QUEEN NEWBIES FEB. CHALLENGE

[mzfpg]

We keep seeing everyone on here needing a pen pal and some suppport, well we're here to help.... The worst thing is for a newbie to post and not get a response so we're beating you all to the punch.

If you want someone to stay on your back and make sure you're following the program, we can help you with that. We have a group of people who keep us in line and we do the same for them.

If you need some support or someone to talk to this is the place for you. We want to make sure that anyone who really wants to lose weight gets the help they need. Leave your mark and we will do whatever we can to help.

Also if you want to email any of us here, here is a list of our addresses:

mzfpg - mzfpg@yahoo.com

momscows - tarmc@hopper.net

Sonnya ( good2bequeen's other addy) - queensonnya@yahoo.com

Cristikarina- cristikarina1@yahoo.com

Also for you information, we now have a yahoo group. The name is Queen Newbies. We use the group to do a chat every Sunday night at 6:00 pm central time. So come and join us there also!

[mzfpg]

I dont know if I'm more excited about joining the Feb. Challenge or getting out of the cheat free challenge, which I totally messed up by the way. Can we all give a big thanks to Cristi though who made up the challenge and as you can see she kicked my butt.

Ok here we go, you all asked for it so it's official. The Feb. challenge will be AN EXERCISE CHALLENGE

The challenge will be to exercise for at least 20 minutes for four times a week. I know they tell us to do three, but we need to pick it up a notch. You will need to put if you've worked out in the subject box of your post and we will see how that is affecting our weight loss. I know I've tried to start moving again so this will help everyone out. LET'S KICK SOME BUTT AS OURS GETS SMALLER.

[mzfpg]

IT IS FINALLY HERE. THE QUEENS RETREAT IS FINALLY SCHEDULED AND THE DATES ARE SET. YES I KNOW YOU ALL THOUGHT WE WOULDNT COME THROUGH BUT WE DID. AND GUESS WHAT YOU BETTER BE THERE OR I'LL HAVE MY BOOTS ON.

THE QUEENS WEEKEND RETREAT IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 30TH-MAY 2CD

THE PLACE WILL BE ST. LOUIS MISSOURI

WE ARE GOING TO TAKE OVER THE CITY AND SHOW THEM HOW QUEENS PARTY. WATCH OUT ST. LOUIS. THE QUEENS ARE COMING


I HAVE NOT WORKED OUT THE HOTEL INFORMATION YET BECAUSE I WANT TO GET A HEAD COUNT SO THAT WE MIGHT GET A BETTER DISCOUNT. WE CHOSE ST. LOUIS BECAUSE IT MET THE CRITERIA SET FORTH BY THE QUEENS EARLIER IN THE YEAR. WE WILL BE ABLE TO WEAR BATHING SUITS, SHOP, DANCE, AND SHOW OUR SEXY SELVES TO LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE, LOL. YES THIS WAS THE CRITERIA.

I HOPE THAT ALL THE QUEENS CAN MAKE IT OUT TO THIS GATHERING. THIS WILL BE THE FIRST ANNUAL QUEENS RETREAT AND HOPEFULLY NOT THE LAST. ST. LOUIS HAS AN AIRPORT THAT CARRIES LOT'S OF DIRECT FLIGHTS WHICH ARE VERY CHEAP RIGHT NOW. ALSO IT IS A VERY EASY CITY TO GET TO IF YOU ARE DRIVING. SOME OF YOU ALL MIGHT WANT TO CAR POOL OR ROOM TOGETHER TO MAKE THE TRIP CHEAPER. BELIEVE ME WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP THE COST DOWN AND HAVE AS MUCH FUN AS POSSIBLE. I WORK FOR WALMART YOU KNOW I KNOW HOW TO SLASH PRICES TO MEET YOUR NEEDS. THE AVERAGE FLIGHT TO ST. LOUIS RIGHT NOW IS ABOUT $250. I WILL BE MORE THAN WILLING TO HELP ANY QUEEN MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO GET THERE AND GIVE YOU ANY INFORMATION YOU NEED. I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON OUR AGENDA WHILE WE ARE THERE AND I WILL ALSO BE REQUESTING INFORMATION FROM THE CITY ITSELF. IF YOU ALL HAVE SOME INFORMATION PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

AGAIN QUEENS RETREAT IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 30TH-MAY 2CD. AND THE LOCATION IS ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI. SEE YOU THERE. I WILL HAVE YOUR CROWNS WAITING FOR YOU!!!!!

