"All I Want For Christmas Challenge" week of September 25th!!!!

09-25-2005, 04:14 PM

OK Challengers..Christmas is three months from today..no more slacking..no more waiting..no more whatever it is we are doing that isn't working..LOLOLOL

This is the week we make some changes if we need to....remember the two questions I want answered in a post by each and every one of us???

#1. Am I on track to make my goal happen? And I don't mean simply "are you sticking to your plan" I mean "is what you are doing actually giving you RESULTS?"

#2. If not, WHY NOT, and what am I going to change to MAKE it happen?

Get frank with yourself here! Be brutally honest and do what you need to do..the time is NOW!!!!!

I'll go first. My answer to question #1 is a resounding NO!

I'm maintaining nicely, but my Christmas goal is to get down to 115 and officially call goal, so maintaining is NOT going to make that happen. I'm eating on plan and I'm exercising, but it isn't enough..which brings us to question #2. What am I going to do about it? Well..I'm going to go back to a very strict induction, keep my calories to 1000-1200 and keep my fats waaaay down..I've had to admit that both fat and calories DO count when you've lost the majority of the weight. I've proven that to myself with my little experiment..lol. And I'm going to work harder in my workouts and running. The length of time I can spend doing them is limited, but I CAN increase the intensity with which I do them. ie..run faster and lift more

and do this, I shall!!!!!

Next!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And our exercise of the week is triceps push-ups. For those at higher levels of fitness, these are on the floor..for everyone else..they are wall push-ups. On the floor/wall place your hands such that the tips of your thumbs and the tips of your index fingers are touching. This should appear as your thumbs creating the flat base of a triangle, your index fingers meeting at the top point. Now stand a little ways from the wall with arms extended, feet about hip distance apart. Without moving your hands, bring your nose to within and inch or so of the wall and push back out to the starting position. This is a great exercise to do to strengthen and tone the triceps muscles in the back of your upper arm and really makes a HUGE improvement in the 'batwing' look created by considerable weightloss from the upper arm. I want you all to go try this and the first time do as many as it takes to feel a real burn in that muscle back there. Take note of that number and you are going to repeat that many reps AT LEAST 3 times each day!!!! EVERY DAY! This won't have any negative effect on other body parts (ie knees and ankles) so should be safe for everyone to do

and requires no equipment (I'm assuming we all have walls...I may need padded walls soon, but I think I can do them on those too!

) For those who were doing the ball crunches..don't stop doing those..this is in addition to those

Now lets really hit it this week and from now till Christmas ..I believe in each and every one of you ...I KNOW you can do this!!!!!

Love...Mandy
xoxox's

Melly · 09-25-2005, 04:52 PM

Mandy does the phrase "slave driver" ring any bells for you?

09-25-2005, 05:07 PM

..I almost forgot to post my weekly exercise goals !!

Monday: 4 km fast walk , run one 9 minute mile, 100 ball crunches and some of those triceps things from the previous post (will have to let you know how many and in what form when I do them..lol)
Tuesday: 30 minutes in the weight room, run one 9 minute mile, 100 ball crunches and triceps push-ups
Wednesday: Run three miles, walk 4 km, 100 ball crunches and the triceps thingys
Thursday: Run 2 miles, 30 minutes in weight room, 100 ball crunches and the danged triceps things

Friday: Run 2 miles, 100 ball crunches, 30 minutes on the recumbant cycle and (sigh) the triceps things..again!
Saturday and Sunday..just the ball and triceps stuff and possibly a 6.25 run on Saturday if I can find a competative one and someone to watch the youngest kids...a big maybe!

Remember..it doesn't have to be super human exercise..it just needs to be consistant..a walk around the block after dinner still counts as long as you get moving!

Love to all,,,M
xoxox's

09-25-2005, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melly

Mandy does the phrase "slave driver" ring any bells for you?

Hehehe

Melly · 09-25-2005, 05:14 PM

Ummm I don't know about Canada but they outlawed slavery here years ago.......unless it's your children

goalinsight · 09-25-2005, 07:46 PM

"#1. Am I on track to make my goal happen? And I don't mean simply "are you sticking to your plan" I mean "is what you are doing actually giving you RESULTS?"
#2. If not, WHY NOT, and what am I going to change to MAKE it happen?"

I am getting results, just not fast enough nor consistently enough to meet my goal. Maybe my goal was unreasonable but there it is...33.5 more by Thanksgiving and 10 more by Christmas. I may not make that but I can give it a good run (ouch my knees!) to goal and get as close as possible.
So what can I change to make it happen?
A) watch thyroid meds closely
B)start new meds (again)
C)watch carbs closely...carb creep
D)cut the cheese/dairy (started last week)
E)cut the nuts..
F)lower salt intake
G)cut out snacks
H)ride bike 10 minutes 3X/week
I)upper body reps twice daily and increasing
J)add green tea
K)add mandy's new wall excercise - yes! Mandy I do have a wall....
L)get more sleep

Melly · 09-25-2005, 07:50 PM

I am on track becasue I am eating clean and being consistant with the exercise.....woo hoo for me

09-25-2005, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melly

I am on track becasue I am eating clean and being consistant with the exercise.....woo hoo for me

is it getting you where you want to be?

