The Seasoned Phenster Challenge

**alykat06** · October 1st, 2009, 08:39 AM

Hello Gals and Guys! This is a challenge for us "seasoned" phensters, if you dont know if your "seasoned" or not here is how you may know:

You have been on phen for a while, more than 4 months.
You no longer have that rush of energy phen once gave you.
You no longer have absolutely no appetite.
You crave things you didn't when you first started phen.
Your scale moves a few lbs a month and your estatic!
You do everything right yet you lose nothing
Depending on the day you can be depressed.
You have lost wieght but still see the old you in the mirror.
Your having trouble getting those last few lbs off.
Your losing and gaining the same 5 lbs over and over.
You have a hard time finding the motivation after all these months.
You feel more comfortable in your body, thus not losing any further, and letting yourself backslide a little.
You teeter between emotions: Your sick of food, You love food, I never want to eat again, all I want to do is shove my face
The scale is your enemy
The measuring tape is your friend
You have determined who your real friends are
You have determined what your weaknesses and strengths are

I have been here for over a year, and I can say that I have experienced everything on that list. I remember coming here, so full of excitement, losing weight..thinking that in 12 weeks I could be down 40 lbs. Ha, it only took 8 months, Then getting pregnant, misscarrying, going to Germany, and buying a house did not help keep me on my journey to healthier skinnier me. I have learned so much in the year, and even though its had its hurdles I wouldnt go back, I regret nothing. I have learned that while this may be a "lifestyle change" we cannot always be prepared for "life changes"..life, death, marriage, kids, family, friends, buying homes. I cant remember how many times I told others that they need to keep thier lifestyle changes after they get off of phen, man I see now that s*h*i*t happens, life happens..and when it does we just have to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and keep going.

So this challenge is for us older phensters, who lose slowly, who have worked our butts off, and need that extra motivation to keep ourselves going. To those who have been here a while and havent given up, still trucking to get to thier goals. I know I need help staying strong and staying motivated. Ive been through a lot in the year 2009 but im ready to move on. So come join me! Bring any ideas for mini-challenges and such to the table. We need all the motivation we can get.

Each week we will have an exercise challenge, an exercise someone picks out and we will have to do a certain number of times during that week. Weigh in days will be tuesday (i'll be nice and not make it monday :P) So we can be sort of accountable on the weekend. We will make small attainable goals, you do not have to weigh in if you do not wish, but instead make small goals like increasing exercise, lose 2 inches, etc. So who's ready to kick some butt!

My name is Aly, I'm 20 years old (almost 21 on oct 16!) , I'm 5'7 and today I weighed 188 lbs. I live with my husband in Elkton Maryland. My BMI says I need to be under 160 to be healthy. I dont really believe this because I am a full figured woman, very curvy, large frame, boobs, butt, hips, you name it I got it. It can be a curse at times. So my overall goal is to be somewhere in the 160's, I was really happy toned up and still a few lbs to lose at 184, so I think 160 will be enough before I get the "sunken face" look. I figure I will determine if I'm happy once I get there. My husband started phen 2 weeks ago and I started phen again 1 week ago. In my first week I have lost 5 lbs but I know come this next week its going to get hard again. My husband has lost 8-9 lbs since starting phen. We havent started exercising yet because the doctor recommended we wait until we were used to phen again. He said ppl get very hungry if they exercise too much the first few weeks on phen. We go in today for a refill and we will see our progress. Then starting tomorrow we are going to be incorperating exercise.

I Cant wait to start this challenge! I would like to be 184 come my birthday October 16.

BTW: No offense to any newbies or newer phensters, you will be going through different emotions, struggles, gains etc than us oldies. It can be very discouraging to us older phensters when we see newer people fly by us and surpass our weight loss, I know I can get jealous. There are many challenges out there for new starters so feel free to join them. I wish you nothing but success on your jouneys.

**tazgirl31** · October 1st, 2009, 02:23 PM

This Is exactly what we need girl!!!!!! This will be a awesome challange for all us older phensters!!!!! And its so weird how EVERYTHING on ur list is SO ME too!!!! Its nice to no that Im not the only one going thro all these different phases in my weight loss journey!!!!