[mzfpg]

Ok here is a special challenge to all our you who are going to the going to the QUEEN'S RETREAT. Do you know we have exactly 12 weeks until the retreat which is exactly enough time to make a little dent in our weight. Here is what I propose for all the Queens attending the retreat. A drastic 12 week challenge, LOL.

To lose 5 pounds per month for the challenge. That means by the challenge date we will have lost 15 pounds. If you all make this goal I will have a special gift waiting for you all at the retreat. Let me know if you want to be involved in this challenge and I will get some information from you via e-mail. Also please confirm with me or Teresa if you will be attending. I'm sorry everyone cant make it this year but you all know we will have a retreat next year also so you better plan on making it.

Remember 12 weeks seems like a long time, but it is right around the corner. If you are going to the retreat please send me an email so I can put you on a mailing list and get you all the info you need. mzfpg@yahoo.com. I'm very excited. I hope you are too.

[mzfpg]

Ok I have made the switch a day early because you all know we have people who take a little while to find us. Hopefully if I keep this at the top of the page we wont lose anyone.

I am doing the Feb. Challenge, so I sign myself up, and I am doing the 12 week challenge so I sign myself up for that too. I need to get my butt moving.

I'm here to make a confession this morning and I need some kicks in the butt so bear with me. I went out and got some new clothes. Size 16 shirts and size 18 pants. All on clearance because you know I'm not paying full price anymore, lol but I digress. Anyway I looked at myself in the mirror and OMG. I looked very good. Not my normal look good but I was shocked to look at myself. Well at that moment I was like I look good, why am I going to keep trying to lose, I'm happy with this weight. Ya'll know I was lying to myself and just trying to be lazy. Well I started eating some bad foods and ok, I was just a cheating fool. I stepped on the scale this morning and I was weighing in at 230. That is a 3 pound gain from my starting weight in January. I got the wake up call I needed. This is not a diet. This is not a way to easily shed 5 or 10 pounds to go to a party of something. This is a way of life. I guess I was talking the talk for a long time, but it really hit me this morning. The other thing that hit me was if I was so happy at my current size, why was I trying to diet when I was this size a couple of years ago. Lightbulb went off and let me know that I'm not happy with it. Now dont get me wrong I'm a lot happier than when I was weighing 265 and could barely walk up a flight of stairs. But let me finish this since I know all you Queens are busy. I got scared, again. I got scared that I could really do this and again I started to mess up on purpose. I know we talked about it before and honestly I thought I worked through it, but then I lost another 10 pounds and all that fear came back. So now I have to lose that weight that I had already lost, but I learned a great lesson with it.

So my Feb. mini goal along with the 12 week challenge is to lose 5 pounds. Starting weight is 230. Yep I messed up but I'm back, and somebody found that weight I lost and I'm trying to bury it this time.

[mytie123]

found it. been out of town for three days. back now.

Took my daughter to the airport so she can go to washington for two weeks.

[gracie523]

I am not sure if I can make the St. Louis trip, but can I still be in on the challenge?

machon - reading what you wrote was like reading my own journal. I just recently did the same thing to myself. I dropped 8 lbs in Jan., but when I saw how good I was doing, I gave myself an "excuse" to cheat, or diviate from the plan. I have been trying to get myself below 170 for the last year, and all I have managed to do is gain and lose the same 8-10 lbs over and over again. Everytime that I see that mini goal getting a little closer and more attainable, I let myself fail.

I am starting this month at 173. By the end of this month, I would like to be at around 165 (that's 8 lbs)

So here is my new deal

1 - I will exercise at least 4 times a week (even if it is just a streching tape one of those days)

2 - I will not freak out this month when I get below 170, I will just keep on losing

Grace

[mytie123]

Even though I can't make it, I will try and make the challenge any way.

You ladies will have the time of your life.

[Turtlady]

Sign me up for both challenges

I know I won’t be able to join you in St. Louis, but I can defiantly participate in the challenge.

