Clean Eating Challenge!

Ok, so for many of us the hardest part about getting into shape is eating healthy!  This challenge is a personal challenge.  The goal is to hold yourself accounable for what you eat, and hopefully by reporting back to the group we will be able to take charge in our diets a little more forcefully!  Lets support eachother and work together to meet our personal goals! 

There is no deadline for sign-ups, anyone can join at any time!!

All you have to do is check in once a week (at least) & let us know how you're doing. If/when you "cheat", simply let us know & I will restart your start date. 

A cheat is defined as whatever a cheat would mean to you personally, whether it be going over your calories, bingeing, not eating enough, too many treats, etc. We all know when we've cheated, so just be honest with yourself

Let's be honest with each other & keep each other eating clean k? The PRIZE to the winner? Well that's easy - weight loss!!!!!!!!! (or maintenance for those at that stage!) Let's do this! 

Austie

********************************************* ***

Here's the list of all signed up & the new rules:
(let me know if I missed you) 

If you lose your mind & cheat, just let me know. Then you can re-start from the next day. I'll simply unbold your name, along with updating your new start date. 

After being clean for a week after a re-start, I'll re-bold your name. So you always have a chance to feel like you are succeeding. 

Also, if you just don't feel like you want to partake in the challenge anymore, can you let me know so I can remove your name from the list? Thanks!! 

Anyone not checking in for one week (Monday through Sunday) will be removed from the challenge.

Good luck all! People's names in bold have been going the longest or have not restarted for at least a week - way to go!!!!!!!!

*sinkpea                              9/27

*losingfocus                         9/26

*lauralackner                      9/27

*Crackster                           10/13

*mischiefdm                          10/01

*ranchobernardo                  10/14

*Franklinmeister                  9/21

*sbverly                                10/06

*Austiemg                             10/23

*Aritzia                                  10/05

*incrediblyshrinkingmel           10/5

*Patsykb                                  10/06

*Tree0421                                10/23

Jennc2                                       10/6

Thinnathwen01                         10/10

Welcome to the new thread everyone, hope that we did not lose anyone!!!!

Looks like I will be joining your team at just the right time.  I don't have to get used to the old thread before having to adjust to the new thread.  So, please sign me up, and I will see where this takes me.

I will be honest.  I feel a little out of place amongst all the health-conscious folks, as I have never really been that concerned for my size or weight.  I am about 25 lbs over my preferred weight (225, rather than the more-comfortable 200), but I have a large build and am more prone to bulk up than I am to lose weight.  I am not so concerned with my weight, or even my eating habits for that matter, as I am for my overall health. 

Having said that, I am already noticing the fact that just being part of CalorieCount has already got me looking over packaging before I buy it, and - ironically - counting Calories.  Obviously my eating habits leave much to be desired, so hopefully your challenge will help me to get a clue.

I am VERY new to this entire forum method, so perhaps I am attempting to enter the wrong challenge.  If that is the case, please let me know, and I will look elsewhere.  Otherwise, I will look forward to keeping in touch with you on a regular basis.

I'll have to remember to come here from now on.

Still going strong with eating clean... I have decided that I  need to pre-plan my meals for a couple of days at a time to eliminate my weak moments. On the cards for tea tonight is some steamed veg and a little bit of steak.

A couple of much needed days off are on the cards for me - though it is still pouring down with rain (I am told it is our 16th straight week of rain and to expect 25 - 30 mm tomorrow)... not so condusive to running.. But an excersize challenge is on the cards for me this week - nothing strict I am just challenging myself to put something on my HRM watch every day for 7 days straight. I am hoping to be able to do a couple of chin ups one day soon!
 

Went to what I thought was a weight training class, but turned out to be body sculpting.  Felt a little out of place, as there was only two guys, and trillions of women, but since I was there (and was there with/for my wife), I figured, "what the heck".  It was like DEATH! 

I work nights, so I hadn't actually slept, or eaten, when I went, so I felt a bit depleted, but I stuck it out.  The running was REALLY rough, but even that I did alright with, when push came to shove.  Overall, a successful first day.  And now I am going to sit down for some pasta and squash for dinner.  This new lifestyle is going to take some getting used to. 

Hi  Austiemg!

Not sure if I'm supposed to reply to your initial post or send you a message to join. The reason I'd like to join this challenge is because I actually joined CC in June and have only lost 10 lbs. Actually, I lost 18 and gained back like 8 or 9. I joined the lose 40-50 lbs. by Thanksgiving challenge and I think I'm going to fail that one. Basically I'd like to join to force myself to check-in every week and stay on track. I have not been strict about making my calorie intake everyday and have even binged a few times so I may have to have my name un-bolded, but I still would like to check in every week whether or not I cheat or even if I don't cheat and still don't lose weight. I am currently around 236, started at 243 and am a 5 foot 4 inch female. My first goal is to make it to 200. And my second goal is to check-in at this clean eating challenge forum every week.