Impoverished Writer · 09-25-2005, 11:33 PM

No, I'm not on track. But I'm trying. I was interviewed for another ( additional) job today and I should hear tomorrow. Other new job is going pretty well I guess, though sales are a bit slow because everyone that comes in happens to be someone else's customer

So even if they buy from me it isn't my sale ( though I may get part of it). And, to make matters worse, I am coming down with something. I wanted to go back on ME tomorrow, but if I'm sick, I'll just stick to regular OWL. One light at the end of the end of the tunnel though, Boeing and the union are talking again and it looks like they have another offer with a new vote on Thurs. Why wait till Thurs. though??? But if the union accepts they could be back to work by Friday. If that happens maybe everything will start to be ok again. As far as my goals:
Assuming I'm not sick....
Get back on ME for a week, then back to OWL.
Ride my stationary bike ( gym membership is expired

)
try to get through 2 jobs plus my business without stressing out too much, lol

Sorry I haven't been too much of a cheer leader lately, I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed. I'll improve, I promise.

Pizzamama · 09-26-2005, 07:10 AM

Wow! I missed alot this weekend!

~ First of all to Mandy

! What a horrible thing to come upon! If only they could have known how lucky they were to have had such a compassionate person to their aid! You need to feel good about your efforts

~ HN...Glad to hear you are feelin better! I must not have your email addy - if you have mine please send me yours - I'm such a stoop

~ Impy...Wow your lookin to take on yet another job

good luck to ya!

~ Sherry...Your boys will remember the "camp-out" for along time...I remember when my kids went through a whole summer not getting in their beds - funny, now I can't get them outta them

~ Everyone else...Can't wait to hear your answers to Mandy's questions! Okay here I go...............

"#1. Am I on track to make my goal happen? And I don't mean simply "are you sticking to your plan" I mean "is what you are doing actually giving you RESULTS?"
#2. If not, WHY NOT, and what am I going to change to MAKE it happen?"

My goal by Christmas was to maintain exactly where I was when I started this challenge and I did that all summer doing exactly what it was that got me to goal - eating right - but never did "constructive exercise" although very active and hard physical at my work and through healthy low carb eating maintained goal (even with all the partying).......In the recent month (since the heat broke and school started and partying curbed) decided to up things a notch through exercise ..........well for some reason the pounds are inching up

Although I have to admit party nights have now turned into snacking nights (major ice cream junkie)

Now I'm kinda gettin in a re-evaluation mode!

So the answer to question #1 in short is I WAS on track to make it happen

until just recently!

Answer to question #2 - Gonna stick with the exercising (cause it simlpy makes me feel great and energized and know its the right thing to keep doin) I'm hoping the added pounds lately are a combination of building muscle and maybe the added calories/fat from nighttime snacking (ice cream)

so to make it happen gonna make better choices at night!!!!!!!!!!

(which will have to be nothing cause nothing compares)

Something new I've been hearing is when you're near or at goal calories and fat make a bigger difference - gonna set a calorie goal for myself and hit it each day! (no idea what calories I've been taking in or where to start)

Saturday was a DISASTER!!! Can't even bring myself to post it - ok maybe I better:
BRUNCH: 2 bowls veggie beef soup/and 2 single serve containers of blue bunny vanilla yogurt
DINNER: 5 meatballs in sauce, gr. peppers, mushrooms, and cheese (goop is what I call it but very ummy) and 4 cheese sticks (did not pick off breading)
EVENING: OK ready for this???????? Large/Huge bowl (sf)icecream w/1/2(single serve store bought apple pie), 2 (sf)klondike bars, 3 homeade oatmeal cookies........
and water was BAD and no exercise!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~TALK ABOUT A TRUCK DRIVERS APPETITE~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~I WAS CALLIN IT "FAT *SS SATURDAY~~~~~~~~

Sunday was awesome food, water, and exercise
Rode bikes with family 5 plus miles on towpath
Bowl of Kashi 7-grain flakes for Brunch (1 1/2 cup flakes w1/2 cup milk)
Chicken Breast and coleslaw for Dinner and water water water water water
(small bowl <---- i swear sf icecream)

Today so far.....
100 crunches on exercise ball
50 on the floor arm exercises (Mandy's exercise of the week

)
Will finish off my veggie beef soup

Going to make yocheese today to experiment with it tomorrow!

and

to all and have a great LC DAY!

Tippy Toes · 09-26-2005, 08:10 AM

Ah, the great re-evaluation of the goals... I am afraid there is nothing I can do to rush and antibiotic stall, unfortunatly. However, if I continue on WOE and continue some exercise, it is bound to happen for me in the long run!! No sense in beating myself up for something I cannot control.

Get, you have the right idea to sticking to Atkin's advice. I have often wondered about the fat fast and am glad to see it does work.

Patti, nice to see you back and hope you are not sick.

Mandy, as soon as I am done I am going to the wall to do as many of those as possible. And I am going to Walmart for a ball this week, along with the new DVD of Desperate Housewives, lol!

Happy Monday, everyone!

