TPF Biggest Loser Challenge Thread #2...JOIN US!

[loladahling]

Heloooo! I'd like to join in if I may from the UK!
I am 34, 5,5 and currently on my scales (coz my mums are always different!) I am 163 lbs, totally bummed out about this! I am a definite yo-yo dieter, I lost 28 lb last year and managed to keep it off for the rest of the 2008 but its nearly all crept back on this year!! I met my new bf in May and while I've had a ball since then unfortunately all the take-outs, good food and wine we've indulged in has taken its toll! I also used to go to the gym about 4 times a week and thats stopped too!! I know its my fault, and I'm not too mad at myself coz I've wanted to spend so much time with him (bleurggh!! - haha!) but enough is enough!! I've stopped feeling so sexy and that will never do, I lost 5.5 lb a coupla weeks ago by being really sensible and cutting out rubbish but it all came back on
and more because I have a habit of getting a bit full of myself at having lost the weight and then complacency sets in!!
So, excuse the long ramble!, I am back on a mission to see in Xmas looking, and more importantly feeling, a lot better about myself! Its back to the gym and SENSIBLE eating for me - I have a habit of being an all or nothing sort of dieter, but Ive finally learnt at the grand ole age of 34 that this is for life and quick losses for me = quick gains!!
So lets hear a whoop whoop for our weight losses and a Sexy Xmas!! WHOOP!!

[NagaJolokia]

Mree43, I remember back when I started drinking the recommended amount of water (64 ounces if no vigorous physical activity, more if there is), I would go to the bathroom like 8-10 times a day at least! However, over the course of a few weeks, I was still drinking the same amount daily, but my body must've adapted to it so well because I went to the bathroom a lot less...like 4-5 times a day instead on average. I have not cheated yet, but I've just had a few small unplanned small meals/snacks this week, and I had burned them all off by exercising extra (and I did the math well). I think for an actual cheat (where the calories are rather large in amount), it would be on a Friday or Saturday (Fun Days) as well. The cheat would be exclusive to one meal though, not for every meal/snack for the day.

AmourCouture, that's a great idea. I actually think I can fit a 32 ounce bottle in one of my everyday work bags too, so it should be no problem.

[saccharine]

These posts are so inspiring. I would love to join too.

I've always been chubby and have always loved food but, this is no longer an excuse not to be healthier.

I'm starting out as a size 14, weighing in at 196 lbs.
My short-term goal (20 weeks) is to lose 10% of my body weight: 20 lbs.
My long-term goal is to be at a healthy BMI weight at 150 lbs. To get here, I need to lose 44 lbs.

To get here, I'm going to minimize eating out, add more veggies and fruits to my diet and limit my wheat and rice consumption. Signing up for a gym membership this week.

I'm nervous and excited to be embarking on this challenge. I feel good about the way that I look but, I realize that this is making me feel complacent about my health. So, I'm taking charge!

[AmourCouture]

La- You could always be that house that gives out apples and nutrition bars (LOL). I'd love to see the looks on the kids faces!

Div- Tip for the bar- I always go in knowing how many drinks I am going to have and what drink I will be having before I hit the bar. I avoid shots because with dieting my alcohol tollerance is low. I have Miller 64 or a Vodka Tonic (or make it a press with a splash of sprite if you like something sweeter) or a Rum and Diet coke. There is one bar here where you can buy "drink tickets" and when we go there to watch football I buy 4 drink tickets- when they are gone I drink water.

Ash- good for you in passing up the cookie! It is an empowering feeling to say NO!

Buddy- That must have been torture! I love italian foods- tons of noodles! I know there are some really good veggie and ground turkey lasagna recipes out there that use whole wheat noodles. They can be just as good!

Lola- Welcome! You will do just fine, you just have to put your mind to it! Maybe the reason you gained your weight back may be because you lost it too fast and got "bounce back" when you started a normal routine again. You should only lose 1.5 to 2 lbs per week for most people. If you are losing more than that then your body starts to think it is starving and stores more fat. Hopefully we can get on the right track together!

