Between the BLs (Biggest Loser) Summer Challenge 2010 Part 1

[pinkle]

I'm up early! Going to run off those pina colodas before I start work.
Everyone have a great day and stay on track. I'm going to be checking out sparkpeople later today when i get the chance. WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!! See ya tonight

 

[flipflopmom]

Happy Birthday Dona (and Dena, too.) Hope it's wonderful!

Had my splurge meal last night of mexican. NO MORE FOR ME THIS WEEK. I have to do this. Even though I have 3 cookouts and a faculty lunch Friday, I can't fall back into bad habits. The scale is not going down, and I fear I've hit the great PLATEAU. I have lost 9.5 inches in the last 2 weeks since committing to strength training, even if the scale is not moving. I've got to figure out how to bust through this.

Happy Saturday everyone!
Taryn

 

[jbm02]

Holy cow. I just read through 7 pages of posts after having some computer issues yesterday - I had a bunch of multi-posts saved but they all disappeared. Yikes!! I can't even begin to remember everything.

QOTD (well, for yesterday!) I need to stop grazing. RIGHT NOW. The period from 5PM - 6PM before dinner is my problem time. I can be great at work because I bring a healthy lunch and healthy snacks and work out during my lunch hour so I don't sabotage my healthy choices. But once I get home...

My goal is 20 pounds for this challenge. I am not sure if that is too ambitious but it will continually give me something to strive for.

Our town's Memorial Day parade is today at 10AM. DD is marching with the Girl Scouts and I'll be on a veterans float - me and all the "guys" from WWII, Korea and Vietnam. LOL. I hope the rain stays away!!

Have a great day everyone!!
Jude

 

[acename]

Oh, that was our DD. She was the most colicky baby! We got the Miracle Blanket (fool-proof, wiggly baby-proof swaddling blanket), which was a life saver. She needed it until 4 or 5 months, then could sleep on her own. Have you read Happiest Baby on the Block? It was a great read for us. Do you have a baby carrier like the Bjorn or the Beco Butterfly? Taking walks carrying DD in those, she would always fall asleep. Didn't give me much of a nap break, but did get me exercise. I'll send good thoughts your way that your DS sleeps more for you!

We tried swaddling and by the time he was 3 weeks old he didn't fit the blanket anymore. I may look into that Miracle Blanket though. I have a carrier too. He seems to like it but I can't carry him in it very long. Maybe I'm doing it wrong but it really hurts my back (although the fact that he's a BIG boy may be part of that )

I haven't read any books yet. I've just tried taking the pediatrician's advice. I don't think it's working. She keeps telling me it won't hurt him to cry. But he will cry for hours if I'd let him. He's so stubborn. I just can't do that to him. What method does Happiest Baby on the Block suggest?

Thanks so much for the advice.

 

[acename]

Yesterday wasn't a great day. We were out and about all day, and we ate at taco bell. Not great I know, but I did just eat two chicken soft tacos which aren't too bad. My husband has a nutrition facts app for his iPhone that tells you how many calories things are different restaurants are and that helps a lot when we go out. Anyway, I had a good day shopping with my niece and my kids though.

Then just as I was about to start dinner, my parents came over to visit and brought Long John silver's with them. I wasn't as successful there. But I still ate less than I normally would. I didn't even touch the fries. They aren't my favorite part so I decided I'd save those calories.

Good news about my son sleeping. Last night he slept in his bassinet for 6 hours straight. He slept from 9pm-3am. After that he didn't do so well, but that's the most he's slept all at once. He's really outgrowing the bassinet, but won't sleep in his bed. I think it feels too big. I may have to find a Miracle blanket like a PP suggested. Maybe swaddling will help that. still it was a victory to get 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep.


Today I'm not sure what the plan is. My husband works on Saturdays. In fact this week has been really bad as far as work for him. We haven't seen him much, which makes things a lot harder at home. I don't get much of a break. We may go to my parents house to play this afternoon. It's nice to have some adult interaction. Any other stay at home moms feel that way? The weeks my husband works a lot I feel like I'm going crazy for someone else to hang out with. Hopefully I'll be able to play outside with my daughter while my mom takes care of the baby for a little while.

