Biggest Loser 9 Spring challenge -- Part 2! HERE WE ARE! :)

[ShortyNBug]

OK, so I never got back yesterday and now I guess I won't be able to quote so I'll just start fresh today.

QOTD 3/24: When it comes to exericse, which do you feel is more important, cardio or strength? And why?

 

[tigger813]

QOTD: I really think they go hand in hand. I have found that when I get stuck I need to increase my strength and my cardio. I do the elliptical and increase the tension. I also try and do 3 mile workouts with my hand weights!

 

[mikamah]

Good morning everyone! How awesome our thread was getting closed because we are so active. I know since I've been doing the BL challenges it's the first time!!! We have such a great group of supportive people here.

A huge Congratulations to Flipflopmom and Worfiedoodles!! You both had some rough days this week, and I hope to see your names as the biggest loser helps. I love both of your dis names too.

Thank you Shannon for all your hard work with the weightkeeping, and right after vacation. Love the pictures, and glad you had a fun time. Welcome home!!

qotd- I think whatever I will get out do is the most important. I know they are both important. I think cardio is more important when you are trying to lose weight, but as you near goal, and need to firm up, then strength becomes more important. I tend to do mostly cardio, at varying degrees.

Have a great day.

 

[my3princes]

OK, so I never got back yesterday and now I guess I won't be able to quote so I'll just start fresh today.

QOTD 3/24: When it comes to exericse, which do you feel is more important, cardio or strength? And why?

I think that either would give me great benefits, now to just do exercise, any exercise Where is the motivation fairy when you need her?

 

[tigger813]

I think that either would give me great benefits, now to just do exercise, any exercise Where is the motivation fairy when you need her?

I'm with you on needing the motivation fairy! I'm just really tired and can't get going! I really missed doing the elliptical during BL last night! Just finished watching it and really enjoyed all of it!

 

[ShortyNBug]

First of all, congrats to all the losers. Looks like everyone is doing amazingly well in this challenge.

I have also decided that I am going to begin to train for a 1/2 marathon this summer. I am considering a race on June 6th but looking for others as well. It is totally scary to think that in January I could not even run for 60 seconds and now I am going to train for a 1/2 marathon but the reality is...I can do it.

It was a really good day for me today. I lost 3.7 pounds from my last week's WW weigh in and at my meeting today I met my 10% weight loss goal! It felt really good to have a good loss because I have worked hard this week. I am hoping it means Friday's weigh in here will go good as well.

A 1/2...how scary to me but you are right, you can do it!

And what an awesome weight loss! Keep it up and I'm sure you'll do fine here Friday.

The wii tried to give me a boost this morning, too. Unbeknownst to me, there was something under it. I stepped on, and it said I had lost 34 pounds since my last weigh in. Yesterday. Moved the board around, tried again, and tada! I still lost .7 of a pound yesterday. So now I only have 2 lbs. of TOM to get off before Friday. It tried to get me to change my goals, said I was a normal weight....

Can someone tell me when the new ending date is?

I think the end is May 14th if I read right.

When I first got my Wii Fit Plus I didn't put the leg extensions on and I was loving the weight it gave me. I was in a hurry to play and didn't dig everything out of the box but when I saw that I knew something wasn't right. As much as I would've love it.

As far as the QOTD: I mostly do cardio but need to find ways to incoporate some strength. I lift light weights and sometimes walk with hand weights but nothing major.

 

[princessbride6205]

Congratulations Worfiedoodles AND flipflopmom !!!

QOTD Wed:
I think that cardio and strength are both important. For me, I've always relied more heavily on cardio. I tend to get bored during my strength training sessions. I'm big into cardio now because of my running, but I want to incorporate more and harder strength training to tone and get stronger (which will help with running and metabolism as well as my appearance).

 

[pjlla]

Oh man...I meant to reply to a bunch of the posts tonight and now I can't quote them all. I will try to sum up some thoughts:

For people who are struggling with this challenge, each day is a new day. It is so great that we can all come here and support one another and find motivation to keep going. I have had so many ups and downs - it is here that I find a place to share the ups and find support when I am down. I hope that everyone who is struggling just stops and thinks this...WE CAN DO IT TOGETHER!

