Thanks for the responses to my question on whether to continue this blog into the next “phase” of our challenge. The consensus seems to be to end the blog, and I am ready to do so, for several reasons. Now that we’re all well on our way to better habits, I don’t feel the pressing need to encourage everyone on a daily basis. I wasn’t getting the kind of participation I was hoping for, so it has become rather a burden to keep up instead of the fun dialogue I was thinking we would have. The main reason, of course, is because I have two new blogs to keep up with now, and I’m really excited about THEM, so this one seems like the redheaded stepchild. Anyway, thanks for all your support…I will keep in touch and keep encouraging everyone, but it will be through emails that you don’t have to respond to! Thank you again for your participation in my little “experiment”…I think it’s been a rousing success, and I’m very much looking forward to the start of the new one September 1, as we head into the dark and murky waters of the evil holiday season (at least that’s how I see it, health-wise). We will all especially need each other’s support, and I’m so glad that we have been practicing good eating and exercise habits for the last three months, because the next four will be the REAL challenge! Love you all mucho mucho, ann

Hey, Guys! I was wondering if I should keep this blog going for the next installment of our challenge. I enjoy doing it, but if nobody is enthusiastic about it, I don’t want to waste my time. I have other things I could be doing. Please let me know how you feel about it, and if you’re getting encouragement from it…that’s the main thing for me. I want to hear from you…pleeeeeeeeeeease?

Our challenge ends two weeks from today, and I am still working to find the money to pay for our “rewards” this time…I haven’t given up yet! No responses to the things I’m trying to sell, but I’ll lower the price on them in a couple of days. For those of you who weren’t able to be physically present, we had a little discussion last night about how to improve our points system. We had some really good suggestions like making the extra effort points include ANY extra effort, including healthier food choices not included in the chart (e.g. choosing a chicken sandwich over a hamburger), making the exercise points in smaller increments (one point for every 5 minutes of exercise of any kind with no maximum), and including a point category for healthy dairy choices each day. I’m not looking at the chart right now, that’s off the top of my head, but you get the picture. If anyone has any other suggestions they would like me to consider, I’d love to hear them. Otherwise, I will be making up the new challenge letter and point sheets in the next week or so, so everyone will get them before September 1. We’re doing great, guys, let’s keep it up!

I’ve been trying to work up the energy to experiment with whole wheat flour and Splenda for a batch of cookies or something, but so far it’s just in my head…Has anyone else come up with something interesting AND healthy? I’d like to try something new…like a tasty lowfat, sugarfree cheesecake…

Sorry I haven’t written in a day or two, I’ve been a little blue the last two days…it will pass. The challenge is going well for me still…although this morning I was so CRAVING a bowl of cereal. Now this wouldn’t be a problem except the only cereal in the house is Honey Bunches of Oats, which has sugar in it. Yes, I caved and had a small bowl (the 3/4 cup recommended portion). I read the box first and that much only has 6g of sugar in it which isn’t too bad…man, it tasted soooooooooo sweet. I wasn’t prepared for that; it was like eating a dessert! Well, that box is almost all gone…I’ll buy shredded wheat or something whole grain with no sugar. After being so stinkin’ good the past couple of weeks that felt like such a huge cheat that I had to confess it!

Good Fruity Morning! Yes, folks, I get to have fruit again starting today. I finally finished Phase One…yippeeeeeeeeeeeee! I also get to have whole grain again, but I plan to limit my grains…definitely not 5 servings per day. But today was my weigh-in day, and the two weeks of strictness paid off, because I have lost a total of 6 pounds. That’s a nice start, I’d say. But more importantly, I have cleansed my system of a lot of toxic stuff, and feel like I accomplished a good thing for my body. Only 3 more weeks to go on our challenge…man, it seems to have gone by so fast! I can’t believe it’s getting so close to the 3 month mark. I’ve been enjoying it mostly (except for having to remember to mark my points…of course that’s the part that helps me stay focused on the challenge). How about you guys?

Good Morning! Okay, so we have a couple more responses to the query about the next four months…at least I think Nancy accepted…her answer was a tad cryptic, but I think I got it. She and Frank are both up for another round of habit-breaking and habit-making. Oh goodie! Now I just need to hear from Sky and David…what’s the word, boys? I do plan to make a few changes to the point system, so if anyone has a suggestion or three, now’s the time to make ‘em. I want to update the chart and get it printed by September 1. I’m still working on the “funding” for our rewards for THIS challenge, but never fear! I’ll come up with something! Me worried? Nah… :)

Just four more days (including today), and I get to eat more variety! Woohoo! I see the light at the end of the tunnel! I started making my grocery list today, so I’m prepared with what I want to buy! From my post yesterday, Bailey and Steph both say they’re with me this fall. So at least three of us will be trying hard to learn and keep more healthy habits…how about you men? Any takers? Nancy?

Well, here we are, less than a month from our goal. I’m proud of us for sticking with it for this long! As I said before, I’m planning to continue this challenge from September 1 – January 1, for anyone who cares to join me during the hard-to-stick-with holiday months. October – December are definitely the hardest months of the year for me, dietarily speaking. Every year, I have gained between 5 – 10 pounds that I just keep, which is why I now need to shed SO MANY pounds! But this year is going to be different, I’m just not going to let it happen! Who’s with me???

I’m hungry…that’s the way I have felt for the last eight days, hungry. I’m looking forward to being able to eat some “bulkier” foods again next week! I’m not a huge bread lover, but I could go for a nice heavy whole grain piece of shepherd’s bread or something nutty and filling! Yum…(smacky-lips sound)