Man I've written a book, haven't I? Have a good day everyone.

 

[tigger813]

Got a good night's sleep and slept until almost 7. I'm still feeling tired. Stomach is feeling better than it did yesterday. Had 2 chocolate chip muffins for breakfast as I needed something. I'll have to wait until later to work out. I'm feeling a bit nauseous and I'm not sure why. I would love to go back to bed!

Heading out to a b'day party at 12:30. We need to do some outdoor work that we didn't get done yesterday. Had fun wrapping a street hockey stick in Toy Story paper for the b'day boy.

Ok, time to get off my lazy butt and accomplish something today. I was sick with the flu this weekend last year. Can't be sick this weekend as I have too much to do.

Hope you all have a nice day!

 

[lisah0711]

I have binged multiple times in the past 2 weeks. I think I am really stressed right now what with the new job and my daughter has been sick and I hit the 100 lb mark. All stressful in their own way. In the past I have been able to have a little bit but lately it seems to be all or nothing. The distraction helps and getting out of the house helps, but that doesn't work at work and I haven't been able to go to the gym with my daughter being sick. Very frustrating.

You do have a lot going on and a sick child is stressful enough without all the other stuff you have going on. Maybe try treading water until things get better -- don't worry about losing, just maintain where you are now. With all this going on it's like you have a flat tire and are stalled on your journey to good health -- fix the flat, don't shoot out the rest of the tires. Hope your DD feels better soon.

About to put the steaks on the grill. Having a new drink I created, a cherry white Russian! Not bad. It's Friday everyone so I always share what I'm drinking!

And I'm happy to say that I got in my veggies today when we ate at a Thai restaurant! Now to just drink my water!

Yum! Thai veggies!

The challenge is off to a good start! 49 weigh ins already received!

Also, this weekend is going to be challenging for me because my birthday is on Sunday. My family is taking me out to dinner and we'll probably end up going to see Ironman 2 on Monday - one of my biggest problems is eating while I'm watching - movies, TV, whatever - I feel like my hands need to be busy which apparently translates in Sabrina speak to "stuff my face". Luckily I don't get to watch much TV, but when I do, I overeat every time. Maybe I should add "find something else to do with my hands while watching TV/movies" to my QOTD list !

Can someone tell me what WATP means?

It is hard to do the movie/tv thing without eating, but you will get used to it. Baby steps, baby steps. Switch down to a smaller size, switch over to something less unhealthy, as you get used to your new, healthier lifestyle, it will become easier to make the right choices.

Rose and Jen - I think I'm in the boat with you, but about to tip it over! I'm 5'7, sitting on 168 right now. You both look soooo great, this really motivated me. And thanks for the encouragement from both of you on my running speed. I feel like such a turtle! I only made a 10lb goal for this challenge, since DxDP will probably give me 10 extra, so it will be 20 total. I am thinking 145. But 23 more pounds sounds.....overwhelming. BTW, I am sitting at the computer with broccoli and carrots, drinking water out of my WDW mug thanks to you!

Good for you!

My daguther does so great. She'll go to her room and look at books and play if she's not sleepy.

My son wants to be held all the time. The second I put him down his eyes pop open and he starts screaming. So frustrating. Hopefully he'll outgrow it. Right now it's hard to get anything done.

Isn't it amazing how you can have two totally different kids?

Good evening everyone. Busy couple of days so I haven't been on.

Bree Happy Birthday. Mine is Saturday the 29th. It will be a good one.
It will be nice to get to know everyone. I have been with the BL on the WISH for a while but I just seem to be getting good at it. Good luck everyone.

Happy Birthday, donac! You are the same age as Disneyland. I hope that you have a happy, happy day.

Hi my name is Stacy and I would like to join the challenge! I am a loser!

Stacy! Thanks for joining our challenge!

 

[bellaphia]

This will be a difficult weekend for me! BBQ's, movies, and my birthday is Monday
Went for a short run/walk yesterday and my two DDs did a small run as well-very fun...today it isn't so nice outside so plan on doing the Wii with the girls and then some power shopping-just need to stay away from those mall pretzels
Have a great week everyone!

 

[lisah0711]

Hope you are all having a great day.

Hope that you are having a great day, too!