For people who are stressed with what is happening in life...I hope that you can find support for that here too. I will say that today I felt so overwhelmed with all that is going on and decided to go out and run on my lunch break. It was such a good choice for me. The exercising made me feel like so much of the stress was released...if just for the time I was running. I hope that everyone can find something to help them get through the tough days.

I am so excited to see others who are looking forward to the Princess 2011! I will be running in that race and hope to be meeting up with other WISH runners. It will be great to have so many of us here who have come so far reach that huge goal all together!!!

I have also decided that I am going to begin to train for a 1/2 marathon this summer. I am considering a race on June 6th but looking for others as well. It is totally scary to think that in January I could not even run for 60 seconds and now I am going to train for a 1/2 marathon but the reality is...I can do it.

It was a really good day for me today. I lost 3.7 pounds from my last week's WW weigh in and at my meeting today I met my 10% weight loss goal! It felt really good to have a good loss because I have worked hard this week. I am hoping it means Friday's weigh in here will go good as well.

Alright, I have gone on long enough! Hope everyone had a great day and is ready for a successful day tomorrow!

Jen

I am super impressed with your dedication to doing a half marathon this summer! The thought of it makes me cringe!! And congratulations on hitting your 10%.... do they still give out a keychain at WW when you achieve that? It should be a big shiny gold star because that is a big accomplishment! WTG!

Confession time

I have been doing so well staying on track, but stress got the better of me today and I had a few things tha I wouldn't have otherwise. Tomorrow is a new day.

I am Program Director for a local lacrosse program. Yesterday and Today I had to get 6 teams up and running, registrations, roster, etc. etc. etc. On top of that we found out that we no longer qualify for state medicaid as a secondary insurance for our boys (remember the brain tumor) I have no idea what that will mean for healthcare costs in the future. MIL called and needs help moving THIS SATURDAY.

I have now created a database for the program so I won't have much to enter the next few days as more forms come in. The first practices went well and people are already commenting on how smoothly this is going opposed to previous years. There is nothing I can do about the insurance, it is what it is. I just hope the Obama makes things better for all of us. MIL will get DH, but only when he is NOT busy with things we already had planned.

I am planning to go back to work Fulltime in September so today just emphasized the need. I'm going to watch the dvr'd idol show from tonight and unwind and give myself a break.

Sounds like lots of stress at your house lately. But like you said, TODAY IS A NEW DAY!! You can't change yesterday, but you can take control of today. I hope you enjoyed your unwinding time with AI.

OK, so I never got back yesterday and now I guess I won't be able to quote so I'll just start fresh today.

QOTD 3/24: When it comes to exericse, which do you feel is more important, cardio or strength? And why?

Definitely.... BOTH. A few years ago I would have said cardio... because that was what I did and that was ALL I did. I walked.... on the treadmill, the treadclimber, the elliptical.... uphill, downhill, flat, etc. I spent every exercise minute trying to "walk away the pounds". But after 6+ months of this, I decided it was time to incorporate some weight training, so I started using the nautilus at the Y fairly regularly (1-2 x per week) and using some light handweights at home (shoulder presses and bicep curls while walking on the treadmill). Then I bought a BL circuit training book and start doing a bit more weight training along with my cardio. I got a bit more serious about the strength training and regularly fit the Nautilus into my Y time.

Fast forward a year and I am taking two pretty intense circuit training classes per week, using ankle weights, weight belt, and hand weights while walking on the tm and while doing WATP videos, adding circuit training to my workout time at home, and running 5K two to three times per week. Two years ago I wouldn't have believed I would have the stamina or the motivation to do this. I amaze myself daily.

Anyhow... I think that for most normal healthy people, a combination is of both cardio and strength is most important for overall health and weight loss and maintenance.



Morning all! I hope every one finds their way to our new thread! If we had known it was coming we could have picked "moving buddies" like they did in Toy Story! SUPER HUGE thanks to Lisa for moving all of the important information to the new thread! You are a treasure!!

