So slow . .

I think this summer has been a little crazy and we're all busy (well, you guys are, I'm just lazy) and we're all slacking off on our posts. We're almost done with our challenge, ladies! How are we doing on our goals? Sadly, due to my stupid sprained ankle I haven't yet run my 5k (or my 10k for that matter) but even if I don't do it before we finish the challenge, I will get there, dang it!

Anyway, last week was pretty dang good. My diet was great, my workouts were consistent everything. I was pretty freakin' excited. In the last two weeks I've lost 3 lbs which means that at the beginning the current week (which will be reported on Wednesday), I was only 2 lbs from my lowest weight back in March and I can start reporting my weight loss as milestones again. So stay tuned for that one! I had a dream last night that I stepped on the scale and I was 1 lb below what I was at 16 - or at least I think it was a dream. I'm pretty sure I would have thrown a party and told my whole family if it weren't. But I didn't so I'm going to go with dream.

LOVING my aerial dance class. I SO want to take the intermediate class in August but it's $50 and without a job, I just don't think I dare. Especially when I don't know if/when my house will sell and where I'll be living that I'll have to commute to get to a one hour class. But I've got to say - it's one crazy workout. You wouldn't think so but I never walk out of there without being covered in sweat and my biceps, triceps and abs burning. It's freakin' awesome.

Depositing max: $10

PS Sorry for the lack of some cool illustrative photo this week. I'm still stuck at my parents house because my car is in the shop AGAIN and they don't have wifi so I'm on my mom's PC and I don't know the first thing about trying to save a photo somewhere on here and then finding it again to get it on the blog. And honestly, I have no interest in figuring it out either. ;-)

Ouch . . by Jj

So I've been determined to get back on track this week. I'm tired of feeling like a loser and gaining weight BACK. But this week has been pretty good and I've lost 2 lbs of the undisclosed number that I gained from Feb-May. However, I'm not going to count it as a milestone until I get back to were I was in February. Sad for me. But, since it's been a while since I've really pushed it like this, I'm quite sore. It feels good. Except for the sore part that is my ankle. That doesn't feel so good.

And on another note . . what's up with bald guys that still think it's cool to have a beard? Saw a couple of guys like that at the gym the other day. Seriously?!?

Depositing the max of $10 for exercise, fruits and veggies.

So sorry for the short and lame post. I'm lazy this morning and don't feel like getting into it.

Another one of those weeks?

Ugh. I've been such a slacker for so long that I'm having a really hard time getting back into things but I'm trying. I'm sure Chuck wished I'd try to do a little more of it on the road instead of on the treadmill. And he may be pretty darn close to getting his wish. More to come on that later.

Anyway, since I gained back what feels like a ton of weight and enough inches to get to the moon and back I'm not counting any weight loss or inches as milestones until I get back to where I was. I really don't think it's fair to count it twice. It was my own fault, and I shouldn't be rewarded for it.

So I'm depositing $9 for this week for workouts and diet. Although, I have GOT to get back on top of the food journal. I really did well with the weight loss when I was using that but it's so much easier to do when you're sitting at a desk and can only eat what you've got there rather than just raiding the fridge whenever you feel like it. I'm forgetful when I'm bored I guess. Anyway, I went though my past posts to see how much I need to transfer over to our account. Holy crap, I'm a slacker. It's only $105 for 14 weeks. That should be SO much higher. I'm so ashamed.

So I really think we need to sit down and plan a date and a location for our trip. I think that would motivate me a lot more if I had an actual date to be ready for. I know that we have a date to end the challenge, but really it's going to end for reals when we're sitting in the sun. Anyone up for discussing that tonight?

PS I apologize for not having any cool/disgusting pictures to post today. I'm lacking motivation to do that too.

Why?!?

Why I ask you?? Why are we all such slackers? I really, sincerely hope that our inability to post on a simple little blog doesn't reflect on our ability to work some exercise and veggies into our daily lives. Obviously, I'm right there on top of the list of "other things to do" even though, I really actually DON'T have anything else to do. It's a boring/lame life I lead but no worries, I still managed to get a little exercise in here and there.

