Congratulations on your loss-- the loss of pounds and inches! I am so proud of you, Anke! And I'm so happy for you, too! You have such a wonderful work ethic. You motivate me, make me want to incorporate more exercise, maybe a quick 20 minute jog three times a week. You're my hero!

Wow, thanks Deidre! YOU motivate ME! (you exercise Nazi!)

I'm really feeling good, and loving this new lifestyle. Got new workout clothes yesterday, hoorray. I look hot, if I say so myself

Yea Congrats on the weight loss. That's wonderful, and it must feel even better

Well, here I am, a new week ahead.

My gym is running an indoor triathlon in September. I'm going to enter as an individual and compete in 2km running, 5km cycling and 125m swimming. Eeeek, I can't wait!!!

So I'm stepping up my training program this week, should be fun! Here are my goals for the week, as set up for my Bonus challenge in the ACCOUNTABILITY CONTEST this week.

My BONUS goals:

• Running: Everyday, run 2kms, and try to improve my time by Friday. Also do my usual three 20 minute run/walks, Mon, Wed and Fri.
• Strength: Get 2 full body heavy effort sessions in, Mon and Thu.
• Flexibility: Full body stretch at least once a day (before and after exercise)
• Swimming: Swim twice this week, Tue and Thu. Improve my 125 metre time by Friday.
• Cycling: Cycle 5kms three times this week, Mon, Wed, Fri.
• Dancing: Go to my 2 belly dance classes and do one practice session of my own Wednesday.
• Eating: 3-5 fruit and veg per day. 2 portions of dairy per day. 30g fibre per day. 3 litres water per day. Stay on 1700 cals.

Thanks to all for your congratulations, I really appreciate the recognition

sounds like you have a great plan for your exercises. Have a great time working out this week. You'll probably get a little sore though?

Wow, will you have time to do anything other than exercise? Just kidding, Anke. I need to do something like this, to get up and move more than the Power 90 program and burn off some cottage cheese on my thighs.

Okay, so it turns out running two runs in one day just ain't gonna happen. So I figure, I run the 2km 3 times a week, with my usual runs inbetween those, so I'll be running Mon-Fri.

By the way, here's why I'm stepping up the pace right now. I have signed up for an indoor triathlon at my gym, consisting of 2km running, 5km cycling and 125m swimming. Basically, I wanna go and do my best and try to improve my times. The event is on the 23rd September, so I have time to improve my running, cycling and swimming times.

I will be sticking up a plan for my week regarding exercise for the rest of the week. Thanks for the encouragement guys!

So, I went to weigh in at my weekly group meeting and I gained 1.7 pounds

I know why though... I went over calories on 2 days and had a little too much extra sugar. Well, I'm on track for exercise and eating so far... I am having one perfect week coming up, watch me (okay, not perfect, but a damn sight better than I was a few months ago!!!)

Night!

Heyyy don't worry about the extra pound, at least you know WHY it happened! You've done soo well so far, I iz jealous.

I have 2 people asking if I'll do a triathlon, but I too chicken to do it. So props to you and I know you'll do great, esp. since you have such a good attitude about just wanting to improve your time.

Hope your week is as good as you're planning

Thanks guys! I have a plan of action now to make sure I lose this next week.

From today I'm not eating any more refined carbs for the rest of the week. I'm also cutting out sugar again (usually I do this, but just slipped last week). I also ate a lot of candy last week. I'm minimising on that too.

I'll also be sticking to 1600 cals so I have 200 to play with if necessary.

Thanks for your messages

Hey, Anke, just read your diary. Sorry it took me so long to get over here. Sounds like you are doing really well with everything. I think you are doing really great with the exercise, and the training for the mini tri should be a great motivator.

Don't worry about the sugars, as long as you stick to honey. Skip granulated sugar completely and go with the golden goodness and you won't go wrong.

Awesome, thanks Trops, if I feel the need this week I'll turn to the liquid gold... just got myself some too

But wait.. Please please please could you mail me some of your bees' honey ?

Ahh the candy... I myself used to be a candy girl, but have just discovered the joys of chocolate (yeah grand, just as I was changing my lifestyle and losing weight i discover THAT!). I allow myself some every day, because otherwise I will just stuff my face one day, but just make sure that it stays at 1 per day (like half a choc bar, or half a small toblerone bar (or even a whole one every now and then!), etc...).

You have done so well, I don't think that little gain will really affect you! In no time you will be down again, but it is really disheartening to see how in no time you can lose what you have earned in weeks of hard work! However every day you are fitter and teach your body what to eat and what not, it will be easier to not get the pounds right back!

have a great day, Camy

Ooooo, on impulse recently (like Monday) I bought myself a Cote'd'or Dark chocolate slab with almonds, and a lindt dark chocolate with chilli chocolate. CHOCOLATE HEAVEN! I tell you. I try to limit chocs for most of the month and then have an allowance round "that" time. So I bought these for my TOM (time of month)... and I've only had like 2 squares of each... very proud!

I have now not hidden them away from myself (coz that makes me binge on them for some reason) but I have them in a regular open place, so I can get used to not just eating yummy stuff coz it's around (I often struggle with this... think I need a padded white room with a vegetable patch sometimes...)

Aaaanyway, so I loves the candy and the chocolate... but I'm perfectly happy doing it in moderation!