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

[sahbushka]

Losing inches doesn't mean spot reducing because you don't get to pick which spot the weight is coming off of.

SarahMay

 

[lisah0711]

Please add me to the loser team. Sure hope I can live up to the name of LOSER! My goal is 16 pounds.

MickeyMagic! Thank you for joining our challenge!

We all love being LOSERS! Welcome! 16 is definitely doable!

Isn't that the truth?

I love everything that you folks post here from SP, but I never go over there on my own. I should take a look at it!

Something that I think that you would enjoy, Pamela, is the fitness section. They have lots of exercise demos, sample routines, and reviews of fitness DVDs, pros and cons.

Not really sure. About a year ago it started to hurt when I walk a lot (like Disney). I know I stand on my heels and I'm sure the extra weight is not helping. It feels like a spike is being driven up into my foot every time I step.

Buffy. Sorry about the foot trouble. I had a very bad case of PF for almost a year -- I walked through the pain through two Disney vacations. I don't care how much you weigh, you don't deserve to limp around in pain all day. Heel spurs (I myself have a "heel spoon" it is so big) cause PF. I did have to get a shot in the foot but it helped a lot. I also went to phycial therapy -- who wouldn't want some 20 something guy massaging their foot? And got orthotics for my shoes. It was expensive but walking without pain really is priceless. See what you can do before you go on your trip!

Hi everyone. I have had 2 WAY off plan days the past 2 days...but thanks to what I have learned from you all during the past year I am back on plan today. I need to make some new goals to work towards. I am working on running a 5k...I think I have even picked the one I will do (August 7 - Run for the Border)...but I need some other goals that are not lb specific as I already know what number I am working towards. Suggestions?

SarahMay

It sounds to me like you are doing a great job on your health goals -- I'll keep my fingers crossed that we will see you at the Princess. What other goals do you have in your life? Maybe it is time to work on those a little bit. For example, thanks to one of donac's COW challenges I take piano lessons now. Dream big. There isn't anything that you can do!

Hi. I've been on the DIS for a couple years, but all I ever really do is check out the trip reports when I need a fix. Today is my first day to ever look at this particular forum and I was excited to see this challenge just beginning.

So, how did I get here…?

Last year, I lost 25 pounds (still not quite to my actual goal) and then I promptly gained 15 of it back again over the past several months. Although weight loss achievement was not his true motivation, my DH just got a motorcycle last week and mentioned to me this weekend that it makes a pretty good reward for his losing 60 pounds over the past year or so. And, yes, he did a great job and I am so proud of him, but my response was a snarky comment about how if I had had such a nice reward, maybe I wouldn't have gained back so much so fast. So... he said that if I meet my goal weight we can get DVC. Oh my holy frickin’ cow! You got yourself a deal, mister!! You’ve never seen anyone jump on the wagon so fast! (Why couldn’t he have said that 15 pounds ago?!!)

I did change the rules, though. I mean, DVC is a BIG deal. We can’t afford it any time soon and it’s a certainly more expensive than his motorcycle. So… I will choose for myself an appropriate, yet extravagant, reward for reaching my goal weight (I'm guessing about 20 pounds to go, because I haven't been on a scale in a while), and DH and I have agreed that DVC will be the reward for maintaining for a full year – 52 consecutive weekly weigh-ins under a set limit.

If DVC is my long term reward, I figured the DIS would be a great place to stay motivated in the short term, so here I am!

So, now that you know my entire life story, please sign me up as a “loser”! I'm IN!

Connie96! DVC is a great reward. I believe they let new folks buy in for as little as 50 points now direct from Disney and there is always resale. The DVC boards have a wealth of info. Good luck!

Are you in the avoid or go to EMH section?

Evening everyone! I am still ferociously trying to undo the damage I did Saturday. I am determined to start this challenge at least at the same weight I had Friday, and NOT LOSE MY CLIPPIE, yet. I feel sure it will say goodbye after WDW, unless I have some really, really good weeks in the next 4!!!

This has been on my mind for 2 days. I wonder if any of you exercise gurus can help. Jillian says over and over on the DVD I do with her that you "can't spot reduce fat". However, I often hear people talk about losing inches but not weight, and their clothes are smaller. Isn't this contradictive? I mean, I know the weight isn't changing because of fat to muscle conversion, but isn't that the same thing as spot reducing fat??????

