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)

So I went to the Vitamin Shoppe to try get something for my sleeplessness, the women said that if I'm yawning during my work outs and not sleeping at night may have to do with my circulation so she suggested Inosital - has anyone ever taken this vitamin? well, I started two days ago -- a few things have happened, I find my appetite at night went away and I fell asleep for the first time in 3 months at 1230pm ! that is the earliest I feel asleep in a long time - woohoo! so I was doing research on it and it's a big B12 Vitamin so I may have that deficiency... I also noticed that my stomach went down and my arms went down about 1/2 inch in 2 days... I don't know if it's helping me release water weight? or moving and metabolizing fat from my system..>? it supposedly helps release stubborn fat when combined w/Choline... I've been working out consistently now so I know that has to do with it and also the fact that I'm not eating at midnight at least in the past 2 days, maybe that's why my stomach is going down ... an inch down from last week! all I can say is thank god! I plan on a 6mile Hike today... I can't believe I have energy like this?? I'm going to keep it up until I can easily fall asleep and wake up earlier every day... I'm anticipating Friday's last goal weigh in so I'm gonna push it until then! xoxo ya'll Soraya

yay Soraya!!! I'm so happy for you!!! I've never heard of Inosital...but as long as you do your research..maybe talk to your doctor about it?...I think you should be fine. That's awesome that you're cutting back on the food at night and sleeping! That'll make a HUGE difference :)

While we are on the topic of new things...has anyone ever tried a colon clensing tea? I'm going to try chiro-klenz tea to help clean out my system. I've never done a clense, and am thinking that maybe I've been stuck on a plateau because I have toxins built up in my system. Anyways...any input is always welcome.

Finding myself somewhat lacking in motivation this week...fought with the bf over the weekend, and there are some work changes happening so I'm tired/stressed etc...which is not motivating me to go work out. Have only made it to the gym 1x so far this week (granted I still hurt from it...it was monday, but still...)
Perhaps my motivation is waning because I've ended up so FAR away from the 15lb goal that I started this challenge with :( I will be using this friday's weight as the start weight for our new challenge though...so I'm trying to hang in there. It's also TTOM...which is SO not helpful!

Hope everyone's having a good week.

Johanne! were on the same cycle! TTOM came out of nowhere for me this week too! I'm sorry about fight w/the bf and work stuff .... do you like meditation? maybe Yoga might relax you and release some toxins? if not a good ol' sweat will help... how about try some Cardio Kick Boxing to help get the frustrations out? whatever you do this is the home stretch, our last week on this challenge so we gotta push it! so girl just do it, just get up and do anything to push yourself harder during home stretch... my goal is to work out every single day this week for at least 90mins to 100mins to make up for the times I slacked off during our challenge... let's do it together, I also am so FAR away from my 15pound loss, didn't even make it ... I gained during this challenge :( but I at least found out the causes ' ... sleeping late and eating late put sooo much weight on me, I thought it was the drinking but it was the eating at midnight or 1am or 2am that messed me up... no more... even though it's tom I want to get a good weigh in for the start of our next challenge :) so I'm with you girl! and were all here to motivate ea. other when we are down and you have been a motivating factor for me a few times so just keep at it.. :) ... I never tried that tea?? I'm interested to see how that goes, let me know about it.. I believe in colon cleansing but the mild way like that - a tea, not the enema version grosse! excited about moving on with our challenge... I really believe that we can all do it and make our personal goals... I'm dedicating myself to it for sure this time..... xoxoxo soraya

Hello again everyone :)  I just got my laptop back after some repairs... I had no keyboard/mouse response.  Looks like a hardware failure was taking out my access to all the inputs there.  The only thing I could do was usb to a mouse/keyboard to use the sucker.  It was a pain.

I got a little extra exercise in going back and forth to the the labs to use the computers.  I took two full water bottles along with the 8 lb dumbbell for one trip.  That has been my extra exercise so far.  Now I need to hammer down and work.

I bought my 20 lb reward a little early and doubled it up on the end-of challenge reward.  I decided against a costume this halloween since I'll be out of town visiting the folks.  I went for a 8 gb usb stick for more back ups of my masters work and to install puppy linux on (so I basically have a back up portable computer as so long as I can boot from usb).  I'm tired of having to fiddle with each lab computer to get the settings right before I can work on my masters project.

I'm a geek LOL.

Hope you all have had a productive week so far.  And I'm glad you feel better on your diet changes stewmama!