09-26-2005, 08:29 AM

Glad to see you all posting slowly this morning and taking a good look at where you are at.

I made a mistake on my exercise for this week..forgot I have the day off..so the 4 km walk today will only be a 2 km walk. But hopefully the rest should be good to go.

Impoverished writer..hope you don't get sick

Sorry I can't mention everyone by name..trying to get kids fed and out the door to school etc. I'll be back later though..I promise!

Pizza! WOW..50 on the floor??? You are way better than me!!!! I know I can't do that many push ups..even regular ones and these ar harder! You go girl!!!!! wooohooo!

Tippy...how many did you do???

Later folks..and happy Monday

Love to all...Mandy
xoxox's

beachfires · 09-26-2005, 08:37 AM

Good Morning All!

Ok...lets get the interrogation out of the way hehehe.
#1...the answer would have to be yes. I started this challenge with a body fat percentage goal not a weight goal and when I joined (not sure of the exact date) I was at 28% and today I am at 24%, the goal for me is 18% by Christmas.
#2...since 1 is working I guess I will keep on doing what I'm doing along with the addition of the ball exercises that I just LOVE!!

Goals for the week~
M-F 10 miles/30 minutes on recumbent bike am & pm
100 crunches (50 obliques and 50 regular) on the ball
am & pm
gonna try those wall push ups (has to be on the wall
as I can not put any weight on the left wrist due to a
ganglion cyst
M-W-F Free weight routine (bicep curls, french press,
butterfly press, rowing and shoulder sweeps all on
the ball)

Sheesh...if that ain't enough sweat for ya Mandy I don't know what else to do...

My morning routine has changed allowing me an extra 45 minutes each day so I figured there was no reason not to fill them with exercise!!

It sounds like everyone had an eventful (even if not fun) weekend! Mine was very laid back...did a whole lot of nothing which means that I acheived my goal for the weekend

Ok...enough for now, I will try to check back later but Mondays are report days...have a great day all!!

09-26-2005, 08:42 AM

Hiya Elves!

Mandy, good idea to get people re-evaluating their progress, those are some reasonable questions to be asking right now! My goal was more about increasing exercise than dropping more weight, and last week I did great. Yesterday I was in the car all day so I didn't get out jogging but I'll get back on track tomorrow. Tonight I have the kids so I'll do the exercise ball and free weights once they're in bed, Monday isn't typically my jogging night anyway.

Well, the party was fun! I got up there about midnight on Friday and chatted with my friend for an hour or so before bed. In the morning I got up and we had a list of things to do before the party so we got moving around 10. I stacked a few cords of firewood and we repaired the picnic table and picked up the beer and ice and stuff like that. Even though I BOUGHT a lot of beer and tapped the keg and poured beer for other people I managed to get through the night without drinking any. I had bought some non-alcoholic beer so it looked like I always had one in my hand, I figured that was a reasonable accomodation! It was funny to watch everyone else slowly getting loaded, the volume went up and things got broken... mostly because there were a bunch of kids tearing around there too! They sat on the sink in the bathroom and it fell off the wall and then the swingset collapsed and... well, you get the picture.

I'm sure you'll all be glad you WEREN'T there to help me keep the sleeping bag warm when I mention that I went to bed about 1AM like a good boy, only to have it start raining about 5AM. I should have packed everything up then but it stopped so I went back to sleep for maybe half and hour and then it just poured on me! The tent was pretty waterproof, but after a half an hour of hard steady rain and wind, any tent is going to start leaking. Ultimately that got me up and moving, I picked up cans and bottles and tried to tidy up a little, then went to my mom's house for lunch. It was nice to not have a hangover!

Well, back on track for me this week, the eating was crappy all weekend, there were too many carby treats available and not enough low carb choices. I never did have lunch or dinner on Saturday just the snacky stuff so I ended up eating a bowl of tortollini soup, and some tortilla chips with guacamole and cheese baked on. Oh and baked beans. Those were my worst sins

Yesterday wasn't much better, mom had baked a cake when I got there so even though I ate a low carb lunch, I followed it up with cake. My justification for it was that she had grated up zuccini in it so it was like eating veggies <chuckle>

Gotta get some work done, talk to you soon!

Dano

beachfires · 09-26-2005, 08:56 AM

Ok...went to the Ladies room and since I'm the only lady on site no one else would be walking in on me so...I did the wall push up thingies...did 50 of them...probably could have done more but the phone rang and as I am the only one in the office today I had to answer it, I will do more later!!

09-26-2005, 09:05 AM

LOL Sandi..I used to do these in the ladies room at work too..100 everytime I went in..which, as you know, while drinking all this water is a huge number of times! lol That's how I know they work! lol..made a huge difference in my arms!

09-26-2005, 09:06 AM

OK..I REALLY have to shut off this pc for now..I just had breakfast (2 eggs) and if I don't stop mucking around on here I'll be one of those mom's who drives her kids to school in a bathrobe (ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

)

Bye for now

M
xoxo's

goalinsight · 09-26-2005, 09:12 AM

OK Mandy - just did the wall excercise...25 of 'em. Feels...well...interesting. Just beyond of the elbows got tingly first then the upper arm near the shoulders, continued for about 5 more repititions.
Off to do my upper body reps and then to try the leg lifts recommended elsewhere.
My arms are gonna look great but what I do about the rest of me???