Starting today I will be posting my progress...and it WILL be progress! Good luck to everyone!

I guess I'm still in and clean eating this week has resulted in a lb down so far. My activities are constant too.

Good luck to all and thanks for the challenge.

Hey Austie:

I found you. Thank you

Sharon

Actually found the link and hit it before I knew why!  Had to go back and catch up on everyone and find out why the big change.  Don't really understand the reasoning, but at least they aren't kicking us out!  I made it one more week at goal!  That makes me really happy since staying at goal is harder for me than losing the weight.  My goal initally was to lose 20 lbs...I know that's not a lot to some, but for me it was.  I've actually lost 30 and am really happy where I'm at now........but, like I said, it's not the losing....it's the mindset to maintain it!  I've looked at the 'maintenance' groups on CC, but none of the groups I've looked into have the same....what's a good word for this.....the same concerns for each other.....the same, oh I don't know, but this group is something special .... so hope you don't mind that I hang in here with all of you.  The support is amazing.  To you who have just joined...stick with it and with the group.....it is so supportive even if all you ever do is just read through it.  The suggestions and concern for everyone in this group is great.

Thanks for listening to all that .

Have a great rest of the week!

Okay, I'm in, still on track too.....haven't failed the challenge since I started 9/8.

Thanks!

I have some updating to do- add some and some restarts...and i promise i will get to that...but first

I am a bad girl.  Icecream last night (super yummy strawberry, shouldnt shop while hungry!) and denny's swiss mushroom burger and fries and choc shake today...so today i have to get a restart.  but i made it several days this time, much better then before!  oh and we got our new tred mill today- and then my husband informed me that he has to put it together :(  i thought i could take it out of the box and start using it before he got home, but i guess not.  I am excited to use it.  I have a new goal to go with eating clean, it is to work out at least 3 days a week.  This will help me eat better too, cause who wants to blow all of that hard work with nasty food?!  

Franklinmeister- welcome to the group!  Now rancho wont have to feel so alone, since he was the only guy before!  Dont feel self conscious around are group, we have so many different types of people with so many different goals- we are all here for our own reasons and find support in that! great job sticking with the class, even though it was not what you were expecting!

Gmkal- Posting a repsonse is exactly what you were supposed to do!  Welcome to the group!  Dont worry about needing a restart, really the challenge is only something to help motivate you!  Most of us have stumbled and many of us have fallen, but the real challenge is not giving up when you do need to aske for a restart.  We are glad to have you join us!  Oh and be sure the check in every week, cheat or not, as that is how i know that you are still a part of this challenge!  If you forget then I will take you off of the list, when you come back I will gladly add you back on, but not forgetting is best!

Sbev- glad your not lost! I worry about everyone!

Sinkpea-  I guess rules are rules, they say that this is the correct area for us to be in, so we are in it now!  It will keep them from emailing me every week!  I think that 20 pounds (while you are right and some people may not think that it is a lot) makes a HUGE difference in our bodies!  Great job, keep up the good work!

Sbev- i forgot, great job on the challenge!  What is the next one! I will make a valid effort to keep up with you!  Too bad on the bender, but it would have been WAY worse if you had not done the challenge too!

I know I am the new guy, and all, with absolutely NO experience in this type of forum, but I still must agree with sinkpea.  This does seem like a fairly close group (just judging from the interaction from a relatively third-person, outside-looking-in perspective.  I like it, and appreciate you letting me in.

Austiemg, I agree with you, as well, regarding ruining all the hard with with "nasty food" (as if "nasty" was really the best word for it.  -if it was nasty, of course it would not be such a bummer not to eat it, but I digress).  I relate to that, because it just occurred to me how much money I am going to save by behaving myself when it comes to my diet. 

I have mentioned before that I am not particularly concerned with what I eat, or even how much I eat.  I must recant that statement.  It is actually becoming something of an obsession for me to keep track of every little thing I eat.  I honestly look forward to getting back to my computer so I can put it all into my account.  OCD, I know.  But back to saving me money:

Normally, we eat at Chili's Grill and Bar three or four times a week, whether for lunch or dinner.  I am not into alcohol, so I have no problem avoiding the Calories that come with such beverages.  Because of that, I have considered myself "safe" from all those "extra" Calories one finds lurking in a neighborhood dining facility. 

