Unwrap the fat..lose 20+ pounds by Christmas

I think there is another group but it is closed...so I thought I'd start a new one. It really helps me to have some sort of accountability to a group when I want to lose weight. Even if its not really a competition, having others in the same boat helps me to keep going. Hey, I don't want to be the only one in the group who doesn't lose weight! This helps motivate me. Here is what I am thinking:

1. Weekly weigh in on Fridays.
2. Exercise at least 3 times a week. Post to let us know what you do, how long you do it, how you'd like to improve etc...
3. Keep track of your calories whichever way is best for you.
4. Have a reward picked out for your success at the end of the Challenge
5. BEGIN:Friday October 10, END: December Friday December 19th (10 weeks)

I'd like to keep the group not too large, that way we can really get to know each other and motivate each other. So, I will close it at around fifteen people or so. I know some people tend to drop out, so if we keep the group small enough, maybe we can help everyone make it to the end and reach our goal!

Together, I hope we can make it thru the Holidays. This can be such a challenging time to lose weight. With some support, and some structure, and some motivation.....I think that we can do this!

If you are interested....Post your introduction. Please include your current weight and your calorie target. Also, please post a little about yourself. I'll make a new post and go first!

Hi! I am lulu. I want to lose 20 pounds by Christmas!  I currently weigh 174.5.  I keep fluctuating between that and 170. I need to get my calories on target so I can see that number drop and stay down! I can't tell you how discouraging it is too see it get down to 170 and then back up again to 174.

My target calorie range is going to be approx. 1400-1450. I have just completed the Couch to 5k Program, so I plan to run (and probably walk) three times a week for my exercise. I would also like to do a little bit of free weigts in between.

I am a stay at home mom. I have four children from almost five years to almost six months. I really want to lose this baby fat and I just want to be a healthy weight. I really hope that I can do this. It is about time I lose the weight. I thought I would lose it with the C25k program, but I didn't. That just proves I need to work on my calories and keeping track of my diet.

**EDIT** I am not sure what I want my prize to be yet. I want it to be something really good, but not too expensive. And I want it to be something tangible because yes its a great feeling to fit into an old pair of pants (which is a prize in itself!) but I want something new! I'll keep you posted on that.

Hi

I'm Frances.  It would be a dream come true to lose 20lb by Christmas.  I was 157 at my heaviest and lost 10lb earlier in the year and then put it all back on again in a six week period.  Gutted!  I guess I took my eye off the ball.

I;m 36 and currently 154lb, my wish is to be 134.  I'm 5ft 2 and spend my whole day on an office.  My saving grace is that I cycle to work, it's a 14 mile round trip.  My trouble is that I overeat, I just don't know when to stop!!

My prize would be to fit into a pair of Karen Millen Trousers I've had for 10 years, they are a size 10 (UK) and if I got down to 134 I could get into them in time for the Christmas party at work.

I look forward to hearing from everyone

Hi! My name's Novi, and I'm 23. My starting weight was 267, and my current is 221.4. I'm supposed to eat 1450 calories in a day, and I've been having trouble eating that much! I'm a diabetic who's really focused on a lifestyle change with this weight loss, and would love to be under 200 lbs at the start of the new year.

My workout plan is pretty varied... I lift weights, I do yoga, ride an exercise bike, dance... I even go old-school and do things like play with a hula hoop and a Skip-It, sometimes! I'd love to get involved with a group, if only just to keep my head straight and my mind focused on losing that weight.

My prize? I've got a whole dresser drawer full of clothes that I bought this summer on vacation, deliberately too small, knowing that I was losing weight. I'd love to be able to step out in them by next summer!

Welcome Novi and Frances. I am so glad you joined because NOW we have a group! I hope more people join up, but if they don't we can still lose the weight together!

Frances, you have that long bike ride. What a great way to get in exercise by riding to your work!  You say that you have trouble over eating? What is your calorie range and how do you keep track?

Novi, we have the same calorie range, except I have trouble ONLY eating that much. I need to work on portion sizes and smarter choices.

Looking forward to getting to know you guys. I know we can do it. Just to warn you, I do message people who don't post. Not in a bullying way, just to keep track of everyone in the group and to make sure everythings ok. I don't pressure anyone at all. This is a no pressure group. Just accountability to each other for ourselves.

Hi, my name is Melika. I'm currently 134 at 5'3. I'd like to get down to 120 so I can fit back into my clothes :( I've gained about 15 pounds last year. It was my first year in college so I kinda splurged and didn't exercise. I started dieting 2-3 weeks ago. I lost 4 pounds, but gained 3 back. I know what you mean, lulufit, when you said how discouraging it is to gain weight once you've lost it.

 My prize is that I'm going to Mexico with my boyfriend in January so I would really like to look good in a bikini by then. I don't want to get stick skinny, but just enough to be able to fit into my old jeans. College students can't afford a whole new wardrobe just because they gained 15 pounds.

I try to eat 1300 cal most days. I wish my body burned more so I could eat more. The problem is, I usually end up eating more than that, even on days I don't exercise. I eat very healthy during the day, but nights are my weakness. Last night it was McDonald's :(

I was in a group and I liked it a lot, but for some reason people stopped posting. I need the motivation from the rest of you guys. We'll keep each other going!!!

