SCHMOOZE & LOSE III - FINAL WEEK (Nov 8-14) CLOSED

Need extra help and support? Join me in the battle to lose those pounds! No goal weights for this group…just a determination to lose. Post your weigh-in on THURSDAY, FRIDAY or SATURDAY!!!YOU CHOOSE!!

GET INVOLVED!!!  Each Sunday we will be presenting a mini-challenge for all participants to take part in. You might have to post your favorite snack under 100 calories or tell everyone the nicest compliment you have recieved so far.  Message me with your ideas and recieve honorable mention as the week's BIGGEST SCHMOOZER!

This group is all about keeping that postitive attitude throughout your journey. It doesn't matter if you are just starting out or are maintaining, everyone needs someone to lean on now and then. So SCHMOOZE & LOSE with your friends and stay motivated!

WHAT TO EXPECT:

1. This is our 3rd S&L group. 89 people signed up for S&L II and about 25 finished it. There is no reason to drop out! It's a support group and there is no reason to feel ashamed if you're having a hard time! Don't give up! We're all fighting the same fight!
2. I update the weigh-ins on Sunday afternoons. Late weigh-ins are accepted but may not be added until the following Sunday.
3. The scales can be our biggest critic. If you're not up to posting your weight on certain weeks, that's fine. This is all about staying motivated. 
4. Mini-challenges will be posted on Sunday. We hope that everyone will take part, but if you don't, there is no pressure. We're here to support you on this journey.
5. Feel free to use this group as a place to express yourself -  fears, frustrations, worries, goals, triumphs, successes. We are here to support and motivate one another, whether you're doing great or struggling.

NAME.........................START.........CU RRENT.......LOSS    
10bysummer..............  10.0..... ..........9.0................1.0
1jblessed54...............198.2...........200 .6................ **
2bslimmer...................208.0..........20 5.0.................3.0
abrilflores...................197.0.......... .195.0................2.0
acomley11..................249.6...........24 8.2................1.4
amandaj.....................194.0...........1 89.6................4.4
amandief....................221.8...........2 18.7................3.1
ameame.....................223.4...........22 2.9................0.5
angie952....................179.0...........1 63.0................16.0
annasuzrekab.............275.0..........260.0 ................15.0
augenblick..................157.0...........1 57.0................0
augette......................244.0........... .241.0...............3.0
baby_angel_love.......151.2............145.6. ..............5.6
chelle5787.................179.2............1 73.8...............5.4
clinder........................207.8......... ...197.4...............10.4
comom23...................151.2............14 9.4...............1.8
crazypotato98...........144.0.............142 .0..............2.0
crystines....................164.0........... ..162.0..............2.0
cydonia9....................181.4............ .179.0..............2.4
determined_persist...191.0
dragonflyy20.............195.0..............1 92.6..............2.6
dxtreme45.................173.6.............. 170.2.............3.4
foleyfan.....................246.8
foodietootie..............205.0.............. .202.0.............3.0
fsi0918......................169.8
gg9720.....................155.0............. ..140.0.............15.0
gpliska......................198.4........... ....198.5............. **
hammerup.................239.0..............2 18.0.............21.0
hljelly.........................203.0
inikalicious.................212.0........... ....195.6.............16.4
jessicasheppard34....177.4...............174. 6.............2.8
jkserig.......................200.2
jlfrench1....................175.0
jsh.............................242.0........ .......241.5..............0.5
katyayer....................169.0............ ...167.0..............2.0
kay90........................125.7........... .....125.6.............0.1
keenanri....................145.5............ ...150.0............. **
laurarenaybull............166.8.............. .155.2............11.6
lilygirl1970..................165.8.......... .....159.8............6.0
limerick137.................216.0............ ...208.0............8.0
liposuctioned.............172.5.............. ..166.5............6.0
lmr023.......................170.0........... .....168.0............2.0
logboy........................214.0.......... ......210.0...........4.0
lr_mnl.........................150.8......... .......149.2...........1.6
marlyken....................182.5............ .....180.0...........2.5
melroze2003..............185.0............... ..173.0..........12.0
mrscorbett7...............298.0.............. ...286.0...........12.0
msfreshy3..................178.0............. ....167.0...........11.0
mutchtory..................159.0............. ....159.0........... **
ncurlee......................226.0........... .......217.6.0...........8.4
nehejain....................163.6............ .....159.6............4.0
neonblonde................157.0.............. ..157.0.............0.0
poupe80601...............151.6
proud2bme.................220.0.............. ..217.6............2.4
quintanion..................166.4
roxiegirl42...................186.0.......... ......178.0...........8.0
rufus_k........................156.0......... .......155.0...........1.0
santorkk......................163.0.......... ......153.0...........10.0
sarahadams88............175.0................ .178.0........... **
sddar...........................219.0........ .........218.0........... **
shanasedai..................184.3............ ....175.2...........9.1
singinkt03....................174.2.......... ......171.4...........2.8
smilesandsheep...........139.0............... .137.5...........1.5
snehathle.....................159.0.......... ......154.5...........4.5
steph_shrinks...............226.5............ ....221.0...........5.5
sunshine25...................174.9........... .....169.3...........5.6
susiesher......................150.5......... .......150.0...........0.5
thatbutton....................197.0.......... .......193.0...........4.0
tinabobeena..................175.0........... .....163.6...........11.4
tphagins........................168.2........ ........1642............4.0
vfh8404.........................173.6........ ........174.6........... **
victory0322....................263.5......... .......261.5...........2.0
wannabfit......................158.0......... .......157.0...........1.0
xcathyxx........................187.0........ ........183.0...........4.0

TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS SINCE SEPT 3: 312.2 pounds

WEEK 10: Well Done Everyone!! http://caloriecount.about.com/schmooze-lose-i ii-final-week-nov-ft149940-38#775

WEEK 9: Get your Groove on http://caloriecount.about.com/schmooze-lose-i ii-week-oct-closed-ft149940-36#736

WEEK 8: Hear me ROAR! http://caloriecount.about.com/schmooze-lose-i ii-week-oct-closed-ft149940-34#691

WEEK 7: YOUR C.C. EATING ADVENTURES http://caloriecount.about.com/schmooze-lose-i ii-week-oct-closed-ft149940-32#645

WEEK 6: FIBER 101  http://caloriecount.about.com/schmooze-lose-i ii-week-oct-closed-ft149940-29#593

WEEK 5: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT http://caloriecount.about.com/schmooze-lose-i ii-week-oct-closed-ft149940-26#525

WEEK 4: ARE YOU TRIGGER HAPPY?? http://caloriecount.about.com/schmooze-lose-i ii-week-sept-oct-ft149940-22#457 ;

WEEK 3: GIVE YOURSELF A BOOST http://caloriecount.about.com/schmooze-lose-i ii-week-sept-closed-ft149940-18#363

WEEK 2: I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR... http://caloriecount.about.com/schmooze-lose-i ii-week-sept-closed-ft149940-12#251

WEEK 1: MEASUREMENTS & WHY ARE YOU HERE? http://caloriecount.about.com/schmooze-lose-i ii-week-sept-closed-ft149940-7#151

START     Sept 3-5:
Week 1.   Sept 10-12:
Week 2.   Sept 17-19:
Week 3.   Sept 24-26:
Week 4.   Oct 1-3:
Week 5.   Oct 8-10    
Week 6.   Oct 15-17:
Week 7.   Oct 22-24:
Week 8.   Oct 29-31:
Week 9.   Nov 5-7:
FINISH.   Nov 12-14:

For more info, check out Schmooze & Lose II: http://caloriecount.about.com/schmooze-lose-i i-week-aug-closed-ft142539-37#750

Or the original S&L Group! http://caloriecount.about.com/schmooze-lose-w eek-june-closed-ft135821

I am so annoyed at myself...why am I having such a hard time making good decisions!?  I am not only eating bad food...I am eating A LOT of it!  then I am good for a day and a half, then bad, then good, then bad....I am yo yo'ing!  I was well into the 170's just 4 days ago now I am 180....yeah that is my weigh in...180!!! AHHHHH.  I went to Arby's yesterday....I don't even really like Arby's!  I feel out of control.  I need to start running again to get back on track...I need to do something!

Marlyken, what keeps me from eating the bad stuff or skipping my exercise is knowing that I'll have to post that on here the next day, and I don't want 1) to discourage everybody else because it's so cool to be others' inspiration, and 2) to have to admit that I failed to a bunch of strangers.

Really, it helps me when I promise I won't do something, like when I swore I wouldn't touch chocolate or sugary sodas until November 28th. I promised that way back during the last challenge, and so far...so good! I don't crave them as much as I used to because I haven't had either for so long. Once, and only once, have I had chocolate, and it was when I was sick with a sinus infection and wasn't logging anything, and my hubby felt sorry for me and brought me along with my sinus medication a tiny package of Hershey's kisses. But I couldn't even taste them because I was so congested!

