Cornelia's last journal

Cornelia gave me her last journal on Friday.

She really enjoyed doing this challenge. starting at 57.6 kg, she lost 2 kg! Almost 5lbs. She didn't lose any more cm, though.

Her total points including this post are 475!

It is amazing the changes she made this challenge. Back in June, she could barely run, and after working out regularly, running and eating healthily, she has been able to run 30 min. Straight with me on several occasions. She did the ripped in 30, No More Trouble Zones and the metabolism boost DVDs as well as whatever asked of her. She no longer says "I can't" but instead asks me to exercise with her!

As far as eating, she cut out all sugars and carbs. She ate mostly yogurts with fiber cereals, fruits and Veggies, with only a few free days. She feels better then ever in her life.

She Gives God the glory for this challenge and looks forward to the next one.

Written by Dani Joy

Sarah W's last post

So I am a day late, but figured I would post anyway! With the holiday's it sorta threw my week off in terms of days. Ever feel that way? :)

Well this was my first challenge so I didn't quite know what to expect, but I really enjoyed it. Despite some challenges, I am very glad I participated and feel like it did give me the boost I needed to start some good habits. I plan on still continuing with the measuring on a weekly basis as that really did help me. I didn't loose on this challenge but I didn't gain either which was a huge blessing.

Here are my stats at the end.......
39 Bust (2inches lost), 36 Chest (3 inches lost), 39 Waist (1 inch lost), 47 Hips, (1/2 inch lost), R/L Thigh 25 (3 1/2 inches lost on both), R/L Arms 14 (1 inch lost on both) ....grand total of 14 inches lost all over. I am thrilled with that! :)

Exercise I got 42 points so I am not sure how many hours that is......could have done way more if sickness and hurt ankle wasn't part of that, but again I am so proud of myself that I started Jillian!

I plan on continuing on with my exercise and eating plans as I will be working with a personal trainer (who is a friend) via the internet! :) Excited to see how that pans out for the new year.

In addition, we had some big news during these ten weeks that also added to some of the challenge stress wise. Kevin and I are leaving Botswana in April and we're not quite sure where the Lord is going to take us after this. We are thinking Philippines might be an option so my husband is going to check that out in February. Going through the stress of that during this challenge actually helped me as I was not going to food during that time, but the points and exercise helped keep me accountable so that was a huge praise report for me during this challenge. Thanks Dani Joy for doing this.....can't wait to get involved in the next one!

I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas! Blessings!!!!

Dani's Last CCC III Journal

I didn't lose. But maintained. In that I am thankful. But I do have to be very creful this holiday.

Merry Christmas, Ladies! Remember not to let yourself go. Keep it all in mind and keep exercising! I will announce the winners Monday at the Latest! Great job for those of you who finished out!it really takes discipline!

Big hugs!

Vicki - final journal post

Well, ladies,
I guess we have made it to the end of this challenge! I have not done so well at keeping up with the blog, even though I have kept up with the excercising and drinking water. And I am happy to report that the hard work has paid off! In the last few weeks I lost 3 pounds! Hooray! I was especially happy since we had already been indulging occasionally in Christmas treats. I think I was more aware though of what I had to do to keep the weight off if I was still going to enjoy some treats. :)

Well, I am going to keep this short as I need to go downstairs and finish up some Christmas meal preparations before going to bed tonight! I am thankful for all who particpated and were an encouragement to me.

Final results: I didn't see any change in measurements - I think that is because I am so close to my "ideal" weight, so I would have to lose quite a lot to see the changes. However, I lost 3 pounds, and I can tell a little difference in some of my clothes when I get dressed in the morning. That is encouraging!

Keep up the good work until we have another challenge.

Vicki

Sarah D Final post

Final post of this challenge! I definitely struggled with willpower and discipline on this challenge. When I first started the challenges back in February I was really dedicated to trying to cut out sugar and desserts from my diet. It wasn't easy but I really stuck with it. In the last few months and especially the last couple of weeks I have found it harder and harder to keep from sneaking a candy or cookie throughout the day :-) I am sure that has hindered my weight loss efforts and I look forward to getting back on track after Christmas :-) At least this challenge definitely has helped me to keep up with the exercise and keep up with the healthy eating for the most part even if I have cheated a bit! It sure helps to have the challenges like "Nix the Fix" because then I am accountable to not eat those little bits throughout the day!

