Wellness Challenge

Drumroll Please!

2009-11-19T13:34:00.000-08:00

And the winners are..........

With the most points, Amber and Laura! Congratulations!! ;)

That leaves 3 prizes. Congratulations to all who were eligible for the drawing with at least 60% of the total possible points... Jimmy, Heidi, Robin, Twylla, Dave, Margaret, Molly, and Dora.

Witnesses and helpers........

.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
The winners of the drawing are..........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The suspense is killing me!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Dora, Molly, Margaret

YAY!!! Come get your $50 any time! (Or I will just bring it to you to church on Sunday....)

30 - David

2009-11-18T20:47:00.000-08:00

Sad score :( but happy to have finished it.....somewhat.

57

2009-11-18T20:02:00.001-08:00

70! And Free!!

2009-11-17T13:42:00.001-08:00

I am so happy this is over, bittersweet really, but wow what an experience. I am so happy to not keep track, although I think I will still do so in my head for a while. I felt like a robot sometimes, counting and tracking my points. I treated myself to Chick-Fil-A yesterday and had the works! I also ate past eight last night and did not write in my journal. I feel crazy and it was only Monday, I never did those things on a Monday!!!
I do feel like a changed woman though and that is what I wanted from this experience. I look at food different now and I want to be healthy for so many reasons. Thanks Laura for doing this so we might change our lives and hopefully some of our new habits will be lasting ones!!!!

70!!!!

2009-11-17T12:08:00.001-08:00

I took a victory lap around my house with my arms in the air on Sunday night. Jimmy laughed at me but I think he understands my happiness.

I'm with everyone else; I am so happy to not have to think so much about everything anymore! No more stuffing my mouth with 10 baby carrots at 7:55p.m.!! No more exercising at 10:30 at night!!! Not that that happened very often, but enough that I'm happy to move on. :)

I'm also so happy I did it again! I feel like I learn so much from trying to keep these 10 goals. Aside from having a whole slew of healthy eating ideas, my journal has never been kept better and my husband has no doubt how much I love him! He especially liked it when I said something nice yesterday and I didn't have to! "See? Now you know I've been telling the truth for the last 12 weeks!"

CONGRATULATIONS again to everyone who made it!!!

62 and done

2009-11-16T14:42:00.000-08:00

Well, I kind of bombed on Laura's last challenge (maybe my brain read that as "get your lowest score so far!") but other than that, I enjoyed the challenge. The best part was looking back and realizing the areas where I really did well (scripture study, journal, exercise, no soda or fast food). Many weeks I didn't even need a free point for them. It was great! I also made it a habit to drink more water and eat more fruits & veggies, so that was a plus.

As for the no sweets rule, that really killed me. I learned pretty early on that trying to have only one free day a week meant that I felt it necessary to stuff myself with every sweet thing I wanted because I knew I wouldn't get anything else for another week. Which meant I had a 3000 calorie day and went nuts with cravings the rest of the week. It worked a lot better when I could have one cookie out of the dozen I was making for class treats, or a small slice of cake at my brother-in-law's birthday without worrying about it. Since I already keep a food diary and I have been exercising like a madwoman, small treats every day were a much better way to keep my calorie intake even.

I enjoyed it, Laura, thanks for inviting us! (And now I'm going to enjoy not stressing about whether I should sacrifice my points for sleep or stay up and write in my journal!)

66 points

2009-11-16T07:21:00.000-08:00

Whew, I'm glad this is over! It really wasn't that hard to do. But I got tired of worrying about that last glass of water, that second serving of fruit or vegetables, and was I sure I got everything accomplished that day. I think it was a good program and I plan to try to keep it going, just not worrying if I mess up once in a while.

52

2009-11-16T07:14:00.001-08:00

I was hoping to do better this week, but I guess I was pretty burnt out. I am glad I did this challenge though, thank you Laura! I have made some good habits and changed my thinking so it was a really good thing for me.

40

2009-11-15T20:33:00.000-08:00

I'm glad I did this challenge. I for sure had some good and bad weeks probably more bad then good but all in all I really liked it. I have written more in my journal these last 12 weeks then I have in the last 5 years and that I am grateful for.

2009-11-15T15:40:00.001-08:00

40 points

David-41

2009-11-12T21:37:00.001-08:00

45

2009-11-11T22:40:00.001-08:00

ugh!

