The last 30 day goal was to love & be nice to myself. How'd I do?

I wasn't lying when I said it was going to be hard. It was.

To kick of my yearlong goal of 30 minutes of physical activity every day, my first my first 30 day challenge got it started. How'd I do?

Congrats for finishing the Labor Day 5lb Challenge and thanks for playing along. You can use this post to log your final weight if you want to. I'll leave it posted till this Saturday, the 10th.

Someone, can't remember who it was, asked if there'd be a new group challenge. Sadly, not @ this time. However, Self has a "Reach your goal" program that's giving away free stuff. Use that to keep your momentum going, or if the 5lb Challenge just didn't cut it for you, maybe that one will.

Can you believe this is the 6th week? It feels like just yesterday my crazy brain dreamt up a group challenge and here we are in the final week.

Due to the upcoming holiday weekend and some people meeting, even exceeding, their goals, you can use this post as an early check in. I've added 3 smilies just for the babes. This way you can "click in" how much you've lost:

Next week, I'll post a 5lb challenge wrap up thread as a place for anyone who was out of town over the weekend to check in.

Now end this week with a bang, you've still got 7 days to eek out 1lb, and as teensy as that sounds, we all know how great it is when they all add up.

I've officially closed the challenge to new members, though one could lose 5lbs in the next two weeks, I'd like to promote the safe & healthy, ie boring, 1-2lbs per week plan. So those of you who joined us in the last two weeks have been added to the list.

4 weeks down.

One entire month is gone. Take a moment and pat yourselves on the back, you stuck with the challenge despite the ups & downs and bouts of frustration.

There's just two weeks left, the race to Labor Day even, so much can "happen" in two weeks. If you saw the entry I posted about the scale sticking, and your scale's been stuck for the last 4 weeks, could the final two weeks yield you some beaker of fat type results? Could be. There's only one way to find out: don't quit.

And b/c I'm just so quotastic, I'll leave share this nugget:

"The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones." - Anonymous

What ever your mountain of fat maybe, consider these ½lb to 1lb losses your small stones to bigger and better losses.

NutriSystem has these daily doses of wisdom, pep talks, reminders etc. The one for this morning was so good, I thought the Beaker Babes could get something out of it:

Ok—it's Sunday, and the start of a whole new week. A time for a fresh start. A sort of new mini-beginning. A re-birth! Yeah, yeah, right...yada, yada... you're probably saying to yourself. Ok, so maybe it is the end of summer, and your everyday routine is getting the best of you. Heck, maybe even your diet is getting the best of you. You know what? That's ok.

Maybe during these dog days of summer you find yourself saying things (at least in your head) like, "I'm so sick of having to diet." Or, "How come I'm the one who always needs to lose weight?" Or, "Why can't I be naturally skinny?" Or worse yet, "You know what, I just don't even care any more if I'm fat."

It's ok. We've all said things like this. We've all had those moments when the sheer fact that weight loss is even an issue in our lives just downright stinks. Of course we want to be healthy and fit, but sometimes, it's just plain tough to deal with it, day after day.

But here's the catch—it's what you "got" in life, and you need to deal with it.

There's a saying that says, "You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit." And while this mantra works very well with children when choosing popsicle flavors, it's also probably not a bad way to look at your weight loss journey, either.

Sure, we'd all like to be naturally skinny and beautiful, on the both the outside and inside. And sure, it would be great if we never had to workout but yet could still keep that potbelly at bay. But you know what? Most of us can't. It's just the way it is.

What's most important is how you deal with that fact—and that's exactly what you're doing on this program challenge. You're dealing—and we I commend you for that. We I know it's not easy, but you're doing what you need to do.

So as the summer sun continues to beat down upon us, we I say, keep up the good work—don't give up, and don't get discouraged. There are a lot worse things you could have to be dealing with right now besides the fact that it's probably not the best idea to scarf down an entire banana split.

You can deal with it. You already are—and you're doing a wonderful job.

