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

[lisah0711]

We are off to Disneyland in August as it is our 15th wedding anniversary this year and we spent our honeymoon there. We will have our three boys with us this time and I am really looking forward to it. Apart from the 11 hour flight .

DLR at any time is a lot of fun.

We've got a Disney trip coming up in TWO WEEKS!! I'm going to commit to continuing to exercise and drink LOTS of water while we're there, and you all know how much you can walk in the parks!

The problem that I'm dreading is eating. We have the dining package, so it's going to be SO easy to blow it that week on the eating.

What I'll do though, is not beat myself up over it. It's a VACATION, they're supposed to be fun! And I'll try to be reasonable with what I eat.

Thanks for the QOTD!

Just out of curiosity, is there an easy way to index the QOTD and Challenge so that I can spot them easily?

I try to keep important information about the challenge in the first part of our thread. There is the explanation of how the challenge works, the coaching schedule, links to the COW, and the results for the COW, weigh in and goal results are all linked in those first few posts.

We also have this handy QOTD archive thread that corinnak maintains for us http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35031934&postcount=1 to help you find the QOTD. A lot of us us the quote and multiquote so you usually don't have to go back more than a page or so to see the QOTD.

This whole challenge thing is a work in progress. We are always working to try to make it better for everyone so whenever you have a suggestion like that, please let us know.

We aren't going anywhere until the end of summer. Well, I'm not at least. DS is going to visit relatives in Tampa and then St. Louis, and then he'll be back for camp. My dad is flying back with him, and then he'll stay for 3 weeks. I haven't figured out how I'm going to handle this yet (I always have a plan, but I never stick to it), because our guest suite is also where my TM is located. I can't very well show up at 4:30am and jump on the TM...the days I stay home will not be a problem, but I will have to go to work some days, and that means working out after work, which I am very bad at, especially when my dad is visiting and I've been away all day -- I really feel like I should spend time with him, not on the TM. My dad visiting is a blessing, but I need to come up with a better way to get myself motivated to get on the TM!

Could you and your Dad talk a walk after dinner when he is there? He might like that, too. Sounds like you have a great plan for a great losing summer!

Sounds like a blast, huh?
I need a fried smilie! Taryn

Sorry, all the fried-like smilies are grumpy and that is so not you.

What will hinder me is feeding the monsters. I'm going to need to be diligent about good grocery shopping, meal planning, and not buying junk. Ice cream will be an issue but I bought a snow cone machine. I am going to use crystal light pink lemonade instead of the flavors, knock on wood it works!

If you start out with the crystal light flavors they will probably never know the difference!

QOTD: We are going on a week-long cruise in 3 weeks - EEK! It is for my parents' 50th anniversary, and the WHOLE family is going. I know there will be lots of food, desserts and cake involved, but I need to focus on exercise and portion control. I want to celebrate and enjoy, but I probably don't need warm chocolate melting cake every night... We are also doing a staycation this coming week which will probably include day trips to Disney, Sea World, etc. We will just eat out once a day, so that is not as much of a challenge.

Where are you going on your cruise?


Answer to the COW, part 2: I got out my beautiful dark blue Grand Californian stainless steel water bottle to take with me when I go out. But at home, I am like Maria, I love to drink citrus water. I just put a slice of lemon in my water and it will last all day. So refreshing!

Have a great evening all!

 

[jbm02]

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

We're planning a "stay-cation" summer. We love our pool DH has to finish up his certification in education administration and will be away at school most of July. Kids have sports camps (basketball and football) and overnight Operation Purple camp (for kids with parents who have been deployed - giving them a chance to hang out with kids in similar circumstances). So we'll use the rest of the summer for some day trips (Ellis Island, NYC) and maybe visit cousins over in Narragansett RI.

We love to grill and eat lots of fruits and vegetables in the summer. I hope that will be a really good thing for my goals!!

 

[sahbushka]

QOTD...I have litterally every weekend packed! It is crazy! The highlights are a camping trip to eastern washington in 2 weeks, an overnight and white water rafting trip with my mom in July, my birthday and trip to the zoo in seattle with dinner at Rainforest cafe to cap it off, and a DIS Divas mini meet in seattle, not to mention the NW washington fair in August. I think this will really hinder my weight loss because there is always an occasion and I have a harder time staying on plan when we are out of the house and celebrating something.

