I backslid over the summer from the end of the all-star challenge and fell back into some old habits, but I think I have turned it around this week and am making a good final push before the fall.

Mostly, I appreciate Sara's effort to keep us all engaged and moving forward in what is a hard time for many people with vacations and summer activities, so thank you very much.

Honestly at times I feel I did really well on the challenge, but then there are other times when I feel like I failed miserably. I was extremely motivated in the beginning, but as summer went on I let life get in the way. I did have a few times when I got back on the wagon and this group really got me going again, but again life got in the way.

I did learn a lot about myself through this challenge. I learned how easy it is for me to give up on something. But I also learned that if I take five minutes and remember my reasons for wanting to start this healthy lifestyle in the first place I can get back up and going again.

I've also seen a change in myself. I feel better about myself. I haven't lost much weight but I am getting more toned. I feel better about myself when I look in the mirror. I'm not focusing on the things I don't like anymore. All I see now is someone who is motivated and working towards a goal. I also see a good role model for my children.

This challenge has been awesome and I want to thank Sarah for keeping this going strong. I honestly feel that if this group hadn't been here I would have given up a long time ago and never got back up.

I feel that I have participated consistently throughout the challenge. The weekly challenges helped me look at the things in my life that I could change and kept me motivated.

I had a lot of family and friend gatherings and some travel for work this summer and I was able to navigate all of those situations and stick with my exercise and healthy eating thanks to the support and tips I received in this group and through the website.

I have incorporated a lot of things into my life that I believe will help me keep my changes for life - I watch my self talk and keep it positive, I exercise realistically at the gym, I have started DVD exercise at home for the days I can't get to the gym or am traveling, I am eating healthy and controling my portions, my cravings are under control and I have learned how to allow some 'forbidden' foods at times so that I can live a normal life in the real world and don't have to give up my progress to do it, I have learned to take time for myself because I am a better person when I do and I have more energy and can accomplish more, I have learned that my children (even though they are young adults) do learn from my example and have a better handle on their lives because of my new healthy lifestyle, I have learned that I need to be accountable and encouraged and support is key, I have learned that keeping track of my food intake and exercise plays a key role in my success and I do this religiously!

While I have achieved my weight loss goals up to this point I think the thing that I am most proud of is my significantly increased fitness level. I can't believe how much I can do now that I couldn't in the beginning. I love the feeling it gives me - my body is becoming stronger and my endurance is definitely soooo much better. I have a physical coming up in September with blodd work and everything and while I didn't have any medical issues when I started I am looking forward to seeing some improvements and can't wait to get my doctor's impressions.

I think that my consistent participation helped others too cause I know when I log on and no one is around or nothing has changed for days it can get discouraging and I am sure that is true for others.

This is the first challenge that I have participated in and I may consider the new site one this fall cause this has been a great experience for me. Thanks everyone for your help and support to me!!! PS - I was shopping yesterday and I have gone from a size 24 to size 16. Awesome!!!! Patty

These last two weeks, I have turned that around and lost a few pounds, leaving me at 3 lbs lighter than before this challenge started. I have bumped up my exercise and motivation. Even though I am not eating 100% perfectly, I have started to follow my diet guidelines again. I have started to have a better more positive attitude thanks to a few people in the group giving me some positive reinforcement and kicks in the butt.

Although I did not participate as much as I would have liked to, I did vote a few times and answered some but not all the questions.

I feel as though, even though I didn't give my usual 100% to this challenge, that I have gotten much more than I gave from it, and I thank you my diet buddies for all the help. I thank all of you that donated prizes, that was so motivating to all of us, and very generous. I especially thank Sara for doing such a great job on the challenge, and putting this all together for us. And I also thank her for listening to me whine.

I definitely think I could have been more involved. I learned a lot this summer about what has been stopping me from losing weight in the past and I think I have moved past some hurdles that I didn't even know were there in the past. In some ways though this made more more introspective than I usually am which made it a little more difficult to keep up with things here on the website. Now that things are settling down into a new pattern in my life I look forward to taking the things I have learned and putting them into use for a better future.

I agree with rmanley. Sarah deserves a great big hug and a thank you. She has done so much to keep this group alive.

Well since I haven't been doing ANYTHING regularly it would be difficult for me to say I am in a rut. LOL My goal this week is to schedule my exercise for the rest of the week. I have 2 hours of Kayaking already on the schedule for Saturday (thanks to Bill) so that is taken care of. I will also be working out tonight with my DVD for at least 15 minutes and I am going to do 15 minutes on my Wii Fit too. I have been avoiding it because I didn't want to see my chubby little Mii. LOL

I will also sit down tonight and schedule 2 more work outs for this week.

