Officially on a Break but not Stopping.

Hey, I owe an appology, especially to Sarah D. I have not been posting my points like I said I was going to. I have been so busy with the renovating of the new church building, I didn´t even turn on my lap top all week. 


We are still exercising though. Doing the Ripped in 30 dvd, walking tons, and a variation of step and Jillian exercises I have learned. 


We are so looking forward to the next challenge! Even if you have reached your goal and just want to maintain, even if you  you just want to tone up, or you have to lose a lot, the Christmas Crunch Challenge is for you. We are going to be doing it all! Tell your friends, and sisters. The more who get involed, the more fun. 


Remember it´s for God´s glory. 


Your FFF moderator,
Dani Joy

Hello,

Can you believe it? We're halfway through the Christmas Crunch!

I have to say I haven't been keeping track of my points...and have lost count. But I do want to share some good news. Since the Christmas Crunch began 5 weeks ago, I have lost 3 pounds and 2 inches off my waistline! My neighbor said to me the other day, "You look great!"

It has been a rough week for me since I had some knee pain from running 10 miles last Sunday the 10th. So, I didn't do any excercise for most of the week. I did go running today and all is well. I am looking forward to running my 2nd half marathon, the Seattle Half coming up on the 28th.

Things that have been helping me these past 5 weeks:

1. Making sure to drink water

2. Being more conscious of what I eat and if I do eat junk food (I make sure it is just 1 serving size and not the whole bag :)

3. Jillian Videos are the BOMB! Thanks to previous posts....I bought all 3 dvds. The one I've done the most is "No More Trouble Zones!"

4. Big one for me...training for my upcoming half marathon!

Week 6 is coming up soon! Hang in there..say "I can do this!"

Make it a great week!

Closing out the Christmas Crunch Challenge - Printing Posts

Ladies, Please be printing out or saving the posts that you want. After the first of the year it will be harder to find your posts. I will be cleaning up the blog for the next challenge.

If you know for sure that you will want to be involved in the next challenge please let me know by email and I will keep you on as an author of our blog. If I don´t hear from you now or when I announce the next one I will have to delete you off the blog to make room for others. First come first serve.  

Just to give you a little sneak preview, posting will be worth less points, if we do points. We will probably only count one point per week for posting. Tips only one point as well. If you have any other ideas or don´t think we should do points at all, please let me know.

I am off of sugar again. After a few days of sugar, my body is starting to crave it ,and I pray I can get back to my firm resolution against it. Not to mention feeling yucky! I totally agree with Ketty about the sugar and white flour.

Keep  crunching ladies!
Dani Joy

Sugar, ahhhhhhhhhhhhgggggg!

I can definately say that my body doesn´t like much sugar anymore :-)
After living sugar free for a few weeks, and feeling way better, without stomach pains, I have noticed a big change in my health.

But after all the desserts I had the 24th and 25th, my stomach is not very happy today and reminding me about my pains.

I am very happy this crunch helped me recognize and learn how I need to eat from now on. I can´t say I will never have somethig sweet anymore, but I do know for sugar my sugar and flour intake is going to change dramatically.

Here I found a web page that will help me with a lot if I ever want to crave, for example, cinnamos rolls. I imagine I could substitute the white sugar for brown sugar.
http://iamglutenfree.blogspot.com/2007/03/cinammon-roll-of-your-dreams.html

saludos
Ketty

Merry Christmas

Hello to all, ladies:
I haven't yet to introduce myself because i don't speak english well :( I hope Ketty help me with this after Christmas.
Best wishes for the new year.
Conchita

Better late than never!

Well ladies this is the end... wait NO ! what am I saying, this is just the beginning. The end of our crunch but the start of something good.

I don't have a photo for you, waaaaaay to sick and snotty to do that to you all (it'll put you off your turkey). I'm giving Rudolf a run for his money with the red nose and this chest infection still hasn't cleared up :o( All this sickness means I'm back on an exercise ban and after the disastrous effects of my in-laws visiting it was with trepidation that I stepped on the scales this morning, but what do you know I've lost all the weight I put on again plus another 450gs

So total weight lose during the crunch 3.7Kg

Plus a total of 23 cms lost.