So I haven't binged in over 4days! since I started taking the Inosital it really helps me relax and sleep and my hunger pangs are gone, I also researched and found that another B12 vitamin Choline, works well with Inosital for the fat metabolism... I've been on the 2 vitamins for 3 days now and have lost a significant amount of inches from waist... even though it's TTOM! My arms have gone down a half an inch as well :) ... I am working out like crazy too, because it's the last week and I'm on October Roll Call Challenge too so I gotta get to my goal of 2000min this month, I'm at 1700 today so If I get in about 300min of excercise from now until tomorrow I would make my goal :) .... I also realize that my problem truly came from late night eating, I remembered that at my last freelance job I had to edit late nights which is typically 5pm-3am and I was eating dinner at 1230... when the job ended my bad habit didn't so since then I started slowly regaining what I had lost --- going from 140 up to about 148 when I started this challenge.... so I weighed in at 145 today and hoping that after TOM it's going to be a lot less... HOpe everyone is pushing it too until tomorrow!!! xoxo soraya

Well Happy Halloween everyone!  I can't believe it's here...  Sorry I've been flaking out but I have gotten soooo frustrated with myself and my lack of willpower, especially since I have until December 4 to get at a comfortable weight before I go back home to see my family for 5 weeks!!  I know I'm going to gain weight then so I want to be a bit below...so November is going to be my work hard month!  I'm in a November challenge to motivate me.  I wish I could stay on with you guys for the New Years but as I'll be home it will be difficult to stay in touch. 

Anyway, so beginning of the challenge (Aug. 20th?ish?): 154.8

Last weigh-in (Oct. 17): 150.2

Today: 148.4

So, all in all, 6.4 lb. lost over the past 2 1/2 months.  Not good, but better than nothing.  Congratulations to all those who did a better job of it than me and I hope you all have a great Halloween!  Thanks for all the fantastic support thoughout the past however many weeks.

 

Ok, before I forget them here are my stats:

CW: 152

BF: 27.8%

SW: 156

SBF: 28.7%

GW: 140

 

So that means I lost 4 lbs. and 1.1% BF.  I'm ok with that result, especially since I am feeling GREAT and have finally started to lose some weight again!  I can't say enough for this NRT program I'm on.  My blood pressure is still in the 120s/70s (down from 140s/90s for the last 8 years!), and I feel energized and AWAKE for the first time in a loooooooong time.  Whoo Hoo!

Soraya, I am so excited for you, too!  It sounds like you know where I'm coming from with feeling better.  I noticed an instant drop in my waist size, too.  My BF really started moving since I started the supplements and removed the corn and corn products from my diet.  If you are feeling great, that's fabulous!

I'm going to get our new thread started (so I don't forget!), but we won't officially start until next Friday and run till New Years (almost 8 weeks, Jan. 2 is 8 weeks).  

Good luck today and hope to see you at the next challenge!

SW = 178

CW = 164

GW for this challenge = 158

So i lost 14lbs this challenge. And i'm happy with that. A bit disappointed that the weight has been hard to get off in the last few weeks, but then maybe if i'm honest that is because my motivation just isn't as strong as it was and that is because at 164 i don't feel fat anymore. Not saying that i couldn't do with losing a few more pounds, but just that i feel better about myself than i did at 201, I feel like me again.

So i'm up for the next challenge, hopefully it will help motivate me to get in to the 150s. Gonna be tricky with a holiday to china, a trip to NY, starting a new job and the christmas holidays coming up. But i think i will do better with the support of this challenge than i would without.

Anyway, i'm rambling now.

catch you all in the next challenge.

*hugs*

Congrats on your loss tink, and have fun with your November challenge :)

Stewmama - glad you're feeling so much better!  That's great about your blood pressure being down and all the extra energy!

Last Check in this Challenge

SW 170

CW 156 (no loss this week in pounds, but lost on measurements)

Challenge Loss -14 pounds

That's about an 8.25% loss from starting weight this challenge.  I feel much better already.  I can't wait to sink below the top of the healthy BMI line and no longer be classified as overweight.  

It was fun doing this challenge with everyone!  For those not joining the new challenge, best of luck in reaching your next set of goals :)  For those who are, I'll see you over there!

SW = 165

CW = 146

GW = 145

19 POUNDS OFF OMG!  I fit in all the skinny clothes in my closet except one pair of jeans.  Now I have a new goal.LOL  Most of my clothes are way TOO big.  It's off to the Goodwill for me.

SW =  180.6lbs (SBF 27%)

CW = 176.4lb (CBF 26.5%)

So I dropped 4.2lb in the last 2 1/2 months, and .5% body fat. I can't say I'm SUPER proud of myself (seeing as my weight is only down 2lb since june)...BUT...I have lost...and I'm under my plateau weight...which seems to be 178 these days.
So stewmama and soraya...we seem to be in the same boat, but we are all feeling healthier and have made discoveries that will help us with the rest of the journey!
kim79, missechelle, and windrinre...you ladies amaze me! congratulations on the loss!!! You are inspirations to me to get to that point on this next challenge!

