BL Summer Challenge 2009

[ohMom]

END DATE -- Aug 17..............it will be Aug 7 for me, hey that's my birthday!

 

[mikamah]

I don't think 28 points of fried chicken and french fries is what they have in mind...(OK, I haven't been THAT bad)

Oh, I have! But usually it's a cheeseburger and fries.
Sadly it's easy to do. I went to dinner a few weeks ago to the 99 and went online to plan what to eat, and was floored at how many points most of their menu was. I was on track at the time, so I got some sauteed scallop dinner that was 18 pts, ate half, and had a 3 pt soup with it. When I look at the points for nachos, cheeseburgers, and anything fried before I go out, it's so much easier not to eat them. www.dwlz.com is a great website with points values for lots of restaurants. It always goes back to having a plan.

Hang in there Molli!! You can do it this weekend. We are going to my sisters camp, and I'm going to plan and bring lots of fruit, vegies, salad, and I usually bake cookies, but I think I'm going to skip that this year. I don't think that would be good. Keep that thought of you sipping that beer in those shorts in your head this weekend.

I'm off to work, and then baseball right after. Have a great day all.

A big congratulations to all the 7.1 losers!!

 

[pjlla]

Wow!! Look at how much I missed just being "unplugged" for the weekend! But I have read everything and I think I am caught up. I will try to briefly reply to the QOTD that I missed, but I am at work, so not much time.

QOTD -- What are your plans for the summer? How will your plans help or hinder your goals for this challenge?

Our summer plans include our "regular" July 4th time at Cape Code (we have family there and have been doing this for years)... that will probably be a 3-4 day "eat-a-thon" that I will valiently try to fight my way through unscathed!

Then we have our "regular" family vacation with my side of the family in early August. That is usually a bit easier to navigate, food-wise.

Plus I will be taking both children away individually for their own long weekend. I usually do it in May, but it is getting harder to take them out of school, so we will probably do it over the summer. Again, I have more control over the food (especially when DS and I camp), so that shouldn't be too terrible.

My ORIGINAL plan from earlier this year was to hit my goal weight by my birthday in mid-June, but I am struggling with the last ten pounds and I am not sure I will make it. But I will NOT give up. I will DEFINITELY be at goal by the end of July... by DD's birthday on July 31st to be precise!!

I will answer the other QOTD that I missed in another post, so that this isn't too long!.....................P

 

[pjlla]

QOTD -- What is your favorite Disney song? It can be from a park, movie, play, etc

Well... the first things that come to mind are actually "soundtracks". I love the sound track you hear as you walk down Main Street. Kind of like turn of the century music. Not sure exactly what it is called and I don't have it on any of the CDs I have bought, but I can "sing it in my head". That music tells me that I am "home". My second favorite would probably be the soundtrack to "Soarin". We first heard it on our first (and only) trip to DL in 2005 and we LOVED the ride. Then we got to experience it in Florida last year and it was just as magical. It really brings me back.

I have multiple CDs of Disney music, but I find myself putting in my "park music" CD most of the time.... I could listen to it over and over... the Wishes sound track (from the 50th anniversary of DL) is spectacular too. It makes me tear up every time!

It is funny how many of you mentioned somewhat lesser-known songs that I also love, like that song from Mulan and "scales and arpeggios". And there is a song from Hercules (the title escapes me at the moment) that DS and I love to listen to as well.

Thanks for asking......................P

 

[lisah0711]

I also have a mini goal of losing 10lbs by June 10th, I really hope to be under 160lbs by then. We are going to the beach!! Can't wait to walk/run in the sand at sunrise with my hubby

I am hoping to lose 10 pounds by the time I leave for DL on 6/10. I've lost two this week. It is going to be a push to get that done in time. We can do it!

Keep up the good work everyone. Push through the urges this week. We can ALL have awesome loses this weekend. WE CAN DO THIS! I just got done doing a 2 mile walk at lunch.

Good job with the walking at lunch, Melanie!

