Stew's Crew -- 15-20 by Halloween? CLOSED TO NEW MEMBERS

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=p SPnLlFRvr2d78CiporCyWA&hl=en

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pSPnLl FRvr2d78CiporCyWA&hl=en

(This first link is the spreadsheet and the second is the check-in form)

Anyone trying to Lose 15-20 pounds by Halloween?

I have been messing around with this last leg of my weight loss journey for far too long. I'm really going to get serious about this last push and wondered if anyone else is in a similar situation and would like to help motivate each other?

Here are my stats, too:

5'6" female

157

28.9% BF (would like to be 25%)

Goal is 140

Moderate Activity Daily (I'm a SAHM with 3 little ones who keep me hopping!)

40 min. cardio 3-4 times a week, 90 min cycling once a week, 30 min. strength 3-4 times a week

(edit: added links to weigh-in form)

ughhhhhh....loooong weekend of eating out, and drinking it up since I was in Reno. Gained 4lb!!!
How is it that I work for MONTHS to shed 2lb, and then over a weekend I gain 4? It's so frustrating. Almost into the "don't give a flying crap" mode again. Blah. Gonna stick to my workouts this week and see where I'm at friday before I get too frustrated. NO DRINKING THIS WEEK!

Soraya - happy b-day girl! don't worry, I'm not doing ANY better than you. Hope you had a great weekend! don't pay attention to stupid people on the internet...along the lines of what you said...people who feel like they have to be mean to others probably aren't very happy with themselves!

Hope everyone had a good weekend. Thanks for this weeks challenge stewmama!

THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE BDAY WISHES, YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING! I WAS SPEAKING ABOUT YOU GUYS AT MY BDAY DINNER! AND TELLING EVERYONE I AM LUCKY THAT MY MOTIVATIONAL GROUP IS A GROUP OF WOMEN WHO ARE AMAZING, MOVE FORWARD, ARE REAL, TRUE TO THEMSELVES AND THE PEOPLE IN THE GROUP AND YOU GUYS ARE!!!!!

Johanne! - Thank you girl for saying that! YES I was sooo upset about the people on 'THE LOUNGE' who are so cruel and nasty and try to get rises out of you'... I was sooo upset over it and was glad that my friends were like don't let crazy people take you to crazy street and let them suffer and smell their own crap, don't sit and smell theirs too!!!! SO YOU'RE RIGHT!  AND GIRL DO NOT even worry about the 4pounds if you drank a lot and ate it up this wknd it most like is water weight I don't think you downed 14,000 calories in a couple days! it's the sodium and sugar that holds on the water in your body try to down a gallon of water and see what happens I'm gonna join you in that venture! and down a gallon today from the wknd of brownies and cupcakes :)

Stewmama - Thank you for the BDAY wishes ... I like the idea of Stews crew New years' ... I can't wait to hear what your nutritionist says ... at least your weight didnt go up! how's BL working for you, are you bored from it yet? I am .. :(

ladyelizabeth - Thank you for the BDAY wishes :) I cannot believe you haven't had wine in 2 months! that's amazing congrats on that I wish I had the will power you have!

Windrine - THANK YOU for the bday wishes it means so much! xoxoxoxo

Okay guys Halloween is coming up I for one, haven't worked out in about 4 days so I must work out today.. I'm going to get some jump rope in their and drink lots of water to make up for the drinking this wknd... have healthy day guys!!! xo...Soraya

So this week's challenge really has me moving.  It all began when I realized that two 8 lb dumbbells equals the weight I have lost since joining CC.  I don't feel like I've lost much, but holding weights I can tell it's no small number!

It got me motivated along with the exercise during the commercial break challenge.  So while watching BL tonight I decided to invert it -- I "played" with a dumbbell while watching.  My poor arms are ache-y but I'm happy.  Squats didn't work out so well because they made me feel motion-sick since I was trying to watch!  I took the commercial breaks off so I could multi-task and make rolls.  (Fresh bread is so yummy!)

I've been carrying one 8 lb dumbbell around with me even if it makes me feel like a dork.  Still, it gives me something to do while walking to and from the cubical dungeon.  Even just carrying it has to help some.  I've also gotten in several sets of arm exercises while hunting down dishes to load up the washer.  I love having some dumbbells of my own :)

Other than that I've been doing badly -- I haven't logged my eating for a while.  I do try to keep mental track of things, but that isn't so reliable.

Anyway, that's my report for now.

Windrinre - I think that is a fantastic idea! I think carrying around a dumbbell is smart!

I didn't work out today ran errands instead...worked out yesterday and feel a little sore which is good, my bum and arms...