Since the group is not moving until next friday...I will probably still post a time or two here. I've gotten used to having your support ladies, and believe me, every time I feel like getting up, I just have to read a few of your posts to get me mentally back on the wagon!

Have a fantastic halloween everyone!!!

Oh my goodness -- kim79, missechelle, and windrinre your losses are SUCH an inspiration!  CONGRATS!

Everyone has done so well with the whole weight loss journey -- sometimes it's not just about the numbers on the scale, but finding ways to become a healthier YOU.  Eventually the changes we make will help each of us to lose the weight and KEEP it off for good.  Healthy changes for a healthy and happy lifetime!

Hi Ladies :)

So my weight is holding at 144, but it's TOM so since were not moving until next week ... I'm going to weigh in 'officially' then when I'm no longer on tom...

CONGRATS TO ALL WHO HAVE LOST!  you are inspirations to me! and I know that it is possible if I truly dedicate myself and believe that I will lose this weight... I think in the new challenge, no I KNOW in the new challenge the weight will melt off of me! :) and I am excited about this journey...

Stew can we just keep this same thread and just change the name of it??? just a suggestion... Have a happy Halloween everyone!!!! what is everyone going to be??

Congrats to everyone!  You all did a great job!  I had a crazy Halloween, I was a dead prom queen kinda thing, but I am happy to say, I was semi-comfortable in my skin tight dress!  I got lots of compliments which is a HUGE motivation booster.  The only thing is, when I looked at the pics I felt like I looked fat,fat,fat!  Another motivator but in a different way I guess.  Not too much bingeing on candy and stuff, but I drank WAYYYY too much!  I am excited to start our new challenge for New Years, are we moving to another thread or changing the name of this one?

Last check in:

SW-190

LW-178

CW-178

Well, at least I maintained the last week, which is all I want for now.  We have company so I will not be goin back to the diet crazy till next week.  Grand total of 12 which is pretty damn good for me!

Hope to see everyone soon in our new challenge, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!

Stew can we just keep this thread going? and just change the name of it??

I had a fun halloween I wore a blond wig -- me and 2 other friends dressed up as Project Runway, I was Nina Garcia and our gay boyfriend was Tim Gunn and my friend was Heidi -- we had the official project runway' score cards it was funny!

Question - Do blonde's have more fun??? because that night I had more men stare at me, talk to me, make purring noises to me, double take me ... than I have had in a long long time and I was wearing a Blondish Wig? what do you guys think about that??? I did feel comfortable in my out fit ... I am losing inches not weight still .... after TOM ... weighed in at 145 and lost an inch of Waist/Hips and 1/2 inch on Arms... I am really focused on working out and working out hard :)

"I will finally lose this weight and reach my goal of 2000mins of work out in NOV... I will weigh 123 pounds by New Years!" (my mantra)

Oh gooodnesss...I drank a much too much last weekend...but I had tons of fun, and felt faaaabulous in my costume (granted it was a little looser after wearing it to a party last weekend, and then all day to work...but still) got tons of compliments (ego boost of course)...and had soooo much fun.

Soraya...you know, I went from my natural brunette to blonde with highlights...and I think I get a little more attention...but believe me girl, brunettes have just as much fun!!!

I'm so on top of it for this next challenge....bring it! I wanna be 160 by new years!

I'm on top of the next challenge too! I feel the same way! bring it! ;) has anyone heard from the mama?? stew??

I was super excited because I took out the tape measure and lost an inch all over except arms only 1/2 inch... although my weight has stood still at 145 the inches are going down so I'm super excited :) ... going to Miami next Friday and would love to lose another 1/2 inch all over so going to hit the Cardio and Strength training pretty hard, and drink my water ... I did have a slip up last night with the wine finished a bottle while talking on phone with friends! I'm so upset but never mind I will make it up to myself by sweating it out!

hope everyone is having a healthy day!

xo

soraya

Hello!  Glad to good times were had for Halloween!  We had a lot of fun here, too.  I ended up being a hippie in a cute tank top and tye dye pencil skirt -- lots of compliments, so it felt really good!

Soraya, first, congrats on the inches lost!  That's awesome!  Funny about your blonde experience, too.  As a raven haired lass myself, I've often wondered if the blondes and fun thing is true or not!  As far as sticking to this thread, I already started the other thread and we have some folks posting there.  The official start date is set for this Friday. I'm feeling like starting fresh might be a good motivator, too.

Ok, gotta go do some GS stuff.  Lots of paperwork and no fun!