My name is Mary, I have been on this forum and on this weight loss journey for a year now!!!! Started way back when Aly did

And shes been my BIGGEST INSPIRATION!!!! I started at 278 and am HAPPY to say that I am 187 today

This weight loss journey has been a very hard one and I have had many ups and downs and lots of tears shed on my worse days!!! But I kept on going no matter how hard it got.....I was blessed to have a great friend who would not let me give up and she still dont!!!! Anyways I need to get to 140 to have a normal BMI.....I am tired of being considered obese!!! I have been trying to get to 180 by my birthday oct 6 that means I would have to lose 7 more pounds in like 5 days.....I also have a goal of 175 to meet by oct 31 halloweeen!!!!!!! And of course I am still in a huge challange with my dear friend aly to see who loses the most by her birthday oct 16!!!!!! we started this challange a week ago both at 193!!! so we are kicking butt with this!!!!!! with all these challanges how can I possibly not lose right?!!!! Soooo I am excited about this challange and cant wait to see all u older phensters come backkkk!!!!!!!!!!! TAZ

**tmreese** · October 1st, 2009, 02:28 PM

Count me in!!! Great thread Aly.

Lets see, a little about me, well I am Trisha. I am married, have 3 kids and I am 30 yrs old. I started phen in Jan. and I have lost 45lbs. For the past 4 months I have stayed between 166 and 164. as of Today I weighed in at 165.5 I would really like to lose another 20-25 pounds but I have just been stuck.

I think some challanging exercises would be to do 700 jumping jacks for 1 week. ( I hate jumping jacks)

anyway, great thread and best of luck to all of us Oldies!!

**hmhuntr** · October 1st, 2009, 03:54 PM

so as I sat here reading the opening post, I'm going down the list: check, check,check, double check! All the while stuffing my face with a forbidden blueberry muffin! Wow Aly: you must have known I needed this today!

My name is Heather and I have been here 13 months. I started out great the first month and slammed to a crreping hault after that. Don't let the weight on the side fool you, I need to update. I am probably more like 157-158 right now which isn't horrible but I've already picked up those pounds again (seemed like overnight) and I'm not the firm 150's I should be.....anyone familiar with the Pokemon JigglyPuff??? Need I say more LOL! I am a mother of 3, part time student and work 2 jobs. Excuse is my middle name. I'll weigh myself in the morning for exact numbers! Thanks Aly....thank you thank you thank you!

Alright Luvin- I better see your name on this board too young lady, we're neck and neck again!

**alykat06** · October 1st, 2009, 04:34 PM

hmhntr you crack me up! I'm glad to see you guys have joined, hopefully we'll have a bigger gang come sometime tonight or tomorrow. I know how ghostly it can get on the forum on the weekends so well just have to wait this one out :P. The jumping jacks Idea is great Trisha..I hate jumping jacks too!

**redneckwmn1981** · October 1st, 2009, 07:14 PM

the name's jessica(most call me jess).i am 27 yrs old(28 on oct.29th).i'm 5'4" and currently 165 lbs.my start weight was 210,the highest i have ever been.i started phen. may 14th of this year and still have 2 1/2 months of phen left(i took a month break and started up again).my goal weight is 145 for the moment.if i decide i should lose more i will.but i'm not all for being this skinny white chick who weighs 110 lbs.i weighed 100 lbs till i turned 18 then i just went up after that and i hated being that small-yes that is coming from a females mouth,lol.5 years ago i got to my highest then which was 195 and i busted butt to lose and got down to about 140 then just let it go.this time i am doing whatever it takes to keep it off.i'd be fine where i am but i got a problem area-the belly.for my frame size u would think i was 7 months preg. i don't have good before pics cause my dumb self deleted them by accident so now all i have is after pics and i wish i had the ones from before cause i still feel like i look the same as i was at 210.even though i went from a size 18 to a size 12,working my way into a 10.i can button them but have a few inches over hang.

lets do this and stick together

**Mary-Mary** · October 1st, 2009, 07:37 PM

Count me in too

Hi my name is Mary and my current weight is 173 (ugh)....I started this weight loss journey on November 2008 and so far I have lost 60 pounds and I want to lose my last 23 pounds and it just gets harder and harder, I am not taking phen no more so it is harder to control my appetite and my cravings but I am doing it.....and I will do it.