You guys! I did bad last night real bad! I ate a snickers bar and m&m's candy! at midnight! I don't know what I was thinking ... drinking my water now.... uh! I feel aweful about it... going to try to even it out

It's funny that while the burn/soreness is a real pain at the time, it feels so good later.  I guess it's just knowing we worked hard!

I haven't been drinking enough water still.  I need to get on top of it along with so many other things.  I know it's part of why I have been feeling under the weather (which has been so cold lately!).

Just having a fat moment right now.  I feel so darn chubby and my hip and stomach fat remind me I have about 30 pounds go go.  It makes those 16 lbs seem like a drop in the bucket, because I don't see the difference even though I can feel it some.  It's so gross to feel that way.  I really don't like being mildly disgusted with my physical self.  I should focus on more productive things though.  I'd just rather not do my work -- still burnt out :(

Edited to add:  Amusing thought for the moment.  When I lift two 8 lb dumbbells over head I imagine it's the weight I lost.  It amuses me to no end.  LOL

SO clever with the dumbells!  I like the idea of finding ways to make you realize how far you've come, too.  I have moments like you, Windrinre, where I feel like, "Great, I lost 25 lounds and all, but I still have AT LEAST 15 more to go!"  Rather than focus on the negative, I'll pull out pictures of myself right after my son was born and then realize that I HAVE come a long way (or weigh? tee, hee!).

My abs and arms were killing me from all the extra push-ups and sit-ups I'm getting in this week with the challenge.  And in regards to the BL DVD, Soraya, I confess I haven't used it since I got back from PA.  I've been focusing on running and trying to get my 5k time down to 30 min. by January.  I should use it again, though.  It always leaves me SORE the next day!

My nutrionist appt was really interesting.  I get my "plan" tomorrow, so I'll let everyone know what the verdict is.  I'll be interested to see if it helps me break this weight loss plateau.  I have a friend who keeps insisting she thinks I'm at my set point, but I think I would FEEL better 10-15 pounds lighter.

Good luck tomorrow, everyone!

alrighty...this week is going fairly well.
have dropped most of the horrendous weight gain from the weekend (you were right soraya). I've been eating within my calories, and drinking water galore. My only pitfall has been that I've been so busy that I haven't had enough time to get my normal workouts in :( I guess I need to take it easy once every 6 weeks anyways, but I wasn't planning on it this week.
Windrinre - I feel you on the lifting dumbells thing. The last time I took my travelling backpack with me, and put it on the scale at the airport...the bag weighed about 25lb...the weight I had lost...and it was freakin heavy to me...crazy to think I'd been walking around with that on my back!
Also...everyone has their chubby days...I was almost to give up point at the beginning of this week, but have rallied a lil bit. Keep at it :)

Soraya - me thinks you are eating the sugar instead of drinking? How's the not drinking thing going by the way? I haven't drunk all week, but split a beer with my mom last night.

Anyways...on a side note, went to see Tina Turner in concert last night (birthday present from me to my mom)...and she puts on a FANTASTIC show! All I can say is I hope I look that hot when I'm 65+!
See you all at weigh in tomorrow!

Johanne I know what you mean by that! I once was at an event here in LA and was like whoever that women is w/the white pants has the nicest butt!!!!! YOU guys when she turned around it was Jane Fonda! I was ARE YOU KIDDING ME! SHE LOOKED AMAZING it was unreal, totally unreal! her Jane Fonda workouts must be the real deal! I hope to look like that when I'm nearing 70!

Johanne- I knew it was the water cuz' the same happens to me all the time, when I don't eat right it pops up on the scale throwing me into a tailspin! I'm really trying to focus on my inches right now and not so much be a slave to the scale, as far as drinking is concerned it's one day no drink next day 4 glasses of wine so it's up and down and that night yes I didn't have any wine so maybe it was the habitual thing but my daughter left the box of m&m's from her school fund raiser in front of the tv and I kept staring at it for about 2 hours before I just went for it! so it's the temptation --- out of sight out of mind....

stewmama - I want to start running again but it's sooo hot outside still it's 99 degrees today! uh! so I'm stuck with the dvd I think I'm going to keep doing it until I just can't take it anymore, can't wait to hear about the nutritionist... and I have friends who talk to me about 'set weight' here's the deal... ONLY YOU can create your set point weight in your mind/body...it's connected... what supposedly happens is everytime we lose about 10% of body weight the mind adjusts itself to the NEW 'Set point' and holds on to it until we fight to get the other 10% of body fat/weight down.... it's something called Leptin (sp?) anyway look it up... if you feel your body is better at 10-15 pounds lighter than that is YOUR set weight... I made the mistake of listening to someone who by the way was bigger than me at the time, tell me that maybe my set weight was not to be in the 120's and instead in the 130's .... I had just finished telling her that I had gained weight and got to 130pounds this is when I started gaining, I listened to her and agreed! wrong wrong wrong! I allowed my body set weight to jump! not good, only you know when you feel your best, don't listen to others only your inner voice...