[mzfpg]

Hey I worked out twice for the week so I only have twice more to go, but I'm going to do more because I know how I am. For anyone who's wondering the Feb. Challenge means you need to work out 16x's this month. If you get more in one week and less another that will keep you on track. I actually have a poster up in my house. I'm going to make all my challenges this time. I keep taking the poster down because I dont want people to see what I'm doing, but finally I was like forget those people, I need to stay motivated. I refuse to lose my 30 pound loss because I keep going up and down with these same pounds.

I have grace, terry and anna signed up for the challenges, including myself. I took your starting weight from you stats. If it is different please let me know. I'll make sure I keep track of these two challenges to give the other queens a break. Once we get to talking it's very hard to keep up with challenges. I have a spreadsheet set up so that should help us all out a bit.

Grace- the reason I wrote the post before is because like you I'm tired of killing myself with the same few pounds. I am like 5 pounds away from reaching my 40 goal and I keep messing up, like I said I feel like I'm doing it on purpose. I'm steady at about 228 right now so I know the extra pounds were just a fluke but they woke me up. I have been so close to 225 I could feel it and then I mess up, well not anymore.

By the way anyone who makes the 12 week challenge I'm trying to get some shirts made. I'll have one done in a few weeks and I'll post a pic of it. As a gift to all of those who make it to the retreat I will purchase your shirt for you if you make your goal. If anyone else would like one I will get you the price, I get a great deal so I know it wont cost more than $10. Also if you are going to the retreat, again send me an email so I can get you on a mailing list. Thanks Queens. Guess what we finally get off of the cheat free thing and I go two days cheat free, lol. I guess I just like to break the rules.

[karla K]

Hi Queens

Count me in on 4x20 a week.

Queen Sharon

[momscows]

Ok, I am in on both Challenges. Mainly because I AM GOING TO ST.LOUIS. Thats right I am going to be there. And St. Loius will know that we were there when we come home.
As for me. Like Machon, I am so glad the no cheat month is up. I think my brain thought no cheat meant to eat everything in site. I have spent this last month playing with the same three pounds. One time I weigh 201 then another 202 then 203 and back and forth all month. With things like they have been at work and with me working so much I have been really tired and some days I have to make myself get out of the bed and go to work. Ihave not been eating right. I go all day without eating and I don't take anything to work with me so then I end up at the vending machine getting something out of there. Did any of you know that a honey bun from a vending machine has 60 carbs? Yes I know this because I purchased one and looked at the carbs but ate it anyway. I have got to get my self togetherand get back to the way I was soing things. This week I am going to focus on my eating and exercising. So that is my plan.

Teresa

[mylittleangel]

I am so going to the retreat. I can't hardly wait.

Machon I have to say I am on board with what others said...reading your confession was like looking at my life for the last few months. We have talked about what is holding us in that pattern and together we will all get through it. I have not only been playing with the same few pounds in the last month, but now have added a few.
My weight for the start of the challenges is 237
Carbs are deadly to my weight...a few cheats have added up to 6lbs over the last few weeks.

I have a good friend who will hopefully be checking in under the name fiber1...I signed her up today. Her and I have committed to a few things between us
1 not weighing more than once a wk (as we have both become slaves to the scale)
2 Giving each other props for the successes big and small
3 Being accountability partners.
We will get there one baby step at a time

Thanks for all of the thoughts and prayers for my trip to my mom and for my mom as well. She got to come home Monday just before we arrived. She was very week and I was glad to be there to help cook and clean. The beginning of the trip down was treacherous as the roads were bad here in Central Illinois...but we made it through...all the positive thoughts and prayers from you queens helped. She is also feeling much better now as well.

I am going to try and find the chat tonight, but can't promise...I looked earlier and am not sure that I remember how to get in.

I already exercise 3 x's a week at curves(even when I was in Alabama with mom I went to the Curves there)...so I will have to find 1 more time to do something.

Have a great week and will talk to you soon.
Tammie

[La Fenice]

Hi Queens,

I hope everybody had a nice weekend and didn't blow it on the Superbowl parties. I did my weekly weigh-in this weekend and found that after the first week of losing 10 lbs, I only lost 1 last week. It was a little disappointing. But I'm trying to keep in perspective-- hey it's still 11 pounds in 2 weeks. How can I complain? My clothes fit so much better and I have a lot more energy.

