Between the BLs (Biggest Loser) Summer Challenge 2010 Part 2

[jenanderson]

Week 13 COW Results

This is it! The end of the COW for this challenge. I want to take a moment to give a special THANK YOU to everyone who gave the COW a try this summer. You all did a great job...even if you only tried it once!

Statistics:
We had 8 people try the COW this week! Way to wrap it up!

Here are the top numbers for the COW

18 points
mommyof2Pirates

23 points
jenanderson

24 points points
cclovesdis
connie96


A big congratulations to everyone on the list and thanks to everyone who sent in their numbers!

A special thank you to the participants of Part 2 of the COW!

New to the COW….PRIZES!
Now, I printed out all the names of those who participated and drew one name from Part 1 (reporting your points) and one name from Part 2 (chatting about your new exercise). If your name is selected as the winner for one of our prizes, please send me a PM with your address information so I can send your prize!

PART 1 WINNER = mommyof2Pirates
PART 2 WINNER =Rose&Mike

Again, congratulations to everyone who participated in the COW during this challenge. I hope to see some of you give the COW a chance again during the fall challenge!

 

[Rose&Mike]

I have had a horrifying food week too! Well, more than a week - all I can think about is eating and I'm not making healthy choices. Things have been insanely busy and stressful with work, so everyone in my dept has been supplying the candy dish and eating lots of it! DH and I are both working extra hours for weeks, and I had a 2.5 million dollar budget due today. Also, DH, DD and I came down with a bad cough over the weekend. *sigh*
Well, I decided my crazy eating ended today. I went cold turkey on treats at work. I've managed to stay within my 2-pound maintain range , but I know I can't stay on this path because the scale will go in the wrong direction.

Nicole-- I hope the cough is better soon. We are having a bad ragweed season--do you think it could be allergies? And I hear you on the food. I know we can get back on track! Aren't we supposed to set good examples for all the new folks?

Tracey--so glad DD is doing better.

Taryn, most of my summer was like that so I can empathize. I felt like I was running around in circles and not going anywhere. (And, frankly, I wasn't!!) Maybe it's a phase we all have to go through when trying to change our body image??? I don't know. But figuring out how to get past it is, I think, part of the challenge. I'm not there yet but have been superconscious of what I'm eating this week, in a way that I let slide over the summer. And maybe sometimes our bodies just tell us they need a break to re-adjust?? You've had some amazing accomplishments - you won't lose those!! Take a deep breath tomorrow is always a new beginning, right??!

Good advice/ thoughts, Jude!

Taryn--yea for getting in a quick run! All day now, you'll be able to tell yourself, I got a run in, I'm on the right track today! And snakes--oh I would be so not happy about snakes in the yard!

CC--hope it's just from sleeping on your ear!

Good morning! I can't believe I won the COW--part II! Woohoo! I never win! Very exciting. Thanks for organizing the COW/HH Jen! Today we have a run afterwork and I am planning on cooking. There are only two regular season baseball games left (Sun and Mon) so we should start getting on a better schedule, which should make the cooking easier. At least I will no longer have any excuses. Hope everyone has a good day today!

 

[lisah0711]

Good morning all!

It's the day that we've all been waiting for -- the day that we get to find out who the Biggest Loser is for the summer! I can't wait to see how we did. I really have no idea who the BL will be.

A big thank you to our weightkeeper, LuvBaloo, who is juggling a new job, move, family and still takes care of us!

Congrats to all our COW winners and participants. The COW is such a great way to build those Healthy Habits. I hope that everyone will give it a try in the fall challenge. And a big thank you to jenanderson for being our Challenge of the Week coach this challenge.

Jude, as Scarlett O'Hara would say "tomorrow . . . is another day!" (you have to add the dramatic pause )

Lindsay, glad that kindergarten orientation went well.

I might have run the miles today a little bit for all the wrong reasons.... I knew I was being hard on myself and I knew I was pushing myself. I guess a bit of my controlling behaviors are shining through today. I can't control the job search but I could control my running.

, jen, I think that running is a good way to deal with stress and help you escape all the things that are on your mind. You're doing great -- you'll be smokin' us all at the Princess!

I finally figured out Mapmyrun (thanks Connie!) and tracked my regular running routes. The one at work is just under three miles, the one at my mom’s house in not quite 2 (although it feels MUCH longer?), the one on our main road is almost exactly 2 miles (and also feels much longer than the one at work, but it has a few doozy hills). But we found a new trail on Friday – right at the end of our parking lot actually –and the part we ran ended up being almost 4 miles! We’ve done it twice now, and there’s a lot more to the trail so I can lengthen my runs as I get stronger. I’m so excited now because I know I can do the 5k in under 30 minutes because I can do almost 4 miles in under 30 minutes! Who would’ve thought that I would be excited about stuff like this? Certainly not me two months ago!

Wow! Great job with the running!

CC, hope that you are feeling better and the vertigo stays away!

Lisa--hope DS had a great first day of school!

Thanks for asking, Rose, he had a good day but was very tired. I dropped him off at 7:30 am and picked him up at 3:45 pm. That is a long day for an 11 year old but he wants to do strings orchestra so stays an extra hour. We all had homework last night -- not sure I was ready for that!

I need a pick me up. Somehow, I seem to have lost my resolve. I am seriously spiraling, and I need help. I am really, really scared. REALLY. I can't seem to get back the amazing self-control and willpower I have had all year. I think I ate about 10 hershey's kisses today. We give them to the kids at the end of the day that don't get in trouble, part of the required discipline system. 9 pieces have 200 calories. For 23 calories, 1 is not bad for a chocolate fix. But I grab one every time I walk by the shelf. I have to keep them. I need to figure out a way to walk away.

I did just put my food in spark for the first time in months, and even with the kisses, I am right at 1200 for the day. I guess eating a bunch cantaloupe made me feel full with fewer calories. Whew. I feel better, I thought I had really gone over.

See, I've even lost touch with what is going in. I feel flabby. I am like Carmiedog, I think I gained about 10 pounds Saturday night and Sunday. 1 or 2 meals/days off really makes me skyrocket. I am really scared, but I did uncover my scale, and will get on tomorrow. I might not tell you what it says, but I will do it.