Definintely, so long as we're not slow enough to be swept, slow is fine with me.

slow is fine, because slow is the new fast! And slow is about the best I can do.

Taryn--Too funny that our birthdays are one day apart! I bet you will be close to your goal by then. I picked 147 because if maintaining is + or - 2 pounds that will keep me below 150. I would say the key last week was portion control. I ate and drank everything that I wanted, but we shared a lot. I left food on my plate at almost every meal. I'm a vegetarian, so I was working hard to make sure I was getting some protein besides cheese! We took two 5mile+ runs and walked A LOT. If we could walk we did it, rather than ride a boat or take a bus. I would say the big thing is, remember it's ok if you leave food on your plate. A little tastes good, alot just makes you feel yucky.

Thanks for the tips on surviving a Disney trip -- there are quite a few of us who will be needing them.

My name is Christina, but most people call me CC (like see-see). I'm 25 and when I was like 8-13, I was overweight. I lost a lot due to having braces and not being able to eat as much and becoming more severely lactose intolerant than I already was. I was fine through high school and college and my first year teaching. During my second year of teaching and the start of grad school I gained a lot of weight. I joined Weight Watchers in Sept. 2008 and lost 30 pounds in less than 5 months. Then, for various reasons, I started taking this med, then that med, then a few at a time and well, my weight went up, up, and up. Sometimes, if I really resisted the hunger feelings, I'd lose weight, but mostly I gained. I started working with a new doctor on Monday and she is determined to find a medication that helps me, but without weight gain-or any bothersome side effects.

Hi CC! I had to restart the C25K, too, and it was surprising how much easier it was the second time around.

QOTD: I am doing the South Beach Diet. Almost halfway done with Phase 1. Signed up with Sparkpeople.com today too. I have a very physical job where I sweat alot, but I will think about getting back to the C25k when I am on to Phase 2 in a week and a half.

Sounds like a great plan!

But dark chocolate is GOOD for you!

Geeze, I'm already behind on the QOTDs...I will start with yesterdays

My name is Kelly, I'm 50 years old, and have been married to my wonderful DH for a whole year!! We've made it through the first year with all the stressors of a lifetime....death, job loss, moving, oldest son moved away. If we could make it through this last year, we can make it through anything!! Anyway, we moved with my job a few months ago, and survived our first winter in Colorado. We have my other DS still living with us, he's 16 and will be a senior this coming school year. He's my computer geek.

Anyway, I've added about 12 pounds this last year to my already heavy frame. I'm a very emotional eater!

Todays QOTD...I'm going to try to eat more veggies and fruit and get more

I'm really excited about this board and thread!! My biggest challenge is I work 10 hours, 4 days a week, so it's kind of difficult to keep up with everything posted. I can sneek on a couple times during the week, but too busy to linger.

Hi to my fellow losers, we are going to rock this summer!

Hi Kelly! We are going to rock this summer. Don't worry about trying to keep up if you can't post too often, just jump in where we are.

what's C25K?

Couch to 5K. It's a nice week program to gradually introduce you to running a 5K in nine weeks. It is a lot of fun and can be done no matter where you are starting on this journey. There are several but these are the guys who started it http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Hi everyone! I would love to join the challenge and be a loser, too!

crazy4pooh! Thanks for joining our challenge!

My goal for this challenge is to maintain my weight and train for another half marathon. I'm training for my next race - still deciding if I'll do something local or wait until WDW 2011.

QOTD Friday: To help reach my goals, I plan to eat 5+ fruit/veg a day, run 3x a week and strength train twice a week. I'd really like to fit in a dance class, but my schedule has been crazy, so incorporating that might be difficult, in addition to my other workouts.

Hi Nicole! Could you try a dance class as a substitute for one of your workouts? Maybe shake things up a little for summer because I know you want to do some dancing!

Thanks to everyone for your support today. I went on a jog with a friend after work and that was able to completely change my mindset. From there I went to the gym and jogged a 5k on the treadmill! I then ate a healthy, veggie laden dinner and am going to head off to bed! Excersize really is the key for me!

I'm so glad that you were able to get a break!

