Spring is certainly in the air and many of us have started the Spring Challenge.

For those of you who have not yet started, we have until the 26th to begin.

For those who have please remember to take your before photos if you haven't already. There is no requirement to post them, however, it is something I highly recommend as it helps with directing attention to your progress. It is also a good idea to take your measurements and then I would recommend remeasuring every 4 weeks to see your progress.

Make sure you plan your meals and workouts a week ahead of time and also plan the time of the day that you will be eating - you should be fueling your body every 2-3 hours. Try to limit your free day to just a free meal. Nutrition shakes are a great way to keep your plan simple and a you can carry them with you in case you find yourself in a situation where there are not good food choices.

If you go off track, get right back on - pick yourself up and do not look back. We cannot change the past we can only move forward.

STAY CONNECTED WITH THE GROUP AND YOUR ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER. We are here for you - let's ROCK THIS CHALLENGE TOGETHER!!!

Hello all, its Sunday, got my meals prepared, changing some stuff up this week to prevent the loss of control late at night. Going to try and eat more often and smaller portions and also going to not be so extreme with things. Week 1 was a huge success and week 2 I had some diet setbacks, but my exercise was pretty good. This week 3 I am going to stay focused and stick to my nutrition plan 100%. I am going to try making my last meal of the night something like casein protein, greek yogurt or a nutrition shake. I will be back tomorrow to post accountability and such. I hope everyone had a great weekend.

Hello No Excuses!! Hope you all have a wonderful week!

I just got back from vacation and wow, am I ready to be back in my healthy routine!! Lets make it a week full of progress and success!

Welcome back Carolynn, I hope you enjoyed yourself tremendously

Mark- GOOD for you!! That's what I love about you. You find the problem area and work on it by planning and putting into action what needs to be done..


Good morning,
Today is going to be a beautiful day..
My mother and I are meeting my in laws for lunch. My sister-n-law is down visiting and they all want to get together today so we are

I will do shakes today and a meal at the restaurant. I will watch my portions and know that Frank and I have a bet on who can lose the most weight by next Tuesday..LOL..I have to win!! Not much to say except I will do my water and get in my workout today..
I'm still not gonna goof....

Have a great day


Here's a photo I had submitted in another group awhile back. This motivates me to get in gear and REACH for what I want so bad!!!

Good morning! I am getting ready to head to my basement for a killer cardio workout! Starting this week off by holding true to my self promises. 1. Cardio gets done first thing in the morning.
2. Eat according to my plan.
Carolynn, I hope your vacation was everything you wanted it to be! Welcome back.
Mark, sounds like you will have those late night munchies under control in no time.
Tina, It's going to be a great week! I am excited to hear how your mini challenge goes.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Alison

It is a new week!

Today is the first day of my 12 week challenge. This challenge is a memorial to my dad. I weighed and measured and photographed. I am calling today for my after pictures. I lost a little weight when I was in FL. (LOL...3/4 lb) I am going to judge on measurement and clothes fit and pictures.

I started today with a 45 minute ubwo and I will walk Kylala during my lunch hour. I have a busy day, as my brother and mother are flying in tonight and I need to get about 4 weeks worth of work done.


My thought for the day...
"The key to a truly fulfilled life is service."
Me

Hey there beautiful transformers!!


I'm also back from vacation!! I did not have "vacation mindset" when it came to nutrition and exercise......and I feel so great!!! So proud of myself! Hee hee

It was great to chat with SUE!!! She is staying strong and we encouraged each other.

Carolynn....HOW IN THE WORLD WAS YOUR CRUISE???? I'm sure you made wonderful memories.

Today's goals are set......off to teach.....

Have a great day everyone!

Choosing JOY,
Peggy

Happy Monday Everyone!
All set for another great week!
Peggy and Carolynn, welcome back from your vacations...hope you both experienced a wonderful mental break, and some restful fun!
Today I am determined to rummage through the final few boxes of items from our move, and neaten up some areas of the house that just plain bug me that they aren't organized...
Meal plan is set for the day...cardio tonight.
Everyone, enjoy a wonderful Monday!
All the Best...
Mary

Today looks like this for me:

Exercise: 30minutes+ of heavy bag training after work

M1- SP shake with protein, fiber, berries and spinach
M2- 7oz baked chicken breast with a small potato and some teriyaki sauce and lowfat cheese
M3- plain greek yogurt and fresh pineapple
M4- lean cuisine tortilla crusted fish
M5- EAS RTD Protein, apple
M6- Almonds, whey protein.

