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

[missymj]

How does one join?

 

[jennz]

And Taryn - road kill smell? Ew!!

 

[mikamah]

Good morning everyone. I have loved reading how everyone's family and friends have influenced their weight loss journeys. I'm having a bit of an emotional morning, and missing my mom today, so thanks for sharing how awesome and supportive some of your mom's have been, and treasure every day you have to share with them.

Tuesday's QOTD: How have your IRL friends and family impacted your weight loss goals either negatively or positively?

I have two friends who are supportive, and my family is also supportive, yet when we have get togethers, some are better than others on having healthy choices. My younger brother and sil are the most supportive, and both on the same journey, so I love visiting with them. When we go to their house my brother always has a plan to exercise, climb a mountain, go running the track, so I try to remember to pack my running bra when we go there now.

Our sheriff is our age (youngest in our county's history) and has been a good friend of Dh and I since childhood. It's been a few months since I saw him, and wondered why I didn't get my usual half hug hello when I saw him. After I did my first few miles and got back on the bus to rest a bit, he apologized profusely and said "while you were running I asked who the new teacher was. I totally did not recognize you, you look amazing!" I need to remember those things when I feel upset that I am not where I want to be!!!!!!

What a wonderful compliment to all the hard work you have put in.

What did you end up doing for your 20 minutes?

We did go play tennis for 20 min, and the 10 min walk to and from the park made 30. We dilly dallied a little so we had to get back home for bedtime.

Tuesday's QOTD: What eating/nutrition plan are you following to help you with your lifestyle and weight loss goals?

I'm following ww on my own now. I've done it many times and feel I know it pretty well, and find keeping track of the points to be fairly easy for me, versus switching to calories. If I follow ww and track every bite I eat, and stay within my points, using all my weekly flex points and activity points, I will undoubtedly lose weight. I am a firm believer in using the weekly points to keep me from feeling hungry or deprived. When I was going to meetings, I couldn't always get to the same meeting each week, and found it added more stress some times to get there. Plus since I didn't get to the same meetings, I never felt like I was part of the group. I definitely get more support and inspiration from these challenges than I got at those meetings, so I stopped going and paying. That money I'm saving is going to go toward my trip for the Princess half!! And the biggest part of my support system is all of you here. I truly don't know where I would be without you guys. Thank you.

The WISH Biggest Loser Summer Challenge Week 1 Superstars!!

#10- 1.83% - N&B’smom
#9- 1.92% - lisalisalisa
#8- 1.98% - lisah0711
#7- 2.15% - Hockeychic
#6- 2.33% - pinkle
#5- 2.45% - kimara
#4- 2.55% - Worfiedoodles
#3- 2.69% - crzy4pooh
#2- 3.07% - keenercam

and now
The WISH Biggest Loser Summer Challenge
Week 1 Biggest Loser!!

#1- 3.39% - LMO429

Whoo hoo!!!!! Congrats to all the top 10 losers, especially LMO429!! And congrats to all of us here, making those healthy changes.

Thank you Shannon, for all you do as weightkeeper. (and thanks for quoting me, I feel honored.)

A belated to Maria!! Hope you had a fabulous day.

 

[Rose&Mike]

Maybe another candidate from that party would like an experienced volunteer? Of course, it is disappointing when your candidate doesn't win but unfortunately that is the nature of a race. It's no fun watching your children learn these life lessons.

Thanks. And thanks jennz and Taryn. I sent that suggestion in an email. I'm sure he is fine. This is my issue not his. He should be sad, and last night I think he was more worried about a friend who was taking the whole thing so hard. Young people are soooo passionate about things. Someone described this to me once (the process of your kids going to college and moving on) as losing a limb. You have to learn to live without it and every once in a while you are reminded that the limb is missing and you have to remember how your life has changed. I sometimes envy our friends whose kids went to the local or in state college, but I know how happy ds is, and that this was the best choice for him. Sometimes I just get a little sad and worried. And then I want to eat.....but I'm going to try hard to avoid that today.

 

[mikamah]

How does one join?

I think you just did!!! Welcome aboard.

The first posts by Lisah0711 on page 1 have lots of details about how the challenge is run, but you can pm your starting weight to Luvbaloo, and we also have the challenge of the week or COW that Jenanderson is running. Our weighin day is friday, so you want to pm your weight on fridays to Luvbaloo (shannon) our weightkeeper.

