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

[Connie96]

Connie--Woohoo for cooler temps. We've been much cooler this week, though it is supposed to be back in the 90s by the weekend. What a great run you had! I bet the zoo was busy today, with the nice weather.

With school starting back this week, the zoo was practically deserted. Just a handful of moms and/or dads with their babies and preschoolers. Between the very few people and the lower temps, it was probably my favorite zoo trip ever.

We did make it to the library this afternoon and my baby girl checked out her first ever library book. "The Biggest Pumpkin Ever". Gonna read it before bedtime tonight.

I wish I could have more frequent days just like this with my sweet girl. I think I'm gonna miss her even more than usual when I go to work tomorrow.

 

[Rose&Mike]

Taryn, You're soo sweet! I know whenever I'm feeling low I can just come on here and get some LOVE!!!!!

I'm proud to say I worked out for 20 minutes. I did Bob's new workout, the 20 minute beginner. Strength work! I hope I can lift my arms for my massages in the morning!

Picked up the new PS3 so I'm hoping to play some Lego HP tonight! I'm having withdrawals!

I AM GOING TO GET UP AT 5:15 tomorrow!!!!!! No excuses! I'll take some Tylenol PM tonight before bed. I had a drink of mango rum and diet sprite with my dinner. It's a quenching drink. Now it's water the rest of the night! I made homemade chicken parmesan sandwiches and I had a handful of cheeseburger chips with it. I haven't eaten a ton today. I would like to get another small workout in but I'll have to see if DH will go downstairs with me.

Time to clean up the kitchen before sitting down to watch tv or getting in another workout!

I'll try to check in tomorrow morning before or after I get to work while the stones are heating up. Good night all!

Mango rum sounds pretty tasty...

With school starting back this week, the zoo was practically deserted. Just a handful of moms and/or dads with their babies and preschoolers. Between the very few people and the lower temps, it was probably my favorite zoo trip ever.

We did make it to the library this afternoon and my baby girl checked out her first ever library book. "The Biggest Pumpkin Ever". Gonna read it before bedtime tonight.

I wish I could have more frequent days just like this with my sweet girl. I think I'm gonna miss her even more than usual when I go to work tomorrow.

That's so sweet! Have a good day tomorrow.

We're back from the game. It's quiet around here tonight. Didn't do great--had a beer, some peanuts and some ice cream. I was really hungry tonight for some reason. And I'm still so stinking tired! I hope whatever I had, the tired part goes away soon. I was going to get up with Mike and run, but I think I'll sleep in and maybe go after work or maybe I will skip it tomorrow. I don't skip too often, so I'm not going to feel guilty. Ok, maybe a little guilty, but I'm going to try to not feel guilty.

Have a nice evening!

 

[Rose&Mike]

Ok, I'm posting the QOTD in case I sleep in too much tomorrow and don't have time before work.

Thursday QOTD--I'm giving you a choice here. I know it's the end of the challenge, so if you are burned out and need an easy one, pick the Disney question and if you're in a reflecting mood, pick the second one.

1. Which Disney character do you wish you were more like and why? What trait do you admire most in them?
OR
2. As we come to the start of a new challenge, what advice or wisdom would you share with someone just starting?

Have a great last day everyone! I'll try to check in before work, but if not I will be here sometime in the afternoon.

 

[flipflopmom]

Got in a 20 minute nap! Ate well today. No exercise. I think I am going to have to accept that for the next month, I am just going to have to do the best I can to keep my family running on schedule and eating healthy, and get in the exercise when I can. It's a scary concept for me, b/c I know that the exercise is the key to weight loss, but I can't do it all.

As we finish up this challenge, what NSV (non-scale victories) have you achieved this summer or this year? Sometimes, I think the nsv are more exciting than seeing the scale move! I also think celebrating NSV can really help us with achieving a positive body image.

I need to read this, think about it.
NSV - I ran 9 miles last week!

Since May 17, just before this challenge started, I've lost 15.5 inches! 11 of those came from my midsection. That was of last week. I'm still really bloated, so that would be less now. It's kinda NSV, but SV, too.

I gained an unreal amount of weight on vacation, but jumped right back on
the wagon and lost it, instead of miring in the weight gain.