Naga- I totally know what you mean about the going so much when you drink that much water. I went from NEVER drinking water to 64 OZ's and my body was like UHHH UHHH

Sacc- Don't be nervous! Remember, none of us are successful 100% of the time. You WILL have slip ups and set backs and temptations. The difference between now and before is that you are going to start seeing where you went wrong and what brought you there and you are going to make a change for the better. I think you first goal is great! Try and break it up into little milestones (5lbs, 10lbs, ect) so that you have short term goal acheivements to celebrate along the way!

[buddy]

well, survived drinks and dinner last night - on the bad side a couple of glasses of NZ pinot noir which was beautiful, on the plus side had steamed fish in a miso broth with bok choy, and no bread, fries, potato, and watched others devour!! No appetiser, the others shared deep fried calamari which looked sensational!!
So overall, not bad!
Walked to pilates yesterday and am happy I am now advanced enough to join a beginners clas - I have just started pilates recently, and you have to take privates until good enough to join a class. So I have made progress!!
Today, off to the gym!

[deeliciouz]

<- this is me this week... i've had it with my laziness & excuses. I'm through.

I've finally weighed myself on my WW scale. I'll be going to weigh in on Saturday morning for the official numbers. I need to stop being so afraid. If I continue going the way I've been for the past 2 months, I'll be back to where I started.

workout tomorrow. now that's a promise. thanks to everyone who is participating in this thread. you've all re-motivated me.

ps. AF is here so I apologize in advance if I sound a bit harsh.

[luv4bags]

Hi All,

I'm in on this challenge.

About me: 31 years old, 5'3", jeans size 12, top L-XL

Goal: So far I've lost approx 20lbs, and to reach my first goal I need to lose 28lbs bringing me to 150. Then my second goal is another 10-15lbs putting me at my ideal weight of 135-140 lbs.

Eating plan: I'm on a low carb lifestyle change because that works for me. I eat lean meats, veggies and fruit.

Exercise plan: I work out approx 5 days a week which includes strength training. My plan is to get on the elliptical at least 30 mins a day(M,W,F), 45 minutes (T, R). During the week I workout online at home and using on demand fitness channel. On weekends my plan is to hit the gym for the intense lifting.

I've been at this forever but my culprit is chocolate/ice cream, along with bread, fried chicken, etc. Then the thought popped in my mind "insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.” I'm not insane, just not consistent, so I'm determined to shake this weight off. I will weigh in on Thursdays!

[Mree43]

Welcome all newbies! Happy to have you all here.

I'm doing good. Have been sticking to my diet and exercising everyday. Weigh in is on Monday, kinda nervous that I didn't lose anything but I'm not going to let it stop me.

I'm off to NYC for the weekend, hope every has a good weekend. Will check in with you all on Monday. Take care.

[lorihmatthews]

Hi all, I'm back on my plan after being sidelined with jury duty this week. We finished up yesterday afternoon. I totally went off plan by eating at McDonald's but it could have been worse. I had a 6 piece chicken McNuggets, 1/2 order of medium fries and about 1/2 medium Coke.

This morning I took Zoe for a nice, long pleasant walk. It's beautiful out, blue skies for as far as you can see. I've got some cleaning and laundry to do around the house, a nice easy way to slide into the weekend.

[yellow08]

About me: 31 years old, 5'3" and a size 8

Goal: lose about 15-20lbs

Eating plan: working on it!

Exercise plan: weight training and cardio (mostly weight training though)

[flipchickmc]

A little late but mind if I join?

A little backstory: I got to my heaviest I've ever been (besides while I was PG) this past year and realized I could no longer blame it on baby weight (DD will be 4 in January - hehe). Back in June, my sister, cousin and BFF decided we were going to lose weight before our big Vegas trip in October (which just passed). I watched my calorie intake using the LoseIt App on my iPhone. Ate a healthy breakfast, snacks, lite lunch and reasonable dinner. My exercises consisted of doing 90min hot yoga classes anywhere from 2-4/wk, Biggest Loser Bootcamp 1&2 and JM's 30 day Shred and ran on the treadmill every so often. Now that the trip is over and my 3mo yoga membership ended - I've been really slacking in both eating and exercising since we got back from Vegas but I haven't put on any additional weight in the last 3 weeks but haven't lost either.