I really need to get on top of the diet again. I don't go crazy and over the top with anything but I haven't been tracking it either and I think that helped me drop the first 20 lbs better than anything. And before our vacation I've got at least another 10 to go so that I can be seen in public in a swimsuit - this time without another whole outfit over top it. You know what I'm talking about. Don't deny it. I'll be depositing $9 this week.

And as soon as I run out of all of the caffeinated/carb/sugar filled soda in the house (don't want it to go to waste, ya know) I'll be cutting soda out of my diet (again). It's a good thing that I bought plenty to tie me over since it was on sale last week. Don't mind me. I'll get there eventually. It's just SO good. I'd totally switch to diet if only it didn't make me so queezy. It's the weirdest thing. And it's a bad kinda queezy. You don't want to be hanging around with me right about then. Trust me.

And just as a motivational push, I've attached the following picture. I'd like you all to save this photo to your computers and make it your wallpaper because it's so not cool that it's going to make you all want to "work harder". Name that movie and I'll give you a special "you watch too many LDS movies" high five next time I see you. Enjoy!

And the winner is ......

As many of you know, my husband's sister started a family weight loss/fitness challenge. There were essentially two categories ..... highest percentage of body weight lost and highest number of points. To see how to earn points check out the blog at http://sanderslosers.blogspot.com/

It was a close race. Justin was weighing in at 264 yesterday afternoon. That's 13.68% loss of his body weight. He got out the calculator and started to figure out what his weight would need to be as well as that of his closest competitors to determine if he could easily win or not. If he could maintain that weight - he'd have a very good chance of winning.

Justin's oiled up striped down brother-in-law Brock came out in his tiny shorts and jumped on the scale. He had lost 13.9% of his body weight. Poor Justin.

But wait... Justin hadn't OFFICIALLY weighed in yet. Justin would need to weigh 263. He climbed on that scale (that only an hour ago he had used to weigh himself at 264) and .....

263!!!!!

Justin lost 14.25% of his body weight and took home the title of Sanders' Family Biggest Loser! He lost 44 lbs in 11 weeks!

Good job, Baby! I am so proud of you!

Oh.....and I won on the points section.

But the most important thing is that we all started making healthier changes in our lives. Just like the Butterfly Girls.

Our vacation will be great, but honestly ladies, we've already been rewarded by how much better we all feel about ourselves and the love, friendship, inspiration, and encouragement that we've received from each other.

Keep up the good work BG's. Keep up the good work Sanders Family. And keep up the good work to all of you out there striving to improve your lives!

Easter Candy Will Be the Death of Me

Okay, can I just say how glad I am to see that I'm not the only one that missed yesterday's posting? I was feeling like such a slacker and logged in at 11:30+ something last night to post when I realized that no one else had written anything yet either so I just went to bed instead.

Can I honestly tell you something? I've got a HUGE stash of Easter candy hidden in random places around my room (for those of you that may be visiting and need a chocolate fix, most of it's under my bed). I've always been a candy collector. I blame my mother. She does it too. I RARELY eat it all. I often end up throwing away stale candy (except for the Peeps which are always better stale anyway) but yet, there it is. I think it's a comfort thing. I feel better just knowing it's there. If only I could save my money and not bother buying it in the first place. But no! No matter now much I try, I continue to buy it anyway. One day I'll find some kind of a rehab program. But, I can also honestly say that Easter is the only holiday that has multiple kinds of candy that I buy/crave so every year I keep telling myself that it will be over soon and then the sneaky candy companies throw me a curve ball and take my favorite Cadbury chocolate mini egg things and introduce them as a Christmas candy. Their new slogan should be, "Cadbury: Making Girls Fat One Holiday At A Time." Of course something similar could also be said of the new sweet potato fries at Arctic Circle which is less than a mile from my house. Damn you, sweet potatoes!