Feeling good today except I halted my momentum to a stop over the weekend. My step daughter was in town and we all went shopping around and messing around and eating and drinking at will. Was hard to stay on track, I didnt exercise yesterday and had a free day. I told myself I was gonna take a free meal only each week but broke that promise yesterday, so this week I will be back to only 1 free meal. Staying on top of my discipline at night is my theme for this week to focus on. I always feel most motivated to not eat when Im looking at health magazines with fit people, especially women, I think looking at fit women makes me want to be fit so that i will be attractive to other fit women, i dunno, I just know that I feel most inspired and motivated to eat properly when im focused and reading about health. Another thing that keeps me inspired is going to the gym, even if I don't want to workout, if I just walk through the door and check in I will instantly be motivated to get a a great workout in. And watching MMA also motivates me to stay on track. So that is what I will do when I start to feel unfocused, (watch fighting, look at hot chicks, make it to the front counter of a gym)

Hope everyone starts their week off like I am, focused and powerful. Let's get to it this week. Only 10 weeks to go for me. I want to feel my best this summer when im at the beach in florida.

Oh btw- im going to Orlando at the end of May. I will be with my family but may get some time to meet with Tina/Missy if you arent too far away. Not sure where you live, but could you message me your address so I can see/plan a trip possibly.?

Hi everyone..
Peggy and Carolynn-welcome back from your vacations!! Hoping that you both had a great time, and felt alive and happy.

Tina-cheering you on that you can beat Frank (that's your husband, right?)

Cathy S.-I am calling today my first day too. Way to get your before pictures done.

Mary-since your move..you are doing awesome! Keep it up

Allison-Hi! Hope that you got in that killer workout.

Mark-(your looking at hot women working out made me giggle, when I am checking out the studly men in the gym, I've secretly marked them as my "motivators"....your so honest, I like it!) Glad that you got your momentum going again!

M1: 2 glasses of water, vitamins, 1 cup of non-fat greek yogurt, 1 cup of blueberries, 2 eggs, 2 cups of hot tea (not green, 1 tbsp of agave used)
M2: 2 glass of water, vegetable wrap (wheat tortilla with Kale, Olives, smashed cranberries, tahini sauce-bought from Whole Foods), 1 non-fat greek yogurt, 1 apple
M3: 2 glasses of non-sweetened ice tea, 3 chicken tenders, 2 cups of steamed broccoli, 1 sweet potatoe, 1 bowl of mixed salad(peas, carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, bell peppers, pea sprots)
-Total water 50 ounces
Exercise: 10 min walk-doesn't count, but just didn't get to head to the gym today

Hi everyone!
It was back to work for me today and the start of week 2 for me for the spring challenge. I stayed on plan with meals and workout even with work, grocery shopping,and car trouble. I will keep up here as I can during the week. Here's to a great week to all

Ah you lucky vacationers! Welcome back!
Cathy - great mindset - yes it's a new week and new attitude.
Alison - I love your profile picture....so happy!
Mary, unpacking can take forever huh? it'll get done...one box at a time
Mark, way to plan - awesome.
Rachelle - studly men....yes - motivation to keep it moving. LOVE that!

So I'm off to think about Renee's post for the week. Ultimate purpose of my life???? I think I generalize too much and say be the best person I can be to myself and everyone I come in contact with.

I recently heard some one say they try to 'love generously'.....I've added that saying to my mindset and have been trying to make it my newest ACTION word.

Today I recovered from my sugar weekend (cupcakes, bread and beers) I honestly ate better than I ever have but just added CBB, in for the St. Pat's celebration. Now, I'm adjusting......no time like the present!

Today Ran 1.2 miles, walked .7 and Ran .5 and DIDN't puke

Peace and Love Generously.....did Bill say that?

Julie

Hey team,

This is a great week to excel and supercede your own expectations. We know what to do, we no know how to do it so lets take the opportunity and run with it.

I admit I awaken this morning in self-sabotage mode, lingering shadows of a jam-packed weekend and not enough sleep ejected a cloud of fuzzy thinking over morning brain.

I did however make a pleasant rebound after stumbling through the morning.



Keep moving in the right direction

~Buff~

Hi Everyone!

I had a great 1st day back from vacation! Stuck to my menu plan and I feel so much better this evening. I have an early morning workout scheduled so I'm off to bed. Hope you all have a great day tomorrow!

