginning of the month and then again yesterday and I was pleasantly surprised to see I have lost 1" around my waist and 1/2 " on my legs and arms. Also my legs are much, much smoother (read c e l l u l i t e) and my arms are firmer .... So, what do you guys think? should I just wait it out? increase or decrease my calorie intake? throw the scale away? =)

SW 166.8
GW 135

1. AUGUST 1: 166.8
2. AUGUST 8: 166.2 
3. AUGUST 15: 165 
4. AUGUST 22: 163.4
5. AUGUST 29: 163
6. September 5: 161 - how cool!
7. September 12: 161
8. September 19: 161
9. September 26
10. OCTOBER 3
11. OCTOBER 10
12. OCTOBER 17
13. OCTOBER 24
14. OCTOBER 31
15. November 7
16. November 14
17. November 21
18. November 28
19. DECEMBER 5
20. DECEMBER 12
21. DECEMBER 19
22. DECEMBER 26

Vacation followed by a hurricane has resulted in my GAINING weight.  I've eaten a lot of salt lately (having no electricity kinda makes processed foods the only option) and it's also the first day of TOM so I'm trying not to read too much into anything, but it's still kinda bumming me out :-(

GW (Christmas): 150

1. August 1: 175
2. August 8: 174
3. August 15: 172
4. August 22: 172
5. August 29: 173
6. September 5: vacation
7. September 2: Hurricane Ike
8. September 19: 178

1. AUGUST 1 : 158.8
2. AUGUST 8 :160 
3. AUGUST 15 : 158.8
4. AUGUST 22 : 155.4
5. AUGUST 29 : 156 (AUG 30)  OK just kick me out...still struggling
6. September 5 : 156.2  (Sept 6)
7. September 14 157.6
8. September 19 154
9. September 26
10. OCTOBER 3
11. OCTOBER 10
12. OCTOBER 17
13. OCTOBER 24
14. OCTOBER 31
15. November 7
16. November 14
17. November 21
18. November 28
19. DECEMBER 5
20. DECEMBER 12
21. DECEMBER 19
22. DECEMBER 26

SW: 238 (185 at start of challenge)
GW: 155 (160 by Christmas!)

7/31/08 - 185.25
8/7/08 - 183.25
8/14/08 - 181.75
8/21/08 - 180.00
8/29/08 - 177.75
9/5/08 - 177.00
9/12/08 - 175.50
9/18/08 - 172.25
9/25/08
10/2/08
10/9/08
10/16/08 - ** Halfway point**
10/23/08
10/30/08
11/6/08
11/13/08
11/20/08
11/27/08
12/4/08
12/11/08
12/18/08
12/25/08

Loss this week: 3.25 pounds
Total loss for the challenge: 13.00 pounds

--

My happy moment of the week - besides my great loss this week (which I so needed) - was tonight when I went out and bought new pants.  I really needed to because my 14s were falling off (when I started CC I was wearing a size 22).  I ended up buying a pair of 10s which are a bit loose and a pair of 8s which are a bit snug.  I can't believe I could even zip up an 8.  I'm super happy righ tnow :D

v_avila if you're losing inches, who cares what the scale reads!  i personally wouldn't care if i weighed 200 lbs but was a size 6 with toned arms and legs (impossible i know).  keep doing what your doing!  it sounds like its working to me!

alle, congrats on the tremendous weight loss and the new pair of pants!  i can imagine how satisfied you must feel!  you're well on your way to actually losing 25 lbs for christmas!

im proud to say ive maintained my weight under 140lbs, but not by much.  this week i will admit though, i did eat out on 2 occassions, once at boston pizza (where i had a stromboli... looked up the calories after and the thing had 975 Cal in it!! holy moly!) nd then chicken wings (the worst, i know, shame on me!) at Crabby Joes.  But i'm making exceptions because i had 2 great meals, with great friends i hadn;t seen all summer, so it was worth it.  aside from that, ive been really busy at school and with my 2 jobs.  i jsut realized today that i manage 30 hours of work a week, plus im a full time student taking 6 courses.  i didnt realize how much in over drive i really am.  you would think i'd be losing weight because i must nothave time to eat, but instead i jsut eat crappy take out, or a lot of carbs (like granola bars) which are bad for me.

anyways, im jsut gonna post my weight up now...

Age: 21

SW: 147 (pre-challenge)

GW: 120

1. AUGUST 1: 142.2 lbs
2. AUGUST 8: 141.4 lbs
3. AUGUST 15: 140.4 lbs
4. AUGUST 22: ???
5. AUGUST 29: 140.0 lbs
6. September 9: 140.0 lbs
7. September 12: 139.8 lbs
8. September 19: 139.6 lbs
9. September 26
10. OCTOBER 3
11. OCTOBER 10
12. OCTOBER 17
13. OCTOBER 24
14. OCTOBER 31
15. November 7
16. November 14
17. November 21
18. November 28
19. DECEMBER 5
20. DECEMBER 12
21. DECEMBER 19
22. DECEMBER 26
23. 
    