I guess I don't have much to chat about this morning... very unlike me!! Anyhow, I am off to update my WISH journal, since I didn't get over there much yesterday. I will say, it is keeping me motivated to eat eat super healthy, since I know that others can see every bite I am taking (and yes, I am being anally honest about recording EVERYTHING I am eating).

Congrats to Worfie and Flipflop on their wins!!! Maria, I hope that a new clippie will help keep you motivated this week!................P

 

[tea pot]

Hi All
WOW Part 2.....

Well this seems to be my M.O. popping in and out..
Thanks for always taking me back

For people who are struggling with this challenge, each day is a new day. It is so great that we can all come here and support one another and find motivation to keep going. I have had so many ups and downs - it is here that I find a place to share the ups and find support when I am down. I hope that everyone who is struggling just stops and thinks this...WE CAN DO IT TOGETHER!

For people who are stressed with what is happening in life...I hope that you can find support for that here too. I will say that today I felt so overwhelmed with all that is going on and decided to go out and run on my lunch break. It was such a good choice for me. The exercising made me feel like so much of the stress was released...if just for the time I was running. I hope that everyone can find something to help them get through the tough days.
Jen

Ah Jen Thanks so Much I needed that Today...

This is just an example of the beautiful spirit of the thread..

On a side note, my shorts are all too big now!

Woo Hoo for the shorts

Just what I needed! So excited to see my name in lights!
Oral surgery and all.
I am going to try to at least walk this afternoon, depending on how my mouth feels.
:

Congrats flipflopmom Love the Dis name.. and Take good care of yourself

I think that either would give me great benefits, now to just do exercise, any exercise Where is the motivation fairy when you need her?

Oh Please when you find her send her to me!

which brings me to the QOTD
for me any form of exercise that I actually do is the best...
I'm sure asTigger and others have said that a combo of both is the best.
right now I'm more apt to get some cardio or yoga in.

Oh yes

"IN AN EFFORT TO MATCH THE BIGGEST LOSER 9 SCHEDULE THE CHALLENGE HAS BEEN EXTENDED FOUR WEEKS TO MAY 14TH. LOTS OF TIME TO MAKE SOME MORE PROGRESS"!

This is The BEST News Thanks everyone!!!!!!

 

[lisah0711]

Good morning all! I'm happy to see so many of you are finding your way over to our new shiny thread!

A BIG congratulations to all of you who made on the list of superstars for weeks 10 and 11! Way to go! And a BIG BIG congratulations to our two biggest losers, flipflopmom and Worfiedoodles! I am so happy for both of you because I know it was a rough week for you. Great job! Wear those clippies with pride.

Yay, another thread. Good for us! I want to be more active here again. I have been maintaining but 4lb from my goal Reading what others are doing will inspire and help me!

Maintaining is good -- maintaining and being 4 pounds from goal -- even better! You'll be on the maintainer team before the challenge is through I bet.

I am so excited to see others who are looking forward to the Princess 2011! I will be running in that race and hope to be meeting up with other WISH runners. It will be great to have so many of us here who have come so far reach that huge goal all together.

Congratulations on reaching your 10%! I am so envious, I am 3 lbs away. It will be fun to do the Princess with some WISH folks. I think you really are a runner now so your new marathon training will fit right in with your next lifestyle.

Talk about a mild Minnesota winter -- who would think you could ride your bike to work this time of year? Good for you!

I have now created a database for the program so I won't have much to enter the next few days as more forms come in. The first practices went well and people are already commenting on how smoothly this is going opposed to previous years. There is nothing I can do about the insurance, it is what it is. I just hope the Obama makes things better for all of us. MIL will get DH, but only when he is NOT busy with things we already had planned.

Sorry for your busy times. Great job getting right back on track. Is there some sort of national lacrosse association that might have insurance? I have clients who have sometimes been able to find insurance through associations that way when we thought we would never find coverage. It's worth a try!