I'm wearing a size 8 for the first time in my life.

People I've known forever don't recognize me.

One of my students told his mom the other day that I look pretty everyday. (She works with me, and I was fairly dressed up and she commented "Wow, Mrs. Scruggs looks pretty today, he said "MOM, she looks pretty everyday!"

I like shopping for clothes, and I am taking pride in the way I look now.

I am taking care of my skin better.

I have some nice cuts in my arms from strength training, for the first time ever.

I was doing a breast self exam, and thought I had felt a lump. IT WAS MY RIBS.

Some of these are just signs of progress, hope it doesn't seem too cocky, but I really needed to list things to keep my head up!

Connie-so glad you loved the zoo, I know what you mean. The times together seem to make the time apart harder.

Rose - have fun tonight!

Tracey - glad you felt like working out tonight!

Off to get the girls in the bed. Have a good night, I'll probably check in the am!

Taryn

 

[Connie96]

The "WIN!" Challenge - "Whittle Inches Now!"

I have documented measurement preferences from Taryn, Lindsay, CC, Lisa, Bree and myself. If I missed any others, please holler at me so I can go back and pick them up.

I have gotten the most votes for:
bust , waist, hips, 1 thigh, 1 upper arm (you pick left or right; just stick with the same side when you measure again)

That's 5 measurements. Personally, I think this will be a great place to start. It's fairly simple and will, hopefully, interest as many newcomers as possible in the new challenge.

Please post any additional comments or suggestions this week so that we can nail this thing down as much as possible. Obviously, this can evolve, but I am hoping that we can keep it as consistent as possible so that the numbers hold up over the course of the Fall challenge.

Lisa - I will try to write something up to post on the first page of the new Fall thread along with the COW and other basic challenge info. If you're already setting this up, please put in a place holder for this part of the challenge also.

 

[jenanderson]

The "WIN!" Challenge - "Whittle Inches Now!"

Connie - I just have to say...I LOVE the name! I love that it is so positive and it reflects what we all feel we are trying to do. It is so hard to come up with names for the challenges that reflect positive images.

I was going to go to bed but I just had to respond to this and let you know it is great!

Night everyone!
Jen

 

[Connie96]

Connie - I just have to say...I LOVE the name! I love that it is so positive and it reflects what we all feel we are trying to do. It is so hard to come up with names for the challenges that reflect positive images.

I was going to go to bed but I just had to respond to this and let you know it is great!

Thanks, Jen! I had absolutely nothing to do with it. The name is all MARIA! Thank you Worfiedoodles!!

 

[tigger813]

Good morning friends!

Well, I got up at 5:30 and DD1 and I did the 3 mile WATP with the weights! I'm drinking some water before I hop in the shower. We have to leave here by 8:30 as my clients coming at 9:30 for her massage.

What really got me up was that my remote for my alarm clock must've fallen off my nightstand during the night so I had to get up and turn it off.

Surprisingly no soreness from Bob's workout last night. I want to do it again at some point today along with doing 2-3 miles on the elliptical.

Time to get moving. Going to be a busy day!

 

[pjlla]

What is your solution for the Nerf darts that seem to multiply on their own, except when someone needs them?!?

Hope the first day went well and great job on the NSV!

Don't even TALK to me about Nerf darts!! I let DS buy two new Nerf guns at a local yard sale a few weeks ago (in addition to the ones he already owned) and he and DH have been having battles EVERY DAY... all around the house! I actually started picking up the darts as I find them and hiding them in a Disney popcorn bucket. I figure eventually they will run out of ammo because I will have found it all!!

Thanks for asking... the first day went great (except I was late getting to the bus stop and he had to walk home in the rain... ). He has his best friend in Math and his girl friend in World Language and Science. He was excited about some new technology they are using in Math to make the class more interactive. He said he didn't see his homeroom classmates much, which was a plus.

Not trying to have a stealth birthday, it just fell between the challenges. It was like that during school. Everyone else got cupcakes, and mine always seemed to get overlooked, with all the back to school stuff going on. Maybe that's where all my problems started. Anyhow, I think it's very cool that Connie is the 30th, I am the 4th, and Taryn is the 5th! I am, of course, the old wise one of the group....

from one "old wise one" to another!!

