Biggest Loser Fall Challenge!

[mskayjay]

I ran today. It has been a few days and I just HAD to exercise. I feel so much better since I ran today. It really helps me with weight loss ... but also with my mental outlook.

***********

I have a question .... I tend to crave something chocolatey in the evenings. Does anyone have a suggestion for something low-cal that could be filling? Thanks everyone in advance!

YEAH!!!!!! Good for you! I am looking forward to getting back at it next week once all of our company is gone!

 

[6ofus2]

I ran today. It has been a few days and I just HAD to exercise. I feel so much better since I ran today. It really helps me with weight loss ... but also with my mental outlook.

***********

I have a question .... I tend to crave something chocolatey in the evenings. Does anyone have a suggestion for something low-cal that could be filling? Thanks everyone in advance!

What about a WW choc ice cream bar? They're 2-3 pts depending. Or a serving of cocoa puffs (3/4 a cup) is 3 pts. If you're not on WW those point values are fairly low calories.

 

[lisah0711]

Star light, star bright,
First star I see tonight.
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish, I wish tonight.

Ohh, a world of wishes,
A world where dreams come true.
So make a wish, see it through.
Dare to do what dreamers do.

Wishes...
Dream a dream.
Wishes...
Set it free.
Wishes…
Trust your heart.
Just believe.

Here we are at the end of our visit to the Happiest Place on Earth. The end of the first week of our challenge. And my last little excerpt from a sparkpeople article.

Boldly explore your dreams

As we grow older, we reflect upon our lives--the things that we have done and the things we didn't do. Don't let this happen to you! What would you do if you knew you could not fail? Imagine the difference this could make in your life. Imagine how fearlessly you would march across the beach in your bathing suit! Break the habits of fear that are holding you back and forget the hundreds of distractions that seem to justify not trying new things! Achieve your dreams, take risks, build your vision and go boldly towards it.

QOTD Thursday, September 13, 2012: Is there something that you dream of doing just for you? If you feel comfortable, please share or just share how you feel at the end of the first week of the challenge.

I will be back tomorrow with replies. Have a great evening all!

 

[6ofus2]

Howdy folks!

QOTD Wednesday, September 12, 2012: It's Woo Hoo Wednesday! Give yourself a big "woo hoo" for helping yourself to be healthy and share something that you did this week to help you with your goals. Hopefully you don't feel like you've been on the wildest ride in the wilderness!

Keeping up with my exercise & staying on plan.

 

[belledreamer]

QOTD Wednesday, September 12, 2012: It's Woo Hoo Wednesday! Give yourself a big "woo hoo" for helping yourself to be healthy and share something that you did this week to help you with your goals. Hopefully you don't feel like you've been on the wildest ride in the wilderness!

I can give myself a woohoo for deciding on fruit for dessert tonight instead of cookies and for making it to the gym 3 times this week! WOOHOO!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well it's finally caught up with me... Have had three long workouts over the past week and though I had full intentions of going to the gym tonight, my body absolutely refused so I decided to take it easy this evening. Getting out of bed hurts...

In other news, the cat and I spent a good 10 minutes killing a roach. Let me say, I am terrified of roaches. Like can't get within 6 feet of one. And DM says I have to kill it...

So the next 10 minutes were spent with the cat chasing the roach in the kitchen while I worked on getting up my nerve to spray the roach with enough spray to kill an army. It's still twitching in the hallway... Which left DM laughing at me while I protested that I did spray the roach which is much better than I usually do.

But DDad's throwing it out in the morning because touching it is out of the question...

Completely post but I thought I'd share.

 

[Mom2aJessieGirl]

QOTD Wednesday, September 12, 2012: It's Woo Hoo Wednesday! Give yourself a big "woo hoo" for helping yourself to be healthy and share something that you did this week to help you with your goals. Hopefully you don't feel like you've been on the wildest ride in the wilderness!

I've made it to the gym every day this week! That will definitely help me with my goals!

QOTD Thursday, September 13, 2012: Is there something that you dream of doing just for you? If you feel comfortable, please share or just share how you feel at the end of the first week of the challenge

I am having dreams (literally!) about running the WDW Marathon! I will settle for a 1/2 though.

I feel pretty good after the first week. I've done well with both diet and exercise and I hope that the scale will show it!

 

[indygirl99]

I have been missing in action. DH and I spent 8 days playing with Mickey and Goofy at DLR. Stayed at PPH and had EMH each day and got to get on cars almost every day. And did not stick with the original eating plan so stepping on the scale was proof that not sticking with the plan can be a problem.

But I'm back now. I do have a plan to run the Tinkerbell half in January so I have a written plan for the run/walk/run training.

I do keep track of my eating on myfitnesspal, when I'm not on vacation. I am constantly amazed at what I eat and how many calories it is. Sometimes it is a real wakeup call for me.

While at Disney we averaged 18,000 steps and almost 8 miles each day. Now I just have to keep that momentum going, minus the poor food choices.
Did go out to run this evening but ended up short after an asthma attack.

As for a dream just for me that was DH and my trip to DLR. We stayed on site, at at Napa Rose, took a couple of tours to learn about Disney. It was just us, no kids or grandkids. We got to be the kids.

 

[kollerbear]

But Sunday's 5k? It was FUN because I didn't make it a HUGE thing and because some of the other WW members were there. I be-bopped along to the music I love on my iPOD. I watched my pace on the uphills so I could finish strong- I actually sprinted to the finish line as opposed to feeling like I was c.r.a.w.l.i.n.g to the finish like that first race all those years ago.
Finishing that race on Sunday, makes me want to do a race every week. I'm not at my goal weight- but to feel strong--on my own--was SUCH an incredible feeling.

Christina, thank you so much for sharing this story!! It was so inspirational, and it reminded me how powerful it is to believe in your potential to do awesome things and how much of a difference it makes to have other people with you along the way.

After 37 minutes on the phone with her, she decides she cant fix it and bumps me up to level 2 tech support. 30 seconds with level 2 and I find out there is indeed an apple server issue they are working to resolve and it should be fixed within a few hours.

Just not my day!

I know that cancelling your trip was probably the low point of your day, but THIS had me wanting to throttle her FOR you. I hate it when "customer service" or "support" or whatever doesn't know what they're talking about! I actually almost cancelled my dr's appt. yesterday because several receptionists INSISTED to me over the phone that I wouldn't be seen without a referral and I almost believed them!! My insurance doesn't require one, but they believed it was an office policy. The billing specialist actually scolded me for worrying about it and showed me where it said "No referrals necessary" on my insurance card. I KNOW IT'S THERE!!! YOUR STAFF THINKS IT DOESN'T MATTER!!! The time we've all wasted on these wild goose chases!!!

I'm Christina and everyone calls me CC (like see-see). It's my initials. I've done many challenges and almost always end with a gain. This challenge is going to be different. I am working with 2 nutritionists now. One is helping me figure out what to eat and one is helping me feel good about food. I have anorexic behaviors and I binge eat-and sometimes both on the same day. I'm supposed to eat breakfast, a snack, lunch, a snack, and then dinner and currently I'm working on eat all 5 times during the day. A lot of times I feel guilty eating a morning snack and don't eat one. Sometimes that happens in the afternoon. I'm definitely a work in progress.

Welcome CC!! It's great to see you over here!!

Sometimes I'm surprised. Like coffee cake, Starbucks coffee cakes are like 400+ calories. Who knew?!?

Everyone in New York City can't help but know!! I can't go anywhere without seeing how many calories are in things! I actually love it, to be honest. When I go places without the calories posted, I get kind of frustrated. The kicker for me is always that the donuts at Dunkin' Donuts are substantially lower in calories than muffins!!! And less than any of those options? A small fry at McD's.

Honestly.... that doesn't sound that bad to me (other than the sugar). Could you get it made with non-fat milk and lose those 4 grams of fat and maybe use a bit less sugar, or are these pre-mixed with the sugar already in them? I'm not a SB fan, so I'm not familiar with these. Probably shouldn't be an "every day" type of thing, but once a week wouldn't seem so bad.

I actually used to work FT at Starbucks for a couple of years... So actually unfortunately those chai lattes ARE made pre-mixed (i.e. with the sugar and flavor in the same syrup). But a great secret for those of you who enjoy chai lattes but don't want the sugar is to ask them to make you a chai tisto (which is short for Tea Misto) with a chai teabag, hot water, and steamed milk instead of the syrup. They will make it with half hot water and half your choice of milk. Then, you can add honey to taste. It's usually rung up as being MUCH cheaper than a chai latte (it honestly depends on the person at the register since it's kind of off-menu), and I think it tastes great! Just make sure you take the tea bag out after no more than 5 minutes or it gets bitter.

Glad you made it through the appointment without any more trouble. If this is something that can be controlled with diet, have they offered you an appointment with any type of dietician or nutritionist?