I am glad that I was able to keep up with exercise, exercising generally 40 minutes a day, 5 days a week even when my days were busy. I was even able to overcome my fears and get through the 30 day Shred DVD, working through all 3 levels! I only did Level 3 a couple of times so that will be my challenge in the next few weeks :-)

So, overall here are my results:
4 pounds lost
10 inches lost (bust - 2, chest - 1, waist - 2, hips - 1, r & l thigh - 1.5 each, r & l arm - .5 each)
32 hours of exercise

Overall I am happy that I made some progress. Not spectacular but still it's something, right! At least I wasn't gaining weight over the holidays!!!

We head off to the States January 12 so if there is another challenge in the spring I am sure I am going to need it! I really want to be able to enjoy the food in the States but all in moderation, right? I don't want to go overboard and gain back weight that I have worked so hard to loose!

Thanks for the encouragement and accountability during this challenge, ladies! God bless you and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

Sarah W's Update......

Well it's been awhile since I have posted an update. Sorry ladies. I started off in a sprint with this challenge and ended up at a slow jog as I am dragging across the finish line! :) I knew it would be a challenge, but I was really hoping to have finished much stronger than I did. With major water shortages, two yucky sicknesses, and a injured ankle, I found myself realizing that life happens and well I need to still find ways to make changes because life will always get in the way right? :)

There are two things that I am very proud of in my 10 weeks though.......this challenge made me finally start the 30 Day Shred, which I had owned for almost 2 years before even trying! Second it made me more aware of what I was eating and my activity level. In fact I think I am going to continue to measure every Wednesday. Along with that I saw some areas that I need to work on in this new year which is exciting. So thank you Dani Joy for doing this and allowing me to be a part of it!

Sarah D almost-the-end!

Woo hoo! It's the next-to-last day of the challenge! But not the next-t0-last day of living healthily! I know that *I* will probably allow myself a little leeway on the days right around Christmas but after that is back to the ol' grind! Can't let all this hard work go to waste!

I have been faithfully exercising, even got in an hour yesterday! It has been a while since that has happened!

Okay, Dani Joy, I have no idea what you are smoking, because I did the 30 Day Shred Level 3 this morning and there is NO WAY that is easier than the Level 2!!! I will keep with it but boy I struggled this morning! I just have to keep at it and build the upper arm strength because that is where I am lacking!

hope you all are doing well! Blessings!

Vicki - last week journal

Hello, ladies!

I agree with Sarah - boy has it been hard to keep up with our challenge the last few weeks! I notice that it must be the same for everyone else, because hardly anyone has been posting. :) We have been super busy with ministry responsibilities the last few weeks. Probably most of the rest of you are in the same situation. Christmas is always busy, but add to it various ministry responsibilities and there seems to be no time to even sleep and breathe!

I am happy to say though, that despite all the extra goings on in the last few weeks, in the time between Thanksgiving and now, I have not only not gained any weight, I have actually lost another pound. That only makes 2 for this challenge so far, but I am just happy to be able to enjoy a little of the holiday fun and still keep my focus. I think mostly I am learning how the balancing act works for me personally. That is so much the key - knowing how to give and take a little, so that I keep healthy habits but am still able to enjoy a few seasonl treats.

I am hoping to still maybe be down another pound before Wednesday- but we will see. I have also kept up with excercising 6 days a week, except this past Saturday, because somehow I pulled a major muscle in my upper thigh and it was too painful to do anything. Thankfully it was better today and I was able to do 40 minutes of excercise.

Push to the end ladies!

Sarah D Journal

Hello ladies! Is anyone else finding it hard to stick with the healthy eating this week??? It's not just me?!

I weighed in on Wednesday and had not lost anything, but had not gained either. This is the lowest I've been since I had my 2nd baby 3 years ago! Actually almost 4! That's pretty sad!