Hey everyone, I'd love to join the group. My name is Tami and I'm 22. I currently weigh about 140-145 (I fluctuate), and would like to lose 15-20 pounds. I'm not sure if I can do it by December, but I would be happy with any weight loss by then! I'm 5'3 and play soccer 3 nights a week and am weight/circuit training 3 days a week. Also, I waitress fulltime, so I move around a lot.  I am trying to eat under 1800 a day, since it is almost impossible for me not to! I have been trying to lose weight this way for a while but I got very unmotivated over the summer and I think it caught up to me.

My goal gift to me would definitely be some new clothes--I hate shopping and I am so sick of my clothes and my jeans. Maybe if they fit better... ;)

Lulu - What's difficult for me is finding foods with bulk that are easy and convenient, plus healthy. Because while I'd normally love to make some black bean veggie chili, or some barley mock-risotto, when I work I don't have time. I end up sitting there on my breaks eating Gerber pureed fruits along with my meal bars, just for a calorie boost!

Melika - Mexico? I'm jealous! I think that all of us "get back into an old/new wardrobe" people should consider upping our rewards to trips to Mexico. I definitely understand McDonalds as a weakness... Their salads look so funky, you just HAVE to get fries instead!

Tami - If you have a physical job, that sounds about right? On days when I work AND work out, I'm burning over 4000 cals, so eating more wouldn't be a bad thing!

Frances - 14 miles? Wow! That's impressive. Do you work out other muscle groups? I try to shake up my routine by trying to hit different muscle groups, just so that the body part/s I work out most often don't get too used to working hard... I like to think that burns more?

Tami- I also waitress one day a week and sometimes it's so busy I actually break a sweat because I'm running around so much. Do you log it in your activity log? I'm wondering if you do and how you log it. I usually log mine under walking at 2.0 for 7 hours. It burns over 1400 cals! I love days I work cuz i feel like you can eat more.

Novi- just wondering wat kind of dance do you do? I've tried a couple of the dancing with the stars dvds only to find out how badly coordinated I am. I would love to get into dancing, but I have a super hard time getting moves down, even very simple ones. I don't know why. Do you attend a class or do a dvd, or just dancing on ur own? By the way congrats on your weight loss!! Losing almost 50 pounds is awesome! What are tips for the rest of us??

The biggest thing I need to work on is night eating. I feel like everyday is doomed because no matter how healthy I eat throughout the day, I'll ruin it after dinner.  I lost 4 pounds in 2 weeks staying at 1300 and exercising. For the past week, I've barely been down to 1500. Does anyone have any ideas how to keep from over eating at night?

Hi I'd like to join a new challenge... I am currently on one that ends this months so I want double the motivation ...

I gained over 30pounds in 3 years after a move cross country and a bout of depression... I have lost about 12-13 of those pounds and am hoping to lose 20 pounds for good this year and get back to my regular self and size... I'm 5'4 and weigh 144 right now and would like to be back to about 120 'my normal' size and weight...

My problem like Melika is that I eat late night and another problem for me is that I binge on wine that is my biggest problem.... I am currently working out 5-6 times a week 60-90 min. I do Biggest Loser DVD's Cardio Max and Power Sculpt. I jump rope and do Pilates and recently added Running to the mix. I am focused on the working out... but not disciplined on stuffing my face!

I tend to lose weight quickly and gain quickly.... I can fluctuate in my weight anywhere from 4-8pounds in a week mostly water I'm sure, but some fat may be sneaking in and some burning off... so my set point weight is confused and I'm trying to get it back...

I love the group of women I am with on the other challenge but people are trailing off and I would like to continue through the end of year... oh and it's my 35th Birthday on the 18th so I have about 10 days to get an inch of here and there :)

xo ... Soraya

I would like to join! My name is Katie and I currently weigh 147. I'm 5'7 and at the beginning of the summer I was 126 (I moved home and gained 20 pounds because of momma's home cookin'!!!) I am now moved out of the house and would LOVE to loose those 20 pounds before Christmas!!! My current calorie consumption is 1400 and I work out about 6 days a week. I have an office job so I sit behind a desk all day and my only activity is at night at the gym and on the weekends. I have a problem of always wanting to eat more, even when I am full. I will be so good during the day at work, but then as soon as I get home I eat and eat and eat! Help me!!!

Melika - I got a few different dvds from amazon.com. Never tried the Dancing With The Stars ones, but I've had a lot of fun with hula and bellydance, and I'm looking for something else fun to break the monotony of just weights and an exercise bike. I have trouble doing some dances, but yoga helped me with coordination a lot. And thank you for congratulating me! I don't know what advice I've got to give a bunch of hundred-something pound girls though... I just lost the easy, "hey, you're not eating 5000 calories a day anymore!" weight. Now comes the hard part!

Hm, at night... I'd suggest eating what you're allowing yourself to eat, then chewing a piece of delicious minty gum. There are few things that go with mint, so it may make you less likely to eat something else. Or try a flavored gum, if that suits you better? And they say that gum chewing helps your body to process the food you're eating better anyway.