I am holding you responsible for holding me accountable. If anyone is actually reading this thread still. Didn't quite feel up to unloading on the newbies tonight. Rose, I know what you mean about change! I am going to work really hard to be welcoming, but I need you guys. Hopefully, we'll add some new buds to our list! Bree, Lindsay, Dahly, Connie, you ladies all really jumped in this summer, and I am so glad you did! See, Rose, we can make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold.

Class tonight? Well, he just posted everything and said here. We ahve a ton of projects, it's educational technologies. The first assignment is to set up a website, on which we will post all the projects and assignments for the class. Worked on that a bit tonight. Got tired of trying to get a picture on, and he really didn't give us a lot of info on what he wants yet.

Got to go change the sheets, do some laundry, clean the kitchen. Hope to be in the bed by 11, up at 5, and on the track by 5:30 for a 3M run!

OH YEAH!!!!! Took my dog out this evening - don't talk about him much. He's a black chihuahua named Pablo. (The penguin who hated the cold, picasso, or juan pablo montoya. Depends on which member of the family you ask). Should have named him Shadow, because he is mine, and is scared of his. Anyway, as soon as we stepped on the patio, I SAW A SNAKE!!! I AM TERRIFIED OF SNAKES!! It was small, maybe 12-15 inches. Black and white, 2 pencil diameter. He crawled under the paver we put in last week. I SCREAMED SNAKE! and DH came out but couldn't find him. He did see a lizard, and is trying to convince me that's what I saw. I am terrified to take the dog out tonight! The girls won't be allowed in their outdoor toy box for a while! It's right on the patio near there!

AK just called to tell me goodnight. It's been almost a month since she stayed with her grandparents, and she's been really clingy this week. Not sure what's up with that, she'll be 11 in a month, I'll take it!

Going to try to get off here. NOW.
Night!
TARYN

Yikes! A snake!

Taryn, you have so much going on right now it is amazing that you can stay on track like you do. I think that maybe you need to be a little easier on yourself -- you felt like you were out of control but stayed at 1200 calories. I think you have to check on what is going on -- even if you don't like the answr and it may not be as bad as you fear. You do need to be accountable but you also have to allow yourself a little leeway to deal with all the other things going on. A few days of OP eating isn't going to undo months of hard work. You have to forgive yourself and get back on the wagon but don't think every time that you fall off that it will leave you behind. It won't. We won't leave you behind -- ever. You can do it!

I think that we are shaping up to have great group for the fall challenge. It won't be as many people as the spring challenge and a little easier to get to know people.

Hi Nicole! Nice to see you!

, Tracey, glad that your DD is doing better. Best wishes for a speedy recovery for her! Good thing that you got that nipped in the bud.

pjlla, great questions yesterday!

 

[pjlla]

Today is a tough day for me. All the teachers have gone back to school and I am at home. I decided to start it out by showing how tough I can be so I ran 13.1 miles in 2:18 this morning. I will now face the prospect of calling on anything I can find and keep up with any possibilities of a last minute hire.

fiction or nonfiction? fiction - specifically kids books

reality tv or sit-coms? reality TV - since I don't have a job...DH says I should apply to survivor!

Have a wonderful morning everyone!
Jen

Glad you found a way to channel your frustration into running! Far better than trying to eat it away!!

I love kids books too... I often say I'm going to be a children's librarian in my next life!

I used to toy with the idea of applying to Survivor, but my kids were little and I couldn't imagine leaving them for that length of time. Now they are old enough, but I'm older and the thought of being cold and wet for days at a time is much less appealing! Plus I KNOW I would never win... I don't think strategically enough. Are you a strategic thinker??

Ok. I must get a few things done today. I am planning to go swimming today, if the water is warm enough. If it is, I should achieve my August exercise goal a day early. I only have about 35 minutes to go! So excited. 2 weeks ago, I thought I'd be about 200 minutes short. Exercising has been so helpful the past week or so. That and my BL friends!

Have a great day everyone!

Nice job on catching up on your time. Are you doing the August exercise minutes thread? I did that faithfully last winter/spring, but decided to take the summer off from tracking minutes... it was just taking too much time.

Just back from a 4.3 mile run. Humidity is starting to inch back up again so it was a little warm. It felt good but I was running with a friend who is a little slower so it just seemed easier. I was away on military leave last week and didn't get the mileage in that I wanted to so I'll be working on that this week. Also, Jen, that's why I didn't respond for the COW this week. My vegetable and fruit intake were woefully inadequate because I didn't have my own fridge.
..school starts next Tuesday for our kids. So next week will be crazy!!

I'll check in later...
Jude
Jude

Glad to see you back around. 4.3 in the heat and humidity feels like 10 mi, doesn't it?!

I had a great morning at my sons first day of kindergarten. They set it up for them to be an orientation. We had to find things around the classroom like the bathroom and his cubby. He found his seat and had to do some get to know you projects. They sang a song and read some books. Then we were dismissed. It all went quickly. His teacher seems nice. Overall I am happy. Tomorrow is the real test for him. I drop him off at before school care and then they take him to his class then he returns there until I pick him up later in the day. This is the time I really wish I could be a SAHM. The teacher was asking for weekly volunteers and I felt bad not being able to help. I am going to see what else I can do to volunteer for her with the time I do have. Ya well someone has to pay the bills right.

I am going to relax and hopefully get a run in later once it cools down.
I hope you all have a great day.

It sounds like his first morning went just fine. I'm sure that the teacher will appreciate any time you can give her, even if it is just sporatic.

Speaking of hot...got home last night to a 85 degree house..the air conditioner was running, but not blowing cool air. So we slept without the air on. Fortunatley, our ac guy was able to come early this morning, and it was an easy repair, and it has started to cool off fairly quickly.
Thank goodness! was expecting the worst, so a $60 repair bill wasn't too bad.
Dahly

Ewww... did you sleep okay?? My rule is... if it is 80° or greater in the bedroom, the a/c goes on! Hope you had some fans to help move the air.