I'm in the go to EMH section. Especially the morning ones because you can get so much done. We survived EMH during the week before Christmas so I think we can survive just about any crowded Disney can dish out -- I may change my tune after World of Color at DLR in a month!

I don't think that you can spot reduce fat per se. I think that you can lose weight overall -- you don't get to pick where it burns off first -- but you can work to increase certain muscles and they will tone those areas. I don't think that it is that you are burning the fat in those areas, it is more like you are building the muscle and they are showing through. This is an interesting article on sparkpeople that you might find interesting, Taryn. http://www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=quiz_how_much_do_you_really_know_about_fat I really like the picture that shows what a replica of muscle weighing 5 pounds looks like vs a replica of 5 pounds of fat. There is a lot more of the fat to get to a weight of 5 pounds.

As you can see, I do like sparkpeople.com a lot. Who knows what kind of interesting sites I will find for us as I start my nutrition class this summer?

Could also be a bone spur, dealt with that most of last year. Very painful.

They are the pits!

Keep an eye out on the spring challenge thread for the results to be released. It is fun for those of you who are new to our challenges to see what happens at the end! Also, for those of you who watch the show tonight is the live finale of the Biggest Loser.

 

[pjlla]

Good morning all! I'm at work so not much time to chat. I am really looking forward to tonight's BL finale! I would be happy with any of them winning, but I am secretly rooting for Koli or Daris. I can't wait to be amazed by how great everyone will look!

I am limping from my stupid hamstring again today. I did a decent walk/run last night (2.3 miles up a steep, steep mountain road walking and then the same back down running) and while my HS was feeling sore and tight when I started, by about the end of the first half mile I was feeling better, so I kept going. I was pleased with my times (walked up the 2.3 in 34 minutes, ran down in 21 minutes) and I had a good stretch and even did 10 minutes in the hot tub afterwards, but I am paying for it today. PLus I stupidly am wearing heels today (rare for me), so I am compounding the problem.

Not sure what I will do tonight for exercise since my hamstring is so sore. Any suggestions?......................P

 

[maiziezoe]

Good morning all! I'm at work so not much time to chat. I am really looking forward to tonight's BL finale! I would be happy with any of them winning, but I am secretly rooting for Koli or Daris. I can't wait to be amazed by how great everyone will look!

I am limping from my stupid hamstring again today. I did a decent walk/run last night (2.3 miles up a steep, steep mountain road walking and then the same back down running) and while my HS was feeling sore and tight when I started, by about the end of the first half mile I was feeling better, so I kept going. I was pleased with my times (walked up the 2.3 in 34 minutes, ran down in 21 minutes) and I had a good stretch and even did 10 minutes in the hot tub afterwards, but I am paying for it today. PLus I stupidly am wearing heels today (rare for me), so I am compounding the problem.

Not sure what I will do tonight for exercise since my hamstring is so sore. Any suggestions?......................P

I love Daris. The first week I picked him as my favorite. I also like Michael. I wonder if he and Ashley have something going on. They seemed very close in the last two episodes. Maybe there will be two love connections this season.

 

[corinnak]

This has been on my mind for 2 days. I wonder if any of you exercise gurus can help. Jillian says over and over on the DVD I do with her that you "can't spot reduce fat". However, I often hear people talk about losing inches but not weight, and their clothes are smaller. Isn't this contradictive? I mean, I know the weight isn't changing because of fat to muscle conversion, but isn't that the same thing as spot reducing fat??????

I know others have already said this, but just had to chime in again - when we burn fat, our bodies decide where to pull it from. If I could choose, I know I'd pick my abdominal fat to hit the road - my body seems to prefer to pull from other places. I've done lots of core-work and I have actually got a six-pack under there, but that layer of fat is just not moving. I have said it before, but my stomach is like a jawbreaker wrapped in a marshmallow!

Good morning all! I'm at work so not much time to chat. I am really looking forward to tonight's BL finale! I would be happy with any of them winning, but I am secretly rooting for Koli or Daris. I can't wait to be amazed by how great everyone will look!

