May/June weight loss challenge

[Possegal]

The quest for fitness continues for me. Does it continue for you? Then sign on up for the next 2 months challenge and we'll be in this thing together.

I may be getting a temporary new job in June where I could possibly ride my bike to it, or at least get home earlier and ride more. Fingers crossed that his will be the 2-month challenge where I make a serious dent in the weight I need to lose.

So let me know here if you are game for this next challenge. We will weigh in for week 1 on or around Friday May 7th. You can give me a goal or not, whatever works for you! This is all to help you guys, so no worries - however it works for you, it works for me too!

[VeloVT]

I'm in this time. I need all the help I can get!

I'm up to (yikes) 149 lbs. Ultimate goal is 115-120, but for the 8 weeks, I'm going to set a goal of 12 lbs, which would put me at about 137.

[Catrin]

I am in this time, it is so helpful to do this. My current goal is 135 pounds so let's make that my goal for this time. If I can just break (and stay under) that 143 barrier that I've been on for the last month!

However during that time I was working a LOT, now back to usual insane schedule and am planning on riding 3-4 days a week on top of my two spinning classes and 2 personal training appointments. If all of this doesn't get my weight down, then it certainly should be tightening what is there and adding/strengthening muscle and lose body fat at the same time.

I haven't been 135 in more years than I would care to admit - once there will need to consider what is best at that point

[tharley]

I kinda blew it on the current challenge. However, I want to keep at it. I'm 185 right now, but want to keep a goal of 180. 5 lbs... I can loose 5 lbs in 2 months, right?!

[abejita]

Count me in. I have been stuck in a stall for a couple months now. I am getting smaller (I've lost pant sizes) but no weight. I am currently 146 with an ultimate goal of 120-125. My goal is to loose 8 lb in the next 8 weeks.

I also started the couch to 5K program last week, if anyone is interested in joining me. I am so not a runner, but I wanted something to do during the winter when I am not cycling.

[GLC1968]

Count me in again! Goal weight: 149

Thanks so much for keeping this going, Possegal. You rock!

[tharley]

184 this am.

[VeloVT]

147.5 -- down 1.5 lbs.

[bounce76]

Oops, I forgot to update yesterday! 132 yesterday morning.

[ASammy1]

231.8... Apparently my old scale was "off" a little bit.

[BikingNurse]

128 this AM. that means I'm up a pound!? Seriously? with all the extra physical activity Ive been doing the past 2 weeks? Hmm.

[Trek420]

173.6 this morning.

[Grits]

I haven't been part of this group for some time now, but thought I would share a success story of losing that last under- ten -pounds that tends to stay on.

I have tried at different times to get my weight back into the 130's where I feel best, but have hovered in the low 140's for a couple of years. I think I wasn't really THAT motivated because I don't look that bad (in cothes ) at that weight so wasn't willing to do anything that was too much work. Plus, I always feel like I should be able to lose weight just because I know so well what I have to do; however, it wasn't happening. I was also avoiding the scales because I knew I wouldn't like what I saw.

When I finally got on the scale in Jan., I was horrified but not really surprised to see that I was at my all time highest non-pregnancy weight, so action was required. This is what worked:

1. Wrote down everything I ate and counted calories for the first 4 weeks . It is a pain, but every time I have lost significant weight, this is what I had to do. On line programs are great, but it is easier for me just to do it manually. I quit writing everything down after that, but kept on eating the same way. My calorie goal was 1200-1300 plus extra for exercise. I used the Cyclist's Guide to Nutrition to figure out what I needed for days I biked. Some days it was well over 2000 calories.

2. Did dramatically cut out junk food and refined carbs, but did not do a low carb, low fat or any other kind of "diet", just counted calories. I tended to eat 5 mini-meals throughout the day so I wouldn't get hungry.

3. Did an on-line weekly weigh in with my sister who was participating in a biggest loser contest at her company. We just happened to be at the same starting and goal weight.

And that is it. Didn't change my normal exercise, except I did start doing gentle yoga twice a week in January. I read recently that women who do yoga are more mindful about what they eat and tend to not gain weight, so maybe it helped. I did it to improve flexibility and ward off joint problems. In the winter I do one or two 45 minute cycling classes a week and work out on the elliptical for one or two sessions for a total of 4 cardio workouts. I also do strength training and/or yoga 2 - 3 times a week. As the weather improves, I substitute outdoor rides for the indoor cardio.

It came off SLOWLY. It has taken since late Jan. to lose 8 pounds. I know that doesn't sound like much to some of you, but believe, me, when you get down to those last 7 to 10 pounds, they absolutely do not want to budge! When the scale didn't move some weeks, I told myself that I was still healthier because I was eating better food and taking good care of my body and just continued on doing what I was doing.

Anyway, I weighed in at 136 this morning and am thrilled because all my clothes are loose now I hope my cycling improves some now that I have a little less weight to pedal up the hills!

[martinkap]

148 lbs this morning - wrong direction again.

Possegal, my goal is 143lbs at the end of the challenge.

Thank you,

Martina

[bounce76]

132 again for me.