TN_MAN's weight loss post has inspired me to not only challenge myself, but to challenge anyone else out there who wants to shed those unwanted pounds.

UPDATED: I would like to challenge anyone who would like to lose weight (no amount is too small or too large) to join me in keeping one another accountable. Feel free to post as much or as little personal weight information as you want. I don't want people to not participate because they feel uncomfortable sharing that info. If you don't want to post it, don't. All I care about is that anyone who wants to join the challenge does so because they want to get healthier and feel better about themselves.

Put your goal and a date you would like to achieve your goal and we will be here to support you!

LET'S DO IT TOGETHER!!!

If anyone would like some help with nutriton and/or training, please let me know. I've been a trainer for over ten years and work with adults as well as young athletes

Maybe start after a week Crock. I plan to "pig out" on the 4th of July.

I'm in. My goal is to also loose about 20lbs. I don't know if i will be able to make it, but any loss would be good.

any other takers?......

Thanks, Ruby! The encouragement certainly helps. I definitely want to lose way more than that, but I also want to set realistic and achievable goals...not that I don't think I could lose more than 20 this summer...anything above that would be considered a bonus!

And yes...I would love to do more specialized cardio with you!

HAHA!!! Then this is the PERFECT time to start! Do it BEFORE you pig out!

YAY, CW!!! We can do it! Think positively!

Last month, I started working out again and been doing so about three times a week. In addition to that, I've been trying to cut back on my soda intake. Even though I can only drink diet soda (I'm diabetic) it's still a good choice to limit it, and I only have one with meals. Already I have noticed a few changes in the way I look and feel!

I cut soda out back in Oct. 2011 and lost weight just from doing that! SODA IS EVIL!!!

Crock...you have my full support,and YES you can do it.I believe the goal you've set is realistic.Remember...start slow and introduce fruits/veggies a little at a time---not all at once I actually started by doing a trade off program.Meaning I would add a fruit while giving up one soda per day or add a salad in place of bread.After about a month of doing this I was totally off soda,candy and most bread.And Water became my best friend!!!

What an inspiring thread! Crock I'm behind you 100%!

So far this year I have lost 30 lbs.

I loss about 35lbs so far in the last 3 months

I still have about 30 more to go

WOOHOO!!! Go GDGW!!!

You can do it, Kerr! Set realistic, achievable goals!!! Baby steps.

Thanks, Isis! I appreciate it!

Good job, piglet! Keep up the good fight!

Awesome, djames!

I need to lose 45lbs

I will try. my vacation week in the middle of August will be a setback.

First goal, no soda.
Sunday I will post my weight.

Don't go cutting back on the vegi chili or anything crazy like that.

I'm up for a challenge Crock. It might give me the motivation to actually do it. I keep thinking about losing some weight but i never get around to doing it.
The 20lb idea seems a good goal to start with. I agree with Ruby that more is better, but its good to start small and do something achievable (at least in the time frame you set), if there is a concern that not achieving the goal would be a setback that would derail any chance.

There can be some satisfaction in meeting or coming very close to a reasonable weight loss goal. Maybe you should give up on making chili, Crock.

It's very nice of you to offer help. Thank you

Great post Crock. I think you are super cute and will just do good for your self with this challenge. I will participate with you and you will promise me that you will do some cooking from my Healthy Recipes thread. They are all easy and fast to make it. Deal?

I am scared to say I will join in because I can be terribly lazy when I finish work, even though I would very much like to shed some weight before coming to the ranch in December

I have a step machine I don't use, I have a bike I don't ride, and I got a dumbbell for curls, that I use sporadically
all I want to do when I finish work is sit down at my computer, play a game, surf the net and eat something

Help

If anybody knows about weight loss or dieting, its cami parker thats for sure!

yeah lose weight and feel great. I just need to stay where I am right now.

This is a great idea. I know I could stand to lose more than a few pounds. I have already been working on this for a couple months though now with a new workout program that I am loving. I just need to find a scale to step on every now and then to see how I'm doing.

Hey Crock.. good plan and I hope things are progressing well for you. I will join in also (since I've already started) and my goal for that Sept date will be 30 lbs.

You CAN do it Crock. Last summer I challenged myself to lose weight and between June 1 and the middle of September I lost 25 pounds and have kept it off for nearly a year. The three main things are to exercise everyday, eat healthier and eat less. As you get into it, and see the pounds melt away, it becomes almost an obsession. But the results are so worth it!

You can do it. As of today I've lost 20lbs. since March 1st, and that's just with a change in eating/drinking habits- no soda, mostly water and coffee (black, no sugar or creamer), no candy bars/ice cream/cookies, low carbs high protein (psuedo-Atkins you could say), smaller portions. I haven't really changed my exercise routine, but that's the next step..

Yeah Red Bull and pretzels are my vices! I'm gonna cut down! You have inspired me Crock!

Cut down on pretzels Isis? You aren't gonna just give it up and not have any at all?

fri. morning 60mins - pool: swimming laps, jogging in place and doing stomach crunches.
fri. afternoon 30mins - pool

Awesome, outside! The more the merrier!