Yeah! Shiny new thread! This is the first time I've ever been on a forum/ thread (DIS or otherwise) that has maxed out. I really feel like I'm getting to know so many of you and it is so fun! I love the constant encouragement and support from everyone on this thread. You are truly a great bunch of people.

Didn't I see that you are at 100% of your goal for this challenge, too? Yay for you!

Can someone tell me when the new ending date is? I have officially decided I need to set a goal by then, pm it, and go for it. Oral surgery and all.

The new ending date for the challenge is May 14th.

There will be a "Between the BLs Summer Challenge" this year which will probably start right after this challenge ends. I haven't talked with LuvBaloo and donac about dates or anything yet. Info about the next challenge isn't usually posted until shortly before the end of the old challenge because it is good to get that momentum as a challenge winds up. I think we will have a lot of maintainers for our next challenge.

OK, so I never got back yesterday and now I guess I won't be able to quote so I'll just start fresh today.

QOTD 3/24: When it comes to exericse, which do you feel is more important, cardio or strength? And why?

Sorry, Lynsey, the thread closing thing did put a crimp in the quoting.

I think both kinds of exercise are important but for me right now cardio is more important for losing weight. I really do want to do strengthening to help this new running thing I am doing, too.

I think that either would give me great benefits, now to just do exercise, any exercise Where is the motivation fairy when you need her?

I'm not the motivation fairy -- let me know if you find her -- but here is a little -- maybe that will help!

Morning all! I hope every one finds their way to our new thread! If we had known it was coming we could have picked "moving buddies" like they did in Toy Story! SUPER HUGE thanks to Lisa for moving all of the important information to the new thread! You are a treasure!!

You're welcome! My apologies to all about the quick ending to the old thread -- it was surprise to me, too, I guess I didn't realize we were getting that close or that there wouldn't be more warning. I love the moving buddies idea, pjlla! We'll have to remember that next time!

Have a great day all!

 

[tea pot]

Congratulations Worfiedoodles

 

[lisah0711]

Oh Please when you find her send her to me!

Don't know where the motivation fairy is, tea pot, but I do have this special moose pixie dust for you, my fellow VWL groupie!

 

[jenanderson]

I think that either would give me great benefits, now to just do exercise, any exercise Where is the motivation fairy when you need her?

I'm with you on needing the motivation fairy! I'm just really tired and can't get going! I really missed doing the elliptical during BL last night! Just finished watching it and really enjoyed all of it!

Sounds like a bunch of us need the motivational fairy right now! For me, the sunny days are at least a bit more motivating then the cold gray days of winter.

I tend to get bored during my strength training sessions. I'm big into cardio now because of my running, but I want to incorporate more and harder strength training to tone and get stronger (which will help with running and metabolism as well as my appearance).

This is my problem. Strength training bores me terribly. I know it will help with my running training but it is so hard to make myself do it!

I am super impressed with your dedication to doing a half marathon this summer! The thought of it makes me cringe!! And congratulations on hitting your 10%.... do they still give out a keychain at WW when you achieve that? It should be a big shiny gold star because that is a big accomplishment! WTG!

Fast forward a year and I am taking two pretty intense circuit training classes per week, using ankle weights, weight belt, and hand weights while walking on the tm and while doing WATP videos, adding circuit training to my workout time at home, and running 5K two to three times per week. Two years ago I wouldn't have believed I would have the stamina or the motivation to do this. I amaze myself daily.

Thanks! I did get the keychain yesterday at my WW meeting. I agree - I would love a big shiny gold star!

You are amazing! I think that everyone of us here who keeps on going is amazing!

 

[jenanderson]

Will be a gainer this week thanks to my overindulgence over the weekend! Didn't control myself yesterday either! Will do better today and get some workouts in. Water heater installation is keeping me home today so I will try to do some during and after the guy is here. Lots of water too! Making turkey enchiladas for supper. Getting some more Skinny Cows when I run to the grocery store this afternoon.