Aye--kittens are me weakness.
I have decided to give up reading the highly addictive pets and lost and found section of Craigs list for this kitten season.

Yes, it is so hard when so many pets need good homes. I will try and take a picture of the Whitewater Snacks kitty for you when I am at DL in June -- I know she is a favorite of yours!

My other goal is to have lost a total of 30 pounds when we go to WDW in June (I've been on this diet awhile and have lost 16 of those 30 already, so 14 pounds by June 20, we'll see!)

You're already almost halfway there and have a great exercise plan! You can do it!

I don't have a specific goal for this challenge, but I am just aiming for 5 lbs at a time.

Shannon, your strategy is obviously a winning one since I saw your name on the biggest losers list! Congratulations!

Plans for the summer...work. I will be going to Leavenworth for a weekend in early september and then to DL in mid september...oh, and I have a Mahjongg weekend in Anacortes over my birthday in July. That's about it.

I hear that Leavenworth is very picturesque.

 

[ibouncetoo]

I. And there is a song from Hercules (the title escapes me at the moment) that DS and I love to listen to as well.

Thanks for asking......................P

Oh, one of my all time favorites is also from Hercules, Meg's song "I won't say I'm In Love" (don't know if that's the actual title). I rock out to that one!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Hey everyone, hope you are all having a great day! I've been sort of in limbo since I won the biggest loser through DH's work, I need to get back to the business of losing weight.

Plans for this summer... Lots of walking! Actually this BL works very well, because it takes me right up to our vacation, we are going to DLR for the first time and we are going to see some other sights of California. Can't wait! I need to remember to focus and keep going so I can be happy with the way I look when we go.

 

[lisah0711]

My mini-goal is to hit all of my scheduled workouts. It's run 4 mi, walk 4mi, run 4mi, rest for the rest of May and the month of June (with excused days during our vacation). We'll see how that goes before I come up with July's goals.

That's a great workout schedule, Maria!

We just got back from another 3.1 mile walk/jog and it seemed to be even tougher than yesterday, but we shaved 3 minutes off our time !!!

Nice job shaving that time yesterday, Jennifer!

Stopping my exercise last summer was my down fall, and I won't let that happen again. I also want to journal all my food when I am home. When I go away for a weekend, I won't journal, but will make healthy choices and drink my water.

I agree, Kathy, that exercise is the key. It is just so hard to do it -- I don't know why!

My mini-goal is a 'perfect' day on program (WW).

Sounds like with a little more planning you will be there!

I guess my mini-goal is to be down 5-10 pounds by vacation, hopefuuly closer to down 10. I also want to get some type of workout in every day.

I know that you will figure out a way to make that work for you!

Today is my mom's birthday...we are taking her out to dinner but hopefully DH and I will split so I'll stay on track.

You did such a good job staying on track at WDW tonight will be a piece of cake (so to speak ). Actually you should have a little cake because I remember when your Mom was so very, very ill. You have to enjoy what you have now.

I started Jillian's Making the Cut workout program last week, along with a co-worker so a mini-goal is to survive it!

Welcome back and I am glad Making the Cut is working for you!

My ORIGINAL plan from earlier this year was to hit my goal weight by my birthday in mid-June, but I am struggling with the last ten pounds and I am not sure I will make it. But I will NOT give up. I will DEFINITELY be at goal by the end of July... by DD's birthday on July 31st to be precise!!

You may want to look at Making the Cut that Molli is doing. It is supposed to be for those last stubborn 10 pounds.

 

[lisah0711]

Plans for this summer... Lots of walking! Actually this BL works very well, because it takes me right up to our vacation, we are going to DLR for the first time and we are going to see some other sights of California.

You've worked hard all year Vija and have done a great job so far. I think that is the finish line you see there in the distance.

A great big congratulations to BibbidyBobbidyBoo and all the other losers from the BL 7.1 challenge! Great job!