I did not exercise on Monday because all weekend was busy with our church Christmas program and by Monday morning I was exhausted! I did make myself get back into it on Tuesday, though... it is amazing how fast and easy it is to lose that exercise mojo! I have exercised 40 minutes every day this week except for Monday (it's Thursday night here now) and although it hasn't been super long, I have tried to up the intensity - running a bit faster than normal, pushing my limits on the Shred, etc :-)

I've kept up with drinking water and I think that definitely helps with all the temptation for hot chocolate, coffee with eggnog in it, etc...!

I'm going to try to keep up the discipline, especially since after Christmas we leave for 6 weeks in the US and I really don't want to gain this weight back! I don't know how I will keep exercising but will try to figure something out!

Let's keep up the good work, ladies! Not just this last week but one day at a time for the rest of our lives!

Dani's Journal week 9 end/ last week Of our Challenge

Hey, ladies! Sorry this is late.

I had a long week last week. I worked very hard to eat right, and managed to get a pound off.

We gotta keep exercising for life! Keep eating right for life! It doesn't stop this week.

Well, we have one more week of this challenge. Push it hard ladies. I will give extra points for extra work. Surprises for those who exercise, and lose this week. You have to blog about it though. you may post as much as you want this week for points as well. 1 point per post.

10 points for our last journal post by Saturday the 24th. It must include points, minutes exercised, weight and inches lost, plus any ideas for our Spring challenge.

I'll race you to the end!

Crunching hard this week!

Dani Joy

Sarah D. Journal

Oh boy I have not been good about getting on here lately, I'm sorry ladies!

I did not get ANY of the extra points for the 7th inning stretch. I missed a whole week of exercise because I was sick, and then when I got back into it, I only did 40 minutes on those couple of days. No pounds or inches lost either :-(

BUT, I weighed in this morning and was down another pound! That makes 4 so far this challenge, and only 2 1/2 pounds away from a total 30 pound weight loss! It is encouraging to get closer and closer to the 30 lb loss mark!

I have not been very good the last week with snacking. Also I am starting to bake more Christmas cookies and treats, and although I have not really been eating any of them after they're done, I am sneaking licks here and there while I bake which I know adds up, too!

I have done the 30 Day Shred Level 2 for about 6 or 7 times now, so maybe just a couple more times and I will move on to Level 3! Woot!

Keep up the good work, ladies!

Dani's Journal CCCIII

My computer cable broke! Yikes.

Let's keep crunching.

No extras this week. Just keep on. Extras will come in week 10.

Two more weeks! Don't stop Now.

Dani Joy

Sharla's CCIII Journal

Hello Ladies,

For thanksgiving I always make a pumpkin pie. The crust looks kind of sorry but I know it tasted good because I tried a piece. Yikes! 320 calories a slice without the whipping cream! I figured I would have to jog for 40 minutes to work it off.

This week I was able to exercise the whole hour, so I am excited to get the bonus points. I should have done more but at least I was able to get three days in.

I have been doing pretty good not eating sweets except for Thanksgiving day. I have a bad habit of eating large portions specially when I am very hungry, so this week I am going to really try to eat small portions.

I haven't weighed myself for a couple of weeks, but I know I have gained a few grams. This Wed. I am going to weigh myself to see how I have been doing. I am kind of dreading it because I was out for a couple of weeks and did hardly no exercise, and I always gain when I don't move even when I am super busy.

Keeping busy doesn't keep the inches off anymore! My metabolism has slowed down, so I have to get out there and sweat.

Ok, no more talking, today is Sunday and I am going to rest and then take a long walk since it is not raining.

Take care,

Sharla G.

A little progress

I measured yesterday, and didn't see many results. I have lost 1 kg since starting this challenge, bringing my weight to 52.5 kg. I have decreased 1/2 in in the following areas - waist 27.5 in and hips 38.5 in.

I think I'm pretty much stuck at my current weight and measurements.

I didn't exercise much this past week due to a busy schedule. I always drink lots of water, so I can always count on those points. Today I did my step aerobics routine, which I haven't done in quite a while. I really enjoyed doing it again for a change.

The weather is turning fairly cold here lately. We've been down to -18 F for a low. In past years it has been much colder than this at this time of year, so I'm thankful for that. It is so tempting to curl up in a little ball and drink something hot when I'm cold, but I've found I really feel the best when I exercise, and then my metabolism is up the rest of the day, and helps keep me warm.