Tracey - Forgot to tell you....drink TONS of water! I thought that I would be gaining this week because as of Sunday, I had a gain. I was so careful on Monday and Tuesday. I ate exactly as I should and exercised the exact amount I should for my running plan. Then, I drank at least 12 glasses of water each day and actually had a good loss by Tuesday. Drinking water is an amazing things when you are doing everything else right!

Congratulations on reaching your 10%! I am so envious, I am 3 lbs away. It will be fun to do the Princess with some WISH folks. I think you really are a runner now so your new marathon training will fit right in with your next lifestyle.

Talk about a mild Minnesota winter -- who would think you could ride your bike to work this time of year? Good for you!

Thanks Lisa! I would not have made my goal without everyone here! You are so close to making yours too! Both my good friend and I had to work hard together this week but it was great for both of us to earn our 10% in the same week.

Just have to say...in the end I did not ride my bike. I had everything set to ride to work, went out and got on my bike...and...a FLAT TIRE! I have already been riding it a bunch this year and don't know when it happened. So, I made an appointment at the bike shop to get it in for repair tonight. They are also going to put on the mount for my Garmin running watch so that it can keep track of my biking too.

Hope everyone is having a great day!
Jen

 

[tigger813]

Thanks for the advice jen! Just trying to get some energy back! I'm wiped out! Not sleeping well isn't helping things! Going to try and at least do some Wii tonight or a mile on the elliptical. Will also get back to my water! Have been pretty good today. I did drop a half pound from yesterday. Turkey enchiladas for supper so I will try to limit the amount I eat. The cold weather today isn't helping me much either. Guess this will be my bad week for the month!

Wanted to nap but couldn't get to sleep! Tylenol PM gets me to sleep but doesn't keep me there. Gotta go out this afternoon for DD2s dancing and DD1s theater class as well as back to the grocery store for Skinny Cows and Boston Market Meals. Discovered that they are made by Heinz who also makes the WW meals. Really good and only a little bit more in the calorie dept. In some cases tastier!

Tata for now!

 

[donac]

Good morning everyone. I have been trying to watch what I eat and have pretty good so far this week but it has not been easy.

Dh and I are pretty stressed these days. We live in New Jersey and the new gov seems to think that the teachers are the cause for all the state's problems. I am just tired of the bashing of teachers.

On to a better topic. As of yesterday I have walked over 400 miles since Jan 1st

Congrats to Woofiedoodle and flipflopmom for winning the last couple of weeks. I was happy to see my name in the top 10 for the first week.

I have to tutor someone tonight and then I am going to get to bed early. The wind came up last night and it woke me up. It usually wakes dh up so it was funny that he never heard it last night.

Making meatloaf and sweet potatoes for dinner tonight.

Has anyone seen those Organic soups in the crazy containers? They have a roasted red pepper/tomato that I love. The other night I found a recipe for red pepper soup. It was supposed to be made in a crock pot but I didn't want to get out the crockpot so I made it on the stove top. I changed some of the recipe and it came out great. Very low in calories since the only fat I used was 1 tbsp of olive oil to sweat some veggies. I eat it without warming it up but it would also be good warm. It has been great to have for lunch the last couple of days. If anyone is interested I can write out the recipe. It would only take about an hour to make.

Been pretty busy at school. Friday was supposed to be our last day before vacation but we have to go in on Monday and Tuesday to make up for a couple of snow days. I have been copying lots of papers so that the AP kids could have something to over break if they are not coming in next week. It is going to be crazy. A third of the staff will not be in and many of the students will not be in. I think some of the kids from other classes will be coming in to my classes but I haven't been informed about it. We have 6 people out and only have 1 sub so far.

HAve a great evening everyone.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Worfiedoodles and flipflopmom -- Congratulations to both of you on being the weekly biggest losers! What perfect timing for both of you. I'm glad your hard work showed up at such a "timely time".

Shannon -- Welcome back! You are amazing. I can't believe you got right back from vacation and figured out all of our weights.

QOTD: I find cardio to be the most important to me since it helps burn calories and increase my metabolism. However, I know having more muscle mass would help with my running and metabolism and thus calorie burning, so I know I should start doing it. I just hate going to the gym. I much prefer my evening runs all by myself.

