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

[mommyof2Pirates]

QOTD-MONDAY

I agree with the others who said drink water. It really fills you up and allows your mind to get off of what you really want to eat.

I find that at parties or BBQ's I take a tiny bit of a few things that are the not so good and load the other part of the plate with the goods like veggies/fruit. Then I take my plate and go find a spot far away from where the food is. I try to eat slow and drink water in between bites. This allows you to get to the point of feeling full and you are far enough away from the seconds table so you dont get the urge to keep picking.

At home I too keep all the bad stuff away. At work I try to take 2 snacks, am and pm and a small lunch. This way I dont get too hungry throughout the day.

Every now and then you have to let yourself have something you really like even if its not good. Maybe once a week or once every other week. Just not every day or multiple times a day!

 

[cclovesdis]

Hi Everyone!

I don't know how, but I forgot to answer yesterday's QOTD. So, here it goes. I've never been to DL, although I would love to one day. If I were in WDW, I'd be someone where in the MK, which ideally had mornng EMH, trying to finish everything I wanted to ride/see up before moving to another park to escape the crowds. My sister and I are big hoppers. We definitely make it worth the extra money.

Today's QOTD: I'm really bad at giving in to temptations. Water helps, but isn't a sure thing for me.

Happy belated Birthday Bree! Happy Birthday Bellaphia!

I'm off, but should be back later. Yesterday was a really bad day with regards to eating, so I'm hoping for a better day today.

Have a wonderful day today!

 

[NCRedding]

Fighting temptation: When I find something that actually works for me, I'll let you know. I like the idea of eating a little of what I am craving, but sometimes that just seems to open the door to a binge for me. But if I avoid the food, I almost always cave in later to something worse, or less tasty. Like, I avoid eating a special cheesecake, only to find myself cramming cheap candy.

Clearly, this is something I need to figure out. Thanks for the QOTD. It made me realize that this is an area for me to work on.

 

[pjlla]

We are off to a flying start with 68 weigh-ins received plus 2 excused! Now, its time for the first REMINDER post!

Some people just plain forget to send in their weights, so this list is a friendly reminder for them.
There is NO pressure to report in, you are welcome to participate in the thread without doing the weigh-ins.

Here's the list of names who said they were participating that I haven't heard from yet:
50sjayne
3TinskAndAnEeyore
CaptJackSparrowsGirl
Craftydawn
disneygrlkat
EeyoresButterfly
Hockeychic
Jenna319
jennz
kimara
luvmy3jewels
MickeyMagic
MinnieMouseMom
mommyarewegoingback
MushyMushy
My2Pixies
njcarita
pjlla
ScrappyTink
SunnyB1066​

DRAT... I could have SWORN I sent you a PM... I guess my AAADD is really kicking in lately (Age Associated Attention Deficit Disorder!! ) Sending it now!! So sorry.

"On your quest for a healthy lifestyle, you'll frequently encounter the beast called temptation. Slay him once, and he returns stronger and smarter. Slay him again, and he rises from the ashes to lure you away from your good habits. Fear not! You can win the battle with these 30 tactics to outsmart temptation!" http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/calendar_2009_outsmart_temptation.pdf The link is to a printable calendar with all the tips. Some are tried and true but you might find a new one or two there.

QOTD Monday: What is your best tip to avoid temptation?

Well... it might not work for everyone, but not having the "offending item" around is a BIG help. I have discovered that sweet potato chips are a HUGE trigger food for me. No matter HOW MANY times I tell myself I will portion them out and count them properly, once that bag is open it is a FREE FOR ALL!! I just eat and eat until the bag is empty! So I avoid that temptation by not buying them any more. Just not worth the guilt. Same with movie theater popcorn. We only go to the movies now when it is planned in advance and I can have plenty of Flex points available.... plus I no longer consider my movie popcorn a MEAL! I try to be sure not to be starving when I arrive. Otherwise we just DON'T go.... I cannot control myself around movie popcorn.

Another trick is to have an equally enticing but healthier option available. I made pizza for the family last night, but I knew it would be too many points for me. I made myself a veggie pizza on whole wheat flatbread. I was able to control the toppings and cheese and enjoyed a decent portion of pizza for just 6 points. And I didn't crave their pizza at all.