48

2009-11-09T15:45:00.000-08:00

63

2009-11-09T12:29:00.001-08:00

69 points

2009-11-09T12:27:00.000-08:00

47

2009-11-09T08:59:00.000-08:00

The last two weeks were especially bad. I will try to suck it up and finish strong this week!

50 points

2009-11-09T07:37:00.000-08:00

Laura 70 Jimmy 54

2009-11-08T22:41:00.000-08:00

Laura -I am ready and a little nervous for this to be over!!

Here's a site to mix up your workout a little...

2009-11-08T12:28:00.000-08:00

Mix and Match Workout

45- David

2009-11-05T12:04:00.000-08:00

50

2009-11-05T07:38:00.000-08:00

This far in my motivation is really low. I am not getting quite enough sleep, I am indulging in the occasional sweet and diet d.p. I have lost 9 pounds since I started my bootcamp and I know that drinking lots of water and eating fruits and vegetables has helped a lot.

70-amber

2009-11-03T21:13:00.001-08:00

I am alive!! And I will survive, well maybe for these last, longest, two weeks of my life. I need to do what I want when I want to, at least for a day or so. If I want to eat a bad chip, or drink juice loaded in sugar, then I will. If I want to watch HGTV for two hours then I will. If I want to, I don't know something then I will!!!!!!!!!! I am on countdown... Breathe, ok I am better. :)

2009-11-03T15:50:00.000-08:00

I want Halloween Candy!!!!!! Help!! 2 more weeks. 2 more weeks. 2 more weeks. 2 more weeks. 2 more weeks...........

69 points for week 10

2009-11-03T14:04:00.000-08:00

61

2009-11-03T04:15:00.001-08:00

58

2009-11-02T20:06:00.000-08:00

ugh. just happy I did my drill today, is it almost over, NEVER OVER, :D

Laura 70, Jimmy 60

2009-11-02T19:38:00.000-08:00

Jimmy - Soda bad. Very bad. Ice Cream.... no comment.

Laura - 70!!!!!!! Two weeks to go!!!!!!

57

2009-11-02T17:04:00.000-08:00

I like soda to much

56

2009-11-02T14:33:00.000-08:00

first time ever!

2009-10-31T10:16:00.000-07:00

This is the first year ever that Halloween candy has not been open before trick or treating!! Wow!!

oh, my, I have not been login in

2009-10-29T14:41:00.000-07:00

62
65
53
oh well..

51

2009-10-27T09:59:00.001-07:00

Worst ever! I'm okay with it. I am focusing on cutting calories and I usually have to have a diet drink to help me. I still have a hard time getting quite enough sleep. I can do better this week.

70 & 49

2009-10-26T22:54:00.000-07:00

Amber- 70 Thank you for the free point this week, I am so excited!! Three weeks and I can be free!!!!!!!!!!!! Although I am nervous to see what happens when I don't have to report to anyone but me?

David- 49

Laura 70, Jimmy 62

2009-10-26T13:32:00.000-07:00

Laura - I feel like the Little Engine that Could right now.... "I think I can, I think I can, I think can..."

65

2009-10-26T10:42:00.001-07:00

56

2009-10-26T08:30:00.001-07:00

I need to remotivate myself.

69 points

2009-10-26T08:28:00.000-07:00

60

2009-10-26T05:47:00.000-07:00

Wow, lowest week yet. This week my lack of sleep killed me. Not enough sleep = needing caffeine to make it through the day + something sweet to soothe my nerves when they are shot by evening. Not a good combination!!! Hopefully I will do better this week.

70 & 56

2009-10-21T14:30:00.000-07:00

Amber- I also am needing new snack ideas. A few I have been having is crackers and hummus, string cheese, pistachios, almonds and cranberries, peanut butter and celery. I am so excited to be on the tail end of this challenge, although I have loved it. Actually I feel like I have a love hate relationship with it!!! Getting on the scale does not show much of a difference from when I started, but I am realizing that my clothes are fitting different. I have decided to not look at the scale, just how I feel and how my clothes are fitting.

David- 56

HELP! I need new snack ideas!!

2009-10-20T13:17:00.000-07:00

I am tired of almonds and craisins and raisins and peanut butter on toast and peanut butter on anything else. Anything you have tried and love?