I couldn't out to run today, so ended up just walking/running in place to try starting running today. I know that running place isn't as good as really running (which DH was quit to point out, which made me want to smack him as he's sitting on his butt). I figure something is better than nothing, and restrained myself from saying some not-so-loving words. He's an all or nothing type person, so I'm glad he's said he's not going to do the running program with me, as he can go faster than me, and we'd just end up arguing. He's usually very supportive, but sometimes he just ticks me off. Enough venting about that, moving forward now

Good job keeping the not-so-loving words in your mouth -- see the endorphins are working already!

Friday QOTD: When I started the last time I decided that I was going to take small steps instead of doing everything all at once & feeling over whelmed by it all & it helped me jump start… So I am starting to use www.sparkpeople.com to help me track my eating & watch my portions… I am also going to start the C25K program…

They have a program on sparkpeople that will help you ease into things nutrition and exercise wise. It is hard to get genuine lasting change in your life when it is all or nothing because if you go off track you just keep going, instead of getting back on track right away. It takes awhile to figure out what will work for you.

 

[lisah0711]

I'm up early! Going to run off those pina colodas before I start work.
Everyone have a great day and stay on track. I'm going to be checking out sparkpeople later today when i get the chance. WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!! See ya tonight

Yes we can!

Had my splurge meal last night of mexican. NO MORE FOR ME THIS WEEK. I have to do this. Even though I have 3 cookouts and a faculty lunch Friday, I can't fall back into bad habits. The scale is not going down, and I fear I've hit the great PLATEAU. I have lost 9.5 inches in the last 2 weeks since committing to strength training, even if the scale is not moving. I've got to figure out how to bust through this.

Wow! 9.5 inches gone in 2 weeks! I've read that your body can't let go of both pounds and inches so maybe the inches will slow down soon and the pounds will start moving again.

Holy cow. I just read through 7 pages of posts after having some computer issues yesterday - I had a bunch of multi-posts saved but they all disappeared. Yikes!! I can't even begin to remember everything.

QOTD (well, for yesterday!) I need to stop grazing. RIGHT NOW. The period from 5PM - 6PM before dinner is my problem time. I can be great at work because I bring a healthy lunch and healthy snacks and work out during my lunch hour so I don't sabotage my healthy choices. But once I get home...

Can you plan for something to eat during the witching hour, like some veggies? Or move your dinnertime up?

Today I'm not sure what the plan is. My husband works on Saturdays. In fact this week has been really bad as far as work for him. We haven't seen him much, which makes things a lot harder at home. I don't get much of a break. We may go to my parents house to play this afternoon. It's nice to have some adult interaction. Any other stay at home moms feel that way? The weeks my husband works a lot I feel like I'm going crazy for someone else to hang out with. Hopefully I'll be able to play outside with my daughter while my mom takes care of the baby for a little while.

Wishing you a peaceful day! I'm glad that you have someone to help you out and give you a break.

This will be a difficult weekend for me! BBQ's, movies, and my birthday is Monday
Went for a short run/walk yesterday and my two DDs did a small run as well-very fun...today it isn't so nice outside so plan on doing the Wii with the girls and then some power shopping-just need to stay away from those mall pretzels Have a great week everyone!

Maybe a little power walking at the mall, too. Tigger813 and redwalker swear by it.

 

[lisah0711]

Good morning all!

It's so fun to come on the Disboards and see our happy, enthusiastic group!

I will be updating the participants list and the birthday list later this morning. Please let me know if I make a mistake with your name or your birthday. We have a lot of birthdays this challenge!

QOTD Saturday: Do you have any plans for the summer? How will they help or hinder you reaching your goals for this challenge?

I have a Disneyland trip coming up in about 3 weeks. It is a short trip so it shouldn't hinder my weight loss efforts too much even though we will be celebrating my birthday as well as DS' I also have our annual vacation at Lake Okoboji (Iowa) with DH' family in July. That is a little more of a problem because everyone takes turn cooking and it may not be the healthiest fare. I will eat small portions and do extra walks to combat that. I find that it isn't necessarily the eating on vacation that gets me but what flying does to my body. I retain a lot of water. What I will not do is gain 8 pounds like I did on my WDW vacation in December -- it was lost again but I am really trying not to lose the same pounds more than once!

Have a great day all!

