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

[disneymom2one]

Good Morning,

I promise I will catch up with everyone later today. I, not sure how but..., woke up just before 6:30 AM. The hotel I am staying at has a Starbucks with free wi-fi, so I am able to post the QOTD. Actually, being at Starbucks is my inspiration for today's question.

QOTD: What is your favorite beverage?

I love decaf tea.



Speaking of which, it is still piping hot and my oatmeal is good, but a little hotter than I make it at home. I have a few more minutes, so I'm going to try to catch up a bit. I want to get in a workout at the hotel gym too, so I only have a few. I WILL catch up later. I promise.

CC

Tea - 3/4 unsweetened, 1/4 sweetened. I have maybe two a month. Besides that, I only drink water now. Not a milk drinker. Love diet coke but gave it up nine months ago. So water it is.

 

[flipflopmom]

QOTD: I only drink water and coffee, so it's a toss up. I love my water throughout the day, but can't get by without my morning cuppa joe!

CC- hope you are having a great time and the gala went well.

I still haven't done anything but Dis. It's hard to focus on anything else when you are leaving in 1 week and 10 hours!
Taryn

 

[tigger813]

QOTD: I love Crystal Light Raspberry Iced Tea and so does the rest of the family! Of course, on weekends, my faves are margaritas and raspberry white Russians!

Slept well. Dog is still sleeping. DD2 is awake and dressed and wanting to take the dog for a walk around the yard to do her business. I need to make the dog's breakfast as well as the rest of ours.

Looking forward to a hot dog at the World Cup Soccer festival we have for the little kids soccer. DH is a griller for that! The kids all get trophies so DD2 is all excited and they march in a little parade around the field. They then do some little quick games and then we get to eat.

We'll come home and watch the US vs England game! I'm really excited! Never really a soccer fan but starting to get into it working with DH coaching DD1s team and seeing the kids have so much fun!

Time to get moving. I hope I can get in some exercise later. Maybe the girls and I will do Just Dance or Walk It Out this afternoon.

 

[cclovesdis]

Well I found out why I've been so tired the past couple of days...I'm pregnant!! I'm really excited! A little nervous because in the past year I've had 2 miscarriages, but they were supposedly just really bad luck, so I'm trying to be optimistic I'm over the moon happy right now

Congrats!

Yesterday was kind of blah, so I encouraged you to think happy thoughts before bed. Today's QOTD will use that.

Thursday's QOTD: Take three minutes, and list as many things as you can that make you happy. Have fun, I want us to laugh and smile today!

Can I just say I absolutely loved this QOTD? It was just what I needed.

Good morning all!

A BIG thank you to flipflopmom (Taryn) for being our coach this week! You had some great, thought provoking questions!

And another thank you to our coach starting tomorrow, cclovesdis!

Thanks for the warm welcome!

So, not sure if you remember but I was the one that posted yesterday that I was bummed because I was actually up about 1/2lb. Today I weighed myself (I don't typically do that every day) and I'm down but only a tiny bit from last week, not even a full lb. But what I wanted to say was....that I just FEEL different. So, even though the scale isn't necessarily reflecting it this week, I feel like I'm thinner. Does that make sense?!?!

It makes lots of sense to me. I am up 10 pounds since the start of BL 9 and I feel that way. I think it is the support of my BL Dis friends.

Step away CC!!!!! The floor will be yours! You'll do a great job!

Thanks Taryn!

DD and I got up a little bit early this morning and stopped by the farmer's market before work. Got some fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, yellow squash, zucchini and peaches. We even had enough time that we got to share a peach before going into the daycare. So far, a very nice morning.

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Fresh fruits and veggies, yumm!

Perfect question for today, Taryn. Thank you for coaching this week!! You did an awesome job, and i enjoyed all your questions.

Welcome to CClovesdisney as coach this week and thank you!!!!

Ditto, ditto, ditto, and thanks!

And that folks, ends my coaching for the week. I might get on later, but who knows what will happen around here! I've enjoyed it! Glad we ended the week with a happy note. I'm so proud of each of you, and you've inspired me! Tomorrow starts 8 days of UNREAL schedules, classes, projects, and packing, so I'm sure I'll be bouncing on to vent often. However, it will be followed with 7 days of my man, my girls, my mouse, my second home, and my castle. Can't complain too much!

Night everyone!
Taryn

You have a busy week. Best of luck and Enjoy your trip!

Thanks! I felt so much better today just being able to vent about it all here.

All the support here is great! I am trying hard..but I know I am still eating when I shouldn't...but I am also not beating myself up over it.

Thanks! All the support here is so helpful and I know that I would be really struggling more if I did not know you were all here ot help me through it.

Thanks Maria! I am hoping that there is something that is perfect for me. I know that even subbing will be better next year. I would just like to have my own classroom and feel connected to one school. I will learn patience.

Today was a happy/sad sort of day. My student's parents came in to watch the DVD I made and we all (students, parents and me) laughed and cried as we watched the video of the school year. It was so great to show all the highlights of the year.

Thanks for all the kind words Corinna. I will be ready to start looking harder for a job on Monday once I get through this last week. The last day went so fast and that was kind of nice because there was not too much time to get too emotional.

Update on the emotions: Today was still tough and I made many good choices and not so good choices. Again, I am not beating myself up over it. To help offset the bad choices, I really got a good workout in and hope that helps. I ended up moving about 40 boxes from my classroom to my car, loading the car and then bringing it home. The real workout was at home where it all had to go to the basement and I decided to jog as I did it all. I was totally sweating by the time I was even half done and it felt great to get so much of my classroom packed up and put in my house. I still have a bunch of packing to do tomorrow but I will be out and ready to move on.