Boy, that is a nice NSV, isn't it? A couple more are: being able to pull down your pants without unzipping, even the newer, smaller sized ones and having to replace sports bras because they are so loose things are falling out the bottom that should be held in!

Thanks for the morning chuckle!

OMG! Y'all, it is SO much cooler here today. I headed out for my run at about 6:45 this morning. It was 75 degrees and overcast. It was wonderful! I ran 4 minutes, walked 1 minute, 18 times. That's 1 hour, 30 minutes and I covered 8.18 miles!! According to my Garmin, including both walk and run intervals, my average pace was 11:01. For just over 8 miles, I am loving that pace!

Nice job!

With school starting back this week, the zoo was practically deserted. Just a handful of moms and/or dads with their babies and preschoolers. Between the very few people and the lower temps, it was probably my favorite zoo trip ever.

We did make it to the library this afternoon and my baby girl checked out her first ever library book. "The Biggest Pumpkin Ever". Gonna read it before bedtime tonight.

I wish I could have more frequent days just like this with my sweet girl. I think I'm gonna miss her even more than usual when I go to work tomorrow.

Glad you enjoyed your day! I suppose when you don't get many days like that, it makes them more special! DD is off to her second year of high school today and I STILL miss her when she is gone. I even put a little treat in her lunch sack today.... a Lindt dark chocolate truffle. Hope she smiles when she sees it.

We're back from the game. It's quiet around here tonight. Didn't do great--had a beer, some peanuts and some ice cream. I was really hungry tonight for some reason. And I'm still so stinking tired! I hope whatever I had, the tired part goes away soon. I was going to get up with Mike and run, but I think I'll sleep in and maybe go after work or maybe I will skip it tomorrow. I don't skip too often, so I'm not going to feel guilty. Ok, maybe a little guilty, but I'm going to try to not feel guilty.

Have a nice evening!

In my book tired=hungry/munchies... so I totally get the beer, peanuts, and ice cream!

Don't think of it as "skipping"... think of it as tapering for the big run!

Thursday QOTD--I'm giving you a choice here. I know it's the end of the challenge, so if you are burned out and need an easy one, pick the Disney question and if you're in a reflecting mood, pick the second one.

1. Which Disney character do you wish you were more like and why? What trait do you admire most in them?
OR
2. As we come to the start of a new challenge, what advice or wisdom would you share with someone just starting?

I'll pick question #2.

My advise would be that you need to start thinking of this as a LIFESTYLE CHANGE. Throw out the word "diet". If you want success with weight loss and MAINTENANCE for a lifetime, you need to change your LIFE, starting with your eating habits and exercise habits. PERIOD.

I was doing a breast self exam, and thought I had felt a lump. IT WAS MY RIBS.

Taryn

I had to laugh about this. A few weeks ago on vacation I was floating around in the water on my back and went to scratch an itch on my belly. I scratched and felt something hard underneath. I thought for one second it might be a tumor or something.... then I realized it was my ABDOMINAL MUSCLES! I actually have abs!!

Good morning friends!

Well, I got up at 5:30 and DD1 and I did the 3 mile WATP with the weights! I'm drinking some water before I hop in the shower. We have to leave here by 8:30 as my clients coming at 9:30 for her massage.

What really got me up was that my remote for my alarm clock must've fallen off my nightstand during the night so I had to get up and turn it off.

Surprisingly no soreness from Bob's workout last night. I want to do it again at some point today along with doing 2-3 miles on the elliptical.

Time to get moving. Going to be a busy day!

Glad the soreness isn't an issue... but be careful it doesn't show up later. I had a hard leg workout a few weeks ago and then the next morning I was just a tiny bit sore and went ahead with my 5 mi run.... well, by the time I returned from my run and showered, my legs were so sore I could hardly move! The soreness just took a bit to show up!!

Morning all! Well... after all the responses I feel like I've been on here long enough already! My Mom is here visiting and we have a full day of "stuff" planned, so I'm not going to hang around here much today.

DD is off to high school today... sophomore year. She looked so pretty this morning... I can't believe in a few years I will be dropping her off at college and saying good-bye. Of course, there are the days where we are butting heads and I can't WAIT for her to be gone!!