Anyway, my slight 1 pound disappointment this week has led me join the exercise challenge. Now that I've had 2 weeks of induction and I feel like my body is more accustomed to the low carb life, I'm ready to ramp it up with some physical activity. I used to run a lot-- so maybe I'll rediscover the discipline I once had. I'm looking forward to feeling energized and fit.

I did have 1 boo boo during this weekend. My mother came over with a batch of fresh baked cookies. I just couldn't help myself. I decided I would have just one. I ate it very slowly. But I'm really proud that I stopped myself at just one (something I never would have done before) . And I'm trying not to feel too bad about it so that I keep a positive outlook. Yes, I did have a resurgence of cravings the ENTIRE next day-- but I didn't give in. So-- other than my little cookie incident, I haven't cheated at all.

Actually, I think eating that cookie was good because it wasn't as tasty as I thought it would be. It actually tasted a little strange. So-- the moral of the story is-- I learned that i'm really not sacrificing much of anything with this WOL. Maybe that helped me see the grass is really not greener on the high carb/high sugar side.

Oh well, Queens, keep up the good work everybody and stay positive!

[cqueen]

Sign me up for both challenges. Starting weight 152. TOM is on his way and he is being very mean. LOL. I really want to go to St. Louis also. I have to find someone to drive me there because I refuse to drive in ST. Louis, never have and never will. I have a driving phobia. Sounds weird I know, but I freak out in traffic.

This is really off topic, but I have to ask. Did anyone see the half-time show with Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake? Did he not rip off her boob part and her boob plopped out? Me and my DH were like: "Did you see that?"

Confession Time: I reached my goal early on in January - 2lbs more than goal. Well, I guess I thought that gave me room to eat whatever I wanted, so I did. I am having goal issues here.

Will return later to finish. DD14 is reading over my shoulder.

Cheryl

[Turtlady]

Machon – sorry I hadn’t changed my stats since Jan. 1st. I lost 5 pounds and I’m now at 179

[mytie123]

I really need the challenge, I am putting back the weight on. I have been trying to watch what I eat but been away from the exercise so I am up to the challenge.

[mzfpg]

Thanks to all of you for signing up for the new challenges. I think we needed them I know I did. I am determined to meet that 15 pound challenge simply because I want a shirt. I would hate to buy a shirt for you all and I cant get one for myself.

Cheryl- where do you live? If you live close enough we can come get you or meet you half way. If you want to be there we will make that happen.

Side note, saw the half time show. I think they did it on purpose. Truth is we see that all the time so I dont know what everyone's screaming about. I have to be honest if my boobs were that perky and I had a figure like Janet I would be running around naked, LOL.

La Fenice- what is your real name? And about to cookie believe me I understand. I cant eat mac and cheese anymore. Just feels wrong.

Everyone we have two days until weigh in Weds. I know I'm scared too. Finally got myself together so hopefully I will shed all the pounds I picked up. Believe me I'm trying. I cant believe I let myself get back to 230, but I have to say I look good, LOL. I'll try to post a new pic for you all. I am loving me.

[mzfpg]

[momscows]

Hey all, just ran in for a few to check on everyone. I ;have not had a good day at all today. First, I spent last night getting food ready for me to take to work to eat on all day and I get up this morning and walk out of the house and forget it. I have got to get better. So that means that I did not have anything I could eat so I ended up eating what I should not. HOwever the food I made will hold over til tomorrow so I will get up i n the morning and take my food to work with me. I am going to try to get to sleep tonight. I did get in my exercise last night and this afternoon so there are two of my 20 minute sessions.

Machon - I must agree, if Ihad the body and boobs Janet has I too would run around naked all the time. I would loose my job because I would not wear any to work either lol.

Tammie - glad you are joining us on the trip. What part of Alabama does your mom live? I can't believe you keep coming into Alabama and you don't let me know. We could have done lunch or something.

La Fenice - welcome to the challenge. Hey You lost a pound that is great. And you total is 11 pounds gone forever. Girl don't let it get to you. YOu are very stong. I would not have stopped at one cookie. I would have eaten the whole plate. I have found that when I eat high carb foods now that I once loved they are not as good as I remember. But do I stop and not eat them NO. But I am going to get better.