I am limping from my stupid hamstring again today. I did a decent walk/run last night (2.3 miles up a steep, steep mountain road walking and then the same back down running) and while my HS was feeling sore and tight when I started, by about the end of the first half mile I was feeling better, so I kept going. I was pleased with my times (walked up the 2.3 in 34 minutes, ran down in 21 minutes) and I had a good stretch and even did 10 minutes in the hot tub afterwards, but I am paying for it today. PLus I stupidly am wearing heels today (rare for me), so I am compounding the problem.

Not sure what I will do tonight for exercise since my hamstring is so sore. Any suggestions?......................P

I will be happy so long as SOMEBODY wins the season finale! And as long as the red team does not get the at-home prize. Mean of me, I know, but that would just be depressing.

Take care of those hamstrings, Pamela - you might consider an ice bath - they are not as painful as they sound if you start with a few inches tepid water in your tub and then add the ice. Stay in for about 10 minutes to reduce swelling and pain. I had a massively problematic hamstring the week before my first ever 5K and this was one of the things that helped it heal in time for me to do the run. As for what exercise to do, I think you should rest and do some gentle stretching and massage tonight. You could try biking to see how it felt, but I really wouldn't want to make that injury worse.

 

[lisah0711]

I have said it before, but my stomach is like a jawbreaker wrapped in a marshmallow!

I will be happy so long as SOMEBODY wins the season finale! And as long as the red team does not get the at-home prize. Mean of me, I know, but that would just be depressing.

Take care of those hamstrings, Lisa - you might consider an ice bath - they are not as painful as they sound if you start with a few inches tepid water in your tub and then add the ice. Stay in for about 10 minutes to reduce swelling and pain. I had a massively problematic hamstring the week before my first ever 5K and this was one of the things that helped it heal in time for me to do the run. As for what exercise to do, I think you should rest and do some gentle stretching and massage tonight. You could try biking to see how it felt, but I really wouldn't want to make that injury worse.

I still get a chuckle of the mental picture that you paint with this analogy, corinnak! Someday we will see more of your jawbreaker and less of your marshmallow!

I think you meant, Pamela, when you were talking about the hamstrings.

pjlla, hope that it feels better soon. Maybe work on those abs and upper body today and give the legs a rest.

 

[MJonesMBA2001]

I fell off the turnip truck last challenge, but I WILL stay the course this time! I do have one week of (Disney) vacation in June, but I'll be ok. That may be a week of gain, but I'll exercise while there and goodness knows you get enough walking in the parks!

I am going to be on the LOSER'S team again, and thank you so much for this challenge!

 

[LMO429]

Just stopping in to introduction myself for the Summer Challenge. My name is Lauren from NYC. This challenge is coming at the perfect time for me we have a disney vacation in October, I would like to lose 15 pounds by then.

Looking forward to making some new friends here!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I'm in. I ended up leaving the other challenge because of health problems. I lost 10 lbs in the other challenge, then a month long + stint with bronchitis that kept me out of the gym plus several rounds of steroids have made me gain back 3 lbs. I am finally off the steroids and can breathe again! I'm going to try to meet with my trainer again next week or the week after so I can have some time to get in shape. I'm looking forward to getting back on track after being sick for so long.

 

[lisah0711]

I fell off the turnip truck last challenge, but I WILL stay the course this time! I do have one week of (Disney) vacation in June, but I'll be ok. That may be a week of gain, but I'll exercise while there and goodness knows you get enough walking in the parks!

I am going to be on the LOSER'S team again, and thank you so much for this challenge!

Lots of room in the wagon -- come on up! A Disney trip in June sounds great!

Just stopping in to introduction myself for the Summer Challenge. My name is Lauren from NYC. This challenge is coming at the perfect time for me we have a disney vacation in October, I would like to lose 15 pounds by then.

Looking forward to making some new friends here!

Hi Lauren!

I'm in. I ended up leaving the other challenge because of health problems. I lost 10 lbs in the other challenge, then a month long + stint with bronchitis that kept me out of the gym plus several rounds of steroids have made me gain back 3 lbs. I am finally off the steroids and can breathe again! I'm going to try to meet with my trainer again next week or the week after so I can have some time to get in shape. I'm looking forward to getting back on track after being sick for so long.