I will post the Week 3 COW in a short bit!
Jen

Like someone else said (can't remember who, sorry), please feel free to post here. The support is endless. Best of luck on your job search. You got a great workout in. I know exercise really helps me emotionally. Sounds like it is the same for you.

Welcome to the Challenge of the Week – COW 3

COW 3

PART ONE
Drink 6-8 oz of water each day (1 point for each day) ( 1 cup of coffee or tea counts)
Eat 2 vegetables each day (1 point for each day)
Exercise 20 minutes each day (1 point for each day)
Journal your food each day (1 point for each day)

Ironic! My planned goal for the week was/is to journal what I eat at least 5 days this week.

GOOD MORNING! I am really excited - the plateau has broken! After two weeks with only 1lb. lost, I lost 4 pounds this week, and I get my 55 pound clippie!

Congrats! 55 lbs! Wow!

 

[jennz]

QOTD: My favorite is Crystal Light Raspberry Lemonade...yummmmm

Well I didn't do my P90 yesterday, took dd shopping instead for a few hours. Came home and I was so tired and sore I took some tylenol and read for a few hours and then had some energy to get up and make dinner. Wow! Even with that my calorie burn was above my goal yesterday - 2 hours of shopping at Kohl's burned 339 extra calories.

 

[jennz]

Okay here's my latest challenge...I'm good about starting over when I have a bad day -it's in the past, let it go. I need to start over even if I had a good day - it's in the past too! I have been saying "Oh I did great yesterday, have that cookie today!" Way to knock myself down! Why the heck has it taken me so long to realize I'm doing this?

 

[pinkle]

QOTD......definielty a margarita!!!! other that, that i drink water and starbucks coffee (nothing sugary or creamy....just coffee with nonfat milk)!

Foot is NO better......soooooo disappointing. I can't really walk on it and was not expecting so much pain. I was expecting 2 small stitches not a row of staples (so misleading). Lots of pain killers in order today. I am working (hairdresser) bride coming in fake smiles.
Keep running everyone, that is so great!

 

[jennz]

Pinkle...Ugh that is horrible! Your foot, not the bride. How long will it take to heal? 5 staples, it just hurts reading that...

I remember someone on here was getting those shape-up sneakers...if you're still out there, how are they? Do you like them? I tried on the Avia brand at Kohl's yesterday and was very tempted...my arch was hurting and they seemed to help.

 

[cclovesdis]

In my perfect dream world I go to the grocery store once a week, with a carefully planned menu and list, full of only food that is healthy and tasty that can be fixed in a few minutes and mirculously costs just pennies a serving. In reality I have one big grocery run early on a week-end morning for several meals and then a trip or two during the week for items that were forgotten or that we've run out of. I really like to shop early because I can get in and out. I try to stay on the outside aisles where the good food is. If I take DH or DS with me I am liable to get some things that really shouldn't be in the cart so I try to avoid that although they are good "go-fers."

I love it!

Friday QOTD: I have a list. If i do compulsive-shop, it is only for fruits because that is where i go first. or magazines, but those are calorie-free. i don't venture into the aisles unless it is for something specific on my list. i am also trying to head to our farmer's market more and more, now that it is open. as more foods show up there, so will i. i almost always check the nutrition information and pick up whatever is least harmful to me when i DO go into the grocery store aisles. so i am getting better with that i think. small steps!

Small steps are great! You have to do what works for you. I think it is Lisah who reminds us that the goal is to make these changes permanent.

QOTD: I make a list most of the time and try to stick to it. I have the standard things I buy each week: eggs, milk, etc. I have 2 stores I shop at. Shaw's has some stuff on sale each week and Market Basket has the best prices on almost everything. I get a lot of my meat there and DH and my WW and LC meals there.

Way to stick to your list! That's the reason I send my father grocery shopping.

It's an absolutely gorgeous day here on Long Island. Hopefully my weigh in this morning is just as good. Good Luck to everyone.

Same to you!

So many thanks to give this morning . . .

Thank you so much to Taryn for coaching this week. I didn't reply to the QOTD because of time this week but I loved them and I loved reading everyone's replies.

Thank you to CC for coaching this week!

I am really excited about our summer Y membership because I am finding that it is great for trying out new things. Tonight I will be going when my kids have dance - don't know if I will be trying out a class or working out on my own but it is just nice to know there will be a good workout in my plans.

Jen

I love coaching! Not a problem! Enjoy your Y membership!

Well, I am up for today. It is less than one pound, but I worked my butt off so I am pretty disappointed. I keep telling myself it is probably converting to muscle, but I don't know... Maybe I need to take a bit of a rest today. Lighter workouts or something to recover. I had a bad weekend last weekend, so it is probably left over from that.

QOTD: I try to make my first stop the produce, and fill my buggy up with as much as I can afford, then buy whatever protein is on sale, fish or chicken. Make sure I have my yogurt and low fat string cheese, milk, then avoid the inner aisles other than some grain crackers, cereal for the girls and DH, and my KASHI bars. Grab some hummus, whole wheat English muffins.

Then I pray when I get home I actually have something to make a meal! Not the best plan, I know. Sometimes I try to plan the meals, but I usually just figure something out based on what we've got!

Got my 4M run in, and you can tell I'm really working hard on stuff for class! Gotta motivate!

Taryn

That's my mom! That's the reason we don't send her to the grocery store unless it's for a specific item. Then, we pray that she comes home with the item. It's 50/50.