So due to the home remodeling/construction I haven't gotten many traditional workouts in this week - and that includes walking poor Chuck. Sad little guy has been "walked" more than once this week by running up and down the stairs in the living room multiple times. I believe his record was 27 times up and down. One day he'll learn that I'm not really going down the stairs when I act like I am. But hopefully not before I'm done with the house.

I'm depositing the max of $10. I'm counting 5-6 hours a day of cleaning/painting/climbing stairs/moving furniture/running to the trash/climbing ladders as workouts. Also, I've developed a new salad addiction which is great for the whole fruit/veggie thing. Especially when it consists of about 1/2 cup salad and a cup of pineapple/apple/avocado/raisins/sunflower seeds/craisins/carrots. I'm really into the /// this evening. Sorry about that. Oh, and I've also started buying Crystal Light in the little tub things instead of the individual pouches (WAY cheaper) and making a pitcher up in the morning and trying to drink the whole thing throughout the day. Don't get too excited, I've only finished the whole thing once. But I find myself going for that instead of the calorie filled milk with my meals quite often.

And just in case any of you are bored and want to help, I'm hoping to finish painting the kitchen and the upper cabinets tomorrow and then I'm going to be painting the counter tops and the lower cabinets on Saturday. And then I'll be listing my house, and shooting all of the jewelry for my freelance job, painting the bathroom in the basement, painting the half bath . . and then I may be out of projects so I'm really hoping to have a job before then and I lose my mind. Wish me luck.

PS I stole the Peeps image off someone else's blog but felt it was totally appropriate. So thank you Brian Groce, whoever you are. And while I stole the picture of the Mini Eggs too, I totally could have taken that as well since I've currently got two bags under my bed. That is one candy that I can always finish before it goes stale. I believe there may also be two bags in the freezer from last Easter. My bad.

Adventures in NOTHING by Jj

Seriously . . my life is so freaking lame right now. About 80% of the time I don't even bother getting ready for the day. I find it pointless. And when I do, I throw on a headband or a hat and grab whatever jeans are at the top of the pile. Other than going to church, I don't recall the last time I put on makeup. But hey, at least I shower every couple of days. Oh, and to top it off, this morning I realized that I'm about 8 weeks from the two year mark in my home which means that if it sells in the next 8 weeks, then I'll be charged capital gain taxes. So, I could wait another month before listing it but if I find a job and have to move then I'm still SOL because I actually have to LIVE in the house for two years to prevent the taxes. Now I'm totally lost and don't know what to do.

But, on a happier note, I've got a lot of time to go to the gym and I've been doing a lot of hard work around my house so I'm burning more. So I've lost the couple extra pounds that I put on in the last couple of weeks and I'm back to where I was (but I've gained a little in inches that aren't gone yet) - which is the same as I weighed at 16 so that deserves a little mini party.

Depositing $9 for this week.

PS This makes it sound like I'm really depressed, but I'm not. I'm just a little lost. I'll figure it all out eventually. Wish me luck.

Dedicated to Men Who Attempt Yoga . . by Jj

I've got one word for you (and then a whole bunch more) . . OUCH! Monday night I took a pilates class which wasn't too bad. I could feel it in my thighs on Tuesday. Then Tuesday night I took a yoga class. (That may have been a mistake but I'll get over it when I fit into a smaller pair of jeans.) And now I'm really feeling it. I slept with a heating pad on my back. Stupid degenerative disc disease. Who's bright idea was it to use alliteration to make something so painful still sound cute?

But, even though I was in a bit of pain through most of the class, I had to fight with myself not to laugh my way out of all of my balance poses because of the group of college age guys that were in the back of the class. Bless their hearts, they were trying so hard. The poor teacher kept having to go back there and correct everything they were doing wrong. She probably got more of a cardio workout than anything else from having to run back and forth. But hopefully they'll see the benefit and keep coming.