Great to see you all checking in!
Carolynn

We can not control "life", but we can make adjustments to make it doable for us. Make great choices today and be prepared for unplanned "life" happenings!


My plan for today:
M1- Shake
M2- Shake
M3- Salad w/grilled chicken
M4- Shake
M5- Salmon & vegtables
M6- Yogurt & Cottage Cheese

8 am full body workout.

Hi everyone! Happy Tuesday.
Making good choices for the day includes.
A day of rest from work outs.
M1-shake
M2 - eggs, spinach
M3 - BBQ & veggies
M4 - shake
M5 - bison burgers and asparagus.

Control what you can and adjust where necessary is a great thought for the day. Carolyn, thanks
Julie

Real quick as I have an appointment this morning..I've read all of the post but let me direct my comments to a few and will come back and be able to really give some good read of your post..

Rachelle- Yes Frank is my husband AND if betting with me will get his butt back on track then so be it!! BUT I will be out to kick his hiney and get my weight back to where it should be LOL

Mark- ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? LOL..Woohoo!! I only live an hour maybe 1 1/2 hours from Orlando and Ummm YEAH!!! Absolutely will plan on getting together..That will be my reward as May is suppose to be my end mark with working with Renee. Only thing is about a month of that was spent caring for my sister and mom so my process has slowed down but I PLAN on being a little hottie myself when we meet..LOL..I can't wait!!!

Good Morning All, and Happy Tuesday!
Today we head to a baseball game this afternoon...snacks are packed, I am ready to go! Should be fun!
Today's meal plan:
M1 - Fiber One & strawberries
M2 - RL shake
M3 - chicken on flatbread/veggies
M4 - yogurt & almonds
M5 - Salmon and broccoli
M6 - RL shake
Cardio tonight

I made some progress with a few boxes yesterday...I am feeling more at ease as this house becomes a "home". Have a wonderful day everyone, and those of you who are enjoying record high temps - get outside and enjoy it!
All the Best!
Mary

Hi wonderful No Excuse Friends!

I am so happy to be feeling better! Nothing like being as sick as a dog to make you appreciate health!
While I was ill, I tried to pay attention to my nutrition, exercise, not so much.
I am just so thankful to be back here, and ready to get into the swing of things.
Peggy and Carolynn I hope you had a wonderful Vacation!
Rachelle and Cathy- I will be joining you as this will have to be my official Week # 1 (Photos and all)
Buff- You are just Terrific!
Carolynn- Love the quote you posted, I am adjusting those sails!
I am just happy to be in a good place and ready to begin.
I will be concentrating on 4 week goals, what a great way to break it up.
Last week in church(and Wednesday night Bible study) we talked about forgiveness and then Bill’s Blog, I really feel someone is trying to tell me something J For the past several years I have really been hurt by more than a few HUGE things.
I am one to hold grudges especially if I feel I have been really wronged. I do not forgive easily.
I have been wrong not to forgive. And I am So Sorry for that. Since I have made up my mind to apologize to this person and everyone else I have held resentment and grudges against I have been the happiest person, it is called moving forward. And I am doing it!!!!!
4 Week Goals:
· Take before photos and measurement
· Plan my week of meals
· Write a letter of apology to the person, and forgive her and her husband (OKAY that was even hard to type)!
· Practice my new motto: Forgive often, love much!
· Lose 10 pounds of fat in 4 weeks!
· Visit my Mom and girlfriends for Easter weekend; since I have been overweight I have been in hiding! Well, it has been a long time to hide out.
Today’s Meals:
Meal 1: Greek Yogurt, half banana
Meal 2:half sandwich, half banana, SF Latté
Meal 3:Protein Shake
Meal 4: salad w/chicken
Meal 5:Taco Pasta Salad (I have been thinking about this since Missy posted those pictures)
XO-eM
Exercise 25 5-25 UBWO, walk on treadmill

Today is going great so far. Gonna go lift some weights in a bit, then gonna do some brazilian jiujitsu training and boxing with a few friends at 6pm tonight. Really excited to learn some mma and do some conditioning.

Exercise: UBWO 45 mins, MMA training 1 hour

M1- Sp shake, berries, spinach, protein
M2- grilled chicken and black beans with salsa
M3- Greek yogurt plain with fresh pineapple
M4- 2 boiled eggs, tuna fish, 2 slices light whole wheat bread
M5- Whey protein
M6- almonds and more whey protein

Tina- send me your address. Do you live near Missy?

Great job everyone on getting to it this week.. Let's get ripped!!