Good morning everyone! I need to get going or I'll be late for strength class.
Just wanted to say I had a very modest loss this week--less than a pound, BUT it was enough to get a 30 pound cliippie and put me in the normal BMI range! I know it's just a number and I'm really not that different from yesterday, but I feel good about it and very motivated to keep pushing!

Have a great day!

for a normal BMI! That's awesome!

Forgot to say earlier that I was down 1 pound this week. I am satisfied with that as it was a busy, stressful week and I was not as good as I would have liked. That number just brings home that the weeks that I am spot on are the weeks that I have great numbers -- just need to get 'er done!

Happy Friday morning all! I am NOT pleased to report that I am up exactly one pound today. And believe me, I feel like I really tried this week. But I am coming to terms with the fact that my body will do WHATEVER it takes to cling to these last few pounds. I have been trying to lose about 5 pounds for over 5 months now and I am about ready to throw in the towel and declare a defeat. Maybe 132 or 133 is meant to be my goal weight?? I stood there in the shower this morning brainstorming ideas to lose these last few pounds and didn't come up with anything concrete. Any suggestions??

Anyhow, I'm not going to let it ruin my day/weekend. It is what it is and I can't change it immediately.

Do you subscribe to Jillian's daily e-mail? There was one a few days ago about losing the last 10 pounds. I'll see if I can forward it to you via PM.

So........I'm down just under a lb but I'm happy as I went out to dinner last night. I did pick a healthier meal than I would have before, I got grilled jerk chicken with a mashed sweet potato and some green beans. (didn't eat the sweet potato it was TOO sweet!!!) I shared a salad with my sister in law, it had greens and lots of fruit and some goat cheese. I did splurge and have a little bit of dessert, some banana thing. Anyway....I'm happy because I KNEW weighing in the morning after a dinner out would not be a good thing....but...next week I hope to lose 3-4 lbs to make up for this week's little loss.

for a loss! Any loss is a loss.

 

[cclovesdis]

The charge on my laptop is almost up and I really need to get in my morning workout. My tea is still too hot, but I have been drinking water. I bought 2 bottles so I'd have some for a C25K. Hope I can finish it!

Will continue to reply later today.

Have a great day everyone!

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

QOTD- My favorite beverage is iced tea although I think Ive only drank 1 cup in the past 6 weeks. Before changing my eating habits I would have a few cups a day including mcd's sweet tea. I now enjoy water, water, water, and 1 diet coke a day.

Im feeling a little tired today. I couldnt sleep last night. Too much on my mind. I think I fell asleep around 1am. Then at 530am I get woken up by a neighbor mowing their grass. I was so irritated.

I hope the day gets better. I am planning on cleaning and doing laundry. Nothing exciting but sometimes we need these days to unwind. I will get my run in later today after the sun goes down.

Hope you all have a wonderful saturday.

Lindsay

 

[jenanderson]

I really, really struggle with self-image. I did okay, smaller than some, waayy smaller than some, a bit more than some. I guess avg. Which, considering where I was 5 months ago, is pretty cool! I am constantly asking DH - am I her size? what about her? etc. and looking at my reflection, not out of vanity, but to see my body shape and critique. Every once in a while I'll have a "I look pretty good" moment, but most of the time I just focus on what I don't like. It's becoming bordlerline obsessive, which kind of scares me. I keep reminding myself of all the people, just in the last few weeks, that have not recognized me that I've known all my life if I get too negative.

Jen Hoping your run goes great. You have a lot to be proud of, and I love your attitude. If you hit the cabin this weekend, RELAX!!!

Taryn - You have lost so much weight that I am not surprised that body image is an issue for you right now. I also look in the mirror all the time lately to critique myself. It is funny because I will start with thinking how great I look now and then shift to focusing on what should be better and looking at the belly fat and so on. It is hard not to be a bit obsessive about the body image. This is partly why I want to get a notebook type of journal and not just use my WW points journal anymore - I want a place to write down how I feel about my body, a place to record when other people make comments that let me know I have done an incredible job, someplace to write about how when I go shopping now I can't believe what I fit into and all of that good stuff. I need to find the balance between feeling like I am still fat to feeling proud of my accomplishments.

We are not going to the cabin this weekend because it is dance recital weekend. It is fine though because we will go up this week on Thursday and stay through Monday! I still have to figure out the Internet up north. I might be posting from the parking lot of McDonald's in town!

Been trying to keep up with this thread but it moves sooo quick! I exercised 5 times this past week, thanks to the COW and am down 7 lbs! Time to start journaling the food...gonna go do that now.

Super job on the exercising!!!! I am so glad the COW is helping inspire you!

I still haven't done anything but Dis. It's hard to focus on anything else when you are leaving in 1 week and 10 hours!
Taryn

EXCITING! It is so hard to focus that last week before the trip!

Of course, on weekends, my faves are margaritas and raspberry white Russians!

My favorite used to be Mike's Hard Lemonade until I realized just one was worth 5 WW points!

You got a great workout in. I know exercise really helps me emotionally. Sounds like it is the same for you.

Ironic! My planned goal for the week was/is to journal what I eat at least 5 days this week.

CC - Yep, exercise is like my miracle drug when I am emotionally upset. I think that is why I finally felt better on Friday because I had been getting a lot of exercising in and I just felt refreshed by all of that. Today will be a busy day but I am planning on running and maybe getting to the Y for just a bit to help keep me feeling that way.

Glad the COW goes along with your plan for the week!

Okay here's my latest challenge...I'm good about starting over when I have a bad day -it's in the past, let it go. I need to start over even if I had a good day - it's in the past too! I have been saying "Oh I did great yesterday, have that cookie today!" Way to knock myself down! Why the heck has it taken me so long to realize I'm doing this?

