We ended with 16 linkies! THANKS, LADIES!

After 14 weeks, we ended with 16 finale updates. 16 out of 18 after 4 months. Darn good, people!

We only missed links by Bethany and Eaba. Bluezy came back for the last link. Thanks.

My buddy did great...Onederland is now her domain!

Let's continue to create healthful changes in our lives. I pray we all make goal weight in 2012 or 2013 (for the larger ladies)...and live better lives for it.

God bless...and take care...and be well...

FINAL LINKY IS UP! How did we do? :D

Thank You! 17 Challenge Updates (One Missed Linky), so We've Still Only Lost 1 Person entering the Final Week! Bluezy, even in Idaho, come back for the finale!

One of the main rules I always make for the challenges I've led/co-led is NO QUITTING ALLOWED, no matter how hard you struggle.

Out of 18 initial challengers, we had one drop (medical, other issues). That's pretty astounding for a 14 week run. I think you've all seen challenges where even half or more of the challengers just fade away.... or where the challenge itself just sort of dribbles away.

I'm very thankful you all took it seriously and STUCK IT OUT. I'm hoping you will be happy with your final result--what you learned from your books, what you learned about your bodies and minds and spirits, how your outfits fit, how you exercised.

Less than a week to the end. YOU WILL NEED TO POST PICS of your outfit if you can try it on (even if it doesn't fit properly). Give as helpful a recap as you can for YOURSELF (your own journaling resource) and for OTHERS, who need help on their journey. What worked best. What didn't work. What you plan to keep doing. Your epiphanies, if any.

Now, remember to do your midweek update by end of Thursday. Keep in touch with your buddies.

And please, let's see 18 links in the finale. Everyone back in for the last bow in this leg of the journey. Ya hear me, BLUEZY!!!!

I plan to put up the linky earlier than usual, so that those folks traveling for Easter or busy for Passover or any other reason can do their final link-up before the weekend. DO NOT MISS THIS FINAL LINKY!

Linky for update #13 is Up Now! Final challenge week coming up!

MidWeek Update Reminder: And We Should Have 17 Still In The Game (only 1 drop, yay!)

This ends April 8. March is nearly done. Less than 2 weeks time. A good finish? We can try!

Please do your midweek update before end of Thursday.

Remember the lv2 doesn't have a buddy and is struggling, and do go support her. She has the darn captcha, but work though it. PLEASE VISIT our buddyless challenger.

As to the last weekly update, we had 16, and Julie had advised us she'd miss the linky, so 17 in all out of 18 are still hanging in there. Bluezy, if you want to be back in for the last 1 1/2, come back, do the updates starting today or tomorrow, and get on board. Let's finish strong.

For those of you also in the Ready for Summer, I'll see you there in those updates. I'm burned out of hosting challenges, and just wanna be a participant for the next one. :D I like accountability, though, so this is a good thing for me.

Happy midweek!

Linky for the 12th Update due by end of Sunday, March 25, Eastern Time: DO NOT MISS THE DEADLINE!...and a suggestion for lv2 & Jillian...

We should have 16 updates. Let's not miss the cut-off, please. And lv2 and Jillian, can you guys see if you wanna hook up as buddies for the remaining weeks? It might help to pair up. Consider it, k?

Mid-Week Update Reminder and Inventory of Who Is Still In...

Okay, only 13 link-ups last Sunday.

Not in the challenge: Bluezy and Megan seem to be out of it for personal reasons. :(

Was late, but left a comment: Bethany

Didn't check in: Eaba, Jillian.
Jillian is on vacation, and that may be the issue there. Eaba, check in, please.
Buddies, what is up here?

I need to know clearly if you're still in or not. Thanks.

Okay, on we go. Mid-week update #12 is due by end of Thursday.

Be well and fight the fat!

Update Linky #11 : Due by end of Sunday, Eastern Time. THREE WEEKS TO GO!

Note: I removed the captchas from comments. Let me know if they still show up for some reason. :D

I hope we get all the linkies (17 challengers) in this week. Come on, don't miss the deadline!!

Midweek Update Reminder. :D And who else missed linky?

Due by end of Thursday.

I know Angela left a comment re missing linky, Jillian was traveling, and Bluezy is out of the challenge, so there's still one person who didn't update, right? Can that person, or the person's buddy, let us know what's up? THANKS. I haven't had time to check on the blogs. Leave a comment here to inform, thanks.

Be well...

Linky for Update #10 Due by end of March 11, 2012, Easter Time

Mid-Week Update Reminder

Ya know what to do. Do it. :D

Remember to visit lv2, as she's buddyless at the moment. If you think you can take on an extra buddy, go volunteer to be hers.

I announced the ebook winner on my blog --um, Betty, it's you. :D

Happy midweek. On we go...