Well I am going to go for now and get ready for bed. Machon, if Raychelle doesn't go to sleep tonight I am sending her to your house. I am not staying up with that child til 1:30 am again. Talk to you all soon

Teresa

[gracie523]

Well girls, I am afraid that my exercise has already taken a drastic slow-down. I have broncitis

My doctor told me that I really shouldn't be doing much of anything, and even if I try, I go into a coughing fit and have to rest anyway.

However, there is good news. We are getting a tredmill It will be arriving on Friday, and I should be a little better by sunday, so I will just start moving then. I am so excited. We have such long winters up here, so I don't end up getting outside for any exercise until at least the middle or end of April, sometimes even May. So this will help me keep moving through the long winter.

Well, I am off, gotta rest, doctors orders.

[Newbie In Baltimore]

Hey Mac - How do I add a picture in my response? I want to show my results so far because I am thinking of going to Missouri If I can get off of work. I have pics saved as jpg. Help.

Hey ladies - Happy beginning of february. I hope all of us are doing well.

My challenge for this month is going to be getting on here more often and keeping up with GREAT FRIENDS!!!!!!! I am having a water challenge and NO CHEATS CHALLENGE. I failed the Cheats one already!!!!!!

Mac count me in on the weigh in on Wednesday and also for the challenge for MISSOURI!

Have a great night guys. Oh Sorry great night QUEENS!

[cutevic]

Hey Queens

Machon- sign me up for both challenges. I need to see the scale moving again. and be accountable with the exercise.
starting weight-309
day 1=20 min. exercise
personal water challenge-4L a day

Have a good one Queens

[mylittleangel]

Hi all for today I got in a 30 min workout and lots of water. My hubby drug me into a Chinesse buffet for lunch though. I tried my best to eat what wasn't horrible...pepper steak and chicken and broccoli. I have had lots of watert today...over 130 oz.

Teresa my mom lives in Rogersville Alabama. I hadn't even looked to see where everyone was from...sorry...now that she has moved there I will be visiting somewhat more frequently so if you are near we will do lunch and maybe some shopping

Cheryl, I live in a miniscule town near Champaign or Bloomington sort of...we are about 30 -40 miles from each...but it is the closest description I can give with towns anyone may actually know....If you want and it is near I will most deffinately give you a ride not a problem....just let me know.

I am weighing on Mondays. My friend and I are being accountability partners and one of our big deamons is the scale...after the no weigh november I have become re-obsessesed with my scale and probably step on it 100 times a day. She is a nurse and has a scale in every room so she was having the same issue so we vowed to only weigh 1 x a week..If you need a Wed weight as well let me know and we will modify it to 2x's a week....so my weight for the week was 232...weird...5lbs down from last week and TOM is on the way. I had a big cheat day last week and have since went back good...but it was like 7 lbs on in a day and then 5 lbs off in about 1 or 2 days...who knows....I am hopping that next week I will finally be under 230...somewhere I haven't been in years.

Well it has been a long day so I am going to bed hope you all have a super fantastic night talk to ya soon.
Tammie

[cqueen]

No exercise for me yesterday. Was getting ready to and had to go pick up a pucking kid from school. Will get it in today though.

Tammie.....We are in the opposite directions...Thank you so much for the offer though. I will get to St. Louis somehow. Someone may have to come get me somewhere, but I will make it.

cutevic...I wish I could drink as much water as you do. You do so good with that. I was keeping a gallon jug full each day and trying to get through it. I wasn't doing too bad until someone threw my jug away.

Newbie....Hope you can make it for the MO trip.

Gracie...Hope you get to feeling better.

Teresa....You can send her to my house. I have a 2 year old that stays up late every night. Then is a real bear during the day. I can't seem to get her to go to bed early.

Sexy momma Machon.......I will make it to St. Louis somehow even if I have to have my dad take me. LOL. I can make it to Fairview Heights and I am thinking there is a tram there that can take me into St. Louis somewhere. But I am determined to make it. Might have to bring hubby. Going to try and talk sister in law into coming. She