I am pleased to say that I stayed on track yesterday thanks to excersize and I hit the gym again this morning and did about 85 minutes. My knees have really started to hurt though. I am not used to this amount of running (I just started week 7 of the C25K.)

Hope all are well,
SarahMay

 

[crzy4pooh]

Where are you going on your cruise?

We're going to the exotic western caribbean - Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, and Roataan. We've been to the Caymans and Cozumel before, but the other two ports will be a new adventure. For my birthday last month, my DH got me the royal dolphin swim while we are at Grand Cayman. I can't wait!!! This will also be our first cruise since the boys were born - that has me a wee bit nervous, but I know they will have a great time, too!


COW part 2 - I have a huge (55 oz) purple water bottle with a freezable center that my sweet neighbor/friend gave me a couple years ago. I love that I can fill it up in the morning, and drink from it all day. Makes getting the water in easy!

 

[cclovesdis]

My pinkie fell asleep-I hope this post looks ok spelling wise.

Linda, my condolences. I remember one weekend where my parents had to go to 2 wakes in one day. They were where they grew up so that meant a 2 hour drive and helping my grandparents get to one, or both of them. It was a years ago, but I do remember the toll it took. Again, my condolences. I know my story doesn't compare.

Donac-Happy Birthday!

Today's QOTD: I don't have any summer plans. I am seriously getting a season pass to Six Flags just to have something to do on occasion. We have a pool, so lots of swimming time is planned. I have a hunch visits to my grandparents will also occur. My father's mother loves to push the food. She claims it is sugar-free, but um, it isn't fat-free or low-cal. I'm still eating cookies, cake, pies, and ice cream. Sometimes being lactose intolerant is a no fun at all, but it works to my advantage with my grandmother. I can't be on a diet in her mind, but she does get the point when my dad (who seems to be the only person who can get through to her) reminds her that I could get sick...you get the picture. So, all in all, I don't know of anything that will hinder my weight loss goals. There may be a day or 2, but they won't be sequential, and I'll be hitting the gym and our pool pretty frequently, so I'm not worried at all.

Have a great one!

 

[my3princes]

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


We have mega plans for the summer. We're camping next weekend. The following weeks are jam packed with end of school activities (school isn't out until June 21st and my 8th grader is graduating) In July we are heading out on our 3 week vacation extravaganza. We are driving to WDW and spending a week in the treehouse villas and hitting the parks. Then we'll drive to Miami and spend a night there before climbing about the Norwegian Epic for a 7 night Western Caribbean cruise (Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel) then we're driving back to Orlando and spending 3 nights at Universal Studios RPR. Front of the line access to the rides Then 3 nights offsite. one day at Seaworld and as much extra time at Disney as possible. We'll also have more camping trips and a couple of Nascar races in there.
I'm hoping to stay on track as much as possible and I know that I'll get tons of exercise too

 

[JOANNEL]

What is COW?

 

[LuvBaloo]

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

No big plans for the summer. We usually go camping with my parents for one weekend, which should be fine. We all bring food and there's usually lots of fruit and veggies available.
Other than that, hoping to get out quite a bit on weekends to do some kayaking

Happy to say I got out and ran around the school yard for my official start to running. It was run 1 minute, walk 1 minute and I am not good but I did it!

I did join the loser team and will get a weight in by Friday as required.

A bit of upheaval this week - two deaths in husband's family.

His grandmother died on Monday and, worse, my father in law lost his long and courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday.

The grandmother's funeral is tomorrow, Reynold's is Monday.

Will check in and participate more once we get back home.

Linda

sorry for your losses

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

What is COW?

A cow is a weekly challenge

The COW
* jenanderson will post the challenge of the week on our BL thread.
* Not every week will involve a challenge.
* Participation in the weekly challenge is optional. You can pick and choose what part of the challenge that you want to do.
* Each challenge will clearly state a beginning date, ending date
* Each challenge will include tasks to perform and point values awarded for accomplishing the tasks.
* It is helpful to print the challenge tasks to refer to throughout the week

ETA here is a link to the first COW
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36791248&postcount=253

 

[mikamah]

A bit of upheaval this week - two deaths in husband's family.