You can jump in and post at anytime on the weekly thread, and we'd love for you to share a little about yourself. The thread does move fast sometimes, but don't worry if you don't have time to read it all, we're a very friendly and supportive group and we love to hear from everyone. Any questions, do ask.

Welcome and Good luck!!

 

[Greenfield1984]

Okay so this is kind of off topic but I did come home and eat a chocolate chip cookie b/c I'm mad so maybe not so off topic

DD and a friend are in strings camp at the middle school, first time w/this new (for them) director. Camp starts at 9. Monday they got there a minute or so before 9 - he says he's already passed everything out. Yesterday they got there at 5 til 9 - they walk in and he tells them he's already tuned everyone. What the heck? I think this man is very rude to the 12 year olds. I was going to go in this morning but dd freaked out a little bit. So here are my options: 1. walk in with them tomorrow, check the clock, say I wanted to meet him, and ask if he would like the kids there before the 9 am start time; 2. Email him with basically the same question; 3. Let it go. It's very possible I'm over-reacting.

Thanks for your opinions! I have stepped away from the cookies.

Hey Jennz,

If I were you I'd give it a couple more days before saying anything. You don't want to embarass your DD by making a big deal of something. But it does sound like he's being very rude, and if it continues then I would email him asking him what time he wants the kids there at. Good job on stepping away from the cookies!

 

[Connie96]

Tuesday's QOTD: What eating/nutrition plan are you following to help you with your lifestyle and weight loss goals?

My plan is pretty loose this time. I aim for 1200-1500 calories per day, but I'm not tracking each calorie. I try to make good decisions based on the options at hand and keep an estimated running total in my head. This seems more sustainable for me than meticulous planning and record keeping. More like "real life" and less like "dieting". When I lost weight last year, I was very meticulous about recording everything and I did great. Until I just couldn't stand it anymore. I think the knowledge I gained while doing that is invaluable in helping me make informed decisions each time I sit down to eat from here on out.

 

[Greenfield1984]

My plan is pretty loose this time. I aim for 1200-1500 calories per day, but I'm not tracking each calorie. I try to make good decisions based on the options at hand and keep an estimated running total in my head. This seems more sustainable for me than meticulous planning and record keeping. More like "real life" and less like "dieting". When I lost weight last year, I was very meticulous about recording everything and I did great. Until I just couldn't stand it anymore. I think the knowledge I gained while doing that is invaluable in helping me make informed decisions each time I sit down to eat from here on out.

I think this is the best way to do it Connie. Right now I'm still tracking meticulously just so I can get a real idea of how many calories I'm eating. I know WHAT'S healthy, but I need to know what QUANTITY is healthy. Eventually I won't have to track as much because it will be second nature. For ME, that's the only way to make this a lifelong change rather than a diet that I will have to be on for the rest of my life.

 

[Rose&Mike]

Okay so this is kind of off topic but I did come home and eat a chocolate chip cookie b/c I'm mad so maybe not so off topic

DD and a friend are in strings camp at the middle school, first time w/this new (for them) director. Camp starts at 9. Monday they got there a minute or so before 9 - he says he's already passed everything out. Yesterday they got there at 5 til 9 - they walk in and he tells them he's already tuned everyone. What the heck? I think this man is very rude to the 12 year olds. I was going to go in this morning but dd freaked out a little bit. So here are my options: 1. walk in with them tomorrow, check the clock, say I wanted to meet him, and ask if he would like the kids there before the 9 am start time; 2. Email him with basically the same question; 3. Let it go. It's very possible I'm over-reacting.

Thanks for your opinions! I have stepped away from the cookies.

Jennifer--my ds was in band all through high school. Generally the understanding was that you should be in your seat and warmed up, ready to tune 5-10 minutes before a rehersal. Having said that, and given that they are in middle school, unless a letter went home with that expectation, I would have gotten him there at a few minutes before 9 just like you did. I think it's completely reasonable to send an email and just say--"I had a quick question. What time do the kids need to be in their seats in the morning? I want to make sure I'm getting DD there on time. Thanks so much for your help!" Now if this is the only time she will have to deal with this director you might just want to let it go, but if it will be a continued relationship I don't think it would hurt to send a friendly email. Good luck.

 

[pjlla]

Like many of you, I have have lost and gained the same weight many times and picked up a few new pounds along the way. Each time I have come to the realization that I needed to lose a few, I have had different levels of support from different people. But, focusing on THIS time, DH is my HERO.