If it is something that I truly crave/desire and there is no low calorie option available (such as DSIL's cheesecake) I just make adjustments for it. At Easter dinner I avoided ALL of the white carbohydrates (two kinds of potatoes, crackers and cheese, chips, dinner rolls) and just had veggies, roasted sweet potatoes, and a bit of meat. Then I used my Flex points for the cheesecake. I made adjustments, both in how I used my points and in my thinking.

I will say, after almost 30 months of living this healthier lifestyle, I RARELY eat white carbs any longer and it no longer seems like a sacrifice. But it took a long time for that to be the case.

Well, I'm afraid I don't have a ton of time to chat today. Sorry! I am working every day this week too, so I won't be around much. Plus DS's robotics team yard sale is Saturday, so that will keep me busy on Thursday evening, Friday evening, and all day Saturday.

I did take Sat and Sun off from exercise to let my hamstring have some recovery time. I only had a few twinges yesterday while walking in Home Depot. I will be WALKING on the treadmill today and will try to start running again tomorrow, assuming I am pain-free after today's walk.

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

 

[JOANNEL]

Finished the 5 K but it was longer than a 5 k it was 4.4 miles. It was very hot an humid. Everything I own is sweaty!!. Now I need to jump inthe pool.

Happy memorial day every one!!

 

[JOANNEL]

QOTD Monday: What is your best tip to avoid temptation?

I have no will power so I just have to stay away from it.

 

[maiziezoe]

Happy Memorial Day everyone!

I was all ready to go run a 5k and it started pouring!! Cats and dogs, I tell ya! So, I am skipping it. I think I will do a 30 minutes kettle bell workout.

QOTD Monday: What is your best tip to avoid temptation?

My husband says I am the queen of willpower. I don't really get tempted by anything anymore. I don't bring tempting things in the house and when we go out, I stay away from the bad stuff.

 

[lisalisalisa]

QOTD Monday: What is your best tip to avoid temptation?

My worst habit is picking everytime I go in the kitchen. I have
decided that everytime I go in now I shall drink a glass of water.

 

[N&B'smom]

QOTD - Sunday If I were at Disney right now I would probably be at the Blizzard Beach or back at the VWL pool. We never go to the parks during the hottest part of the day.

QOTD - Monday Once I set my mind to it and it gets to be habit, I won't give into anything. But getting there can be a SLOW process. So, I will allow myself a TASTE of something that I am really craving but that is it. Like today for example, we're having some yummy barbecue chicken done on the grill and some with a honey/vinegar type of sauce. I will eat that but not be eating chips (can't have just one) or anything like that. There will be fruit which I will have a bit of and for dessert we are celebrating my DS11's birthday. We have a cake and chocolate peanut butter brownies. I will have a BITE of each and that's it. I have to plan ahead or I'll go crazy.

I am only down a pound since starting Friday and REALLY want to be able to report a few lbs being gone by this coming Friday so I plan to STICK TO THE CODE!!!!

 

[Connie96]

QOTD Monday: What is your best tip to avoid temptation?

One way I have avoided temptation in the past is to make my weigh-in day kind of a "free" day. I can go off plan for 1 meal that day. And, if I started craving something during the week or if one of those gooey cheesy pizza commercials got my attention, I can just say "well, I'll have that on Monday". This plan always worked best when weigh-in day was on Monday. It's just easier to not go completely off the rails on Monday since I'm in a normal work-week routine. If I did this on Friday, I would sometimes go nuts for the whole weekend. The "threat" of a Monday weigh-in offers a little more incentive to control the weekend grazing. Even though I am weighing-in here on Fridays, my "official" weigh-in for myself is still on Monday.

As far as parties and get togethers, what works best for me is to keep a bottle of water in my hand and a piece of gum in my mouth.

Happy Memorial Day!

 

[sahbushka]

QOTD: If there is something tempting me I try to work out...I don't know why but after I am done I usually don't crave the item anymore. Also, gum seems to help me a lot, just keeping my mouth occupied seems to help!

SarahMay

 

[mikamah]

Happy Memorial Day to everyone, and thank you to all who have served or have loved ones who have served and given their all in order for us to have the freedoms we are so lucky to have. We walked the memorial day parade today with the cub scouts, and it is such an emotional reminder of the sacrifice of so many.
I made it through 2 parties this weekend, and am happy to say I chose a few snacks, and kept track, and we're going to one more this afternoon, and I'm bringing fruit salad, and will have one burger, and always have a big glass of water.