Tippy Toes · 09-26-2005, 09:50 AM

Is there something wrong with me, aside from being a weakling?? I can only do a set of 10 of those wall push ups at a time, Mandy! My arms start shaking like crazy after about 5. I assume I am doing them correctly since it kind of hurts, lol! But, I have already done it twice today and it is not even noon yet! Anything beats walking... Can't believe I had to share this with the group, haha. Yes, apparently I get the whimp of the year award. To make up for these shortcomings, I also did 5 min of twisters windmill thingys and danced 2 songs in a row. Then I layed on the floor and did some floor exercises with my legs. As I was lying there I noticed how badly the tile needed mopping, so when I was done I did floors. Whewww, I am sweating now!

09-26-2005, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longways2go

My arms are gonna look great but what I do about the rest of me???

LOL Sherry...worry about one part at a time at this point. Add in other body parts as you can, but speaking as someone who has lost a lot of weight, you'll be glad if you do these regularly..the arms get really nasty and hangy if you don't do it..but with exercise it can improve greatly..trust me on that one

Tippy..you aren't a wimp! Women are notorious for having little upper body strength if the musculature isn't developed. Personally, I think carrying our children around for several years should be giving us Arnie shoulders but obviously that doesn't count in the big scheme of things. So now you have a great starting point and know things can only improve, right? KUTGW!

Now..as for me, I got home from driving oldest ds to school ( I like to drive him on my days off instead of him taking the bus) then came home and was about to do my ball crunches ..I sat on the $%#&@ thing and the kids must have been playing with it cuz I sat down, blew the stopper right across the room and ended up flat on my a$$ on a pile of deflated rubber!

Nowhere near as sexy as that might sound under other circumstances

So, the ball being temporarily unavailable (I have to find the pump attachments now) I decided to do the pushups. I thought I'd do them on the wall since it's been a while since I did them but I think that after today I'll move to doing them on the floor as I got to 200 yet hadn't reached the point of muscle failure yet..I could feel it, yes, but didn't actually need to stop yet. I got the giggles though because my 2 year old decided to 'help' me do them..first he came and stood beside me simply watching, then he moved sloser and stuck his head up my dress and just swayed forward and backward as I moved (he's a strange boy

) then he moved behind me, wrapped his arms around my legs and leaned on me..making me move an extra 30 pounds with each pushup! (lil brat!

..gotta love 'em eh?)

Hope you are all having a wonderful day

to all...M
xoxox's

goalinsight · 09-26-2005, 10:34 AM

Okay - it is 11:30 my time.
Decided to do the wall excercise everytime I head for the bathroom Mandy. Thought it was a good idea!

Maybe

not...2 quarts of water later and three sets of 25 so far...more to come, hehehehehehe.
Already did my second set of upper body reps... and my chair excercises. I think I need to change my excercise goal

'cause I think I can do these and keep it up.

DawnaG · 09-26-2005, 10:48 AM

hello~

Well I am really really having a horriable day! I am tired and I have to take my dd to the dr. once again she is broke out in a rash and not sure what it is.
Hubby is still home with bronchitis (sp?) and my house looks like a wreck!

I am very very down on myself and I can't seem to get motivated right now! I havent got to go workout since last wed.

Well I will check back in later.

Dawna

09-26-2005, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longways2go

Okay - it is 11:30 my time.
Decided to do the wall excercise everytime I head for the bathroom Mandy. Thought it was a good idea!

Maybe

not...2 quarts of water later and three sets of 25 so far...more to come, hehehehehehe.
Already did my second set of upper body reps... and my chair excercises. I think I need to change my excercise goal

'cause I think I can do these and keep it up.

LOL Sherry..you peeing push-uping machine!!! Go Girl!!!!!

Tippy Toes · 09-26-2005, 12:40 PM

Dawna, hope your day gets better.

Mandy, I took Lipitor for 2 years and developed the worst muscle pain and weakness in the arms so, against the Docs wishes, threw them out. The pain was so that I could not lift my arms over my head to take my shirt off. I was finding myself bending over to do it just to avoid the pain. While it is not nearly as bad as it once was, I still feel the pinch and weakness. Do you think this exercise will help?

Tippy Toes · 09-26-2005, 12:44 PM

Oh, and one more thing Mandy! You could be a big help and inspiration to us all if you could post your before and a full length now pic. OK? Then, as we are cursing you we can recall how great you look now and maybe even get mad, thus increasing production!