Today kicks of week 4. Those of you playing @ home will realize, we are @ the ½ way point. 3 more weeks ahead. A lot can happen in 3 weeks, reasonably you can lose anywhere from 3-6lbs. Add to that what you may have already lost in the last 3 weeks will that earn you a beaker of fat? Awesome! Will it get you w/in a 1lb of a beaker, that is still pretty durn good. In other words, no matter what point you are @, now much you've lost (or not lost) to date, make the most of the final 3 weeks and maybe just maybe you'll end this all that much closer to your goals

This week's focus: Today kicks off Week 3! Stumbled in Week 1? Got back on track in Week 2? Week 3 to the rescue! Think about it, there are 4 more weeks in the challenge, so if you haven't lost, or even gained a tad, you can make a lot of progress in the next 4 weeks. Just take it one day @ a time, and here's a gentle reminder, if you find yourself doing something that'll impede your progress, take a second and ask yourself, "Will this bring me closer or further away from that pound I want to lose?"

Well done to everyone who checked in last week, even those who struggled. Why? B/c you checked in anyway which means you are not giving up. That my fellow Beaker Babes is a victory in it's own right.

Hola Beaker Babes (not to late to sign up),

This week's focus: Today kicks off Week 2! Stumbled in Week 1? Made a fugged up choice, or did nothing? Fuggedabout it, there are 5 entire weeks left to turn Week 1 into a distant memory. So wipe any percieved "failings" out of your memory bank and just make today good. Then make tomorrow better and on and on till we hit Saturday.

Though the challenge is titled 5lbs, the main point is just to regroup from whatever edge you may have fallen off and have a group of people cheering each other on. If in the process of getting yourself back on track, you happen to shed 5lbs, kudos. Other than that, @ the very least let's try to not to be to hard on ourselves.

Have a WONDERFUL week, use this post to cheer each other on. It's not soley for logging if you lost or gained b/c we are all much better than that So if you hit a stumbling block and need a push or had a major victory you want to brag about, let's hear it.

Nearing 60 entries the sign up post (it's not to late to sign up and become a Beaker Babe ) was apparently busting @ the seams. Plus folks, I'm lQQkin' @ you Martha , wanted to chat about the challenge. So here ya go, a brand spanking new post to have @ it. For the duration of the challenge, I'll post a new weekly thread on Sunday. If that one gets full, don't hold back, I'll throw another one up mid week.

We are now in week 1, the week when excitement and adrenaline are front and center. How's your week going? Any potential roadblocks coming up this weekend? Do have a plan of attack for the next 6 weeks or are you just winging it?

week 5 recap to do s m t w th f s Challenge goals No Snooze             No eating 3 hours before bed             Daily affirmation             Eating goals No more than 1700 calories             120 oz water 6 days 50 oz 1 weekend day           25 gms of fiber   27 gms           Week 5 goals do 2 full pushups   -           do abs & back 4 days   1           do 2 stretching session   -             R& B FIF mini challenge Eat no more than my BMR 1550 or w/in 100 calories below             1548 1403

Daily Notes:
Sun - Non challenge day.

Mon - Confession is good for the soul. Not hungry this pm, the ½ serving of nuts mid day seems to be tiding me over till din din. No thoughts of ice cream today. Get outta my head already. Back still feeling a bit strained, especially when I sit too long, but doing lower body today didn't feel weird.

Tues - Sat - Sucked, and recording it only adds salt to the wound.

Week 6 Goals:
Here's what I'm aiming for:

625 minutes broken down by:
450 mins cardio
135 mins weights
40 mins stretch

21 miles:
3.5 miles - 6 days

770 oz water:
120 oz - 6 days @ least 50 oz one weekend day

End Notes:
To say I am bummed is an understatement. I had such big plans to end this 6 week challenge w/a bang but am now feeling it'll end w/a whimper. It is ending and I made it thru, for the most part, always a good sign, but now I'm a bit disgusted w/missing last week so there's a bitter taste in my mouth and a "I can't wait till this week is over" feeling.

I was wondering yesterday why did taking a week off, even in order to rest my back, stress me. The same way I was stressed when I got sick earlier in the spring and had to take about 5 days off. The reason is, despite being willing to wake up @ an insane hour and be drenched in sweat, it's not easy. It takes a lot of mental prodding to get my ass outta bed. During week 4, the week of only 2 's every single day was a battle. So last week w/the convenient, albeit painful excuse of back aches, I didn't have to fight myself and found it much easier to just not do anything. And it becomes a domino.

Well if I'm not working out, no need to drink water. May as well have a candy bar or two. Why go to bed early? May as well catch Letterman.