Oh, another random note . . about six weeks ago I'd gone to the gym on a Tuesday night and done some cardio before my yoga class. When I went back to the locker room to get my mat there was a woman in there who asked me what class I was going to. She'd never tried yoga before so I convinced her that she should give it a shot. And she's been in the class every night since! Look at me go, influencing the already skinny to try yoga and make me look chubby. I'm a giver, that's for sure.

As for this week, I did pretty good on my workouts and F&V's. I'll be depositing the max of $10. And when it comes to measurements and milestones . . . I lost an inch around my waist and my sexy muffin top. I would like to make a joker here about how sad I am that I now have less to hold onto but I just can't think of anything clever so I'll leave it alone. So my grand total this week is $14 plus $0.50 from last week since I was just guessing. Pretty good guess, I think.

And one last thing . . I found a body mass index calculator that I like better than the one we were using before. It's much simpler. Now might be a good time to recalculate where you are and what your weight loss goals may be so we can reassess and plan out our goals.

Maria Week 15

The good the bad and the ugly ..... And the ugliest ...

The good ...
Good week for me as far as reinforcement. My favorite instructor (who has a body I'd kill for!) came up to me in the middle of powerflex class .... I was expecting her to correct me on form or something like she is known to do .... but instead she told me that I looked great, very thin, and to keep up the good work. WA-HOO! (BTW - she was my favorite instructor before she said this to me, but this did solidify her place in my heart!) Also, one of my idols at Gold's tells me every class together (which is twice a week) that I am looking really thin. And another friend in my classes - one who is incredibly fit - told me I have great calves. My calves! One of the parts of my body that I hate the most! So nice to hear! And so nice to know that people are noticing! Helps to keep me motivated!
Also, measured this morning and I am down another inch on my waist (milestone!), another inch on my hips (milestone!), and a quarter inch on my thigs!

The bad ...

So...my cell phone is my life. My blackberry is truly my CRACKberry. I stored everything on that little device and now it is dead. The port used to both charge the phone and transfer data from the phone to the computer is non-functional. What does this have to do with this fitness challenge? ALL of my workouts were stored as notes in the phone. And are now completely inaccessible to me :-( Thankfully....I have a wonderful friend who has given me his old blackberry and I am back in business!!!
(I cannot thank you enough! And keep up the good work on your own work outs - you are a rockstar!)

The ugly ...
Plateau. Ugh! No weight lost for nearly 4 weeks! This is tough, but I'm getting through it. I'm only a few pounds away from my goal weight so I'm dealing with it like a real trooper.
The ugliest ....
Another plateau. My training. I really feel like I'm getting nowhere - fast! Double ugh! That half marathon will be here before i know it and I'm competing if it means I have to crawl across that finish line. Which at this point, is looking very possible.

Finally ... I want to say ... I love Jim! ;-)
Those of you who are not using or familiar with BodyDaemon might not understand my love affair with Jim. He has really made me feel important. He has taken all my suggestions and implemented them on the BodyDaemon website. And it is continually improving. I don't care if there are more user-friendly websites out there. I am a big fan of Jim and BodyDaemon and I'm supporting it 100%!

Depositing - ????? I'll figure it out later when my old phone has a freshly charged battery so I can extract all necessary information. (My best guess at this point - max $10 + $4 for two milestones!)

In memory of my Prom dress . . by Jj

While I was home for Thanksgiving a couple of weeks ago I was digging though the closet in the room I was staying in and I found my graduation dress, the dress I took my senior pics in and my prom dress. Needless to say . . I couldn't help but try. And while I was able to get the dress on and (mostly) zipped up - it DID NOT look good. I was bulging in places that I never thought it was possible to bulge. I knew I should have worn one of those stretchy elastic sequin mermaid looking things. That's what I get for having taste, I guess. (yes, I know I wore one of those stretchy elastic sequin mermaid looking things to the JR prom - but that was NOT by choice). Okay, done rambling . .