Eeyores Butterfly! Thanks for joining our challenge.

The results for our Spring Challenge are out. Our biggest loser is carmiedog, who lost 22.08% Congratulations to carmiedog and all our top losers. For those of you who are new to the challenge, you may want to take a peek at the other challenge. It is fun to see how everyone's hard work paid off. BL participants lost over 1289 pounds and the group who stuck it out the whole challenge lost almost half of that! In a few short weeks we will be talking about our summer challenge and all our accomplishments!

I will leave you with a bonus QOTD while we wait for our challenge to officially start on Friday:

Did you watch Season 9 of the Biggest Loser and what did you think of the finale?

I haven't watched the whole show. I've seen highlights and a couple of clips so I know that Michael won. I am happy for him and he looks so different! I can't wait to see how Jillian's new show is this summer. I'm sure that I could use Jillian coming to my house but I would be terrified the whole time if she did!

Have a great day all!

 

[NancyIL]

Did you watch Season 9 of the Biggest Loser and what did you think of the finale?

I watched most of season 9, including last night's finale. The contestants all looked great, and I was especially pleased to see how wonderful Darrell looked. I'm glad Koli was the "at-home" winner, because I think he would've been the biggest loser, rather than Michael, had he been one of the 3 finalists.

 

[pjlla]

I still get a chuckle of the mental picture that you paint with this analogy, corinnak! Someday we will see more of your jawbreaker and less of your marshmallow!

I think you meant, Pamela, when you were talking about the hamstrings.

pjlla, hope that it feels better soon. Maybe work on those abs and upper body today and give the legs a rest.

Yup... it was me with the hamstring. I actually took a day of rest yesterday, hoping it would help. I woke up with a very stiff/sore hamstring. I did a quick stretch after I was up for a few minutes and it feels better, but definitely still not "normal". I will stick with arms and abs tonight. I haven't had the nerve to try the ice bath yet, but it certainly has been hot enough! Maybe tonight??

My eating has been less than spectacular this week... I think it might be a bit of PMS coming into play. I'm afraid that that combined with the lack of cardio due to the hamstring will end up with a gain this week. We'll see. Not a great way to start the new challenge!!

On another note.... DSIL sent me some hand-me-downs a few months ago. I have ALWAYS thought of her as super slim and trim so I was excited when a few of the things actually fit. I put the rest in a bag for the Goodwill and put it in the basement and forgot about it. Well, I was cleaning out the basement yesterday and came across the bag and decided to try a few of the things again and they FIT!! The only things that didn't fit were because they were petites (DSIL is about 5' tall... I am 5'5"). I am wearing a great pair of Ann Taylor walking shorts today and they so comfortable! I also pulled out another pair of white capris to keep. The rest is back in the Goodwill bag! Hopefully the bags will make it to the store this weekend!

Does anyone here subscribe to the Weight Watchers E-tools? I am making a recipe tonight and I am interested to know just how "bad" it really is. I suppose I could figure out the points for all of the ingredients and then do the math... but I'd rather not!! I'm mathematically challenged, as you may know. Maybe I'll ask for a year's subscription to E-tools for my birthday.

Did you watch Season 9 of the Biggest Loser and what did you think of the finale?

Watched every minulte of it. I felt bad for those twins, John and James. They are obviously struggling. They both lost over 100 pounds, which is TERRIFIC, but at their size they easily should have shed a lot more in that amount of time. But at least they are still at it.

Several of the BL at-home contestants had less than spectacular losses. But I suppose if they are still working at it, that is what counts.... like I've said about my own weight loss... slow and steady (although if there was $100,00 on the line, I'm sure I would have/could have lost a lot quicker!! )

I was so happy to see Eric Chopin looking much slimmer and happier. Just something about him that I like and I want to see him succeed.

Koli looked pretty upset/depressed most of the show. I think he was upset about being out of the running for the big prize. Glad he was able to win something though... and that prize is nothing to sneeze at! (BTW, who dresses that guy?? That outfit was terrible!)

I thought Ashley and Michael both looked FABULOUS!! I hope they can stick with it. No talk about any budding romance though.... but maybe they are trying to keep it on the DL.