I'm really thankful that God brought Dani into my life at the beginning of this year, and through her all of you! The focus on long term health rather than just dieting is SO important and I've learned how important it is to pray about losing weight and getting healthy. It seems like a no-brainer now but my focus previously when dieting had been to achieve a more attractive figure so asking God's help seemed just plain wrong. Anyhow, I reasoned, I'd gotten myself this big therefore it was my responsibility to do something about it.

Reading your testimonies, being able to pray with you and having you pray with and for me has help me change my understanding of this area. I've also just read "You are not what you weight" by Lisa Bevere and she has some powerfully wise insights. I can definitely recommend this book. From now on, with God's strength, I will choose to honour God with the body He gave me and seek my comfort in Him not in food. How blind and stupid I have been all these years.

So, at the end of the Crunch I haven't even reached half my goal of losing 10 kgs but I've learned something far more precious (and essential) which has chanced my understanding and will guide my continuing fitness journey.

Love you all.

Kathy <><

Inconvenient

If some of you are like me sometimes, just read one of the tips I received today:

Inconvenient

Posted: 24 Dec 2009 01:30 AM PST

I'm willing to bet that sometime over the next few days stuff will happen that will be inconvenient. It might even be a request from your husband or something he left undone. For the most part, it's just stuff that happens because you are human and everyone you are dealing with is human. I encourage you to take a deep breath, be kind, think practical and do what you can to smooth over any rough edges ... and smile. I think you will be blessed by the smile you get in return.

A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles. Washington Irving.

And let´s just enjoy the holidays. Nothing needs to be perfect. :-)

Love

Ketty

Final Crunch in

Ohh ... I am so sad it's over. It was so great to "meet" all of you, get to know you and be encouraged by you!

Okay ... here goes ...
1)


2)This week I have no change. =(
Totals:
Bust -1.5
Chest -3
Waist -3.5
Hips -4.75
Arms -1.5 each
R Thigh -2
L Thigh -2.75
Total -20.5!

3) No change this week. =(
Total -10!!!

4) I am thankful this challenge was started. Having the accountability to weigh and measure each week was motivating. Obviously I still took a couple of weeks "off" (at least not working so hard) during this challenge but I was encouraged to restart and keep up the work. I did not make my goal of 16 lbs, but that was my wishing goal. I had a realistic goal in my head of 10 lbs - which I achieved! I also know for next year to plan for 5 lbs a month instead of 2 lbs a week. =) I have never measured before, so I was encouraged by watching the numbers change - as long as I exercised.

5) This blog was an excellent idea! I don't know that I would change anything. I really liked that we could all post as we wanted and read as we had time. I liked how open everyone was - but I think that has to do with the wonderful ladies that were involved. =)

6)I did not really keep a good record of how many minutes exercised at the beginning...but starting 11/6 to present I exercised 1,540 minutes.

I plan on being back in Jan and keeping touch through (hopefully) the rest of my journey in the new year.
Thanks Danielle!

wk8 Christmas Crunch Finale

My great family: Iván, Mikey, Raquel, Ester, Ketty and Michael.
And me

10/28/2009 12/23/2009
Bust 41.8 in. NOW: 39
Chest 35 in. NOW : 32
Waist 39.5 in. NOW : 33.5
Hips 40.5 NOW : 39
R thigh 22.5 in. NOW : 20
L thigh 22.5 in. NOW : 20
R arm 12 in. NOW : 11
L arm 11.5 in. NOW : 11

I´VE LOST 19.3 INCHES, 49.5 cm.

Weight 151 lb. NOW 145.2 LB I´VE LOST 6.2 POUNDS, 2.81 kilos

As you can see I have lost inches and weight. My goal was to loose 20 pounds by next June. Now I only have 14 pounds to go. Its a hard thing for me because I have a hard time loosing weight, but we´ll see.

This crunching has been great for me in many ways. I wasn´t very happy with my weight and the way I looked, that´s when I saw Dani´s pictures and called her to ask her what in the world was she doing. She gave me the basic ideas, and I kind of started 1 week before the crunchig started. It has been a great encourament for me, specially because we moved here 3 months ago and didn´t know people here except for a couple of families. It was great also to have a few accountability partners, and I knew you were there. Sometimes I was very tired to do the crunch but I felt I had to do it to have something to write about it.
I do feel much better with myself, not only because I see the change, but even my husband and my kids are telling me the see a change.