You know, they didn't. I am kind of overwhelmed. I have two problems that kind of feed into one another, and so I need to control yeast and also be low-acid/low-salt/low-sugar all at the same time, while being vegan (as long as it's possible to be so). I honestly don't know that I could handle going to a nutritionist right now, I feel like I need a firmer grasp on what is actually going on with me first, which will require more OB/GYN and urologist appts.. But thanks for suggesting this. I probably won't pursue this in the next few months, but it's definitely something I will bear in mind, especially if the diet seems to really make an impact on the pain. It's hard to tell because it could be SO many things. I'm going to go on the conservative diet that is recommended first and see if that makes a difference. If it does, I'll add things back in and see if I can isolate the problem foods. If it doesn't help, I'm going to try to make sure other things are taken care of before I assume that diet won't help. If nothing seems to make a difference, I may end up being put on low-dose Vallium or another pain killer.

The thing is that my pain has been away completely when I'm on vacation. The urologist suggested really looking into yoga and other stress-reducing. I know this sounds loony tunes, but making time and finding the budget for yoga (which I used to love at one point when I lived elsewhere and had a gym membership) is making me stressed out just thinking about it!!! I don't know how I can do less than I'm already doing to reduce my stress, and I can't imagine fitting a schlep to a yoga class into my schedule, either. So I have to do some hard, honest thinking with myself about what I can do to reduce stress. Thinking and planning which in itself also seems stressful...

Also, Pamela, you mentioned that you have vegetable beds-- do you plant vegetables in them??? I want to know all about it. I'd love to garden one day when I get out of the city, but all of the chores you describe help me keep my dreams in perspective and remind me how much work it all is! But I can't imagine anything cooler than cooking an awesome meal from food that you've grown for yourself.

What is everyone else having for lunch? Do you have the same thing every day to make it easy, or do you like to mix it up? Any "strange but delicious" concotions you make yourself? Do you have trouble brown-bagging it? Just curious.

Time to hang a load of wash and make lunch!

TTYL.........................P

Brown bag it, I'd say 60% of the time. It's always leftovers from the night before. Whenever we don't cook, we don't have food for lunch. When we do cook, if it's extra delicious and we eat it all, then we don't have food for lunch. My main food time planning struggle is planning this adequately so that we have enough for the next day, or that we have options. Because our brown bag percentage has GOT to go up because we are BROKE right now!!!

I will guiltily admit that we started stocking Uncrustables in the freezer for those split second morning decisions when we realize we're gonna have to buy that day, and so they're a fraction of the cost. I love them so, so much but I wouldn't recommend them to anyone because they are a terrible habit to get into. I know you can make your own PB&J, but these are just kind of the FORM of what a perfect PB&J sandwich should be. I can't explain it. They're terrible. Don't do it. But I love them.

Hi kollerbear - thanks again for being our weightkeeper! I'm so glad to hear that your dr appointment went relatively well. Hopefully there are some treatments that can help you.

Thank you Nicole! Me too!! It's very overwhelming--after 2 1/2 years of pretty chronic pain, it's kind of life-changing to be at a point where I've decided to try to have some hope about it, if that makes any sense. Thanks for your well wishes.

(2 servings of pita chips - I'm looking at you).

Try making them yourself. MUCH harder to overeat when you've only made enough for one serving!! I make mine with Za'atar spice seasoning on top, but you can do it with any flavors you like.

Just popping into say that I know I'm behind with Pms and names on the front page. Its been a bear of a week and just 1 thing after another going wrong. I work tomorrow and then have a 3 day weekend!

If i don't go out for the Packer's game tomorrow night(no nfl network ) I will start catching up getting everybody sorted into your mini-groups. Gotta head to a meeting now. Be back tomorrow. Thanks for being patient with me

No problem, Maureen! We're still getting lots of hop-ons (Arrested Development, anyone?) and everyone here is having a good time saying hello and getting to know each other, it seems. Looking forward to having small groups, too, when the time comes!

So I need to vent a little. I had a customer today that came in and was just angry at the world, and then told me how he could not believe how someone like me was in a management position. It made me so angry that all I wanted to do was eat ice cream for dinner and I was so embarassed cuz I burst into tears because of the anger. I have since calmed down and decided that when I get home from work I am going to eat something healty.

People can be TERRIBLE. I am so sorry to hear this happened to you, but so glad that you focused that into wanted to eat something that would make you feel healthy. You should go write about the guy on Not Always Right.

I have a question .... I tend to crave something chocolatey in the evenings. Does anyone have a suggestion for something low-cal that could be filling? Thanks everyone in advance!

Before I went vegan, I used to make myself mini ice cream sandwiches with 1 chocolate graham cracker split in half, with a couple tablespoons of vanilla low-fat yogurt or ice cream in the middle. It always hit the spot for me, and it's not that high in calories as long as you measure everything.

QOTD Thursday, September 13, 2012: Is there something that you dream of doing just for you? If you feel comfortable, please share or just share how you feel at the end of the first week of the challenge.

I will be back tomorrow with replies. Have a great evening all!

I really want to go back to Walt Disney World for a really nice, long and romantic trip with Matt one day when we can afford it. Eat at lots of nice places I've always wanted to go to, do the Behind the Seeds tour and the Wild Africa Trek, spend unreasonable amounts of money on pins and memorabilia I may or may not every really use... This would definitely be just for me because he did not love the place when we went with my family last time. ("Honey, I want you to want to go to Disney World!!") I'm telling you, those guys who never went as a child--just NO sense of nostalgia or appreciation for good healthy commercialism!!

Thanks so much for such a great first week of coaching, Lisa!!

 

[STLnative]

Today was a long day! I am back in school at 30, and I feel like the homework is never-ending. This is my third week of class, and this will be the third weekend in a row where I have a test due (online) by Sunday night. I sure don't remember this much work from my first time though college...but then, maybe that's why the degree I earned back then turned out to be so useless in the job market. Ah, well. I am definitely learning stuff now - give me a blood sample and I can tell you how many of each kind of white blood cell is in it (yes, there are different kinds!).

Whoohoo! Another guy in the challenge!

Ha! You just made me realize I never actually said my name in my intro post! I'm Mike.

"QOTD Wednesday, September 12, 2012: Share something that you did this week to help you with your goals."

Well, so far, I have had precisely ONE soda this week, and the rest of the time I have stuck with my unsweetened iced tea. I have a MAJOR Coke habit when I am not trying for healthier habits...like, 3-4 a day kind of major. Morning, lunch, dinner, and sometimes after dinner. So I'd say one in a week is "woo-hoo" worthy.

What is everyone else having for lunch? Do you have the same thing every day to make it easy, or do you like to mix it up? Any "strange but delicious" concotions you make yourself? Do you have trouble brown-bagging it? Just curious.

My lunches are pretty boring. They are almost always dinner leftovers. Right now, that is even more true than usual because I'm trying to avoid fast food. Also because I try to make them a little healthier by taking smaller portions and bringing along a piece of fruit or some carrot sticks or something. So then the leftovers stretch for more meals than they otherwise would.

QOTD Thursday, September 13, 2012: Is there something that you dream of doing just for you?

I have always wanted to get "buff" or at least defined with no moobs...but have yet to stick with a gym routine long enough to get past the stage where everything hurts.

 

[pjlla]

I mostly brown bag it - and hate it! most of the time I struggle with Low point lunches that pack up well in my lunch box - I work for a big company and yes there are fridges but too many in and out open and shut the door too feel safe leaving it there and a ice pack doesn't feel like it does any good when I put in my lunch box.. like today I had a lean pocket for 8 points and some cut veggies and an apple - however I don't feel full. but am having shepard's pie for dinner so need to have 12 points for that.. Oh well I'll just be drinking extra water and filling up that way..

How about a frozen water bottle along with the ice pack? That is what I do for DD. She can't stand her lunch being room temp (yogurt, cheese, anything like that), so it has to stay REALLY cold without any fridge. Maybe you could look into a new type of lunch sack? Maybe something hard-sided would stay colder longer.

QOTD-WOOHOO WEDNESDAY
I am saving all my bonus points (following WW) this week so I have a wee safety net for the weekend when I'm less in control of what I'm eating and hope that will still give me a loss at weigh-in. In the past I wouldn't have planned ahead so I feel I'm making progress

Pamela I normally make lunch at home so I vary it depending on whats to hand but my favourite low point lunch is my curried carrot soup (over on the recipe thread for anyone who's interested) or chicken stir fry with either noodles or tortilla wrap if I have more points to spare!

Good job saving some calories for the weekend.

I made your soup again over the weekend.... we still love it! DD packed up the leftovers for lunches this week! I do have to provide a protein for DH, as he can only eat a small serving because of the potato (too many carbs), but for the rest of us it is our main dish (sometimes with a breadstick or whole grain crackers).