I had to cut my run short yesterday.... bladder issues again. I think I'm going to have to see my doctor... this is really bugging me. But I did get in 3 miles before I had to stop.... but I was running in a new place and on my last lap, when I stopped for water, I saw a sign that said NO JOGGING... OOPS!! Guess I won't return there (it was a HUGE cemetary... I tried to stay around the outside perimeter out of respect, but I guess it was a no-no.).

Well, healthy breakfast is eaten, so time to move along! I'll chat with you all later tonight or tomorrow!...........P

 

[Rose&Mike]

I'm late, so no time to reply, but just wanted to say hi quick!
I had another very weird dream last night that someone in my strength class posted on here that they made their goal of 7 pounds lost and posted like 50 pictures, but I was late so I didn't have time to look at the pictures.

Breakfast is going to be a protein bar and banana and lunch is going to be an Amy's. I'm going to try to run 5k after work if I am feeling more energetic. Then tonight is the last $beer of the season, unless they make the playoffs. Planning to enjoy it with some friends. I will pop in before the game for a minute. Have a great last day everyone!

 

[lisah0711]

Good morning all!

Thank you, Rose, for being our coach this week! You've done a great job!

Congratulations to all of us who have stuck it out through this entire challenge! I know that it seems like we are a pretty quiet group right now but actually we are finishing with about twice as many active people as last summer so I think that we are doing great.

I have the new thread up. I was working on it early this morning and not feeling too well, tummy upset, so it will need some fine tuning when I have fresh eyes. Luckily today is my day to stay home with DS so I can take it easy.

Did pretty well on the trip. Ate what I wanted but was careful not to eat too much of anything. Only gained a half pound, and hoping to be rid of that by weigh in on Sun.

Glad to hear that you did so well on your vacation!

2. As we come to the start of a new challenge, what advice or wisdom would you share with someone just starting?[/B]

I'm going with pjlla's answer on this one -- it's a lifestyle change and you can do it!

Got in a 20 minute nap! Ate well today. No exercise. I think I am going to have to accept that for the next month, I am just going to have to do the best I can to keep my family running on schedule and eating healthy, and get in the exercise when I can. It's a scary concept for me, b/c I know that the exercise is the key to weight loss, but I can't do it all.

, Taryn. I think your plan is a great one!

The "WIN!" Challenge - "Whittle Inches Now!"

I have documented measurement preferences from Taryn, Lindsay, CC, Lisa, Bree and myself. If I missed any others, please holler at me so I can go back and pick them up.

I have gotten the most votes for:
bust , waist, hips, 1 thigh, 1 upper arm (you pick left or right; just stick with the same side when you measure again)

That's 5 measurements. Personally, I think this will be a great place to start. It's fairly simple and will, hopefully, interest as many newcomers as possible in the new challenge.

Please post any additional comments or suggestions this week so that we can nail this thing down as much as possible. Obviously, this can evolve, but I am hoping that we can keep it as consistent as possible so that the numbers hold up over the course of the Fall challenge.

Lisa - I will try to write something up to post on the first page of the new Fall thread along with the COW and other basic challenge info. If you're already setting this up, please put in a place holder for this part of the challenge also.

Already saved you a spot! We will do some cutting and pasting and fine tuning on the new thread this week-end.

Surprisingly no soreness from Bob's workout last night. I want to do it again at some point today along with doing 2-3 miles on the elliptical. Time to get moving. Going to be a busy day!

Sounds like the Energizer Bunny is back!

pjlla, enjoy your day with your Mom!

Have a great day all!

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

2. As we come to the start of a new challenge, what advice or wisdom would you share with someone just starting?[/B]

My advice would be to hop right in and dont be shy. It is overwhelming at first with so many people already knowing each other. I am so glad I did not shy away because I have made so many new friends on here and everyone has been so helpful. I dont think I would have been so successful this far without this challenge.

I was doing a breast self exam, and thought I had felt a lump. IT WAS MY RIBS.

Some of these are just signs of progress, hope it doesn't seem too cocky, but I really needed to list things to keep my head up!