I really like the idea of not having to go to a store like those programs they have and they measure you every week and tell you what to eat and not to eat. It has been much better to do it here.

Another good thing I have noticed is that sugar and white flour must not be good very good for me. As you already know about my health problems, specially in my stomach, I have felt very well, in fact, my stomach pains have dissapeared. And not only that, but I do feel like I have more energy than I used to. I need to make my living avoiding those two, specially when I know my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit

It was difficult for me to drink 8 glasses of water a day, but I drank way more water than I´m used to.

I do hope to sign up for the next crunch also and find all of you here again. It´s been great also to be among a few woman with the same feeling about eating healthier and exercising. I want to thank you all for been there.

Dani wants one idea and one good thing. I think I already wrote many good things about it.
About the "one idea" maybe not to post every day, maybe once a week, I don´t know. It´s not difficult for me to ge to the computer every night, but maybe not eveyboday can.

And finally I exercise for a total of 177 points, which is 3.540 minutes. And yes I did exercise today also, but it was just walking for about hour and 40 min. it was way more than that, we got home after shopping and I am a little tired.

I hope you all have a blessed Christmas and I hope to see you back next crunch.

Love
Ketty

Christmas Crunch Finale

1. Picture


2. Measurements

Height: 161 cm (5'3'')
Weight: 56.4 Kilos (-3 kilos)
Bust: 94 cm (-1 cm)
Chest: 78 cm (-1 cm)
Waist: 68 cm (-6 cm)
Hips: 94 cm (-4 cm)

Right thigh: 51.5 cm (-4.5 cm)
Left thigh: 51 cm (-4 cm)

Right arm: 26 cm (-3 cm)
Left arm: 25.5 cm (-2.5 cm)

Total loss: 26 cm!!!

3. Weight (now)
56.4 (124.3 lbs)
Loss: @3 kilos (@6 lbs)

4. Testimony -

I have had a good experience doing this crunch. I had never participated in a blog and was not sure about the time it would require. I may not have spent as much time posting and participating as I should have, but I wanted to be sure I had some time to exercise. The exercise was my reason for taking this challenge. I have to say I am thrilled about the results of Jillian's workout (or rather MY workout with HER videos). I have lost 26 centimeters (10 inches) in very strategic places. I had set a goal of 57 in my mind but thought that was rather poor for a 8 week project, so I said I wanted to loose 4 kilos (I came back from the US at 60 kilos. Well, I am at 56.4, but thrilled of the progress. I have found I can work out at home and get good results. I hope I don't forget and stop my routine.
I have enjoyed reading about you all and being able to encourage some as I got encouraged. I have appreciated the links and the tips many of you posted. Thank you.
Have a nice Christmas time with your loved ones and exercise moderation at the table. I'll try to do the same. My problem is before the table. I have the bad habit of eating while I fix the food. That HAS to be one of my New Year's resolutions! Here is my accountability!

Merry Christmas and a Fit 2010

Ideas- I didn't do great giving myself points. I came to the conclusion that I either kept up with the "paper work" or I exercised, so I chose the workout. I would like a once a week post to report on how we are doing keeping with our resolutions and goals.

6. Minutes exercised - Hmmmm! Roughly . . . taking 50 points off from posts, and multiplying by 20 minutes per point would tell me I exercised 40 hours in the past 8 weeks, which means 5 hours a week--That's how much my kids practice the piano! This is a rough estimate, though.

Alice's Final crunch in

The photos are of me stirring the hot chocolate for the school Christmas party and me at church this past Sunday wearing a suit I have not been able to fit into for a few years, because of the straight skirt.