QOTD -- Now that the weather is warming up I am thinking of salads. Do you know a good recipe for low cal salad dressing?

I'm needing some help on this one which is why I asked the question. I have been using my regular Litehouse dressing and watching the serving size and tossing my salad really well. I hate to admit I love the creamy dressings and it is hard for me to switch . . . help!

Three days until our first weigh-in . . . are you keeping yourself on track so you can start this challenge with a bang?

Have a great day losers!

 

[pjlla]

QOTD -- Do you have mini-goals to help you meet you big goals for this challenge?

Well... not really, since I am hoping to be at my goal in less than a month (although I am struggling right now and I don't think I will make it). I am "unofficially" moving my date to meet goal to the end of July, since I don't think I will make my original mid-June goal, but I am STILL going to attempt to make it. I am aiming for 1-2 lb. per week right now. So I guess I will say that mini-goals are 1-2 lb a week, consistently for the summer.

Of course, when I reach my goal, I will have another on-going goal of STAYING at my goal weight!! .......................P

 

[pjlla]

Two days until our first weigh-in . . . are you keeping yourself on track so you can start this challenge with a bang?[/COLOR]

Have a great day losers!

I thought we were weighing in on Fridays. Is it supposed to be Thursdays?? Sorry if I didn't read something correctly.


QOTD -- Now that the weather is warming up I am thinking of salads. Do you know a good recipe for low cal salad dressing?
I hate to cook, so I can't imagine going to the bother of making my own salad dressing, but I do have a few that are very good that I could suggest. Several of the Paul Newman's light dressings are very good, including the Roasted Garlic light vinagrette and the Sesame Ginger (my personal favorite). Bolthouse Farms makes some very good creamy yogurt dressings that aren't too high in fat/calories. They are found in the produce department.

I like a lot of dressing on my salad and I have found that I can "water down" several different dressings and still enjoy them. I water down the vinegrettes with more vinegar (either rice wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar) and I water down the more creamy dressing with just water. And then, if possible, I make sure I mix up my salad with the dressing on it really well (I put it in a Tupperware and shake it up if possible). That seems to distribute the dressing well and I can use less. ........................P

 

[princessbride6205]

I e-mailed my initial weight (as of May 15th) to LuvBaloo this morning, so as I'm in the process of joining, I thought I'd chime in with my QOTD answer!

SALAD DRESSING:
I typically only like vinagrettes - to keep it super low cal, I have a little dish of the dressing, and just dip my fork in it. Then spear the salad and eat. You get a little flavor without drenching the salad. For at home, I just started making my own balsamic - it's just olive oil and balsamic vinegar - sometimes I add spices. The olive oil isn't low cal, but it's a healthy fat and I know exactly what ingredients I put in - no preservatives or added sodium.
My problem with salad is that I don't like it except at restaurants! I hardly ever buy lettuce or salad greens to make at home. That's the habit I need to get into more.

 

[LuvBaloo]

Hey everyone, hope you are all having a great day! I've been sort of in limbo since I won the biggest loser through DH's work, I need to get back to the business of losing weight.

Plans for this summer... Lots of walking! Actually this BL works very well, because it takes me right up to our vacation, we are going to DLR for the first time and we are going to see some other sights of California. Can't wait! I need to remember to focus and keep going so I can be happy with the way I look when we go.

Congrats on winning the BL challenge through DH's work. I remember when you started it, that it seemed really intense.

I thought we were weighing in on Fridays. Is it supposed to be Thursdays?? Sorry if I didn't read something correctly.

Friday is the official weigh-in day!
I'll post results by the following Tuesday, and any late results will be counted if they get in before I post the results. Any late results that come in after I post the results will still get entered in the master sheet, you just won't show up on the results list.

I e-mailed my initial weight (as of May 15th) to LuvBaloo this morning, so as I'm in the process of joining, I thought I'd chime in with my QOTD answer!