09-25-2005, 05:07 PM	#3
MandyDee Guest Posts: n/a Gallery: MandyDee	Ooops... ..I almost forgot to post my weekly exercise goals !! Monday: 4 km fast walk , run one 9 minute mile, 100 ball crunches and some of those triceps things from the previous post (will have to let you know how many and in what form when I do them..lol) Tuesday: 30 minutes in the weight room, run one 9 minute mile, 100 ball crunches and triceps push-ups Wednesday: Run three miles, walk 4 km, 100 ball crunches and the triceps thingys Thursday: Run 2 miles, 30 minutes in weight room, 100 ball crunches and the danged triceps things Friday: Run 2 miles, 100 ball crunches, 30 minutes on the recumbant cycle and (sigh) the triceps things..again! Saturday and Sunday..just the ball and triceps stuff and possibly a 6.25 run on Saturday if I can find a competative one and someone to watch the youngest kids...a big maybe! Remember..it doesn't have to be super human exercise..it just needs to be consistant..a walk around the block after dinner still counts as long as you get moving! Love to all,,,M xoxox's

09-25-2005, 07:46 PM	#6
goalinsight Formally known as longways2go Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: melting it all away... Posts: 831 Gallery: goalinsight Stats: 430+/297/170 WOE: Atkins/Kimmers Start Date: June 2005	"#1. Am I on track to make my goal happen? And I don't mean simply "are you sticking to your plan" I mean "is what you are doing actually giving you RESULTS?" #2. If not, WHY NOT, and what am I going to change to MAKE it happen?" I am getting results, just not fast enough nor consistently enough to meet my goal. Maybe my goal was unreasonable but there it is...33.5 more by Thanksgiving and 10 more by Christmas. I may not make that but I can give it a good run (ouch my knees!) to goal and get as close as possible. So what can I change to make it happen? A) watch thyroid meds closely B)start new meds (again) C)watch carbs closely...carb creep D)cut the cheese/dairy (started last week) E)cut the nuts.. F)lower salt intake G)cut out snacks H)ride bike 10 minutes 3X/week I)upper body reps twice daily and increasing J)add green tea K)add mandy's new wall excercise - yes! Mandy I do have a wall.... L)get more sleep __________________ Sherry I John 4:18 start date 6/14/05 All I want for Christmas Challenge 45 FOR 45 Challenge 133 pounds gone! Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

09-25-2005, 11:33 PM	#9
Impoverished Writer Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west coast USA Posts: 834 Gallery: Impoverished Writer Stats: 339/223/140 WOE: Atkins OWL Start Date: July 12, 2004	No, I'm not on track. But I'm trying. I was interviewed for another ( additional) job today and I should hear tomorrow. Other new job is going pretty well I guess, though sales are a bit slow because everyone that comes in happens to be someone else's customer So even if they buy from me it isn't my sale ( though I may get part of it). And, to make matters worse, I am coming down with something. I wanted to go back on ME tomorrow, but if I'm sick, I'll just stick to regular OWL. One light at the end of the end of the tunnel though, Boeing and the union are talking again and it looks like they have another offer with a new vote on Thurs. Why wait till Thurs. though??? But if the union accepts they could be back to work by Friday. If that happens maybe everything will start to be ok again. As far as my goals: Assuming I'm not sick.... Get back on ME for a week, then back to OWL. Ride my stationary bike ( gym membership is expired ) try to get through 2 jobs plus my business without stressing out too much, lol Sorry I haven't been too much of a cheer leader lately, I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed. I'll improve, I promise. __________________ Patti 5'8 Mom to two wonderful sons. On a bad day remember, If you dented the bumper of your car, would you total it? Member of Total Woman. 110 pound club member!! All I Want For Christmas Challenge!!!! Former Member of Tryingitout's 12 week Boot Camp Challenge, Delta Company Lost 61 pounds! I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails, to always reach my destination.

09-26-2005, 08:29 AM	#12
MandyDee Guest Posts: n/a Gallery: MandyDee	Good morning everyone :) Glad to see you all posting slowly this morning and taking a good look at where you are at. I made a mistake on my exercise for this week..forgot I have the day off..so the 4 km walk today will only be a 2 km walk. But hopefully the rest should be good to go. Impoverished writer..hope you don't get sick Sorry I can't mention everyone by name..trying to get kids fed and out the door to school etc. I'll be back later though..I promise! Pizza! WOW..50 on the floor??? You are way better than me!!!! I know I can't do that many push ups..even regular ones and these ar harder! You go girl!!!!! wooohooo! Tippy...how many did you do??? Later folks..and happy Monday Love to all...Mandy xoxox's

09-26-2005, 08:37 AM	#13
beachfires Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Schenectady, NY Posts: 747 Gallery: beachfires Stats: 194/157/145 WOE: Atkins...modified to fit my life :o) Start Date: 1/5/04	Good Morning All! Ok...lets get the interrogation out of the way hehehe. #1...the answer would have to be yes. I started this challenge with a body fat percentage goal not a weight goal and when I joined (not sure of the exact date) I was at 28% and today I am at 24%, the goal for me is 18% by Christmas. #2...since 1 is working I guess I will keep on doing what I'm doing along with the addition of the ball exercises that I just LOVE!! Goals for the week~ M-F 10 miles/30 minutes on recumbent bike am & pm 100 crunches (50 obliques and 50 regular) on the ball am & pm gonna try those wall push ups (has to be on the wall as I can not put any weight on the left wrist due to a ganglion cyst M-W-F Free weight routine (bicep curls, french press, butterfly press, rowing and shoulder sweeps all on the ball) Sheesh...if that ain't enough sweat for ya Mandy I don't know what else to do... My morning routine has changed allowing me an extra 45 minutes each day so I figured there was no reason not to fill them with exercise!! It sounds like everyone had an eventful (even if not fun) weekend! Mine was very laid back...did a whole lot of nothing which means that I acheived my goal for the weekend Ok...enough for now, I will try to check back later but Mondays are report days...have a great day all!! __________________ We are not the architects of life's path, merely the travelers. Life is what you get...make it what you want ------------------------------------------------ Sandi Last edited by beachfires : 09-26-2005 at 08:40 AM.