Measurements

Bust 94 cm no change
Chest 85 cm - 3 cm
Waist 88cm -6 cm
Hips 103.5 cm -2 cm
Rt Thigh 60 cm -2 cm
Left thigh 60cm -2 cm
Rt arm 30 cm -1 cm
Left arm 30 cm -1 cm

Weight as of Wednesday, Dec.23 142.4 lbs. Total loss 10.6 lbs

Testimony: My husband keeps saying that he's been trying to encourage me to join him in his weight loss and fitness program since he has lost over 35 lbs since May. But it took one email from a woman for me to get off my duff and do something. I am thankful that Karen Wilkins got me motivated to start this whole thing, and that Dani Joy, Joy L. and other new "blogging friends" kept me motivated to stick with it. I am very pleased to have lost some inches around my waist and, although there is still a bit of a "gut" to work on, I know that it is possible to lose weight without feeling completely deprived of all that I love. I have enjoyed getting more active and the walks around my neighborhood ... even my workouts with the videos I have when the weather is bad. I hope I can stick with it when the "competition" is off. Thank you so much for the encouraging comments you all left on my posts.

Ideas: I really loved how the crunch progressed, giving us some double points and bonusses right at the times when we needed a boost (in the middle and at the end). Although it was more work, the food points were great for me to see a jump in the points and to be pushed to actively seek those good choices to eat everyday.

Total minutes exercised ......2,200 minutes ----- That is aprox 38 hours!

Final Crunch In

Wow! We have made it to the last day! During the night we had a huge cold front come through. The wind was howling, and we got about 4 inches of heavy snow dumped on us. When we went to bed last night, the house was 81 degrees (we have to put the boiler up higher when we know a cold front is coming through), and when we got up this morning it was 66. We went out to shovel snow. Steve actually went out a while before I did, as I was feeding the kids their breakfast and preparing the dogs' food. He had part of it done when I got out there, so I only ended up shoveling for 30 minutes.

This afternoon I did my Full Circuit aerobics for 50 minutes. I wanted a strong finish to the challenge!

Tami

Dani Joy´s Christmas Crunch Finale & Video

 Christmas Crunch Challenge Finale

Here we are at the end of an 8 week journey! I feel like we have trekked a mountain together and are arriving at the top to see the great view! wooo hoooo!!!

 I wanted to talk to you all personally, so you get a video performance, too. My first broadcasting attempt.  I will post it at the end as it´s already at the top of the blog.

I am still losing inches! It´s unbelievable!

I went from

29.5 in to 29 inches in my waist (since wk 6)

22 in to 21.5 inches in both my thighs as well!!

I have lost a total of 5 inches during these 8 weeks! (really since August that would be 10-11 inches, so ladies keep with this thing! just another plug)

I have lost a total of 4 pounds as well since the beginning and reached my goal weight of 128 lbs! I do fluctuate give or take a lb.  on either side.

I exercised 2,300 minutes. That is 38 hours of exercise in 8 weeks! ( I am not including today´s minutes.)

Personally, my favorite part of the Crunch and this blog were  points, the chat box, and the posting.  I loved the interaction. It was such a blessing for me. Thank- you!

I hope to redecorate, come up with a new theme, and new point system by the next challenge. I could use some help moderating posts, with highlights and tips.

Has it really come to an end???

Well, not for me! I will be exercising all Christmas and through the holidays, so I can eat some fun things too. ;) Have a great holiday, Ladies!

Merry Christmas my dear Crunching friends!

Love Dani Joy

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

The Grand Finale

Well, it is hard to believe we are at the very last day of our challenge. It certainly has been a challenge for me. I have been stretched in ways I didn't imagine possible (do you like the pun there?).

Here are my beginning and ending measurements: (drum roll and trumpets please....)


10/28 12/23

Bust 36.5 33.5 Loss 3 in.
Chest 31 28.5 Loss 2.5 in.
Waist 31 26.5 Loss 4.5 in.
Hips 41 38 Loss 3 in.
R thigh 23 21 Loss 2 in.
L thigh 24 21.5 Loss 2.5 in.
R arm 11.5 10.5 Loss 1 in.
L arm 12 10.5 Loss 1.5 in.

Total Loss: 20 in. or 50 cm.

Weight: 57.5 (126.5 lb.) 53.5 (117.7 lb.) Loss 4 kg.

Total Loss: 4 kg or 8.8 lb.