His grandmother died on Monday and, worse, my father in law lost his long and courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday.

The grandmother's funeral is tomorrow, Reynold's is Monday.

Will check in and participate more once we get back home.

Linda

I'm so sorry for your loss. Wishing you and your family peace during this sad time.

In July we are heading out on our 3 week vacation extravaganza. We are driving to WDW and spending a week in the treehouse villas and hitting the parks. Then we'll drive to Miami and spend a night there before climbing about the Norwegian Epic for a 7 night Western Caribbean cruise (Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel) then we're driving back to Orlando and spending 3 nights at Universal Studios RPR. Front of the line access to the rides Then 3 nights offsite. one day at Seaworld and as much extra time at Disney as possible.

This sounds like a dream trip to me. I've been thinking that a week is too short, but 3 weeks would be amazing.

Happy to say I got out and ran around the school yard for my official start to running. It was run 1 minute, walk 1 minute and I am not good but I did it!

Whoo hoo!!! You did it!!! I remember how hard those minutes can be, and someone told me if I felt like I was dying, to slow down a little, and that advice has helped me so much. Keep it up, shannon!!

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

We have a long july 4th weekend and have a big party here pre fireworks, which is a lot of fun, and since I host the party I'll plan a healthy menu, with our traditional ice cream sundae bar for dessert. Then I have two weeks off starting aug 21, we'll camp at old orchard beach for 3 nights, then home for 2 days and rent a cabin at sebago lake with our family for 4 nights, and come home for one night and the next day I'm so excited to be surprising my son with a disney trip. I'm not going to tell him until that morning. I'll come home from maine on sunday and wash the clothes and put them in the suit case for disney. He will be so thrilled. Alcohol is a big challenge for the maine trips, but we'll be packing all our food for those trips, so I will have control over that. I usually drink lite beer, but there at the cabin we'll have the blender going, so I'm going to try and find something a little more healthy. For disney, it's just Michael and I going, so I won't be drinking much if at all, and I've found on past trips, I try to stay away from fried foods, and drink plenty of water, and on my first day back get right back on track with the eating, and I've really had minimal gains. I know for me, it's eating in vacation mode and not stopping that when I get back that kills me. The other thing for Maine is we're with others on both trips, so I will be able to get up and out for a walk/run in the mornings, so I'll plan to do that. Planning is key. Great question to get me thinking and planning ahead. We'll do some other day trips on weekends, canobie lake park maybe six flags, and a minor league baseball game or two, but I'm going to track my food through this summer. I gained 15 pounds last summer, and I know what I did, so this summer, I am going to lose those 15 pounds, by doing it right.

I did get my walk/run in this morning, while Michael scootered along with me, and then found some motivation and did a couple hours of much needed yard work, so it was productive. I went to a housewarming party tonight, but planned and had one margarita, 2 mini coconut muffins, and an egg salad sandwich. There was chocolate cake and strawberry shortcake, but I walked away. I just used 5 flex points for the day. I love the feeling of success when I have avoided temptations, and I need to remember that feeling when I find myself giving into those temptations.

Hope you're all enjoying the weekend.

 

[donac]

Thanks everyone for the great birthday wishes.

It was a pretty good day. I did a makeup yoga class for the one I missed on Thursday night. It had some arm work which I really needed to get ready for kayak season.

When I came home from yoga I got my present. The entire family went in on it. They got me a Nook. I love to read and reread books. We have too many books in the house. This will let me read and not keep collecting books.

We went to dinner last night and then I had a sundae for dessert. It was the first one I have had in a long time.

Today I think we are going to see Shrek. Dh wanted to see it yesterday but I didn't want to go and eat popcorn and then go out to dinner for my birthday. We usually go around lunch time so that is where I eat lunch. We never go late in the day or at night since it so expensive to go to the movies. I have not been to the movies since Dec so it should be fun. Next one to see will be Toy Story

Tomorrow I think we will be going to mow father in law's lawn. We have to do this in the morning so that we can beat the summer traffic. We live along the jersey shore. Fil lives south of here also near the shore. Traffic tomorrow could be terrible in the afternoon so we need to done by 12 to get home without much trafffic.