Oh, another thing that I do...knocking myself down over and over again. I know that none of us mean to do this to ourselves but I bet there are tons who will admit that they do. It is so natural to reward ourselves with food. For me, all week I have been saying..."You have had a really hard week, go ahead and eat the chocolate" or whatever food I have wanted. Today when I was thinking about it after reading your post, I am realizing that I need to learn to say something else.

So being inspired by what you wrote, I am going to make a list of what else I can reward myself with. Here it goes..."You have had a really hard and emotional week, go ahead and...call a friend to talk, go shopping at the running store, spend time on the DIS, take time out to do my nails, make the fruit smoothie (low fat one), start the new book, write down how crappy it was that you didn't get the job, take the short nap, etc, etc."

No more eating because I feel bad for myself!

Foot is NO better......soooooo disappointing. I can't really walk on it and was not expecting so much pain. I was expecting 2 small stitches not a row of staples (so misleading). Lots of pain killers in order today. I am working (hairdresser) bride coming in fake smiles.
Keep running everyone, that is so great!

Sorry that your foot is not getting better yet. It is so hard to want to be out there doing something and not being able to. Hopefully it will be feeling better soon!

QOTD: What is your favorite beverage? Crystal Light Green Tea Peach Mango. I just don't like how expensive it is to have it all the time. At work this year, I used to allow myself one each day after I had drank 2 mugs of plain water.

I have so much to get done today so I had best hop off for a bit. I am sure I will be on and off a lot today though because if I feel the urge to eat food I am not really hungry for today, I will come and type...it is hard to eat when your hands are on the keyboard.

Have a happy and healthy sort of day!
Jen

 

[flipflopmom]

We'll come home and watch the US vs England game! I'm really excited! Never really a soccer fan but starting to get into it working with DH coaching DD1s team and seeing the kids have so much fun!

I've never been a soccer fan, either. My kids don't play, I'm just not that into it?? Great that your family has something exciting to share together!

Okay here's my latest challenge...I'm good about starting over when I have a bad day -it's in the past, let it go. I need to start over even if I had a good day - it's in the past too! I have been saying "Oh I did great yesterday, have that cookie today!" Way to knock myself down! Why the heck has it taken me so long to realize I'm doing this?

Good job on thinking about it now! Each day is a new day!

Foot is NO better......soooooo disappointing. I can't really walk on it and was not expecting so much pain. I was expecting 2 small stitches not a row of staples (so misleading). Lots of pain killers in order today. I am working (hairdresser) bride coming in fake smiles.

Sounds like a lovely day! Hang in there!

Im feeling a little tired today. I couldnt sleep last night. Too much on my mind. I think I fell asleep around 1am. Then at 530am I get woken up by a neighbor mowing their grass. I was so irritated.

You are kidding! 5:30. Sheez. People have no courtesy sometimes!

#1. I am exactly the same way. #2. I record all my thoughts here. So a journal might spare you all some grief! DD is journaling for writing practice this summer, I might have to join her!

Can you tell I am procrasting going to class? Did my planning for the week, something every hour of every day. Packed my lunch and snacks, entered all the foods into sparkpeople, off to hair and makeup , then out the door.

I DON'T WANNA! (Where's the temper tantrum smilie???)
Have a great day all!
Taryn

 

[jennz]

Jen oh yes I do that too! "One little piece won't hurt me I deserve it" lol all those one little pieces added up! What I really deserve is a long and healthy life right? I like your list of other things you deserve because you had a hard week...I'm going to copy you.

Have a good class Taryn!

 

[Nicole786]

QOTD: What is your favorite beverage?

Before changing my habits, I wasn't a big soda drinker. Occasionally I would drink Diet Coke/Pepsi when dining out, but my favorite drinks were Arizona Iced tea and Snapple or Apple Juice--both very high in sugar!

Now all I drink is water, I never liked unsweetened tea so that doesn't work for me--however, Crystal Light Iced Tea packs? AMAZING!!! I throw one into almost every bottle of water I drink

 

[my3princes]

Pinkle...Ugh that is horrible! Your foot, not the bride. How long will it take to heal? 5 staples, it just hurts reading that...

I remember someone on here was getting those shape-up sneakers...if you're still out there, how are they? Do you like them? I tried on the Avia brand at Kohl's yesterday and was very tempted...my arch was hurting and they seemed to help.

QOTD: I love diet cherry pepsi. I'm sure I'm addicted. When I don't drink that I either drink flavored water or sugar free Hawaiian punch packets in my water. I hate the taste of plain water

 

[lisah0711]

Happy Friday morning all! I am NOT pleased to report that I am up exactly one pound today. And believe me, I feel like I really tried this week. But I am coming to terms with the fact that my body will do WHATEVER it takes to cling to these last few pounds. I have been trying to lose about 5 pounds for over 5 months now and I am about ready to throw in the towel and declare a defeat. Maybe 132 or 133 is meant to be my goal weight?? I stood there in the shower this morning brainstorming ideas to lose these last few pounds and didn't come up with anything concrete. Any suggestions??

pjlla, I know how hard you have been working these last few months. Are you within 2 pounds of your goal weight now? If so, why don't you switch to being a "maintainer?" You've made it as a maintainer by our BL standards, you've kept to it within the past couple of months, now acknowledge that you are there. Why do I say this? Because you have success already as a maintainer and, although you have great success as a loser in the past, I don't think that you feel that way now. In other words, set yourself up for success because you are very successful. It might shut down any negative comments from the peanut gallery when you tell them that you are in maintenance mode now. Just a thought.