Great, jestr! Welcome!

Deal! Just don't make me eat any crazy Brazilian dishes.

Hey crumbie! The whole purpose of this thread is so that no one has to go through this alone and we can be accountable to one another. Think of it as one giant support system! YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Welcome, Maggman!

Awesome, kell! Glad to have you on board!

Thanks, redwood! I definitely appreciate the encouragement!

Thanks and congrats on your weight loss as well! I cut out soda on Oct. and lost weight just from doing that! Soda is evil!

Yay! Welcome, Isis!

This is how you guys will feel once you reach the goals you have set for yourselves. Use it as motivation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrhf_zgtmAg

Crock, great idea for a thread!

Good luck to you and everyone else in reaching their goals!

OK - count me in too. I would like to lose 20 lbs this summer, and another 20 lbs by 1/1/13. That would put me in the "ideal weight" range for the first time in too many years.

My Dr. says I need to eat a "Mediterranean Diet" and get "regular physical activity" - about 30 minutes a day (enought to break a sweat, and make it hard to talk because you are breathing harder) Anyone have experience with this? Does it work?

BTW - wikipedia says re: the Med Diet ---
"The principal aspects of this diet include high olive oil consumption, high consumption of legumes, high consumption of unrefined cereals, high consumption of fruits, high consumption of vegetables, moderate consumption of dairy products (mostly as cheese and yogurt), moderate to high consumption of fish, low consumption of meat and meat products, and moderate wine consumption." ...errr...OK....I'll have the yummy Merlot, please!

Also, when I go out with the kiddos lately for meals I skip the "super-size" burger/fries/soda meal #12, and order the grilled chicken salad and ice water. Seems to help - I don't need a nap afterward.

Lastly, I found this article online that says that losing weight can help you have better sex. Well if that isn't a motivator, I don't klnow what is!

WW

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=34331&sc=3046

Lose Weight, Have Better Sex

Six reasons that shedding pounds will heat up your love life.
Article By: Matt Schneiderman

More and better sex. For many of us, that payoff alone is worth the effort of losing weight. What's surprising is how little weight you need to lose to begin reaping the benefits and what a powerful motivator it is to stay on track. And according to J. Stephen Jones, MD, of the Glickman Urological Institute at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, "the closer you are to your ideal weight, the better your sexual health."

Here are six ways that shaping up can put more sizzle in your sex life.

1. You'll be more sexually confident
A Duke University study that investigated the impact of obesity on sexual quality of life found that people who lost only 13 percent of their body weight reported significant improvements in sexual satisfaction—especially in feeling sexually confident.

2. Your partner may suddenly want more sex
Not that she didn't want you before, but when you start looking good and feeling good, she's bound to respond to that.

3. You'll keep blood flowing where it counts
Any impaired circulation—from clogged arteries or heart disease, both symptoms of obesity—will cause erectile problems, says Jones, who also wrote Overcoming Impotence: A Leading Urologist Tells You Everything You Need to Know. Pardon the metaphor, but your penis is like "the canary in the coal mine," he explains. When there's a circulatory or other problem in your body, it's the first to feel it. "The penis is much more vulnerable to limited supplies of blood, and it's more likely you'll notice poor blood circulation in your penis than in your leg," says Jones. Losing weight and exercising improves your cardiovascular function, and that can safeguard your erections.

4. Sessions will last longer
A leaner body is a more efficient lovemaking machine, as being overweight can seriously compromise your stamina. "The more of you there is to move around, the more blood flow and oxygen required," says Jones. Sex is exercise, and if you couldn't jog a quarter mile without sitting down twice... well, you see the connection.

5. You'll have a higher sex drive
"Obesity tends to lead to poor hormonal function and [reduced] production of testosterone," says Jones, and both have been linked to low sex drive and erectile dysfunction. One suspected reason is that body fat boosts levels of a hormone known as SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) that binds with testosterone, reducing the levels of circulating free testosterone needed for healthy sexual function. Studies show that weight loss can restore a healthy level of testosterone.

6. You'll ensure future pleasure
By losing weight and keeping the weight off, you're lowering your risk for clogged arteries, diabetes, sleep apnea and many other health problems that cause or contribute to impotence. Prevent them, and the sexual rewards you enjoy down the road could be incalculable.

Miss Ruby, I have question. Does less processed foods, equal a better sex life ?

Great post, WW! Thanks for joining the group!!!

It is VERY cool to see so many people join in! I never expected this sort of response! Yay Team!!!

Since I started this challenge a little over a week ago, I have lost 5 lbs!

I need a gym partner, Ruby!

Thats really good. I'm in i want to lose about 20 myself...Soo lets do together.

Welcome, Ashley!

Best of luck to everyone that is trying to weight in here.

Walking has really helped me

It's really a Lifestyle change

I'm already on a fitness journey and today I was making a New Month Resolution list (why just wait for the new year to try and better our selves) list and #1 on my list is to loose 10 lbs

OK My starting weight is 236.2 Lbs. My first goal is be down 20lbs by August 12th. good bye sodas, I will miss you.