I finally figured out Mapmyrun (thanks Connie!) and tracked my regular running routes. The one at work is just under three miles, the one at my mom’s house in not quite 2 (although it feels MUCH longer?), the one on our main road is almost exactly 2 miles (and also feels much longer than the one at work, but it has a few doozy hills). But we found a new trail on Friday – right at the end of our parking lot actually –and the part we ran ended up being almost 4 miles! We’ve done it twice now, and there’s a lot more to the trail so I can lengthen my runs as I get stronger. I’m so excited now because I know I can do the 5k in under 30 minutes because I can do almost 4 miles in under 30 minutes! Who would’ve thought that I would be excited about stuff like this? Certainly not me two months ago!

Bree

Seriously?? 4 miles in under 30 minutes?? Holy cow!!

I need a pick me up. Somehow, I seem to have lost my resolve. I am seriously spiraling, and I need help. I am really, really scared. REALLY. I can't seem to get back the amazing self-control and willpower I have had all year. I think I ate about 10 hershey's kisses today. We give them to the kids at the end of the day that don't get in trouble, part of the required discipline system. 9 pieces have 200 calories. For 23 calories, 1 is not bad for a chocolate fix. But I grab one every time I walk by the shelf. I have to keep them. I need to figure out a way to walk away.

I did just put my food in spark for the first time in months, and even with the kisses, I am right at 1200 for the day. I guess eating a bunch cantaloupe made me feel full with fewer calories. Whew. I feel better, I thought I had really gone over.

See, I've even lost touch with what is going in. I feel flabby. I am like Carmiedog, I think I gained about 10 pounds Saturday night and Sunday. 1 or 2 meals/days off really makes me skyrocket. I am really scared, but I did uncover my scale, and will get on tomorrow. I might not tell you what it says, but I will do it.

I am holding you responsible for holding me accountable. If anyone is actually reading this thread still. Didn't quite feel up to unloading on the newbies tonight. Rose, I know what you mean about change! I am going to work really hard to be welcoming, but I need you guys. Hopefully, we'll add some new buds to our list! Bree, Lindsay, Dahly, Connie, you ladies all really jumped in this summer, and I am so glad you did! See, Rose, we can make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold.

OH YEAH!!!!! Took my dog out this evening - don't talk about him much. He's a black chihuahua named Pablo. (The penguin who hated the cold, picasso, or juan pablo montoya. Depends on which member of the family you ask). Should have named him Shadow, because he is mine, and is scared of his. Anyway, as soon as we stepped on the patio, I SAW A SNAKE!!! I AM TERRIFIED OF SNAKES!! It was small, maybe 12-15 inches. Black and white, 2 pencil diameter. He crawled under the paver we put in last week. I SCREAMED SNAKE! and DH came out but couldn't find him. He did see a lizard, and is trying to convince me that's what I saw. I am terrified to take the dog out tonight! The girls won't be allowed in their outdoor toy box for a while! It's right on the patio near there!
TARYN

First of all.... don't worry too much about the snake unless you live somewhere where there are poisonous snakes. They are pretty harmless and they eat mice and rats and such, so they are actually helpful. But I would give a peek into the toybox before I let the girls start rummaging around.

Second..... I can so relate to that scary, scary feeling. It is kind of like falling from a cliff. You try to catch yourself... you know what to do (reach out and grab a branch), but you just can't seem to do it! If it would help, you could start a food journal here on the Dis. Speaking just for myself, I would be happy to try to get on a few times a day to read and talk about what you ate. I know making it public really helps me think twice about eating something!

Try writing up a food plan for an entire day... map out exactly what you are going to eat for an entire day and then eat JUST THAT! Maybe having a plan will help??

One thing that I do when I have a stressful/tempting situation is that I ask myself a question...."Is doing this going to help me attain my goal?" I ask myself that about a lot of things... not just weight loss. Redecorating, cleaning, scrapbooking, organizing.... I ask myself that about all of those goals (since I always have an ongoing project of some sort). If I am tempted to veg in front of the TV for an hour during the day, I ask myself that question. But if I am folding laundry or ironing while watching the TV, I can ask myself the question and get a better answer!!

Every time you walk by the chocolates you need to ask yourself one of these questions. "Will eating this chocolate help me attain my goal?" or "Which decision do I need to make to help me reach my goal?" HTH.

I have had a horrifying food week too! Well, more than a week - all I can think about is eating and I'm not making healthy choices. Things have been insanely busy and stressful with work, so everyone in my dept has been supplying the candy dish and eating lots of it! DH and I are both working extra hours for weeks, and I had a 2.5 million dollar budget due today. Also, DH, DD and I came down with a bad cough over the weekend. *sigh*
Well, I decided my crazy eating ended today. I went cold turkey on treats at work. I've managed to stay within my 2-pound maintain range , but I know I can't stay on this path because the scale will go in the wrong direction.

WOW... we've all been off the deep end lately! Must be something in the air... or the full moon.... or something!! Hopefully the start of fall, cooler weather, back to school/work routines will help some of us get BACK ON TRACK!! And if not, there is always the Fall BL challenge!!!

So glad today is over! Just got home from 4 hours in the ER with DD2! After being sick all day and some changes and not being able to keep ANYTHING down we talked to the pediatricians office who advised us to head to the ER. Everyone was great there! They were EXTREMELY busy so she was actually in the hallway pretty much the whole time. It's just a virus but she got half a bag of IV fluid with the anti-nausea medicine and seems to be doing better. She was falling asleep when they said we could head home. So tomorrow will be clear fluids and maybe some saltines at some point. She ate an orange popsicle and drank some apple juice in the ER. Thank goodness I grabbed the iPod so she could watch Bolt and a bit of Wall-E and then she asked to go to sleep!

DD1 was a really good sister at the hospital. DH and I spent time with each of them there. We're going to treat them this weekend and take them to a soccer game in Foxboro on Saturday night. She's going to sit with her sister and play games and watch tv with her tomorrow. Depending on how I sleep will depend on whether or not I go to work. DH has a phone meeting and was going to stay home. I have one client who I had to cancel last Tuesday after my accident so I don't want to have to cancel it again.

Going to check on Izzie and then try to go to sleep myself! PD for a quiet night!

The good news is that I walked 4 miles while at soccer practice with DD1 before we went to the ER. SO I did 6 miles total and Bob's 20 minute strength workout!

Good night!

Nice job getting the miles in today, despite the craziness. Glad your DD is feeling better. I'm surprised they had you bring her in after just 1 day of vomiting. Was she showing signs of dehydration? Glad they were able to get her fixed up and sent home. ER is NO FUN!!