09-25-2005, 04:14 PM	#1
MandyDee Guest Posts: n/a Gallery: MandyDee	"All I Want For Christmas Challenge" week of September 25th!!!! OK Challengers..Christmas is three months from today..no more slacking..no more waiting..no more whatever it is we are doing that isn't working..LOLOLOL This is the week we make some changes if we need to....remember the two questions I want answered in a post by each and every one of us??? #1. Am I on track to make my goal happen? And I don't mean simply "are you sticking to your plan" I mean "is what you are doing actually giving you RESULTS?" #2. If not, WHY NOT, and what am I going to change to MAKE it happen? Get frank with yourself here! Be brutally honest and do what you need to do..the time is NOW!!!!! I'll go first. My answer to question #1 is a resounding NO! I'm maintaining nicely, but my Christmas goal is to get down to 115 and officially call goal, so maintaining is NOT going to make that happen. I'm eating on plan and I'm exercising, but it isn't enough..which brings us to question #2. What am I going to do about it? Well..I'm going to go back to a very strict induction, keep my calories to 1000-1200 and keep my fats waaaay down..I've had to admit that both fat and calories DO count when you've lost the majority of the weight. I've proven that to myself with my little experiment..lol. And I'm going to work harder in my workouts and running. The length of time I can spend doing them is limited, but I CAN increase the intensity with which I do them. ie..run faster and lift more and do this, I shall!!!!! Next!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And our exercise of the week is triceps push-ups. For those at higher levels of fitness, these are on the floor..for everyone else..they are wall push-ups. On the floor/wall place your hands such that the tips of your thumbs and the tips of your index fingers are touching. This should appear as your thumbs creating the flat base of a triangle, your index fingers meeting at the top point. Now stand a little ways from the wall with arms extended, feet about hip distance apart. Without moving your hands, bring your nose to within and inch or so of the wall and push back out to the starting position. This is a great exercise to do to strengthen and tone the triceps muscles in the back of your upper arm and really makes a HUGE improvement in the 'batwing' look created by considerable weightloss from the upper arm. I want you all to go try this and the first time do as many as it takes to feel a real burn in that muscle back there. Take note of that number and you are going to repeat that many reps AT LEAST 3 times each day!!!! EVERY DAY! This won't have any negative effect on other body parts (ie knees and ankles) so should be safe for everyone to do and requires no equipment (I'm assuming we all have walls...I may need padded walls soon, but I think I can do them on those too! ) For those who were doing the ball crunches..don't stop doing those..this is in addition to those Now lets really hit it this week and from now till Christmas ..I believe in each and every one of you ...I KNOW you can do this!!!!! Love...Mandy xoxox's Last edited by MandyDee : 09-25-2005 at 04:17 PM.

09-25-2005, 04:52 PM	#2
Melly Its all about me! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: La La Land Usually Posts: 6,779 Gallery: Melly Stats: CRAP!!/not there yet/comfortable WOE: WW - Core Start Date: June 9, 2003	Mandy does the phrase "slave driver" ring any bells for you?

09-25-2005, 05:14 PM	#5
Melly Its all about me! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: La La Land Usually Posts: 6,779 Gallery: Melly Stats: CRAP!!/not there yet/comfortable WOE: WW - Core Start Date: June 9, 2003	Ummm I don't know about Canada but they outlawed slavery here years ago.......unless it's your children

09-25-2005, 07:50 PM	#7
Melly Its all about me! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: La La Land Usually Posts: 6,779 Gallery: Melly Stats: CRAP!!/not there yet/comfortable WOE: WW - Core Start Date: June 9, 2003	I am on track becasue I am eating clean and being consistant with the exercise.....woo hoo for me