I will probably make myself a stir-fry for lunch. Even though it is only the 13th, we have spent our grocery budget for the month and have just a few things left in the bin. Green peppers, mushrooms, and some bok choy is what I will end up with for lunch.... maybe throw in a can of bean sprouts. Obviously we won't make it until the 30th with what is left (potatoes, 2 onions, 2 apples, 4 bananas, 2 tomatoes), but I'd like to get as close as possible. Considering how much fruit and veggie we consume here, it will be tough. I still have a few frozen veggies we could use up as well.

BTW, I couldn't find my restaurant cheat sheet. We lost some documents about a year ago when DH had to replace the hard drive. I think it must be here somewhere on a back-up, but I will probably need DH's help to locate it and he is in Maine today. I'll try to get it to you in a few days.

Sure do! We actually got it off the Food Network website and made some adjustments for what we had (we didn't have trout) and substituted some unhealthy items for better ones.

Here's the recipe:

Trout Cakes w/lemon:

1 1/2 cups flaked smoked trout (We used leftover catfish and sacalay from our last fishing trip)
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
2 teaspoons coarsely chopped drained capers
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup whipping cream (Used 1% milk instead and worked just fine.)
1 cup panko bread crumbs (pulsed in blender for couple seconds), divided (Didn't have Panko so just used regular bread crumbs)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more as needed

Combine trout, onion, capers, lemon peel, pepper and salt in medium bowl. Stir in egg, cream (or milk) and 1/2 cup bread crumbs to blend. Form mixture into 8 (1/2-inch thick) cakes. Place remaining bread crumbs in shallow dish then roll cakes in bread crumbs, coating completely. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches cook fish cakes until golden brown about 3 minutes per side. Add more oil, as necessary, then serve with horseradish cream.

Horseradish Cream:

1 cup sour cream (We use lite)
2 tablespoons grated fresh or prepared horseradish
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/8 cup chopped chives
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

In a medium serving bowl, combine sour cream, horseradish, paprika, chives, garlic, salt and pepper until blended.

You can probably even cut the Horseradish cream recipe in half since it made more than enough and a little on the fish cake goes a long way. The sauce does mellow out the longer it sits though.

We made a side of boiled asparagus with a little butter, salt and pepper and were plenty satisfied. Definitely wouldn't mind having it again.

Back later to answer the QOTD!!

YUM! I probably wouldn't make the horseradish sauce though.... I'd be the only one who would like it. Although if I made it this weekend, DMom and DDad would enjoy it.

How would it be without the capers? As I mentioned above, this month's grocery budget is already shot, so if I bought the ingredients for this, it would be out of "savings", so I'd like to buy as little as possible.

Thanks for sharing!

Is it too late to join? I was going to sign up last week but was feeling so sick I really thought I would end up joining and then not finishing and end up embarrassed. However, I'm hoping I've got my medical issues sorted out so maybe I will have the energy and commitment after all?

The timing of this challenge would be perfect for me. I'm running in the wine and dine half (1st ever race) on nov 10 and I'm in y best friends wedding on nov 24 and I REALLY want to run fast and make sure I fit into the bridesmaid dress. The store clerk seemed a little skeptical that I ordered exactly the size that fit me. Apparently she thinks I'm planning to gain weight. It's been hard to lose while training and running but honestly, that's because of my mental "I just ran a lot I deserve a treat" attitude. I know I can lose when I stay focused, committed and accountable so maybe this thread can help me with that! I lost a few pounds over the summer because I knew it would help with some aches and pains (aka knees) while running but now that they feel pretty good I'm less motivated.

NEVER too late! Glad to have you aboard. Take a moment to introduce yourself!

Thanks for support all. Today is slightly better. I feigned illness and went to work at noon. I used my "free time" to go to the grocery store this morning. Since we were supposed to be leaving tomorrow, I didn't buy any groceries, so we really needed food. I put the perishables away and then headed on to work. As for the postponement, we moved it to Dec 9th. We were planning on doing a pop down to see fantasyland and the christmas stuff, but we will now make it a full trip (maybe even a night or two over at Universal to see their christmas with front of the line). Last year's december trip was 4 hours long because of a family emergency, so it is a redo of two trips now.

Now that you mention it, I think I remember hearing about that abbreviated trip. Now you have a DOUBLE excuse to make sure you reschedule a NICE relaxing visit!

QOTD Wednesday, September 12, 2012: It's Woo Hoo Wednesday! Give yourself a big "woo hoo" for helping yourself to be healthy and share something that you did this week to help you with your goals. Hopefully you don't feel like you've been on the wildest ride in the wilderness!

Healthy THIS week? Not so much. I did go for my C25K run, but I have been putting off the next one. Yesterday, I was WAAY over calories and today I brought a large bag of organic popcorn to work. It should have lasted me a week, but I finished it all! So I am already over calories today. Oops!

Tomorrow is a new day though. I will eat well and run!

It's been a tough week for you. Cut yourself some slack and get back on plan tomorrow (or today, depending on when you are reading this!).

Hello everyone! I am on my iPad so my post is severely abbreviated. My internet has been out since MID JUNE! I was in Ireland and we had a huge flood here in MN, and things aren't quite back to normal yet. They have assured me for days "tomorrow" it will be fixed. Grrrr!

On Monday I got a sports massage for this IT band issue I'm having, and I stopped by the Weight Watchers new office to weigh in and kind of re-commit. I hadn't been tracking all summer! My weight really freaked me out, but today is the first day ive actually tracked. I bought a new workout outfit in a bigger size thinking it would be very roomy and comfortable. I tried it on and it barely fits!!!!! Like, I won't wear it until I lose 5 or so lbs. Holy cow! Weight Watchers also has their version of a body Bugg type device that tells you how many activity points you earn in a day. At only $39 I decided to try it. As zoo. As my internet is back on I can hook it up. My body Bugg is great, but I don't want to enter my food in WW and the body Bugg site- if I can reliably track in one place I'll be doing well.

Today I worked out with my trainer. It felt good, because it was like facing a fear- I felt so fat and uncoordinated I definitely stepped out of my comfort zone. I cant wait for the first 5 or 10 lbs to come off- I will feel much better then!

I hope everyone is having a great day and week and tracking and moving! I might be doing a half marathon on Saturday but not sure. The cut off time is 3:15. I *might* be able to do it. My husband says to just go for it, and I'd love to use it for my Half Fanatics qualification. Decisions, decisions.

Take care everyone!

Melinda

I know how you are feeling with the extra 5-10 pounds. But you know what to do and you WILL do it and get back to goal.... plus you have some races coming up to inspire you!

Love to hear about the WW "BodyBugg" item!

Hi kollerbear - thanks again for being our weightkeeper! I'm so glad to hear that your dr appointment went relatively well. Hopefully there are some treatments that can help you.

Sorry for your community's loss. I know what you mean being a New Yorker. My entire family lives in NJ or NY and I grew up there. I moved to the Midwest shortly after 9/11 and was offended at how little it affected people I met here. With some hindsight, that view probably wasn't fair, but my emotions were raw for a long time.

I understand how you feel. When your life has been changed significantly (for good or bad) it feels like the world should stop and recognize it. It felt that way to me when I had my babies. I wanted the WORLD to stop and realize that something SIGNIFICANT happened! But to the rest of the world, it was just another day. Somehow I kept feeling like there should be news reports and fireworks!

For many people in this country, the events of 9/11 were out of their minds by 9/15 or so (other than the airport hassles). And now, 11 years later.... if it wasn't on the news, many folks wouldn't remember at all. It is sad, but true. Those who are MOST effected won't forget, but for the vast majority of Americans, it is hard to remember unless we are reminded. And keep in mind, many "adults" (i.e. high school and college students) were preschoolers or in elementary school at the time and probably don't have memory of the day). But don't let that take away the significance it has in YOUR life. It is still a significant day in your history and if you want to do something special to memorialize it, feel free! Lower your flag, go to an extra church service, wear a ribbon.... do what it takes to make yourself feel "right" about observing that day. Maybe you will inspire others to do the same and perhaps help other to NOT forget the sacrifices that were made that day.


I've been doing okay. I've been super hungry the past few days. Making a good number of healthy food choices, but some not so great (2 servings of pita chips - I'm looking at you). I have been exercising and looked up some yoga poses for runners, will start mixing those in with my strength training that I am getting back to.

I just can't buy those pita chips any more.... especially the cinnamon sugar ones! Too much of a temptation!

I loved the "full of awesome" quote yesterday (?) so much that I've started saying it to my DD. She has been impressing me so much with her awesomeness lately (when she's not being obnoxiously sassy, of course)!

Kids are like that.... they are alternatively AWESOME or UNBEARABLE!

Just popping into say that I know I'm behind with Pms and names on the front page. Its been a bear of a week and just 1 thing after another going wrong. I work tomorrow and then have a 3 day weekend!

If i don't go out for the Packer's game tomorrow night(no nfl network ) I will start catching up getting everybody sorted into your mini-groups. Gotta head to a meeting now. Be back tomorrow. Thanks for being patient with me

NBD.... no worries!