I've been doing pretty good with the exercise but the weight loss and inches has SERIOUSLY slowed. I think that can be credited to winter (willpower has nothing to do with it). I did lose another pound this week, which I think puts me to where I only need one more for my next milestone but I'll have to go back and check that. And some how I managed to GAIN an inch around my chest!! And it's in the "good" part! How on earth did I manage that one?!? Probably hormones or something but I'll take it any way I can get it. Heaven knows I need it. So with all of that I'll be depositing $9.50 for workouts and diet. Sadly, no milestones this week.

I think one thing that will help me (which I need to be more diligent with) is my food journal. I'm great as long as I'm at work but when I get home I think, "I'll record it when I go upstairs," or "I'll record my dinner tomorrow" but then I forget and when Wednesday rolls around I can't remember what I ate. Who am I trying to kid?!? Anyway, recoding EVERYTHING is my new goal (even if it puts me over my calorie/carb count which I admit, I've totally cheated and not recorded stuff because it would look bad). There, I said it. I feel better now. Here's what I need from you . . every time you talk to me remind/ask/reprimand me about recording stuff so I'll get on top of it! I know I won't if I don't know people are wondering and checking up on me.

Holiday Rut . . . by Jj

Hey Ladies! I don't have much to report this week. I lost the weight that I gained over Thanksgiving but nothing more. However, it's a relief to see that gone (again). Hopefully, without any big family gatherings I won't be tempted to binge like that again over Christmas. Honestly, I was feeling pretty sick for a couple of days after the holiday because I hadn't been eating as good as I normally do. Anyway, I measured this morning like I do every Wednesday and I haven't lost any inches either. Sad, but I guess it's better than gaining. One day I'll figure out the miracle solution that will get rid of the rest of the weight . . I'm thinking cabbage soup diet. (For those of you that don't really know me, that was a joke. Cabbage is gross.)

So with my workouts, and F&V - and my sad lack of milestones - I'll be depositing $7.00 today.

Hope everyone else did better!

ugh . . by Jj

Thanksgiving is not my friend. While I did exactly what R was talking about and took my own food down to my parents house so that I'd have my normal healthier munchies available - it only lasted the first night I was there. After that, I just got lazy and ate whatever was easily accessable. Chuck the Wonder Dog got plenty of exercise though - and I'd love to say it's because I took him out multiple times for nice long jaunts around the Elsinore countryside but it's just not true. In all honesty, I only took him out on a real walk one time. The rest of the time I'd take my dad's Ranger and throw him in the back then head up to the flats and just let him go. He probably got a good 2 mile run in at top speed almost everyday while we were there.

However, when I got home and stepped on the scale Monday morning to assess the damage I almost cried. Of course, I'm also retaining more water than the Hoover Dam right about now so that could have a little to do with it too. So I took CWD for a run and then hit the gym and did 65 minutes on the elliptical and I really tried to push it hard. According to the machine I burned 762 calories. So between that, the run and the ab workout I did in the morning I burned almost 1,000 calories on Monday. I'm surprised I didn't pass out. I had grand plans for Tuesday too but they fell way short when I went home from work at 11 am and feel asleep before 1pm and didn't wake up until after 6pm. I probably could have gotten to the gym last night as all internal pains had subsided but I still didn't feel up to it. So here I sit feeling flubby and regreting my decision.

Okay, I'm done rambling. I'm depositing $3 for my minimal workouts and my crappy diet (less $1 for going WAY over on Friday too). Plus I'm subtracting another $1 for gaining back 2lbs - so much for my excitement over my milestone. I don't know if I'm blaming the water retention or Thanksgiving for that one. I'll let you know in a couple of days. However, I did manage to hit two milestones - I lost 1" around my thighs and 1" around the dreaded MT (go figure?!?). So that gives me a grand total of $5.00. Ugh. On a happier note, I put on a freshly washed (and thus slightly shrunk) pair of jeans this morning and they keep falling down. I've caught myself doing some sort of weird denim shimmy multiple times this morning to get them to sit where they're supposed to so I don't have that little "pocket" in my crotch. I know, pretty picture, huh??