Next thing I know I'm feeling myself heading down a dangerous road. I went to fill up my water bottle and as I ran down the stairs felt my belly jiggle. I'm pretty sure it didn't just start jiggling but when I'm working out, I feel like the jiggle is on it's way out. Today it felt like it's making a return (permanent?) visit.

But I made it this far, week 6, and chucking it was never a consideration. Shure I'm less than enthused, feeling like week 5 and a few rest days early in the challenge, will net me zero results, but whatever. I reworded my daily breakdown. Rather than list I want to do xdays and x minutes per day, I just posted it for the week. I know how I'm going to approach it but for some reason unexpectedly getting sidelined has me a bit gun-shy about making specific plans on paper.

Ok no more dwelling on the past, what's done is done. And in a few days/weeks/months, last week will be a distant memory. They always are. I look forward to tallying my stats next weekend and rolling out some new features. I also sketched out my workout plan for the next 6 months and have my next two 6 week challenges laid out. This week I'll put the finishing touches on them so I'll be ready to post them next weekend.

I'm fairly shure my funk will vanish once I get in the gym tomorrow AM. For one the endorphins will return and two, it'll mark and official end to the day after day after day of no working out, putting me back on the day after day after day of actually working out.

week 4 recap to do s m t w th f s Challenge goals No Snooze   No eating 3 hours before bed   Daily affirmation   Eating goals No more than 1700 calories   120 oz water 6 days 50 oz 1 weekend day 25 gms of fiber   27gms 29gms 32 gms 42 gms 47 gms 26 gms Week 3 goals do 2 full pushups   - - - do abs & back 3 days   1 - 2 - 3 - do 2 stretching session   - - - 1 - 2   R& B FIF mini challenge Eat no more than my BMR 1550 or w/in 100 calories below     1223 1463 1529 1509 1520 1531 1549

Daily Notes:
Sun - Non challenge day.

Mon - Got really queasy ½ mile into run. Had to stop. Did bike for 30 mins. Will make up the miles on Sat. STRONG urge for something sweet post lunch, thoughts of ice cream later has kept me in check. *whew*

Tues - Hadda to hit snooze this AM, my head was killing me. I tossed and turned for about 20 mins and got on up. Close call mid afternoon, felt snacky. Ate 1/2 serving of nuts and made up the calories by eating 1/2 an english muffin.

Wed - Rough afternoon. Had an afternoon meeting which usually makes me anxious. I quell it w/a vending machine run. Plus in that area lunches were smelling good. I succumbed to neither, just drank water and tried to keep my eyez on the prize.

Thurs - Woke up hungry this morning. Ate a larger serving of Fiber one and extra milk. Running low on food stuff, stretching out what's left till Sat. Ate nuts a bit earlier than planned, but had so much brocolli for lunch I'm still full 4 hours later.

Fri - Feeling blah today, typical end of the week schtick. Had to push myself to get up and workout and driving home in the head, I wanted to just get in bed pop in a movie and veg out, while eating fast food. *sigh*

Speaking of food w/my supplies running low I had a close call in the calorie dept. No pm yogurt. Yesterday I had some slices of turkey and dipped into my NutriSystem stash. Same thing today, no turkey though. I'll have a 190 cal NutriSystem lunch so I can keep the cals under 1550 and still have ice cream. 94 degrees today. Must. Have. Ice. Cream.

Man it's 8:15 and I feel like crashing and burning. I would but I'm not trying wake up super early tomorrow, just insanely early as per usual. Odd, since all week I haven't felt sleepy in the least.

Sat - Well I was going to the movies today but honesly after the engagement announcement, that was the final straw. I'm now sick to death of all these stories that happen to come out 2 weeks before a movie. What they don't have a life the other 50 weeks of the year?!?

Week 5 Goals:
Only 1 increase this week, an extra ab/back session.

Here's what I'm aiming for:

528 minutes broken down by:
60 min cardio 6 days - 360
20 min weights 5 days - 100
7 mins abs/back 4 days - 28
20 mins stretch 2 days - 40

21 miles:
3.5 miles - 6 days

770 oz water:
120 oz - 6 days @ least 50 oz one weekend day

End Notes:
7 days of spot on eats & working out...to say I'm tempted to visit the scale is a MASSIVE understatement. But I won't. Besides, I already ate breakfast.