Good morning everyone and good luck on the scale. Don't give up or worry if it goes the wrong way, especially if you've done what you should. All those little fluctuations are normal, and it will catch up with you. Congrats to all the losses you've seen so far!! Some great numbers!!

So true! Hope that you didn't get called in last night.

Well, despite having a few bumps in the road this week, I'm happy to report that I'm down 3.4 pounds! I don't think I could have stuck with it if I didn't have this thread to read every day to keep me going.

Great loss!

MILESTONE ACHIEVED! Weighed-in this morning 0.1 pounds into "normal" territory.

Congratulations!

Well I'm the same this week which I'm pretty ok with. My diet has been awful. I'm having a really hard time reigning it in. I've got to try to keep us busy during the day so I don't have the urge to snack. My exercise has been better this week. I've worked out everyday since Tuesday. I do feel better. Sore (darn you Jillian) but better.

Am i the only one super over-whelmed by how fast the thread moves? I do read most of it but I don't feel like I can participate. How do you do the multiquoting thing? I want to reply but I'm not sure how to.

Looks like you already received a lesson on multiquoting. It is hard to keep up with the thread at times. I ususally just go back to where I last posted and pick it up from there, or even just the last page or two. If there is somethng important, there will be a link on the thread in the first few posts or we will yak about it in several places. We welcome participation at any level so no worries!

I am down 2.5. It's not as good as I would have liked, but I had two bad days so I will take it.

I think 2.5 down is super, JOANNEL!

I am down 1.4 lbs. only 6.5 lbs till goal.

Almost to goal!

I had the best day!

Yay for a great day!

Congrats to everyone that had those milestones becoming reality and/or getting closer!

What a day I am down 1 pound, not bad but I was hoping for 3. I had surgery on my foot today (to correct my 'erected' toe from a previous surgery)! Well.......after the doctor cut the tendons in my foot he was a little perplexed as to why my toe was still standing up!!! So now i have 5 staples in my foot and am no better off......i think my running will be put on hold for a few weeks. just when i was getting a rhythm Sorry for the neg vibes, i needed to vent.
tomorrow will be a happy day Congrats everyone on the weight loss!!!!!

, pinkle. Best wishes for a speedy recovery! Foot problems are the pits!

I so want to menu plan! How do you do it?

Been trying to keep up with this thread but it moves sooo quick! I exercised 5 times this past week, thanks to the COW and am down 7 lbs! Time to start journaling the food...gonna go do that now.

Wow! 7 pounds is fantastic!

My menu planning isn't too fancy. I might start with what meat I have in the freezer or what I have in the pantry. Or a recipe that I found somewhere that sounded good. Then I just decide the entree, side and veggie for four or five meals. I will also think about what to pack for lunches and breakfasts. It's not much of a plan but if I have no plan, I end up with a pantry full of food and "nothing to eat!"

QOTD: What is your favorite beverage?

If you talking a beverage that is good for you, then it's water with a slice of lemon. If you are talking favorite, favorite then it's a Pina Colava at WDW but those things have a bazillion calories no doubt. Good thing I don't go there but once a every year or two!

Okay here's my latest challenge...I'm good about starting over when I have a bad day -it's in the past, let it go. I need to start over even if I had a good day - it's in the past too! I have been saying "Oh I did great yesterday, have that cookie today!" Way to knock myself down! Why the heck has it taken me so long to realize I'm doing this?

I've had that problem, too, jennz. Why do we think a "reward" is something that undoes all our hard work?

Here is a little excerpt from a sparkpeople article on ways to reward yourself without food. Some of their suggestions aren't too practical or family friendly but it might spark an idea that works better for you.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/motivation_articles.asp?id=86&page=2

Here’s how to set up a good rewards system:
Choose some benchmarks and reward levels. You can also reward yourself for levels of consistency.
Make the reward meaningful to you. As a reward, a new pair of shoes may not hold as much motivation as a simple night alone with a book. Then again, it might.
Choose two or three options from the Reward Roster below or come up with a few reward options of your own. It doesn’t take much. Sometimes, the best rewards are those you can’t buy.
A lot of small rewards, used for meeting smaller goals, are more effective than relying solely on the bigger rewards that require more work and more time.
Don’t use food as a reward. Even good food. It’s just too much of a slippery slope. Don’t even mess with it.
Plan to celebrate. Figure out now how you’re going to celebrate reaching your health, fitness or nutrition goal. Involve other people, tell them about it. Create a celebration that you can anticipate and then keep it within sight all the time.
Be honest with yourself. Fudging the numbers mentally, or "borrowing" against the next reward hurts the cause of building a lifetime habit. Remember to keep your focus on building a habit, not just figuring out how to get the reward.

REWARD ROSTER CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITES AND USE THEM LIBERALLY
Compliment yourself. Write down what you would say to anyone else who accomplished what you did.
Create an actual plaque or trophy.
Give yourself badges of honor for different levels of accomplishment.
Take a vacation or weekend getaway.
Take a day off from any goal activities.
Put $1 in a jar every time you meet a goal. When it gets to $50, treat yourself.
Create a Trophy Scrapbook, where you keep mementos from your accomplishments.
See a movie.
Make a grab bag of little prizes. When you reach a significant goal, reach in and get your reward!
Go for a spa treatment or massage.
Buy yourself a gift certificate.
Take a limo ride.
Subscribe to a magazine you always wanted.
Go canoeing or do something outdoorsy.
Watch your favorite TV show.
Buy something for your hobby.
Read a funny book.
Celebrate "100% Days". If you reach 100% of your goals that day, choose two rewards.
Find some time to be by yourself.
Pay someone to do the yardwork or house cleaning this week.
Fly a kite.