Anyways, we were going to drop by for lunch today, and I am SO GLAD I checked with the almighty Calorie Count before we did.  I would have TOTALLY blown it today, and would have to be giving you a "restarting" message, even though I am only a few days into this.  Have you ever looked at a menu like that?  YIKES!!!  Even their "guiltfree" menu items should be marched out and shot!  We normally get the queso dip and spinach dip, with chips, to start us off before worrying about ordering.  3000 CALORIES BETWEEN THE TWO, AND THAT IS JUST THE APPETIZERS!!!!  We ended up settling on slimfast-based shakes made with real fruit!  Aaaaagh, I think I might have been abducted by aliens and my brain was switched or something.  The worst part was I REALLY liked the shake (we threw in some extra dietary suppliments as well, making them well rounded meal replacements - as though I need to justify this bazaar behavior to any of you.  LOL).

My body is wracked with pain from my demonically-inspired body sculpting class yesterday (wow. I think that might have sounded a little bit gay.  I really am straight, by the way).  In spite of that pain, I have a cycling class tomorrow after work.  Same instructor, but this is the class I have actually been attending for more than a week now.  My body is protesting.  It is just going to have to deal with it.  Bye for now.

Oh yeah.  I forgot to add:

Congratulations mischiefdm and Losingfocus on your efforts and accomplishments.  Keep up the good work.

Still hanging on... 10 days now! I have been keeping on my planned clean meals. I am still hitting the veggie markets rather than the supermarket for everything to prevent that evil choccy aisle. I have only taken enough shrapnel for the parking meter to avoid the vending machines! (though I got caught out yesterday when they raised the parking meter by 10c). I had a minor stumble last night when I went to Dad's for his lamb roast.. but I wont re-start because I have allowed myself to have one big dinner a week within my rules.

Big achievement for me today - TWO chin ups I know that actually sounds like quite a little acheivment but I find them really tricky (almost impossible) so it has taken alot of work to pump out two.. next step 10!! The clean eating has definately helped as I have lost a little weight.

franklinmeister - so will you be going as a regular to the sculpting class now? It sounds like a good class - even if you were startled by it!

gmkal - welcome along there! I think I am on my 4 or 5th re-start already so don't fret about it.. I think most of us here are doing that but it is great motivation! Austie works very hard keeping it all on track and updated.

sinkpea - I think even this is a great forum for maintaining too - because you set your own goals and its about eating clean rather than dieting.

austie - How exciting new work out equipment! And you're right once you've made the effort to work out who does want to ruin it! I have a boss at work who recently had her first child. She was so worried about working out because she ran out of time and couldn't go far from home. She got a treadmill too and put the little tacker in the little play seat and just plod away on the treadmill. She kept saying it was the best investment she made (they are not cheap at all!) because she didn't have to leave the kids and could be there if she was needed.

Thanks for the kudos FM.......still keeping within my guidelines although comparerd to lots of you here, 1600 calories a day is a breeze vs. 1200.  I'm addicted to working out so that's no problem, luckily.  I'm going to stay within this 1600 (I average it out from start) for up to 4 weeks.....if I don't lose any, and I haven't so far, I'll drop it down to 1500 I guess.  Until I get to my body fat scale, I'll plug away, because I think I may be tightening up, gaining muscle so that's why the scale is stagnant.  We'll know after October 16th!

Exercise everyone, you owe it to yourself!  It's the best, most confidence building thing to do.  You'll feel so powerful over everything in your life.  Really!

Definitely still planning on continuing with the body sculting.  It is a pretty kick-butt class, even if it wasn't what I anticipated initially.  It is really pretty much still a weight class, just using Nautilus machines in a high speed, low weight, high rep, high intensity sort of way.  lol

Okay, so here is the update.  My wife recently got her aerobics certification (which is what has spawned this change in life style for me).  She has been really hitting the gym a lot lately, having shed 40+ pounds over the last year and a half.  She started talking about the instructor thing (which seemed like an impossible task at the time.  Now, a year later, she is certified, and just got picked up by a gym (with three more wanting her) starting next month.  There seems to be an incredible shortage of instructors. 

I checked out a couple of cycling classes, and the "weight training" class (all of which I am going to continue attending).  I signed up to CC, stumbled across this forum, and have now lost 7 pounds.  CRAZY!!!

So, still going strong.  Loving it, no matter how painful it is at times.  So if you are out there, just remember you are not alone.  Keep it up.