Well girls all I can say is lets kick out butt to get this last pounds off ASAP!

**miswoo** · October 2nd, 2009, 02:52 AM

So excited about this. I shared my current struggles in another thread, but I'll touch on it here too.

A few years ago I thought I wanted weight loss surgery but my BMI was like 38 so I purposely gained weight to hit the 40 mark - which landed me at 260. I then realized that it was not what I wanted and even mourned the thought of NEVER being able to overeat again! Crazy huh?

I lost about 30 pounds just by cutting back to my older portions and stayed there until December 2008 when I started phen and was 226 pounds. I am currently 151 - but have been 153 - 161 for the past few months. I was off phen, but held my weight and only fluctuated with water weight.

I'm ready to finish this thing up and just by tightening up on my diet again I've dropped 2 pounds in 2 days. So I'm hopeful that I can get into the 140's by next week.

How long will the challange be? Maybe we should take it through the dreaded holidays if that's not too long for everyone.

**alykat06** · October 2nd, 2009, 08:31 AM

I think that going as long as we like sounds perfect to me. I like setting mini goals and theres no use to start a bazillion threads for challenges

. So we'll defenitly go through the holidays!

I went to the weight loss doctor last night and on his scale I had lost 4 lbs, granted I also ate through the day and was wearing clothes so I couldnt complain. My hubby lost 8 on the doctors scale. He bumped my doseage up to 1 1/2 pills a day since this phen brand is not quite as strong as my last prescription. He also prescribed celexa an anti-depressant for my irratability and moodiness. I finally found out why us women get phen rage while on phen! He said that its because we are removing some of the bad foods from our diet and therefore not getting as much seratonin as we would if we were eating more things such as chocolate..therefore we sort of act like were pmsing. He said dark chocolate works well to help lift those moods. So does anyone know anything about celexa? I havent filled the script yet but plan to this weekend. My OCD and anxiety are much worse on phen..they can be pretty bad without phen ..i wonder how my hubby can live with me lol. I woke up this morning weighing 187, thats after having a late dinner, so I hope to be down some more this weekend.

**luvinmybabies** · October 2nd, 2009, 11:09 AM

Ok, here I go HUNTR...

(raising my hand and standing)
HI, my name is Salina...(everyone: "HI SALINA")
And I am a seasoned Phenster. Oct 17th will be my one year anniversary since I started my weight loss journey. I'm frustrated to say that in almost 12 months, I have only lost 32 lbs at my lowest. But after a birthday weekend filled with alcohol, cake, ribs, steak, and lounging around tthe beach...I gained 7 lbs. This was back at the end of August, and I'm still trying to get those darn things off of me!! I have been fluctuating between 158 and 163 for the past month. I am probably more discouraged now, then I have ever been so far.

Oh, I should also mention that I have been off of Phen since May. I still have some left, but I'm really trying to not rely on it anymore. We can't take it forever, right??
So needless to say, I REALLY need some motivation right now.
Thanks for starting this thread ALY!

**tmreese** · October 2nd, 2009, 05:19 PM

Hey Aly, I have been on celexa. I can honstly say at first it caused me really bad headaches. Thats the only side effect I had from it. It helped me alot with anger and stress. My doctor told me I could take it with phen but I never did. I quit taking the celexa in Feb just because I was tired of taking so many pills. I really think they helped me alot.

Good Luck with them.

**alykat06** · October 2nd, 2009, 07:08 PM

I guess the only reason I wouldnt try it is because I dont know how it would interact with alcohol, since I do like to drink on occasion..what you think?

**tmreese** · October 2nd, 2009, 10:55 PM

I myself cant answer that one for you but I am sure there are many people who are on celexa and still drink. And the only way to find out is to just try it because everyone is different. Or just be honest and ask your doctor what he thinks. either way, good luck!

**hmhuntr** · October 3rd, 2009, 11:26 PM

Aly- I was on Celexa and phen for a while and it really does help. I liked the Celexa because it didn't increase my appetite like alot of anti-depressants can. As far as drinking with it...I don't know why you couldn't. I wouldn't pop one and then chase it with a shot of course

but you should be fine.

tmreese- You look so diferent in your siggy pics! Can you believe we've all been at this as long as we have?