We are off to see Garrison Keilor do A Prairie Home Companion live today in Spokane. I love the show so it should be fun to see it in person. If you hear him read a message about celebrating 117 years of family fun at Lake Okoboji, you'll know he read our message. I sent it in by email yesterday.

Between Garrison Keilor and checking out all the World of Color stuff on the DL threads, I don't expect to get much done today!

Have a great day all!

 

[maiziezoe]

I so want to menu plan! How do you do it?

Been trying to keep up with this thread but it moves sooo quick! I exercised 5 times this past week, thanks to the COW and am down 7 lbs! Time to start journaling the food...gonna go do that now.

I write all the days of the week down on paper and go to ww.com or allrecipes.com and a couple other healthy recipe sites and I decide what we are going to eat on each day of the week. If I am craving something specific, I will search for a healthy way to make it. As soon as I have the recipes I want for the week, I print them all up and staple them together in the order I will be making them... then I make a grocery list. It's time consuming but on any given day I know what I am going to make for dinner.

Congrats on your 7 pound loss! That is fantastic!!!

Taryn - You have lost so much weight that I am not surprised that body image is an issue for you right now. I also look in the mirror all the time lately to critique myself. It is funny because I will start with thinking how great I look now and then shift to focusing on what should be better and looking at the belly fat and so on. It is hard not to be a bit obsessive about the body image. This is partly why I want to get a notebook type of journal and not just use my WW points journal anymore - I want a place to write down how I feel about my body, a place to record when other people make comments that let me know I have done an incredible job, someplace to write about how when I go shopping now I can't believe what I fit into and all of that good stuff. I need to find the balance between feeling like I am still fat to feeling proud of my accomplishments.

We are not going to the cabin this weekend because it is dance recital weekend. It is fine though because we will go up this week on Thursday and stay through Monday! I still have to figure out the Internet up north. I might be posting from the parking lot of McDonald's in town!



Super job on the exercising!!!! I am so glad the COW is helping inspire you!



EXCITING! It is so hard to focus that last week before the trip!



My favorite used to be Mike's Hard Lemonade until I realized just one was worth 5 WW points!



CC - Yep, exercise is like my miracle drug when I am emotionally upset. I think that is why I finally felt better on Friday because I had been getting a lot of exercising in and I just felt refreshed by all of that. Today will be a busy day but I am planning on running and maybe getting to the Y for just a bit to help keep me feeling that way.

Glad the COW goes along with your plan for the week!



Oh, another thing that I do...knocking myself down over and over again. I know that none of us mean to do this to ourselves but I bet there are tons who will admit that they do. It is so natural to reward ourselves with food. For me, all week I have been saying..."You have had a really hard week, go ahead and eat the chocolate" or whatever food I have wanted. Today when I was thinking about it after reading your post, I am realizing that I need to learn to say something else.

So being inspired by what you wrote, I am going to make a list of what else I can reward myself with. Here it goes..."You have had a really hard and emotional week, go ahead and...call a friend to talk, go shopping at the running store, spend time on the DIS, take time out to do my nails, make the fruit smoothie (low fat one), start the new book, write down how crappy it was that you didn't get the job, take the short nap, etc, etc."

No more eating because I feel bad for myself!



Sorry that your foot is not getting better yet. It is so hard to want to be out there doing something and not being able to. Hopefully it will be feeling better soon!

QOTD: What is your favorite beverage? Crystal Light Green Tea Peach Mango. I just don't like how expensive it is to have it all the time. At work this year, I used to allow myself one each day after I had drank 2 mugs of plain water.

I have so much to get done today so I had best hop off for a bit. I am sure I will be on and off a lot today though because if I feel the urge to eat food I am not really hungry for today, I will come and type...it is hard to eat when your hands are on the keyboard.

Have a happy and healthy sort of day!
Jen

I am going to buy a journal and start writing down the nice things people say when they see me. When I am having a bad body image day I am going to read my entries. What a great idea! Thanks Jen!

 

[cclovesdis]

I am also up a smidge this week. I understand where it might have come from, dinner last night, TOM. I did pretty well with my eating this week and exercised every day, so hopefully it will show next week.

QOTD- I like to produce shop at Wegman's, it's a bit of a hike, they've been coming closer to me though! Otherwise, I watch sales and go where they have the most sales of what I need. You can tell on the belt, my food and my dh's food, I have tried to convert him to healthier eating, but I am not very good at it. I do make a list most times on an unused envelope and put coupons inside it.

Sometimes it takes a week for the scale to catch up, not to worry. I love Wegman's. So wish they would make it up to New England.

Well, despite having a few bumps in the road this week, I'm happy to report that I'm down 3.4 pounds! I don't think I could have stuck with it if I didn't have this thread to read every day to keep me going.

for a big loss! I love this thread too!

Anyway, I know I've mentioned this a few times in this thread, but I can't be successful without some form of journaling or tracking, whether it's WW Online, SparkPeople, or just keeping a notebook.

It's been interesting to learn how people can vary so much with regards to how they journal. It seems like most of us here find it so necessary, but we have so many different ways of doing it. I'm a WW online person.

I still kept a journal, so if I got stuck on something to eat, I would look back at what I liked to get inspiration.

I love this idea!

MILESTONE ACHIEVED! Weighed-in this morning 0.1 pounds into "normal" territory.

I am up a few ounces this morning. Not surprising given my stress level and schedule. If I don't gain 5 lbs the next 2 weeks I will consider that a success as we have so many activities with end of school, class trips to amusement parks, parties etc. I am trying and my head is totally in the game so maybe it won't be as bad as I fear.