What's most interesting to me is that I got only 2 's w/o even trying. The first was the day I had the headache, yesterday's was b/c I woke up kinda pooped but some noisy @sses in the hall kept me from falling back to sleep. After about a ½ hour of trying I just got up and worked out anyway. I meant to make up the missed run from Monday, but my legs felt a bit tired, so I walked and rode the bike to make up the rest of the hour. I have a theory on why the week turned out the way it did, but I'll hold onto that for a little while longer to see if what I suspect pans out.

I wanted to work out today so I could have Saturday off to rest up for Hell Week (details next Sunday), but sleeping in felt mucho better. I'll do a very light 60 min workout on Saturday.

week 3 recap to do s m t w th f s Challenge goals               No Snooze             No eating 3 hours before bed         Daily affirmation                         Eating goals               No more than 1700 calories           100 oz water minimum 6 days 50 oz 1 weekend day             25 gms of fiber                             Week 3 goals               do 1 full pushup               do abs & back 3 days               do 1 stretching session

Daily Notes:
The lack of blank spaces are where 's should be but I simply lost track most of the week so I'm not bothering to fill it in. Plus it'd be so many it'd depress me.

Sun - Non challenge day.

Mon - Finished off the first bag of Oreo cookies did a ½ assed abs workout so I'm not counting todays attempt towards the 3 sessions goal.

Tues - Very very blah today. Started w/preset treadmill pgm @ a high level but I kept dropping both incline and speed. Didn't have the oomph to run so I biked it for another 30 mins to make my hour. Not adding those 7 miles to my 750 miles goal. Ate a lot of Oreo cookies (bag #2). Didn't do pm upper body weights.

Wed - Today I completely winged it. Didn't feel like following a set pgm, so I worked out as I felt. Did 20 mins HIIT and was supposed to run but didn't feel it, so I did 20 mins preset treadmill pgm and still needed 10 mins to make my hour and the urge to run returned.

Thurs, Fri, Sat - not good, not good, even more not good.

Week 4 Goals
Everything increases this week. One more day of cardio, one more stretching session and 20 more oz of water.

Here's what I'm aiming for this week:

521 minutes broken down by:
60 min cardio 6 days - 360
20 min weights 5 days - 100
7 mins abs/back 3 days - 21
20 mins stretch 2 days - 40

21 miles:
3.5 miles - 6 days

770 oz water:
120 oz - 6 days @ least 50 oz one weekend day

End Notes:
Considering how sucky last week was there's no way to go but up this week. One of the things I noticed last week is while one ½ of my brain processed stress the other part didn't want to feel regimented. Following my routine to a tee would've felt like punishment on top of everything else, so I just did what I felt like for most of the week. I'm looking forward to getting back to my daily grind this week.

week 2 recap to do s m t w th f s Challenge goals               No Snooze   - - No eating past 6pm No eating 3 hours before bed   Daily affirmation                   Eating goals               1200-1600 calories No more than 1700 calories   100 oz water minimum 6 days 50 oz 1 weekend day   25 gms of fiber                   Week 2 goals               do 1 full pushup         do abs & back 3 days   1   2   3   do 1 stretching session

Daily Notes:
Sun - Non challenge day

Mon - Not only didn't I hit snooze, I didn't hear the alarm clock go off. Pfft! Luckily it was a holiday so I ended up hitting the gym 2 hours later than usual.

Tues - Stress week hits peak. Had a filet of fish w/apple pie in the PM. Did 20 mins AM yoga. I liked it. That'll be my new stretching.

Wed - Had a snack pack of oreos

Thurs - Had a snack pack of oreos & some yogurt trail mix.

Fri - Had 2 snack packs of oreos.

Sat - Bought my own damn bag of Oreos so I could stop doing battle w/the vending machine each week.

The main reason I left water @ 90 on the 2 days I didn't hit 100, despite drinking over 100 oz of water every other day is, I don't make up water. Unlike the missed lower body workout on Tuesday I made up on Saturday, I give myself a 24 hour period to drink and once it's gone, it's gone. But b/c I unofficially drink about 120oz per day I ended up drinking over 650 oz for the week.