He has gained and lost weight a few times too, but this last time (60 down and about 20 more to go), he took the time to learn about calories and what foods had a lot and what foods didn't. Now, he's no nutrition guru, but he is certainly calorie conscious. This really helps me when we are trying to pick where to eat.

Although we did go thru a period where his "encouragement" ("Are you sure you wanna eat that?") was not terribly encouraging ("He!!, yeah, I'm sure! Leave me alone!"). I can say without reservation that when he finally found the right button to push, it was him who brought me back from the dark side. As I've mentioned here before, he offered me DVC as a reward for achieving and maintaining my goal weight. Support doesn't come any more tangible than that!

Aside from big incentives, he supports my enjoyment of running by hanging out with DD when I hit the road. He is also supporting me in my desire to enter races on a regular basis - even those that require an overnight stay - which means time and money commitments.

Gary, babe, you are the best and I love you with all that I am.

Edited: I was going to just leave it at that, but I just got a call from my mom and I had to post. She is always encouraging, but it's sometimes hard when she is discouraged over her own weight issues. But, starting late last week, mom has been riding her bicycle alongside me while I do my running. She misses running, but spinal issues forced her to give up high-impact activities several years ago. I'm really excited that she's ready to get moving. And, the phone call... she and I meet for lunch every Tuesday. Today is her turn to pick the location and she just called to ask me to send her a list of places where I can eat healthy because she wanted to pick from that list. It's a small thing, but it's awesome. Mom, you rock.

You are SO lucky to have a great support system in place... and it is nice that you see that and appreciate it!

And about your Mom calling about the restaurant... that is a HUGE thing!! Give her a big hug for me!

Good morning!!

I have to say that I am pretty lucky to have an amazing husband who will take the ice cream bucket from me when I get into a bad place and forget to use a bowl. He will take care of my daughter (his step-daughter) so that I can work out and he is always supporting me in my mission to get healthy.

My daughter (6) is amazing!!! When I'm doing my workouts, and my legs hurt so much from squats and lunges that I want to cry, she jumps right in there with me doing them and cheering me on. I could not be luckier to have such an awesome support team.

One thing I find hard is my bigger friends, who aren't interested in being healthier, seem resentful. They'll make comments about how we cant be friends because Im getting too skinny (Im far from "too skinny" at 177 lbs) and I just wish that they could be happy for me and maybe take some inspiration from it for themselves.Instead they offer me fatty foods and massive portions and I swear they just want me to fail!! But I'm not giving up, I have you guys and reading all your posts about how you have overcome so much is inspiring. I feel lucky to be a part of such a great group.

I don't think that they want you to fail.... but your success is just proving to them that it can be done... but they aren't doing it! I try to look at it from the other side... and I have BEEN on the other side. A friend of mine lost weight several years ago. She and I had known each other for about 6 or 7 years and we had both bounced our weight around during that time (and were both pregnant once or twice during that time)... she would be up and I would be down and then vice versa... but she eventually went on to lose all of her weight and keep it off. Was it tough for me, still 90 pounds overweight? Sure... and I kind of resented when it looked "easy" for her. But I didn't let it end the friendship (although the friendship did fall away a bit for another unrelated reason... but we are still friendly).

But I always felt uncomfortable when we would hang around or go shopping. We look very similar and have been asked if we are sisters... but I would always comment that I was the "older, fatter sister". I still enjoyed her friendship, but wasn't totally comfortable around her.

Maybe these friendships will end... maybe they won't. Maybe they NEED to end if you are to continue to live a healthier lifestyle.

Maria -- Happy Birthday!!!


QUICK QUESTION for the powers-that-be -- Is there any chance that we might put IRL names next to screen names in the first post (assuming people are okay with having us know their real names)? I know some and respond to the posts with the first name, but I feel terrible about not responding to others by real name.

I LOVE this idea. I keep a bit of a "cheat sheet" next to my computer at home with that information, but I am frequently posting from here at school and I don't have my sheet.

Actually, it's really easy for me to say no to Chipotle 'cause it makes me sick to my stomach ! I may try a salad or something from there one day, because I really do like their mission (and now I know there are ways around the tortilla of doom!), but I have very vivid, very not good memories from the last few times I tried to eat there and I just can't seem to get over them!

Also, the nearest Quiznos to us at work is next to the filthiest Burger King I've ever seen. Let's just say I've seen things in that shopping center that shouldn't be anywhere near restaurants, so it's really easy for me to say no to that one, too.