You seriously crack me up girl Glad it was only a rib.

You are not being cocky just proud and I am so inspired by reading your accomplishments both NSV and SV. You are amazing!

Breakfast is going to be a protein bar and banana and lunch is going to be an Amy's. I'm going to try to run 5k after work if I am feeling more energetic. Then tonight is the last $beer of the season, unless they make the playoffs. Planning to enjoy it with some friends. I will pop in before the game for a minute. Have a great last day everyone!

Have a great day and enjoy the potentially last game of the season. I cant believe this is the last day of the challenge. Wow it has gone fast.

QOTD- (I think yesterday....lost track)
NSV accomplishments.

I figured I would take a minute to answer this since I think I will fall a few lbs short of my challenge goal. It always helps to reflect on the accomplishments I have made vs. the ones I have not.

Ok so these may be tied a bit to the Scale but here is what I have done in the past 4 months.

Changed my BMI from 34.8 (obese) to 30.4 (overwieght)
Lost >10% of my body weight which has already decreased my risk of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, etc.
I went from running a 5K in 42 minutes to 36:30
I have run 6.2 miles and didnt feel like dying afterwards
I am excited to run even farther....the fact that I have excited and run in the same sentence is an amazing accomplishment for me.
I fit into clothes that I havent been able to wear in awhile.
I actually have clothes that are too big instead of too tight

I hope at the end of next challenge my list grows even more.

Thanks Rose for giving me the opportunity to reflect on the good things. that was a great question.

Have a great day!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

QOTD--Pamela got us started off on this question. As we finish up this challenge, what NSV (non-scale victories) have you achieved this summer or this year?

1. I know you have all seen this a million times -- my long runs are now 10M every (ok, most) weeks.

2. I went from 1 diet soda a day to virtually none at all, a max of one a week.

Thursday QOTD--I'm giving you a choice here. I know it's the end of the challenge, so if you are burned out and need an easy one, pick the Disney question and if you're in a reflecting mood, pick the second one.

1. Which Disney character do you wish you were more like and why? What trait do you admire most in them?
OR
2. As we come to the start of a new challenge, what advice or wisdom would you share with someone just starting?

I think I'd like to be more like Mulan. She's very brave, and she's willing to take on challenges that no one else will tackle. I most admire her unwavering commitment to her cause.

Last day, and last post from me for awhile. I have my cat/house sitter ready to go, and the next time you hear from me will be in the new Challenge! I am excited, I know I will be ready to get going again, and looking for a great loss once the vacation weight goes away. Of course, I found out I have to spend the 13th-17th in Denver, so I won't have a lot of control over my eating -- but the hotel is supposed to have a great gym!

Great news on the shoulder, it is feeling almost completely normal, and the deep pain is gone. I probably could have run today, but I just don't have time.

I am looking forward to jumping into the various Challenges! I will be well-rested and ready to go, go, go!

Another round of Thank Yous for our hostess, weightkeeper, cow keeper and all the coaches!

I'm sorry if I'm sort of checked out from individual replies -- I keep thinking of things to put on my "To Do" list and things I need to do -- I am in full vacation mode!

Maria

 

[brinalyn530]

Tried to post yesterday, but you guys were so busy I didn’t make it through all the posts. Then you guys were even more busy! Hopefully I’ll get all caught up today.

I think the logic behind including both legs or both arms is just so that when you lose, you get to count it twice. Instead of losing 1 inch from your right thigh, you could say you lost 2 inches from your thighs.

I can tell you that iMapMyRun will not run in the background, so if you're not actually in the app, you're not going to get anything. (I used it on my iPhone so I'm not sure of any differences that may exist between that and the iTouch.) As far as using MapMyRun on the computer, click on "Start Mapping" (on the left side of the center section just under all the heading stuff). Wait for the advertisement to clear or click continue in the upper right corner. Click in the "Jump to" box at the top center of the map, enter the address or city where you want to start and click "go". From there you should just be able to click the cross-hairs where you want to start and keep clicking to mark your path. Click and drag to reposition the map. If you're running off-road, look in the same box next to the "jump to"/"go" and you'll see a box that says "street map". You can select "hybrid map" and you'll see the satellite map and unless it's obstructed by trees or whatever, you oughta be able to pick out your running path. I hope this is helpful and that you're able to make it work for you.