 

[tigger813]

QOTD: My plans for the summer are limited as we're saving for Disney in December. We will probably visit Six Flags NE and Canobie Lake Park at least once. My parents arrive in 2 weeks for a 6 week visit. My sister and her family will be here for 4-5 days towards the end of July. I will work as needed at the spa. I will probably take the girls to the lake that's in walking distance from our house. The big event will be my 40th b'day party in August!
I plan on continuing my 6-10 miles a day during the week as much as possible. School is out in 3 weeks so the fun will start then. Hoping to swim a lot and walk a lot. Hoping to continue my walks with my neighbor and walk longer since we won't need to get out kids up for school. Just told DH that I want the Wii upstairs for the summer while my parents are here so it will actually get used.

Just did some outdoor work and DH took a lot of junk to the dump. We still have more to go but that will go next weekend. DH and I need to shower and get ready for the b'day party we are taking the kids to. We will go back to the family's house afterwards for supper. Ran the dishwasher already and just put a load of clothes in the washing machine.

Ok, back to work!

 

[maiziezoe]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONA!!!!!

 

[maiziezoe]

QOTD Saturday: Do you have any plans for the summer? How will they help or hinder you reaching your goals for this challenge?

Plans are: pool, run, weekend trips away, run, work on tan, run, festivals, etc.

No hindering!!

 

[tigger813]

Happy Birthday, Dona!!!!!!!

 

[corinnak]

Hi Everyone!!! Sorry I'm late - this week has been in-freaking-sane. It's the month of Mayhem, full force.

Welcome to all the new Losers! Great to see so many familiar faces from previous challenges as well - I am looking forward to everyone's summer successes!


First order of business, I have a few QOTD to catch up on....

Which reminds me - I maintain the QOTD archives - if you are ever behind on them, I try to keep it current so it is easy to catch up without paging back through the previous entries. I'm putting the current month's questions in the first post, further back than that, I'm archiving in the subsequent windows.


5/27 Thursday QOTD: Tell us a little about yourself and your goals for this challenge.

I'm Corinna! I'm part of the Maintainer's team, and I'm still here because I can not do this alone. I'm a 36 year old 5'5" mom of 2 boys ages 6 and 11, happily married to my high school sweetheart, now DH of 14 years (as of yesterday!!). I am an at-home mom who is not at-home as often as I sometimes wish I were. I love to volunteer at the kids' school, volunteer with local theaters and shockingly, work out.

I have spent my life going from slimmer to heavier over and over again, starting when I was in 4th grade and my family was quietly coming apart. I slimmed down in Jr. High and high school, then gained and lost and gained and lost in college. My senior year, I lost 60 pounds with Deal-a-Meal (yes, it's OK to laugh) in preparation for my wedding. Over the next few years, I gained about 10 pounds back, but was still at a healthy weight. Then I got pregnant with my first son and was queasy the first 3 months. The next 6 months, when I felt like eating again, I proceeded to gain....about 80 pounds. And after my DS was born, I still had about 65 of those with me. Maybe those post-partum pictures are my TRUE before pictures.

When I realized we wanted to have another child, I also realized I did not want to start from where I was - my knees would not have been able to take it. I joined Weight Watchers - my Deal-a-Meal cards were about worn out, and the new "food mover" system did not do it for me. Weight Watchers was fine, though and I lost down to a level I thought was good, though not my "goal weight." I was much more careful not to gain as much weight during that pregnancy, but a few months after my son was born, on top of some depression, my grandmother suddenly lost her battle with cancer and I fell into a tailspin.

Fast forward a few years, I'd tried numerous times to get back on Weight Watchers, and sometimes I'd succeed for a while, then I'd slip out of the program again....like I said, numerous times. Here's what finally changed it. At the end of 2006, I decided I had to get help for my depression and so I went to a group where we had "experiments" each week. One of my experiments was to use the treadmill regularly since regular aerobic workouts have been shown to be as effective as an antidepressant. I found the old C25K thread on WISH and....I'd like to say the rest is history, but I still struggled with my weight, even as I was working out regularly, training for longer races, etc. I'd get on track, I'd get off track, etc. etc. My dream race was the 2009 WDW Half Marathon, and even though people I'd planned to go with weren't going to go, even though I hadn't lost the weight I wanted to lose yet, I was determined to get there.

