Hey ruthiemorinigo and honeybunch82, yeah we could use extra motivation here! I think a group of four would be small enough for us to all keep ourselves focused and not big enough for all of us to fall off track and be doing our own things.

ruthiemorinigo- would u mind if i called u ruth for short?

honeybunch82- haha, short woman's club, good one. I like dancing too, dance aerobics are the best, I suppose you use DVDs of some sort? would you recommend anything?

daiseeangel- hows everything coming along??

quick question, what is the #1 thing that keeps you all motivated...just wondering? because there are times when i just give in to the cravings, and it would be nice to hear what you girls keep in mind at times of temptation.

Hmm, well I haven't been doing this long (I started a few weeks ago), but I picked up this Elle Glam Fitness video. It's fun, but it's getting too easy for me (especially in comparison with the Step aerobics I'm doing), so depending on where you are, it may not be the best. I'll eventually be looking for something a little more challenging. I went with dance based because I dance--a lot. I'm a Lindy Hopper (form of swing) and have been doing that 3-4 times a week for at least the past year, and at least 1 or 2 times a week for the year/year and a half before that. It's a lot of fun, and the new, getting more in shape me dances better, which is also exciting. There's a big event I'm going to in March, right after my birthday, that I went to last year. I'm hoping to go lighter this year, and I know already I'll be going in better shape, which is exciting, because it will mean I can dance longer, better, and not so out of breath, especially at 2 or 3 in the morning after dancing since 11am (I know, dancers are crazy). That's definitely one of the motivating factors for me--being a better dancer. That, and seeing myself in the background of a picture and going "Oh, crap. That's me!?!" I want to feel good about my body instead

As far as cravings, I haven't fully conquered it, but sometimes it works if I distract myself and indulge another side of myself (like downloading and watching Angels Fall last night--I love Nora Roberts, and can't wait for the other 3 movies) That, and trying to will the craving away works for me on occasion--like a contest. "I am stronger than you, so I won't give in" Of course, I don't always win. But it's a start.

Hmm. I think a weight loss buddy would help me. (:

Anyone wanna be mine? Like, someone that has aim. 'Cause I'd love to talk daily about how it's going and stuff.

I'm 15, by the way. Haha, if that matters to you. (:

Please, please, please! I think this would help me so much. Like, someone to talk to at the end of the day.

My aim is ratasimia, btw. P:

Hi Roody -
I just wanted you to know that weekends are generally the slowest time around here - so you're bound to find a buddy this week.

Also, more often then not, our diaries work much like a buddy system - it just takes time for people to get used to stopping in and checking on yours as you offer support in other's diaries.

Best of luck to you,

awww... you asked about me?! I feel so special!!

I have been sticking to 1200 / 1300 calories a day and working out. I hope I have lost at least a little something for the February challenge weigh in tomorrow!!!

just realized i didn't answer your motivation question...

i just try to remind myself how good it feels that the pants are just a tad bit looser! i haven't had any serious success yet (only started a month ago), but i try to take all the little victories and make a big deal out of them. any time i conquer a new work out or clothes fit a bit better, i do a little celebration dance on the inside! reminding myself how proud i am of myself and how hard i am working helps me stay away from bad things and gives me the desire to keep going.

i can't wait until i have amazing before and after pictures like so many of the people here do!!

I hear you on the waiting for before and after pics. I'm at a point now when I'm working hard, and the weight is stubbornly clinging. I'm trying to grin and bear it, since my clothes are feeling looser, but with all the exercise and activity I've been doing, I'd really like it to come off .

How is everyone else doing?

I'll buddy you! ! PM me whenever, and we can exchange emails or whatever.

Hi Jenna! I'm also new & was glad to read your post. I am would like to lose 55 lbs. I'm in a bad eating/exercising "space' right now & need to get a plan figured out (probably low-carb/sugar&vegetarian) and exercise. I've been eating late at night and the wrong things. I need motivation and support. I'll check in every night or couple of nights. I'll check the New members forum. I welcome anyone else that's into mentoring with me on this. Thanks, Red

I'd buddy you! I'm 16, and it'd help me a lot.
AIM sn = heartyoucupcake

Hello all! I am looking for someone to partner up with as I try to loose weight. Preferably someone that has close to my own goals, but gender and age don't matter. I'd post this in the "looking for a diet buddy" sticky, but am afraid of getting lost or ignored. haha

About me:
- I'm young, sixteen, and love to bake. Preparing my own meals is typically no porblem, and I do so often. (Sharing recipes would be a nice add!)
- I am a vegetarian.
- I weigh 145, and stand at 5'3".
- I've been diabetic since I was twelve, and gained weight because of it. I use to be skinny, about 100 at my same height, but after taking "medicine" I became so hungry, because my body felt it needed to gain all the weight it couldn't before. In the first month I gained over 10 pounds.
- Within the past few months I've lost 10 pounds, not quite sure how.
- I dance for 2 hours every Monday night. Tap, jazz and ballett. (it is a 3-hr class but it's not non-stop)
- I have the exercise on demand channel, and do a variety of things off of it.

I would like to lose 20 pounds by the end of the school year. (18 weeks)
My ultimate goal is to go down to 112-115.

I pretty much want a buddy so I can have someone to talk to, and report to. Like "today I did not eat a single take 5 candy bar, but instead exercised for an hour and ate carrotts."

My AIM screen name is rastichsorostich. It means when i rest, i rust in german. I'd also be interested in PM-ing.

Hi people!
I'm new here; a 46 yr. old woman; no kids; I work and go to school. The only weight loss method that seems to work for me is low carb. For protein I only eat eggs, fish and protein shakes. I have to cut out sugar, breads, starches. When I'm on track, I feel great! Right now I feel grotesque. I need to prepare my food ahead of time and take it with me, because it is really hard to stick to this, when I'm "out there". I eat lots of veggies. It's basically the "candida" diet. Anyone want to be my weight-loss buddy? I have a signature all set up, but can't seem to paste it. Don't know what I'm doing wrong?

go to your user control panel and edit signature - and add what you want in there - there are limits to what is allowed in your signature so just don't have a lot of stuff. if you're doing something wrong -it will give you an error message

hey guys,

sorry i havent been keeping in touch lately. i went to visit a friend for a week....i think i put on some weight there- which basically takes away from my progress- but overall its been a loss of two lbs, yayyyyy.

im hitting the gym next week...just need to decide on the days and the times- the two most important things!

how have you guys been doing??

p.s. honey, ur right abt 2-3 months being way too ideal it would probably take twice as long