48

2009-10-19T19:32:00.000-07:00

60

2009-10-19T08:45:00.000-07:00

Laura makes us all look bad. Sometimes I use diet soda to get past a sweet craving. I think I've decided it's the lesser of two evils for me. I lost a couple points for sleep (waking up at 5 am is killing me) and a couple for missing a serving of veggies. If I take anything from this it will be that I am so much more consistant in my scripture reading and I'm happy about that.

62

2009-10-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

soda is killing me

69 points week 8

2009-10-19T06:42:00.000-07:00

64

2009-10-19T06:03:00.001-07:00

Getting close to the end! I've formed some good habits that I think will stay with me. Now if I could just make it second nature to appreciate my poor husband!

Laura 70, Jimmy 64

2009-10-18T22:23:00.000-07:00

Jimmy - The week was going smoooth, then I hit a roadblock I like to call M A T H which consumed the last 2 days of the week and 48 hours of my life!!

Laura - Doing the challenge and being a missionary is messing just a little with my head!! I'm on GOAL overload!!! (For those that don't know, 30 families in our ward were called to be missionaries for a month. Along with focusing more on sharing the gospel we can't watch T.V. or other entertainment oriented things....) (Plus I'm also stressing a little about Jimmy's math class!) But I CAN DO IT!

Encouraging Words

2009-10-14T21:58:00.000-07:00

I'm running out of my own motivational words, so I googled "words of encouragement" and this is what I found...

"It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to
invent him a sentence to be ever in view, and which should be true and
appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: 'And
this, too, shall pass away.'"~ Abraham Lincoln

HA!! I love it. I feel like those are the perfect words for me right now. FIVE more weeks friends and "this, too, shall pass." :)

70 & 49

2009-10-12T22:36:00.000-07:00

Amber- This week was hard with going out of town and still getting over being sick. I think this is hard to be around people who are not doing it and try to get them to see why you wouldn't eat whatever you want on a "girls weekend". It was a challenge to not annoy people by saying no I can't eat that or it's too late to eat anymore, or yes I have to be writing in my journal right now!

David- 49

58

2009-10-12T13:48:00.001-07:00

62

2009-10-12T09:56:00.000-07:00

66 points for week 7

2009-10-12T08:22:00.000-07:00

67

2009-10-12T07:29:00.001-07:00

67

2009-10-12T07:12:00.001-07:00

worst week yet, I got sick and had to use my sick days at the begining of the week and it just snowballed from there.

70

2009-10-11T22:15:00.000-07:00

Not a bad week. Except for the odd concoction Jimmy and I tried to make today with sugar free fudgecicles to satisfy our chocolate craving..... I guess it worked so all is well.

64

2009-10-11T22:14:00.000-07:00

Trying to stay steady. I started off using all my freebies on Monday and I knew it wasn't going to be a strong week.

2009-10-08T16:11:00.000-07:00

I am having major back surgery in two weeks. I have 12 wks. of recovery and feel that this challenge has gone right out the door for me. However, I'm ok with that and will begin one here in my neck of the woods probably beginning in Jan.. Laura I will be contacting you to get all the info I need to start one up (be patient with me - I'm a slow learner). I have learned a lot about myself in doing this challenge and have managed to lose 10 lbs. so all is not lost! Thanks Laura and Amber for everything you do and continue to work hard and WIN!!!!!! Michele

61 & 65

2009-10-07T11:18:00.000-07:00

Laura I don't think I posted the one b/4 this... so here it is...

70&55

2009-10-07T09:16:00.000-07:00

Amber- 70 I had to use my first sick day and it was a struggle not to use more. I wish a sick day was a total sick day- a milkshake always sounds good after two days of sleeping and little eating!! I will not give in though and I will keep fighting!!

Davie- 55

60 pts.

2009-10-06T16:55:00.000-07:00

I have been slacking a little. I've caught the geneology bug and forget to eat and just grab snacks.

week 6 - 70 points

2009-10-06T16:15:00.000-07:00

68

2009-10-06T15:58:00.001-07:00

70

2009-10-06T15:56:00.000-07:00

Bring on the second half..... I've already used my sweet free day this week..............

64

2009-10-05T08:45:00.000-07:00

Boot camp kicked my butt and I got all my exercise points, but on the other hand it starts at 5:30 so I ended up missing several sleep points.