Anyway, forgot I had turned down the volume on the alarm yesterday as I was trying to get up! I didn't hear it, so I woke up 45 minutes late. The time I needed to hit the track. Rather than phoning it in, like I did last week, I went for a quick 2 mile run, and pushed hard. Better than nothing. I can make up the calories burned by not eating the Kisses today!

Have a great day. Tracey- hope you get some rest and DD is on the upward mend!
TARYN

PROUD of you for making the best of the time you had left! It would have been SO EASY to make the excuse of oversleeping and not getting in ANY run. You will definitely feel better for the 2 miles you did!

Now, teacher to teacher, there is a law (I'm pretty sure it's federal, but know it is in CT) that you cannot give the kids candy. Around here, there are numerous kids with severe peanut and/or tree nut and/or milk allergies. Kisses would never be allowed in some schools. I will try to find out more information for you and PM it to you. I know the kids like receiving Kisses, but I always had to buy them trinkets or large stickers to use as rewards. Oriental Trading Company was my BFF.

Thanks Rose! I woke up feeling better today. I must have slept on my left side because my left ear hurts. I am just going to take it easy for a while and see if it calms down. My ears are supersensistive and I want to make sure it's not something else before I exercise. My doctors have toyed with diagnosing me with a pretty serious condition that has to do with the ear. It would explain the vertigo I used to have a lot. It's complicated so I'll summarize. I just want to make sure that my ear hurts because I slept on it, not because vertigo is in my future.
CC

I know in our school district it isn't LAW, but rather RULE. Teachers are VERY STRONGLY discouraged from handing out any food treats. Most of the teachers follow that rule, but a few ignore it.

Hope the ear pain turns out to be just sleeping pain. I know my ears hurt when I sleep away from home on a harder mattress.


Morning everyone!! I'm going to post very gingerly here... don't want a repeat of yesterday's POOF moment!!

I had a great, on-plan day yesterday, so I am feeling better.... but those 5 pounds are still hanging on me like an albatross around my neck (more aptly, around my belly!). Only had time to do 5K on the TM yesterday, but I made the most of it and ran hard.... not a PB time, but close.

I can't chat long.... DD called from school... she forgot her Chemistry binder and needs me to bring it by. Since I have to drive that far any how, I will load up a few things for the dump and stop there on the way.

Here is today's unofficial QOTD:

Chinese or Italian?

Penthouse or ground floor?

Plain or peanut?

music or tv?

ocean or lake?

horror movie or chick flick?

math or reading?

soup or salad?

video game or board game?

sushi or no sushi?

outgoing or shy?

saver or tosser?

cooking or baking?

hot cereal or cold cereal?

newspaper or tv news?

optimist or pessimist?

That's all for today!!.............P

 

[keenercam]

I haven't had a chance to catch up all the way yet, but Taryn, I wanted to respond to your post. You are very inspirational to me. Even when I haven't had time to read all the posts, I have read yours and several others and taken something from them. I think you are more in control than you think. And I know temptations can completely derail us. But in the back of your mind, you were totally cognizant of what was going on. And you took responsibility by counting the kisses and counting the calories. I'd say that is a huge victory. And on top of that, you didn't take the readily available excuse to not run this morning, but instead went out and got in those 2 miles.

Please give yourself credit. I am not urging complacency or anything like that. But sometimes we need to realize that we haven't given in to all our bad habits and that we haven't created a situation from which we can't recover. I really do believe that the very next bite is a chance to do it right. And it sounds like you know what you have to do. And it is a great reminder to all of us, no matter what our "kisses" are. Congratulations on all you have accomplished. Don't give up. Keep pushing for the finish line.

During my first marathon, I reminded myself that all of the months of being good and disciplined and training were awesome, truly awesome, but if I didn't get the medal, I'd never feel like I really accomplished what all that effort was directed towards. Yes, it would always be amazing to know I'd completed 20 miles or even 24 miles of a marathon, but was I trying for 20 or 24 miles? No, I wanted to FINISH a marathon. And I was determined to get that Mickey medal. So, keep pushing for the finish line (your ultimate goal weight, maintenance, whatever) because all of your effort has been taking you closer and closer. Just keep pushing.

 

[pjlla]

I haven't had a chance to catch up all the way yet, but Taryn, I wanted to respond to your post. You are very inspirational to me. Even when I haven't had time to read all the posts, I have read yours and several others and taken something from them. I think you are more in control than you think. And I know temptations can completely derail us. But in the back of your mind, you were totally cognizant of what was going on. And you took responsibility by counting the kisses and counting the calories. I'd say that is a huge victory. And on top of that, you didn't take the readily available excuse to not run this morning, but instead went out and got in those 2 miles.

Please give yourself credit. I am not urging complacency or anything like that. But sometimes we need to realize that we haven't given in to all our bad habits and that we haven't created a situation from which we can't recover. I really do believe that the very next bite is a chance to do it right. And it sounds like you know what you have to do. And it is a great reminder to all of us, no matter what our "kisses" are. Congratulations on all you have accomplished. Don't give up. Keep pushing for the finish line.

During my first marathon, I reminded myself that all of the months of being good and disciplined and training were awesome, truly awesome, but if I didn't get the medal, I'd never feel like I really accomplished what all that effort was directed towards. Yes, it would always be amazing to know I'd completed 20 miles or even 24 miles of a marathon, but was I trying for 20 or 24 miles? No, I wanted to FINISH a marathon. And I was determined to get that Mickey medal. So, keep pushing for the finish line (your ultimate goal weight, maintenance, whatever) because all of your effort has been taking you closer and closer. Just keep pushing.

WELL SAID!!!



Chinese or Italian? Chinese

Penthouse or ground floor? Penthouse (better view!)