Windrinre-I have fat moments here and there and it's ok to have those days but that's when I push myself a little harder when I realize how much bigger I have gotten and believe me 16 pounds of weight lost is a wonderful achievement! and it's not a drop in the bucket ... carrying around the weight shows you that girl congrats on losing 16 and not gaining!!! hello!

I'm in my gym clothes about to work out didn't work out yesterday and drank wine so gotta balance something out... have healthy day ya'll... xo

soraya

SW = 165

LW = 150

CW = 148

GW = 145

Three pounds to go by Halloween!  Wish me luck.  I know this is a 15-20 but my goal is 20.  Also, I am interested in the 20 by New Years.  I have 23 total from this moment to lose.

Quick check in...don't have alot of time....(what else is new?)

SW-190

LW-178.5

CW-178

GW-170

Well....I doubt I will lose 8lbs in 1 week, but if I am lucky, 3 to make it 15?  I'm not holding my breath, but I am very proud of the progress I have made.  I don't think I could have done it without having to have the accountablility of checking in here!  Thanks you guys!

Congrats on your losses missechelle and ladyelizabeth!

SW - 175 (170 challenge) GW - 130 (150 challenge)

CW - 156 (-6 from last week) LW - 156 (-3)

14/20 lbs lost for challenge  (70% -- I'm passing )

Lost the water weight from TTOM, so really it's only 3 down over two weeks.  I'm happy with that.  It makes up for the chubby day LOL

I guess I'll aim for at least one more between now and next week -- then I'll hit the low end of the challenge goal.  I'd like to go under 155 if I can manage a 2 lb drop :)

Thanks for all the encouragement through the chubby day and in general   I know I couldn't have done this without the help of this group -- you all are great!

·  Aug 22:  180.6lbs

·  Aug 29:  182.4lb (+1.8!!!) 

·  Sept 5:   183.0lb (+.6)

·  Sept 12: 178.6lb (-4.4)

·  Sept 19: 179.0lb (+.4)

·  Sept 26: 179.0lb (no change)

·  Oct 3: 174.6! (-4.4!)

·  Oct 10: 178.4 (+3.8)

·  Oct 17: 178.0 (-.4)

·  Oct 24: 176.8 (-1.2)

·  Oct 31:

Don't know how I managed to lose weight when I haven't really been working out this week...but not goign to argue with it. I am just going to aim for hitting 175 by the end of the challenge next week. I know this is only a 5lb loss, but it's a loss right? Also, it'll put me right on track for a new year's goal of 160lb.
windrinre - you are doing fabulously girl!!! don't even stress, and 16lb total is a LOT! I only have another 16-18 to go...so that would be goal for me! Remember, the slower you lose the weight, the longer it stays off!
lady elizabeth/missechelle - you guys motivate me, congratulations on making the group's goal...serious discipline ladies!
soraya - can you believe I actually had a loss this week?!? makes no sense girl, because look at the weeks where I've worked my ass off and had a gain! I mean, a weekend in Reno followed by not working out enough...lol. I guess it really is true that you need to mix things up a little to get your body guessing! hehe. I love halloween, but freakin candy dude!!!! ahhhh I ate some candycorn last night...ooooo so tasty! hehe...oh well

Have a great weekend all!

I didn't weigh myself this am forgot and woke up this am hungry and started eating! I really got get a hold of my eating habits last night at midnight again, bowl of cereal and raisin bran muffin! why oh why! I'm going to weigh in tomorrow... gonna drinks tons of water today and do tons of cardio! get back into jumping rope it worked for me before and need to add it again...

Johgar - girl you go!!! CONGRATS on that loss and your right it probably was the mixing it up that your body needed to drop! Halloween and Valentines are my fav. holidays and they are also the most sugar filled ones!!! uh! must focus on getting sweet fruit in my house to sub. gonna try to stick to it and cut back on the wine...