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

That diet looks very cleansing, and I think I would have to stick close to a rest room. I don't know if I could eat just fruit or just vegies for an entire day, but to lose 10-17 pounds in a week, it is tempting.

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

I would be at hollywood studios finishing up an animation class before we head to 50s primetime for our lunch adr. And after lunch we'll use our TSM fast passes, and maybe head back for a swim. I love disney dreaming.

Honestly, probably scolding my kids. They are 5 and 3 and they are constantly bickering. I feeling like I am forever telling them to "knock it off", "quit touching your brother", "leave your sister alone", "don't bite your sisters hair", "quit writing on your brother", etc. So, chances are, I would be yelling at them. Even though it's the happiest place on earth, they are still kids.

You crack me up.

Having a mickey bar for lunch!!

Sounds wonderful.

Joanne -- You'll do great! I'll be thinking of you. As for me, I can't get down or back up the steps. We got me up here Tuesday night when I was totally full of medications and it still took about 30 minutes to make it from the driveway to the bed. So, it looks like I'm stuck in the bedroom on the second floor for a while. I think the first time I'll see the sun is when I go to the doctor on Wednesday. I'll have to be content to move between the bed and the wheelchair. Even getting to the bathroom in our MBR suite is exhausting just from the pain. I am looking forward to not being in pain; God knows I'm sick of hearing myself complain.

Hope you are feeling better real soon, cam.

"On your quest for a healthy lifestyle, you'll frequently encounter the beast called temptation. Slay him once, and he returns stronger and smarter. Slay him again, and he rises from the ashes to lure you away from your good habits. Fear not! You can win the battle with these 30 tactics to outsmart temptation!" http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/calendar_2009_outsmart_temptation.pdf The link is to a printable calendar with all the tips. Some are tried and true but you might find a new one or two there.

QOTD Monday: What is your best tip to avoid temptation?

I'll have to checkout that article. Thanks Lisa. I think you are right to have some of what you are craving is much better than eating around it all day, and then giving in anyway. I think to plan and work in those little splurges every week so that I don't feel deprived helps me to stay on plan. Also to not have the major temptations in the house is key. I struggle with that at times, but have been better. I have a big fruit salad to have through the week, and once it's all cut up, it is so good.

DRAT... I could have SWORN I sent you a PM... I guess my AAADD is really kicking in lately (Age Associated Attention Deficit Disorder!! )

So that's what I have too. Thanks for giving me the diagnosis. I'm glad it's not early alzheimers.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday, everyone.

Bree, Bellaphia, and belated to Dona!! Hope you all have magical birthdays.

 

[pjlla]

QOTD - Sunday If I were at Disney right now I would probably be at the Blizzard Beach or back at the VWL pool. We never go to the parks during the hottest part of the day.

QOTD - Monday Once I set my mind to it and it gets to be habit, I won't give into anything. But getting there can be a SLOW process. So, I will allow myself a TASTE of something that I am really craving but that is it. Like today for example, we're having some yummy barbecue chicken done on the grill and some with a honey/vinegar type of sauce. I will eat that but not be eating chips (can't have just one) or anything like that. There will be fruit which I will have a bit of and for dessert we are celebrating my DS11's birthday. We have a cake and chocolate peanut butter brownies. I will have a BITE of each and that's it. I have to plan ahead or I'll go crazy.

I am only down a pound since starting Friday and REALLY want to be able to report a few lbs being gone by this coming Friday so I plan to STICK TO THE CODE!!!!

GREAT JOB making a PLAN! That has been a BIG KEY to my current weight loss success. When I am confronted with a situation where there will be great eating temptations, I write up a plan. I read it and re-read it and sometimes even keep it in my pocket at the event so I can refer to it throughout the day. Somehow, in my head, if it is in writing, it works!! Glad you found this to be helpful too.

What do you all think about this? [/B]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

I took a peek at this because even though it hasn't been a true "plateau", I'm having trouble dropping these last few pounds. Does anyone else think that this "pre-fast diet" sounds suspiciously like the infamous "cabbage soup diet" of the 1990's??

If anyone is interested in my opinion, here it is.

First of all... that Fat burning soup is pretty loaded with sodium.... so even if you are losing weight, you risk getting bloated from the sodium... it calls for Lipton Onion soup mix, salt, and bouillon cubes.... yikes!!