Those were just the two I've heard so far this week ! Sometimes I'll cave if they go to Subway because I know I can get something decent there and it's clean. My friends are impressed by my resolve on a regular basis though !

Now that my cover has been blown, I'm actually surprised I can eat anything at all from a restaurant as OCD as I am about germs/bugs/animal cruelty/growth hormones/pesticides/etc. - the list could go on for days. And really, I could extend it to just about everything - there's dirt on the lettuce I bought at Safeway which means there may have been bugs on it at some point... Let me stop right now.

I guess I'm really good at forgetting about all that when I pull up to the drive thru after (insert activity here). It's pretty easy really, since 90% of the stuff you can get from a drive thru isn't "real" food to start with. Maybe I should put all these thoughts in my head to keep my hunger at bay until I can get home to a clean environment and cook something that I know is healthier. Or maybe I should be medicated ...

Thanks for the advice though ! And for the correct spelling of Chipotle !

Bree

ETA : I read wayyyy too much. Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollen really opened my eyes and has led me down a slippery slope. I have Food Inc and a multitude of other similar books/movies in my que at Amazon, just waiting for some extra money to come my way so I can get them. I don't do public libraries - see above !

Ummm.. lettuce GROWS in dirt (or soil, if you prefer), so it being dirty is perfectly natural... especially if it was picked right after a rainstorm. Soak it in the sink in cold water. Give it one good swish and then don't agitate it again... let the dirt sink to the bottom and then just skim the clean lettuce (or spinach) from the top of the water. All set.

Well I'm done with food intake for the day lol.
I used up all my points for the day on Weight Watchers {just joined to hoping it will work} and went into my spare points alittle, but everything is good

WOOHOO to you on joining WW!! I'm proud of you. I've been doing WW on my own at home now for over two years. Hopefully I can answer any questions you might come up with. Find a GREAT WW leader that you love to listen to and you will stick with it!

You can do it Energizer!!!! You know you've got this! Just think 50 50 50 50!


Whoo! Boot camp at 5am! That's intense! You must be one proud coach!


Well, something odd is going on with me today. I'm not hungry!!! I don't know if my body is still recovering from my run yesterday, which I would have thought would have made me hungry. I just couldn't pull a workout in tonight. MAKE THAT - I just didn't! By the time I got dinner ready and cleaned up, and got my new ipod set up.. it was.. well.. now!

Have to share the funny things that happened today WDW related. I had actually put food in bowls and put on the table rather than plating from the stove. I said "this is family style dinner tonight" And DD and DH started playing :What WDW restaurants are family style?

Then glee was on, and he finished with the Hawaiian sounding "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and DD yelled "The Ohana song" and Dh said "12 more days, guys!!!"

You can tell it's close to trip time!
Taryn

Laughing about your kids finding the "Disney" in everyday things. A few years ago I mentioned to my kids that visiting the local ski mountain snack bar was like going to Epcot.... the food was expensive and it was served to you by people from other countries with heavy accents!! (Our local ski mountain imports a lot of foreign teens/young adults to work for the season.... that day we were waited on by a young man from Brazil!)

Well, my plan was to comment on a couple of things, but I just got a text from DS--the primary for the campaign he was working on this summer was today and the candidate lost. He said he doesn't want to talk tonight and that he was ok, but sad. I am so not ready to be a parent of a young adult/college student. (He just finished his freshman year). I just want to fix everything and I can't fix anything.:sad2: So, I don't know what he's going to do now for the rest of the summer. He stayed in his college town (500 miles away) for this and had been working 7 days a week for free since the campaign ran out of money a few weeks ago. And he really loved it. It's going to be quite the shock to get up tomorrow with nothing to do. Sorry to be so off topic. You really never stop worrying about them.

Taryn--some veggie burgers are really good and some not so good. You have to try a couple of different kinds to see what you like. A lot of it is personal taste. And just because they are a veggie burger doesn't mean they are healthy. Make sure you check the ingredients and the sodium content.

to you. My DD is almost 15 and I am terrified of the day she leaves for college and isn't within my grasp anymore. I don't think that I am a "helicopter mom", but like you, I definitely want the ability to make everything "okay" for her (and DS) and it is so tough when you can't. And of course, the older and more independent they get, the harder that is.

Congrats to all our losers and maintainers, especially LMO429! I was a gainer this week, so to all of us gainers.

Happy Belated B-Day to Maria! (I fell asleep before I could post again last night.)