QOTD: Grocery shopping is tough. I have 2 boys that we are trying to get to gain weight which means that I have to hit those aisles that we really like to avoid. I've learned to buy them higher calorie foods that DH and I don't particularly care for. Of course they love Milk Shakes and making those for them is tough, but I usually make myself a fruit smoothie when they have a milk shake. It is what it is (my life's mantra)

You sound like you are more than "trying." Sending : for good news on the scale.

Have you tried frozen yogurt? I've had some great fat-free vanilla ones. Makes for a good, light milkshake. Of course, fruit smoothies sound great too.

I have a question for everyone...I find that if I eat fruit my weight will bump up a bit....anyone else have that???

Sorry, fruit is my friend. I have 3 servings of apples almost every morning.

Well I'm the same this week which I'm pretty ok with. My diet has been awful. I'm having a really hard time reigning it in. I've got to try to keep us busy during the day so I don't have the urge to snack. My exercise has been better this week. I've worked out everyday since Tuesday. I do feel better. Sore (darn you Jillian) but better.

I apologize, I must have missed your introduction. Do you have children? I'm sure some of us can suggest ideas for things you can do to keep busy. I remember taking kids to the library while I was baby-sitting and spending hours there. I even took a kid to WW to weigh-in one day. My mom loves to put together puzzles. She can spending hours working on one sipping the same glass of soda.

Thanks Rose! I am actually having a good day. I have really worked hard today on having an attitude adjustment and just trying to believe that there is something good out there just waiting for me.

I was so happy to read this!

QOTD--With DS at college, we shop for a little at a time. We live a mile from Kroger and I drive by a fruit market on the way home from work.

Sounds like having both so close makes things a lot easier!

Hello CC. Thanks for coaching this week. Good for you for having the courage to change doctors - that is a hard decision for a lot of people to make. I hope everything works out for you. Have fun at your gala tonight.

Thank you so much! I am learning more and more that I made a very good choice in changing docs. Thanks for the good wishes. The gala was so much fun. I will post more about it later.

QOTD: Describe your trip to the grocery store. How do you tackle this task?
I have a list in the kitchen that I add to as we run out of things. Then I check the freezers and the pantry just before I go to make sure I’m not running low on anything. Now that I’m making my menu plan for the week, if I need anything for what I’ve got planned then I’ll add it to the list as well. I *hate* stopping at the store during the week just to pick up a few things, so if I don’t get it on my weekly shopping trip, it’s not getting got until the next weekly shopping trip! I try to go on a Saturday evening or Sunday evening because it tends to be less busy and I try to go by myself if I can get away with it. I go to Safeway pretty much weekly and Whole Foods every other week. Our Safeway has a pretty good selection of organic products and they stock organic milk (even though it’s expensive), but I will only buy our meat at Whole Foods. I shop the edges of both stores, except for things for DS, frozen things like veggies and pizza, and my Kashi Go Lean Crunch and Annie’s Organic Bunny Crackers and Cookies. They are really the only “snack” food I buy for myself (even though I end up eating DS’s “snack” food when it’s in the house ). Now that the farmers’ market has opened back up, I’ll try to get there at least every other week too.

I wish I could plan as much in advance as you do.

We're big into berries: strawberries, blueberries and blackberries!!

Yummmm. Sounds delish!

Hi!~ I was wondering if anyone has tried Alli in conjunction with their diet plan? I have heard good things but am a bit concerned about the "side affects" I wanted to see if anyoe has used it and get some advice if it is worth the cost and how bad the side affects are!

I tried it before I started WW. I am going to be honest with you-I was not proud of my decision to use it.

I am down 2.5. It's not as good as I would have liked, but I had two bad days so I will take it.

on the loss!

QOTD: Describe your trip to the grocery store. How do you tackle this task?

Well... considering how orderly I like things, I actually don't have a "usual" plan of attack for grocery shopping.

First of all, we live 35 minutes from the nearest grocery store (although there is a Mom and Pop mini grocery about 20 minutes away), so I am not the type to just stop in for one or two things. But DD's swim practice is within a few minutes of two stores, so I am able to make it to the store a few times a week, if needed.

When I am being organized and planning my meals ahead, I tend to hit the store about every 5 days. When I make up the menues, I make up shopping lists at the same time. I need/like to hit the store that frequently to make sure we have plenty of fresh fruit/veggies.

No particular pattern of WHEN I hit the stores.... but mainly during the week, when I am driving into town anyhow. I rarely shop on the weekends... I'm either too busy or I don't want to drive all that way for just that.

I take my preplanned menu shopping list and add the normal necessities to it (from the white board I keep in the kitchen... one section for Shaw's, one section for Costco, one section for Target, and one section for Market Basket, since I know the best prices for certain things at each of these stores).

I'm not great about using coupons.... especially since most of my purchases are fresh foods and/or store brands... but I do cut the coupons for items I know I will buy... and then I frequently forget to use them!!

Since we DO live pretty far from a store, I keep a decently stocked pantry with overflow in the basement. We would never starve, even if we were stuck here for weeks!

I try to plan my upcoming meals based on what I have readily available in the freezer or pantry or what is in season. I buy my meats on sale/markdown and store them in the freezer. Then when I am planning my meals, I just check my freezer inventory and plan from there.

When I hit the actual store, with list (and hopefully coupons) in hand, I tend to hit EVERY AISLE (unless I am stopping in for just a few specifics). I hit the marked down produce rack first, and then the rest of the produce department (I rarely pay full price for my salad greens, as I usually buy them on "last day" markdown.. and they usually last at least three days or more).