SEcond of all.... you should NEVER eat until you are STUFFED.... but this is something that they are recommending on Day Two and again on Day Seven... plus several times they mention eating "all you can". That is NEVER a good idea. Why train yourself to overeat? It is STILL overeating, even if it is fruits or veggies. Meals should be eaten until you are satisfied.... comfortably full, but not STUFFED or UNCOMFORTABLE.

Third... their protein list is a bit lopsided. Egg whites are great and low fat... but cottage cheese (assuming regular and not lowfat/nonfat), cheese, and peanut butter are all very calorie dense and high in fat. You would definitely have a different caloric intake depending on how much/what type of these proteins you ate. If you are doing this for weight loss I would stick with the egg whites and a lowfat cottage cheese. Can't comment on the protein powder.

Fourth... day seven mentions changes in your bowel habits. It says to eat a cup of bran and fiber. But day seven is supposed to be just brown rice, fruit juices, and vegetables... where does this fiber come in? What kind of fiber? Most people would probably think of high fiber cereal, but that isn't included in this diet. So I suppose it would be a fiber additive like Benefiber or Metamucil.

I would certainly use this plan with extreme CAUTION... and definitely for not more than 5-7 days.

This is just my opinion, of course. I have no educational background in nutrition/weight loss or anything else like that. If anyone does decide to try it, come back and let us know how it went!!


Lisa... thanks for posting the link to the "30 ways to outsmart temptation". I printed it and will post it on my fridge!.....................P

 

[Worfiedoodles]

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

I've never been to Disneyland, so I'm sure if I were there I would just be gazing around in awe. I'm going to go out on a limb here. I usually think I'd be at Epcot or DTD, but today I'm going to the MK! I haven't ridden the renewed Space Mountain or seen the updated Hall of Presidents, so I would be making my way between Tomorrowland and Frontierland, stopping at Mickey's Philharmagic 'cause I just love it!

QOTD Monday: What is your best tip to avoid temptation?

For me, it's key to not let myself get too hungry. Sometimes I will not eat at regular intervals, and then by the time I do I'm so hungry I don't have much control It's pretty easy to avoid that by always having a little bag of baby carrots or even a Kashi bar with me.

My dh ran a half marathon yesterday. It was hot and uncomfortable, and he was very happy to finish. I was home finishing up with our sleepover guest. I did get up at 6 so I could do my 6M walk before dh left for the race. We fired up the grill in the afternoon, and I had some amazing scallops with capers, garlic and a bit of olive oil, corn on the cob, and grape tomatoes. Against my better judgement I ventured into a local bakery, and I discovered their mini carrot cakes! Just 1x3, but the perfect size for me! Carrot cake is one of my favorite desserts, but I've pretty much given it up. Now that I've found these, I'll be having them as a special treat.

I got up today and ran 4M. I had a bowl of Special K for breakfast, and I had more of the scallops and grape tomatoes for lunch. We have ribs and corn on the cob for dinner, with a guacamole appetizer. I'm also going to enjoy another piece of the carrot cake for dessert. I may need an afternoon snack, so we have plenty of other fruit and veggies. Tomorrow I'm starting on my new eating plan. I measured out raw cashews for part of my afternoon snack (along with an orange). 2 Tbsp is not a large amount, but I suspect the orange will make me quite full. I'm really excited to see if spreading my calories out makes me even less hungry. Right now I eat regularly (or try to), but I don't have any logic like protein with every snack, or a certain number of calories. I've adopted snacks from the BL, and I'm hoping that will do the trick to finally finding a good balance for me. It may be hard to tell from tomorrow. It's my yoga day, so I won't have the strenuous exercise which makes me hungrier. But I should have a good idea how it's working by the next weigh in!

Unfortunately, I am definitely out of Princess now. The moved date killed me. We have been planning to visit ILs in Phoenix (ok, Sun City, but I suspect we'll stay in Phoenix ), over ds's February vacation, and it ends when Princess begins, so there's no way to make it work. We haven't been out there since before ds12 was born, so we really need to go, and I can't just beg off and go to FL...well, I could, but I would feel terrible and the ILs would be insulted, so I'm going to Arizona. We aren't as terrible as we sound -- they started going out there as snowbirds, and only made it year-round a couple of years ago. We have been seeing the ILs, they've just been local!

I made the mistake of looking at my Blackberry. My boss is clearly working today, and sending me e-mails -- which I of course can't do anything with at home. I'm feeling a little like a slacker, but trust me, I have worked hard both at home and work and deserve an afternoon off! So, I'm going to put it away, grab some citrus water and a not-too-trashy romance, and relax!