QOTD: I use WW Online. Meetings just seemed too expensive even though they were in my parents' budget. They were great and paid for it, but I just couldn't justify the cost, so Online for me. I'm also trying to increase my exercise.

I've been weighing myself everyday this week and so far, I'm on track. I would love to lose another half a pound by Friday. I have a big even on Friday night and there will be lots of eating. I picked what sounded like the healthies menu option, fish, but who knows. It could have sauce on it. I ordered stuffed sole (again, healthiest-and tastiest IMO-option) for my sister's wedding and the servers came around and offered us sauce. I didn't think it was necessary for taste, so definitely passed, but it does make me wonder if my mahi mahi on Friday night will come with sauce already on it. I'll have to plan accordingly because I get the impression I can't skip dessert. I don't drink, but there will be apps during cocktail hour. I could arrive closer to the end of cocktail hour, but again, I get the impression that would be a faux pas. Oh well. I'll take pjlla's advice and plan, plan, plan!
Got my 20 minutes of exercise in. Woke up kind of sick to my stomach, so I didn't push myself. I'll be walking a lot today at work so that'll be nice.

Have a great day today everyone!

CC

Thanks for thinking of me and my crazy plans!! Right now I am trying to formulate a plan for the extended Father's Day weekend. My b.day is the 17th... probably a small celebration that day. Then my official b.day celebration with the family is going to see Toy Story 3 on Friday. Then Saturday we will go to my parent's house to celebrate my b.day (again) and an early Father's Day for my Dad. Then Sunday, back home again to celebrate Father's day for my DH. It is sure to be 4 days of FOOD!! I need a solid plan if I am going to make it through without a huge gain!

Here is my plan so far.....

Thursday- (actual b.day) probably dinner out at Applebee's... I can get a nice meal and stay easily on plan.

Friday - a bit tougher, as I LOVE movie popcorn. This maybe my biggest splurge of the weekend... movie popcorn, a few peanut butter M&Ms, and a few Twizzlers. Not planning any big meals, but might eat out before or after the movie, depending on DH's schedule that day.

Saturday - I will talk with Mom and we will plan a healthy but fun menu for that day. Maybe include some strawberry shortcake!

Sunday - This day is still up in the air. DH didn't have any specific ideas or suggestions, so the kids and I are trying to come up with a fun plan for the day... it will probably include this new buffet restaurant that I've been wanting DH to try... it will be hard, but I've been there and I know I can stay reasonably on plan if I make an effort.

This is just my "thinking ahead" time. When I nail down the schedule I will make up an actual PLAN, on paper, for the weekend.

How does one join?

I know that someone already told you the basics.... just wanted to say WELCOME!!

Well, happy Wednesday! I'm working again today and my time is up... time for me to get the kids from the library! I'll try to hop on again later to chat and answer the QOTD!.....................P

 

[flipflopmom]

2. Email him with basically the same question; 3. Let it go. It's very possible I'm over-reacting.

Jennifer, I would email him with something to the effect of "we would really like to meet your expectations for arrival time. Can you reiterate those for me so that we can do so?" Way to walk away!

I think he really has the big boy pants on. I just don't want him to. I'm kind of sensitive to that phrase.

Sorry, it's one I use with myself often, to motivate myself to do/face something I don't want to! Hopefully soon I can say "put your skinny girls pants on" Didn't mean to upset you! I was trying, in a hurried, not-well thought out way, should have said "don't let this stress you too much."

Someone described this to me once (the process of your kids going to college and moving on) as losing a limb. You have to learn to live without it and every once in a while you are reminded that the limb is missing and you have to remember how your life has changed. I sometimes envy our friends whose kids went to the local or in state college, but I know how happy ds is, and that this was the best choice for him. Sometimes I just get a little sad and worried. And then I want to eat.....but I'm going to try hard to avoid that today.

You know Rose, the night I got engaged, my mom told me it felt like I was cutting off her right arm. Not initially, but when I pushed her into telling me how she really feels. Didn't mean to sound unsympathetic before, I cried when DD lost her first tooth!

I think you just did!!! Welcome aboard.

The first posts by Lisah0711 on page 1 have lots of details about how the challenge is run, but you can pm your starting weight to Luvbaloo, and we also have the challenge of the week or COW that Jenanderson is running. Our weighin day is friday, so you want to pm your weight on fridays to Luvbaloo (shannon) our weightkeeper.

You can jump in and post at anytime on the weekly thread, and we'd love for you to share a little about yourself. The thread does move fast sometimes, but don't worry if you don't have time to read it all, we're a very friendly and supportive group and we love to hear from everyone. Any questions, do ask.

