WOMEN'S CHALLENGE - Weekly Support/Motivation/Whatever Thread - Week 3/26

[LadyNoir]

Originally Posted by nutbar

My biggest accomplishment for this challenge (so far):

Giving up my beloved Dr. Pepper. Since the beginning of the year, I've not once brought any home nor purchased any at the store. I do, however, have a relief valve: I allow myself one glass (no refills!) when we go out to eat (once every week or two).

I know it doesn't seem like much but, man, I love Dr. P. I'd bathe in it if I could. I'd do all kinds of things in it if I could...

LOL! I know the boat you are in. I gave up Coke-a-Cola January 1st. Ohh how I miss it. But I do feel great.

[Natalia]

Originally Posted by LadyNoir

I gave up Coke-a-Cola January 1st.

Cokes.....been sober for 7 years now!

[orangechic]

I think my biggest accomplishment so far is sticking with the program- I love to workout and tend to get bored quickly and I am staying true to the schedule and exercises and time.

I am also really proud of myself for trying new foods- I have made new receipes with foods I never used to eat. My goal by the end of this is to try and like cottage cheese (it scares me), red peppers and to eat more protein!

[gardengirl447]

Originally Posted by orangechic

I am also really proud of myself for trying new foods- I have made new receipes with foods I never used to eat. My goal by the end of this is to try and like cottage cheese (it scares me), red peppers and to eat more protein!

I feel ya on eating the Cottage Cheese. Everynight my husband would eat cottage cheese, choc. protein, flax meal and peanut butter (PN - Bed Time Snack) mixed together. "OMG", I would say "that is freaking disgusting something is wrong with you!!"

eh hem...now lol...I eat it everynight. He is awesome - he wont be negative or rub it in my face. But I am surprized I could move past my initial gag reflex and actually crave it!!

[Thre4me]

So far I am just happy that I have been making all my work outs and staying on my eating plan, although a few times I think I might not have eaten as many calories as I should have. I have increased my weights this week and feel pretty good.

[LadyNoir]

Originally Posted by Natalia

Cokes.....been sober for 7 years now!

Seven years? Wow! I'm still taking it one day at a time. hahahaha!

[RedWifey]

Yeah for everyone!!

Today I passed up the King Size Reese's cups and got some Ghardelli Dark Chocolate and only at 3 squares. I was satisfied and didn't eat all that crap! Yeah me!

[mel]

10 chinups....I thought it would take me most of the program....I'm so bad at underestimating myself...Let this be a lesson to me!

BTW, it is awesome to read all these accomplishments. I'm proud of everyone of you!

mel

[SwimBikeRun]

Originally Posted by orangechic

I am also really proud of myself for trying new foods- I have made new receipes with foods I never used to eat. My goal by the end of this is to try and like cottage cheese (it scares me), red peppers and to eat more protein!

Cottage cheese on a baked potato. Yummmmmmmmm.

See if you can get your hands on the Body Art Cookbook. I got a lot of good ideas for cottage cheese from this book. I never thought I'd like cottage cheese and red beans together!

[LadyNoir]

My accomplishments so far has been making small increases in my strength. I'm lifting more that I ever have before. The other one would be that I'm now using barbells, whereas I used to stick to dumbbells for everything.

[nutbar]

I tried a cup of cottage cheese in my smoothie today for the first time -- blended it right up with the rest of the stuff and I couldn't even tell it was in there.

[mesaana14]

My biggest accomplishment is sticking with the workouts. I usually have a very hard time sticking to a program (haven't succeeded in over 10 years! I jump from one thing to the next) and I now have 8 workouts done, doing Sun-Tues-Thurs every week without fail

[Natalia]

So proud to hear these wonderful stories.

My biggest accomplishment since starting the program: moving more weight (thus noticeable muscle gain), and eating to get that done.

[SpacecityPaula]

Biggest accomplishments so far, jumping back in where I left off minus the aerobics drills for now. I learned my lesson with being sick 2 times in as many weeks - let your body rest and repair so it can stay strong and healthy! Getting my boyfriend back on a semi-regular exercise schedule and getting him to eat healthier (he loves the crockpot and slow-cooker recipe books I got him for Christmas). He's learning that you can have great tasting, healthy meals with getting fit. An added benefit for him has been that his dad who is extremely demanding and picky - isn't complaining about the food he makes quite so much.

[Susan4]

I'm just glad to find a program to go with since what I had been doing just wasn't working anymore!

I find it surprising that just about every male I've spoken to about this shakes his head and says no, no, no, you wanna lift small, hi rep. I should start quoting the book...lift like a man, look like a goddess. Hey Lou, we're holding you to that one!!

[AnnetteW]

I wish I could be more positive.....

The training portion is going very well. I'm going up in weights, not letting myself be afraid to do them. I've gone consistently and have started dropping back the cardio.

At the same time, eating is always an issue for me. I don't feel ready to make that change. I don't have the desire to restrict it as of yet.

[riverbender]

I'm seriously fighting back tears right now

OMG me too! Great story.

My sister had been overweight most of her adult life, then she started lifting. Her getting in shape was sort of inspirational to me I guess. I've found it helpful when someone "real" to me actually makes the changes I want but don't believe are achievable or realistic. My sister was proof that, yes, it really is possible to do the before/after thing you see in the media!

My greatest achievement so far? Hmmm, using the barbell at the gym. I feel like I'm intruding on the "male" space when I'm in that area of the gym, the same way I felt when I moved from machines to free weights. I was doing DLs yesterday. One guy doing db curls was looking at me like I was nuts or something trying to pick a barbell with OMG! weights on it up off the floor.