Well, in that case, then, I’ll be happy to measure both thighs and upper arms! (I typed this part of my reply yesterday – it really doesn’t matter to me though).
Thank you for the directions. It sounds like I may have been on a completely different site? I will have to try it again as soon as I finish posting.

Bree--have fun at Hershey Park. I went to JCPenney (not my favorite store, but it worked for this) to get fitted for a new bra and they were so nice. I was really glad I did, it made such a difference in how my clothes fit. I've actually had to go twice this year. As for the knee, not sure what it would be. Did your fingers swell as well? If it does it again, I think I'd check with a Dr. I've never had my knees swell like that. And how cool is that, that you aren't out of breath! What a NSV!!!

Thanks Rose! I never would have thought to go to Penney’s for that, but it sounds a lot less intimidating than VS so I may give it a go soon. And that was what was so weird about the swelling, it was just my knees and maybe my legs a bit, but not at all in my hands, feet, face, or arms. It hasn’t happened again even with all the walking around yesterday, so I really hope it was a onetime thing!

Hershey Park was lots of fun! We kept getting frustrated at the layout though – it was very confusing and very hard to tell which coaster you were getting in line for since they all seem intertwined! We all at some point or another compared it to Disney, inefficient line control, confusing layout, rides not properly marked on the maps, entrances difficult to find, etc. We probably sounded like spoiled brats! But we had a lot of fun, a lot of laughs, and I left with about 5 lbs of chocolate! I bought most of it for my coworkers and brought it to work yesterday so at least it’s not in the house. Some is for gifts so I won’t be tempted to eat that, the rest is half DS’s and half mine. I’m going to portion my half out so when I want some I can get one baggie and that’s it.

As for the running, I bought a Nike+ sensor and a little velcro strap ( non-nike brand) from Amazon to go w/ my itouch. I think for both it was like $25. It was seriously the best purchase ever. It tells me my pace, time, calories burned, and mileage, and I can run w/ my playlist. The strap hooks it to my shoelaces. I it. Taryn

I was JUST looking at that on Amazon a few days ago! I held off though because I wasn’t sure how accurate it is. Definitely sounds like it needs to go from my wish list to my cart! Thank you!

Lisa – Hair ended up looking awesome! I’ll try to get some decent pics and (try to figure out how to) post them. I am now a redhead !

CC – Awesome job with all the exercising!

Tracey – Accidents are always scary no matter how minor! Hope you got lots of snuggling in!

Congrats to the losers this week! And thanks to everyone for all their support and hard work keeping us on track!

Taryn – Take it easy on yourself, it’s almost over ! Keep looking for that light!

Maria – Have a great vacation!

I know I missed some people, sorry! I' m running out of time and I have a couple of things to finish up at work. Have a great evening everyone!

Bree

 

[tigger813]

I just can't win! I've got another bad headache today! I've spent the last 2 hours on the couch! I think it's allergy as the count is very high today. I have my yearly check up in 2 weeks so I will talk to the doctor about it. I've been trying to drink more water and eat more in the morning but today nothing is working. I have to head back to work in about 2 hours so I'm hoping it will get better by then.

Took the car and it will get a new rear bumper on Sept. 8. Tomorrow I have to work and then go get a sleeping back for DH and pick up a few groceries that we need before our weekend at the lake.

Just heard about a break in at the neighbor's house. They stole her laptop. They think it was teenagers which there are a lot of around here. It happened in the middle of the day on Tuesday. We were home most of that time. The back of her house is kind of hidden so they were able to do it without being seen. Ours is a bit more open. Just have to make sure everything is closed up tightly and locked when we leave this weekend. We'll have to remember to leave some lights on so it looks like we're home. Glad one car will be here.

Gotta think about starting supper! I will still get up and workout in the morning but going to take it slow and try to deal with these headaches.

 

[Connie96]

Am I grouchy because I'm hungry or am I hungry because I'm grouchy??

I didn't expect the last day of this challenge to be this challenging!