Plain or peanut? Actually... peanut butter!

music or tv? TV

ocean or lake? Lake

horror movie or chick flick? Chick flick... I don't do horror!!

math or reading? READING!! Math makes me..

soup or salad? Depends on the soup and the weather, but usually salad.

video game or board game? Board games... I am pretty low-tech.

sushi or no sushi? I like a few kinds of sushi, not all kinds. Brown rice california rolls are my favorite.

outgoing or shy? SHY!! I have a terrible time meeting new people.

saver or tosser? Saver... which is why I need to be organized.

cooking or baking? Neither... hate doing both!

hot cereal or cold cereal? Hot cereal for breakfast (oatmeal, grits) and cold for lunch sometimes.

newspaper or tv news? Neither... I don't follow the news.

optimist or pessimist? I tend to mostly be an optimist. I don't worry much and I usually have the feeling that everything will be just fine! Even when my Mom had breast cancer a few years ago, I never worried. I knew things would be okay. And they were!

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

 

[keenercam]

Here is today's unofficial QOTD:

Chinese or Italian? Chinese (unless it's Italian that I've cooked; I am an awesome Italian cook)

Penthouse or ground floor? Penthouse

Plain or peanut? Peanut

music or tv? Music

ocean or lake? Ocean

horror movie or chick flick? Chick flick

math or reading? reading

soup or salad? salad

video game or board game? board game

sushi or no sushi? sushi

outgoing or shy? outgoing

saver or tosser? saver

cooking or baking? cooking

hot cereal or cold cereal? cold cereal

newspaper or tv news? newspaper

optimist or pessimist? optimist

 

[tigger813]

Thanks everyone! Her lips were really dry and she hadn't gone to the bathroom since 10am. She tried going once and couldn't. She did finally go while we were in the waiting room of the ER. She complained a lot about here throat. She kept saying to me, "Mommy I can't take it anymore!" Just about broke my heart!

Ended up staying home with the girls. DD2 kept crying this morning after she got up. Her throat really hurt and she was just miserable. I just couldn't leave her. DH had a conference call at work that he was going to do from home but I just called my client to reschedule him. DD2 wants to play a game on the computer now while DD1 and I watch Devil Wears Prada! I could really use a day to just lounge around on the couch! She seems to be doing better now. I think actually getting Powerade in is helping. I think the apple juice wasn't feeling good on her throat. Hoping she can try some Saltines later today. They said to stick with clear fluids all morning and if she asks for something later try it in small doses.

I'll work out later today and watch what I eat!

Have a great day! It's snuggle time!

 

[tigger813]

Here is today's unofficial QOTD:

Chinese or Italian? Chinese though I also love Italian

Penthouse or ground floor? Penthouse

Plain or peanut? Plain

music or tv? BOTH

ocean or lake? Lake

horror movie or chick flick? Chick flick

math or reading? reading

soup or salad? salad

video game or board game? BOTH We play a lot of both around here

sushi or no sushi? No Sushi

outgoing or shy? outgoing

saver or tosser? saver

cooking or baking? BOTH

hot cereal or cold cereal? cold cereal

newspaper or tv news? TV News

optimist or pessimist? optimist, though on some days people may disagree with me on that

I love these little quick choices!

 

[jenanderson]

Taryn – Hugs to you! You are always so good at giving all of us pep talks when we need them so today even though I have no easy answers for you…I am going to give you a pep talk. You have not lost control. You are strong and in control. Even though you have accomplished so much, there will always be times where you are challenged and struggling that interrupt those moments of victory. The good news is….you have gotten through the tough times before and you know what you need to do to get through them again. I know it does not feel good while it is happening and the feeling of spinning out of control is scary. I think you need to step back and look at it objectively. Yep, you are struggling and feeling bad about things BUT you are also being so successful by keeping track of things and knowing where you are at. I really think that so much of this is that you have too much on your plate right now. You can do this! Okay – have I rambled on enough yet? Seriously Taryn, you are a strong person who can get through this. I have so much faith in you and I know you will pull through it.

Bree – You should post a photo of your hair! I am going to have mine done today and still haven’t decided how much I will let her change it. I would love to see yours! And…your running…way to go! I am really impressed with your speed! I can run distances without much work but I am SLOW. There is no way I could do almost 4 miles in 30 minutes. I am truly a 10 minute/mile average sort of gal.

CC – Hugs your way as well. I feel really bad for you knowing that you are searching for a teaching job too. It is not fun to want to be working as a teacher and not finding any jobs out there. I have been searching about 25 districts a day – even if that means I would have to drive an hour each way – there is still nothing. Here is to hoping you and I can find something soon.

Rose – Thanks for the support. I think you hit it yesterday with your post…I do feel like I have no purpose and there is not even a reason to get up. I am a fairly driven sort of person and to be sitting while everyone else goes back to work makes me feel so worthless. I tend to be really swinging back and forth with feeling optimistic to feeling like I don’t know what to do with myself. I hope you enjoyed your run with Mike!

Also – I am so glad that you won a COW prize! You actually did good with answering the questions to Part II for most of the challenge. YEAH!

Nicole – Good to see you posting! Sounds like things are really busy with your life as well. Great job staying away from those treats!

Tracey – How scary to have DD be so sick! I am glad you have it all figured out and that it sounds like she will be getting better soon even though she is a bit miserable right now. PD to a speedy recovery for her!

Jude – Hugs to you too! I am thinking of you today.

Pamela – Thanks for keeping us going on this thread this week. I love your survey questions!

Cam – I loved your sharing about your marathon. You are right about it being reaching that finish line and the medal. I think about the struggle of reaching the finish line and know that I have to keep that in mind as I work on reaching the finish line to my ultimate weight goal. Thanks for putting it into perspective this morning.

Well, I will say after reading all of the posts again this morning and responding to everyone made me feel really good. I was not feeling so good because when I got on the scale today, I had gained 3 pounds since yesterday! Seriously after running 13.1 miles I GAINED 3 pounds. Then I stopped to think about everything everyone posted and I have to just not let it get to me. It might be a gain because I drank water like made yesterday after running. It might be a gain because I did eat ice cream before bed. It might be a gain and then show a loss tomorrow. Who knows…all I know is that today I am not going to let it get to me. I am going to work on having as optimistic of a day as possible because I know that it is simply a number on the scale this morning and I will just focus on having a healthy day.

Time to go have my hair done but I will come back for Pamela’s survey questions because they are great!