Next I just go aisle by aisle. I will stock up on a few things if they are a great sale that week (canned beans, spaghetti sauce, tuna, ketchup, things like that). As I am going aisle by aisle, I make sure to stop at the reduced rack... I've gotten great deals there, like slightly dented cans of Old ElPaso fat free refried beans for 50 cents! I bought all they had! I also check out the reduced bakery rack, but don't buy from there often. But I've found the whole wheat "light" hamburger rolls I like there a few times!

If I need to do a MAJOR stock up, I might plan a day when I will hit several different stores. Market Basket has better prices than Shaw's, but is much further away, so I will usually hit that on "stock up" day! And ANYTIME we are in the vicinity of Costco, we will buy plenty of fresh produce!! We "plan" a specific Costco trip about every 6 to 8 weeks to get basics like detergent and such.

THat enough shopping info for you!!

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

I think you get the prize for being the most detailed. You definitely have a plan in place IMO.

 

[cclovesdis]

I am down 1.4 lbs. only 6.5 lbs till goal.

Probably Lupus related. My doctor is going to run some blood tests for my kidneys.

for good test results!

I had the best day!

Scale said I am .7 down. Yippee Skippy.

I got up early and took the train to downtown Chicago with my kids (DD-13, DS5 and DD-3) to see the Stanley Cup Winners parade. It was AWESOME. Soooooo many people and it was soooooo hot (90 degrees and very humid). It was so cool to see the Cup in person. My kids were soooooo well behaved and that made the day even better. I will never forget today. It was awesome.

What a great day!

OK, not being good at all! Had a grilled chicken and eggplant calzone with mozzarella and pesto! SO good but fattening. I'm now on my 2nd maragarita and had some tostitos with a spicy dip made with cream cheese. That's dinner! I did my 2.7 miles this morning. Watching Toy Story 1 and then we'll watch Toy Story 2 on DXD!

Parents arrived and left again for the weekend. I need a BL for the dog. She is on Prednisone so she has gotten really heavy. She is a 12 1/2 yr old cocker spaniel with major ear problems and deaf. I just had to carry her out to the bathroom as she can't go downstairs but can come up. Man, is she heavy!!!!

DD1 is off to her sleepover! GOing to the cheesecake factory for supper! My mom brought is 2 slices of chocolate chip cheesecake so we'll have that later.

I will get in some workouts tomorrow after World Cup Day while watching soccer. I'm really excited about it! I even bought a USA jersey the other day!

Next week is shaping up to be really busy! I have 1 person on Monday and 3 on Tuesday so far! And actually not working Thursday and Friday!

Have a great night! DD1 misses her sister but I think is enjoying having mom and dad to herself! She's going to help take care of the dog!

Hoping today, Saturday, is a good day for you!

I'll have to share a funny story. I got bored, so I started looking at the thighs of all the ladies around me, and running my hands down the side of my desk seat to see if mine hung over or were on the seat, and comparing them to people I thought were skinny, on target, a little over, etc. Sad but true.

What a day I am down 1 pound, not bad but I was hoping for 3. I had surgery on my foot today (to correct my 'erected' toe from a previous surgery)! Well.......after the doctor cut the tendons in my foot he was a little perplexed as to why my toe was still standing up!!! So now i have 5 staples in my foot and am no better off......i think my running will be put on hold for a few weeks. just when i was getting a rhythm
Sorry for the neg vibes, i needed to vent.
tomorrow will be a happy day
Congrats everyone on the weight loss!!!!!

Go ahead and vent. It's hard to get accustomed to exercising at such a high intensity and then be unable to do so. But, please be happy for your loss!

I try to go once over the weekend, with a list in hand. If there's no list, I miss things, and buy things I don't need. When michael has ccd I go on sunday mornings without him, and always have a list, but when I need to bring him, he tends to put things in the basket. Lately it's gum he wants so that's not too bad, and I'll let him get a few of the 25 cent individual chips. I like to buy enough for the week, but don't always plan enough, so might stop by once mid week to pick up another meal. Also I do not like to go hungry, or I come home with things like twinkies and dove bars. I always go to Market Basket. It's so much cheaper than shaws and stop and shop.

I love making lists, but since I do horribly at sticking to my list, I have to send my father. Today, I'll probably go with him. That should work, I hope.

I lost 1.4lb this week. Overall I was happy about this given the circumstances (TOM).

on the loss!

I did not find a a new journal tonight but I did use my WW journal. I have to find something I like this weekend because the WW's one just does not inspire me to keep journaling.

I have one I really like part of, but it has opportunities to track lots of info, so I find it kind of overwhelming too. It was really cheap. I think I bought it at Border's.

I so want to menu plan! How do you do it?

Been trying to keep up with this thread but it moves sooo quick! I exercised 5 times this past week, thanks to the COW and am down 7 lbs! Time to start journaling the food...gonna go do that now.

Great loss! Here is what I do for menu planning. I sit down with my friends the sales ads and pick out meat that is on sale. I am a firm believer in frozen vegetables, so I check the freezer and make sure that we have a variety. If not, I add the kinds I want to the list. Whoever goes to the store (ideally my dad), buys whatever I put on the list. We keep things in the freezer, like hamburger buns, so that it's easy to make a complete meal even at the last minute. Of course, we are a familiy that is content with a meat and a veggie.

DD2 had nighmares last night, which kept me up. I don't know HOW I am going to stay awake for class ALL day today. Actually, my heart is racing right now thinking of everything that must be accomplished in the next 7 days. I am going to get out my planner, list every single one of them and assign them a day and time. Then yoga to get me stretched so I can go sit. Have a great day everyone!

Taryn, have a great day too! Hope class goes well.