 

[pjlla]

Breakfast is going to be a protein bar and banana and lunch is going to be an Amy's. I'm going to try to run 5k after work if I am feeling more energetic. Then tonight is the last $beer of the season, unless they make the playoffs. Planning to enjoy it with some friends. I will pop in before the game for a minute. Have a great last day everyone!

Hope the game, the friendship, and the $beer was good! I'm not into sports and such, but a ball game with friends and dollar beer sounds terrific right now!

Congratulations to all of us who have stuck it out through this entire challenge! I know that it seems like we are a pretty quiet group right now but actually we are finishing with about twice as many active people as last summer so I think that we are doing great.

I have the new thread up. I was working on it early this morning and not feeling too well, tummy upset, so it will need some fine tuning when I have fresh eyes. Luckily today is my day to stay home with DS so I can take it easy.


pjlla, enjoy your day with your Mom!

Have a great day all!

I agree.... BIG round of applause for those of us who stuck with this for the "long haul" through the summer! You should give yourselves a pat on the back!!

Lisa... thanks SO much for starting up our NEW challenge! You are SUPER and we all appreciate it so much! This is for you....

Mom and I had a great day (thanks for asking).... we ran some essential errands, got in and out of Verizon in an hour..., had a nice salad bar lunch at Ruby Tuesday's, chatted a lot, played some games with DS when he got home from school. She is out at the pool now with DS... water too cold for the grownups to swim, but he wanted to swim anyhow.

1. I know you have all seen this a million times -- my long runs are now 10M every (ok, most) weeks.

2. I went from 1 diet soda a day to virtually none at all, a max of one a week.

I think I'd like to be more like Mulan. She's very brave, and she's willing to take on challenges that no one else will tackle. I most admire her unwavering commitment to her cause.

Last day, and last post from me for awhile. I have my cat/house sitter ready to go, and the next time you hear from me will be in the new Challenge! I am excited, I know I will be ready to get going again, and looking for a great loss once the vacation weight goes away. Of course, I found out I have to spend the 13th-17th in Denver, so I won't have a lot of control over my eating -- but the hotel is supposed to have a great gym!

Great news on the shoulder, it is feeling almost completely normal, and the deep pain is gone. I probably could have run today, but I just don't have time.
Maria

You're NSVs are tremendous! I just can't wrap my mind around running 10 miles.... but then of course, 6 months ago I couldn't picture running 5 mi and I can now!

Glad the shoulder is back to (almost) normal.

We will miss you for now, but we look forward to seeing you when you return and get back to our new challenge!! Have a SUPER DUPER trip... travel safely...

Thanks Rose! I never would have thought to go to Penney’s for that, but it sounds a lot less intimidating than VS so I may give it a go soon. And that was what was so weird about the swelling, it was just my knees and maybe my legs a bit, but not at all in my hands, feet, face, or arms. It hasn’t happened again even with all the walking around yesterday, so I really hope it was a onetime thing!

Lisa – Hair ended up looking awesome! I’ll try to get some decent pics and (try to figure out how to) post them. I am now a redhead !

Bree

Seriously??... red head?? How COOL! PICTURES PLEASE!!

I wasn't impressed with my "bra fitting" at VS. They only measured me with my current bra on... IMHO that doesn't really give you any idea how large you are because your bra could be filled/padded (as my was) and doesn't give a true cup size. Honestly, I think you need to be measured NAKED to get it right.... but what do I know.

I just can't win! I've got another bad headache today! I've spent the last 2 hours on the couch! I think it's allergy as the count is very high today. I have my yearly check up in 2 weeks so I will talk to the doctor about it. I've been trying to drink more water and eat more in the morning but today nothing is working. I have to head back to work in about 2 hours so I'm hoping it will get better by then.

Took the car and it will get a new rear bumper on Sept. 8. Tomorrow I have to work and then go get a sleeping back for DH and pick up a few groceries that we need before our weekend at the lake.

Just heard about a break in at the neighbor's house. They stole her laptop. They think it was teenagers which there are a lot of around here. It happened in the middle of the day on Tuesday. We were home most of that time. The back of her house is kind of hidden so they were able to do it without being seen. Ours is a bit more open. Just have to make sure everything is closed up tightly and locked when we leave this weekend. We'll have to remember to leave some lights on so it looks like we're home. Glad one car will be here.