Dani's 12th CCCIII Journal

Well, I guess the most I could get on the 7th inning stretch was a few extra points for exercise. I think my metabolism is stuck. I am doing some mixing up of my routines and getting even stricter on my eating.

Ladies, the only bonus points for these next coming weeks will be on the last week, but don't let that get you down,instead it should motivate us to work harder to get to whee e want to get.

I am crunching right along with you.

Dani Joy

Low Carb diets or just healthy eating for life?

Cracking the Low-Carb Code

Low-carb dieting is popular with people seeking speedy weight loss without counting calories. Find out whether going low-carb is a good strategy for you.

By Madeline Vann, MPH
Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH

For a while, low-carb diets like Atkins, the Zone, and South Beach were all the rage, causing people to toss pastries and pasta in favor of protein. Yet success in these diets, as with any weight-loss program, is linked to simply eating less — you may not really be immune to counting calories, no matter what program you’re on.

Low-Carb: An Alternative to Counting Calories?

National nutritional recommendations are for adults to get 50 to 60 percent of their calories from carbohydrates. Bread, pasta, cereals, and rice are among the kinds of foods that are high in carbohydrates, but fruits and vegetables also contain carbs.

Low-carb diets call for you to cut back on foods that contain carbs, but to varying degrees: Atkins recommends that less than 10 percent of your calories come from carbs, while the South Beach Diet is slightly more flexible, but strongly emphasizes “good” carbs (those low on the glycemic index) over “bad” carbs (refined white sugars, flours, and the like).

Low-carb diets may have become so popular because they speed weight loss in the first six months and because counting calories can be complicated, says Naomi Reyes, RD, a dietitian at the Temple University Center for Obesity Research in Philadelphia.

“Your weight is directly related to the number of calories you consume, but trying to avoid certain food groups is a little more straightforward,” says Reyes. People on low-carb diets often cut back on their calorie load by avoiding all refined grain products, for example.

One of the questions about low-carb diets is whether dieters can keep offthe weight. A study of 55 dieters who had already lost weight looked at whether a low-carb diet or a low-fat diet worked best to maintain their weight loss. The results were about even: Half in each group regained weight and half continued to lose weight. Among the low-carb dieters, those who ate the most protein were the ones most likely to continue to lose weight.

Low-Carb: The Controversy Over Safety

Low-carb diets have been controversial because of the possible short- and long-term health implications of cutting out whole food groups and heavily emphasizing protein and saturated fat

as calorie sources. Indeed, a small research study showed that the high-fat Atkins diet can increase “bad” LDL cholesterol and reduce blood vessel function. Another study published in the journal Appetite indicates that no-carb or low-carb diets can have adverse affects on memory function.

In contrast, other studies have shown low-carb diets to be beneficial for people with metabolic syndrome (a predisposition to diabetes and cardiovascular disease, among other illnesses) or diabetes because these diets decrease fasting glucose and insulin.

Low-Carb: The Dieting Risks for Women

Women should protect their bone health while on a low-carb diet, warns Reyes. “Any type of restrictive diet is potentially damaging to your bone health,” she says. “Take a calcium supplement and do weight-bearing activities to strengthen your bones.”

Reyes adds that there is one group that should definitely avoid a low-carb diet: women who are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant. Carbohydrates are necessary for the health of your baby, Reyes explains.

Low-Carb: Is It Right for You?

A recent study of 322 dieters published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a low-carb diet was just as effective as a low-fat or Mediterranean-style diet in promoting weight loss over two years.

One possible reason is that losing and managing weight it is not about the type of diet you choose, explains Reyes. It's about choosing a healthy lifestyle.

Dani´s Journal 11 - CCCIII

Hey, Ladies!

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

I am back into high gear. (I hope)

Keep on Crunching!!!

How are you doing on the Seventh Inning Stretch?

I plan to measure on Tuesday and hope for some extra points. You all feel free to do the same this week. 