Gotta run for a potty break before my next group of students arrives! (I'm subbing for a 2nd grade Special Ed. coordinator today.)...............P

 

[tigger813]

QOTD:

I watched the whole show and was in tears when I saw some of the transformations! Koli really amazed me! He looked so different! I wanted Ashley to win but I was happy for Michael and Daris looked so happy and that made me smile! Great show last night. I set up to record Regis and Kelly since Michael was supposed to be on it as well as the DWTS finalists!

At work now waiting for my client. Brought a LC for lunch as I ate too much yesterday. Went on another walk with my neighbor this morning and we're going to try tomorrow or Friday to do it again. 2 clients today and then DD2 has dancing at 4. Probably doing WalMart/Target thing tomorrow. Have some stuff to stock up on.

Time to check the heat of the stone for the massage!

Have a great day!

 

[pjlla]

So I brought my kids to Subway for dinner last night. Definitely not the norm for us, but it was hot and I was SURE that they wouldn't like what I had planned to cook (veggie stuffed crepes).... I decided to make my life easier and take them for a treat.

ANYHOW... as I am sitting there eating my 6" turkey on honey oat with no cheese, no condiments, loaded with veggies, I am "people watching" this other family come in and order. The mom caught my eye because she was so slim.... about a size 4... wearing tan short-shorts, low rise with a wide belt that accentuated her slimness and a sleeveless top. And her order....

footlong sub on Italian herb and cheese bread... BLT with EXTRA bacon and EXTRA mayonnaise and CHEESE!! For a drink she got COKE (real Coke, not diet). And yup, she ate the entire thing!!

I'm not saying I didn't enjoy my 6" turkey because I did. But really.... life just isn't fair!! ...............................P

P.S. I wouldn't be surprised if they went out for ice cream for dessert!

 

[NancyIL]

Y
Watched every minulte of it. I felt bad for those twins, John and James. They are obviously struggling. They both lost over 100 pounds, which is TERRIFIC, but at their size they easily should have shed a lot more in that amount of time. But at least they are still at it.

I thought the same about James and John, especially since Michael weighed more than either of them. On the other hand, the biggest losers were the ones who stayed on the ranch the longest.

I expected Shay to have lost more than fifty-something pounds in the 5 months since last season's finale.

 

[brinalyn530]

[/QUOTE]Watched every minulte of it. I felt bad for those twins, John and James. They are obviously struggling. They both lost over 100 pounds, which is TERRIFIC, but at their size they easily should have shed a lot more in that amount of time. But at least they are still at it.

Several of the BL at-home contestants had less than spectacular losses. But I suppose if they are still working at it, that is what counts.... like I've said about my own weight loss... slow and steady (although if there was $100,00 on the line, I'm sure I would have/could have lost a lot quicker!! )

I was so happy to see Eric Chopin looking much slimmer and happier. Just something about him that I like and I want to see him succeed.

Koli looked pretty upset/depressed most of the show. I think he was upset about being out of the running for the big prize. Glad he was able to win something though... and that prize is nothing to sneeze at! (BTW, who dresses that guy?? That outfit was terrible!)

I thought Ashley and Michael both looked FABULOUS!! I hope they can stick with it. No talk about any budding romance though.... but maybe they are trying to keep it on the DL. [/QUOTE]

(sorry I didn't quote right - I'll figure it out soon, hopefully!)

I completely agree about the twins and some of the other "at home" contestants - especially Andrea. I was kind of disappointed in her results, particularly because she reminded me a lot of me when she was at the ranch. Oh well, I hope she keeps losing on her own. Her dad looked great though.

Koli was pretty stylin' - but I thought Sam's outfit was worse - his belt was clear up to his chest! Those guns are something to be proud of, but was the sleeve cuffing really necessary? And Michael's belt buckle was the first thing I saw when he busted through - yikes! OK, let me stop...

I did feel bad for Koli because he seemed really disappointed, but $100,000 is still awesome dude! I kept telling my son that Koli looked like he was going to throw up the whole time he was waiting to be weighed - we kept waiting for him to turn around and hurl off the back of the podium - it was pretty funny.