Welcome and Good luck!!

What she said! WELCOME!!! Be sure to read pg. 1, and come back with any questions!

Plus since I didn't get to the same meetings, I never felt like I was part of the group. I definitely get more support and inspiration from these challenges than I got at those meetings, so I stopped going and paying. That money I'm saving is going to go toward my trip for the Princess half!! And the biggest part of my support system is all of you here. I truly don't know where I would be without you guys. Thank you..

We're luck to have you!!!!

I know WHAT'S healthy, but I need to know what QUANTITY is healthy. Eventually I won't have to track as much because it will be second nature. For ME, that's the only way to make this a lifelong change rather than a diet that I will have to be on for the rest of my life.

EXACTLY!!! Portion control is not my strong suit!!! I think it comes from having a family over overeaters, and the large portions you are served in restaurants. It just doesn't come naturally!

 

[pjlla]

My plan is pretty loose this time. I aim for 1200-1500 calories per day, but I'm not tracking each calorie. I try to make good decisions based on the options at hand and keep an estimated running total in my head. This seems more sustainable for me than meticulous planning and record keeping. More like "real life" and less like "dieting". When I lost weight last year, I was very meticulous about recording everything and I did great. Until I just couldn't stand it anymore. I think the knowledge I gained while doing that is invaluable in helping me make informed decisions each time I sit down to eat from here on out.

I think this is the best way to do it Connie. Right now I'm still tracking meticulously just so I can get a real idea of how many calories I'm eating. I know WHAT'S healthy, but I need to know what QUANTITY is healthy. Eventually I won't have to track as much because it will be second nature. For ME, that's the only way to make this a lifelong change rather than a diet that I will have to be on for the rest of my life.

In response to both of you.... if tracking in your head works, great. But if it doesn't, try coming up with an easier system. I track on paper. I started trying to track online, but it was a PITA, so I went to a nice, easy, simple, notebook. I have developed my own "shorthand" and while I do record everything, I have learned to do it easily and quickly. It totally keeps me honest and keeps my "old brain" from (conveniently) forgetting snacks along the way. And the tracking is definitely second nature for me now. I rarely miss a day of tracking, unless I am away on vacation.

EXACTLY!!! Portion control is not my strong suit!!! I think it comes from having a family over overeaters, and the large portions you are served in restaurants. It just doesn't come naturally!

PORTIONS are so difficult!! Even after doing WW for a solid 30 months, reading labels, measuring and weighing almost ALL my foods, I'm SURE that I would still make big mistakes! And even if you start okay, overtime that unmeasured portion would surely grow! If you want real portion control, I think you need to measure, measure, measure. I STILL measure my salad dressing EVERY DAY!! I put my food scale next to my plate at dinner (only at home, of course ). It is just SECOND NATURE!...............P

 

[tigger813]

Have done absolutely nothing cleaning wise but have gotten in 7,7 miles. I need to get moving before I have to take DD1 and her friend shopping! I guess I'll start with the dining room table so it look slike I did something.

I did take my Shrek glasses back to McD's but then had to call the corporate headquarters as they only gave me $2.20 per glass instead of the promised $3 per glass. THey didn't know a thing about the $3. I said, it's all over the news and on the corporate website and when you call the headquarters. I'm getting 2 coupons for free sandwiches and I will go back next week to see the manager to get the rest of my money. The girl on the phone was very helpful ans said they would be filing a report and contacting the store. Poor communication inside such a large corporation is very sad especially it being McD's!

Gotta get off my butt!

Congrats to all the losers! WOW, 126 pounds for 100 people is super for the first week!

 

[LMO429]

OMG! I just realized I was no.1 this week!!!!! Sweet!!! I really did bust my butt last week, I am doing this one month jillian michael dvd rotation that seems to be working...What I also did was follow pretty much follow to the letter the first week of Jillian Michaels Master your Metabolism Cookbook. Guess eating organic works!

Congrats to everybody for all their hardwork!

 

[Rose&Mike]

You know Rose, the night I got engaged, my mom told me it felt like I was cutting off her right arm. Not initially, but when I pushed her into telling me how she really feels. Didn't mean to sound unsympathetic before, I cried when DD lost her first tooth!

Thanks for sharing this. You are a great cheerleader, and I knew you weren't trying to be unsympathetic.