Then there was what I now refer to as "The Goldendoodle Incident of 2008" I basically got accidentally knocked down by my neighbor's exuberant 80 pound puppy and slammed my face on the pavement. I had a concussion and it was a bit of a doozy. I had problems with short term memory and especially remembering numbers (this is still a problem, actually). I felt foggy and fuzzy. My ability to stick with Weight Watchers through this was limited, and my ability to run was curtailed when I realized that running made the cognitive symptoms temporarily worse. My Doctor suggested I rest for a month. The month of November. With a half marathon in January and me with 50+ pounds to lose.

Can you believe, I was still determined to go and finish the 2009 WDW Half marathon? I was, even though it meant I would need to carefully train for it in just 5 short weeks, even though I would have to travel alone, even though I was nowhere near where I'd hoped to be weight-wise. It was not easy, it was not pretty, it was not especially fast, but I was proud to have finished the race I'd been dreaming of the previous 2 years.

And after that I knew I could finish the weight loss as well. My new goal was to run the 2010 WDW Half Marathon, and I wanted my pictures to be virtually unrecognizable as the same person. So I came home, rededicated myself to my WW online etools (my username there is corinnak4) and joined the Biggest Loser Challenge. I don't even remember what number that was! I lost about a pound a week - sometimes a little less, sometimes a little more, but it was pretty consistently 1 pound per week. Over the course of the year, I lost 56 pounds. And while I often say that I think worrying about speed too much is a form of vanity, I am still proud that I finished the race in 2010 about 45 minutes faster than I had in 2009. (This next photo is actually from the Princess Half a few months later - my weight was the same, but the pictures were a lot better because it was not so freaking cold AND the sun came up earlier because it was spring!)

I joined the Maintainer's team in January and so far have been maintaining my goal weight for 5 months. My new goal is to be at this weight for the 2011 WDW Half Marathon!

Which brings me (at long last!) to my goals for this challenge. I want to weigh in every week and maintain all summer long. I want to be stronger and fitter at the end of the summer than I am at the beginning of it.



5/28 Friday QOTD: We talked a little yesterday about ourselves and our goals for this challenge. Today's question is what is your plan to help you reach your goals?

I have a super-challenging summer coming up. Time with in-laws, a wedding, and a Disney European cruise. It's going to be nuts and it's all a huge set-up for weight gain. To counter that, I'm here with the BL challenge - my goal, to check in daily, to keep up the QOTD archive and to keep my head in the game. I have also signed up for a Lazyman Triathlon through the YMCA - basically, I have 6 weeks to cover the distance that Ironman competitors cover in a day. In addition, I have 2 half marathons in June, a 10 Mile on the 4th of July and the Disneyland Half in September.

5/29 Saturday QOTD: Do you have any plans for the summer? How will they help or hinder you reaching your goals for this challenge?

I think I already answered that above - The travel and time with in-laws is definitely going to hinder. I am definitely planning to make the most of the places I'll be spending time and the activities I have planned. I got through last summer with a significant loss - surely with that same determination, I can get through this summer with a maintain.

 

[corinnak]

Happy Birthday Dona!!!!!

I havent gone to bed yet, so it is still Thursday in my book. Gotta love living on the left coast. Good morning to your Easternly peeps. Currently in Vegas but looking at a work move to SoCal soon.

My name is Pat and I am a wish-a-holic! I joined up last year as I was training for the Disneyland Half Marathon.

In October 2008, I was on a trip to the UK to watch some 'football". When I got back, I was looking at my pictures and was truely embarassed at what I looked like. It's amazing how weight just sneaks up on you when you arent looking.

Anyways, that was the kick in the butt that I needed.
They told me that I needed a goal to work towards. I decided it was the Disneyland Half. Between working with my trainer and Hal Higdon's running plans, I completed my first Half Marathon on Labor Day Weekend 2009. I did it in 2:12 and I weighed 191 pounds.

In my excitement, I signed up for the WDW Marathon because I wanted a Coast to Coast medal and the WDW Half was full. I did survive it, but hurt my knee in the process. In taking time to recover, I did not adjust my new lifestyle and put 20 pounds back on. My goal for this is 21 pounds, because I want to be lighter than last year.