Last night I made myself exercise even though I was tired because I joined another group on here (Olympic losers) and I didn't want to report that I lay around on the couch all night instead of doing my workout. So I did it! Then today I could "brag."  Instead of typing a lame cop-out excuse!

So remind yourself..."If I eat this bad stuff, I'll have to tell Crazypotato about it, and she'll be disappointed and maybe want to eat something bad herself, too." That might help!

START     Sept 3-5: 244
Week 1.   Sept 10-12: 245.5
Week 2.   Sept 17-19: 240.5
Week 3.   Sept 24-26: 243.5
Week 4.   Oct 1-3: 242.5
Week 5.   Oct 8-10: 244.5    
Week 6.   Oct 15-17: 242.5
Week 7.   Oct 22-24: 241.5
Week 8.   Oct 29-31: 244
Week 9.   Nov 5-7: 241
FINISH.   Nov 12-14:

It's hard to believe there's only one more weigh in. Where'd the time go??? Thanks Lily for all your work with S&L III (I & II also). Will there be an S & L IV?

Bad week... no understatement... horrible week. I am a stress eater right? So why can't the world just give me a break on stress? My professor, adviser, personal shrink, and friend has a brain tumor. The prognosis is excellent and he is going to be fine everyone says. But I can't handle the thought of even a slight chance of him leaving this world. He means the world to me, he got me through college, my family issues, everything. So what did I do? I drank coffee, ate chocolate, and slept... I ate a few too many meals here and there and didn't track anything... and he is just 25% of stressful news this week... but I will leave it at that. This is the heart of my problem, I care so much for the people in my life that I ALWAYS get put on the back burner. Why can't I care for myself at the same time? No clue... if he makes it maybe I can ask him... Geez, what a way to bring a good challenge to an almost end...

one week left and Back up to 260... fan-freakin-tastic....

START     Sept 3-5: 174.90   lbs.
Week 1.   Sept 10-12: 171.60  lbs. (-3.30)
Week 2.   Sept 17-19: 171.60  lbs. (0.00)
Week 3.   Sept 24-26: 171.40  lbs. (-0.20)
Week 4.   Oct 1-3:  171.60  lbs.  (+.20)
Week 5.   Oct 8-10 169.90  lbs.  (-1.70)
Week 6.   Oct 15-17:170.10  lbs.  (+.20)
Week 7.   Oct 22-24:170.30 lbs. (+.20)
Week 8.   Oct 29-31: 171.40
Week 9.   Nov 5-7: 169.30 lbs. (-2.10)
FINISH.   Nov 12-14:

Finally! Lost 2.10 lbs. this week. Upped my calories to 1350-1400 and miracles happened. Now the ticket is being able to hold on to this loss. I am so happy. Hope I can do this again next week!!

congrats sunshine25! What a great week you had... You are my inspiration to keep going! I felt myself slipping all week... BUT I AM BACK!!!

START     Sept 3-5: 186

Week 1.   Sept 10-12: 187 (+1)
Week 2.   Sept 17-19: 183 (-4)

Week 3.   Sept 24-26: 188  (+ A TON)

week 4.   Oct 1-3: 183 (-3)

Week 5.   Oct 8-10    182 (-1)

Week 6.   Oct 15-17: 180 (2)

Week 7.   Oct 22-24: 181

Week 8.   Oct 29-31: 179 (-2)

Week 9.   Nov 5-7: 178 (-1)

FINISH.   Nov 12-14:

total loss  -8

8 pounds in 9 weeks... Not too bad!!! I thought it was going to be a lower number this challenge. I am happy with 8 pounds but 10 sounds EVEN BETTER!!! 2 pounds is my goal... hopefully that will keep me on track this week!!! 10 in 10... keeping my fingers crossed!

oh, and my song... Right Round by Flo Rida... Put me and a friend into a much better mood!!! Thanks Lilygirl... that was a fun one!!!