SALAD DRESSING:
I typically only like vinagrettes - to keep it super low cal, I have a little dish of the dressing, and just dip my fork in it. Then spear the salad and eat. You get a little flavor without drenching the salad. For at home, I just started making my own balsamic - it's just olive oil and balsamic vinegar - sometimes I add spices. The olive oil isn't low cal, but it's a healthy fat and I know exactly what ingredients I put in - no preservatives or added sodium.
My problem with salad is that I don't like it except at restaurants! I hardly ever buy lettuce or salad greens to make at home. That's the habit I need to get into more.

Welcome! And that's a good idea for handling salad dressing in restaurants. I always get it on the side in restaurants because so often they drown the salad.

QOTD -- Now that the weather is warming up I am thinking of salads. Do you know a good recipe for low cal salad dressing?

Sorry, I have no salad dressing recipes, but I did buy a spray bottle of raspberry salad dressing. The raspberry taste is strong so only takes a little bit to get the flavour, and I think its 10 sprays for 10 calories, and the most I've used is 4.

 

[lisah0711]

I thought we were weighing in on Fridays. Is it supposed to be Thursdays?? Sorry if I didn't read something correctly.

Oops! My bad! Weigh-ins are on Fridays. That is just me rushing the week along because of the holiday! Sorry!

 

[lisah0711]

I e-mailed my initial weight (as of May 15th) to LuvBaloo this morning, so as I'm in the process of joining, I thought I'd chime in with my QOTD answer!

Welcome, Princess Bride, and good luck!

I like a lot of dressing on my salad and I have found that I can "water down" several different dressings and still enjoy them. I water down the vinegrettes with more vinegar (either rice wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar) and I water down the more creamy dressing with just water.

I do too! I thought maybe I could water down the creamy stuff with some skim milk, too.

Sorry, I have no salad dressing recipes, but I did buy a spray bottle of raspberry salad dressing. The raspberry taste is strong so only takes a little bit to get the flavour, and I think its 10 sprays for 10 calories, and the most I've used is 4.

Wow! That sounds like some strong stuff!

 

[Sleeping*Beauty]

QOTD -- Now that the weather is warming up I am thinking of salads. Do you know a good recipe for low cal salad dressing?

Sorry, I'm not much of a cok so I can't help you out. My dressing comes from the bottle. LOL

The wii fit got on my nerves tonight it said I gained 3.7 pounds since last night. I guess some of it was my 4 glasses of tea at dinner. I have to remember to go to the bathroom before I weigh in.

 

[CruiseBoundnKY]

I'd like to join in if you'll have me.

QOTD - Not a clue. I'm not much of a cook either.

I've actually had the lap band surgery WAY BACK in 2004, but I just haven't made smart choices. I am down from my initial weight of 235, but I'm at 218 now and VERY miserable in my skin.

I'm in definite need of some accountability.

Thanks, Karen

 

[princessbride6205]

Welcome, Karen! Having a community to be healthy with is really helpful. Good luck with your weight loss.

 

[tink1963]

QOTD -- Now that the weather is warming up I am thinking of salads. Do you know a good recipe for low cal salad dressing?

I don't have a recipe for dressing, but I do have a favorite. I LOVE Trader Joe's fat free Balsamic Vinagrette. One serving is 1 point and 2 servings is 1 point. I like dressing on my salad and I love salads. This dressing has made giving up Ranch and 1000 Island much easier.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I officially PMd my weight to LuvBaloo and will be joining you all. It's going to be itneresting with moving and starting a new job.

I weigh in tomorrow and am just going to start over with Weight Watchers. I'm pretty much at the same weight I was when I started the BL 7 challenge back in January. I realized that my problem was an all or nothing mind set. Instead of taking it in little steps I tried to fix everything at once and then if I made a mistake felt like a failure and called it quits.

My plan is to journal everything this week and get into the habit of it (not counting points). Next week I will start counting points for breakfast (still journalling everything) then breakfast and lunch, then everything. I figure if I tackle one thing at a time and work my way up I might have a better chance of success.