 

[cclovesdis]

Just wanted to pop in and thank all of you for sending for my ear. I'm pretty sure it was from sleeping on it because Tylenol helped. I was able to work out with no problem. I didn't push myself, but exceeded my exercise goal and burned 150+ calories. I think I was more scared than anything else. I've seen quite a few ENTs and the one I'm seeing now is supposedly the best or one of the best in New England. When I was first (mis)diagnosed with Meniere's disease, the ENT I had at the time wrote it down on a sheet of paper and handed it to me like it was forbidden to say aloud. I read all I could and learned that I could completely lose my hearing. Right now, my ENT (a neurotologist) is positive that I don't have Meniere's disease. I need to remember that.

Will reply in a few minutes. Cannot wait for the results!

 

[jenanderson]

Just wanted to pop in and thank all of you for sending for my ear. I'm pretty sure it was from sleeping on it because Tylenol helped. I was able to work out with no problem. I didn't push myself, but exceeded my exercise goal and burned 150+ calories. I think I was more scared than anything else. I've seen quite a few ENTs and the one I'm seeing now is supposedly the best or one of the best in New England. When I was first (mis)diagnosed with Meniere's disease, the ENT I had at the time wrote it down on a sheet of paper and handed it to me like it was forbidden to say aloud. I read all I could and learned that I could completely lose my hearing. Right now, my ENT (a neurotologist) is positive that I don't have Meniere's disease. I need to remember that.

Will reply in a few minutes. Cannot wait for the results!

CC- I have no clue how I missed the post about your ear! I will be waiting to hear about what you learn and be thinking of you.

 

[cclovesdis]

I thought I would take a Dis/BL break (yeah, right ) and respond in a bit, but I wouldn't feel right going about my day without responding personally to all of you. We really are a tight-knit group.

Today we have a run afterwork and I am planning on cooking. There are only two regular season baseball games left (Sun and Mon) so we should start getting on a better schedule, which should make the cooking easier. At least I will no longer have any excuses. Hope everyone has a good day today!

I love schedules! I cannot wait for my sister to go to work tomorrow so I don't have to worry about the phone ringing and needing to stop what I am doing for half an hour. I need a 4 hour block of uninterrupted time to take a practice test. Hope my bladder listens.

Nice job on catching up on your time. Are you doing the August exercise minutes thread? I did that faithfully last winter/spring, but decided to take the summer off from tracking minutes... it was just taking too much time.

I don't know why, but having that thread really helps me. I just add it to my COW/HH Excel sheet and I'm good to go.

If it would help, you could start a food journal here on the Dis. Speaking just for myself, I would be happy to try to get on a few times a day to read and talk about what you ate. I know making it public really helps me think twice about eating something!

I'll be happy to pop on and offer my advice (FWIW) too! Great idea!

One thing that I do when I have a stressful/tempting situation is that I ask myself a question...."Is doing this going to help me attain my goal?" I ask myself that about a lot of things... not just weight loss. Redecorating, cleaning, scrapbooking, organizing.... I ask myself that about all of those goals (since I always have an ongoing project of some sort). If I am tempted to veg in front of the TV for an hour during the day, I ask myself that question. But if I am folding laundry or ironing while watching the TV, I can ask myself the question and get a better answer!!

Love both!

I know in our school district it isn't LAW, but rather RULE. Teachers are VERY STRONGLY discouraged from handing out any food treats. Most of the teachers follow that rule, but a few ignore it.

Thanks! I will be sure to follow-up with what I said and PM her. Now, you have me thinking I should check her state. That sounds a little stalkeresque.

Only had time to do 5K on the TM yesterday, but I made the most of it and ran hard.... not a PB time, but close.

You too continue to amaze me with your workouts.

Here is today's unofficial QOTD:

Chinese or Italian? Chinese at a restaurant, Italian at home

Penthouse or ground floor? Penthouse

Plain or peanut? Plain

music or tv? TV

ocean or lake? lake

horror movie or chick flick? chick flick

math or reading? reading

soup or salad? salad

video game or board game? Not sure, I only use the Wii for exercising and board games for baby-sitting

sushi or no sushi? it's okay, I like some better than others

outgoing or shy? shy, except on the BL thread

saver or tosser? saver

cooking or baking? baking

hot cereal or cold cereal? I prefer hot, but I also love Multigrain Cheerios

newspaper or tv news? Newspaper

optimist or pessimist? Depends on the day

That's all for today!!.............P

So, keep pushing for the finish line (your ultimate goal weight, maintenance, whatever) because all of your effort has been taking you closer and closer. Just keep pushing.

Thanks everyone! Her lips were really dry and she hadn't gone to the bathroom since 10am. She tried going once and couldn't. She did finally go while we were in the waiting room of the ER. She complained a lot about here throat. She kept saying to me, "Mommy I can't take it anymore!" Just about broke my heart!

Mine too. I could feel the tears welling up. Glad to hear she is doing better!

CC – Hugs your way as well. I feel really bad for you knowing that you are searching for a teaching job too. It is not fun to want to be working as a teacher and not finding any jobs out there. I have been searching about 25 districts a day – even if that means I would have to drive an hour each way – there is still nothing. Here is to hoping you and I can find something soon.

Thanks!

Well, I will say after reading all of the posts again this morning and responding to everyone made me feel really good. I was not feeling so good because when I got on the scale today, I had gained 3 pounds since yesterday! Seriously after running 13.1 miles I GAINED 3 pounds. Then I stopped to think about everything everyone posted and I have to just not let it get to me. It might be a gain because I drank water like made yesterday after running. It might be a gain because I did eat ice cream before bed. It might be a gain and then show a loss tomorrow. Who knows…all I know is that today I am not going to let it get to me. I am going to work on having as optimistic of a day as possible because I know that it is simply a number on the scale this morning and I will just focus on having a healthy day.

to you too!

 

[cclovesdis]

CC- I have no clue how I missed the post about your ear! I will be waiting to hear about what you learn and be thinking of you.

Thanks! My dad just called and checked me on me actually. We are going to give it until tomorrow because even at 26, I still have ear infections.

A neurotologist (because most people have never heard of one) is usually also a surgeon. Mine does surgery a few days a week, so if I have to call him, I probably won't be able to see him until Friday.