66

2009-10-04T18:09:00.000-07:00

Best week yet thanks to Free Sunday:)

69

2009-10-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

I was looking at my journal and noticed somehow I missed two days last week, so I am taking off a point this week for last week. Man last week was a really hard week for me. Oh well, we get a free day today, and the next six weeks will be better :)

67

2009-10-04T06:52:00.001-07:00

Happy Free Day!

70 & 63

2009-09-30T16:40:00.000-07:00

Amber-70 I am still dreaming about points and forgetting something, I am so happy to have a free day on Sunday- I can relax!!

David- 63

66

2009-09-30T12:27:00.000-07:00

63

2009-09-28T14:21:00.000-07:00

70

2009-09-28T08:27:00.000-07:00

Crazy hard week trying to keep my points! I'm looking forward to a break on Sunday too!

69

2009-09-28T06:26:00.000-07:00

soooo mad at myself! Friday night I pulled out an apple to eat and got distracted. Went and put my kids to bed got on computer to do school work then realized I hadn't eaten my apple so went and ate it. That's when I realized that it was after eight :( I had already used that point earlier in the week. So mad at myself for losing the point.

67

2009-09-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

I've had to modify my strategy a little bit, so my points will probably be a little lower each week. (I do better keeping to my general diet changes if I allow myself a couple of days of small treat portions instead of just one.) Whatever works to keep the weight coming off....

68 points week 5

2009-09-27T22:00:00.001-07:00

57 pts.

2009-09-27T20:38:00.000-07:00

Can't complain.......i've lost 10 lbs.. It's new outfit time!!!

63 points

2009-09-27T18:37:00.000-07:00

I start bootcamp tomorrow, so that should mean I won't be missing anymore exercise points! Can't wait for next Sunday.

WooHoo!

2009-09-23T12:58:00.000-07:00

I've officially lost 40 lbs (off my prepregnancy weight)!!! Granted, it's taken me a lot longer than five weeks, but still. . . if I can do it, there's hope for anyone!

48...

2009-09-23T06:52:00.000-07:00

bummer :(

70 points

2009-09-22T19:29:00.000-07:00

65 Austyn and Neely Both

2009-09-21T19:49:00.000-07:00

Okay..... How do I kick the Pepsi habit????? I almost got one again today, but stopped myself. I don't have much self-control, though, so I don't know how long I can keep that up.... :-) I'm craving even now, as I'm writing this....... Water isn't cutting it for me!!!

70

2009-09-21T13:19:00.000-07:00

Rough week. I had to use all my free points in every catergory and it took my until 11:59 last night, but I did it.

59

2009-09-21T10:48:00.000-07:00

Bad week. No excuses. I promise I'll do better this week. I did finish a skirt I was making for my little girl that I should've done a couple weeks ago, so that was a plus.

70 & 50

2009-09-21T09:25:00.000-07:00

Amber- I got my free point by doing some projects Zoe's teacher sent home for me to do. I also went through my girl's school keepsake books to organize and keep just a few things.

David- Knocked down this week, but not out of it, and coming back strong!!! I did some projects around the house Amber has been kindly reminding me of many times:)

54 pts

2009-09-21T09:16:00.000-07:00

Tough week.

53

2009-09-21T07:57:00.001-07:00

70

2009-09-21T06:37:00.000-07:00

I got my free point by finally writing my letters to my insurance company. I have had this on my list of things to do for over 2months. So yea finally done.

69

2009-09-21T05:25:00.000-07:00

I earned the free point by cleaning out my tupperware stash and tossing all the stuff that didn't have lids anymore, or lids without the bottom, that kind of stuff. I've been meaning to do that forever! Thanks for giving me some good motivation to do it! (The cake was very yummy. . . .)

70 points

2009-09-20T22:48:00.000-07:00

Who used their free point this week? What did you do? I was happy to finally put that stuff in the box my mom gave me away. :)

Austyn and Neely= 60 points each week 3

2009-09-16T21:16:00.000-07:00

EEEKKK!!!! That's what going out of town does to us, I guess!!!!! ;-) This week WILL be better!!!