 

[maiziezoe]

It was a really good day for me today. I lost 3.7 pounds from my last week's WW weigh in and at my meeting today I met my 10% weight loss goal! It felt really good to have a good loss because I have worked hard this week. I am hoping it means Friday's weigh in here will go good as well.

Alright, I have gone on long enough! Hope everyone had a great day and is ready for a successful day tomorrow!

Jen

Congrats on 10%!! That's awesome!!

Just what I needed! So excited to see my name in lights!

The wii tried to give me a boost this morning, too. Unbeknownst to me, there was something under it. I stepped on, and it said I had lost 34 pounds since my last weigh in. Yesterday. Moved the board around, tried again, and tada! I still lost .7 of a pound yesterday. So now I only have 2 lbs. of TOM to get off before Friday. It tried to get me to change my goals, said I was a normal weight....

Can someone tell me when the new ending date is? I have officially decided I need to set a goal by then, pm it, and go for it. Oral surgery and all.

Thanks for all the encouragement. Made it through the night w/o painkillers. Yesterday was really rough, but I made it! My consultation w/ the surgeon is on Good Friday, so hopefully I can get the ball rolling soon. I have a much better outlook today. TOM came, so that was some stress gone, too.

My legs were really stiff and sore yesterday. I really think they missed their run! First time I've gone 2 days without exercise in a month and a half, first every other day run I've missed since Feb. 8. I am going to try to at least walk this afternoon, depending on how my mouth feels.

Off to work, but had to send back. Thanks everyone.

My Wii did the same thing once when it was on top of a Polly Pocket. I was astonished at my weight loss... then my son said, "you better try that again, Ma." Grrrr. Darm Polly Pocket!

Good morning everyone. I have been trying to watch what I eat and have pretty good so far this week but it has not been easy.

Dh and I are pretty stressed these days. We live in New Jersey and the new gov seems to think that the teachers are the cause for all the state's problems. I am just tired of the bashing of teachers.

On to a better topic. As of yesterday I have walked over 400 miles since Jan 1st

Congrats to Woofiedoodle and flipflopmom for winning the last couple of weeks. I was happy to see my name in the top 10 for the first week.

I have to tutor someone tonight and then I am going to get to bed early. The wind came up last night and it woke me up. It usually wakes dh up so it was funny that he never heard it last night.

Making meatloaf and sweet potatoes for dinner tonight.

Has anyone seen those Organic soups in the crazy containers? They have a roasted red pepper/tomato that I love. The other night I found a recipe for red pepper soup. It was supposed to be made in a crock pot but I didn't want to get out the crockpot so I made it on the stove top. I changed some of the recipe and it came out great. Very low in calories since the only fat I used was 1 tbsp of olive oil to sweat some veggies. I eat it without warming it up but it would also be good warm. It has been great to have for lunch the last couple of days. If anyone is interested I can write out the recipe. It would only take about an hour to make.

Been pretty busy at school. Friday was supposed to be our last day before vacation but we have to go in on Monday and Tuesday to make up for a couple of snow days. I have been copying lots of papers so that the AP kids could have something to over break if they are not coming in next week. It is going to be crazy. A third of the staff will not be in and many of the students will not be in. I think some of the kids from other classes will be coming in to my classes but I haven't been informed about it. We have 6 people out and only have 1 sub so far.

HAve a great evening everyone.

Congrats on walking 400 miles! That's amazing!!

And sweet potatoes... YUM!

 

[maiziezoe]

Hello, hello!

Nothing new here today. Walked 3.1 on the treadmill and did 5 miles on the bike. I am dropping one of my workouts (I usually workout in the morning and the afternoon). I'm burning too many calories and not eating enough.

Congrats to Worfiedoodles AND flipflopmom!! Way to go!!

QOTD 3/24: When it comes to exericse, which do you feel is more important, cardio or strength? And why?

Both... but I enjoy cardio more then I enjoy strength training.