I made unsweetened iced tea and kept it fairly well stocked. I also cut up a bunch of fresh veggies on Saturday (for the waterpark trip Sunday, but I made too much) and had those as a ready, munchable snack all week. My favorites are grape tomatoes, cucumber sticks, carrot chips, and broccoli, so that's what I had. I was hungry this week. I did a lot of snacking, all on my plan though. I don't have anything else in the house.

Need to make a batch of tea myself today. If I make it, we drink it. But no one would ask for it otherwise.

Yesterday was ice skating and that kicked my butt. I am working on spirals (where you glide around on one foot with your free leg up in the air behind you) and lunges (where you lunge-- on ice!). Today just getting up from the chair is a challenge. Running today, luckily that doesn't use very many of the muscles I seem to have taken out of commission on the ice yesterday.

WOW! THat sounds like quite the workout! I LOVED skating as a teen and was actually decent at it (good balance and such). But as an adult, for some reason the stress on my ankles and feet is UNBEARABLE. I can't skate for more than 10 minutes at a time without being in agony. I even tried renting hockey skates once at the arena to see if perhaps it was my skates. It wasn't.

My trip is coming up fast, I am excited but starting to get stressed by everything I still have to do. Not to mention taking care of all the normal stuff in the meantime, like foster dogs and work. I'm getting ready to make a plan and a packing list and I already feel like there just isn't enough time!

WOOHOO for trip prep!

This week I have been drinking my water to try to counter act my horrible, but delicious, eating on vacation. I have been trying to drink at least 1 of the big 1.5 liter arrowhead bottles a day. It has been going well.

So I need to vent a little. I had a customer today that came in and was just angry at the world, and then told me how he could not believe how someone like me was in a management position. It made me so angry that all I wanted to do was eat ice cream for dinner and I was so embarassed cuz I burst into tears because of the anger. I have since calmed down and decided that when I get home from work I am going to eat something healty.

Sorry that you had to deal with someone like that. Sounds like he was in a snit over something that probably had very little to do with you. I HATE it when I cry from anger. I had a teacher throw me under the bus once and actually tell the principal that I said something that I DIDN'T EVEN SAY! When the principal came to find me and talk to me, I was SO SHOCKED and angry that I ended up crying. I was embarrassed and frustrated beyond belief. That was about 5 years ago and I STILL can't look at that woman the same way.

I'm sure that night I wanted to go home and drown my sorrow in Oreos or something like that. Glad you calmed down enough to make a good choice. Nothing worse than compounding an already bad situation with a worse choice.

QOTDs: Yes, I am often shocked at calories. Which is why I am seriously avoiding those Costco double chocolate chip muffins in my freezer! My wahoo moment is that I have been getting up to meet people for a walk at 5:30 AM. Boy is that early!

The sub office finally called and offered me a position--but it was 6.25 hours and I had thought I was only working half days. Since I was expected at the school in 15 minutes for a training I took it. The teacher and I then talked to the principal to find out what was going on. He said he'd rather have me working that part time position as part of the full time position and just have a different sub in the building part time. So it was nice he wanted me around, but just a bit confusing for a while! Anyhooooo. Tuesday I started and it's going well. Kindergarteners are so stinking cute. The kiddo I specifically work with is an angel. And to think the parents thought he was going to be trouble; they should see the rest of the class! I'm not sure where they are in the hiring process, but they booked me for the rest of the month. kaching

DS1 arrived safe and sound at my parents' place. He was supposed to let me know when he left for the 2 hour drive and of course he didn't! He's trying to squeeze visits in before he leaves for college next week. Saturday the family goes to DH's parents'. I'm trying to decide how I feel about a baby leaving the nest. He's a high maintenance child and pretty much I've been waiting for this day for 18 years, but I'm surprised at how sad I feel. Boy those apron strings are strong.

No matter HOW MUCH they frustrate us on a daily basis, letting go is TOUGH! My oldest goes away next year and I already cry thinking about it. But then I go up stairs and pick up her messes in the bathroom and everywhere else and think about NOT doing this next year! Then I feel a little better!

I ran today. It has been a few days and I just HAD to exercise. I feel so much better since I ran today. It really helps me with weight loss ... but also with my mental outlook.

***********

I have a question .... I tend to crave something chocolatey in the evenings. Does anyone have a suggestion for something low-cal that could be filling? Thanks everyone in advance!

How about a chocolate Vitamuffin and a cup of tea or decaf? The muffin wouldn't be terribly filling, but it might take care of that chocolate craving.

Here we are at the end of our visit to the Happiest Place on Earth. The end of the first week of our challenge. And my last little excerpt from a sparkpeople article.

Boldly explore your dreams

As we grow older, we reflect upon our lives--the things that we have done and the things we didn't do. Don't let this happen to you! What would you do if you knew you could not fail? Imagine the difference this could make in your life. Imagine how fearlessly you would march across the beach in your bathing suit! Break the habits of fear that are holding you back and forget the hundreds of distractions that seem to justify not trying new things! Achieve your dreams, take risks, build your vision and go boldly towards it.

QOTD Thursday, September 13, 2012: Is there something that you dream of doing just for you? If you feel comfortable, please share or just share how you feel at the end of the first week of the challenge.

I will be back tomorrow with replies. Have a great evening all!

I'd love to travel. Unfortunately, the thing holding me back is money. I try to enjoy little adventures when/where I can though. And I figure the world will still be out there for me to explore when the kids are grown and I have a bit more $$ at my disposal!

At the end of this first week.... I feel good! I've had a really busy productive week here at home. I've done well with my eating (not so much with the exercise, although I've definitely been moving).

BTW Lisa.... did you see yesterday's Disney post on FB? It was something to the effect of "Would watching Wishes today make your Wednesday wonderful?" I answered a definite YES!

I can give myself a woohoo for deciding on fruit for dessert tonight instead of cookies and for making it to the gym 3 times this week! WOOHOO!

DEFINITE WOOHOO worthy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well it's finally caught up with me... Have had three long workouts over the past week and though I had full intentions of going to the gym tonight, my body absolutely refused so I decided to take it easy this evening. Getting out of bed hurts...

In other news, the cat and I spent a good 10 minutes killing a roach. Let me say, I am terrified of roaches. Like can't get within 6 feet of one. And DM says I have to kill it...

So the next 10 minutes were spent with the cat chasing the roach in the kitchen while I worked on getting up my nerve to spray the roach with enough spray to kill an army. It's still twitching in the hallway... Which left DM laughing at me while I protested that I did spray the roach which is much better than I usually do.

But DDad's throwing it out in the morning because touching it is out of the question...

Completely post but I thought I'd share.

Good chuckle about the roach. You've got to learn to deal with that stuff though. You won't always have Dad there to help! That is what I keep telling my DD when I have to come remove a spider for her. Time to put on your big girl panties (plus maybe a rubber glove) and dispense with that roach yourself! (I know.... easier said than done!) Here is a flower to reward you for AT LEAST killing it!

I've made it to the gym every day this week! That will definitely help me with my goals!

That is GREAT!

I am having dreams (literally!) about running the WDW Marathon! I will settle for a 1/2 though.

I feel pretty good after the first week. I've done well with both diet and exercise and I hope that the scale will show it!

I dream about Disney too.... just not running through it.

I have been missing in action. DH and I spent 8 days playing with Mickey and Goofy at DLR. Stayed at PPH and had EMH each day and got to get on cars almost every day. And did not stick with the original eating plan so stepping on the scale was proof that not sticking with the plan can be a problem.

But I'm back now. I do have a plan to run the Tinkerbell half in January so I have a written plan for the run/walk/run training.

I do keep track of my eating on myfitnesspal, when I'm not on vacation. I am constantly amazed at what I eat and how many calories it is. Sometimes it is a real wakeup call for me.

While at Disney we averaged 18,000 steps and almost 8 miles each day. Now I just have to keep that momentum going, minus the poor food choices.
Did go out to run this evening but ended up short after an asthma attack.

As for a dream just for me that was DH and my trip to DLR. We stayed on site, at at Napa Rose, took a couple of tours to learn about Disney. It was just us, no kids or grandkids. We got to be the kids.

Sounds like a GREAT trip!

I know that cancelling your trip was probably the low point of your day, but THIS had me wanting to throttle her FOR you. I hate it when "customer service" or "support" or whatever doesn't know what they're talking about! I actually almost cancelled my dr's appt. yesterday because several receptionists INSISTED to me over the phone that I wouldn't be seen without a referral and I almost believed them!! My insurance doesn't require one, but they believed it was an office policy. The billing specialist actually scolded me for worrying about it and showed me where it said "No referrals necessary" on my insurance card. I KNOW IT'S THERE!!! YOUR STAFF THINKS IT DOESN'T MATTER!!! The time we've all wasted on these wild goose chases!!!

I HATE moments like that! I hate it when I listen to others who are telling me the wrong thing and I DOUBT myself, even when I know what is right!