I think the reason why you are confused is because I don't talk about it much. It's a part of my life that I try to forget about and instead focus on where things stand now. My first ENT sent me for a 2nd opinion. I saw this wonderful, older ENT who listened intently and was sure the diagnosis was correct. Well, I had a really bad vertigo episode one day and my PCP said either go to the ENT or the ER. My now new ENT wasn't working that day, but a new doctor was so I saw him. He became ENT #3. He wasn't so sure about the diagnosis so he sent me to a neurotologist. He came up with some diagnosis that made sense, but there's no literature on it so I wasn't so sure. Then, some time after that, I was told to see a neurologist. Well, the neurologist didn't like this diagnosis at all (wasn't even sure that the condition existed) and told me to go see a neurotologist out of a local university. Multiple interns later, ENT #5 didn't jive well with me and I ended up with my current neurotologist. The neighbor I have with a cochlear implant told me to go see him (she meant her audiologist, but they are in the same practice). He's amazing and has tried all sorts of things. Right now, I am on 2 medications and have a 3rd just in case I actually have vertigo. I've learned to ignore the tinnitus and my hearing is fine.

I don't know why, but for some reason sharing all of that was very therapeutic.

Have a great afternoon! I'm off to have a snack (did I just say that) and then go pick up a biology book. As the resident special ed teacher, I get the honor of helping the neighborhood kids out with whatever academic class giving someone trouble is. Now, when they are taking calculus, they can call my sister

 

[Octoberbride03]

Afternoon everybody.

Haven't been keeping up since I got back from the beach. No real reason, just kind of got off track with the challenge winding down I guess. Also not happy with work. Would really LOVE a new job, and have been trying to find something that would work for me. Now I think i may just look for a reasonable out once i start driving. Really hope to be gone from target before Christmas. If not by then then definitely early next year. Now way am I staying for the produce overhaul I have done 6 black fridays and 6 Christmases, and as much as I think anybody with reasonable IQ should be forced to work retail for a year, I have paid my dues. I just wish i could afford to quit and THEN look for a job

But I am back now and sticking around until we move to the new thread for the next challenge.

 

[jbm02]

Afternoon everybody.

Haven't been keeping up since I got back from the beach. No real reason, just kind of got off track with the challenge winding down I guess. Also not happy with work. Would really LOVE a new job, and have been trying to find something that would work for me. Now I think i may just look for a reasonable out once i start driving. Really hope to be gone from target before Christmas. If not by then then definitely early next year. Now way am I staying for the produce overhaul I have done 6 black fridays and 6 Christmases, and as much as I think anybody with reasonable IQ should be forced to work retail for a year, I have paid my dues. I just wish i could afford to quit and THEN look for a job

But I am back now and sticking around until we move to the new thread for the next challenge.

We're already there!! Check this out:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=38036527#post38036527

 

[jbm02]

Chinese or Italian? Italian

Penthouse or ground floor? Penthouse

Plain or peanut? Plain

music or tv? music

ocean or lake? Either. The water is soothing to me and I'll take it however I can get it

horror movie or chick flick? chick flick. Absolutely

math or reading? reading

soup or salad? soup

video game or board game? board game

sushi or no sushi? no sushi. Call me the unspohisticated one here. I've tried and tried but still can't get my tastebuds to like it....

outgoing or shy? outgoing

saver or tosser? saver

cooking or baking? baking

hot cereal or cold cereal? cold cereal (and NO milk!!)

newspaper or tv news? newspaper

optimist or pessimist? optimist...usually

Stressful time here. My DH was laid off from his teaching job (after 9 years at the same public high school) and school starts next Tuesday and he still hasn't been able to secure a position. He is very very depressed and defeated and it's infecting me too. He has had a bunch of interviews and has made it o the last round and then...nothing. Big disappointment came last night when his school district announced it was rehiring 10 of the 29 teachers it laid off but, despite his having the most seniority of the teachers laid off, his position was not targeted as a "necessary" one to reinstate. Tried to run today but ended up taking a pilates class instead. We're working through this but it really stinks....
Sorry for the pity party. Thanks for listening.

 

[pjlla]

Stressful time here. My DH was laid off from his teaching job (after 9 years at the same public high school) and school starts next Tuesday and he still hasn't been able to secure a position. He is very very depressed and defeated and it's infecting me too. He has had a bunch of interviews and has made it o the last round and then...nothing. Big disappointment came last night when his school district announced it was rehiring 10 of the 29 teachers it laid off but, despite his having the most seniority of the teachers laid off, his position was not targeted as a "necessary" one to reinstate. Tried to run today but ended up taking a pilates class instead. We're working through this but it really stinks....
Sorry for the pity party. Thanks for listening.

OUCH! Sorry for this.... seems like many, many teachers looking for work this fall. I hope something comes up for him soon!


Evening all! I got to duck out early from our Robotics meeting. DH and our other coach were both there, so I used the excuse of taking DD home to do homework and got out about 40 minutes early!! I like coaching the kids and I know it is important to be involved with DS's activities, but sometimes the kids get on my nerves, so I take the break when I can get it!

Well... it looks to be a no-formal-exercise day for me. I thought I would have time and ended up having to run around more than expected. It is WAAAAY too hot to take a walk right now and will probably stay hot this evening. No worries... maybe I'll do some arm work with the free weights after dinner.

Well, I can't stick around to chat. I have three loads of laundry on the line to get in and dinner to make... ham fried rice... it is a yummy easy recipe and I can change it up, depending on what I have in the house. I use brown rice and will make some extra stir-fried veggies to add to mine. Plus I will only use about half of the amount of ham it calls for... no one in my family needs that much protein or fat or sodium. It is so hot, I'm glad I had a skillet meal planned... I would hate to have to heat up the oven right now!

I got a couple of long overdue projects started today... feels good to be moving forward with them. Just wish redecorating burned more calories!!

I'm gonna go now and start chopping the bok choy for dinner! .........P

 

[lisah0711]

I know we can get back on track! Aren't we supposed to set good examples for all the new folks?

Good morning! I can't believe I won the COW--part II! Woohoo! I never win! Very exciting. Thanks for organizing the COW/HH Jen! Today we have a run afterwork and I am planning on cooking. There are only two regular season baseball games left (Sun and Mon) so we should start getting on a better schedule, which should make the cooking easier. At least I will no longer have any excuses. Hope everyone has a good day today!

Woo hoo! You won the COW! Congratulations!

And, yes, we all are supposed to set good examples for each other. And you do!

