[jsenning]

Hey Minkettes!

I've seen a few girls mention that they might like to shed a few pounds, so I thought I'd start a club for us. I'd like for this to be a place where we can state our goals, encourage each other, and be held accountable.

Something fun I'd like to do to keep motivated is set up a rewards system. For every milestone you hit, you get a reward! In my case, my end goal is to lose 30 lbs but for every 10 lbs I lose I'm going to reward myself with a new RM.

So who's with me?

Come chat when you need that extra oomph to exercise or when you have the munchies and need a lil bit of encouragement! (And to remind yourself what you have to work for!)

You can do it!

[jsenning]

Also, I am using sparkpeople.com to track what I eat and my exercise. It's a pretty handy tool that lets you get as involved as you like in their community. You can form groups so if enough Minkettes join maybe we can form up a group there.

Finally, the max healthy suggested weight loss rate is 2lbs a week. That's a 7k calorie deficit, so it's tough to reach but keep that in mind!

[kimalee]

I'm definitely in! I'm trying to lose almost 40 pounds...I really like your idea of rewarding yourself after every 10 lb - I think I'll do that, too!

[jsenning]

Awesome, kimalee! Looks like you're off to a great start, too. :)

[sweetpea2]

cute idea!

[xoxomandylyn]

I hit 155 in college (realllllly bad for me!) I'm already down to 135 since May just from being away from awful college food, but my long-term goal is 125 (ten pounds more than when I started college actually, so should be a decent and reasonable goal at 22 years old), but I'd like to lose 5 more pounds before the big day. I've been stuck at 135 for a while now but I also haven't been exercising because I've been so busy, so my goal now is to exercise at least a little bit every day. Hopefully I can do it in time!

[jsenning]

Guccime, I think that 5 lbs in 4 weeks is a reasonable goal! They say that even 30 minutes of moderate exercise (powerwalking!) a day can make a difference. They also say that most brides tend to lose a few pounds due to stress, even though that wasn't the case for me. Good luck and I'm sure you'll look fabulous no matter what. :)

[xoxomandylyn]

Yeah my problem is I think I eat MORE when I am stressed about wedding stuff, haha.

Okay confession to make, it's midnight and my fiance and I just got done eating our second dinner, because we got the bedtime munchies.

Buffalo chicken strips at midnight isn't terrible, right?....

Yeah, okay... stop doing that, I know... haha. Oops.

[Charlie]

Buy something you can snack on at night, like grapes or something that is not that bad... ^^^^

I am sooo in too. I need to loose 10 by Thanksgiving :P

[Jenny Cadine]

I've been trying straight, unsweetened cranberry juice when I get those nighttime cravings. It's a good appetite supressant.

[jsenning]

Thanks for the good suggestions, Crylater and Jenny! I think this thread is off to a great start.

[this1chick]

I am in! I have been trying to get rid of my baby weight for 2 years (not trying very hard) but I really want to get back down to my pre-baby weight of 115!

[Lynnia]

Originally Posted by Jenny Cadine

I've been trying straight, unsweetened cranberry juice when I get those nighttime cravings. It's a good appetite supressant.

Yikes! That's an intense little cocktail there. That stuff will make your eyes cross.

I applaud all the dieting Minkettes. I am currently where I want to be weight-wise, but maintenance is 24-7. Ain't it a b***h. And losing weight is challenging... takes a lot of self-reckoning.

Pass the celery!

[xoxomandylyn]

I keep flip flopping on my goal. It's hard to tell what your goal should be and I think that's part of my problem. I was 110 when I was 18 I think... I ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted, never gained weight, it was great but lets face it, I had no butt and no boobs hahaha. I was around 115 then for a while... then 120... then 125... then hit 130... then all of a sudden my senior?? I think year of college I for some reason just spiked to 140, and then before I knew it up to 150, and for a brief time maybe 3 weeks actually hit 155. To this day I have no idea why, I didn't change anything drastically... perhaps my metabolism just caught up with my age. I'm 5'9" and 135 now, I'm looking better but personally I just want to lose my "flub." I know I am not overweight or anything but I just want to look really healthy and in shape. What I probably need to do is exercise and lift weights more (surprisingly I actually love to lift weights.) My problem is finding time to do so. This wedding stuff is frustrating. The one thing that I really want to get in shape for is the one thing that is preventing me from reaching my goal, because all my time is sucked up by planning it.

Maybe I should make a rule for myself, RIGHT when I wake up before I am allowed to do ANYTHING, I have to exercise for 30 minutes. That should be doable right? Then I can't make excuses throughout the day.

And I guess rather than focus on weight, I will focus on what I see in the mirror. Because it's hard to pin a desired weight, at least for me it is. I just want to get rid of that ungodly stubborn last bit of pudge on my stomach haha. Flat abs here I come???????? Maybe??????????? Please??????????

My best advice, and this works REALLY QUICKLY and truly isn't hard at all once you get used to it: ONLY DRINK WATER. Seriously. Cut out the coffee, cut out the juice (very sugary!), cut out the alcoholic beverages and drink LOTS OF WATER and nothing but water. That's all I changed after college, didn't really go on a diet just only drank water, and tons of weight flew off in the first month alone. Try it!!!!!!

It was hard at first (I love love love juice) but now taht I've done it a while, all I want to drink is water. Everything else tastes too sweet or makes me thirstyer anyway. I got used to it quickly.

[annaversary]

I love this idea!

I am 5'1 1/2 and I weigh 115-120.
I do have a large tummy and I love to eat :)
I've never been "picky" or like "cautious" about my weight... I always feel that I look fine (which is good!) BUT, I must admit I am out of shape!
LOL.

Everytime I do excercise... I end up jogging to Subway........ which doesn't help???

I NEED A PERSONAL TRAINER or someone who'll FORCE ME to excercise.. or.. just someone to attach a handbag in front of me ..... like a dog & a bone...