Everyone in New York City can't help but know!! I can't go anywhere without seeing how many calories are in things! I actually love it, to be honest. When I go places without the calories posted, I get kind of frustrated. The kicker for me is always that the donuts at Dunkin' Donuts are substantially lower in calories than muffins!!! And less than any of those options? A small fry at McD's.

Actually, I think that is GREAT! I wish they would do it everywhere!

I actually used to work FT at Starbucks for a couple of years... So actually unfortunately those chai lattes ARE made pre-mixed (i.e. with the sugar and flavor in the same syrup). But a great secret for those of you who enjoy chai lattes but don't want the sugar is to ask them to make you a chai tisto (which is short for Tea Misto) with a chai teabag, hot water, and steamed milk instead of the syrup. They will make it with half hot water and half your choice of milk. Then, you can add honey to taste. It's usually rung up as being MUCH cheaper than a chai latte (it honestly depends on the person at the register since it's kind of off-menu), and I think it tastes great! Just make sure you take the tea bag out after no more than 5 minutes or it gets bitter.

Sounds like a good alternative!


You know, they didn't. I am kind of overwhelmed. I have two problems that kind of feed into one another, and so I need to control yeast and also be low-acid/low-salt/low-sugar all at the same time, while being vegan (as long as it's possible to be so). I honestly don't know that I could handle going to a nutritionist right now, I feel like I need a firmer grasp on what is actually going on with me first, which will require more OB/GYN and urologist appts.. But thanks for suggesting this. I probably won't pursue this in the next few months, but it's definitely something I will bear in mind, especially if the diet seems to really make an impact on the pain. It's hard to tell because it could be SO many things. I'm going to go on the conservative diet that is recommended first and see if that makes a difference. If it does, I'll add things back in and see if I can isolate the problem foods. If it doesn't help, I'm going to try to make sure other things are taken care of before I assume that diet won't help. If nothing seems to make a difference, I may end up being put on low-dose Vallium or another pain killer.

The thing is that my pain has been away completely when I'm on vacation. The urologist suggested really looking into yoga and other stress-reducing. I know this sounds loony tunes, but making time and finding the budget for yoga (which I used to love at one point when I lived elsewhere and had a gym membership) is making me stressed out just thinking about it!!! I don't know how I can do less than I'm already doing to reduce my stress, and I can't imagine fitting a schlep to a yoga class into my schedule, either. So I have to do some hard, honest thinking with myself about what I can do to reduce stress. Thinking and planning which in itself also seems stressful...

Best of luck controlling this, no matter what avenue you follow.

Also, Pamela, you mentioned that you have vegetable beds-- do you plant vegetables in them??? I want to know all about it. I'd love to garden one day when I get out of the city, but all of the chores you describe help me keep my dreams in perspective and remind me how much work it all is! But I can't imagine anything cooler than cooking an awesome meal from food that you've grown for yourself.

We definitely don't have the gardens that we did years ago. When the kids were little we had HUGE gardens! We had blueberries and asparagus and rhubarb and Egyptian onions for perennials and of course tomatoes, squash, potatoes, corn, brussel sprouts, broccoli, and beans for annuals. IT was a LOT of work that it was mostly DH, but I did my fair share of weeding, planting, and harvesting (I can remember weeding tomatoes at 7-8 months pregnant with DD and getting hot and dizzy!). But it was a CONSTANT battle to keep the weeds, pricker bushes, and poison ivy from taking over. Then DH was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease in about 2004 and it really sapped his energy. We slowly reduced the size of our garden and then stopped altogether for a few years. Then the woods took back the plot (about 100 x 50 feet, not including the blueberries). We would have to have a truck or something come in to clear it now, it has gotten so overgrown.

We harvested so much back then. I did canning and freezing and made tons of spaghetti sauce, stewed tomatoes, tomato juice, etc.... plus we froze broccoli, corn, green beans. We ate from the garden nearly every single day from about May (asparagus season) through October (the end of brussel sprouts and broccoli). Plus I always had corn stalks and pumpkins and gourds to decorate for the fall!

A few years ago we started small again with a few raised beds. We haven't had great luck with them, as their location was not the best. We decided to bite the bullet this year and move them to the back yard. We have held off on that because we wanted a YARD for the kids to play in, but they are long past that stage, so it was time. Hopefully next year's garden will be bountiful!

It is work, but it is worth it (IMHO).


Brown bag it, I'd say 60% of the time. It's always leftovers from the night before. Whenever we don't cook, we don't have food for lunch. When we do cook, if it's extra delicious and we eat it all, then we don't have food for lunch. My main food time planning struggle is planning this adequately so that we have enough for the next day, or that we have options. Because our brown bag percentage has GOT to go up because we are BROKE right now!!!

I will guiltily admit that we started stocking Uncrustables in the freezer for those split second morning decisions when we realize we're gonna have to buy that day, and so they're a fraction of the cost. I love them so, so much but I wouldn't recommend them to anyone because they are a terrible habit to get into. I know you can make your own PB&J, but these are just kind of the FORM of what a perfect PB&J sandwich should be. I can't explain it. They're terrible. Don't do it. But I love them.

Don't stress about the Uncrustables too much. If that is the worst thing you are buying, you are doing okay. They are good to have on hand for the occasional emergency. A much better and cheaper alternative than a Big Mac anyhow!

I hear you on the brown bagging it. I am SO grateful that both kids have decided to start taking their lunch this year (DD has done this all through high school, but DS has always bought his lunch at school.) I can pack a FAR healthier and cheaper lunch if given the chance.

I don't call the extra at dinner "leftovers" so much as "plan overs". DD loves to bring dinner stuff for lunch, so I will often PLAN to have extra. Today she brought two pierogies and the remaining chicken breast from a rotisserie chicken. Yesterday she brought curried carrot soup from a few nights ago. And last week it was the remainder of the spicy asian beef. It gives her a nice variety too. DS has taken a ham and cheese sandwich every day this school year so far. He doesn't want to use the microwave, so that limits him. And he doesn't eat PB&J anymore (although he ate his fair share in elementary school!). I try to change it up with the type of bread (whole wheat, honey wheat, Bagel thin, etc) and the sides (although he is fond of pretzels). I will occasionally buy Horizons chocolate milk boxes for their lunches, but they are really pricey and I consider them an occasional treat. Usually they just have water (in a refillable bottle from home).

Anyhow, if you are having trouble controlling your portions at dinner in order to leave some for lunch, try packing up the lunch portions BEFORE serving dinner! Then you can only eat what is left!

Try making them yourself. MUCH harder to overeat when you've only made enough for one serving!! I make mine with Za'atar spice seasoning on top, but you can do it with any flavors you like.

I keep meaning to make DH some homemade pita chips using the low carb pitas. That spice mix sounds good!


Before I went vegan, I used to make myself mini ice cream sandwiches with 1 chocolate graham cracker split in half, with a couple tablespoons of vanilla low-fat yogurt or ice cream in the middle. It always hit the spot for me, and it's not that high in calories as long as you measure everything.

YUM!!

I really want to go back to Walt Disney World for a really nice, long and romantic trip with Matt one day when we can afford it. Eat at lots of nice places I've always wanted to go to, do the Behind the Seeds tour and the Wild Africa Trek, spend unreasonable amounts of money on pins and memorabilia I may or may not every really use... This would definitely be just for me because he did not love the place when we went with my family last time. ("Honey, I want you to want to go to Disney World!!") I'm telling you, those guys who never went as a child--just NO sense of nostalgia or appreciation for good healthy commercialism!!

Thanks so much for such a great first week of coaching, Lisa!!

Great dream! I am FAR TOO cheap to enjoy spending "unreasonable amounts of money"... I'd still be trying to save for the NEXT trip! I need to loosen up a bit!

Today was a long day! I am back in school at 30, and I feel like the homework is never-ending. This is my third week of class, and this will be the third weekend in a row where I have a test due (online) by Sunday night. I sure don't remember this much work from my first time though college...but then, maybe that's why the degree I earned back then turned out to be so useless in the job market. Ah, well. I am definitely learning stuff now - give me a blood sample and I can tell you how many of each kind of white blood cell is in it (yes, there are different kinds!).

WOW! I'm impressed. Good for you for going back to school. I should... someday.

Ha! You just made me realize I never actually said my name in my intro post! I'm Mike.

Nice to meet you Mike!! I'm Pamela.... but on here I am just mostly "P".

"QOTD Wednesday, September 12, 2012: Share something that you did this week to help you with your goals."

Well, so far, I have had precisely ONE soda this week, and the rest of the time I have stuck with my unsweetened iced tea. I have a MAJOR Coke habit when I am not trying for healthier habits...like, 3-4 a day kind of major. Morning, lunch, dinner, and sometimes after dinner. So I'd say one in a week is "woo-hoo" worthy.