09-26-2005, 07:10 AM	#10
Pizzamama Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 717 Gallery: Pizzamama Stats: 5ft1 165/118/115 WOE: what I've learned I can handle & when Start Date: Nov. 03	Wow! I missed alot this weekend! ~ First of all to Mandy ! What a horrible thing to come upon! If only they could have known how lucky they were to have had such a compassionate person to their aid! You need to feel good about your efforts ~ HN...Glad to hear you are feelin better! I must not have your email addy - if you have mine please send me yours - I'm such a stoop ~ Impy...Wow your lookin to take on yet another job good luck to ya! ~ Sherry...Your boys will remember the "camp-out" for along time...I remember when my kids went through a whole summer not getting in their beds - funny, now I can't get them outta them ~ Everyone else...Can't wait to hear your answers to Mandy's questions! Okay here I go............... "#1. Am I on track to make my goal happen? And I don't mean simply "are you sticking to your plan" I mean "is what you are doing actually giving you RESULTS?" #2. If not, WHY NOT, and what am I going to change to MAKE it happen?" My goal by Christmas was to maintain exactly where I was when I started this challenge and I did that all summer doing exactly what it was that got me to goal - eating right - but never did "constructive exercise" although very active and hard physical at my work and through healthy low carb eating maintained goal (even with all the partying).......In the recent month (since the heat broke and school started and partying curbed) decided to up things a notch through exercise ..........well for some reason the pounds are inching up Although I have to admit party nights have now turned into snacking nights (major ice cream junkie) Now I'm kinda gettin in a re-evaluation mode! So the answer to question #1 in short is I WAS on track to make it happen until just recently! Answer to question #2 - Gonna stick with the exercising (cause it simlpy makes me feel great and energized and know its the right thing to keep doin) I'm hoping the added pounds lately are a combination of building muscle and maybe the added calories/fat from nighttime snacking (ice cream) so to make it happen gonna make better choices at night!!!!!!!!!! (which will have to be nothing cause nothing compares) Something new I've been hearing is when you're near or at goal calories and fat make a bigger difference - gonna set a calorie goal for myself and hit it each day! (no idea what calories I've been taking in or where to start) Saturday was a DISASTER!!! Can't even bring myself to post it - ok maybe I better: BRUNCH: 2 bowls veggie beef soup/and 2 single serve containers of blue bunny vanilla yogurt DINNER: 5 meatballs in sauce, gr. peppers, mushrooms, and cheese (goop is what I call it but very ummy) and 4 cheese sticks (did not pick off breading) EVENING: OK ready for this???????? Large/Huge bowl (sf)icecream w/1/2(single serve store bought apple pie), 2 (sf)klondike bars, 3 homeade oatmeal cookies........ and water was BAD and no exercise!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~TALK ABOUT A TRUCK DRIVERS APPETITE~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~I WAS CALLIN IT "FAT *SS SATURDAY~~~~~~~~ Sunday was awesome food, water, and exercise Rode bikes with family 5 plus miles on towpath Bowl of Kashi 7-grain flakes for Brunch (1 1/2 cup flakes w1/2 cup milk) Chicken Breast and coleslaw for Dinner and water water water water water (small bowl <---- i swear sf icecream) Today so far..... 100 crunches on exercise ball 50 on the floor arm exercises (Mandy's exercise of the week ) Will finish off my veggie beef soup Going to make yocheese today to experiment with it tomorrow! and to all and have a great LC DAY!

09-26-2005, 08:10 AM	#11
Tippy Toes Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 4,198 Gallery: Tippy Toes Stats: 263/150/150 to 155 Start Date: April 16 2004	Ah, the great re-evaluation of the goals... I am afraid there is nothing I can do to rush and antibiotic stall, unfortunatly. However, if I continue on WOE and continue some exercise, it is bound to happen for me in the long run!! No sense in beating myself up for something I cannot control. Get, you have the right idea to sticking to Atkin's advice. I have often wondered about the fat fast and am glad to see it does work. Patti, nice to see you back and hope you are not sick. Mandy, as soon as I am done I am going to the wall to do as many of those as possible. And I am going to Walmart for a ball this week, along with the new DVD of Desperate Housewives, lol! Happy Monday, everyone!

09-26-2005, 08:42 AM	#14
Dano Guest Posts: n/a Gallery: Dano	Goals and such Hiya Elves! Mandy, good idea to get people re-evaluating their progress, those are some reasonable questions to be asking right now! My goal was more about increasing exercise than dropping more weight, and last week I did great. Yesterday I was in the car all day so I didn't get out jogging but I'll get back on track tomorrow. Tonight I have the kids so I'll do the exercise ball and free weights once they're in bed, Monday isn't typically my jogging night anyway. Well, the party was fun! I got up there about midnight on Friday and chatted with my friend for an hour or so before bed. In the morning I got up and we had a list of things to do before the party so we got moving around 10. I stacked a few cords of firewood and we repaired the picnic table and picked up the beer and ice and stuff like that. Even though I BOUGHT a lot of beer and tapped the keg and poured beer for other people I managed to get through the night without drinking any. I had bought some non-alcoholic beer so it looked like I always had one in my hand, I figured that was a reasonable accomodation! It was funny to watch everyone else slowly getting loaded, the volume went up and things got broken... mostly because there were a bunch of kids tearing around there too! They sat on the sink in the bathroom and it fell off the wall and then the swingset collapsed and... well, you get the picture. I'm sure you'll all be glad you WEREN'T there to help me keep the sleeping bag warm when I mention that I went to bed about 1AM like a good boy, only to have it start raining about 5AM. I should have packed everything up then but it stopped so I went back to sleep for maybe half and hour and then it just poured on me! The tent was pretty waterproof, but after a half an hour of hard steady rain and wind, any tent is going to start leaking. Ultimately that got me up and moving, I picked up cans and bottles and tried to tidy up a little, then went to my mom's house for lunch. It was nice to not have a hangover! Well, back on track for me this week, the eating was crappy all weekend, there were too many carby treats available and not enough low carb choices. I never did have lunch or dinner on Saturday just the snacky stuff so I ended up eating a bowl of tortollini soup, and some tortilla chips with guacamole and cheese baked on. Oh and baked beans. Those were my worst sins Yesterday wasn't much better, mom had baked a cake when I got there so even though I ate a low carb lunch, I followed it up with cake. My justification for it was that she had grated up zuccini in it so it was like eating veggies <chuckle> Gotta get some work done, talk to you soon! Dano