Bree

This a busy weekend. Bree is today, Bellaphia is Monday and Susie is Tuesday.

Linda I am sorry for your losses.

Eeyore Congrats on the engagement. Enjoy the time.

Summer Plans

I don't have any. I need to make hotel reservations for one weekend in July to go to the Boy Scout Jamboree to visit dh and that is it.

Dh is going to the Jamboree to work on staff. He will be working on a section where the kids could ride mountain bikes on a motorcross trail. The good thing about this is that he will be gone for 2 weeks and I can cookk and eat whatever I want. Ds2 will be at school and ds1 I never know when he will be eating at home so I can plan what I want.

Other than that dh and I will be home mowing lawns and just doing things around the house. We will be going kayaking a couple or times because we have our own kayaks and we can just throw them into dh's truck.

Dh wants to take me camping in Cape May for a couple of days.

I am taking ds2 to see Mary Poppins in NYC on June 19th. He did a lot of back stage work in high school and loves to see how things work. Dh and I saw the show when it first opened. A month ago I got a great price for tickets so we are going. Maybe we will go in and see another show before the end of the summer.

No pool but can drive to see my mom and she has one.

Have a great day everyone.

 

[flipflopmom]

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).

Gee, way to be helpful. I feel the same way sometimes. At least we have each other!

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?

I don't remember specifically, but I remembered I liked most of the book. Not to start a parenting controversy, but I'm not a fan of crying it out. There is a book called "No Cry sleep Solution". I remember reading it, but not the author. Might want to check it out.

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

Sounds heavenly!

(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!)

Um... the same as what????? Definitely not the top picture!

I have found that when I'm losing inches (even going down a size) I am not necessarily losing pounds. Normally I eat a banana before I run, and I didn't, and I definitely will eat one next time.

What is up with that?? You and Lisa both mentioned that when you are losing inches, you are not losing pounds? I gotta go research that, b/c it is driving me crazy! I like to eat a banana before I run, too. It helps my muscles for some odd reason. BUT I hate bananas!

Zakery has hydrocephalus with a right vp shunt - learning delays. My youngest son has had several reconstructive surgeries as well so my life has been full of doctors, therapists, etc and I've ignored me for so long. I work full time as an office manager and have also been doing a paper route (mickey money).

Sounds like you have a lot going on. Kudos to you for adding something else to your agenda, but it will be worth it in the long run!

Oh yeah ... we go to WDW all the time - several trips a year. There is no place better for my daughter. For some reason, she just feels way more at peace there than in the real world. No trip planned right now but we'll probably sneak away this fall. We usually spend ten days there at Christmas but are taking a break to take her to DC, Williamsburg, and then Hilton Head (we're DVC people).

It's wonderful what WDW can do for you! I love HHI DVC. We'll be again there for NYE, if I can get a reservation!It was our first DVC trip last year, I just fell in love!

Does anyone else get into full-on obsession mode?? I have every training run and every race planned out from now thru January. Like some how planning to run will burn as many calories between workouts as actual running does during a workout. Anybody else as geeky and nuts as I am?

That's how I make it through runs, is planning what I have to do, what weight I want to be at, by when, how many lbs a week it will take, etc...

I had breakfast and lunch at the same time-my usual oatmeal, with some salad and fat-free dressng.

CC- that's just gross! Glad it worked for you, and congrats on the chocolate!

His grandmother died on Monday and, worse, my father in law lost his long and courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday

So sorry Linda. Hang in there, it's so hard!

an Europe trip next year, along with two Disney Dream cruises.

Sounds amazing!

We've got a Disney trip coming up in TWO WEEKS!! I'm going to commit to continuing to exercise and drink LOTS of water while we're there, and you all know how much you can walk in the parks!

I know the feeling. I spent an hour trying to talk Dh out of DxDP for our trip in 3 weeks, and just taking down breakfast and lunches, and having a dinner. But he really wants to keep it. ugh!