Challenge Changes
I'm still waking up way before the alarm, so I'm pushing bed back to 10pm. I reworded no eating past 6 to no eating 3 hours before bed. After reading the runners diet article, I'm going to follow their rule of thumb of calories I need to lose weight. My current weight times 13 = what my body needs - 500 calories. For me thats:

172 x 13 = 2236 - 500 = 1736 calories.

Week 3 Goals
Everything stays the same as week 2 except for stretch. I've replaced it w/20 mins of yoga. Ideally I'd like to do it every morning, but will start by aiming for ocne a week. I'm also going to sample 1 Pilates session a week, but for now won't include it in my weeking minutes goal.

Here's what I'm aiming for this week:

441 minutes broken down by:
60 mins cardio - 5 days
20 mins weights - 5 days
7 mins back & abs - 3 days
20 mins yoga - 1 day

18 miles:
3 miles - 5 days

650 oz water:
100 oz - 6 days @ least 50 oz one weekend day

Heh last week I did in fact get 8 's as predicted. Let's shoot for 7 or less this week.

week 1 recap to do m t w th f s Challenge goals             No Snooze No eating past 6pm Daily affirmation               Eating goals             1200-1600 calories 1617* 1572 1619* 1559 1536 100 oz water minimum 25 gms of fiber 29 26 25 26 30               Week 1 goals             do 1 full pushup         do abs & back 2 days   #1   #2     do 1 stretching session

Notes:
The 2 days I hit snooze, I ended up getting up and working out anyway. The days I didn't hit snooze, I didn't exactly bound out of bed, just laid there for about 5 mins trying to focus.

The 3 days I ate past 6, I ended up snacking on something sweet around 7.

Didn't do daily affirmation yesterday since I made my miles & minutes goal and took Saturday off. I really took it off b/c I woke up @ 3 am and could not go back to sleep so when the alarm really went off I was exhausted.

The two days of 1600+ calories are not accurate. I was too lazy to log the nutritional value of my squash in Fitday and used their default amount which is higher than my brand. I'm fairly certain I went over calorie goal on Saturday. I was out and ate out for most of the day and also explains why I ate past 6. Pretty sure I didn't make the fiber gms goal either.

I'm working on doing full body pushups so each upper body day I try to do 1 w/perfect form. I had two upper body sessions and did 2 full body pushups. After the 1st attempy my armpits were mighty sore. I don't exactly do one up/down in one shot. Who knew my entire body would feel so heavy, when I picture doing it in my head it seems easy. When I plant myself on the floor, it's all I can do not to flop flat on my face.

By the skin of my teeth I met the last workout goal, 15 mins stretch. Resisted doing it w/all my might but I needed 12 more minutes to reach my weekly goal. I felt so blissed out when I was done, you'd think I'd leap @ a chance to do this every day. Um. NOT!

Week 2 Goals
After yesterday I'm now leaning to giving myself 1 day a week to relax on eating to compensate for the day I end up being outdoors. I'll still try my best to eat w/my overall goal in mind, but rather than say every single day I'll aim for 25gms of fiber, I'll just leave it @ 6 out of 7 days. I've also made one weekend days water goal to be 50oz, likely the same day I'm running the streets and access to restrooms are scant.

This week minutes, miles & water increase. Here's what I'm aiming for:

436 minutes broken down by:
60 mins cardio - 5 days
20 mins weights - 5 days
7 mins back & abs - 3 days
15 mins stretch - 1 day

18 miles:
3 miles - 5 days

650 oz water:
100 oz - 6 days @ least 50 oz one weekend day

I got 9 's last week, let's see if I can get 8 or less this week.

Out w/a BANG!

Veggies: Does tomato sauce count?
Fruits: Raisins (I'm grasping for straws w/this one.)
Fiber: Who?
Water: 8 oz
Bedtime: 9:03 pm

Bwahahahaha, when I go out I do it in style I mean 3 whole minutes past my bedtime. I got your rebel right here.

Actually this last week was extremely stressful and even though I'm working on looking @ the brighter side and things are feeling a bit better, I was just mentally drained yesterday. @ the last minute I decided to just take the weekend off, no tracking, couting, planning, or making it happen. The routine will resume it's schedule on Monday.

This entry wraps up the 3 week @rse Kickin' Challenge & concludes posting to that catetory.