It looks like TOM is finally showing up this evening,,,oh yeah! SO there's no telling how my weight is going to behave right now. I've been off of phen as well for several months and have been contemplating going back but when I took a few I have left over they didn't do a thing for me. I just hate to spend all of that money and they not make a difference. I think I might order an appetite suppressent offline that I used to take. It has ephedra in it and I personally like the "buzz" and could use the extra energy ya know! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. We celebrated our Buddy Walk today for Down Syndrome Awareness and the weather was absolutely perfect!

Oh, I also cut 8 inches off of my hair yesterday...I feel naked! That should be worth a pound though right?

**ethansmommy23** · October 4th, 2009, 04:01 AM

i'm in.. i'm up 6 lbs

.. i know the newbies will think "oooh 6 lbs i can lose that in a week" well unfortunately we know all too well that it can take us 6 weeks or more to lose 6 lbs at this stage in the game! i've just got to do a challenge to nip this in the bud before it gets out of hand so here we go again minus the phen!

**tazgirl31** · October 4th, 2009, 03:06 PM

Hey Aly are we supposed to check in here dailey or weekly or what is the challange for this week?: Is it to do certain amount of exercise or anything? I no someone mentioned doing jumping jax!!! I just wasnt sure what were supposed to be doing at this point lol........Im still holding at 186 today.....Im dealing with my Tom trying to start Im hoping it comes and goes fast so I can get to 180!!! Im already tired of this 186 lol been here a couple days......

Ethansmommy Im sooooo happy ur joining us!!!! And I so no what u mean about gaining 6 pounds and trying to lose it....cause it takes forever to lose even 2 pounds for me......But I no u will get it back off.....I hope vixena will join also.....Its so nice to just see all the people who were here when I first started!!!! cause it makes it easier knowing that we have all been here a year nearly and still hanging in there!!! I think this challange will help all of us alot!!!!!! Taz

**alykat06** · October 5th, 2009, 08:39 AM

Hey Taz, it doesnt matter how many times you check in during the week. I like to check in often, it keeps me motivated and accountable. Our "goal" days are tuesdays..so baisically our weigh in days for those who want to weigh in. Or you can just set other goals for that day. We wont have a mini challenge due by tomorrow, but starting tomorrow we'll have an exercise challenge due by next tuesday. I'll figure something out!

So it looks like im gonna be stuck again, I was hoping to get past 187 this weekend but the scales not moving..so I know I have to get my butt in gear and exercise more. I'm on 11 hour shifts right now so I hope I can get home on time to get food, exercise, shower, and hit bed..thats my biggest struggle when it comes to exercise- time, n theres no way im gonna get up at 430 to exercise lol. So I think the 30 day shreds gonna be my best friend for now. I think more walking with the dog may be in the future as well.

**hmhuntr** · October 5th, 2009, 08:43 AM

I feel like a truck ran over me and then backed up to do it again. This has been the worst TOM by far and that's saying ALOT! I don't know how I'm not dead yet. I've passed enough clots that I shouldn't have a uterus left and you would think my weight would be low since I'm in the bathroom every 15 min (no joke) changing because I'm flooding out but OH NOOOOO!!!!! I am so bloated that I look 6 mo preg and my weight was 165 last night! WTF!!!!! I think I'm going to have to break down and make an appt. with the girly doctor when I get my insurance card, no more excuses. Luvin- I'm sure you've got a lecture for me coming----I probably deserve it though

I REALLY don't want to go to work today! Can I use blood loss as an excuse to not take my statistics test today?

**luvinmybabies** · October 5th, 2009, 09:11 AM

Tsk, Tsk HUNTR...that's all I'm going to say.