I don't get any points this week

2009-09-16T16:39:00.000-07:00

I forgot to keep track this past week. I will be honest, I can't keep up with this. I figure I just added my 10 bucks to the pot for who ever wins the challenge. Between my family life, with 4 kids, working full time and going to school full time, I am seriously exhausted. I am doing great to get my 2 workouts in per week. Geesh!!

48... booo hooo..

2009-09-16T12:20:00.000-07:00

oh well, least still in it...
HAHA I like Margarets comments

Week 2&3 combo Holly (132) Jon (138)

2009-09-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

ACK !! Didn't post week two and here is week three .... The biggest challenge for use was travelling with family to see family ... Cram 7 plus a dog into the Tahoe and add all the snack foods and soda .... let me tell you, sitting in the middle seat in the middle row is NOT where you want to be ... especially with soda drinkers on either side of you. LOL BUT, I'm happy to say I've not had a sip o' soda since the start of the challenge. I'm not freaking out every day like I thought I would, but there are days when I really, really, want it. I don't dare have one on the free days, because I'm not sure I'll be able to "get back on the wagon" LOL Surely I'm not soda-free for life, but it's been good for me to see that I can actually do it. Saturday we were running all day and stopped for lunch, I nearly caved and then thought, good heavens. If I start now, the last 3 weeks of "cold turkey" will have been in vain. (I know, my mind is WACK)

While we lost some points while on the road, overall, I'm still happy about what we've done. My head's been focused on less snacking and eating better foods. (I'd never considered almonds great road trip food, but hey...) And I'm happy about our routine of scriptures/journaling which we tend to do more together than independently as we previously did. Jon had vacation time before he started at the new practice ... this week has proven a bit more challenging as far as getting my workout in...now that he's back to work, I'm finding myself busy with other project and having to remind myself about the workout. LOL But, passing that chart on the fridge helps. I would like to say that I did think think I'd see better results by this point, but I'll be patient. At least it's doing something for my head. LOL

OK ... this is much too long a post ... about something that mean nothing to anyone else by me ... but it's been awhile since I've taken time to log on. Thank you for your patience. ha..ha...

Hope everyone is doing well and keepup the good work!!

Holly week 2 65

week 3 67

Jon week 2 68

week 3 70

Free Bootcamp

2009-09-15T16:26:00.001-07:00

If any of you guys are in Mesa, Chandler, or Scottsdale, I found an ad for a free 4 week bootcamp. They have women only in the early morning and co-ed in the evenings. I am signed up for the east mesa 5:30 am bootcamp that starts the 28th of this month. Anyone that wants to check it out, here is the link.
http://www.freefitcamp.com/

Linderholm's 70 & 68

2009-09-14T17:05:00.000-07:00

Amber- 70 This week was better than last week. I have started to dream about food, I woke up thinking was it a dream or did I really eat that Dairy Queen Mr. Misty float!!! It is so funny to be worried all the time I might have forgot to do something off the list, I am always re-checking to make sure it was done!! This is crazy but good!!!

David- 68

55

2009-09-14T16:57:00.000-07:00

Oops...not so good this last week.

70 points

2009-09-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

I have had a thought. Since I am probably twice as old as most of you, shouldn't my points be worth twice as much?

67 Points week 3

2009-09-14T08:25:00.000-07:00

Still not perfect, but my best so far. I'm getting there. And I have a quilt that I need to finish for my baby's 1st birthday this week. That should get me my extra point! Wahoo.

43

2009-09-14T07:25:00.000-07:00

Week 3 was bad for me I was in California visiting my sisters hopefully week 4 will be better :)

65 pts.

2009-09-14T06:52:00.000-07:00

Wow.....what a week! I am so "down" with this challenge and I don't mean a depressed "down". I know, I'm too old to be this cool! I sincerely mean it when I say this challenge has changed the last 3 wks. of my life. The scripture reading alone has been a boost to my day! 7 lbs. and counting!!!!!!! Hey James and Jamie......it looks like your ole' Mom is gettin' the best of you.....watcha gonna do about it? I know how much James hates to loose but can you imagine loosing to your MIL?!

Week 3-Twylla 70

2009-09-14T06:42:00.000-07:00

I am really missing my soda, I am definitly going to get the extra point this week just so I can have an extra day of soda.

69

2009-09-14T04:58:00.000-07:00

I broke my perfect streak because I forgot to appreciate my husband a couple of times this week. Poor Terence!!