See what happens w/no Fiber One :furious: And I tried. Really tried, I ate extra cheerios, extra broccoli, I even wondered if the sawdust I saw would count. Pffft! To no avail.

I finished making a bare bones grocery list and will see how I do in a little bit. B/c it was breaking my heart to see the skewed nutritional breakdown in Fitday, starting tomorrow I'm just going to post the foods I ate in the notes section.

I think I get the 21 day habit concept. The first week this was crazy hard. I couldn't stop thinking about what I was giving up (free meal) and pouting @ going to bed early. The second week I resigned myself to surviving 7 days so I knew I could @ least do 7 more. This week, everything felt like 2nd nature.

Ate off plan, will get into it a bit later.

Final week WÒÓT!

Ok, today is movie day. Biggest challenge getting in all water & stickin w/preplanned eats ie: no eating out, no not eating. Other than that this week is in the bag, let's see what %tage I end up making it.

I wish that was a typo, but I was in bed by 8pm. I almost made it earlier. I started getting a wicked headache before lunch and it got progressively worse as the day went on. I almost didn't hit the bike, but thought if I did the post workout euphoria would make it go away. Nope. I ended up skipping the stretching. I tried but laying on the ground and moving around made the throbbing worse. I don't have aspirin so I ended up taking some left over dayquil from when I got sick and just laid in bed. I dozed off for maybe a ½ hour skipped dinner, had 2 bananas instead and just waited for it to get late enough to finally go to sleep. It was still lingering when I woke up this morning but after about 20 mins of walking it went away.

What? Celery is a vegetable ::

In my defense I had 2 servings of the gas inducing Broccoli, but listed celery to show how much variety I add to my life.

Not to toot my own horn, but TOOT. TOOT.

Granted it wasn't a 100% week, more like 99.99% What did me in? That pesky 3rd flexibility session. I KNOWWWWWWWW I should have just done it on Wednesday, but early last week I was all blase I couldn't be bothered. Yesterday I started having some guilt but that didn't last more than 10 mins. I'll get it in this week.

Other than that I'm pretty proud that even though I stayed in the entire day yesterday, I didn't slack off and not eat. I pretty much kept myself on my weekday schedule and next thing I know it's 5pm and almost dinner time.

Interesting, when I stay home and drink water I'm in the bathroom every 30 mins. During the week I don't feel the urge that frequently. I think my bladder knowing the bathroom is 10 steps away vs. 3 flights down takes advantage of the situation.

As far as workouts, this week weights and Couch to 5k increases, but everything else stays the same. Early this morning some jackass neighbor of mine was being loud. I woke up thinking I slept a full night but when the alarm didn't go off I checked the time. 1:50!! I tossed and turned for so long, when the alarm finally went off I was beat.

I kept pressing snooze and debated only doing Couch to 5k. I finally flung myself out of bed and compromised. B/c I didn't have time to do the 45 min walk, I'd do the 20 min fitness pgm. I'll have to check my notes, but I think I did the same pgm a few weeks ago and it just about wiped me out. It peaks @ 3.8mph and 8% incline. Today I was like, "Is that all you got?"

Avid readers of my food journal (please tell me no such person exists) may have noticed that while I specifically log 2 fruits and 3 veggies, I'm actually eating 4-5 fruits and 4 veggies. Said person, who should not exist, may then wonder, "Renee...what gives?"

I want to have a given fruit/veggie. Things that I eat automatically. If I put my goal to eat gov't suggested 5-9 servings, my eyes would well up and I'd whine, "B-b-b-b-ut I can't eat that much." So when I aim to eat 2 fruits & 3 veggies, I'm actually fooling myself into eating 4-5 fruits and 4 veggies.

"Renee you sneaking vixen", said person is now thinking.

B/c I eat raisins, a fruit, w/my cereal I don't count it nor do I count the plum tomato. I count the 2 bananas, which may actually be two servings, as one. Those are my given fruits.

It also gives me wiggle room for days like yesterday when I had to leave early and didn't get a chance to grab my nectarine. I already ate an apple and 2 bananas were standing on deck for dessert. If I was pressed, I would have logged the raisins from breakfast. Or the day before when I forgot to bring in my frozen veggies, in a pinch the tomato would have filled in.

I hope your happy now, said person. I revised this entry just for you.