09-26-2005, 08:56 AM	#15
beachfires Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Schenectady, NY Posts: 747 Gallery: beachfires Stats: 194/157/145 WOE: Atkins...modified to fit my life :o) Start Date: 1/5/04	Ok...went to the Ladies room and since I'm the only lady on site no one else would be walking in on me so...I did the wall push up thingies...did 50 of them...probably could have done more but the phone rang and as I am the only one in the office today I had to answer it, I will do more later!!

09-26-2005, 09:05 AM	#16
MandyDee Guest Posts: n/a Gallery: MandyDee	LOL Sandi..I used to do these in the ladies room at work too..100 everytime I went in..which, as you know, while drinking all this water is a huge number of times! lol That's how I know they work! lol..made a huge difference in my arms!

09-26-2005, 09:06 AM	#17
MandyDee Guest Posts: n/a Gallery: MandyDee	OK..I REALLY have to shut off this pc for now..I just had breakfast (2 eggs) and if I don't stop mucking around on here I'll be one of those mom's who drives her kids to school in a bathrobe (ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww ) Bye for now M xoxo's

09-26-2005, 09:12 AM	#18
goalinsight Formally known as longways2go Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: melting it all away... Posts: 831 Gallery: goalinsight Stats: 430+/297/170 WOE: Atkins/Kimmers Start Date: June 2005	OK Mandy - just did the wall excercise...25 of 'em. Feels...well...interesting. Just beyond of the elbows got tingly first then the upper arm near the shoulders, continued for about 5 more repititions. Off to do my upper body reps and then to try the leg lifts recommended elsewhere. My arms are gonna look great but what I do about the rest of me???

09-26-2005, 09:50 AM	#19
Tippy Toes Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 4,198 Gallery: Tippy Toes Stats: 263/150/150 to 155 Start Date: April 16 2004	Is there something wrong with me, aside from being a weakling?? I can only do a set of 10 of those wall push ups at a time, Mandy! My arms start shaking like crazy after about 5. I assume I am doing them correctly since it kind of hurts, lol! But, I have already done it twice today and it is not even noon yet! Anything beats walking... Can't believe I had to share this with the group, haha. Yes, apparently I get the whimp of the year award. To make up for these shortcomings, I also did 5 min of twisters windmill thingys and danced 2 songs in a row. Then I layed on the floor and did some floor exercises with my legs. As I was lying there I noticed how badly the tile needed mopping, so when I was done I did floors. Whewww, I am sweating now!

09-26-2005, 10:34 AM	#21
goalinsight Formally known as longways2go Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: melting it all away... Posts: 831 Gallery: goalinsight Stats: 430+/297/170 WOE: Atkins/Kimmers Start Date: June 2005	Okay - it is 11:30 my time. Decided to do the wall excercise everytime I head for the bathroom Mandy. Thought it was a good idea! Maybe not...2 quarts of water later and three sets of 25 so far...more to come, hehehehehehe. Already did my second set of upper body reps... and my chair excercises. I think I need to change my excercise goal 'cause I think I can do these and keep it up. Last edited by longways2go : 09-26-2005 at 10:38 AM.

09-26-2005, 10:48 AM	#22
DawnaG MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,300 Gallery: DawnaG Stats: 184.4/184.4/130.0 WOE: atkins Induction/but not limiting veggies Start Date: 6-27-07	hello~ Well I am really really having a horriable day! I am tired and I have to take my dd to the dr. once again she is broke out in a rash and not sure what it is. Hubby is still home with bronchitis (sp?) and my house looks like a wreck! I am very very down on myself and I can't seem to get motivated right now! I havent got to go workout since last wed. Well I will check back in later. Dawna

09-26-2005, 12:40 PM	#24
Tippy Toes Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 4,198 Gallery: Tippy Toes Stats: 263/150/150 to 155 Start Date: April 16 2004	Dawna, hope your day gets better. Mandy, I took Lipitor for 2 years and developed the worst muscle pain and weakness in the arms so, against the Docs wishes, threw them out. The pain was so that I could not lift my arms over my head to take my shirt off. I was finding myself bending over to do it just to avoid the pain. While it is not nearly as bad as it once was, I still feel the pinch and weakness. Do you think this exercise will help?

09-26-2005, 12:44 PM	#25
Tippy Toes Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 4,198 Gallery: Tippy Toes Stats: 263/150/150 to 155 Start Date: April 16 2004	Oh, and one more thing Mandy! You could be a big help and inspiration to us all if you could post your before and a full length now pic. OK? Then, as we are cursing you we can recall how great you look now and maybe even get mad, thus increasing production!