I look forward to having a blast with all of you as we go down this road together.

Happy and Healthy times to all!

-Pat

Welcome, Pat! I'm doing the Disneyland Half as well - I hope it is a little cooler than last year!!

My plan is to follow the exercise plan I sketched out yesterday for June/July. It adds up to about 35M/wk, which will be challenging but doable. I'm also committed to seriously working on my food intake. I've recently given up chips and most processed food, so I just need to work on my quantities. I'm trying to shift more calories to earlier in the day. I need to get out of the habit of eating while I watch tv. And I need to work on my weekend eating -- even with my long runs I don't get as much movement as during the week and it shows in Monday's weigh in. I'm also going back to things that have worked for me before -- weighing daily, making sure I'm in bed by 9:30, and thinking about my goals -- and how I'll feel when I get on the plane for our vacation at the end of August -- I want to feel confident and happy going to visit my teeny tiny SIL! I also bought a new BL book, and I read some every night. This is to keep me focused and out of the kitchen after dinner.

Maria

Maria, that is a lot of miles! You go, girl!

Oops! I missed yesterday's QOTD. Here it is along with today's response...

My name is Susie and I'm 52 years old. My birthday is June 1 so I'll have to start saying 53 here soon. Honestly, I feel much younger than I really am but I don't look it due to my weight and unhealthy eating habits. I keep saying that I want to change but due to "issues" in my life, I keep going back to the comfort food and bad eating habits. I'm really hoping to pull strength from many of you and just from reading your posts, I can tell that this is the right place for me.

As for my goals, I need to lose 65 pounds - hoping to lose 20 for this challenge. I've participated in 28 half-marathons, 2 marathons and 1 Goofy challenge. In addition, I do long-distance cycling. I'm quite proud of these accomplishments considering just a few years ago, two miles of walking (at a rather slow pace) was my physical limit. I can do the endurance now, I'm just slower than I want to be. I need to be more physically fit and I want to feel better. My immediate goal is to get a new PR for the upcoming Disneyland half-marathon Labor Day weekend.

What am I going to do? I've just started working with a personal trainer once a week. We're working on core exercises. She kicked my rear end this morning. I had to come home and lay down for an hour afterwards. Like Cam and others, I'm going to cut out eating late at night. I'm also going to try to cut out some of the bad snacking in between meals. I'll see what works for you guys and try to incorporate some of your successes into my life.

Welcome, Susie! It's great to see you here! You will be amazed by what weight loss will do for your speed. Good luck with those core exercises - they have come up with some TOUGH stuff, for sure.!

I will exercise at least 3 times a week.
I will try new things, including C25K.
If I really don't like something, I will find something different to try.
I will write one positive thing in my journal every night.

OK - I LOVE this plan!!! I especially like the ones about finding something different to try if you don't like something and writing something positive every night.

I would say the key last week was portion control. I ate and drank everything that I wanted, but we shared a lot. I left food on my plate at almost every meal. I'm a vegetarian, so I was working hard to make sure I was getting some protein besides cheese! We took two 5mile+ runs and walked A LOT. If we could walk we did it, rather than ride a boat or take a bus. I would say the big thing is, remember it's ok if you leave food on your plate. A little tastes good, a lot just makes you feel yucky.

This is brilliant. So true about a lot just making you feel yucky. I'm glad your trip was such an enjoyable, successful one for you! Good luck on your run tomorrow!

My final goal is to weigh 117 (I'm 5'1.") and my goal for this challenge is to lose 17.5 pounds. To do that, there are a few things that I have to do:
1. Avoid chocolate.
2. Avoid chocolate.
3. Avoid chocolate.
oh, and journal everything I eat, drink lots of water, and re-start and complete the C25K.

Good luck everyone!

I hear you on the chocolate. I love it, but I think I got more reasonable about it when I started thinking about it as the caloric equivalent of butter+sugar.

Journaling, water and C35K will go a long way toward getting you to your goal. Good luck to you too!

Hi everyone! I would love to join the challenge and be a loser, too!