It's a rainy day here and I am very unmotivated to do anything. I'm not going to the Y until this afternoon. Hope everyone has a good day!

 

[Connie96]

In response to both of you.... if tracking in your head works, great. But if it doesn't, try coming up with an easier system. I track on paper. I started trying to track online, but it was a PITA, so I went to a nice, easy, simple, notebook. I have developed my own "shorthand" and while I do record everything, I have learned to do it easily and quickly. It totally keeps me honest and keeps my "old brain" from (conveniently) forgetting snacks along the way. And the tracking is definitely second nature for me now. I rarely miss a day of tracking, unless I am away on vacation.

I do know what you mean. I am pretty "into" this right now, so it's pretty easy to remember. I know there will be times that are harder. I guess that the problems I ran into with the meticulous record keeping was that if it wasn't really *PRECISE* I couldn't stand it. Like - order a salad where the nutritionals included the dressing, but I would order the dressing on the side and have only a tiny bit or none at all. Or, I really hate olives, and those are pretty high in calories, so how can I record Greek Salad with Grilled Chicken with no dressing and no olives? It made me nuts! It was like if I was writing it down (online or on paper), it had to be perfect, but if it's just an estimate in my head, then it's fine and I'm not crazy. Or am I?!

PORTIONS are so difficult!! Even after doing WW for a solid 30 months, reading labels, measuring and weighing almost ALL my foods, I'm SURE that I would still make big mistakes! And even if you start okay, overtime that unmeasured portion would surely grow! If you want real portion control, I think you need to measure, measure, measure. I STILL measure my salad dressing EVERY DAY!! I put my food scale next to my plate at dinner (only at home, of course ). It is just SECOND NATURE!...............P

I do still use my food scale somewhat religiously at home, and I try to stick with options that have posted nutritionals when eating out.

 

[pjlla]

QOTD: How have your IRL friends and family impacted your weight loss goals either negatively or positively?

Well, I don't have many IRL friends... just mostly casual friends from work and they are all very nice and complimentary.

As far as my family goes... my Mom is great, very encouraging and helpful whenever we are together (which sadly, isn't very often). She is a GREAT listener and has always had a big interest in nutrition, so she is a great sounding board. Dad doesn't say much, but he does throw out the occasional compliment, which is very appreciated.

DH has a tough time with it... he doesn't know exactly what to say.... when he gives me a compliment I usually come back with something negative, so that makes it tough for him (but I'm working on it). But he thinks that a few compliments is all I need... and meanwhile he brings home cookies, chips, ice cream, etc... makes popcorn EVERY NIGHT (real popcorn, on the stove, with oil and butter). He doesn't discourage my exercising, but he doesn't always make it easier. We don't go out to eat much, but he is the first to mention someplace like the Olive Garden (a calorie MINEFIELD!) or Friendly's (can you say ICE CREAM!!??) or Uno's (pizza at it's most calorie-rich). I usually have to respectfully request that we go somewhere that I stand at least a small chance of staying OP (like Applebee's). But I don't always win out.

That said, he does need to lose some weight himself and I'm sure it has been difficult to see me pursue this so whole heartedly. It has been a HUGE change in lifestyle for me (both the eating and the exercise) and he hasn't complained really (although I don't force my eating habits on anyone else).

The kids are pretty good..... especially DD. She will often remember on a Friday to ask how the weigh-in went. But both of the kids are quick to request treats at any give time without thinking about how hard it will be for me to resist. I usually just say... "not tonight" or "how about we have that on Saturday". If I can resist until I can plan a "splurge" meal, it is much better than trying to skip the treat entirely on another day.


QOTD: What eating/nutrition plan are you following to help you with your lifestyle and weight loss goals?

Weight Watchers! I have always had success with it (when I chose to stick with the plan). It is such a "real life" plan!! At this point, I can't imagine ever trying anything else.

I did try Atkins for a week a few years ago when DH was doing it. While it was fun for a few days to eat lots of eggs, cheese, steak, etc, after a few days I was dying for a slice of toast or an apple!! I'm SO glad I didn't stick with it any longer. I think that it kind of teaches some bad habits about PORTION.... basically, on the no-carb foods there are NO LIMITS on the portions (at least, that is what I learned) and you can easily way overeat on that stuff!!

I've, of course, dabbled with SlimFast and the cabbage soup diet over the years!.... And I did Jenny Craig for a short time about 15 years ago (I had a friend who worked there and she got me the food for her cost and "coached" me on her own. I did lose weight, but gained it back once I stopped ordering her food. Food was okay, but nothing to live on for a lifetime.)