We're planning a "stay-cation" summer. We love our pool DH has to finish up his certification in education administration and will be away at school most of July. Kids have sports camps (basketball and football) and overnight Operation Purple camp (for kids with parents who have been deployed - giving them a chance to hang out with kids in similar circumstances). So we'll use the rest of the summer for some day trips (Ellis Island, NYC) and maybe visit cousins over in Narragansett RI.

Sounds like a fun time, other than for your DH!

We're going to the exotic western caribbean - Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, and Roataan. We've been to the Caymans and Cozumel before, but the other two ports will be a new adventure. For my birthday last month, my DH got me the royal dolphin swim while we are at Grand Cayman. I can't wait!!! This will also be our first cruise since the boys were born - that has me a wee bit nervous, but I know they will have a great time, too!

Another amazing trip!

We have mega plans for the summer. We're camping next weekend. The following weeks are jam packed with end of school activities (school isn't out until June 21st and my 8th grader is graduating) In July we are heading out on our 3 week vacation extravaganza. We are driving to WDW and spending a week in the treehouse villas and hitting the parks. Then we'll drive to Miami and spend a night there before climbing about the Norwegian Epic for a 7 night Western Caribbean cruise (Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel) then we're driving back to Orlando and spending 3 nights at Universal Studios RPR. Front of the line access to the rides Then 3 nights offsite. one day at Seaworld and as much extra time at Disney as possible. We'll also have more camping trips and a couple of Nascar races in there.

Sounds like the best summer EVER!

When I came home from yoga I got my present. The entire family went in on it. They got me a Nook. I love to read and reread books. We have too many books in the house.

Is that like a Kindle? We rarely do movies, either. TS3 comes out right before we leave for WDW, and I would love to see it while we are there, but Dh is right, time in WDW is too limited to watch movies!

Finally caught up! Still feel like someone is ironing me. Cannot believe I am sooo stupid! Off to aloe up! HAve a great day!
Taryn

 

[flipflopmom]

Sharing this in case anyone else gets discouraged by the scale. This is what I came across this morning trying to figure out what my crazy body is doing!

"But, since a pound is of muscle weighs the same as a pound of fat --- but takes up less space, your increased muscle, reduced body fat, and healthier body composition could mean little change in the number on the scale that many people use as their measure of success." Came from some fitness website.

http://www.carbsmart.com/outout.html - interesting article about the scale, and our bodies storing water. Not sure how correct it is, though?

Finally, a picture that was in a helpful article Lisa posted for me.

Nasty, huh?
So... if this is going to be my new thing for a while, maybe I should start a Biggest Inches loser challenge (HA!)

While researching this, I found a diet to help someone suggested get over a plateau when the weight loss stopped, even though they were losing inches. What do you all think about this? I can't imagine a time I would use it, unless I really gain at WDW! Disclaimer - it is meant to be a diet to follow before a religious fasting, so there is some religious talk at the beginning. Just scroll down to the diet if you don't want to read, not trying to preach this morning.
http://www.onfirechristiancenter.org/prefastdiet.htm

 

[JOANNEL]

A cow is a weekly challenge

The COW
* jenanderson will post the challenge of the week on our BL thread.
* Not every week will involve a challenge.
* Participation in the weekly challenge is optional. You can pick and choose what part of the challenge that you want to do.
* Each challenge will clearly state a beginning date, ending date
* Each challenge will include tasks to perform and point values awarded for accomplishing the tasks.
* It is helpful to print the challenge tasks to refer to throughout the week

ETA here is a link to the first COW
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36791248&postcount=253

Thanks, I guess I missed that page.

I am good at drinking water, I have an insullated water bottle that holds 16 oz.

The veggie one will be harder.

 

[N&B'smom]

QOTD (Saturday) sorry I'm a little late!

My issues will be when we go camping for 5 days the end of June and when we have barbecue/pool parties. It's all about portion control for me, so I just have to stick to the plan.

 

[bellaphia]

sorry I am really late with these:

5/27 Thursday QOTD: Tell us a little about yourself and your goals for this challenge.Well my bday is Monday I will be 39 yrs old! I have two DDs 6&9...I have always yo-yo'd with my weight but usually was able to lose when needed. Never been super thin or really overweight just kinda average(real average) up until about a year ago I started gaining and gaining and nothing I did would stop it. I have been hypothyroid since the birth of my second DD and have been on meds ever since. Long story short my doc felt a lump in my thyroid which after all the tests confirmed it was cancer. Had a total thyroidectomy in November and am considered cancer free-check ups went from every three months to now I go again in 6mons
BUT...I can't get rid of these 20 extra pounds. My main thing is exercise and have been just so darn tired to really get into it-but I definately realize I just have to-whatever it takes...
My goal is to get fit and healthy and lose those 20lbs...