Or, if we're going the boot camp route, what about extra exercise? If you eat 200 extra, you can't go to bed until you've worked it all off.

No, I do not keep junk food around...I just eat a TON of healthy food...which anything I guess is bad if you eat too much! I do have the occasional cookie or chocolate at work, but try to keep it healthy at home.

Looks like we are going to have a great group so far!  I have alot of the same problems. All day I do pretty well and then comes dinner. We eat late after the kids go to bed. We sit on the couch and watch tv while we eat (I know, not the best habit). We're talking 8:30-9:00pm.  I put way too big a portion on my plate and eat when I am not hungry anymore, just to clear my plate because it is relaxing, and lets just face it, it tastes good! Then, I always want a sweet after I eat dinner. I have been limiting myself to a pudding snack, the low cal ones. I have one and thats it. Nothing else. My problem is drinking a few glasses of wine and having large portions for dinner. I think if I can battle that and keep exercising, I could lose weight. It sounds so simple, yet it is difficult to lose weight. I WANT to be able to eat what I want. I guess I have to fight that rebellious denial feeling. I have done this before and been successful. I lost thirty pounds before I got pregnant with the twins. So I know I can do it!

My attitude is this:  I may not lose 20+ pounds by Christmas. However, I know that it is safe and possible to lose two pounds a week. That means, I realistically, could lose twenty pounds in ten weeks. Whatever I lose will be a victory, however, I am going to shoot for the moon and those twenty pounds!

Hi, I'd like to join up with this group.  I am a 37 y.o. female.  I am 5 ft 1 in and currently at 133.    I am married and have a 4 y.o. daughter.  I work full time as a probation officer.  I work out 5 times a week.  I do cardio machines for 45 to 60 minutes, I also do quickie circuits 2-3 times a week, and I try to run 3 - 4 miles 2x a week.  I average between 1400-1500 cals a day.  I started out at 148.  I found this site and started calorie counting and was able to get down to 135.  I've been at that number for a couple months.  I finally got down to 133.  I'd like to get down to 120, but ultimately, I'd like to get down to 115.  So, hopefully with this group, I'll be able to lose more and gain some friends.

novileigh - that is my real name :) thank you that's so nice .. :)

lulufit - I have a serious problem with the wine...it is my downfall ! I just joined the binging support group because wine is my vice and I can easily binge on it and am trying to away ... but the crazy thing is the more I talk about it -- the more I want a glass!!!!!!!!!!!!! uh! and I do the same thing.... I live in an apartment w/my daughter and we don't have a dining room' so we do have dinner in front of t.v. so I understand! and I do to clean my plate...

I hear the key is portion control ... I am going to try my hardest to make dinner and eat half and put half away and if I get hungry in a couple hours eat the rest then...I'm gonna try this and hopefully see if I can change my eating habit of stuffing my face and cleaning my plate... UH! ...

xo...soraya

This group is already working!! I'm more motivated than I have been in a few weeks! Today, I ran and burnt 250 cals and then i'm going to the gym for a power step class. I've never been to one so I want to try it. This is most I've worked out in a week or two. I guess you could say I've fallen off the wagon.

What I find gives me amazing energy before a work out is two shots of espresso on ice! I can go forever on that. Definitely gives the energizer bunny effect lol. Just a thought when you're not in the mood to work out or just don't have the energy. You can add skim milk and splenda if you don't like the taste of espresso.  It's definitely a great alternative to high cal coffee drinks.

Yeah, the key IS portion control... But when I feel like eating a LOT and not giving a crap about portion size, I highly recommend baked spaghetti squash. Lump a pound of the stuff on your plate and you're still getting less than 150 cals. You'll get full, and sick of eating, before you clear the plate!

Lulu - That's a good attitude towards it - instead of thinking that not reaching your goal is a failure, coming close is a success! Its not like if you don't lose the weight by Christmas, you're stuck with it forever.

OMG!!  I want to play!!!  This is PERFECT for me!!!  I am ready to start now and get it off!!  I am going to NJ to visit family in Jan and I want to look GREAT!!!! 

I am 32, live in Tampa, FL and weight 195.  I would love to be 180 by the end of the year, that would be a step in the right direction!!!

Food is my biggest challenge, I do not mind going to the gym but I undo everything with what I eat during the day!  I get bored at work, so I eat!!  I get some sick, I EAT!! I am excited, I EAT!!!  You get the idea.  This will help me FOCUS!!!!!

Looks like we are all dedicated to this challenge! I think that, with a little support, we can do it! I already feel better seeing that some of you have the same issues as I do with food, stress eating, etc....

I think with exercise, I am going to do my running/walking three days a week, and then fill in two days with free weights. I don't want to do too much because I know myself! I will get burned out, hate it and quit! I don't want that to happen. Slow and steady wins the race.

I just got home from my step class. It was GREAT!!! It was a challenging one and I could barely keep up, but I felt so good after. It was like runner's high. I must admit I was so worn out but I am definitely going back. it can only get easier. Not to mention, it burns about 600 cal in an hour!!!!  I'd recommend it!