START     Sept 3-5: 169 lbs
Week 1.   Sept 10-12: 169 lbs (no change)
Week 2.   Sept 17-19: 170 lbs (+1)
Week 3.   Sept 24-26: 167 lbs (-2)
Week 4.   Oct 1-3: 166 lbs (-3)
Week 5.   Oct 8-10: 166 lbs (-3)
Week 6.   Oct 15-17: 166 (-3)
Week 7.   Oct 22-24: didn't weigh in, TTOM
Week 8.   Oct 29-31: didn't weigh in, too gloomy
Week 9.   Nov 5-7: 167 (-2)
FINISH.   Nov 12-14:

Well it was high time I weighed in. I skipped two weeks of weighing in! First there was TTOM, and I was miserably bloated. Then last week, I weighed in at 170 and knew it wasn't accurate, so I didn't record it. This week, I'm at 167. So I'm 2 pounds down from 9 weeks ago, which is dissapointing. But I'm here to own up, and not to be a quitter. I'm going to do a very good job next week and see if I can't improve the situation.

START     Sept 3-5: 172.5
Week 1.   Sept 10-12: 172
Week 2.   Sept 17-19: 172
Week 3.   Sept 24-26: 170
Week 4.   Oct 1-3: 168.5
Week 5.   Oct 8-10    
Week 6.   Oct 15-17: 169.5
Week 7.   Oct 22-24: 167
Week 8.   Oct 29-31: 166
Week 9.   Nov 5-7: 166.5
FINISH.   Nov 12-14:

i think it's just sodium...but i took full advantage of the challenge this week! i am not good at dancing (i stink at it), but i will find any opportunity to get my (god-awful) groove on. my song was "we like to party" by the vengaboys. i actually heard it first on those mr. six commercials for six flags. it's my ringtone and it's the song in my head whenever i do a "victory dance" for anything...whether it's winning a board game, making a good joke (yeah, i'm really obnoxious), whatever, so i think it is suiting for my weight loss journey. it just makes me feel generally happy and victorious and produces some crazy dance moves...my 4 year-old brother and i danced to it a lot and we both end up dying laughing after it every time!

Original Post by katyayer:

START     Sept 3-5: 169 lbs
Week 1.   Sept 10-12: 169 lbs (no change)
Week 2.   Sept 17-19: 170 lbs (+1)
Week 3.   Sept 24-26: 167 lbs (-2)
Week 4.   Oct 1-3: 166 lbs (-3)
Week 5.   Oct 8-10: 166 lbs (-3)
Week 6.   Oct 15-17: 166 (-3)
Week 7.   Oct 22-24: didn't weigh in, TTOM
Week 8.   Oct 29-31: didn't weigh in, too gloomy
Week 9.   Nov 5-7: 167 (-2)
FINISH.   Nov 12-14:

Well it was high time I weighed in. I skipped two weeks of weighing in! First there was TTOM, and I was miserably bloated. Then last week, I weighed in at 170 and knew it wasn't accurate, so I didn't record it. This week, I'm at 167. So I'm 2 pounds down from 9 weeks ago, which is dissapointing. But I'm here to own up, and not to be a quitter. I'm going to do a very good job next week and see if I can't improve the situation.

way to be positive! 2 lbs is 2 lbs is 2 lbs. it's still a good chunk of weight to lose, especially since your bmi is well into normal range. you can do it!

START Sept 3-5: 165.8
Week 1. Sept 10-12: 164.6 (-1.2)
Week 2. Sept 17-19: 166.4 (+1.8)
Week 3. Sept 24-26: 165.0 (-1.4)
Week 4. Oct 1-3: 163.6 (-1.4)
Week 5. Oct 8-10 162.4 (-1.2)
Week 6. Oct 15-17: 161.6 (-0.8)
Week 7. Oct 22-24: 160.2 (-1.4)
Week 8. Oct 29-31: 158.4 (-1.8)
Week 9. Nov 5-7:    159.8 (+1.4)
FINISH. Nov 12-14:

Total lost:6.0

I think my intense exercise program may be to blame for this gain. I am sore, sore, sore which means I'm retaining water in my muscles...hopefully I'll see this gain disappear by next week - or at least before I go on vacation on the 5th

START     Sept 3-5: N/A
Week 1.   Sept 10-12: 212.0 LBS
Week 2.   Sept 17-19: 205.3 (-6.7 lbs)
Week 3.   Sept 24-26: 202.6 (-2.7 lbs)
Week 4.   Oct 1-3: 201.5 (-1.1 lbs)
Week 5.   Oct 8-10 198.0 (-3.5 lbs)
Week 6.   Oct 15-17:198.0 (no change)
Week 7.   Oct 22-24: 197.8 (-0.2 lbs)
Week 8.   Oct 29-31: 196.8 (-1 lbs)
Week 9.   Nov 5-7: 195.6 (-1.2 lbs)
FINISH.   Nov 12-14:

Week 9.   Nov 5-7: 173.8  Yay!!!!! 

