I have a pedometer, which sounded like a great idea till I got it, and now I never use it LOL. But some people I know do and it's a great way to gradually increase movement and "pay attention to" how much movement is really happening.

I sometimes think 'clutter' around me relates to clutter on-body too. For over a year I've been gradually working on getting junk out of my house and garage. Still a lot to go, but it feels better aesthetically!

PJ

I avoid doctors almost pathologically so I understand...!

The way I see it, even 30 OUNCES would be ok if I can succeed at the "lifestyle habit improvement" I'm working on -- as I consider those much more important for the long run!

Glad you're setting the goals!

PJ

Here I am - late to the party. Sorry - busy last several days.

I would be THRILLED to lose a pound a week at this point, so 30 lbs by the end of the year - yeah that is a goal I can work with. I'm in. My goals:

Relax about how things go and realize my body just doesn't like to give it up, so I need to be okay with the slower loss
Stay with the new workouts that I've just started in the past few weeks
Maybe add in one more day of HIIT per week
Visualization & affirmation - usually I'm good at it - lately I've sucked - get back to it
Golf more

Me too! Me too!

I've been stalled out for months now and have been trying to look deep into myself for some motivation. I don't know what's wrong - I've been eating low carb and experimenting with calorie intake but I'm not budging down an ounce. Like AuntWie, maybe I need to kick up the exercise and quit finding reasons to sit on the couch instead.

I would be so happy to be 30 pounds lighter by Christmas, though I don't know how realistic that is given my lack of success thus far this year. But I'm ready to give it the old college try - to be in the 160's would be a dream come true.

So, my action plan to help get me there:

Use Fitday. I've been winging it for a while and haven't been measuring my food at all. Maybe I've got some carb creep going.

Exercise at least 3x a week for 30 minutes. Honestly, it shouldn't be that hard, right?

Lay off the processed stuff. I LOVE salami, but I don't think salami loves me. Neither do excessive nuts or cheese.

See a doctor this summer. PJ, I totally get the doctor aversion thing. I haven't gone in for a regular physical in well over a decade. If it weren't for my gallbladder surgery, I wouldn't have seen a doctor at all in the last 12 years. I know my aversion has everything to do with my weight and even now I dread getting on a scale at a doctor's office. I don't even HAVE a doctor.

Ok, in a backward sort of way I had a pretty good day. I've been bouncing between 170-171 for a couple of weeks. No sleep last night. Woke up and weighed 177. ARRRGGGHHH!
So I had to calm down. Think. Maybe more salt than usual? Maybe. Not a lot though. The weather! It was over 105 today. About the same yesterday. And the heat came suddenly. My body really doesn't like heat. It's got to be water weight. Nobody puts on 7 lbs in one or two days. Not fat weight, anyway. Right?
So I spent a couple of hours calming myself down, during which I must have polished off a couple of liters of water.
Then I pushed myself out the door for a walk. It was only 20 minutes, but it was outside in the sunshine. And it was really hot already. And I didn't want to go. But I did, anyway. Yea, me! if you know what I mean.
The rest of the day's been uneventful I just can't handle events in this heat. Should be cooler by Thursday, they say..... but I'm on plan, lots of water, lots of iced tea.

AuntWie, I can gain weight like that when it's hot! Most of the time it's when we spend the day at the beach. For some reason I retain water like camel when it's hot and/or humid outside.

So this morning, I woke up and did the usual -- went to the bathroom and sqeezed the innards, got on the scales, lifted one foot, exhaled to blow out all my breath and that dreaded air weight, and looked down praying for the scales to stabilize before I passed out from the need of air. Through red and black flashes and heart palpitations, there it was on the scales, I saw it, a magic number: 200.8. Not quite Onderland, but lower than 201.2 - the lowest weight I've recorded. I inhaled quickly to prevent passing out, firmly closed my eyes to refute all that air weight, lowered the other foot (you know weighing on one foot makes a difference, right? ) and stepped down off the scales.

Surely this new magic number has arrived because I have taken up the 30 pound challenge, and not because I am sick as a dog and probably dehydrated, right?

Take it how you can get it, man!

Liz, congrats! That 199 is just one haircut and a toenail trim away! I am sooooo excited for you!

Maxine, *brilliant* ideas! Maybe I can get a brazilian wax, too!

I bet if I could get everything out of my sinuses I'd be in Onderland!

Don't forget to exfoliate.

Well, being sick is a helluva way to lose it, but I say be happy for it no matter what the circumstance!

Exfoliate! Another good idea!

That's exactly how I feel about it PJ. I'll take it any way it comes.

I am in the lose 100 pounds in 2008 challange although I joined late and I will in all probability not make it. I have been at the same weight for at least 3 weeks now... I joined for support....when it comes down to it I will just be happy with whatever weight I can lose. Are you starting with your current weight as the base for posting loss. Would you mind if I joined you as well.

My goals are portion control
to be sugar free
exercise for strength and stamina
and learning maintenance once at goal.

I'm in! I just started Friday and am still trying to FIND my Atkins book - but I'm in this for life - I think something has finally clicked this time. My inital goals should lead me to the 30 pounds!
1 - Find or buy Atkins (unless someone has a better suggestion)
2 - Get up early enough to eat BEFORE I leave the house
3 - Keep up journal and food diary daily
4 - Reference Reason 1 and Reason 2 pictures whenever I feel weak
5 - Keep it SIMPLE!

6 - Dare I say it - Exercise! Of course for me at this point that's cleaning my carpet which I'm doing now!