Thursday QOTD: My name is Lynnda, and I'm 37. My hubby and I have been married almost 12 years, and we have two boys - ages 7 and 3. We usually frequent the Wish Events board - we've been part of the WISH racing team since 2005. I had been obese my entire life until I joined WW in 2002. I lost 137 pounds, and was at my goal weight for the first time in my life - yay! Unfortunately, that only lasted about 6 months until the weight started coming back on. I was training for a full marathon and a triathlon, and I went right back to my pre-WW eating habits. I also had not really addressed the emotional issues that got me to my highest weight, and struggled (and still struggle) with some of that. So... I am right back where I was when I started WW, although I have now done 3 half marathons, a full marathon, 5 triathlons, and training for #6 in November. I love what I have been able to accomplish, but do NOT love looking at the pictures from the races... I'm ready to be healthy, once and for all, so that I can be the wife and mommy that I want to be, and to set a good example for my boys so they never have to go through the weight issues I have.

Friday QOTD: journal, consistent exercise (not just right before a race), and stop the nighttime snacking (bingeing)

Welcome Lynnda!! I'm thinking we probably have met at a race, but I can't put your face with your username off the top of my head. You can definitely achieve your goals - you've shown that time and again! Glad to have you here.

My goal for this challenge is to maintain my weight and train for another half marathon. I'm training for my next race - still deciding if I'll do something local or wait until WDW 2011.

QOTD Friday: To help reach my goals, I plan to eat 5+ fruit/veg a day, run 3x a week and strength train twice a week. I'd really like to fit in a dance class, but my schedule has been crazy, so incorporating that might be difficult, in addition to my other workouts.

Hi Nicole, my Maintainer Teammate!!!! Keep me posted on your plans - are you thinking of Princess or January at WDW? I hope you find a way to fit in a dance class - it sounds like it's something you love so there'd be the double benefit of working out and feeding your soul.

I couldn't out to run today, so ended up just walking/running in place to try starting running today. I know that running place isn't as good as really running (which DH was quit to point out, which made me want to smack him as he's sitting on his butt). I figure something is better than nothing, and restrained myself from saying some not-so-loving words. He's an all or nothing type person, so I'm glad he's said he's not going to do the running program with me, as he can go faster than me, and we'd just end up arguing. He's usually very supportive, but sometimes he just ticks me off. Enough venting about that, moving forward now

Let me just say - extra points for having a plan B and going with it in spite of comments from the peanut gallery! Nothing wrong with running in place whatsoever!

 

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Saturday QOTD:

We don't have any big plans this summer since we're headed to WDW in late September. I'm keeping my nephew whose 8 this summer. We'll probably spend lots of time outside and swimming in my parents pool (They live about a mile away). We will probably go to a local amusement and waterpark once or twice. That will be motivation to look ok in a swim suit . I don't really have any hinderances as far as summer plans.

 

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QOTD Saturday: Do you have any plans for the summer? How will they help or hinder you reaching your goals for this challenge?

No plans here, just need to lose weight and get in shape. Have a cruise planned in October and need to be skinnier!!


Had a walk on the beach this am and now to float in the pool, If I can stay out of the house I can stay away from food!!!!

 

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Happy Birthday, DONA! You'll have to celebrate ALL WEEKEND! Mine is on Tuesday!

Hi Lynnda! Your journey sounds a lot like mine. I have actually gained weight since I started training for all the half and full marathons. You would think that the opposite would occur. Well, I guess it would if I ate better. I, too, never want to look at my racing pictures. I don't recognize that person in the pics. However, this is a new beginning. We can do it - one step at a time.

Corrina - what an inspiring story. I never knew your background. I LOVE reading success stories! Thanks for sharing.

I joined a group of friends this morning for a 30 mile bike ride. It was really nice. We went at a fairly easy pace so I was able to enjoy the ride for once. Ha! We're planning on doing it again on Monday morning. This type of XT really helps prepare me for the running races.

My summer plans? No big vacations - just a few weekends here and there. Well, I do have a half-marathon planned for next weekend in Minnesota but after that I plan to focus on bike riding and give my feet a little rest...for just a little while. My goal is to lose 20 pounds by Labor Day weekend and to set a new PR at the DL half-marathon.