Gotta think about starting supper! I will still get up and workout in the morning but going to take it slow and try to deal with these headaches.

Wow... things are tough right now in your house... I hope that the headache fairy goes away SOON! Sure that it isn't some sort of neck pain or post-accident trauma pain??

Maybe you could have a friend come in and switch some lights off and on while you're gone?? Or use a timer? It might make you feel better about leaving.

Hope you feel better tomorrow.

Am I grouchy because I'm hungry or am I hungry because I'm grouchy??

I didn't expect the last day of this challenge to be this challenging!

LOVE this question! I just said to my Mom today before lunch... "Feed me! I'm hungry and I feel like a grouchy toddler!" (Said with a smile, of course! )

But really.... listen your your body. Do you have TRUE hunger symptoms? Growling tummy, light-headed, empty feeling, would like to eat almost ANYTHING? Then fill it! Grab a piece of fruit or a piece of cheese and fill that hungry belly? Not real hunger?? "Mental" hunger instead of physical hunger?? Find something else to do to distract you... take a walk, talk to a friend, post a fun quote on FB, come chat with us, make a bed, dust a room, reorganize a drawer.

Evening everyone! I had a great day today with my Mom... dinner is ready in the crockpot and we will be eating soon. I can't believe tomorrow is the last weigh in for this challenge.... and I am still trying to lose my early August vacation weight.... But I am making progress in the right direction, so I'm trying NOT to perseverate about it.

I'll be on in the morning to chat!..................P

 

[carmiedog]

QOTD--As we finish up this challenge, what NSV (non-scale victories) have you achieved this summer or this year?

1) I've kicked the salt habit. I was eating better, but dumping salt on everything. Cucumbers, tomatoes, steamed cabbage, apples...and LOTS OF SALT. I've learned to like things with Mrs. Dash instead. I think (or at least hope) that it's helped with water retention.

2) I'm relying less on frozen meals for lunches. Which means less chemicals and gunk, and...again...less salt!

 

[pjlla]

QOTD--As we finish up this challenge, what NSV (non-scale victories) have you achieved this summer or this year?

1) I've kicked the salt habit. I was eating better, but dumping salt on everything. Cucumbers, tomatoes, steamed cabbage, apples...and LOTS OF SALT. I've learned to like things with Mrs. Dash instead. I think (or at least hope) that it's helped with water retention.

2) I'm relying less on frozen meals for lunches. Which means less chemicals and gunk, and...again...less salt!

You are doing yourself and your health a HUGE favor by dumping the salt habit! There was a cover article in the Nutrition Action Newsletter not that long ago about how bad for your overall health excess salt is and how much most people consume without realizing it. Nice job getting HEALTHY in addition to getting slim and fit! ...................P

 

[jenanderson]

Evening Everyone! I have resisted the urge to come here and post all day long...not because of you guys but because I have had to focus on more applications and it is easy to get distracted when I get surfin' here!

Reminder...Please send me COW data for the week tomorrow! There have been a few faithful participants but feel free to send me data even if you tried just one part!

Today I am feeling fat and bloated. I did not run since I promised myself after 3 straight days of running and 21 miles logged...I would take a break today. I think I am going to walk with my son in a bit though. I think since I have spent a lot of time sitting in front of my computer working on applications, I just feel like a slug.

Here is a super good thing though...in the past, I would have snacked away while I worked on something as stressful as applications while sitting at the computer. Today I did not eat even one snack. I put my computer and all the things I would need to work out in our dining room and did not even go to the kitchen. I feel really good about that. Tomorrow I need to do more applications and I plan on doing the same thing except I will make sure I have 2-3 big things of water by me. I did not drink enough water yet today.

Some of you may be wondering why it takes me so long to work on these applications. Well, in Minnesota (it might be other states as well), most teacher applications have essay questions. The one I am currently working on has 12 essay questions and it takes so much time to come up with good answers.

My plan for the rest of the night is to finish this last application, take a walk with DS, make a smoothie for snack and get to bed early. I want to run tomorrow morning before DH heads off to work. If I don't get back on tonight...have a great evening everyone!
Jen