Definitely WOOHOO worthy! I kind of "forced" DH to give up his Diet Coke habit. He could down 2-4 LITERS a day! It would be NOTHING for him to open a new 2 liter bottle at dinner and finish it before bedtime! Sure it was diet.... but those chemicals are HORRENDOUS! He will still enjoy it when he is out, but I NEVER, EVER, EVER buy it at the grocery store any more.


My lunches are pretty boring. They are almost always dinner leftovers. Right now, that is even more true than usual because I'm trying to avoid fast food. Also because I try to make them a little healthier by taking smaller portions and bringing along a piece of fruit or some carrot sticks or something. So then the leftovers stretch for more meals than they otherwise would.

I have always wanted to get "buff" or at least defined with no moobs...but have yet to stick with a gym routine long enough to get past the stage where everything hurts.

Had me chuckling out loud at the moobs reference!

******************

Happy Thursday friends! Bright and sunny here again!

Breakfast was my pumpkin steel cut oats in the crockpot (posted the recipe a few weeks ago). Liked it better this time..... not sure why. Skipped the allspice so maybe that was it?? Forgot the salt again though. I need to physically WRITE IT on my recipe. Obviously my old-lady memory can't remember these things any more!

On schedule for today is coat of paint #4 for the garage door, coat of paint #2 for the mudroom porch/steps, and first coat of paint for the basement bulk-head door (finished spray primer and caulk last night). I really should get right out there, because the porch paint needs to cure for 8 hours before the next coat and I'd love to finish it today.

No laundry scheduled for today, thank heavens!

Dinner is crockpot rosemary chicken and veggies. I prepped the veggies during last night's dinner prep time, so I just need to dump it all in the crockpot, throw in the chicken and liquid and turn it on!

Off to do that! Then perhaps I'll be back later to chat!.................P

 

[christinascreative]

QOTD Thursday, September 13, 2012: Is there something that you dream of doing just for you? If you feel comfortable, please share or just share how you feel at the end of the first week of the challenge.

I saw someone else said something similar... but what do I want just for me? I want to be "buff" too but I want to wear a bikini for the first time since I was.. 2. Yes.. 2 years old. A toddler.

I don't even know what weight I would have to be at to be "buff". So my goal weight is just what I *think* it might be at this point. When I lost 60+ pounds all those years ago (10 but who's counting), I was in a tankini at 162. I wasn't bikini ready. So I'm thinking 155? 152? 150? I have no clue. I'm 5'9". I know what my range is on the WW chart, but if I go as low as the low number-- will I look sick, is that obsessive, will I still be healthy? Again, I have no clue!

Whenever I mention this crazy thought to my family - they say "You looked fine when you reached your goal last time" and "Don't get obsessive about it, it's not healthy". I look at pictures of myself from then and while I DO look just fine...I don't want to be JUST fine. The little voice of doubt in my head echoes the sentiments of my family, but there's this other little voice in me that says "What if" and I'm liking this voice more and more- it's the same one that got me to run that 5k and to say I was going to work toward a half marathon. What if I could wear a bikini? What if I could run a half marathon and then a marathon? What if I COULD go lifetime at WW? What if the little voice of negativity could be silenced forever?

So that's it- a bikini. But don't hold me to it ;-)

 

[cookzilla]

Quote Penguin Thanks for letting me know about this challenge. I too am looking forward to it. ![/QUOTE]

 

[lisah0711]

Good morning all!

I'm sorry that I was not able to get to many replies yesterday. It was one of those days going from meeting to meeting and then I had my eye exam. By the time I had a few minutes to myself I couldn't see! Then it was open house for school last night so the day totally got away from me.

I did enjoy reading everyone's "woo hoos!"

Pamela, thanks for sharing the Ratatouille recipe! It sounds yummy!

I see you already put it on the recipe thread. Here is a link to the recipe thread for those of you who may not have seen it yet. http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36324235&postcount=1

Hi all

I'd love to join this challenge as well. I find having to be accountable is the only thing that helps me. My Co-Op had a Biggest loser contest this year. It lasted 3 months. I won. As soon as it ended, I went off, too many BBQs and parties. So now I need to start up again and hoping this will help!

Leslie

Leslie! Thanks for joining our challenge!

Not sure if it's a BIG Woo Hoo but I ran last night even though I felt like just sitting on the couch?
I am PUSHING myself this week to make sure I exercise even though it's getting dark earlier outside.

I'm trying to concentrate on getting more exercise...not for a single longer period of time, but more times during the course of the day. Attempting to increase my overall steps to 15000 by the end of the month. My last 2 days have been 11075 and 11966, so I'm on my way. Woo Hoo!
And I signed up for a water Zumba class that starts on Sept 24

You have several great woo hoos there!

Its been a crazy week with back to school and my husband on vacation. I got a run/walk in this AM for the first time since Sunday. I couldn't run the entire time during the run intervals but I had my furthest distance & fastest time since I started C25K. I did W5D1 today. The 5 min intervals are really tough but I'm getting better every day. I have been logging my food in MFP and trying to make good choices. Woo hoo!

I went to Zumba last night even though I was feeling rather sluggish but after the first 10 or mins I pushed to my normal higher rate of moving and got in 6898 steps.. but I crashed at 8:30 for the night..

QOTD-WOOHOO WEDNESDAY
I am saving all my bonus points (following WW) this week so I have a wee safety net for the weekend when I'm less in control of what I'm eating and hope that will still give me a loss at weigh-in In the past I wouldn't have planned ahead so I feel I'm making progress

I'm enjoying reading everyone's lunch ideas! That is a tough meal for me, especially at work. We are getting a microwave soon and that will hopefully open up some more options.

Ashley, your trout cakes sound yummy! It would be great if you could copy it to the recipe thread.

Is it too late to join? I was going to sign up last week but was feeling so sick I really thought I would end up joining and then not finishing and end up embarrassed. However, I'm hoping I've got my medical issues sorted out so maybe I will have the energy and commitment after all?

It's NEVER too late to join a BL challenge! Be sure you send a PM to our lovely hostess, Octoberbride03 so she can get you on the list.

Carla Rae, glad you are feeling a bit better and going to WDW at Christmas is always a great time!

Today I worked out with my trainer. It felt good, because it was like facing a fear- I felt so fat and uncoordinated I definitely stepped out of my comfort zone. I cant wait for the first 5 or 10 lbs to come off- I will feel much better then!

I hope everyone is having a great day and week and tracking and moving! I might be doing a half marathon on Saturday but not sure. The cut off time is 3:15. I *might* be able to do it. My husband says to just go for it, and I'd love to use it for my Half Fanatics qualification. Decisions, decisions.

on working with the trainer, Melinda! Sorry that the IT band is still bothering you. Good luck with what you decide for your half -- I want to see you at the W&D soon! Oh, and big on that fluffy feeling -- so not fun.

I've been doing okay. I've been super hungry the past few days. Making a good number of healthy food choices, but some not so great (2 servings of pita chips - I'm looking at you). I have been exercising and looked up some yoga poses for runners, will start mixing those in with my strength training that I am getting back to.

I loved the "full of awesome" quote yesterday (?) so much that I've started saying it to my DD. She has been impressing me so much with her awesomeness lately (when she's not being obnoxiously sassy, of course)!

My friend Maria shared a quote about hunger I'll never forget . . . hunger is not an emergency. I try to remember that one when I am having one of those hungry days.

My woo hoo is that I am following my exercise plan (almost). Something came up & I couldn't make it to the gym so I walked instead when I had time.

Just popping into say that I know I'm behind with Pms and names on the front page. Its been a bear of a week and just 1 thing after another going wrong. I work tomorrow and then have a 3 day weekend!

If i don't go out for the Packer's game tomorrow night(no nfl network) I will start catching up getting everybody sorted into your mini-groups. Gotta head to a meeting now. Be back tomorrow. Thanks for being patient with me

No worries! Thanks for being our hostess!

I made unsweetened iced tea and kept it fairly well stocked. I also cut up a bunch of fresh veggies on Saturday (for the waterpark trip Sunday, but I made too much) and had those as a ready, munchable snack all week.

This week I have been drinking my water to try to counter act my horrible, but delicious, eating on vacation.

QOTDs: Yes, I am often shocked at calories. Which is why I am seriously avoiding those Costco double chocolate chip muffins in my freezer! My wahoo moment is that I have been getting up to meet people for a walk at 5:30 AM. Boy is that early!

That is a great woo hoo, Linda! Big :hugs: on the chick leaving the nest thing. I think it is natural to have mixed emotions at these big changes. This is what you raised him to do but I totally get how you feel. Sounds like you have some comic relief in your life with the kindergarteners!

I ran today. It has been a few days and I just HAD to exercise. I feel so much better since I ran today. It really helps me with weight loss ... but also with my mental outlook.

***********

I have a question .... I tend to crave something chocolatey in the evenings. Does anyone have a suggestion for something low-cal that could be filling? Thanks everyone in advance!

on the exercise, Fran! Looks like you got lots of good suggestions for that nighttime chocolate craving!