Here is today's unofficial QOTD:

Chinese or Italian? Chinese

Penthouse or ground floor? Penthouse

Plain or peanut? peanut

music or tv? music

ocean or lake? ocean

horror movie or chick flick?

math or reading? reading

soup or salad? salad

video game or board game? board game

sushi or no sushi? no sushi

outgoing or shy? shy

saver or tosser? tosser

cooking or baking? cooking

hot cereal or cold cereal? both

newspaper or tv news? newspaper

optimist or pessimist? optimist

That's all for today!!.............P

Thanks for doing these questions, Pamela. I was going to do a quiz "Are you Roller Derby Queen material?" so this was much better!

I haven't had a chance to catch up all the way yet, but Taryn, I wanted to respond to your post. You are very inspirational to me. Even when I haven't had time to read all the posts, I have read yours and several others and taken something from them. I think you are more in control than you think. And I know temptations can completely derail us. But in the back of your mind, you were totally cognizant of what was going on. And you took responsibility by counting the kisses and counting the calories. I'd say that is a huge victory. And on top of that, you didn't take the readily available excuse to not run this morning, but instead went out and got in those 2 miles.

Please give yourself credit. I am not urging complacency or anything like that. But sometimes we need to realize that we haven't given in to all our bad habits and that we haven't created a situation from which we can't recover. I really do believe that the very next bite is a chance to do it right. And it sounds like you know what you have to do. And it is a great reminder to all of us, no matter what our "kisses" are. Congratulations on all you have accomplished. Don't give up. Keep pushing for the finish line.

During my first marathon, I reminded myself that all of the months of being good and disciplined and training were awesome, truly awesome, but if I didn't get the medal, I'd never feel like I really accomplished what all that effort was directed towards. Yes, it would always be amazing to know I'd completed 20 miles or even 24 miles of a marathon, but was I trying for 20 or 24 miles? No, I wanted to FINISH a marathon. And I was determined to get that Mickey medal. So, keep pushing for the finish line (your ultimate goal weight, maintenance, whatever) because all of your effort has been taking you closer and closer. Just keep pushing.

Cam, you should be proud of all you accomplishments.

Tracey, hope that you DD is on the mend now!

Well, I will say after reading all of the posts again this morning and responding to everyone made me feel really good. I was not feeling so good because when I got on the scale today, I had gained 3 pounds since yesterday! Seriously after running 13.1 miles I GAINED 3 pounds. Then I stopped to think about everything everyone posted and I have to just not let it get to me. It might be a gain because I drank water like made yesterday after running. It might be a gain because I did eat ice cream before bed. It might be a gain and then show a loss tomorrow. Who knows…all I know is that today I am not going to let it get to me. I am going to work on having as optimistic of a day as possible because I know that it is simply a number on the scale this morning and I will just focus on having a healthy day.

Time to go have my hair done but I will come back for Pamela’s survey questions because they are great!

Can't wait to hear all about your new 'do! That's a bummer about the 3 pounds but I can't imagine that they will hang around for long at all.

CC, glad that you are feeling better!

Haven't been keeping up since I got back from the beach. No real reason, just kind of got off track with the challenge winding down I guess. Also not happy with work. Would really LOVE a new job, and have been trying to find something that would work for me. Now I think i may just look for a reasonable out once i start driving. Really hope to be gone from target before Christmas. If not by then then definitely early next year. Now way am I staying for the produce overhaul I have done 6 black fridays and 6 Christmases, and as much as I think anybody with reasonable IQ should be forced to work retail for a year, I have paid my dues. I just wish i could afford to quit and THEN look for a job

But I am back now and sticking around until we move to the new thread for the next challenge.

I'm sure that you will find something that will work for you!

Stressful time here. My DH was laid off from his teaching job (after 9 years at the same public high school) and school starts next Tuesday and he still hasn't been able to secure a position. He is very very depressed and defeated and it's infecting me too. He has had a bunch of interviews and has made it o the last round and then...nothing. Big disappointment came last night when his school district announced it was rehiring 10 of the 29 teachers it laid off but, despite his having the most seniority of the teachers laid off, his position was not targeted as a "necessary" one to reinstate. Tried to run today but ended up taking a pilates class instead. We're working through this but it really stinks....
Sorry for the pity party. Thanks for listening.

Jude, a for you and for your DH that he finds something soon!

I signed up today for a Biggest Loser contest at our local gym. It is an eight week challenge starting September 25th. I needed to sign up for the gym anyway to so I can keep up my training for the Princess when the weather turns bad. I meet with my trainer tomorrow. She can help me with the cross training as well as my Princess training. Should be interesting. I feel like I need a little extra push now to help me meet my goals. So you guys had better watch out for the fall challenge 'cause I am ready to rock it!!

 

[jenanderson]

Time to answer the survey!

Chinese or Italian? A very hard choice but it probably would be Italian

Penthouse or ground floor? This depends. I love being able to walk out - especially if it was near the ocean. I guess I will have to say ground floor.

Plain or peanut? plain

music or tv? music

ocean or lake? OCEAN baby! I will live by the ocean one day.

horror movie or chick flick? chick flick

math or reading? Reading! I love to read!

soup or salad? soup

video game or board game? board game

sushi or no sushi? no sushi. A big NO to the sushi

outgoing or shy? outgoing

saver or tosser? saver - but I wish I was a bit more of a tosser

cooking or baking? cooking...except at the holidays and then I love to bake!

hot cereal or cold cereal? hot cereal

newspaper or tv news? truly neither - the news is depressing and I love when I am away from it for a while. Somehow the world keeps going even if I don't know everything that is going on!

optimist or pessimist? normally a hard core optimist but I am finding these recent days a little challenging to my outlook.

Jude - Sent you an e-mail. I am so sorry and wish I lived close to you guys!

CC - Thanks for the explanation. I did not mean to pry but I am glad you shared! I thought I had missed some big announcement about something. Anything with hearing and the eyes is scary in my mind.

Went and got my hair done this morning. It is really a great color (great light highlights). I didn't cut any of it because it is finally long enough to get up in a pony tail for running and that is a big deal to me right now.

We are planning on going to see the Twins play baseball tonight - here is to hoping the storms pass by us and that we don't get rain!