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?
Exercise, exercise...exersice

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?Lots of birthdays!! Neice and Nephews come to visit for my DD's birthday week...Help my DF and DM...DF had open heart surgery in Jan. and then was diagnosed with lung disease...was in hospital and rehab for three months...is home but still on oxygen-hasn't been the same-just need to help with daily things-taking care of house, pool, yard...most importantly help him heal...
nothing should hinder as long as I keep moving and don't let the stress get to me...

 

[lisah0711]

We're planning a "stay-cation" summer. We love our pool DH has to finish up his certification in education administration and will be away at school most of July. Kids have sports camps (basketball and football) and overnight Operation Purple camp (for kids with parents who have been deployed - giving them a chance to hang out with kids in similar circumstances). So we'll use the rest of the summer for some day trips (Ellis Island, NYC) and maybe visit cousins over in Narragansett RI.

Sounds like a fun summer!

QOTD...I have litterally every weekend packed! It is crazy! The highlights are a camping trip to eastern washington in 2 weeks, an overnight and white water rafting trip with my mom in July, my birthday and trip to the zoo in seattle with dinner at Rainforest cafe to cap it off, and a DIS Divas mini meet in seattle, not to mention the NW washington fair in August. I think this will really hinder my weight loss because there is always an occasion and I have a harder time staying on plan when we are out of the house and celebrating something.

I hope things dry out over here before you try to do any camping, SarahMay, it's been windy and rainy all week-end.

We're going to the exotic western caribbean - Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, and Roataan. We've been to the Caymans and Cozumel before, but the other two ports will be a new adventure. For my birthday last month, my DH got me the royal dolphin swim while we are at Grand Cayman. I can't wait!!! This will also be our first cruise since the boys were born - that has me a wee bit nervous, but I know they will have a great time, too!

Oooh! That sounds like fun! I bet your boys will have a blast!

Today's QOTD: I don't have any summer plans. I am seriously getting a season pass to Six Flags just to have something to do on occasion. We have a pool, so lots of swimming time is planned. I have a hunch visits to my grandparents will also occur. My father's mother loves to push the food. She claims it is sugar-free, but um, it isn't fat-free or low-cal. I'm still eating cookies, cake, pies, and ice cream. Sometimes being lactose intolerant is a no fun at all, but it works to my advantage with my grandmother. I can't be on a diet in her mind, but she does get the point when my dad (who seems to be the only person who can get through to her) reminds her that I could get sick...you get the picture. So, all in all, I don't know of anything that will hinder my weight loss goals. There may be a day or 2, but they won't be sequential, and I'll be hitting the gym and our pool pretty frequently, so I'm not worried at all.

Oh grandmothers, they're the first to push the food and the first to comment when you need to cut back on the food -- it's a no win situation! But they only do it out of love and mean well. You'll have a great summer, CC!

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

We have mega plans for the summer. We're camping next weekend. The following weeks are jam packed with end of school activities (school isn't out until June 21st and my 8th grader is graduating) In July we are heading out on our 3 week vacation extravaganza. We are driving to WDW and spending a week in the treehouse villas and hitting the parks. Then we'll drive to Miami and spend a night there before climbing about the Norwegian Epic for a 7 night Western Caribbean cruise (Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel) then we're driving back to Orlando and spending 3 nights at Universal Studios RPR. Front of the line access to the rides Then 3 nights offsite. one day at Seaworld and as much extra time at Disney as possible. We'll also have more camping trips and a couple of Nascar races in there.
I'm hoping to stay on track as much as possible and I know that I'll get tons of exercise too

Wow! Those are mega-vacation plans!

What is COW?