I don't know if I'd call it 'filling' but I keep Hershey Kisses on hand for when I need a little bit of chocolate. I usually have 3 and that's about 60 calories; just enough to satisfy my craving.

Good idea! You can let them melt slowly in your mouth and make them last awhile.

Organic hot cocoa. The key is that you have to drink it from the spoon (no sipping from the cup). You will get your chocolate fix long before you finish the cup.

Another good idea!

Popsicle brand no sugar added fudge pops!

Another good idea!

Be back soon with more replies.

 

[pjlla]

I saw someone else said something similar... but what do I want just for me? I want to be "buff" too but I want to wear a bikini for the first time since I was.. 2. Yes.. 2 years old. A toddler.

I don't even know what weight I would have to be at to be "buff". So my goal weight is just what I *think* it might be at this point. When I lost 60+ pounds all those years ago (10 but who's counting), I was in a tankini at 162. I wasn't bikini ready. So I'm thinking 155? 152? 150? I have no clue. I'm 5'9". I know what my range is on the WW chart, but if I go as low as the low number-- will I look sick, is that obsessive, will I still be healthy? Again, I have no clue!

Whenever I mention this crazy thought to my family - they say "You looked fine when you reached your goal last time" and "Don't get obsessive about it, it's not healthy". I look at pictures of myself from then and while I DO look just fine...I don't want to be JUST fine. The little voice of doubt in my head echoes the sentiments of my family, but there's this other little voice in me that says "What if" and I'm liking this voice more and more- it's the same one that got me to run that 5k and to say I was going to work toward a half marathon. What if I could wear a bikini? What if I could run a half marathon and then a marathon? What if I COULD go lifetime at WW? What if the little voice of negativity could be silenced forever?

So that's it- a bikini. But don't hold me to it ;-)

You CAN silence that negative voice. I did it. However, it is CONSTANTLY trying to come back, so it is a long-term journey, just like the weight loss. Every time I have a "bad" week or get a bit above my maintenance goal, that negative voice starts telling me that I am on the slippery "upward" slope back to 219 pounds. But I don't listen to it! I know, in my heart, that I can maintain this healthy weight for the REST OF MY LIFE! I have the skills, I have the tools, I have the know-how! That negative voice is just a VOICE. It is not my will or my strength or my determination. It is just background noise. You can do it! .....................P

 

[lisah0711]

YEAH!!!!!! Good for you! I am looking forward to getting back at it next week once all of our company is gone!

It's okay to have a little fun, the key is to get right back on plan ASAP!

What about a WW choc ice cream bar? They're 2-3 pts depending. Or a serving of cocoa puffs (3/4 a cup) is 3 pts. If you're not on WW those point values are fairly low calories.

Good idea!

QOTD Thursday, September 13, 2012: Is there something that you dream of doing just for you? If you feel comfortable, please share or just share how you feel at the end of the first week of the challenge.

One of my dreams is to get my Coast to Coast medal for running Disney races on each coast in a year -- that should be in November at the Wine & Dine!

That was one of the nice thing about hitting the 50's -- I am more inclined to say "Some day is today!"

Keeping up with my exercise & staying on plan.

I can give myself a woohoo for deciding on fruit for dessert tonight instead of cookies and for making it to the gym 3 times this week! WOOHOO!

I've made it to the gym every day this week! That will definitely help me with my goals!

I am having dreams (literally!) about running the WDW Marathon! I will settle for a 1/2 though.

I feel pretty good after the first week. I've done well with both diet and exercise and I hope that the scale will show it!

That is a great woo hoo! I hear you on the marathon dreams. I don't have exam or school dreams anymore, they are some variation of a race problem dream now.

I have been missing in action. DH and I spent 8 days playing with Mickey and Goofy at DLR. Stayed at PPH and had EMH each day and got to get on cars almost every day. And did not stick with the original eating plan so stepping on the scale was proof that not sticking with the plan can be a problem.

But I'm back now. I do have a plan to run the Tinkerbell half in January so I have a written plan for the run/walk/run training.

Sounds like a wondertime time at DL! Tinker Bell will be here before you know it!

I actually used to work FT at Starbucks for a couple of years... So actually unfortunately those chai lattes ARE made pre-mixed (i.e. with the sugar and flavor in the same syrup). But a great secret for those of you who enjoy chai lattes but don't want the sugar is to ask them to make you a chai tisto (which is short for Tea Misto) with a chai teabag, hot water, and steamed milk instead of the syrup. They will make it with half hot water and half your choice of milk. Then, you can add honey to taste. It's usually rung up as being MUCH cheaper than a chai latte (it honestly depends on the person at the register since it's kind of off-menu), and I think it tastes great! Just make sure you take the tea bag out after no more than 5 minutes or it gets bitter.

This is a great tip! Joy hope that you see this!

I don't know how I can do less than I'm already doing to reduce my stress, and I can't imagine fitting a schlep to a yoga class into my schedule, either. So I have to do some hard, honest thinking with myself about what I can do to reduce stress. Thinking and planning which in itself also seems stressful...

So sorry that you are going through this! Oodles of that you are able to find something that works for you.

How about just starting out with some breathing exercises? Taking a few deep breaths every hour or two can really help make a difference. Here is a sparkpeople article with some other ideas. Maybe try one a week? http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/wellness_articles.asp?id=779 I know there are yoga videos online that you might be able to try. Hang in there! It's so tough when you don't feel well.

"QOTD Wednesday, September 12, 2012: Share something that you did this week to help you with your goals."

Well, so far, I have had precisely ONE soda this week, and the rest of the time I have stuck with my unsweetened iced tea. I have a MAJOR Coke habit when I am not trying for healthier habits...like, 3-4 a day kind of major. Morning, lunch, dinner, and sometimes after dinner. So I'd say one in a week is "woo-hoo" worthy.

That is definitely woo hoo worthy!

BTW Lisa.... did you see yesterday's Disney post on FB? It was something to the effect of "Would watching Wishes today make your Wednesday wonderful?" I answered a definite YES!

Yes, I did see that, too!

Whenever I mention this crazy thought to my family - they say "You looked fine when you reached your goal last time" and "Don't get obsessive about it, it's not healthy". I look at pictures of myself from then and while I DO look just fine...I don't want to be JUST fine. The little voice of doubt in my head echoes the sentiments of my family, but there's this other little voice in me that says "What if" and I'm liking this voice more and more- it's the same one that got me to run that 5k and to say I was going to work toward a half marathon. What if I could wear a bikini? What if I could run a half marathon and then a marathon? What if I COULD go lifetime at WW? What if the little voice of negativity could be silenced forever?

So that's it- a bikini. But don't hold me to it ;-)

You can do it!

Penguin Thanks for letting me know about this challenge. I too am looking forward to it. !

A couple more posts and you will be able to PM!

I think I am caught up on replies now. So sorry if I managed to miss anyone!

Have a great day and think about that first weigh in tomorrow!

 

[jillbur]

QOTD Thursday, September 13, 2012: Is there something that you dream of doing just for you? If you feel comfortable, please share or just share how you feel at the end of the first week of the challenge.

I will be back tomorrow with replies. Have a great evening all!

The thing I dream of doing for me, and me only, is buying new clothes! I really never buy myself anything and my clothes are old and pathetic I always convince myself that I can use the money I'd spend on something more useful or for the kids or the house or bills. But, I am really in need of clothes. I have no clothes that are dressier to wear to meetings and church. This is a good thing since my other clothes are so loose now! So, I am going to go on a shopping trip with just me. No kids. No DH. And, I am going to try not to stress about the cost and enjoy myself

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just popped on for a second to answer the qotd. I have a meeting in 15 minutes. I am also trying to do my lesson plans for next week and finish up 2 more IEPs. Thank goodness it's almost the weekend. I need it! I have a PTO meeting today at 4, so it looks like I will miss my 4:30 class at the gym. I'm hoping to go run/walking later. If not, I have dvds I can do at home.

I can already tell that my weigh in is not going to be good tomorrow. I ended up eating out too much this week. DH even asked what was going on with me & my eating! I think it's stress from work, so I am making a full menu this weekend of all my meals/snacks and ww points. Then I will be really prepared to tackle next week. Also, I have lists going. When I am more organized, I do better all around (work and personal). So, here's to a new week! And, NO COOKIES!!!

Jill

 

[belledreamer]

Ha! You just made me realize I never actually said my name in my intro post! I'm Mike.

Hi Mike! Nice to have more guys in the challenge! I couldn't help but notice your icon. Are you a Sherlock fan?

YUM! I probably wouldn't make the horseradish sauce though.... I'd be the only one who would like it. Although if I made it this weekend, DMom and DDad would enjoy it.

How would it be without the capers? As I mentioned above, this month's grocery budget is already shot, so if I bought the ingredients for this, it would be out of "savings", so I'd like to buy as little as possible.