I've read about South Beach, but never attempted to follow it, but I know people who have had great success with it.... at least temporarily.

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

 

[maiziezoe]

Ann had to answer about your garbage post - I love walking on garbage days b/c then I have somewhere to put the poop bag! One of my dogs enjoys using other peoples lawns.

You are awesome for picking up your dogs poop. We have a neighbor who allows her dog to poop in any lawn but her own. She doesn't pick it up. One day, I am going to pick it up and put it on her front step. *insert evil grin*

Okay so this is kind of off topic but I did come home and eat a chocolate chip cookie b/c I'm mad so maybe not so off topic

DD and a friend are in strings camp at the middle school, first time w/this new (for them) director. Camp starts at 9. Monday they got there a minute or so before 9 - he says he's already passed everything out. Yesterday they got there at 5 til 9 - they walk in and he tells them he's already tuned everyone. What the heck? I think this man is very rude to the 12 year olds. I was going to go in this morning but dd freaked out a little bit. So here are my options: 1. walk in with them tomorrow, check the clock, say I wanted to meet him, and ask if he would like the kids there before the 9 am start time; 2. Email him with basically the same question; 3. Let it go. It's very possible I'm over-reacting.

Thanks for your opinions! I have stepped away from the cookies.

Are you paying for this camp? Personally, I would march into the room and ask him what his problem is but I'm not usually a "nice" person. Buuuuuut... I think YOU should email him... unless you want me to drive down there and show him some of my unique personality.

Thanks. And thanks jennz and Taryn. I sent that suggestion in an email. I'm sure he is fine. This is my issue not his. He should be sad, and last night I think he was more worried about a friend who was taking the whole thing so hard. Young people are soooo passionate about things. Someone described this to me once (the process of your kids going to college and moving on) as losing a limb. You have to learn to live without it and every once in a while you are reminded that the limb is missing and you have to remember how your life has changed. I sometimes envy our friends whose kids went to the local or in state college, but I know how happy ds is, and that this was the best choice for him. Sometimes I just get a little sad and worried. And then I want to eat.....but I'm going to try hard to avoid that today.

Rose... I feel your pain. My oldest son will be 22 next week (or the week after, who really cares at this point)... he lives in Chicago... a big scary city (in my eyes anyway)...

Have ever read the book Love You Forever? In the book, the mom takes care of her little baby... every night after the baby falls asleep, the mom crawls into the baby's room and hugs him and sings... "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be." She continues to do this as the baby grows up and even after he becomes an adult... then, when she is an old lady the son drives to his moms house and while she sleeps he holds her in his arms and sings... "I'll love you forever I'll like you for always as long as I'm living my Mommy you'll be."

Even though our sons are all grown up, we will always be their mommies and they will always need us, even if they don't know it. It's okay to feel the way you feel... I feel it ever single day.

 

[MushyMushy]

I'm feeling kind of disappointed right now, but I know I can't say anything about it. I know it's going to sound a little silly.

So two nights ago, for the first time in 16 years of marriage, my husband and I told each other our weights. Now, he has fudged his in the past, but I have just never admitted to mine. I kind of wanted us to be accountable to each other and hopefully get a good start on this weight loss. Yesterday we were both on board with dieting and changing our habits. Today, he took a work at home day and first thing he did when I got up this morning was cooked a slab of thick-sliced bacon for breakfast.

I kind of feel like home is the place where I can really succeed at this. I can control what I'm cooking and what I'm putting in my mouth. As soon as I'm faced with someone else handing me food, I don't even hesitate to eat it! I have to admit, I'm really mad at myself and just a little bit disappointed with him. It's like our talk two nights ago didn't even happen. I'm not going to police what he eats, but it would be nice if he wouldn't encourage me to cheat, know what I mean?

Anyway, sorry for whining. I know I can rescue the rest of the day, but it's discouraging to start out this way.

 

[keenercam]

Congratulations to everyone for a fabulous first week!! This group ROCKS!!!!

Tuesday's QOTD: What eating/nutrition plan are you following to help you with your lifestyle and weight loss goals?

Weight Watchers is the one plan that I have found works for me. By now I am familiar with the points values of foods and it's a matter of sticking to the right size portions. I'm a bit sad today because the scale is up a bit even though I have been eating completely on plan this week (except Monday when I ate too little). I just have to keep at it and not let the number on the scale discourage me.