The key to success for me has been the meal plan and exercise. I created a detailed meal plan weekly and follow it closely. I have the most successful when I pack my meals and bring them to work. As well, I am able to use the meal plan as a guide when I go out to eat. I now exercise at least 5 days a week. I have found that I even if I don’t follow the meal plan religiously, the exercise allows me to maintain the weight loss and I have yet to gain a pound back.

I wish you all the luck in the world and look forward to joining your team.

this is the link to my team.
http://www.50millionpounds.com/challenge_teams/teamprofile.aspx?id=f059bb53-6b16-4baa-bde4-b258a5d151f0

here’s the link to my post they featured.

http://blog.50millionpounds.com/2008/11/kyrston_banks_is_our_featured_1.html

I’ll be doing this too but I’ll be video blogging about it. Looking forward to your posts:)

Anyhoo I’ve joined the 50million pound challenge with the hope of loosing a whooping 38 pounds! I really hope I do it! Its great to read this post and know Im not the only one

You can find ways to exercise at home without investing in expensive equipment such as: using canned food as weights, the steps as a means of completing the cardio portion as well as many other things. Get creative and do it for you first and your family second! I wish everyone the best.

Chicago ain’t New York!

The CTA sucks–especially during the winter when you need it the most. And while neighborhoods might be walkable there isn’t a major grocery store in every neighborhood or even a small produce market in every neighborhood. It’s kind of hit or miss. In Wicker Park, downtown, Hyde Park, Ukranian Village, Northside or something like that, nobody really is out walking or jogging between say late October and April. At least not that I saw and I lived in Hyde Park for 10 years with a brief sojourn to what was called East Village. I always thought living in Pilsen would be cool but the thing is Chicago is huge and spread out and has these distinct neighborhoods with uneven resources. From April to September, the lakefront is wonderful and most neighborhoods and parks are full of joggers, kids playing and all kinds of charm. In winter, most people use the gym — you just realize that you have to do that. The Southside Y gets mad usage and I recall it as a good social and fitness scene. But if you are on the northside there are very good gyms and also the Y was nice. I’d say the best way to make this move work for you is to think pragmatically, not idealistically. It is very, very cold for a long time. You need to exercise probably most days and you need to cook and shop for produce, fish, meat. Organize where you live and how you get around town according to getting those needs met without exhausting yourself. Get a car and drive places.

Sometimes I feel bad about driving so much but I figure that what I gain in physical fitness from being able to easily get my grocery shopping done and get to the gym everyday (well, actually I am now working at home, so I jog when it is 30 degrees or warmer.) makes me less of a burden on the health system in some ways? Ah, it’s a dilemma.

Enjoy Chicago!

Congrats on your new layout…mummy likes…As for weight loss…do you….you’re a beautiful sister and that’s all that matters….put you first and all things will fall into place…

I know…easier said than done…

GT