Well, I am down 3 lbs this morning...but only because there is a stomach virus making its way around my household. Our 17 month old son started with it, and I actually blamed it on something my mother-in-law must have fed him...ooops! I'm paying for it now! I have to be careful not to cough or sneeze too hard, if you know what I mean

. My toilet and I have been very close for the past 24 hours, from both ends...sorry, TMI?
Anyway, I'm just trying to get through the work day without an embarrassing accident, we'll see what happens.
I'm glad to see a lot of us are off of the Phen. I don't feel like an outsider now.
Good luck everyone!! I know we can do this!!
Oh, HUNTR...the only way you can blame blood loss on not taking your test, would be if your teacher is a man!!

Just mention the word period, and you can get away with anything!

**hmhuntr** · October 5th, 2009, 09:30 AM

Dang, it's a woman....guess I'm out of luck.
Luvin- sorry to hear about the "bug". I would say to cross your legs when you sneeze but that might not help much. LOL! But hey...three pounds is three pounds right! I'd take it anyway you can get it

It's a shame my situation backfired on me!

**tazgirl31** · October 5th, 2009, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by alykat06

Hey Taz, it doesnt matter how many times you check in during the week. I like to check in often, it keeps me motivated and accountable. Our "goal" days are tuesdays..so baisically our weigh in days for those who want to weigh in. Or you can just set other goals for that day. We wont have a mini challenge due by tomorrow, but starting tomorrow we'll have an exercise challenge due by next tuesday. I'll figure something out!

So it looks like im gonna be stuck again, I was hoping to get past 187 this weekend but the scales not moving..so I know I have to get my butt in gear and exercise more. I'm on 11 hour shifts right now so I hope I can get home on time to get food, exercise, shower, and hit bed..thats my biggest struggle when it comes to exercise- time, n theres no way im gonna get up at 430 to exercise lol. So I think the 30 day shreds gonna be my best friend for now. I think more walking with the dog may be in the future as well.

Ok Thanx Aly!!! Tuesdays sound good to me....although after next tuesday Im not sure how my weight loss will go lol!!! We shall see!!!! Girl u will break thro that stuck mode!!! I no how u feel cause I was stuck there at 187 for over 4 days and it was frustrating.....Just hang in there!!!!! The shred it is sooooo hard it kicked my butt so bad the first time I did it...I was sore for over a week......I havent done it since lol....maybe I will have to try it again also.......Well as today Im at 185.....so we will see what I can lose by next tuesday.....Im gonna try to lose 5 pounds by then at least!!!!! Taz

**Vixena99** · October 5th, 2009, 05:00 PM

I am IN! Sorry it took me so long to check back to the site....been busy lately with home stuff. It's all good though!

Ok....here we go, My name is Amber. I am 28 year old, been on this site since July 08' so like a year and 4 months....yeesh! My highest weight was 275 and now I am hovering in the 180's range...Lately on the higher end of the range.....I would like to be at least in the 170's bracket by the end of the month and in the 160's by the new year. My Ultimate goal is 162. which for my heigh height of 6'0" would put at the perfect BMI of 22. I will weigh in tomorrow morning for an accurate weight for the challenge....and since it will be tuesday it will work out good.
It's been a rough year, going through a divorce, and a lot of drama before and during...btw it will be final Oct. 8th!!! woo hoo only a few more days! I have been raising my beautiful daughter who is the light of my life....and I am also currently engaged to my daughters father (yes I know it sounds so Jerry Springer.) We plan to get married A.S.A.P. as we are both waiting for our final divorce papers from our first marriages. I have a beautiful dress already and I want to look Stunning in it. I want to be a beautiful sexy healthy bride this time instead of a beautiful plump bride like I was the first time around.

So yeah I am in on this Challenge! Aly....YOU RULE!

**alykat06** · October 6th, 2009, 09:19 AM

Hello everyone, today is tuesday and the official start of this challenge. I weighed in at 188 today grr, although I know why..having chicken alfredo with pasta the past 2 days, not using the bathroom, and expecting tom any day now. I know once I use the bathroom i'll be down, since pasta always seems to take a few days to get rid of. I did 100 jumping jacks last night, and a bunch of crunches but lost count because my dog thought I was trying to play with him..licking my face and all lol. I also got up earlier today and sped walked the dog around the block.

This week I would like everyone to some exercise that they havent done, fell of the wagon with, or something you hate but works with your body. Try to do it 2-3 times this week. I am def. gonna get jillian michaels in at least 2 times this week. I might have a setback on saturday though, its my bday party..which means food, alcohol, moon bounce, ice luge etc haha..its gonna be a blast.