From the time we started in June and my weigh-in this AM, I have lost a total of 16lbs.

Me: 34yo, 4'11.5", curvy build, currently a size 8-10 in pants, M in shirts (I was at size 12-14 in pants earlier this year and L in shirts). I have thick legs, a big butt, carry weight in my belly that hangs over my c-section scar (not pretty) and bra size is 34D (I was 36D earlier this year).

Goal: lose another 10lbs by Christmas and an additional 10-15lbs by my 35th b-day in May...unless I get PG (which I'm hoping happens soon but I have fertility issues - that's a whole other topic)

Eating plan: Get back to what I was doing before our Vegas trip. Counting calories, eating healthier, watch portions.

Exercise plan: I signed up for 20 sessions of hot yoga this week. Plan is to go 2-3/wk over the next 12 weeks. Get back to doing BL Bootcamp and/or Shredding 2-3/wk and want to incorporate HIIT twice/week.

[Lanier]

I've been MIA from the H&F threads but I am BACK! :-) I would love to participate in the tPF Biggest Loser Challenge #2 - I had a blast chatting with everyone in the last thread AND it really helped me to meet my goal. Thanks to the original thread (and Sparkpeople.com) I lost 20 lbs!

About Me: 26 years old, 5'2 and 110 lbs

I am actually at my goal weight from the first time around, but I really need to buckle down and continue to work out and eat right CONSISTENTLY. I wouldn't mind losing another 5 lbs but I am concentrating more on toning this time around.

[nviedprincess]

Hi Lanier and everyone else. I also was in the first Biggest Loser Challenge, and I'm actually at my goal weight but I still have a smidgen of pesky love handle to get rid of.

I previously tried all kinds of diet and eating right and basically only one thing consistently worked for me which was Fat Smash. Only the first nine days was truly difficult, but after that it was a breeze and the weight just came off.

My mom saw me a couple weeks ago and so now she is on it as well. I would offer that the KEY to any weightloss is preparation. (sorry if these were already posted I didn't read all the way through)
My preparations were:
1. Go to the grocery store and cook over the weekends, and put everything in preportioned containers. That way you don't have to cut or ration before you eat. Sort of with the "9 inch diet" or Salad plate diet, if you don't see that there's more or space on your plate, your body will think it's full.
2. Get rid of EVERYTHING that you don't want to eat. ESPECIALLY in the wintertime, if it's cold, you are more inclined to stay in, and more inclined to snack.
3. Move your alarm clock (if you want to exercise in the AM). If you can snooze you will, but if you have to walk across the room, you're more likely to actually go.
4. Find an exercise you LOVE. For me it's zumba and maybe running, but mostly zumba.
5. Have a friend, either to diet with (so that when you go out to eat you're comforted by someone else also making good choices) or to workout with (so that when you don't wanna go to the gym you know you will be held accountable). You also have your tPF friends in this thread.
6. Take it slow, and break it up. For those of you who have more weight to lose, I remember there was someone in the old thread losing in sets of 20lbs. That way when she lost 2lbs it was 10% instead of if she wanted to lose 100 being 2%.

Good luck everyone, here's to a fitter and overall healthier you!

[lorihmatthews]

Hi all, quick Sunday check in for me.

Welcome to all the new posters!

I had an off-week due to the strange jury duty schedule, but I did all right. I still managed to lose 1/2 pound! This is great for me because for the past couple of weeks I was losing and gaining the same pound. Now that pound is gone and I'm done this extra 1/2 pound. Like I always say, at least the scale is moving in the right direction.

This week should be good, I expect to be able to follow my plan pretty well.

Total weight loss so far: 26.5 pounds

[nova_girl]

Hey everyone, and welcome to all the newbies!

I'm really happy to report that I've met my first weight loss goal of 50 pounds! I've decided to set a second goal of 30 pounds and I'm looking forward to see when I'll achieve that. I think the biggest motivation for me is seeing how my body is changing and knowing that the real me is finally coming out.