How is the training going. Hope it is well.

little bummer...
I just got back from my Weight Watchers meeting.
I gained 0.4 of a pound. Not good but...
1) Overall trend is still down
2) The WW scales don't like me. They won't steady up on one weight. Goes up/down a pound.

What is a bummer is since starting WW I am now 0.6 of a pound from my next "award":
20 lbs. and 5% of my WW target weight loss.

now it is time to go to the pool.

Oh yeah I gave up sodas as my 2001 new years resolution and lost like 12 lbs and i didn't do any other dieting and i wasn't exercising at the time. The hardest thing was I didn't relize how much sodas i drank until I gave it up

Starting today, count me in. As someone who once lost 70 pounds in less than a year, it's rough but it can be done.

Fast food is my biggest killer. I plan on doing some kind of low carb diet and I also plan to eliminate bread from my diet for as long as I possibly can. Sodas are also certainly a killer, but if you can limit yourself to one diet soda a day (or less) than you're doing a good job. I pretty much limit myself to water, unsweet tea, and 1% milk.

My goal is to keep up this regimen and lose as much weight as possible (I have no set number to lose) by Thanksgiving. Thank you Crock for starting this. Let's all keep motivating each other!

Welcome, HBKPunk! We can do it together!

I'm game, but with a little different spin...I am aiming to lose body fat. I lost 3% last month while only losing about 5 pounds. So, I met a personal goal of replacing fat with muscle mass. My end goal is 10-15% body fat. At my current pace, I might be able to get close by 9/21!

AWESOME! Welcome, CalGuy! The more the merrier!!!

3 days of sticking with diet

229.4 lbs.

I love the "honeymoon" period of the diet, though I expect a little bounce back by Sunday.

How is your weight loss challenge babe?

GDGW:

Way to go. Keep up the good work. Eat healty. Eat smaller portions. My doctor told me that there is no requirement, like my mother used to say, that I had to finish everything on my plate.

So far I'm doing very well sticking to my diet and exercising. I've lost just over 7lbs. since starting this thread.

If you eat less, you will lose weight. Everything else just helps to lose the weight in more healthful manner.

Seeing a doctor and having a blood and physical checkup is always a good idea during the process of loosing a significant amount of weight.

Once the weight is off, maintenance is a continous activity to include a keeping a daily record of progress.

Get a home scale and weigh each day. Do that the rest of your life.

I have been weight stable (plus or minus a couple of pounds) since 1991 and somewhat before that,

Hello all! It has been a week since I started this thread and I thought it would be good to check in and see how everyone is doing. I am down over 8lbs since starting this challenge on the 28th! I have been very strict on the diet side, but my work schedule has been rough and I haven't been to the gym as often as I would like. How about everyone else?

I always eat better and work out when home, but it will be nice to have good influences when I am back at ranch. Great post and love the support with everyone. It makes a big difference when trying to make changes.

great idea crock and good luck

Great thread Crock, and count me in. I have been walking at night, and am back to eating a good breakfast. Congrats to all who are taking part.

Thanks, Gillian! It is always better when you have support system to keep you on the right path.

Very true, Kerr. Any loss is a good loss. Stay positive and keep active.

Welcome, stratocaster! I, too, need to eat breakfast. I have just never been one to eat that early in the morning. HAHA!

Thanks, GIJen!

Crock...you need to try the tacos at the BR for breakfast...great way to start the day

I like to just have a bowl of yogurt missed with some granola that I get at Costco. I never really liked Granola, but theirs is really good.

After a week
229.8lbs
I have lost 6.4 lbs.

On to week 2.

Well my update is that i am down 4 pounds since last week, cutting back on the junk food and getting back into running a bit.

so good to see so many people want to achieve this goal,stick to it and good luck to all that is trying

Wow, congratulations to everyone on their progress!

Awesome, outside! Keep it up!

Well done, jestr! Keep it up!

no problem

I still haven't found a scale. But I do know where I started at a few months ago. Someone already told me I look 20lbs lighter so I'll take that as a good sign.

I gave up soda two years ago and only drink water too. It keeps you hydrated and reduces your sugar intake drastically. I also gave up bread and ice cream! Both helped a lot. I have noticed most fast food places are very happy to give you a cup for water instead of soda.

Good luck.sweetie!! Im dieting too and let me tell you it feels great!

Thank you I would love to have a work out with you

How it's your challenge going Crock?

Jade: So far it is going very well. I haven't strayed from the diet and have lost half of my goal already!

227 lbs

2.8 lbs lost.

Slow and Steady wins the race.

I'm in!! Didn't see this until this morning. Started a week ago down 7 - 8 lbs.

Looking to lose 25% of my weight. Not looking to do this by end of summer but 10% should be doable.

Thanks for starting this crock.

cubby

Congrats everyone, keep up the good job.

My update : down another 5 lbs this week. feeling great

Awesome, Kerr! Keep it up!