A cow is a weekly challenge

The COW
* jenanderson will post the challenge of the week on our BL thread.
* Not every week will involve a challenge.
* Participation in the weekly challenge is optional. You can pick and choose what part of the challenge that you want to do.
* Each challenge will clearly state a beginning date, ending date
* Each challenge will include tasks to perform and point values awarded for accomplishing the tasks.
* It is helpful to print the challenge tasks to refer to throughout the week

ETA here is a link to the first COW
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36791248&postcount=253

Thank you, Buffy, for your quick reply.

I love the COW. Since starting these challenges in 2009 I've developed lots of good habits. I even credit donac for getting me to take piano lessons at age 48 -- the COW was try something that you've always wanted to do. Give it a try!

Happy to say I got out and ran around the school yard for my official start to running. It was run 1 minute, walk 1 minute and I am not good but I did it!

Those first runs are eye-opening. Even now, that first run is when I am thinking "why do you think this is a good idea again? " But as you go on, and more quickly than you think, it gets to be fun and empowering. I feel like I can do anything after a run.

I did get my walk/run in this morning, while Michael scootered along with me, and then found some motivation and did a couple hours of much needed yard work, so it was productive. I went to a housewarming party tonight, but planned and had one margarita, 2 mini coconut muffins, and an egg salad sandwich. There was chocolate cake and strawberry shortcake, but I walked away. I just used 5 flex points for the day. I love the feeling of success when I have avoided temptations, and I need to remember that feeling when I find myself giving into those temptations.

Great job resisting the temptations! We need to think of a little mantra to say when those temptations come along to be strong!

When I came home from yoga I got my present. The entire family went in on it. They got me a Nook. I love to read and reread books. We have too many books in the house. This will let me read and not keep collecting books.

I'm glad that you had a great birthday, dona! A Nook sounds like fun.

Sharing this in case anyone else gets discouraged by the scale. This is what I came across this morning trying to figure out what my crazy body is doing!

"But, since a pound is of muscle weighs the same as a pound of fat --- but takes up less space, your increased muscle, reduced body fat, and healthier body composition could mean little change in the number on the scale that many people use as their measure of success." Came from some fitness website.

http://www.carbsmart.com/outout.html - interesting article about the scale, and our bodies storing water. Not sure how correct it is, though?

Finally, a picture that was in a helpful article Lisa posted for me.

Nasty, huh?
So... if this is going to be my new thing for a while, maybe I should start a Biggest Inches loser challenge (HA!)

I remember learning this in another one of our challenges. It does make sense plus I really do think that your body has to periodically go through adjustment phases to get used to the new regime!

QOTD (Saturday) sorry I'm a little late!

My issues will be when we go camping for 5 days the end of June and when we have barbecue/pool parties. It's all about portion control for me, so I just have to stick to the plan.

Stick to the code!

 

[lisah0711]

brinalyn530 (Bree)! Hope your day is happy and wonderful!

sorry I am really late with these

No worries! You can always just jump in whenever you have a chance to log on. Congrats on being cancer-free! You have a lot on your plate so you need to be sure to take care of yourself.

QOTD SUNDAY: If you were at Disneyland or WDW right now what would you be doing?

If I were at DL right now I would be plotting how to be sure I get to see World of Color. http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/calendar/specialEvents/detail?name=WorldOfColor

If I was a WDW right now I would be taking an afternoon just to walk around World Showcase and do a little window shopping, maybe sip a Bellini and just soak in the atmosphere.

Have a great day all!

 

[flipflopmom]

QOTD SUNDAY: If you were at Disneyland or WDW right now what would you be doing?

3 weeks from today I will be, hopefully, depending on traffic. I hope to be waiting for rope drop at MK, or at least checking in to BLT!

 

[Greenfield1984]

QOTD Saturday:
No big plans. Lots of small camping weekends, barbecues, and HOPEFULLY a 10 day trip to WDW at the end of August. But that depends on a few factors that I'm hoping work out for us
As for hindrances, there shouldn't really be any. All my family parties are usually pretty healthy, the only issue is the parties with the in-laws because they don't really do healthy food. So I'll just have to make the best choices possible.

QOTD Sunday:
If I was at WDW right now we'd be finishing up all the Fantasyland rides before the non rope-drop crowds arrive. Don't know what I'd be doing at DL because we've never been