Crunching with ya,
Dani Joy

Tip From my Favorite Trainer

Eating Until You're Full, Not Stuffed

Here's the deal: Food can be a good thing when consumed in the right quantity and of the right quality. Food is your fuel and should be your medicine. When you eat healthy, fresh, whole foods until you're full, you will find that your calories tend to fall within a perfect range. If you're a woman, your caloric needs tend to fall within the 1,200 to 1,800 bracket. (The range in calorie allowance has to do with age, size, and activity level.) If you're a man, you're looking at anywhere from 1,800 to 3,000. Using these numbers as a guideline, if you've been eating too little and falling short, it's time to step it up. If you've been overdoing it, it's time to cut back. Nutrient-dense, high-fiber/high-water-content foods will help you fill up without any fear of overdoing your calorie allowance. You'll feel full faster and stay full longer. When you give your body the food it recognizes, it easily absorbs the critical nutrients needed for optimal health and metabolic function.
Focus on spreading out your calories evenly over the course of the day by eating every 4 hours — 3 meals and one snack. Here's another great tip: Using salad plates instead of dinner plates can fool your mind. You'll feel more satisfied with less food, and once you finish, you'll be less likely to make a conscious decision to fill up that plate again.
Remember, after all is said and done, your calorie intake, along with exercise, is a proven component in the weight-loss and weight-maintenance equation. Know your range and stick close to it.

JILLIAN'S TIP OF THE DAY

The Big Balance

You know my mantra: Calories in, calories out. Do you think I preach this for my health? Well, actually, yeah I do! But there's something more than weight loss going on in this equation: It's balance. It applies to everything from hormones and nutrition to relationships and careers. Make sure that you strive to keep a healthy balance in your life. Work hard to be who you want to be, take care of yourself, do the things that matter, and everything's likely to fall in place. Calories in, calories out. Breathe positive energy in, breathe negative energy out. Take love in, give love out. Ebb and flow.

Obviously, I don´t agree with, Jill 100% on her life philosophy. Discipline and balance are important so we can live our best for Jesus, not just for so called Ebb and flow.

Keep crunching ladies.

Dani Joy

Sarah D journal

Just a quick journal update. My cold would just not go away last week. I was feeling run-down all week, so I did not exercise at all. I kept up with the Nix the Fix through the end of that week 6, but have not gotten any of the bonus points yet for week 7. It has been a LONG time since I have gone a whole week without exercising! But today is a new week, a new day, and I am going to ease back into it so I don't get too worn down. It is amazing how long it can take your body to get over a simple cold! I know from experience that if I try and exercise while I am still feeling run-down, it will take me even longer to get well. So I think I have waited long enough and will try to do some walk/running today instead of jumping back into the 30 day shred :-)

I was down another pound when I weighed on Wednesday which takes me to 3 pounds so far this challenge. It seems like a pretty small number but I am glad that I have seen the scale move at least a little bit in the right direction!

I definitely indulged on Saturday when we celebrated our Thanksgiving dinner with friends. But, I don't feel like I over-indulged, which is good! After dinner I had a small piece of pecan pie, and after a week of no sugar on Nix the Fix I felt like I had a sugar rush! Woo! I have tried to pass off my leftover pie on friends and neighbors so it is not a temptation for me in the fridge, but I did have a piece of apple pie for breakfast on Sunday :-) Back to the ol' grind today!

Let's keep up the good work, ladies! You can do it!

Sarah W's Journal #6

Happy Friday everyone! I've been out of pocket due to the holiday but we're also finishing up one of our internship programs so it's always busy with debriefing and getting them back home. As a result it's been pretty busy!

We've had some pretty bad water issues here really for the past two months. It's off more times than it is on. We were told today that a pump that pumps the water to our area is broken......that means that we don't know when it will be fixed. I could be awhile......bummer. So I've not done any heavy duty exercise because often I don't get to shower afterwards. Then on Monday I stepped down off a step wrong and rolled my ankle! Ouch! Praise the Lord it didn't injure it badly, but it's sore so I am taking it easy on it. All that to say this Christmas Challenge is turning into a challenge! :) ha! I've decided to drop the points and just continue on with the challenge without that for now. To me it's not about winning.....it's just about changing habits so Dani Joy if you don't see my ticker move....that's why, but I am still participating!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I know for me it's hard to be far away during this time. We had a wonderful meal with all the American trimmings......just a bit more creative. Thankful for care packages!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!