Okay, I'm off to get the house ready for my step-daughter. She is coming for several days so I have to get her room ready and find foods she will eat. She is 10 and over-weight. She only eats overly processed foods and foods that are high in HFCS (High-fructose corn syrup). She is in for a surprise when she gets to my house!

 

[Rose&Mike]

Congratulations to all the Losers!!!

Thanks! It was a great feeling to work so hard and be rewarded with earning my 10% goal!

Congratulations!

QOTD 3/24: When it comes to exericse, which do you feel is more important, cardio or strength? And why?

Last time I lost weight, I walked and walked and walked. It worked ok, but by the time I got to where I stopped--not really to goal, but I slowly stopped, anyhow by the end my hips were really hurting. This time I am doing the elliptical, the treadmill occasionally and group strength class. The class has a cardio component, in that we do multiple muscle groups at once, and high reps. Sometimes I have sweat running down my face. I think I would not stick with just using the weight machines, but I like the class. It's funny, but I weigh more than my lowest weight last time, but I feel fitter and I'm fitting into smaller clothes faster this time.

Thanks for the advice jen! Just trying to get some energy back! I'm wiped out! Not sleeping well isn't helping things! Going to try and at least do some Wii tonight or a mile on the elliptical. Will also get back to my water! Have been pretty good today. I did drop a half pound from yesterday. Turkey enchiladas for supper so I will try to limit the amount I eat. The cold weather today isn't helping me much either. Guess this will be my bad week for the month!

Wanted to nap but couldn't get to sleep! Tylenol PM gets me to sleep but doesn't keep me there. Gotta go out this afternoon for DD2s dancing and DD1s theater class as well as back to the grocery store for Skinny Cows and Boston Market Meals. Discovered that they are made by Heinz who also makes the WW meals. Really good and only a little bit more in the calorie dept. In some cases tastier!

Tata for now!

Hope you get your energy back!

Good morning everyone. I have been trying to watch what I eat and have pretty good so far this week but it has not been easy.

Dh and I are pretty stressed these days. We live in New Jersey and the new gov seems to think that the teachers are the cause for all the state's problems. I am just tired of the bashing of teachers.

On to a better topic. As of yesterday I have walked over 400 miles since Jan 1st

Congrats to Woofiedoodle and flipflopmom for winning the last couple of weeks. I was happy to see my name in the top 10 for the first week.

I have to tutor someone tonight and then I am going to get to bed early. The wind came up last night and it woke me up. It usually wakes dh up so it was funny that he never heard it last night.

Making meatloaf and sweet potatoes for dinner tonight.

Has anyone seen those Organic soups in the crazy containers? They have a roasted red pepper/tomato that I love. The other night I found a recipe for red pepper soup. It was supposed to be made in a crock pot but I didn't want to get out the crockpot so I made it on the stove top. I changed some of the recipe and it came out great. Very low in calories since the only fat I used was 1 tbsp of olive oil to sweat some veggies. I eat it without warming it up but it would also be good warm. It has been great to have for lunch the last couple of days. If anyone is interested I can write out the recipe. It would only take about an hour to make.

Been pretty busy at school. Friday was supposed to be our last day before vacation but we have to go in on Monday and Tuesday to make up for a couple of snow days. I have been copying lots of papers so that the AP kids could have something to over break if they are not coming in next week. It is going to be crazy. A third of the staff will not be in and many of the students will not be in. I think some of the kids from other classes will be coming in to my classes but I haven't been informed about it. We have 6 people out and only have 1 sub so far.

HAve a great evening everyone.

Wow, 400 miles, very impressive! I'm sorry things are so stressful right now.
The soup sounds good. What are the organic soups in the crazy containers? Do they have chicken stock or are they vegetarian?

I went to strength class tonight. I've been home for an hour and my arm muscles have finally stopped quivering. My legs were still sore from the class on Monday, so I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be ugly.

I second the keep drinking the water. My weight loss really slowed down last week, and I 've made a big effort this week to drink lots of water, and things are improving!

Hope everyone has a great evening!