Windrinre - CONGRATS you lost 14 pounds on this challenge!!!!!!!!!!!! that's amazing!!! and support is what we need when we are having those chubby days and I'm glad you are in this group too! yay!!!

ladyelizabeth - congrats! progress is progress and you are focused, glad you are here with us too!

missechelle - congrats! on your success in the weight loss and I do think we are going to keep our group for New Years and this time I will make my goal I will look to someone like you who stayed disciplined to do it! congrats again

I just got the pix from my bday dinner/party on sat. no one else see's it but I know when I have gained weight and I have gained weight it shows up in the pix... it is a wake up call for me, I know exactly where I messed up at --- I stopped dedicating myself to good old fashioned cardio and started eating late late night... I've gotta figure out something that will break my midnight snack attacks... any suggestions??? have a healthy day guys...xoxo...soraya

SW = 178

CW = 164.6

GW = 158

I have been MIA for the last few weigh ins, mainly cause i had a couple of weeks off. I put on a few pounds and have lost them now and am losing again. Also the my internet was down for a week, it's weird how much you come to rely on CC. Without it there i did feel a bit lost.

Belated birthday wished Sorayazada!!

Windrine wow!! 14bs lost for the challenge, that's great!!

Well done lady elizabeth and missechelle wow you have done amzing to get so near to the 20lbs!! Congrats!!

I can't believe we are near the end of the challenge!!

*hugs*

Thank You for all of you support.  You all make me feel like I'm doing something great.

I did my last run for this season today (or so I think).  I ran for my daughters school and I was the first one from our school to finish.  I am so proud of myself.  I feel fit and thin.  You all have helped me so much.

I weighed this morning and I am down a half pound to 147.5.  I would like to get to 125.  I know with your support I can do it.  My original goal is to get there by March 1st, but New Years seams so much better.

People I don't know call me skinny and I have you guys to thank for that!

Until next time WE CAN DO THIS!

Wow missechelle congratulations! that is amazing ! it's hard work and determination and you have it ... I on the other hand have been losing my discipline with food and have gained up to 147 :( from 142 since I started the challenge I've gained 5 pounds!

I think there are a few things that are the culprits ... and the insomnia triggered it ... I typically fall asleep around 3am / 4am  sometimes 5 am ... I eat late night even after 1am I eat ... and this habit has caused much of the weight gain :(

and now my habit is gonna be hard to break ... oh what can I do??? any suggestions guys?

Ok, so here are my stats for the week:

CW 154 lbs. (no change)

BF% 28.2 (chnage there, though!)

My exciting news is that since the start of the challenge, I am down 2.5 inches in my waist, 1 in on my bust, and 2 on my hips.  Craziness!  I guess all this exercise isn't translating into pounds but it is making a difference.  My husband made me check the other night because I was frustrated by not losing weight.  He said, "Yeah, but you look skinnier.  Measure yourself."  Wow!

I also got my report back from the wellness center doc.  Turns out he thinks I am corn sensitive and lacking in B vitamins, so I'm on some supplements to address the nutrient deficiencies and I have to cut out corn and any corn product (no corn syrup, cornstarch, popcorn) from my diet.  It's only been two days, but I'm already feeling better.  I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes.

Soraya, I'm not sure I have any ideas to break the night eating habit other than sheer willpower.  Have you every considered that maybe what you're eating during the day might be contributing as well?  This doctor I'm going to diagnosed me as a Protein Metabolic Type.  I'm just starting to understand what that means exactly, but he did mention that if we don't eat the right type of foods for us, it sends our systems out of whack and makes us crave foods that aren't good for us and often times makes us hungrier later in the day.  Try Googling "Metabolic Type Diet" and see what you think.

Lots of great successes this week.  Now for our last week let's really push to make those healthy changes that will help us reach our long term weight loss goals!!

OUR LAST CHALLENGE FOR THIS CHALLENGE!!

Get up and move!! It's our last week -- make every day count.  No excuses!  For the next 5 days do something exercise wise every day.  Even if it's only in 5 minute increments, find 5 minutes, 6 times a day to do some jumping jacks, go for a quick power walk, skip with your kids, rake some leaves, move all the furniture and clean the dust bunnies, run up and down your stairs -- whatever it is, JUST MOVE IT!!

Thanks Stewmama I like the challenge this week I'm going to move around as much as possible... and thanks for the info I'm going to look it up ... last week and hoping that my weight goes down ... just saw a friend last night I hadn't seen since her wedding ... she was heavier than me and now smaller it's motivation that if she can do it, so can I and her weight loss was so significant she looks amazing! no drinking for me this week and gonna cleanse as much as possible ... detox week! that's going to be my challenge :)

xo

Well, I went for a bike ride this afternoon when I would have rather have put the TV on for the kids and tried to sit and read a magazine for awhile.  An extra 30 minutes of exercise today instead!  WooHoo!  Trying to really go all out with the H2O as well.  Feeling really good so far this week on my no corn/ protein based eating plan.  I'm waiting till Friday to weigh myself and take my BP again (I have an appt. with the doc that day anyway).

Sending motivational end of challenge vibes to you all!}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}