Thanks everyone!

My own personal goal is my next 10 pound marker from my starting weight (212) I get a manicure and a pedicure. It will be at a local spa where they really do it right. I already have a gift certificate for the spa for a massage so it will end up being a full day spa experience. YAY!

Only 7 pounds to go. :-)

Other rewards I have had were when I lost 30 total pounds I bought an iPod to use while I exercise. I frequently will buy a new work out DVD for doing great on a mini goal for the week or maybe a bath bomb or bubble bar from Lush (http://usa.lush.com/cgi-bin/lushdb/index.html?lang=en_US&dlang=en)

It helps me keep my focus when there is something fun or interesting at the end of the journey. I also have a list of goodies for future goals that I will set as time moves on. Concert tickets, event tickets, travel goodies (weekend at the beach.) So many options to help stay focused on this journey and for when my motivation starts lagging.

My next goal will be to save enough money, from workouts, to get a good full body massage.

Once I reach those two goals/rewards, I will create some new ones. For now those are the ones I'm focusing on working towards.

So, here's the plan. I started out last night by sweating my butt off for 40 minutes during a very active game of baminton with my husband. We were huffing and puffing by the time we were done. It was great!

The rest of the week will look like this: after work today, I'm going to the gym for about an hour. I plan on doing the elliptical for 20 minutes, the treadmill for 15 minutes, the bicycle for 10 minutes, then strength training machines for 15 minutes.

Tuesday, I'm going to a concert after work, so I plan on walking in the park for a half hour during my lunch break.

Wednesday and Thursday I have off from work, so I'm really going to crack down and spend a few hours each day cleaning some rooms in the house, so I'm sure that will be lots of calories burned, but I would also like to do a workout DVD at least one, if not both days, and maybe even play badminton after supper. I just ordered some new workout DVDs on Amazon (thanks to atwistedlime (Leslie), I spent way too much haha), so hopefully I'll get those in this week. I'm excited to try them! If not, I have other ones to pick from.

Friday, I hope to get another walk in during my lunch break. Then, I'll take Saturday off, but I'll be going fishing! I'm shooting to burn a total of 2500-3000 calories this week.

I plan to get serious about including some weight training into my routine! This will be my workout schedule for the next couple of weeks:

Monday: 30 minute run, biceps, triceps, shoulders

Tuesday: 30 minute run, yoga

Wednesday: yoga, abs, legs

Thursday: 30 minute run, yoga

Friday:30 minute run, back, chest

Saturday is usually gardening day.

Sunday: just yoga to relax and prepare for Monday

I also plan to eat all healthy foods and stay away from the foods that irritate my body, like cow products and flour, and cutting down on meat, replacing it with beans or tofu.

I've also already since last week have been cutting way back on my wine consumption. Now I'll just have a little and sip and savor every drop! That should save me a lot of calories!

The most important thing to remember at times when we plateau is to just take our time and not worry about the number on the scale. It will all come in due time. Just be patient and our bodies will respond. Changing up our exercises will help move our body to a new place and we should really change things up regularly instead of waiting for the plateau to hit. Each week I try to do something I didn’t do last week. I have 4 different exercise DVDs, I have my bands for strength training, I have my jump rope, I have my WiiFit, and I have work outs I can do with chairs, stairs, or pretty much anything I have available. I use my elliptical machine at least once a week usually 3 times each week for my cardio and I change which level of program I use regularly. Going faster this time or working on higher resistance the next time generally keeps me from getting bored. The new training I am adding this week is the 6 week plan to get to the 100 Push Ups thanks to Kasssy. One more thing I can do to help build muscle and change up my work outs.

I think I was burnt out and didn't know it, so when I had a legitimate excuse not to exercise, I jumped on it and it has been very hard to get back.

So this week to switch it up I am going to do an exercise video at home. I have a couple and save them for when I travel, but I think I need to do them once in a while to get me into doing more exercising at home. I prefer the gym ( somehow my home should be about comfort and relaxing not exercising - yeah I'm different)but there may be times this winter that weather won't allow me to get there so I need to be prepared to exercise at home. Anyway, the plan is to do my 3 times a week of cardio and weights at the gym, my 1 double cardio day at the gym and then to do 2 times of exercise DVD's at home to replace the exercise class and see how that goes. I'll let you know!!!! Patty

So that's it. I have a variety so that I switch things up. Hopefully it'll work.