24. Loss this week: 0
25. 
    
26. Total loss for the challenge: 2.4 lbs

Great job Z!!!! thank you at_one for the encouraging words! 

So, I weighed myself this morning and the scale read 159.6 ~ I promised myself I would not get excited until I saw 158 for a couple of days at least... so I'll just wait before I start doing cartwheels!

I'm hoping to see lower numbers this week.. I am so over seeing 160/161 on my scale, it's not even funny!!

Hi all! Sorry my weight in is really late this week!!

SW: 223

CGW: 187

GW: 135

1. AUGUST 1 --- 221
2. AUGUST 8 --- 217 
3. AUGUST 15 - 215.2
4. August  22 --XXX
5. August 29 ---212
6. Sept. 5   -----211.4
7. Sept. 12 -----209.2
8. Sept. 21 -----206.4

AGE: 46

HT:  5'7

SW 254

Challenge SW 246.6

Christmas GW  202

Ultimate GW 143

1. AUGUST 1 --->    246.0
2. AUGUST 8 --->    243.0
3. AUGUST 15 -->   242.0
4. AUGUST 22 -->   241.0
5. AUGUST 29 -->   239.0
6. September 5 -> 239.0
7. September 12 >238.0
8. September 19 >237.0
9. September 26
10. OCTOBER 3
11. OCTOBER 10
12. OCTOBER 17
13. OCTOBER 24
14. OCTOBER 31
15. November 7
16. November 14
17. November 21
18. November 28
19. DECEMBER 5
20. DECEMBER 12
21. DECEMBER 19
22. DECEMBER 26

Achievement of the week: I learned how to do squats and lunges correctly, so I will now include them in my daily routine.  Our 14th wedding anniversary was Wednesday, and my hubby's b-day was Friday, so we went a way for the weekend.  I am happy that I was able to fluctuate my calories better than I had in the past.

Leslie- Congrats on 20 pounds down!

V_Aliva- A scale is only one means of measurement, and long as you are seeing positive results, you are doing something right.  Just be sure you are eating enough food to compensate for your workout.

Ally-First of all, thank God you are ok.  You have time to get back on track as things begin to return to normal for you.  Just make sure you are drinking enough water to flush out some of that salt...

Alle- Congrats on the change in pants size!  No numbers on the scale can compare to that!

Hey guys -

I started this challenge and recently dropped out.  Just wanted to see if I could re-join.  I had a major loss in my life 8/20/08 and put alot of things on hold.  I can't say I'm completely back on track from that, but I miss this part of my life.  I haven't logged my food since she died and I'm trying to start that agian.  Thank fully, the weight hasn't gone up.  But it hasn't gone down either.  So, I was wondering if it's possible to come back to the challenge having been away for over a month now.  Thanks.

Tricia

So happy to have you back Tricia... this is a great place for support, not only for weight loss but for tough days also.  Happy to know you are trying to start again.

And I am back after 8 days of vacation... you KNOW I was scared to step on that scale today!! 

Age:  40

Height:  5'1"

SW:  151

CSW:  147

CGW:  125

GW:  119

1. AUGUST 1 --->   145.8 
2. AUGUST 8  --->  144.6
3. AUGUST 15 --->  143.2
4. AUGUST 22 ---> 142.2
5. AUGUST 29 ---> 141.6
6. September 5 --> 139.8
7. September 12 -> 138.0
8. September 23 -> 137.4 
9. September 26
10. OCTOBER 3
11. OCTOBER 10
12. OCTOBER 17
13. OCTOBER 24
14. OCTOBER 31
15. November 7
16. November 14
17. November 21
18. November 28
19. DECEMBER 5
20. DECEMBER 12
21. DECEMBER 19
22. DECEMBER 26

Challenge weight loss - 9.6  lbs, 12.4 pounds to Challenge Goal

So.. where is everyone? hope you are all doing well..

Hi V

I check in here all the time, but it seems like it's a really slow thread most days. Weigh in tomorrow and I'm nervous. I haven't counted a calorie in two weeks. Son had a health scare and I'm just getting back on track. I do wish some of the folks that joined early on where still with us.  I'll post my stats in the A.M

R

Hi R - I'm sorry to hear your son was ill.. I hope he is doing better!

I've been entertaining the idea of easing up on the calorie counting as it feels a llittle too compulsive ... =?  but I don't know if I'm brave enough..

Well, good luck tomorrow for weigh in!