I am really glad I took part in this challenge. I have never done a fitness or weight loss challenge before. It was easier to keep at exercising knowing that others would see if I did it or not. It was fun keeping track week by week of my measurements and weight loss. It has been good for my family too to work together at exercising. We used to do it consistenly, but had gotten out of the habit.

Now that we are at the end of the challenge I can see that I have really increased my stamina, coordination, energy level, lowered my resting heart rate, and now use oxygen more efficiently. I believe I have also been building muscle. One unexpected positive change that I have noticed is that I don't feel as cold all the time as I used to. I believe since I am building muscle my resting metabolism is increased, making me feel warmer. For a person that tends to be cold, living in Siberia, this is a really good thing.

Ideas: I liked posting my exercise, but maybe on another challenge, posting could be not quite as often. We all share a computer, and my husband was really patient about letting my post every evening, but he usually uses the computer in the evening. I enjoyed having tickers and counting points. I was also glad that food choices were not the primary focus of this challenge. I mentioned before that we cannot get sugar substitutes, whole wheat flour, and a number of other things here, and I appreciated not having to lose points for things that I have to eat, because other choices are simply not available here. Having said that, I do try as much as I can to eat healthy with the food choices and resources that we have available here.

Time exercised: 3510 minutes or 58.5 hours. That averages out to 7.31 hours per week, or a little over an hour a day. I exercised in a variety of ways, including: aerobics, weight training, toning exercises, walking, shoveling snow, yard cleanup, ice skating, and using my elliptical.

Thank you to Dani Joy for hosting this challenge, and to the other participants who have challenged and encouraged me at the start of my lifetime fitness journey.

I have to say that I am very pleased with my loss during this challenge. I still have 5 more pounds that I would like to lose, but as I gain muscle, I am not sure how all of that will equal out. I definitely have areas (lower abs, thighs, and hips especially) that can still use more toning. I intend to continue exercising on a regular basis. I am investing in my future by living a healthy lifestyle now. Let us pray that God will help us continue to be healthy and fit for His glory!

Please keep in touch! I am on facebook if anyone wants to keep in touch with me.

Tami Trumbull Jackson

Several have asked me about my exercise videos. I have 2 DVD's that have been my constant companions these past 8 weeks. There are 3 routines on one DVD, and one on the other. They all are from BJU Press. I wrote a Tips post on them close to the beginning of the challenge for those that want to know more. Here are the links to be able to purchase them.

http://www.bjupress.com/product/244509

http://www.bjupress.com/product/229260

There is also a children's exercise routine. My kids and I used to do this one all the time, until we got the other ones.

http://www.bjupress.com/product/209353

I do wish all of you and your families a very Merry Christmas. Thanks for becoming a part of my life to encourage me to do better.

Tami

Steve, Tami, Ashley, Andrew and Melissa Jackson

Merry Christmas - Joy

I wanted to wish each of you a Merry Christmas and send along pictures of my 2 grandkids (Kayla-7, and Aaron-4), who are such a blessing in my life (even though they live in Ethiopia). How blessed we are that both of our daughters are serving the Lord with their lives. Wishing you God´s blessings in the new year!
Love,
Joy

WK8 Christmas Crunch Finale,

1. I apologize that the picture I´m sending is not a full view. Right arm is inmobilized and I have to wait till dh can help me find something I can fit over the bandage, and then take some time to have him wash and dry my hair. Trust me, you won´t want to see a picture of me until after the bandage comes off : ) The picture I´m sending is one we took this month for Christmas.

2. Measurements:

Beginning / the end result : )

Chest: 107 / 104 - 3 cms.
Waist: 87 / 87 - no change
Hips: 111 / 108 - 3 cms.
L. arm 30 / 29 - 1 cms.
R. arm 30 / 30 - no change
L. leg 64 / 61 - 3 cms.
R. leg 60 / 58 - 2 cms.

Total cms. lost: 12 cms.

3. Weight: 71.5 kgs. 69.6 kgs.
Total weight loss: almost 2 kgs.
(When I began exercise on my own in Sept. I weighted 73.8 kgs.)