I have decided that I NEED short term goals. I have just been looking at things like I would like to get down to my goal weight eventually. I never really set a deadline. So 1) I will set weekly goals to help me achieve weight loss. 2) I will set a date to try and achieve my goal weight by. I have noticed my mind frame is that where if I have a bad day and don't eat right there is always tomorrow. But with that being said I usually end up being pretty lazy because there is always tomorrow. Does that make sense?

So here are my goals: 1) I will not eat fast food this week (again), and that includes on the weekend. 2) I will go to the gym 6 days this week. At the gym I will do 30 minutes of cardio and 15 - 20 minutes of strength training. 3) I will log every bit of food that goes into my mouth (I've sorta strayed on this one) 4) I will set a goal date of Feb 28th, 2009 to reach my goal weight. This will allow me to lose 5 lbs a month.

So that's it. I'm hoping by posting this that I will have people to help hold me accountable. :-)

My short term goals for this week are to drink my full amount of water at least three days and go to the gym at least once.

To get these habits back as permanent fixtures, I am going to increase that short term goal by one day each week.

I know that it is important for me to push myself and exercise but it is just as important that I take time and just relax. This is actually been harder to do then I thought it would be.

For me short term goals are so important. It would be so easy for me to sit back and become overwhelmed by the fact that I need to lose 50-60 pounds but if I stop and look back have lost 30 pounds already and so what's another 60? ;-) Making short term goals breaks the bigger goals into more conceivable portions. I guess the best cliche for me is "Rome wasn't built in a day."

Hopefully by making these public for this week, I will feel obligated to carry them out.

This week, I will: 1. Premake my week's worth of meals so I don't end up falling back on a Special K bar and a mini bag of popcorn for supper... 2. Make myself run two minutes longer every day. 3. Take a calcium vitamin every day. 4. Make an effort to drink a full glass of water with every meal and every snack.

Gee, they don't sound so bad now that they're up!

I plan my meals for the week and shop on the weekend so that on days that I get home late there are no surprises - I know what's for supper. This has helped me to stick with my 1500 calories. When I have the munchies I have popcorn available and no other 'treats' in the house so I have time to think it over before its in my mouth and not easily available for me (I would have to go out and get it and I never do).

I log everything that goes into my mouth and all of my exercise so I can look at my progress.

Planning has definitely kept me on track - and when I do feel overwhelmed I check out the website here and read blogs or other info that I find. I need to make sure that I don't become obsessed with my 'new healthy lifestyle'. I need to keep a balance in my life so that I will maintain this for my life.

Repeatedly typing out these goals and plans is a very helpful exercise - it helps to ingrain what I want to accomplish. Patty

Short term- 1) I need to make sure my meals and snacks are more balanced food-group wise. I definitely need to incorporate more fruits and veggies. 2) Dr. Kushner suggested doing a meal replacement, so I'll give that a try after I talk to my doc. 3) I'm going to plan my meals for the week instead of just throwing something together at the last minute

Long term- 1) I'm shooting to lose 5 pounds a month. I figure I can at least do that, and if I lose more, that would be great, too! 2) I need to stop talking myself out of exercising. I'm going to go to the gym at least 2 times a week and walk, do exercise DVDs, play badminton and tennis the rest of the week. My goal is to burn at least 2500 calories a week. 3) My goal is to get to 140 pounds and KEEP it off!

I know that building muscle is a crucial part of losing weight! It not only helps to get rid of the saggy skin/ flab that you may have; but the more muscle mass you have the more you metabolize. And everyone knows the more your body can metabolize equals more weight loss!!

Last time I worked out with my trainer we had a shorter time period because I was a little late and it was measurments day. So we only had 25 minutes... but this is what I did.

3 minutes on cross trainer level 3 step ups as fast as I can for 30 seconds (3 sets) step ups around aerobics step for 30 seconds(3 sets) step ups/ bicep curls 3 sets of 15 wall push ups 3 sets of 15 5 mins on cross trainer

All of that with no breaks!!! I was sweating bullets! But I know its working me out and I love it!!

Also last week I finally got a WiiFit. I am so excited and it is a lot of fun. I will be using their strength training exercise sections to add an element of fun to it.

I spent my entire high school and college careers as a swimmer. In the end, we spent close to five hours in the water a day so I have developed many different drills to work any muscle that may need it. It's difficult to do though, because I have also learned how to manipulate the water to be as streamlined as possible, and some of the strength excercises I do require me to look and feel awkward...something nearly impossible for me in the water.