Maria

 

[LuvBaloo]

Finished the 5 K but it was longer than a 5 k it was 4.4 miles. It was very hot an humid. Everything I own is sweaty!!. Now I need to jump inthe pool.

Happy memorial day every one!!

Enjoy your pool time after your run!


Happy Birthday Bellaphilia

And now to answer the question of the day:

For me, temptations usually aren't too bad. Usually I just try to avoid being around temptations. At work, the cravings can be the worst. I used to go grab A&W for lunch quite often as an escape. Or grab chips or chocolate from the vending machine for a snack. I've learned that drinking water helps, and chewing gum, and having raw veggies available. The crunch of the veggies and the time it takes to eat them can fill the need to snack. Also tomatoe basil rice cakes can help fight off an urge for snacking.
When I've really been craving something for a while, I will try to plan to have a reasonable amount of it. Otherwise I go crazy and will end up eating an entire bag of salt & vinegar chips.

 

[Rose&Mike]

Happy Birthday Bellaphia!

QOTD--I try to plan for my temptations. For example, I LOVE potato chips! I can't have them in the house. But if I get a deli sandwich I will have chips with them as a treat, or I'll buy one of the tiny snack bags at the grocery when I'm really wanting them. I find if I don't declare a food completely off limits it works better. I am able to manage the craving better.

I finished up the month with 101.1 miles--combo of elliptical, running, and a little walking.

I have been a little anxious the last couple of days. I am at the weight where I stalled out a couple of years ago. The last time I was at this weight was May of 2007. I stalled out and couldn't get any lower. I know I'm doing things different this time, but felt like I needed to acknowledge the anxious feelings. I am 2.2 lbs from a "normal" bmi. I know it's just a number, but it still seems so unattainable.

Have a good day.

 

[pinkle]

I've been on sparkpeople and am now tracking my food, water, weight loss, etc. I should only be eating 1200-1400 calories a day. I must admit I'm going to bed hungry.....suggestions

 

[lovedvc]

I've been on sparkpeople and am now tracking my food, water, weight loss, etc. I should only be eating 1200-1400 calories a day. I must admit I'm going to bed hungry.....suggestions

If you can give me an idea of what your daily food is than maybe I can give you some ideas on where you can change some things around so you are not hungry at bed time. It may just be as simple as adding some more protein and vegetables at dinner. I'm sure if you give us your food lists you will have more than enough suggestions from all of us to work with.

 

[flipflopmom]

What a QOTD. I have STUNK at avoiding temptations this weekend. I do great at work, or at home if DH isn't here. When he's home, we have bigger dinners, or go out, etc. I also stink at avoiding foods at my mom's house. I had been doing great, visualizing the scale and the size I want to be. I don't have junk for snacking in the house, so snacks aren't the problem, it's overdoing the meals. For the last 2 weeks, I haven't had the focus. I ate everything in sight at her house again yesterday. Had a splurge meal of Mexican Friday. Steak DH cooked Saturday.

From this moment until I am in WDW, I am determined to take stock of portions and calories within each portion. I need to lose what I've gained in the last couple days, plus more!

 

[tigger813]

QOTD: Drink a large glass of water when I see something I want! I also think about the clothes that I swore I would never wear again! I'm so worried that after totally giving into temptation (esepcially this weekend) that I will lose my 45 and my 40 pound clippies! That's how bad I've been!

Just got home from 2nd cookout in 2 days! Ate and drank way too much. Girls are taking a bath right now and I'm planning on another 3 mile elliptical ride after they go to bed! They want to play a game after their bath so I have to keep this short.

I plan on getting up at 5 and getting in 2-3 miles in the morning. Supposed to be kind of rainy in the morning so we won't go out walking in the morning. Gotta totally stick to 1200 calories all week and drink my water and eat my veggies! I am totally sticking to plan next weekend. I am going to a friend's house on Saturday but will keep my calories low all day until then and get in 6-10 miles a day all week including elliptical and WATP!

The Energizer Bunny will return to action tomorrow! No ifs, ands, or buts about it!!!!!!! Getting a jump on it tonight!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Ours was busy and FUN! AND LONG! Today we had to deal with the smoke and haze from the Quebec forest fires! I could smell it first thing this morning and saw it in the sky at the theater when we went to see Shrek this morning! Loved the movie!