4. Testimony:This is the 1st time I´ve ever done something like this (on the internet and with a group of ladies), and it has been a blessing. I´ve made some changes in my daily routines (exercise has now been added as a habit) in several areas of my life. From the tips and web sites that you´ve shared, I´ve gained knowledge and encouragement to keep growing (no, not in size : )) in other areas of my life.
So a big, big thank you to you, Dani, for the Crunch in general (and all the work it has meant for you), and to each of you for the encouragment and for your hard work and effort to work together to see change in our eating, exercise and thinking about our health become a reality.
As we´ve practiced these different things during the Crunch, may the Lord help us to make them important in our lives from now on. I´ve enjoyed meeting new people in different parts of the world and knowing that at different ages, and in different places, we all share the same struggles and needs in regard to our food and exercise.
A big crunchin hug to each of you,
Love,
Joy

5. Something I liked: the accountability. Having to record (publicly) our measurements each week, not only gave me motivation to exercise and watch what I ate, but also kept me accountable. This monitoring helped me see REAL progress and also served to encourage me toward my goal.

6. Minutes exercised: (wow...this is something I´ve never accomplished for this long nor in this amount!) Although my weight goal was not reached, I´m going to keep working towards that. I feel like a winner (and I´m 50 years old) because I´ve lost centimeters and kilos. What a nice gift I´ve given myself and my family this Christmas.
1160 min.

Wk8 Christmas Crunch FInale

Hello Ladies. Well, here is a picture I took tonight. Lovely, eh? Ha. I look about like I did when I posted the first picture.

I lost 1/2 an inch in my chest. New measurement: 40 1/2". I also lost an inch in my hips. New measurement: 41". I just measured my waist tonight, after eating all evening -- so who knows. It is the same. No change. :o(

Weight starting: 204.4. Weight ending 196.2. = 6.2 pounds gone.

Testimony: Well my friends. I am thankful that Dani Joy started this challenge and invited me to join the fun. I haven't been as committed as I could have been, but THIS was the catalyst to get me moving again. Thank you Dani Joy! I have also purchased a treadmill and have been working out each night. I give God all of the glory, but really am thankful for this accountability. I have also been active using my youtube channel and have linked up with others who are on the weight loss journey. The accountability has been great.

Idea about next challenge? I'm sure I didn't keep track of enough of my points as it was on here. The points definitely were encouraging, but if I didn't post every day, I would forget some activities, etc...

I think you did a great job Dani! I don't have any ideas to share my friend.

Now ... about the exercising hours. I couldn't begin to tell you. I didn't keep this stuff separate. Sorry! If anything, I didn't count enough.

Here is a video I posted tonight on my youtube channel.



If you're wondering what I meant by "fasting" -- check out this free e-Book written by Dr. Bert Herring.

God bless you all and Merry Christmas!

Love!
Beth

Tuesday, crunch in, Maribel

Today was the last day of school, so we are on vacation!! It is
really exciting to get to be home all day. I will be cooking and hope
to try all the good recipes you all have shared and more. I got to
exercise today too. I hope to keep exercising during the Christmas
break. I should have more time. It has been great to keep up with you
all and your work out routines. Until tomorrow, you all have a good
time.
Maribel

Tip, recipe, Maribel

Tonight my children wanted crepes for supper to celebrate the end of
the term. I made whole wheat crepes for everyone filled with ham and
cheese for them, and with "requesón" (ricotta cheese)for me. They
were really good and the kids enjoyed them. Here is the recipe; it's
very simple:
1 egg, well beaten
1 cup of whole wheat flour
a pinch of salt
1 + cup of warm water
Stir and add water if it is to thick. Grill on flat non-stick pan
spreading with the spatula to form crepe.
When you turn it, you can add the cheese, etc. and fold it like an
omelette.
Enjoy.
Maribel

Almost there!!

Ok, anothe good day even though my left knee is starting to feel the exercise. I guess turning 40 makes you have more pains here and there. I hope to give my kneww some rest by not exrcising everyday.

Walked for 1.15 min. today and exercised with Jillian for 30 min. I can´t believe it´s only one more day to go.

I had good food choices today except tonight, I have 3 extra boys spending the night with my 2 boys (7 kids at home tonight) and made pizza for them. I did have 1 piece of pizza tonight so I hope my weight it´s not too bad today.

Hope you all had a good day even Joy after your fall, I´m so sorry for that.

Ketty