I am so close to my 1st goal! 165 here I come!

START Sept 3-5:   207.8 lbs

Week 1. Sept 10-12: 209 lbs

Week 2. Sept 17-19: 206.8

Week 3. Sept 24-26: 203.6 

Week 4. Oct 1-3: 203.6

Week 5. Oct 8-10: 200.0

Week 6. Oct 15-17: 200.3

Week 7. Oct 22-24: 199.3

Week 8. Oct 29-31: 197.5

Week 9. Nov 5-7: 197.4

FINISH. Nov 12-14:

WEEK 10: WELL DONE EVERYONE!!!!

It's the final week of S&L III and you know what that means.......time to track down those measurements from the beginning of September and make some comparisions! When you post your weight this week, tell us about any changes. Feel free to brag! You have done a wonderful job!

And, yes, there is a Schmooze & Lose IV - I'd never let you guys down! I have created a new profile with a "Schmooze & Lose" pic. Here's the link...http://caloriecount.about.com/schmooze-lose-i v-weeks-motivation-starts-ft156243

Be sure to post your start weights between November 12 and 14th! I plan it this way so we never miss a week between groups!

LilyGirl, thanks so much for running this group and all the hard work!  I really enjoy reading everyone's posts, small victories and no gains.. but just showing up every day, every week, is half the battle.  Thats why I weigh myself daily, contrary to Weight Watcher advice, because I remind myself daily that I am on the program, at least for one more day.  I've lost 21 pounds (during the challenge) by watching my calories AND exercising.  I am REALLY exercising, between 5-7 days a week.  60 minutes on the treadmill and 600+ calories.  Then over to the weight machines for another 15 minutes.  I started June 10 at 264, and now am at 218, down 46 pounds. I was able to go off of my blood pressure medicines about a month ago.  I feel GREAT and everyone says how great I look.  So the hard work and daily persistence is paying off! Again, thanks LilyGirl, and thanks to ALL participants, especially those who show up every week and share their progress and story!

Lilygirl, I would also like to thank you. I've been stuck on a plateau throughout most of these challenges...or so I thought. However, after Schmooze II, I had lost 5 1/2 inches total. Much less than the other members, but it made me feel good because I hadn't lost many pounds.

Now, at the end of Schmooze III, I find that although I've barely lost any pounds, I've lost 4 more inches. In weird, unexpected places, but...still! It made me feel better.

Right arm bicep: 9 1/4 = -1

Right forearm: 8 1/2 = -1/2

Butt: 41 = 0

Waist: 30 = 0

Thigh: 20.5 = -1

Calf: 14 = 0

Chest: 34 = -1  I didn't want to lose from there! LOL

rt thigh 25 > 23.5 (-1.5)

lt thigh 25 > 23.75 (-1.25)

hips 43.75 > 41 (-2.75)

waist (at navel) 34 > 32 (-2)

bust 35.5 > 34.5 (-1)

And as of week 9, down 10lbs from the beginning of the challenge.  Still a couple of pounds shy of my goal but pretty close so I'll take it!  I do like the measuring.  It serves as additional proof (not just the scale) that I really am getting smaller.

Neck - 15"    14.5...   14

Left Arm - 13.50   12... 12

Right Arm - 13.25  12...12

Bust - 46    42 ...41

Ribcage - 42.5  39 ... 37.5

Waist - 46  41 ...39

Hips - 48  43 ....43

Left Thigh - 24.5  22 ....20

Right Thigh - 24.5  22...20

So... I have lost 9 inches this challenge!!! Well I guess that is pretty good. Too bad most were from my legs...Not surprising since that is the one area I do not need to lose from ... Hopefully this next challenge I will be able to lose a bit more around the middle!!!

MEASUREMENTS: (11/11/09 #s on the right)

Bust: 45" - 44" (-1)
"Spare Tire" Waist: 51" - 50.5" (-.5)
Bellybutton Waist: 50" - 49.5" (-.5)
Hips: 54" - 53" (-1)
Thigh: 29.5" - 28" (this one is my favorite loss!) (-1.5)
Upper Arm: 15.5" - 15.25" (-.25)

Total lost = 4.75" - I really thought I had lost more inch wise but I guess a little bit is better than nothing.  I'm really looking forward to S & L IV - hopefully I can do better than I did this past 10 weeks in S & L III!