Nowadays I am working more on my stomach and arms in the pool because most of my cardio takes care of my legs. Unfortunately, this means a lot of butterfly and drills that are close to butterfly, but I must admit, it is a plus to show up those typical college guys when you step in the pool and just take off doing that stroke! It's strength training and ego stroking in one!

A lot of people don't want to do strength training because a) they think it will make them "bulk up" and b) they think it will make them weigh more. Truthfully, you won't bulk up just by doing 3-5 pound free weights or using strength training machines. They just make you nice and toned, plus speed up your metabolism. If you check the exercise tracker, it's amazing how many calories you burn doing strength training! And as for adding pounds, that may be, but it's MUSCLE! Just like in my example, I weighed 7 pounds more, but wore 3 sizes smaller!

Anyway, since I don't own a bowflex myself, I've gotten creative with my strength training. My husband has a weight bench, but it takes too much time changing weights and things. I usually do free weights at home or the different machines at the gym.

At home, I've created my own routines from differend DVDs I've used like Tae Bo, Turbo Jam, The Biggest Loser, etc. I've bumped the weights from 3 pounders to 5 pounders, and it sure makes a difference! I thought I was going to die the first day! But, my muscles burn and I feel great! It really has helped me become stronger, plus I can balance myself a lot easier with the lunges and balancing moves I do. I've really been pushing myself to do push-ups and plank because even though I despise those exercises, my arms really need some strength in them.

When I go to the gym, I do things like the row machine, sit-up machine, preachers curl, and a bunch of other things that I don't quite know the names of. I make sure to work all different kinds of muscles. It was a little intimidating at first because I didn't know how to work the machines, but I figured it out myself and now I really enjoy using them! I'm trying to do strength training 3 days a week for at least 15-20 minutes each time. Today I did the Turbo Jam Turbo Sculpt and it was 40 minutes of muscle burning action. I was tempted to give up because I'd never used the 5 pounders for it until today, but I pushed myself and made it through! I definitely recommend strength training if you're not already doing it. It really helps you out more than you know!

Seriously.....it is worth your time to look at.

http://www.kokofitness.com/demo_general.html

We can only change ourselves and so that is what i am striving for. And i can do it with all of your help and support. I have found some new buddies and i get fresh insight and encouragement from them in many ways. But mostly what i get from my buddies is the joy i recieve from just listening to them and having others to care about and it makes me feel like if i help someone i can make a difference and together we can conquer things that we could never do on our own. Its such a great feeling to be someones friend and help them succeed in life and see there dreams fullfilled.

I have been reading blogs until my eyes are red each night and I realize that i'm not alone here. No matter where you live, your age, your religious background, rich or poor, this is the place where life long friendships are made by people who are striving for the same goal. This is a community of people who will help their fellow man/woman without judgement. I have added a couple of buddies who have personally inspired me with sharing their stories and I hope one day I can do the same for someone else who found diet.com just by surfing the net looking for answers and a place full of people that really care about your successes and even if you fail, they will be your cheerleaders and ego boosters. I am very happy to have found this warm and caring community on the internet.

Look forward, never back.

I've met several new people on this site since coming here. I am relatively new here but have started to make a couple of friends. I do have one person who really inspires me and cheers me on because we're on the same path. Maybe not for the same reasons but we have a lot in common when it comes to our diet type and the amount of weight we want to lose. It's so hard to find just one person who really helps me. Reading the blogs and keeping up with the groups and boards I get to see a lot of motivational and inspiring stories. When I'm feeling down I just log on and check in and suddenly I have this burst of energy and this urge to get out there and get working.

My partner, Bill, is also a great motivation. We discuss our plans for the future and being healthy is a very important part of that.

Everyone here is also a major motivation. I realized that more and more the past few days that I have been too busy to find time to hop on. I have been reading some of the blogs on the web browser on my phone but I haven't had the ability to post but I have been thinking about all of you all week long. Wondering how you are doing and making better decisions because I know that we are all working so hard together.

I have met so many wonderful people here at diet.com. I will never forget my very first post... I felt so alone. I was suffering from a major bout of depression, and really needed someone to reach out to. I actually cried while typing that first post. For so many years I felt very alone in my struggles, my buddies have helped me realize that I am not alone and they are always there to lift me up when I'm feeling down. They keep me accountable, ask me for advice (which really helps the "people pleaser" in me feel needed), and offer advice of their own. But more than that, they offer their friendship and a common bond that I haven't found elsewhere.