Maria Week 10

ARGH! I worked my butt off this past week and I still gained 2.5 lbs. Ok, ok, so I also ate like crap. :-( So I have no one to blame but myself. I've been sick for eating so badly and ... again, still haven't learned my lesson. Maybe someday I'll get it through that thick head of mine. For now, I'm weak - chocolate and peanut butter and salty tortilla chips have been calling my name and I've completely given in. (I blame PMS - for the cravings AND the weight gain.)
So, with all my workouts, fruits and veggies most days, minus $1 for gaining more than 2 lbs, I will be depositing $16. (Told you I worked my butt off! I'm thinking of having all my mail delivered to Gold's Gym since it is my primary residency.)

Shout out to VL

I want to give a shout out to VL who has lost 8 lbs in a little over a week and has been working out consistently and eating healthier. I am honored and flattered to know that I am inspiring and motivating others to lead healthier lives. And the greatest compliment I could ever get is that someone made better choices because of me.
Wa-hoo! VL - you are a rockstar! I am so proud of you. Keep up the good work and keep calling me to check in ;-) You are motivating and inspiring me to be better, too!

Maria Week 9

Lost a full pound from last week. I'm very excited about that because I now weigh less than the weight reported on my drivers license. I'd be willing to bet that there are very few people out there who can say that!
Also, I have reason to believe that I have inspired more than just my fellow Butterfly girls to get in shape.
I have gotten a few compliments at the gym from guys in my classes that I talk to, but not necessarily "friendly" with. They've been telling me that I look great and that I've lost a lot of weight or that they've really seen a change. Always nice to hear. Oh, and my favorite - one asked me what my goals were. Different sort of question than I usually get - specifically said goals. I liked that.
Depositing $10

Maria's Week 8

I felt like it was a good week for me. I look back on my BodyDaemon journal and I missed several work outs (or else I missed logging them because I don’t feel like I missed that many work outs.) But good results this week so I’m happy. I lost inches almost all over, but I will only report what is significant. I lost another inch from waist – that’s a milestone! But more importantly, I am an inch smaller than I was in high school (and then I was SUCKING IN!!!!!!! This time I wanted it to be accurate so there was absolutely no sucking of any kind.) I didn’t specify a milestone for losing inches from my butt, but I’m going to count it anyway – I lost 1 ½ inches from my butt! This is like losing inches off my chest – a little bittersweet. We all know I didn’t have much of a butt to begin.
Good thing I hit those weigh and measurement milestones because I’m sucking it up on my newest ones. In fact, I completely forgot that I had set one not to eat out for two weeks. Hmmm … may need to rethink that one.
Had my bodyfat % tested – FINALLY! And I so wish I had done this before I started working out. But I am extremely happy to report that it was 3% less than it was when I had it measure in high school and again in college. WA-HOO!!!!!!
Finally, there is this ultra fit and thin woman in my classes and the past two classes I’ve had with her she’s commented on how great and how thin I look. You gotta love that – it never gets old!
Depositing $12.50
Oh, and adding new milestone - every 1% of bodyfat lost.

Maria Week 7

I know the title of my post is really boring, but it helps keep my hopeless brain a tiny bit organized.
I worked extra hard this week to try and make up for all the workouts I missed last week. I think I did pretty good as far as that goes. I also tried harder to eat more fruits and veggies. I need to measure myself (promised myself I'd do it this week, but I'm menstrating so I put it off!) I'm feeling a difference even in my few new items of clothing so I think I might hit that go down a size milestone soon. YAY! (Except that I'm not financially ready to go buy a new wardrobe - ARGH!)
Didn't lose any weight this week - that's two weeks in a row. I'm hoping this isn't a (watch out - naughty word warning) "plateau".
Also, I think I've got my free day under control. I weighed myself the morning of my free day (or free meal, rather) and then again the next day and I'd only gone up 0.2 lbs! I was careful with what I ate all day except that one meal and then I didn't eat anything after 6 PM. I did notice that I am not getting enough water on my free days and I think that could be part of the problem, too. I'm dehydrated, but I think I'm hungry so I eat.
I'll be depositing $16 - unless anyone has any objections to that. I know that it's past the "limit" but I earned it (without milestones) and I want a very expensive reward next year.