Hi Franklin- LOL. You guys always think that classes for women are so easy. They're not are they???? Love your spirit. It doesn't matter what your motivation for starting, you're hear and getting healthy and 7 lbs is ridiculous. Keep it up and keep us posted. Am quite enjoying your posts.

losingfocus- so you seem to be really into exercise. This is probably going to be a breeze for you. But join me in a Bob challenge this weekend. Its 7 miles on the bike and 3-5 miles walk or run on the same day. How about it?

crackster- rock on sister. You're blowing me out of the water with the clean eating, but I'm cheering for you!!! And as for the 2 chin-ups. Please, the only way I can get my chin up is to tilt it. Pulling dead weight up is no easy feat and 2 is tremendous.

Austie- as here is Bob's psychochallenge that I am trying this weekend, although this is actually a day challenge. 7 miles on the bike and 3-5 miles walk or running. I'm going to try for 5 miles jogging. That man is certifiable with his cardio, I swear!!! If I'm still alive we'll pick up next week. Way to go on getting back on track before being a bad girl and after. Hope hubby's been busy, so that you can trot out Bob's challenge without another thought. You'd be like, "psycho?"- how is this psycho? This was easy man, bring on the other challenge!!! By the by- Rancho has not actually confirmed that he's a guy. We're just assuming from the screen name. he's a quiet one, I've got to admit, but for me, for some reason, he always manages to get me to smile with his one or two lines .

sinkpea- Yeah!!! Great job. Definitely stick with us. I remember the first time it clicked for me that this was really a lifestyle change. I was doing a paper for a psychology class and chose to do it on obesity. It was to do an annotated bibliography, so I ended up reading all of these books. The one thing that stuck out- FAT CELLS NEVER DIE. THEY SHRIVEL BUT THEY NEVER DIE, SO WHEN DIET GOES BACK TO "NORMAL" THEY EXPAND AND THAT LEADS TO WEIGHT GAIN. That really made me realise that once you have weight issues, its more like you're managing weight that you've overcome it, just like you manage diabetes. there is no cure. Chronic slip-ups will definitely lead to weight gain. So I think its great to keep on counting and remaining accounatable even though you're in maintenance, and this group is exceptional. Ain't no doubt about that. Although these days missing a few people- MrsRoo; Mel, Vera and other folks???

Got to go back to work. Anyone who wants to jump in on Bob's psycho workout feel free!!!

Sharon

Okay SBeverly, will see if I can handle Bob's challenge, 7 miles bike 3-5 mile walk, same day.  Probably Sunday.  Thanks for something to look forward to!

Still clean eating, still the same on the scale but I think I'm looking better. 

You are right about Crackster, 2 chin-ups, I've been working out for years and can't do that!  I definitely have more lower body than upper body strength.  I think I'll try one again today, see what happens....haven't stepped up to the chin up bar in awhile.

FM:  That is really something about your wife, losing 40 pounds then becoming an instructor.......I always thought that would be a dream, get paid for working out!  Years back I belonged to Women's Workout World and they were looking for instructors........I felt shy but decided to apply, I didn't quite look like them but I was in good shape.......they didn't even acknowledge my application!  I'm too old now to try I would think.....we'll see.  And what a great influence on your life!  Happy for you guys.

Have a great weekend all, remember to treat yourselves with love, eat well, get some activity and have fun!

hey everyone!  Ok so this week was going good, then the hubby came home!  Good news is that there have been no "binge" days or meals, but it hasnt been too healthy either!  But yesterday i did ride the bike for 20 min- and i did it with isaac sitting on my knees, you wanna feel a good burn from a statoinary bike, put a 12 pound weight on your leg! It was funny cause he seemed to really enjoy it!  And we got the tred mil and put it together, so that is great, maybe now i can use it!  

Frank- your a machine dude!  And your wife kicks butt!  What a great goal she set for herself, and achieving it... wow!  And your right the food isnt "nasty" tasting, i was thinking more along the lines of nasty for the body! (rather then the mouth!) Great job on resisting to eat bad for you food! 

Crackster- two pullups?!!!  Wow!  The other day my husband and i were standing in the workout room talking and I was hanging on the pull-up bar, then he said "hey why dont you see if you can do a pull-up?"  which would have been not funny at all...except that is what i was trying to do!!!  it was so pathetic that he couldnt even tell.  we had a good laugh at it!  Anyways, you are doing GREAT!!!!  

Sbev- that is quite a challenge!  I am going to do it!  But it wont be till monday cause today is, well full.  and tomorrow i am going to work a shift at my old job for the first time in six months, and 7 hours waitressing with no break is going to be hard enough without being exauhsted from crazy bobs cardio!  and sunday is my day off...but monday i will do it!  And i will try to get my husband to do it with me!  He worked out for an hour this morning- so my guess is he will try it!   and i thought that rancho said he was a man in his very first post...but i could be wrong!