Thanks for linking, and we're down 1 Challenger, so visit lv2 and support, K?

So glad to see that at the 9th update, we have only lost one challenger. 17 out of 18 still in there, hanging in, working on issues. Keep supporting each other.

Since lv2 is buddyless, please make an effort to drop by her blog and give her support. She's having some family medical stuff going on and prayers are surely appreciated. She still has the captcha, but work through it. I know, I know. They're annoying. But try.

It's Bethany's birthday today. Wish her a happy one. She reported a great loss.

Karen: Have problems going to your update. Tried 4 times and it won't load for me. :( I suspect it's the music playlist. If you don't see comments from me, that's why.

Have a good week, everyone.

Be well...

Linky for Update #9 due by end of Sunday, March 4th.

Note: Please remember to stop by  my blog and leave the required comment for a chance to win an ebook that might help you on your journey. You don't need a Kindle. You can read it on your smartphone or computer. K?

MidWeek Update Reminder and Link To EBook Leap Day Giveway to Help in Your TRANSFORMATION!

It's Wednesday. By end of tomorrow, our midweek updates are due. Please include all the stuff you are supposed to. K?

And head to my blog to enter to win an ebook. I list several books that might help in this tough weight loss/fitness journey. The winner may choose one, whichever will help the most.

Okay, off we go...

Focusing on Exercise goals...even when it hurts...

So many of you have done wonderfully being consistent--whether it's calories or movement or support or your reading. Thanks!

This week, it's my reinvigorate myself and get over this ugly time-time. :D I keep the faith. NO QUITTING!

I made this video for THIS blog, for my challenge buds, but I posted it to my regular blog, too.

Happy new week.


Note: Only Bluezy did not link up. BLUEZY, CHECK IN PLEASE!!! And Bluezy's buddy, try to get in touch and get Bluezy back into things. If we can help, let us know, guys!

LINKY IS UP for update due by Sunday, February 26, midnight, Eastern Time

Note: I'm gonna start boycotting commenting on blogs with captchas. Nothing personal, please know that. I simply get beyond irritated when I have to try and enter the KGB level encryption codes sometimes. Geesh. So, sorry. If you retain the captcha, I'll likely not comment when I come to see how you're doing. K? K!

Mid-Week Update Reminder

Your midweek update is due...no later than end of Thursday, please.

LINKY FOR 2/19/12 Update: this is the halfway point and it's time to try on the outfit. READ THIS CAREFULLY.

If your outfit doesn't fit at all yet, it's fine to note this in your post and not have to offer a pic. It's a holiday weekend (and my birthday is Monday, President'sDay), so I am giving a little leeway. I've allowed a few extra hours to update. HOWEVER, I do encourage you update early and not miss the deadline.

Midweek Update Reminder

You know what to do. Get it done by end of Thursday. :D

PSA - Chocolate Heart Love

Disclaimer #1: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, or fitness guru. I am sharing what I've learned through research and experience; you all must use your own judgment in deciding what is best for your and your own health, including checking with your doctor before beginning any exercise or dietary program.

In Honor of the Feastday of St. Valentine, the patron saint of Love and Happy Marriages

Chocolate is right up there on the top of my list of all time greatest inventions. All praise and glory to whoever it was that figured out those little cacao beans could be fermented, dried, ground up and then made into edible bliss. But can we eat it as party of a healthy lifestyle? Can we have it without remorse or regret?

Can chocolate really be good for your health?

"Healthy chocolate sounds like a dream come true, but chocolate hasn't gained the status of health food quite yet. Still, chocolate's reputation is on the rise, as a growing number of studies suggest that it can be a heart-healthy choice.

Chocolate and its main ingredient, cocoa, appear to reduce risk factors for heart disease. Flavanols in cocoa beans have antioxidant effects that reduce cell damage implicated in heart disease. Flavanols — which are more prevalent in dark chocolate than in milk chocolate or white chocolate — also help lower blood pressure and improve vascular function. In addition, some research has linked chocolate consumption to reduced risks of diabetes, stroke and heart attack. One caveat: The evidence for the health benefits of chocolate comes mostly from short-term and uncontrolled studies. More research is needed.

In the meantime, if you want to add chocolate to your diet, do so in moderation. Why? Most commercial chocolate has ingredients that add fat, sugar and calories. And too much can contribute to weight gain, a risk factor for high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.

Choose dark chocolate with cocoa content of 65 percent or higher. Limit yourself to around 3 ounces (85 grams) a day, which is the amount some studies have shown to be helpful. Because this amount may provide up to 450 calories, you may want to cut calories in other areas or step up the exercise to compensate."

From Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.

The Mayo Clinic Website

Yes, chocolate can be part of a healthy lifestyle, in moderation. Personally, I think life without it would be pretty grim.

Enjoy some chocolate. Keep the Faith.