**luvinmybabies** · October 6th, 2009, 09:28 AM

Ok, so I think the stomach bug has passed!
Good news: I'm down 3lbs to 161...
Bad news: I'm sure that was all water weight and I'm just dehydrated, so I'll probably see it back soon. Oh, and it's TOM too! GRRRRR...

I bought a Jillian Michaels DVD last week. It is the "Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism" one. I haven't opened it yet, we'll see how I feel tonight.

But that is my goal for this week, to get that in at least 3 times.

**redneckwmn1981** · October 6th, 2009, 11:00 AM

good day everyone.
i just weighed myself and i'm down to 162,but of course i just got rid of t.o.m and i am sick.good luck to everyone

**alykat06** · October 6th, 2009, 01:23 PM

luvin I have her 2 new movies, that one and another one..cant remember the name..i think its banish problem areas..well they are 45 minutes long and absolute killer lol.

**tmreese** · October 6th, 2009, 04:39 PM

My weight for the day is 164.5. I plan on doing my biggest loser bootcamp dvd for my exercise challange. I will do it wed and fri for sure.

Have a great week everyone and I hope everyone gets to feeling better soon!!

**tazgirl31** · October 6th, 2009, 08:01 PM

Hey everyone looks like we have lots of old phensters joining us!!!! My weight today is 184!! woohooo almost made it to my birthday goal of 180!!!! Im just gonna make sure I drink 2 liters of water a day like I been faithfully doing and I may also try walking an hour a nite again!!! other then that just gonna eat right stick to plan and hope to be at 180 sooooon......and be at 175 by halloween!!!!!! And hopefully this TOM will pass and I wont gain any weight hahaha......Taz

**miswoo** · October 7th, 2009, 11:04 AM

K, so I was 156 this morning, but my diet has been ****ing (soooo very hungry) and I haven't had a normal BM in 2-3 weeks now

Taking something today to "go" so I'm hoping to be back to the normal of 151 - 153 after.

As far as excercise, there are SO many options for me since I haven't excercised at all in about 2 months. I think I'm going to do Jillian and my Wii Active this week, so we'll see what happens.

**luvinmybabies** · October 7th, 2009, 11:32 AM

So I actually opened my Jillian DVD and tried it last night.
Unfortunately, I tried doing it while my kids were still awake, and the dog was in the house. Bad idea!! I almost kicked my toddler in the head multiple times, and the dog thought I was playing with him, so he was jumping on me. Note to self: I've got to find a better time to exercise!!
But through all that, I magaged to get through 3 of the 7 circuits, for a 25 minute (or so) workout. The only problem that I have with her is there is a lot of squatting and jumping. Not good for someone post 3 knee surgeries

. Another note to self: Make an exercise video for people with sorry knees...and get rich off of it.

**alykat06** · October 7th, 2009, 11:35 AM

haha luvin looks like our dogs think alike haha, mine thought I was playing with him while I was exercising too lol. As far as the whole knee issue, I know on her newer dvd's you can skip through the different circuits so maybe look through them and see which ones are better for the knees?

**Vixena99** · October 7th, 2009, 03:10 PM

Yeah I was still 187 on the scale tuesday morning. Grrr!
Also found out I will probably be getting married the weekend after thanksgiving. Want to at least be in the 170's by then.

**tazgirl31** · October 7th, 2009, 07:29 PM

Im still at 184 today only down 3ozs.....Im not feeling good at all today tho not sure if its my tom or kidney infection but will go to hosp tonight.....if its my period Im sure my weight loss will be stalled a week like always......just hope I dont gain tons back.......I havent really exercised lately but I am drinking lots and lots of water and eating very low calories.........Hope everyone had a good day....Taz

**Mary-Mary** · October 7th, 2009, 11:30 PM

Wow it looks like everyone is doing great me not so good I haven excercise this week at all I am just having harder time to get up in the morning now that is cold....ugh I hate cold weather I just want to be warm in my bed but I am going to try to do it tomorrow even if I dont want to.

good luck everyone