Hi everyone.

Since Easter is almost upon us (40 days away actually!) I thought it might be fun to make a "40 day challenge" that will start today and go until Easter.

This doesnt necessarily have to be a weight loss challenge, but it can be if you want it to. As for me, I'm trying to do things to better myself as well. My goals are:

- 100oz of water a day
- Exercise 4 days a week
- No eating after 7pm (NO EXCUSES)
- No LC "junk" food...all natural baby!
- say one good thing about myself and tons more to my family/friends every day!

Hopefully this (with the exception of the last one, but hey, who knows!) will lead to SOME loss since I've been in a weighloss rut. Just post what your goals are and keep it updated and I will do the same. Good Luck!

I hope you will join us!!!

"We've Only Just Begun"
- The Carpenters

260lbs 5/00
231lbs 8/15/03 (began Atkins)
189lbs now
150lbs goal
Fiesty Red-Head
www.sdsymphony.org

Hey , Emily - I'm in. I gave up cigarettes today. First morning in seven years that I have not capped breakfast with a butt (and I am grouchy about it ). Also, I decided to give up alcohol for 40 days. I usually have a glass or two during the week when I get hom from work, and I'm sure that's what has caused me to stall for so long.

Jen
175/129/120

Jen,

Good luck, I know its such a hard thing to do when you try to quit smoking. My boyfriend has tried in the past and its a tough challenge. But I KNOW you can do it. Think of how much better you will feel and even how much money you will save!! Thanks for joining!! Keep us posted!

"We've Only Just Begun"
- The Carpenters

260lbs 5/00
231lbs 8/15/03 (began Atkins)
189lbs now
150lbs goal
Fiesty Red-Head
www.sdsymphony.org

Thanks, Emily - I figure I will save at least $15 a week, not to mention feeling so much better, too. Thanks for the encouragement!

Jen
175/129/120

jesty you will probably also live longer. My mother died from smoking the day I found out I was pregnant with my first child. she was only 45. please be strong. geez you have lost like a zillion pounds. you can do anything you set your mind to.

Jamie Marie
1/20/04
220/207/130
and not weighing in again until march 19th. woot

Jamie - thank you so much for the encouragement - you're right, I can do anything I set my mind to (which is why chose to quit cold turkey). I am so sorry about your mother - I am sure you miss her everyday and curse the day she chose to start smoking. I am currently waiting to see if my aunt will be diagnosed with with lung cancer. You know, it amazes me how dumb smokers are. I am an intelligent, college educated business woman, and I have smoked for years, even knowing the risks, etc. Why? This time will be different - I am committed, and I have womderful support from people like you and my colleagues at work. Thank you.

Day two and I only think about it once every 20 minutes!

Jen
175/129/120

Day three, and I feel pretty good. Gained 5 pounds overnight, which made me hostile (it had BETTER be the combination of pork rinds and TOPM bloat) - scary thing is the evil voice in my head immediately piped up with some malarkey about how only smoking will keep me from gaining weight. The human brain is amazing in its deceptive abilities.

Something funny - I talked to my mother yesterday (she's in FLA). Turns out that we both decided to give up wine for Lent - we did not discuss this beforehand, and this is the first time either one of us has ever given anything up for Lent. We grow more and more alike every year.

Have a great day everyone - again, Emily, thanks so much for organizing this challenge.

Jen
175/129/120

jen..I always gain 5 during tom. Plus arn't pork rinds high in sodium?

Jamie Marie
1/20/04
220/207/130
and not weighing in again until march 19th. woot

They sure are - I was just so bummed because I haven't seent he scale say 138.6 in months!

Jen
175/129/120

haha i haven't see the scale say 138.6 since I was twelve. The good news is that both of these problems are just water retention and will whoosh on out soon. Hang in there babe.

Jamie Marie
1/20/04
220/207/130
and not weighing in again until march 19th. woot

Thanks! You, too - you'll see 130 yet.

Jen
175/129/120

Good morning - still tobacco free, but had some wine on Saturday night at a party. I figure I'm doping ust fine, thank you very much - if I have to pick one to fall down on, it had better be the alcohol! Smoking is no longer an option.

Jen
175/129/120

Yay, me!!! Week one and I am tobacco-free. I am pretty proud of myself!

Jen
175/129/120

Two weeks, no smokes!

__________________
Jen



179/179/120