Rippling Muscles

Not mine. I don't have any. Well ..... I don't have many. At least not yet.
Some day I'll have some. Some day I'll be covered in them. Just like my beautiful inspiration.


I began watching myself in the mirror while working out to ensure that I had good form; was doing the exercises properly. I continue to use the mirrors for that purpose as well. But now I also use the mirrors to watch some of my muscles bulge and ripple. Yep, some of them are starting to ripple!
I have never liked my calves. I have always thought they were too big. But they weren't fat so I didn't know WHAT to do about them. I still think they're too big, but I'm starting to like them - A LOT! They're getting a lot of definition and I love to watch them in the mirrors while I'm on the bicycle, treadmill, or elliptical - to watch my rippling muscles.

It's been a rough week

I feel like that's my new motto. But hopefully, not for much longer. I expect that things will turn around very soon - and just in time for the holidays and all the wonderful holiday parties, family dinners, and neighbor gifts of cookies and chocolate and SUGAR!
I slacked off. I feel bad admitting to that after my last post. But I'm also motivated to make up for it! And I'll convince myself that's the difference between the old me and the new me. The old me would have put off the change until after Halloween, next Monday, after Thanksgiving, after Christmas, or until New Year. The new me is ready to start TODAY. I'll hit the gym even harder and longer than ever. And I'll get back on track with my diet and my on-line journal.
I'll be despositing $5.50 for the few workouts I got in and the few days I actually ate my fruits and/or veggies.

Ode to a New Scale . . by Jj

So this morning I ran down to the basement after my shower to weigh in (on my roommates scale which is why it's in the basement) and weighed myself but then remembered that I hadn't gone to the bathroom yet so I ran back up to my bathroom and then back down and by running up those two flights of stairs, peeing and then running back down those two flights of stairs - I somehow gained a pound. And with that, I think it's time for my own scale. I'll be hitting Target on payday to invest in one of my own that I can trust because there is obviously something wrong with that one. So when I get my new scale I'm going to start the weight loss milestone over and go from there.

I got to thinking earlier this week about something Maria said about gaining a pound on her free day so I thought I'd check it out for myself. I didn't quite understand how that could really happen when normally it takes weeks to put on weight and it's usually so gradual that you don't even notice until eventually you just can't button your pants anymore. So I put it to the test. I weighed myself Saturday morning and then went to town (I was feeling deprived so I really kinda gorged myself on the Halloween candy which really may have been my downfall). I then weighed myself again Sunday morning and I'd gained not one, but two and a half pounds! Luckily, I was able to take if off again before this mornings weigh in but it made me think. If I'd been more careful on my free day rather than just letting all hell break loose on my diet, would I be two pounds lighter now? I guess I need to learn some discipline when it comes to free days and still be a little more careful than I was . . and then I need to get a new scale. ;-)

And now for the actual report . . while I didn't lose any weight this week (I totally blame the scale), I did lose an inch around my waist (milestone #1), an inch around my thighs (milestone #2) and an inch around my muffin top (milestone #3) which is the one that I've really been waiting for. I can handle having to squish myself into my pants as long as I'm not spilling out over the top once I get there so I guess I'm on my way. Whoohoo!

So, with workouts, diet and milestones, I'm depositing $15 this week. Ya know, I think I may have to rewrite my milestones or I'm going to be broke before we're half way through the year! But that's good right?

Another note . . Marion and I were talking the other day and she suggested we pick a destination for our trip now so that we can get a basic idea of what it's going to cost us to get there. She thinks it might be a motivator to work harder. Originally, I'd set it up so that the amount of money we had would determine where we were going. Which I guess is still the case, right? If we don't have enough in the end to go where ever we'd originally planned then we can have a backup plan or maybe extend the challenge until we have the money. So now it's your turn to chime in . . what do you guys think?