Thanks for sharing!

I honestly didn't think I'd like the horseradish sauce either and when I first made it, the horseradish taste was really strong. But after about 2 hours in the fridge, it really mellowed out. I couldn't really taste the capers in it, so I think you could leave it out and not taste the difference.

Good chuckle about the roach. You've got to learn to deal with that stuff though. You won't always have Dad there to help! That is what I keep telling my DD when I have to come remove a spider for her. Time to put on your big girl panties (plus maybe a rubber glove) and dispense with that roach yourself! (I know.... easier said than done!) Here is a flower to reward you for AT LEAST killing it!

Yeah... They just creep me out so much, even when they're dead! Maybe next time I'll get enough nerve to sweep it outside.

QOTD Thursday, September 13, 2012: Is there something that you dream of doing just for you? If you feel comfortable, please share or just share how you feel at the end of the first week of the challenge.

If it's a weight-related dream, then it would probably be to wear my Cinderella dress this December at my local Comic-con and feel every bit as beautiful as I know I can be.

As for a dream in general, probably to travel to England and spend a month there or go to a Hollywood premiere and meet my favorite actor.

Ashley, your trout cakes sound yummy! It would be great if you could copy it to the recipe thread.

Will do!

 

[pjlla]

Yeah... They just creep me out so much, even when they're dead! Maybe next time I'll get enough nerve to sweep it outside.

Use the broom and dustpan and you won't have to actually touch it. Or teach your cat to catch them and eat them!

If it's a weight-related dream, then it would probably be to wear my Cinderella dress this December at my local Comic-con and feel every bit as beautiful as I know I can be.

Sounds like a nice dream. I'm sure you can make it a reality! Where is your local Comic-Con. DS was trying to talk me into visiting Paris in November for a Minecraft Comic-Con type thing. Sadly, that wasn't in the budget for now!

You ARE beautiful. You just need to help your mind meet the reality.

As for a dream in general, probably to travel to England and spend a month there or go to a Hollywood premiere and meet my favorite actor.

And your favorite actor would be?????

Will do!

The thing I dream of doing for me, and me only, is buying new clothes! I really never buy myself anything and my clothes are old and pathetic I always convince myself that I can use the money I'd spend on something more useful or for the kids or the house or bills. But, I am really in need of clothes. I have no clothes that are dressier to wear to meetings and church. This is a good thing since my other clothes are so loose now! So, I am going to go on a shopping trip with just me. No kids. No DH. And, I am going to try not to stress about the cost and enjoy myself

I know this doesn't really go with a "clothing splurge" but have you tried a local thrift store or resale/consignment store? I had great luck finding good name brand clothes for myself in these places when I was mid-weight-loss and didn't want to invest in clothes that I would only wear for a few months. I had SUCH GOOD LUCK that I rarely buy myself "new" clothes any more. I love finding Gap, Coldwater Creek, White House/Black Market, Ann Taylor, Liz Clairborne, etc at these stores. Sure, it takes a bit more searching and time, but these are things that I would NEVER pay full retail for anyhow, so why not?? It sure beats the days when the best designer I had in my closet was "Faded Glory" from Walmart! It might help you enjoy yourself and NOT stress about the cost!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just popped on for a second to answer the qotd. I have a meeting in 15 minutes. I am also trying to do my lesson plans for next week and finish up 2 more IEPs. Thank goodness it's almost the weekend. I need it! I have a PTO meeting today at 4, so it looks like I will miss my 4:30 class at the gym. I'm hoping to go run/walking later. If not, I have dvds I can do at home.

I can already tell that my weigh in is not going to be good tomorrow. I ended up eating out too much this week. DH even asked what was going on with me & my eating! I think it's stress from work, so I am making a full menu this weekend of all my meals/snacks and ww points. Then I will be really prepared to tackle next week. Also, I have lists going. When I am more organized, I do better all around (work and personal). So, here's to a new week! And, NO COOKIES!!!

Jill

Here's to a new week and new resolve for ALL of those of us who struggled this first week of the challenge (although for many of us it isn't the first week of our weight loss journey).

******************************

Second coat of paint on mudroom porch/steps... check (except for the cat foot prints!)

Fourth and final coat of paint on garage door......check

Grey primer coat on basement bulk-head door..... check

Dinner in crockpot........check

Ready for lunch..... check!! I'm starving!

Anyhoooo.... I was going to try and take down the mudroom door to get a first coat of paint on it, while I had the paint out (same as the garage door paint), but I was having trouble taking the hinge pins out..... and that combined with the fact that I wasn't sure I could actually maneuver the door into the garage by myself, made me decide to hold off on that for now.

Maybe I'll cut myself some slack and get some time in at my scrapping table this afternoon!

TTYL.......................P

 

[bigsis1970]

Star light, star bright,
First star I see tonight.
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish, I wish tonight.

Ohh, a world of wishes,
A world where dreams come true.
So make a wish, see it through.
Dare to do what dreamers do.

Wishes...
Dream a dream.
Wishes...
Set it free.
Wishes…
Trust your heart.
Just believe.

Here we are at the end of our visit to the Happiest Place on Earth. The end of the first week of our challenge. And my last little excerpt from a sparkpeople article.

Boldly explore your dreams

As we grow older, we reflect upon our lives--the things that we have done and the things we didn't do. Don't let this happen to you! What would you do if you knew you could not fail? Imagine the difference this could make in your life. Imagine how fearlessly you would march across the beach in your bathing suit! Break the habits of fear that are holding you back and forget the hundreds of distractions that seem to justify not trying new things! Achieve your dreams, take risks, build your vision and go boldly towards it.

QOTD Thursday, September 13, 2012: Is there something that you dream of doing just for you? If you feel comfortable, please share or just share how you feel at the end of the first week of the challenge.

I will be back tomorrow with replies. Have a great evening all!

LIke Jill says - clothes shopping for myself at someplace other then goodwill would be GREAT! Like her I also convince myself that I can wait, they mostly fit ok and have no holes and there are always bills, gas and groceries to get.
as for the end of week one - I feel good as I tend to do great at the beginning of these journeys as I'm all gun ho about being good staying on track keeping up with journaling and doing my Zumba but we'll see if I can continue thru the whole challenge !

The thing I dream of doing for me, and me only, is buying new clothes! I really never buy myself anything and my clothes are old and pathetic I always convince myself that I can use the money I'd spend on something more useful or for the kids or the house or bills. But, I am really in need of clothes. I have no clothes that are dressier to wear to meetings and church. This is a good thing since my other clothes are so loose now! So, I am going to go on a shopping trip with just me. No kids. No DH. And, I am going to try not to stress about the cost and enjoy myself

Jill

Ditto!!

Well happy Thursday everyone.. I caved today at Lunch when I went into the cafe here at work and they had homemade tortilla chips with mild salsa .. OOH man but they were tasty and worth every point! I'll just work a little harder tonight at Zumba!
MY DD is coming home for the first time since leaving for college tonight - I hope i get to see her and she doesn't just go to her Dad's and wait to come see me tomorrow! I miss her like crazy even though like P said cleaning up after her is PIA !! however she is adjusting to college life so well that I can rest easy!
well back to work - see ya all tomorrwo have a Wonderful rest of your day!

 

[Raenstoirm]

Ok, started fresh this morning. I had a good breakfast and then some fresh carrots and broccoli with a little bit of organic yogurt dressing (35 calories) so far today. I even used my food scale this morning to make sure I only poured 35 calories worth!) I am heading to the gym after work to do the dreaded 20 minute c25k run. I am supposed to be on Space Mountain right now, but instead I am at work! But my new goal is to lose 25 lbs before our postponed trip (a little unrealistic perhaps, but I can hope ), so I have to get crackin!

QOTD Thursday, September 13, 2012: Is there something that you dream of doing just for you? If you feel comfortable, please share or just share how you feel at the end of the first week of the challenge.

There are tons of things that I want to do just for me. I will run a marathon one day and I will strut my stuff in a bikini and feel good about it, but my biggest motivator is actually someone else. I want to have a baby. All the research shows that babies born to larger mothers have an increased risk of being overweight themselves. Fat secretes hormones and such that the developing fetus takes from the mother. Even if the baby is slim during childhood, she is more likely to have weight issues as an adult. That's not fair. I dont want to do that to my child.

At the end of the first week, I kinda feel like a failure. I have had a very tough week emotionally, but I totally caved and fell back on food as a crutch. But as long as I get to the gym tonight, I can be proud of my physical accomplishments. As I said I have the 20 minute run tonight. I have been looking at that as my milestone for weeks and today I will pass it!

I don't even know what weight I would have to be at to be "buff". So my goal weight is just what I *think* it might be at this point.

I totally feel you there. I have never looked the way I "should" look, so it is all about estimation. The trick of course is to see yourself as you really are and realize you have become "buff" when you do and not fall into that "if I lost 5 more lbs I will be perfect" mentality making your goal unobtainable.