The final three all looked great - and it was really cute how Daris couldn't quit smiling the whole time. It was sorta anti-climatic at the end though - it was like MichaelwinsconfettiOKbye. I really don't think Michael and Ashley are an item - I could be wrong of course - but I'm thinking that Ashley isn't really his type if you know what I mean (they remind me of Will and Grace if that helps clarify). It does seem to me that Daris has a (not reciprocated) crush on Ashley though.

I didn't mean to be so long, none of my friends watch this show so I only have my 9 yo DS to talk about it with normally - how nice to have new friends to talk about the next season with !

Bree

 

[Connie96]

The mom caught my eye because she was so slim.... about a size 4... And her order.... footlong sub on Italian herb and cheese bread... BLT with EXTRA bacon and EXTRA mayonnaise and CHEESE!! For a drink she got COKE (real Coke, not diet). And yup, she ate the entire thing!!
I'm not saying I didn't enjoy my 6" turkey because I did. But really.... life just isn't fair!!

I notice these things too and, you're right... "Unfair" is the only word for it. And the funny thing is, she probably didn't even enjoy it as much as I would have!

 

[brinalyn530]

I thought the same about James and John, especially since Michael weighed more than either of them. On the other hand, the biggest losers were the ones who stayed on the ranch the longest.

I expected Shay to have lost more than fifty-something pounds in the 5 months since last season's finale.

My reaction to John and James - "Wow they're still so big!" I know they had a lot of physical problems - at least one of them did - but I expected more too I guess.

I was surprised at Shay's loss too at first, but then I realized, she wasn't on the ranch at all. I don't know if BL supports the contestants or Shay financially while they are participating, but if not, I'm sure she had to work, plus she has two small (step?) children in the house to care for. I know I couldn't have lost 52 pounds in five months while working and taking care of my kid - heck it took me six months to lose 30 pounds last year - so that really put it into perspective for me. 52 pounds in 5 months is still a great accomplishment! I wish Subway would sponsor my weight loss effort !

Bree

 

[Connie96]

I kept telling my son that Koli looked like he was going to throw up the whole time he was waiting to be weighed - we kept waiting for him to turn around and hurl off the back of the podium - it was pretty funny.

I find it amusing to see how different the contestants seem "live" than when recorded on the show. Like they're all animated and confident talking to the camera during the season, but they're stiff and kinda crazy in the eyes during the live finale. I remember last season's finale, Tara looked like a deer in the headlights. Or maybe she was stoned? Of course, if I was in front of a "live studio audience" I'd look nuts too. On the other hand, I'd freeze up in front of a video camera regardless of the audience. God bless 'em for getting out there to begin with.

I really don't think Michael and Ashley are an item - I could be wrong of course - but I'm thinking that Ashley isn't really his type if you know what I mean (they remind me of Will and Grace if that helps clarify).

That's so funny! I didn't really think of that, but my husband (who didn't watch the season, but I wouldn't let him change the channel until the show was over last night!) voiced the same opinion of Michael and then I was like... Ya know, you may be on to something there...

 

[brinalyn530]

I find it amusing to see how different the contestants seem "live" than when recorded on the show. Like they're all animated and confident talking to the camera during the season, but they're stiff and kinda crazy in the eyes during the live finale. I remember last season's finale, Tara looked like a deer in the headlights. Or maybe she was stoned? Of course, if I was in front of a "live studio audience" I'd look nuts too. On the other hand, I'd freeze up in front of a video camera regardless of the audience. God bless 'em for getting out there to begin with.



That's so funny! I didn't really think of that, but my husband (who didn't watch the season, but I wouldn't let him change the channel until the show was over last night!) voiced the same opinion of Michael and then I was like... Ya know, you may be on to something there...

Yeah, the whole "live audience" thing has got to be nerve wracking for the contestants - I'd be on the verge of throwing up myself I'm sure! Even Alison gets a little "stuttery" during the finale and you never see that during the season. But it is entertaining for the at home audience !

The clincher for me was the belt buckle! Really the whole outfit, but mostly the buckle - I couldn't take my eyes off the dang thing the whole time it was on camera! I've had the feeling that was the case for a while now, but the finale pushed me over the fence. It makes absolutely no difference to me either way of course - but it's interesting how different isolated/edited bits of film can leave such different impressions on people.

Bree