For the moment, I am going to be honest and say that I am fueled mostly by scorn and the ever popular line "I'll show him!"

I have recently gone through a very large and surprising break up where I was cheated on. then, as is required in the break-up-cliche handbook, I went through the textbook rebound. During this one, I turned 30 and was subsequently dumped as well.

For this reason, my self esteem has been utterly shattered, and I am doing anything I can to bring it back up. I look at pictures of how happy and skinny I was in Spain, and have these memories of feeling so attractive, and I want them back!

There you have it. Not the bet answer, I know, and definately not the winner, but crually honest, and surprisingly effective. Rage and blind desire is a better motivator than one might think...

I have found so many inspiring people here on diet.com. People who have lost as much or more than I need to - people who have lost and kept off weight and people who are struggling with day to day choices. They all inspire and motivate me!!! Why? Because this is a community and my buddies are on the same road I am daily!!!! I love reading the blogs and responding!!! I love the info I have access to here and the diet personality quiz results have changed my life!!!!!! Being grateful for what I have found on this site is also very motivating!! So thanks to everyone for your part!!!!! Patty

As far as new members are concerned, whenever I notice a new one, I try to respond immediately, because you never know...they might be in real need of a friend and reaching out. I would hate the idea of someone reaching out and getting no answer! I think it's important for all of us to be quick to show new ones what a wonderful bunch we are here! I remember my first blog....you all made me cry! I was sooooo touched by your quick attention and now I don't think I will ever stop coming here even after I reach my goal weight! I love you guys! (teary eyes)

A lot of factors motivate me to lose weight. I motivate myself because I have done it before and got down to where I wanted to be. I look at past pictures of myself and want to be that girl again. I don't think I was necessarily happier in general, but I had much higher self-esteem and felt a lot better about myself. Plus, of course, I was able to wear lots of cute things and look great in them! I realy miss that. Plus, I have all these smaller clothes that motivate me to get back into them! I can't wait!

People on shows like the Biggest Loser motivate me, too. They lose weight the "right" way without any gimmicks, pills, etc. The transformations are AMAZING and they work their tails off for it. Those commercials for diet pills don't really motivate me, because I see those methods as a way of cheating honestly. It has to be a lifestyle change!

I have some co-workers that have motivated me. Two in particular have lost quite a bit of weight. One has unfortunately gone overboard and it's kind of scary because she seems anorexic. That doesn't motivate me, but all the work she did to get healthy does. Everyone always goes on about her weight loss and I remember when people used to do that to me and now I'm just fat again!

And, of course, people on this site motivate me! Seriously, you guys are awesome! Shannon, Kim, Mary, Coco, Tracy, Leslie, Patty, Irene, Sandy etc. (I know there's plenty more out there). You guys make me believe in myself and I know I can do this! Like I said, I've done it before and I can do it again! Your stories motivate me to get my @$$ into gear and do this once and for all so I can move on with my life! Thanks to all of you!

To be honest, I haven't really gotten to know anyone new lately like I've wanted to, but I do respond to blogs and get to know people that way. I've just been in a funk this week and haven't been on like I usually am, so I'm sorry for that. I'll make it a point to get to know more people throughout this challenge. I have met a lot of amazing people and made lots of friendships here and will continue to do so!

About 5 years ago my father died after a long battle with cancer following a battle with cirosis(sp?) of the liver. He was a major alcoholic which led to the liver problem, which eventually led to him getting Cancer. After he had a liver transplant in 1995 he was completely unstoppable until he got cancer. He was such a great man and always went above and beyond what anyone thought he could. He was a generous, loving, hard working man who never complained or said anything negative. He was a great person to be around. He was always very supportive of me and my goals and he always told me I can do anything I put my heart into. When he died in 2005 my life spiraled out of control, not taking care of myself the way I should have been.

For 2 weeks straight on the radio mid February I heard songs that reminded me of him. I always thought of that of him saying hello. Well I think it was a bit more than hello this time. lol. I had the constant gut feeling that it was finally time to do something about my unhealthy lifestyle and become the woman my daddy would be proud of. So I talked to my best friend and saw my doctor and eventually signed up for a gym membership and what do you know... here I am losing weight and becomming healthy.

I have always been my daddy's little girl. But unfortunatly I have never been "little". So I decided that this weight loss and healthy living habits are my way of showing him (amongst others) that I really can do whatever I set my heart on. And along the way prove to myself that I really can do anything I aspire to accomplish.